4 August Current Affairs 2023 in English

4 August Current Affairs 2023

4 August Current Affairs 2023 refers to the latest news and events happening around the world and are relevant to our daily lives. Staying updated with the 4 August Current Affairs 2023 is essential for students who are preparing for exams, especially competitive exams, as it forms an important part of the syllabus. The importance of the 4 August Current Affairs 2023 lies in its ability to help students enhance their general knowledge, improve their reading and comprehension skills, and develop their critical thinking abilities. 4 August Current Affairs 2023 also provides students with insights into various issues such as politics, economics, and social issues that are important for their overall development as informed citizens. Regularly reading and analyzing the 4 August Current Affairs 2023 not only helps students ace their exams but also prepares them for their future roles as responsible and well-informed citizens of society.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Unveils the New Logo of NMDC

On 3rd August, Union Minister of Steel and Civil Aviation, Sh. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia revealed the new logo of NMDC in New Delhi. The event witnessed the presence of Sh. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, Sh. Amitava Mukherjee, CMD of NMDC, and other officials from the Ministry of Steel and NMDC.

The logo embodies NMDC’s responsibilities towards mining in harmony with nature and people. It signifies the company’s dedication to mineral security, accountability, and promoting self-reliance in the mining sector. Read the complete article here

17-Year-Old Chess Prodigy D. Gukesh Becomes India’s Top-Ranked Player

In a historic accomplishment, 17-year-old chess prodigy D. Gukesh has achieved a remarkable feat, surpassing Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand to become India’s top-ranked chess player in the live world rankings. This momentous achievement was realized during the FIDE World Cup’s second round, where Gukesh displayed his prowess by defeating Mistradin Iskandarov and reaching an impressive live rating of 2755.9. This remarkable rise to the top has garnered widespread attention and admiration from the chess community worldwide.

Gukesh’s ascent to the 9th position in the world rankings is a testament to his exceptional talent and relentless dedication to the game. His recent gain of 2.5 rating points propelled him above the veteran Anand, who had held the title of India’s top-ranked player for more than three decades. The significance of Gukesh’s achievement is further amplified by the fact that it marks only the second time since 1986 that Anand has been displaced from the top position, underscoring the magnitude of the young prodigy’s accomplishment.

At such a tender age, Gukesh has already etched his name in chess history by becoming the youngest player ever to reach a live rating of 2750. This extraordinary feat highlights his exceptional potential and has cemented his status as one of the game’s brightest stars. With aspirations to break the illustrious 2800-rating mark, Gukesh’s journey continues to captivate chess enthusiasts globally, and the chess world eagerly awaits to witness the brilliance of this young prodigy on the international stage. Read the complete article here

Vivad se Vishwas 2.0: Facilitating Contractual Dispute Resolution

The Ministry of Finance’s Department of Expenditure has introduced Vivad se Vishwas 2.0, also known as the Contractual Disputes scheme, to address prolonged contractual disputes involving the government and its undertakings. Unveiled during the Union Budget 2023-24 by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, this initiative aims to streamline dispute resolution and ease the burden on the legal system. By establishing a voluntary settlement mechanism for parties entangled in disputes where arbitral awards are contested in court, the scheme seeks to promote amicable resolutions through graded settlement terms based on the extent of pendency of disputes.

To be eligible for settlement under the scheme, disputes must have their status determined by an award issued up to January 31, 2023, in an arbitral proceeding. Alternatively, for cases resolved through court proceedings, the award must have been passed on or before April 30, 2023. The scope of the scheme encompasses all domestic contractual disputes involving the Government of India or organizations under its control. Vivad se Vishwas 2.0 offers attractive settlement amounts to incentivize contractors to opt for voluntary resolutions. For Court Awards passed on or before April 30, 2023, the settlement amount can go up to 85% of the net amount awarded or upheld by the court. Similarly, for Arbitral Awards passed on or before January 31, 2023, the settlement amount can be up to 65% of the net amount awarded. Read the complete article here

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Port Health Organisation (PHO) under Sagar Setu to Promote Ease of Doing Business

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, introduced the Port Health Organisation (PHO) module as part of the Sagar Setu – National Logistics Portal (Marine). The goal is to create a quicker and simpler system that promotes Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in the maritime sector.

Sagar Setu is a national maritime single window platform that was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways in April 2023. It is a web-based and mobile-based platform that provides a single point of access for all maritime-related services. Read the complete article here

NHAI Launches ‘Rajmargyatra’ a Unified Mobile Application for National Highway Users

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a big step to enhance the highway user experience by introducing ‘Rajmargyatra,’ a unified mobile application designed for citizens. This user-friendly app can be downloaded from both Google Play Store and iOS App Store, providing travelers with extensive information about Indian National Highways and an effective system to address complaints. The app is currently accessible in both Hindi and English languages, making it more convenient for users. Read the complete article here

President of India Inaugurates Unmesha and Utkarsh festivals

On August 3, 2023, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated ‘Unmesha’ International Literature Festival and ‘Utkarsh’ Festival of Folk and Tribal Performing Arts in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. In her address, she highlighted the profound impact of literature and arts on people and their interconnectedness. Emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful literary and artistic works that transcend individual interests, the President called for translating major Indian works into various languages to enrich the country’s literature.

Smt. Droupadi Murmu praised literature for its role in reflecting, preserving, and progressing humanity. Literature acts as a mirror to humanity, guiding it towards the future and preserving sensitivity and compassion. She commended writers and artists as participants in the sacred campaign to protect humanity and its values. The ideals of India’s freedom struggle found strength in literature, with writers expressing the essence of freedom and renaissance across the nation. Even today, novels, stories, poems, and plays from that era continue to inspire and influence minds. Read the complete article here

Dharmendra Pradhan and S. Jaishankar jointly launch Study in India Portal in New Delhi

In pursuit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a global education hub, Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar together launched the Study in India Portal in New Delhi.

Guided by the National Education Policy (NEP), the Study in India Portal aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making education accessible across borders. As a flagship initiative of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Education (MoE), Study in India aims to attract more international students to India. The program’s vision is to promote India as a preferred study destination, offering affordable and high-quality education comparable to global standards. Read the complete article here

Captive Breeding Breakthrough: Himalayan Vulture Successfully Bred at Assam State Zoo

The Assam State Zoo in Guwahati, Assam, has achieved a remarkable milestone in wildlife conservation by successfully breeding Himalayan Vultures. This captive breeding accomplishment, documented in the paper titled ‘Breeding of Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis Hume, 1869 in the Assam State Zoo, Guwahati, Assam,’ brings hope for the preservation of this ‘Near Threatened’ species, with an estimated population of 66,000. The zoo’s dedication and careful efforts in creating a suitable environment and acclimating the vultures to the tropical conditions have contributed to this significant achievement.

Breeding the Himalayan Vulture in captivity was not without challenges, as the species typically thrives in snow-clad mountains. However, the Assam State Zoo overcame these obstacles by providing precise care and creating artificial brooding facilities to support the vultures’ successful hatching and rearing. This accomplishment marks only the second instance globally, following France, where Himalayan Vultures have been bred in captivity, emphasizing the vital role of zoos and breeding centers in safeguarding endangered species like vultures. Additionally, the conservation efforts for vulture populations extend beyond the captive breeding program. With vulture populations facing severe declines, three resident Gyps vulture species have been classified as ‘Critically Endangered.’ To address this challenge, conservation breeding centers, such as the Vulture Conservation Breeding Center at Rani, Assam, are playing a pivotal role. Researchers and conservationists closely monitor the release of White-rumped vultures from the VCBC in Haryana and West Bengal, utilizing transmitters to track their movements and behaviors. These comprehensive efforts reflect a steadfast dedication to protect and revive vulture populations, ensuring a sustainable future for these magnificent birds. Read the complete article here

PM Modi to Attend BRICS Summit in Johannesburg: Geopolitical Significance

The upcoming BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, scheduled from August 22 to 24, 2023, has gained significant attention as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance has been confirmed. The summit assumes heightened geopolitical importance following the cancellation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the same event. Amidst the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, leaders from BRICS member countries are expected to address the regional and global implications during the summit. Moreover, substantive discussions on expanding BRICS membership will be a key topic, with approximately 25 countries expressing interest in joining the bloc.

PM Modi’s participation at the BRICS Summit reinforces India’s influential role within the multilateral institution, alongside Brazil. Despite China’s efforts to assert dominance, India remains a key player, contributing to the functioning and decision-making process of BRICS. Interestingly, other nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also expressed keen interest in joining BRICS, creating a complex deliberation for expansion. Read the complete article here

Lok Sabha Passes Delhi Ordinance Bill

The Lok Sabha recently approved the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which replaced the ordinance concerning control of services in Delhi. However, the passage of the Bill faced protests from some Opposition parties, leading to their walkout.

During the debate on the Bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticized the Opposition, accusing them of prioritizing their political alliances over democracy and the well-being of the people. He expressed his belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would secure a decisive victory in the 2024 elections, regardless of any Opposition coalition. Read the complete article here