Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 22nd August 2024

1. Croatia- Compulsory Military Service 

• Croatia will reintroduce a two-month compulsory military service starting January 1 next year. 
• The move comes amid heightened tensions in Europe following the Russian aggression against Ukraine. 
• The conscription was suspended in 2008 when the country shifted to a volunteer based system. 

2. Forex Management (Non-debt Instruments) Amendment Rules, 2024,

• The Ministry of Finance has amended Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019 vide notification dated 16.08.2024.
• This will facilitate the global expansion of Indian companies through mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives, enabling them to reach new markets and grow their presence worldwide.
• It brings further clarity on the treatment of downstream investments made by the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)-owned entities on a non-repatriation basis, aligning it with the treatment of Non-Resident Indian (NRI)-owned entities. 

3. SSLV-D3- EOS-08 

• ISRO launched the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite onboard the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from Sriharikota. 
• The SSLV-D3 is its third and final development flight. 
• The SSLV is capable of launching Mini, Micro or Nanosatellites (10 to 500kg mass) into a 500 km planar orbit. 
• The EOS-08 satellite is designed for Earth observation and carries advanced technology for various tasks such as disaster monitoring, environmental observation, and surveillance. 
• It includes multiple payloads that can capture images in infrared, monitor UV radiation, and measure soil moisture and ocean winds. 

4. Risk of Central India Forests 

• Forests in Central India’s Khandwa and North Betul divisions are at high risk of forest fires. 
• The scientists noticed a slight increase in the number of fires, with about three more per year in Khandwa and one more in North Betul. 
• 45 per cent of Khandwa’s Forest and 50 per cent of North Betul’s forest fall into high or very high fire risk zones. 
• In Khandwa, these high-risk areas are mainly in the northern and southeastern parts, including the Khalwa, East Kalibhit, West Kalibhit, Chandgarh and Aonliya ranges. 
• In North Betul, they are located in the northwestern and northeastern regions, such as Shahpur, Betul, Sarni and Bhaura. 

5. India approves additional 251 MW Power Exports from Nepal 

• India’s Designated Authority for Cross-Border Trade has approved an additional 251 MW of power exports from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal. 
• For the first time, Nepal would be exporting power to Bihar through a medium-term power sales agreement. This takes the total allowed quantum from 690 MW from 16 projects to 941 MW from 28 projects. 
• Even before this 251 MW approval, Nepal had already become a net exporter of electricity and net revenue generator in the last fiscal year selling NPR 16.93 billion worth of electricity. 
• In October 2021, India approved 39 MW of power exports from Nepal to India for the first time. In less than 3 years, this figure has grown by more than 24 times. 
• Nepal first began its power exports by selling in the Day Ahead Market of the Indian Energy Exchange. Since then, India has also granted access to the Real-Time Market. 
• The Agreement for Long-Term Power between India and Nepal envisages the sale of up to 10,000 MW of power from Nepal to India in the next 10 years. This is the first year of the Agreement and around 1000 MW exports have already been reached. 

About Nepal 

• Capital- Kathmandu 
• Currency- Nepalese rupee
• President– Ram Chandra Paudel 
• Prime minister– K.P. Sharma Oli (replace Pushpa Kamal Dahal) 

6. Amardeep Singh Bhatia takes charge as Secretary of DPIIT 

• IAS Amardeep Singh Bhatia has assumed the charge of Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. 
• Bhatia is an Indian Administrative Service Officer of the 1993 Batch from the Nagaland cadre. 
• In Central Government, he has heldmany important positions in the Ministries of Corporate Affairs and Health & Family Welfare. Ministry of Commerce and Industry vice Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS consequent upon his appointment as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Defence. 

Other Important Secretaries 

• Foreign Secretary– Vikram Misri (replace Vinay Mohan Kwatra) 
• Cabinet Secretary– T V Somanathan (replace Rajiv Gauba) 
• Home Secretary– Govind Mohan (replace Ajay Kumar Bhalla) 
• Revenue Secretary– Sanjay Malhotra 
• Defence Secretary– Giridhar Aramane 
• Economic Affairs Secretary– Ajay Seth 
• Finance Secretary– V. Somanathan 
• Expenditure Secretary– T. V. Somanathan 

7. Rajesh Nambiar quits as Cognizant’s Indian head to become NASSCOM president 

• Rajesh Nambiar has stepped down as Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp’s India Chairman and Managing Director to become president of information technology (IT) industry body National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). 
• Cognizant named Rajesh Varrier as his successor. He will take over as global head of operations from 2 September and as chairman and managing director of the Nasdaq-listed from 1 October. 
• Nambiar, now president-designate at Nasscom, will replace Debjani Ghosh, who has been the industry body’s president since 2018. Ghosh will serve in her position till her tenure ends in November this year. 

About National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) 

• Founded– 1988 
• Headquarters– New Delhi 
• President– Rajesh Nambiar (replace Debjani Ghosh) 

8. RGIA Hyderabad wins best airport award for third consecutive year

• Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has once again clinched the prestigious title of Best Airport at the India Travel Awards, marking its third consecutive win. 
• Last year, RGIA was also honored with Skytrax’s ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’ award in Frankfurt, Germany. 
• The airport received recognition at the Passenger Terminal EXPO 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany for emerging on top among all other airports across South Asia and India. 
• The RGIA team is dedicated to building upon this success and maintaining its position as the Best Airport. Ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, upgrade facilities, and introduce innovative services will be crucial in sustaining this level of excellence. 

9. President Murmu presents National Geoscience awards 2023 

• The President of India, Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious National Geoscience Awards (NGA) for the year 2023 at a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre New Delhi. 
• This year, a total of 12 awards to 21 Geoscientists, including academicians and professionals from across the country, were honoured under three categories: National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement (01 award), National Geoscience Award (10 awards) and National Young Geoscientist Award (01 award) in various specialized fields of geosciences.
• Prof Dhiraj Mohan Banerjee received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on phosphorites, isotope geology, and organic geochemistry. 
• Dr Ashutosh Pandey was awarded the National Young Geoscientist Award for his groundbreaking research on the geodynamic evolution of the Eastern Dharwar Craton. 
• The National Geoscience Awards continue to symbolize recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievements in geosciences, mineral exploration, and natural hazard investigations driving forward the pursuit of excellence and sustainable development. 

10. BEML signs MoU with Indian Navy to develop advanced Marine applications for Defence 

• Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML Ltd.), which is into defence and heavy engineering manufacturing, has signed an MoU with the Directorate of Marine Engineering, Indian Navy, for indigenous design, development, manufacture, testing, and product support of critical marine equipment and systems. 
• Aligned with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the partnership aims to strengthen self-reliance in defence production and minimise reliance on foreign imports. 
• This initiative is a pivotal step in enhancing bilateral cooperation for indigenous design, development, manufacture, testing and product support of critical Marine Engineering equipment and systems. 

11. Amit Shah releases Tarun Chugh’s book ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’ 

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has released a book written by BJP leader Tarun Chugh which, captures the “transformative” changes brought by the Modi government in a host of sectors and regions, including in the poll-bound Jammu and Kashmir. 
• The book ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’ was “inspired” by the prime minister’s decades-long public life which was always “dedicated” to the country. 
• It examines the broad spectrum of Narendra Modi’s policies, including the ‘Make in India’ campaign designed to boost domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment. This initiative is analysed alongside the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). 

Recent Book 

• Breaking Rocks and Barriers– Sudipta Sengupta 
• Power Within: The Leadership 
• Legacy of Narendra Modi’– Dr R Balasubramaniam 
• I have the Streets– R Ashwin & Sidharth Monga 
• Gateways to the Sea– launched by Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais 
• The Adventures of Ed-a-Mamma: Ed Finds A Home– launched by Alia Bhatt. 

12. 20 August– World Mosquito Day 

• World Mosquito Day is observed annually on 20 August.
• Objective– To raise awareness about the persistent threat posed by mosquitoes, which are responsible for spreading some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. 
• Theme 2024– Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world 
• On August 20, 1897, Sir Ronald Ross made a groundbreaking discovery when he found the malaria parasite in the stomach of a female Anopheles mosquito. This discovery revolutionised medical science by providing the first evidence that mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans. 

13. 20 August- International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 

• International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed annually on 20 August. 
• The commemoration of this day is of particular importance for the countries of the African continent located along the Sahara-Sahelian Belt, which are on the front line in the global fight against terrorism.
• The United Nations General Assembly adopted a significant resolution, 72/165, on December 20, 2017, establishing the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The resounding consensus that endorsed this resolution underscores the global commitment to confronting terrorism and standing by its victims. 
• The selection of August 21 as the designated date holds special This day honors the memory of the tragic 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. 
• The attack claimed 22 lives, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

14. India approves additional 251 MW Power Exports from Nepal 

• India’s Designated Authority for Cross-Border Trade has approved an additional 251 MW of power exports from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal.
• For the first time, Nepal would be exporting power to Bihar through a medium-term power sales agreement. This takes the total allowed quantum from 690 MW from 16 projects to 941 MW from 28 projects. 
• Even before this 251 MW approval, Nepal had already become a net exporter of electricity and net revenue generator in the last fiscal year selling NPR 16.93 billion worth of electricity. 
• In October 2021, India approved 39 MW of power exports from Nepal to India for the first time. In less than 3 years, this figure has grown by more than 24 times. 
• Nepal first began its power exports by selling in the Day Ahead Market of the Indian Energy Exchange. Since then, India has also granted access to the Real-Time Market. 
• The Agreement for Long-Term Power between India and Nepal envisages the sale of up to 10,000 MW of power from Nepal to India in the next 10 years. This is the first year of the Agreement and around 1000 MW exports have already been reached. 

About Nepal 

• Capital- Kathmandu 
• Currency- Nepalese rupee 
• President– Ram Chandra Paudel 
• Prime minister– K.P. Sharma Oli (replace Pushpa Kamal Dahal) 

15. Amardeep Singh Bhatia takes charge as Secretary of DPIIT 

• IAS Amardeep Singh Bhatia has assumed the charge of Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. 
• Bhatia is an Indian Administrative Service Officer of the 1993 Batch from the Nagaland cadre. 
• In Central Government, he has held many important positions in the Ministries of Corporate Affairs and Health & Family Welfare. 
• Ministry of Commerce and Industry vice Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS consequent upon his appointment as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Defence. 

Other Important Secretaries 

• Foreign Secretary– Vikram Misri (replace Vinay Mohan Kwatra) 
• Cabinet Secretary– T V Somanathan (replace Rajiv Gauba) 
• HomeSecretary– Govind Mohan (replace Ajay Kumar Bhalla) 
• Revenue Secretary– Sanjay Malhotra 
• Defence Secretary– Giridhar Aramane 
• Economic Affairs Secretary– Ajay Seth 
• Finance Secretary– V. Somanathan 
• Expenditure Secretary– T. V. Somanathan 

16. Rajesh Nambiar quits as Cognizant’s India head to become NASSCOMpresident 

• Rajesh Nambiar has stepped down as Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp’s India Chairman and Managing Director to become president of information technology (IT) industry body National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). 
• Cognizant named Rajesh Varrier as his successor. He will take over as global head of operations from 2 September and as chairman and managing director of the Nasdaq-listed from 1 October. 
• Nambiar, now president-designate at Nasscom, will replace Debjani Ghosh, who has been the industry body’s president since 2018. Ghosh will serve in her position till her tenure ends in November this year. 

About National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) 

• Founded– 1988 
• Headquarters– New Delhi 
• President– Rajesh Nambiar (replace Debjani Ghosh) 

17. RGIA Hyderabad wins best airport award for third consecutive year 

• Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has once again clinched the prestigious title of Best Airport at the India Travel Awards, marking its third consecutive win. 
• Last year, RGIA was also honored with Skytrax’s ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’ award in Frankfurt, Germany. 
• The airport received recognition at the Passenger Terminal EXPO 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany for emerging on top among all other airports across South Asia and India. 
• The RGIA team is dedicated to building upon this success and maintaining its position as the Best Airport. Ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, upgrade facilities, and introduce innovative services will be crucial in sustaining this level of excellence. 

18. President Murmu presents National Geoscience awards 2023 

• The President of India, Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious National Geoscience Awards (NGA) for the year 2023 at a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre New Delhi. 
• This year, a total of 12 awards to 21 Geoscientists, including academicians and professionals from across the country, were honoured under three categories: National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement (01 award), National Geoscience Award (10 awards) and National Young Geoscientist Award (01 award) in various specialized fields of geosciences. 
• Prof Dhiraj Mohan Banerjee received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on phosphorites, isotope geology, and organic geochemistry. 
• DrAshutosh Pandey was awarded the National Young Geoscientist Award for his groundbreaking research on the geodynamic evolution of the Eastern Dharwar Craton. 
• The National Geoscience Awards continue to symbolize recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievements in geosciences, mineral exploration, and natural hazard investigations driving forward the pursuit of excellence and sustainable development. 

19. BEML signs MoU with Indian Navy to develop advanced marine applications for Defence 

• Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML Ltd.), which is into defence and heavy engineering manufacturing, has signed an MoU with the Directorate of Marine Engineering, Indian Navy, for indigenous design, development, manufacture, testing, and product support of critical marine equipment and systems. 
• Aligned with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the partnership aims to strengthen self-reliance in defence production and minimise reliance on foreign imports. 
• This initiative is a pivotal step in enhancing bilateral cooperation for indigenous design, development, manufacture, testing and product support of critical Marine Engineering equipment and systems. Books and Author 20. AmitShahreleases Tarun Chugh’s book ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’ 
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has released a book written by BJP leader Tarun Chugh which, captures the “transformative” changes brought by the Modi government in a host of sectors and regions, including in the poll-bound Jammu and Kashmir. 
• The book ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’ was “inspired” by the prime minister’s decades-long public life which was always “dedicated” to the country. 
• It examines the broad spectrum of Narendra Modi’s policies, including the ‘Make in India’ campaign designed to boost domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment. This initiative is analysed alongside the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). 

Recent Book 

• Breaking Rocks and Barriers– Sudipta Sengupta 
• PowerWithin: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi’– Dr R Balasubramaniam 
• I have the Streets– R Ashwin & Sidharth Monga 
• Gateways to the Sea– launched by Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais 
• The Adventures of Ed-a-Mamma: Ed Finds A Home– launched by Alia Bhatt 

21. 20August–World Mosquito Day 

• World Mosquito Day is observed annually on 20 August. 
• Objective– To raise awareness about the persistent threat posed by mosquitoes, which are responsible for spreading some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. 
• Theme 2024– Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world 
• OnAugust 20, 1897, Sir Ronald Ross made a groundbreaking discovery when he found the malaria parasite in the stomach of a female Anopheles mosquito. This discovery revolutionised medical science by providing the first evidence that mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans. 

22. 20August–International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 

• International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed annually on 20 August. 
• The commemoration of this day is of particular importance for the countries of the African continent located along the Sahara-Sahelian Belt, which are on the front line in the global fight against terrorism. 
• The United Nations General Assembly adopted a significant resolution, 72/165, on December 20, 2017, establishing the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The resounding consensus that endorsed this resolution underscores the global commitment to confronting terrorism and standing by its victims. 
• The selection of August 21 as the designated date holds special 
• This day honors the memory of the tragic 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. The attack claimed 22 lives, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

23. Scientists discovered liquid water on Mars for the first time. 

• As per a newstudy, there could be Oceans of liquid water inside the rocky outer crust of Mars. This is the first time that scientists have discovered liquid water on the planet. ‘Liquid water in the Martian mid-crust’ study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 
• This layer is situated at depths of about 10 to 20 km in the Martian crust. The study predicts that water could have seeped from the surface billions of years ago when Mars have rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans. This finding would help researchers understand the water cycle of Mars in a better way. 
• The discovery would also give impetus to the ongoing search for evidence of life on Mars. The researchers used the data from NASA’s Mars Insight Lander, which landed on Mars in 2018. 

24. Rohit Sharma received the 'Men's International Cricketer of the Year' award at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023–24. 

• India captain Rohit Sharma has been named the 'Men's International Cricketer of the Year' at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023–24. Virat Kohli was named the 'Men's ODI Batter of the Year' while MohammedShamihasbeennamedthe'ODI Bowler of the Year'. Rahul Dravid has received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023–24. 
• Yashasvi Jaiswal has received the 'Men's Test Batter of the Year' award, while R. Ashwin has been named the 'Men's Test Bowler of the Year'. Tamil Nadu captain R Sai Kishore received the 'Domestic cricketer of the Year' award. NewZealand's Tim Southee received the 'Men' T20I Bowler of the Year' award. England's Phil Salt has been adjudged the 'Best Batter of the Year' in T-20 format. 

25. Chandrayaan's Pragyan rover presented evidence of the magmaoceanonthemoon. 

• As part of India's historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, the rover spent two weeks studying the lunar soil and sent valuable scientific data back to Earth in anticipation of many discoveries. This included recording the presence of sulfur to confirming the presence of some small rock fragments around the crater rims near Shiva Shakti Bindu. 
• The rover had already met all the expectations of ISRO and accomplished its scientific goals. On August 21, the Chandrayaan-3 team reported perhaps its most important discovery yet, shedding light on the origin of the Moon. On August 21, in a study published in the journal Nature, the research team reported detecting the presence of a rock called ferroan anorthosite in the lunar soil. 
• The consensus among scientists is that these anorthosite rocks may be the remains of an ancient ocean of magma that spread across the surface of the Moon about four billion years ago. Ferroan anorthosite rocks are very common on Earth. As is the general consensus, the Moon was born from the remnants of a collision between the Earth and some rogue planetary body. 
• The Moon's rocky surface was initially molten. As the lava cooled, the minerals in it slowly crystallized to form a variety of rocks, including ferroan anorthosite. 

26. World Bank issued the world's first carbon removal bond to raise funds for Amazon reforestation. 

• The goal of the new kind of bond is try to save the Amazon rainforest by linking investors’ financial returns to the amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere. The World Bank sold a nine-year, $225 million note that will help fund reforestation in the Amazon. 
• Unlike previous bonds, buyers' returns will be linked to the climate impact of new trees, rather than avoided emissions through curbing deforestation. Investors will receive a fixed guaranteed coupon rate of around 1.745% per annum, which is lower than World Bank ordinary bonds of similar maturity. 
• According to the World Bank, Mombak will use these funds to acquire or partner with landowners in the Amazon to replant native tree species on the land. Carbon credits produced by the projects, calculated based on the amount of carbon removed by the trees planted, will be sold to Microsoft Corp., which has a purchase agreement with Mombak. 
• Bondholders will receive a portion of the revenue generated from that sale through an additional variable coupon linked to the number of credits sold. They can expect to earn a total annual yield of 4.362%. 

27. KhadiandVillage Industries Commission (KVIC) and Department of Posts have signed a MoU.

• Under the MoU, the employees of the Postal Department will physically verify new units being established all over India under the PMEGP. The KVIC will also provide training to the employees for the physical verification process. 
• Postal Department’s Deputy General Manager Dr Amanpreet Singh and Deputy CEO of PMEGPRajan Babu on behalf of KVIC signed MoU. Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a credit-linked subsidy scheme launched in 2008. 
• It is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at the national level. It was launched by merging two schemes- Prime Minister's Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP). 

28. NPCIhasintroduced UPI Circle- Delegated Payments for secondary users.

• Through the UPI Circle-Delegate Payments feature, a primary UPI user can establish a partial or full delegation link with their trusted secondary users via the UPI App. Within the security parameters and procedures, a primary user can grant permission to a reliable secondary user to complete transactions. Whenfull delegation is used, the primary user gives permission to a secondary user to start and finish UPI transactions within predetermined spending limits. 
• Whenthere is partial delegation, the primary user approves the start of payment requests from secondary users, and the primary user uses the UPI PIN to finish the UPI transaction. Up to five secondary users can be delegated by a primary user. Only one primary user's delegation can be accepted by a secondary user. 
• Members must ensure a maximum monthly limit of Rs 15,000 per delegation and a maximum per transaction limit of Rs 5000 in order to enable full delegation. The current UPI restrictions will apply in the case of partial delegation. Members shall ensure that, following the successful linking of primary and secondary users for both complete and partial delegation, a daily transaction limit of Rs 5000 is set during the cooling period (the first 24 hours). 
• Members must adhere to RBI regulations regarding "Harmonisation of Turn Around Time" and compensating customers for unsuccessful transactions through permitted payment methods. 

29. India’s second 700 MW nuclear power KAPS-4 plant became operational with full capacity. 

• India’s second home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactor at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) became fully operational with full capacity. Unit 4 of the KAPS plant had been operating at 90% capacity before reaching the full capacity of 700 MWe. The KAPS-4 unit started commercial operations on March 31, 2024. 
• India is constructing 14 more 700 MW nuclear power reactors of the same design. These are expected to commence operations progressively by 2031-32. NPCIL is currently operating a fleet of 24 reactors with a total capacity of 8180 MW. 

30. LataMangeshkar Award will be presented to K S Chithra and Uttam Singh. 

• The Madhya Pradesh government will present the National Lata Mangeshkar Award to renowned musician Uttam Singh and playback singer K.S. Chitra at a function here on September 28. The state culture department confers this award every year on Mangeshkar's birth anniversary. 
• Uttam Singh will be awarded the Mangeshkar Award for 2022, while Chitra will be awarded the award for 2023. For the first time, the awards ceremony will be held in an auditorium built by the state government in memory of Mangeshkar. 
• The legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar was born in Indore on September 28, 1929, and died in Mumbai on February 6, 2022. Established in 1984, the award aims to promote artistic excellence in the field of light music. It carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a citation. 

31. UnionMinister Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the 17th Divya Kala Mela in Raipur. 

• This week-long Divya Kala Mela would be focussed on empowering artisans and entrepreneurs with disabilities. It is organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan). 100 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs from around 20 States/UTs showcased different products showing cultural diversity. 
• Visitors get the unique opportunity to explore and purchase handcrafted goods in this mela. It also empowers Divyangjan under one roof through the ‘Divya Kala Shakti’ Job Fairs and Loan Mela. Under the Divya Kala Shakti cultural programme, artists have shown their abilities in music, dance and drama.