Daily GK Update- 13th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India slips two spots on 17th Sustainable Development Goals report: India’s rank has slipped by two places from last year to 117 on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in 2015. India ranks below four South Asian countries: Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The State of India’s Environment Report 2021 revealed that India’s rank was 115 last year and dropped by two places primarily because of major challenges like ending hunger and achieving food security (SDG 2), achieving gender equality (SDG 5) and building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation (SDG 9) remain in the country.

 

2. Assam govt names Raimona reserve forest sixth national park: Raimona in Kokrajhar district has become Assam’s sixth national park. The 422 sqft wildlife habitat in Kokrajhar district adjoins the western-most buffer to Manas Tiger Reserve. The five national parks that existed prior to the 422 sq. km Raimona are Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang and Dibru-Saikhowa.

The Pekua River defines Raimona’s southern boundary. Raimona is an integral part of the 2,837 sq. km Manas Biosphere Reserve and the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve. Such secured transboundary ecological landscape will ensure the long-term conservation of endemic species like the golden langur, the mascot of Bodoland Territorial Council and endangered species such as the Asian elephant, the Bengal tiger and varied other flora and faunal species it support

Note: Assam Governor: JagdishMukhi; Assam Chief Minister: HimantaBiswaSarma.

 

3. Sanjeev Sahai to be new chairman of oil regulator PNGRB: Senior administrator and former power secretary, Sanjeev NandanSahai is set to take over as next chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). A search committee headed by V K Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI Aayog, cleared the name of Sahai. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board is a statutory body in India.

Note: Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board HQ: New Delhi.

 

4. Bengaluru international airport achieves net energy neutral status: The Kempegowda International Airport here has achieved net energy neutral status in the Financial Year 2020-21 as part of its sustainability goals. Bengaluru international airport (BIAL) has been able to save nearly 22 lakh units of energy in the Financial Year 2020-21, enough to power nearly 9,000 houses for a month.

According to BIAL, these measures were achieved through solar installation at rooftops of utility buildings, car parks, ground-mounted solar installation at the airside, rooftops of cargo buildings and project offices. It has also begun purchasing 40 million units of solar power through open access and wind power purchase through open access. Adoption of LED and optimal use of natural light contributed to energy-neutral status.

 

5. Punjab tops performance grading index in school education: Punjab, which has improved its showing from the 13th position it attained in 2018-19, topped the charts this time among all the states and union territories with a score of 929 out of 1,000, followed by Chandigarh (912) and Tamil Nadu (906). The performance grading index ranks the states on a set of 70 parameters relating to learning outcomes and quality, access, infrastructure and facilities, equity and governance processes to catalyse transformational change in the field of school education.

Note: Punjab CM: Captain Amarinder Singh; Punjab Governor: V.P. Singh Badnore.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Maldivian minister Abdullah Shahid elected President of 76th UNGA: Maldivian foreign minister, Abdullah Shahid was elected President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (PGA) with an overwhelming majority. He garnered 143 votes in favour with 48 against – that gave him victory by a three-fourths majority. The post of the UN General Assembly President rotated annually among regional groupings. The 76th session (2021-22) is the turn of the Asia-Pacific group and this is the first time Maldives will be occupying the office of the PGA.

The PGA’s office is the highest office in the UN System and reflects the collective goodwill of the 193 Member States of the UN. Both Maldives and Afghanistan have friendly ties with India. India’s vote however went to the Maldives since New Delhi had committed support to Shahid prior to Rassoul entering the fray.

Note: President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih; Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.

 

2. THE Asia University Rankings 2021 released: Times Higher Education Asia university rankings 2021, three Indian universities secured positions in the top 100 list. IISc Bangalore, IIT Ropar and IIT Indore have secured ranks among the top 100 universities in Asia. Like last year, not a single Indian varsity made it to the elite top 10. IISc Bangalore ranked at 37th position. IIT Ropar is placed at 55th rank and IIT Indore at 78th rank among the top 100 universities.

Tsinghua University, China has gained the first position in the Asia university rankings 2021. The second place is also secured by China’s Peking University. The third and fifth ranks have been secured by Singapore varsities. Whereas, the University of Hong Kong is at fourth rank.

 

3. International Albinism Awareness Day: 13th June: The International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is celebrated annually on June 13 to celebrate the human rights of persons with albinism worldwide. Each year events are held to educate people and celebrate people with albinism who continue to suffer all types of human rights violations. “Strength Beyond All Odds” is the theme for this year’s International Albinism Awareness Day.

History of International Albinism Awareness Day: In the mid-2000s, there had been reports of violent attacks on and murders of people with albinism in Tanzania. The attacks were linked to beliefs that people with albinism had magical powers, so they were preyed upon for parts to be used as lucky charms and in occult rituals. When in 2015 around 70 were killed and many more were harmed, the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other NGOs lobbied for the rights of people with albinism. This led to the celebration of the first Albino Day on May 4, 2006. The day was finally made official when the UN’s General Assembly adopted on December 18, 2014, a resolution that proclaimed June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day with effect from 2015.

What is albinism: Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world. Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Sunil Chhetri surpasses Argentina’s Lionel Messi: Sunil Chhetri surpasses Argentina’s Lionel Messi and he has become the second-highest active international goal-scorer with 74 strikes. He made this record in a joint preliminary qualifying round match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup. He is currently behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (103) in the active international goal-scorer list. Chhetri also helped India register its rst win in six years in World Cup qualiers. Chhetri is just a goal away from entering world football’s all-time top-10. Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer. He is popularly known as Captain Fantastic.

 

2. Chris Broad to be match referee for World Test Championship final: ICC Elite Panel match referee, Chris Broad will oversee the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand, scheduled to commence at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton from June 18. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the officials for the match. ICC Elite Panel’s Richard Illingworth and Michael Gough will be the on-field umpires.

Note: Chairman of ICC: Greg Barclay; CEO of ICC: Manu Sawhney; Headquarters of ICC: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NITI Aayog recommends privatisation of Central Bank, Indian Overseas Bank: NITI Aayog has recommended divesting government stake in the Central Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) as part of the privatisation initiative announced in the Union Budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech, had announced privatising two public sector banks (PSBs) and one general insurance company in 2021-22. As per the new PSE (Public Sector Enterprise) policy for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, NITI Aayog is entrusted with the task to suggest names of PSUs in strategic sectors to be merged, privatised, or made subsidiaries of other PSUs.

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and Department of Financial Services (DFS) will examine the proposal and discuss legislative changes needed for the privatisation of banks. The finalisation of privatisation and disinvestment of public sector enterprises is a multi-layered process. After a Core Group of Secretaries, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, clears the suggested names, the proposal will go to Alternative Mechanism (AM) for its approval and eventually to the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister for a final nod.

Note: NITI Aayog Formed: 1 January 2015; NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi; NITI Aayog Chairperson: Narendra Modi.

 

2. Hitendra Dave appointed as HSBC India CEO: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. (HSBC) announced the appointment of Hitendra Dave as Chief Executive Officer of HSBC India subject to receipt of regulatory approval. He has been appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer effective June 7, 2021. Dave succeeds SurendraRosha who will be moving to Hong Kong as the co-chief executive of HSBC Asia-Pacific.

Note: HSBC CEO: Noel Quinn; HSBC Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; HSBC Founder: Thomas Sutherland; HSBC Founded: 3 March 1865, Hong Kong.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. World Bank approves $500 mn program to help boost India’s MSME sector: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a USD 500 million programs to support India’s nationwide initiative to revitalise the MSME sector, which has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The MSME sector is the backbone of India’s economy, contributing 30% of India’s GDP and 4% of exports.The USD 500 million Raising and Accelerating Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Performance (RAMP) Program is the World Bank’s second intervention in this sector, the first being the USD 750 million MSME Emergency Response Program, approved in July 2020 to address the immediate liquidity and credit needs of millions of viable MSMEs severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Arunachal Pradesh’s Water Burial bags best film National Award: Arunachal Pradesh’s Water Burial has bagged the best film National Award on environment conservation at 67th National Films Awards 2021. The film, which is directed by independent filmmaker Shantanu Sen.Water Burial is produced by AM Television. Inspired by the popular Assamese novel Saba Kota Manuh, which is written by YesheDorjeeThongchi, Water Burial is in Monpa dialect and has an intriguing storyline around a dark ritual of a local tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar assumes Charge as DG Naval Operations: Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM has assumed charge as Director General Naval Operations. The Flag Officer is a specialist in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and has served on frontline warships of the Navy as ASW Officer and later as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Destroyer INS Mysore. He has commanded the missile corvette INS Kora, the missile frigate INS Shivalik and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh; Indian Navy Founded: 26 January 1950. 

Daily GK Update- 12th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Launches Global Energy Initiative “Mission Innovation CleanTech Exchange”: The Governments of 23 nations, including India, have collectively launched a bold new plan called Mission Innovation 2.0, to catalyze action and spearhead a decade of innovation for global investment in clean energy research, development and demonstrations. Mission Innovation 2.0 is the second phase of the global Mission Innovation initiative, launched alongside the Paris Agreement at the 2015 COP21 conference. The new initiative was launched at the Innovating to Net Zero Summit, hosted by Chile.

Purpose: To make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible throughout this decade; to accelerate action towards the Paris Agreement; and Net-zero pathways.

Plan: Under this new MI 2.0, a series of new Missions will be undertaken, which will be supported by a new global Innovation Platform to strengthen confidence and awareness in emerging innovations and maximize the impact of national investments.

India’s Effort: As a part of this Platform, India has launched the Mission Innovation CleanTech Exchange, to create a network of incubators across member countries. The network will provide access to the expertise and market insights needed to support new technologies to access new markets globally.

 

2. PM Modi Launches Three E-100 Ethanol Dispensing Stations in Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the World Environment Day event, which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. During the event, PM Modi also released the “Report of the Expert Committee on Road Map for ethanol blending in India 2020-2025”. The theme of the report is ‘promotion of biofuels for a better environment’.Apart from this:

(1) PM Modi also launched a Pilot Project of E 100 ethanol dispensing stations at three locations in Pune, for the production and distribution of ethanol across the country, because ethanol has a better impact on the environment as well as on the lives of farmers.

(2) The government has reset the target to achieve 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by 2025. Earlier this target was to be met by 2030.

(3) As a part of WED 2021, the Government of India has released an E-20 notification, directing Oil Companies to sell ethanol-blended petrol with a percentage of ethanol up to 20% from April 01, 2023; and BIS Specifications for higher ethanol blends E12 & E15.

 

3. Kerala launches ‘Knowledge Economy Mission’: Kerala government has launched ‘Knowledge Economy Mission’ to boost job prospects in the state by supporting knowledge workers. The initiative was announced in State Budget on June 4. It was being spearheaded by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and they will submit a comprehensive project report before July 15.Under the project:

(1) The project will be launched to bring ongoing efforts of providing employment to educated people and support ‘knowledge workers’ under a single programme.

(2) A plan will be made to provide basic facilities and social security system for knowledge workers who are working close to their homes and interacting with employers.

(3) For implementation and funding purposes, a ‘knowledge economy fund’ will be created.

(4) In order to promote skills & strengthen the higher education system and for technological transformation, the knowledge economy fund was hiked from ₹200 crore to ₹300 crores.

Note: Kerala CM: PinarayiVijayan; Kerala Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan.

 

4. CBSE to introduce coding, data science in curriculum: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has collaborated with Microsoft to introduce Coding as a new subject for students of Class 6-8 and Data Science as the new subject for Class 8-12 in the 2021-2022 academic session. Both these new skilling subjects are being launched in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Coding and Data Science Curriculum are focused on building critical thinking, computational skills, problem-solving skills, creativity and hands-on exposure to new technologies. In keeping with the NEP 2020, the introduction of these courses aims to build next-generation skills in students. The new course curriculum on coding and data science that we have developed in partnership with Microsoft will equip students with future-ready learning skills. This is an important step to enable self-reliance in our students and equip them with skills like problem-solving, logical thinking, collaboration and design thinking that are critical for success.

Note: CBSE Chairman: Manoj Ahuja; CBSE Head Office: Delhi; CBSE Founded: 3 November 1962.

Microsoft CEO: Satya Nadella; Microsoft Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States.

 

5. Ladakh LG RK Mathur Launches “YounTab Scheme”: The Lt Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur launched a scheme called ‘YounTab’, under which 12,300 tablets would be distributed among the students in the Union Territory. As part of the first phase of the YounTab Scheme, MrMathur distributed the tablets to the students of Classes 9 to 12 standards.

Under this scheme: A total of 12,300 students from Class 6th to 12th of government schools will benefit. The tablets will be pre-loaded with online and offline content, including textbooks, video lectures and online class applications. The main goal of the YounTab scheme is to encourage digital learning, bridge the digital divide between connected and unconnected regions and mitigate the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.

             

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: 2021-2030: The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration has been officially launched, which will run from 2021 to 2030. United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration will be co-led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in a 2019 resolution.

Purpose:

(1) Protection and revival of millions of hectares of ecosystems all around the world for the benefit of people and nature. This in turn will contribute to the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals.

(2) A Multi-Partner Trust Fund has also been launched for the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. (3) Germany is the first country to provide funding of Euro 14 million towards this fund.

(4) In order to support the launch of the UN Decade, a report has also been released which defines the need of having such a global restoration effort.

Note: United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA; Mr Antonio Guterres is the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

 

2. World Day Against Child Labour: 12th June: World Day Against Child Labour is observed globally on 12th June every year. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are about 152 million children globally who are engaged in child labour, 72 million of whom are in hazardous work. This year’s World Day Against Child Labour focuses on action taken for the 2021 International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. The theme of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour is Act now: End child labour!. It is the first World Day since the universal ratification of the ILO’s Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour and takes place at a time when the COVID-19 crisis threatens to reverse years of progress in tackling the problem.

About World Day Against Child Labour: The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the worldwide extent of kid labour and therefore the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, this Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, also as many people from around the world to spotlight the plight of kid labourers and what are often done to assist them.

Note: Headquarters of International Labour Organization: Geneva, Switzerland; President of International Labour Organization: Guy Ryder; International Labour Organization Founded: 1919.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Oman to host inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup in 2024: Oman has been named as the host of the inaugural International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey5s World Cup. The FIH said the men’s and women’s events will take place in Oman’s capital city Muscat in January 2024. The governing body said its Executive Board named Oman as host, after a recommendation from the organisation’s Events Bidding Task Force. The FIH Executive Board announced the launch of the Hockey5s World Cup in 2019. The launch comes as Hockey 5s becomes an increasingly popular format of the sport, played on a smaller pitch and which has featured at the last two Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Note: Oman Capital: Muscat; Oman Currency: Omani rial.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI imposes penalty on BoI, PNB totallingRs 6 crore: The RBI has imposed a penalty aggregating to Rs 6 crores on Bank of India and Punjab National Bank for contravention of norms, including one related to “Frauds – Classification and Reporting”. A penalty of Rs 4 crores has been imposed on the Bank of India and Rs 2 crores on Punjab National Bank. The bank had also conducted a review and submitted a Fraud Monitoring Report (FMR) dated January 1, 2019, pertaining to the detection of fraud in an account. In both cases, notices were issued to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on them for such violations of the directions.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. NTPC Ltd. Joins UN’s CEO Water Mandate for Water Conservation: India’s largest power utility, NTPC Ltd, under the Ministry of Power, has become a signatory to the prestigious UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate, that focus on efficient water management. The initiative also provides a platform for companies to partner with like-minded businesses, UN agencies, public authorities, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders. The CEO Water Mandate is an initiative by the UN Global Compact, designed to assist companies in the development, implementation, and disclosure of comprehensive water strategies and policies, to better their water and sanitation agendas as part of long term Sustainable Development Goals.

Note: NTPC Chairman and Managing Director: Shri Gurdeep Singh; NTPC Founded: 1975; NTPC Headquarters: New Delhi, India.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Thomas Vijayan Wins Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021: Kerala-based Thomas Vijayan, who is now settled in Canada, has won the 2021 Nature TTL Photography Awards for his photo of an Orangutan clinging to a tree. The photograph is titled ‘The World is Going Upside Down’. Vijayan was adjudged as the overall winner of the competition from over 8,000 entries for Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021, which carries a grand prize of 1,500 pounds (Rs.1.5 lakh). Nature TTL is the world’s leading online nature photography resource.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. US to hand over three MH-60 ‘Romeo’ multi-role choppers to India: The Indian Navy is set to receive its first set of multi-role helicopters as America is set to hand over three MH-60 Romeo helicopters to the force in the United States in July. The first batch of Indian pilots has also reached the US for training on the helicopters which would be arriving in India next year in July. India and the US had signed over-Rs 16,000 crore deal to buy 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin in 2020 under fast track procedures on a government-to-government deal to hasten the process.

About the Romeo:

(1) The 24 MH-60 Romeos would be equipped with multi-mode radars and night-vision devices as well as armed with Hellfire missiles, torpedoes and precision-guided weaponry.

(2) The helicopters are designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers.

(3) The choppers are designed for hunting submarines as well as knocking out ships and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea.

(4) India and the US are also working on finalising a deal for buying 30 Predator drones to enhance the strike capabilities of the three defence forces. 

Daily GK Update- 11th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gujarat’s Vishwamitri river project gets National Green Tribunal nod: The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently directed the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), Gujarat and other authorities to implement the Vishwamitri River Action Plan, including preparation for demarcation, plantation and maintaining the integrity of the river. The crocodiles, turtles & highly protected species have been breeding in the stretches of the river.

In its order, the NGT has observed that the river consists of catchments, floodplains, tributaries, ponds, river-bed and adjoining ravines which, along with the soils and vegetation on both sides, is the river’s natural mechanism to retain the additional water, prevent floods and provide habitat for various species. The NGT has observed that the Vishwamitri River in Vadodara is among the 351 polluted river stretches identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the restoration of such stretches has also been “exhaustively considered” by the Tribunal in another hearing of a petition by the same applicants.

Note: Chairman of NGT: Adarsh Kumar Goel; NGT Headquarters: New Delhi;

Gujarat Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani; Gujarat Governor: Acharya Devvrat.

 

2. IEFPA’s 6 modules of short films titled “Hisab Ki Kitaab” launched: Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Anurag Singh Thakur launched the six modules of short films of Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) titled “Hisaab Ki Kitaab”. These short films developed by Common Services Centers (CSC) eGov as a part of their training tool.

About the modules: The various modules highlight the importance of budget, saving, the importance of Insurance schemes, various social security schemes of the government etc. The modules also interestingly portray the consequences of a common man falling prey to the schemes and how they should protect themselves from Ponzi schemes. These short films will be used by IEPFA and its partnering organisation for Investor Awareness Programs across the country. During the launch, a trivia of all the 6 modules was showcased.

 

3. IIT Madras hosts Asia’s first International Memory Studies Workshop: Indian Institute of Technology Madras’ Centre for Memory Studies recently hosted virtually Asia’s first International Memory Studies Workshop. Indian Network for Memory Studies (INMS), the first national network in the field in Asia under the aegis of the International Memory Studies Association, Amsterdam.

About the workshop:

(1) This international workshop on Memory Studies, the first of its kind in Asia, precedes the official launch of the Indian Network for Memory Studies (INMS).

(2) The launch of the INMS will take place in mid-June 2021 through a virtual event at IIT Madras.

(3) The international Memory Studies Workshop also proved to be a promising platform that brought together academics from Kashmir, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jharkhand among others as well as from the University of Warwick and Leeds Beckett University, UK.

Key objectives of this International Memory Studies Workshop are:

(1) To provide a pioneering scholarly platform to train and mentor doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in Memory Studies.

(2) To align interests from different disciplinary locations and identify research convergences to foster institute-level collaborations in India as well as internationally.

(3) To facilitate the emergence of research methods and innovative, interactive, immersive tools in Memory Studies with the aid of digital technologies.

(4) To facilitate the formation of research clusters and networks academically as well as with industry partners.

 

4. A book title ‘1232 km: The Long Journey Home’ by Vinod Kapri: A new book titled ‘1232 km: The Long Journey Home’ by filmmaker Vinod Kapri chronicles the journey of seven migrant workers from Bihar, who journeyed back home on their bicycles and reached their destination after seven days. The book is published by Harper Collins. The nationwide lockdown in March 2020 forced thousands of migrant workers to return to their native villages by covering thousands of kilometres on foot.

Kapri accompanied these seven migrant workers — Ritesh, Ashish, Ram Babu, Sonu, Krishna, Sandeep and Mukesh — on their 1,232-km journey from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh to Saharsa in Bihar. It is a story of courage as well as the desperation of seven men braving police lathis and insults, battling hunger and exhaustion to reach their home. According to the author, he was curious to know what makes labourers’ cycle 1,232 kilometres without food or any help in such extreme circumstances. He wanted to see them up close.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. RanjitsinhDisale Appointed as the World Bank Education Advisor: RanjitsinhDisale has been appointed as the World Bank Education advisor, starting from June 2021 to June 2024. He is the first Indian to have been awarded the Global Teacher Award in 2020, will now be working on the Coach Project, launched by the World Bank in March 2021. The project’s aim is to ‘help countries accelerate learning by improving teacher professional development.’

About RanjitsinhDisale: Disale is from Paritewadi Village in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. He had initially wanted to become an engineer, but later took up the teacher’s training programme. He is the first Indian to have been awarded the Global Teacher Award in 2020. He won the award in recognition of this work in promoting the education of girls.

Note: World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States; World Bank Formation: July 1944; World Bank President: David Malpass.

 

2. HeidelbergCement plans world’s first CO2 neutral cement plant in Sweden: HeidelbergCement, the world’s second-largest cement maker, plans to turn its Swedish factory in Slite into the world’s first CO2-neutral cement plant by 2030 via carbon capture technology. Following the planned retrofit, which will cost at least 100 million euros ($122 million), the plant will be able to capture up to 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Note: Sweden capital: Stockholm; Currency: Krona; PM of Sweden: Stefan Lofven.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Sergio Perez wins Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix with both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton failing to finish. This was the first win for Perez since joining Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel for Aston Martin and Pierre Gasly for Alpha Tauri completed the unexpected podium. Verstappen crashed with five laps to go and the race at his mercy. Hamilton then locked up at the restart when on target for the second.

 

2. Germany’s FIFA World Cup-winner Sami Khedira announces retirement: Germany’s FIFA World Cup-winner, Sami Khedira has announced retirement. He began his career at VfB Stuttgart and helped them win the league title in the 2006-07 season before moving to Real Madrid, where he won the league and Champions League in a trophy-laden spell. He played 77 games for Germany scoring seven goals and helped them win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI announces FPI investment limits in G-secs, SDLs: The Reserve Bank of India said the limits for foreign portfolio investors (FPI) investment during the current fiscal in government securities (G-secs) and State Development Loans (SDLs) will remain unchanged at 6 per cent and 2 per cent respectively, of outstanding stocks of securities for 2021-22.

In a circular, the RBI said the allocation of incremental changes in the G-sec limit (in absolute terms) over the two sub-categories – ‘General’ and ‘Long-term’ – will be retained at 50:50 for FY 2021-22. The FPI limit in G-Sec General, G-Sec Long Term, SDL General, SDL Long Term, and Corporate Bonds, was Rs 9,54,280 crore as on March 31, 2021. The revised limit (in absolute terms) for April 2021-September 2021 period is Rs 10,14,957 crore, including Rs 2,43,914 crore for G-sec General and Rs 5,74,263 crore for Corporate Bonds. The FPI investment limit in the debt instruments for October 2021 – March 2022 period is ₹10,75,637 crore.

 

2. RBI approves re-appointment of Vishwavir Ahuja as MD, RBL Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Vishwavir Ahuja as the Managing Director and CEO of RBL Bank for a one-year period with effect from June 30, 2021. He has been the Managing Director & CEO of RBL Bank since June 30, 2010. Before RBL Bank, Ahuja was the Managing Director & CEO of Bank of America, India.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. GST collections at Rs 1.03 lakh crore for May: The goods and service tax collections for May clocked Rs 1,02,709 crore, making it the eighth straight month of collections crossing the Rs 1 lakh crore mark. The collections have been 65% higher than the GST revenues in the same month, despite many states being under lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. The May GST collections were also a 27.6 per cent drop from a record sum of Rs 1.41 lakh crore in April, which was the highest monthly collection since the introduction of the nationwide tax.

List of GST Collection previous months:

April 2021: ₹1.41 lakh crore(All-time Highest)

March 2021: Rs. 1.24lacs cr.

Feb 2021: Rs 1,13,143 crore

January 2021: ₹ 1,19,847 crore

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Nitin Rakesh and Jerry Wind win International Business Book of the Year Award 2021: Nitin Rakesh and Jerry Wind won the International Business Book of the Year Award 2021. The authors made history this week by winning the prestigious International Business Book of the Year Award for 2021 for their recently launched book “Transformation in Times of Crisis”, published by Notion Press. Their book Transformation in Times of Crisis brings entrepreneurs and business owners the knowledge that can help their business thrive even in a crisis.

About the award: The Business Book Awards is one of the biggest and most prestigious events in the calendar for business book writers all over the world. It highlights leadership, change, and sustainability in business through the promotion of business books and their authors. The organizers receive over 150 submissions from top authors and their publishers every year, making this achievement all the more special.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari appointed as IAF Vice Chief: The Indian Air Force will see a number of changes at the top as Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of Air Staff in the Air headquarters. Air Marshal BallabhaRadha Krishna would be succeeding Chaudhari at the Western Command in Delhi while Air Marshal RJ Duckworth would be taking charge of the Central Air Command in Prayagraj.

Note: IAF HQ: New Delhi; Founded: 8 October 1932; Air Chief Marshal: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria. 

Daily GK Update- 10th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NCPCR devises online portal ‘Bal Swaraj’ for children affected by Covid-19: In view of the growing problem related to children affected by COVID-19, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has devised an online tracking portal “Bal Swaraj (COVID-Care link)” for children in need of care and protection. The children who have lost family support or are without any ostensible means of subsistence are children in need of care and protection under Section 2(14) of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and all procedures given under the Act for such children must be followed to ensure the well-being and best interest of children.

About the portal:

(1) The portal has been created with the purpose of tracking and monitoring children who need care and protection in real-time, digitally.

(2) The portal will also be used to track children who have lost both their parents during COVID-19.

(3) The “COVID-Care” link on the portal has been provided for the concerned officer or department to upload the data of such children.

Note: Union Minister of Women and Child Development: Smriti Zubin Irani;

 

2. ADB and India signed an agreement for road upgradation project in Sikkim: The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India signed an agreement for financing road up-gradation project in Sikkim. ADB will give a $2.5 million project readiness financing (PRF) loan to support projects related to upgradation of major district roads in Sikkim. It will improve the connectivity and also boost the economic activities in the state. The project readiness nancing (PRF) will help in connecting the major district and other roads with the national and state highway network.

In 2011, the ADB-funded North Eastern State Roads Investment Program was launched to improve road connectivity in Sikkim. The state agencies will prepare detailed engineering designs of selected sub-projects and do feasibility studies. Sikkim’s road network requires regular up-gradation due to frequent landslides and erosion.

Note: ADB is a regional development bank established in 1966;ADB Members: 68 countries (49 members are from Asia pacific region);ADB is headquartered in Mandaluyong, Philippines;MasatsuguAsakawa is the current president of ADB.

 

3. Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates Indus Best Mega Food Park in Chhattisgarh: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Narendra Singh Tomar virtually inaugurated the Indus Best MegaFood Park along with BhupeshBaghel, Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh, and in presence of RameswarTeli, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries. The Mega Food Park will ensure value addition, a longer shelf life for farm produce, better price realization for farmers, excellent storage facility and will provide an alternate market for farmers in the region.

About the Food Park:The Park will also provide direct and indirect employment to about 5,000 persons and benefit about 25,000 farmers in the CPC and PPC catchment areas.The modern infrastructure for food processing created at Park will benefit the processors and consumers of Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas immensely and prove to be a big boost to the growth of the food processing sector in the State of Chhattisgarh.

Note: Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: BhupeshBaghel; Governor: AnusuiyaUikey.

 

4. ThaawarchandGehlot Launches SAGE Programme and Portal: The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri ThaawarchandGehlot virtually launched an initiative called, SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) on June 04, 2021, and also the SAGE portal to support India’s elderly persons. The SAGE portal will act as a “one-stop access” of elderly care products and services by credible start-ups.

About the SAGE:The start-ups will be selected under SAGE on the basis of innovative products and services, which they should be able to provide across sectors such as health, housing, care centres, apart from technological access linked to finances, food and wealth management, and legal guidance.The basic aim of this initiative is to involve youth for elderly care by way of start-ups and their innovative ideas to make elderly care a national movement than just a government programme.

             

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Bill Gates and EU pledge $1 billion boost for green technology: The European Union and an energy investment programme founded by Bill Gates plan to raise up to $1 billion to roll out the low-carbon technologies Europe is betting on to meet its climate change goals. The partnership would see Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy use private capital and philanthropic funds to match funding provided by the EU.

The aim is to together provide up to 820 million euros, or $1 billion, from 2022 to 2026. Support will target hydrogen produced from renewable energy, sustainable aviation fuels, technology to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere, and long-duration energy storage. Those technologies are seen as critical to slashing emissions from sectors like heavy industry and aviation but remain too expensive to scale up without support and compete with cheaper fossil fuel alternatives.

Note: European Union Headquarters location: Brussels, Belgium;European Union Founded: 1 November 1993.

 

2. China developed a combined air defence system along LAC: China has created a combined air defence system along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The combined air defence system has been developed with the elements of the air force and army of western theatre command. For the first time, an integrated army air defence system has been developed by china along the western borders. The combined air defence system has been developed for putting all assets of the army and air force under central control. Since 2017, China has increased the number of airbases and heliports near the LAC.

Line of Actual Control:It is a line that separates India controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.The major disagreement between India and China is on the western side of LAC.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Djokovic Wins 83rd Career Title In Belgrade open: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic captured the 83rd title of his career with victory on home soil at the Belgrade Open. The Serbian superstar lost his serve three times in the first set before changing his game to defeat Slovakian qualifier and first-time ATP Tour finalist Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-3 in 88 minutes at the Novak Tennis Center.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Governor Addressed On RBI Monetary Policy 2021: The six-member monetary policy committee of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) headed by Governor Shaktikanta Das, has decided to keep key lending rates unchanged for the sixth consecutive time, in its June 2021 policy review meeting held between June 2 to 4, 2021. The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to continue with an accommodative stance until necessary to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The next meeting of the MPC is scheduled from August 4 to 6, 2021.

The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and bank rates remain unchanged:

Policy Repo Rate: 4.00%

Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35%

Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 4.25%

Bank Rate: 4.25%

CRR: 4%

SLR: 18.00%

RBI Monetary Policy Highlights & Key Decisions:

(1) The RBI also downgraded the GDP growth forecast for FY22 to 9.5 per cent compared with 10.5 per cent earlier.

(2) On the other hand, growth is a bigger concern. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted 7.3 per cent in FY21.

(3) Recently, SBI economists had sharply cut their FY22 GDP growth estimates to 7.9 per cent from what was 10.4 per cent earlier.

(4) The Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das announced a projection for Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 5.1 per cent for FY 2021-22.

(4) G-SAP 2.0 worth ₹1.2 lakh crore will be taken in the second quarter of FY22 to support the market.

(5) The rupee snapped its three-day losing streak and closed 18 paise higher at 72.91 against the US dollar.

The composition of the Monetary Policy Committee is as follows:

(1) Governor of the Reserve Bank of India – Chairperson, ex officio: Shri Shaktikanta Das.

(2) Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, in charge of Monetary Policy– Member, ex officio: Dr Michael Debabrata Patra.

(3) One officer of the Reserve Bank of India to be nominated by the Central Board – Member, ex officio: DrMridul K. Saggar.

(4) A professor at the Mumbai-based Indira Gandhi Institute of Developmental Research: Prof. Ashima Goyal.

(5) A professor of finance at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad: Prof. Jayanth R Varma.

(6) An agricultural economist and a senior adviser with the National Council of Applied Economic Research in New Delhi: DrShashankaBhide.

 

2. Bharti AXA Life in bancassurance pact with Shivalik Small Finance Bank: Private life insurer Bharti AXA Life Insurance has entered into a bancassurance partnership with Shivalik Small Finance Bank for the distribution of its life insurance products through the bank’s pan-India network of branches. This alliance is a part of the bank’s various measures towards financial inclusion and acceleration of wealth creation for its customers.

Under this agreement: Bharti AXA Life Insurance will offer its suite of life insurance products, including protection, health, savings and investment plans, to customers of Shivalik Small Finance Bank across its 31 branches and digital network across the country. This alliance will enable over 4.5 lakh customers of Shivalik Bank to access the range of products offered by the company to provide financial security.

Note: MD and CEO of Bharti AXA Life Insurance: Parag Raja; Bharti AXA Life Insurance Founded: 2005.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Wipro becomes third Indian IT firm to scale Rs 3 trillion market cap: Wipro has touched Rs 3 trillion in market capitalisation for the first time, becoming the third Indian IT firm to achieve the milestone after Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys. The company won its largest deal ever from German retailer Metro and has seen deal wins of $7.1 billion. India has a total of 13 listed firms that have crossed the Rs 3 trillion m-cap. Wipro now ranks 14th.

Reliance Industries is India’s most valued company with a market capitalisation of ₹14.05 trillion, followed by Tata Consultancy Services Ltd and HDFC Bank with an m-cap of ₹11.58 trillion and ₹8.33 trillion, respectively.

Note: Chairman of Wipro Limited: RishadPremji; Wipro Headquarters: Bengaluru;Wipro MD and CEO: Thierry Delaporte.

 

AWARDS

 

1. David Diop wins International Booker 2021: David Diop has become the first French novelist to win the International Booker prize for translated fiction with At Night All Blood Is Black, his first novel translated into English. Diop, the author of two novels, and his translator Anna Moschovakis split the £50,000 annual prize, which goes to the best author and translator of a work translated into English.The International Booker Prize, formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize, has been awarded since 2005 when it was won by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. It is a sister prize to the Booker Prize, awarded to a novel written in English.