Daily GK Update 29th Aug, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India signed an agreement with ADB to improve water supply in Himachal Pradesh: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Indian government has signed a $96.3 million loan agreement to provide safe drinking water and to improve water supply and sanitation in Himachal Pradesh. The project is aligned with the objectives of the government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission which aims to provide piped water to all rural households by 2024 and it will upgrade water supply infrastructure and strengthen institutional capacity to ensure safe, sustainable, and inclusive rural water supply and sanitation services.

More than 90 percent of the state’s rural population have access to drinking water, but the water supply infrastructure needs revamping, to result in efficient and improved service quality. The ADB project will connect 75,800 households to the service, providing uninterrupted water supply to about 3,70,000 residents across 10 districts.

Note: ASIAN Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters: Manila, Philippines; President: Masatsugu Asakawa; Director of ADB for India: Takeo Konishi

 

2. Karnataka govt and Isha Foundation inked an MoU to promote agriculture: According to its founder Jaggi Vasudev (Sadhguru), the Isha Foundation will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka government to enhance soil health, as part of its “Save Soil” campaign. In addition to other ministers, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will be visiting the Palace Grounds on Sunday to sign an MoU on “Save Soil.” Key Points:

a)      As part of his 100-day motorbike trip for the “Save Soil” campaign, Sadhguru (Jagadish Vasudev) arrived in Bengaluru, Karnataka for Isha Foundation.

b)      Jagadish Vasudev (Sadhguru) claimed that the effort of Isha Foundation, which had its beginnings in London, had now made it to Cauvery. They are now in Karnataka.

c)       Sadhguru continued by saying that he completed 27,278 km of the course and participated in 593 events over the course of the last 94 days for Isha Foundation before coming to Karnataka.

d)      The spiritual leader, Sadhguru said that his group had created unique “save soil” programmes for 193 countries based on the characteristics of each nation and had given those documents to those governments.

e)      Jagadish Vasudev (Sadhguru) stated that the nations took those documents seriously and that 74 countries have signed the MoU and promised to follow the recommendations.

Note: Karnataka Chief Minister: Basavaraj Somappa Bommai; Karnataka Capital: Bengaluru

 

3. Fourth Edition of India’s Clean Air Summit Begins in Bangalore: The fourth edition of India’s Clean Air Summit (ICAS) took place in Bangalore with global experts. With the help of India’s Clean Air Summit, global experts are set to discuss an integrated approach to resolving air pollution and increasing climate change. The Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) and the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP), think-tanks have organized the summit. Key Points Related to India’s Clean Air Summit (ICAS):

a)      The event is four days long and will see policymakers, scientists, technologists, and people affected by the changing climate sharing their experiences and statistics. The partnership with different communities will help in implementing on-ground solutions related to the summit.

b)      The officials and speakers of CSTEP have shown their concerns over the increase in climate change and air pollution.

c)       The summit aims to examine solutions using the finest technology and science.

d)      The event will also be attended by Government officials from state and central pollution boards.

e)      India’s Clean Air Summit (ICAS) aims to dig into measures to improve the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme and build a partnership with different communities.

 

4. All 23 AIIMS to be named after Local Heroes, Monuments, Geographical Identities: The government of India has approved a proposal to give specific names to all the AIIMS, based on regional heroes, freedom fighters, historical events or monuments of the area, or their distinct geographical identity. The majority of the 23 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has submitted a list of names. All the AIIMS are known by its generic name and distinguished only by their location. Under the latest proposal, all AIIMS institutes — fully functional, partially operational or under construction — are to be renamed.

Key Points: Six new AIIMS — Bihar (Patna), Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal), Odisha (Bhubaneswar), Rajasthan (Jodhpur), and Uttarakhand (Rishikesh) were approved in Phase 1 of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) and are fully functional.

Out of the 16 AIIMS established between 2015 and 2022, MBBS classes and outpatient department services have been started in 10 institutes, while only MBBS classes have been started in another two. The remaining four institutes are at different stages of development.

 

5. National Sports Day: 29th August: The National Sports Day or Rashtriya Khel Divas is celebrated on 29th August in India as a tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand who was born on this date in 1905. It was 2012 when the day was first designated and celebrated as India’s National Sports Day. The nation celebrates the day honouring our sports stars. Rashtriya Khel Diwas OR National Sports Day’s primary motto is to promote awareness about the importance of sports and being physically active in the daily life of all the citizens: older or younger.

National Sports Day History: In 1979, the Indian Postal Department paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand after his death and renamed the National Stadium of Delhi as Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi. In 2012, it was announced that a day must be celebrated as National Sports Day with the motive of spreading awareness about the spirit of sportsmanship and propagating the message of various sports. And for this again a tribute was given to Major Dhayan Chand on his birth anniversary and announced on 29th August as National Sports Day in India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India signed an MoU with Iran for smooth movement of seafarers: India has signed an MoU with Iran to smoothen the movement of seafarers between the two countries. The MoU was signed between Union Minister of Ports & Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal & his Iranian counterpart Rostam Ghasemi. The Iranian government is ready to conclude a long-term contract with India, prioritizing the development of transit of goods through the Chabahar Port. The contract will also aim at ramping up activities of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Note:  Iran Capital: Tehran; Currency: Rial; President: Ebrahim Raisi

 

2. James Webb Space Telescope captured Beautiful new Jupiter photos: The James Webb Space Telescope recently captured new beautiful photos of Jupiter. The James Webb Space Telescope, which was launched in December 2021, has already captured amazing photographs of colourful galaxies, gorgeous nebulae, and other breathtaking celestial bodies in the furthest reaches of the universe. The photos by The James Webb Space Telescope have to be created by mapping the infrared light data—which the camera received from Jupiter but the human eye cannot see—onto the visible spectrum. Key Points:

a)      The two new images of Jupiter were released this week by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency by the James Webb Space Telescope.

b)      They were both taken by the telescope’s Near-Infrared Camera, which can see through space dust to reveal details that the human eye cannot see.

c)       Despite the fact that we do know a lot about Jupiter, According to NASA, Jupiter’s quick rotation makes it challenging to work with near-infrared data from the planet.

d)      Currently, researchers are analysing the Webb data and photographs in an effort to discover even more; at the same time, NASA’s Juno orbiter is also keeping an eye on the planet.

 

3. International Day against Nuclear Tests: 29th August: International Day against Nuclear Tests is observed on 29th August to raise awareness about the devastating effects of testing nuclear weapons. This year marks the thirteenth anniversary of the event. On this day, the United Nations organises an event that creates public awareness regarding the effects of nuclear weapons tests, and detonations and further highlights the requirement for cessation of such nuclear tests.

International Day against Nuclear Tests History: On 2 December 2009, the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests through the unanimous adoption of its resolution 64/35. The Preamble of the resolution emphasizes that “every effort should be made to end nuclear tests in order to avert devastating and harmful effects on the lives and health of people” and that “the end of nuclear tests is one of the key means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.”

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Neeraj Chopra wins Lausanne Diamond League with 89.08m throw: Olympic champion and javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra scripted history as he became the first Indian to clinch a Lausanne Diamond League. In his first attempt, he hurled the spear 89.08m to seal his victory in his own style. His 89.08m throw was his third career-best effort, followed by a second throw measuring 85.18m. Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch finished second with a best throw of 85.88m, followed by USA’s Curtis Thompson was third with a best effort of 83.72m.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Mastercard partnered with BASIX to create an agri-tech platform for farmers: Mastercard has partnered with livelihood promotion institution BASIX Social Enterprise Group to launch an agritech platform BASIX Farmers’ Market (BFM) to integrate farmers into the digital economy. The digital platform will address fundamental challenges for small farmers related to price discovery, market reach, payments, and credit access.

Note: Mastercard Founded: 16 December 1966; Headquarters: New York, United States; CEO: Michael Miebach; Executive Chairman: Ajay Banga

 

2. IDFC named Mahendra Shah as MD & CEO: The IDFC Ltd board has approved the appointment of Mahendra N Shah as managing director-designate of the company with effect from October 1, 2022, till September 30, 2023, subject to the approval of the shareholders. The term of Sunil Kakar as managing director & CEO of the company will end on 30 September 2022. Mahendra N Shah was the group company secretary & group chief compliance officer of IDFC First Bank and has been the group head of governance, compliance & secretarial and senior advisor of taxation at IDFC for more than a decade.

Note: IDFC Ltd Headquarters: Mumbai; IDFC Ltd CEO: V. Vaidyanathan (19 Dec 2018–); IDFC Ltd Founded: October 2015.

 

3. Sivakumar Gopalan, Gopal Jain appointed as non-executive directors of RBL Bank: The private sector lender RBL Bank has appointed Gopal Jain and Dr Sivakumar Gopalan as the non-executive directors. RBL Bank has been working on adding a diverse set of leaders with relevant experience to accelerate its 2.0 strategy. With the new additions, the bank’s board will have 14 members. The board of RBL Bank approved raising up to Rs 3,000 crores through the issue of debt securities on a private placement basis, on a “time-to-time basis”.

Note: RBL BANK Founded: 1943; RBL BANK Headquarters: Mumbai; RBL BANK MD & CEO: R Subramaniakumar; RBL BANK Tagline: Apno ka Bank.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Hero Electric Partners with Jio-BP for Charging & Battery swapping: Hero Electric, an Indian electric scooter maker announces a partnership with Jio-BP to provide EV charging and battery swapping solutions in India. The partnership between Hero electric and Jio-BP will allow the automaker’s customers access to the latter’s charging and battery swapping infrastructure. In 2020, a joint venture between Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries and British oil giant BP, called Jio-BP. The statement issued by Hero Electric informs that in addition to creating solutions for seamless customer journey on Hero Electric and Jio-BP apps, the companies will bring the best of their Global learning in electrification and apply them to the Indian market to create a differentiated customer experience that delights the customer.

The Jio-BP under the Jio-BP pulse brand has currently set up charging and swapping stations across the country. Customers can find any nearby station using the Jio-BP pulse app. Hero Electric currently has a sale of over 750 and service Outlets across the country. Hero has also sold more than 4.5 lakh electric two-wheeler. Hero Electric aims to deliver the best EVs in India to its customers and to transform the e-mobility sector in India.

 

2. Royal Enfield tie-up with UNESCO to promote cultural heritage of India: Royal Enfield has partnered with UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to promote and safeguard the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of India, beginning with the Himalayas. The programme is curated as an experiential and creative showcase of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) practices in the Western Himalayas and the North Eastern region. This includes an exhibition, panel discussions, film screenings, performances and lecture demonstrations. The four-day programme will see eminent artists, designers, chefs, mixologists, musicians, actors, photographers and luminaries of the social development sector such as Adil Hussain, Peter D’Ascoli, Sonam Dubal, Rita Banerji, Mallika Virdi and Tsewang Namgail, Yangdup Lama, Nilza Wangmo and Anumitra Ghosh.

As part of its ongoing programme globally and in India:

a)      UNESCO has been spearheading the movement to identify, document and preserve the Intangible Cultural Heritage of India, which is one of the 178 countries to have adopted the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), for decades.

b)      Both parties also state that the Intangible cultural heritage is directly linked to livelihoods. For instance, large numbers of women in rural India are engaged in weaving and the production of handicrafts, and India’s handloom and crafts sector have emerged as one of the country’s largest employers and facilitators for income generation in rural areas.

Note: Royal Enfield CEO: B. Govindarajan (18 Aug 2021–); Royal Enfield Headquarters: Chennai; Royal Enfield Founded: 1955; Managing Director and CEO of Eicher Motors: Siddhartha Lal; Royal Enfield Parent organization: Eicher Motors.