Daily GK Update- 13th Mar, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Tamil Nadu govt. launches ‘Neengal Nalama’ Scheme: Tamil Nadu State government has launched the Neengal Nalama Scheme with the aim of improving the health index and social well-being of all citizens and making them aware of the Tamil Nadu government schemes. This scheme involves government officials reaching out to beneficiaries across the state to inquire about any challenges or difficulties they may have faced while availing themselves of various Tamil Nadu government schemes. This scheme will be monitored by the welfare department of Tamil Nadu, which will ensure that it solves the problems of Tamil Nadu citizens regarding various schemes.

 

2. PM Modi inaugurates 15 Airport Projects: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 15 airport projects, including the revamped Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, worth over Rs.9,800 crore. The project virtually launched by the PM during an event at Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh included 12 new terminal buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports. Additionally, foundation stones were laid for new terminal buildings at Kadapa, Hubballi, and Belagavi airports, signaling a significant boost to India’s aviation infrastructure.

 

3. Tata Power Solar completes India’s largest solar-BESS project in Chhattisgarh: Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL), a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), has completed India’s largest Solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) project at Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. It comprises a 100 MW Solar PV Project and a 120 MWh Utility Scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). TPSSL secured the Rs 945 crore project from SECI in December 2021, handling engineering, construction, and commissioning of the project.

 

4. MoRD partners with IIT Delhi to work collaboratively in Geospatial Technology and Artificial Intelligence: The Ministry of Rural Development has signed a MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi to formalize their partnership in applications of geospatial technology and artificial intelligence. The project is to be executed by the HydroSense lab led by Manabendra Saharia. The MoU centred around the project “BhuPRAHARI,” an initiative aimed at leveraging ground and space-based geospatial technologies along with Artificial Intelligence to monitor and manage assets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

 

5. Nayab Singh Saini elected as new CM of Haryana: BJP leader Nayab Singh Saini has become the new Chief Minister of Haryana, succeeding Manohar Lal Khattar. The announcement comes close on the heels of Manohar Lal Khattar and his entire cabinet submitting their resignations to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya. Nayab Singh Saini was unanimously elected the BJP’s Legislative Party leader in the presence of Khattar and Haryana-in-charge Biplab Dev.

 

6. Deepak Ballani appoints as DG of ISMA: Industry body Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has announced the appointment of Deepak Ballani as its new Director General. With over 25 years of extensive experience in public policy, government affairs, and organizational management, Ballani assumes this pivotal role with a wealth of expertise. Prior to joining ISMA, Ballani served as the Director General at the All-India Plastics Manufacturers Association, where he spearheaded policy advocacy, government affairs management, and international partner management.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 11 March – World Plumbing Day: World Plumbing Day is celebrated on March 11 annually to honor the critical role that plumbing plays in societal health. Plumbing is, after all, the reason that our cities and towns are so clean. Without proper plumbing, all the human defecation and waste would remain in the city. It is an international event initiated by the World Plumbing Council to recognize the crucial role plumbing plays in societal health and amenity. The idea behind World Plumbing Day is for people worldwide to pause and reflect on the vital role of plumbing in preserving health and way of life, or in building sustainable, disease-free futures for millions in developing countries.

 

2. 13 March – No Smoking Day: No Smoking Day is celebrated every year on the second Wednesday of March. This year is fall on 13 March. It is a day dedicated to spreading awareness about the destructive impacts of smoking and to inspire individuals to give up smoking. It is a day to promote healthy ways of life, and a smoke-free environment. The history of No Smoking Day traces back to 1984, when a charity called ‘No Smoking Day’ was founded.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian sailor Vishnu Saravanan clinches gold medal at Europa Cup: Indian sailor Vishnu Saravanan won the gold medal at the Europa Cup 2024 in the ILCA 7 category in Mallorca, Spain.

The event was organized by Reial Club Nautic Port de Pollenca. Saravanan topped the 91-boat race with 17 net points. Australia’s Lawson McAullay won the bronze with 22 net points at the event. The ILCA7 is a category within the ILCA -International Laser Class Association sailing class.

Saravanan became the first Indian sailor to qualify for successive Olympics.

 

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Fintech GIPL merges with North East Small Finance Bank, gets CCI nod: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of a financial technology company, Garagepreneurs Internet Pvt Ltd with the North East Small Finance Bank. The proposed transaction comprises the merger of a financial technology company, GIPL (including Quadrillion Finance Pvt Ltd (QFPL) (an NBFC-SI-ICC) and Intergalactory Foundry Pvt Ltd (IFPL) with North-East Small Finance Bank (NESFB) (including RGVN (North-East) Microfinance Ltd (RGVN)), pursuant to the composite scheme of amalgamation to be filed before the jurisdictional National Company Law Tribunal and certain related transactions.

 

2. SIDBI gets $24.5 million from GCF for ‘Avaana’ fund: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has received $24.5 million from Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its maiden anchored project `Avaana Sustainability Fund (ASF)’ valued at $120 million. GCF, a pivotal component of the historic Paris Agreement, is the world’s largest climate fund. The primary aim of the ASF project is to invest in early-stage companies harnessing technology-led innovation to spur climate solutions and sustainability in India.

 

3. BoB launches green term deposit scheme with 7.15% interest: Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched the BoB Earth Green Term Deposit Scheme, aimed at raising deposits for financing eligible environment-friendly projects and sectors. The scheme offers customers the dual benefits of stable financial returns and contribution to a greener planet. It offers annual interest rates, ranging from 6.75 per cent for a tenure of 12 to 18 months to 7.15 per cent for 777 days.

Additionally, for longer tenures of 1,111 days, 1,717 days, and 2,201 days, the interest rates are set at 6.40 per cent per annum. Funds collected through this scheme will be directed towards financing green initiatives such as renewable energy.

 

4. IndusInd Bank launched all-in-one payment wearables: IndusInd Bank has introduced ‘Indus PayWear,’ a new wearable payment solution, available on Mastercard. These wearables enable users to tokenise their IndusInd Bank cards for tap-and-pay transactions at contactless Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals worldwide. Indus Paywear aims to deliver unparalleled flexibility, convenience, and security to users. It is a fine example of how Mastercard leverages its expertise to allow consumers the power to choose between and make payments using their favorite wearable device.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Srinivasan Swamy receives 2024 IAA Golden Compass Award: Srinivasan K. Swamy, CMD of integrated marketing services company RK Swami Ltd. has been presented with IAA Goden Compass Award at the 45th IAA World Congress held in Penang, Malaysia. Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak presented the award to Mr. Swamy. The award honours those who have significantly contributed to the world stage in the field of marketing, advertising and media. This is the first time this award is being bestowed upon an Indian industry leader.