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Important Current Affairs for CLAT-13th August 2023

Asian Champions Trophy title 2023: India beat Malaysia clinch fourth Asian Champions Trophy

India beat Malaysia 4-3 and clinch a record fourth Asian Champions Trophy title at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. Malaysia were aggressive in the first half as the Indians found it difficult to restrict their opponent. With four Asian Champions Trophy titles, India is the most successful team in the history of the tournament. Pakistan, with three titles, are at the second spot now. Akashdeep led the attack scoring the opening goal and overall, India had five different goal scorers in the semi-finals of which four of them scored field goals – Karthi Selvam, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Sumit.

Japan take 3rd spot after beating South Korea 5-3. Japan finished behind Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy tournament after the beat defending champion South Korea 5-3 in the third-place playoff tie in Chennai.

Asian Champions Trophy title 2023 Squads

  • Malaysia: Muhammad Mohd, Amirul Azahar, H Othman, Deris Mat Zaimi, Shello Silverius, Razie Rahim, Faiz Jali, Najib Hassan, Kamal Azral Abu, K Hamirin, Muhammad Hassan, Najmi Jazlan, Marhan Jalil, Ashran Hamsani, Azuan Hasan, Fitri Saari, Abdu Muhajir, Faizal Saari, R Rosli, Firhan Ashari

  • India: Jugraj Singh, RP Sreejesh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Krishan Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Sumit, Varun Kumar, Sukhjeet Singh, Hardik Singh, Amit Rohidas, Akashdeep Singh, Samsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Mandeep Singh, S Karthi, Gurjant Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad.

Subhash Runwal receives the Lifetime Achievement Award RICS

Subhash Runwal, Chairman of Runwal, a leading real estate developer with a legacy of over four decades, has been recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the first-ever RICS South Asia Awards. RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is a global industry body representing professionals across the country.

Hosting its first-ever awards, it aimed to recognize global and Indian industry-leading achievements and demonstrate the upholding of the highest standards of professionalism and ethics by individuals and teams across built and natural environments. This recognition is a testimony to Runwal’s exceptional contributions, outstanding achievements, and unwavering dedication to the real estate sector.

About Runwal

Established in 1978, Runwal is one of Mumbai’s premier real estate developers, operating in the residential, commercial, and organized retail verticals for over 4 decades, with a robust track record of 42+ delivered projects and 24 ongoing projects. The developer boasts of over 35,000+ happy families; it has continuously driven to keep the ‘customer’ as a focal point in the designing, planning, and construction of all its projects. The testimony of their legacy has been that 35+ awards have been won by the group over these years.

About the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is a global industry body representing professionals across the country. Hosting its first-ever awards, it aimed to recognize global and Indian industry-leading achievements and demonstrate the upholding of the highest standards of professionalism and ethics by individuals and teams across built and natural environments.

Poet­ Diplomat Abhay K Launches his New Book ‘Monsoon’

Indian ­poet ­diplomat Abhay Kumar (Abhay K), Deputy Director General of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), launched his new book titled “Monsoon: A Poem of Love and Longing”, a book­length poem running across 150 fourline stanzas, at Kathika Culture Centre in Old Delhi, Delhi. The book was published by Sahitya Akademi on the occasion of its 68th anniversary (13th March 2022). The book is a poem that follows the monsoon which originates from Madagascar and travels to the Srinagar in the Himalayas and back to Madagascar.

In the preface to Monsoon: A Poem of Love and Longing, the poet traces how he came to write a love poem that connects India and Madagascar. One of Abhay K’s books is a translation of Kalidasa’s Meghaduta into English. So, this preoccupation with topos – topography, so to say – remains firmly in the poet’s oeuvre.

Forthcoming works of Abhay K:

i. His upcoming book titled ‘Celestial’ (Mapin India) is a poem in 100 rhyming couplets, that details the journey to all the 88­star constellations visible from Earth. It is illustrated with the drawings of star constellations of the 10th­century Persian astronomer Al Rahman Al Sufi. ii. Penguin Random House is set to publish his translation of the first Magahi novel ‘Phool Bahadur’ by Jayanath Pati in January 2024.

Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2023 full winners list

he Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Awards once again took center stage, honouring the finest cinematic gems from the Indian film industry. The 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Awards were held in Melbourne, Australia, on 11 August, honouring the best of film and OTT content from India globally.

Filmmaker Karan Johar was honoured for completing 25 years in the Indian film industry as a Filmmaker. He received a huge round of applause for his immense contributions in the field of entertainment. Here is the complete list of winners:

CategoryWinnerJury AwardsBest DocumentaryTo Kill A TigerBest Indie FilmAgraBest Performance in Film (MALE)Mohit Agarwal for AgraBest Performance in a film (FEMALE)Rani Mukerji for Mrs Chatterjee Vs NorwayBest DirectorPrithvi Konanur – Hadinelentu (Seventeeners)Best FilmSita RamamBest Performance (MALE) in a SeriesVijay Varma for DahaadBest Performance (FEMALE) in a seriesRajshri Deshpande for Trial By FireBest SeriesJubileeBest Short Film – People’s ChoiceConnection Kya Hain by Nilesh NaikBest Short Film – AustraliaHome by Mark Russel BernardHonourary AwardsEquality in Cinema AwardDarlingsPeople’s Choice AwardPathaanAward to Karan JoharFor his 25 years as a filmmakerRising Global Superstar of Indian CinemaKartik AaryanDiversity in Cinema AwardMrunal ThakurDisruptor AwardBhumi PednekarRainbow Stories AwardOnir for Pine Cone

About IFFM

This annual event, held in the heart of Australia, honours the remarkable talents of the Indian film fraternity, spanning movies and OTT series. The prestigious awards night was an evening of glamour and recognition, where the best of Indian cinema and the OTT landscape were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions. The awards ceremony, held at the iconic Hamer Hall in Melbourne in all its grandeur, witnessed the convergence of artists, filmmakers, and enthusiasts. The 2023 IFFM awards night not only paid tribute to the excellence achieved in the past year but also showcased the dynamic and evolving landscape of Indian entertainment celebrating the diversity of the films and content from the subcontinent.

5 Countries That Celebrate Independence Day on August 15

August 15 is a special day for many countries around the world, as it is the date on which they gained their independence. In India, it is celebrated as Independence Day, marking the end of British rule in 1947. But India is not the only country that celebrates its independence on August 15. There are five other countries that also mark this day as a national holiday:

Body:

  • Republic of Congo: The Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, gained independence from France on August 15, 1960.

  • South Korea and North Korea: On August 15, 1945, the Korean peninsula was freed from Japanese rule. South Korea and North Korea both celebrate this day as their National Liberation Day.

  • Liechtenstein: Liechtenstein is a small country in Europe that is surrounded by Switzerland and Austria. It gained independence from German rule on August 15, 1866. However, it did not officially declare August 15 as its National Day until 1940.

  • Bahrain: Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf. It gained independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1971.

Conclusion:

These are just five of the countries that celebrate Independence Day on August 15. Each country has its own unique history and culture, but they all share the common bond of having achieved independence on this day. On August 15, we celebrate the freedom and independence of these countries, and we reflect on the sacrifices that were made to achieve it.

Call to action:

If you are interested in learning more about the countries that celebrate Independence Day on August 15, I encourage you to do some research and learn about their history and culture. It is important to remember and celebrate the independence of all countries, big and small.

Escalating Tensions in Niger: ECOWAS Response and Regional Concerns

In the aftermath of a recent coup in Niger on July 26, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces a critical situation. The coup leaders have defied ECOWAS’ deadline to reinstate the ousted president, prompting discussions among regional leaders. This article delves into the ongoing crisis, ECOWAS’ response, and the potential implications for the region.

Coup Defiance and Junta’s Stand

The coup leaders in Niger have refused to comply with ECOWAS’ ultimatum to reinstate the ousted president, choosing instead to strengthen their grip on power.

ECOWAS’ Ultimatum and Summit

ECOWAS had instructed the junta to step down by a specified deadline, setting the stage for a potential military intervention. In response to the escalating crisis, ECOWAS is convening an extraordinary summit to address the situation.

The Junta’s Resilience and Nationalistic Call

In a public statement, a junta representative expressed determination to defend Niger’s territorial integrity. They also called upon the country’s youth to rally behind the cause, which has garnered support from students.

Disruptions and Global Impact

The closure of Niger’s airspace has already affected flight paths across Africa, disrupting air travel. The landlocked nation’s size and strategic location make it a key element in regional air routes.

ECOWAS’ Response and Regional Unity

ECOWAS’ response to this coup stands in contrast to previous instances, demonstrating a tougher stance. The organization’s credibility is on the line as it strives to prevent further destabilization caused by repeated coups.

About ECOWAS: Regional Cooperation and Key Objectives

Escalating Tensions in Niger: ECOWAS Response and Regional Concerns

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional organization committed to fostering economic integration, political stability, and social progress among its member states in West Africa.

Establishment and Membership

  • Formation: ECOWAS was established on May 28, 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos.

  • Membership: The 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are:

    1. Benin

    2. Burkina Faso

    3. Cape Verde

    4. Ivory Coast

    5. Gambia

    6. Ghana

    7. Guinea

    8. Guinea-Bissau

    9. Liberia

    10. Mali

    11. Niger

    12. Nigeria

    13. Senegal

    14. Sierra Leone

    15. Togo

Economic Integration and Trade Facilitation

  • Customs Union: ECOWAS aims to create a customs union, enhancing trade by eliminating tariffs and promoting a common external tariff.

  • Economic Cooperation: It seeks to harmonize economic policies, encourage investment, and promote regional infrastructure development.

Political Stability and Peacekeeping

  • Conflict Resolution: ECOWAS plays a pivotal role in resolving conflicts within the region, utilizing diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts.

  • Mediation: The organization has been involved in mediating political crises in member states to ensure stability and democracy.

Social Development and Humanitarian Aid

  • Health Initiatives: ECOWAS addresses health challenges, such as HIV/AIDS and Ebola, through collaborative programs and resource sharing.

  • Humanitarian Assistance: It provides support during natural disasters and humanitarian crises, fostering regional solidarity.

Regional Integration and Citizenship

  • Freedom of Movement: ECOWAS promotes the free movement of goods, people, and capital across member states, enhancing integration.

  • ECOWAS Passport: The organization introduced the ECOWAS biometric passport, facilitating travel and fostering a sense of regional identity.

Economic and Monetary Union (ECO)

  • Monetary Cooperation: ECOWAS aims to establish a single currency, the ECO, to enhance economic integration and reduce currency risks.

  • Harmonized Policies: It strives to align fiscal policies and macroeconomic frameworks among member states.

Tesla appoints India-origin Vaibhav Taneja as its CFO

Indian-origin Vaibhav Taneja has been named Tesla’s new Chief Financial Officer as the previous finance chief Zachary Kirkhorn announced his decision to step down. He was appointed Tesla CFO in addition to his current role as Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) of the US-based electric car major after Kirhorn, Tesla’s Master of Coin and finance chief for the last four years, stepped down from the post.

Mr Kirkhorn’s 13-year tenure with the Elon Musk-led American EV giant was described as one of “tremendous expansion and growth” in the company filing.

Career and experience of Vaibhav Taneja

Mr Taneja has served as Tesla’s CAO since March 2019 and as the Corporate Controller since May 2018. He served as the Assistant Corporate Controller between February 2017 and May 2018, and from March 2016, served in various finance and accounting roles at SolarCity Corporation, a US-based solar panel developer acquired by Tesla in 2016. Before that, Mr Taneja was employed at PricewaterhouseCoopers in both India and the US between July 1999 and March 2016.

Who Is Tesla’s New CFO Vaibhav Taneja?

Taneja is a commerce graduate. He did his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Delhi University between 1996 and 1999. He also pursued his Chartered Accountancy from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, between 1997 and 2000.

Taneja’s Tesla journey began in 2017 as he switched from a dynamic solar energy firm, SolarCity, which had been acquired by Tesla. His journey began as the Vice President of SolarCity and eventually he went on to become the Corporate Controller. Taneja was highly credited for the seamless integration of accounting teams from both firms.

Before joining Tesla, Taneja worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers for a good 17-years span before he moved on to SolarCity, ending his PwC journey in March 2016.

Important points:

  • Tesla Founders: Elon Musk, Martin Eberhard, JB Straubel, Marc Tarpenning, Ian Wright;

  • Tesla Founded: 1 July 2003, San Carlos, California, United States;

  • Tesla CEO: Elon Musk (Oct 2008–);

  • Tesla Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States.


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