Daily GK Update- 28th June, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 

Federal Bank receives RBI approval to appoint AP Hota as part-time Chairman: The Reserve Bank of India has given its approval to the Federal Bank for the appointment of AP Hota as part- time chairman, with effect from June 29, 2023, till January 14, 2026. In 2018, he was appointed as an Independent Director of Federal Bank Limited. He has also worked at RBI as a nominee director to the Board of Vijaya Bank and Andhra Bank. He was the architect of NPCI and served as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer between 2009- 2017.

 

2.   Writer Radhika Swarup's 'The New New-Delhi Book Club’ book to be released: A book titled 'The New New-Delhi Book Club', authored by Radhika Swarup would be released in October 2023. The book will be published by Westland Books publishing house. The book is an interconnected collection of short stories, showing both the hopes and fears of life during the pandemic. Her debut novel, "Where the River Parts", was longlisted by the Author & Club for the best first novel award. Her last novel 'Civil Lines' was out in 2021.

 

3.  Minister Parshottam Rupala to launch the ‘Report Fish Disease’ App: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala has launched the Report Fish Disease App. The app has been developed by ICAR-NBFGR under the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD). It is funded under Pradhan Mantri Matsya SampadaYojana. This app will help the farmers to report the incidences of diseases in finfish and shrimps on their farms with field-level officers and fish health experts.

 

4. 

Seven products from Uttar Pradesh get Geographical Indication tag: The seven products of Uttar Pradesh have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai. Seven products are: Amroha Dholak, Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip, Mainpuri Tarkashi, Sambhal Horn Craft, Baghpat Home Furnishings, Barabanki Handloom Product, and Kalpi Handmade Paper The Amroha Dholak is a musical instrument made of natural wood. Mango, jackfruit, and teakwood are preferred for making the dholak.

 

5.  8th edition of the World’s Largest Urban Cleanliness Survey begins: The 8th edition of the world’s largest urban swachhata survey, Swachh Survekshan 2023 – Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan has been started. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the Field Assessment for Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2023. Swachh Survekshan 2023 indicators focus on parameters pertaining to segregated door-to-door waste collection, zero waste events, Divyang-friendly toilets, improved plastic waste management, and cleaning backlanes.

 

6.   Timeline for disbursement of loan to boost agri-economy: The Centre government has extended the timeline for the disbursement of loans for the completion of ethanol projects up to 30 September 2023 in respect of all the schemes notified during 2018-2021. Aim: To boost the agricultural economy, reduce fossil fuel dependency, save foreign exchange, and cut air

pollution The decision has been taken under the ‘scheme for extending financial assistance to

sugar mills for augmentation of ethanol production capacity’.

 

7. 

UP launches 'Operation Conviction' for cow slaughter, child abuse cases: The Uttar Pradesh Police Department launched 'Operation Conviction' to combat criminals and mafias in the state. The initiative will expedite the prosecution of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, cow slaughter, religious conversion, and murder. It ensures the immediate arrest of criminals, the collection of strong evidence against them, quality investigation, and effective representation of cases in courts.

 

8.   BIS Introduces Standard IS 18267: for Agri By-Product Utensils: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued standards for agricultural by-product utensils with an aim to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainability. The published standard IS 18267: 2023 “Food Serving Utensils Made from Agri By-Products – Specification” provides comprehensive guidelines to manufacturers and consumers to ensure uniformity in quality requirements across the country. BIS stated that the use of biodegradable agri by-product utensils will contribute to environmental safety, conservation of natural resources and promotion of a circular economy. IS 18267: 2023 covers several aspects for the production of biodegradable utensils; including raw materials, manufacturing techniques, performance and hygiene requirements. It specifies the use of agricultural by-products, such as leaves and sheaths, as preferred materials for making plates, cups and bowls.

 

9. 

PM Modi flagged off five new Vande Bharat trains of the country: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off five new Vande Bharat trains from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal. Out of the five, two trains will be operating in Madhya Pradesh and one in Karnataka. One new Vande Bharat Express connecting Patna and Ranchi has also been inaugurated. Trains include Ranchi-Patna, Dharwad-KSR Bengaluru, Goa (Madgaon)-Mumbai, Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur. With the launch of the new five Vande Bharat Express trains, the total count of the premium trains has reached 23. Currently, Vande Bharat trains are operational on 18 routes across the country. These semi-high-speed trains have been a favourite among travellers as they provide world-class passenger amenities.

 

10.  Bengaluru airport launches BLR Pulse app for passengers: Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has launched a new app called BLR Pulse to provide hassle-free experience to the commuters at Kempegowda International Airpor The app is made available for both android and iPhone users. Through the BLR Pulse app, people can monitor real-time flight updates, book a table at restaurants inside the airport, connect WiFi, gather information on check-in gates, and even track the flights which are delayed. It is an omnichannel platform, developed in collaboration with GrayMatter Software Services. The interactive chatbot feature in the app will enable a self-sufficient mode of finding answers.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IIT Bombay ranks 149th in the QS world ranking 2023: According to the 20th QS World University Rankings 2023, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has climbed 23 positions to secure the 149th rank globally. While in the overall ranking, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States topped the rankings for the twelfth consecutive year.  UK’s  Cambridge  University  ranked  second  followed  by  Oxford   University.   India is the seventh most represented country globally, with 45 universities ranked.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

 

1.                  Jhulan Goswami, Eoin Morgan, Heather Knight join MCC Committee: Indian woman cricketer Jhulan Goswami has joined England women's team captain Heather Knight and Eoin Morgan to become a member of the MCC World Cricket Committee (WCC). This committee is an independent body that consists of current and former international cricketers, umpires, and officials from various countries. Jhulan Goswami retired from international cricket in 2022. She was made an Honorary Life Member of MCC in April 2023.

 

2.                   

India  finishes  Special  Olympics  2023  campaign  with  202  medals:   India has   finished its Special Olympics World Games 2023 campaign by winning 202 medals (76 gold, 75 silver, and 51 bronze). Indian athletes notched six medals from the track events (2 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze). Aanchal Goyal (400m, Level B Female) and Ravimathi Arumugam (400m, Level C Female) blew away their competition to take the top of the podium. Saket Kundu, who grabbed a silver medal in the mini javelin Level B, also won a bronze in the Level B 400m.

 

3.            Adani Group founder Gautam Adani launches “Jeetenge Hum”: Adani Group has launched  a campaign called “Jeetenge Hum” to support the Indian cricket team in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. His ports-to-energy conglomerate on Saturday gathered 1983 World Cup Cricket legends including Kapil Dev to launch the 2023 World Cup winning campaign. The “Jeetenge Hum” campaign serves as a platform for national pride and support for the Indian cricket team. The campaign encourages fans to believe in the team’s ability to emerge victorious at the World Cup.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1.  RBI cancels Mahalaxmi Cooperative Bank Dharwad’s banking license: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has canceled the banking license of the Karnataka-based Mahalaxmi Cooperative Bank, Dharwad, and allowed function only as a non-banking institution. The cancellation of the

license is with effect from the close of business on June 27, 2023. RBI has also been instructed to repay unpaid and unclaimed deposits of non-members held by it, whenever demanded, even after being notified as a non-banking Institution.

 

2. 

India’s CAD narrows to 1.3 billion dollars in the January-March quarter: According to the data  released  by  the  Reserve  Bank,  the current   account   deficit   (CAD)   of   India has   been narrowed to 1.3 billion dollars or 0.2% of GDP in the January-March quarter of the last fiscal. The decline was mainly due to moderation in the trade deficit and a robust increase in services exports. RBI data has shown that net services receipts increased, both sequentially and on a year-on-year basis, on the back of a rise in net earnings from computer services.

 

3.  World Bank approves $391 million for Assam, Tripura: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a total of $391 million loan for two  Indian  states,  Assam  and  Tripura. Aim: To improve access to high-quality healthcare services and to economic opportunities Out of $391 million, $251 million was approved for the Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation (ASSIST) Project. While  $140  million  was  approved  for the Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project.

 

4. 

ICICI Lombard launches insurance products for MSMEs: General insurance company ICICI Lombard has launched of three insurance products focusing on MSMEs — MSME Suraksha Kavach Policy, Property All Risk (PAR) Policy, and i-Select Liability. Objective – To make MSMEs more risk aware and provide them with the benefit of comprehensive coverage to safeguard their businesses. The MSME Suraksha Kavach Policy is a bundled product to protect MSMEs against loss or damage to property due to defined insured perils. The policy offers the benefits of optional coverage for STFI (Storms, Typhoons, Cyclones, Tempest, Tornados, Hurricanes, Floods and Inundation), and Terrorism, providing businesses with the flexibility to choose the right level of protection. ICICI Lombard has a dedicated digital platform for SMEs to purchase, renew, and endorse insurance products online, as well as register claims.

 

5.  S&P retains India’s growth projection at 6% for FY24: S&P Global Ratings retained India’s GDP growth forecast at 6 percent saying it will be the fastest-growing economy among Asia Pacific nations. The Asian emerging market economies remain among the fastest-growing ones in our global growth outlook through 2026. In India, under the assumption of normal monsoons, we expect headline consumer inflation to soften to 5 percent in fiscal 2024 from 6.7 percent. S&P has lowered the growth forecast for China to 5.2 percent from 5.5 percent for 2023.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Pt P. D. Baul awarded 1st Kala Kranti Lifetime Achievement Award: At the Kolkata edition of the International Performing Arts Festival (IPAF), Padma Shri Pandit Purna Das Baul was presented with the IPAF Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the

traditional Baul music on the world stage. The award was presented to him by Governor Dr. Bose at the prestigious Indian Museum’s Ashutosh Birth Centenary Hall. This is IPAF’s 5th year in Kolkata with 2 days of cultural programs to support the dying Indian art forms and different artists from Kolkata participated in it along with artists from other states as well.