Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 17 Oct 2023
- 4 min read
5th National Water Awards for 2023
The Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced the commencement of the 5th National Water Awards (NWA) for 2023, aiming to recognize and encourage outstanding efforts in the field of water conservation and management.
- The NWA were introduced in 2018. The first distribution ceremony was held in 2019.
- Award Categories:
- 'Best State,' 'Best District,' 'Best Village Panchayat,' 'Best Urban Local Body,' 'Best School/College,' 'Best Institution (other than school/college),' 'Best Industry,' 'Best Civil Society,' 'Best Water User Association,' and 'Best Individual for excellence.'
- Prizes and Recognition:
- Winners in the categories of 'Best State' and 'Best District' will receive a trophy and citation.
Read more: National Water Awards (NWA)
RITES Ltd, and IRCON Awarded Navratna Status
The Ministry of Finance has conferred the esteemed 'Navratna' status upon two Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Ministry of Railways, Ircon International Limited (IRCON) and RITES Ltd (RITES).
- Navratna Companies in India are a group of CPSEs that have enhanced financial autonomy and flexibility to compete in the global market. They are given certain privileges, such as investing up to Rs 1,000 crore without explicit government approval.
- The Navratna status was first introduced in 1997. There are currently 16 Navratna Companies in India.
- To attain Navratna status, a firm must initially hold the Miniratna designation and it needs to achieve a score of 60 or more (out of 100) according to six performance criteria, which include metrics like Net Profit to Net Worth, Earnings per Share, and Inter-Sectoral Performance.
Read more: Sectors of Indian Economy
World Spine Day 2023
Every year on October 16th, World Spine Day (WSD) raises awareness about spine health.
- Theme for 2023: “Move Your Spine”, which emphasizes the role of physical activity and movement in preventing and managing spinal pain and disability.
- WSD was initiated in 2008 by the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC), which coordinates the event in collaboration with various organizations around the world.
- The purpose of WSD is to educate people about the causes, prevention, and treatment of spinal disorders, and to encourage them to take care of their spines.
Read more: Multiple Sclerosis
World White Cane Day
World White Cane Day is observed globally on 15th October aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities, particularly the visually impaired.
- Also known as White Cane Safety Day, the day was first recognised in 1964 in the United States by President Lyndon B Johnson.
- A white cane is a navigation or identification aid for people living with sight loss. It is a powerful symbol for visually impaired individuals, representing independence, mobility, freedom, and confidence.
Read more: Person with Disabilities in India
