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Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Daily GK Update- 14th June, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated National Museum of Customs and GST in Goa: Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has inaugurated the National Museum of Customs and GST “Dharohar” in Goa as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic week of the Ministry of Finance, being celebrated from June 6 to 12. The two-storey ‘Blue building’, which was earlier known as Alfandega, during the period of Portuguese rule in Goa, has been standing on the banks of the Mandovi River in Panaji for more than 400 years. About Dharohar:

a)      Dharohar is one of its kind museum in the country that showcases not only the artefacts seized by Indian Customs but also depicts various aspects of work performed by the Customs Department while safeguarding the economic frontiers of the country, its heritage, flora & fauna and the society.

b)      Dharohar has 8 galleries viz: Introductory gallery, History of Taxation Gallery, Guardians of our economic frontiers gallery, Guardians of our Art & Heritage, Guardians of Flora & Fauna, Custodians of our social well being, Journey of Indirect taxes -Salt Tax to GST and the GST gallery.

c)       The Museum provides the rare opportunity of having a peep into the working of the Department over the years ushering in change in its methodologies to meet the emanating challenges while at the same time providing yeomen service to the Nation.

Note: Goa Capital: Panaji; Goa CM: Pramod Sawant; Goa Governor: S. Sreedharan Pillai.

 

2. Kerala CM inaugurates cancer research centre in Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated a cancer diagnostics and research centre here, which is slated to be the country’s first oncology laboratory for comprehensive cancer diagnostic services. Karkinos Healthcare’s advanced centre for cancer diagnostics and research will serve as a central lab for analysing specimens at molecular and genomic levels to aid in personalised targeted therapy, predicting possible response to treatment and evaluate response by liquid biopsy.

Focus of the centre: The focus is on early diagnostic tools, molecular assays for precision medicine, which are not readily available in the country. The Tata Group is investing Rs 110 crore in Karkinos while Rakuten Medical, the global clinical stage biotechnology company, Mayo Clinic and Reliance Digital Health, hold minority stakes.

About the Karkinos Healthcare: Karkinos Healthcare has installed the most advanced high-throughput HPV assay equipment, Cobas 6800, in this centre with the ability to test over 1,200 Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) assays of all high-risk types. It has partnered with organisations such as Kerala Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecologic to support the World Health Organization’s mission of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.

Note: Kerala Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan; Kerala Capital: Thiruvananthapuram; Kerala Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan.

 

3. India’s first centralised AC railway terminal in Bengaluru becomes operational: The ultra luxury Sir M Visvesvaraya Railway Terminal in Karnataka’s capital city Bengaluru was made operational. The Ernakulam Tri-Weekly Express chugged trough the station to mark this special occasion. According to the railway officials, the air-conditioned SMV Railway Terminal is a Rs 314 crore project. It has solar rooftop panels and rainwater harvesting mechanism.

The railway terminal at the city’s Baiyappanahalli area, named after Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and claims to have an airport-like aura. It was a joyous moment for the crew and passengers for being the first to use the city’s third major terminal, which is situated between Banaswadi and Baiyyappanahalli in the city. The other two major terminals in Bengaluru are Bengaluru City Railway Station and Yashwanthpur Railway Station.

 

4. NCPCR’s Elimination of Child Labour Week: 12-20 June 2022: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is celebrating Elimination of Child Labour Week in the honour of World Day Against Child Labour. It is being celebrated in 75 places as part of the “75th anniversary celebrations of India’s independence – “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” in different districts starting from 12th June to 20th June, 2022 as a significance to pay attention to the problem of child labour and to find ways to eradicate it.

About the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights:

a)      The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) emphasises the principle of universality and inviolability of child rights and recognises the tone of urgency in all the child related policies of the country.

b)      For the Commission, protection of all children in the 0 to 18 years age group is of equal importance. Thus, policies define priority actions for the most vulnerable children.

c)       This includes focus on regions that are backward or on communities or children under certain circumstances, and so on. The NCPCR believes that while in addressing only some children, there could be a fallacy of exclusion of many vulnerable children who may not fall under the defined or targeted categories.

Note: NCPCR Founded: March 2007; NCPCR Chairman: Priyank Kanoongo; NCPCR Headquarters: New Delhi, India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. China releases world’s most detailed map of the moon: China has released a new geological map of the moon, which it says is the most detailed to date, registering even finer details of the lunar surface than mapped by the US in 2020. The new map, which has details of craters and structures not charted before, will assist in further research of the moon. The world’s most detailed map of the moon released by China is expected to make a great contribution to the scientific research, exploration, and landing site selection on the moon.

Moon Map Released by China:

a)      The new comprehensive geological map of the moon released by China is to a scale of 1:2,500,000. It is the most detailed moon map to date.

b)      The moon map includes the 12,341 impact craters, 17 rock types, 81 impact basins, and 14 types of structures.

c)       The most detailed map of the moon was published by Science Bulletin on May 30, 2022.

Note: China Capital: Beijing; China Currency: Renminbi; China President: Xi Jinping.

 

2. Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland Elected to the UNSC: Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland were elected to the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members for the 2023-2024 term, and took over the horseshoe table from India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and Norway on January 1, 2023. Key Points:

a)      India’s two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council will finish in December 2022, when it will simultaneously hold the Presidency of the powerful UN body.

b)      India has been at the vanguard of the 15-nation Council’s reform efforts for years, claiming that it is entitled to a permanent seat on the body, which in its current configuration does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the twenty-first century.

c)       On the question of “categories of membership,” the G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan have stated that the Council’s decisions can only reflect the interests of the entire membership if permanent seats are enlarged.

 

3. Indian diplomat Amandeep Singh Gill appointed as UN Chief’s envoy on technology: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed senior Indian diplomat Amandeep Singh Gill as his envoy on technology to coordinate programmes for international digital cooperation. The UN describing him as a “thought leader on digital technology” who has a solid understanding of how to leverage the digital transformation responsibly and inclusively for progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Experience of Amandeep Singh Gill: Amandeep Singh Gill has been India’s permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva from 2016-to 2018.  He is now the chief executive officer of the International Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Research Collaborative (I-DAIR) project at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.

 

4. World Blood Donor Day: 14th June: World Blood Donor Day is observed globally on 14 June every year. The day is celebrated to promote awareness about the need for blood donation and thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The host nation for World Blood Donor Day 2022 is Mexico. The global event will be held in Mexico City on June 14, 2022. The Theme for World Blood Donor Day 2022 is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives”. The theme aims to highlight the need for committed donors to regular year- blood donation, to maintain adequate supplies and achieve universal and timely access to safe blood transfusion.

World Blood Donor Day History: The World Health Organization initiated and declared June 14, the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, as World Blood Donor Day in 2004. Nearly a year after this declaration, during the 58th Globe Health Assembly in May 2005 in May 2005, WHO and its 192 member states launched Blood Donor Day to encourage all nations to recognise blood donors for their selfless efforts in saving people’s lives.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Teenager Rahul Srivatshav becomes India’s 74th Grandmaster: Rahul Srivatshav P of Telangana has become India’s 74th Grandmaster, achieving the title after breaking the 2500 (Elo points) barrier in live FIDE ratings during the 9th Cattolica Chess Festival 2022 in Italy. The 19-year old player reached the 2500 Elo live rating mark after drawing his 8th round game against Grandmaster Levan Pantsulaia in the Cattolica event. His current Elo rating is 2468. Srivatshav had already secured five GM norms and achieved the title when he crossed the rating threshold of 2500.

 

2. R Praggnanandhaa won Norway Chess Group A open chess tournament: Young Indian Grandmaster, R. Praggnanandhaa emerged winner in the Norway Chess Group A open chess tournament here with 7.5 points from nine rounds. The 16-year-old GM, the top-seed, was in fine form and remained unbeaten through the nine rounds. He finished the tournament with a win over fellow Indian V Praneeth, an International Master. Praggnanandhaa finished a full point ahead of second-placed IM Marsel Efroimski(Israel) and IM Jung Min Seo (Sweden).

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Fino Payments Bank collaborated with Go Digit for shop insurance policy: Fino Payments Bank Limited has partnered with Go Digit General Insurance Limited, one of India’s fastest growing general insurers, to provide small and medium business owners with shop insurance coverage. Fino Payments Bank serves as a corporate representative for Go Digit. Through the partnership, small and medium businesses are allowed to take advantage of Digit’s My Business Policy in the case of a catastrophe. Key Features of Insurance:

a)      The insurance is for one-year that will cover loss or damage to inventory or goods caused by burglary, earthquakes, fire, lightning, storms, floods, and riots.

b)      The customers of Fino Bank can join Go Digit’s coverage for Rs 550 per year (for a sum insured of Rs 3 lakh), which will rise to Rs 2,600 per year (for a sum insured of Rs 15 lakh).

Note: Fino Payments Bank Founded: 4 April 2017; Fino Payments Bank Headquarters: Juinagar, Navi Mumbai; Fino Payments Bank MD & CEO: Rishi Gupta.

 

2. RBI increased individual housing loan limit for co-operative banks: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to increase the existing limits on individual housing loans provided by cooperative banks, taking into account the rise in housing prices since the limits were last revised and considering customers’ needs for larger loans. RBI has also permitted the Rural Cooperative Banks (RCB) for financing residential real estate projects, in a bid to support affordable housing and inclusive growth.

About the limit: Accordingly, the limits for tier 1/tier 2 urban cooperative banks (UCBs) stood revised from ₹30 lakh/ ₹70 lakh to ₹60 lakh/ ₹140 lakh. As regards rural cooperative banks (RCBs), the limits have been increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh for RCBs with assessed net worth less than ₹100 crore; and from ₹30 lakh to ₹75 lakh for the rest. These limits were last revised for UCBs in 2011 and for RCBs in 2009.

 

3. R Subramaniakumar appointed as MD & CEO of RBL Bank: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed R Subramaniakumar as the MD & CEO of RBL Bank. He has been appointed at RBL for three years from the date of taking charge. He is a former managing director and chief executive director of state-run Indian Overseas Bank. He was appointed the administrator of Dewan Housing Finance Co Ltd after the mortgage financier’s board was superseded.

Note: RBL Bank Headquarters: Mumbai; RBL Bank Founded: August 1943.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Tencent bought stake in Flipkart worth Rs 2,060 crore: Chinese technology conglomerate Tencent has bought stake worth USD 264 million (about Rs 2,060 crore) in Flipkart from its co-founder Binny Bansal through its European subsidiary, according to official documents. Singapore-headquartered e-commerce firm Flipkart has operations in India only. Bansal holds around 1.84 per cent stake in Flipkart after selling part of his stake to Tencent Cloud Europe BV. Post the transaction, Tencent arm holds 0.72 per stake in Flipkart which is valued at around USD 264 million, as per last valuation of USD 37.6 billion disclosed by the e-commerce firm in July 2021. The company’s valuation surged to USD 37.6 billion after raising USD 3.6 billion (about ₹26,805.6 crore) in funding round led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, CPP Investments, SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Walmart.

Note: Tencent Founded: 11 November 1998; Tencent Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Tencent Chairman, CEO: Pony Ma; Tencent President: Martin Lau.

 

2. Ather Energy partners SBI for customer retail finance: Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy has partnered State Bank of India to provide customers with vehicle financing. As part of the association Ather Energy customers will get instant loans at interest rates as low as 9.55 percent per annum. Pre-approved loans will also be administered, depending on the buyer’s creditworthiness. SBI will offer the vehicle loans on their YONO mobile application as well as at their branch network, as the public sector lender ensures ease of adoption for the buyers.

With this collaboration, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) aims to accelerate the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the country. The customers, depending on their profiles, will be eligible to avail loans up to 85 percent of the on-road prices of the electric two-wheelers. The approved loan amount will be credited directly to the dealer’s account. Customers can avail the loan through YONO at an EMI of as low as Rs 251 per Rs 10,000 under SBI Easy Ride loan.

Note: Ather Energy Owner: Hero MotoCorp; Ather Energy Headquarters location: Bengaluru; Ather Energy Founders: Tarun Mehta, Swapnil Jain.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Maharashtra Governor presents Honorary Doctorate to industrialist Ratan Tata: Industrialist and philanthropist, Ratan Tata was presented with Honorary Doctor of Literature by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan Mumbai. The Honorary doctorate was presented to Mr. Ratan at the First Special Convocation of the HSNC University. The Governor said the honour for Ratan Tata is in effect the honour of the entire Tata family and Tata Group.

Note: Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai; Maharashtra Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari; Maharashtra Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray.

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