2 -3 March 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS.pptx

1. www.indopraba.blogspot.com
CURRENT AFFAIRS
2 -3 March 2023
Dr. A. PRABAHARAN
Research Director, Public Action

2.  The Foreign Ministers of Quad member countries have reaffirmed their
commitment to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive
and resilient.
In a joint statement, the leaders also reiterated their support to the principles
of freedom, rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful
settlement of disputes and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the Quad Foreign Ministers
meeting in New Delhi today.
The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan
foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Australian foreign minister Penny
Wong.
 The statement said, Quad, which will act as a force for regional and global
good, will be guided by the priorities of the Indo-Pacific region through its
positive and constructive agenda.
The leaders also reaffirmed their support to the region through practical
cooperation on contemporary challenges such as health security, climate
change, clean energy transition, critical and emerging technologies,
infrastructure, connectivity, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
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Foreign Ministers of Quad countries meet in New Delhi; Reaffirm to work for free
& open Indo-Pacific, climate change, clean energy transition among others

3. PM Modi calls for out of the box thinking and long term
planning to boost tourism in the country
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stressed on the need to think
out of the box and do long-term planning to give a new height to
the tourism sector in the country.
Mr. Modi stated this while addressing a post-budget webinar on
boosting India's tourism potential.
 He highlighted the huge scope of tourism in India and listed out
coastal, beach, mangrove, Himalayan, adventure, wildlife, eco,
heritage, spiritual, wedding destinations and sports tourism in this
direction.
He also gave the example of Ramayan Circuit, Buddha Circuit,
Krishna Circuit, Northeast Circuit, Gandhi Circuit, and pilgrimages of
all saints and stressed the need to work together collectively on this.
The Prime Minister informed that several places in India have been
identified through the route of competitive spirit and challenge in
this year’s Union Budget.
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4. President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates International Dharma-
Dhamma Conference in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
 President Draupadi Murmu has said that the consciousness of
Dharma-Dhamma is embedded in the core of India and the
foundation stone of humanism rests on Dharma.
She was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Seventh
International Dharma Dhamma Conference in Bhopal today.
 The President said that in the present times, it is everyone's duty
to protect and enhance the system based on morality.
He said that in our country, religion has an important place in
the social and political system and as always after
independence, Dharma-Dhamma has been given an important
place in the democratic system.
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5. EAM S Jaishankar holds bilateral meetings with Foreign
Ministers of different countries on the sidelines of Raisina
Dialogue
 External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today held bilateral meetings
with Foreign Ministers of different countries on the sidelines of Raisina
Dialogue in New Delhi.
In his meeting with Sweden Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, they
noted the steady progress in bilateral relations and regular contact in
the India-Nordic and EU formats.
The two leaders discussed technology, sustainability and economic
collaboration. Dr Jaishankar also met Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia
Faisal bin Farhan and appreciated Saudi Arabia’s support in the G20.
They also discussed global developments. A productive discussion was
held during Dr Jaishankar's meeting with Foreign Minister of Australia
Penny Wong.
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6.  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Pharmaceuticals
and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), States and Union Territories are
celebrating the 5th Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2023 across the country.
It is being celebrated under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
(PMBJP).
The Ministry said that more than thirty-four Pratigya Yatras were conducted
yesterday across the country. Out of which, eight Yatras have been led by Members
of Parliament.
These Pad yatras were conducted to create a mass fervor among people.
 The Ministry said, more than five thousand citizens including Doctors took pledge to
use generic medicines on MyGov platform.
The second day of the celebration stands as Jan Aushadhi Pratigya Yatra.
 The aim of such pad yatras is to ensure dissemination of knowledge about the
PMBJP scheme to make easy accessibility of Jan Aushadhi generic medicines.
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Health Ministry celebrates Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2023
today

7. Italy says, India’s G-20 leadership together with
Raisina Dialogue can send message of
cooperation & peace to the world
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the eighth edition of the
Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi last evening. Italian Prime Minister
Giorgia Meloni is the Chief Guest of the three-day Dialogue.
Speaking on the occasion, the Italian Prime Minister said, India’s
leadership in G20 and the Raisina Dialogue together can send a
message of cooperation and peace to the world.
She said, global coordination on climate change should not be a zero-
sum game and Indo-Pacific countries led by India have a strong role to
play in this regard.
Ms Meloni noted that India is a key player in the Indo-Pacific and Italy is
a key stakeholder in the Mediterranean. She stated that what happens in
the Indo-Pacific has direct consequences for Europe.
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8. NADA and NCERT sign MoU to strengthen value-based sports
education amongst school children and teachers
 The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) under the Youth Affairs and
Sports Ministry; and the National Council of Educational Research and
Training (NCERT) today signed an MoU to strengthen value-based sports
education amongst school children and teachers.
 The key activities that will be undertaken through this MoU include
developing e-content in an accessible format on sports values and
ethics. The UNESCO Value-Based Sports Education toolkit will also be
promoted in every classroom under the MoU.

 On the occasion, Secretary, Department of Sports, Sujata Chaturvedi said
that promoting positive sports values from an early age is key to
ensuring that young athletes practice clean sports at a later age.
 She said, this MoU will amplify NADA’s outreach efforts multi-fold, in
collaboration with NCERT. She stressed that the MoU will also help in
creating awareness at the grassroots.
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9.  The National Assembly of Vietnam recently announces that
Vo Van Thuong has been appointed as the country’s new
president.
 He took an oath on account of his newly assigned Presidential
position on March 02, 2023 (Thursday).
 The election happened after the reshuffling drive of the
country’s top leadership as it continues its anti-corruption
campaign.
 A couple of days back, an extraordinary session was initiated
where the assembly members confirmed 52 years old Vo Van
Thuong as the President of Vietnam. After the ruling
“Communist Party” nominated Thuong as the only candidate
on March 01, 2023 (Wednesday).
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Vo Van Thuong takes over as Vietnam’s President, Youngest
to hold the position

10.  World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated worldwide on March 3
as came into light in the year 2013 by the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA).
 This day is observed annually to underline the conservation and
protection of diverse wildlife across the globe.
 Also, on March 3 revives the 50th Anniversary of the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES).
 As per the WWD, the theme for the present year 2023 will be
‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’. March 3 is celebrated to
highlight all conservation efforts ranging from
intergovernmental to local scale.
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World Wildlife Day 2023 Observed Today

11. Axis Bank Supersedes Citibank India’s Retail
Business, Deal of Rs 11,603 Crores
 Axis Bank Limited, also known as UTI Bank announces the acquisition of
business undertakings of Citibank India.
 The deal of Axis Bank taking over the Retail Business concluded after
finalising an amount of Rs 11,603 crores on March 01, 2023 (Wednesday).
 However, the sale excludes Citibank’s institutional client businesses in India.
 Axis Bank, the third-largest private sector bank declared that the decision to
acquire was first made in March last year.
 It will not necessitate any new capital requirements and stressed that the
attrition rate of customers was much more than expected.
 The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Axis Bank, Amitabh
Chaudhary told that as many as 2.4 million Citi customers in the country
agreed with Axis Bank after the deal as against 3 million at the time of
announcing the deal.
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12. Modi Govt Permits Purchase of 70 HTT-40 Aircraft for
Indian Armed Forces, Intends to Provide Employment
 The Indian Government officially declares the approval
of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft on March 01, 2023
(Wednesday).
 As per the tender authorized by Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi, the aircraft acquisition from Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited are to be deployed for the Indian
Air Force.
 The Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) chaired by
PM Modi decided to accept the pact of IAF buying
Made-in-India Trainer Aircraft at the cost of about Rs
6,828.36 crores.
 Hindustan Aeronautics Company will supply 70
Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) Basic Trainer
Aircraft (BTA) for more than six years.
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