NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Amul’s ‘Be More Milk’ campaign goes global at Time
Square: Amul said its ‘Be More
Milk’ campaign had made a big splash at New York’s Time Square, the
world-famous intersection that sports massive digital screens. The campaign
displayed the ‘Be More Milk’ message in a colourful and animated billboard that
grabbed the attention of passersby and lit up the iconic intersection in a
unique way. Famously known as the melting pot of cultures from all over the
world, this setting played a special role in the launch this campaign,
internationally. Amul’s latest campaign Be More Milk creatively depicts milk in
a new, and young avatar, while encouraging the youth around the world to be
honest, pure, refreshing, natural, authentic, comforting and urges them to
blend in with different cultures in a positive way.
2. UP government to organize three-day ‘Sri Anna
Mahotsav’: The Uttar Pradesh
government will organize Sri Anna Mahotsav in the state capital from
October 27 to 29 to promote the use of millet. Farmers doing good work for
the production of millets would be felicitated on the occasion. Fifty
progressive farmers from each division will take part in the event which is aimed
at creating awareness among people and farmers with regard to the cultivation
and consumption of millets in the state. Around 40 stalls of food made from
millets will also be put up during the three-day Sri Anna Mahotsav.
3. Dharmendra Pradhan launches web portal ‘Apna
Chandrayaan’: Union Education Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan has launched a web portal and special modules on
ISRO’s ambitious Chandrayaan-3 mission for school students. The web portal
“Apna Chandrayaan” has activity-based support material such as quizzes and
puzzles for students. The minister also released 10 special modules on
Chandrayaan-3, offering a comprehensive overview of its various facets,
including scientific, technological, and social aspects, as well as the
emotional journey and team spirit of the scientists involved. Pradhan described
the success of Chandrayaan-3 as one of the most significant achievements of the
21st century that has inspired the children of the country the most. More
modules will be prepared on 14 different topics including women empowerment,
COVID-19 vaccination, India’s G20 Presidency, etc.
4. Sanjay Kulshreshtha appoints as new CMD of HUDCO: Sanjay Kulshreshtha has been appointed the new Chairman and
Managing Director of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO).
Kulshreshtha has been serving as the Executive Director at REC Limited
(formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited), and will soon be joining
his new post as the CMD of HUDCO. This posting has given HUDCO a full-time CMD
for the first time since 2019. HUDCO is a government-owned company in India
established in 1970 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It
specializes in providing financial assistance for housing and urban
infrastructure projects across the country.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. IBM inks 3 pacts with IT Ministry on semiconductor,
Al, Q-computing: US multinational technology giant
IBM has inked three pacts with IT Ministry in areas of
semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing. The three MoUs
signed were in the areas of semiconductors, Al and quantum computing. As a part
of the partnership, IBM would be a knowledge partner of the India Semiconductor
Mission and establish a semiconductor research centre in the country. The
semiconductor research centre will also work on skilling Indian students and
professionals by providing them access to research facilities Apart from these,
the semiconductor research centre will also promote innovation of semiconductor
technologies such as logic, advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration.
2. Global Pension Index 2023: India ranked 45; Topped by
Netherland: The 15th annual Mercer CFA Institute
Global Pension Index (MCGPI) has been published, and it shows that
the Netherlands’ retirement income system has once again secured
the first position. Iceland and Denmark have claimed the second and third
positions in the ranking, respectively. The Netherlands had the highest overall
index value (85.0), closely followed by Iceland (83.5) and Denmark (81.3).
Argentina had the lowest index value (42.3). India had an overall index
value of 45.9 from 44.5 in 2022, ranking 45 out of the 47 retirement
income systems analyzed primarily due to improvements in adequacy and
sustainability sub-indices, according to the 15th annual Mercer CFA Institute
Global Pension Index (MCGPI). This year, the Global Pension Index compares 47
retirement income systems across the globe and covers 64 percent of the world’s
population.
3. Pakistan successfully tests medium-range ‘Ababeel
Weapon System’: Pakistan has
successfully conducted the flight test of the ‘Ababeel Weapon
System’ to further strengthen its deterrence. The latest test of the
ballistic missile system was aimed at “re-validating various design, technical
parameters, and performance evaluation of different sub-systems. The missile
system is aimed at strengthening deterrence and enhancing strategic stability
in the region through the operationalization of Full Spectrum Deterrence in the
overall construct of Credible Minimum Deterrence. The Ababeel missile has a
length of 21.5 meters and a diameter of 1.7 meters and is designed to carry
both conventional and nuclear warheads. It carries multiple independently
targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), marking South Asia’s first MIRV payload.
4. 20 October – World Statistics Day: World Statistics Day is celebrated every
year on 20 October. The day is dedicated to create awareness about the
significant role of advanced, reliable, and good-quality statistics in the
development of global nations. The United Nations General Assembly established
World Statistics Day on 20 October 2015. The idea of celebrating World
Statistics Day was proposed at the United Nations Statistical Commission’s 41st
Session in February 2010. The commission recommended marking October 20, 2010,
as the first World Statistics Day. National Statistics Day is celebrated on
June 29 every year to recognize the contributions of PC Mahanalobis.
5. 20 October – World Osteoporosis Day: World Osteoporosis Day is observed every
year on October 20. This day is marked to promote and highlight the
importance of early diagnosis of osteoporosis, its treatment and preventive
tips. Theme 2023 – Build Better Bones World Osteoporosis Day was initially
observed in 1996 by the National Osteoporosis Society of the United Kingdom
which was also supported by the European Commission.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Punjab hits highest-ever T20 total in Indian cricket
history : Punjab created history by smashing
the highest-ever T20 total by any Indian cricket team, 275/6 against
Andhra Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. Abhishek went on to score
112 runs in just 51 balls as Punjab posted a mammoth total of 275 for 6 in
their 20 overs, beating the previous record of 263 set by IPL side Royal
Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Pune Warriors India in 2013. This is the
highest total in Indian T20 cricket (SMAT or IPL) and fourth highest overall in
T20 cricket history. Punjab went past Mumbai’s record, who smashed 258 runs
against Sikkim in the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy edition. The explosive
Punjab batting also broke the previous record (RCB, 21 sixes) of most sixes by
a team in a T20 match. With the help of 9 sixes each by Abhishek and
Anmolpreet, 2 of Naman Dhir, and 1 of Prabhsimran, Punjab hit as many as 22
sixes in the match. Andhra Pradesh lost the match by 15 runs as they managed to
score 170/7 in their 20 overs in reply to Punjab’s historic total.
2. Sornnarin Tippoch retires from international cricket: Former Thailand captain Sornnarin
Tippoch has announced her retirement from international
cricket in Bangkok, bringing curtains on a near 16-year playing career. Tippoch
led Thailand to their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance at the 2020
mega-event in Australia. Tippoch first represented Thailand in 2008, when the
national women’s team did not have international status. The 37-year
off-spinning allrounder has now played 75 T20Is (of which she has captained in
39) and 9 ODIs. She was at the helm when Thailand Women surpassed Australia’s
record for most consecutive wins in Women’s T20Is (17) – a streak that ran from
July 2018 to August 2019.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Federal Bank launched the ‘Mookkannoor Mission’
initiative at its founder’s village: The Federal
Bank has inaugurated the ‘Mookkannoor Mission’, an initiative
under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, on the 106th birth anniversary of its
Founder KP Hormis Mookannoor, a village in Ernakulam district, is the
birthplace of the Founder. The Bank adopteda comprehensive plan of digitizing
the entire village as well as a cleanliness drive that includes waste
management, tree plantation, community development, renewable energy projects,
etc that will be implemented in stages. The programme named “Mookkannoor
Mission” was launched by Shyam Srinivasan, MD & CEO at Sacred Heart English
Medium School, Mookkannoor. This is a dream project not only for the residents
of Mookkannoor but also for Federal Bank. In India’s story of transformation,
if ever a chapter on cleanliness is written – Mookkannoor should become the
shining example of how transformation can happen.
2. RBI imposed penalty on ICICI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank for violation of norms: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty or ₹12.19 crore on ICICI Bank and ₹3.95 crore on Kotak Mahindra Bank for non-compliance of certain regulatory norms. The penalty on private sector lender ICICI Bank has been imposed for contravention of norms related to ‘Loans and Advances-Statutory and Other Restrictions’ and ‘Frauds classification and reporting by commercial banks and select Fls’. The penalty on Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited has been imposed for contravention of directions related to “Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by banks”, “Recovery Agents engaged by Banks”, “Customer Service in Banks”, and “Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions”. In both cases, the RBI said the penalties are based on the deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the banks with their customers.
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