Daily GK Update- 13th July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates DGNSS '‘SAGAR SAMPARK’: Union Minister of Ports Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) ‘SAGAR SAMPARK’. It would provide more accurate information to the ships for safe navigation. About DGNSS: It is a terrestrial-based enhancement system. It corrects the errors and inaccuracies in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). It will help mariners in safe navigation and will reduce the risk of collisions, and accidents 

 

2. Central government clears appointment of two Supreme Court judges: The Central government has cleared the appointment of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and SV Bhatti as judges of the Supreme Court. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan: He is currently serving as the Chief Justice of the Telangana HC. His parent High Court is the Gauhati HC. Justice SV Bhatti: Presently, he is working as the Chief Justice of the Kerala HC. Prior, he was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and later transferred to the Kerala High Court in March 2019.

 

3. India gets its 36th and Tamil Nadu its first flying training school: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the EKVI Air Training Organization Pvt Ltd which will be based at Salem Airport, Tamil Nadu. This will be the first flying training organization (FTO) in Tamil Nadu. India now has 36 DGCA-approved flying schools. This will provide aspiring pilots of Tamil Nadu training opportunities as per DGCA standards and contribute to the growth of the aviation industry in the country.

 

4. PM Modi embarks on two-nation tour of France and United Arab Emirates: PM Modi has embarked on his two-nation tour of France and the United Arab Emirates. During his visit to France, he will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating. This year (2023) also marks the 25th anniversary of the India - France Strategic Partnership. During his visit to UAE,  he will hold talks with the UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

 

5. India's Vizhinjam railway tunnel adopts Austrian tunneling method: The third longest railway tunnel in India, the Vizhinjam railway tunnel will adopt the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) for undertaking the tunneling works. This tunnel connects the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport. It is being developed by the Adani Port with the railway mainline at Balaramapuram near Thiruvananthapuram. India's largest 12.75 km long railway tunnel (T-49) is built as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL).

 

6. Gujarat CM launched pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan have launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Nadia of Kheda district in Gujarat. The scheme, launched on a pilot basis, is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the Indian Post Payments Bank, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Gujarat became the first state in India to launch a scheme for the welfare of laborers. The objective of Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana is to give priority to the welfare and safety of our Shram Yogis so that they can get financial security in case of an accident. This scheme is an important step towards creating a secure society. Data of 28 crore workers of India will be collated so that they can be covered under the Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana.’ One lakh poor families in Kheda district will get the benefit of “Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana” within 60 days. Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of ‘289 and ‘499 per year will provide to be crucial support to workers in the event of death or partial disability. In case of the laborer’s accidental death, ’10 lakh will be given to their family and the same amount will be given to the worker in case of permanent disability. Also, in the event of the death, the deceased’s children will be eligible for education assistance of ‘1 lakh.

 

7. NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’: The National Law University (NLU), Delhi has launched Eklavya – a ‘Research Affiliate’ programme, under its new academic initiatives. This scheme is open to those who do not have a traditional law degree. Through this, the university aims to emphasise its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. The programme is open for any individual with at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have significant interface with the law. At least three years should have passed after the completion of the undergraduate degree for the candidate to be eligible for this programme.

 

8. Odisha government 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. Kui is a South-Eastern Dravidian language spoken by the Kandha community. Kui is traditionally written using the Odia script, which is also used for writing the Odia language. Inclusion of Kui in the eighth schedule will help in the preservation, promotion and propagation of the language and culture. Besides, publication, creation of content and recognition will get momentum. It will create an eco-system to facilitate research and studies anchored around the preservation, promotion and propagation of the Kui language.

In another important decision, the cabinet approved the proposal to exempt stamp duty and registration fees for fresh leases between IDCO and lessee for surrendered land.

 

9. 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. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has finally took the decision to impose a 28% tax on the turnover of online gaming companies, horse racing and casinos. GST cess has been raised from current 20 percent to 22 percent in MUVs that meet the length, engine criteria. As per the announcement by the GST council there is an exemption on GST for satellite launch services supplied by ISRO, Antrix Corporation Limited and New Space India Limited (NSIL).

10. ITC board reappoints Sanjiv Puri as CMD: Sanjiv Puri has been re-appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of India Tobacco Company Limited (ITC Ltd) for a period of five years. The decision was made on the recommendation of the committee and will take effect from July 22, 2024. Puri was appointed as chief executive officer in February 2017 and re-designated as the managing director in May 2018. He was appointed as the chairman of the tobacco-to-hotels conglomerate effective May 13, 2019. ITC Limited is an Indian conglomerate that operates in various business sectors, including tobacco manufacturing, food processing, retailing, and financial services.

 

11. L&T and Spain’s Navantia sign agreement for submarine project: Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program. For its dwindling submarine fleet, the Navy is looking to procure six advanced diesel-electric submarines under Project 75 (I). P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at Euro 4.8  This would also be followed by a 30-year life-cycle sustenance contract of similar value. Navantia would carry out the design of P75(1) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. Last month, public sector shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) signed an agreement to be able to bid for producing the advanced submarines under Project 75 (I).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Elon Musk launches artificial intelligence firm xAI: A billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk has launched his artificial intelligence startup 'xAI'. Musk registered a firm named X.AI Corp, incorporated in Nevada. The startup will be led by Musk, who is already the CEO of electric car maker Tesla, CEO of SpaceX, and owner of Twitter. He co-founded OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, in 2015, but stepped down from the company's board in 2018. He is also an investor in Microsoft's OpenAI.

 

2. Israel parliament approves bill that limits Supreme Court power: Israel's parliament has approved a bill that limits some Supreme Court power. The new bill seeks a curb on the Supreme Court's power to void decisions made by the government, ministers, and elected officials by ruling them unreasonably. It now returns to the committee for discussion and could be altered before being brought for the final votes. Capital of Israel: Jerusalem Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu Official language: Hebrew

 

3. India-US conducted ‘Operation Broader Sword’: India and the USA have jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System. It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities. The operation was carried out by India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). In Operation Broader Sword, investigators examined more than 1,500 shipments originating in India and took action on approximately 500 products, including illegal medications intended to treat and or mitigate serious diseases. The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US.

 

4. 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. Bangladesh and India, however, stage frontier trading in certain areas called “border hut” in a semi-formal manner where both currencies are exchanged on a limited scale. Under the formal arrangement from now on initially, the trade would be transacted in rupee and then gradually in Bangladeshi currency Taka upon the trade gap between the two countries decreasing. Banks in Bangladesh and India have been given permission to open nostro accounts, an account in a bank of another country for the purpose of foreign currency transactions. According to the latest official data from Dhaka, exports from Bangladesh to India amount to USD 2 billion, while Bangladesh’s imports from India are worth USD 13.69 billion.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India's Nishad Kumar wins silver at Para Athletics World Championships 2023: India's Nishad Kumar has clinched a silver medal in the ongoing Para Athletics World Championships 2023 in Paris. He bagged this medal in the High Jump T47 Event. With this win, he also becomes the second athlete to grab a medal in this event. The top-four ranked athletes at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in each of the individual medal events qualify for the 2024 Paralympic Games, also to be held in Paris.

 

2. India’s top table tennis league UTT tournament is being organized in Pune: India’s top table tennis league Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) tournament is being organized at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune from July 13 to 27, 2023. It is being organized under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India, after a gap of four years. The event is joined by India's table tennis player Sharath Kamal. He will be leading the Indian team to the 26th Asian Championships to be held from 3-10 September 2023 in South Korea.

 

3. Wanindu Hasaranga and Ashley Gardner awarded ICC ‘Player of the Month’ for June: 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. Hasaranga recently featured in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers for Sri Lanka, contributing heavily in his team’s qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India starting September 5. Ashley Gardner became the first player to win the Player of the Month award three times. She was recognized for her outstanding contribution during the Women’s Ashes series.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. A new campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund launched: Manoj Ahuja (Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture) launched a month-long campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund, starting on July 15-August 15, 2023. Title of the campaign: BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation) Target: Rs 7,200 Crore Aim: To promote Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for the creation of necessary infrastructure in the farm sector. The AIF is a financing facility launched on July 8, 2020.

 

2. CPI inflation rises higher-than-estimates to 4.81% in June 2023: India's Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation has raised for the first time in five months to 4.81% in June 2023. The rise in inflation is higher than the street's expectations of 4.58%, but it is still below RBI's upper tolerance limit of 6%. Reason: Due to a less supportive base and the onset of a surge in vegetable prices. Consumer food price inflation surged to 4.49% in June 2023. Retail inflation in the food and beverages basket also rose sharply to 4.63%.

 

3. India's index of industrial production jumps to 5.2% in May 2023: According to the data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the index of industrial production (IIP) in India has increased by 5.2% in May 2023 from 4.2% in April 2023. In May 2022, the factory output was at all time high-growth of 19.6%. India's industrial production growth (IIP) declined to its lowest level in five months at 1.1% in March 2023. The lowest growth rate was observed in October 2022 when it contracted by 4.1%.

 

4. J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA: Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022. The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa. It is a Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta. The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

 

5. Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Awards 2023: One of the leading private life insurer in India, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the World’s Digital Insurance Awards. Digital Insurer, acknowledges Bajaj Allianz Life’s groundbreaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. Bajaj Allianz Life emerged as the regional finalist winner for Asia Pacific region, amongst a sterling list of Insurance majors like HSBC Life, AlA China, Cathay Life Insurance, MSIG, and Singlife. The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India tops the medal tally at the 34th International Biology Olympiad: India topped the International Biology Olympiad medal tally for the first time with an all-gold performance at the 34th edition of the competition held in Al Ain, UAE. The Indian team comprised four students — Dhruv Advani from Bengaluru; Ishan Pednekar from Kota, Rajasthan; Megh Chhabda from Jalna, Maharashtra; and Rohit Panda from Risali, Chattisgarh. 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. Prof Madan M Chaturvedi (former senior professor, Delhi University) and Dr Anupama Ronad (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai) guided the Indian team. Dr V V Binoy (National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru) and Dr Rambhadur Subedi (National Institute For Research In Reproductive Health, Mumbai) were part of the contingent as scientific observers.

India had earlier topped the medal tally in other disciplines of International Science Olympiads — Astronomy & Astrophysics (in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2021), Physics (in 2018), and Junior Science (in 2014, 2019, 2021, and 2022). International Science Olympiads are annual competitions in various areas of the formal sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Veteran author Milan Kundera passes away: An author of the novel “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”, Milan Kundera passed away at 94. He won accolades for his style depicting themes and characters that floated between the mundane reality of everyday life and the lofty world of ideas. Other works: The Joke, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting Awards: Jerusalem Prize (1985), Austrian State Prize for European Literature (1987), Vilenica International Literary Festival (1992), Herder Prize (2000)