Daily GK Update- 12th Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Telangana launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange and ADMF: Telangana IT and Industries Minister K Taraka Ramarao launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) and Agriculture Data Management Framework (ADMF) in Hyderabad in August 2023. The ADeX has been developed as a digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector Aims: To ensure fair and efficient usage of agricultural data by the industry and startups and provide a big boost to the data economy specifically in the agriculture sector.

 

2. CM Solar Mission launched in power deficit Meghalaya: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the Rs 500 crore Chief Minister's Solar Mission for minimizing the power deficit in this northeastern hill state in August 2023. The mission will be a flagship Renewable Energy intervention committed to fostering green and clean energy transformation across the state. The mission will begin a new era of resilience, independence, and green progress for Meghalaya.

 

3. NCLT Approves $10 Billion Mega-Merger Between Zee and Sony: The National Company Law Tribunal approved the merger scheme of India’s homegrown entertainment company Zee Entertainment Enterprises with Culver Max Entertainment in Aug 2023. Aim: To create a $10-billion Indian media giant. ZEE will have 30 days to file with the registrar of companies, following which, the shares of the company will be de-listed from the stock exchanges and the merged company will get re-listed in another six weeks

 

4. IEPFA and Common Service Centre (CSC) launches “Niveshak Sarathi” Vans: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) CEO Anita Shah Akella and Common Service Centre (CSC) launched two Investor Awareness Vans titled “Niveshak Sarathi” Theme: From Unawareness to Financial Independence. Aims: To disseminate crucial financial education and raise awareness against fraudulent schemes across the Delhi NCR region. These vans are equipped with a TV screen running “Hisab Ki Kitab,” developed by IEPFA.

 

5. Amit Shah lays foundation stone for IFFCO Nano Urea Plant: Union Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited Nano Urea Plant at Gandhidham in Kutch in August 2023. Aims: To fulfill 3 primary goals which include achieving self-sufficiency in food production and bringing prosperity to the farmers. This will reduce imports of fertilizers and make India self-reliant in the field of fertilizers and conserve the nutrients of the soil and ensure judicious use of fertilizers.

 

6. Dharmendra Pradhan launches DBT in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme: Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Direct Benefit Transfer in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme in New Delhi in August 2023. The Scheme marks a stride towards transparency and efficiency as the skilled workforce is paramount, to encompass policy evolution Objective: To focus on the vision of making skilling an apprenticeship aspirational as well as encouraging earning while learning as envisioned in the National Education Policy.

 

7. Amit Shah lays foundation stone for IFFCO Nano Urea Plant: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has laid the foundation stone for the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited Nano Urea Plant at Gandhidham in Kutch, Gujarat. India needs another green revolution in the form of natural farming under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which aims to ensure the highest value addition to farmers and protect farmlands from degradation. The nano urea plant will provide multi-dimensional benefits to the agricultural economy. It will also help conserve the nutrients of the soil and ensure judicious use of fertilizers. The plant will play a vital role to reduce imports of fertilizers and make India self-reliant in the field of fertilizers. This will reduce imports of fertilizers and make India self-reliant in the field of fertilizers and conserve the nutrients of the soil and ensure judicious use of fertilizers.

 

8. Gujarat CM Unveils ‘Sinh Suchna’ Web App: On the occasion of World Lion Day, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has virtually launched Lion Anthem’ and unveiled the ‘Sinh Suchna’ Web App. The application will help the state forest department track the movement of lions through the information shared by common people using the app. Using the ‘Sinh Suchna’ app, common people can directly inform the state forest department about the movement of lions in their area so that timely steps can be taken. This mobile will help us in locating lions in real-time and also help the authorities in avoiding human-animal conflicts,” Patel said after launching the app.

The central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a budget of Rs 2,900 crore under ‘Project Lion’ for the conservation of Asiatic Lions, which are found only in Gujarat. Under this project, we will set up a breeding centre for lions, an isolation centre, and more facilities to provide them timely treatment. The funds will also be utilized to install CCTV cameras, buy radio collars as well as drones. Gir forest is the only abode of Asiatic lions in the world.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Youth Day is observed on12 August: International Youth Day is commemorated every year on 12 August.  The theme of International Youth Day 2023 is Green Skills For Youth: Towards A Sustainable WorldT Aims: To encourage youth around the world to organize activities to raise awareness about the situation of youth in their country. Objective: Bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

 

2. 13 August – International Lefthanders Day: International Lefthanders Day is celebrated every on 13 August. Objective -To raise awareness of the unique skills and talents of left-handed people Theme 2023 – Left Handers in Sports Left-handed people are often more creative and intelligent, and they are also more likely to be entrepreneurs and leaders. International Lefthanders Day was first celebrated in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, the founder of Lefthanders International, Inc. The holiday was created to raise awareness of the challenges that left-handed people face in a world that is designed for right-handers. It is also a day to celebrate the unique skills and talents of left-handed people.

 

3. 12 August – World Elephant Day: World Elephant Day is observed every year on 12 August. The day aims to raise awareness about the threats facing elephants, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict, and to promote efforts to ensure the survival of both African and Asian elephant species. Theme 2023 – Ending the Illegal Wildlife Trade World Elephant Day was first launched in 2012 by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark, along with the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand. The date, August 12th, was chosen to honor the iconic Asian elephant, which holds great cultural and ecological significance. The day provides a platform for organizations, governments, and individuals to come together, share knowledge, and engage in initiatives aimed at protecting elephants and their habitats

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. 69th edition of Nehru Trophy Boat Race to be held in Kerala: The 69th edition of the famed Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2023 would be held at the picturesque Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha district in Kerala. 72 boats, including 19 Chundan Valloms or Snake Boats vying for the coveted trophy, will be participating in the boat race, held every year on the second Saturday of August.

Chief Minister of Kerala PInarayi Vijayan would inaugurate the event. The current champion, Pallathuruthy Boat Club from Alappuzha, has bagged the Trophy thrice

 

2. Bangladesh appointed Shakib Al Hasan as ODI captain for both Asia Cup: Bangladesh appointed veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as its ODI captain for both the Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. He had also led Bangladesh in 49 ODIs between 2009 and 2011, when he first became captain, and won 22 of those. He later captained Bangladesh in three more ODIs in 2015 and 2017, each time standing in for Mashrafe. Shakib has so far led Bangladesh in 19 Tests and 39 T20Is, and the last of his 50 ODIs as captain was in 2017.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI raises per transaction limit for UPI Lite to 500 rupees: RBI has increased the offline transaction limit from 200 rupees to 500 rupees but the overall limit of small value digital transaction limit is kept unchanged at 2,000 rupees. These initiatives will further deepen the reach of digital payments in the country. Central Bank has also proposed to use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in UPI transactions.

2. IIITD-IC partners with YES Bank to scale up Indian startups: Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi Innovation and Incubation Centre (IIITD-IC) has signed a MoU with YES Bank. The partnership aims to enable IIITD-IC to strengthen its mentoring initiatives for startups, gain access to experts across the industry, as well as identify newer investment and funding opportunities that can benefit startups. In this collaboration, YES Bank aims to provide banking services to startups in the developmental phase at IIITD-IC through the Bank’s specialized YES Head Startup programme. YES Bank has brought the bank to Startups, adopting a horizontal approach and bundling up the most lucrative features possible.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Subhash Runwal receives the Lifetime Achievement Award 2023: Chairman Subhash Runwal, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 at the first-ever RICS South Asia Awards. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is a global industry body representing professionals across the country. Aim: To acknowledge outstanding accomplishments in both global and Indian industries, showcasing the commitment to the highest levels of professionalism and ethics by individuals and teams working within built and natural environments.