Current Affairs - April 13, 2024 Current Affairs

Gopi Thotakura, an accomplished Indian pilot with a diverse aviation background, is making history as the first Indian to venture into space tourism with Blue Origin's NS-25 mission. His selection marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey and highlights the growing interest in space tourism.

India's digital services exports reached $257 billion in 2023, surpassing China and marking a 17 per cent increase from the previous year, as highlighted in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) report on digital services exports.

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a tragic event in Indian history, occurred on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, during British colonial rule. General Dyer's order to open fire on an unarmed gathering at Jallianwala Bagh led to hundreds of deaths and injuries, marking a dark episode in India's struggle for independence. This event intensified nationalist sentiments and fueled the demand for freedom from British rule.

Moody’s Analytics forecasts India's economy to grow by 6.1% in 2024, slightly higher than the previous estimate of 6%, reflecting a modest uptick in economic expansion amidst persistent challenges such as inflation and geopolitical tensions.

Sachidananda Mohanty has been appointed as a Member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) for a three-year term by the Ministry of Higher Education, Government of India. He brings extensive experience in education and culture, having served as a professor, Vice-Chancellor, and recipient of various national and international awards.

Japan's MUFG is set to acquire a 20% stake in HDB Financial Services, a significant investment that reflects investor confidence in India's financial market and the growth potential of HDB Financial Services.

The fifth edition of Exercise DUSTLIK takes place in Uzbekistan, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan through joint training sessions focusing on subconventional operations.

IISc Bengaluru developed a three-layered hydrogel using chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyaniline, capable of adsorbing and degrading over 90% of microplastics in water. This innovation introduces a sustainable method for filtering microplastics while avoiding issues like clogging, and it includes a fluorescent dye for tracking microplastic adsorption.

Ashneer Grover, former CEO of BharatPe, has launched ZeroPe as his latest fintech venture after leaving BharatPe in 2022. ZeroPe focuses on providing instant medical loans in collaboration with Mukut Finvest, a Delhi-based NBFC, exclusively available at partner hospitals.

Russia conducted the successful test launch of its Angara-A5 space rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, marking a significant achievement in its space program.

World Chagas Disease Day is observed on April 14th each year to raise awareness about this neglected tropical disease and promote early detection and comprehensive care initiatives.

ISRO achieved the 'zero orbital debris' milestone with its PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission by transforming the last stage into POEM-3 and de-orbiting it to ensure no debris remained in orbit.

Sierra Leone declared a national emergency to address the Zombie drug crisis caused by 'Kush,' a narcotic made from human bones, leading to grave robbery and drug-induced fatalities.

Adani Green Energy is constructing the world's largest renewable energy park in Khavda, Kutch district of Gujarat. Spread over 538 square kilometres, it will have a total capacity of 30 GW, making it a significant renewable energy initiative in India.

Arvind Kumar, currently the Managing Director & CEO of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, has been appointed as Director (Refineries) at Indian Oil Corporation Limited, a significant position in the oil and gas sector.