Daily GK Update- 20th June, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ravi Sinha appointed as new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing: Senior IPS officer, Ravi Sinha has been appointed as the new head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a tenure of two years. He would succeed Samant Goel, who completes his four-year tenure on June 30, 2023. Ravi Sinha is a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre. At present, he is serving as Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat. Earlier, Sinha served in Jammu and Kashmir, the northeast, and foreign countries.

 

2. Telangana govt to disburse money to farmers Under 'Rythu Bandhu' scheme: Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao would release the Kharif installment of financial assistance to farmers under the Rythu Bandhu scheme from June 26, 2023. He directed State's FM Harish Rao to take steps to deposit the Rythu Bandhu funds to the farmers in their respective bank accounts. The Podu land farmers will also be considered for the Rythu Bandhu assistance. In Rabi season 2022-23, over 70 lakh farmers received Rythu Bandhu assistance.

 

3. Indian Army participates in Joint Exercise 'Ex Khaan Quest 2023': The Indian Army Contingent has participated in the multinational peacekeeping Joint Exercise Ex Khaan Quest 2023, organized in Mongolia. This exercise was participated by Military contingents and observers from over 20 countries. A contingent from the Garhwal Rifles represented the Indian Army. Aim: To enhance the interoperability of the participating nations, sharing experience, and training uniformed personnel for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

 

4. Karnataka’s free power scheme, 'Gruha Jyothi Scheme': Karnataka government has launched a free power scheme named 'Gruha Jyothi scheme' for providing free electricity up to 200 units a month. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also stated that the scheme also extends to tenants living on rent if their electricity consumption matches the scheme's criteria. The beneficiaries will get a ‘zero bill’ starting August 1 if usage is within their entitlement. The Gruha Jyothi scheme is part of the Congress government's five poll promises

 

5. G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held in Hyderabad: The G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) has been held 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 delegates discussed about Managing Agribusiness for Profit, People, and Planet and Connecting the Digitally Disconnected- Harnessing the Power of Digital Technologies in Agriculture. The delegates also witnessed programmes which are a blend of vibrant diverse traditions, arts, culture, and heritage of India in the city of pearls.

 

6. Civil Aviation sector records 36% growth during January to May 2023: The civil aviation sector in India recorded a growth of 36% during January-May 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The number of passengers carried during the period increased to 79.8 million, from 58.9 million in 2022. Domestic passenger traffic grew by 37.7%, while international passenger traffic grew by 33.2%. The cargo traffic also grew by 13.2% during the period. In the month of May last year, passenger count was over 114 lakh, which in May this year rose to over 132 lakh, registering a Month-on-Month growth of 15.24 percent. The overall passenger number in May this year increased by 3.26 lakhs as compared to April this year. Also, the number of passenger-related complaints decreased in May 2023 compared to May 2019.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India gifts missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam: India will gift Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam as a friendly gesture and to expand military ties between the nations. INS Kirpan is a Khukri-class warship commissioned in 1991. The announcement was made during a meeting between Rajnath Singh (India's defence minister) and General Phan Van Gang (Vietnamese defence minister). The Vietnamese defence minister is on a visit to enhance the military ties, with maritime security and defence industrial cooperation.

 

2. Himalayan Glaciers on Track to Lose up to 75% of Ice by 2100: Report: According to a new report, Glaciers in Asia’s Hindu Kush Himalaya could lose up to 75% of their volume by the end of the century. Reason: Global warming, is causing dangerous flooding and water shortages for the 240 million people who live in the mountainous region. The international scientist team found that ice loss on the peaks of Everest and K2 is speeding up. In 2010, the glaciers shed as much as 65% of ice, which was faster than they had in the preceding decade.

 

3. World Refugee Day 2023: 20th June: World Refugee Day is commemorated every year on 20th June to serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by millions of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or violence. 2023 theme: Hope Away from Home This year's theme highlighted the resilience and challenges faced by refugees, who lost everything. On December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly established this day through Resolution 55/76.

 

4. Intel and Germany sign agreement for $32.8 billion chip plant investment: Intel has signed an agreement with the German government for investing more than 30 billion euros ($32.8 billion) in a chip manufacturing site in Magdeburg, Germany. An agreement was signed between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger. Intel has acquired the land for two semiconductor facilities in Magdeburg in eastern Germany in November 2022 and is expected to start production in four or five years.

 

5. UN adopt first-ever treaty to protect marine life in high seas: UN has adopted the first-ever treaty to protect marine life on the high seas, approved by delegates from the 193 member nations. The treaty will create a new body to manage the conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas on the high seas. It also establishes ground rules for conducting environmental impact assessments for commercial activities in the oceans. The new treaty is under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, came into force in 1994.

 

6. 19 June – International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed every year on 19 June. Objective – To raise awareness and end sexual violence in conflict situations. Theme 2023 – Bridging the gender digital divide to prevent, address and respond to conflict-related sexual violence The day focuses on the prevalence and consequences of sexual violence in conflict zones. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence was established on June 19, 2015, by the United Nations General Assembly. It is aimed at raising awareness about the need to end conflict-related sexual violence and honouring people who are subjected to sexual violence around the world. The day was also created to pay tribute to those who strived to eradicate the crime and lost their lives doing that.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Bhavani Devi wins bronze medal at Asian Fencing Championships: Olympian C.A. Bhavani Devi has secured the bronze medal at Asian Fencing Championships 2023 held in China. In the quarterfinal, she created history by defeating reigning World Champion Misaki Emura and secured India its first-ever medal at the event. She stunned the world number one 15-10 to enter the women’s sabre semifinal. However, Bhavani lost to Uzbekistan’s Zaynab Dayibekova in the semifinals by 15-14, securing a bronze medal.

 

2. Indian Men’s Senior Football Team wins Intercontinental Cup 2023: The Indian men’s football team beat Lebanon 2-0 to win the Intercontinental Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. It was India’s first win over Lebanon in 47 years and second in eight meetings. This was the third edition of the Intercontinental Cup. The Indian football team upset Kenya to win the inaugural Intercontinental Cup in 2018 while North Korea clinched the crown in 2019 by beating Tajikistan. Indian captain – Sunil Chhetri

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI bans IIFL Securities from onboarding new clients for 2 years: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned India Infoline Ltd (IIFL) Securities from onboarding any new clients for two years. Reason: Mixing clients’ funds with proprietary funds by routing transactions through common control accounts Utilizing funds of credit balance clients for settlement obligation of debit balance clients Utilizing funds of credit balance clients for settlement obligation of proprietary trades

 

2. World Bank approves $150-million loan for Resilient Kerala programme: The World Bank has approved a $150 million loan to support the Resilient Kerala program to continue strengthening the state’s preparedness against natural disasters, climate change impacts, and disease outbreaks. This additional financing will further deepen Kerala’s resilience in the critical areas of coastal erosion and water resource management. The loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a final maturity of 14 years, including a grace period of six years. It complements the World Bank’s earlier investment of $125 million and the overall support is expected to protect nearly 50 lakh people from the impact of floods. In the aftermath of the 2018 floods, the World Bank had aided the State in building the capability to respond to shocks to the economy and prevent the loss of lives, assets, and livelihoods. The programme supported policy and institutional reforms in the State, including improved management of the Pampa River basin, sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, risk-informed land-use, and disaster management planning at local levels.

 

3. Kotak Mahindra Bank launches ‘ActivMoney’: Kotak Mahindra Bank launched its ActivMoney feature, which gives customers the benefit of fixed deposit (FD)-like interest up to 7 percent per annum, and the flexibility to access their funds at any time from the linked savings account. This is an auto sweep feature that is offered by several other banks, including Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and IndusInd Bank.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Author Salman Rushdie awarded the prestigious German Peace Prize in 2023: British-American author, Salman Rushdie has been selected for the prestigious German Peace Prize 2023 for his literary work and his resolve and positive attitude in the face of constant danger. He would receive the award in Frankfurt on October 22, 2023. Cash prize: €25,000 ($27,300) This prize was established in 1950 to recognize a personality committed to serving international understanding between nations and cultures through their work.

 

2. Acharya Gopi to be conferred with first Prof. Jayashankar Award: Acharya N. Gopi has been selected for the first-ever Prof. Kothapalli Jayashankar Award, instituted by Bharat Jagruthi. The award would be presented to Acharya Gopi at an event to be organized at Telangana Saraswatha Parishath in Abids on June 21. The award has been instituted for honoring the littérateurs every year. Acharya Gopi has penned 56 books including 26 compilations of poems, 7 compilations of essays, 5 translations, and 3 research books.

 

3. Arundhati Roy wins 45th European Essay Prize for ‘Azadi’: Writer Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 45th European Essay Prize for lifetime achievement by the Charles Veillon Foundation. Roy has been awarded the prize for the French translation of her compilation of essays titled “Azadi” (2021). In “Azadi”, Roy has reflected on the meaning of freedom in a world of “growing authoritarianism”. The essays include meditations on language, public as well as private, and on the role of fiction and alternative imaginations in current times. Roy will receive the award, along with the prize money of CHF 20,000 (approx ₹18 lakh), at a ceremony on September 12 in the Swiss city of Lausanne. Since its inception in 1975, the award by the Charles Veillon Foundation has honoured a book or the work of an author “who, through their writings, contributes to nourishing and spreading the evolution of thought”.

 

4. Gita Press, Gorakhpur, awarded Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021: Gita Press, Gorakhpur, will be awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 in recognition of its exceptional contribution to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violent and Gandhian methods. The jury headed by Prime Minister Modi, unanimously selected Gita Press as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize. Gita Press, Gorakhpur, one of the world’s largest publishers, has refused to accept the Rs 1 crore cash reward for the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 amid a controversy over being picked for the honour. The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted in 1995, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Mahatma Gandhi. The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender. Recent awardees include Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, Oman (2019) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (2020), Bangladesh.