Daily GK Update- 12th Sep, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s first RRTS corridor to use an app-based token-free ticketing system: The nation’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (India’s first RRTS corridor), the Delhi-Meerut RRTS line, would incorporate an automatic fare collection (AFC) system and tickets with QR codes for riders. In order to purchase the AFC system, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) recently announced that it has requested bids in accordance with the Modi administration’s “Make In India” standards. Key Points:

a)      The contactless method of entry and exit will be seamless, comfortable, simple, and quick with the AFC system. The NCRTC will also offer QR code tickets, which can be generated digitally on a website or mobile application.

b)      Commuters will be able to purchase paper QR tickets from ticket vending machines for a single trip between two stations, similar to the token system used by the Delhi Metro.

c)       EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) Open Loop contactless cards based on NCMC standards will also be accepted on the Delhi-Meerut RRTS route. All NCMC cards issued by Indian metro networks, transportation authorities, and banking institutions would be accepted by RRTS passengers.

 

2. Tamil Nadu Government launched “Pudhumai Penn Scheme” for girl students: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has launched the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance scheme titled ‘Pudhumai Penn’ at a function in Chennai, in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Mr Kejriwal also unveiled 26 schools of excellence and 15 model schools set up by the Tamil Nadu government emulating the model by his AAP government in Delhi. Under Pudhumai Penn:

a)      Pudhumai Penn scheme, girl students, who studied from Class V to Class XII in state government schools would be paid monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 till they complete their graduation or diploma.

b)      The scheme aims to benefit six lakh girls every year and Rs 698 crore has been allocated in the budget for its implementation.

c)       Stalin said after his government came to power, keeping in mind changing needs, the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Marriage Assistance scheme was converted into the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance scheme, now implemented as the Pudhumai Penn scheme, for the benefit of economically-weaker families who are not able to send their girl children to colleges due to financial constraints.

d)      Stalin also said Rs 25 crore will be allocated to Bharathi Women’s College for constructing new classrooms and developing infrastructure facilities.

 

3. President Droupadi Murmu to launch ‘TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’: President Draupadi Murmu launched the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan virtually. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan aims to eliminate tuberculosis from India by 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a distinctive call to end TB in India giving years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of 2030.

Along with this Presentation, President also launched the Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative which forms a vital component of the Campaign. The Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative will provide a platform for the donors to help TB patients who are undergoing treatment. The donors will be called Ni-Kshay Mitras, and the donation will include nutritional, additional diagnostic, and volcanic support. The event highlights the need for a societal approach that brings together people from all backgrounds to eliminate TB from the country by 2025.

 

4. CJI inaugurated NALSA Centre for Citizen Services: The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Centre for Citizen Services, was inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit. The space at Jaisalmer House which was provided to NALSA would be utilised for the establishment of Legal Assistance Centre for Citizens, Legal Assistance Centre for NRIs, Training Centre, and Digital Command Centre for providing futuristic legal services across the country.

About the NALSA: The NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society. Its purpose is to provide free legal services to eligible candidates, and to organize Lok Adalats for the speedy resolution of cases. While the CJI is the Patron-in-Chief, the second senior most judge of the Supreme Court of India is the executive chairperson of the Authority.

Note: NALSA Founded: 9 November 1995; NALSA Headquarters location: New Delhi; NALSA Motto: Access to Justice for All.

 

5. Airtel partnered with Odisha to offer Bill Payment Solution: Bharti Airtel has launched a pilot project in partnership with the TP Northern Odisha Distribution to offer bill payment solutions to more than 2 million customers. The pilot project will be mobilized to 4000 Airtel Payment Banks (APBs) in northern Odisha to facilitate the bill payments. The company’s ambition is to scale the project across Odisha and eventually partner with other state electricity boards for similar solutions said the Airtel IQ Business head Abhishek Biswal. The project is currently at the National Payments Corporation of India certification stage. The certification will ensure that the project has minimal risk of digital fraud.

 

6. 3 Indian cities join UNESCO network of learning cities: Warangal and two cities from Kerala have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in recognition of their outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality for all at the local level. Warangal in Telangana, Thrissur and Nilambur are among the 77 cities from 44 countries which have joined this network of the world body. Other cities that have joined the network are the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Durban in South Africa and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) among others. The 77 new members bring the total number of cities within the UNESCO GNLC to 294 in 76 countries.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. U.S. Marks the 21st Anniversary of 9/11 Horrific Incident: Americans remembered 9/11 on 11th Sept with readings of victims’ names, volunteer work and other tributes 21 years after the deadliest terror attack on US soil. A tolling bell and a moment of silence began the commemoration at ground zero in New York, where the World Trade Center’s twin towers were destroyed by the hijacked-plane attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Victims’ relatives and dignitaries also convened at the two other attack sites, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

Other communities around the country are marking the day with candlelight vigils, interfaith services and other commemorations. Some Americans are joining in volunteer projects on a day that is federally recognized as both Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. More than two decades later, Sept. 11 remains a point for reflection on the attack that reconfigured national security policy and spurred a U.S. war on terror worldwide.

 

2. MEA: Sanjay Verma appointed as next high commissioner of India to Canada: Senior diplomat Sanjay Kumar Verma has been appointed as India’s next high commissioner to Canada. He succeeds Acting High Commissioner Anshuman Gaur. Verma is a 1988 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service and is currently the ambassador of India to Japan. Among other postings, Verma has served in Indian missions in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Turkey. He has also served as Consul General of India in Milan, Italy.

Another appointment: Amit Kumar, currently Consulate General of India in Chicago, has been named as the next ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Amit Kumar, who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1995, was earlier the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of India, Washington DC with Ambassador rank.

 

3. India & UK Conducts Counter Ransomware Exercise for 26 Nations: The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the UK government has jointly conducted the virtual Cyber Security Exercise for 26 countries. The exercise is a part of the India-led International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group, facilitated by the British Aerospace (BAE) Systems. These companies are responsible for the distribution of electricity to domestic customers and are the last link to the public supply. The exercise explores the complexity of decision-making around response to ransomware on Critical National Infrastructure.

Key highlights:

a)      All 26 invitees for the exercise are from CRI Partner Nations and their respective organisations that includes Cyber Security, National Crisis Management, National Security Policy, Critical National Infrastructure and Law Enforcement Agencies.

b)      The scenarios are written specifically for the participants based on Threat Intelligence and operational experiences.

 

4. United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation: 12th September: The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is observed annually on September 12 to highlight the importance of cooperation among people and countries in the global South. The day also aims at spreading awareness on the social, economic, and political developments made in the Southern region.

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation History: The United Nations Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries adopted the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) on September 12, 1978. Delegations from 138 states had reached a consensus to adopt TCDC and named it after Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires where the conference was held. Later, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 12 as the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. PNB MetLife launched new unit-linked insurance plan: PNB MetLife has launched a new ULIP plan PNB MetLife Goal Ensuring Multiplier (GEM) that offers customers life insurance coverage and helps them invest methodically with the goal of creating wealth for the future. Customers can choose from 13 different funds to best fit their risk appetite and can also opt for goal-based fund management strategies. The plan also has a top-up feature that allows customers to enhance their coverage and accelerate their savings goals.

 

2. ESAF Bank launched ‘rainbow account’ for transgender community: ESAF Small Finance Bank Limited has launched a ‘Rainbow Savings Account’ exclusively for the transgender community. The ‘Rainbow Savings Account scheme comes with a high-interest rate and advanced debit card facilities. The Reserve Bank of India in 2015 directed banks to include a separate column ‘third gender’ in all their forms and applications. Many transgenders from different parts of Kerala participated in the launch of Rainbow Savings Account’s logo event, which was organized in association with the Navodaya Movement.

Note: ESAF Small Finance Bank Founded: 10 March 2017; Founders: Paul Thomas, Mereena Paul, Jacob Samuel; Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala

 

3. IDBI Bank re-appointed as Deputy MD of S Jebaraj for 3 years: IDBI Bank has announced the reappointment of Samuel Joseph Jebaraj as the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) on the Board of the Bank for a period of 3 years. The board of directors has jointly approved the appointment. The reappointment is with effect from September 20, 2022.

Note: IDBI Bank Founded: 1 July 1964; Headquarters: Mumbai; MD and CEO: Rakesh Sharma

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. LIC Introduces Non-participating, Unit-linked New Pension Plus Plan 867: Life Insurance Company (LIC) introduced a new plan, LIC New Pension Plus 867. The LIC New Pension Plus 867 is a non-participating, unit-linked insurance plan that again comes with “guaranteed addition”. The plan indicates that the LIC New Pension Plus 867 will provide guaranteed additions between 5% to 15% of the yearly premium. LIC New Pension Plus 867: Features

a)      The LIC New Pension Plus 867 is a unit-linked pension plan which aims for building a corpus with systematic conversion into regular income on retirement after taking the annuity plan.

b)      Customers can also take immediate or deferment pension options.

c)       The pension plan provides an option to extend the accumulation period or deferment period within the same policy with the same terms and conditions.

d)      The pension plan can be taken with a single premium or regular premium option.

e)      The investor can invest in four different funds available for them.

f)        The plan offers guaranteed additions of 5% to 15.5% of the yearly premium at specific intervals.

g)      Partial withdrawal of the unit is allowed 3 times in a policy period.

h)      Investors can purchase this plan online or through online or offline mode from agents or by visiting the nearest LIC branches.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Hindi writer Dr. Asghar Wajahat awarded with 31st Vyas Samman: The 31st Vyas Samman was conferred on to well-known Hindi writer Dr Asghar Wajahat at a function in New Delhi. He has been chosen for the prestigious award for his play Mahabali. In his play Mahabali, Dr. Wajahat focuses on Mughal emperor Akbar and poet Tulsidas. Through the play, he attempts to answer who is the real Mahabali, the poet or the emperor.

About Vyas Samman:

a)      The Vyas Samman is given by K K Birla Foundation for outstanding literary work in Hindi authored by an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years.

b)      It carries an award of Rs 4 lakh along with a citation and a plaque. It was initiated in 1991.

c)       Ram Vilas Sharma received the inaugural Vyas Samman in 1991 for his work ‘Bharat ke Pracheen Bhasha Parivar aur Hindi’.

d)      Professor Sharad Pagare was honoured with 30th Vyas Samman for his novel titled ‘Patliputra ki Samragi’.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Padma Shri awardee artist Ram Chandra Manjhi passes away: Padma Shri awardee Ramchandra Manjhi, whose performance in Bhojpuri folk dance ‘Naach’ for eight decades, has passed away. He was a famous performer of ‘Launda Naach’, a sub-set of ‘Naach’, in which men crossdress as women. His passion for the dance form even in old age has brought him several honours, including Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2017) and Padma Shri (2021). He was one of the members of the original troupe of Bhikhari Thakur, known as Shakespeare of Bhojpuri language.

 

2. Chief Justice of India with the shortest tenure, Kamal Narain Singh passes away: Former Chief Justice of India Kamal Narain Singh passed away, at the age of 95. Justice Narain had a tenure of only 17 days as the CJI, making him the chief justice with the shortest tenure. He was the 22nd Chief Justice of India, with a term from November 25, 1991, to December 12, 1991.

Born on December 13, 1926, his career as a judge started with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court in 1970. He then became a Permanent Judge in August 1972. He got elevated as a Supreme Court judge in 1986 and, after almost five years, became the CJI. He also served as Chairman of the 13th Law Commission of India from 1991-1994. Late Justice Narain was part of several important judgments, including the Ganga Pollution case, the case challenging the validity of a death sentence, etc.