Daily GK Update- 31st May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Maharashtra govt names Sachin Tendulkar as 'Smile Ambassador': The Maharashtra govt has named cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar as 'Smile Ambassador' under the state medical education & drug department’s 'Swachh Mukh Abhiyan. Aim: To spread awareness about oral health and hygiene Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis signed an MoU with Sachin Tendulkar. Deputy CM has informed that he has offered his association free of cost, and for the entire duration the government wishes to run the program.

 

2. Maharashtra farmers to get Rs 6,000 per annum under new scheme: The Maharashtra government has approved a new financial scheme named Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana, under which more than one crore farmers in the state will be paid 6,000 rupees annually. The amount is in addition to the 6,000 rupees being paid to farmers by the Centre under the PM Kisan Yojana. Maharashtra Cabinet also approved the implementation of 'Gender Inclusive Tourism Policy called 'Aai' to empower women in the tourism sector. 

 

3. Justice Nitin Jamdar appointed as Acting CJ of Bombay HC: The Central Government has notified the appointment of Justice Nitin Jamdar as Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He has succeeded Chief Justice RD Dhanuka, who demitted office on May 30. He is from Solapur and is the third generation to pursue law. He practiced at the Bombay High Court in diverse fields, primarily in administrative and constitutional law. He represented various public bodies and was also Senior Standing Counsel for the Union of India.

 

4. Odisha government announces ‘Mo Ghara’ housing scheme: The Odisha government has launched a 'Mo Ghara’ (My House) scheme to provide credit-linked financial assistance to beneficiaries who face a fund crunch to complete or upgrade their houses. The scheme will cover all such families who were left out in the existing housing schemes. Under the Scheme, a beneficiary can avail housing loan up to Rs 3 Lakh which can be repaid in 10 years excluding a one-year moratorium period in easy installments.

 

5. Kheer Bhawani Mela 2023 organized in Kashmir Valley: Every year on the day of Jyestha Ashtami, Kashmiri Pandits visit Mata Ragneya Devi Temple, also known as Kheer Bhavani Temple, for darshan. The Kheer Bhawani Mela is an annual festival celebrated by both Kashmiri Pandits and locals of the Kashmir valley. The festival is held on Jyeshtha Ashtami and is considered sacred by the Kashmiri Pandits community. Over the years, the Kheer Bhawani Mela has become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir.

 

6. 30 May – Goa Statehood Day: Goa Statehood Day is celebrated every year on 30 May. Goa received statehood on May 30, 1987. It was a Portuguese territory since Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered it in 1510 by defeating Adil Shah of Bijapur who was ruling the region. 400 years later, India took back Goa from the Portuguese. The Indian Army invaded Goa in December 1961 under “Operation Vijay” to liberate it from the Portuguese. They captured and assimilated Goa, Daman and Diu as part of India. The annexation by the Indian Army began on December 17, 1961. In December 1962, Shri Dayanand Bhandarkar became the first Chief Minister of Goa.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World No Tobacco Day 2023: 31st May: World No Tobacco Day, also known as Anti-Tobacco Day, has been observed every year on May 31 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. This global initiative was led by the World Health Organization. 2023 theme: We need food, not tobacco The 2023 theme highlights alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourages them to grow sustainable crops

 

2. China’s Shenzhou-16 spacecraft launched: China successfully launched the Shenzhou-16 spacecraft crewed by three astronauts. The Long March 2F rocket carrying the spaceship took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. It is heading to China’s space station and will relieve the crew of Shenzhou-15. The crew will conduct scientific experiments and maintenance on space station equipment. It is the fifth crewed mission China to its space station since it first sent astronauts in 2021.

 

3. 8th International Convention of SPIC MACAY inaugurated in Nagpur: In Nagpur, the 8th International Convention of the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music among Youth -SPIC MACAY was inaugurated at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology -VNIT in This cultural convention is being jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Culture, and Incredible India. Padma-awarded artists will perform at this weeklong convention. More than 1500 delegates and youths from India and abroad will attend the convention. It includes classical music, dance programmes, folk art, a sculpture workshop, a cinema screening, heritage walk. The main purpose of this convention is to make the new generation aware of Indian culture and traditions and to impart to music learners a Gurukul ashram-like environment.

 

4. Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as the President of Nigeria: Bola Tinubu, from Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress party, has been sworn in as the new President of Nigeria. In February 2023, he defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The swearing ceremony was attended by the Indian defense minister, Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Nigeria. This is the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria.

 

5. Chaman Lal elected 1st-ever Indian-origin Lord Mayor of Birmingham: Councilor Chaman Lal has become the first ever British-Indian Sikh to take oath as Birmingham’s Lord Mayor. Lal, who is from the Ravidassia community of British Sikhs, was born in the village of Pakhowal in Hoshiarpur and later moved to the United Kingdom in 1964. He is a Labour Party leader who was first elected to Soho and Jewellery Quarter ward in 1994.

 

6. 31 May – World No Tobacco Day: Anti-Tobacco Day or World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on 31 May. Objective – To promote awareness about the devastating health issues connected with tobacco use Theme 2023 – We need food, not tobacco The day advocates for effective tobacco-control policies. The WHO first established the day in 1987, and it has since become a significant occasion for public health initiatives globally to take effective measures against tobacco use. The World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution in 1987 establishing no tobacco day. At the World Health Assembly, a resolution was passed calling for observing 7 April 1988 as “a world no-smoking day”. Next year, another resolution was passed calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 every year.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India won CAVA Women’s Challenge Cup 2023: India has won the title of the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup 2023 held in Kathmandu. India defeated Kazakhstan in a shared set of 3-0. India won the first set 25-15, the second set 25-22, and the third set 25-18. Along with this, India finished the competition by remaining undefeated. The event was organized by the Nepal Volleyball Association and is supported by the NSC, eight nations participated in it. In the competition, Kazakhstan became the runner-up, Nepal third, Uzbekistan fourth, Sri Lanka fifth, Kyrgyzstan sixth, Maldives seventh, and Bangladesh eighth.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ADB launches India strategy for 2023-27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched its 2023-27 country partnership strategy for India Aim: To identify accelerating structural transformation and job creation, promoting climate-resilient growth, and deepening social and economic inclusiveness as key focus areas ADB highlighted that India has quickly rebounded from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with economic growth projected at 6.4% in FY24 India ranks among the fastest-growing major global economies

 

2. RBI to introduce expected loss approach for bad loan provisioning: RBI has proposed to introduce an expected loss-based approach for provisioning in 2023-24. It would be a part of its measures to strengthen the bad loan resolution ecosystem. This will enable banks to design their own credit loss models and spread the higher provisions over a five-year period under a newer system of setting aside money for lending. Aim: To classify financial assets as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale, into three categories (Stages 1, 2, and 3)

3. RBI working on lightweight, portable payment system: RBI has conceptualized a lightweight payment and settlement system (LPSS), that can be operated from anywhere by a bare minimum staff in the event of natural calamities and war. This new payment system will be independent of conventional technologies used for existing payment systems such as RTGS, NEFT, and UPI. This system is expected to operate on minimalistic hardware and software It will process transactions that are critical to ensure the stability of the economy

 

4. YES BANK launches new logo and campaign: YES Bank has unveiled its new logo as part of its “refreshed brand identity” and also launched the new brand campaign with the slogan Life Ko Banao Rich. The new identity will be extended to all customer touchpoints of the bank. The design language is digitally friendly and reflects a brand that believes in being fluid. The tick has been transformed into a soaring bird, which represents the Bank’s current position of ‘soaring’.

 

5. Razorpay launches one-step payments solution Turbo UPI: Razorpay has launched ‘Turbo UPI’, which claimed India's fastest one-step UPI (unified payments interface) payment solution. It allows customers of online merchants to make UPI payments directly without getting redirected to a third-party UPI app during checkout. It aims to deliver a 5X faster payment experience It helps businesses achieve a significant increase in the success rate of UPI payments by 10% This solution was developed in partnership with NPCI and Axis Bank

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. FICCI presents award to Mumbai's BEST for excellence in smart mobility: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has conferred the award in the 'Smart Mobility' category to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST). Reason: Pioneering efforts in adopting green and sustainable practices The BEST has been working on its transformation for 2 years, such as 10,000 Electric Buses, Digital Tickets on NCMC and BEST Chalo App, First And Last Mile Services, and Mobility-As-A-Service (MaaS).

 

2. RINL awarded prestigious “Greentech Safety Award 2023": RINL has conferred the prestigious "GreenTech Safety Award 2023" under Safety Excellence Category at the 21st Annual Greentech awards function. Reason: For its outstanding contribution to improving workplace safety in 2022-23 The 21st Annual Greentech Awards was organized by the Greentech Foundation to recognize the organizations that are taking responsibility for defining a commercial future by adding value through excellence in fire, safety, and security management.

Daily GK Update- 30th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Praveen Kumar Srivastava sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner: President of India Droupadi Murmu has administered the oath of office to senior administrator Praveen Kumar Srivastava as the next Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). The oath ceremony was attended by PM Narendra Modi and VP Jagdeep Dhankhar. PK Srivastava was already working in the capacity of acting CVC, after the completion of the tenure of incumbent CVC Suresh N Patel in December 2022. He is a 1988-batch IAS officer from Assam-Meghalaya Cadre.

 

2. Naveen Patnaik launches 'Odisha for AI, and AI for Youth' initiative: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has launched the ‘Odisha for AI’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence for Youth’ initiatives. Odisha for AI: A free 4-hour course on AI by Intel on its app/site In the first phase, the initiative will be implemented in Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Cuttack. AI for youth: It is for students (below 18) of 2000 5T schools of phase 1 and Odisha Adarsh Vidyalayas Aim: To create an ecosystem fostering research, innovation, and application across sectors

 

3. Unemployment rate dips to 6.8% in January-March 2023: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey, released by the National Statistical Office, India's unemployment rate has declined to 6.8% in January-March 2023 (Q4FY23) from 7.2% in Q3FY23. The unemployment rate was 6% for men and 9.2% for women. It was 6.5% and 9.6% for men and women respectively, in October– December 2022. The female labour force participation has increased marginally to 22.7% in Q4FY23 and the male labour force participation stands at 73.5%.

 

4. Goa Raj Bhavan launches first books under Governor’s scheme: Five books published under the Raj Bhavan’s scheme for new writers titled ‘Nayi Pahal’ were released by Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai in a function at Raj Bhavan. The five books released were authored by Sanjay Ramesh Salelkar (Konkani), Pallavi Polekar (Marathi), Manohar Adpaikar (Marathi), and Pachu Menon (two books in English). The five titles are the first of 100 odd books that the Raj Bhavan plans on publishing in 22 different languages through its innovative scheme

 

5. Bandra-Versova sea bridge will be named after Veer Savarkar: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Bandra -Versova sea route in Mumbai will be named as Swatantra Veer Savarkar Bandra- Versova Sagari Setu. He was speaking at an event on the 140th birth anniversary of SwatantraVeer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in Mumbai. A new award “The SwatantraVeer Savarkar Shaurya Puraskar” will be given for incredible bravery deeds in the state.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. CAG Girish Chandra Murmu re-elected External Auditor of WHO for four-year: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, Girish Chandra Murmu has been re-elected as the External Auditor of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a four-year term (2024-2027). The CAG is already holding this position in the WHO for a four-year term (2019-2023). In the election held at the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, the CAG was re-elected with a majority of 114 out of 156 votes. Earlier, the CAG was selected as an External Auditor of the ILO.

 

2. Dubai set goals for Zero-Emissions Public Transportation by 2050: The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai has set a target to achieve zero-emissions public transportation by 2050. Aim: To contribute to climate change mitigation and minimize its carbon footprint across three critical areas (public transportation, buildings and facilities, and waste management) This move aligns with the UAE COP28 preparations and UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative It outlined ten key initiatives, each assigned to various agencies and sectors

 

3. India gets approval to set up 2nd hydroelectric project in Nepal: The Government of Nepal has approved India’s Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) to develop the second hydroelectric project in the country. SJVN is currently involved in the development of the Arun-III Hydroelectric Project in eastern Nepal with a capacity of 900 MW. India and Nepal share over 20 transmission lines — ranging from 11 kV, 33 kV to 132 kV — that are used for power exchange between the two neighbours. SJVN Ltd is a joint venture between the central government and the state of Himachal Pradesh. Its subsidiary is already executing a massive project in Nepal — 900 MW Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project — which is slated to be completed in 2024. When completed, it will be Nepal’s largest hydro project.

 

4. Microsoft launched multilingual Jugalbandi Al chatbot: Microsoft has unveiled a new generative AI-driven chatbot called ‘Jugalbandi’, designed for farmers and other users living in rural India. The chatbot is being developed in collaboration with Microsoft Research and the government-backed AI4Bharat – an open-source language AI centre based at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras – and OpenNyAI. The chatbot will operate over the WhatsApp messaging service and it aims to make information on government schemes accessible in multiple languages. Jugalbandi covers 10 of India’s 22 official languages and 171 of a total of approximately 20,000 government programmes.

 

5. 29 May – International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed annually on 29 May. The day highlights the tireless efforts of the UN peacekeepers work to establish and maintain peace in conflict areas. Theme 2023 – Peace begins with me It also serves as a tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving as peacekeepers. May 29, 1948, marks the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping mission.

 

6. 29 May – World Digestive Health Day: World Digestive Health Day is observed every year on 29 May. Objective – To raise awareness about digestive diseases and disorders and highlight the importance of maintaining good digestion Theme 2023 – Your Digestive Health: A Healthy Gut From the Start World Digestive Health Day was established to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the formation of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO). The WGO was formed on May 29, 1958. World Digestive Health Day was first celebrated in 2004 and is being marked every year since then to promote a healthy lifestyle and a good diet for a healthy gut.

 

7. 29 May – International Everest Day: International Everest Day is observed every year on 29 May. International Everest Day commemorates the 1953 summit of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal. Mount Everest is the tallest peak above sea level and is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. It has been a popular destination for climbers, mountaineers, and trekkers. The China-Nepal boundary is usually acknowledged to cross via Everest’s highest point, which reaches an elevation of 8,848.86 metres. The normal route, also called the southeast approach in Nepal, and the northern route in Tibet are the two main approaches to the mountain’s top. International Everest Day came into existence in 2008, the year Edmund Hillary died. Since then, Nepal has designated May 29 to honour Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norgay’s feat.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Chennai Super Kings beat Gujarat Titans to win fifth IPL title: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has defeated defending champions Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets to win its 5th IPL title. The final match of IPL 2023 was held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on May 29, 2023.

IPL 2023 awards:

·       Orange Cap (Highest Run-Scorer): Shubman Gill (GT) 890 runs

·       Purple Cap (Leading Wicket-taker): Mohammed Shami (GT) 28 wickets

·       Most Valuable Player: Shubman Gill

·       Emerging Players: Yashasvi Jaiswal

·       Fairplay Award: Gujarat Titans

 

2. UP Hockey wins 13th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2023: Uttar Pradesh Hockey defeated the Hockey Association of Odisha to win the 13th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2023, held at the iconic Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Odisha. Meanwhile, Hockey Haryana beat Hockey Madhya Pradesh to finish third in the competition. Ujjwal Pal converted three penalty corners, while Rahul Yadav, Ketan Kushwaha, Rahul Rajhbar, and Ajeet Yadav (Team Captain) each scored a goal to secure their victory.

 

3. India clinches title of CAVA Women’s Challenge Cup 2023: India has won the title of the NSC-CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup held in Kathmandu, Nepal. India won the title by defeating Kazakhstan in the final at the National Sports Council’s Covered Hall in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. The event was organized by the Nepal Volleyball Association and is supported by the NSC, eight nations participated in it. In the competition, Kazakhstan became the runner-up, followed by Nepal, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, and Kyrgyzstan.

 

4. Max Verstappen wins Monaco Grand Prix 2023: Red Bull’s driver Max Verstappen has won the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix. The vitory was Verstappen’s fourth of the season. Fernando Alonso finished second, with Esteban Ocon in third. Charles Leclerc retired from the race after a collision with Carlos Sainz.

 

5. Ambati Rayudu announces IPL retirement: Chennai Super Kings’ star batter, Ambati Rayudu has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League. Ambati Rayudu has been part of the Chennai Super Kings since 2018, and won two titles with the franchise; he had begun his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2010. Rayudu tasted first success in the tournament in 2013 when he lifted the title with Mumbai Indians; it was also the first title for the franchise. He scored 14.75 in his debut for CSK and lifted the IPL trophy in 2018. He has scored 602 runs in 16 matches from CSK.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. FDI equity inflows dip 22% to $46 billion in 2022-23: DPIIT data: According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade data, the Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India has declined by 22% to $46 billion in 2022-23. Reason: Lower inflows in computer hardware and software, and the automobile industry The FDI inflows stood at $58.77 billion during 2021-22. Top Investors (April-March 2022-23): Singapore ($17.2 billion), Mauritius, US, and UAE State-wise, Maharashtra received the highest inflows of $14.8 billion.

 

2. Bank of Maharashtra top performer in NPA management during FY23: Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the best bank as far as the management of bad loans is concerned with its net non-performing assets (NPAS). The NPA fell as low as 0.25% during the financial year ended March 2023. This is the lowest ratio among all banks having total business above ₹3 lakh crore and not just public sector banks (PSBs). While HDFC Bank’s net NPA fell to 0.27% followed by Kotak Mahindra Bank placed third spot with

 

3. SEBI sets up intermediary advisory panel to be led by S Ravindran: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has constituted an Intermediary Advisory Committee to advise the markets regulator on changes in legal framework and increasing transparency in the functioning of market intermediaries like stock exchanges, depository participants, clearing corporations, among others. The committee will be chaired by former Sebi executive director S Ravindran who in his assignment with the markets regulator handled the charge of Corporation Finance Department. He had also headed departments related to investment management, and foreign institutional investors and custodians. The committee’s role will be to advise on enhanced adoption of technology and cyber security by intermediaries, including in respect of compliances, to suggest measures for improving market safety, efficiency, transparency and integrity, and to advise on simplification and transparency in systems and procedures.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Goan writer Damodar Mauzo conferred with 57th Jnanpith Award: Governor of Goa, P S Sreedharan Pillai has presented the 57th Jnanpith Award, the country's highest literary honor, to Goan writer Damodar Mauzo. 25 books have been published in Konkani and one in English. Many of his books have also been translated into different languages. In 1983, he has conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel 'Karmelin'. He is the second Goan to receive the Jnanpith Award, after Ravindra Kelekar, who received the award in 2008.

 

2. Justine Triet’s ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ wins Palme d’Or at Cannes 2023: Crime drama 'Anatomy of a Fall' (directed by Justine Triet) was conferred with the Palme d’Or, the highest prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. She is the third woman director to win Cannes' top honour. Other awardees:

·       Honorary Palme d’Or: Michael Douglas

·       Best Actress: Merve Dizdar (for About Dry Grasses)

·       Best Actor: Kōji Yakusho (For Perfect Days)

·       Best Director: Tran Anh Hung (For The Pot-Au-Feu)

·       Short Film Palme d’Or: 27 (directed by Flóra Anna Buda)

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Congress MP Suresh Dhanorkar passes away: Congress MP from Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency of Maharashtra, Balu alias Suresh Dhanorkar passed away. Dhanorkar was born in Yavatmal district on June 4, 1975. In 2014, he was elected as an MLA of Shiv Sena, winning the Warora-Bhadrawati Assembly seat. He resigned from the Shiv Sena in 2019 and was elected as a Congress MP from Chandrapur Vani Arni Lok Sabha constituency. His wife Pratibha Dhanorkar is also a Congress MLA from the Varora constituency.

Daily GK Update- 29th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ISRO successfully placed 2G navigation satellite into intended orbit: ISRO has successfully launched a second generation navigation satellite, NVS-01, by using a GSLV rocket with a cryogenic upper stage. NVS-01 would augment the India's regional navigation system, providing accurate and real-time navigation The GSLV-F12/NVS-01 mission was launched from the 2nd launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota The signals will be more secure, civilian frequency band has been introduced This was one of the five of such satellites.

 

2. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni arrives in New Delhi: King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni has arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit to India. The King will have bilateral meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi. He will also pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. The visit marks the culmination of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia. This visit by the King of Cambodia is taking place after almost six decades.

 

3. Assam's first Vande Bharat Express train inaugurated: PM Modi has flagged off Assam's first Vande Bharat Express train through video conferencing on May 29, 2023. This new service will cover the distance of 411 km between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri in 5 hours and 30 minutes. The train will stop at Kamakhya, New Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, New Alipurduar, and New Coochbehar and culminate at NJP This will be the third Vande Bharat for West Bengal, after Howrah-NJP Vande Bharat Express and Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express

 

4. Patna becomes first municipal corporation to use CBDC: Jagadish Pillai of Varanasi (UP) has created a Guinness World Record by singing Shri Ramcharitmanas for 138 hours, 41 minutes, and two seconds. This remarkable accomplishment has been officially recognized in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records as the longest song ever composed. The entire process of recording, editing and mixing took four years, 63 days and 295 hours to complete. The previous record for the longest song was held by UK’s Mark Christopher Lee and The Pocket Gods on December 1, 2021 with a duration of 115 hours and 45 minutes.

 

5. Telangana achieves 100% coverage of PMJDY: Since the launch of Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana, Telangana State has achieved 100 percent household coverage of banking services extending them to all sections of people. As per the Social Security Administration survey, the state has achieved 100 percent coverage and the benefits of 135 welfare schemes and programmes under 20 departments are credited to these zero-balance bank accounts of the beneficiaries. Telangana state has over 1 crore 11 lakh Jan Dhan bank account holders by the middle of this month. As per the official records, these accounts have a balance of over 3 thousand crore rupees However, as the footprint of banking services has expanded to the nook and corner of the state, over 61 lakh people have opened their Jan Dhan accounts in rural areas whereas, nearly 50 lakh people in urban areas have zero balance accounts. Out of these JDY account holders, over 84 lakh people are availing the services of the RuPay cards through which they are able to get other benefits like credit facilities.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins Presidential election: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won the presidential election In Turkiye, extending his rule to a third decade. He defeated opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a runoff vote. Out of 99.43% of the votes, Erdogan got 52.14% of the votes and Kilicdaroglu received 47.86%. The vote seals Erdogan’s place in history as he extends his 20-year rule for a further five years. Türkiye capital: Ankara and Currency: Turkish lira

 

2. India's SJVN to develop second hydropower project Arun-4 in Nepal: Nepal has decided to allow India's Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited to develop a second hydropower project in the country. Presently, SJVN is developing a 900-MW Arun -III hydroelectric project, a run-of-river located on the Arun River in Eastern Nepal. The draft project development agreement was approved by Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and is to be signed with India's state-owned SJVN to develop the 669 MW Lower Arun Hydropower project in eastern Nepal

 

3. Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as the President of Nigeria: Bola Tinubu, from Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress party, has been sworn in as the new President of Nigeria. In February 2023, he defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The swearing ceremony was attended by the Indian defense minister, Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Nigeria. Agenda of visit: To strengthen the India-Nigeria bilateral relations This is the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria.

 

4. International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023: 29 May: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is celebrated every year across the globe on May 29 to highlight the efforts of the UN peacekeepers work to establish and maintain peace in conflict areas. 2023 theme: Peace Begins With Me The first UN peacekeeping effort commenced in the Middle East in 1948 and this year (2023) marks the 75th year of operation of UN peacekeeping The Dag Hammarskjold medal was posthumously awarded to peacekeepers who passed away in 2022

 

5. Mukesh Ambani joins advisory committee to COP28 President: Mukesh Ambani, chairman and CEO of Reliance Industries, has been selected to serve on the Advisory Committee to the President of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Other than Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, Mukesh Ambani is the only Indian, on the Advisory Committee to the President of COP28. The COP28 UAE Advisory Committee brings together the climate expertise of thought leaders from countries across six continents. From November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023, the UAE will serve as the host country for the Conference of Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC. It will take place in Dubai Expo City. The 31 members of the Committee, 65 percent of whom are from the Global South and represent policy, business, energy, finance, civil society, youth, and humanitarian action, will offer advice and direction to the COP Presidency in the lead-up to COP28 and beyond. The Presidency and venue of COP rotate among the five recognized UN regions — Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Central, Eastern and Western Europe. The first COP meeting was held in Berlin, Germany in March 1995.

 

6. 28 May – International Day of Action for Women’s Health: International Day of Action for Women’s Health is observed on May 28 across the globe. Objective – To raise the demand for the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and justice for women. Theme 2023 – Our Voices, Our Actions, Our Demand: Uphold Women’s Health and Rights Now During the 1987 Women’s Health Meeting in Costa Rica, the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network (LACWHN) proposed that May 28 be celebrated every year as International Day of Action for Women’s Health. LACWHN promoted the day across Latin America while Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) spread it globally. The campaign has historically focused on women’s health care, poverty, abortion, HIV/AIDS, contraceptives and government accountability.

 

7. 28 May – Menstrual Hygiene Day: Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28. Objective – To highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene, break stigma around menstruation, and raise awareness about challenges regarding access to menstrual products. Theme 2023 – Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030 According to UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate every month that includes girls, women, transgender men and non-binary persons. Many of them face a range of issues from stigma to social exclusion. Menstrual Hygiene Day was started by Germany-based NGO WASH United in 2013 when a 28-day social media campaign was launched to spread awareness around different aspects of menstruation. Motivated by the positive response around the campaign, Menstrual Hygiene Day was observed for the first time on May 28, 2014 with rallies, exhibitions, workshops, speeches etc.

 

8. 28 May – World Hunger Day: World Hunger Day is observed every year on May 28. Objective – To create awareness among the general public regarding hunger and provided to sustainable initiatives. Theme 2023 – celebrating sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty his helps in addressing the issue of food wastage across Nations, making people aware that there are still people who do not get enough food to eat daily. According to the world hunger index, India ranks 94 out of 107 countries and with the score of 27.2 is placed in the severe category. India is also ranked first in the world in terms of malnutrition.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. HS Prannoy wins his maiden BWF World Tour title 2023: India's world No.9 shuttler, H.S. Prannoy has clinched his maiden BWF World Tour title 2023, held at the Malaysia Masters Super 500 badminton tournament. In finals, he beat Weng Hong Yang of China 21-19, 13-21, 21-18. He had previously clinched the title at the 2017 US Open.

·       Women's singles: Akane Yamaguchi

·       Men's Double: Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae

·       Women's doubles:  Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee

·       Mixed doubles: Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai

 

2. Magnus Carlsen won Superbet Rapid and Blitz Poland 2023: Five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has won the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland 2023, held at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland. He finished with a score of 24/36 and won the cash prize of $40,000. Jan-Krzyzstof Duda (Polish), who placed second ended with 23/36. While the USA’s Wesley So and France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave finished in a tie for third. The 2023 Grand Chess Tour continues with the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz in Zagreb Croatia, taking place from July 3-10 and Saint Louis in USA (November 12 – 19).

 

3. India’s ace shuttler HS Prannoy won the Malaysia Masters Badminton title: India’s star shuttler HS Prannoy won the gold medal in the Malaysia Masters Badminton Championship 2023 played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He defeated Weng Hong Yang of China 21-19, 13-21, 21-18 in men’s singles final in Kuala Lumpur. Prannoy became the third Indian after Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to win the Malaysia Masters Championship and also became the first Indian to win in the men’s singles category.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Maharashtra top performer in NPA management during FY23: Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the best bank as far as the management of bad loans is concerned with its net non-performing assets (NPAs). The NPA fell as low as 0.25% during the financial year ended March 2023. This is the lowest ratio among all banks having total business above Rs 3 lakh crore and not just public sector banks (PSBs). While HDFC Bank's net NPA fell to 0.27% followed by Kotak Mahindra Bank placed third spot with 0.37% of net advances.

 

2. UPI to account for 90% of retail digital payments by 2026-27: According to PwC report 'The Indian Payments Handbook - 2022-27, UPI transactions are likely to reach 1 billion per day by 2026-27, accounting for 90% of the retail digital payments UPI is driving the digital payments revolution, accounting for about 75% of the total transaction volume in the retail segment during 2022-23 The Indian digital payments market also saw steady growth at a CAGR of 50% (volume) and is expected to reach 411 billion transactions in FY 2026-27

 

3. RBI imposes Rs 84.50 lakh penalty on Central Bank of India: Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of ₹84.50 lakh on Central Bank of India (the bank) for non-compliance with certain provisions of norms related to frauds classification and reporting. The Reserve Bank had conducted statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of the bank with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2021. Examination of the reports revealed that the public sector lender had failed to report as fraud to RBI certain accounts within seven days of decision of Joint Lenders’ Forum (JLF) to declare the accounts as fraud.

 

4. Equitas SFB partnered with IBM for digital banking platform: Equitas Small Finance Bank has signed an agreement with International Business Machines (IBM) to design and build a digital banking platform. The collaboration between the two entities aims at boosting the digital products offered by Equitas as well as its service offerings, as it evolves its business for a digital-first generation. Equitas aims to commence its modernization journey with a cloud-native platform architecture. This partnership with IBM is just the first step towards engaging customers. This strategic partnership will help simplify and transform the banking experience for customers across the board.

 

5. Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma appoints as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank: Private sector lender Karnataka Bank has appointed Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma as the new managing director and chief executive officer of the bank for three years. The appointment is subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing AGM or within a period of 3 months from the date of assuming charge whichever is earlier. He has also worked at HDFC Bank Limited, Yes Bank, and Jio Payments Bank.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. IIFA Awards 2023 announced: Hrithik Roshan has won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) 2023 held in Abu Dhabi. Alia Bhatt also won the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in the movie Gangubai Kathiawadi. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan was conferred the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award. Another veteran actor Anil Kapoor has presented the award for Performance In A Supporting Role (male) for the movie Jug Jugg Jeeyo. Meanwhile, Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva was adjudged the best film of the year. The film won many other awards at the event, including Best Playback Singer (Female) – Shreya Ghoshal, Best Playback Singer (Male) – Arijit Singh and Best Supporting Actor (Female) – Mouni Roy.

 

2. Madhavan won the award for best director for his film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. Meanwhile, Drishyam 2 won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Late actor Irrfan Khan’s son Babil Khan won the award for Best Debut (male) for his performance in the movie Qala. Babil shared the award with Santanu Maheshwari for his performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi.

The award for Best Debut (Female) was presented to Khushali Kumar for her performance in the movie Dhoka Around the Corner.