Current affairs 29 April 2023

India, UK to jointly create India-UK "NET Zero" Innovation Virtual Centre.

• India and the United Kingdom have agreed to create India-UK NET zero innovation virtual centre.
• Aim: To provide a platform for stakeholders of both countries to work together in areas like the decarbonization of manufacturing processes, transport systems, and green hydrogen as a renewable source.
• Both countries will also join to launch the 1st-ever UK-India scientific deep sea voyage and space parks partnership.

India’s 1st cable-stayed bridge Anji Khad will be ready in May 2023.

• India’s first cable-stayed bridge, the Anji Khad bridge will be completed by May 2023.
• It connects Katra and Reasi via tunnels T2 and T3 on the Katra-Banihal section.
• Aim: To connect J&K to the rest of the country with all-weather rail connectivity.
• The cables weigh 848.7 MT and the total length of cable strands involved is 653km.
• The asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge crosses the deep gorges of Anji river, a tributary of river Chenab.
• Total length of the bridge: 725m

Russian poet Maria Stepanova wins Leipzig Book Prize 2023.

• A Russian poet, Maria Stepanova has been awarded the prestigious Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding in 2023.
• She was honored in Leipzig for her volume of poetry "Mädchen ohne Kleider" (Girls Without Clothes).
• It is described as a sensitive and highly poetic study of often hidden violence against the female body and the power imbalance that drives this oppression.
• About Leipzig Book Award:
• Literary prizes in Germany
• Prize money: 20,000 euros

Finance ministry approves Navratna status to Rail Vikas Nigam.

• Union Finance Ministry has given its approval to upgrade Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) from Category-I Miniratna.
• RVNL, a PSU under the Ministry of Railways, will be the 13th Navratna amongst CPSEs.
• The company will have more autonomy in terms of investment, setting up JV and other financial decisions.
• As per the Navratna Company criteria, the company must have Miniratna status, with 4 independent board directors.

India, UK joint military exercise "Ajeya Warrior 2023" commenced in the UK.

• The seventh edition of a joint military exercise between India and the UK, Ajeya Warrior 2023 has been started in the Salisbury Plains, UK.
• The biennial training event started on 27 April and continues till May 11.
• The Indian Army has participated with indigenous weapons and equipment.
• Scope of exercise: It involves a Command Post Exercise (CPX) at the battalion level and company level field training exercise (FTX).
• Last edition (October 2021): Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.