Daily GK Update- 28th Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Tata to Become India’s First iPhone Manufacturer : Tata Group will soon make India’s first homegrown iPhone after Wistron Corp approved the sale of an assembly plant near Bengaluru.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, manufacture would start within two and a half years.  The airline-to-software conglomerate has been in talks with the Taiwanese iPhone maker for more than a year to take over the plant. Tata is also set to honour several manufacturing and hiring commitments made by Wistron as part of their agreement.

 

2. India’s First Satellite-Based Gigabit Broadband Service: Reliance Jio  Ltd announced the rollout of its JioSpaceFiber satellite broadband service, which it showcased at the India Mobile Congress as the nation's inaugural satellite-driven giga fiber service. The satellite broadband aims to extend high-speed internet access to previously untapped regions in India.  To display its extensive reach, the Mukesh Ambani-backed telecom connected four distant locations: Gir in Gujarat, Korba in Chattisgarh, Nabrangpur in Odissa.

 

3. Jai Bhim Mukhyamatri Pratibha Vikas Yojna Launched by Delhi Gov: Delhi government  relaunched Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana to provide free coaching to medical, engineering, and civil services aspirants. According to Delhi SC and ST welfare minister Raaj Kumar Anand the government was going to introduce more competitive exams under the scheme for which free coaching will be provided to the eligible students. The redesigned scheme, Anand said, was almost ready and would be placed before the Cabinet for approval.

 

4. HAL and Safran to Make Aircraft Engine Parts: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed an MoU to develop industrial cooperation in ring forging manufacturing for commercial engines with Safran Aircraft Engines HAL will produce Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion powering Airbus A320 Neo family and Boeing 737 Max engine forgings at its foundry  in Bengaluru Safran is a long standing partner, especially in helicopter programmes, as evidenced by the joint development of the “Shakti” helicopter engine

 

5. 24th Hornbill Festival 2023 To Kick Off In Nagaland From December 1: Hornbill is one of the most-awaited festivals that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland and is attended by thousands of curious travellers from around the world.  This year, the festival will begin from December 1 and end on December 10, 2023. The state is famous as the 'Land of Festivals' and Hornbill is one of the grandest celebrations that is organised by the State Tourism of Arts and Culture Department, Government of Nagaland every year.

 

6. PM Modi inaugurated 7th Edition of Indian Mobile Congress: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 7th Edition of the Indian Mobile Congress 2023 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He will award 100 5G Use Case Labs to educational institutions across the country. These labs are being developed under the 100 5G labs initiative. The 100 5G labs initiative, is an endeavour to realize the opportunities associated with 5G technology by encouraging the development of 5G applications that cater, both to India’s unique needs as well as the global demands. It will foster innovation across various socioeconomic sectors like education, agriculture, health, power, and transportation. The initiative is also a pivotal step for building a 6G-ready academic and start-up ecosystem in the country.

 

7. 124 PM Shri schools dedicated to Haryana: Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan along with Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Manohar Lal Khattar have dedicated 124 PM-Shri schools to Haryana. These schools will have ICT labs and Smart Classrooms also. Ministers also launched the Accreditation of the Schools app and Mobile Application (NIPUN). Books and Learning Materials for Balvatika-3rd were also unveiled during the occasion. PM-Shri Schools will be a symbol of excellence with 21st-century modern education based on skill-based, people-life-culture and mother tongue. The launch of PM Shri School will increase the potential of school education in Haryana and the children of Haryana will benefit for the initiative.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Malaysia picks ruler of Johor state as country’s new king: Malaysia 's royal families have elected the powerful and wealthy ruler of southern Johor state as the country's new king under a unique rotating monarchy system. Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, 64, will ascend to the throne for a five-year term.  He succeeds incumbent Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of central Pahang The ruler of Johor state bordering Singapore was next in line based on a rotation order established among the country’s nine state rulers.

 

2. CCI Becomes A Member Of International Competition Network Committee: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has become a part of the prestigious 18-member steering committee of the International Competition Network (ICN) after "consistent efforts". The steering committee is the ICN's apex body.  The ICN, comprising 140 competition agencies, typically provides antitrust authorities with a specialised, yet informal, venue for maintaining regular contacts and addressing practical competition concerns.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Simran Vats won Silver in women’s 200m – T12 at Asian Para Games: Simran Vats for clinching a silver medal in the women’s 200m – T12 event at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2023. Simran clocked timings of 26.12 seconds to finish the race. She finished behind Iran’s Hagar Safarzadeh Ghahderijani, who clocked the timings of 25.87 seconds. The bronze medal went to China’s Yaqin Shen.

 

2. Sachin Sajerao won Gold in Men’s Shot Put in Asian Para Games: Sachin Sajerao Khilari has won the gold medal in the Men’s Shot Put-F46 event at the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China. He has not only clinched the gold but also set a new Asian record with an impressive throw of 16.21m. He breached the Games Record mark by registering 16.03m. Joshua Cinnamo from the USA narrowly missed out on the top spot by 0.21m. Another Indian athlete, Rohit Kumar, won bronze with a best throw of 14.56m.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI To Impose ₹100 Daily Fine For Credit Bureaus Failing : The RBI told lenders, financial institutions and credit bureaus to resolve complaints filed by customers within 30 days or pay a fine of ₹100 per day. The RBI also directed credit institutions (CIs) and credit information companies to introduce a compensation framework for delayed updation or rectification of credit information. They collect information from a variety of credit providers including banks, credit card companies and non-bank financial institutions.

 

2. RBI Approves MobiKwik’s Zaakpay To Operate As Payment Aggregator: Mobikwik's payment gateway arm Zaakpay has finally received in-principle authorisation from the RBI to operate as a payments aggregator. Aim:  To support more businesses inspires us to continuously enhance the capabilities of our platform. The in-principle approval comes two years after the Gurugram-based payments company filed its application with the RBI.  Mobikwik had applied for the payments aggregator licence in 2021, but was rejected by the regulator. 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Richa Chadha receives award from Consul General of France : Richa Chadha has been awarded the title of ‘Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by the French government for her significant contributions in the field of arts. Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet, the Consul General of France in Mumbai, presents the award to Chadha on the sidelines of the Jio MAMI Mumbai International Film Festival. The actresses’ 2015 critically-acclaimed film, ‘Masaan’ was an Indo-French co-production that was screened in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section at the Cannes Film Festival the same year and had won two awards. For her maiden home production film, ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ she has received both, the French grant ‘Aide aux Cinemas du Monde’ (ACM) as well as the new incentives introduced by the Indian authorities.

 

 

 

 

 

OBITUARIES

 

2. Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Passed Away At The Age Of 68: Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 68. A reform-minded bureaucrat, Li was once tipped as the country's future leader only to be eclipsed by President Xi Jinping, under whom he served as premier for 10 years. During his time as premier, Li cultivated an image as a more modern apparatchik compared to his stiffer colleagues.

Daily GK Update- 27th Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kerala Govt To Set Up ₹237 Crore Graphene Production Facility: The Kerala Government has set up a pilot production facility of Graphene which will cost ₹200 crores. The Kerala Digital University would be the implementing agency, and KINFRA has been appointed as a special purpose vehicle for infrastructure development. About Graphene: It is the thinnest and strongest material in the world ever known and has good chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and a large surface area while being transparent and lightweight.

 

2. Airbus tie-up with IIT Kanpur to promote aerospace education: The IIT Kanpur and Airbus signed a MoU to promote research in advanced technologies and develop programs and activities to enhance technical capabilities Aim: To facilitate increased collaboration in developing education programs with a focus on research to foster talent development in the Indian aerospace sector. Objective: To explore collaboration opportunities with global institutes where students will get to work on projects relevant to the sector.

 

3. The Lords of Wankhede: WV Raman, R Kaushik’s book unveiled: Former India cricketer W.V. Raman and senior journalist R. Kaushik have set about exploring the evolution of Indian cricket in these 28 years in the book The Lords of Wankhede, which was unveiled at a star-studded function. The tag of a world champion, though, was tough to wear, conceded Vengsarkar. “ It was very difficult because the BCCI invited the West Indies to India very soon,” the 67-year-old said, as the audience burst into laughter.

 

4. Goa CM Pramod Sawant launches ‘Swayampurna e-bazaar’ : Goa government launched Swayampurna e-bazaar online platform to give market to different kinds of products made by self-help groups and women. The Swayampurna e-bazaar is an extension of the successful Swayampurna Chavath Bazar. Goan entrepreneurs and self-help groups can contact 9262626262 to join this platform and sell their products online, One can also shop via www.goaebazaar.com, thereby supporting rural Goans’ artisans and craftsmanship.

 

5. PM Modi chairs meeting of 43rd edition of PRAGATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chaired the meeting of the 43rd edition of PRAGATI involving Centre and State governments. PRAGATI is the ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. He reviewed eight key projects spread across seven states having cumulative worth around 31 thousand crore rupees. Among these, four projects were concerned with water supply and irrigation, two projects for expanding National highways and connectivity, and two projects for rail and metro rail connectivity. These are Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Prime Minister has emphasized that PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal in conjunction with technologies such as satellite imagery can help address various issues of implementation and planning relating to location and land requirements for projects. The Prime Minister also reviewed ‘Mobile Towers and 4G Coverage under USOF Projects’. Under the Universal Service Obligation fund, USOF, 33 thousand 573 villages with 24 thousand 149 mobile towers are to be covered for saturation of mobile connectivity.

 

6. “Vimarsh” – National Hackathon on 5G technology conducted in New Delhi: The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) will conduct a 5G Hackathon VIMARSH 2023 to address the challenges faced by Law Enforcement Agencies. The students can submit their ideas between the 1st of November to the 9th of December this year. The grand finale of VIMARSH 2023 will be organized on the 28th of February next year. The Hackathon will be jointly organized by the Home Ministry, the Department of Telecom, and Telecom Centres of Excellence India. Nine Problem Statements have been formulated to conduct a Hackathon with students and startups. A cash award of one lakh 50 thousand rupees will be given to each winning team. The Hackathon will involve three stages of ideas screening – Stages I and 2 will be done in virtual mode whereas Stage 3 in physical mode.

 

7. 26 October 2023 – 76th Accession Day: Jammu and Kashmir is commemorating its 76th Accession Day on 26 October 2023. This day holds great significance as it marks the moment when the people of this former princely state firmly chose their destiny by merging with the Union of India. Despite being an integral part of India’s celebrated democratic journey, J&K has faced significant challenges due to persistent external interference of Pakistan that has aimed to disrupt its internal fabric. At the time of India’s independence in 1947, the Indian subcontinent was divided into two newly formed nations, India and Pakistan. Alongside these two dominions, there were 580 princely states that had previously accepted the paramountcy of the British Crown through subsidiary alliances. As per the Indian Independence Act of 1947, these princely states were granted the choice to remain independent, join India, or join Pakistan. The process of accession involved the signing of an Instrument of Accession (IoA) that outlined the terms of the accession.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. In a first, India, EU carry out joint naval drills in Gulf of Guinea: India and the European Union (EU) conducted their maiden joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa in a bid to boost maritime security cooperation to support the region. During the exercise, Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, was joined by three EU Member States’ ships in the Gulf of Guinea Italian Navy Ship ITS Foscari, French Navy Ship FS Ventôse, and Spanish Navy Ship Tornado.

 

2. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2023 Celebrates on 27th October: The annual World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on October 27 reminds us of the importance of archiving and preserving audiovisual sources. The 2023 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage theme is "Your Window to the World." It is also known as AV in short, audiovisual items can be anything from a short clip or a documentary to speeches or music. Aim: To provide us with an insight into the social, political, economic, and linguistic realities of a given environment.

 

3. Slovakia's Fico appointed prime minister for fourth time: Robert Fico has been appointed as prime minister of Slovakia for the fourth time. He will attend an EU summit in Brussels where the nation-first populist’s fellow leaders should get an early indication. President Zuzana Čaputová formally approved the new three-party coalition government led by Fico, whose party won elections last month on pledges to end military aid to Ukraine, slash immigration and defend Slovakian sovereignty

 

4. China launches Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship: China launched the Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts, known as taikonauts, blasted off. This is the 30th flight mission of China's manned space program, all of which are successful, and the 12th manned mission of the program. The trio will be welcomed by the Shenzhou-16 crew and conduct the country's third in-orbit rotation.

 

5. 27 October – World Day for Audiovisual Heritage: The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage (WDAH) is observed on October 27 every year to draw attention to the significance of audiovisual documents and to urge people to take immediate action. We may learn about the lives and cultures of people from all around the world through audiovisual archives. They serve as invaluable testimony to our common history and a crucial source of knowledge. Theme 2023 – Your Window to the World The preservation and accessibility of audiovisual heritage are crucial goals for both memory institutions and the broader public. On October 27, 1980, during the 21st General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Belgrade, Serbia, the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images was adopted. This recommendation marked a significant step in recognizing the importance of preserving and safeguarding audiovisual materials for their cultural and historical significance.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Amol Muzumdar Takes Over as Head Coach of India Women: The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced Amol Muzumdar would take over as the Indian women’s cricket head coach. He has served as the head coach of the Mumbai Ranji team till the 2022–2023 domestic campaign.  He has also held coaching positions with the South African national team and IPL team Rajasthan Royals. A domestic titan, he scored over 11,000 first-class runs in 171 matches including 30 centuries during his 21-year playing career.

 

2. Deepthi Jevanji won Gold in Women’s 400m-T20 event at Asian Para Games: India’s Deepthi Jeevanji has clinched the gold medal in the women’s 400m-T20 event at the Asian Para Games 2023. Deepthi clocked a timing of 56.69 seconds to finish more than two whole seconds ahead of her nearest rival Orawan Kaising of Thailand, who secured the silver medal with a time of 59s. Niina Knno of Japan finished third with a timing of 59.73s in Hangzhou.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Zerodha Fund House Launches Its Maiden Mutual Fund Schemes: Zerodha Fund House launched its maiden funds Zerodha Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund and Zerodha ELSS Tax Saver Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund, open-ended, passive, index equity mutual fund schemes.  The NFO opened on 20th October 2023 and will remain open till 3rd November 2023.  It is a joint venture between Zerodha Broking Limited and Smallcase Technologies Pvt Ltd

It is India’s only passive-only AMC which will build simple, transparent, affordable mutual funds

 

2. Kotak Bank partnered with NeSL to issue electronic Bank Guarantee: Kotak Mahindra Bank has partnered with National E-Governance Services Limited to issue its inaugural electronic Bank Guarantee through its platform. This collaboration is poised to usher in the era of digital trade, effectively eliminating the traditional paper-based issuance of Bank Guarantees. The digital transformation encompasses the issuance, modifications, closures, digital stamping, and signing processes, resulting in a significant reduction in the guaranteed turnaround time (TAT). This new approach enables guarantees to be processed in just a few hours, a stark improvement compared to the two to three working days required by the conventional paper-based method. Additionally, the e-BG enhances security by mitigating authentication risks.

 

3. IndusInd Bank partnered with Viamericas to enhance Fast Remit platform: IndusInd Bank has collaborated with Viamericas Corporation to offer non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the US digital inward remittance services on the ‘Indus Fast Remit’ platform. The service will offer competitive exchange rates on remittances to India. NRIs can initiate remittance transactions using the auto debit payment mode (automated clearing house – ACH) through their overseas bank accounts on the Fast Remit platform. Viamericas Corporation will leverage its existing Vostro relationship with IndusInd Bank to credit beneficiary accounts in India, utilizing the RBI’s RDA scheme. The digital remittance platform assures customers transparency of payment status, the exact INR amount to be received by the beneficiary, and the expected delivery time.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. 2 Indian-Americans awarded with America’s highest scientific award: Two Indian American scientists were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by US President Joe Biden at the White House. The two Indian-Americans — Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh — were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and the National Medal of Science, respectively. The scientists, who were honoured at the event, made discoveries enabling lifesaving medical treatments, helping fight the opioid epidemic, improving food security, advancing accessibility, and much more. The National Medal of Science is the nation’s highest scientific honour, established by the US Congress in 1959 and administered by the US National Science Foundation. It is bestowed by the President of the United States on individuals deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions in biology, computer sciences, education sciences, engineering, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, and social, behavioural, and economic sciences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 26th Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Arjun Munda inaugurates National Tribal Festival in Ahmedabad: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the National Tribal Festival at Vastrapur Hat in Ahmedabad. Aim: To celebrate and showcase the diverse cultural traditions of the tribal communities.  Objective: To promote entrepreneurship, particularly in remote areas, with the aim of enhancing sustainable production. The National Tribal Festival in Ahmedabad features over 100 stalls that showcase India's tribal culture, handicrafts, and cuisine.

 

2. EC To Appoint Actor Rajkummar Rao As Its ‘National Icon’: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will formally appoint Rajkumar Rao as a National Icon of the EC  He, whose portrayal of an official tasked with conducting polls in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh in the Hindi film “Newton” won accolades, will be inducted as a National Icon by the Election Commission (EC). The EC appoints prominent Indians as national icons to motivate voters to participate in elections.

 

3. BPRD to conduct 5G Hackathon VIMARSH 2023: A national hackathon named “Vimarsh-2023” has been unveiled with the goal of identifying innovative tools to ensure the secure utilization of 5G technology by law enforcement agencies during sensitive operations. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) initiated the hackathon, which is a significant step towards enhancing the capabilities of police forces. The grand finale of VIMARSH 2023 will be organised on the 28th of February 2024.

 

4. Chetan Bhagat appointed Brand Ambassador for Henry Harvin Edu: Henry Harvin Education, an ed-tech platform specializing in upskilling and reskilling programmes for young professionals, has onboarded Chetan Bhagat as its brand ambassador. Backed by this alliance, Henry Harvin Education is poised for a voyage of further innovation and transformative growth, solidifying its position as a trailblazing influence in the global education sector. This partnership represents a shared vision and commitment to empowering the youth of India. Henry Harvin Education claims to have a portfolio of more than 800 upskilling and reskilling training programmes spanning more than 27 categories. It further claims to have trained more than 4,60,000 people and offers more than 7,000 classes per month.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to resume visa services in Canada for certain categories: India has announced plans to resume visa services for certain categories amid a diplomatic crisis with Canada.  According to the High Commission in Ottawa, it would restore services for entry, business, medical, and conference visas with effect from October 26.  The development comes amid a brewing diplomatic crisis that recently prompted the expulsion of more than 40 Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.

 

2. Indians no. 1 in getting citizenship of rich nations: Indians, who are at the forefront of migrating to OECD countries, also lead in acquiring foreign citizenship, according to a recent OECD report.  Among them, American citizenship remains dominant. However, Canada has witnessed the highest growth in granting citizenship to foreign nationals. Canada, in particular, recorded the most significant proportional increase, with a staggering 174% jump between 2021 and 2022.

 

3. US house of representative elected its new speaker: Mike Johnson has been elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, bringing an end to three weeks of uncertainty in US politics. He replaced Kevin McCarthy. The position of Speaker of the House of Representatives is one of the most powerful political chairs in the country and is third in the line of succession after the US President. The 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives, he is a four-term Congressman from the Fourth Congressional District.

 

4. UK & Tamil Nadu partners on smart tech sustainable resource management: The UK and Tamil Nadu are collaborating on a smart tech project aimed at sustainable water, waste, and resource management. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK’s Minister of State in the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), inaugurated the smart technology initiative alongside Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Tamil Nadu’s Information Technology Minister. The project, named ‘Smart District Administration using IoT Technologies for Better Quality of Life,’ was chosen as part of the Frontier Technology Livestreaming (FTL) program. The UK-supported ‘Smart District’ project has a goal of tackling global sustainability challenges by deploying sensors throughout the district. These sensors collect real-time data on water and waste management, as well as environmental quality. By analyzing data patterns, the sensors will promote well-informed decision-making for more efficient resource allocation.

 

5. 24-30 October – UN Disarmament Week: UN Disarmament Week is celebrated every year on October 24 to 30. It is an annual event organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). Objective – To raise awareness of the importance of disarmament and to promote the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. In 2018, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres unveiled a comprehensive vision for disarmament through the initiative “Securing our Common Future: An Agenda for Disarmament.”

 

6. 24-31 October – Global Media and Information Literacy Week: Global Media and Information Literacy Week is observed from October 24 to 31 every year. It is an annual event organized by UNESCO to raise awareness of the importance of media and information literacy (MIL) and to celebrate the progress made towards achieving MIL for all. This year’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week (11th edition) will be hosted by Nigeria. This day was launched in 2012 by UNESCO with the support of the UNESCO-U.N.A.O.C. Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue University Network, and the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance. It is a huge opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on and celebrate progress in achieving media and information literacy for all.’

 

7. 24 October – World Polio Day: World Polio Day is observed every year on October 24. Objective – To create awareness around the importance of polio vaccination to protect children. Theme 2023 – A healthier future for mothers and children. It is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of all mothers, fathers, caregivers, health workers and volunteers who play a key role in getting polio vaccines to children and their communities. On January 13, this year, India completes 12 polio-free years which is considered as a remarkable achievement; the last polio case in India was detected in 2011. In the year 1988, there were around 3.5 lakh polio cases worldwide and the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate the poliovirus.In 2002, WHO European Region was declared polio-free and from that time on October 24 every year, the World Polio Day is celebrated annually.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Shailesh Kumar wins Gold in Men’s High Jump at Asian Para Games 2022: Shailesh Kumar has won the gold medal in the Men’s High Jump T63 event at the Asian Para Games 2022. The Asian Para Games 2022 is being held in Hangzhou, China. Shailesh Kumar leaped a distance of 1.82m and in the process broke the Games record.

 

2. Pranav Soorma won gold at the Asian Para Games 2022 in club throw: India swept all three medals in the men’s club throw F51 event with Pranav Soorma winning the gold on the opening day of the athletics competition at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2022. The 29-year-old Soorma broke the Asian Para Games record with an effort of 30.01m to clinch the gold while Dharambir (28.76m) and Amit Kumar (26.93m) were second and third respectively. There were only four competitors in the event with Saudi Arabia’s Radhi Ali Alharthi finishing last with a throw of 23.77m. He won a silver medal at the 2019 Beijing World Para Athletics Grand Prix event. The F51 club throw event is for athletes who have movement affected to a high degree in the trunk, legs, and hands. All the competitors compete while seated and rely on their shoulders and arm to generate power. Soorma suffered a spinal cord injury after an accident when he was 16-years-old and that left him paralyzed.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI asks private banks to have at least 2 whole-time directors: Reserve Bank of India has asked private banks and wholly owned subsidiaries of foreign banks to ensure at least two Whole Time Directors (WTDs), including the MD and CEO, on their boards to facilitate succession planning.  The number of Whole Time Directors should be decided by the Board of the bank by taking into account factors such as the size of operations, business complexity, and other relevant aspects.

 

2. Kotak Bank partnered with NeSL to issue electronic Bank Guarantee: Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced a new partnership with National E-Governance Services Limited to issue its inaugural electronic Bank Guarantee through its platform.  Aim: To usher in the era of digital trade, effectively eliminating the traditional paper-based issuance of Bank Guarantees.  The digital transformation encompasses the issuance, modifications, closures, digital stamping, resulting in a significant reduction in the guaranteed turnaround time

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Biden honors 2 Indian-American scientists for remarkable discoveries: The two Indian - Americans Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by US President Joe Biden at the White House. President Biden also honored leading American scientists, technologists, and innovators at the award ceremony. The scientists, who were honored at the event, made discoveries enabling lifesaving medical treatments, helping fight the opioid epidemic, improving food security, and much more.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. First Black Action Hero, Richard Roundtree Passed Away: Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several Shaft films beginning in the early 1970s, has passed away.  He was born in New Rochelle, New York, was considered as the first Black action hero. He became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971.

Daily GK Update- 25th Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Skyroot Aerospace unveils Vikram-1 rocket, scheduled for launch in 2024: Space start-up Skyroot Aerospace unveiled its indigenously built Vikram-1 rocket which is expected to deliver satellites to low earth orbit early 2024.  Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also inaugurated 'The MAX-Q Campus', the new headquarters of the start-up at the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park at Mamidipally in South Hyderabad. Vikram-1 is a multi-stage launch vehicle with a capacity to place around 300 kg of payloads in Low Earth Orbit.

 

2. Rajasthan Govt Launches ‘iStart Talent Connect Portal’: The Rajasthan government  launched the ‘iStart Talent Connect Portal’ at Jaipur’s Techno Hub to boost employment opportunities in the state, Aim: To serve as a user-friendly platform for both job providers and job seekers.  The platform, launched in collaboration with Jaipur-based startup Hyrefox, not only allows companies to discover potential talent but also lets them post job openings and connect with their future employees

 

3. UP government set up URIDA to implement the CM Grids scheme: The government of Uttar Pradesh has established the Urban Road Infrastructure Development Agency (URIDA).  The government granted approval for the implementation of the CM Green Road Infrastructure Development Scheme (Urban), which boasts a substantial budget of Rs 500 crore.  Aim: To enhance the visual and functional aspects of urban roadways while also shouldering the responsibility of overseeing, financing, and supervising road development within municipalities.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to surpass Japan in 2030 to become 2nd largest economy of Asia: India will become the world’s third-largest economy, overtaking Germany and Japan, by 2030 on the strength of its youthful demographic profile and rapidly rising urban household incomes. India's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 6.2-6.3 per cent in the fiscal year ending in March 2024, being the fastest-growing major economy this fiscal year.  Asia's third-largest economy grew by a stellar 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter.

 

2. Indian, Malaysian armies participate in Exercise Harimau Shakti-2023: Joint bilateral training exercise “Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023”, between Indian & Malaysian Army commenced in Umroi Cantonment. The Malaysian Army contingent comprises troops from 5th Royal Battalion of Malaysian Army.  The Indian contingent is being represented by a Battalion of THE RAJPUT REGIMENT.  Ex is scheduled till 5th November 2023, aimed at enhancing military capability for conduct of Multi Domain Operations in a sub conventional scenario.

 

3. Sri Lanka announces free visas for Indians to boost tourism: Sri Lanka waived the visa fees for Indians and tourists from six other countries, as part of its efforts to boost tourist arrivals and help rebuild the island nation’s battered economy following 2022 financial crash.    The Cabinet announced implementation of a pilot project to issue free tourist visas to tourists from China, India, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan until March 31, 2024.  India has remained Sri Lanka’s top source market for many years.

 

4. Mumbai second most polluted major global city as air quality worsens: Mumbai became the second most polluted city among 109 places tracked by IQAir, a Swiss technology company measuring air quality in real-time.

The top 5 Cities in the world are:

·       Beijing

·       Mumbai

·       Karachi

·       Jerusalem

·       Shenyang

The air quality index (AQI) score is based on the US system where a score of between 0-50 is good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy and >301 is hazardous.

 

5. India to invest 143 lakh crore in Infrastructure by 2030 : India will spend nearly Rs143 lakh crore on infrastructure between fiscals 2024 and 2030, more than twice the ₹ 67 lakh crore spent in the past seven financial years starting 2017, according to rating agency Crisil. Of the total, ₹ 36.6 lakh crore will be green investments, marking five times rise compared with the amount spent during fiscals 2017-2023. The agency expects India’s gross domestic product to grow at an average 6.7 percent through fiscal 2031 to be the fastest-expanding large economy.

Per capita income is seen rising from USD 2,500 now to USD 4,500 by fiscal 2031, creating a middle-income country. This growth will be underpinned by massive all-round infrastructure development, with sharp focus on integrating sustainability. Four of these — roads and highways, power transmission, renewable energy and ports — have an overall score of 7-plus (out of 10), which underscores the pace of reforms and developments of the past few years.

 

6. 24 October – World Development Information Day: World Development Information Day is celebrated annually on October 24. Objective – To raise awareness of development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them. Theme 2023 – Harnessing the Power of Information and Communication Technologies to Build a Better World. The UN General Assembly in 1972 established the World Development Information Day to direct people’s attention toward developmental problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Shubman Gill becomes fastest batter to score 2000 runs in ODIs : Shubman Gill has become the fastest batter to score 2000 runs in ODIs. He achieved the feat in India’s World Cup 2023 match against Tom Latham’s New Zealand at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Back on January 21, 2011, Hashim Amla set the record in his 40th innings in the match against India at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. Gill raced to the milestone in only his 38th ODI innings. The right-handed Shubman also broke Shikhar Dhawan’s record of being the fastest Indian batter to score 2000 runs. Back on November 9, 2014, Dhawan set the record in his 48th innings in the match against Sri Lanka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. HDFC Bank Unveils XpressWay Digital Platform for Swift Loans: HDFC Bank has introduced XpressWay, a digital platform that offers various banking products and services, providing customers with a swift and convenient banking experience. Aim: To provide a fast, seamless, paperless, and self-service experience for new and existing customers.  About XpressWay It offers a range of services, including Xpress Personal Loan, Xpress Business Loans, Xpress Car Loan, Xpress Loan on cards, Xpress Credit Card, Xpress Savings Accounts.

 

2. RBI Imposes ₹2.5 Crore Penalty On L&T Finance For Non Compliance: RBI has taken regulatory action against Larsen & Toubro Finance Limited by imposing a monetary penalty of ₹2.50 crore

The NBFC did not disclose to its retail borrowers, the gradation of risk and rationale for charging different interest rates to different categories of borrowers in the sanction letter Penalty is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction by the company with its customers.

 

3. RBL Bank introduces GO savings account: RBL Bank has launched GO Savings Account, its latest digital banking product. It is a zero-balance account with simple account opening process and easy-to-operate features, the product caters to customers of all age groups. The GO Savings Account signifies a modern shift in the world of banking, presenting a novel subscription-based model. The launch of GO Savings Account bridges the gap between traditional and digital banking by offering a compelling value proposition for customers. With our user-friendly account opening experience bundled with the new-age subscription-based model and services there on, we aim to bring digital convenience to a larger customer segment.

 

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Padma Shri Dr Birendra Nath Dutta Passes Away: Well-acclaimed academician, musician and lyricist Dr Birendra Nath Dutta passed away at the age of 90 years. One of the experts of the research and education in the folklore sector of the State, and the entire north-eastern region, he was a source of inspiration as well as knowledge.  He  recognized with the prestigious Padma Shri award in the field of ‘Literature and Education’ in 2009, and the Jagaddhatri Harmohan Das Sahitya Puraskar in 2010.