Daily GK Update- 3rd Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1 Amara Raja Batteries to set up lithium-ion battery unit in Telangana:Amara Raja Batteries Ltd will be setting up a state-of-the-art research and manufacturing facility for lithium-ion batteries in Mahbubnagar district, Telangana. It intends to invest over ₹9,500 crore over the next 10 years in the lithium cell giga factory.The facility will be set up with an ultimate capacity up to 16 GWh and a battery pack assembly unit up to 5 GWh.The upcoming facilities are expected to provide employment opportunities to about 4,000 people. 

This was announced by Jayadev Galla, Chairman and MD, Amara Raja Batteries, in the presence of KT Rama Rao, State’s Minister for Industries, after signing a formal MoU here on Friday. “This strategic partnership with the Government of Telangana is a giant leap for Amara Raja and will bring in the impetus for innovations in sustainable technologies for the whole region, in addition to generating employment opportunities,’‘ Galla said.

2. India to assume chairmanship of Wassenaar Arrangement on 1 Jan: India will assume the chairmanship of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) on 1 January 2023, for a period of one year. Wassenaar Arrangement is a multilateral technology control agreement. The primary goal of the organisation is to restrict access to sensitive technologies for terrorist outfits.The Wassenaar Arrangement came into being in 1996 and has 42 members. India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) in 2017 and became its 42nd member.“WA is a multilateral export control regime, which, through regular information exchange among members on transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, seeks to promote transparency and greater responsibility in such transfers and prevent destabilising accumulations," according to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs. The primary goal of the organisation is to restrict access to sensitive technologies for terrorist outfits.

3. Odisha transforming women SHGs into SMEs: Odisha Govt announced to transform the SHGs into Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and turn them into vibrant financial hubs.It is to be noted that six lakh SHGs are working in Odisha. The government’s decision to provide interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh to the women under Mission Shakti will benefit lakhs of women. Mission Shakti intiative started in 2001 has now become a huge force of 70 lakh empowered women in Odisha. “In Odisha, six lakh SHGs are functioning. The objective of our government is to transform women SHGs into SMEs. We are prepared to run the extra mile to make this happen and will do everything required for this,” asserted Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the ‘Make in Odisha’ conclave here.

4. 3 December 2022 – Gita Mahotsav: Gita Jayanti is the day when Lord Shri Krishna explained the Gita Gyan to Arjuna. It is observed on Ekadashi tithi (11th day) of Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha. In 2022, Gita Jayanti is celebrated on 03 December 2022. The conversations between Arjuna and Shri Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra on the days of Margashirsha, Shukla Paksha, and Ekadashi Tithi are chronicled in the Hindu holy book known as the Bhagavad Gita (waxing phase of the Lunar cycle). Also known as Gita Mahotsav, this day commemorates the creation of the Gita. It’s interesting to note that Hindus commemorated the 5,159th anniversary of the Bhagavad Gita this year, a date that ordinarily comes in Gregorian December.It is believed the Bhagavad Gita was revealed to Arjuna by Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

1. List of countries at risk of mass killings: India ranked 8th; Pakistan topped: Pakistan has topped the list of countries at the highest risk of experiencing new mass killings, according to a new report by a US think-tank, Early Warning Project. The list included other Asian countries namely Yemen and Myanmar in the second and third spots respectively, while Afghanistan and India were placed in the seventh and eighth spots respectively. India was placed ahead of Syria, Iraq, China, and Iran on the list of countries at the highest risk of experiencing mass killings. While Syria and Iraq were placed in the 11th and 12th spots respectively, China was placed 23rd and Iran has the 30th spot in the list.

What is Early Warning Project (EWP)?

·       The Early Warning Project (EWP) is a research organization that identifies countries at risk of mass violence.

·       The Early Warning Project assesses the risk of mass atrocities in countries around the world using state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative methods and a range of widely available data,’ as per its website.

2. Global Aviation Safety Rankings: India ranked 48th; topped by Singapore: India has jumped to the 48th position in the global aviation safety ranking by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), according to the DGCA report. Four years ago, the country was ranked at the 102nd position. Singapore is at the top, followed by the UAE and South Korea at the second and third positions The Indian aviation safety has scored the highest-ever El score of 85.49 percent which puts India in the 48th spot. In 2018, India scored 69.95 percent at the 102nd rank. India has performed better than China which stands in 49th rank in the audit. Israel has been ranked 50th. The audit was conducted in the areas of – Legislation, Organization, Personal Licensing, Operations, Airworthiness, and Aerodromes. Teams from the UN agency went to Delhi Airport; IGI Airport air traffic control; Airport Authority of India’s communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) wing.

 

3. Wearables brand Noise signs Virat Kohli as brand ambassador:Wearables technology company, NOISE has roped in cricketer Virat Kohli as its new brand ambassador for its smartwatch range. Kohli was earlier the brand ambassador of Boltt Games Pvt. Ltd owned Fire-Boltt. The former Indian cricket captain saw his brand value drop by 21% to $185.7 million in 2021. However, he still topped the rankings in a survey of most valuable Indian celebrities by consultant Kroll Inc.  Nexxbase Marketing Pvt Ltd-owned Noise, a wearables technology company, has roped in cricketer Virat Kohli as its new brand ambassador for its smartwatch range. Over the tenure, the cricketer will be involved in a campaign that entails all touchpoints, the company said.

 

4.  French baguette is added to UNESCO's 'intangible cultural heritage' list: Baguette, the staple French bread was inscribed into the UN’s list of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). UNESCO is a international body which aims at promoting peace and cooperation among nations through education, arts, sciences and culture. The baguette is a long and thin loaf made of flour, water, salt and yeast, and is consumed as a staple in France. In March 2021, France nominated the baguette as its candidate for consideration within the UNESCO ICH list.  While he was giving a speech in the U.S., French President Macron threw shade on baguettes that are made anywhere outside of France. He called the French baguette "250 grams of magic and perfection."

5. 3 December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed every year on 3 December.Objective – To spread awareness about the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.The observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities began in 1992 after the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 47/3 proclaiming it as an international day.Theme 2022 – Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

1. 3rd T20 World Cup cricket tournament for Blind to be held in India:The third T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament for the Blind will be held from December 5 to 17, 2022 in India. The participating nations for World Cup 2022 are Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the host, India. The tournament is being organised to mark the World Disability Day celebrations universally. Former India batter Yuvraj Singh is the brand ambassador of the tournament.

The third T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament for the Blind will be held from December 5 to 17, 2022 in India. The participating nations for World Cup 2022 are Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the host, India. Around 150 players will be participating from all the countries and the tournament, which has a total of 24 matches, will take place in nine cities in India. The tournament is being organised to mark the World Disability Day celebrations universally.

2. Saurashtra cricket team won Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022: Saurashtra beat Maharashtra by 5 wickets in the final to win the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The team won its first Ranji Trophy title in 2019-2020. Sheldon Jackson was named the Player of the Match thanks to his unbeaten 133 off 136 deliveries, while opposition batter Ruturaj Gaikwad was awarded the Player of the Tournament title for his exceptional performances throughout the event. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is also known as the Ranji One-Day Trophy.

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Canara Bank won Banker’s Bank of the Year Award: Canara Bank has received the Banker’s Bank of the Year Award 2022 for the India segment at the Global Banking Summit held in London, UK. The MD and CEO of Canara Bank, L V Prabhakar attended the award ceremony held in London, United Kingdom. The public sector lender has been adjudged as the Best Bank in India for 2022. The Bankers’ Bank of the year awards are considered to be like Oscar awards for the banking sector.

About Canara Bank

Founded – 1906

Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka

MD & CEO – Lingam Venkata Prabhakar

Tagline – Together with Can

 

2. Reserve Bank of India implements 4 tiered regulatory norms for UCB: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a four-tiered regulatory framework for categorisation of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs). Besides, the central bank has come out with norms pertaining to the net worth and capital adequacy of these banks. The Reserve Bank of India had constituted the Expert Committee on Urban Co-operative Banks, under the Chairmanship of Shri N. S. Vishwanathan, former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank to examine the issues in urban cooperative banking sector and to review regulatory/ supervisory approach for strengthening the sector.

Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee, RBI had released the Revised Regulatory Framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) on July 19, 2022. The four-tiered regulatory framework, based on size of deposits of the UCBs, will come into force with immediate effect.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India's Greenhouse-in-a-Box startup Kheyti wins 2022 Earthshot Prize: A Greenhouse-in-a-Box sustainable solution for small farmers Earthshot Prize 2022. The solution has been devised by Telangana startup Kheyti. The 1 million pounds Earthshot Prize has been founded by Britain's Prince William and dubbed the Eco Oscars'. Kheyti, one of the five winners at a gala green carpet awards ceremony in Boston, won the prize in the Protect and Restore Nature category. Kheyti offers shelter from unpredictable elements and destructive pests. Kheyti, one of the five winners at a gala green carpet awards ceremony in Boston on Friday night, won the prize in the Protect and Restore Nature category from hundreds of entries worldwide.  believe that the Earthshot solutions you have seen this evening prove we can overcome our planet's greatest challenges, and by supporting and scaling them we can change our future, said William, the Prince of Wales.

2. SS Rajamouli wins Best Director at New York Film Critics Circle: Filmmaker SS Rajamouli won the Best Director Award for RRR at the New York Film Critics Circle. The group is one of the first critics’ groups to weigh in on the awards season. At the New York Film Critics Circle, Todd Field’s Tar has won the Best Picture of the year, also nabbing Best Actress for Cate Blanchett’s leading performance. Colin Farrell won Best Actor for two of his performances this year — After Yang and The Banshees of Inisherin. Filmmaker SS Rajamouli won the Best Director Award for RRR at the New York Film Critics Circle on Friday. The group is one of the first critics’ groups to weigh in on the awards season. Rajamouli’s win surprised many as his competitors included Steven Spielberg, Darron Aronofsky, Sarah Polley, and Gina Prince-Blythewood. 

3. Canara Bank wins Banker’s Bank of the Year Award at Global Banking Summit: Canara Bank has won the "Banker's Bank of the Year Award 2022" for the Indian segment of the Global Banking Summit. The public sector lender has been adjudged as the Best Bank in India for 2022. The event was held in London where the bank’s MD and CEO L V Prabhakar received the award from the organisers. The Bankers’ Bank of the year awards are considered to be like Oscar awards for the banking sector. Canara Bank on Friday announced that it received the “Banker’s Bank of the Year Award 2022” for the India segment at the Global Banking Summit. The public sector lender has been adjudged as the Best Bank in India for 2022.The event was held in London from November 29-December 1, 2022 where the bank’s MD and CEO L V Prabhakar received the award from the organisers, a statement from the public sector lender said.