Current affairs 14 March 2023

RRR Naatu Naatu wins Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards.

• RRR’s Naatu Naatu has created history by winning the prestigious Academy Awards 2023 in the Best Original song category.
• The music of Naatu Naatu was given by M. M. Keeravani and Lyrics by Chandrabosedouble-dagger.
• While India's The Elephant Whisperers (directed by Kartiki Gonsalves) won the award for Best Documentary Short Subject.
• Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
• Best Actor: Brendan Fraser (The Whale)

Kochi Metro becomes 1st in country to accept e-rupee for parking fee.

• In an initiative to promote Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Kochi Metro has started accepting digital currency in its parking facilities.
• With this, Kochi Metro is the first Metro in the country to accept CBDC.
• The program was inaugurated at the parking facility in Thykoodam and system would be introduced in all other parking areas of the Metro soon.
• The program was introduced in association with IDFC FIRST Bank partnered with Anantham Online, a technology startup.

India, US sign MoU to build resilient supply chain in semiconductor sector.

• India and the US inked an initial pact on increasing private-sector cooperation in the area of semiconductors.
• The two countries would facilitate business opportunities and develop an ecosystem with a view to reducing their dependency on China and Taiwan.
• Both sides have agreed to set up a semiconductor sub-committee, led by the Department of Commerce for the US side and MeitY and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the Indian side.

New initiative "beggar-free city" started in Nagpur.

• A new initiative called beggar-free city has been started in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• Commissioner of Police of Nagpur City, Amitesh Kumar informed that notification of 144 CrPC has been issued in this regard.
• Notices have been served to people.
• The Nagpur police will strictly enforce this and begging will not be allowed in public places.
• This is the joint venture of Nagpur City police and Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) social welfare department.

Central Railway achieves 100 % electrification of broad gauge network.

• The Central Railway has achieved 100% electrification of its broad gauge network of 3,825 kilometers.
• The CSMT-headquartered zonal railway informed that the 52-kilometer Ausa Road-Latur Road stretch in the Solapur division was the last non-electrified section and its electrification was completed in March 2023.
• This move helps in reducing carbon footprints of 5.204 lakh tonnes every year as well as savings of 1670 crore rupees.