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NASA Selects First Woman and Black Man for Moon Mission

After a 50-year break, NASA has announced the names of the four astronauts who will be taking humans back to the Artemis II Moon Mission. For the first time, a woman astronaut, Christina Koch, and a black astronaut, Victor Glover, will be part of a lunar mission. The team, along with Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen, will orbit the Moon in a capsule in late 2022 or early 2025. While they will not land on the Moon, their mission will prepare the way for a future crew to make a touchdown.

The first India-Central Asia Culture Ministers’ meeting held

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy hosted the first India-Central Asia Culture Ministers’ Meeting through video conferencing on 3rd April, 2023.

The Culture Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting. The India-Central Asia Summit hosted by Prime Minister  Shri Narendra Modi, on 27th January 2022 had laid emphasis on promoting cultural cooperation for better understanding of culture between the Central Asian countries and strengthen our age-old cultural linkages which bind our people together.

Finland Becomes 31st NATO Member After Turkey’s Approval

Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has announced that Finland has become the 31st member of the alliance, thanks to Turkey’s unanimous vote. Despite Russia’s opposition to Finland’s membership, Turkey’s approval has allowed the extension of NATO. Finland shares a long border of over 1,300 kilometers with Russia, and its decision to join NATO was prompted by security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Sweden’s application to join NATO has been declined by Turkey and Hungary.

Odisha Day or Utkal Divas 2023.

Odisha day, also known as Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated on April 1 every year. This day is commemorated as the foundation day of the state of Odisha. On April 1 in the year 1936, the state of Odisha came into existence after being separated from the Bengal province. Since then, Odisha Day or Utkal Diwas is celebrated to honour the struggle of its people for a separate state and to promote unity among the citizens.

Google Doodle Is Celebrating Kitty O'Neil's 77th Birthday

Today's Doodle celebrates American stunt woman and racer Kitty O'Neil, who was deaf since childhood. A racing-record breaker, she was known as ''the fastest woman in the world".

BSEB Class 12th Result Out

Bihar Board released the BSEB Class 12th result on 21st March. Students can check the result through the official website of Bihar Board biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in.
This year, the overall pass percentage is 83.70 percent. Girls have performed better than boys. Commerce topper Somya Sharma and Rajneesh Kumar Pathak secured 95 percent, Science topper Ayushi Nandan, scored 94.8 percent, and Arts/ Humanities topper Mohaddesa, scored 95 percent.

Shri Ratan Tata appointed in ‘Order of Australia’ for distinguished service

Indian industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata has been appointed as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO).For distinguished service to the Australia-India bilateral relationship, particularly to trade, investment, and philanthropy.

YUVIKA

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated the Yuva Vignani Karyakram (YUVIKA) program to encourage students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and develop a passion for space science. Through this program, ISRO aims to identify and nurture talented students who have a keen interest in science and technology and 

Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference

the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, IARI Campus, PUSA New Delhi on 18th March. India’s proposal, the year 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Also, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to make the celebrations of IYM 2023 a ‘people’s movement’ and position India as the ‘global hub for millets’, all central government ministries/departments, states/UTs, farmers, start-ups, exporters, retail businesses and other stakeholders, are being engaged to promote and spread awareness about the benefits of millets (Shree Anna) for the cultivator, consumer and climate. The organization of Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in India is an important programme in this context.

AuditOnline has been awarded the WSIS Prizes Award 2023

AuditOnline has been awarded the WSIS Prizes Award 2023 under the Action Line category ICT Applications: e-Government based on the most voted project in the category. The prize distribution ceremony was held at the Centre International de Conférence Genève (CICG), also known as International Conference Centre Geneva in Switzerland on 14th March, 2023. Shri Sunil Jain, DDG (Panchayat Informatics Division), NIC received the coveted ITU WSIS 2023 Winner Award for AuditOnline application developed as part of Panchayat Enterprise Suite under ePanchayat Mission Mode Project initiated by MoPR in virtual mode.

Joint India-Singapore exercise ‘bold kurukshetra’ concludes at Jodhpur

Operation Bold Kurukshetra
Operation Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral armour training exercise, was held from March 6–13, 2023, in Jodhpur Military Station in India. It was the 13th iteration, and the Singapore Army and Indian Army both took part. Both armies participated in the first command post exercise in the series, which included computer wargaming and planning components at the battalion and brigade levels. Participants in the exercise, which was held by the Indian Army, included members of the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment, as well as an Indian Army Armoured Brigade.

NIPUN BHARAT AND THE NEW EDUCATION POLICY

The National Education Policy 2020 has stipulated that attaining foundational literacy and numeracy for all children must become an immediate national mission. Toward this end, the Department of School Education & Literacy has launched a National Mission called “National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat)” by the Government on 5th July, 2021 for ensuring that every child in the country necessarily attains foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27. This Mission has been set up under the aegis of the centrally sponsored scheme of SamagraShiksha, and will focus on following areas; providing access and retaining children in foundational year of schooling; teacher capacity building; development of high quality and diversified Student and Teacher Resources/Learning Materials; and tracking the progress of each child in achieving learning outcomes.NIPUN Bharat is one of the components of the NEP 2020. It covers 3 year Foundational Literacy and numeracy in the preschool and Grade 1, 2 and 3.

EXERCISE SEA DRAGON 23

A P8 aircraft of the Indian Navy arrived at Guam, USA on 14 Mar 23 to participate in ‘Exercise Sea Dragon 23’, the third edition of the coordinated multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft, conducted by the US Navy.Ex Sea Dragon 23 will test the capabilities of participating aircraft in tracking simulated and live underwater targets, whilst also sharing mutual expertise. The Exercise would witness representation by an Indian Navy P8I, along with P8A of the US Navy, P1 from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force and P3C from the RoKN.

Vyas Samman 2022

Dr Gyan Chaturvedi’s 2018 satirical novel, Pagalkhana, has been selected for the 32nd Vyas Samman, 2022.Dr. Chaturvedi’s Pagalkhana (mental hospital) was chosen for the prestigious Vyas Samman by a selection committee led by distinguished author Prof. Ramji Tiwari.

Asia’s 1st woman loco pilot who now operates Vande Bharat Surekha Yadav

The Vande Bharat Express is now being driven by Surekha Yadav, the first female locomotive pilot in Asia. From Solapur to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal (CSMT) in Maharashtra, Yadav ran the Vande Bharat Express. Surekha Yadav, a native of Satara, Maharashtra, became the nation’s first female train driver in 1988.

Identification of 75 Water Heritage Sites

There is no provision under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to declare a site as a “Water Heritage Site” under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). However, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had constituted a Committee to identify 75 Water Heritage Structure (WHS) in reference to 75 years of India's Independence.

EXERCISE LA PEROUSE – 2023

The third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse is scheduled to be conducted in the Indian Ocean Region from 13 to 14 March 2023. This edition will witness participation of personnel, ships and integral helicopters of Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy.

CSIR UGC NET Exam 2023

National Testing Agency has started the registration process for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research UGC NET December and June 2023 session on the official website csirnet.nta.nic.in. The Last Date for online applications for this exam is April 10, 2023.

Steps For Submitting Application 
Go to the official website ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
Click on CSIR UGC NET Exam link available on the home page.
Enter the Login ID details and click on Submit.
Fill the application form and submit the fees.
Click on Submit. Now your application has been submitted.
Download the confirmation page. Keep a hard copy of it with you for further need.

Indian Army installs a 100-foot high national flag in J&K's Doda

The Army on Thursday dedicated a 100-foot-high national flag installed in a stadium in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. This is second high-mast flag unfurled by the Army in the Chenab valley region. A 100-foot-high flag was installed in Kishtwar in July last year.

The Book “As Good as My Word” wrote by KM Chandrasekhar

“As Good as My Word,” written by KM Chandrasekhar, who served as the Cabinet Secretary from 2007 to 2011, begins as an autobiography with descriptive descriptions of his early years, academic career, and college years, all of which take place inside the walls of a modest but orderly Malayali home. The book offers a front-row seat to Indian politics and bureaucracy during the UPA era. In his book, Chandrasekhar gives a thorough overview of the UPA administration during one of its most difficult periods and talks about his own role in navigating India through many crises.

Oscars 2023: ‘RRR’s ‘Naatu Naatu’ wins Best Original Song

‘Naatu Naatu,’ India! SS Rajamouli’s RRR has created history by becoming the first Indian feature film to win an Oscar. The film’s ‘Naatu Naatu’ soundtrack by MM Keeravani was awarded the Best Original Song Award at the ongoing 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, United States.

The book Mundaka Upanishad written by Dr Karan Singh

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced the released of the book “Mundaka Upanishad: The Gateway to Eternity”. Dr. Karan Singh, a former member of parliament, wrote the book at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas in New Delhi. He is a philosopher and politician from India.

24x7 Control room for Real-time Monitoring of fire set up to contain 48 Forest Fire spots in Goa

1. 24x7 Control room for Real-time Monitoring of fire: A 24x7 Control Room has been established for real-time monitoring of the alerts generated by FSI. Exact geo-coordinates and maps of fire locations are shared to the field functionaries on real-time basis to immediately attend to the fires. 

Ram Chandra Paudel elected new Nepal President

Ram Chandra Paudel elected new Nepal President.According to the Nepalese Election Commission, he received 33,800 electoral votes, while his opponent, Subash Chandra Nembwang, received 15,500 votes. Ram Chandra Paudel received votes from 352 members of provincial assemblies and 214 members of parliament.
 

Bhumi Samvaad IV: National Conference on Digitizing and Georeferencing India with Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN)

Department of Land Resources is organizing the National Conference - Bhumi Samvaad IV on implementation of Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar on 17th March 2023 in New Delhi. Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj will be the chief guest on the occasion. The theme of the National Conference is - "Digitizing and Geo-Referencing INDIA with Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN)". The Conference will have sessions on “Democratization of Land Records Data and Matribhoomi; “Application of Bhu-Aadhaar in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living; and “Best Practices – National and Global (Georeferencing / Survey/ Resurvey/ Use of Bhu-Aadhaar and Way Forward”. This conference is being organized under Bhumi-Samvaad series of Dialogues and Deliberations of Land Administration and Governance in the country. It is the 4th such conference with States/ UTs, Ministries and Departments, other stakeholders like Geospatial community, startups, academia.