Daily GK Update- 27th Aug, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 20th Edition of BioAsia 2023 scheduled in February 24-26: The 20th edition of BioAsia 2023 will be hosted by the Government of Telangana, the premier event of BioAsia 2023 for the life sciences and health tech, on February 24-26, 2023. BioAsia 2023‘s logo and theme, “Advancing for ONE: Shaping the next generation of humanised healthcare,” have been unveiled by Minister for Industries and Commerce KT Rama Rao.

Hyderabad has been a significant hub for the world over the past two decades in addition to being India’s centre for healthcare and the life sciences and BioAsia 2023 will be held there. The city enhanced its reputation during the COVID-19 pandemic by playing a crucial part in providing vaccines that helped immunise the entire world, and will now host BioAsia 2023.

About BioAsia 2023 Event:

a)      In order to discuss the interdisciplinary topics of One Health, disruptive technologies in healthcare, and accessibility and affordability in healthcare for all, Shakthi Nagappan, CEO of BioAsia and Director (Life Sciences), Government of Telangana, says that “Bio Asia 2023 will bring together leaders in the life sciences and healthcare, academia, start-ups, regulators, and investors on one stage”.

b)      The BioAsia 2023 event will feature a start-up showcase where more than 100 carefully chosen health-tech entrepreneurs from around the globe can present their ground-breaking solutions to urgent medical problems.

c)       With a virtual attendance of around 37,500 attendees from about 70 countries, BioAsia 2022 was a great success. BioAsia 2023 is expected to deliver the same

 

2. Transgenders will be covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: According to the government of India, transgenders will be brought under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The National Health Authority (NHA) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide inclusive and composite health package for transgenders under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY. About the MoU:

a)      This MoU between National Health Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Social Justice & Employment (MoSJE) will extend all healthcare benefits to transgender persons (holding a transgender certificate issued by the National Portal for transgender persons) across the country. MoSJE will fund Rs.5 lakh insurance cover per transgender beneficiary per annum.

b)      As part of the move, a comprehensive master package is being prepared for transgenders, including existing AB PM-JAY packages and specific packages (Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and treatment).

c)       As a result, transgenders will be eligible to seek treatment in any AB PM-JAY empanelled hospitals across the country, where specific packages will be made available. The scheme would cover all transgenders not receiving such benefits from other centre/state sponsored schemes.

d)      The ministry of social justice & empowerment has taken several initiatives for the transgender community, be it “The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019″, Garima Greh, PM Daksh, among others.

 

3. IIT Guwahati developed technique for making sugar substitute “Xylitol”: Researchers at IIT Guwahati have created a fermentation process that uses ultrasound to safely generate Xylitol from sugarcane bagasse, the byproduct of crushing sugar cane. This approach gets over the operational constraints of chemical synthesis and the time lags of traditional fermentation. The use of ultrasound during the fermentation process not only reduced the time of fermentation to 15 hours, but also increased the yield of the product by almost 20%

Requirement for Safe Sweetners: There has been an increase in the use of safe alternative sweeteners as awareness of the negative effects of white sugar (sucrose) on individuals with diabetes and general health has grown. A sugar alcohol generated from plants called xylitol may have anti-obesogenic and anti-diabetic properties in addition to being a mild prebiotic and guarding teeth against caries.

Advantages of this new procedure: The use of ultrasound during the fermentation process not only reduced the time of fermentation to 15 hours (as opposed to almost 48 hours in conventional processes), but also increased the yield of the product by almost 20%, according to Professor VS Moholkar, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati.

 

4. Godrej Agrovet signed agreements with Assam, Manipur, and Tripura for Palm Oil: Godrej Agrovet, a diversified agribusiness conglomerate, announced that it has signed an MoU with the governments of Assam, Manipur, and Tripura to advance and promote oil palm growth in the area under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm initiative. The partnership between Godrej Agrovet and the state governments will create new chances for expansion of oil palm plants in these states as well as support for farmers. Key Points:

a)      The Agreements are in keeping with Godrej Agrovet’s long-term goal to be the driving force behind India’s oil mission by doubling farmer income and promoting sustainable expansion of oil palm production.

b)      In the entire nation, Godrej Agrovet has planted palm oil on over 65,000 acres. In the upcoming years, Godrej Agrovet intends to raise this to 100,000 ha.

c)       Godrej Agrovet’s six oil palm mills, which are dispersed around the nation, manufacture a variety of goods, including crude palm oil, crude palm kernel oil, and palm kernel cake.

d)      The government had established the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil in August 2021.

e)      With a planned investment of Rs 11,040 crore, the Center launched NMEO-OP in August 2021 with the goal of increasing the oil palm area to 10 lakh hectares by 2025–26 and 16.7 lakh hectares by 2029–30, with a special emphasis on the North-East and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Note: Godrej Agrovet CEO: Adi Burjorji Godrej

 

5. India to have 1.8 lakh Kms of Highways & 1.2 lakh Kms of Rail Lines by 2025: India is set to construct more railways and motorways in 2025. The length of all national highways in India is anticipated to reach 1.8 lakh kilometres and the railway lines would be 1.2 lakh kilometres by 2025 according to the report of Bank of America Securities India. Years 1950 to 2025:

a)      Between the years 1950 to 2015, 4000 kilometres of new national highways were constructed in India and it was 77,000 kilometres in 2015. The expected milestone which is for highways to reach 1.8 lakh kilometres by 2025, is more than double the current length.

b)      In 1950, the railway network in India was only 10,000 kilometres of rail lines and by 2015 there were 63,000 kilometres of railway lines. The milestone for 2025 is to make the railway network reach up to 1.2 lakh kilometres.

 

6. M Venkaiah Naidu launched a book titled “A New India: Selected Writings 2014-19”: Former Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu has released a book titled “A New India: Selected Writings 2014-19”, a compilation of selected articles of former Union Minister and Padma Vibhushan Arun Jaitley on his death anniversary. The book has been published by Juggernaut.

The essence of the book: In this book, published posthumously Arun Jaitley offers the clearest, most authoritative discussions on the policies of the BJP government of 2014–19. Surveying the sweeping changes that the country has seen in the last five years: GST, demonetisation, Kashmir – he is also prescient about the big political trends in the country, such as the end of dynastic politics, the fissures among regional powers and the crisis in the Congress party. Forcefully and astutely argued, a new India is an important book, one that comprehensively maps and explains the BJP’s reforms and analyses the state of the nation.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga elected as interim PM of Mali: In Mali, the military has appointed Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga as interim Prime Minister after the country’s civilian PM Choguel Kokalla Maiga was admitted to hospital. Before this appointment, Colonel Maiga was working as a Government Spokesman and Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation.

Choguel Kokalla was named premier after the military took power in August 2020. In recent months, Maiga had come under criticism from many of his former allies for following the Junta’s line. Military Junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita had himself appointed transitional president after the May 2021 coup.

Note: Mali Capital: Bamako; Mali Currency: Franc.

 

2. World’s first fleet of hydrogen passenger trains by Germany: The world’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains was launched by Germany. The first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains has replaced 15 diesel trains that were previously operated on nonelectrified tracks in Lower Saxony, Germany. The engine of the trains is powered by electricity generated using hydrogen fuel cells.

The use of hydrogen is a clean alternative to fossil fuels as per the German government’s announcement. The state governor Stephan Weil said that Lower Saxony has invested a total of 93 million euros for the first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger train projects. This invitation is an excellent example and effort to make the economy of Germany greener.

Key Points:

a)      Alstom is a French company that manufactures trains, and these trains are operated by regional rail company LNVG on routes between the Northern towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerda, and Buxtehude.

b)      These trains have ranges up to 1000 kilometers and a maximum speed of 140 kph. After the introduction of the first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains, the hydrogen produced with renewable energy the trains will save up to 1.6 liters of diesel in a year.

c)       For now, hydrogen is produced as a byproduct of chemical processes, however, the German Specialty Gas Company Linde, plans to manufacture hydrogen using only renewable energy in the coming years.

 

3. 17-year-old pilot Mack Rutherford sets record for solo flight around world: A 17-year-old pilot, Mack Rutherford became the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a small aircraft after he landed in Bulgaria, where his journey kicked off five months ago. Mack Rutherford, a Belgian-British dual national, landed on an airstrip west of Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, to complete his task and claim two Guinness World Records. Along with becoming the youngest person to fly around the world by himself, Rutherford is the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe in a microlight plane. About her journey:

a)      Mack Rutherford took the age record from Travis Ludlow of Britain, who was 18 when he made a solo flight around the world last year. The journey, which began March 23, took Rutherford through 52 countries over five continents.

b)      He turned 17 during the trip. To set a mark recognized by the Guinness World Records, he crossed the equator twice.

c)       The flight took him through Africa and the Gulf region to India, China, South Korea and Japan. He crossed the northern Pacific and landed after 10 uninterrupted hours in the air on a volcanic island near the Bering Strait.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. American Express Praises RBI’s Decision to Ease Restrictions: American Express Banking Corp. praised the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to ease restrictions on the firm so that it may accept new domestic clients as the consequence of the company’s large local investments in technology, infrastructure, and resources.. American Express will now be able to add new Indian clients to its card network thanks to the easing of the embargo.

RBI esases Restrictions on American Express:

a)      The restrictions imposed by order dated April 23, 2021 on the onboarding of new domestic customers of American Express have been lifted with immediate effect by RBI.

b)      In view of the satisfactory compliance demonstrated by American Express Banking Corp with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular dated April 6, 2018, on storage of Payment System Data, the restrictions imposed have been lifted.

c)       Due to non-compliance with the RBI circular on the storage of payment system data, the RBI placed restrictions on American Express Banking Corp ability to onboard new domestic clients onto its card network as of May 1, 2021, by order dated April 23, 2021.

RBI Restrictions Affect: Prior to these restrictions, Mastercard and Diners Club International were also affected. In November of last year, Diners Club’s restriction was withdrawn, while Mastercard’s restriction was lifted just last month. Since October 2018, financial services firms like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diners Club have had to keep Indian payment data locally in accordance with RBI regulations.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. ICRA expects Indian GDP to grow by 12-13% in Q1-FY23: Rating agency ICRA (Investment and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited) predicted that the Indian economy will grow 12–13% in the first quarter (Q1) of the new fiscal year, i.e. FY23. ICRA gave this rating citing the second-highest reading of the business activity index in 13 months in April. However, ICRA has kept its annual GDP prediction at 7.2% for this fiscal year, citing concerns over inflation and the ensuing tightening of RBI policy. Key Points:

a)      Particularly on an annualised basis, this rapid growth may continue into May, which should result in a double-digit GDP growth of 12–13% in the first quarter according to ICRA.

b)      ICRA Chief Economist, Aditi Nayar stated that the consumer price index is anticipated to average between 6.3 and 6.5 percent this fiscal, citing growing inflation concerns.

c)       The impact of the war in Ukraine and the skyrocketing cost of fuel present the greatest upside risks to inflation and growth. The damage will be far greater than expected if the war does not deescalate soon.

d)      This is also the main justification for keeping the full-year GDP growth forecast low at 7.2% and the one on a low base effect higher at 3%.

e)      On the subject of interest rates, Nayar stated that the central bank will likely increase rates by 25 basis points each in the policy reviews in June and August, and that the decision to take action in September will depend on the course of the war and how it affects commodity prices.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Former German chancellor Angela Merkel wins Unesco Peace Prize 2022: Former German chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded the Unesco Peace Prize 2022 for “her efforts to welcome refugees”. In the summer of 2015, as refugees were streaming into Europe, Merkel opened her country’s borders and famously declared to Germans “Wir schaffen das”, “We can do this.” She eventually pulled back on her pro-immigration stance as support eroded among the public and within her own conservative party. All the members of the jury were touched by her courageous decision in 2015 to welcome more than 1.2 million refugees, notably from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea.

About the Unesco Peace Prize: The honour, which is officially called Felix Houphouet-Boigny-Unesco Peace Prize, is named after the former president of Ivory Coast. It has been awarded each year since 1989 to individuals, organisations or institutions that have made a special effort to promote, research or secure peace. It is awarded annually. The prize includes a cheque of USD 150,000, a gold medal and a peace diploma. If there are multiple recipients, the cheque is shared equally.

Note: UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945; UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France; UNESCO Members: 193 countries; UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay.

Daily GK Update- 26th Aug, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi Inaugurates Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Mohali: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 300-bed Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Mullanpur, Mohali in Chandigarh. The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre has been built at a cost of over ₹660 crores by the Tata Memorial Centre which is an aided institute under the Union Department of Atomic Energy. Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann was also present during the inaugural ceremony of the Bhabha Cancer Hospital.

The hospital is equipped with the finest state-of-the-art facilities which include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography, Digital Radiography, and Brachytherapy to ensure the treatment of all types of cancer in India. The treatment for cancer available here is surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplant.

 

2. Jitendra Singh launched India’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus in Pune: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Jitendra Singh has launched India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell bus in Pune. The bus has been developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and private firm KPIT Limited. The fuel cell utilizes hydrogen and air to generate electricity to power the bus. Fuel Cell vehicles also give zero greenhouse gas emissions in stark contrast to diesel-powered heavy commercial vehicles which account for 12-14% CO2 and particulate emissions.

Note: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Headquarters: New Delhi; Director General: Nallathamby Kalaiselvi

 

3. Puducherry CM presented Rs 10,696.61 crore tax-free budget: Chief Minister of Puducherry N Rangasamy has presented a Rs 10,696.61 crore tax-free budget for fiscal 2022-23. The budget contained announcements including free house site pattas for freedom fighters in the union territory and laptops free of cost for students of standards XI and XII in government and aided schools. The size of the budget for fiscal 2022-23 was Rs 10,696.61 crore. the Union Territory`s own revenue receipts were estimated at Rs 6,557.23 crore while the Central assistance would be Rs 1,729.77 crore with an additional Rs 20 crore from the Central Road Fund and an allocation of Rs 500 crore under Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS).

 

4. Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched ‘Azadi Quest’ online games: Union Minister Anurag Thakur has launched “Azadi Quest”, a series of online educational games based on India’s freedom struggle, developed in collaboration with Zynga India. These games are an effort to tap into the huge market of online gamers and to educate them through games. Various arms of the government of India have collected information about unsung freedom fighters from the corners of the country. Interesting facts about the Azadi Quest game:

a)      Azadi Quest series will impart the knowledge of India’s freedom struggle and the legends of the country’s great freedom fighters, thereby inducing upon the players, a feeling of pride and a sense of duty and will be instrumental in removing the sense of colonial mindset as also emphasised upon by the Prime Minister in the 76th Independence day speech as ‘Panch Pran of Amrit Kaal.

b)      The games are available for Android and iOS devices in English and Hindi for the people of India and will be available worldwide from September 2022.

c)       During a year-long partnership between the Publications Division and Zynga India, more such games would be introduced and the existing ones expanded.

 

5. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi govt to set up country’s first night safari in Lucknow: The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department to start the country’s first night safari in the capital Lucknow. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said that on the lines of Singapore’s world’s first night safari, this night safari in Lucknow will be developed on 350 acres in the Kukrail forest area spread over an area of 2027.46 hectares and a zoological park will be built in 150 acres.

Key Points:

a)      This will be the first night safari in the country. At present, there are 13 open day safaris in the country, but not a single night safari. The entrance of Night Safari will be grand and attractive. The interpretation centre, Butterfly Interpretation Center will also be built here.

b)      Apart from this, there are plans to make Leopard Safari in 75 acres, Bear Safari in 60 acres and Tiger Safari in 75 acres.

c)       Under world-class facilities, night safari will also include train rides and jeep rides with local guides. Apart from this, facilities like canopy walk, camping activity, mountain bike track, wall climbing, tree top restaurant, nature trail and food court will be developed.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Greece exits EU’s ‘enhanced surveillance’ framework: Greece has announced that it has exited the European Union’s ‘enhanced surveillance framework. Greece ends 12 years of pain and allows the country greater freedom in policymaking. Greece’s economic performance & policies have been closely monitored under the ‘enhanced surveillance’ framework since 2018. The surveillance framework was intended to ensure the continued adoption of measures to support sustainable economic growth.

Note: Greece Capita: Athens; Currency: Euro; Prime Minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis

 

2. Women’s Equality Day: 26th August: Women’s Equality Day is celebrated all over the world to celebrate women’s empowerment and equality. This year, Women’s Equality Day will be celebrated on 26th August 2022. Women’s Equality Day 2022 is dedicated to every woman, who has fought for her equal position in this society and to all who are continuing the battle for equality in society. This day is celebrated to always remember how our society has evolved from not giving equality to men and women, to celebrating a day for women’s equality. Women’s Equality Day 2022 theme is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.

Women’s Equality Day History: On 26th August 1970, women from all over the world staged the Women’s Strike for Equality. In 1971, New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug proposed that 26th August be declared as Women’s Equality Day.In Women’s Equality Day is celebrated in honor of the moment when Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby made the declaration public guaranteeing American women the right to vote under the nation’s constitution. The first formal declaration of women’s Equality Day was made on 26th August in the year 1972 when former US President Richard Nixon issued Proclamation 4147.

 

3. International Dog Day: 26th August: International Dog Day is celebrated annually on August 26 to promote the adoption of dogs instead of buying them from pet shops. The day was founded by Animal Welfare Advocate and Pet Lifestyle expert Collen Paige. The aim of promoting this day is to raise awareness about adopting these animals who are currently in rescue centres.

History of the International Dog Day: The day was started as National Dog Day in the US in 2004 by pet & family lifestyle expert, animal rescue advocate, conservationist and dog trainer Colleen Paige. August 26 was chosen as on this day, Paige’s family had adopted their first dog “Sheltie” from an animal shelter when she was just 10 years old. Not only this, Colleen is the founder of National Puppy Day, National Cat Day, and National Wildlife Day as well.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian para shuttlers Pramod Bhagat & Sukant Kadam clinched gold medal: Indian para shuttlers Pramod Bhagat & Sukant Kadam have won the gold medal at the Thailand Para-Badminton International tournament held in Pattaya. They defeated the Indonesian pair of Dwiyoko & Fredy Setiawan in the men’s doubles final. India bagged a total of 17 medals at the Thailand Para-Badminton International. The Indians finished with a total of 4 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals in the tournament.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI to Launch Digital Rupee Soon: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will very likely introduce its digital rupee, the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), in this fiscal year itself. Talks of a digital rupee in the country have been swirling since Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced it during her Budget 2022 speech back in February. At the time, she had said that the digital rupee would be launched in 2022-2023. How It Works:

a)      The digital rupee blockchain, being developed by the Reserve Bank, would be able to trace all transactions, unlike the current system of mobile wallet offered by private companies.

b)      Earlier, news agency PTI reported that the digital currency issued by the RBI would be numbered in units, just like every fiat currency has an unique number on it.

c)       CBDC is a digital or virtual currency but it is not comparable to the private virtual currencies or cryptocurrency that have mushroomed over the last decade. Private virtual currencies do not represent any person’s debt or liabilities as there is no issuer.

d)      The government has already said that private cryptocurrencies will never be a legal tender. The RBI has been strongly opposing private cryptocurrencies as they could have implications on national security and financial stability.

 It’s Benefits:

a)      Introduction of CBDC has the potential to provide significant benefits, such as reduced dependency on cash, higher seigniorage due to lower transaction costs, reduced settlement risk. Introduction of CBDC would also possibly lead to a more robust, efficient, trusted, regulated and legal tender-based payments option.

b)      As CBDCs are in a digital form, the dependency on paper will reduce, which in turn, will be beneficial to the environment. The use of CBDCs could also lead to a further shift to a cashless economy. The use of CBDCs will give a boost to the government’s call for cashless payments and positively change the banking scenario.

c)       Furthermore, as more people opt for CBDCs, it would benefit cross-border remittances. Overall, the cost of transactions would reduce for businesses and the government.

World Scenario: China’s digital RMB was the first digital currency to be issued by a major economy. As of July 2022, four central banks have launched a CBDC: the Central Bank of The Bahamas (Sand Dollar), the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (DCash), the Central Bank of Nigeria (e-Naira) and the Bank of Jamaica (JamDex).

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Adani group targets 55.18% stake in NDTV: Adani Group founder, Gautam Adani has set the ball rolling to acquire a controlling stake of 55.18% in New Delhi Television (NDTV). With a concept to carry 55.18 per cent stake in NDTV, the Adani group has issued an open provide for a 26 per cent stake within the information channel at Rs 294 for a share with a face worth of Rs 4. The complete outlay for 26 per cent, or 16,762,530 totally paid up fairness shares of NDTV – if the provide is accepted in full – will likely be about Rs 483 crore for the Adani group.

According to Adani group, the stake acquisition will likely be in two modes: Firstly, it is going to be by way of Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Ltd (VCPL); and and then VCPL, its wholly-owned guardian AMG Media Networks and Adani Enterprises Ltd (individuals appearing in live performance). Key points:

a)      The VCPL holds 1,990,000 warrants of RRPR Holding entitling it to transform them into a 99.99 per cent stake within the latter.

b)      The VCPL has exercised its choice partly, leading to the acquisition management of RRPR Holding – 1,990,000 fair shares or 99.50 per cent.

c)       RRPR Holding holds a 29.18 per cent stake in NDTV which has three nationwide tv channels.

Note: NDTV Founders: Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy; NDTV Founded: 1988; NDTV Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

2. SIDBI partnered with Tata Power’s TPRMG to foster green entrepreneurs: TP Renewable Microgrid (TPRMG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), have partnered with to launch an innovative program that will see 1,000 green energy enterprises established throughout the nation. The Government of India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat will be supported by this initiative as it will foster sustainable entrepreneurship models across the nation leading to the empowerment of rural entrepreneurs. TPRMG will also provide rural enterprises with green energy solutions, and the technical know-how for maximizing energy utilization and conservation.

Note: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Founded: 2 April 1990; Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; Chairman & MD: Siva S Ramann

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Liberty Medal 2022 to be awarded to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy: The Liberty Medal 2022 will be awarded this fall to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The National Constitution Center has announced that Zelenskyy will be honoured in a ceremony in October for what it called “his heroic defence of liberty in the face of Russian tyranny.” President Zelenskyy has bravely led the Ukrainian people in their defence of freedom against Russian tyranny, and his courage has inspired people around the world to defend liberal democracy and the rule of law.

About the Liberty Medal: The Liberty Medal, established in 1988 to mark the U.S. Constitution’s bicentennial, is presented to individuals who strive to secure the blessings of liberty for people around the globe. Recent recipients have included Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anthony Kennedy, Sen. John McCain, Rep. John Lewis and Malala Yousafzai.

 

2. Bangladeshi Fahmida Azim won the Pulitzer Prize 2022: Bangladesh-born Fahmida Azim working for the Insider online magazine of the US has been selected for the Pulitzer Prize 2022. She will be awarded under the category of Illustrated Reporting and Commentary. She is among the four journalists including Anthony Del Col, Josh Adams and Walt Hickey of Insider being published from New York, selected for their work on the Chinese oppression of the Uyghurs. The work ‘I escaped a Chinese internment Camp’ has illustrations by Fahmida Azim.

The citation for the award said that they have been selected for the prize for using graphic reportage and the comic’s medium to tell a powerful yet intimate story of the Chinese oppression of the Uyghurs, making the issue accessible to a wider public.

Daily GK Update- 25th Aug, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Chhattisgarh government to set up 300 rural industrial parks in the state: The Chhattisgarh government will set up rural industrial parks in the state. In the first year of the project, there will be 300 such parks. This move aimed to strengthen the rural economy and make the “gauthan” (cattle shed) a centre of livelihood. The project will be launched on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2. The first such park in Chhattisgarh came up in Kulgaon, Kanker district, which has been named Gandhi Gram. Rural industrial parks:

a)      The district administration, along with women’s self-help groups, has developed the park.

b)      The forest department has started a residential training centre, based on the value addition of minor forest produce. Chhattisgarh has set up 8,404 gauthans of the 10,624 sanctioned.

c)       The state government is procuring cow dung at Rs 2 a kg for making vermicompost. Production will increase once the 300 parks take shape.

d)      The state government has been developing basic infrastructures, such as interlocking, cement/concrete roads, dormitories, residential rooms, kitchen halls, building sheds for women’s self-help groups, and underground irrigation pipelines. The government is planning to use District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds for this.

Note: Chhattisgarh Capital: Raipur; Chhattisgarh Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel; Chhattisgarh Governor: Anusuiya Uikey.

 

2. UP government to build India’s first education township: The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to build an education township in the state. As per the Yogi Adityanath government, the education township will be developed on the idea of ‘Single Entry, Multiple Exit’. The move will provide high-quality education to the youth and equip them with a variety of professional skills in a single place. Besides, it will provide accommodation and many other facilities to both students and teachers. Uttar Pradesh’s education township:

a)      Prestigious government and private universities of the country and the world will be able to open their campuses in the township.

b)      There will be primary and secondary schools like Atal Residential Schools in the same place.

c)       Universities and colleges will be established for undergraduate and postgraduate studies wherein studies and research works related to management, technology, law, and medicine will be carried out.

d)      The education township will also feature skill development universities where training will be imparted to the youth in different types of skills. Besides, many other coaching institutes like Abhyudaya will be started in these education townships so that more and more students can be successful in competitive examinations like NEET, IIT, Union Public Service Commission etc to be held in the country and the state.

e)      Accommodations will be provided to both teachers and students at the education township.

f)        With the introduction of the ‘Single Entry, Multiple Exit’ system in the state, students will be able to avail of cheap education loans.

Note: Uttar Pradesh Capital: Lucknow; Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath; Uttar Pradesh Governor: Anandiben Patel.

 

3. 23rd Central Zonal Council meeting presided over by Amit Shah in Bhopal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the 23rd Central Zonal Council Meeting in Bhopal. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, and Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, attended the meeting. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Bhupesh Baghel, the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, participated virtually due to poor weather.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Home Minister also dedicated police stations and office buildings. Amit Shah laid the cornerstone for the National Forensic Science University campus in Bhopal. The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah spoke at two seminars on new educational policy and the function of cooperative societies in agricultural marketing during his hectic visit to the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Objective:

a)      The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah addressed the people and stated that the government is solely focused on addressing the issue of left wing extremism in the Naxalite-affected regions included in the Central Zonal Council.

b)      Several significant efforts have also been made for development in these sectors, he continued, and these have produced positive outcomes.

c)       Amit Shah shared comparative information regarding incidents, violence, and the number of fatalities, adding that the Central Government is constantly bolstering security forces in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.

Note: Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal; Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chauhan; Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel

 

4. Rajesh Verma named as Secretary to President Droupadi Murmu: Odisha cadre 1987-batch IAS officer, Rajesh Verma has been appointed as the Secretary to President Droupadi Murmu. He replaces the incumbent Kapil Dev Tripathi, a 1980-batch IAS officer. He is currently serving as Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs & has also served as principal secretary to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. In the past, Verma has also served as the Principal Secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Principal Secretary of Energy Department, Government of Odisha.

 

5. Government re-appointed Ajay Bhalla as Union Home Secretary for one year: The Central Government has extended the term of Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla by one year. This is his third extension in the post. He was initially set to retire in November 2020. Bhalla, a 1984-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, was appointed as the Home Secretary in August 2019.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. South Korea and the United States began their Largest Joint Military Drills: South Korea and the United States began their largest joint military drills in years with a resumption of field training. This year, the annual summertime exercise has been renamed ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’ and it is scheduled to end on 1st September 2022. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has vowed to normalize the combined exercises and boost deterrence against the North. South Korea has separately started or launched the four-day Ulchi Civil Defence Drills, which is specially designed to boost the government readiness for the first time after the Coronavirus pandemic occurred.

 

2. Vikram Doraiswami appointed to UK as India’s High Commissioner: Vikram K. Doraiswami, a seasoned diplomat appointed as India’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom which is seen as a significant position given the two nations’ expanding strategic alliance. Vikram K. Doraiswami is Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh currently. He is an Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1992 batch. In May 1994, Vikram K. Doraiswami was appointed Third Secretary in the Indian High Commission in Hong Kong after completing his in-service training in New Delhi between 1992 and 1993.

 

3. Netanyahu’s autobiography ‘Bibi: My Story’ to be out in November 2022: Former Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu’s memoir will be coming in November 2022. It is titled “Bibi: My Story”. The book will range from Netanyahu’s early years to his singular perspective on the geopolitics of the Middle East and his negotiations with Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Trump to secure the future of his country.

Note: Israel Capital: Jerusalem; Currency: Sheqel; President: Isaac Herzog; Prime Minister: Yair Lapid

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Antim Panghal won gold medal at U-20 World Wrestling Championship: 17-year-old wrestler Antim Panghal has won the gold medal in the women’s 53kg category at the World U20 Wrestling Championships 2022 in Sofia, Bulgaria. With the top podium finish, 17-year-old Antim Panghal became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the U20 world wrestling championships. She defeated Kazakhstan’s Atlyn Shagayeva. Antim belongs to Haryana’s Hisar district. It was the 45th edition of the U-20 World Wrestling Championship.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Rajasthan with highest share in cost of projects approved by banks: An article titled ‘Private Corporate Investment: Growth in 2021-22 and Outlook for 2022-23.’ by RBI has revealed that Rajasthan has accounted for the highest share in the total cost of projects sanctioned by banks and financial institutions in FY22. The state has retained the top position for two consecutive years. Uttar Pradesh at the second position followed by Gujarat.

State-wise data reveals that during 2021-22, more than half (56.4 percent) of the projects were taken up in five states, viz., Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. The share of these five states increased significantly from an average share of 40.7 percent during the period between 2012-13 and 2019-20 to more than 50 percent during the last two years.

Note: Rajasthan Capital: Jaipur; Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Kalraj Mishra

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. IREDA and MAHAPREIT sign an MoU to provide loans for green energy projects: The Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd. (MAHAPREIT), a fully owned subsidiary of MPBCDC (49% owned by the Government of India and 51% owned by the Government of Maharashtra), and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) signed a memorandum of understanding. About the MoU

a)      According to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, IREDA will provide MAHAPREIT with financing options for the renewable energy projects that will be developed for public utilities, local governments, and the infrastructure of renewable energy parks.

b)      The Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of IREDA, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, and the CMD of MAHAPREIT, Shri Bipin Shrimali, both signed the MoU.

c)       As part of this partnership, IREDA will also do techno-financial due diligence on MAHAPREIT‘s initiatives involving renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation.

Goals of the MoU

a)      It will help to assist the Indian government in achieving its goal of obtaining 50% of its energy from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

b)      These programmes might promote green investment and create thousands of employment.

c)       To satisfy the expanding demand in the RE industry, IREDA created a specialised Business Development and Consultancy branch two years ago.

d)      This is the eleventh Memorandum of Understanding that IREDA has signed in the previous two years to offer consultation services for the nation’s sustainable development.

 

2. Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted to step down next year: Adidas CEO, Kasper Rorsted will step down next year, the sports apparel maker. Rorsted, who has been CEO since 2016, and its supervisory board mutually agreed that he will hand over during the course of 2023. Rorsted’s departure was a mutual decision of the supervisory board and the CEO following confidential discussions.

Note: Adidas Founder: Adolf Dassler; Adidas Founded: 18 August 1949; Adidas Headquarters: Herzogenaurach, Germany.

 

3. Sajith Sivanandan Appointed as the Head of Disney+Hotstar: Sajith Sivanandan has been appointed as the executive vice-president and head of Disney+Hotstar. Sajith Sivanandan will be reporting to Chairman of Disney’s International Content and Operations Group, Rebecca Campbell, and President of Disney Star, K. Madhavan. He will start working with Disney+Hotstar in October with a dual reporting line of Disney Star.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India’s first-of-its-kind naval shooting range inaugurated at INS Karna: A first-of-its-kind, Composite Indoor Shooting Range (CISR) was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta at INS Karna. The CISR is a state-of-the-art, self-contained, 25 m, six-lane, live firing range for all primary and secondary weapons in the Navy. With advanced target systems and associated control software, this range would enable personnel to hone their firing skills, enabling them to challenge and take on adversaries in demanding scenarios.

INS Karna is the first in the Navy & the only military unit in the country to set up and use a facility of this kind. The range has been set up to contemporary international standards by an Indian firm and is a shining example of Atma Nirbhar Bharat in the year of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The entire facility was set up in a record time of 120 days from the award of the contract to the firm.

 

2. Boeing Pitches ‘Atmanirbhar strategy’ for Naval Fighter Jets: In the coming week, India will commission its first Indigenous aircraft carrier. US aviation major Boeing has made a strong pitch for the Indian Navy to choose the F/A 18 Super Hornet fighter jet, claiming that it would bring a profit of $3.6 billion in domestic manufacturing. Boeing has joined its offers with the Government scheme Aatmanirbhaar Bharat, before the commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant which will operate the new fighters. Vikrant is the largest warship built by India, and India plans to buy 26 carrier-based fighters for Vikrant. This deal will be done through a Government-to-Government deal to meet the needs of the Indian Navy, with the US firm competing with French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation has pitched its Rafale-M jets.

F/A-18 Super Hornet: F/A-18 Super Hornet is a premium frontline multi-role naval fighter, which is already in service of the US Navy.