23 September 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES

February 9, 2024

Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 23 September 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

Govt Launches Kisan Rin Portal, Ghar Ghar KCC Campaign and WINDS Manual

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recently launched a series of initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector in India. These initiatives include the Kisan Rin portal, the Ghar Ghar KCC campaign, and the Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) manual.

Kisan Rin Portal: A Comprehensive Farmer Data Hub

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Kisan Rin portal in Delhi, which is poised to become a game-changer for the agricultural sector. The portal is designed to serve as an integrated hub that offers a comprehensive view of crucial farmer-related information.

Empowering Farmers with Information: The Kisan Rin portal will provide farmers with easy access to vital data, including loan disbursement specifics, interest subvention claims, and scheme utilization progress. This empowerment will enable farmers to make informed decisions about their financial matters.

Transparency in Agricultural Finance: One of the key goals of the Kisan Rin portal is to bring transparency to agricultural finance. By centralizing data related to loans and subsidies, it will help combat corruption and ensure that benefits reach farmers as intended.

Deadline for Data Submission: Finance Minister Sitharaman has set a deadline for banks to provide all relevant data for the Kisan Rin portal by December 31, 2023. This timeline reflects the government’s commitment to implementing the portal effectively and swiftly.

Ghar Ghar KCC Campaign: Achieving Saturation of the Scheme

Ghar Ghar KCC campaign, scheduled for launch on October 1, 2023 is poised to further strengthen the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, which has been instrumental in providing credit support to farmers across the country.

Widespread Coverage: The Ghar Ghar KCC campaign aims to achieve saturation of the KCC scheme, ensuring that every eligible farmer has access to this essential financial tool.

Enhanced Financial Inclusion: By expanding the reach of the KCC scheme, this campaign will promote financial inclusion in rural areas and bolster the economic well-being of farmers.

Digitization of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

During the launch event, Finance Minister Sitharaman expressed her concern about the slow progress of computerization in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

Strengthening Credit Delivery: The Finance Minister urged RRB management to expedite the digitization process to strengthen credit delivery in rural areas. She emphasized that this is crucial for ensuring timely and efficient financial support to farmers.

Department of Financial Services’ Role: The Department of Financial Services is actively working to sensitize RRBs to achieve computerization at a faster pace, underscoring the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide.

Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) Manual

In addition to the Kisan Rin portal, Finance Minister Sitharaman also unveiled a manual for the Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) portal, launched in July.

Advanced Weather Data Analytics: The WINDS portal leverages advanced weather data analytics to provide stakeholders with actionable insights on weather patterns. This information is invaluable for informed decision-making in agriculture.

Empowering Stakeholders: The comprehensive manual provides stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and agricultural entities, with a deep understanding of the portal’s functionalities, data interpretation, and effective utilization. This empowerment will lead to better choices and outcomes in agriculture.

Parametric Crop Insurance: The WINDS portal also addresses the need for a parametric crop insurance scheme and non-scheme parametric insurance programs to mitigate crop and disaster risks. These initiatives align with the broader goals of agricultural risk reduction and financial security.

Rafflesia Genus, World’s Largest Flower Near Extinction

An international group of scientists, including botanists from the University of Oxford’s Botanic Garden, has issued a dire call to action to save the iconic genus Rafflesia. These remarkable plants, known for their massive, foul-smelling flowers, are under severe threat due to habitat destruction and lack of protection. A recent study has shed light on the precarious status of Rafflesia, urging immediate conservation efforts to prevent their extinction.

The Mystery of Rafflesia, World’s Largest Flower

Rafflesia, often referred to as the “corpse flower,” is a botanical enigma that has fascinated scientists for centuries. It is a parasitic plant that infects tropical vines in the jungles of Southeast Asia. For most of its life, Rafflesia remains hidden as a system of thread-like filaments within its host plant. However, at unpredictable intervals, it produces a massive, five-lobed flower, measuring up to a meter in width. This flower emits a putrid scent resembling rotting meat to attract pollinating files.

The Race against Extinction

While Rafflesia has long been an object of fascination, it is now facing an existential threat. The primary danger lies in the destruction of its natural habitat. The forests of South-East Asia are being rapidly cleared for agriculture, logging and urban development, leaving the Rafflesia species with fewer places to call home. As a result, these plants are under grave peril.

Of the 42 known species of Rafflesia, 25 are classified as critically endangered and 15 are endangered. Shockingly, more than two-thirds of these species receive no protection from current conservation strategies. This relevant comes from the first-ever global assessment of the threats facing these remarkable plants.

A Call for Urgent Action

Dr. Chris Thorogood, an author of the study from the University of Oxford Botanic Garden, emphasizes the urgency of the situation. He points out that the conservation efforts for these iconic plants have lagged behind those for animals. To safeguard these extraordinary flowers, a collaborative, cross-regional approach is imperative.

Key Actions to Save Rafflesia from Extinction

The study calls for several key actions to save Rafflesia from extinction:

Habitat Protection: Efforts must be made to protect and preserve the natural habitats where Rafflesia thrives. Halting deforestations and illegal logging is crucial to secure their future.
Species Understanding: As many Rafflesia species remain poorly understood, research efforts must be intensified to gain insights into their ecology, biology and distribution.
Propagation Methods: Developing effective propagation techniques in botanic gardens is essential to ensure the survival of these species outside their natural habitats.
Community Engagement: Encouraging ecotourism can provide local communities with incentives to protect Rafflesia. Indigenous peoples, with their deep connection to the forests, can play a vital role in conservation efforts.
IUCN Red List: Researchers are advocating for the inclusion of all Rafflesia species on the IUCN Red List of threatened species to raise awareness and garner international support.

CUSAT researchers name new marine tardigrade species after A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Researchers at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) have identified a new species of marine tardigrade which they have named after the late former President and scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Named ‘Batillipes kalami’, the new species of tardigrades was found by researchers in the intertidal beach sediments of Mandapam coast, close to Kalam’s birthplace in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

About ‘Batillipes kalami’

The newly-discovered species is approximately 0.17mm long and 0.05mm wide, characterized by four pairs of legs.
It belongs to the phylum Tardigrada, which comprises more than 1,300 described species.
Of them, just 17% are marine species.
Batillipes kalami is the 37th species under the genus Batillipes. Few morphological variations among species and limited number of differential characters make its taxonomy challenging and problematic.
Though studies on tardigrades are increasing worldwide, the phylum remains unexplored. Studies from India are in the evolving stages.
This is the second time a marine tardigrade is described from Indian waters – the first time from the east coast.
In 2021, the same research team discovered a marine tardigrade from the southwest coast and named it ‘Stygarctus keralensis’ after the state of Kerala.

What is Tardigrades?

Tardigrades, often referred to as water bears, are eight-legged micro-animals found in the water.
They are known for extraordinary resilience and survival abilities in extreme environmental conditions.
They are considered to be one of the toughest organisms on earth, having survived all five mass extinctions, and are also the first known animal to survive in space.
Ecologically, they act as pioneer species by inhabiting new developing environments, attracting other invertebrates to colonise the space.

Swati Nayak from Odisha, To Receive the 2023 Norman Borlaug Field Award

In a momentous recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field of agriculture and food production, Odia scientist Swati Nayak is set to receive the prestigious Borlaug Field Award for 2023. This coveted award honors her innovative approach to engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, from testing and deployment to access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties.

A Rising Star at CGIAR-International Rice Research Institute

Swati Nayak currently serves as a scientist and holds the position of South Asia lead for seed system and product management at the CGIAR-International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) located in the Philippines. Her dedication and commitment to revolutionizing rice agriculture have earned her this distinguished accolade from the World Food Prize selection jury.

A Remarkable Career Spanning 13 Years

Swati Nayak’s impressive career spanning over 13 years has left an indelible mark on the world of agriculture. She has organized more than 10,000 on-farm and comparative testings, and participatory evaluations for over 500 rice varieties.

Her efforts have resulted in the dissemination of more than 20 critical path-breaking varieties that are not only climate-resilient but also high-yielding, bio-fortified, and healthier, all achieved through innovative seed systems and scaling channels across multiple countries.

Swati Nayak’s Drought-tolerant rice variety

One of Swati Nayak’s remarkable achievements includes the introduction of the drought-tolerant rice variety, Shahabhagi Dhan, in Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Eight years since her initial intervention, Shahabhagi Dhan continues to be one of the most sought-after rice products in Odisha and the rest of India, as attested by official sources.

Seeds Without Borders: An International Seed Policy Agreement

Nayak’s influence extends beyond national borders. She played a pivotal role in crafting an international seed policy agreement known as “Seeds Without Borders,” which expedites the distribution of modern rice varieties throughout South and Southeast Asia. Her work in this domain has contributed significantly to enhancing global food security.

Empowering Women in Agriculture

In addition to her groundbreaking research, Swati Nayak has made a substantial impact on empowering women in agriculture through her collaboration with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), a project led by the Indian government and the World Bank. Her initiatives have fostered greater gender inclusivity and participation in agriculture-related activities.

The Grand Recognition

Swati Nayak is scheduled to receive the Borlaug Field Award during the Borlaug Dialogue, set to take place on October 24 this year in Des Moines, Iowa. This award, named after the renowned agricultural scientist and Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, is presented annually to individuals under the age of 40 whose work significantly advances global food production and helps alleviate hunger and malnutrition. As part of this honor, Nayak will be awarded $10,000 and an award diploma.

Key takeaways for competitive examination

Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik

Government Unveils AI Chatbot for PM-Kisan Scheme

The Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, took a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme with the launch of an AI Chatbot. This groundbreaking development was announced during an event held in New Delhi, attended by dignitaries from the central and state governments.

A Visionary Step for Farmers

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary, led the launch of the AI Chatbot, marking a significant milestone in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to bring positive change to the lives of farmers and improve governance through technology.

Shri Choudhary emphasized that the AI Chatbot would play a pivotal role in providing farmers with easy access to scheme information and efficient grievance resolution. He also stressed the need to expand the service to include other critical aspects such as weather information, soil conditions, and bank payments.

Empowering Farmers with AI

The AI Chatbot introduced with the PM-KISAN scheme serves as a comprehensive guide for beneficiaries, offering timely and accurate responses to their inquiries related to the scheme. This marks the first instance of an AI Chatbot integration with a major flagship scheme of the Union Government. Developed and enhanced with the support of EKstep Foundation and Bhashini, the Chatbot aims to empower farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform.

In its initial development phase, the AI Chatbot will assist farmers in obtaining information about their application status, payment details, ineligibility status, and other scheme-related updates. Accessible through the PM KISAN mobile app, the Chatbot is integrated with Bhashini, providing multilingual support to cater to the linguistic and regional diversity of PM KISAN beneficiaries. This technological integration will not only enhance transparency but also enable farmers to make informed decisions.

Expanding Language Accessibility

Currently available in English and Hindi, the Chatbot will soon be accessible in Bengali, Odia, Telugu, Tamil, and Marathi. By October/November 2023, it is expected to be available in all 22 languages of the country. The launch of this AI Chatbot is poised to revolutionize the accessibility and efficiency of the PM-KISAN scheme, making it easier for farmers to access crucial information and support.

International Day of Sign Languages 2023: Date, Theme, Significance and History

The United Nations General Assembly has designated September 23rd as the International Day of Sign Languages to raise awareness about the crucial role sign language plays in upholding the human rights of individuals who are deaf.

Each year on September 23rd, the International Day of Sign Languages is observed as an opportunity to promote and safeguard the linguistic and cultural heritage of the deaf community. Sign language serves as a unifying tool, making it essential to acknowledge and commemorate this day. It’s important to note that each year, the International Day of Sign Languages adopts a different theme. It is encouraged for everyone to actively engage in related activities and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of sign language.

History of International Day of Sign Languages 2023

The concept of the International Day of Sign Languages was introduced by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an organization representing the human rights of approximately 70 million deaf individuals through its 135 national member associations. The inaugural celebration took place in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf.

Theme of International Day of Sign Languages 2023

The theme for this year is “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!”. This theme underscores the unifying power of sign languages, emphasizing its importance for deaf communities, governments, and civil society organizations.

Significance of International Day of Sign Languages 2023

The significance of IDSL is to:

Promote the linguistic identity and cultural heritage of deaf people.
Advocate for the recognition and protection of sign languages as full and equal languages.
Raise awareness of the challenges faced by deaf people in accessing information and services in sign language.
Promote the use of sign language in all aspects of life, including education, employment, healthcare, and government.

Sign languages are the natural languages of deaf people. They are fully developed languages with their own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Sign languages are used by deaf people all over the world to communicate with each other and with hearing people who know sign language.

IDSL is an important opportunity to celebrate the diversity of sign languages and to promote their use in all aspects of life. It is also a day to raise awareness of the challenges faced by deaf people and to advocate for their rights.

Antim Panghal won bronze medal in wrestling at World Championships 2023

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal secured a bronze medal in the women’s 53 kg category at the wrestling World Championships 2023 iin Serbia.

She also secured the Paris Olympics 2024 quota for India.

This is India’s first medal in this edition of the tournament.

Antim has captured India’s 23rd medal in the World Championships to date, which includes one gold, five silver, and 17 bronze medals.

Japan’s Akari Fujinami won the gold in World Championships 2023

Assam govt to launch scheme to give Rs 2 lakh each to two lakh youth

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled a transformative scheme called ‘Mukhya Mantri Atmanirbhar Asom aimed at bolstering the self-reliance of the state’s youth.

Objective: To foster self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship among the youth of Assam.

Under this initiative, a generous financial aid of Rs. 2 lakh will be provided to each eligible young person, empowering them to pursue self-employment opportunities and chart their own path to success.

RBI proposes lenders identify ‘wilful defaulters’ within six months

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) aanounced lenders would have to examine all aspects relating to wilful default on accounts with outstanding dues of Rs 25 lakh or more.

Identify wilful defaulters within six months of a loan becoming a non-performing asset (NPA).

It has allowed non-banking finance companies and cooperative banks to identify them.

A large defaulter is one whose amount in default is Rs 1 crore and above.

ISO and UNDP announce partnership to enhance sustainability action

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a landmark Statement of Intent, in addressing global development challenges.

Aim: To collaborate on initiatives geared towards enhancing international standards that advance sustainability actions by both the public and private sectors

Objective: To provide a common basis for documentation and certification, making it easier for organizations.

TCS and BankAxept AS partner to enhance Norway’s payment system

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into a partnership with BankID BankAxept AS, the provider of Norway’s national payment and electronic identity systems.

Aim: To establish and manage an operations command center.

BankAxept, the dominant national payment system in Norway, facilitates 80 per cent of card payments in the country.

BankID serves as Norway’s primary eID verification solution, relied upon by over 90 per cent of the population.

UP gov launches instant birth certificate for newborns at health facilities

Newborns at government health facilities of Uttar Pradesh will now be issued birth registration certificates immediately after delivery without the parents having to apply for same

Gov has integrated its Maa Navjaat Tracking app (MaNTrA) with the birth registration system as part of its efforts to provide ‘ease of living’ to the citizens using digital technology

UP has become the first state to implement suo motu birth registration for government health institutions

Rajasthan tops the list in solar water pump installations

Rajasthan tops the list in solar water pump installations in 2023.

More than 62,000 farmers have directly benefited from the scheme introduced by the Ashok Gehlot government four-and-a-half years ago.

According to the gov, farmers in Rajasthan are encouraged to install solar pumps for irrigation, instead of relying on electricity connections and diesel-powered plants.

The state government is encouraging farmers by offering 60 percent subsidy for installing solar pumps