Daily GK Update- 20th Mar, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nitin Gadkari inaugurates Toyota “Mirai” India’s first Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated the world’s most advanced technology-developed Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai at New Delhi. Toyota Mirai is India’s first Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), which is completely powered by Hydrogen.

About the Toyota Mirai: Toyota Mirai has been launched by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) under a pilot project, to study and evaluate the performance of Toyota Mirai on Indian roads and climatic conditions. This is a first of its kind project in India which will create a Green Hydrogen based ecosystem in the country and help India to become ‘Energy Self-reliant’ by 2047.

 

2. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited is now the biggest coal-producing firm of India: The Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India, has announced that it has become the country’s largest coal producer. In the financial year 2021-22, the company reported it produced 157 million tonnes of coal. The business also generated 7.62 lakh tonnes of dry fuel on March 12. In a statement, the corporation stated that it was the largest production in a single day during the current fiscal year. MCL has delivered over 166 MT dry fuel to consumers, a 22 percent increase over the previous financial year, and has removed 195 MCuM (million cubic metres) of overburden, a 19 percent increase over the previous financial year, according to a statement.

 

3. India’s 1st Digital Water Bank ‘AQVERIUM’ launched in Bengaluru: India’s First Digital Water Bank, ‘AQVERIUM’ has been launched in Bengaluru, Karnataka which is an innovative initiative aimed at better water management. It is formed by AquaKraft Group Ventures. It is a very unique innovation combining sustainable & green technologies along with information technology, skill development & entrepreneurship. It is a curated list of water data from all institutions and sources, that will help tackle some common development challenges.

About ‘Digital Water Data Bank’:

a)      Digital Water Data Bank can be understood as a curated list of ‘Water Data’ from all institutions and sources that will further aid in tackling some common development challenges.

b)      The digital water data bank also provides insights and evidence from research and analytics thereby providing fundamental reliable information for tackling water pollution.

c)       Data, in any field, facilitates building a broader picture that further enables us to harness the best evidence and make informed decisions. When it comes to making a water-secure world, data-driven decisions can greatly improve service delivery, sustain water resources and build resilience.

Note: Karnataka Capital: Bengaluru; Karnataka Chief Minister: Basavaraj S Bommai; Karnataka Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot.

 

4. Maternal Mortality in India: Kerala tops in maternal: Kerala has yet again emerged on top when it comes to maternal and child health, with the State recording the lowest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 30 (per one lakh live births) in the country. According to the latest data, India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has improved to 103 for the period 2017-19. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of Kerala has dropped from 42 to 30. Kerala has achieved the UN Sustainable Development Goals of MMR in the year 2020 itself. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100000 live births.

Key points:

a)      Kerala, Telangana, and Maharashtra are included in the top 3 states with the lowest MMR in India.

b)      The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has worsened in West Bengal, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.

c)       The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has drastically improved in UP, Rajasthan, and Bihar.

d)      Italy, Norway, Poland, and Belarus have the lowest MMR in the world.

 

5. ISRO successfully tested solid fuel-based booster stage of SSLV: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully completed the ground test of the solid fuel-based booster stage (SS1) of its new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota at Andhra Pradesh. It completes the ground testing of all three stages of the launch vehicle. The vehicle is now ready for its first development flight, which is scheduled for May 2022.

Other stages of SSLV like SS2 & SS3 have successfully undergone necessary ground tests and are ready for integration. At present, the launch of small satellites has been dependent on ‘piggy-bank’ rides with big satellite launches on the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) of ISRO, which has completed around 50 successful launches.

Note: Chairman and Space Secretary of ISRO: Dr S Somanath; ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka; ISRO established: 15 August 1969.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ‘Mahatma Gandhi Green Triangle’ Unveiled In Madagascar: Mahatma Gandhi Green Triangle’ has been unveiled in Madagascar to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Ambassador of India to Madagascar, Abhay Kumar celebrated the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav by inaugurating a Green Triangle, along with Mayor of Antananarivo Naina Andriantsitohaina. The word green in the plaque signifies their commitment to sustainable development and saving the environment. The naming of this park as Mahatma Gandhi Green Triangle is an apt tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

While addressing the ceremony, the Ambassador of India said that the Government of India has launched an initiative: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India. The event was attended by members of local government, diplomatic corps, heads of international organisations, and members of the Indian Diaspora in Madagascar.

Note: Madagascar Capital: Antananarivo; Madagascar Currency: Malagasy ariary; Madagascar President: Andry Rajoelina.

 

2. International Day of Happiness: 20th March: International Day of happiness is observed every year around the world on March 20. The United Nations started celebrating this day in 2013, but the resolution for the same was passed on July 12, 2012. The resolution was initiated by Bhutan which shed the light on the importance of National Happiness. The theme for Happiness Day 2022 is Keep Calm, Stay Wise and Be Kind.

International Happiness Day: History and Significance: Bhutan initially prioritized the value of National Happiness over National Income in the 1970s. Bhutan is known for adopting the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product at the 66th General Assembly. The country also hosted a High-level meeting on Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” during the session. When the UN launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, which included goals like putting an end to poverty, reducing inequality and protecting our planet.

 

3. World Oral Health Day: 20th March: The World Oral Health Day is marked every year on March 20. The day aims to raise global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene so that governments, health associations and the general public can work together to achieve healthier mouths and happier lives. The theme for World Oral Health Day 2021-2023 is: Be Proud Of Your Mouth.

History of the day: The FDI World Dental Federation launched World Oral Health Day in 2007. The day was originally celebrated on 12th September in remembrance of FDI founder, Dr Charles Godon. Later, it was changed to 20th March in 2013 to avoid conflict with the FDI World Dental Congress in September.

 

4. World Sparrow Day: 20th March: World Sparrow Day (WSD) is celebrated every year on March 20th. This day is meant to raise awareness about the house sparrow and the dangers it confronts. The purpose of World Sparrow Day is to raise awareness and protect the bird all across the world. The theme of World Sparrow Day is “LOVE Sparrows.”

World Sparrow Day History: World Sparrow Day was established by Mohammed Dilawar, the founder of The Nature Forever Society. He started several projects, including the biodiversity Photo Contest, the annual Sparrow Awards, Project Save Our Sparrows, and the Common Bird Monitoring of India programme. The first World Sparrow Day was held in the year 2010. In 2011, the World Sparrow Awards were established. The award recognises persons who have made significant contributions to environmental conservation and ordinary species protection.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Co-branded credit cards with Emirates Skywards launched by ICICI Bank: In collaboration with Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, ICICI Bank created the ‘Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Credit Card’. Customers can earn reward points – known as Skywards Miles – on travel, lifestyle, and everyday purchases with the collection of cards. These cards, according to the private sector lender, offer best-in-class rewards and advantages and are a perfect fit for affluent consumers who travel abroad frequently.

Key Points:

a)      ICICI Bank is the first Indian bank to join together with Emirates Skywards to offer the exclusive credit card programme in India.

b)      The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emerald Credit Card, Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card, and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card are all Visa-powered co-branded credit cards.

c)       These cards offer up to 2.5 Skywards Miles per Rs 100 spent and a slew of other perks, including bonus Skywards Miles, complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver status, dining offers through the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Program, and entertainment offers through BookMyShow, depending on the card variant.

d)      Customers can use their Skywards Miles to purchase a variety of items, including partner airline tickets, flight upgrades, hospitality at athletic and cultural events, and much more.

e)      Joining and renewing your membership can earn you up to 10,000 Skywards Miles.

f)        For every Rs 100 spent, you can earn up to 2.5 Skywards Miles, plus you’ll get complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver status.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. India entered into world’s top five club in terms of market capitalization: As per Bloomberg’s recent data on Market capitalization, for the 1st time, India’s equities market has entered the world’s top 5 in terms of market capitalization. India is ranked 5th with an overall market capitalization of USD 3.21 trillion. The total world market cap stands at USD 109.22 trillion. The US topped the ranking with an overall market cap of USD 47.32 trillion, followed by China (USD 11.52 trillion), Japan (USD 6 trillion) and Hong Kong (USD 5.55 trillion).

India’s market cap has surpassed: The United Kingdom (UK) ranked 6th with an M-Cap of USD 3.19 trillion, Saudi Arabia ranked 7th with an M-Cap of USD 3.18 trillion, Canada ranked 8th with an M-Cap of USD 3.18 trillion, France ranked 9th with an M-Cap of USD 2.89 trillion and Germany ranked 10th with M-Cap of USD 2.29 trillion.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Miss World 2021: Poland’s Karolina Bielawska crowned: Karolina Bielawska from Poland has won the title of Miss World 2021. She was crowned by 2019 Miss World Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica. She beat the USA, Indonesia, Mexico, Northern Ireland and Cote d’Ivoire to clinch the coveted title. Indian-American Shree Saini from the United States bagged the first runner-up title, followed by Olivia Yace from Cote d’Ivoire. The 70th edition of the Miss World international beauty pageant was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh performed ‘The Prayer’ during the 70th Miss World pageant to express solidarity with Ukraine amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Indian Contender: Femina Miss India World 2020 Manasa Varanasi represented India at the Miss World 2021. Manasa Varanasi reached the Top 13 contestants but could not make it to the Top 6 finalists.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. In memory of Gen. Bipin Rawat, Indian Army dedicates “Chair of Excellence”: On the eve of General Bipin Rawat’s 65th birthday anniversary, the Indian Army has dedicated a chair of excellence in the late chief of defence staff (CDS)’s memory at the United Service Institution of India (USI), the country’s oldest think tank founded in 1870. The Chair will be open to Veterans of three Services and civilians having expertise in the field of National Security.

The purpose of Gen Bipin Rawat Memorial Chair of Excellence at USI will be to conduct research on strategic issues related to the armed forces, with a focus on the field of Jointness and Integration. The topic for 2022 research will be Jointness and Integration in the Context of Land Warfare in India. Gen MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakhs to Director, USI, Maj Gen BK Sharma (retd), which will be paid as honorarium to the nominated Chair of Excellence.

 

2. M V Ram Prasad Bismil becomes longest vessel to sail from Ganga to Brahmaputra: The MV Ram Prasad Bismil has become the longest vessel ever to sail from Ganga to the Brahmaputra. The 90 meters long and 26 meters wide flotilla, loaded with a draft of 2.1 meters, achieved the feat on March 15, 2022, when it successfully completed the pilot run of heavy cargo movement from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Haldia, to Pandu port in Guwahati.

The cargo vessel was flagged off from the Haldia Dock in Kolkata along with two barges (DB Kalpana Chawla and DB APJ Abdul Kalam) by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (PSW), Sarbananda Sonowal on February 16, 2022, and docked at Pandu port in Guwahati on March 15, 2022. Carrying 1793 metric tonnes of steel rods, the vessel covered the distance from Haldia to Pandu through Bangladesh on the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).

Daily GK Update- 19th Mar, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nation’s first AI & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) launched in Bengaluru: The country’s first Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) was launched in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is promoted by a not-for-profit foundation set up by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, with a seed capital of Rs. 230 crore from the State and Central governments. ARTPARK (AI and Robotics Technology Park) along with AI Foundry is going to launch a $100 million venture fund to support AI and robotics innovations in India. The fund will be backed by the government, private companies, and VCs. The lab has technical teams working in collaboration with multiple labs at IISc. It will also work with other technical institutes and bodies, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, IIT Jodhpur, the University of Aalto in Finland, Indian Council of Medical Research and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

About the ARTPARK:

a)      ARTPARK intends to use futuristic technologies to connect the unconnected will work with a focus on creating a globally leading AritificiaI Intelligence and Robotics Innovation ecosystem in India.

b)      The ARTPARK has the objective of channelizing innovations to create a societal impact by executing ambitious mission-mode R&D projects in healthcare, education, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture, retail, and cyber-security aiming to solve problems unique to India.

 

2. Bhagwant Mann sworn in as new chief minister of Punjab: Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Punjab at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Bhagat Singh in the presence of Governor Banwarilal Purohit. The Aam Aadmi Party romped home winning 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, decimating the Congress and the SAD-BSP combine. Chanting ‘Jo Bole So Nihal’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, Bhagwant Mann thanked the people who attended the swearing-in ceremony. Mann ended his speech with ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ (long live the revolution).

Besides newly-elected AAP MLAs, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior party leaders were also present at the ceremony. Among other leaders present at the ceremony are Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia and Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai.

 

3. Delhi govt launched ‘My EV’ portal for registering and purchasing e-autos: The Delhi government has launched an online ‘My EV‘ (My Electric Vehicle) portal for the purchase and registration of electric autos in Delhi. It is accessible to all users on the website of the transport department of Delhi. Under the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, a 5% interest rate subvention will be provided on the purchase of e-autos on loans and become the first state to provide such a facility. The web portal was developed with the collaboration of the Delhi government and Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).

CESL has empanelled six Financial Institutions (FIs) – Mahindra Finance, Akasa Finance, Mannapuram Finance, RevFin, and Prest Loans to provide loans to EVs at attractive terms. The Interest subvention on the purchase of EVs is in addition to the applicable purchase incentive of INR 30,000 and scrapping incentives of up to INR 7,500 under the Delhi EV Policy. The consumer will be able to avail of up to INR 25,000 additional benefits.

Note: Delhi Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal; Delhi Lieutenant Governor:  Anil Baijal.

 

4. N Chandrasekaran named as chairman of Air India: The chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran has been appointed as the chairman of Air India. In February 2022, N Chandrasekaran was reappointed as chairman of Tata Sons for a second term of five years. Tata Sons will soon announce a new MD and CEO for Air India to replace Ilker Ayci who was to take charge next month but resigned in the wake of controversies regarding his appointment.

Chandrasekaran also serves as the non-executive chairman of several other Tata Group companies, including Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals and Tata Consumer Products. He was reappointed Tata Sons’ executive chairman last month for another five years.

Note: Tata Group Founder: Jamsetji Tata; Tata Group Founded: 1868, Mumbai; Tata Group Headquarters: Mumbai.

 

5. Oscars 22: India’s ‘Writing with Fire’ nominated in Best Documentary feature category: A documentary about the Dalit-led, all-woman newspaper Khabar Lahariya, “Writing With Fire” became the first Indian documentary to be nominated at the Oscars. ‘Writing With Fire’ had won Audience and Jury Awards at the Sundance Film Festival last year. It is produced by Ticket Films and directed by filmmakers Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh. ‘Khabar Lahariya’ is a newspaper founded in May 2002 in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh.

Other nominees in the category are: “Ascension”, “Attica”, “Flee”, and “Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)”.

 

6. A book titled ‘Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery’ released soon: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced to release a book on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi titled Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery. It is set to hit stands in April 2022. The book is a compilation of pieces written by intellectuals & experts and has been edited & compiled by BlueKraft Digital Foundation.

The essence of the book: The book captures the political life of PM Modi’s past 20 years, ranging from his tenure as Gujarat CM to Prime Minister of India and has been compiled by eminent intellectuals and personalities from industry and politics. Those who have contributed to the book include Sudha Murty, Sadhguru, Nandan Nilekani, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, industrialist Uday Kotak, actor Anupam Kher, badminton star PV Sindhu and former principal secretary to PM Nripendra Mishra.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Revoking Russia’s Most Favored Nation Trade Status: US: President Biden announced that the United States—along with the G7, the European Union, and NATO—will revoke Russia’s Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status. Revoking Russia’s PNTR status will allow the United States to increase and impose new tariffs on all Russian imports. In the US, the “most favoured nation” status is also known as permanent normal trade relations (PNTR). Only North Korea and Cuba do not enjoy the “most favoured nation” status from the US.

The main aim of this step is to punish the Russian government for its invasion of Ukraine. The United States will also not export luxury goods to Russia. Earlier, the United States has banned the import of Oil and energy from Russia. This action will cause economic harm to Russia by damaging its ability to export to wealthier Western markets; it will also raise costs for Americans and our trading partners that may rely on affected Russian products.

Most Favored Nation status: A most favoured nation status designation means two countries have agreed to trade with each other under the best possible terms — low tariffs, few barriers to trade and the highest possible imports allowed.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022 will be held in Chennai: India has been picked as the host nation for the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022. The 44th edition of the Olympiad is scheduled to be held in Chennai, from 26th July 2022 to 8th August 2022. This is the first time that India will host the FIDE Chess Olympiad since its inception in 1927. The event was originally scheduled to be held in Russia, but FIDE pulled out from there following the Ukraine invasion.

The venue will be the Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort & Convention Center, 60 kilometres south of central Chennai. It is located in Mamallapuram, one of the famous tourist sites in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of seventh- and eighth-century Hindu monuments.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Rs 1.42 lakh crore budget for Jammu and Kashmir for FY 2022-23, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman: In the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a Rs 1.42 lakh crore budget for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the fiscal year 2022-23, despite opposition pleas for more time to review the plans. Sitharaman also tabled the Union Territory’s additional demands for the fiscal year 2021-22, totaling Rs 18,860.32 crore, and moved a resolution to suspend certain norms to allow the House to take up the debate on the same day.

Key Points:

a)      Manish Tewari of the Congress and N K Premachandran of the RSP both objected to Sitharaman’s motion, claiming that Rule 205 is part of the basic rules of process and cannot be waived.

b)      Some rules are beyond the House’s power to change. Tewari, a Congress member from Anandpur Sahib, said that MPs needed more time to consider the government’s budget recommendations for Jammu and Kashmir.

c)       Speaker Om Birla authorised the business for the day during the Business Advisory Committee meeting, according to Rajendra Agarwal, who was in the chair.

d)      According to Tewari, the Lok Sabha’s obligation is complicated because it is adopting the responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature, which should have taken up the issue.The budget papers had not been issued by the government, he stated, advising that the meeting be rescheduled for Tuesday to allow members to read the ideas and offer reasoned objections.

e)      The member from Kollam, Premachandran, claimed that the minister had also requested a joint discussion on the budget plans and the supplemental need for funds, which would be against the rules.

 

2. Shubman Gill & Ruturaj Gaikwad named as brand ambassadors for My11Circle: Games24x7 Private Limited, India’s leading digital skill games company, has appointed Indian cricketers Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad as its new brand ambassadors for its My11Circle fantasy gaming platform. Both of them will feature in the multimedia campaigns of Games24x7 across TV, digital and social media platforms.

Games24x7, founded by Bhavin Pandya and Trivikraman Thampy in 2006, offers a range of skill games (RummyCircle, My11Circle, Carrom) and casual games (U-Games). My11Circle is also the official title sponsor of the new Indian Premier League(IPL) team Lucknow Super Giants. In January 2022, Games24x7 has appointed Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan as its brand ambassador for the online skill gaming platform.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Axis Bank won ‘Asian Bank of the Year’ at IFR Asia Awards 2021: India’s third-largest private sector bank, Axis Bank has been awarded IFR Asia’s Asian Bank of The Year, for its breadth of coverage and depth of expertise in the Asian investment banking space. The award acknowledges the bank’s outstanding performance in equity and debt issuance, across all major products and segments. Axis Bank was the only local house to serve as a global coordinator for the record Rs. 183 Bn Paytm IPO, and was also the global coordinator for Macrotech Developers’ Rs. 25 Bn IPO.

This year, the bank has also won the ‘Best DCM House in India’ Award at the Finance Asia’s Country Awards. Axis Bank has been No. 1 on the Bloomberg League Table ranking for 15 consecutive calendar years and has maintained its leadership position in the domestic Debt Capital Market.

Globally: Morgan Stanley has been honoured with the Bank of the year award at the IFR Asia Award 2021 and the JSW Group has been awarded with the Issuer of the year award. The awards are organized by IFR Asia, a Hong Kong-based provider of capital markets intelligence.

 

2. Narayan Pradhan named for GD Birla Award for Scientific Research: Professor Narayan Pradhan has been selected for the 31st GD Birla Award for Scientific Research for his outstanding contribution in the field of material sciences. He has provided his expertise in crystal modulations to help design new shapes of these tiny lighting materials.

Pradhan’s research work focused on understanding the chemistry and physics of light-emitting semiconductor nanocrystals. His research group has significantly contributed to the surface construction of the newly emerged light-emitting halide perovskite nanocrystals, which are expected to be the next-generation lighting materials for photovoltaics and making LEDs. He has provided his expertise in crystal modulations to help design new shapes of these tiny lighting materials.

About the award: Instituted in 1991, the award recognises eminent Indian scientists below the age of 50 for their original and outstanding contributions to any branch of science. It carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. The recipient is chosen by a selection board, whose present head is professor Chandrima Shaha, the president of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).

Daily GK Update- 7th Mar, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s first FSRU Hoegh Giant Arrives at Jaigarh Terminal 2022: H-Jaigarh Energy’s Terminal in Maharashtra has received India’s first floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). On April 12, 2021, the FSRU Höegh Giant arrived at Jaigarh Terminal in Maharashtra after sailing from Keppel Shipyard in Singapore. This will be India’s first FSRU-based LNG receiving terminal, as well as Maharashtra’s first year-around LNG facility.

Key Points:

a)      The Höegh Giant, which was erected in 2017, has a storage capacity of 1,70,000 cubic metres and a regasification capacity of 750 million cubic feet per day (equivalent to about six million tpa). FSRU has been chartered for a 10-year period by H-Energy.

b)      The Höegh Giant LNG terminal will be connected to the national gas grid via the 56-kilometer Jaigarh-Dabhol natural gas pipeline.

c)       The facility will also deliver LNG to onshore distribution via truck loading facilities. Reloading LNG into small-scale LNG vessels for bunkering services is also possible at the plant

d)      H-Energy also plans to boost the region’s small-scale LNG market, utilising FSRU for LNG storage and reloading into smaller boats.

LNG Terminal: The LNG terminal was built by H-Energy to world-class technical and safety standards. The LNG terminal is located in JSW Jaigarh Port in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district. The port is Maharashtra’s first deep-water private port that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

2. IIT Madras and NIOT conduct OCEANS 2022 for the first time: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, are jointly conducted OCEANS 2022 Conference and Exposition, the bi-annual event for global marine researchers, technologists and engineers, students, and policymakers. It is being in India for the first time and coordinated by the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, on behalf of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Ocean Engineering Society (IEEE OES) and Marine Technology Society (MTS). The conference is being held in a hybrid model.

‘Inspire-Innovate-Sustain’ is the main theme of the conference. The delegates will be sharing their experiences on topics related to climate change, global warming, vagaries of weather, combating coastal erosion, marine pollution and microplastics through nearly 400 presentations.

 

3. India’s largest EV charging station for 4 wheelers opens in Sector 86 of Gurugram: India’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging station for 4 wheelers has been launched in Sector 86 of Gurugram, in Haryana. The new EV charging stations comes with a capacity of 121 charging points for 4 wheelers and can charge 1,000 cars in a single day. Gurugram now has two of largest electric vehicle charging stations across the country. The first EV station was opened in in Sector 52 in January 2022, which has a capacity of 100 charging points for 4 wheelers.

 

4. Jan Aushadhi Diwas: 7th March: The Jan Aushadhi Diwas is celebrated on 7 March 2022 by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI). The day is observed to spread awareness about the usages of generic medicines and the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The theme of the 4 Janaushadhi Diwas is “Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi”.

On this occasion, Doctors, Health Workers, Nurses, Pharmacists, and Jan Aushadhi Mitra will discuss the Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by March 2025.

 

5. Jet Airways named Sanjiv Kapoor as CEO 2022: Sanjiv Kapoor has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jet Airways. Prior to this, Kapoor was the president of Oberoi Hotels and has also worked as a chief operating officer at SpiceJet and chief strategy and commercial officer at Vistara. He has worked as the Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer of Vistara Airlines for three years, and Chief Operating Officer of SpiceJet for two years. The Jalan Kalrock Consortium is the new promoter of Jet Airways.

Note: Jet Airways CEO: Vinay Dube; Jet Airways Founder: Naresh Goyal; Jet Airways Founded: 1 April 1992, Mumbai.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. SWISS to Become World’s First Airlines to Use Solar Aviation fuel: Swiss International Air Lines AG (SWISS or Swiss Air Lines) and its parent company, Lufthansa Group have partnered with Switzerland based solar fuels start-up, Synhelion SA (Synhelion) to use its solar aviation fuel. Swiss International Airlines will become the first airline to use solar aviation fuel (“sun-to-liquid” fuel) to help power its flights. SWISS will become the first customer of solar kerosene in 2023. For this, Synhelion has developed a technology for manufacturing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable energy sources. When combusted solar fuel will only produce as much CO2 as went into its manufacture, cutting aviation emissions. Synhelion is set to build the world’s first facility to industrially produce solar fuel in Jülich, Germany. The plant will become operational from 2022 onwards.

Note: Swiss International Air Lines AG Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland; Swiss International Air Lines AG Founded: 1 April 2002; Swiss International Air Lines AG Chairman: Reto Francioni; Swiss International Air Lines AG CEO: Dieter Vranckx.

 

2. MEA Unveils Special Logo for 75 Years of Indo-Dutch Diplomatic Relation: The 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Netherlands is being commemorated this year. Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, launched a joint logo on March 2, 2022, to commemorate the occasion.

Key Points:

a)      The logo features the national flowers of both the countries, the lotus and the tulip. The chakra in the heart of the logo represents our friendship, and the flag colours emphasise the ties that exist between Indians and Dutch people.

b)      Throughout the year, a variety of events and activities in a variety of sectors of cooperation, including water, agriculture, innovation, energy, climate, and culture, are planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary.

c)       The Netherlands gifted 3000 fresh tulips to India as a symbol of goodwill for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which were planted in the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan gardens.

Commercial and Trade Relations

a)      Trade and commercial collaboration are at the heart of the two countries bilateral ties. With USD 6.5 billion in FDI inflows in FY 2019-20, the Netherlands was the third-largest investor in India, after Mauritius and Singapore. Dutch investments in India totalled USD 36.28 billion between April 2000 and December 2020, putting them in fourth place.

b)      The Netherlands received USD 1.23 billion in offshore direct investment (ODI) from India in FY 2019-20, making it the fourth most popular destination for ODI from India.

c)       Bilateral trade was valued at US$6.55 billion in the fiscal year 2020-21 (April-December), with Indian exports to the Netherlands being US$4.33 billion and Indian imports from the Netherlands totalling US$ 2.22 billion.

d)      In India, there are about 200 Dutch enterprises. In addition, the Netherlands has around 200 Indian companies, including all of the main IT firms.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. BCCI named RuPay as the official partner for Tata IPL 2022: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s, Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has announced National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)‘s flagship product RuPay as an official partner for the Tata IPL 2022. This will be a multi-year partnership. RuPay offers tech-led, innovative, and customized offerings to people across India, being accepted in India and internationally.

Tata IPL 2022 will be co-presented by Dream11 and co-powered by Tata and CRED. Swiggy, Prystin Care, Zepto, Livspace, L’Oreal, and Spinny have been signed-on as associate sponsors.

The 15th edition of Tata IPL 2022 will start on 26th March 2022. A total of 70 league matches will be played across four international venues in Mumbai and Pune. The venue for the playoff matches will be decided later.

Note: BCCI Founded: 1928; BCCI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India; BCCI President: Sourav Ganguly; BCCI Vice president: Rajeev Shukla; BCCI Secretary: Jay Shah; BCCI Men’s coach: Rahul Dravid; BCCI Women’s coach: Ramesh Powar.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. UPI transactions value dips 2022: According to the data from the National Payments Corporation of India, India’s cashless retail transactions on the UPI platform were Rs 8.27 lakh crore in February, a little decrease from the previous month’s total (NPCI). In February 2022, there were 452 crores (4.52 billions) in transactions.

Key Points:

a)      The overall value of cashless retail transactions on the BHIM UPI network stood at Rs 8.32 lakh crore in January, with 461 crore transactions (4.61 billion).

b)      According to NPCI, the value of the automatic collection at toll plazas utilising the NETC FASTag technology increased slightly in February, with over 24.36 crore transactions (243.64 million) worth Rs 3,631.22 crore.

c)       NETC FASTag toll collections were valued at Rs 3,603.71 crore by way of 23.10 crore (231.01 million) transactions in the previous month.

d)      Instant money can be transferred through 24×7 IMPS that is Immediate Payment Service fell to Rs 3.84 lakh crore in February as against Rs 3.87 lakh crore in January. During the same period, the number of such transactions is at 42 crores (420.93 million) as compared against 44 crores (440.17 million), as per the data.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. HPCL signed MoU with Solar Energy Corporation of India: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) to accomplish green energy targets and the Government of India’s efforts towards a carbon-neutral economy.

Key Points:

a)      Shuvendu Gupta who is the Chief General Manager of HPCL for Biofuels and Renewables, and Sanjay Sharma who Executive Director of SECI, signed the MoU.

b)      The Memorandum of Understanding envisions cooperation and collaboration in the fields of renewable energy, electric mobility, and alternative fuels, as well as the development of ESG Projects.

c)       HPCL plans to diversify further in the RE and Electric Mobility sectors, as well as pursue the development of ESG projects, in order to meet the Government of India’s target to increase the RE capacity and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility in India.

Solar Energy Corporation of India: SECI, the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited, has been in the forefront of RE capacity development and is credited with bringing the country’s lowest RE tariffs. SECI promotes and develops a variety of renewable energy resources, including solar/wind energy, RE-based storage systems, waste to energy, power trading, R&D projects, and RE base goods such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, and RE-powered electric vehicles, among others.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NMCG awarded ‘Special Jury Award’ for Ganga rejuvenation: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has been awarded the ‘Special Jury Award’ at the 7th India Industry Water Conclave and the 9th edition of the FICCI Water Awards. NMCG has been awarded for its effort in reviving River Ganga and bringing about a paradigm shift in water management. The 9th edition of the FICCI Water Awards were organised at the FICCI’s 7th India Industry Water Conclave, held virtually on March 02 and 03, 2022.

The Citation underlines the complexity of the task of rejuvenation of the entire Ganga basin and the importance of engaging with diverse stakeholders particularly the people-river connect which forms the basis of NMCG’s approach to the challenging task. G Asok Kumar was appointed as the new Director-General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Indian Army Chief General S F Rodrigues passes away: General S F Rodrigues, who had served as Chief of the Indian Army from 1990 to 1993 passes away at the age of 88 years. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues was also the Governor of Punjab from 2004 to 2010. He had served two terms on the National Security Advisory Board. Since his retirement, he has been engaged in social and literary pursuits and has also delivered numerous talks on strategic issues. The nation and the Indian Army will always be indebted to his invaluable contribution and service to the nation.

 

2. Australian cricketer Shane Warne passes away: Australian cricketer Shane Warne has passed away at the age of 52 years due to a suspected heart attack in Thailand. He was a leg spinner. In 2013, he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. He is regarded as the greatest spinner of cricket and has played 145 Tests for Australia and has 708 wickets.

 

3. Oscar-winning producer Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr passes away: The Oscar-winning producer, Former Executive at Twentieth Century Fox, who greenlit ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Braveheart’, Alan Ladd Junior has passed away at the age of 84 years. He was affectionately known as “Laddie”. He won the Academy Award (Oscar award) for Best Picture ‘Braveheart’ directed by Mel Gibson in 1995. He was one of the founders of the Ladd Company, established in 1979.

Daily GK Update- 6th Mar, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Rajasthan govt announces ‘Camel Protection and Development Policy’: Rajasthan, the state government has announced a ‘Camel Protection and Development Policy’ in its budget 2022-23. According to the government figures, less than two lakh camels are left in Rajasthan and in the entire country, the number of camels has reduced by 1.5 lakh since 2012. There were about 2.5 lakh camels left when counted last in 2019.

Camel is the state animal of Rajasthan and their number is continuously decreasing. The Rajasthan government had declared the camel as the state animal in 2014. About 85 per cent of the country’s camels are found in Rajasthan followed by Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Note: World Camel Day is observed every year on 22 June to recognize the importance of camels to the livelihood of a large population.

 

2. DST tieup with Intel India to boost AI readiness: ‘Building AI Readiness among Young Innovators’, a program by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in partnership with Intel India, was launched by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (I/C). The program aims to build digital readiness among the students from classes 6 to 10, enrolled under DST’s INSPIRE-Awards MANAK scheme.

About the program:

a)      The flagship program of DST reaches out to students pan India with an aim to create a culture of creativity and innovative thinking. Intel said its commitment to promoting AI readiness in the country is in synergy with the government’s vision of leveraging AI to make India a leader in the field while utilizing the technology to address its socio-economic challenges.

b)      The program will bring both these together and seek to build an AI-ready generation by empowering the students with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI in an inclusive way.

 

3. Biodegradable nanoparticle developed by IIT Kanpur: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have created a biodegradable nanoparticle that can be used as an alternative to chemical-based insecticides to protect crops from bacterial and fungal illnesses. Abhay Karandikar, who is the director of IIT Kanpur said that because farmers suffer a variety of issues, IIT Kanpur has worked tirelessly to improve the farming environment as a whole. Nanoparticles would reduce the risk of crop infection while also increasing agricultural productivity. Key Points:

a)      The nanoparticle, dubbed Biodegradable Carbonoid Metabolite (BioDCM), can be active at low concentrations and be as effective as pesticides while having no detrimental effects on soil or consumer health. It operates quickly because it is administered in bioactive form and can resist high temperatures.

b)      The nanoparticle was produced in collaboration with C. Kannan and D. Mishra of ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, and also with R Balamurugan and M. Mandal of the Hyderabad University’s School of Chemistry.

c)       Given the nanoparticle developed by IIT Kanpur’s biodegradable and non-harmful nature, it is likely to attract a lot of interest from farmers looking to reduce their use of chemicals in farming, particularly pesticides.

 

4. Centre postpones 2022 Gandhinagar DefExpo: The DefExpo 2022 that was scheduled to be held from March 10 to March 14, in Gandhinagar of Gujarat has been postponed by the Ministry of Defence, due to logistics problems being experienced by participants. The new dates of the defence expo shall be communicated in due course.

 

5. CISF’s 53rd Raising Day: 6th March: The 53rd Raising Day ceremony of Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) was organised on March 06, 2022, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has attended and addressed the Raising Day ceremony of CISF at Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram. The CISF, which functions under the Union Home Ministry, is a central armed police force and among one of the six paramilitary forces of India.

About CISF:

a)      CISF was set up under an Act of the Parliament of India on 10 March 1969, to provide security cover to industrial units, government infrastructure projects and facilities and establishments located all over India.

b)      Eventually, it was made an armed force of the Republic of India by another Act of Parliament passed on 15 June 1983.

c)       CISF is one of six paramilitary forces in India and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its headquarters is in New Delhi.

Note: Director-General of CISF: Sheel Vardhan Singh.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. SDG Index 2021: India ranks 120th position: India has been ranked at 120th position in the Sustainable Development Report 2021 or Sustainable Development Index 2021. In this Index, countries are ranked by a score out of 100. India has a score of 60.07. Last year India’s rank was 117. The Index measures the country’s total progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Index has been topped by Finland.

The top 5 countries in this ranking are:

1- Finland;

2- Sweden;

3- Denmark;

4- Germany;

5- Belgium

These 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015 as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

2. Knight Frank: India ranks 3rd in billionaire population globally: India is ranked 3rd in terms of most number of billionaires’ population globally in 2021, as per Knight Frank’s latest edition of The Wealth Report 2022. The number of ultra-high-net-worth-individuals (UHNWIs) in India increased by 11% YoY in 2021 to 145 billionaires, the highest percentage growth in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. UHNWIs are individuals with net assets of US$ 30m or more (Rs 226 crore).

Globally: The list has been topped by the United States (748) and China (554) respectively.

Indian City-wise: Bengaluru recorded the highest growth in the number of UHNWIs in 2021 at 17.1% to 352 billionaires. It was followed by Delhi (12.4% to 210) and Mumbai (9% to 1596) in 2021.

Top 5 countries with the most number of billionaires in 2021:

Billionaires	2021
United States	748
China	554
India	145
Germany	136
Russia	121

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. ISSF World Cup: Shri Nivetha, Esha, Ruchita win gold in women’s 10m air pistol: India’s Shri Nivetha, Esha Singh, and Ruchita Vinerkar have won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol team event of the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. With this win, India is leading the medal table with three medals, including two gold and silver. Andrea Katharina Heckner, Sandra Reitz and Carina Wimmer of Germany settled for the silver medal.

Germany and Italy are joint seconds on the table with one gold, two silver and one bronze medal each. A total of 17 countries have won medals so far.

 

2. ICC Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2022 begins: The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has kicked off on March 04, 2022, in New Zealand. This is the 12 edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, being held in New Zealand from March 04 to April 03, 2022. The opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 was held at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui between West Indies and New Zealand, in which West Indies women beat New Zealand by 3 runs. India will open against Pakistan on the 6th of March.

Key points:

a)      The final match is scheduled to take place at the Hagley Oval stadium.

b)      Total 8 teams are participating which includes, New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Govt approves 20% FDI in LIC via automatic route: The Union Cabinet has approved an amendment to the FDI Policy to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) up to 20 percent under the “automatic route” in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). This comes ahead of IPO of LIC. Prior to this, there was no limit was prescribed for foreign investment in LIC. The FDI ceiling for LIC has now been made at par with that of public sector banks. It must be noted that the FDI limit in the insurance sector is 74 percent. Last year it was raised from 49% to 74%.

 

2. HDFC Bank finances Asia’s largest waste to energy plant in Indore- Gobar-Dhan plant: HDFC Bank has partnered with Indore Clean Energy Private Limited (ICEPL) for the development of Gobar-Dhan plant in Indore under its Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. The 550-tonne capacity “Gobar-Dhan (Bio-CNG) Plant” was inaugurated by PM Modi in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on February 19, 2022. This is the biggest Bio-CNG plant in Asia. It has been set up at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Indore Clean Energy Pvt Ltd (ICEPL) is promoted by Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF), which is the largest climate impact fund in India with anchor investors like NIIF & Government of UK.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Tata Motors launches ‘Anubhav’- showroom on wheels: Tata Motors has launched a mobile showroom (showroom on wheels) named ‘Anubhav,’ to target rural customers by increasing their reach in rural areas and providing them with a doorstep car buying experience. Tata Motors will deploy a total of 103 mobile showrooms across the country, to enhance the Tata Motors brand awareness in rural India.

About the ‘Anubhav,’ mobile showrooms:

a)      These mobile showrooms will be operated by dealerships under Tata Motors’ supervision and guidance. All the dealerships will define monthly routes for these vans on which they will ply and cover the targeted village or tehsil.

b)      A total of 103 mobile showrooms are being deployed across the country to enhance the Tata Motors brand awareness in rural India.

c)       These mobile showrooms will help existing dealerships offer a doorstep sales experience to customers and assist them with information about Tata Motors’ products.

d)      These products include a new forever range of cars and SUVs, accessories, avail finance schemes, book a test drive and evaluate existing cars for exchange.

Note: Tata Motors Headquarters: Mumbai; Tata Motors Founder: J. R. D. Tata; Tata Motors Founded: 1945, Mumbai.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. 19th Military Cooperation meet of India & US held in Agra 2022: The 19th edition of the India-US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting was conducted in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The discussion was co-chaired by Air Marshal BR Krishna, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), and Lieutenant General Stephen D Sklenka, Deputy Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, represented the US side.

Key Points:

a)      The conference took place when Russia was engaged in a significant military operation in Ukraine. Western countries, such as the United States, have implemented severe economic sanctions against Russia.

b)      Around 70% of India’s defence equipment is made in Russia.

c)       According to the Defence Ministry, the India-US military cooperation group was established to advance defence collaboration between the two nations through regular meetings at the strategic and operational levels between the Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff and the US Indo-Pacific Command.

d)      The India-US MCG is a forum set up to advance defence cooperation between the two nations by frequent strategic and operational consultations involving Headquarters, the Integrated Defence Staff, and the US Indo-Pacific Command.

e)      The discussions centred on improving the two countries’ ongoing defence engagements and considering new initiatives within the framework of the existing cooperation mechanism.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Noted film critic, writer Jaiprakash Chouksey passes away: Film critic, writer Jaiprakash Chouksey has passed away due to cardiac arrest at the age of 82 years. He has penned scripts and dialogues for several films including ‘Shayad’ (1979), ‘Qatl’ (1986) and ‘Bodyguard’ (2011), and was also involved in writing for television serials. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state Congress chief Kamal Nath and several other leaders condoled Chouksey’s death.