NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Supreme Court sets up panel to amicably resolve farmers’ agitation: The Supreme Court has constituted a high-powered committee chaired by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, Justice Nawab Singh, to amicably resolve the grievances of farmers agitating at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the five-member committee to convene its first meeting within a week. The court urged the protesting farmers to distance themselves from political parties and to not politicise the issue. The farmers are agitating over a plethora of demands, including legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
2. Mastercard collaborates with Gramophone to Boost Credit Access for 2 mn Farmers in India: Mastercard has collaborated with Gramophone, a leading agritech platform, to enable 2 million smallholder farmers on the Mastercard Community Pass platform in India with access to agri inputs. The two entities will work towards powering offline payments for farmers in rural and remote areas through the Community Pass financial inclusion card. Gramophone is also expected to enable their existing five lakh farmers with offline payments and credit. Community Pass offers a digital ecosystem for purchasers seeking sustainable sources of high-quality produce at competitive market pricing and supply chain financing and smallholder farmers seeking reliable markets, fair prices, and credit.
3. Razorpay launches DigiPOS – Elevating Apple Resellers In- Store Payment Experience: Razorpay has launched the innovative Point-of-Sale (POS) software, ‘Razorpay DigiPOS’. This industry-first solution is set to revolutionize in-store payments across Apple Premium Reseller outlets in India by leveraging iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. The integration of DigiPOS ensures a seamless, intuitive, and efficient payment experience, eliminating the need for traditional Android devices and enhancing the overall customer experience. For the first time, Apple Premium Reseller stores can now process payments using their iPads and iPhones, whether for card transactions, no-cost EMIs, or UPI payments. This collaboration with Apple Premium Reseller stores is poised to set a new benchmark in the retail payment landscape, making every transaction seamless.
4. Hitachi Payment launches Country’s First Android-Based Cash Recycling Machine: Hitachi Payment Services, India’s leading provider of payments and commerce solutions, announced India’s first Android-based cash recycling machine, which also serves as a Digital Banking Unit, providing one-stop services in a modern digital banking environment. The Android-Based Cash Recycling Machine, HPDx-BU01, is a big step towards improving customer convenience and experience while boosting operational and cost efficiency in banks. The Android-Based Cash Recycling Machine was presented at GFF with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Its complete range of capabilities, which combine the benefits of traditional Cash Recycling Machines (CRMs) with the agility and flexibility of the Android platform, may be adapted to various financial needs.
5. Y Haragopal appointed MD of NABCONS: Y Haragopal has been appointed Managing Director of NABCONS (NABARD Consultancy Services), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Prior to this elevation, he worked as the Chief Operating Officer of the Delhi-based consultancy firm. It has four Zonal offices in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Guwahati. Haragopal, who received his doctorate from the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, joined NABARD in 1996 as a direct recruit officer and worked in different positions at the Head Office (Mumbai) for 14 years in the Refinance Department and at various regional offices in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
6. 1st – 7th September – National Nutrition Week: National Nutrition Week is observed from 1st September to 7th September every year. Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits. Theme 2024 – Nutritious Diets for Everyone This initiative focuses on educating the public, particularly women and children, about the benefits of a balanced diet, good nutrition, and an active lifestyle to improve overall health. National Nutrition Week in India was first observed in 1982 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Philips appoints Bharat Sesha as new MD for India: Bharath Sesha has been appointed as Managing Director for the Philips Indian subcontinent. In this role, he will spearhead Philips’ growth strategy in India, with a strong focus on enhancing customer satisfaction and driving operational excellence He succeeds Daniel Mazon, who has moved to a global role at the Philips headquarters in the Netherlands. Bharath Sesha brings over 20 years of global experience to his new role, with a deep understanding of the Indian market, particularly in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. Before joining Philips, he was the MD at Heubach Colorants India. Bharath holds a Master’s in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and an MBA from ITM.
2. 2nd September – World Coconut Day: World Coconut Day is celebrated annually on September 2nd. Objective – To promote the importance of coconuts worldwide. This versatile fruit is crucial in agriculture, nutrition, and the economy in many tropical regions. World Coconut Day was established in 2009 by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), an intergovernmental organization under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
3. 3rd September – World Skyscraper Day: World Skyscraper Day is celebrated every year on September 3. It is a tribute to the breathtaking structures that have transformed the cities. These structures are testaments to human creativity, engineering prowess and an unwavering drive to reach for the skies. The World Skyscraper Day has its roots in the history of modern skyscrapers.
The date was decided to commemorate the birthday of Louis H. Sullivan, an American architect also known as the Father of Skyscrapers. His work includes stunning designs and layouts. He designed some of America’s most iconic structures, including the Wainwright Building, Union Trust Building and Prudential Building.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as AOC-In-C Central Air Command: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of Indian Air Force (IAF) on December 6, 1986. The Air Officer is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 3300 hours of flying experience on a variety of aircraft in the IAF inventory. An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College (Bangladesh), and National Defence College, Dixit has actively participated in numerous operations and exercises such as Op-Safed Sagar and Op-Rakshak. In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal, by the Hon’ble President of India.
2. Cabinet approves ₹26,000 cr deal with HAL for 240 aero-engines for SU-30 MKIs: PM Narendra Modi-headed Cabinet Committee on Security in its meeting approved a proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Russian-origin SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft from defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of over ₹26,000 crore. Earlier, the MoD had given nod to HAL for major upgrade of SU-30 MKI fleet of aircrafts of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to increase their operational lives which is worth ₹60,000 crore. Through that, the aircraft will have new electronic warfare capabilities, weapon systems, radars and mission control systems. The comprehensive upgrades will add another two to three decades to the lives of aircraft whose body frame otherwise remains flying worthy for 50 years. The Ministry of Defence said the proposal for upgrade of SU-30 MKI has been given nod under Buy (Indian) category and the delivery of these aero-engines would start after one year and complete over a period of eight years.
SPORTS
1. Badminton player Nithya Sre Sivan wins Bronze in Paris Paralympics: Para shuttler Nithya Sre Sivan has won the bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics in the Women’s Singles Badminton SH6 event. The ‘SH6’ event has been newly introduced and features short-statured athletes. The 19-year-old Nithya, who entered the tournament as a top seed, dominated her match against Indonesia’s Rina Marlina, winning 21-14, 21-6 in just 23 minutes.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. ClearTax Joins hand with Microsoft to Ease Tax Filing for Over 20 Mn Indian Gig Workers: ClearTax, one of India’s largest tax systems, has partnered with Microsoft to simplify tax filing for over 20 million gig workers in India. This project attempts to improve workers’ accessibility and convenience, particularly in fast-rising economies. ClearTax is a user-friendly solution that allows gig workers to file their taxes over WhatsApp. This innovative, frictionless, and user-friendly technique tackles a major issue for many blue-collar and gig workers in India’s informal sector. This policy has had a significant and immediate impact. In just 5 weeks of its inception, approximately 98,000 gig workers could file their taxes using this new system.
2. FSIB recommends Rama Mohan Rao Amara for SBI MD post: The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), a head-hunter for State-owned financial services entities, has recommended Rama Mohan Rao Amara for the position of Managing Director of State Bank of India, the country’s largest commercial bank. Amara is currently Deputy Managing Director at SBI. Amara is expected to fill the vacancy created due to elevation of C S Setty as Chairman of SBI. Prior to getting transferred to SBI in July 2023, Amara was MD & CEO at SBI Card, the country’s largest pure play credit card issuer. He was appointed as MD & CEO of SBI Card in January 2021.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki honoured with 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award: Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has been honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2024 for his significant contributions to environmental protection and the promotion of peace through animation. This honor, often referred to as “Asia’s Nobel Prize,” underscores Miyazaki’s profound impact on both the art of animation and global cultural discourse. The announcement was made by Studio Ghibli, the renowned animation studio co-founded by Miyazaki. The global announcement of the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees was made by the Manila-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.
2. Olympic Order awarded to French President Emmanuel Macron: In recognition of his unstinting support for the success of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and his attachment to the Olympic ideal dear to Pierre de Coubertin, President Emmanuel Macron was presented with the Olympic Order in gold. This distinction pays tribute to his untiring engagement and vision for the Olympic Games, which made the edition in Paris an unforgettable event. President Macron, in agreement with the Organising Committee and the French authorities, turned into spectacular reality, with a ceremony along the River Seine featuring iconic monuments like Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
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