25 July 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES

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 25 July 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.

So, here is the Top News of the Day for 25 July 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 25 July 2023

Twitter replaces iconic bird logo with ‘X’

Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, unveiled the new Twitter ‘X’ design, which replaced the original bird emblem. Musk’s desire for a “everything app” has kept the “X” logo in the works for some time. Before he bought Twitter for $44 billion, Musk described the platform as “an accelerant to creating X, the everything app” – something he plans to launch eventually.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

What’s in News?

Elon Musk said on July 23rd that he had a plan to modify the Twitter design, and on Monday morning he changed the iconic bird emblem with a white ‘X’ on a black background. The domain X.com is now being redirected to Twitter.

Key Points:

• The official Twitter account-@Twitter-has also been renamed ‘X’ as part of the branding, with only the new logo as a profile picture and a bio that reads “What’s happening?!”
• Mobile apps still appear to feature the blue bird though it is likely this will change once they are updated.
• Other Twitter accounts appear to be in the process of being changed, with accounts for creators- @TwitterCreator and verification- @verified having been changed while others, notably the main support account- @TwitterSupport still showing the blue bird at the time of writing.

What does logo ‘X’ means?

Twitter’s makeover is more than just a cosmetic effort. The ‘X’ logo is part of a bigger push to transform Twitter into a “everything app” modelled after China’s WeChat, which allows users to do everything from make payments to book hotel rooms.

Background of logo ‘X’:

As soon as Musk took over as Twitter CEO, the site’s legal name was changed to X Corp. Elon Musk has frequently shown an affinity towards the alphabet X. His spacecraft engineering company is named SpaceX and Tesla’s first SUV model, launched in 2015, was named Model X.

Gujarat to host 69th edition of Filmfare Awards in 2024

Gujarat will host the 69th Filmfare Awards in 2024, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been struck between the state government’s tourist cooperation and Worldwide Media (WWM) to organise the event and market the state as a film destination.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

What’s in News?

The state government’s tourism cooperation of Gujarat has signed a MoU with the entertainment and lifestyle content company Worldwide Media (WWM) on 19^th July to host the 69^th edition of Filmfare Awards in 2024.

Filmfare Awards 2024:

Significance:

The hosting of the renowned Filmfare Awards in Gujarat would be a great chance for the state to garner widespread exposure and strengthen its economy through increased tourism and film industry investments. The event’s allure would attract numerous celebrities, filmmakers and industry professionals, leading to a surge in visitors, benefiting various sectors and promoting Gujarat as a prime film destination.

Impact:

Filmfare Awards being hosted in Gujarat would have a profound impact on the local economy. With the influx of visitors, there would be surge in tourism, resulting in increased hotel bookings, dining, transportation and overall spending in the state. The event will promote Gujarat as a desirable filming site, inviting filmmakers to consider it for future films and resulting in increased investment and film production in the state.

Benefits:

• Hosting the Filmfare Awards in Gujarat would generate employment opportunities, providing a much-needed boost to workforce.
• The extensive media coverage of the Filmfare Awards, including television, print and digital platforms would give Gujarat widespread visibility and promote tourism.
• This will encourage innovation and growth in the local film industry.
• To accommodate such a prestigious event, the state and the local authorities would invest in improving infrastructure
• Filmmakers and production houses from around the world may be inspired to use Gujarat’s location, boosting cinematic tourism in the state which will bring further economic benefits.

Biography of Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Why in News?

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tribute to the illustrious freedom fighter and educationist Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his birth anniversary, which was observed on 23rd July.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

Birth and Early Life

In July 1856, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. He was a freedom fighter and a lawyer, but he became more popularly known as Lokmanya(which means “accepted by the people as their leader”) Tilak, a title that reflected the immense respect he garnered among the people.

Educationist and Social Reformer

Tilak’s dedication to education prompted him to co-found the Deccan Education Society with his partner Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and others in 1884. Through this society, he played a key role in establishing the renowned Fergusson College in Pune in 1885. Tilak was the first leader of the Indian independence movement

Ideology and Slogan

Deeply rooted in his devout Hindu beliefs, Tilak drew inspiration from Hindu scriptures to awaken the spirit of resistance against oppression. He was a staunch supporter of self-rule, or “swarajya,” thinking that complete independence was the only way to attain growth and wealth. “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!” became a rallying cry for the freedom of India struggle.

Father of Indian Unrest

Tilak’s unwavering nationalist ideals earned him the moniker “Father of Indian Unrest” in the book “Indian Unrest,” written by English writer Valentine Chirol. He emphasized the need for a cultural and religious revival to complement the political movements. Furthermore, he played a significant role in popularizing the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Maharashtra and advocated the celebration of Shiv Jayanti on the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the revered monarch.

Political Life and Surat Split

As one of the earliest and most vocal proponents of complete independence or “swarajya” , Tilak was a prominent figure in India’s political landscape. He was part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trinity of hardline leaders, together with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal. In 1890, he joined the Indian National Congress (INC), where he rose to prominence.

The Surat Split in 1907 divided the INC into two groups – the Extremists and the Moderates. The Extremists, led by Tilak, Lal, Bal, and Pal, sought an end to British tyranny through protests, while the Moderates aimed for administrative and constitutional reforms. The split occurred when Rasbehari Ghose was announced as president instead of Tilak or Lajpat Rai, leading to violent confrontations.

Contribution to the Freedom Movement

Tilak played a crucial role in propagating swadeshi movements and encouraging people to boycott foreign goods, promoting the use of indigenous products and self-reliance.

Tilak launched the Indian Home Rule campaign in 1916, drawing parallels with the Irish Home Rule campaign. This movement, led by Annie Besant and Tilak, laid the groundwork for India’s independence struggle, especially among the educated English-speaking upper-class Indians.

In April 1916, Tilak founded the All India Home Rule League in Belgaum. This organisation vigorously promoted the cause of self-rule and freedom in Maharashtra (excluding in Bombay), the Central Provinces, Karnataka, and Berar.

Tilak’s efforts to foster Hindu-Muslim unity in the nationalist struggle culminated in the Lucknow Pact of 1916, an agreement between the INC headed by Tilak and the All-India Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Tilak spent six years in Mandalay Prison between 1908 and 1914 for defending the conduct of revolutionaries Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki. These two young revolutionaries had attempted to assassinate District Judge Mr. Kingsford by throwing bombs at his carriage.

Books written by Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Legacy and Passing

Tilak’s influence extended beyond politics and education. He contributed significantly to India’s literary landscape through his newspapers, the Marathi weekly “Kesari” and the English weekly “Mahratta.” Moreover, his writings, such as “Gita Rhasya” and “Arctic Home of the Vedas,” continue to inspire generations.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak breathed his last on 1st August 1920, leaving behind an enduring legacy as a visionary freedom fighter and educationist, whose ideas and contributions continue to inspire the nation.

World Drowning Prevention Day 2023: Date, Significance and History

Every year on July 25, World Drowning Prevention Day is observed with the goal of raising awareness about the terrible and long-term impacts of drowning on families and communities, as well as teaching people about critical measures to prevent such tragedies. Approximately 236,000 individuals lose their lives to drowning annually, with children between the ages of five and 14 being more susceptible to this tragedy. Research indicates that youngsters and teenagers living in rural areas are at a higher risk of drowning compared to their urban counterparts.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

Significance of World Drowning Prevention Day 2023

World Drowning Prevention Day holds immense significance as it serves as a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the critical issue of drowning and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. By focusing attention on this preventable cause of death and injury, the day aims to mobilize efforts to prevent drowning incidents and save lives.

Some of the key reasons why World Drowning Prevention Day is significant are:

• Saving Lives: Drowning is a leading cause of death, especially among children and adolescents. The day saves lives and prevents unnecessary tragedies by emphasising the need of water safety and drowning prevention measures.
• Raising Awareness: Many people are unaware of the magnitude of the drowning problem and the risk factors involved. World Drowning Prevention Day helps to spread awareness about the global impact of drowning and the importance of taking preventive actions.
• Targeting Vulnerable Populations: The day highlights how specific populations, such as children, rural communities, and low- and middle-income countries, are especially vulnerable to drowning incidents. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to protect these vulnerable groups.
• Advocacy for Prevention Measures: Through this observance, various organizations, governments, and communities come together to advocate for effective drowning prevention strategies, such as teaching swimming skills, water safety education, proper supervision, and better flood risk management.
• Policy and Program Initiatives: World Drowning Prevention Day prompts governments and organizations to evaluate existing policies and programs related to water safety and drowning prevention. It promotes the deployment of evidence-based drowning prevention methods.
• International Cooperation: The day fosters international cooperation and collaboration to address drowning prevention on a global scale. It encourages countries to share best practices and resources to tackle this common challenge.
• Empowering Communities: By promoting water safety education and rescue skills, the day empowers individuals and communities to take proactive measures in preventing drowning incidents and responding effectively in emergencies.

Finally, World Drowning Prevention Day is an important forum for uniting people, organisations, and governments around the world in the battle against drowning. We can reduce the incidence of drowning events and ensure safer aquatic conditions for all by recognising the significance of this day and implementing preventive actions.

History of World Drowning Prevention Day

World Drowning Prevention Day was established through the U.N. General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/273 in April 2021, aiming to address global drowning prevention. Drowning, a form of suffocation resulting from the mouth and nose being submerged in water, often occurs in isolation or situations where others are unaware or unable to assist the victim.

To combat this issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces away from water for children, teaching them how to swim, and enhancing flood risk management to reduce drowning deaths.

According to the WHO, drowning claims the lives of at least 236,000 people each year, ranking among the top 10 leading causes of death for individuals aged one to 24. The majority of drowning fatalities in low- and middle-income countries occur in wells, domestic water storage containers, rivers, and lakes, with rural children and adolescents being disproportionately affected.

The United Nations has proposed several preventative measures, such as establishing secure locations away from water sources for preschool children with capable childcare, including creches. Other prevention strategies encompass teaching swimming and water safety, training bystanders in safe rescue techniques, installing barriers to control water access, providing instruction on safe rescue and resuscitation techniques, and implementing and enforcing regulations for safe boating, shipping, and ferry movement.

Lahiru Thirimanne announces retirement from international cricket

After a 13-year career, Sri Lanka batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has declared his retirement from international cricket. The 33-year-old top-order hitter made his international debut in 2010 and has since played 44 Tests, 127 ODIs, and 26 T20Is for Sri Lanka. He said that he cannot reveal ‘unexpected reasons’ that led him to take the retirement decision but thanked his former teammates and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) members in a post on his Facebook page.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

Career of Lahiru Thirimanne 

His last international match was the Test against India in Bengaluru in March 2022. The last of his three Test centuries came against Bangladesh in 2021 when his 140 helped Sri Lanka win the match in Pallekele. He was especially impressive in ODIs in 2015 when he scored 861 runs in 25 games with one century and six half-centuries. Lahiru was part of Sri Lanka’s ICC T20 World Cup-winning team in 2014 and also featured in two more World Cups. He captained Sri Lanka in five ODI games and played in two ODI World Cups as well.

Thirimanne played first-class cricket in the most recent season in Sri Lanka, but has lived in Australia for much of the past two years. He has not been available for Test selection on a consistent basis, and has been replaced at the top of the order by the likes of Nishan Madushka and Pathum Nissanka.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Sri Lanka Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte;
• Sri Lanka Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee;
• Sri Lanka Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil;
• Sri Lanka President: Ranil Wickremesinghe;
• Sri Lanka Prime minister: Dinesh Gunawardena.

India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C to a number of Pacific Island countries

India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C initiative operated by ISA, to a number of Pacific Island countries.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

About STAR-C

The International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) is one of its initiatives.

Objective:

The main objective of STAR-C is to create a strong network of institutional capacities within IAS member states to enhance quality infrastructure for the uptake of solar energy product and service markets, particularly in least developed countries and small island developing states.

Governance:

The Supervisory Committee oversees the STAR-C project, which is being executed jointly by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Initial Focus:

Initially, the focus was on the Economic Community of West African States, the Pacific Island Forum, and the East African Community.

Expansion:

India is considering about spreading STAR-C to a number of Pacific Island countries in order to develop solar power ecosystems and combat climate change in the region.

 International Solar Alliance (ISA):

The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of more than 120 signatories, most being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Objective:

The primary objective of this alliance is to work for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil-fuels.

Joint-Effort:

The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through the development of solar energy solutions.

Headquarter:

It is the first International intergovernmental organization to be headquartered in India.

Administration:

The Director General is in charge of ISA. The Director General directs operations and performs ISA Secretariat tasks. He is responsible to the ISA Assembly. He has a term of four years and is eligible for re-election.

Eligibility:

All member states of the United Nations are eligible to join the ISA. Countries that do not fall within the Tropics can join the alliance and enjoy all benefits as other members, with the exception of voting rights.

ISA’s ‘Towards 100’ Strategy:

The ISA is governed by its ‘Towards 100’ strategy, which seeks to mobilise USD 1,000 billion in investments in solar energy solutions by 2030, while also providing clean energy access to 1,000 million people and resulting in the installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity.

Significance:

Through this work, ISA has:

• Identified and designed and tested new business models for solar projects.
• Supported governments to make their energy legislation and policies solar-friendly through ease of doing solar analytics and advisory.
• Pooled demand for solar technology from different countries and drove down costs.
• Enhanced access to finance by lowering risks and making the sector more appealing to private investment.
• Increased access to solar training, data and insights for solar engineers and energy policymakers.

RBI Includes ‘NongHyup Bank’ In The List Of Scheduled Banks Under Schedule II of RBI Act, 1934

In a recent notification, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the addition of “NongHyup Bank” to the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934. This momentous move is a watershed moment for NongHyup Bank, which is based in Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, and has been active in India since its inception in 2016. The inclusion in the Second Schedule is set to enhance the bank’s presence and further its financial endeavors in the Indian market.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

NongHyup Bank: A Brief Overview

• NongHyup Bank was founded in 2012 as a separate organisation from its former ownership and is now held by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF).
• With its roots deeply embedded in the agricultural sector, the bank has been serving the financial needs of farmers and the rural community in South Korea.

NongHyup Bank’s Entry into India:

• Nonghyup Bank made its foray into the Indian market back in 2016, aiming to leverage its expertise in agricultural banking to support and enhance the country’s rural economy.
• Over the years, the bank has built a reputation for delivering personalised financial services to farmers and rural communities, thereby contributing to the growth of India’s agricultural industry.

Inclusion in the Second Schedule:

• The RBI’s decision to put NongHyup Bank in the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934, is critical to the bank’s operations in India.
• Being part of the Second Schedule grants NongHyup Bank certain privileges and rights, allowing it to carry out a broader range of banking activities in the country.
• The RBI’s recognition highlights NongHyup Bank’s robust financial position and adherence to regulatory norms.
• As a result, the bank gains access to various facilities provided by the central bank, including liquidity support, clearing services, and the ability to participate in government securities auctions.

Strengthening Indo-Korean Financial Ties

• This strategic move not only strengthens NongHyup Bank’s position in the Indian banking landscape but also fosters stronger economic ties between South Korea and India.
•  NongHyup Bank’s presence in India is projected to benefit both countries’ agricultural sectors by boosting agricultural finance and rural development.

World Aquatics Championships 2023: Schedule, Venue and Medal Tally

The 2023 World Aquatics Championships will be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from July 14 to July 30. The swimming tournament in Fukuoka 2023 will begin with five open water events, followed by eight competition days in the Marine Messe pool. The swimming heats start at 10:30 a.m. local time and the finals continue the action from 8:00 p.m. The full schedule, including the timings of the heats, quarter-finals and semi-finals, can be found here.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

2023 World Aquatics Championships – Complete swimming schedule

The swimming events will be held at the Marine Messe Fukuoka, while the open water swimming events will be held at the Maizuru Bay.

World Aquatics Championships 2023: Medal Table

China is currently leading the medal table with 15 gold medals. Australia is in second place with 5 gold medals, followed by the United States with 4 gold medals. The swimming events have concluded, and the remaining events are diving, artistic swimming, and water polo. It will be interesting to see how the medal table changes as the competition progresses.

Brian Taber: Former Australia wicketkeeper dies aged 83

Former Australia and New South Wales wicketkeeper Brian Taber, aged 83, passed away. He played 16 Test matches for Australia between 1966 and 1970. Taber made his Test debut in Johannesburg against South Africa, where he took seven catches and a stumping.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

He also played against England, India, and West Indies. His highest Test score of 48 was achieved against West Indies at Sydney in 1969, in a match won by Australia with a 382-run margin.

In his domestic career, he played more than 100 games for New South Wales and is a member of the state’s Hall of Fame. After finishing playing, he held various roles within the game, including NSW coach and selector and manager of the Australian Under-19 men’s team. He was elected to the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2021, and had a reputation as one of the nice guys of Australian cricket. A book about Taber’s life was published in 2014, in which former Test captain Brian Booth called him a “wonderful team man”.

Amit Shah laid foundation stone of 108 feet tall statue of Lord Shri Ram

Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday laid the foundation stone of construction of a grand 108 feet tall statue of Lord Ram at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for the country’s tallest Lord Rama statue at Mantralayam in Kurnool district.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

It will be built at a cost of over 500 crore rupees and this project is spread over an area of 10 acres in Mantralayam village.

Amit Shah stated that the statue to be erected in Mantralayam will convey the message of Sanatan Dharma to the entire world, further bolstering the Vaishnava tradition.

Draupadi Murmu to Confer National Geoscience Awards – 2022 in New Delhi

The National Geoscience Awards – 2022 will be conferred by the President of India, Draupadi Murmu in New Delhi.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

Ministry of Mines confers the award in three categories:

1. National Geoscience Award for Life Time Achievement

2. National Young Geoscientist Award

3. National Geoscience Award in various fields of geosciences.

The awards are presented in the field of Mineral Discovery and Exploration, Basic Geosciences, Applied Geosciences and Mining and Mineral Beneficiation.

Jammu to pioneer India’s first Cannabis Medicine Project

Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh confirmed that India’s first Cannabis Medicine Project is set to be pioneered in Jammu.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

This project will play a vital role in Atma-Nirbhar Bharat, as it will be capable of producing export-quality drugs designed for various neuropathies etc.

The project will spread awareness that this substance of abuse has diverse medicinal uses, especially for patients suffering from malignancies and other diseases.

Govt approves 8.15% interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund for FY23

The government on Monday approved the interest rate of 8.15 per cent recommended by the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for its over 6 crore subscribers for the financial year 2022-23. In a circular issued today, the EPFO said the Ministry of Labour and Employment has conveyed the approval of the central government for the EPF interest rate to be credited into members’ accounts.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has conveyed the approval of the Central Government under para 60(1) of Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 to credit interest@ 8.15 % for the year 2022-23 to the account of each member of the EPF Scheme as per the provision under para 60 of EPF Scheme,1952.