Daily GK Update- 17th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam to institute own versions of Bharat Ratna and Padma awards: The Assam government will present its own versions of the Bharat Ratna and the Padma awards from next year. The cabinet also instituted other civilian honours such as the AsomBibhushan Award to be presented to three persons, the Assam Bhushan to five, and the Asom Shree to 10 people every year. These 4 awards will carry cash prizes of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh &Rs 1 lakh respectively.

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

 

2. Weyan village in Bandipora, India’s first to inoculate all adults: Weyan, a village in district Bandipora (J&K) has become the first village in the country, where the entire population above 18 years has been vaccinated. The vaccination in Weyan village was covered under the J&K model, a 10-point strategy to inoculate everyone who is eligible for the shots at a faster pace. The Union territory also achieved 70 per cent vaccination for those in the 45+ age group despite the initial vaccine hesitancy, almost double the national average. The village is located only 28 kilometres away from Bandipora district headquarters, but a distance of 18 kilometres has to be covered by foot as there is no motorable road.

 

3. ‘Home in the World’ Book: by Amartya Sen’s memoir: One of the world’s leading public intellectuals of our time, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has penned his memoir ‘Home in the World’. The book will be published in July by Penguin Random House. In this book, Sen shares how it was Rabindranath Tagore who gave him his name Amartya. He also reminisces the conversations at Calcutta’s famous Coffee House and at Cambridge, and Marx’s, Keynes’ and Arrow’s ideas all of which shaped his views.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. K Nagaraj Naidu named to lead UN bureaucracy for a year: Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, K Nagaraj Naidu was named chef de cabinet by the incoming UN general assembly president, Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid. He was appointed for the duration of one-year tenure to lead the world body through its return to normalcy as countries strive to bring the pandemic under control. Naidu is India’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, and he will be on loan from the Indian government to the United Nations for a position that is comparable to the Indian prime minister’s principal secretary, who oversees the cabinet bureaucracy; also something like the chief of staff to the US president.

 

2. Auckland tops Global Liveability Index 2021: New Zealand and Australian cities dominated the Global Liveability Index 2021 published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Auckland has been ranked the best on liveability rankings due to the ability of New Zealand city to contain Covid-19 faster. Japanese cities of Osaka and Tokyo grabbed second and fourth place and Adelaide, Australia spot 3rd place on EIU’s Global Liveability Index 2021. Living conditions remained worst in the Syrian capital Damascus.

 

The top 10 most livable cities in the world:

1.      Auckland, New Zealand

2.      Osaka, Japan

3.      Adelaide, Australia

4.      Wellington, New Zealand

5.      Tokyo, Japan

6.      Perth, Australia

7.      Zurich, Switzerland

8.      Geneva, Switzerland

9.      Melbourne, Australia

10.  Brisbane, Australia

 

Here’s the list of the 10 least liveable cities in the world:

1.      Damascus (Syria)

2.      Lagos (Nigeria)

3.      Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)

4.      Dhaka (Bangladesh)

5.      Algiers (Algeria)

6.      Tripoli (Libya)

7.      Karachi (Pakistan)

8.      Harare (Zimbabwe)

9.      Douala (Cameroon)

10.  Caracas (Venezuela)

 

3. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: 17th June: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17th June every year. The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, and highlight methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought. “Restoration. Land. Recovery. We build back better with healthy land” is the theme for 2021 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought History:In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 17 the “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought” to market public awareness of the difficulty. The World Day to Combat Desertification may be a unique occasion to remind everybody that desertification is often effectively tackled, that solutions are possible, which key tools to the present aim lay in strengthened community participation and co-operation in the least levels.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Novak Djokovic wins French Open Tennis Title 2021: Novak Djokovic defeated StefanosTsitsipas to lift the French Open title for the second time in his career. Djokovic, with his 19th Grand Slam title, has closed in on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the all-time Grand Slam titles list. Both the players have won 20 Grand Slams each.

Djokovic has also become the first man in the Open Era to complete the career Grand Slam twice. (He has won the Australian Open nine times, Wimbledon five times, and the US Open three times.) He has become the first man in 52 years, after Rod Laver, to win all the four Grand Slams twice. Overall, he is the third male tennis player to achieve this unique feat. The third being Roy Emerson.

Winners of French Open Tennis Tournament 2021:

Men’s Singles: Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Women’s Singles: BarboraKrejčíková (Czech Republic)

Men’s Doubles: Pierre-Hugues Herbert (France) and Nicolas Mahut (France)

Women’s Doubles: BarboraKrejčíková (Czech Republic) and KateřinaSiniaková (Czech Republic)

Mixed Doubles- Desirae Krawczyk (United States) and Joe Salisbury (United Kingdom).

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IDFC FIRST Bank launches Customer COVID relief GharGhar Ration Program: IDFC FIRST Bank has announced the launch of ‘GharGhar Ration’ Program, an employee-funded program for its low-income customers whose livelihoods are affected by COVID-19. The bank has also announced a comprehensive program for the families of employees who unfortunately lost their lives due to COVID-19, and a number of other social responsibility initiatives.

About the “GharGhar Ration”:

(1) “GharGhar Ration” is a unique program where employees have contributed from their personal income to set up a Customer COVID Care Fund to provide relief to 50,000 COVID affected low-income IDFC FIRST Bank customers.

(2) Employees of the Bank contributed one day to one month’s salary for the purpose.

(3) Employees are procuring ration kits comprising 10 kg rice/flour, 2 kg dal (lentils), 1 kg sugar and salt, 1 kg cooking oil, 5 packets of assorted spices, tea and biscuits and other essentials needed to support a small family for about a month.

Note: IDFC FIRST Bank CEO: V. Vaidyanathan; IDFC FIRST Bank Headquarters: Mumbai; IDFC FIRST Bank Founded: October 2015.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. United States Tops Bitcoin Investment Gains in 2020: The US traders have benefited the most in Bitcoin Investment Gain in 2020, with a profit of $4.1 billion, according to the latest report by Chainalysis, a blockchain analysis company based in Manhattan, New York. Chinese traders stood second, with a profit of $1.1 billion. India has been ranked at 18th spot with a profit of $241 million, among the top 25 countries, in Bitcoin investment gains 2020.

List of top 10 countries in realised Bitcoin gains for 2020:

(1) United States; (2) China; (3) Japan; (4) United Kingdom; (5) Russia; (6) Germany; (7) France; (8) Spain; (9) South Korea and (10) Ukraine

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. 2021 Pulitzer Prize Announced: The 105th class of Pulitzer Prize 2021 winners in Journalism, Books, Drama and Music were announced. The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of American (Hungarian-born) Joseph Pulitzer who had made his fortune as a newspaper publisher and is administered by Columbia University in New York City. In twenty-two of the categories, each winner receives a certificate and a US $15,000 cash award (raised from $10,000 in 2017). The winner in the public service category is awarded a gold medal.

Here is the complete list of 2021 Pulitzer Prize winners:

 

Sl. No.	Category	Winner
JOURNALISM
1	Public service	The New York Times
2	Criticism	Wesley Morris of The New York Times
3	Editorial writing	Robert Greene of the Los Angeles Times
4	International Reporting	MeghaRajagopalan, Alison Killing and Christo Buschek of BuzzFeed News
5	Breaking News Reporting	Staff of the Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minn.
6	Investigative Reporting	Matt Rocheleau, Vernal Coleman, Laura Crimaldi, Evan Allen and Brendan McCarthy of The Boston Globe
7	Explanatory Reporting	Andrew Chung, Lawrence Hurley, Andrea Januta, JaimiDowdell and Jackie Botts of Reuters
8	Local Reporting	Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi of the Tampa Bay Times
9	National Reporting	Staffs of The Marshall Project; AL.com, Birmingham; IndyStar, Indianapolis; and the Invisible Institute, Chicago
10	Feature Writing	Mitchell S. Jackson, freelance contributor, Runner’s World
11	Commentary	Michael Paul Williams of the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch
12	Breaking News Photography	Photography Staff of Associated Press
13	Feature Photography	Emilio Morenatti of Associated Press
14	Audio Reporting	Lisa Hagen, Chris Haxel, Graham Smith and Robert Little of National Public Radio
BOOKS, DRAMA, AND MUSIC
15	Fiction	The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
16	Drama	The Hot Wing King, by Katori Hall
17	History	Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, by Marcia Chatelain (Liveright/Norton)
18	Biography or autobiography	The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X by Les Payne and Tamara Payne
19	Poetry	Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz
20	General nonfiction	Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy by David Zucchino
21	Music	Stride, by Tania León (Peermusic Classical)
22	Special Citation	Darnella Frazier, The teenager who recorded the killing of George Floyd

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Padma Shri Awardee Eminent Environmentalist Radhamohan Passes Away: Padma Shri winning noted Economist and Environmentalist, Prof Radhamohan Ji has passed away. He was the former information commissioner of Odisha and had also served as a lecturer of Economics in different colleges in Odisha. He along with his daughter Sabarmatee were conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2020 for their contribution to the agriculture sector.

 

2. Noted Kannada Poet Siddalingaiah Passes Away: Noted Kannada poet, playwright and Dalit activist, Siddalingaiah has passed away, due to Covid-19 related ailments. He was one of Karnataka’s first prominent Dalit poets, and was popularly known as “DalitaKavi”. He is credited with launching the Dalit-Bandaya literary movement in Kannada and starting the genre of Dalit writing. He was also one of the founders of the DalitaSangharshSamiti in the state.

Daily GK Update- 16th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ministry of Ayush Launches ‘Namaste Yoga’ App: The Ministry of Ayushorganised a curtain raiser event for the 7th International Day of Yoga. The event was organised by the Ministry of Ayush in association with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). The event brought together several Yoga Gurus and experienced Yoga exponents on the virtual platform, to appeal to the world community to adopt Yoga in their daily life for the betterment of both the individual self and mankind.

The event underlined the importance of the central theme of IDY 2021 “Be With Yoga, Be At Home”. As a part of the event, a mobile application devoted to Yoga named “Namaste Yoga”, was also launched. The Namaste Yoga” app has been designed as an information platform for the public, with the aim to raise awareness about yoga and make it accessible for the larger community.

Note: Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Ayush: Shripad Yesso Naik.

 

2. Assam CM Sarma launches SishuSevaAchoni for COVID-19 Orphans: Assam chief minister, DrHimantaBiswaSarma has dedicated Chief Minister SishuSeva Scheme to the service of the beneficiaries and handed over the cheques of financial assistance to few beneficiaries who lost both their parents due to COVID. It may be noted that under the scheme an amount to the tune of Rs. 7,81,200 would be parked in the bank as fixed deposit in the name of each beneficiary. Monthly financial assistance of Rs. 3500 which will be realised from the fixed deposit will be given to the beneficiaries till they attain 24 years of age. On completion of 24 years of age, the principal amount parked as a fixed deposit against each beneficiary would be credited to their bank accounts.

Under the scheme:

(1) The State government would give Rs. 3500 per month per child including Central government support of Rs. 2000.

(2) For children below 10 years and adolescent girls with no guardian, the State government will take steps to house such children in one of the child care institutions and provide adequate funding towards their upkeep including educational expenditure.

(3) Orphaned adolescent girls will be given accommodation in suitable and reputed institutions to ensure their sensitive care and proper protection. One such institution is Kasturba Gandhi BalikaVidyalaya residential schools.

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

 

3. AISHE 2019-20 report released by Union Education Minister: All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-20 report has been released by Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. As per AISHE in the last five years (2015-16 to 2019-20), student enrolment has grown by 11.4%. As per AISHE, female enrolment in Higher Education has increased by 18.2% from 2015-16 to 2019-20. AISHE 2019-20 is the 10 in the series of All India Survey on Higher Education. Department of Higher Education releases it annually.

Key features of AISHE 2019-20 are given below:

(1) Total Enrolment in Higher Education: It stands at 3.85 crores in 2019-20.

(2) Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): It is denied as the percentage of students belonging to the eligible age group enrolled in Higher Education. It is 27.1% in 2019-20.

(3) Gender Parity Index (GPI) in Higher Education: It stands at 1.01 in 2019-20. It shows improvement in the relative access to higher education for females of eligible age group compared to males.

(4) Pupil-Teacher Ratio in Higher Education: It is 26 in 2019-20.

(5) The number of students pursuing PhD: It is 2.03 lakh in 2019-20.

             

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Russian navy building first fully stealth warship: Russia is building the first naval ship that will be fully equipped with stealth technology to make it hard to detect. The hull of the Mercury naval corvette dubbed project 20386 has already been built and the vessel is expected to be delivered to the navy next year. The warship will be armed with cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and artillery. The naval ship is capable of searching for and destroying submarines. Stealth technology can make military assets such as ships and planes harder for radar to detect. While Russia has used stealth technology, such as a radar-absorbing coating into some of its navy vessels, they have not had full stealth technology.

Note: Russia President: Vladimir Putin; Russia Capital: Moscow; Russia Currency: Russian Ruble.

 

2. El Salvador becomes first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender: El Salvador has become the first country in the world to grant legal tender status to bitcoin. The use of bitcoin as legal tender will become law in 90 days. El Salvador’s economy heavily relies on remittances and so those who are working abroad can send money back home in bitcoins. The use of bitcoin will be totally optional. It will bring financial inclusion, investment, tourism, innovation and economic development to the country.

Note: El Salvador Capital: San Salvador; Currency: United States Dollar; President of El Salvador: NayibBukele.

 

3. International Day of Family Remittances: 16 June: The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and is observed on 16 June. The IDFR recognizes the more than 200 million migrant workers, women and men, who send money home to over 800 million family members. This day further highlights the great resilience of migrant workers in the face of economic insecurities, natural and climate-related disasters and a global pandemic. The first International Day of Family Remittances was celebrated on June 16, 2015.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Patiala to host Indian Grand Prix 4: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI), announced that the Indian Grand Prix 4 will be held on June 21 at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala. The decision to host the domestic events was made to give Indian athletes the maximum chance to qualify for Tokyo. India’s star sprinters Dutee Chand &Hima Das are expected to participate in the fourth Indian GP of 2021. National Inter-State Athletics Championships will be held at the same venue from June 25.

Note: Athletics Federation of India Founded: 1946; Athletics Federation of India Headquarters location: New Delhi.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI: ATM cash withdrawal rule changed: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has changed some rules regarding cash withdrawal from automated teller machine (ATM). These ATM cash withdrawal rule changes include higher charges on transactions beyond the free permissible limit, a new free ATM transaction limit and a rise in interchange fee.

The new ATM charges as defined by RBI are as under:

(1) Free cash withdrawal limit from own bank: Bank customers can now do five free financial and non-financial transactions every month from their own bank ATMs.

(2) Free ATM transaction limit from other banks: ATM cardholders can do three free financial and non-financial transactions in metro centres while five in the non-metro transaction from other bank ATMs

(3) Charges on ATM cash withdrawal beyond the free limit: RBI allowed banks to increase charges on ATM transactions beyond the free ATM transaction limit.

(4) Rise in interchange fee: Interchange fee per transaction changed from Rs 15 to Rs 17 for financial transactions while from Rs 5 to Rs 6 for non-financial transactions in effect from August 1, 2021.

(5) New charges on ATM withdrawal beyond the free transaction limit: Bank customer will have to pay Rs 21 (currently it is Rs 20) for each ATM cash withdrawal beyond the free transaction limit in effect from January 1, 2022.

 

2. Centre extends LIC Chairman M R Kumar’s term till March 2022: The appointments committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of the tenure of MR Kumar as the Chairman of state-owned insurance company Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Now under the extended term, Mr Kumar will serve on the post till March 13, 2022. Earlier his term as LIC chairman was supposed to end on June 30, 2021.

Note: LIC Headquarters: Mumbai; LIC Founded: 1 September 1956.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. ICRA projects GDP growth of India at 8.5% in FY 2022: The domestic credit rating agency ICRA has projected the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of India for the financial year 2021-22 to 8.5 per cent year-on-year. It expects the gross value added (GVA) at basic prices (at constant 2011-12 prices) to grow at 7.3 per cent in FY2022. ICRA is Gurgaon based credit rating agency, owned by Moody’s Corporation.

 

2. Ferrari appoints Benedetto Vigna as new company CEO: Ferrari has named Benedetto Vigna as its new company CEO, taking over from interim chief John Elkann. Vigna currently serves as the president of STMicroelectronics’ Analog, MEMS and Sensor Group, and is a member of the company’s executive committee. Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy.

Note: Ferrari Founder: Enzo Ferrari; Ferrari Founded: 1947, Maranello, Italy; Ferrari Headquarters: Maranello, Italy.

 

3. Thales appoints Ashish Saraf as Vice-President and Country Director for India: French defence and aerospace group, Thales announced the appointment of Ashish Saraf as Vice-President and Country Director for India with effect from June 1, 2021. He succeeds Emmanuel de Roquefeuil who takes up a new role as the VP and head for Thales in the Middle East. He will lead the company’s India business and will be responsible for its strategic growth in the country across all of its markets, further strengthening local teams, collaborations and innovation.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India’s TillotamaShome wins Best Actor award at UK Asian Film Festival: Indian actress TillotamaShome has made the country proud by winning the Best Actor award at the 2021 UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF). Tillotama won the award for her role in the film Raahgir: The Wayfarers. The film has been directed by GoutamGhose. The UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) 2021 was the 23rd edition of the annual event. Apart from Tillotama, filmmaker GoutamGhose has also won the Best Director award at the UKAFF.

About the Raahgir: The Wayfarers: The film Raahgir: The Wayfarers, stars Adil Hussain (Lakhua), TillotamaShome (Nathuni) and NeerajKabi (Chopatlal). It is a story of three strangers, living on a daily wage basis, who cross each other’s path accidentally on a journey and develop a strong bond.

 

2. RS Sodhi conferred with Asia Pacific Productivity Champion award: The Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), R.S. Sodhi, was conferred with the regional award as Asia Pacific Productivity Champion from Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Tokyo, Japan in recognition of enhanced productivity and efficient milk supply chain. He is the first Indian to have received the prestigious award, in the last 20 years.

The award is conferred to eligible individuals who have significantly contributed to advancing the productivity movement in the Asia-Pacific region and those in a specific member economy of the APO. The APO regional awards are conferred every five years and each country can nominate only one candidate out of all nominations. Every five years only five regional nominees receive the award. Sodhi received the award on behalf of 3.6 million dairy farmers.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Asian Games gold medal-winning Boxer Dingko Singh Passes Away: Asian Games gold medal-winning former boxing star Dingko Singh has passed away, battling liver cancer. Manipur-based Dingko Singh won the gold medal for India in the 1998 Asian Games Bangkok, Thailand. He was also bestowed with the Arjuna award in 1998 and the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, in 2013.

 

2. National award-winning Bengali Filmmaker BuddhadebDasgupta Passes Away: The National award-winning eminent Bengali film Director BuddhadebDasgupta has passed away. He had won several National Awards for his contribution to Bengali cinema. Some of his national award-winning films include:

(1) Bagh Bahadur(1989), Charachar(1994), Lal Darja(1997), Mondo Meyer Upakhyan (2002) and Kaalpurush(2005) – National Awards for Best Film.

(2) Uttara (2000) and Swapner Din (2005) – National Film Awards for Best Direction.

(3) Dooratwa (1978), Phera (1987) and Tahader Katha (1993) – National Awards for Best Feature Film in Bengali

(4) A Painter of Eloquent Silence: Ganesh Pyne (1998) – National Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film

(5) Phera (1987) -National Award for Best Screenplay. 

Daily GK Update- 15th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam gets its seventh national park with DehingPatkai: The Assam Government has decided in its recent cabinet meeting to declare DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary as the 7th National Park of the state. The newest national park, popularly known as DehingPatkai Rain Forest, has unique floral and faunal diversity, which was recognized by the state government in 2004 when 111.19 square kilometres of the area was notified as DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary.

The area is home to hoolock gibbon, elephant, slow loris, tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, golden cat, fishing cat, marble cat, sambar, hog deer, sloth bear, and several bird species including the endangered state bird, the white-winged wood duck. The state now has the second-highest number of national parks in the country. Madhya Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have nine national parks each.

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

 

2. Himachal jumps to third spot in Anemia Mukt Bharat Index: Himachal Pradesh has climbed to the third spot in the Anemia Mukt Bharat Index 2020-21 national ranking with a score of 57.1. Himachal Pradesh was at rank 18 in the year 2018-19, but with consistent efforts of the government and the field functionaries, the state was able to achieve the third spot. Madhya Pradesh is in the first position with a score of 64.1 followed by Odisha with a score of 59.3. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths had decreased from 29% to 0.3% in a short span of three years.

About the Anemia: Anemia remains a major public health issue with high prevalence across the country irrespective of gender, age and geography. India is one of the countries with anemia as a serious public health concern today. Almost 50% of the pregnant women, 59% of children fewer than five years of age, 54% of adolescent girls and 53% of non-pregnant non-lactating women in India are anemic.

 

3. Anup Chandra Pandey appointed as election commissioner: The Union government has appointed Anup Chandra Pandey, a retired IAS officer of the 1984 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre, as Election Commissioner. In the Election Commission, Pandey will have a little under three years in office and will retire in February 2024.Pandey has been appointed to the position left vacant by former Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora’s retirement on April 12. Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar are the other two members of the panel. This restores the three-member commission to its full strength, which will now oversee the next set of crucial assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand next year.

Note: Election Commission Formed: 25 January 1950; Election Commission Headquarters: New Delhi; First executive of Election Commission: Sukumar Sen.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Interpol launches “I-Familia” to identify missing persons: Interpol has launched a new global database named “I-Familia” to identify missing persons through family DNA and help the police solve cold cases in member countries. Describing it as a groundbreaking database officially launched this month, the Interpol in a statement said it applied cutting-edge scientific research and used the DNA of relatives to identify missing persons or unidentified human remains around the world.

About I-Familia: I-Familia is a global database launched to identify missing persons through family DNA. It will help the police to solve cases in member countries. Interpol applies cutting-edge scientific research and uses the DNA of relatives to identify missing persons or unidentified human remains around the world. DNA kinship matching is used mostly in cases where a direct sample of the missing person is not available.

Components: I-Familia has three components: Dedicated global database to host the DNA profiles provided by relatives. It is held separately from any criminal data; DNA matching software called Bonaparte developed by Dutch company Smart Research; and Interpretation guidelines developed by Interpol.

Note: Interpol President: Kim Jong Yang; Interpol Founded: 7 September 1923; Interpol Headquarters: Lyon, France, Motto: “Connecting police for a safer world”.

 

2. QS World University Rankings 2022 released: The London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released the QS World University Rankings 2022 which compares and ranks Universities from across the globe on various parameters. Eight Indian universities have found a place among the best 400 global universities in the QS World University Rankings 2022, released on June 09, 2021. However, only three Universities namely the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, IIT-Delhi, and IISc Bangalore feature among the top 200.

Top Indian University:

(1) IIT-Bombay is ranked as the best University in India with a rank of 177. It is followed by IIT-Delhi (185) and IISc (I86).

(2) The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has also been adjudged as “world’s top research university, achieving a perfect score of 100/100 for Citations Per Faculty (CPF) indicator, which measures research impact. This is the first time that any Indian institute has scored a perfect 100 in research or any other parameter.

Top University:

(1) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has topped the ranking for the 10th years in a row.

(2) MIT is followed by the University of Oxford in the second position. Stanford University and the University of Cambridge shared the third spot.

 

3. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: 15th June: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed globally on 15th June every year. This day is celebrated to raise a voice for the elderly who are abused and victimized. The main objective of this day is to provide an opportunity for communities around the globe to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by creating awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day History: The day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011 bypassing the resolution 66/127 of the United Nations following a request from the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA).

 

4. Global Wind Day: 15th June: Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. It is a day for discovering wind energy, its power and the possibilities it holds to reshape our energy systems, decarbonise our economies and boost jobs and growth. Wind energy has many advantages: it is cost-effective, it is a source of clean fuel and it is inexhaustible.

World Wind Day history: Global Wind Day is organised by WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the national associations. This day was established to introduce the general people to wind energy and its benefits through a series of activities. The first observance of the day was held in the year 2007. However, it was not a World Wind Day or Global Wind Day till the year 2009.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Debbie Hewitt appointed Football Association’s first chairwoman: England’s Football Association named corporate executive and former RAC chief, Debbie Hewitt as its first woman chair, ending months of speculation over Greg Clarke’s successor following his exit over inappropriate remarks. The FA, which was formed in 1863 and has been working to become more inclusive, launched its ‘Pursuit of Progress’ initiative in 2018. FA is the governing body of football located in England.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI launches Kavach Personal Loan for Covid-19 patients: State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a collateral-free “Kavach Personal Loan” to enable its customers to meet medical expenses of self and family members for Covid treatment. Under this scheme, customers can avail of loans up to ₹5 lakhs at an effective interest rate of 8.5 per cent per annum for 60 months, which is inclusive of three months moratorium. This loan product will also be part of the Covid loan book being created by banks as per the Reserve Bank of India’s Covid relief measures. The loan will also cover reimbursement of Covid related medical expenses already incurred.

Note: SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara; SBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.

 

2. Mahesh Kumar Jain gets two-year extension as RBI Deputy Governor: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the re-appointment of Mahesh Kumar Jain as the Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for two more years with effect from June 22, 2021. The three-year term of MK Jain as RBI Deputy Governor was to end on June 21, 2021. Currently, Michael Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao and Rabi Sankar are the other three serving RBI Deputy Governors.

 

3. RBI approves re-appointment of GC Chaturvedi as part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank: Private lender, ICICI Bank, has received RBI’s approval for the re-appointment of Girish Chandra Chaturvedi as the part-time Chairman of the Bank. He will be the part-time chairman of ICICI Bank for a 3-years tenure starting July 01, 2021, on extant terms and conditions. Last year, the bank’s shareholders approved the re-appointment of Chaturvedi as non-executive (part-time) Chairman of the Bank effective from July 1, 2021.

Note: ICICI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; ICICI Bank MD & CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi ICICI Bank Tagline: Hum Hai Na, KhayalApka.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Facebook names SpoorthiPriya as grievance officer for India: Facebook has named SpoorthiPriya as its grievance officer for India, the company said on its website. This move comes close on the heels of the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, coming into force last month. According to the new government guidelines, social media companies with over 50 lakh users have to appoint a grievance officer, nodal officer and a chief compliance officer.

All three personnel will have to be residents of India. Facebook owned messaging platform WhatsApp appointed Paresh B Lal as the grievance officer a few days ago. WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google had shared information on their compliance officer, resident grievance officer and nodal contact person with the government on May 29. Two days after the new IT rules kicked into action.

Under the new rules: Social media platforms also have to publish the name and other relevant information of the grievance officer on their website so that users can easily reach out to them. The grievance officer has also been tasked with ensuring that the complaint is acknowledged within 24 hours and properly disposed of within 15 days from the date it is lodged and receive and acknowledge any order, notice or direction issued by the authorities.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg; Facebook Headquarters: California, US.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Zimbabwean novelist TsitsiDangarembga wins PEN Pinter prize 2021: TsitsiDangarembga, the Booker-shortlisted Zimbabwean writer who was arrested last year in Harare while protesting against corruption, has been awarded the PEN Pinter prize, praised for her “ability to capture and communicate vital truths even amidst times of upheaval”. Dangarembga was also shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize for her work, This Mournable Body.

Established in 2009, PEN Pinter prize is given in memory of Nobel-laureate playwright Harold Pinter. The annual award is given to an author who, the website specifies, must have “a significant body of plays, poetry, essays, or fiction of outstanding literary merit, written in English.”

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indo-Thai CORPAT Begins in Andaman Sea: The 31st edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) kicked off on June 09, 2021, in the Andaman Sea. The three-day coordinated patrol between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy is being conducted from 09 to 11 June 2021. From the Indian side, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Saryu, is participating and from Thailand Navy, HTMS Krabi is participating in CORPAT, along with Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies.

About the CORPAT:

(1) The CORPAT exercise is being conducted between the two navies bi-annually since 2005, along their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

(2) CORPAT builds up understanding and interoperability between navies and develops measures to prevent and suppress unlawful activities like Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy.

Note: Thailand Capital: Bangkok; Thailand Currency: Thai baht. 

Daily GK Update- 14th Jun, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India elected as member of UN Economic and Social Council for 2022-24: India has been elected as a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the six main organs of the United Nations, for three-year terms of 2022-24. India was elected to the 54-member ECOSOC, by the UNGA on June 7, 2021, in the Asia-Pacific States category, along with Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Oman. ECOSOC serves as the central platform for discussing international economic, social and environmental issues and formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system.

Note: ECOSOC Headquarters: New York and Geneva; ECOSOC Founded: 26 June 1945; ECOSOC President: Oh Joon.

 

2. Haryana CM announces creating ‘Oxi-van’ in Karnal: Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, announced to create of 80 acres of ‘Oxi-van’ (a forest) in the Karnal district. Oxi-van will consist of 10 types of forests. On the occasion, highlighting the importance of trees and encouraging promotion, protection, planting of trees Haryana Government launched four important schemes:

Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme: Under this scheme, a pension amount of Rs 2500 will be provided in name of Pran Vayu Devta to maintain trees above 75 years. This pension would increase each year on the line of old age Samman pension.

Panchavati Plantation in Haryana: Under this initiative, the plantation will be done in name of Panchvati across the villages in Haryana. It will promote the process of getting natural oxygen from trees. Agroforestry will also be promoted on vacant land under the initiative. Thus, it will increase the income of Panchayats in rural areas.

Oxy-Van in Karnal: Oxy Forest was launched on Forest Department land in Mughal Canal, Karnal. Panchavati, trees of Bel, Amla, Ashoka, Banyan and Peepal were planted. It will be built on 80 acres area.

Oxy-Van in Panchkula: It will be established in BirGhaggar on the area of one hundred acres in a bid to create Mother Nature’s green lungs, for residents of Panchkula, to get in fresh oxygen. Rs One crore has been sanctioned for this initiative.

Note: Haryana Capital: Chandigarh; Haryana Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya; Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.

 

3. India’s first International Maritime Cluster to come up at GIFT City: Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) will set up the country’s first international maritime services cluster at GIFT City. The maritime cluster will be developed as a dedicated ecosystem comprising ports, shipping, logistics services providers and government regulators, all present in the same geographic vicinity — GIFT City. GIFT City is India’s first operational smart city and international financial services.

About the cluster: This will be a first-of-its-kind commercial maritime services cluster in India, which has been conceptualised to enhance the competitiveness and self-sufficiency of India in the maritime sector and provide a one-stop solution for the entire maritime fraternity. The cluster looks to host maritime industry players including regulators, government agencies, maritime/shipping industry associations and businesses, intermediate service providers, such as shipping finance, marine insurance, maritime arbitrators, maritime law firms, among others, and support services providers, such as maritime education institutes.

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

 

4. Rhea Chakraborty topped ‘The Times 50 Most Desirable Women 2020’: The Times 50 Most Desirable Women 2020 list has been unveiled, and it features women under 40 across various fields. Rhea Chakraborty has bagged the number 1 spot on Times Most Desirable Women 2020 list. She was in the news for most of last year due to the sudden demise of Sushant Singh Rajput and the controversy around his death.

Miss Universe 2020, 3rd runner-up AdlineCastelino bagged the second spot in the list. Actress DishaPatani, Kiara Advani and DeepikaPadukone were on the third, fourth and fifth spot respectively.

             

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. G7 deal on Minimum Global Corporate Tax: Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies signed a landmark deal on taxing multinational companies. As per the deal, the minimum global tax rate would be at least 15 per cent. The agreement was signed by finance ministers of the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Canada, France, Italy and Japan. It opens the way for levies on multinational companies in countries where they operate rather than just where they are headquartered.

The old system of global taxation was being criticized over the years as it allowed big companies to save billions of dollars in tax bills by shifting their jurisdictions. Major digital companies were making money in multiple countries and paying taxes only in their home country. Thus, this proposal was made which would impose an additional tax on several multinational companies and technology giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google to pay taxes to countries based on where their goods or services are sold irrespective of their physical presence there. The deal seeks to modernize the century-old international tax code.

 

2. UNSC recommends Antonio Guterres for second term as UN chief: The UN Security Council has recommended Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a second five-year term as chief of the world organisation beginning January 1, 2022. The 15-nation Council held a closed meeting where it unanimously adopted a resolution recommending Guterres’ name to the 193-member General Assembly for a second term as Secretary-General. Last month, India had conveyed its support to Guterres for his candidature as chief of the world body for a second term beginning January 2022.

 

3. World Blood Donor Day: 14th June: World blood donor day is observed globally on June 14th every year. The aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. The day also provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. For 2021, the World Blood Donor Day slogan will be “Give blood and keep the world beating”. The host country for World Blood Donor Day 2021 is Rome, Italy.

World Blood Donor Day History: Every year on the birth anniversary of Landsteiner on 14 June 1868, World donor Day is widely known. This event was first initiated and established to be celebrated on 14 June 2004 by the “World Health Organisation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies” with an aim to boost public awareness about the necessity for safe blood donation voluntarily and unpaid by the healthy person. In May 2005, WHO officially established with its 192 Member States, World donor Day at the 58th World Health Assembly so as to motivate all the countries worldwide to thank the blood donors for his or her precious step and saving lives of the people.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Sehwag launches cricket coaching website ‘Cricuru’: Indian star cricketer VirenderSehwag has launched an experiential learning portal for Cricket coaching named CRICURU. CRICURU is India’s first AI-enabled coaching website, to offer a personalised learning experience for the younger players. The website can be accessed at www.cricuru.com

The curriculum for each player has been developed personally by VirenderSehwag along with former Indian Player and Batting Coach of the Indian Cricket team Sanjay Bangar (2015-19). Young players will be able to learn to play cricket through master classes by 30 player-coaches from across the globe like AB de Villiers, Brett Lee, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Jonty Rhodes, who will share their experience and learning with users.

 

2. BharatPe becomes ICC’s official partner till 2023: Lending and digital payments startup, BharatPe has announced that it has inked a three-year-long deal to become an official partner with International Cricket Council (ICC). As per the agreement, BharatPe will promote the association across broadcast and digital platforms, as well as execute in-venue brand activations at all the ICC events until 2023.

The key tournaments include the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (Southampton, UK 2021), Men’s T20 World Cup (India, 2021), Men’s T20 World Cup (Australia, 2022), Women’s World Cup (New Zealand, 2022), U19 Cricket World Cup (West Indies, 2022), Women’s T20 World Cup (South Africa, 2022), Men’s Cricket World Cup (India, 2023) and World Test Championship (2023).

Note: Chief Executive Officer of BharatPe: Ashneer Grover; Headoffice of BharatPe: New Delhi; BharatPe Founded: 2018.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI gives nod to re-appoint CS Ghosh as MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for the re-appointment of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh as MD and CEO of Bandhan Bank, for a period of three years. The re-appointment as above is subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing annual general meeting of the bank. Ghosh, who has been one of the foremost proponents of microfinance in India, founded Bandhan in 2001 as a not-for-profit enterprise that stood for financial inclusion and women empowerment through sustainable livelihood creation. He was at the forefront of its transformation into an NBFC-MFI and finally the universal bank.

Note: Bandhan Bank HQ: Kolkata, West Bengal; Bandhan Bank Founded: 2001.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. World Bank projects India to grow at 8.3 per cent in 2021: The World Bank has projected India’s economy to grow at 8.3 per cent in 2021 and 7.5 per cent in 2022. The Washington-based global lender, in its latest issue of Global Economic Prospects released, noted that in India, an enormous second COVID-19 wave is undermining the sharper-than-expected rebound in activity seen during the second half of the Fiscal Year 2020/21, especially in services. The World Bank said, in 2023, India is expected to grow by 6.5 per cent.

 

2. Crisil Projects India’s GDP Growth for FY22 to 9.5%: The domestic credit rating agency Crisil has revised the GDP growth estimate for India in FY22 (2021-22) to 9.5 percent, from the earlier estimate of 11 percent. As per CRISIL, the economy had contracted by 7.3 percent in FY21. The downward revision is basically due to the hit to private consumption and investments following the second wave of COVID-19.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. BAFTA TV Awards 2021 winners announced: The winners of the BAFTA TV Awards 2021 were announced.  The ceremony itself, filmed at London’s Television Centre and hosted by Richard Ayoade, was a hybrid event that kept in line with COVID-19 protocols by allowing a number of nominees from the main performance categories to attend, with others taking part digitally.

Winners of BAFTA TV Awards 2021 are:

 

Sl. No.	Category	Winner
1	Leading Actress	Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You
2	Leading Actor	Paul Mescal, Normal People
3	Drama Series	Save Me Too
4	Best Comedy Performance	Charlie Cooper and Aimee Lou Wood
5	Best Comedy Series	Inside No. 9
6	Original Music	Harry Escott, Roadkill
7	Sports	England v West Indies Test Cricket – Sky Sports Cricket

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy inducted three ALH MK III advanced light helicopters: The Indian Navy inducted three indigenously-built advanced light helicopters ALH MK-III in their fleet. These helicopters are built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at the Indian Naval Station (INS) Dega in Visakhapatnam will be used for maritime reconnaissance and coastal security. These helicopters are equipped with modern surveillance radar and electro-optical equipment. It enables them in doing search and rescue operations even at the night. It is also fitted with a removable medical intensive care unit (ICU) to airlift critically ill patients. It can also undertake constabulary missions.

Note: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: CMD: R Madhavan; Hindustan Aeronautics Limited HQ: Bengaluru, Karnataka.