Daily GK Update- 4th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. EESL Launched ‘National Efficient Cooking Programme’: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL),  launched its groundbreaking National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) in New Delhi. Aim: To revolutionize cooking practices in India and emphasize on the importance and urgency of energy efficient fans.  As part of these programmes, EESL will distribute 1 crore efficient BLDC fans and 20 Lakh energy-efficient induction cook stoves nationwide.

 

2. Rajnath Singh Inaugurated ‘India Manufacturing Show’ In Bengaluru: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the three-day ‘India Manufacturing Show’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka  The central theme of the event is ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. The Raksha Mantri described the small-scale industries as the backbone of India’s economy that contribute immensely to the development of the nation. “Small industries are the motor of the Indian economy. The faster the motor runs, the quicker the vehicle of the economy moves.

 

3. Deepesh Nanda appointed as CEO & MD of Tata Power Renewable Energy: Deepesh Nanda has been appointed as CEO & MD of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited. Nanda brings with him 28 years of experience across companies like GE, Flowserve and Tyco. He joins Tata Power from GE Gas Power, where he was the Chief Executive Officer for South Asia.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to Host 2024 World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications and H.E. Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) signed the Host Country Agreement for the establishment of an Area Office & Innovation Centre of ITU in Delhi. ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs. ITU currently has a membership of 193 countries and over 900 private-sector entities and academic institutions.

 

2. India,Sri Lanka hold 33rd edition of annual International Maritime meeting: The 33rd edition of annual International Maritime Boundary Line meeting between the representatives of Navies and Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka was held at the Indo - Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Line off Point Calimere at Palk Bay.  Aim: To discuss maritime security in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar region, safety of fishermen, measures to curtail trafficking of contraband, among other issues.

 

3. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates SBI branch in Sri Lanka: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Sri Lanka to opened a branch of the State Bank of India and appreciated its role in supporting corporates in international trade. She is in the country on a three-day visit, started her day by visiting the main Hindu Temple in the multi-ethnic city to pay homage to it before opening a branch of the State Bank of India in Trincomalee. After inaugurating the branch, She appreciated that SBI is the oldest bank in Sri Lanka

 

4. Thailand Announces Visa-Free Entry For Indians to Boost Tourism: Thailand is scrapping visas for scores of Indian tourists in order to rekindle the fire in its tourism sector.  Taiwan has also been included in the plan in a bid to draw in more tourists as the high season approaches.  Thailand in September scrapped visa requirements for Chinese tourists.  India has been Thailand’s fourth largest source market for tourism so far this year with about 1.2 million arrivals after Malaysia, China and South Korea.

 

5. Chinese Communist Party Delegation Enhances Ties with Solomon Islands: A Chinese communist party delegation has visited the Solomon Islands, calling the “flourishing” cooperation between China and the Pacific nation a show of how diplomatic ties were in their peoples’ interest The delegation led by the deputy head of the international department under China’s Communist Party central committee, Guo Yezhou, met Solomon Islands. The delegation also met the foreign minister and energy minister.

 

6. 3 November – International Day for Biosphere Reserve: International Day for Biosphere Reserve is celebrated every year on 3 November. The day established by UNESCO during its 41st General Conference in 2022. This occasion provides an opportunity to understand and appreciate Biosphere Reserves (BR) and their significance in preserving the delicate balance between nature and culture. On the International Day for Biosphere Reserves, we acknowledge the significance of these reserves in striking a balance between human development, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. As we celebrate this day, we reflect on the need to expand and support these designated areas to safeguard our shared heritage for generations to come.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Aishwaryatap Singh Tomar wins Gold in Asian Shooting Championship: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won the gold medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions individual event and helped India grab a team silver at the Asian Shooting Championship in Changwon, South Korea. The 22-year-old Tomar shot 463.5 in the final to win the gold. China’s Tian Jiaming took the silver with a score of 462.7. Another Chinese, Du Linshu picked up the bronze with 450.3. Tomar had finished fifth in the qualification round with 591. He won the bronze medal at the 2019 Asian Shooting Championships and secured a quota place for India at the 2020 Summer Olympics. The Indian trio of Tomar, Swapnil Kusale and Akhil Sheoran won the team silver with a total score of 1764, behind China (1777). India has already got maximum two possible Olympic quota places in this event through Kusale and Sheoran. Kusale had won the Paris Games quota during the World Championships in Cairo last year. Sheoran did the same in this year’s World Championships in Baku.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. BoB Appoints ‘Kadgatoor Sheetal Venkatesmurt’ As Head Of Digital Channels: Bank of Baroda appoints Kadgatoor Sheetal Venkatesmurt as the Head of Digital Channels. The move reflects the bank’s commitment to strengthening its digital initiatives. Aspiring candidates for banking exams need to stay updated on industry-specific developments. It highlights the impact of technology and digitalization on the banking sector. The ‘Digital India’ initiative has been a catalyst for the digital transformation in the banking industry.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. T. Padmanabhan receives prestigious Kerala Jyothi Award : Eminent writer T. Padmanabhan has been chosen for the Kerala Jyothi Award 2023 instituted by the Kerala government. He was selected for the highest civilian honour by the government considering his contributions in the field of Malayalam literature. The State also announced other ‘Kerala Puraskarngals’, the highest award given by the government to distinguished personalities who have made outstanding contributions in various spheres of social life. Justice (Retired) M. Fathima Beevi and Nataraja Krishnamurthy (Soorya Krishnamurthy) have been selected for the ‘Kerala Prabha’ award considering contributions in the field of social service and civil service and in the field of arts respectively. Others who won the ‘Kerala Sree’ award include Punalur Somarajan (social service sector), V.P. Gangadharan (health sector), Ravi DC (industry and commerce sector), K.M. Chandrasekhar (civil service sector), Pandit Ramesh Narayan (art, music).