Current affairs 11 August 2023

India succeeds in reducing emissions rate by 33% over 14 years.

• According to two officials privy to the latest assessment made for submission to the United Nations, India’s greenhouse emissions rate dropped by a faster-than-expected 33% in 14 years.
• Reason: Renewable energy generation rose and forest cover increased.
• India is well on the way to meeting a commitment to the UNFCCC, to reduce emissions intensity by 45% from the 2005 level by 2030.
• India’s average rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% annually during 2016-2019.

Parliament Passes Digital Personal Data Protection Bill.

• The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 has been passed by the Rajya Sabha, it was already approved by Lok Sabha on August 7, 2023.
• The bill lays down obligations on private and government entities around the collection and processing of citizens' data.
• The bill seeks to protect the privacy of Indian citizens while proposing a penalty of up to Rs 250 crore on entities for misusing or failing to protect the digital data of individuals.

Tehmasp Printer appointed as CEO for International Gemological Institute.

• International Gemological Institute (IGI), a Blackstone portfolio company, has appointed Tehmasp Printer as Global CEO of IGI, effective October 1, 2023.
• He would replace current CEO Roland Lorie, who will step down after spending nearly five decades.
• Tehmasp Printer has more than 30 years of experience in managing and leading businesses.
• He has been with IGI for 24 years, most recently as Managing Director of IGI India.

India Defence Ministry to replace Microsoft OS with Maya.

• The Union Ministry of Defense has informed that the ministry would install a secure operating system (OS), indigenously developed, named Maya OS.
• This OS would replace the existing OS, Microsoft Windows.
• About Maya OS:
• It is based on open-source Ubuntu software.
• It would shield against cyber threats, offering a familiar interface while boosting security.
• It uses Chakravyuh, a protective feature inspired by ancient Indian defence tactics.

KSRTC wins Asia's Best Brand Employer Award 2023.

• The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has won Asia's Best Brand Employer Award 2023 under the category Organisation with Innovative HR Practices.
• It was announced at the 14th edition of the 18th Brand Congress and would be presented on August 17 in Singapore.
• KSRTC:
• It was inaugurated by the Mysore Road Transport Department on 12 September 1948.
• Later it was converted to an independent corporation and renamed Karnataka Road Transport Corporation.