CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 4th APRIL, 2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 4^th APRIL, 2023

1. Every year on 4 April, the world observes the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, with the aim of creating awareness about the dangers of explosive mines and generating support for efforts aimed at eliminating them, as well as to educate people about the harmful effects of explosive mine action across the world. The theme for International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2023 is “Mine Action Cannot Wait”.
2. The Central Government on 30 March 2023, appointed Justice T S Sivagnanam as Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court with effect from 31 March, 2023.
3. The meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was hosted by India in New Delhi on 29 March, 2023.
4. Union Minister of State for Finance Dr. Bhagwat Singh Kishanrao Karad on 29 March 2023, inaugurated the First Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) Meeting in Mumbai.
5. The European Commission (EC) has awarded protected geographical indication (PGI) status to Kangra tea, a unique variety of tea grown in the Kangra district of India’s Himachal Pradesh. The PGI will be effective from 11 April, 2023, as per the notification issued by the EC on 22 March, 2023.
6. The first meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Roads and Intelligent Transport Systems was held in New Delhi on 28 March, 2023.
7. Amit Kshatriya, an Indian-American engineer with expertise in software and robotics, has been appointed as the inaugural head of NASA’s newly-established Moon to Mars Programme.
8. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) on 31 March 2023, launched ‘WhatsApp Banking Services’ in collaboration with Airtel, which will allow the IPPB customers to access banking services on their mobile phones.  
9. The Ministry of External Affairs declared that trade between India and Malaysia can now be conducted using the Indian Rupee (INR) as a mode of settlement, in addition to other currencies.
10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the Leader-level Plenary session on the Summit of Democracy on 29 March, 2023.
11. Richard Verma, an Indian-American lawyer, diplomat, and executive, has been appointed as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources by the US Senate.
12. In March 2023, the railway network in the state of Haryana in India was completely electrified by Indian Railways, making it the first state in the country to achieve 100% electrification of its railway network.
13. Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the 113^th Convocation ceremony of Gurukul Kangri University at Haridwar on 30 March, 2023.
14. India’s GM Aravindh Chitambaram won the Delhi International Open Chess title on 30 March, 2023.
15. The Karnataka Government has notified the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category to provide 10% reservation in education and employment.
16. Ryuichi Sakamoto, Oscar-winning Japanese pop pioneer and actor who composed for Hollywood hits such as ‘The Last Emperor’ and ‘The Revenant’ passed away in Tokyo, Japan, on 28 March 2023, at the age of 71.