NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM
Narendra Modi launches mYoga App: On the occasion of the seventh
International Yoga Day on June 21, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
unveiled the mYoga mobile app. The app has been developed in collaboration
between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga
& Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ministry of AYUSH),
Government of India.
About the mYoga app: The mYoga app is
preloaded with many yoga training videos and audio practice sessions, in
different languages, that can be done in the comfort of our own homes.
Currently, the mYoga app is available in English, Hindi and French, but will be
made available in other UN languages in the upcoming months. Through this
initiative, PM Modi government aims to achieve the ‘One World, One Health’
motto.”
2.
Delhi CM Launches ‘Jahan Vote, Wahan Vaccination’ Campaign: Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the ‘Jahan Vote, Wahan Vaccination’ campaign,
with the aim to vaccinate all people above 45 years against COVID-19 in Delhi
within the next four weeks. There are around 57 lakhs people above 45 years in
Delhi. Among them, 27 lakhs have been administered the first dose. The rest 30
lakh people still remain to be vaccinated with the first dose. The booth level
officers (BLO) are being trained for this purpose. The BLOs will reach every
home and enquire about people above 45 years. These officials will inform about
the slots for vaccination at the nearest booth. If a person refuses to go to
the vaccination centres, the BLOs will request him and try to convince him in
this regard.
Note: Chief Minister of Delhi: Arvind
Kejriwal; Lieutenant Governor of Delhi: Anil Baijal.
3.
ReNew Power CMD Sumant Sinha recognised as SDG Pioneers by UNGC: United Nations
Global Compact has recognisedSumant Sinha, Chairman & MD of ReNew Power, as
one of the ten SDG Pioneers 2021, for his work to advance access to clean and
affordable energy. SDG Pioneers are business leaders selected by the UN Global
Compact for doing an exceptional job to advance the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). This honour comes in recognition of Sumant ‘s work to advance
access to clean and affordable energy (SDG 7). As the leader of India’s leading
renewable energy company, ReNew Power, Sumant has set an example by building
the core business of ReNew Power around the targets of SDG 7.
4.
Amitav Ghosh’s new book ‘The Nutmeg’s Curse’: Jnanpith Awardee
and renowned author Amitav Ghosh’s authored a book titled, ‘The Nutmeg’s Curse:
Parables for a Planet in Crisis’. It is published by John Murray. The book
talks about the history of the influence of colonialism on the world today,
through the story of the nutmeg. In ‘The Nutmeg’s Curse’, Ghosh discusses that
the nutmeg’s journey from its native Banda islands sheds light on a widespread
colonial mindset of exploitation of human life and the environment, which is
present even today. Some of Ghosh’s other notable works include the Ibis
trilogy and ‘The Great Derangement’ among others.
INTERNATIONALUPDATES:
1.
Govt appoints AashishChandorkar as director at India’s WTO mission: The government of
India has appointed a private person AashishChandorkar as Counsellor in India’s
Permanent Mission in the World Trade Organisation for three years. For the
first time, a private person has been appointed at the Mission. Chandorkar is
director of Bengaluru-based policy think tank Smahi Foundation of Policy and Research.
The WTO is a 164-member multi-lateral body, which deals with global trade.
India is a member since 1995.
Note: World Trade Organization
Director-General: NgoziOkonjo-Iweala; World Trade Organization Headquarters:
Geneva, Switzerland; World Trade Organization Founded: 1 January 1995.
2.
Global Peace Index 2021 announced: The 15th edition of the Global Peace Index
(GPI) announced by Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) Sydney, the GPI is
the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness. The index ranks 163
independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness.
This report presents the most comprehensive data-driven analysis to date on
trends in peace, its economic value, and how to develop peaceful societies.
Global:
(1) Iceland remains the most peaceful
country in the world, a position it has held since 2008.
(2) It is joined at the top of the index by
New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal, and Slovenia.
(3) Afghanistan is the least peaceful
country in the world for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Yemen, Syria,
South Sudan, and Iraq.
South Asia:
(1) India has moved up two notches from its
previous year’s ranking to become the 135th most peaceful country in the world
and the 5th in the region.
(2) Bhutan and Nepal are named as the first
and second most peaceful in this region.
(3) Bangladesh has been ranked 91th out of
163 countries in Global Peace Index for 2021. According to the list, Bangladesh
is the 3rd most peaceful in South Asia.
(4) Sri Lanka has slipped down 19 rungs
from 2020, to become 95th globally in this year’s rankings, and the 4th in
South Asia.
(5) The largest improvement in peacefulness
in South Asia occurred in Pakistan, which ranked 150th globally and 6th in the
region, by moving up two notches from the previous year’s ranking.
3. UK
Scientists Develop Gadget That Sniffs Out Covid-19: Electronic devices
may soon be used to identify the presence of infection in a crowded space using
body odour profiles after scientists in the UK have tested a so-called “COVID
alarm”. Early studies by scientists at the London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Durham University show that COVID-19 infection
has a distinct smell, resulting from changes in the volatile organic compounds
(VOC) which make up the body odour – generating an odour “fingerprint” that the
sensors can detect. Led by researchers from the LSHTM and biotech company
RoboScientific Ltd with Durham University, the study tested devices with
organic semi-conducting (OSC) sensors, which could potentially be used as a
COVID-19 screening tool.
4.
United Nations Public Service Day: 23rd June: United Nations Public Service Day
is observed globally on 23rd June every year. This day is to highlight the
contribution of public service in the development process and to value public
service to the community. This day is widely known by various public service
organisations and departments around the world by organising several events to
recognise the role of public servants in making developments and improvements
in the community.
United Nations Public Service Day
History:
On 20 December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly designated 23 June per
annum to watch as United Nations Public Service Day by passing a resolution
57/277. The day marks the anniversary of the date when the International Labour
Organization adopted the Convention on Labour Relations (Public Service), 1978
(No. 151) for determining the working conditions of all civil servants across
the world.
5.
International Olympic Day: 23rd June: The International Olympic Day is held on
June 23 each year. The day is celebrated to encourage more people to
participate in the Olympic Games and spread awareness about the event and
promote the Olympic Movement. Based on the three pillars – “move”, “learn” and
“discover” – the National Olympic Committees are deploying sports, cultural and
educational activities to encourage participation regardless of age, gender,
social background, or sporting ability. The Olympic Day 2021 theme is “Stay
healthy, stay strong, stay active with the #OlympicDay workout on 23 June.”
History of the day: The International
Olympic Committee (IOC) approved to observe Olympic Day in January 1948 to
commemorate the creation of the International Olympic Committee on 23 June
1894. The creation of the modern-day Olympic Games is inspired by the ancient
Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th
century AD. The first Olympic Day was celebrated in the year 1948.
Note: International Olympic Committee Headquarters:
Lausanne, Switzerland; International Olympic Committee President: Thomas Bach;
International Olympic Committee Founded: 23 June 1894 (Paris, France).
6.
International Widows Day: 23rd June: International Widows Day is observed
globally on 23rd June every year. The day is widely known to draw attention to
the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that
they have. Several women around the world after losing her life partner faces
challenges and do long-term struggle for basic needs, their human right and
dignity.
International Widow’s Day History: Loomba Foundation
initiated the International Widow’s Day in 2005. According to Loomba, women in
various countries experience great hardship after their husband dies. They are
not looked at by NGO’s, governments and also societies curse them. Finally, on
23 June 2010, it was officially recognised in the United Nations General
Assembly.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Max Verstappen wins 2021 French Grand Prix: Max Verstappen (Netherlands-Red
Bull) has won the 2021 French Grand Prix. This race is the seventh round of the
2021 FIA Formula One World Championship. With this win, Max Verstappen has 131
points and now leads Lewis Hamilton (119 points) in the Formula One drivers’ title
race, after seven matches. Lewis Hamilton (Britain-Mercedes) stood second and
Sergio Perez (Mexico- Red Bull) stood third.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
IndusInd Bank launches a digital lending platform “IndusEasy Credit”: IndusInd Bank
announced the launch of ‘IndusEasy Credit’, a comprehensive digital lending
platform that enables customers to meet their financial requirements from the
comfort of their homes. With this, both existing, as well as non-IndusInd Bank
customer, can instantly avail of personal loans or credit cards on a single
platform in a completely paperless and digital manner. A first of its kind
proposition, ‘IndusEasyCredit’ offers a fully digital end to end process that
leverages the power of India’s public digital infrastructure – ‘Indiastack’ to
offer personal loans and credit cards in a paperless, presence less and
cashless manner.
Note: IndusInd Bank CEO: SumantKathpalia;
IndusInd Bank Headquarters: Pune; IndusInd Bank Founder: S. P. Hinduja;
IndusInd Bank Founded: April 1994, Mumbai.
2.
Centrum gets RBI’s in-principle nod to take over PMC Bank: The Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) has given “in-principle” approval to Centrum Financial Services Ltd
(CFSL) to set up a small finance bank (SFB), which will take over the
beleaguered Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC Bank). It will get 120
days to commence operations. The amalgamation with PMC Bank is a separate
process that would involve notification of the scheme by the government. The
first year the partners would put in Rs 900 crore, which will be used for
starting the business and acquiring PMC Bank. The second round of equity
funding of Rs 900 crore will happen in the following year.
Note: The Administrator of PMC Bank: AK
Dixit; PMC Bank Founded: 1984; PMC Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
CII projects India’s FY22 GDP growth at 9.5%: The Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII) has estimated the gross domestic product (GDP) of
India to grow at 9.5 per cent in the current financial year, i.e. FY 2021-22.
This will take the GDP to a level that is slightly higher than in FY20. Rising
medical expenditure has squeezed incomes and demand. But recovery is on the
cards. Global growth and macroeconomic stability will support trade and
investment flows.
2.
India ranked 2nd in share of central bank surplus transfers: The Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) was second in terms of reserves transferred to the government as a
percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) for the fiscal year 2020-21. Turkey
has been ranked first. RBI has transferred Rs 99,122-crore surplus to the
government for FY21 which is 73% higher than the Rs 57,128 crore paid out in
2019-20. The surplus transferred by RBI constitutes 0.44% of GDP, while that of
the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey constitutes 0.5% of GDP.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
LTI Awarded Snowflake Global Innovation Partner of the Year: Larsen & Toubro
Infotech, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company has been
recognized as the Global Innovation Partner of the Year by Snowflake, the Data
Cloud Company. LTI received this prestigious recognition during Snowflake
Virtual Partner Summit. The award represents a key milestone for the strategic
partnership between LTI and Snowflake and will strengthen collaboration between
the companies to empower enterprises with innovative solutions and services.
OBITUARIES
1.
Legendary India sprinter Milkha Singh passes away: Legendary Indian
sprinter, Milkha Singh has passed away due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19),
at the age of 91. A former army man, Milkha Singh won several laurels for the
country in track and field events across the globe. Singh won four gold medals
for India in the Asian Games, winning the 200 metre and 400-metre races in the
1958 Tokyo Asiad. He followed it up with gold medals in the 400 metre and 4×400
metre relay races in the 1962 Jakarta Asiad. He was unlucky to have missed out
on an Olympic medal as he finished a close fourth in the 400 metres final at
the 1960 Rome Olympics.
2.
Zambia’s first President Kenneth Kaunda passes away: Zambian politician
Kenneth Kaunda, who served as the first President of Zambia, has passed away.
Mr Kaunda served as the first President of independent Zambia for 27 years from
1964 to 1991. Zambia gained independence from Britain in October 1964.
Note: Zambia Capital: Lusaka; Currency: Zambian kwacha.
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