Daily GK Update- 3rd Jan, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi launches blockchain-based digital degrees at IIT Kanpur: Under the National Blockchain Project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched blockchain-based digital degrees at the 54th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Kanpur. Later Prime Minister also inaugurated the completed section of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project and the Bina-Panki Multiproduct Pipeline Project. These digital degrees can be verified globally and are unforgeable.

The blockchain technology being used by IIT Kanpur to award digital degrees has been developed in-house. It is being touted as a revolutionary technology for the education sector. The technology is already being used in the financial sector. The technology has been developed by the institute under the National Blockchain Project.

 

2. PM Modi laid the foundation stone of 4 hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation of the hydropower projects worth Rs 11000 crore in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. He inaugurated the Sawra-Kuddu Hydro Power Project, a 111 MW Project which has been built at a cost of around Rs 2,080 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of the Renukaji Dam project which has been kept pending for around 3 decades. The 40 MW project will be built at a cost of around Rs 7,000 crore. Other Projects are: Luhri Stage 1 Hydro Power Project and the Dhaulasidh Hydro Power Project, the first hydropower project of the Hamirpur district.

Note: Himachal Pradesh Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter); Himachal Pradesh Governor: Rajendra Arlekar; Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur.

 

3. Telangana topped in Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission: Telangana has secured 1st place among the 34 states and Union Territories that implement the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM). Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have secured 2nd and 3rd place on the list respectively. In the Ranking of the Cluster, among the 295 clusters, the Ryakal cluster of Sangareddy and the Jukkal cluster of Kamareddy in Telangana has secured the 1st and 2nd position respectively. The Aibawk cluster of Aizawl in Mizoram has secured the 3rd position.

About the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission: The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) follows the vision of “Development of a cluster of villages that preserve and nurture the essence of rural community life with focus on equity and inclusiveness without compromising with the facilities perceived to be essentially urban in nature, thus creating a cluster of “Rurban Villages”. The objective of the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) is to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services, and create well planned Rurban clusters.

 

4. IAS Praveen Kumar named as DG & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs: Govt of India has approved the appointment of Praveen Kumar, IAS, Former Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship to the post of Director General & Chief Executive Officer, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA). The proposal for setting up IICA was approved by Planning Commission in the year 2007. It was established in 2008 at Manesar, Haryana. Praveen Kumar is a 1987 batch retired IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, and a former Secretary, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

 

5. Radhika Jha named as CEO of Energy Efficiency Services: Radhika Jha has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer in state-run Energy Efficiency Services (EESL). EESL is a joint venture between NTPC, Power Grid, Power Finance Corp and REC, working to promote energy efficiency in the country. Prior to the new posting, the IAS officer was serving as Secretary to the Government of Uttarakhand for the Education Department. She took charge of the post in July this year and navigated the operational guidelines for resuming classes post COVID. Earlier, Radhika Jha also led the Centre’s Integrated Power Development Scheme as Executive Director in Power Finance Corp, before moving to the state.

Note: Energy Efficiency ServicesHeadquarters: New Delhi; Energy Efficiency Services Founded: 2009; Energy Efficiency Services Chairmen: Arun Kumar Mishra.

 

6. A book titled ‘Dr V L Dutt: Glimpses of a Pioneer’s Life Journey’ by V L Indira Dutt: Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu has launched the book titled ‘Dr V L Dutt: Glimpses of a Pioneer’s Life Journey’ authored by Dr V L Indira Dutt, Chairperson and Managing Director of KCP Group, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The book is based on the life of Late Velagapudi Lakshmana Dutt (V.L. Dutt), the former Chairman of KCP Group.

Dutt was a well-known industrialist, philanthropist, and visionary who influenced a generation of young entrepreneurs. Dutt, as president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), was essential in bridging the gap between government and industry during the key years of 1991-92.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Japan introduced the world’s 1st Dual-Mode Vehicle: Japan has introduced a minibus lookalike world’s first dual-mode vehicle (DMV) in its town of Kaiyo. The vehicle can run on normal rubber tyres on the road but its steel wheels, which are in its underbelly, descend when it hits the rail tracks. The DMV can carry up to 21 passengers and runs at a speed of 60km/h on rail tracks and can go as fast as around 100km/h on public roads.

The front tyres are lifted off the track and the rear wheels stay down to propel the DMV onto the railway. This feature of effectively changing into a train-like module easily on a rail track is the first of its kind. Powered by diesel, the small fleet of vehicles comes in different colours. It runs along part of the coast of Shikoku island in southern Japan, connecting several small towns and offering passengers attractive seaside scenery.

Note: Japan Capital: Tokyo; Japan Currency: Japanese Yen; Japan PM: Fumio Kishida.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. National Dope Testing Laboratory regained WADA accreditation: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has restored the accreditation of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in accordance with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), which had been suspended since August 2019. With this, NDTL’s Anti-Doping testing and activities will be resumed with immediate effect. NDTL has also been collaborating with other WADA accredited laboratories for strengthening its research activities and anti-doping efforts.

India is currently third in the WADA’s global list of dope violators, led by Russia. The suspension of the NDTL had prohibited it from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analysis of urine and blood samples. The process had made the anti-doping programme very expensive for the country because of the significant cost involved in sending samples abroad.

Note: World Anti-Doping Agency Founder: Dick Pound; World Anti-Doping Agency Founded: 10 November 1999; World Anti-Doping Agency Headquarters: Montreal, Canada; World Anti-Doping Agency President: Craig Reedie.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. HDFC Bank tie-up with IPPB to offer banking services in rural areas: HDFC Bank has signed an MoU with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to offer banking services to over 4.7 crore customers of IPPB in semi-urban and rural areas. Under the MoU, out of 4.7 crores, customers around 90 per cent reside in rural areas. The HDFC bank aims to boost its financial inclusion drive by leveraging IPPB’s network of 650 branches and over 136,000 banking access points.

This alliance will allow IPPB to provide affordable and diversified offerings to its customers through its doorstep banking service. This alliance will allow us to take our best-in-class products and services to millions of IPPB customers in the remotest corners of India.

Note: India Post Payments Bank Founded: 2018; India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi; India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) MD & CEO: J Venkatramu; India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Tag line: Aapka Bank, Aapke Dwaar.

 

2. Indipaisa tie-up with NSDL Payments Bank to launch a new Fintech platform: Indipaisa has signed a partnership agreement with NSDL Payments Bank to launch Financial Technology (Fintech) solutions targeting India’s 63 million Small & Mid-sized Enterprise (SME) sector. To empower SME owners & operators to provide facilities and services that help them grow businesses, comply with government tax laws and build a sustainable future.

About the Agreements:

(1) Indipaisa’s mission is to empower SME owners and operators to take charge of their finances as well as give them facilities and services that help them grow their businesses, comply with government tax laws, and build a better future for their families.

(2) Indipaisa plans to introduce multiple financial products and services customized from the ground up to match the specific needs of Indian SME owners and operators.

(3) Furthermore, Indiapaisa is proud to be part of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India’s drive to digitize payments, estimated to exceed USD 1.0 Trillion annually by the year 2025.

Note: NSDL Payments Bank Founded: 1996; NSDL Payments Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; NSDL Payments Bank MD & CEO: Abhijit Kamalapurkar.

 

3. GoI appoints Atul Kumar Goel as new MD & CEO of PNB: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Atul Kumar Goel, MD & CEO of UCO Bank, as MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank (PNB) with effect from February 1 next year. Goel will serve as PNB chief until December 31, 2024, which is his attaining the superannuation age. Goel will replace Mallikarjuna Rao, incumbent MD & CEO of PNB.  Rao was given a three-month extension that will end on January 31, 2022.

Meanwhile, the ACC has appointed Soma Sankara Prasad, currently Deputy Managing Director at State Bank of India, as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in UCO Bank. He will serve as MD & CEO of UCO Bank till the date of attaining the age of superannuation on May 31, 2023.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. ICRA rating agency expects India to grow at 9% in FY22-23: ICRA Credit rating agency has expected India’s real gross domestic product (GDP) will grow with 9% rate in fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The Indian economy has grown at 8.4 percent in the second quarter of the current fiscal year. ICRA said the growth momentum is not enough to confirm a change in the Monetary Policy stance in the February 2022 review. The Future Expectation Index continued to display optimism because of improving the overall economic situation.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. DRDO named Paras Defence for handing over border surveillance systems tech: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) selected Paras Defence and Space Technologies for handing over the technology of border surveillance systems as developed by Instruments Research & Development Establishment and DRDO. This technology has been transferred by a licensing agreement for the transfer of technology (ToT) for border surveillance systems entered between the company, Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). This system shall provide all-weather surveillance for day and night monitoring of the border areas, it shall consist of Radar, EO sensors etc., mounted on Pan Tilt platforms. With this ToT, Paras Defence and Space Technologies shall be serving the requirement of the Armed Forces of the nation.

About the Paras Defence and Space Technologies: Paras Defence and Space Technologies is primarily engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing and testing of a wide range of defence and space engineering products and solutions. Its product offerings cater to four major segments of the Indian defence sector i.e. defence and space optics, defence electronics, electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) protection solution and heavy engineering for defence and niche technologies.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Seven-term Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Mahendra Prasad passes away: Seven-time Rajya Sabha MP from the Janata Dal (United) & industrialist, Mahendra Prasad passed away. He was a seven-term Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar and was also elected to the Lok Sabha once. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha on a Congress ticket in 1980. Estimated to be one of the richest members of Parliament, the founder of Aristo Pharmaceuticals was a seven-term Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar and was also elected to the Lok Sabha once.