NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. SC
launches ‘SuSwagatam’ online portal:
The Supreme Court of India has launched ‘SuSwagatam’, an online
facility to generate online electronic passes for visitors to enter
the apex court’s premises. “‘SuSwagatam’ is a web-based and mobile-friendly
application that allows users to register themselves online and request for
e-passes for various purposes such as attending court hearings, and meeting
advocates. The portal also provides role-based secure logins for different
types of users where they can upload their proof of identity and capture their
live photo during the registration process. SuSwagatam’ will enable a user to
avoid long queues, and have a paperless entry pass (e-pass) for access at the
apex court.
2. Odisha
launched scheme to improve banking penetration in 4,373 panchayats: The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved to
open banking outlets in 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats at a cost of Rs 500
crore in Aug 2023 Aim: To improve financial inclusion, will be implemented in
coordination with six public sector banks in a phased manner. The scheme will
be implemented in coordination with six public sector banks - State Bank
of India, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda
and Bank of India.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 12
August – International Youth Day: International Youth
Day is observed every year on 12 August. International Youth Day is
an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing
young people around the world. Theme 2023 – Green Skills for Youth:
Towards a Sustainable World The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared
August 12 as International Youth Day in 1999. The UNGA decision was based on
the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth,
which was held in Lisbon in 1998. The first IYD was observed on 12 August 2000.
2. Indian
Navy participated in bilateral naval exercise 2023 with UAE Navy: Two Indian Naval Ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand participated
in a bilateral Naval Maritime Partnership Exercise with the UAE Navy at
Port Rashid, Dubai in Aug 2023 Aim: To enhance the
interoperability and synergy between the two navies by cross-training on
tactics, techniques, and procedures while developing stronger professional
bonds. Objective: To jointly tackle the common challenges of piracy,
smuggling, and human trafficking and enhance maritime security.
3. 13
August is celebrated as World Organ Donation Day: World
Organ Donation Day is observed every year on August 13 Aim: To spread
awareness around the importance of organ donation and bust myths around
it. Theme for 2023: "Step up to volunteer; need more organ donors to
fill the lacunae". Organ donation means when a person allows to surgically
remove their organ and transplant it to another person. This is done with
the content of the donor when they are alive or that of their kin when they are
no more.
4. 13
August is celebrated as International Left-Handers Day: International Left-Handers Day is celebrated every year on August 13 Aims:
To raise awareness about the challenges and of left-handers, understanding in a
predominantly right-handed world. Goal: To work on the challenges left-handers
face and cater to their unique needs. Theme for 2023: “Left-Handers in
Sports.” Objective: To recognize and appreciate the diversity of skills,
talents, and perspectives that left-handers bring to various fields and
activities.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. India beat Malaysia clinch fourth Asian Champions
Trophy: India beat Malaysia 4-3 and clinch a record fourth
Asian Champions Trophy title at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. With
four Asian Champions Trophy titles, India is the most successful team in the
history of the tournament. Pakistan, with three titles, is in the second spot
now. Japan take 3rd spot after beating South Korea 5-3. Japan finished behind
Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy tournament after the beat defending
champion South Korea 5-3 in the third-place playoff tie in Chennai.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Airtel Payments Bank Launched India’s 1st Eco-Friendly
Debit Card: Airtel Payments Bank has launched
an eco-friendly debit card for its customers with savings bank
accounts, underlining the company’s ‘commitment to sustainability and promoting
eco-friendly practices within the financial sector.’ The company will
manufacture these debit cards from r-PVC (recycled polyvinyl chloride)
material, which it claims to be eco-friendly. Moreover, the payments bank
stated that every batch of 50,000 cards produced would reduce carbon emissions
by 350 kilograms, compared to conventional PVC cards in the market. Producing
these eco-friendly debit cards will also diminish petroleum consumption during
manufacturing, cutting hydrocarbon usage by 43 percent. This manufacturing
approach will conserve 6.6 million litres of water for every batch of r-PVC
produced. Airtel Payments Bank is developing two cards under the classic
variant; a personalized Classic card and an Insta Classic card. The former can
be ordered through the Airtel Thanks app, while the latter will be available at
select neighbourhood banking points by the end of the current quarter. The
cards come with rewards including e-commerce benefits of up to Rs 10,000 and
complimentary dining experiences under the ‘One Dines Free’ programme across
major cities of India.
2. Gross
Direct tax collections rise 16 % to Rs 6.53 lakh crore in FY 2023: The gross direct tax collection has registered a growth of around 16%
to RS 653,000 crore compared to the same period in 2022 in Aug 2023 Net direct tax
collection, after adjusting refunds, stands at RS 584,000 crore, which is over
17 % higher than the net collections for the same period 2022. The
collection is over 32% of the total Budget estimates of Direct Taxes for
2023-24. Refunds amounting to Rs 69,000 crore has issued, which is 3.73% more
compared to year 2022
3. NPCI
launches UPI Chalega 3.0 campaign to promote easy digital payments: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the 3rd edition
of the UPI Safety Awareness Campaign, “UPI Chalega” in August 2023. Aim: To
promote UPI’s brand awareness, amplify understanding of its features, and
encourage wider adoption among new users It also educates users about various
features such as UPI LITE, which enables swift low-value transactions; UPI
AUTOPAY, which allows secure and convenient recurring payments using any UPI
application
4. 5
banks offering MSSC, post office scheme earning 7.5% interest rate: Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Mahila Samman
Savings Certificate (MSSC), a small savings scheme for women and girls in
August 2023 MSSC is a 2-year deposit scheme, which offers an interest rate of
7.5% per annum. Objective: To promote financial inclusion and empower
women, including girls. It is a one-time program that runs from April
2023 to March 2025. Banks Include: Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India,
Canara Bank and Bank of India
5. Wholesale
inflation stays in negative for fourth month at (-) 1.36% in July: The wholesale price-based inflation remained in the negative territory
for the fourth straight month in July 2023 at (-)1.36 percent on easing prices
of fuel, even though food articles turned costlier. The wholesale price index
(WPI) based inflation rate has been in the negative since April and was (-)4.12
percent in June. In July last year, it was 14.07 percent. Inflation in food
articles skyrocketed 14.25 percent in July against 1.32 percent in June 2023
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Kanwardeep recieved Home Minister’s award for excellence in investigation: Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police, Kanwardeep Kaur was named as the recipient of the ‘Union Home Minister’s Medal of Excellence in Investigation’ for the year 2023. She was given the award for her outstanding investigative work in a minor’s rape case, which resulted in the accused being sentenced to death within 11 months of committing the crime. She worked the case when she was the SSP of Kapurthala district.
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