Daily GK Update- 15th Jan, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Karnataka Govt. Launched ‘Yuva Nidhi’ Scheme For Jobless Youth: Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar have launched the Yuva Nidhi scheme in Shivamogga, Karnataka. The scheme offers financial aid to graduates and diploma holders who are yet to get a job, but only for a maximum of two years. Training will be provided to the graduates and diploma holders who register themselves on the Skill Connect portal of the State Government. The government has promised ₹3,000 per month to degree holders and ₹1,500 per month to diploma holders who were unable to get a job in the past six months and are not pursuing higher studies. The aid will be paid for two years. The launch was held on the birth anniversary of youth icon Swami Vivekananda.

 

2. PM Modi Inaugurates 27th National Youth Festival In Nashik: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, Maharashtra. The festival, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated youthful talent and skills across the nation. He also witnessed a march past by the state’s team and a cultural program on the theme of ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047 – Yuva ke liye, Yuva ke dwara’ which included Rhythmic gymnastics, Mallakhamb, Yogasana and National Youth Festival song.

 

3. First ‘Made In India’ Memory Chip Is Expected To Be Produced In 2024: Ashwini Vaishnav: Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said the first ‘Made In India’ Memory chip is expected to be produced in Gujarat this year. Addressing a seminar on Semiconductors and Electronics at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar, the Minister said Micron’s investment in Gujarat will pave the way for creating a Semiconductor ecosystem in India. The Minister also asked Semicon Giant Micron to undertake research in the semiconductor industry and set up a research centre at IIT Gandhinagar. During the summit, an MoU was exchanged between Gujarat Government and Korean company Simmtec. Also, partnership agreements were signed between Micron and Nantech, and Cisco and Nantec.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Camel Festival Organized In Bikaner, Rajasthan: The three-day International Camel Festival has organized with great fervor in the culturally rich district of Bikaner, Rajasthan.

The festival commenced with an enthralling Heritage Walk, setting the stage for a celebration of folk culture that captivated both domestic and foreign tourists. The Tourism Department organized Rangoli, Mehndi, and drawing competitions for the participants at Bikaji ki Tekri, with the winners receiving mementoes in recognition of their skills and talents. Camels have always been an integral part of Bikaner’s culture and history. The Bikaner army had a Camel corps called “Ganga Risala”, which played a vital role in both the World Wars and conflicts in Somaliland, Egypt, and China.

2. 2nd International AYUSH Conference Inaugurated In Dubai: The second International AYUSH Conference and Exhibition was inaugurated at the Dubai World Trade Centre, orchestrated by the Science India Forum and the Ministry of AYUSH. The three-day event was dedicated to showcasing AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) as a reliable healthcare system for preventing and managing Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs). The focal theme of the conference, “Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases – Prevention & Management through AYUSH,” aims to highlight AYUSH as a prevention-oriented and cost-effective approach to creating a disease-free society.

 

3. South Korea Bans Trade Of Dog Meat In New Law: The South Korean parliament has passed a Bill banning the production and sale of dog meat, in a decision that campaigners hailed as a “historic victory” for animal welfare. Although the Bill does not criminalise the consumption of dog meat, it aims to ban the sale, distribution, butchery, and breeding of dogs for their meat by 2027.

 

4. Denmark’s King Frederik X Takes The Throne After Abdication Of Queen: Denmark’s King Frederik X took the throne after the abdication of his mother Queen Margrethe II. For many in Denmark, his mother Margrethe was the only monarch they had ever known. But her shock abdication, after more than five decades on the throne, paved the way for her son, the former Crown Prince Frederik, to succeed her. The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then publicly proclaimed the King’s accession from the balcony of the palace – a tradition in place since the constitution of 1849.

 

5. William Lai Elected President Of Taiwan: William Lai, also known as Lai Ching-te, from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan’s presidential election. Lai, the current vice president of Taiwan garnered around 40% of the vote share after counting was done from over 90% of polling stations. He was competing against two other candidates, including Hou Yu-ih from the conservative Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party which was only founded in 2019. Lai, 64, grew up poor in a coal-mining village in northern Taiwan. His father, a miner, died in a coal mine disaster when he was two years old. Lai was brought up by his mother alongside five siblings.

 

6. 14 January – International Kite Day: International Kite Day is observed on 14 January every year. The day celebrates the end of winter and the onset of summer. It also marks the arrival of harvest season. It is believed that the kite was invented in China in the 28th century BC and the popularity of kite-flying peaked in Lucknow in the 1700s. Benjamin Franklin, an American scientist and author, stated that lightning is electricity with the help of a kite. International Kite Day was first observed in Gujarat. Individuals from across the globe came to show off their kites

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. 14 January 2024 – 7th Armed Forces Veterans Day: Armed Forces Veterans Day is celebrated every year on 14th January. The day was first celebrated in 2016. The 14th of January is commemorated as Armed Forces Veterans Day as a mark of respect and recognition for the services rendered by Field Marshall KM Cariappa. He was the first Indian Chief of the Indian Army. He retired from service on 14th January 1953.

 

SPORTS

 

1. MP emerges overall Champion of first ever Beach Games held in Diu: Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the overall champion at the inaugural Beach Games 2024, held at the pristine blue flag-certified Ghoghla Beach in Diu. The landlocked state secured a staggering total of 18 medals, including an impressive haul of 7 golds, highlighting the depth of talent within its contingent. The competition witnessed 1404 young athletes from 28 states and Union Territories participating in a diverse array of disciplines. Maharashtra clinched 14 medals, including 3 golds, while Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and hosts Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Diu & Daman secured 12 medals each. Notably, Assam secured 8 medals, with an impressive 5 golds.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI Launches Green Rupee Term Deposit: State Bank of India (SBI) has launched the SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) of 1,111 days, 1,777 days, and 2,222 days tenor for resident individuals, non-individuals, and NRI customers. The deposit has been introduced with the aim of mobilizing funds to support environment-friendly initiatives and projects, thereby fostering the growth of a green finance ecosystem in India. Currently, the scheme is available through the branch network, and it will soon be made available through other digital channels such as YONO and Internet Banking Services (INB).

 

2. Govt approves reappointment of RBI Deputy Governor Michael Patra for 1 year: Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Michael D. Patra, who is in charge of monetary policy and is a member of the monetary policy committee, has been given a one-year extension ahead of the end of his tenure. Patra, with RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, played a vital role in dealing with COVID-related impact on the economy. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the re-appointment of Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a further period of one year with effect from 15.01.2024 or until further orders. Patra was appointed as RBI Deputy Governor in January 2020, and last year he got an extension of one year.