Daily Current Affairs Notes for 05 April 2023

 

National Maritime Day 2023

In India, the National Maritime Week commences on March 30 and culminates with the celebration of National Maritime Day on April 5. This year, the event marks its 60th anniversary, serving as a platform to acknowledge India's significant contributions to the maritime industry and its rich history as a seafaring nation. National Maritime Day plays a pivotal role in raising awareness about India's maritime heritage and its current role in supporting the country's economy. It is a day to express gratitude to the diligent sailors who tirelessly serve at sea, often enduring months away from their families, to ensure the smooth functioning of the industry.  

National Maritime Day 2023: Theme

Although the theme for this year's National Maritime Day in India is yet to be announced, the theme for National Maritime Week 2023 has been unveiled as 'Amrit Kaal in Shipping', which translates to 'Golden Era in Shipping' in English. This theme highlights the 25-year period from India's 75th to 100th year of independence, underscoring the potential for significant progress and development in the Indian maritime industry during this time, leading to a prosperous 'golden era' for the sector.  The theme reflects optimism and anticipation for a bright future in the maritime domain in India.      

National Maritime Day: History

National Maritime Day in India is deeply rooted in the country's illustrious maritime history, dating back to ancient times. The Rig Vedas, ancient texts, make references to Indian ships and the nation's trade with Western Asia. The Gangaridai Empire, the Chola dynasty, and the Mauryan Empire were notable maritime civilizations in ancient India. 

In modern times, National Maritime Day in India is observed in remembrance of the inaugural voyage of the first Indian steamship, the S.S. Loyalty, operated by the Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd., which sailed from Mumbai to London in 1919. The Scindia dynasty of Gwalior was the owner of the company, making it the second-oldest shipping company in India.

India’s maritime history includes many notable achievements, such as the discovery of a dry dock in Lothal, Gujarat, dating back to 2400 BC, which is believed to be the oldest in the world. The Marathas, led by Chatrapati Shivaji, also became a formidable maritime force, resisting British and Portuguese rule for over 40 years.

G20 EMPOWER Alliance: Accelerating Women’s Empowerment

The G20 EMPOWER Alliance is committed to advancing the leadership and empowerment of women in the private sector. This initiative is vital not only for promoting social justice, but also for driving economic growth, as the G20 represents over 80% of the world's GDP, 75% of international trade, and 60% of the global population. Given its influential position in the global economy, the G20 has immense potential to promote gender equality and empower women.

G20 EMPOWER 2nd Meeting: Women’s Empowerment for Economic Prosperity

As the current President of the G20, India is actively advancing its women-led development agenda through the G20 EMPOWER 2023 initiative. The upcoming second EMPOWER meeting, set to take place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, will focus on the theme of "Women's Empowerment: A Win-Win for Equity and Economy." This inclusive, ambitious, and action-oriented G20 Presidency comes at a crucial time to further intensify global efforts in empowering women.

G20 EMPOWER 2nd Meeting: Panel Discussions and Side Events

The second meeting of the G20 EMPOWER initiative will comprise panel discussions covering a wide array of topics, including promoting women's entrepreneurship, enhancing investment in education, and fostering leadership at all levels. Additionally, there will be side events focused on crucial issues such as investing in infrastructure to support the care economy and navigating corporate culture to empower women.

The Communique of the G20 EMPOWER initiative, which will provide recommendations to G20 leaders, will be based on the thematic discussions and deliberations held during the meeting's various sessions. It will also encompass points of consensus that arise from the main events as well as the side events.

Inaugural Meeting of G20 EMPOWER held in Agra

In her address at the EMPOWER Inception Meeting in Agra, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, Honourable Minister of Women & Child Development, emphasized the importance of placing women at the center of decision-making to ensure a better future for all. The G20 EMPOWER Alliance has a crucial role to play in setting the agenda for the next phase of development towards economic prosperity with a focus on women’s empowerment.