World Civil Defence Day 2023 Celebrated on 1^st March:

• On March 1^st, World Civil Defence Day is observed to highlight the significance of civil defence measures in safeguarding individuals and property from natural disasters, accidents, and other emergencies.
• Several organizations involved in civil defence are honoured on this day. The day also honours the organization’s efforts to safeguard communities and save lives.
• Civil defence personnel, who tirelessly work to ensure their communities safety and well-being, are also honoured on this day.

India’s GDP growth slows to 4.4% in October-December quarter:

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation reported that India's GDP growth rate fell for the second consecutive quarter between October and December, coming in at 4.4 percent.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had predicted a growth rate of 4.4% for the final quarter of 2022 in December. However, the central bank had anticipated a growth rate of 6.8% for this year at the time.
• However, India's GDP was projected to increase by 7% in 2022 and 2023, according to the statistics ministry's first advance estimate of GDP, which was made public at the beginning of January.
• India's full-year GDP growth estimate of 7% for this year has been maintained in the government's second advance estimate, which was released on February 28.

World Seagrass Day 2023 observed on 1^st March:

• On the first of March each year, World Seagrass Day is observed to bring attention to the significance of seagrass to the marine ecosystem.
• Plants that look like grass and live close to the sea are the seagrasses. In the marine environment, they are the only flowering plant that can grow.
• There are more than 60 species of seagrass worldwide. They feed marine life and serve as the best carbon sink.

Bank credit growth slowed to 16.8% in third quarter: RBI:

• According to RBI data, bank credit growth slowed to 16.8% between October and December 2022 from a year earlier.
• The Reserve Bank of India's quarterly statistics on bank deposits and credit show that this is lower than the 17.2% seen in the previous quarter.

Tourette Syndrome:

• It's a nervous system problem.
• During childhood or adolescence, the syndrome manifests itself.
• It results in tics, which are repeated movements. Coughing, blinking, sniffing, clearing of the throat, and facial movements are the most common tics in Tourette syndrome.

Mizoram to export Bird’s eye chilli to the US:

• In Asian cuisine, the Birds Eye Chilli is frequently used.
• Thai chilli is another name for the chilli. It comes from Mexico.
• The chilli was introduced to the world by the Spanish and Portuguese.
• The Government of India has issued a GI tag to the chilli variety, and the state of Mizoram plans to export it.

National Health Authority Scan and Share Service:

• In hospitals, patients must stand in a long line for OPD registrations. During registration, the hospitals collect patient information like name, age, and date of birth.
• Long lines can occasionally be uncomfortable. Patients who are ill experience delays as a result of the registration procedures, which impede their ability to receive treatment.
• The National Health Authority came up with QR-code-based solutions known as the "SCAN AND SHARE" service to avoid this.
• As part of the service, hospitals will have QR codes posted in important places. The registration form can be filled out by the patients by scanning the QR code with their smartphones.

Zero Discrimination Day 2023:

• On March 1, Zero Discrimination Day is observed. Organizations like UNAIDS are primarily responsible for marking the day.
• Promoting equality is the day's primary objective. In 2014, the first Zero Discrimination Day was observed.
• UNAIDS initiated it. Beijing hosted the inaugural Zero Discrimination Day celebrations.