NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Shreekant
Bhandiwad appointed as Chairman of Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank: Shreekant M Bhandiwad has taken charge as the new chairman of
Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB). KVGB is an Indian RRB sponsored by
Canara Bank headquartered in Dharwad, Karnataka. He
has replaced the current chairman P Gopikrishna, who
was repatriated to Canara Bank as Circle Head, Bengaluru, in Karnataka. He
has an experience of 29 years in Canara Bank, having worked across India
(Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Karnataka) in various capacities.
2. DRDO
organizes Conference on Optimising Human Capital of Armed Forces: The Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), a
Delhi-based laboratory DRDO, has organized a
four-day International Conference on ‘Optimising Human Capital of Armed
Forces: Psychological Perspective’ in Delhi on April 25, 2023. Aim: To
deliberate recent advances, emerging trends, and challenges of psychology with
respect to the human capital of the Armed Forces upon world over The conference
has participation from the three Services, DRDO labs, and academia.
3. PM
Modi to attend 20th anniversary of SWAGAT initiative in Gujarat: PM Modi will attend the 20th anniversary of the State Wide
Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology (SWAGAT) initiative in
Gujarat via video conferencing on April 27. This scheme was started
by PM Modi in April 2003 during his tenure as the Chief Minister of
Gujarat. Aim: To act as a bridge between the citizens and the government
using technology by solving their day-to-day grievances in a quick, efficient,
and time-bound manner
4. Y-20
Pre-Summit Meeting under G20 held in Leh:
The Y 20 Pre Summit Meeting under G20 hosted by the Ministry of
Youth and Sports Affairs is being organized from 26th to 28th April 2023
in Leh. Five Y20 themes: Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance Future
of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation & 21st Century Skills Climate Change and
Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a Way of Life Peace Building and
Reconciliation: Ushering in an era of No War Health Wellbeing & Sports:
Agenda for Youth
5. 6th edition of Advantage Healthcare India 2023: The sixth edition of Advantage Healthcare India 2023 event has
been organized in New Delhi. The two-day event aims at showcasing India as
the new hub of medical value travel and how it has emerged as a major hub for
world-class healthcare and wellness services. The event will be jointly
organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Federation of
Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will showcase the potential for
Indian enterprises to export medical and healthcare products to global markets.
This summit will witness more than 150 exhibitors and foreign delegates from 70
countries.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Microsoft
India head, Anant Maheshwari appointed as chairperson of Nasscom: Microsoft India President, Anant Maheshwari has been
appointed as the chairperson of Nasscom for 2023-24. Earlier, he served as
the vice-chairperson of Nasscom'. He has succeeded the president of
business and technology services at TCS, Krishnan Ramanujam. Meanwhile,
Nasscom has also appointed chairman and managing director of Cognizant
India, Rajesh Nambiar as its vice-chairperson for 2023-24 Nasscom refers
to National Association of Software and Service Companies
2. India
to host SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting on April 28: The
Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), India will host the
SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting on 28 April 2023 in New Delhi. Aim: To
discuss amongst other issues matters concerning regional peace and security,
counter-terrorism efforts within SCO, and effective multilateralism. SCO 2023
theme under India’s Chairmanship: SECURE-SCO SCO was established in 2001. Members:
Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, India, and
Uzbekistan
3. Australia
to host Quad leadership summit in Sydney:
Australia will host the third in-person Quad Summit in Sydney on
May 24, 2023. It will be the first time when Australia will host the
meeting. The meeting will be attended by PM Narendra Modi, US
President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Kishida Fumio, and Australian PM Anthony
Albanese. The leaders will discuss issues on critical and emerging technologies
and high-quality infrastructure, etc. The Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue comprises India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
4. India launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate stranded
citizens from Sudan: India has launched a rescue
operation named Operation Kaveri to evacuate its stranded citizens
from Sudan. The rescue operation is currently underway and around 500 Indians
have reached Port Sudan. Two C-130s aircraft and the navy ship INS Sumedha is
on standby to evacuate Indians. Kaveri is one of the major Indian rivers
flowing through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
5. Mongolia refinery to be built by India by 2025: Mongolia Ambassador to India Dambajav
Ganbold has informed that the first oil refinery of Mongolia, which
is built and funded with Indian assistance, will be completed by 2025. The
first stage of the Mongol Oil Refinery will be built with a $1.2 billion Indian
soft loan this year. The development comes with strategic implications as
Mongolia is entirely dependent on Russia for its energy imports. It would help
Mongolia meet 70% of its demand domestically.
6. Oliver Dowden elected as UK’s new deputy prime
minister:
Oliver Dowden has been elected as the
new deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom. Dowden’s appointment came
after the resignation of former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. Before this
role, he had been serving as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and
Cabinet Office secretary, under the present UK government. He will continue in
the roles alongside his new responsibilities. While Alex Chalk becomes the 10th
justice secretary in 10 years.
7. 25 April – World English Day: World English Day is observed every
year on 25 April to honor the language that has become the most
commonly spoken in the world. The English language is one of the most popular
languages used across the world. Theme 2023 – English as a Global Language
The day prospects the development, history, culture, and achievements
associated with the language. English is the most widely spoken language or a
“world language”. Therefore, it is known as the lingua franca of the modern
era. Along with French, English is also the working language of the United
Nations (UN). English Language Day is the result of a 2010 initiative by the
Department of Global Communications. It established language days for each of
the Organisation’s six official languages. Under the initiative, the duty
stations of the UN celebrate six separate days and each day is dedicated to one
of the Organisation’s six official languages across the world. The language
days are as follows:
8. 26 April – World Intellectual Property Day: World Intellectual Property Day is
celebrated every year on April 26. The aim is to promote the importance of
intellectual property (IP) rights and its role in encouraging innovation and
creativity. Theme 2023 – Accelerating Innovation and Creativity: Women and IP The
day was first established by the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) in 2000. The purpose of this day is to promote creativity and innovation
by highlighting the critical role of intellectual property rights in protecting
the rights of innovators, inventors, and creators.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Sharjah stadium stand named after Sachin Tendulkar: The West Stand at the Sharjah cricket stadium has been
renamed after Indian former cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar in a special
ceremony in the UAE, honouring the Indian cricket legend on his 50th birthday. Sharjah
Cricket Stadium holds the Guinness record for most One-Day internationals
played (244). The gate at the Sydney Cricket Ground was also named after Sachin
Tendulkar on his 50th birthday.
CEO of
Sharjah Stadium – Khalaf Bukhatir
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Neobank
Jupiter secures NBFC licence: Neobanking platform Jupiter has received
a non-banking financial company (NBFC) license from the Reserve Bank of
India to enter into the lending business. The startup, Jupiter will
be offering the loan under Amica Financial Technologies. Jitendra Gupta
(founder of Jupiter) has informed that there will be an equity infusion of
Rs 100 crore from Jupiter to develop the NBFC product. The startup will be
looking to raise a loan from banks for an additional Rs 100 crore.
2. RBI
cancels Adoor Co-operative Urban Bank’s banking licence: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has canceled
the banking license of Kerala-based Adoor Co-operative Urban Bank, with
effect from the close of business on April 24, 2023. RBI
has allowed Adoor Co-operative Urban Bank to function as a
non-banking institution. RBI has also stopped to conduct the banking business,
including acceptance of deposits from non-members with immediate effect. The
bank shall ensure to repay unpaid and unclaimed deposits of non-members held by
it.
3. SBI
fourth startup branch opens in Mumbai BKC:
The State Bank of India (SBI) has opened an exclusive branch
for startups at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. This is
the fourth startup-focused branch, after Bengaluru, Chennai, and Gurugram.
In Mumbai, the bank has entered into multiple MoU with the Society for
Innovation & Entrepreneurship at IIT-Bombay, Centre for Incubation and
Business Acceleration, and S.P Jain Institute of Management & Research Aim
of MoU: To boost the startup ecosystem in the region
4. IndusInd Bank to launch digital bank ‘Indie’: IndusInd Bank will launch its digital bank Indie this quarter.
The bank is also planning to enter the mutual funds, insurance, and broking
sector. Bank is expecting 8 million clients in the next three years with Rs
50,000 crore of balance sheet.
The
Hindujas-promoted bank is likely to approach SEBI, IRDAI, and other regulators
to obtain the necessary licences.
5. Zimbabwe to Introduce Gold-Backed Digital Currency: The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will
introduce a gold-backed digital currency as legal tender to help
stabilize the local currency. The tokens will be a form of electronic money
backed by the country’s gold reserves, which will be held by the central bank. The
RBZ wants people holding Zim dollars to be able to exchange their money for the
gold-backed token to help them hedge against the volatility of the local
currency.
A year
ago, 1 U.S. dollar was worth about 150 Zim dollars, and it’s now worth closer
1,000 Zim dollars.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Uttar
Pradesh received HUDCO award for cleanliness drive:
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Uttar Pradesh has been awarded the
country’s prestigious HUDCO Award for 2022-2023. It was awarded in the
Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment 2022-23 category for cleanliness.
The award was presented by the secretary of MoHUA, Manoj Josh to Neha
Sharma (State mission director, UP). Cash Prize: 1 Lakh Rupees This
campaign was organized by the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Uttar
Pradesh from January 14 to 24, 2023.
2. PGCIL
wins Global Gold Award for CSR work: Power
Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), a Maharatna CPSU of the Ministry of
Power, has been awarded the Global Gold Award 2023 by The Green
Organization. Reason: For improving Agriculture Productivity and Rural
Livelihood through watershed management, community participation, and better
crop management practices in 10 villages of Jaipatna Block of Kalahandi, Odisha
The Director (Personnel) of POWERGRID, Dr. V. K. Singh received the award.
OBITUARIES
1. Former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal passes away: Former CM of Punjab and senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal, Parkash Singh Badal passed away at 95 in Mohali, Punjab. He became the CM of Punjab for the first time in 1970. Later, he became the Chief minister four times, from 1977 to 1980, 1997 to 2002, 2007 to 2012, and from 2012 to 2017. He briefly joined Morarji Desai's government as the Agriculture minister at the Centre in 1977. He was awarded the second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
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