Daily GK Update- 17th June, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. MP to get its 7th tiger by clubbing Nauradehi & Durgavati sanctuaries: ‘Tiger State’ Madhya Pradesh is to get its seventh tiger reserve with the notification of Nauradehi and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuaries as a combined protected area. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary: It is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and acts as a corridor for Panna Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary: It is located in the Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh and hosts 18 species of mammals.

 

2. IIT Madras researchers devised a mathematical model on 'Prospect Theory.': Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) researchers have devised a mathematical model on contract farming to predict farmers' delivery of commodities using a decision-theoretic framework based on the 'Prospect Theory.' Prospect Theory is a psychology theory that describes how people make decisions when presented with alternatives that involve risk, probability, and uncertainty. It was introduced by two psychologists, Daniel Kahneman, and Amos Tversky.

 

3. National Working Plan Code-2023 released for forest scientific management: The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change has released National Working Plan Code-2023 for scientific management of forests and evolving new approaches during the ‘World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought’ organized by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) in Dehradun on 17th June 2023. It will act as a guiding principle for State Forest Departments in preparation for the working plan for different forest divisions.

 

4. The G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held in Hyderabad: The G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) has been held from 15th-17th June in Hyderabad to provide the Agriculture Ministers and delegates from various G20 countries a first-hand experience of ICAR-IIMR (Indian Institute of Millets Research). The meet witnessed an enormous participation of more than 300 people including Hon’ble Agricultural Ministers, various delegates from G20 countries, international organizations and several other dignitaries from India.

 

5. Akashvani and Doordarshan emerge as most trusted electronic media organization in country: According to Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2023, DD India and All India Radio have been recognized as the most trusted electronic media organizations in the country.

The report highlights that although overall trust in news has decreased marginally by 3 percentage points, public broadcasters and print brands have managed to maintain a relatively high level of trust among the public. The report said public broadcasters DD India and All India Radio are among those with the highest levels of trust.

 

6. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu emerge top achievers in Wind Energy: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy celebrated Global Wind Day in New Delhi. The event aimed to discuss ways to accelerate wind energy adoption in India. The central theme of the celebration was “Pawan – Urja: Powering the Future of India. Rajasthan was felicitated for achieving the highest wind capacity addition, Gujarat for achieving the highest wind capacity addition through open access and Tamil Nadu for initiating repowering of wind turbines.

 

7. Dharmendra Pradhan flags off Gabon’s first Agri-SEZ project: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off Gabon’s first Agri- SEZ project from New Delhi. The project will be implemented by the AOM group with Centurion University as the technical partner. In the first phase of the program, 30 farmers and 20 Engineering students will be traveling together as agri-technical consultants.

 

8. Defence Ministry signs Rs 500 crore contract to strengthen Indian Army’s communication system: The Defence Ministry has signed a contract of 500 crore rupees with an indigenous firm for the supply of Radio Relay Containers to strengthen the Indian Army’s communication system. The contract was signed with ICOMM Tele Limited of Hyderabad for the procurement of more than one thousand Radio Relay Communication equipment containers. The Radio Relay Containers will address a long overdue requirement of mobile communication detachments of the Indian Army. These containers will be utilized to provide a protected environment for communication equipment. The containers would be mounted on authorized specialist vehicles and moved as per operational requirements. This will give a further boost to the indigenous manufacturing of defence equipment and stimulate the private sector to actively engage in realizing the vision of a self-reliant India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Embassy of India in Kuwait Joins Hands with UN Habitat for Mission LiFE: Embassy of India in Kuwait, in association with the United Nations (UN) Habitat Office in Kuwait, has organized a Beach Cleaning Event on June 16 to promote environmental awareness and community participation. This part was organized as part of the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) initiative of the Government of India, that aims to bring individual behaviors to the forefront of global climate action by promoting a circular economy and mindful utilization.

 

2. NITI Aayog and UN India signed GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027: NITI Aayog and the United Nations, India has signed the Government of India - United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation (GoI-UNSDC) Framework 2023-2027. This framework represents the UN development system’s collective offer to the Government of India, in line with the national vision for development, for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting gender equality, youth empowerment and human rights.

 

3. 17 June – World Day to combat desertification and drought: World Day to combat desertification and drought is observed every year on 17 June. Objective – To raise awareness about the threats posed by desertification and drought and promoting efforts to combat these challenges Theme 2023 – Her Land. Her Rights The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was established in 1994 as a result of a convention held at the UN General Assembly. This day was observed in 1995 for the first time. In order to combat the environmental deterioration that is being brought upon by climate change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was created. The convention’s objective was to educate the general public on ways to stop desertification, particularly in regions that are now suffering from severe drought.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Egypt won World Squash Championship, after defeating Malaysia: Egypt has retained the World Squash Championship, after beating Malaysia by 2-1 in the final. Malaysia won the silver, and third place (bronze) was shared jointly by hosts India and Japan. India was defeated by Malaysia 3-0 in the semi-final. The championship was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu with eight countries as participants and was held from June 13 to 17. Egypt won the World Cup when it was last held here in 2011.

 

2. First Women's Kabaddi League Inaugurated in Dubai: The inaugural edition of India's first-ever Women's Kabaddi League (WKL) has been commenced in Dubai on June 16. It marks the first time that women kabaddi players from across India have been given the opportunity to exhibit their skills and prowess on a global stage. This league consists of eight teams, featuring a total of 96 players, each representing Indian states. The victorious team will be awarded a prize of approximately half a million dirhams (1 crore INR).

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI approves P Vasudevan as MD and CEO of Equitas Small Finance Bank: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the reappointment of P Vasudevan as Managing Director (MD) and Chief executive officer (CEO) of Equitas Small Finance Bank. He has been reappointed for a period of 3 years, from July 23, 2023, to July 23, 2026. Headquarters of Equitas SFB: Chennai After receiving license from RBI on 30 June 2016, Equitas Small Finance bank began banking on 5 September 2016 and with effect from 4 February 2017, Equitas became a scheduled bank.

 

2. RBI imposed ₹20 lakh monetary penalty on Manappuram Finance: Reserve Bank of India has imposed ₹20 lakh monetary penalty on Manappuram Finance for non-compliance with certain provisions of Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). RBI imposed this penalty as it did not classify certain gold loan accounts with overdues of more than 90 days as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). NBFC: It is a company registered under the Companies Act 1956 engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/securities issued.

3. Russia’s Sberbank launches Indian rupee accounts for individuals: Russia’s dominant lender, Sberbank has launched Indian rupee accounts for individuals. Objective – To expand the range of foreign currencies available to reduce dependency on the US dollar and euro. Sberbank has more than 100 million retail clients and already offers deposits in China’s yuan and UAE dirhams. Sberbank will issue bonds in Chinese yuan this year if an opportunity arises and will continue borrowing in roubles to drive portfolio growth.