NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Preeti
Aghalayam to become first woman director of IIT, to led IIT Zanzibar: Preeti Aghalayam has been named director-in-charge of the
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Zanzibar campus in Tanzania. She is
an IIT Madras alumna and professor in the Department of chemical
engineering. Recently, India and Tanzania inked an MoU, which
facilitated IIT Madras to launch its first international campus in
Zanzibar, Tanzania'. The institute would offer two full-time academic programs
and the applications for admission are already open.
2. IFSCA
and Climate Policy Initiative sign MoU on Sustainable Finance: The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and
Climate Policy Initiative have signed an MoU for mutual assistance and
cooperation. Aim: To increase mobilization of global sustainable capital
flows into India Sustainable development is a key priority of G20 working
groups. Mobilization of sustainable finance is critical to achieving the
transition to green and resilient economies. IFSCA was established in April
2020 under the IFSC Authority Act, 2019
3. Odisha
govt approved Kui language inclusion in 8th schedule: Odisha state cabinet approved a proposal to recommend
the inclusion of the Kui language in the eighth schedule of the
Constitution of India. Aim: Help in the preservation, promotion, and
propagation of the language and culture Kui Language: Kui is a South-Eastern
Dravidian language spoken by the Kandha community. It is primarily spoken in
the state of Odisha. Kui is traditionally written using the Odia script, which
is also used for writing the Odia language.
4. 3rd Trade and Investment Working Group Meeting begins
in Kevadia: The third Trade and Investment Working Group
Meeting has begun in Kevadia, Gujarat. More than 75 international
delegates from various G20 countries are taking part in the three-day meeting
at Kevadia. The meeting offers an opportunity for India to showcase its global
trade and export potential and a platform to showcase our carbon-free
handicraft products. The meeting began with delegates participating in a ‘Trade
Infrastructure’ seminar.
5. India Literacy House in Lucknow to be tourist
destination with a museum: The India Literacy Board proposes to set up a Literacy
Museum at its premises, popularly known as Literacy House, in
Lucknow. The board has also requested the state tourism department to declare
the campus as a destination for literacy tourism to attract national and
international visitors. Exhibiting how pictorial books, puppets and other tools
were used to educate people in the past. The museum will come up at a cost of
₹8 crore and will be based on the design of noted architect Laurie Baker. S.
citizen Welthy Honsinger Fisher had set up the India Literacy Board or Literacy
House in Lucknow in 1956 with a mission to end illiteracy and enlighten society
with its motto: “It is better to light a lamp than to curse the darkness.” Situated
on Kanpur Road here, the Literacy House was designed like an Indian village by
Laurie Baker and consists of a cluster of simple yet innovative brick
buildings. An institution of international repute, the India Literacy Board is
registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
6. Amit Shah inaugurated mega conclave “Strengthening
PACS through FPOs: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated a
day-long mega conclave “Strengthening PACS through FPOs” in New Delhi. The
conclave is aimed at discussing ways to strengthen Primary Agricultural Credit
Societies (PACS) through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The conclave
witnesses the participation of experts from the sector as well as members from
the FPOs. Under the FPOs scheme, financial assistance of 33 lakh rupees is
provided to each FPO. Further, financial assistance of 25 lakh rupees per FPO
is given to the Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) for promoting and handholding
the FPOs. In order to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sahkar
se Samriddhi and with the efforts of Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, a decision
was also taken recently to form 1100 new FPOs in the Cooperative sector.
7. CDS Anil Chauhan inaugurates LRMR Hangar &
Dispersal at Naval Air Station: The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has
inaugurated LRMR Hangar & Dispersal at Naval Air Station, INS Utkrosh
in Port Blair. The twin hangar spread over 6000 sq. mt. can accommodate a
combination of P8I aircraft with Dronier & Advanced Light Helicopters. The
new hangar facility will provide support for vital air operations in
strategically important A&N Islands. It will help in strengthening the
security of the Indian Oceans Region. General Anil Chauhan also inaugurated the
Wet Basin & Refit Jetty at Naval Ship Repair Yard at Port Blair. The jetty
has slung material compartments and accommodation for personnel. It is made in
consultation with IIT Chennai with a cost of more than 360 Cr.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. France
will join Britain in supplying long-range SCALP missiles to Ukraine: France President Emmanuel Macron has informed that France
would join Britain in supplying long-range SCALP missiles to Ukraine. This announcement
was made at a summit of the NATO alliance in Lithuania. Reason: To
boost military aid to Ukraine to help its counteroffensive SCALP missile is
equipped with inertial, GPS, and terrain-referencing navigation, and its
pre-set target systems make it highly resistant.
About
NATO:
· Founded: 4 April 1949
· HQ: Brussels, Belgium
2. IFSCA
inks MoU with IIML-EIC: International Financial Services Centers
Authority (IFSCA) and IIML-EIC signed an MoU at the IIM Lucknow EIC, Uttar
Pradesh. Aim: To collaborate in supporting and facilitating FinTech and
TechFin entities IFSCA: It is responsible for the development and
regulation of international financial services. IIML -EIC: It is promoted
by IIM Lucknow and supported by the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship
Development Board, Department of Science and Technology.
3. World
Paper Bag Day 2023: 12th July: World Paper Bag
Day is observed on July 12 annually to recognize and celebrate
the use of this more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags. The
primary objective of this day is to enhance public awareness regarding the
detrimental effects that plastic bags can have on the environment. The history
of Paper Bags can be traced back to the 19th century when the first paper bag
machine was invented by Francis Wolle in 1852.
4. 415
million people exited poverty in India in 15 years: UN report: According to the latest Global Multidimensional Poverty Index
(MPI), by UNDP, around 415 million people exited poverty within a
span of just 15 years between 2005 and 2021 in India. India is also one of the
25 countries that have successfully halved their global MPI values within 15
years. It is based on trends from 2000 to 2022 covering 81 countries. It
monitors both poverty reduction and how people experience poverty in different
aspects of their daily lives
5. L&T
signs Master Ship Repair Agreement with US Navy:
Larsen & Toubro has signed the Master Shipyard Repair Agreement
with the US Navy to strengthen the partnership between the two countries
in the defense sector. L&T' Kattupalli Shipyard, near Chennai, a major node
in the Southern Defence Corridor, has been undertaking voyage repairs of the
Military Sealift Command vessels. USNS Salvor ship was received at
Kattupalli Shipyard for voyage repairs. This is the third US ship coming to the
shipyard for voyage repairs.
6. United States has world’s most powerful military: The US has the strongest military force in the world, with
Russia and China in second and third and India in fourth place, according
to Global Firepower, a data website that tracks global defense-related
information. The 2023 Military Strength list – which also includes the nations
with the weakest military force in the world, which includes Bhutan and Iceland
– assessed over 60 factors. The top four nations remain as they were in the
2022 Global Firepower list. However, the UK has moved up from eighth place last
year to fifth this year. South Korea remains in sixth place as it was last
year. Pakistan enters the top 10 in seventh place, and Japan and France ranked
fifth and seventh last year, drop to eighth and ninth this year 10 nations with
the most powerful militaries in the world-
7. 12 July – International Malala Day: International Malala Day is observed
every year on 12 July to honor the birthday of Malala Yousafzai, a
Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate. Malala is known for her
advocacy of girls’ education and her courageous stand against the Taliban, who
had banned girls from attending school in her hometown of Mingora in the Swat
Valley of Pakistan. On October 9, 2012, Malala was targeted and shot by a
Taliban gunman but survived the attack. Her activism and resilience have made
her a symbol of inspiration and empowerment for girls and women worldwide. In
December 2014, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and became the
youngest-ever recipient of such a pristine honour. She was designated as United
Nations Messenger of Peace in 2017 to help raise awareness of the importance of
girls’ education. The young activist has bagged over 40 awards and honours for
her courage.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Parth Salunkhe becomes first Indian to win Youth World
Championship: Parth Salunkhe has become the first
Indian male archer to win a gold in the recurve category of the Youth
World Championships. The 19-year-old from Satara in Maharashtra provided the
perfect icing on the cake by defeating a Korean in the Under-21 men’s recurve
individual final, in Limerick, Ireland. Salunkhe, who topped the rankings
round, bounced back from behind to down seventh seed Song Injun 7-3 (26-26,
25-28, 28-26, 29-26, 28-26) in a hard-fought five-setter. India also clinched a
bronze medal in the Under-21 women’s recurve individual section when Bhaja Kaur
defeated Su Hsin-Yu of Chinese Taipei 7-1 (28-25, 27-27, 29-25, 30-26). India
finished with six gold, one silver and four bronze medals, which was the
highest in the standings in terms of total number of medals. But in overall
rankings, they finished second behind Korea who ended with six gold and four
silver medals.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. The
50th GST Council meeting concluded in New Delhi:
The 50th GST Council meeting, headed by the Finance Minister, Nirmala
Sitharaman, has been concluded in New Delhi. Highlights: 28% GST rate has
been levied on the full value of gaming, horse racing, and casino Exempted GST
on pharma products like cancer drug Dinutuximab, and Food for Special Medical
Purposes Reduced GST on Uncooked, unfried & extruded snack palettes to 5% Reduced
GST on Fish soluble paste to 5% Imitation zari thread brought down from 12% to
5%
2. RBI
cancels licence of 2 cooperative banks:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence
of two cooperative banks -- Sri Sharada Mahila Co-operative Bank, Tumkur,
Karnataka and Harihareshwar Sahakari Bank, Wai, Satara. Reason: As the lenders
do not have adequate capital and earning prospects About 99.96% of the
depositors of Harihareshwar Sahakari Bank and 97.82% of the
depositors of Sri Sharada Mahila Co-operative Bank are entitled to receive
the full amount of their deposits from DICGC.
3. Bangladesh,
India launch trade transactions in Rupees:
Bangladesh and India launched a much-anticipated trade transaction in
rupees to reduce the dependence on the US dollar and strengthen regional
currency and trade. This is the first time Bangladesh has done
bilateral trade with a foreign country in addition to the US dollar. The
transaction costs during trade with India would reduce with the introduction of
the Taka-Rupee dual currency card which would be launched in
September 2023.
4. India to surpass US to become world’s 2nd largest economy
by 2075: Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs said India, the
fifth-largest economy, will become the second-largest economy in the world
by 2075 surpassing not only Japan and Germany but also the United States. According
to the investment bank report innovation and technology, higher capital
investment, and rising worker productivity to increase drastically due to the
burgeoning population. Currently, India is the world’s fifth-largest economy,
behind Germany, Japan, China and the US.
Over
the next two decades, the dependency ratio of India will be one of the lowest
among regional economies. The key to drawing out the potential of India’s
rapidly growing population is boosting participation within its labour force. The
Goldman Sachs report said India’s government has placed a priority on
infrastructure creation, especially in the setting up of roads and railways. The
country’s recent budget aims to continue the 50-year interest-free loan
programs to state governments in order to spur investments in infrastructure. Goldman
Sachs believes that this is an appropriate time for the private sector to scale
up on creating capacity in manufacturing and services in order to generate more
jobs and absorb the large labor force.
5. Canara Bank to sign ₹3,000 crore IT transformation
deal: Public sector bank Canara
Bank will be signing a ₹3,000 crore IT transformation deal to
revamp and enhance its tech infrastructure.
In a
highly competitive bidding race, global tech giants IBM and its managed
infrastructure services spin-off Kyndryl are the frontrunners, positioning
themselves to secure the partnership
The
partnership will aim to modernize and enhance Canara Bank’s technological
capabilities, enabling it to provide efficient banking solutions to its
customers. Over the last three years, Canara Bank has significantly on new
technology initiatives. For the current year alone, the spending has been
₹1,200 crore. The bank aims for 90 percent of its RAM (Retail, Agriculture, and
MSME) transactions to go digital from end to end by March 2024.
6. SBI appoints Abhijit Chakravorty as SBI Card’s CEO: The country’s largest pure-play credit card
issuer, SBI Cards & Payment Services (SBI Card) has
appointed Abhijit Chakravorty as MD & CEO for two years. Chakravorty,
who is presently a Deputy Managing Director at SBI, will assume charge of his
new role on August 12. Incumbent MD & CEO Rama Mohan Rao Amara has tendered
his resignation owing to his transfer to SBI. Amara will demit office on August
11. Amara was appointed as MD & CEO of SBI Card in January 2021.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. India
tops the medal tally at the 34th International Biology Olympiad, UAE: India topped the medals tally at the 34th International Biology
Olympiad (IBO) 2023 held in Al Ain, UAE from 3 July to 11 July 2023. This
is the first time that India won all gold medals at IBO and also the
first time that India has topped the medals tally at the Olympiad. The students
this year were: Dhruv Advani from Bengaluru, Karnataka Ishan
Pednekar from Kota, Rajasthan Megh Chhabda from Jalna, Maharashtra Rohit
Panda from Risali, Chattisgarh
2. Wanindu
Hasaranga, Ashleigh Gardner wins ICC ‘Player of the Month’ award: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Wanindu
Hasaranga (Sri Lankan spinner) and Ashleigh Gardner (Australian women’s team
all-rounder) as the recipients of the ‘Player of the Month' award for
June 2023. He was honored for his outstanding achievements during the World Cup
Qualifier matches in Zimbabwe, where he set new records. Ashleigh Gardner
became the first player to win the Player-of-the-Month accolade three times.
3. Transgender woman crowned Miss Netherlands for the first
time: Rikkie Kollé is the first transgender
woman to win Miss Universe Netherlands. Nathalie Mogbelzada was named
first runner-up while Habiba Mostafa and Lou Dirchs were awarded Miss
Congeniality and Miss Social Media. She succeeded Ona Moody and will represent
the Netherlands at Miss Universe 2023. Kollé won this year’s Miss Universe
Netherlands competition against nine other finalists. According to NOS, a
broadcasting organization based in the Netherlands, Kollé is the second
transgender person to compete in the Miss Universe competition after Angela
Ponce. Ponce represented her home country of Spain in the international pageant
in 2018. Kollé previously appeared on Holland’s Next Top Model in 2018, when
she reached the final four.
4. PM Modi to be awarded Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be awarded the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award this year. The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023. This award recognizes PM Modi’s supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress. It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak’s death anniversary. Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh
No comments:
Post a Comment