Current affairs 24 January 2023

ECI hosted 2nd International Conference in New Delhi.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has hosted the 2nd International Conference in New Delhi, India from 23-24 January 2023.
• 2023 theme: Use of Technology and Elections Integrity.
• The two-day international conference was inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar.
• Around 43 Participants from 17 Countries including Angola, Argentina, Australia, Croatia, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, Philippines, and Suriname have joined the conference.

Indian Navy conducts "AMPHEX 2023" mega exercise in Andhra Pradesh.

• The Indian Navy has organized a six-day-long mega biennial tri-services amphibious exercise AMPHEX 2023 near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh from January 17 to 22, 2023.
• The military exercise was organized between the Indian Navy, Army, and IAF.
• It included complex activities in all domains that demonstrated and validated the high level of preparedness and excellent coordination.
• It took place amid growing concerns over China’s increasing military forays into the Indian Ocean.

21 islands of Andaman & Nicobar renamed after Param Vir Chakra Awardees.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman & Nicobar after Param Vir Chakra awardees on January 23, 2023, via video conferencing.
• He has also unveiled the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji, to be constructed on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep (earlier known as Ross Islands).
• The event was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief of Defence Staff General, Anil Chauhan.

5th Kalvari class submarine INS Vagir inducted into Indian Navy.

• The fifth Kalvari class submarine INS Vagir has been inducted into Indian Navy on January 23, 2023.
• It was built by Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in collaboration with the France-based Naval Group.
• It was commissioned by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar.
• It will boost the capabilities of the Indian Navy as it is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, etc.

ESAF Bank bags Inclusive Finance India Awards 2022.

• ESAF Small Finance Bank has bagged the prestigious Inclusive Finance India Awards 2022 for its contributions to advancing the goal of financial inclusion and supporting inclusive growth.
• K. Paul Thomas (MD and CEO, ESAF Bank) received the award from Anantha Nageshwaran (Chief Economic Advisor) at the 19th Inclusive Finance India Summit in New Delhi.
• This award recognized ESAF’s unique spectrum of Financial Inclusion projects ESAF Dhansree, and ESAF Udyog Jyothi.