Daily Current Affairs Notes for 23 March 2023

Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day 2023

Every year on the 23rd of March, India observes Shaheed Diwas, also known as Martyrs' Day, to honor the brave martyrs who laid down their lives for the country's freedom. This day commemorates the execution of three Indian freedom fighters - Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru in 1931.

On this day, Indians pay their respects to the three great freedom fighters and all other martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation by observing a two-minute silence. The President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister of India honor these heroes at their respective memorials in Delhi. Additionally, processions, marches, and rallies are organized in various parts of the country. Schools and colleges hold special programs to educate students about the sacrifices made by the martyrs and to commemorate the occasion. The day serves as a reminder to the people of India of the value of freedom and the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters for the country.

It's worth mentioning that India also observes Martyrs' Day on January 30 to honor Mahatma Gandhi. On that day in 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in the compound of Birla House.

Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day: History

• Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru belonged to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary group that advocated armed resistance against British colonial rule in India. Their selfless sacrifice served as a source of inspiration for a whole generation of young Indians who were moved to fight for the country's freedom from colonial rule.
• On October 30, 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai organized a peaceful protest in Lahore against the visit of Sir John Simon, using the slogan 'Simon, Go Back.' Although the demonstration was non-violent, the Superintendent of Police, James A Scott, ordered the police to disperse the protesters using batons. Sadly, during the clash, Lala Lajpat Rai suffered fatal injuries.
• Following Lala Lajpat Rai's demise, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who were young revolutionaries fighting for freedom, made the decision to assassinate James Scott, the Superintendent of Police. However, due to a case of mistaken identity, they targeted and killed another superintendent of police, John P. Saunders.
• Seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev devised a plan to attack the Central Legislative Assembly and thwart the passing of the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Dispute Act.
• Their attempt to bomb the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929, was foiled, leading to the arrest of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Subsequently, they were given the death sentence, and on March 23, 1931, at the ages of 23, 24, and 22, respectively, they were executed.

World’s Top 10 Billionaires list

Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Industries and the wealthiest person in Asia, is the sole Indian to feature in the top 10 billionaires globally, as per the recently published Hurun Global Rich List. Despite a 20% dip in his wealth, Ambani secured the ninth rank globally, with a net worth of $82 billion. The report, titled 'The 2023 M3M Hurun Global Rich List,' was put together by research platform Hurun in partnership with real estate firm M3M.

Stat’s of the Hurun Global Rich List:

The Hurun Global Rich List for 2023 included 3,112 billionaires from 69 countries and 2,356 companies. This represents a decrease from the previous year's list, which featured 3,384 billionaires. The number of billionaires fell by 8 percent, while their total wealth declined by 10 percent compared to the previous year. Of the total number of billionaires, 1,078 individuals experienced an increase in their wealth, with 176 new entries. However, 2,479 billionaires saw their wealth remain the same or decline, and 445 of them dropped off the list entirely.

Top 10 Billionaires in the World:

Hurun Global Rich List: India

According to the recently released 2023 M3M Hurun Global Rich List, India ranks third in terms of the number of billionaires, with a total of 187 billionaires. However, this number is much lower than the US, which has 691 billionaires. The report notes that 30 new individuals in India have joined the billionaire club this year. Over the past five years, India's contribution to the global billionaire population has been steadily increasing, with its current share at 8 percent, up from 4.9 percent five years ago, according to Hurun.

Indian billionaires in 2023 M3M Hurun Global Rich List – Top 10

World Meteorological Day 2023

The World Meteorological Day is observed annually on March 23rd to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. The day acknowledges the critical contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) in safeguarding the well-being and security of the society.

The World Meteorological Day, celebrated annually on March 23, aims to highlight the significant contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) in safeguarding society. Various activities are organized around the world to raise awareness about weather and water-related issues and foster international cooperation in these fields. These activities may include conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and workshops. The day focuses on different themes related to contemporary weather, climate, or water-related issues.

World Meteorological Day 2023: Theme

World Meteorological Day 2023 is focused on the theme of "The Future of Weather, Climate, and Water across Generations," highlighting the necessity of addressing the challenges posed by climate change and devising approaches to ensure sustainable weather and water-related practices for the coming generations.

World Meteorological Day 2023: Significance

World Meteorological Day holds significance as it creates awareness about the pivotal role played by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) in ensuring the safety and welfare of society. The day emphasizes the importance of weather, climate, and water-related issues and their profound impact on our daily lives. It aims to recognize the efforts of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and its member states in advancing meteorology and hydrology for the betterment of humanity. Additionally, the day serves as a platform to educate the public about the scientific and technical aspects of meteorology and hydrology while fostering international cooperation in these fields.

History of World Meteorological Day:

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is the primary UN agency responsible for addressing climate, weather, and water-related issues. It was founded on the basis of the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was first proposed during the Vienna International Meteorological Congress in 1873. The WMO was officially established in 1950 and is approaching its 150th anniversary in 2023.

On March 23, 1961, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a United Nations agency, established World Meteorological Day to raise awareness about the importance of meteorology and hydrology in society. The WMO was founded on March 23, 1950, through the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization. This Convention was initially signed on October 11, 1947, and ratified on March 23, 1950. The WMO succeeded the International Meteorological Organization in 1951 and became the first international organization to promote the exchange of weather information between countries.