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 9 May 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 9 May 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 – 9 May 2023
42nd ASEAN Summit Begins In Indonesia with Focus on Becoming Global Growth Center
The 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit has begun in Indonesia, with the subject “ASEAN Affairs: Epicentre of Growth.” The summit aims to demonstrate the bloc’s hopes and efforts to become the center and driving force behind global development.
President Joko Widodo, who holds the presidency of the bloc, emphasized the enormous potential of the ASEAN region, which has a total population of around 650 million inhabitants and consistently outperforms the world average in terms of economic growth. He urged member countries to pool their manufacturing strength in order to make Southeast Asia the centre of global growth.
Discussions to enhance economic integration and ASEAN’s global standing:
Leaders from the 10-country bloc, alongside their foreign affairs, trade, and national security ministers, will gather for a wide range of meetings. They are expected to discuss measures to enhance economic integration and ways to strengthen ASEAN’s global standing amid a deteriorating geopolitical security landscape. However, ASEAN is unlikely to bridge the gap between members who wish to take a stronger position against China and Russia and those who rely on commerce with and diplomatic backing from Beijing.
Attracting foreign investment and Timor-Leste’s bid to join ASEAN:
Enhancing ASEAN’s attractiveness to foreign investment will likely also be discussed. The bloc is keen to attract firms currently looking to divest their manufacturing base away from China. ASEAN offers cheaper labor costs, but red tape and underdeveloped high-tech industries remain an obstacle.
Another topic will be Timor-Leste’s attempt to become the bloc’s final Southeast Asian member. Taur Matan Ruak, Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, has confirmed his attendance at the summit. Indonesia’s vocal support for Timor-Leste’s application makes progress likely, but there have been concerns from other members due to the small country’s low development status and over-reliance on oil and gas revenue.
About ASEAN, Key points:
ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional intergovernmental organization established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration. Here are some key points about ASEAN:
- Members: ASEAN currently has 10 member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Economic integration: ASEAN is attempting to establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a unified market and production base with the purpose of enabling the free flow of goods, services, investment, and skilled labour among member nations.
- Political cooperation: ASEAN also aims to promote political stability and cooperation among its members, particularly in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster management, and conflict resolution.
- Role in the region: As a regional organization, ASEAN plays an important role in promoting peace, stability, and economic development in Southeast Asia. It is also a key player in regional and international forums, such as the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Plus Three.
- Challenges: ASEAN is confronted with a number of issues, including persistent territorial disputes in the South China Sea, economic inequalities among member nations, and disparities in political systems and priorities.
A Book Tittled “Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hills” By Kasturi Ray
“Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hills” is an uplifting narrative about a tribal girl who overcome adversity to become a symbol of tenacity, determination, and perseverance. Murmu achieved many milestones by taking an unconventional path, starting from leaving her small village in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha to becoming the first citizen of India. The author of the book is Kasturi Ray.
Journalist Kasturi Ray follows Murmu’s life through school and college, from teacher to social worker, councillor to minister, governor of Jharkhand to president, through interviews and detailed analysis—a story of incredible resilience and dedication to service. She narrates how Murmu was able to overcome personal tragedy and return to her commitment to helping the people and giving a voice to the downtrodden and underserved.
About the author:
Kasturi Ray is an experienced journalist with a career spanning over 28 years in various forms of media such as print, broadcast, and digital. She currently holds the position of senior news editor at The New Indian Express in Bhubaneswar. She was the features editor for the same media house for 19 years and then transitioned to digital media. Ray also served as a senior editor for the English digital platform of Odisha Television Limited for over three years. She is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and has written for various publications, including Firstpost, The Quint, Women’s Features Service, and Asian Age. Ray is a SAWM-UNICEF fellow and is pursuing a doctorate in English literature from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, where she is also a visiting faculty member at Birla Global University. She has received numerous prizes and recognitions, including the Laadli Media prizes for Gender Sensitivity (East) in 2013-14 and the Aryaa Awards for Journalism Excellence in 2016-17.
Telangana CM Lays Foundation for Hare Krishna Heritage Tower in Hyderabad
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao lay the foundation for Hyderabad’s Hare Krishna Heritage Tower. The 400 feet tall structure will be constructed on six acres of land in Narsingi at a cost of Rs 200 crore. The tower will house the temples of Sri Sri Radha Krishna and Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
State government supports organizations promoting peace and spirituality:
The chief minister announced Rs 25 crore on behalf of the state government for the construction of the temple. He emphasized that the state government supports organizations that promote peace and spirituality. The towering structure will serve as another cultural landmark in Hyderabad, highlighting Telangana heritage through Kakatiya architectural elements.
Accommodation facility for 1,500 devotees:
Accommodation facility will be available for 1,500 devotees at the tower. The construction will be undertaken using cutting-edge technology with the skill of the Kakatiyas to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Telangana. Additionally, the tower will have an Annadanam hall, where 500 visiting devotees will be served food at one time.
Library, auditorium, and guest rooms will be part of temple structures:
The temple structures will include a library, Kalyanai Auditorium, IMAX open air theatres, lecture halls, Q complex, and guest rooms. Technologically advanced laser shows will be arranged to help youth understand the history of Lord Krishna along with his teachings.
Chief Minister KCR describes temples as community centers:
Chief Minister KCR described temples as community centers that connect people of all religions. He emphasized that religious ignorance and fanaticism is a threat to society and there is no place for violence in any religion. KCR termed Hare Krishna’s support to the Telangana government as commendable, citing the Akshaya Patra program’s efforts to supply meals through Annapoorna to school children and provide food for the poor in Hyderabad.
Max Verstappen Wins the Miami Grand Prix 2023
Miami Grand Prix 2023
From eighth on the grid, world champion Max Verstappen outraced Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to win the Miami Grand Prix 2023. The victory extends Verstappen’s lead at the top of the standings and follows his triumph in the inaugural Miami race last year. Aston Martin’s Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso took third for his fourth podium in five races this season as he continues to enjoy his late career revival. Charles Leclerc, who crashed late in qualifying and placed seventh on the grid, finished seventh, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in eighth place.
Previous race’s winners list:
| Race | Winner |
| Bahrain Grand Prix 2023 | Max Verstappen |
| Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023 | Sergio Pérez |
| Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023 | Sergio Pérez |
Kiren Rijiju launched the trailer of the first tagine language film
Union minister Kiren Rijiju said after launching the trailer of the “first ever” movie in Tagin language of his home state Arunachal Pradesh. The film aims to present the Tagin community’s culture to the rest of the country and the world.
About the movie:
- The film depicts the vibrant and colorful world of the 90s, based on the Tagin community in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh and the first film made entirely in Tagin language. Directed by Tapen Natam, the film brings to the national platform the rich culture, tradition and local filmmaking initiatives of Arunachal Pradesh.
- The film depicts the love story of two young people in the midst of the difficulties that this group encountered in Arunachal Pradesh during the 1990s. The film not only celebrates local talent and filmmaking initiatives, but also offers a unique perspective on the struggles and triumphs of the Tagin community. Through this film, viewers can witness the beauty and rich heritage of Tagine culture and traditions.
About the Tagin or Ghasi Miri tribe
- The Tagin or Ghasi Miri tribe is an indigenous community residing in the Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. They are a Monpa sub-tribe that predominantly engages in agriculture, animal husbandry, and horticulture.
- The Tagin people have a rich cultural heritage, and their traditional customs and practices are an integral part of their daily lives. They celebrate various festivals and rituals throughout the year, including the Losar festival, which marks the Tibetan New Year.
- The Tagin language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family and is also known as Tagin-Hilmiri. It is spoken by around 20,000 people in the Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
- In recent years, the Tagin community has faced various challenges, including threats to their land and natural resources, as well as issues related to healthcare and education. However, efforts are being made by the government and various organizations to address these challenges and promote the welfare of the Tagin people.
RBI invests incremental reserves in US treasuries and other sovereign securities
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that it had invested its additional reserves in bonds and securities, with a particular emphasis on US Treasury bonds and debt issued by other top-rated sovereigns. This move is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to manage its foreign currency assets and ensure the stability of the Indian economy.
Increasing Investment in Securities:
According to the most recent half-yearly report on foreign exchange management, the RBI’s total foreign currency holdings as of end-March 2023 were $509.69 billion, with $411.65 billion invested in securities. This represents a significant increase in the share of securities, which has gone up by nearly 4 percentage points to 80.76% over the past six months.
The remaining foreign currency assets of the RBI are held in deposits with other central banks, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), and commercial banks.
The Importance of US Treasuries and Other Sovereign Securities:
US Treasuries and other sovereign securities are considered among the safest and most stable investments in the world. As such, they are a popular choice for central banks and other financial institutions looking to manage their foreign currency assets.
In addition to providing a stable source of income, investments in US Treasuries and other sovereign securities also help to diversify the RBI’s portfolio and reduce its exposure to risk.
The Impact on the Indian Economy:
The RBI’s decision to invest its incremental reserves in US Treasuries and other sovereign securities is expected to have a positive impact on the Indian economy. By ensuring the stability of its foreign currency reserves, the RBI can help to mitigate the impact of external shocks and maintain a stable exchange rate.
Furthermore, the RBI’s investments in US Treasuries and other sovereign assets are expected to create a consistent stream of income that can be used to support various development projects and initiatives in India.
KK Shailaja’s autobiographical work titled ‘my life as a comrade’
KK Shailaja, a CPM central committee member and former Kerala health minister, will have his autobiography titled ‘My Life as a Comrade’ published by Juggernaut Books, a Delhi-based publishing house. In her new book, My Life as a Comrade, co-written with Manju Sara Rajan, former CEO of the Kochi Biennale Foundation and journalist, Shailaja writes about the course of her life that started in a small settlement in Malabar and eventually led her to a Cabinet position in the State government.
In this superb memoir, she tells her story – from her childhood as a shy, fearful girl, her days as a school teacher where she learnt the art of managing difficult students to her entry into politics leading to a tenure as health minister where she dealt with two terrifying epidemics. Manju Sara Rajan co-wrote the book, which was initially written in English. S Sithara, a writer from Kerala, will translate the work into Malayalam. KK Shailaja stated that the autobiography was prepared in response to a request from the publishers while she was minister of health.
Joe Biden Appoints Indian-American Neera Tanden As Domestic Policy Advisor
United States President, Joe Biden named Indian-American Neera Tanden as his Domestic Policy Advisor to help him craft and implement his domestic policy agenda.
She has replaced Susan Rice as Biden’s Domestic Policy Advisor. She served in both the Obama and Clinton administrations, as well as presidential campaigns and think tanks.
Tanden previously served as senior advisor for health reform at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Mos Nityanand Rai Inaugurates Dawki Land Port In Meghalaya
Union Minister Nityanand Rai has inaugurated the Dawki Land Port in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya.
Aim: To promote trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh.
The corresponding Land Port in Bangladesh is Tamabil, located in the Sylhet district. The Dawki Land port will facilitate the movement of goods, people, and vehicles across the border. It will also facilitate passenger movement across the border.
Rocket Lab Launches NASA Satellites to Study Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
Rocket Lab has launched NASA’s two satellites to study tropical storms and hurricanes.
The two CubeSats, the founding members of the agency’s TROPICS network, launched atop a Rocket Lab Electron rocket, which was lifted off from New Zealand.
Aim: To improve forecasting and provide new insights into how tropical storms evolve and intensify
The TROPICS constellation will consist of four CubeSats in low Earth orbit.