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Friday, September 9, 2022

Daily GK Update- 9th Sep, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. GoI announces to rename the Rajpath as Kartavya Path: The government of India has announced to change the name of Rajpath and Central Vista lawns into Kartavya Path. The decision is said to shed remnants of the British colony in India. The decision came after a special meeting on September 7, convened with the aim of renaming the Rajpath and Central Vista lawns.  Earlier, the Modi government had changed the name of the road on which the Prime Minister’s residence is, from Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg.

About the Kartavya Path: Kartavya Path includes the Entire Avenue and area from the Netaji Statue to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The route runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate to National Stadium in Delhi. The decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on Independence Day where he stressed the factors leading to the abolition of symbols and signs relating to the colonial mindset. Central Vista Avenue:

a)      Central Vista Avenue is part of the government’s ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project. Central Vista Avenue is ready for inauguration after the completion of construction work on both sides of the Rajpath.

b)      The Central Vista redevelopment project includes a new triangular Parliament building, a common Central Secretariat, rejuvenation of the three-kilometre Rajpath, new Prime Minister’s residence and offices and a new Vice President’s Enclave.

c)       Central Vista Avenue along Rajpath will have state-wise food stalls, red granite walkways with greenery all around, vending zones, parking lots and round-the-clock security, but people will miss just one thing Man Singh from India Gate.

 

2. Uttarakhand Govt launched ‘Samarth’ e-governance portal: The Uttarakhand education department launched an e-governance portal “Samarth”. This portal provides all administrative and educational updates including information about entrance exams, salary structures, and appointments from five state universities and 140 public schools. The initiative has been taken in a bid to make the education system more transparent in the state. About the portal:

a)      The portal also provides access to 40 academic study modules.

b)      200 assistant professors of science subjects will be sent to the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru for special training, while teachers of state universities will be given training at IIM Kashipur.

c)       The new education policy (NEP-2020) will be also implemented in the state from this session in September.

d)      In addition, to provide quality education to students, a teacher-sharing format that will connect multiple private and government schools across the country will also be introduced soon.

Note: Uttarakhand Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami; Uttarakhand Capitals: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer); Uttarakhand Governor:  Lt Gen Gurmit Singh.

 

3. PM Narendra Modi announced PM-SHRI Scheme for upgrading 14500 school: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a new initiative, the development and upgradation of 14 thousand 500 schools across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana. PM-SHRI schools will become model schools which will encapsulate the full spirit of the National Education Policy. The centrally sponsored scheme will be implemented by strengthening existing schools selected from amongst those managed by the Central government, states, Union Territories and local bodies. The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development but also to create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills. About the scheme:

a)      The PM-SHRI schools will have a modern, transformational and holistic method of imparting education. The PM-SHRI schools will further benefit lakhs of students across the country in the spirit of the National Education Policy.

b)      The PM-SHRI schools will have a modern, transformational and holistic method of imparting education. Emphasis will be on a discovery-oriented, learning-centric way of teaching. The focus will also be on modern infra including the latest technology, smart classrooms, sports and more. The National Education Policy has transformed the education sector in the recent years.

 

4. CCRAS ‘SPARK’ Program to Support Innovative Research in Ayurveda: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) takes a unique initiative to support the research efforts of the upcoming bright mind of India. CCRAS has developed the Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) for Ayurveda students (BAMS) in recognized Ayurveda colleges. Key Points:

a)      SPARK Program has been developed by the CCRAS to support the young minds of the students and to promote the culture of evidence-based scientific research in the field of Ayurveda.

b)      SPARK Program will help the students to develop an acumen for research and to support their research ideas.

c)       SPARK Program aims to support the research ideas of the young upcoming students across all the Ayurveda colleges in India.

d)      The application process for the SPARK Program will be done online mode.

e)      The selected students will be offered financial support of Rs. 50,000 under this fellowship.

 

5. IAD technology successfully used by ISRO to land payloads on Mars and Venus: The Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD), which ISRO says is a game-changer with numerous implications for future missions including to Mars and Venus, was successfully tested. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), an ISRO division, successfully test-flew an IAD from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station on a “Rohini” sounding rocket (TERLS). Key Points:

a)      Scientists from India and beyond, as well as ISRO, frequently employ Rohini sounding rockets to fly demonstrations of new technologies.

b)      Along with the IAD, new components including a micro video imaging system that recorded the IAD’s bloom and flight, a small software defined radio telemetry transmitter, a MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems)-based acoustic sensor, and a variety of new methodologies were all successfully flight tested. About IAD technology:

a)      The IAD was first folded and stowed in the rocket’s cargo bay, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation, which has its headquarters in Bengaluru (ISRO).

b)      The IAD was inflated at an altitude of around 84 km, and the sounding rocket’s cargo dropped through the atmosphere on it.

c)       The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO designed the pneumatic inflation mechanism.

d)      The IAD has consistently decreased the payload’s velocity through aerodynamic drag while maintaining the expected trajectory.

Note: ISRO Chairman: S Somanath; Founder of ISRO: Vikram Sarabhai; ISRO founded year: August 15, 1969

 

6. A book titled ‘Divorce and Democracy: A History of Personal Law in Post-Independence India’ by Saumya Saxena: A new book on divorce laws and various religions in the post-colonial era was released at the India International Centre. The book ‘Divorce and Democracy: A History of Personal Law in Post-Independence India’ talks about family law, religion, and gender politics in India. The book has written by Saumya Saxena, a British Academy Fellow at the faculty of History, University of Cambridge, the book talks about the Indian state’s difficult dialogue with divorce, which reconciles largely through religion.

The essence of the book: This book captures the Indian state’s difficult dialogue with divorce, mediated largely through religion. By mapping the trajectories of marriage and divorce laws of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities in post-colonial India, it explores the dynamic interplay between law, religion, family, minority rights and gender in Indian politics. It demonstrates that the binary frameworks of the private-public divide, individuals versus group rights, and universal rights versus legal pluralism collapse before the peculiarities of religious personal law.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Europe Heading for Recession as Inflation Crisis Deepens: The euro zone is almost certainly entering a recession, with surveys showing a deepening cost of living crisis and a gloomy outlook that is keeping consumers wary of spending. While there was some easing of price pressures, according to the surveys, they remained high. The European Central Bank is under pressure as inflation is running at more than four times its 2% target, reaching a record 9.1% last month. Key Points:

The ECB faces the prospect of raising interest rates aggressively just as the economy enters a downturn. A rise in borrowing costs would add to the woes of indebted consumers. 

The euro dropped below 99 US cents for the first time in 20 years after Russia said gas supply down its main pipeline to Europe would stay shut indefinitely. Gas prices on the continent soared as much as 30%, stoking fears of shortages and reinforcing expectations for a recession and a bitter winter as businesses and households are battered by sky-high energy prices.

S&P Global’s final composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), seen as a guide to economic health, fell to an 18-month low of 48.9 in August from July’s 49.9, below a preliminary 49.2 estimate. Anything below 50 indicates contraction.

 

2. International Day to Protect Education from Attack: 9th September: The International Day to Protect Education from Attack is an international observance established by a unanimous decision of the United Nations General Assembly in 2020. It is observed on September 9 of each year. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness regarding the importance of safeguarding schools as places of protection and safety for students and educators and the need to keep education at the top of the public agenda.

International Day to Protect Education from Attack History: The day was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly, calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. This day was established in 2020 and is supported by UNESCO and UNICEF, and co-sponsored by 62 countries. This day aims to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in war-affected countries.

Note: UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France; UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay; UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945; UNICEF Executive Director: Henrietta H. Fore; UNICEF Founded: 11 December 1946; UNICEF Headquarters: New York, United States.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. IIT Madras joins Inspire Institute of Sports for innovative boxing analytics software: IIT Madras researchers and Inspire Institute of Sports in Karnataka have joined forces to create the analytics platform “Smartboxer.” To boost India’s boxing medal total at the 2024 Olympics, advanced boxing analytics software is being created. IIT Madras’ Center of Excellence for Sports Science and Analytics is responsible for creating the multi-version software. Key Points:

a)      It will use wearable sensors and cameras with Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities to deliver feedback and performance evaluations.

b)      Inspire Institute of Sport will use “Smartboxer” to evaluate the boxers’ performance (IIS).

c)       The “Smartboxer” analytics platform will be modified in response to IIS’s suggestions. This will make it possible for coaches and boxers to benefit from the programme in a useful way.

d)      IIT Madras, the research involves combining IoT-based sensors and video cameras to deliver analytics regarding player performance.

 

2. Indian GM Aravindh Chithambaram wins Dubai Open chess Tournament: Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram wins the 22nd Dubai Open Chess Tournament with 7.5 points. While seven Indians finished in the top 10, R. Praggnanandha was in the second spot with five others. Aravindh Chithambaram and R. Praggnanandha settled for a draw in the ninth and final match, which enabled Aravind Chithambaram to finish the match with seven and a half points ahead of the rest of the field.

He remained undefeated throughout the nine rounds, winning six and drawing three matches. He won against Rinat Jumabayev, and Arjun Erigaisi. The five players that finished on seven points and in the joint second spot include R Praggnanandha, Alexander Predke, Abhijeet Gupta, Jaykumar Sammed Shete, and S P Sethuraman.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Tamilnad Mercantile Bank named Krishnan Sankarasubramaniam as new MD & CEO: The Tuticorin-based Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) Ltd has announced the appointment of Krishnan Sankarasubramaniam as the Managing Director and CEO with effect for three years. His appointment was approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), pursuant to its letter of approval dated August 18, 2022.

Note: Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Founded: 11 May 1921; Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Headquarters: Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. CCI approves the acquisition of BillDesk by PayU Payment: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of 100 percent equity of Indiaideas.com (Billdesk) by PayU Payments. The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of 100 percent of the equity share capital of India Ideas Ltd (IIL) by PayU India. Prosus NV-backed PayU announced in August 2021, that it will buy digital payments provider Billdesk for USD 4.7 billion. About the deal:

a)      It will make it one of the biggest deals in the Indian consumer internet space. The proposed combination pertains to the acquisition of an additional 10 percent stake in Apraava by CDPQ from CPL CPEC Holding Limited.

b)      The CDPQ and CPL announced in July that they have reached an agreement for the sale of a 10 percent stake in Apraava Energy to CDPQ, making their respective stakes 50 percent in the company.

 

2. 28th Edition of Status Report on India’s External Debt 2021-22 released: Status Report on India’s External Debt 2021-22 has been announced by the External Debt Management Unit (EDMU) of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. The released report is the 28th edition of the Status Report on India’s External Debt 2021-22. India’s external debt at the end of March 2021 was US$ 573.7 billion which has grown by 8.2 percent and at the end of March 2022, it has risen to US$ 620.7 billion. 53.2 percent of India’s external debt was denominated in the US dollar, and Indian rupee-denominated debt, estimated at 31.2 percent, was the second largest. The sustainability of India was better than the Low-and-Middle Income Countries (LMICs) as a group and vis-à-vis many of them individually while considering various debt vulnerability indicators.

 

3. BEL tie-up with Smiths Detection to manufacture scanning systems: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and security inspection technologies, for offering advanced, high-energy scanning systems to the Indian market. The MoU, signed for a period of five years and can be extended further by mutual consent, will leverage the high-end, technological capabilities of both firms to meet India’s domestic security needs. As per the agreement:

a)      BEL would handle front-end requirements in the market, supporting localisation of the projects while Smiths Detection would provide advanced screening technology and technological expertise for the project.

b)      Also, to facilitate ease of doing business and enhance safety, the union government has been investing in port and land border security.

c)       Moreover, the requirement for industry-leading high-energy scanning technology is being driven by Defence installations, which need to screen large volumes of vehicles and impose restricted entry at sensitive areas, as per the company.

Note: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) Founded: 1954; Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) Headquarters: Bengaluru.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army Chief Manoj Pande conferred honorary rank of Nepal Army General: Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande was conferred the title of Honorary General of the Nepali Army by Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari in Kathmandu. General Pande was honoured at a special ceremony at the President’s official residence ‘Shital Niwas’ in the capital city of Nepal. He has also presented a sword and scroll during the function. On behalf of the Indian government, General Manoj Pande presented training equipment to Nepali Army, along with Light Vehicles which would augment the capabilities of Nepali Army personnel.

The history behind this process: The practice follows a seven-decade-old tradition of decorating army chiefs of each other’s countries with the honorary title. Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army chief to be decorated with the title in 1950. In November last year, the Chief of the Nepali Army, General Prabhu Ram Sharma was also made the Honorary General of the Indian Army by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony in New Delhi.


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