Daily Current Affairs Notes for 22 March 2023

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit after both had a delegation-level talk at Delhi’s Hyderabad House.

PM Modi said that  PM Kishida's visit will aid in sustaining the current level of mutual cooperation between India and Japan. He emphasized the significance of both countries leading two major summits, the G20 and G7.

Japan-India Strategic Partnership: Indo-Pacific region:

PM Modi stated that the foundation of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership rests on our shared democratic values and mutual adherence to the international rule of law.

PM Modi, enhancing the partnership between India and Japan will be crucial in preserving peace in the Indo-Pacific region. From bilateral ties to defense, commerce, and digital cooperation, PM Modi mentioned that the two nations held talks on a range of critical issues.

The Prime Minister recollected the past agreements with Japan, including the Japanese investment worth ₹3.20 lakh crore in India, and expressed satisfaction over the progress made in this regard.

During a lecture event at the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), Japanese PM Kishida revealed that he would unveil a new plan on Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). He expressed his delight at introducing this new vision in India, which is a vital partner in achieving FOIP.

India’s most valuable celebrity of 2022

Kroll, a risk consulting and corporate investigation firm, has released a report titled "Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2022: Beyond the Mainstream" stating that actor Ranveer Singh has become India's most valuable celebrity of 2022, overtaking cricketer Virat Kohli who held the top spot for five years. The report highlights that Singh's brand value has reached $181.7 million.

As per the Kroll report, Virat Kohli, who was the top-ranking celebrity in previous years, has now slipped to the second position with a brand value of $176.9 million. Kohli's brand value has been declining steadily for the past two years since his resignation as the captain of the Indian men's cricket team. In 2020, his brand value was valued at over $237 million, but it steeply fell to $185.7 million in 2021, resulting in his current second-place ranking.

Other celebrities in the list:

• The Kroll report, Akshay Kumar and Alia Bhatt have retained their positions as the third and fourth most valuable celebrities in India, with brand values of $153.6 million and $102.9 million, respectively.
• Deepika Padukone's brand value has increased to $82.9 million, allowing her to climb up two positions to occupy the fifth spot, as per the Kroll report. Additionally, she has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Qatar Airways and PotteryBarn.
• The top 10 most valuable celebrities in India, as per the Kroll report, also feature Amitabh Bachchan, Hritik Roshan, and Shah Rukh Khan.
• The Kroll report ranks former cricketer MS Dhoni at sixth position, with a brand value exceeding $80 million. Moreover, Sachin Tendulkar has entered the top 10 list for the first time, ranking at eighth position with a brand value of $73.6 million.
• Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna have made it to the list of India's top 25 most valuable celebrities for the first time, as per the Kroll report.
• The Kroll report states that Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu are tied at the 23rd position, with a brand value of $26.5 million.

World Water Day 2023

Every year on March 22, World Water Day is observed to highlight the importance of water and raise awareness about the global water crisis. The primary objective of this day is to support the accomplishment of SDG 6, which seeks to provide access to clean water and sanitation to everyone by 2030. The day is dedicated to promoting awareness about water-related challenges, including water pollution, water scarcity, inadequate water supply, and insufficient sanitation. The aim is to motivate individuals to manage freshwater resources sustainably and take necessary measures to tackle these issues.

World Water Day 2023: Theme

The theme for World Water Day 2023 is "Accelerating the Change to Solve the Water and Sanitation Crisis," with a focus on taking urgent action to tackle the global water crisis. The United Nations has reported that billions of people, as well as schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, farms, and factories, are without access to safe water and sanitation, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. The theme underscores the need to move beyond the current situation and implement effective solutions to accelerate change and resolve the water and sanitation crisis.

World Water Day 2023: Significance

World Water Day holds significant importance in raising awareness about the global water crisis and promoting the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The day aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, which strives to provide universal access to clean water and sanitation facilities by 2030. World Water Day sheds light on various water-related challenges, including water scarcity, pollution, inadequate supply, and insufficient sanitation facilities. Through awareness, the day inspires individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to take necessary actions to manage freshwater resources sustainably and address water-related challenges. Achieving water security, protecting ecosystems, promoting economic development, and improving the health and well-being of people worldwide are the ultimate goals of World Water Day.

World Water Day 2023: History

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 as World Water Day, following a recommendation made by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. Since then, the day has been observed annually to highlight the significance of freshwater resources and to promote sustainable management of water resources.