Daily Current Affairs 13th January 2023: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 13th January 2023. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 13th January 2023. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 13th January 2023 Current affairs test.
National News
3. Agreement between the Indian High Commission and Sabaragamuwa University, Sri Lanka for a Hindi Chair
- The Indian High Commission has agreed to sponsor a Hindi Chair at Sabaragamuwa University in Sri Lanka.
- Vice Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University, Professor Uday Ratnayake, and Asia’s High Commissioner, Gopal Bagale, have finalized the agreement for the establishment of a Hindi Chair, an initiative under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The primary objective is to educate students about Asia and its culture.
- By hiring Indian faculty, Sabaragamuwa University will play a pivotal role in promoting Hindi language and culture. The university, located in Belihuloya, Balangoda, Sri Lanka, was inaugurated on November 20, 1991.
4. Mumbai to host the 14th Annual World Spice Convention (WSC)
- Mumbai is set to host the 14th World Spice Convention (WSC) from February 16-18, 2023.
- The convention seeks to bring together traders and policymakers, with sessions aimed at enhancing global trade in spices, especially among the Group of Twenty (G20) nations.
- Key G20 nations will have representation, including government officials, regulatory authorities, spice trade associations, and technical experts.
- The theme for the global congress in 2023 is “VISION 2030: S.P.I.C.E.S.” emphasizing Sustainability, Productivity, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence, and Safety.
- Piyush Goyal, a Union minister, will present the Excellence in Exports of Spices awards on February 17, 2023.
- The World Spice Convention (WSC) is an annual event organized by the Spices Board of India. Maharashtra is a major spice producer and exporter in India, notably for turmeric and Kokum, both of which have geographical indication (GI) tags.
Banking and Financial
5. World Bank’s forecast for India’s GDP Growth for FY23
- The World Bank has projected India’s GDP growth to be 6.9% for FY23, a drop from the previous fiscal’s 8.7%.
- Factors such as rising inflation, increased interest rates, reduced investments, and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are causing global growth to decelerate, yet India is still expected to lead growth among the major emerging economies.
- Global growth in 2023 is projected by the World Bank to be 1.7%, a decrease from the current 3%.
- Two global recessions occurring within a decade would be the first such occurrence in over 80 years.
- The IMF had projected growth rates of 6% for 2021, 3.2% for 2022, and 2.7% for 2023.
6. Launch of PayRup – India’s Fastest Payment Application
- India’s fastest mobile payment app, PayRup, has been introduced, boasting cutting-edge internet technology.
- The app offers a high-quality digital payment experience with a top-tier user interface.
- Users can perform a multitude of tasks, such as paying bills, mobile recharges, broadband, and DTH top-ups, and buying gift cards.
- The app has ambitious expansion plans, with features like payment for school fees, rent, and more. Additionally, it will soon offer services like flight and bus bookings and hotel reservations.
- PayRup promises round-the-clock customer support using advanced CRM software and adheres to the SERVQUAL standard for optimal service quality.
- The launch event was spearheaded by Mahadevappa Halagatti in Bangalore.
National & International Appointments
7. Ravi Kumar Appointed as CEO of Cognizant
- Ravi Kumar will assume the role of CEO on March 15, 2023, succeeding Brian Humphries.
- Surya Gummadi will take over as the president of Cognizant Americas, replacing Ravi.
- Ravi Kumar, with a tenure of 20 years at Infosys, had climbed to a senior executive position before this appointment.
Defence
8. Successful Test of Prithvi-II Ballistic Missile at India’s Integrated Test Range
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Prithvi-II ballistic missile at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
- The missile, capable of carrying 500–1,000 kg warheads, has a range of about 350 km and employs an advanced inertial guidance system.
- Previous successful night test firings of Prithvi-II took place in 2018 and 2019. DRDO developed the missile under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
- About DRDO: Established on January 1, 1958, based in New Delhi, its motto is “Strength’s Origin is in Knowledge”. Samir V. Kamat currently serves as its president.
Obituaries
9. Passing of Union Minister Sharad Yadav
- Former Indian politician and Union minister, Sharad Yadav, passed away at the age of 75 in Gurugram, Haryana.
- He commenced his political journey during the anti-emergency movement in the mid-1970s.
- At 29, in 1974, he became the youngest individual to be elected to the Lok Sabha. He subsequently won four more times from the Madhepura Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.
Sports
10. Footballer Gareth Bale Announces Retirement
- Gareth Bale, renowned for his stints with Tottenham and Real Madrid, has announced his retirement from professional football.
- He debuted for Wales in a 2006 match against Trinidad and Tobago and has been named Wales’ best player on six occasions.
- Joining Real Madrid in 2013 for a then-record $132 million, Bale became known for his powerful left foot, sprinting prowess, and remarkable goals.
- He set a record with 111 appearances for Wales, leading them to their first European championship as captain. With Real Madrid, he clinched the Champions League title five times.
