Daily GK Update- 9th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Goa Governor Launches ‘Mashaal’ For 37th National Games: Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai launched ‘Mashaal’ for 37th National Games 2023 at a program held in Durbar Hall Raj Bhavan, Donapaula. The 37th National Games will be held in Goa from October 25 to November 9 2023 The Governor also released anthem (theme song) of national games for which actor Amitabh Bachchan has given his voice He highlighted the nationwide participation expected for this prestigious event and the potential positive impact on Goa’s tourism sector

 

2. PM Modi to chair a session on the theme - One Future in G20 Summit: In a significant victory for India's G-20 presidency, the member nations have unanimously adopted the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.  On the first day of the 18th G-20 Summit PM announced the adoption of the declaration by the bloc of world-leading economies during the second session of the G20 summit, titled One Family. Inclusive growth, accelerating actions to deal with climate change, and increasing medical supplies to be future-ready for health emergencies.

 

3. “One Sun, One World, One Grid” conference held in New Delhi: In the run-up to the 18th G20 Summit, a one-day conference themed “Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)” convened in New Delhi. The conference, spearheaded by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a ‘Maharatna’ company under the Ministry of Power. OSOWOG has the potential to make round-the-clock renewable energy more cost-effective, reducing the need for energy reserves and ultimately lowering electricity costs for the populace while ensuring energy access to millions who currently lack it.

 

4. Phase II of bilateral exercise ‘Varuna 2023’ conducted in Arabian Sea: Phase II of the 21st edition of the Varuna (Varuna-23) bilateral exercise between the Indian and French Navy was conducted in the Arabian Sea. The exercise witnessed the participation of guided missile frigates, tanker, Maritime Patrol Aircraft and integral helicopters from the two sides. Units of both navies endeavored to enhance and hone their fighting skills, improve interoperability and demonstrate their ability to promote, peace, security, and stability in the region. The first phase of ‘Varuna-2023’ was conducted off India’s Western Seaboard from January 16 to 20, this year.

The bilateral exercise of the Indian and French navies was initiated in 1993. The exercise was later christened as ‘Varuna’ in 2001 and has since become a hallmark of robust India-France strategic bilateral relationship.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. MoU Signed Between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya Vadodara And Airbus: A MoU was signed between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara, and Airbus in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw. Aim: To enable the co-development and co-delivery of sector-relevant skilling, courses, and programs for regular students and working professionals and scholarship programs.  Objective: To become the biggest source of talent for the entire transportation industry in the country and for the world.

 

2. INS Sumedha Arrived In Egypt To Participate In ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23’: In a development highlighting India's growing presence on the global military stage, the Indian Navy's INS Sumedha arrived at Port Alexandria, Egypt, to take part in 'Exercise Bright Star-23.' It marks a historic occasion, with 34 countries participating, making it the largest joint military exercise ever held in the Middle East and North Africa region. The Harbour Phase involves an array of activities aimed at planning and executing the Sea Phase

 

3. 21st EDITION OF INDIA FRANCE BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE ‘VARUNA’ – 2023: Phase Il of the 21st edition of Varuna (Varuna-23) bilateral exercise between Indian and French Navy was conducted in the Arabian Sea. The exercise witnessed participation of guided missile frigates, tanker, Maritime Patrol Aircraft and integral helicopters from the two sides. Aim: To enhance and hone their war fighting skills, improve interoperability and demonstrate their ability to promote, peace, security and stability in the region.

 

4. PM Modi launches global biofuels alliance at G20 summit in New Delhi: India launched the Global Biofuel Alliance at a G20 summit in New Delhi. The Global Biofuel Alliance is an India-led Initiative to develop an alliance of Governments, International organizations, and Industry to facilitate the adoption of biofuels. Aim: To position biofuels as a key to energy transition and contribute to jobs and economic growth. The Alliance which will help strengthen India’s position globally and will focus on collaboration. 

 

5. India-Brazil-SA-US commit to address global challenges: Leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States met on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi Aim: To reaffirm their shared commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation to deliver solutions for shared world.  In this spirit, together with the World Bank President, they welcome the G20’s commitment to build better, bigger, and more effective multilateral development banks.

 

6. 8 September – World Physiotherapy Day: World Physiotherapy Day is observed every year on September 8. Objective – To create awareness about the crucial role of physiotherapy in keeping people healthy. Theme 2023 – Prevention and management of arthritis It serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the crucial role these professionals play in helping people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve their overall physical function and quality of life.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Tennis phenom Coco Gauff won US Open women's singles final 2023: American teenager Coco Gauff has won the US Open 2023, clinching her first Grand Slam title with a battling win over Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. The championship match marked the first appearance by both athletes in a U.S. Open final. She last played in a Grand Slam final in 2022, losing the French Open to Iga Swiatek. In August 2023, the teen won the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, becoming the youngest player to do so.

 

2. Britain’s Salisbury and partner Ram won third straight US Open double title: American Rajeev Ram and Britain's Joe Salisbury rallied from a set down to beat India's Rohan Bopanna and Australian Matthew Ebden to win an Open-era record third straight U.S. Open men's doubles title 2023. The last pair to win three straight U.S. Open men's doubles titles were Tom Bundy and Maurice McLoughlin. The title is the fourth for the duo, who also won the Australian Open in 2020, and gives Salisbury a sixth Grand Slam title across the men's and mixed doubles.

 

3. Indian men’s team finishes with bronze medal at Asian TTC: In Table Tennis, the Indian men’s team finished with a bronze medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2023 following a semi-final defeat to Chinese Taipei in Pyeongchang, the Republic of Korea. The Indian men’s table tennis team comprising Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran lost 0-3 in their final four match. The two losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals at the competition. The Asian Table Tennis Championships 2023 was also a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI Unveils Nation First Transit Card For Digital Fare Payments: The State Bank of India has launched the ‘Nation First Transit Card’ to facilitate the seamless and convenient customer commuting experience Aim: To ensure easy digital ticketing fare payments in metro, buses, water ferries, parking, etc., through a single card and individuals can also use this card for making retail and e-commerce payments. It is set to revolutionize the commuting experience, and is aligned with the national vision of “One Nation One Card"

 

2. SBI Life Insurance launches its very first ‘LifeVerse Studio’ on Meta: SBI Life Insurance has launched its very first ‘LifeVerse Studio’, on Metaverse to connect with the next generation of internet users. The objective behind the move is expected to connect, empower, and engage with the new-age consumers and reshape brand interactions. SBI Life’s ‘LifeVerse Studio’ is designed for users to create their avatars to connect with a diverse set of audiences. The users can select from a wide range of interesting avatars and showcase their creative selves on the platform through their avatars. Furthermore, the Avatars can interact in real time.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. SPG Chief Arun Kumar Sinha passed away: Arun Kumar Sinha, director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the security of Prime Minister Modi, passed away at the age of 61 in Gurugram. Sinha was an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1987 Kerala cadre. He assumed the role of Director of SPG in March 2016 and was initially appointed on a contract basis, with a tenure of up to May 31, 2024, in the rank and compensation of Director General of Police.