Daily GK Update- 12th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. THDC India inks pact to develop renewable energy projects in Karnataka: THDC India Ltd is planning to set up 3,270 megawatts of clean energy projects, including pumped storage and floating solar, in Karnataka. In this regard, the Uttarakhand-based company signed two Memorandum of Understanding with Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) in Bengaluru. These collaborative efforts encompass the development of a diverse range of projects, spanning ground-mounted, floating solar projects, and hybrid projects including pumped storage projects (PSPs) with a cumulative capacity of around 3,270 MW. THDCIL has a portfolio of 10 projects (hydro, thermal, wind & solar) with a total capacity of 4,516 MW

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Mika becomes world’s first robot CEO: In the era where many workers are worrying about artificial intelligence (AI) replacing their jobs, one company has announced that it is hiring the first humanoid robot chief executive officer (CEO). Dictador, a spirit brand based in Colombia’s Cartagena, has gone viral for appointing Mika, who is manifested as a robot. Mika is a research project between Hanson Robotics and Dictador. It has been customised to represent company value. Hanson Robotics also created Sophia, the popular humanoid robot. At the event, Mika said, “My presence on this stage is purely symbolic. In reality, conferring an honorary professor title upon me is a tribute to the greatness of the human mind in which the idea of artificial intelligence was born. It is also a recognition of the courage and open-mindedness of the owner of Dictador, who entrusted his company to a humble spokesperson with a processor instead of a heart.

 

2. 10 November – World Science Day for Peace and Development: World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated annually on November 10. It is a day to acknowledge the role of science in society and highlights the significant role of involving the public in debates surrounding the effects of new scientific innovations and to create awareness among people. Theme 2023 – Building Trust in Science The day aims to connect science with society to provide citizens with knowledge of science for sustainable development and peaceful cohabitation. The origin of World Science Day for Peace and Development is linked to the positive outcomes that emanated from the 1999 World Conference on Science in Budapest, Hungary. These achievements led UNESCO to formally declare the celebration of this day in 2001.

 

3. 12 November – World Pneumonia Day: World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on November 12 and is a global effort to educate people about the disease and its effects. On this day, health organizations, together with ordinary people, try to educate, raise awareness, and promote advocacy that pneumonia is curable. On 12 November 2009, the first World Pneumonia Day was observed. On this day, the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia launched the ‘Stop Pneumonia’ campaign, which was backed by governments and civil organizations leading to the enactment of sound policies.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Rachin Ravindra & Hayley Matthews won ICC Player of Month award: New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra claimed the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October 2023. Ravindra, the 23-year-old Blackcaps batter, claimed his first Men’s Player of the Month award, showcasing exceptional form in the World Cup 2023 group stages. Ravindra beat India’s speedster Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa opener Quinton de Kock for the prestigious accolade after a scorching start to the 2023 World Cup, claiming his award. His remarkable 406 runs at an average of 81.20 included a superb 123 not out against England and a blazing 116 against Australia. While West Indies captain Hayley Matthews bags ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for October 2023. Matthews, the top-ranked all-rounder in the women’s T20I rankings, secured her second Women’s Player of the Month award. She led West Indies with scintillating performances in the T20I series against Australia, amassing 310 runs at an average of 155, with a standout unbeaten 132.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SIDBI launches ‘Sumpoorn’ MSME Economic Activity Index with Jocata: A digital lending transformation platform, Jocata has collaborated with SIDBI to launch a one-of-its-kind MSME Economic Activity Index Sumpoorn. For the first time ever, this MSME-specific high-frequency indicator will capture the state of India’s growth engine, its MSMEs, which contribute more than a quarter of the country’s overall Gross Value Added (GVA) and more than 40 percent of its total. It is a relative amplitude-adjusted composite diffusion index developed using consent-led and anonymized monthly sales data reflected in official GSTN returns of more than 50,000 credit-seeking MSMEs over time.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya passes away: Senior BJP leader and former governor of Nagaland Padmanabha Acharya passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai. Acharya had served as governor of Nagaland, Tripura, Assam and also handled the responsibilities as the governor of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The BJP veteran had also worked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.