Daily GK Update- 21st June, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s first mRNA-based Omicron-specific booster vaccine approved: Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd informed that its mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine has received Emergency Use Authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India. The vaccine, 'GEMCOVAC-OM' is approved against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. GEMCOVAC-OM has demonstrated robust immune responses in phase 3 clinical trials conducted at 20 centers across 13 cities in India. Presently approved vaccines used as precautionary/ booster doses.

 

2. NHAI launches ‘Knowledge Sharing Platform’: National Highways Authority of India has launched a ‘Knowledge Sharing’ platform. This platform will help the authority to join hands with experts and citizens who want to share knowledge and insights related to topics such as road design, environmental sustainability, and related fields. Aim: To encourage sharing of best practices from around the world This platform will also contribute towards the holistic development of NH infrastructure in the country.

 

3. Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani donates ₹315 crores to IIT Bombay: Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has donated ₹315 crores to IIT Bombay. Reason: Fostering world-class infrastructure, stimulating research in emerging areas of engineering and technology, and nurturing a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay An MoU was signed between Nandan Nilekani and Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay. His contribution will catalyze philanthropic contributions towards advancing research and development at universities in India.

 

4. Govt approves $2.7-billion Micron's chip plant: The Indian cabinet has granted approval for US chipmaker, Micron Technology to proceed with its $2.7 billion plan for a semiconductor testing and packaging unit. It has also sanctioned production-linked incentives worth 110 billion rupees for the plant in Gujarat. The necessary approval stems from the significant size of the incentive package. Micron Technology's venture coincides with the White House's efforts to encourage U.S. chip companies to invest in India.

 

5. Reliance emerges as Most Valuable Private Company in India: As per Hurun India's 2022 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 list, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd is the most valuable private company in India, with a whopping value of Rs 16.4 lakh crore. TCS with Rs 11.8 lakh crore ranked second in India, followed by HDFC Bank with Rs 9.4 lakh crore. The value of Reliance decreased by 5.1% in the last six months, while the total value of TCS increased marginally by 0.7% and HDFC Bank increased by 12.9%.

 

6. Indian Army takes delivery of Mahindra Armado armoured vehicle: Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra has started delivering Armado to the Indian armed forces. It is an Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle, which is designed by and developed by Mahindra. It has been designed keeping in mind a variety of roles the armed forces may use it for. It gets ballistic protection up to B7, Stanag Level II. It can be utilised in counter-terrorist operations by facilitating patrolling in conflict-hit areas.

 

7. Jharkhand government launches panchayat-level medicine scheme: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren launched the panchayat-level drugs shop scheme to make essential medicines available in remote areas The scheme was inaugurated in Chatra district by handing over licenses to three persons for operating the medicine shops in panchayats. A total of 15 people have been selected for licenses in the district so far. The programs like ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ will be restarted to establish a “real connection with people”.

 

8. 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. The scheme also extends to tenants living on rent if their electricity consumption matches the scheme’s criteria. Registration to the scheme is done on the Seva Sindhu portal under a special custom-made page. Registration to the scheme is done on the Seva Sindhu portal under a special custom-made page The E-governance department has made the registration process very simple. The consumer must enter the electricity bill’s customer ID, their Aadhar number, and mobile number. The registration simultaneously started at Karnataka One, Grama One and Bengaluru One centre across the state. The beneficiaries will get a ‘zero bill’ starting August 1 if usage is within their entitlement.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. The number of refugees globally stood at 35.3 million by the end of 2022: According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report, the number of refugees globally stood at 35.3 million by the end of 2022. It also shows an increase in the number of more than 8 million from the year before. Around 52% of all refugees came from Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. According to international law, refugees are people who are forced to flee their home countries to escape persecution or a serious threat to their life or freedom.

 

2. International Day of Yoga 2023: 21st June: The International Day of Yoga is observed every year on June 21 since 2015. This year, the theme for International Yoga Day is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam". This year's theme highlighted beautifully encapsulates collective aspiration for "One Earth, One Family, One Future." On 11 December 2014, the UN proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India.

 

3. 21 June – International Yoga Day: International yoga day is celebrated every year on 21 June.

Objective – To promote awareness of the benefits of the ancient practice known as yoga Theme 2023 – Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam This year we will be celebrating the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a yoga session at the UN Headquarters for the first time on 21 June 2023. It was in 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of a dedicated yoga day during his address to the 69th session of the UN General Assembly on 11 December 2014 and he was supported unanimously by all the 193 UN member states who agreed to observe the International Day of Yoga on June 21. The inaugural celebration took place on June 21, 2015.

 

4. 21 June – World Music Day 2023: World Music Day is observed every year on 21 June. This global event encourages individuals to appreciate and actively engage with all forms of music, irrespective of genre, style, or language. Theme 2023 –Music on the Intersections Music is an important part of each of our daily lives, serving as an important instrument for stress relief, motivation, emotional expression and as a connecting force with others. The origins of World Music Day have been traced back to 1982 when French Minister of Culture Jack Lang proposed the idea of celebrating a day of music or Fête de la Musique (festival of music). As per another theory, World Music Day has been celebrated since 1976 when Joel Cohen proposed the idea of an all-night music festival to celebrate the beginning of summer solstice.

 

5. 21 June – World Hydrography Day: World Hydrography Day is marked annually on June 21. Objective – To increase public awareness and understanding of hydrography’s role in ensuring safe and efficient navigation, sustainable marine resource management, and coastal zone development This day holds great importance as it serves as a platform to highlight the crucial work carried out by hydrographers worldwide and to promote the significance of hydrography itself. Theme 2023 – Hydrography – underpinning the digital twin of the ocean The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) was established in 1921, serving as a prominent entity focused on addressing various aspects of marine life. Headquartered in Monaco, the organization played a crucial role in advocating navigation-related concerns, setting technical standards, and protecting marine environments, engaging directly with governments. Through various activities and events organized on this day, the IHO aims to increase public awareness and understanding of hydrography’s role in ensuring safe and efficient navigation, sustainable marine resource management, and coastal zone development.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Bhavani Devi creates history by winning India’s first medal in Asian Fencing Championships: Bhavani Devi has won the bronze medal in the women’s sabre event at the Asian Fencing Championships held in Wuxi, China. Bhavani lost her semi-final match against Uzbekistan’s Zainab Daybekova with a score of 14-15. In the quarterfinals, Bhavani defeated defending world champion Misaki Emura of Japan by a score of 15-10. Bhavani’s next challenge will be the World Championships to be held in Milan from July 22 to 30.

2. Satwik-Chirag become men’s doubles champions at Indonesia Open 2023 : Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty became the first Indian pair to win the doubles title at a BWF Super 1000 event at the Indonesia Open 2023. Indonesia Open 2023 took place at Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta, Indonesia. They defeated the Malaysian world champion pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the final. The win made them the first doubles team from India to win the Indonesia Open. They also became the first pair from the country to win India’s first Badminton World Federation Super 1000 title.

 

3. 37th National Games’ mascot ‘Moga’ unveiled: Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has launched ‘Moga’ at a launch ceremony held at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao, Goa. The 37th edition of the national games of India will be held in various locations in the state of Goa in October 2023. It will feature competitions in a total of 43 disciplines. It will also feature ‘Gatka’, a traditional martial art form associated with Punjab.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Government appoints Swaminathan Janakiraman as RBI Deputy Governor: The government has appointed Swaminathan Janakiraman as a deputy governor of Reserve Bank India for three years. He would succeed Mahesh Kumar Jain, who was serving as a deputy governor since 2018, is set to retire. Prior to this role, he held various assignments across Corporate and International Banking, Retail and Digital Banking, Finance, and Assurance functions with SBI. He also served as a Nominee Director of SBI on the Boards of Yes Bank and Jio Payments Bank

 

2. Union Bank launches four new deposit schemes: Union Bank of India has launched four bank account schemes targeting women, women entrepreneurs and professionals, pensioners, and cooperative housing societies. The bank has launched Union Unnati specifically designed for women entrepreneurs and professionals. This account offers free cancer care coverage and personal accident cover. Union Samriddhi has targeted women. The third product is Union Samman, a savings account aimed at pensioners.

 

3. IndusInd Bank collaborates with Wise to offer low-cost & fast inward remittance to India: IndusInd Bank has forged a strategic partnership with Wise, a global technology company specializing in secure money transfers. The collaboration aims to provide convenient and efficient online inward remittance services specifically tailored for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) residing in the United States and Singapore. Through this partnership, IndusInd Bank’s customers can transfer funds from these two major global markets. The remittance service, known as Indus Fast Remit (IFR), will integrate with the Wise Platform, allowing NRIs to enjoy a multi-currency inward remittance service. Through this partnership, IndusInd Bank’s customers can transfer funds from these two major global markets. The remittance service, known as Indus Fast Remit (IFR), will integrate with the Wise Platform, allowing NRIs to enjoy a multi-currency inward remittance service. One of the primary benefits for customers utilizing the “Indus Fast Remit – Wise” service is the ability to avail highly competitive forex rates.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. IndiGo bags World Aviation Awards 2023: IndiGo has won a top award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia at the prestigious 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held at the Paris Air Show. It is the thirteenth time that IndiGo has won this award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia. Recently, IndiGo has placed a firm order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, which will provide IndiGo with a further steady stream of deliveries between 2030 and 2035.

 

2. Acharya Gopi to be conferred with Prof. Jayashankar Award : Eminent poet, literary critic, and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient, Acharya N. Gopi has been selected for Kothapalli Jayashankar Award instituted by Bharat Jagruthi, a cultural organization and extended arm of Bharat Rashtra Samithi. The award would be presented to Acharya Gopi at an event to be organized at Telangana Saraswatha Parishath in Abids. The award has been instituted earlier this year for honouring the littérateurs every year. Acharya Gopi has so far penned 56 books including 26 compilations of poems, 7 compilations of essays, 5 translations and 3 research books. His books were translated to several Indian languages as also into foreign languages such as German, Persian, Russian and others. He worked as the Vice-Chancellor of Telugu University and acted as the in-charge V-C of Kakatiya and Dravida Universities in the past.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Kerala Minister M.A. Kuttappan passes away: Congress leader and former Kerala minister Dr. M. A. Kuttappan passed away at the age of 76 in Kochi. He began his career as a doctor at Alappuzha Medical College and Cochin Port Trust Hospital. Later he become a four-time MLA in the Kerala assembly and was a member of the AK Antony ministry in 2001 as minister for the welfare of backward classes and SC/ST. He was elected to the state assembly from Wandoor, Chelakkara, and twice from Njarakkal constituencies.