Current affairs 22 May 2023

SBI emerges as the 2nd most profitable company in India.

State Bank of India (SBI) emerged as the most profitable firm after Reliance Industries in FY23 as it clocked a 41% compounded growth in earnings over the last three years.
SBI reported a 57% year-on-year surge in net profit to ₹55,648 crore for FY23.
Barring Reliance Industries, no other Indian company has ever crossed ₹50,000 crore in profitability.

India has achieved a significant milestone in its defence sector as the value of defence production in the country crossed ₹1 lakh crore for the first time.
This achievement is a result of key reforms implemented to boost growth in the sector and reduce reliance on military imports.
The value of defence production has nearly doubled over the past five years, reflecting India’s efforts to strengthen its position as a weapons and systems exporter.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Museum Expo 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
He also inaugurated a virtual walkthrough of the upcoming National Museum at the North and South Blocks.
The Prime Minister also took a walkthrough of Techno Mela, Conservation Lab and the Exhibitions showcased on the occasion.
The International Museum Expo is being organized as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 47th International Museum Day with the theme of the year Museums, Sustainability and Well Being.
The theme for IMD this year is museums, sustainability, and well-being.
The expo aims to initiate a comprehensive dialogue on museums with professionals that will help them develop as cultural centres contributing greatly to India’s cultural diplomacy.

Secretary, Food Processing Industries (FPI) Anita Praveen, chaired the First Inter- Ministerial Committee Meeting with senior representatives from Ministries/Departments/Boards in New Delhi.
The agenda of the committee meeting was to apprise the officials about the preparations made so far for World Food India 2023 and to discuss the participation of concerned Ministries/Departments/Organizations in the event.
This was in continuation of the series of interactions held to apprise them of the Ministry's action plan for the upcoming World Food India 2023 and discuss possible areas of collaboration.

A 5,000-year-old tree in Chile has been officially recognized as the world’s oldest. The tree, a Patagonian cypress, is located in the Alerce Costero National Park and is nicknamed “Great Grandfather.”
It is estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,500 years old, making it the oldest living organism on Earth.
The Great Grandfather tree is a massive specimen, measuring 28 meters tall and 4 meters (13 Feet) in diameter.
It is a Patagonian cypress, also known as Fitzroya cupressoides.
It is located in the Alerce Costero National Park in Chile.
It is the oldest living organism on Earth.