Daily GK Update- 15th July, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Delhi Government tie-up with UNICEF for employment opportunities for students: Students of the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) will now have access to job opportunities thanks to a new pilot project the Delhi government announced with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). DSEU and UNICEF have introduced ‘Career Awareness Sessions’ for students. Skill Varsity of Delhi joins hands with YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India) at UNICEF to enable access to employment opportunities, assist students in becoming job ready as well as listen to and amplify the voices of young people.

Another pillar of the partnership is the ‘YuWaah Step Up – Bano job ready’, a six-month pilot being conducted by Flywheel Digital Solutions Pvt with DSEU students and other job-seekers in Delhi to enhance the reach of young job-seekers on the new age job portals, the government said in the statement.

Note: UNICEF Founded: 1946; UNICEF Headquarters: New York City, USA; UNICEF Director General: Catherine M. Russell; UNICEF Membership: 192.

 

2. Tripura government launched ‘Earn with Learn’ Scheme: The Tripura government has launched a new scheme named ‘Earn with Learn’ to bring back those who had dropped out of schools following the outbreak of Covid-19. This scheme is a part of the ‘Vidyalaya Chalo Abhiyan’ (Let’s go to school). The Government attempted to bring back dropouts in 2020 by implementing the Vidyalaya Chalo Abhiyan, which was first started in 2009 but was unable to make any progress due to the pandemic. About 9,000 students between the age group of 6 to14 had dropped out of school during the pandemic.

Under the Earn with Learn scheme: The ‘Earn with Learn’ initiative of the Tripura Education Department would involve third-year students from all colleges in conducting surveys to detect dropouts across classes. Each volunteer will be given Rs 500 if they enrol a dropout student in the same school. Anganwadi teachers will assist the volunteers to make sure the programme is a success.

Note: Tripura Capital: Agartala; Tripura Chief Minister: Manik Saha; Tripura Governor: Satyadeo Narain Arya; Tripura Tribes: Tripura/Tripuri, Riang, Jamatia.

 

3. Delhi Lt Gov launches scheme to reward RWAs for property tax compliance: Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena has announced significant changes in the property tax policy of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after its unification. The L-G also launched a SAH-BHAGITA scheme to increase the involvement of the Residential Welfare Association (RWAs) in optimal tax collection and waste management systems. Under this scheme:

a)      The RWAs will be incentivised for their efforts to improve efficiency and compliance in tax collection.

b)      The RWAs, on achieving 90% tax collection from the total number of properties in their societies, can recommend development work to the tune of 10% of the tax collection subject to a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh in their areas.

c)       In addition to this, an added incentive of 5% of the tax paid shall be available if the colony concerned implements 100% waste segregation at the source, compositing of the wet waste in the colony, re-cycles dry waste and hands over the remaining to the MCD or its authorized agencies.

 

4. AAI Leh Airport is being built as nation first carbon-neutral airport: The Airports Authority of India, Leh airport is being built as a carbon-neutral airport, a first in India. A “Geothermal system” in hybridization with Solar PV Plant will be provided in the New airport Terminal Building for heating and cooling purposes. This system works by exchanging heat between the air and the ground as its heat pumps are used for space heating and cooling, as well as water heating. The main feature of this process is that naturally existing heat is concentrated and used. It is estimated that 900 tons of carbon emissions per year will be reduced after adopting the Geothermal system at the Leh Airport Terminal Building project.

Note: Airports Authority of India Headquarters: New Delhi; Airports Authority of India Founded: 1 April 1995; Airports Authority of India Chairman: Sanjeev Kumar.

 

5. 7th anniversary of Skill India Mission is being observed on 15th July: The 7th anniversary of the Skill India Mission is being observed on 15th July. National Skill Development Mission also known as Skill India Mission was launched on this day in 2015. Skill India is an initiative of the central government to empower the youth with skill sets, making them more employable.

About the Skill India Mission: The programme has numerous benefits and its objective is to enable youth to take up training in order to secure a better livelihood. Over one crore youth are getting trained every year under the Skill India Mission. Under the Pradhanmantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna, more than one crore 36 lakh young persons have been trained so far. Over 11 lakh 28 thousand candidates have been trained under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalaya Yojana and around seven lakh got placement.

 

6. Himachal Governor Rajendra Vishwanath unveils book ‘The McMahon line’: The Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, recently released a book titled “The McMahon line: A century of discord”. The book has been authored by General JJ Singh (Retd), the former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS). A short film related to the McMahon line was also screened. This is the second book written by him.

The essence of the book: General JJ Singh (Retd) had penned down his experience, research and practical knowledge, which could prove beneficial. General JJ Singh (Retd) had written a book on a sensitive issue. The book had laid emphasis on politics, history, structure and geography of the McMahon line. The book had uncovered many interesting aspects that were still relevant to the ongoing negotiations on the diplomatic front. General JJ Singh (Retd) revealed that the book was based on six years of study and research on the India-China border dispute. He explained the main aspects of the book in detail.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. WEF’s Gender Gap Report 2022: India ranks low at 135th globally: India ranks 135 among a total of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2022 of the World Economic Forum (WEF). It is the worst performer in the world in the “health and survival” sub-index where it is ranked 146. India also ranks poorly among its neighbours and is behind Bangladesh (71), Nepal (96), Sri Lanka (110), Maldives (117) and Bhutan (126). Only Iran (143), Pakistan (145) and Afghanistan (146) perform worse than India in south Asia.

Key points of the reports:

a)      Iceland has retained its position as the world’s most gender-equal country, among 146 nations on the index.

b)      Finland, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden are the top five countries on the list respectively.

c)       Afghanistan is the worst-performing country in the report.

d)      India ranks 146 in health and survival, 143 in economic participation and opportunity, 107 in educational attainment and 48th in political empowerment.

About the Global Gender Gap Report 2022: The Global Gender Gap Report 2022 is the 16th edition of the annual publication by WEF. The Global Gender Gap Index was first introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006 to compare countries’ gender gaps across four dimensions: economic opportunities, education, health and political leadership.

 

2. Chinese Academy of Sciences launched global naming event for its newest solar observatory: The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has initiated a global title assortment for the nation’s newest solar observatory, which will probably be launched right into a sun-synchronous orbit in October. The 888-kilogram observatory has a half-tonne precursor, “Xihe,” a Chinese H-alpha Solar Explorer (CHASE), named after the solar goddess in historical Chinese mythology and launched final October to review the violent and sudden bodily processes behind solar flares. About the solar observatory:

a)      The newest Chinese solar remark satellite tv for pc, the Advanced Space-Based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), is to assist solar physicists to research the relationships between the solar magnetic area, solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

b)      For the primary time ever, ASO-S has three payloads on a single platform: the Full-disk vector MagnetoGraph (FMG), the Lyman-α Solar Telescope (LST) and the Hard X-ray Imager (HXI).

c)       ASO-S has a design lifetime of greater than 4 years, one 12 months longer than “Xihe,” and can make follow-up observations for the latter for the upcoming solar most in 2025. Together with different such observatories, it’ll assist present a fuller image of solar exercise and dynamics for research on the solar and profit all human beings.

 

3. World Youth Skills Day: 15th July: World Youth Skills Day 2022 is observed annually on July 15. It focuses on the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. This day is to equip young people around the world with essential skills for employment, work, and entrepreneurship. Every year, World Youth Skills Day is marked with a certain theme set by the United Nations. The theme for 2022 is ‘Transforming youth skills for the future’.

World Youth Skills Day History: In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Rohit Sharma sets a world record and becomes first captain to win 13 straight T20I matches: Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, became the first captain in cricket history to win 13 straight T20Is. This accomplishment was made by Rohit in Southampton’s first T20I of a three-match series against England. Rohit Sharma led the Men in Blue to victories over New Zealand, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and now England after taking over as captain from Virat Kohli. Key Points:

a)      Hardik Pandya’s all-around effort raised India’s total to 198/8 in the first innings. Additionally scoring 24, 39, and 33 runs were Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma.

b)      Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan both got two wickets for England, while Topley, Tymal Mills, and Parkinson each claimed one wicket.

c)       The English were stopped at 148 by rookie Arshdeep Singh, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, and one apiece from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel.

d)      The top two batters were Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan, who each scored 36 and 26* runs.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI imposed penalty of Rs 1.67 cr on Ola Financial Services for non-compliance provisions: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1.67 crore on Ola Financial Services Private Limited for non-compliance with certain provisions related to pre-paid payment instruments and Know Your Customer norms. The penalty has been imposed in the exercise of powers vested in RBI under Section 30 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. A notice was issued to the entity advising it to show cause as to why a penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the directions. Ola Financial Services Private Limited, a subsidiary of ride-hailing app Ola, offers financial services such as lending for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, personal loans and insurance products.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Wholesale inflation declines marginally to 15.18% for June: The annual rate of inflation based on the all-India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is 15.18 per cent for the month of June, in a marginal drop from May when the figure stood at 15.88 per cent. The latest figure has bucked the three-month rising trend but remained in double-digit for the 15th straight month. Figures have been in double digits since April last year. Key Points:

a)      The high rate of inflation in June is primarily due to the rise in prices of mineral oils, food articles, crude petroleum and natural gas, basic metals, chemicals and chemical products, food products etc. as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.

b)      In the “Fuel and Power” category, the index increased by 0.65 per cent to 155.4 in June from 154.4 per cent for the month of May 2022. “Prices of Mineral Oils (0.98%) increased in June 2022 as compared to May,”.

c)       The Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from the Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from the Manufactured Products group have increased from 176.1 in May 2022 to 178.4 in June. The rate of inflation based on the WPI Food Index increased from 10.89 per cent in May to 12.41 per cent in June.

 

2. Ola introduces India’s first indigenously made lithium ion-cell: Ola Electric has unveiled the country’s first indigenously developed lithium-ion cell. The Bengaluru-based two-wheeler maker will begin the mass production of the cell- NMC 2170, from its Chennai-based Gigafactory by 2023. The use of specific chemicals and materials enables the cell to pack more energy in a given space and also improves the overall life cycle of the cell.

About the Ola Electric:

a)      Ola is building the world’s most advanced cell research centre that will enable us to scale and innovate faster, and build the most advanced and affordable EV products in the world with speed.

b)      The company was recently allocated 20GWh capacity under the ACC PLI scheme by the govt for developing advanced cells in India.

c)       Ola Electric launched its first electric vehicle in August 2021 and has also set up the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturing facility in India.

Note: Ola Electric Founder: Bhavish Aggarwal; Ola Electric Founded: 2017.

Daily GK Update- 14th July, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM inaugurated Deoghar Airport and several other development projects: Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated and set the cornerstone for a number of construction projects totaling more than 16,800 crores of rupees in Deoghar. At a public event held on the grounds of Deoghar College, the prime minister declared that the government is funding religious institutions in order to preserve our culture and faith for future generations.

Key Points:

a)      According to PM Modi, all religious sites that have been built with modern amenities have drawn an increased number of visitors and followers.

b)      Under the PRASAD programme, modern amenities have also been increased in Baba Baidyanath Dham.

c)       The development of Varanasi, the prime minister said, has helped small vendors, sellers, and artisans do more business. He used the Varanasi-Kashi corridor as an example.

d)      The prime minister reaffirmed the motto Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas, stating that our government has been working hard to promote development in all of the nation’s underdeveloped regions.

e)      The country has been working with the idea of national growth through state development for the past eight years. The same thought and spirit have been crucial during the past eight years in the attempts to connect Jharkhand by highways, railways, airways, and waterways. All of these amenities will have a favourable effect on the state’s economic growth.

About Deoghar Airport: The inauguration of flights to Ranchi, Delhi, and Patna, as well as the trip from Deoghar to Kolkata takes place. PM also revealed that work was ongoing on the airports in Bokaro and Dumka.

 

2. India’s 1st elevated urban expressway “Dwarka” to be operational by 2023: The Dwarka Expressway, which is being developed as the first elevated urban expressway in India, will be operational in 2023, said Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Dwarka Expressway will reduce pressure on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway (part of the Delhi-Jaipur-Ahmedabad-Mumbai arm of the Golden Quadrilateral) and arterial roads that experience severe traffic congestion, primarily from the commuters of West Delhi.

About the Dwarka Expressway:

a)      It will be a 16-lane access-controlled highway with the provision of a minimum three-lane service road on both sides.

b)      The Expressway connecting Dwarka in Delhi to Gurugram in Haryana is being developed at a total cost of Rs 9,000 crores. It has a total length of 29 km, out of which 19 km falls in Haryana and the remaining 10 km is in Delhi.

c)       The expressway begins from Shiv-Murti on NH-8 (Delhi-Gurugram expressway) and ends near Kherki Daula Toll Plaza, through Dwarka Sector 21, Gurugram border and Basai.

d)      It will have four multi-level interchanges, including India’s longest and widest road tunnel which will be 3.6 km in length and have eight lanes.

 

3. I&B Ministry unveils New Logo of Prasar Bharati on its Silver Jubilee: India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati unveiled its new logo on its silver jubilee year. The new logo was released by the secretary of I&B Apurva Chandra, secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) in the presence of Mayank Kumar Agrawal, CEO, Prasar Bharati, DPS Negi, Member (Finance), Prasar Bharati, and officers of Ministry of I&B and Prasar Bharati.

The New Logo:

a)      The elements in the central circle and map of India signify the service of trust, security, and perfection to the Nation, its colour, ‘Dark Moderate Blue’ represents both the sky and the sea and is associated with open spaces, freedom, intuition, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity, the broadcaster said in an official statement.

b)      Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, and intelligence.

c)       The colour blue also pays tribute to the Indian ethos and traditions associated with religious figures, and mythological characters found in the Indian miniature paintings.

Note: Prasar Bharati CEO: Shashi Shekhar Vempati (2017–); Prasar Bharati Founded: 23 November 1997; Prasar Bharati Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

4. Akasa Air gets Air Operator Certificate from DGCA to take off: Billionaire investor Rakesh Juhunjhunwala-owned, Akasa Air has been cleared for take-off. The no-frills airline received its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline will start its operations at the end of July. The grant of the AOC is the final step of a comprehensive process laid down by the DGCA. The airline inducted its first Boeing 737 Max aircraft on June 21. It plans to start its service, connecting metro cities with tier II and III cities, after adding its second aircraft. The airline hopes to have 18 aircraft by the end of the financial year (FY) 2023.

Note: Akasa Air Founded: December 2021; Akasa Air Headquarters: Mumbai.

 

5. India sets world record for building longest double-decker bridge in Nagpur: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Maharashtra Metro achieved the world record for constructing the longest double-decker viaduct with a length of 3.14 km in Nagpur. The longest viaduct with highway flyover and metro rail supported on single column piers. The maximum metro stations constructed on a double-decker viaduct are recognized by the Asia Book of Records & India Book of Records. The development is the fulfilment of the promise by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Government on building world-class infrastructure in New India.

 

6. Sanjai Kumar recommended for post of CMD, Raitel: The public enterprise’s selection board (PESB) has selected Sanjai Kumar for the post of Chairman & Managing Director, RailTel Corporation of India Ltd (RCIL). Currently, he is serving as Director (Network Planning & Marketing) and (Project, Operations & Maintenance – Additional Charge) in Railtel.

Experience: He is an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (“IRSSE”) and joined the service on November 30, 1992. While working as an officer of IRSSE, he joined Railtel on a deputation basis on March 19, 2002, and subsequently was made a regular employee of the Company from August 12, 2008. He has over 27 years of experience working as an officer of IRSSE including over 18 years of experience in managing projects and marketing departments in our Company.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 1st Webb Telescope image reveals earliest galaxies formed after Big Bang: US President Joe Biden has released one of the James Webb Space Telescope’s first images in a preview event at the White House in Washington. This first image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date.

Key Points:

a)      Known as Webb’s First Deep Field, this image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 is overflowing with detail. Thousands of galaxies including the faintest objects ever observed in the infrared have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time.

b)      This slice of the vast universe covers a patch of sky approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length by someone on the ground.

c)       This deep field, taken by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), is a composite made from images at different wavelengths, totalling 12.5 hours achieving depths at infrared wavelengths beyond the Hubble Space Telescope’s deepest fields, which took weeks.

 

2. World Youth Skills Day: 15th July: World Youth Skills Day 2022 is observed annually on July 15. It focuses on the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. This day is to equip young people around the world with essential skills for employment, work, and entrepreneurship. Every year, World Youth Skills Day is marked with a certain theme set by the United Nations. The theme for 2022 is ‘Transforming youth skills for the future’.

World Youth Skills Day History: In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India bagged 22 medals in Asian U-20 Wrestling Championships in Manama, Bahrain: Indian grapplers had a fantastic outing at the U20 Asian Wrestling Championships in Manama, Bahrain where they won as many as 22 medals that concluded. Winning 4 gold medals, 9 silver and 9 bronze, the talented bunch of grapplers put up a good show and gave a stiff fight to worthy competitors from Iran and Kazakhstan, among other strong nations. In both the men’s and women’s wrestling, the Indian team finished in the second-ranking spot while they finished fifth in the Men’s Greco-Roman event.

Here are the Indian medallists from the U20 Asian Wrestling Championships:

Gold: Priyanka (65kg), Aainrju (68kg), Antim (53kg), Sujeet (65kg)

Silver: Sweety (50kg), Reena (55kg), Bipasha (72kg), Priya (76kg), Mulaym Yadav (70kg), Ashish (97kg), Mohit Kumar (61kg), Jaideep (74kg), Mahendran Gaikwad (125kg)

Bronze: Sito (57kg), Tanu (59kg), Sarika (62kg), Aman (57kg), Deepak (79kg), Jointy Kumar (86kg), Akash (92kg), Rohit Dahiya (82kg), Ankit Gulia (67kg)

 

2. Mohammed Shami becomes fastest Indian bowler to take 150 ODI wickets: Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian bowler to 150 ODI wickets in first India vs England ODI at the Kennington Oval. The seamer needed 80 matches to 150 ODI wickets. Shami achieved the feat with his second wicket of the match. Overall, Shami is third joint-fastest to reach 150 ODI wickets. Shami also became the joint-third fastest ever to take 150 ODI wickets along with Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan. Australia’s Mitchell Starc (77 matches) and Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq (78 matches) hold the top-two positions for the fastest bowlers to reach 150 ODI wickets.

Fastest Indian to take 150 wickets in ODI format

Mohammed Shami: 80 games

Ajit Agarkar: 97 games

Zaheer Khan: 103 games.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Meena Hemchandra appointed as temporary chairperson of Karur Vysya Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorised Meena Hemchandra‘s appointment as the Karur Vysya bank‘s temporary chairperson for three years, according to private sector lender Karur Vysya Bank. Hemchandra’s application for the position of non-executive independent (part-time) chairperson of the bank had been recommended by the bank to the RBI in May.

Hemchandra‘s (64) term is approved for 3 years beginning on the day he assumes office. She has over 35 years of banking expertise in a variety of RBI areas as a career banker. From June 2015 to November 2017, Hemchandra served as the RBI’s Executive Director.

About Karur Vysya Bank: An Indian Scheduled Commercial Bank is Karur Vysya Bank. With its headquarters in Karur, Tamil Nadu, it has operated for 100 years and is one of the top banks in India. M. A. Venkatarama Chettiar and Athi Krishna Chettiar founded it in 1916. The bank’s main business segments are retail banking, corporate/wholesale banking, and treasury. Karur Vysya Bank offers services such corporate, personal, agricultural banking, as well as support for NRIs and MSME.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Nomura cuts India’s GDP forecast for 2023 to 4.7%: Nomura has cut its 2023 forecast for economic growth in India, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), to 4.7 per cent from its earlier projection of 5.4 per cent amid recession fears and rising interest rates. Exports have started to struggle, while elevated imports are pushing up monthly trade deficits to record highs. Higher inflation, monetary policy tightening, dormant private CAPEX growth, the power crunch and the global growth slowdown pose medium-term headwinds.

Meanwhile, the recent economic releases have not been too encouraging. India’s retail inflation rate – the CPI – came in at 7.01 per cent versus 7.04 per cent in May. This is the sixth consecutive month that the CPI inflation has remained above the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) comfort zone of 2 – 6 per cent. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP), however, grew at a faster clip of 19.6 per cent in May, as compared to 6.7 per cent in April, data showed.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Luis Echeverria, former president of Mexico, dies at 100: As told by his son Benito Echeverria, Luis Echeverria Alvarez, who presided over Mexico from 1970 to 1976, passed away at the age of 100. Echeverria passed away in his house in Cuernavaca, the state capital of Morelos in south central Mexico. About Luis Echeverria Alvarez:

a)      Career attorney and Institutional Revolutionary Party member Echeverria prioritised Mexico’s foreign affairs and is renowned for, among other things, advocating for the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States at the United Nations in 1972.

b)      During his time serving as Interior Secretary under the Dáz Ordaz administration, political repression increased.

c)       One of the most well-known presidents in Mexico’s post-war history, Echeverra made an effort to lead the so-called Third World, which was made up of nations that did not support either the US or the USSR during the Cold War.

d)      He served as the Interior Secretary from 1963 to 1969. He was the oldest former head of state still alive in his nation at the time of his death in 2022.

Note: Mexican President: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

 

2. Padma Shri awardee noted social worker Avdhash Kaushal passes away: Padma Shri winning noted social worker Avdhash Kaushal passed away recently following a prolonged illness. He was 87. He was the founder of the NGO named Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand). He was known for his fight against human rights and the conservation of the environment. Kaushal had been close to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

In 2003, Kaushal was invited by the United Nations to the World Summit in Geneva, to chair the panel on a discussion on the importance of local content within information and communication technology. Kaushal was also nominated as a member of the international committee to probe into war crimes and disappearances in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the civil war in that country.

Daily GK Update- 13th July, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India becomes 68th country to join Interpol’s child sexual abuse database: India has joined Interpol’s international child sexual exploitation (ICSE) database which will allow it to draw links between victims, abusers, and crime scenes using audio-visual data. The CBI, which is India’s nodal agency for Interpol matters, joined the database making India the 68th country to connect to it, according to a statement from Interpol.

An intelligence and investigative tool, the database allows specialized investigators to share information on cases of child sexual abuse. Through the image and video comparison software, the investigators can nail down the criminals by identifying victims and places of crime. The database avoids duplication of effort and saves precious time by letting investigators know whether a series of images has already been discovered or identified in another country, or whether it has similar features to other images.

Note: Interpol Headquarters: Lyon, France; Interpol President: Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi; Interpol Founded: 7 September 1923, Vienna, Austria.

 

2. PM Narendra Modi unveils National Emblem on the roof of New Parliament Building: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the National Emblem cast on the roof of the New Parliament Building. He also interacted with the Shramjeevis involved in the construction work of the new Parliament.  It has been cast at the top of the Central Foyer of the New Parliament Building.

About the National Emblem: The National Emblem is made of bronze with a total weight of 9500 kilograms and is 6.5 meters in height. A supporting structure of steel weighing around 6500 kilograms has also been constructed to support the Emblem. The concept sketch and process of casting the National Emblem on the roof of the New Parliament Building has gone through eight different stages of preparation from clay modelling and computer graphics to bronze casting and polishing.

 

3. Nokia partners with IISc to set up networked robotics Center of Excellence: Nokia has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science to set up the Nokia Center of Excellence in networked robotics at IISc Bengaluru. The Center of Excellence (CoE) will promote inter-disciplinary research involving robotics and advanced communication technologies in 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI). It will also develop use cases across industrial automation, agriculture and disaster management.

About the center: The center will facilitate engagement and cooperation between academia, start-ups and industry ecosystem partners to research and develop these use cases. The research projects undertaken by the CoE will include the design of advanced robotics, AI and automation solutions built upon next-generation telecom networks and their applications for solving societally relevant problems.

Note: Nokia President: Pekka Lundmark; Nokia CEO: Pekka Lundmark; Nokia Founded: 12 May 1865; Nokia Headquarters: Espoo, Finland.

 

4. IIT-M technology to play ‘Pivot’al role in providing patients with cancer with individualised care: IIT Madras researchers have developed a revolutionary method that can identify a person’s cancer-causing genes. Based on patient DNA profiles, the “Pivot,” an AI-based tool, will help clinicians create individualised treatment programmes for patients. The tool is built on a machine learning model that classifies genes into cancer-preventing tumour suppressors, oncogenes that cause cancer, and neutral genes. Key Points:

a)      In order to identify the gene that causes cancer in an individual, or more specifically to identify unusual genes that cause cancer, the model will analyse data such as the frequency with which a gene mutates, its properties, the sorts of mutations, and the quantity of harmful mutations. It is well recognised that the patient’s overall health will suffer as a result of current cancer treatments.

b)      According to the research team, understanding the genes responsible for the development and spread of cancer in patients can aid in choosing the drug and therapy regimen that will have the greatest positive impact on their prognosis.

c)       The traditional method of tracing a cancer-causing gene involves analysing samples from several patients to determine how frequently the gene has mutated.

d)      If openly available cancer genome data from sites like ICGS had been of great assistance to the IIT-M scientists, then more Indian cancer genome data—which is still lacking on an exclusive local platform—is needed for the tool to be used effectively.

 

5. Meghalaya to invest 300 crore in Childhood education programmes: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma has announced Government that the government has earmarked Rs 300 crore from the externally aided projects to make investments in early childhood education programmes. An estimated amount of Rs 8.33 crore has been spent on the construction of the DERT. The state and has come up with a road map to invest in early childhood education programmes.

The Government aims to achieve the larger goal of making each individual product that will enable every individual to contribute for the growth and development of the State. The Government has been making investments to overhaul the education infrastructure, teachers training at the grassroots level to ensure an enabling environment for learning.”

Note: Meghalaya Capital: Shillong; Meghalaya Chief Minister: Conrad Kongkal Sangma; Meghalaya Governor: Satya Pal Malik.

 

6. Meenakshi Lekhi launched ‘Swadhinta Sangram Na Surviro’ book: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi has launched a book in Gujarati commemorating the contributions of freedom fighters at a function. The book, ‘Swadhinata Sangram Na Surviro’, celebrates 75 freedom fighters and shares the stories of the sacrifices made by them for the country.

The book is a part of the “Swadhinta Ka Amrit Mahotsav” to mark the 75th year of the country’s Independence. The book commemorates the contribution of our freedom fighters who battled imperialism & dedicated their lives for Maa Bharati. Poet and president of the book release function’s guidance committee, Bhagyesh Jha, said the book is an attempt to pay tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UN: India anticipated to overtake China as world’s most populated nation next year: According to a report released by the UN on World Population Day, India is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populous nation next year. The world’s population is anticipated to exceed eight billion people on November 15, 2022, according to a research by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. According to the United Nations’ most recent estimates, the world’s population may reach 8.5 billion people in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.4 billion in 2100.

Key Highlights Of The UN Report:

a)      By 2037, Central and Southern Asia is anticipated to overtake Eastern and South-Eastern Asia as the world’s most populous region, since the populations of those two continents may begin to decline.

b)      The two most populated regions in 2022, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia with 2.3 billion people (or 29% of the world’s population), and Central and Southern Asia with 2.1 billion people, were both in Asia (26 per cent of the global population).

c)       With populations of about 1.4 billion apiece, China and India made up the majority of the people in these two areas.

d)      According to the research, India would have a population of 1.412 billion in 2022, compared to 1.426 billion for China. By the middle of the century, India is expected to have a population of 1.668 billion, much exceeding China’s 1.317 billion.

e)      IHME predicts that India’s total fertility rate will be 1.29 births per woman in 2100 as opposed to 1.69 in

f)        In 2022, there will be somewhat more men (50.3%) than women (49.7%) in the world. Over the course of the century, it is predicted that this number will gradually invert. It’s anticipated that there will be as many women as males by the year 2050.

 

2. Tesla CEO Elon Musk terminates deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion: Twitter has hired top law firm to charge legal action against Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on his decision to terminate the $44 billion takeover deal. Musk decided to suspend the deal due to multiple breaches of the purchase agreement. The two parties are likely set for a protracted court battle, according to lawyers. Musk could also be faced with paying a $1 billion breakup fee for walking away.

Twitter shares sank in premarket trade after Elon Musk said he is trying to terminate his $44 billion takeovers of the company. Shares of the social media platform closed down 11%. Tesla, where Musk is CEO, fell about 6.5%. After the market closed and Musk’s letter was published, Twitter’s stock continued to decline while Tesla climbed higher.

Note: Twitter CEO: Parag Agrawal; Twitter formed: 21 March 2006; Headquarters of Twitter: San Francisco, California, United States.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Jonny Bairstow & Marizanne Kapp named ICC Players of the Month for June: International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the ICC Player of the Month awards for June 2022. England’s in-form batter Jonny Bairstow bagged the Men’s Player of the Month title while South Africa’s power-hitting batter Marizanne Kapp was awarded with Women’s Player of the Month.

Jonny Bairstow: Jonny Bairstow received the title after his remarkable performances last month against New Zealand. He defeated his team-mate Joe Root and New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell in the race of receiving the “Player of the Month” award.

Marizanne Kapp: South African batter Marizanne Kapp’s last month was also full of solid and powerful performances. Kapp’s classic stroke play got her more votes than her teammate Shabnim Ismail and England’s Nat Sciver. With this feat, Kapp has become South Africa’s first ICC Women’s Player of the Month winner since Lizelle Lee, who was crowned in March 2021.

Note: ICC Founded: 15 June 1909;ICC Chairman: Greg Barclay; ICC CEO: Geoff Allardice; ICC Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

 

2. Indian women’s cricket team for upcoming Commonwealth Games announced: The Indian women’s cricket team has been announced by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Birmingham from July 28 through August 8. The 15-person team will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The team included Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol, and Taniya Bhatiya as the wicketkeeper. Key Points:

a)      Simran Bahadur and Poonam Yadav were selected as stand-by athletes for the competition. Along with Pakistan, Australia, and Barbados, India is in Group A.

b)      On July 29, it will face Australia in the first game of the competition. South Africa, Sri Lanka, the host nation England, and New Zealand make up Group B.

c)       Women’s cricket will be featured for the first time at CWG, with all games taking place at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Cricket Ground. However, cricket has been played before, most notably in the men’s 50-over competition, which South Africa won at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Pratik Pota hired by Advent International to head Eureka Forbes: Pratik Pota was appointed by PE firm Advent International to run Eureka Forbes, one of its portfolio companies. Pratik will join Eureka Forbes as Managing Director & CEO. Pratik will guide the management group in continuing to grow the company and produce cutting-edge goods. Pratik will start at Eureka Forbes on August 16.

The CEO of Jubilant Foodworks Ltd. was Pratik. The JFL expanded into new areas under his direction, including Turkey and Bangladesh. Over the course of his more than 30-year career, Pratik has held executive positions with PepsiCo, Airtel, and Hindustan Unilever Ltd. before JFL.

About Eureka Forbes:

Note: Managing Director of Advent: Sahil Dalal

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Japan’s ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ award conferred to Narayanan Kumar: The government of Japan has conferred the ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star’ award on Sanmar Group Vice Chairman Narayanan Kumar in recognition of his contribution toward strengthening economic relations between Japan and India. Kumar was honoured by the Consul General of Japan in Chennai, Taga Masayuki.

Narayanan Kumar: Masayuki lauded Kumar’s dedicated efforts in promoting friendship, goodwill and mutual understanding between Japan and India. Kumar also heads the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He had served the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as its president and was among the ‘Spring 2022 Imperial Decorations recipients’.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. British composer Monty Norman, known for James Bond theme, passes away: Monty Norman, a British composer who wrote the theme tune for the James Bond films, has died at the age of 94. He was hired by producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli to compose a theme for the first James Bond film, “Dr. No,” released in 1962. Norman performed with big bands and in a variety of double acts with comedian Benny Hill before writing songs for early British rockers Cliff Richard and Tommy Steele and composing for stage musicals including “Make Me an Offer,” “Expresso Bongo,” “Songbook” and “Poppy.”

 

2. Former New Zealand cricket captain Barry Sinclair passes away: Former New Zealand cricket captain and batter Barry Sinclair died at the age of 85. The former skipper was the third Kiwi batter after Bert Sutcliffe and John R Reid to score 1,000 runs in Test cricket. Sinclair played 21 Tests for New Zealand between 1963 and 1968, scoring 1148 runs at 29.43, including three centuries – against South Africa, Pakistan and England.