Daily GK Update- 18th Sep, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India launches ‘Urban Wastewater Scenario in India’ at World Water Congress and Exhibition 2022: India has launched Joint Whitepaper on ‘Urban Wastewater Scenario in India’, with Denmark at World Water Congress and Exhibition 2022 in Copenhagen. The ‘Urban Wastewater Scenario in India’ was facilitated by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat along with Danish Environment Minister Lea Wermelin and Development Co-operation Minister Flemming Moller Mortensen. Key Points:

a)      India has committed an investment of more than 140 billion dollars by 2024 in the water sector.

b)      The Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that in the ‘Urban Wastewater Scenario in India’ with the help of a community-centric approach, at least 10 percent of the funds are contributed by the community in every program ensuring community ownership and participation.

c)       The Whitepaper aims to holistic capture of the current status of wastewater treatment in India. It aims to create potential pathways for future treatment structures, co-creation, and collaborations.

d)      The Whitepaper is a result of the Indo-Danish Bilateral Green Strategic Partnership, which focuses on green hydrogen, renewable energy, and wastewater management.

 

2. Indore to become the country’s first ‘Smart City’ with ‘Smart Addresses’: Indore will create history by implementing a fully digital addressing system, making it the first city in India to do so. The smart city advanced significantly when a memorandum of understanding was signed with the firm Pataa Navigations. The Memorandum of Understanding is signed by Rajat Jain, co-founder of Pataa Navigations, and Rishav Gupta (IAS), CEO of Indore Smart City. Key Points:

a)      This MoU states that the Pataa app will be used by all government agencies and emergency services, such as the police, fire department, and ambulance. For necessary services like E-KYC and banking geotagging, the Pataa app will be used. The Pataa app will be accessible to everyone at the business.

b)      To provide access to Digital Addressing Systems, Pataa Navigation will integrate with government platforms like those for the departments of electricity, agriculture, excise, women and child welfare, and education.

c)       Pataa will also geotag MP Tourism’s all tourist destinations and integrate them with websites. All significant public assets, including bus stops, light poles, public restrooms, and bus stops, should have digital address numbers pasted on them.

d)      The Pataa App, a free service, will help delivery providers find a specific geotagged location. The low fuel usage of Pataa will be a great help for e-commerce companies and their delivery partners as they complete the last leg of their journey.

 

3. MeitY Startup Hub and Meta Collaborate to speed up XR technology startups in India: In association with Meta, MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) will introduce a programme to help and accelerate XR technology entrepreneurs in India. The program’s announcement is scheduled for September 13, 2022. At the event will be Joel Kaplan, Vice President, Global Policy, Meta, and Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Key Points:

a)      The government’s initiatives to develop skills in cutting-edge and future technology include this collaboration.

b)      With a big talent pool of creators, developers, and a thriving technology environment, India is perfectly positioned to play a crucial role in the metaverse.

c)       An initiative of MeitY, the MeitY Startup Hub is a national platform dedicated to fostering technological innovation, start-ups, and the production of intellectual property.

d)      With a goal of expanding to more than 10 thousand businesses in the next three to five years, it now supports more than three thousand IT firms.

 

4. A new book “Rajini’s Mantras” authored by P.C. Balasubramanian released: The entrepreneur­cum­author, P.C. Balasubramanian (PC Bala) authored a new book “Rajini’s Mantras: Life lessons from India’s most­loved Superstar” in English. It was published by Jaico Publishing House (India). PC Bala’s 1st book was Rajini’s Punchtantra and Raja Krishnamoorthy, which became a national bestseller. Grand Brand Rajini and Ram N Ramakrishnan were published on December 2022.

The essence of the book: In Rajini’s Mantras, bestselling author P.C. Balasubramanian brings out the best life lessons from Rajinikanth’s iconic speeches, public interactions and performances right from his early days in the film industry. His spectacular success story, from a bus conductor to one of the most-loved superstars in Indian cinema, is as gripping as a megahit. Taking several incidents from Rajini’s life, Balasubramanian shows how an adaptable mindset, willingness to learn from experiences, persistence and making the right choices can help you stand out—just like the beloved idol.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Los Angeles named September 17 as ‘Squid Game’ Day: The City of Los Angeles has officially designated September 17 Squid Game Day, in recognition of the South Korean Netflix series’ achievements. “Squid Game” was nominated for 14 Emmy Awards in July and is the first non-English language series to earn a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. It was also the first Korean and first non-English language series to win a Screen Actors Guild Award.

The resolution noted that Squid Game retains its place as the most-watched Netflix original to date, and that “it was the first ever Korean series on Netflix to reach number one in the US, breaking the barrier that many foreign languages shows a face with Western audiences simply because of subtitles”. It also noted that Squid Game successfully introduced diverse facets of Korean culture not just to audiences in the US but across the globe.

 

2. International Equal Pay Day: 18th September: International Equal Pay Day, celebrated on 18 September, represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. The symbolic day aims at highlighting issues related to the gender pay gap and raising worldwide awareness. The main aim of the event is to end the history of gender discrimination that women are generally subjected to by getting paid less than their male counterparts.

International Equal Pay Day History: International Equal Pay Day was first observed back in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity. It was a coalition of women’s and civil rights organisations that worked toward eliminating gender and race-based wage discrimination. The goal was to achieve pay equity. It was not until 2019 that the Equal Pay International Coalition began officially marking it as a day to raise awareness. In 2020, the move was recognised by the United Nations and they observed the first International Equal Pay on September 18, 2020.

 

3. World Bamboo Day: 18th September: World Bamboo Day 2022 is observed on September 18 in order to raise awareness about the conservation of this extremely useful plant. Conceptualised by the World Bamboo Organisation (WBO), this day also promotes the bamboo industry by highlighting its concerns. Bamboo wood has long been used for various purposes in countries around the globe, especially in the east and Southeast Asia. Bamboo grows on its and doesn’t require to be replanted, making it easily available.

World Bamboo Day History: WBD was officially declared by the World Bamboo Organization on September 18 at the 8th World Bamboo Congress held in Bangkok in 2009. The aim of the WBO is to bring the potential of bamboo to more elevated exposure, to promote new cultivation of bamboo for new industries in regions across the world, and also to promote traditional uses locally for community economic development, etc.

Note: World Bamboo Organization Headquarters: Antwerp, Belgium; World Bamboo Organization Founded: 2005; World Bamboo Organization Executive director: Susanne Lucas.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Robin Uthappa announced retirement from all forms of Indian cricket: Robin Uthappa has announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. In last season’s IPL, Uthappa played 12 matches for Chennai Super Kings and scored 230 runs with his highest score being 88. He was part of the country’s 2004 Under-19 World Cup team. He made his India debut two years later and featured in 46 ODIs and 13 T20Is for India. He scored 934 and 249 runs in ODIs and T20Is. He has 9446 first class and 6534 List A runs under his belt. His last ODI appearance was back against Zimbabwe in 2015, where he scored a 44-ball 31.

 

2. Virat Kohli becomes first cricketer to have 50 million followers on Twitter: Virat Kohli has now become the first cricketer who have notched up 50 million followers on Twitter. Virat Kohli has popularity in all the platforms of social media which includes 211 million followers on Instagram and 49 million followers on Facebook as well. In early 2022, Kohli became the first-ever Indian to cross 200 million followers on Instagram as well. Kohli recently recorded his first international century in 1020 days, when he slammed a 61-ball 122 not out during India’s final Super 4 clash against Afghanistan in Dubai.

The 33-year-old is the most followed cricketer in the world and the third most followed sportsperson on Instagram after Cristiano Ronaldo (450M) and Lionel Messi (333M). Kohli also has over 49 million followers on Facebook, which takes his social media presence to over 310 million followers.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. HDFC Life Insurance Policy started Click2Protect for Super term insurance: HDFC Life Insurance Policy started Click2Protect: HDFC Life, one of the top life insurers in India, has introduced the Click2Protect Super term insurance plan, which allows customization based on your protection needs and only charges you for the benefits and plan options you select. Click2Protect is a non-linked, non-participating, individual, pure risk premium/savings life insurance plan. Key Points:

a)      Click2Protect Super gives you more freedom than ever before by allowing you to change your life insurance coverage, lengthen the duration of your policy, add coverage for accidental death and terminal illness, among other things.

b)      With Click2Protect the family is fully protected financially thanks to the plan. Life, Life Plus, and Life Goal are the three plan alternatives from which you can select a policy that best suits your needs.

c)       Click2Protect is a clever plan choice that includes a built-in benefit for terminal illness coverage and also gives you the opportunity to enhance the cover amount to safeguard your family’s financial security while you are away.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Sachin Bansal helmed Navi Technologies approved by SEBI, for IPO: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given Sachin Bansal’s fintech business Navi Technologies the go-ahead for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), which will help the Flipkart co-founder in his efforts to build a financial services conglomerate. Key Points:

a)      Navi Technologies submitted draft papers to SEBI in March of this year in order to raise up to Rs 3,350 crore through a new share offering.

b)      Sachin Bansal, who has a 97.39 percent ownership in fintech, stated that there will not be an offer for sale (OFS) by shareholders in the IPO.

c)       According to the SEBI website, the fintech company received an observation letter in response to its filings on September 5.

d)      The DRHP states that in addition to general expansion objectives, the fintech company wants to invest the IPO revenues in Navi Finserv and Navi General Insurance companies.

 

2. Vedanta and Foxconn to Invest 1.54 Lakh Crore in Gujrat for Chip Manufacturing: The Anil Agarwal-led-Vedanta limited and Foxconn Group will invest more than Rs 1.54 lakh crore to set up an semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat. The oil-to-metals conglomerate said Vedanta Displays Limited will set up a Display Fab Unit with an investment of Rs 94500 crore and Vedanta Semiconductors Limited will set up an integrated Semiconductor Fab Unit and OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility with investment of Rs 60000 crore.

Key Points:

a)      Vedanta and Foxconn Group entered into two Memorandums of Understanding [MoUs] with the Government of Gujarat on September 13, 2022. 

b)      The company said Vedanta and Taiwan-based Foxconn Group will work closely with the state government to establish high-tech clusters with requisite infrastructure, including land, semiconductor grade water, high quality power, logistics, and a skill ecosystem.

c)       The proposed semiconductor manufacturing fab unit will operate on the 28nm technology nodes with wafer size 300mm; and the display manufacturing unit will produce Generation 8 displays catering to small, medium and large applications.

 

3. Burjeel Holdings appoints SRK as brand ambassador: Burjeel Holdings, a private healthcare services provider in the MENA region has signed Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador. The company is owned by UAE-based Indian entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil. The actor will appear in a multi-platform advertising campaign in the region for the group that will be unveiled in the coming weeks. This will be the actor’s first healthcare ambassador role. In the past, the actor has also tied up with Dubai’s tourism board to be one its brand ambassadors. But that partnership ended as of early 2022. He was also the first Indian celebrity to have received the UAE golden visa.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Kibithu Military Garrison camp named after Bipin Rawat: The military camp at Kibithu Garrison, which is very close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, has been renamed as ‘Gen Bipin Rawat military garrison’ in honour of the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) who was killed in a chopper crash last December. As a young Colonel, Rawat commanded his Battalion 5/11 Gorkha Rifles at Kibithu from 1999-2000 and contributed immensely to strengthening the security structure in the area. Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu named the 22 km long road from Walong to Kibithu as ‘General Bipin Rawat Marg’. A life-size mural of General Rawat was also unveiled on the occasion.

 

2. JIMEX 2022: India-Japan joint naval drills in the Bay of Bengal begins: The sixth edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22), hosted by the Indian Navy, began in the Bay of Bengal. The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships are being led by Rear Admiral Hirata Toshiyuki, Commander Escort Flotilla Four, and Indian naval ships by Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.

The Indian Navy is represented by three indigenously designed and built warships, Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate and Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes Kadmatt and Kavaratti. Additionally, Guided Missile Destroyer Ranvijay, Fleet Tanker Jyoti, Offshore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, submarines, MIG 29K fighter aircraft, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and ship-borne helicopters are also participating in the exercise. The Indian Naval ships welcomed JMSDF ships Izumo, a Helicopter Carrier, and Takanami, a Guided Missile Destroyer, on their arrival in the Bay of Bengal. Key points:

a)      JIMEX 22 involves two phases – exercises at sea and a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam.

b)      This edition marks the 10th anniversary of JIMEX, which began in Japan in 2012. It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

c)       JIMEX 22 seeks to consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between maritime forces of the two countries, through complex exercises in the surface, sub-surface and air domains.

d)      The exercises were aimed at enhancing interoperability and streamlining seamanship and communication procedures.

 

3. National Defense MSME Conclave and Exhibition held in Kota, Rajasthan: The two-day National Defense MSME Conclave and Exhibition was held in Kota, Rajasthan. In the exhibition, defence gear including T-90 and BMP-2 tanks, artillery cannons, numerous sniper and machine gun types, and military bridges are displayed.

Start-ups and MSMEs are showcasing their products, as are young people innovating in the defence sector. The event feature participation from more than 50 defense-related businesses, startups, and MSMEs. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt formally launched the summit. The highlight of the programme was Live Concert and Drone Light Show.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf passes away: Former Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf has passed away due to suspected cardiac arrest. He breathed his last at the age of 66. He was one of the legendary umpires Pakistan ever produced, along with the likes of Aleem Dar. Back in 2006, Rauf was included in the ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires, after which he officiated in 47 Tests, 98 ODIs and 23 T20Is. He served at the top for seven years before being dropped from the elite panel of umpires in 2013 following an annual review of performance.