Daily Current Affairs for 21 June 2023
PM Modi Leads Historic Yoga Session at UNHQ to Celebrate 9th International Day of Yoga
- Prime Minister Narendra Modiled a unique yoga session at the United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, marking the 9th International Day of Yoga.
- The historic celebration saw the participation of top UN officials, envoys from around the world, and prominent individuals.
- The event showcased India’s commitment to nurturing traditions that unite and embrace diversity, with a call to eliminate contradictions and obstacles through the practice of yoga.
The Longest Day of the Year: Exploring the Significance of June 21st
- Every year, the 21st of June marks the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, known as the longest day of the year.
- On this special day, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, casting its rays over the Earth for an extended duration.
- In this article, we delve into the scientific and astronomical reasons behind why June 21st holds the distinction of being the longest day of the year.
INTERNATIONAL
Pakistan’s Economic Crisis Deepens with Dollar Crunch Halting Food Imports
- Pakistanis currently facing a severe economic crisis characterized by a shortage of dollars, leading to a complete halt in the import of essential food and beverages.
- The situation has resulted in thousands of stranded containers at ports, incurring fines and additional charges for traders.
- The lack of sufficient foreign exchange, which the Pakistan State Bank (PSB) has been unable to provide, has further exacerbated the country’s economic challenges.
PM Modi’s US Visit
- Grand Arrival and Engaging with the Indian Diaspora:PM Modi’s visit to the US began with a grand arrival at Lotte New York Palace hotel, where he was greeted with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai.’ He also interacted with the Indian diaspora, graciously giving autographs to representatives.
- Meeting with Elon Musk:A highlight of the visit was PM Modi’s meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk described their conversation as excellent and expressed his plans to visit India in 2024, indicating the potential for future collaborations between India and Tesla.
- Engagements with Prominent Personalities: PM Modi had insightful meetings with notable personalities during his time in New York. He met author and academic professor Robert Thurman, essayist and statistician Professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Nobel laureate Professor Paul Romer, American investor Ray Dalio, and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. These interactions focused on various topics, including resilience, risk-taking, India’s response to COVID-19, and strengthening international partnerships.
- State Dinner Hosted by President Biden: PM Modi’s visit includes a state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on June 22. This prestigious event serves as a platform for further discussions and deepening the bilateral relationship between India and the United States.
- Address to the Joint Session of the US Congress: As part of his visit, PM Modi will deliver an address to the joint session of the US Congress on June 22. This provides an opportunity for him to share India’s perspectives and strengthen ties with the legislative branch of the US government.
- Talks with President Biden: PM Modi will also hold talks with President Joe Biden in Washington D.C. These discussions will focus on consolidating bilateral cooperation and engagement in plurilateral forums such as the G20, Quad, and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
STATES
Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- The Punjab Assembly recently approved the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, marking a significant shift in the governance structure of state-run universities.
- This move aims to replace the governor with the chief minister as the chancellor of these educational institutions.
National Yoga Olympiad organised in Madhya Pradesh
- The National Yoga Olympiad,a prestigious event showcasing the best of yoga, is currently being organised in Madhya Pradeshleading up to the main event on the 9th International Yoga Day on June 21st in Jabalpur.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
What is Gonkoken nanoi?
- Remains of a previously unknown species of herbivorous dinosaur have been unearthed in the stunning landscapes of Chilean Patagonia, challenging existing beliefs about the distribution of duck-billed dinosaurs.
- The discovery sheds light on the fascinating history of these ancient creatures and their adaptations.
SCHEMES
Gruha Jyothi Scheme 2023
- The Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021will be conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur,in recognition of its “outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods”, the ministry of culture announced.
- The decision to confer the award on Gita Press was taken by a jury headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
AWARDS
Salman Rushdie wins prestigious German peace prize 2023
- The Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for 2023has been awarded to British-American author Salman Rushdie,“for his indomitable spirit, for his affirmation of life and for enriching our world with his love of storytelling,”.
- Rushdie was born on June 19, 1947, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Ahmed Salman Rushdie’s name is best known worldwide for his 1988 novel.
- The Satanic Verses, which caused widespread uproar in the Muslim world for its story inspired by the life of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
- It also prompted Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to declare a fatwa against the author.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Yoga Day 2023
- International Yoga Day 2023is celebrated every year onJune 21st to promote the numerous benefits of practicing yoga.
- The chosen date coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
- This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the holistic approach to well-being that yoga offers.
- It highlights the importance of finding balance in our fast-paced, modern lives and encourages physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. Yoga fosters mindfulness, stress reduction, and overall health and vitality.
World Music Day 2023
- World Music Day,also referred to as Fête de la Musique, is a yearly commemoration held onJune 21st that advocates for the influence of music and its universal ability to connect people.
- The occasion encourages musicians from diverse genres to showcase their talents in public areas, fostering a lively and inclusive ambiance for individuals worldwide to appreciate music.
- On this unique day, musicians and music enthusiasts from all corners of the globe unite to perform and revel in a wide array of musical genres.