Daily GK Update- 3rd Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Vice-Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh is new Vice-Chief of Navy: Vice Admiral, Sanjay Jasjit Singh assumed the charge of the vice chief of naval staff on April 2, 2023. He succeeded Vice Admiral SN Ghormade who retired after over 39 years of service. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Pune, and was commissioned in 1986 in the executive branch of the Indian Navy. In his career, he has served on most classes of ships of the Indian Navy and has held a range of command, training, and staff appointments.

 

2. RBI appoints Neeraj Nigam as executive director: The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Neeraj Nigam as executive director (ED) who will look after four departments, including consumer education and protection. Before being promoted to ED, he was heading the Bhopal regional office of the RBI as director. During his long career, he served in Regulation and Supervision, human resource management, premises, currency management, bank accounts, and other areas in the Reserve Bank.

 

3. Odisha CM disburses Rs 877 crore KALIA assistance to farmers: The Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has released Rs 877 crore to 43 lakh farmers through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode on the occasion of Utkal Divas (April 1). The state government has extended another round of funds to Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) for undertaking the Kharif operation. About KALIA scheme: It was launched in December 2018. Aim: To reduce poverty and accelerate agricultural prosperity

 

4. Sarbananda Sonowal launched Sagar Setu Mobile App: Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has launched the App Version of National Logistics Portal (Marine) Sagar-Setu in New Delhi. The app has been envisaged with deliverables covering features like a Login Module, Letter of Credit, Bank Guarantee, Certification, and Track & Trace etc. It will provide real-time information on activities that are generally not within reach of the importer, exporter, and customs broker including vessel-related information, gate, container freight stations, and transactions at fingertips. It also enables digital transactions for payments required for the clearance process of import and export like container freight station charges, shipping line charges, and transportation charges.

 

5. Rajasthan govt approves proposal to set up 3 new medical colleges: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a proposal to set up three new medical colleges in the state. The three new medical colleges will be established in Pratapgarh, Jalore, and Rajsamand. Each medical college will be constructed at the cost of Rs 250 crore and Rs 75 crore would be spent for necessary equipment, furniture and books in these colleges.

 

6. RG Patel appointed as expert member of ART and Surrogacy Board: Renowned gynecologist and obstetrician, RG Patel has been appointed as an expert member of the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board by the union health ministry. Dr Patel’s appointment to the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board, which functions under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is for the purposes of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Dr Patel is a gynaecologist, infertility and In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) specialist. He has been performing IVF, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and ovum donation procedures for more than 22 years.

He performs around 1,500 IVF and ICSI procedures a year and has facilitated 20,000+ live births through such procedures. He has also successfully conducted 2,800 Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedures.

 

7. 1 April – Foundation Day of Reserve Bank of India (RBI): The Foundation Day of the Reserve Bank of India is celebrated on 1 April every year. RBI was established on 1 April 1935 as per the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934. It started functioning from 1 April 1935. The Central Office of the RBI, initially set up in Kolkata, was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. Sir Osborne Smith the first Governor of the Bank. It was nationalized in 1949 and now the government of India is the owner of RBI. The RBI is the central bank of India and is responsible for regulating the country’s monetary and credit system. It is also responsible for issuing currency and managing the country’s foreign exchange reserves. The RBI works closely with the government of India to formulate and implement monetary and fiscal policies that promote economic growth and stability. It was set up as a private shareholder’s bank with a capital of Rs 5 crores.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Israel's former envoy to India Ron Malka appointed as Haifa Port Chairman: Adani Group has appointed the former envoy of Israel to India, Ron Malka as the Executive Chairman of the Haifa Port Company. He served as the ambassador of Israel to India from 2018-2021. It is the second-largest port in Israel in terms of shipping containers. The Adani Group officially took over this port in January 2023. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone and Israel's Gadot Group won the tender in July 2022 to privatize the Port of Haifa for USD 1.18 billion.

 

2. OPEC members announce cut in oil production: OPEC members including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, and Algeria have announced voluntary oil production cuts exceeding one million barrels per day from May 2023 until the end of the year. Reason: It is a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market. OPEC slashed its collective output by two million barrels per day last year. OPEC is a group of 23 oil-producing countries.

 

3. PM Modi invited to France for Bastille Day parade: France has invited PM Narendra Modi to visit Paris as a guest at the annual Bastille Day parade, which will be held in July 2023. The PM and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to discuss several major agreements including those on the Indo-Pacific region, nuclear power, and defense, as the two countries mark the 25th year of their strategic partnership. Earlier, Manmohan Singh was invited as the b Day parade guest in 2009.

 

4. Georgia became first American state to pass resolution condemning Hinduphobia: The Georgia Assembly has passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia, making it the first American State to take such a legislative measure. The resolution condemns Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry and states that ‘Hinduism is the world’s largest and oldest religion’ and 1.2 billion people in more than 100 countries of the world follow this religion. The resolution said that this religion incorporates diverse traditions and faith with values of acceptance, mutual respect and peace. The resolution states that the American-Hindu community has been a major contributor to fields as diverse as medicine, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance, education, manufacturing, energy and retail. The proposal was introduced by Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones from Atlanta’s Forsyth County.

 

5. NASA appoints Indian-origin Amit Kshatriya to head ‘Moon To Mars’ Programme: An Indian-American software and robotics engineer Amit Kshatriya has been appointed as the first head of NASA’s Moon to Mars Programme, with immediate effect. With this programme, NASA plans to ensure a long-term presence on the Moon to prepare for humanity’s next giant leap to the Red Planet. Kshatriya will serve as first head of the office, with immediate effect, the agency. This new office resides within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, reporting to its Associate Administrator Jim Free. NASA Administrator: Bill Nelson

 

6. 2 April – World Autism Awareness Day: World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on 2 April. Objective – To raise awareness about autism and promote acceptance, understanding, and inclusion of people suffering from disability. According to the United Nations General Assembly, the day aims to “highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of autistic people so that they can live full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

Theme 2023 -Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India's forex reserves rise $5.98 billion to $578.78 billion: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India's foreign exchange reserves increased by $5.98 billion to $578.78 billion on March 24, 2023. Data for the previous week showed that India's foreign exchange reserves rose to $572.8 billion, the highest level since early February 2023. India's foreign currency assets (FCA) also increased from $4.38 billion to $509.72 billion. India's gold reserves rose by $1.37 billion to $45.48 billion.

 

2. SBI signed MoU with Godrej Capital to offer banking products, services: State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a strategic MoU with Godrej Capital for various financial products and offerings. Both organizations joined together to make financial solutions more accessible and affordable, unlocking opportunities for financial inclusion. This association leverages the strengths of both groups by facilitating a gamut of financial services provided by the bank, including, and not limited to, banking products, credit cards, wealth management, Life Insurance, and General Insurance as preferred partners.

 

3. Fino Payments Bank and Rajasthan Royals ties up for Digital Banking Partner: Fino Payments Bank has renewed its association with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for season 16 of India’s biggest premier cricket competition. Fino Bank will be RR’s official Digital Banking Partner. The Bank made its maiden foray with the mega sporting event last season by partnering with RR as the Digital Payments Partner. As the Digital Banking Partner, along with the core messages of convenience, accessibility, proximity and trust, the Bank would be looking to drive brand visibility and increase FinoPay app downloads.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Anjali Sharma conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, wearing Luanchari: Anjali Sharma of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh has conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, wearing Luanchari. She is working to promote Gaddi culture on the peaks of the mountains. Lunachari is a traditional dress of Himachal Pradesh. Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters) is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s largest free-standing mountain. It has three main volcanic peaks namely Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former CJ of Calcutta HC Thottathil B Radhakrishnan passes away: Former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Thottathil B Radhakrishnan passed away in Kochi at the age of 63. He also served as the Chief Justice of Telangana and Chattisgarh HC and was a  judge of the Kerala HC. He was an expert in civil, constitutional, and administrative matters. He also chaired the expert committee formed by the Kerala Forest Department to record details of houses and commercial establishments that surround wildlife sanctuaries.

 

2. Former Indian Cricketer, Salim Durani passes away: Former India all-rounder Salim Durani passed away at the age of 88 in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He played 29 Tests for India from 1960 to 1973, scoring 1,202 runs at an average of 25.04, with one century (104 against West Indies in 1962) and seven fifties. He was a left-arm spinner and claimed 75 wickets at 35.42 apiece. In first-class cricket, he played for Saurashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. He was born in Kabul (Afghanistan) in 1934 and was raised in Jamnagar.