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 4 January 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.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 4 January 2022
World Braille Day 2023 celebrates on 4th January
World Braille Day 2023: World Braille Day, marked on January 4, emphasizes the significance of Braille as a form of communication for the partially sighted and blind. Since 2019, the United Nations has observed the day. Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809, which is also celebrated on World Braille Day. After losing his sight during childhood, the French educator devised the Braille technique.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Significance of World Braille Day 2023
The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the braille language, which attempts to bridge the gap among normal and differently-abled individuals. Coupvray, France, gave birth to the creator of an extensively adopted touch device enabling blind persons to read and write. Braille created a system of writing that employed, paradoxically, an awl-like instrument to punch symbols on a sheet that can be sensed and read by blind people after himself being irreparably blinded at the age of three in his father’s saddle-making factory. Until Braille’s untimely death from illness on January 6, 1852, in Paris, the technique was generally neglected. In a declaration released in 2018, the UN recognised January 4th to be World Braille Day.
What is Braille?
Braille is a tactile representation of musical, mathematical, and scientific symbols as well as alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots for each letter and number. Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.
Braille is essential in the context of education, freedom of expression and opinion, as well as social inclusion, as reflected in article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Captain Shiva Chauhan becomes the 1st women officer to be operationally deployed in Siachen
Captain Shiva Chauhan: Captain Shiva Chauhan from the Corps of Engineers has been posted at a frontline post in Siachen Glacier, in first such operational deployment of an woman Army officer at the world’s highest battlefield. The officer was posted at the Kumar post, located at an altitude of around 15,600 feet in Siachen, on Monday for a three-month stint after she underwent rigorous training. The training included endurance training, ice wall climbing, avalanche and crevasse rescue and survival drills.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Who is Capt Shiva Chouhan?
Capt Shiva Chouhan, who hails from Rajasthan, is a Bengal Sapper Officer. Chouhan lost her father at the age of 11 and her mother, a housewife, took care of her studies. She did her schooling from Udaipur and graduated from NJR Institute of Technology, Udaipur, in civil engineering. Covering a distance of 508 kms, Capt Chouhan successfully led the Sura Soi Cycling Expedition from Siachen War Memorial to Kargil War Memorial conducted on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas in July 2022. She then accepted the responsibility of commanding the Sura Soi Engineer Regiment’s soldiers at Siachen, and as a result of her success, she was chosen to attend the Siachen Battle School for training.
About the Siachen Glacier:
The Siachen glacier lies in the Karakoram Range .It is 75 km (47 miles) long, which makes it the second longest nonpolar glacier in the world, after Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan.
Strategic Significance of Siachen Glacier
- India and Pakistan have fought in intermittent warfare on the Siachen Glacier since 1984, making it the highest battleground on Earth.
- The Glacier guards the routes which lead to Leh, the capital of Ladakh.
- Secondly the Saltoro Ridge overlooks the area of Gilgit–Baltistan of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
- Thirdly, it overlooks and dominates the Shaksgam Valley, which was illegally ceded to China by Pakistan.
- Fourthly, it is close to the Karakoram Pass through which the Karakoram Highway passes connecting Gilgit-Baltistan to Xinjiang Province of China.
- Due to its strategic significance both countries maintain a permanent military presence in the region at a height of over 6,000 metres (20,000 feet).
- More than 2,000 soldiers have died in this inhospitable terrain, mostly due to weather extremes and the natural hazards of mountain warfare.
Operation Meghdoot
Operation Meghdoot was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to take control of Siachen Glacier on the morning of April 13, 1984 before the Pakistani army did so. The Siachen Glacier, which is now in the Union Territory of Ladakh, was once located in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
India’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 8.30% in Dec 2022
India’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 8.30% in Dec 2022: According to information from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the unemployment rate in India increased to 8.30% in December 2022, the highest level in 16 months (CMIE). It was 8 per cent in the month of November. According to the report, although urban unemployment increased to 10.09% in December from 8.96% in November, rural unemployment decreased to 7.44% from 7.55%.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The Urban-Rural Gap:
The urban unemployment rate rose to 10.09% in December from 8.96% in the previous month, while the rural unemployment rate slipped to 7.44% from 7.55%.
Is The Unemployment Data a Worrisome Case:
- The rise was “not as bad as it may seem,” as there was a simultaneous increase in the labour participation rate, which rose to 40.48 per cent in December, the highest in 12 months.
- Most importantly, the employment rate has increased in December to 37.1%, which again is the highest since January 2022.
- The unemployment rate had declined to 7.2% in the July-September quarter compared to 7.6% in the previous quarter, according to separate quarterly data compiled by state run National Statistical Office (NSO) and released in November.
State-wise Unemployment Rate:
The unemployment rate in the northern state of Haryana increased to 37.4% in December, while it was 28.5% in Rajasthan and 20.8% in Delhi.
What is Labor Force Participation Rate:
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is known as the section of the working population in the age group of 16-64 in the economy currently employed or either seeking employment.
Author Manu S. Pillai on his new book, The World: A Family History
The World: A Family History of Humanity: British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore spoke with Indian historian Manu S. Pillai about his most recent book, “The World: A Family History of Humanity.” In the book, Simon Sebag Montefiore explores how people and families have played a role in the convergences and divergences in world history. The two-part book’s first edition was released on October 27, 2022, by Hachette India. The award-winning books by international best-selling novelist Montefiore have been translated into 48 different languages.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Both book, published by Hachette India, claims to capture the story of humankind in “a ground-breaking, single narrative that will forever shift the boundaries of what history can achieve”. Beginning with the footsteps of a family walking along a beach 9,50,000 years ago, Montefiore takes the readers on an epic journey through the families that have shaped the world, including the Caesars, Medicis, Incas, Ottomans, Mughals, Bonapartes, Habsburgs, Zulus, Rothschilds, Rockefellers, Krupps and Churchills.
Noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen passes away at 89
Noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen passes away at 89: Sumitra Sen, a well-known Rabindra Sangeet performer, died at the age of 89. She will be remembered for her rendition of songs like Jokhon Porbe Na Mor, Sokhi Vabona Kahare Bole and Mone Ki Dwidha. Her rendition of Aaj Jyotsna Raate Shobai Gechhe Bone in Ritwik Ghatak’s classic movie Komal Gandhar has remained a steadfast interpretation of the song. In 2012, she received the Sangeet Mahasamman award from the West Bengal government.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About the Rabindra Sangeet:
Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali polymath and recipient of the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature, wrote and produced songs from the Indian subcontinent known as Rabindra Sangeet, sometimes referred to as Tagore Songs. Rabindra Sangeet refers to the 2000 plus songs and poetry of love and devotion composed by Tagore. Out of these only 730 songs for which the bard had written the notations are currently sung. These songs are regarded as cultural treasures of Bengal in both West Bengal and the predominantly Muslim Bangladesh.
BCCI Announced Yo-Yo Test and Dexa to be a Part of India Selection Criteria
BCCI Announced Yo-Yo Test and Dexa to be a Part of India Selection Criteria: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Yo-Yo Test and Dexa will be a part of the selection criteria. In addition to discussing the schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, BCCI also covered the players’ availability, workload management, and fitness standards. ICC Cricket World Cup is scheduled in October and November, and it is to be hosted by India.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
BCCI Announced Yo-Yo Test and Dexa to be a Part of India Selection Criteria
BCCI has shortlisted 20 players who will be rotated for proper preparations for the ODI World Cup 2023. The BCCI will give preference for international cricket while making sure the IPL is not diluted.
The National Cricket Academy (NCA) will collaborate with the IPL franchisees to track the targeted Indian players competing in the IPL 2023 as part of the Men’s FTP and ICC CWC preparations. The emerging players will have to play a substantial domestic season to be eligible for selection to the National team. The meeting was held ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which begins on 3rd January 2023 in Mumbai.
It was in the process of being held after England thrashed India by 10 wickets in the Men’s T20 World Cup semifinals. The meeting was attended by BCCI President Roger Binny, Honorary Secretary Jay Shah, Captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, Head of Cricket (NCA) V.V.S. Laxman, and Chairman of Senior Men selection Committee Chetan Sharma.
Former IAS Kaki Madhava Rao Authored a New Book “Breaking Barriers”
Breaking Barriers: the Story of a Dalit Chief Secretary- “Breaking Barriers: the Story of a Dalit Chief Secretary,” written by former IAS officer Kaki Madhava Rao, covers a knowledge gap about micropolicies and governance while also addressing specifics about the dynamics of the civil service on the ground. The book is published by Emesco Books Private Limited. K Madhava Rao is a 1962 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who retired as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh (AP). He was born in Pedamaddali village of Krishna district, AP in 1939. He also served in the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) as a Director and as a member of a sub-committee, the Board for Financial Supervision.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The essence of the book:
The essence of the book is best encapsulated in the first chapter, “Village Days.” Chapters 2,3,4, and 5 are full of details on his exposure to the national stage, a different world from rural Andhra Pradesh. The account here is of how a provincial young man matures into an adult in the world at large.
The socio-political dimensions of administration, notably at the state and decentralised levels, are widely covered in Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9. The pulls and pressures, politics and economics, formal and informal aspects of the administration, are all captured here. Chapters 10 and 11 deal with the political economy of the country in which politics and economics overlap significantly. NT Rama Rao, N Chandrababu Naidu, Chenna Reddy, Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, N Janardhan Reddy, and other influential figures are among those who are mentioned in these exchanges.
DRDO’s celebrated its 65th foundation day
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO): The 65th anniversary of the organization’s foundation day, which is observed annually on January 1st, was commemorated at the DRDO Headquarters in New Delhi. DRDO Chairman Dr S V Kamat addressed the DRDO fraternity on the occasion. He reaffirmed DRDO’s commitment towards R&D excellence and briefed about the development of cutting edge technologies for self-reliance in defence.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
A DRDO monograph written by Dr. Kamal Nain Chopra, a former DRDO scientist, and titled “Infrared Signatures, Sensors and Technologies” was also released by the Chairman DRDO on the occasion of the day.DRDO calendar 2023 was also released. In addition, Secretary DD R&D and Chairman DRDO felicitated all the employees who have completed 25 years of their service in DRDO.
About the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
It is a top-tier defence research and development organisation inside the Indian Ministry of Defense. It is working on several cutting-edge military technology areas, including aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation, cyber, hypersonic technology, quantum computing and communicationsDRDO’s first project for the Indian military was in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo.
Since inception, DRDO has made several breakthroughs in developing key systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems. It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
‘SMART’ program for Ayurveda professionals launched to regulate and boost R&D in Ayurveda
‘SMART’ program for Ayurveda professionals launched to regulate and boost R&D in Ayurveda“: The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), the two prominent institutions under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India for regulating medical education and conducting scientific research respectively, have launched ‘SMART’ (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals). Through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals, the programme aimed to promote scientific research in key healthcare research fields.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Key points of ‘SMART’:
The proposed initiative is conceptualised with an objective to identify, support and promote innovative research ideas in healthcare research areas including Osteoarthritis, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Chronic Bronchitis, Dyslipidemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Psoriasis, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)”. The eligible Ayurveda academic institutions may apply by 10 January, 2023. All details regarding contact information, eligibility criteria and application process has been shared to all recognized academic institutions and hospitals through NCISM”.
The large network of Ayurveda colleges and hospitals across the country is an asset for the country in terms of its healthcare needs. This network has not only been offering healthcare services in hardest times, but it also has contributed significantly in terms of healthcare research in the country. The ‘SMART’ program will certainly motivate teachers for taking up projects in designated areas of healthcare research and create a large database.”
Qin Gang Appointed As China’s New and Youngest Foreign Minister
Qin Gang Appointed As China’s New and Youngest Foreign Minister: China has appointed Qin Gang, its ambassador to the United States and a trusted aide of President Xi Jinping, to be its new foreign minister, as Beijing and Washington seek to stabilize rocky relations.This decision was made by the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. Qin, 56, replaces Wang Yi, who has been foreign minister for the past decade. Wang, 69, was promoted to the politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and is expected to play a bigger role in Chinese foreign policy.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Qin Gang And His Erstwhile Positions:
Qin rose quickly through various positions in China’s foreign ministry, including two stints as ministry spokesman between 2006 and 2014, and as chief protocol officer between 2014 and 2018, overseeing many of Xi’s interactions with foreign leaders. As spokesman, he stood out among his peers for being one of the earliest Chinese diplomats to make sharp comments in defence of China’s increasingly assertive foreign policy, what later became known as “wolf warrior” diplomacy.
Qin Gang And His World View:
- Qin reaffirmed that China-U.S. relations were not a “zero-sum game” in which one party won at the expense of the other in an editorial that was published in the bimonthly American journal the National Interest. Qin provided an overview of China’s foreign policy perspective.
- He remarked, “Both parties are prepared to ameliorate the situation and jointly protect peace along their borders,” in reference to India-China border disputes.
- Qin, meanwhile also blamed the US for challenging the status quo on Taiwan, and Japan for altering the status quo in the South China Sea.
- “China’s development means a stronger force for peace, not a growing power poised to ‘break the status quo’, as some call it. The tension across the Taiwan Strait was not created by the Chinese mainland breaking the status quo, but by ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and external forces continually challenging the status quo of ‘one China‘,” Qin wrote.
