Daily GK Update- 29th July, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Launch of revamped website of National Pension System Trust: Deepak Mohanty, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the revamped website of the National Pension System Trust.  The new website features a sleek and intuitive design, optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. 

The key highlights of the website are:

·       Streamlined navigation and menu structure

·       Structured Information

·       Enhanced online services with new features

·       Enhanced user experience

·       Improved search functionality

 

2. 10th meeting of Sub Committee on Military Cooperation: The 10th meeting of the Sub Committee on Military Cooperation between India and Malaysia was held in New Delhi in July 2023.  The Indian Side was headed by, Ministry of Defence Amitabh Prasad, while the Malaysian side was headed by Assistant Chief of Staff, Khairul Anuar bin Abd Aziz The Indian side highlighted the potential of the Indian defense industry with capacity and capability to cooperate with the Malaysian Armed Forces in its shipbuilding and maintenance plans

 

3. National Health Authority launches 100 Microsites Projects: The National Health Authority has launched 100 Microsites Project under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Aim: To establish a small ecosystem within a particular geographic area where there is complete ABDM adoption, and the entire patient journey is digitized. It will be a cluster of small and mid-sized health facilities that would be fully compliant with ABDM. It shall encompass all small and medium-scale clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. 

 

4. Naveen Patnaik becomes 2nd longest-serving CM in India: Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik has become the second longest-serving chief minister in the country, replacing West Bengal’s Jyoti Basu. Former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling still holds the record of being the longest-serving Chief Minister in the country. He was the Chief Minister of the Himalayan state from December 12, 1994 till May 27, 2019 — more than 24 years. Mr Patnaik, the five-time chief minister of Odisha, took charge on March 5, 2000, and holds the post for 23 years and 138 days. Mr Basu served as the chief minister of West Bengal from June 21, 1977 to November 5, 2000, which was 23 years and 137 days.

 

5. Bhupendar Yadav launched Circular Economy Industry Coalition: Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has launched a Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC), conceptualized under India’s G20 Presidency, to promote the practices of resource efficiency and circular economy globally. The RECEIC would play a pivotal role in promoting alliances, encouraging technological cooperation and knowledge transfer, fostering innovation, and facilitating the exchange of insights to enhance access to finance. The RECEIC is envisaged to be industry-driven and a self-sustaining initiative continuing to function even beyond India’s G20 Presidency. The mission of this coalition is to facilitate and foster greater company-to-company collaboration, build advanced capabilities across sectors and value chains, bring learnings from diverse and global experiences of the coalition members, and unlock on-ground private sector action to enhance resource efficiency and accelerate circular economy transition.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World tiger day is celebrated on 29th July: July 29 is observed as International Tiger Day annually Aim: To promote tiger conservation worldwide. Goal: To safeguard tigers and preserve their natural habitat on a global scale. As an endangered species in various regions across the world, tigers confront multiple threats to their existence, including habitat loss and poaching. International Tiger Day serves as a encouragement for humans and tigers to peacefully coexist

 

2. Nepali and Norwegian climbers set record of climbing 14 peaks in 92 days: A Norwegian woman and her Nepali Sherpa guide climbed K2, the world's second tallest mountain, in Pakistan becoming the world's fastest climber to summit all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters (26,246 feet) in just 92 days. This was their 14th highest peak in just over three months. Other climbers included Pakistan's Shahbaz Khan, the younger brother of renowned mountaineer Sirbaz Khan. Harila and Tenjen set the fastest climbing record by beating Nirmal Purja of Nepal.

 

3. Bhutan announces successful elimination of rubella : Bhutan has announced the successful elimination of rubella. In the past 20 years, Bhutan's health workers have worked tirelessly and fought against rubella, also known as German Measles This infectious disease poses a threat to those infected and also causes severe complications for pregnant women, resulting in irreversible birth defects in newborns. Bhutan's efforts in vaccination promotion and creating awareness have resulted in commendable success.

 

4. Dentsu X India appoints Jose Leon as CEO: Brand and marketing agency, Dentsu X, an agency of Dentsu Aegis Network India Private Limited, has appointed Jose Leon as its chief executive officer. Leon has about 26 years of work experience and has helped brands build revenues across industries. Prior to joining Dentsu X, he was the managing director at Publicis Groupe for over five years. Divya Karani previously served as the CEO for Dentsu X for about a decade till 2021.

 

5. 29 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons: World Day against Trafficking in Persons is observed every year on 29 July. Objective – To raise awareness about the ordeal of human trafficking victims and the ways to safeguard their rights. Theme 2023 – Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind Human trafficking is a criminal act that involves the exploitation of women, children, and men, forcing them into various forms of labor and sex work. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has gathered data on approximately 225,000 trafficking victims detected worldwide since 2003.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NS Vishwanathan appointed as non-executive chairman of Axis Bank: Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for the appointment of NS Vishwanathan as the non-executive chairman of Axis Bank for a three-year term.  With a career spanning nearly four decades at the central bank, Vishwanathan joined the Reserve Bank of India in 1981 and retired in March 2020 as the deputy governor.  He showcased expertise in various areas, such as, banking, and non-banking regulation, demonstrating extensive knowledge in central banking.

 

2. SBI report: India likely to get the 3rd largest economy tag in 2027: SBI Ecowrap predicts that India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy by FY28.  There is a growing agreement among experts that India's GDP in Q1FY24 is set to exceed 8%, leading to a GDP growth rate surpassing 6.5% in FY24.  The incremental increase in India's economy between 2022 and 2027 is greater than the entire current size of Australia's economy, which stands at $1.8 trillion.

 

3. Jio Financial ropes in BlackRock to disrupt India’s management industry: BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is teaming up with Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Financial Services (JFS) to enter India's asset management sector.  This collaboration represents BlackRock's return to the domestic market, and it will serve as a strong foothold for JFS, which is a recently separated division of Reliance Industries. This marks BlackRock's second attempt at tapping into the rapidly expanding domestic asset management space.

 

4. M&M buys 3.5% stake in RBL Bank for Rs 417 crore: Mahindra & Mahindra has acquired a 3.5% stake in RBL Bank for Rs 417 crore.  The company might consider making further investments, but it will be subject to a ceiling of 9.9%. As per RBI norms, any entity looking to acquire over 5 per cent stake in a bank needs to seek prior approval from the regulator. The Mahindra group is in the financial services sector primarily through its arm Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services – a non-banking finance company.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Journalist Prem Prakash receives Lifetime Achievement Award: Renowned veteran journalist and Asian News International (ANI) founder Prem Prakash was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The Global Education Mentor Awards program was organized at Ambedkar International Center in Delhi. The award aims to foster collaboration and partnership among education stakeholders. ANI chairman Prem Prakash has dedicated over 70 years in the world of journalism. Throughout his illustrious career, he has established new dimensions to journalism from time to time and emerged as a great inspiration to society. The Global Education Mentor (GEM) Awards aims to celebrate the achievements of those who have dedicated their lives in improving education or its associated social sector and promoting innovative approaches to teaching and learning.