Daily GK Update- 19th June, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gross Direct Tax collections register a growth of 12.73% for FY 2023-24: Gross Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year 2023-24 (till now) have registered a growth of 12.73% to 4,19,338 crore rupees. In the preceding financial year, the government recorded a growth of 3,71,982 crores rupees. Net collections are at three lakh 79 thousand 760 crores, showing a growth of 11.18%. The Gross collections include Corporation Tax at 1,87, 311 crore and Personal Income Tax at two lakh 31 thousand 391 crore.

 

2. G20 Tourism Working Group and Tourism Ministerial Meetings start in Goa: The concluding G20 Tourism Working Group meeting along with the Tourism Ministerial Meeting started in Goa on June 19, 2023. Union Minister For Culture, G Kishan Reddy has addressed the first session of "Making Cruise Tourism a Model for Sustainable and Responsible Travel'. The minister highlighted that India is one of the potential cruise tourism destinations with many of its best tourist destinations yet to be disclosed to the world.

 

3. Assam launched a portal to check illegal cattle transportation: Assam Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department launched a web portal for cattle transportation, during a program held in Guwahati. Aim: To prevent the illegal transportation of cattle From now, Livestock farmers and cattle traders can obtain permits required for inter-state transportation of cattle through the website ahvd-cattletrans.assam.gov.in. This system is prepared under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021.

 

4. Om Birla inaugurates National Legislators’ Conference Bharat in Mumbai: The National Legislators’ Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat) was officially inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Mumbai. The APJ Abdul Kalam expo pavilion was also inaugurated on the theme of Bharat’s 75th year of independence and celebrating the spirit of democracy. This conference gives a platform to engage in discussions and contemplate strengthening our legislative institutions. It will help to spread the essence of Indian democracy throughout the world.

 

5. Two-day conference of Science-20 organized in Bhopal: The two-day conference of Science-20 under G-20 has organized at the Taj Hotel in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The theme of the conference is “Connecting Science to Society and Culture”. The conference is being presided over by Professor Ashutosh Sharma, President of the Indian National Science Academy. The conference is being attended by representatives of the G-20 countries, invited states, and international organizations. The Science-20 consultation was begun with a preliminary meeting to be held in Puducherry on 30 and 31 January 2023 while the Science-20 conferences will culminate with a summit-level meeting in Coimbatore.

 

6. Google and MeitY join hands for ‘G20-Stay Safe Online’: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has joined hand with Google to drive citizen awareness ‘G20-Stay Safe Online’ campaign on online cyber safety in the country. The duo aims to foster citizen awareness about online safety and security. Under the bright beacon of India’s G20 Presidency, the nation is steering towards a trillion-dollar digital economy. To chart this course, MeitY has launched the mega-campaign, ‘Stay Safe Online.’  To raise the cyber hygiene bar, spreading awareness about online risks and safe practices among users of all ages.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. INS 'Vagir' set to embark on operational visit to Colombo: INS 'Vagir', has embarked on an operational visit to Colombo from 19-22 June 2023 to commemorate the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga and aligns with the theme of 'Global Ocean Ring'. During the visit, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Naval submarine would meet Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, the Commander of the Western Naval Area. INS 'Vagir' will also be visited by the visitors and school children to explore the submarine firsthand.

 

2. World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2023: 19th June: World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed every year on June 19th each year to raise awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD). 2023 theme: Building and strengthening global sickle cell communities, formalising newborn screening and knowing your sickle cell disease status It is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal red blood cells that take on a crescent or sickle shape. These irregularly shaped cells can cause blockages in blood vessels.

 

3. Remains of new species of duck-billed dinosaur found in Chile: Remains of a species of herbivorous dinosaur previously unknown in the southern hemisphere have been discovered in Chile, challenging long-held beliefs about the range of duck-billed dinosaurs. Measuring up to four meters (13 feet) in length and weighing a ton, Gonkoken nanoi lived 72 million years ago in the extreme south of what is now Chilean Patagonia. The discovery demonstrated that Chilean Patagonia served as a refuge for very ancient species of hadrosaurs, a type of duck-billed dinosaur common in North America, Asia and Europe during the Cretaceous period, from 145 to 66 million years ago. Gonkoken nanoi, the fifth species of dinosaur discovered in Chile, was actually found in 2013, kicking off a decade-long investigation. The name Gonkoken comes from the Tehuelche language, the first inhabitants of the region, and means “similar to a wild duck or a swan.

 

4. USA announces to rejoin UNESCO in July 2023: UNESCO has announced that the United States will rejoin the agency in July 2023 four years after leaving due to allegations of bias against Israel. The US stopped funding UNESCO, worth millions of dollars, in 2011 after Palestine became a member of the agency. Palestine was included as a non-member observer state in 2012, granting them participation in General Assembly proceedings.

 

5. Defence Ministry approves MQ-9 Reaper drone deal with US : The Defence Ministry has approved the deal for acquiring the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from America for which the final decision would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The deal for the Predator drones was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council meeting. The DAC is the highest body in the Defence Ministry to take decisions on acquisitions. The hunter-killer MQ-9 drones are capable of a variety of roles, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, over-the-horizon targeting, airborne early warning, electronic warfare. The SkyGuardian variant has a wingspan of 79 feet and can carry a payload of 2,155kg on nine hardpoints. The SeaGuardian variant can fly over the horizon via satellite for more than 30 hours and has advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

 

6. 18 June – Autistic Pride Day: Autistic Pride Day is observed every year on 18 June. Objective – To raise awareness about autism, a complex developmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction. Autistic Pride Day was first observed in 2005 by Aspies for Freedom, which is a community that works for spreading awareness about autism. People with autism often have co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as challenging behaviours such as difficulty sleeping and self-injury. The level of intellectual functioning among autistic people varies widely, extending from profound impairment to superior levels.

 

7. 18 June – International Picnic Day: International Picnic Day is celebrated on June 18 every year.

Picnics have been a popular way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends for centuries, and International Picnic Day is a great opportunity to continue that tradition. The term “picnic” finds its roots in the French word “pique-nique,” and its popularity surged in France after the revolution, providing an opportunity to enjoy informal outdoor meals in the country’s royal parks. These leisurely gatherings transformed into elaborate social events in 19th-century England, as depicted in Jane Austen’s novels, featuring elaborate menus with days of preparation.

 

8. 19 June – World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed every year on 19 June. Objective – To raise awareness and promote understanding of sickle cell disease, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals and their families. Recognized as a public health issue by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008, sickle cell disease, specifically sickle cell anaemia, was one of the earliest identified hereditary disorders.

 

9. 19 June – World Sauntering Day: World Sauntering Day is observed every year on 19 June to cherish life as it comes and not bother about the speed of the world, rather set our own pace of life and enjoy it. Theme 2023 – Rediscover the Joy of Simplicity Sauntering is seen to boost the efficiency of people by as much as sixty percent. When people are not bounded by a deadline, they take their time to perfect the work. World Sauntering Day was founded by WT Rabe in 1979 during his employment at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan. In response to the rising popularity of the jogging craze in the United States during the 1970s, Rabe introduced the concept of this day, urging people to slow down and take it easy.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian Men's Senior Football Team wins Intercontinental Cup 2023: Indian men's senior football team has clinched the Intercontinental Cup 2023 after defeating Lebanon in Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. This is India's second title in the tournament, following their win in the inaugural edition in 2018. The first half was goalless while in the second half, the hosts made it 1-0 in the 46th minute with Indian captain Sunil Chhetri's goal. Lallianzuala Chhangte netted the second goal in the 65th -minute, making it 2-0.

 

2. Mascot launched for 37th edition of Indian National Games: Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant has launched the mascot named 'Moga' for the upcoming 37th National Games at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao. The event was organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Sports Authority of Goa. The ceremony was attended by the Sports Minister of Goa, Govind Gaude, President of the Indian Olympic Association, Dr. P.T Usha, and Olympic medalist MC Mary Kom.

 

3. Egypt won the World Squash Championship: Egypt emerged victorious in the World Squash Championship, defeating Malaysia 2-1 in the final held in Chennai. Malaysia secured the silver medal in the championship. The third place in the championship was shared between the host country, India, and Japan A total of eight countries participated in the championship, which commenced on June 13.

 

4. First Women’s Kabaddi League Inaugurated in Dubai: The inaugural edition of India’s first-ever Women’s Kabaddi League (WKL) commenced with great fanfare in The league is being organized by the Kabaddi Federation of India and the Dream Sports Group. The league consists of eight teams, featuring a total of 96 players, each representing Indian states. These teams bear the names of various states, including the Delhi Dynamites, Gujarat Angels, Great Marathas, Haryana Hustlers, Punjab Panthers, Rajasthan Riders, Uma Kolkata, and Bengaluru Hawks. The league is expected to provide a platform for talented women kabaddi players to showcase their skills and inspire other women to take up the sport.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Kotak Mahindra Bank launches 'ActivMoney', auto sweep account: Kotak Mahindra Bank has launched its ActivMoney feature, an auto sweep feature that is offered by other banks, including Axis Bank and IndusInd Bank. Benefit: This feature gives customers the benefit of FD like interest up to 7% per annum, and the flexibility to access their funds at any time from the linked savings account It allows a savings account holder to earn higher interest as offered in FDs while retaining the liquidity offered by a saving account.

 

2. Sebi issues guidelines on product offerings by online bond platform: SEBI has restricted online bond platform providers from offering products other than listed debt securities on their platforms. SEBI also allowed them to offer securities such as Government Securities, Treasury Bills, listed SBGs, listed municipal debt securities, and listed securitized debt instruments on their platforms. Under the rules, Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) need to register themselves as stock brokers in the debt segment of the stock exchange.

 

3. RBI imposes Rs 20 lakh penalty on Manappuram Finance: The 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). The RBI imposed this penalty on the NBFC as it did not classify certain gold loan accounts with overdue of more than 90 days as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of section 58G (1) (b) read with section 58B (5) (aa) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.” This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers. The Reserve Bank of India conducted a statutory inspection of the company concerning its financial position as of March 2021.

 

4. N S Vishwanathan appoints as part-time chairman of Axis Bank: Axis Bank has appointed former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan as a part-time Non-Executive Chairman. The board of directors of the bank have appointed Vishwanathan for a period of three years. Vishwanathan had joined the RBI in 1981 and retired in March 2020 as the Deputy Governor, spanning a career of nearly four decades at the central bank.

 

5. P N Vasudevan re-appointed as MD & CEO of Equitas Small Finance Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the reappointment of P Vasudevan as Managing Director and CEO of Equitas Small Finance Bank. Vasudevan has been reappointed for a period of three years, from July 23, 2023, to July 23, 2026. In December 2022, the bank announced that PN Vasudevan had decided to remain as MD and CEO of the bank in response to the Board’s suggestions.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Gita Press Gorakhpur to be honored with the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021: Gita Press, Gorakhpur has been selected for the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods. The award given by the Ministry of Culture, the Gandhi Peace Prize carries an amount of one crore rupees, a citation, and a plaque. Gita Press was established in 1923, having published over 41 crore books in 14 languages.