Daily GK Update- 19th Feb, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Divya Kala Mela 2023 is being organized in Mumbai: Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry will organize Divya Kala Mela in Mumbai from 16 to 25 February. The fair will showcase the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans from across the country. Around two hundred Divyang artists and entrepreneurs from about 24 States and Union Territories will be showcasing their products and skills. The event will present an enthralling experience to the visitors as vibrant products from various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern states will be seen together. It is an unique exhibition cum sale of products made by divyang entrepreneurs and artisans.

 

2. AICTE and BPRD Jointly Launch KAVACH-2023: A national-level hackathon KAVACH-2023 has launched to identify innovative ideas and technological solutions to address India’s 21st-century cyber security and cybercrime challenges. KAVACH-2023 is a one-of-a-kind national hackathon jointly developed by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. It identifies innovative ideas and technological solutions to address 21st century cyber security and cybercrime challenges faced by law enforcement agencies and common citizens.

 

3. Gujarat CM launched sixth phase of Sujalam-Sufalam Jal Abhiyan: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched the 6th phase of Sujalam-Sufalam Jal Abhiyan at Khoraj in Gandhinagar. The campaign aims to raise the groundwater level and maximize the use of rainwater will be held for 104 days till 31st May.Various developmental works for the deepening of lakes, delisting works of check dams, and reservoirs, construction of new check dams, forest ponds, and farm ponds, and cleaning of canals and banks will be carried out across the state.

 

4. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar sworn in as Bihar Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Bihar. He was administered the oath by Patna High Court Acting Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh at a function at Raj Bhawan. Arlekar succeeded Phagu Chauhan who is now the Governor of Meghalaya.

 

5. MV Suchindra Kumar to be new Vice Chief of Army: Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. He is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) in the Army Headquarters. Lt Gen Kumar will succeed Lt Gen B S Raju who has been appointed as the Jaipur- headquartered South Western Army Commander. Lt Gen NSR Subramani, at present serving as the Chief of Staff at the headquarters of the Northern Command in Udhampur, has been appointed as the next Central Army Commander in Lucknow.

 

6. APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission-2023 launched: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India in association with Martin Foundation launched the APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite launch vehicle mission 2023 in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It can be used for weather research and to assess atmospheric conditions and radiation. It was designed and constructed by students from grades 6 to 12 from different parts of the nation including 200 students from the fishermen's community.

 

7. Parshottam Rupala launches Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala launched the Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port, Gujarat. It started towards the coastal line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, and Parikrama and ended at Sasson Dock, Mumbai. Aim: To disseminate information on various fisheries-related schemes and programs being implemented by the government It also aimed to promote responsible fisheries and protect marine ecosystems.

 

8. Soil Health Card Day 2023: 19th February: India observed the 8th edition of the Soil Health Card Day on 19 February 2023 to commemorate the launch of the Soil Health Card Scheme. It provides information to farmers on the nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosages of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health. It also aims to provide financial assistance to farmers to apply corrective measures for deficiencies. In 2015, PM Modi has launched this scheme in Rajasthan.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 19 February – World Whale Day: World Whale Day is observed every year 19 February. Objective – To increase public knowledge of these amazing creatures, their beauty, and the ecological importance of what they contribute to the earth. The aquatic mammals belonging to the order Cetacea. The term ‘whale’ can be used in reference to any cetacean, including porpoises and dolphins, but in general it is applied to those more than 3 metres (10 feet) long.

World Whale Day was founded in Maui, Hawaii, in 1980 to honor humpback whales, which swim off the coast of this tropical island. This day was started as an idea by Greg Kauffman, founder of the Pacific Whale Foundation, to raise awareness about the threat of extinction faced by humpback whales.

 

2. UAE, India launch the UAE Chapter of the Business Council: The UAE and India have launched the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter (UIBCUC). Aim: To robust the economic ties and support their joint mission to increase bilateral trade and investment Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade) has launched the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter (UIBC-UC) in Dubai. Shared Goals: To increase the bilateral trade to $100 billion To attract $75 billion in investment from the UAE to India

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Saurashtra defeated Bengal to win its second Ranji Trophy title 2023: Saurashtra has defeated Bengal by nine wickets to lift their second Ranji Trophy title 2023, organized at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat was declared Man of the Match for his impressive performance. While Batter Arpit Vasavada was named the player of the series. Most runs: Mayank Agarwal (Karnataka) (990) Most wickets: Jalaj Saxena (Kerala) (50) Saurashtra won their first title in 2019-20 after beating Bengal.

 

2. India secured bronze in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship 2023: Team India won the bronze medal at the Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023, held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 14 to 19 February 2023. P.V. Sindhu-led side faced a 2-3 defeat against China in the semifinals and settled for the bronze medal. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won the Women’s Doubles. While team China won the Gold medal, South Korea won the Silver medal.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GST council will set up Appellate Tribunal for dispute redressal: FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the GST Council adopted the Group of Ministers (GoM) report on the GST Appellate Tribunal with certain modifications. The GoM on Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunals was set up under the chairmanship of Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala in July 2022.

Suggestions:

·       The tribunals should consist of two judicial members.

·       One technical member each from the Centre and States, besides a retired Supreme Court Judge as president.

 

2. GBBC Digital Finance join the IOSCO: GBBC Digital Finance has joined the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) as an affiliate member. GBBC Digital Finance has joined the Affiliate Members Consultative Committee, which is the 70th member of the committee. This committee contributes to IOSCO policy and standards development. IOSCO is a global organization that creates and advocates for global securities standards. It consists of 35 national securities regulators.

 

3. First G20 meeting of Finance Ministers to be held in Bengaluru: The first G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under the G20 Indian Presidency will be held on the 24th and 25th of February in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das will chair the meeting. It will see the participation of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G20 members, invitee members, and heads of International Organisations. 

 

4. Bank of Maharashtra tops list of public sector lenders in loan growth: According to an analysis of the latest financial results of public sector banks (PSBs) showed that the Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the top performer in terms of loan growth percentage during the third quarter of 2022-23. The BoM recorded a 21.67% increase in gross advances on a year-on-year basis. The Union Bank of India (19.80%) growth followed BoM. While the State Bank of India (SBI) ranked fourth with 16.91% rise in advances growth.