Daily GK Update- 6th Dec, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IIT Madras researchers develop Ocean Wave Energy converter:IIT Madras researchers have developed and deployed a system that could generate electricity using energy from seawaves. The system named Sindhuja-I, which was deployed by the researchers about six kilometres from the coast of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, where the sea has a depth of about 20 metres. Currently, Sindhuja-I can produce 100 watts of energy. It will be scaled up to produce one megawatt of energy in the next three years.  Ocean Wave Energy Generator, IIT Madras: Researchers at IIT Madras have developed and deployed a system that could generate electricity using energy from seawaves.The system, dubbed Sindhuja-I, was deployed by the researchers about six kilometres from the coast of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, where the sea has a depth of about 20 metres. Sindhuja-I can currently produce 100 watts of energy. It will be scaled up to produce one megawatt of energy in the next three years. The Sindhuja-I system consists of a floating buoy, a spar and an electrical module. The buoy moves up and down as the waves oscillate up and down.

2. K.V. Suresh Kumar takes charge as Chairman and MD of BHAVINI:Scientist of Department of Atomic Energy, K.V. Suresh Kumar has assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of BharatiyaNabhikiyaVidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) at Kalpakkam for three years. He completed his graduation in Chemical Engineering and joined Department of Atomic Energy at BARC Training School in Mumbai (29th batch) in1985. He joined in the operations of  Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR)  in 1986. Shri K.V. Suresh Kumar, Distinguished Scientist of Department of Atomic Energy  has assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of BharatiyaNabhikiyaVidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) on 2nd December 2022 at Kalpakkam. His tenure will be for three years. Shri  Suresh Kumar is a graduate in Chemical Engineering and joined Department of Atomic Energy at BARC Training School in Mumbai (29th batch) in1985.    He joined in the operations of  Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR)  in 1986 and  was involved in the commissioning of various system of FBTR such as Sodium heated Steam Generators, Steam & Water system and Turbo-Generator.

3. Technotex to be held in Mumbai February 2023:India's premier show on Technical Textiles, ‘Technotex 2023’ will be held in Mumbai from 22nd to 24th February 2023. Focus: To provide access and networking opportunities to meet top CEOs, manufacturers, industry peers, purchase managers and suppliers from India and around the globe. The event will be organized by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Industry, under National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). “The largest event of technical textile industry in India will be held during the G-20 Presidency. It offers exceptional opportunity for India to contribute to the global agenda on insistent matters of global importance," said the Ministry of textiles in a press release. 

4. India’s first gold ATM launched in Hyderabad: India’s first Gold ATM and the world’s first real-time Gold ATM has been launched at the Begumpet, Hyderabad. GoldsikkaPvt Ltd launched its first Gold ATM with Technology support from M/s OpenCube Technologies Pvt Ltd, a Hyderabad-based startup company. Each ATM has a capacity of holding upto 5 kgsof gold which is worth around Rs.2-3 crores. The ATM machine dispenses coins ranging from 0.5 grams to 100 grams. There are 8 available options, including 0.5 grams, 1 gram, 2 grams, 5 grams, 10 grams, 20 grams, 50 grams, and 100 grams. People can come here and get the coins directly instead of going to jewellery shops. These coins are 24-carat gold and 999 certified. The customers will get their investment returns at a live price without any wastage.

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

1. India, Germany sign Migration and Mobility Agreement:India has inked an agreement on a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership with Germany, to help the citizens of both the nations to study, do research and work in each other's country. The agreement was signed between S Jaishankar (External Affairs Minister) and his German counterpart AnnalenaBaerbock in New Delhi. This agreement also facilitates the mobility and employment opportunities for fostering the exchange of skills and talents. New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today signed an agreement on Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership with his German counterpart AnnalenaBaerbock in New Delhi. The agreement has provisions to facilitate mobility and employment opportunities for fostering the exchange of skills and talents.

2. India ranked 48th in Global Aviation Safety Rankings 2022:According to the DGCA officials, India has been ranked at 48th position in the 2022 global aviation safety ranking, published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 2018, India was ranked at the 102nd position. In the ranking (2022), Singapore has topped the list, followed by the UAE and South Korea at the second and third positions, respectively. China is at the 49th place.ICAO Headquarters: Montreal, Canada; Founded: 7 December 194 India is among the top 50 countries with the best aviation safety in the latest ICAO rankings and the major breakthrough will help domestic airlines in international expansion, the government said on Sunday.In the rankings by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), India is now at the 48th position, a “quantum leap" from the 102nd rank it had in 2018.

3. NDDB, Amul to provide tech support to boost milk production in Sri Lanka:India will provide technical support to Sri Lanka to enhance its dairy industry and milk output with an aim to reduce the dependence on imported milk products. NDDB and the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation have taken steps to provide necessary technical support for the production of milk in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan President, RanilWickremesinghe has also appointed a panel to prepare a short, medium and long-term plan to increase local milk production. India will provide technical support to Sri Lanka to enhance its dairy industry and milk output, a move aimed at reducing the cash-strapped country's dependence on imported milk products, the Sri Lankan President's Office said on Monday.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

1. Anish Thoppani won silver at Badminton Asia Junior Championships:Indian shuttler, Anish Thoppani has clinched a silver medal in the under-15 category at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships, held in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Anish lost the men's singles final against Chung-Hsiang Yih (Chinese Taipei) by 8-21, 24-22, 19-21. While, India’s under-17 men’s duo Arsh Mohammad and SanskarSraswat won silver medal. UnnatiHooda won silver at the U-17 (women’s singles category), she lost to SarunrakVitidsarn of Thailand. Indian shuttler Anish Thoppani clinched a silver medal in the under-15 category at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Sunday. Anish lost the men's singles final against Chinese Taipei's Chung-Hsiang Yih 8-21, 24-22, 19-21 to settle for silver. India’s under-17 men’s duo Arsh Mohammad and SanskarSraswat also lost the final to secure a silver medal.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. India’s first gold ATM launched in Hyderabad:India’s first Gold ATM and world's first real-time Gold ATM has been launched at the Begumpet, Hyderabad. The ATM was set up by the Goldsikka in collaboration with Opencube Technologies (Technology support). In this ATM, people can insert their debit or credit cards into the Goldsikka and buy gold coins. The ATM has a capacity of storing 5kgs of gold. There are 8 available options for the quantity of gold starting from 0.5 grams to 100 grams. GoldsikkaPvt Ltd launched its first Gold ATM with Technology support from M/s OpenCube Technologies Pvt Ltd, a Hyderabad-based startup company on December 3. This is India's first and the world's first real-time Gold ATM. "We have already taken care of the required security measures as other ATMs. The ATM has a built-in camera and sound alarm system, which will trigger if there someone tries to tamper with it. We have 3 external CCTV cameras and we are also getting tied up with local police stations," he added.

2.  AU Small Finance Bank, ICICI Lombard partner for bancassurance:ICICI Lombard General Insurance has signed an agreement with the AU Small Finance Bank for bancassurance. Aim: To diverse bank's customers access to the Non-life insurer’s portfolio and enhance penetration across India With this partnership, the general insurance’s suite of ICICI Lombard products will be offered across over 980 banking touchpoints of bank. AU Small Finance Bank has been expanding its distribution footprints across India. AU Small Finance Bank is rapidly expanding its distribution footprints across India and this tie-up between two giants in their respective industries will aim to further enrich its general insurance offering with agile, digital & paperless solutions offered by ICICI Lombard. The entire suite of products will be offered across 980+ banking touchpoints spread over 20 states & 2 union territories. The customer centric products will provide long term financial security to customers and their families. With both organizations believing in offering the best to the customers through innovation and consistency, this partnership would offer customers the best of both worlds.

3. Digital payments worth Rs 38.32 lakh crore carried out in July-Sep 2022:As per the report, released by the Wordline India, more than 23 billion digital payment transactions (worth Rs 38.32 lakh crore) were carried out in July-September 2022. UPI based transactions dominated the segment both in terms of value and volume. UPI has clocked over 19.65 billion transactions (worth Rs 32.5 lakh crore). The average ticket size of transactions done through credit cards was highest at Rs 4,833 and the lowest in the case of mobile wallets at Rs 382. More than 23 billion digital payment transactions worth Rs 38.32 lakh crore were carried out in July-September 2022 through UPI, debit and credit cards, prepaid payment instruments like mobile wallets etc, fintech firm Wordline India said in a report.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. NHAI and Maha-Metro achieved a Guinness world record:The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) have achieved a Guinness world record Reason: The authorities have constructed the longest double-decker viaduct (3.14 km) spanning with a highway flyover (on the Wardha Road in Nagpur, Maharashtra) and metro rail supported on a single column.The project has already bagged records from Asia Book and India Book. NHAI Chairperson: AlkaUpadhyaya, HQ: New Delhi Shri Gadkari said the project has already bagged records from Asia Book and India Book. Now receiving this eminent award is indeed a proud moment for the country. The Minister said he heartily thanks & salutes the incredible engineers, officers & workers who persevered round the clock to make this happen.

2. Three people received chosen for Nadoja Award:Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Bengaluru C N Manjunath, and writers Krishnappa G and S Shadakshari have been chosen for this year’s Hampi Kannada University’s NadojaAward. Manjunath’s contributions in the medical field and social services, Krishnappa’s contributions to literature, and Shadakshari’s contributions in the field of literature and social services have been considered.