Daily GK Update- 8th Jan, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Min Anurag Thakur launches theme of Y20 summit: Anurag Singh Thakur (Minister of Youth Affairs) has launched the themes, logo, and website of Y20 summit India in Curtain raiser event in New Delhi Themes: Future of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation & 21st Century skills Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a way of life Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Ushering in an era of No War Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance and Health, Wellbeing & Sports: Agenda for Youth.

 

2. BIS launches portal for mapping of industrial units and laboratories: Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal has launched Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) portal for mapping of Industrial Units and Laboratories. It is a centralised platform. Aim: To provide information on industrial units and laboratories across the country. It will enable analysis of test facilities in the country and help entrepreneurs in accessing information about testing facilities. He has also launched Standards National Action Plan (SNAP) 2022- 27.

 

3. Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi released book 'Chief Minister's Diary No.1': Former Chief Justice of India and member of the Rajya Sabha, Ranjan Gogoi has released a book titled 'Chief Minister's Diary No.1'. This book containing the account of events of the first year in office of Assam CM, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. The book featured accounts of daily activities he undertook as a Chief Minister. His diary essentially featured the growth initiatives that the state has witnessed over the last 11 months.

 

4. Chhattisgarh celebrates traditional ‘Cherchera’ festival: Chhattisgarh CM, Bhupesh Baghel has celebrated the traditional Cherchera festival at Dudhadhari Math in Raipur. This traditional festival is celebrated on the full moon night of ‘Paush’ Hindu calendar month. It is celebrated in the happiness of taking the crops to their homes after cultivation. According to mythological belief, on this day Lord Shankar has begged from Mata Annapurna, so people used to donate green vegetables along with paddy on this day.

 

5. Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Marjing Polo statue in Manipur: Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has inaugurated the 122-foot-high Sagol Kangjei Statue at the Ibudhou Marjing complex at Heingang in Imphal, Manipur. He has also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several projects in the state. He has also inaugurated Churachandpur Medical College and hoisting of 175 feet tall National flag at INA headquarters, Moirang. Sagol Kangjei: It is the name of the game of polo played in Manipur.

 

6. India to host Voice of Global South Summit: India will host a special virtual Summit on 12th and 13th of January 2023 called ‘Voice of Global South Summit’. The theme of the Summit is ‘Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose. More than 120 countries have been invited for this summit. The initiative is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas and India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The summit is India’s attempt to provide a common platform to discuss concerns affecting developing countries. India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs generated by participating countries in the Voice of the Global South deliberations receive due cognizance globally.

 

7. 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention organized in Madhya Pradesh: The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized in Indore from 8th Jan to the 10th of January in partnership with the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The theme of this PBD conference is “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”. Over 3,500 Diaspora members from around 70 different countries have registered for the convention. The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is also significant because it is being organized as a physical event for the first time after a gap of four years. The postal stamp is dedicated to the safe and legal migration of India’s Pravasi. Ministry of External Affairs had launched the “Surakshit Jayen Prashikshit Jayen” – Go Safe, Go Trained The goal of this campaign is to raise public awareness about the importance of using safe and legal channels while traveling for overseas employment.

 

8. India’s first Inclusion Festival, Purple Fest begins in Goa: Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar has inaugurated ‘Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity’, India’s first festival of inclusion in Goa. Objective – To showcase how we can come together to create a welcoming and inclusive world for everyone. The Purple Fest will feature a variety of thrilling live performances, sporting events, major exhibitions, immersive experience zones, accessible movie screenings, and talks on important topics such as inclusive education, tourism, employment, and independent living. Purple Fest is the first festival of its kind in Goa. It is an inclusive event that aims to highlight how we can work together to make the world a welcoming and inclusive place for all.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI to issue green bonds in two tranches of Rs 8,000 crore each: The Reserve Bank of India has announced that first Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) would be issued in two tranches for an aggregate amount of Rs 16,000 crore. The proceeds will be utilised for funding public sector projects seeking to reduce carbon emissions. The first auction would be done on January 25, 2023 while the second on February 9, 2023

SGrBs will be issued through uniform price auction and 5% of the notified amount of sale will be reserved for retail investors

 

2. NABARD and ‘Hockey Wali Sarpanch’ inks pact to strengthen farmers: Neeru Yadav, who is fondly known as 'Hockey Wali Sarpanch' has signed an agreement with NABARD to start the Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO) with the assistance of SIIRD (Society of Indian Institute of Rural Development). This initiative will strengthen farmers of Lambi Ahir Village, Rajasthan. FPO: It is a legal entity formed by primary producers. Producers such as farmers, milk producers, fishermen, etc, can form a company basis equity share.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Director Aparna Sen received lifetime achievement award at Jaipur Film Fest: Veteran actor-director, Aparna Sen was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the opening ceremony of the 15th edition of the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF). She made her film debut in Teen Kanya (directed by Satyajit Ray) in 1961. She has directed acclaimed movies like 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Paroma (1985), Paromitar Ek Din (2000), and Mr and Mrs Iyer (2002). 282 films from 63 countries are being screened from 6th -10th January 2023.

 

2. President of India conferred 2022 Digital India Awards: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has conferred the Digital India Awards 2022 to the winners on 7th January 2023. The e-NAM (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) was awarded the platinum award in Digital Empowerment of Citizens category. The e-Vivechna App (Madhya Pradesh) was awarded the platinum award in Digital Initiatives at Grassroots Level. The Mine Mitra (Uttar Pradesh) was awarded in Digital Initiatives for Ease of Doing Business category.