Daily GK Update- 23rd Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Aloke Singh to be chief of Air India LCC business from January 2023: The Air India management has appointed Air India Express CEO, Aloke Singh as the new chief executive officer of Air India's Low Cost Carrier (LCC) business from January 1, 2023. The LCC business will comprise AirAsia India and Air India Express. The current AirAsia India CEO, Sunil Bhaskaran will assume the leadership of a new initiative -- an aviation training academy. AirAsia India was launched in 2014 while Air India Express started operations back in 2005. “The two constituent airlines will continue to have the full complement of regulatory post-holders until the merger is complete but, for now, a single CEO will provide the clarity and singular accountability necessary to navigate the process,” Air India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson said in the internal communication. 

 

2. Shamsher Singh as MD and CEO of SBI Funds: Shamsher Singh has been appointed as the MD & CEO of SBI Funds Management Limited (SBIFML). Prior to this role, he served as the Deputy MD of State Bank of India. He had joined SBI as probationary officer in June 1990. He has more than 32 years of rich experience working with SBI in various verticals, including investment banking, treasury, corporate banking and branch banking. SBIFML is a JV between SBI and Europe’s largest asset manager, Amundi. Singh has more than 32 years of rich experience working with SBI in various verticals, including investment banking, treasury, corporate banking and branch banking. He had joined SBI as probationary officer in June 1990 and moved up the ranks to become deputy MD by successfully managing leadership roles across domains besides serving international stints in the US, Bahrain and UAE.

 

3. Petroleum Ministry organizes musical event 'Dance to Decarbonise': The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has organised one of its kind musical event, Dance to Decarbonise at the National Stadium in New Delhi on 23rd Dec 2022. As per the ministry, the renewable energy generated through dance will be used to charge electric vehicles. Aim: To showcase the India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 weighing against the country's growing economy, and rising energy requirements over transformational energy systems for the future

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry will organise a one of its kind musical event, Dance to Decarbonise, National Stadium in New Delhi today.
The Ministry has informed that the renewable energy generated through dance will be used to charge electric vehicles.

 

4. Assam grants industry status to its tourism sector: The Assam State Cabinet led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has approved the proposal for grant of industry status to the tourism sector in the state. Aim: To boost investments and generate employment. The industry status, fresh investments in tourism infrastructure, permanent in nature, will contribute towards rapid employment generation, public-private partnership and development. Tourism is to be one of the main sources of income generation for the people over the years. State tourism minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said with the industry status, fresh investments in tourism infrastructure, permanent in nature, will contribute towards rapid employment generation, public-private partnership and development.

 

5. Odisha CM launches 'Drink From Tap' facility in 19 cities, towns: Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik has launched the ‘Drink From Tap’ project in 19 cities and towns of the state.

Aim: To provide safe drinking water provision at every home in the state Earlier, this facility was unveiled in Puri and Gopalpur. Under the project, drinking water will be supplied round the clock through taps installed in households. CM has announced that at least 5.55 lakh people in the 19 cities and the towns would benefit from the project.

 

6. TATA Projects, CSIR-IIP ink MoU for Clean Energy Solutions: TATA Projects Limited has inked an MoU with the CSIR – Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR – IIP) to collaborate and work together towards ensuring clean energy solutions. As part of this agreement, clean energy solutions such as room temperature bio-diesel produced from CSIR-IIP shall be used across some of Tata Projects’ ongoing sites. This partnership will also explore utilization of by-product Green Diesel from the existing DILSAAF™. one of India's fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies yesterday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR – IIP) to collaborate and work together towards ensuring clean energy solutions.

 

7. LG Manoj Sinha launched 3 New Schemes for J&K: Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha has launched three new schemes- Holistic Development of Agriculture & Allied Sectors, 2. Aspirational Towns, and 3. Aspirational Panchayat for J&K. The projects which have now been approved by the administrative council, have an outlay of 5013 crore rupees. Over the next five years, these projects would transform the agriculture economy of J&K putting it on a new trajectory of growth with doubling the output of the sectors and making them sustainable and commercially viable.

 

8. India’s manned space flight ‘H1’ to launch in fourth quarter of 2024: Union minister of state for Space and Technology Jitendra Singh has announced that India’s maiden human space flight ‘H1’ mission is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024. The uncrewed ‘G1’ mission is targeted to be launched in the last quarter of 2023 followed by the second uncrewed ‘G2’ mission in the second quarter of 2024, before the final human space flight ‘H1’ mission in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Rs 10,000 crore project aims to take a three-person Indian crew into orbit for five to seven days before returning them safely to Earth The Gaganyaan project was conceived in 2007 and it was formally started in 2018. Four Indian Air Force pilots have been identified as crew for the mission who are undergoing training in Russia.

 

9. 23 December – National Farmers Day: Kisan Diwas or National Farmers Day is observed every year on December 23 across India. Objective – To mark the vital contributions of farmers who produce food for around 141 crore people of India. Kisan Diwas is observed in honour and memory of our fifth Prime Minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was born on that day in 1902. This year we celebrate his 120th birth anniversary.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan appointed as next Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia: According to the Ministry of External Affairs, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) official of 1997 batch, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He will replace Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, a 1989 batch IFS officer. Presently, he is serving as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Lebanon. He has also served as a United Nations Pension Board member in 2016 and 2017. An Indian Foreign Service official of 1997 batch, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan who is presently the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Lebanon has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He will replace Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, a 1989 batch IFS officer. Dr. Khan is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

 

2. Suhel Ajaz Khan appointed India’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia: The Government of India has appointed senior diplomat Suhel Ajaz Khan as India’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Khan will replace Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, a 1989 batch IFS officer. Suhel Ajaz Khan is a 1997-batch Indian Foreign Service officer and is presently serving as Indian ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Goa to host 1st ever World Table Tennis series in India: India’s first ever World Table Tennis (WTT) series event will be hosted by Goa from February 27 to March 5 2023. The event will be held at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium, located at the Goa University Campus. Stupa Analytics, a homegrown sports analytics firm, will be the tournament host with active support from the Goa government. WTT Series is the official professional table tennis series of events, with the world’s best players. “Goa is the nation’s biggest tourist destination and I am overjoyed to welcome WTT to our shores as they announce WTT Contenders Goa 2023 as the first event of the WTT Calendar. We are happy that Goa has been chosen as the host for a WTT event for the very first time in India," said state tourism minister Rohan Khaunte during the press conference.

 

2. Viacom18 bagged Paris Olympics 2024 broadcasting rights: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Viacom18 Media Private Limited (Viacom18) has secured exclusive media rights to broadcast the Olympic Games Paris 2024. It has also secured the non-exclusive rights to the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024, in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It will provide multi-platform coverage of the Games and ensure free-to-air television coverage within the region. In 2024, France in Paris, beginning from July 26 to August 11, will host the Olympics. In recent times, it has been bolstering it’s sports content with rights for FIFA and digital rights for IPL till 2027. While IOC did not specify the deal size, media experts peg the deal at Rs 200-250 crore. Viacom 18 had won the broadcast rights of the recently-concluded Fifa World Cup for Rs 450 crore.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022 announced: Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages on 22nd December 2022. 7 books of poetry, 6 of novel, 2 of short stories, 3 Play/Dramas, 2 Literary Criticism, one each of Autobiographical Essays, Collection of Articles and Literary History have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022. The awardee will receive an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and Rs.1,00,000 in Cash.

It also announced the ‘Sahitya Akademi Translation’ awards for 2022.

 

2. Prof. Thalappil Pradeep received VinFuture special prize 2022: Renowned researcher and Madras IIT Professor, Pradeep Thalappil has received the VinFuture Prize 2022 instituted by the VinFuture Prize Council to honour breakthrough research projects. He has been awarded the ‘Special Prize dedicated to Innovators from Developing Countries’ for his development of a low-cost filtration system to remove arsenic and other heavy metals from groundwater. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri (2020), Nikkei Asia Prize (2020). Indian scientist, Prof. Thalappil Pradeep, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras received VinFuture special prize on 20th Dec. 2022 in Hanoi for innovation of a low-cost filtration system to remove arsenic and other heavy metals from groundwater.

 

3. Shah Rukh Khan the only Indian to feature on Empire’s 50 Greatest Actors off All Time List: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has become the only Indian to be named in an international list of 50 greatest actors of all time by a prominent British magazine. The 57-year-old actor is included in Empire magazine’s list which also recognizes Hollywood giants like Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Anthony Marlon Brando, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, and many others From his extensive filmography, the publication highlighted Shah Rukh Khan’s notable characters from four movies — Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed “Devdas”, Karan Johar’s “My Name Is Khan” and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, and “Swades”, directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar.

His dialogue from the 2012 movie ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ — “Zindagi toh har roz jaan leti hai… Bomb toh sirf ek baar lega” (Everyday life kills us a little. A bomb will kill you only once) — has been recognized as the “iconic line” of his career. The actor will be next seen in the actioner “Pathaan”, set to be released worldwide on January 25, 2023. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the movie also stars John Abraham and Deepika Padukone.

 

4. Sudeep & Shobhana won Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2021-22: Sudeep Sen and Shobhana Kumar has won the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2021-22. Sudeep Sen has been recognized for Anthropocene: Climate Change, Contagion, Consolation (Pippa Rann Books & Media, 2021). While, Shobhana Kumar for her haibun collection A Sky Full of Bucket Lists (Red River, 2021). The winners, awarded $10,000 and a Rabindranath Tagore statuette, were picked from a shortlist of 11 at India International Centre with the Tagore Prize for social achievement going to Sanjoy K Roy, producer of the Jaipur Literature Festival. The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize was started in 2018 to annually recognise literary and social accomplishments. In 2020, the award was won by Raj Kamal Jha, Chief Editor for The City and The Sea (Penguin Books).

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India, Japan to conduct first bilateral air combat exercise in January 2023: India and Japan will organise their maiden bilateral air combat exercise, Veer Guardian 2023 from January 16 to 26 at Hyakuri air base and Iruma air base in Japan. Reason: To promote the mutual understanding, strengthen defence cooperation between the Air Forces, and enhance JASDF’s tactical skill. India will deploy four Sukhoi-30MKI fighters supported by two C-17 Globemaster-III strategic lift aircraft, one IL-78 mid-air refueler and around 150 IAF personnel.

The exercise `Veer Guardian’, to be conducted at the Hyakuri and Iruma air-bases in Japan from January 16 to 26, will see India deploying four Sukhoi-30MKI fighters supported by two C-17 Globemaster-III strategic lift aircraft, one IL-78 mid-air refueler and around 150 IAF personnel. Japan, in turn, will deploy F-2 and F-15 fighters, among assets, for the exercise.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Veteran Telugu actor Kaikala Satyanarayana passes away: Veteran Telugu actor, Kaikala Satyanarayana has been passed away at the age of 87 in Hyderabad. He was honoured with the several awards including Raghupati Venkaiah Award (2011), Filmfare Awards for lifetime achievement award for Telugu cinema (2017) and the Andhra Pradesh government’s Nandi film awards. He was also elected to the 11th Lok Sabha from Machilipatnam on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) but withdrew from politics after 1998.

 

2. Former PepsiCo India chairman, PM Sinha passes away: PepsiCo legend, PM Sinha, who popularly known as Suman has been passed away at the age of 82 in Gurugram. He started his career from Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL, later HUL). He served as the chairman of PepsiCo India between 1992 and 2002. He was also credited with launching bottled water brand Aquafina in India. He helped acquire Duke’s in Mumbai and snack food company, Uncle Chipps. He also joined Bata as chairman in 2004 and is credited with restructuring the company.

Daily GK Update- 22nd Dec, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government appoints former SC Judge Hemant Gupta as new Chief of NDIAC: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of former Supreme Court (SC) Justice, Hemant Gupta as the new chairperson of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC). The govt has also appointed Anant Vijay Palli as the part-time members of NIDAC. Justice Gupta was served as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Purpose of NDIAC: To create an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised arbitration. Two months after his retirement as a judge of the Supreme Court, the Centre has appointed Justice Hemant Gupta as Chairperson of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre. In a notification issued December 19, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Justice Gupta’s appointment. He retired on October 16, after a four-year tenure in the top court.

 

2. Defence ministry's iDEX-DIO signs its 150th innovation contract: Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), flagship initiative of Department of Defence Production, has signed its 150th contract in New Delhi. The contract was related to an Indian Navy project of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition. The challenge was titled ‘Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATT) capable of simulating the sound and movement of a submarine’. The iDEX framework was launched by the Prime Minister in 2018. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of Department of Defence Production, has reached a milestone with the signing of its 150^th contract. The contract relates to an Indian Navy project of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition. The challenge was titled ‘Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Target (EMATT) capable of simulating the sound and movement of a submarine’ and the winner was Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd, Pune.

 

3. Delhi govt schools to introduce pre lunch 'mini snack' break: Delhi government has decided to introduce mini snack breaks to battle malnutrition in children. According to a circular by the Directorate of Education (DoE), schools have been directed to include a 10-minute mini snack break in the school timetable. The mini break should be 2.5 hours before the lunch break.

Schools have been asked to prepare a weekly planner of snacks offering three food choices every day which may include food items such as seasonal fruits etc.

 

4. Kerala set to host first International Beach Festival: Kerala government will host the Bekal International Beach Festival from 24 Dec - 2 Jan 2022 at the Spice Coast, in the far north of Kerala. Aim: To revitalise the district’s development by showcasing its potential. The festival will be staged at the three venues of Chandragiri, Thejaswini, and Payaswini. The event will organised by Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) in association with the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kudumbashree, Asmi Holidays.

Kasaragod (Ker), Dec 22 (PTI) The ‘Spice Coast’ in the far north of Kerala, better known as North Malabar, will bask in myriad colours and the pomp and splendour of the cultural extravaganza titled ‘Bekal International Beach Festival’ from December 24.

 

5. Social Progress Index 2022: Puducherry best-performing States: According to the Social Progress Index 2022, Puducherry has emerged as the best-performing State, followed by Lakshadweep, and Goa. Puducherry had the highest score of 65.99 for its remarkable performance across components like personal freedom and choice, shelter, and water and sanitation. Lakshadweep and Goa followed close with scores of 65.89 and 65.53, respectively.

Jharkhand and Bihar scored the lowest, 43.95 and 44.47, respectively. Aizawl (Mizoram) attained the highest SPI score of 72.90 in the country, with five more districts of Mizoram belonging to this tier, namely Lungei (69.80), Champhai (67.93), Serchhip (67.77), Saiha (65.79) and Mamit (64.84). Over 69 percent of Uttarakhand’s districts witnessed Very High Social Progress, whereas 30 percent of Arunachal Pradesh’s districts fall into this category.

Nagpur is the only district in Maharashtra that has achieved Very High Social Progress.

 

6. Vadnagar town, Modhera Sun Temple added to UNESCO’s tentative list: Three new cultural sites in India, including iconic Sun Temple at Modhera, historic Vadnagar town in Gujarat, and rock-cut relief sculptures of Unakoti in Tripura, have been added to the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites. The UNESCO website describes a tentative list as an “inventory of those properties which each State Party intends to consider for nomination”. Vadnagar, an ancient city in Mehsana district of Gujarat is steeped in history and endowed with rich built heritage.

Rock Cut Sculptures and reliefs of the Unakoti, Tripura have also been added in the list. India has a total of 40 sites which enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage tag. These include 32 cultural sites, such as Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Harappan-era site in Dholavira, Elephanta Caves, Red Fort complex in Delhi, and Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bodh Gaya in Bihar.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nasa formally retires Mars InSight lander after 4-year mission: Nasa has announced that Mars InSight lander has been retired four years after it touched down on the surface of the red planet. It was the first robotic probe, which was specially designed to study the deep interior of a distant world. Mission controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) concluded that the mission had ended when two consecutive attempts to re-establish radio contact with the lander failed. InSight landed on Mars in late November 2018.

NASA’s InSight mission has ended after more than four years of collecting unique science on Mars. Mission controllers at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California were unable to contact the lander after two consecutive attempts, leading them to conclude the spacecraft’s solar-powered batteries have run out of energy – a state engineers refer to as “dead bus.”

 

2. UI ranks MAHE as most sustainable university in India: According to the UI Green Metric World University Rankings 2022, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has been topped in India and ranked 121st worldwide for being the most sustainable university. In 2022, 1050 universities from 85 countries had been participated. Top universities: Wageningen University  Research (Netherlands); Nottingham Trent University (UK), University of Nottingham (UK), University of Groningen (Netherlands), Iniversity of California, Davis MAHE’s total score for this year was 8,050 with six criteria: Setting and Infrastructure, Education and Research, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water, and Transportation. The UI Green Metric World University Ranking is a ranking on green campus and environmental sustainability initiated by Universitas Indonesia in 2010. It helps in measuring each participating university’s commitment in developing an environmentally friendly and sustainable university.

 

3. India-Indonesia Investment and Business Forum meeting held in Port Blair: A meeting of the Joint Task Force Committee of ‘India-Indonesia Investment and Business Forum’ to identify new areas of cooperation, develop infrastructure, tourism, trade, and connectivity to enhance business relations was held in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar. This is the second meeting of the Task Force Committee. The first meeting was held in the Indonesian Capital of Jakarta on November 25, 2019. Indonesia’s Sabang port in Aceh is around 90 nautical miles from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India is keen to expand trade and tourism with Indonesia. Indonesia’s Sabang port in Aceh is around 90 nautical miles from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From Port Blair, the distance from Chennai and Kolkata is 794 nautical miles and 901 nautical miles respectively. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia in 2018, he called for a Joint Task Force Committee from both sides to boost bilateral investments.

 

4. Elon Musk to step down as Twitter CEO: Billionaire Elon Musk will step down as chief executive of Twitter Inc. once he finds a replacement, but will still run some key divisions of the social media platform. Musk’s Twitter post came as a reply to his earlier poll, where he asked people if he should resign as the head of Twitter. He also promised that he would “abide by the results” of the poll. The result of the poll showed that 57.5% of respondents were in favour of Musk stepping down. This is the first time Musk has mentioned stepping down as chief of the social media platform. Twitter, Inc. is an American social media company based in San Francisco, California.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Viacom18 gets broadcast rights of Olympic Games Paris 2024: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Viacom18 Media Private Limited (Viacom18) has secured the exclusive media rights to broadcast the Olympic Games Paris 2024. It has also secured the non-exclusive rights to the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024, in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In 2024, Olympics will be hosted by France in Paris, beginning from July 26 to August 11.

 

2. FIFA picked Morocco to host Club World Cup in February 2023: FIFA has announced that Morocco will host the next football Club World Cup. The tournament will take place from 1-11 Feb 2023. The most recent edition of the tournament was held in the UAE in February 2022 and was won by the English football club, Chelsea. Morocco also hosted Club World Cups in 2013 and 2014, which were won by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively. Only European and South American teams have won the Club World Cup since it was revived in the current format in 2005. FIFA has long wanted to launch an expanded version with 24 or 32 teams in a tournament played in June.

 

3. New Delhi to host the 36th Asian Wrestling Championships 2023: The United World Wrestling (UWW) announced that the 36th Asian Wrestling Championships 2023 will be held in New Delhi from 28 March to 2 April 2023. The Asian Championships will be held in New Delhi for the 36th time. The annual gathering will take place for the seventh time in the Indian capital. It will offer ranking points to the wrestlers which will determine their seedings for the World Championships to be held in Belgrade, Serbia from 16 to 24 Sept 2023. The World Wrestling Championships is scheduled to take place in Belgrade, Serbia from 16 to 24 September 2023. The first edition of the Asian Wrestling Championships in 1979 was also held in India with Jalandhar as the host city. Mumbai hosted it once in 1987.

 

4. 21st December – Winter Solstice Day: December 21 is a day of great events, as it marks the Winter Solstice. Also known as December solstice, hiemal solstice or hibernal solstice, the event takes place when one of the Earth’s pole is tilted away from the sun at its maximum distance. Apparently, this causes the day to have the shortest period of daylight due to being away from the sun, with the longest night of the year. This day is marked once every year on either December 21 or 22 mostly in countries witnessing the winter season, like the UK, the US, India, Russia, China, and Canada. Summer Solstice (21 JUNE) is the longest day of the year which is considered as the start of the summer season.

Equinox twice a year, day and night are about the same length in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

 

5. 22 December – National Mathematics Day: National Mathematics Day is celebrated on 22 December every year to mark the birth anniversary of Indian mathematical genius, Srinivasa Ramanujan. Ramanujan attributed his mathematical theories and solutions to his family goddess, Namagiri Thayar, or Goddess Lakshmi. On December 26, 2011, former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, declared December 22 as National Mathematics Day, while attending the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Ramanujan at Madras University, the latter’s alma mater The day was first celebrated in 2012. A postage stamp with Ramanujan’s image was also issued in 2012 by the then Government of India, to mark National Mathematics Day. When we talk about Indian mathematicians, Aryabhata is the first name that comes to mind. He was the first to state that the Earth is spherical and revolves around the sun, as well as that the correct number of days in a year is 365. He came up with the concept of zero in the number system. He was born in 1887 in Erode, Tamil Nadu. In 1911 Ramanujan published the 1st of his papers in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society.

1729 is known as the Ramanujan Number.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IFSCA and CEEW sign MoU to cooperate on sustainable finance: The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has signed an MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) for mutual assistance and cooperation in the area of sustainable finance.

India recently launched Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) as an India-led global movement to protect and preserve the environment.  CEEW research has estimated that India’s net zero by 2070 target would require USD 10 trillion in investments.

Shri Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson - IFSCA, said, “India has shown global leadership in climate action and has committed itself to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. This MoU between IFSCA and CEEW, focusing on broad areas of sustainable finance, is a step towards achieving climate goals and mobilising global capital, through IFSC, towards sustainable development”.

 

2. IPL surpasses $10 billion valuation and becomes decacorn: The total valuation of Indian Premier League (IPL) has been surpassed $10 billion, has evolved into a decacorn. According to the D and P Advisory report titled “Beyond 22 Yards” stated that the league is currently worth $10.9 billion. According to the reports, the IPL attained the significant milestone after selling its media rights for the years 2023 to 2027. In less than 15 years since its beginning, the IPL has reached the milestone.

 

3. Worldline ePayments India receives RBI nod to act as payment aggregator: Digital payments services platform, Worldline ePayments India has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to act as a payment aggregator (PA). The authorisation by the RBI was under the provisions of the Guidelines on Regulation of Payment dated March 17, 2020. Payment Aggregator: It is a service provider that integrates various options of online payments together and brings them into one place for merchants. "We've been in the Indian market for more than two decades and have built a leadership position. We work with merchants from various segments such as eCommerce, BFSI, Retail, Utilities, Education, Travel and Hospitality for digital payments," Ramesh Narasimhan, Chief Executive Officer, of Worldline India, said in the statement.

 

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Sudeep Sen, Shobhana Kumar won Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2021-22: The prestigious Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2021-22 has been jointly won by Sudeep Sen and Shobhana Kumar. Sudeep Sen has been recognised for Anthropocene: Climate Change, Contagion, Consolation (Pippa Rann Books & Media, 2021). While, Shobhana Kumar for her haibun collection A Sky Full of Bucket Lists (Red River, 2021).
The winner receives $10,000 along with a Rabindranath Tagore statuette, while the shortlisted authors each receive $500. The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2021-22 has been jointly won by Sudeep Sen for his genre and formbender Anthropocene: Climate Change, Contagion, Consolation (Pippa Rann Books & Media, 2021) and Shobhana Kumar for her haibun collection A Sky Full of Bucket Lists (Red River, 2021).

 

2. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs won Platinum Icon in Digital India Awards 2022: The Smart Cities Mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has won the Platinum Icon at the Digital India Awards 2022 for their initiative “Data Smart Cities: Empowering Cities through Data”. The award was announced under the ‘Data Sharing and Use for Socio-Economic Development’ category. Sethrichem Sangtam awarded Rohini Nayyar prize for rural development: Better Life Foundation Founder Sethrichem Sangtam has been honoured with the first Rohini Nayyar prize for outstanding contribution to rural development. Reason – To help transform the lives of 1,200 marginal farmers in Eastern Nagaland. He was awarded the prize by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery. The family of Late Dr. Rohini Nayyar, an eminent scholar-administrator who worked on issues related to rural development has instituted the award.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Gamaka exponent H.R. Keshava Murthy passes away: Gamaka exponent, H R Keshava Murthy has been passed away at the age of 89 in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. He training in music from his father and later from Venkateshaiah. The Government of India in the field of arts honoured him with Shantala Natya Sri Award by the Government of Karnataka in 1998 and Padma Shri in 2022. Gamaka: It is a form of storytelling by singing that originated in Karnataka, India.

Daily GK Update- 21st Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Steel Minister launches first Green Steel Brand of India: Jyotiraditya Scindia (Steel Minister) has launched the India's first Green Steel Brand 'KALYANI FeRRESTA' in New Delhi on 20th December 2022. This first-of-its-kind steel was manufactured by a Pune-based Steel company, Kalyani group. It was manufactured by using renewable energy resources, leaving zero carbon footprints in the environment. The plant where green steel is being produced has the capacity to manufacture 250,000 tonnes of steel. Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched India's first Green Steel Brand - KALYANI FeRRESTA in New Delhi today. This first-of-its-kind steel has been manufactured by a Pune-based Steel company, Kalyani group by using renewable energy resources, leaving zero carbon footprints in the environment.

 

2. Puducherry aces 2022 Social Progress Index: According to the 2022 Social Progress Index, Puducherry has been emerged as the best-performing States, followed by Lakshadweep, and Goa. Top three performing districts: Shimla, Solan, and Aizawl The index assesses states and districts based on 12 components across three critical dimensions - Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity. The report was prepared by Institute for Competitiveness and the Social Progress Imperative and mandated by EAC-PM. Puducherry has the highest SPI score of 65.99 in the country, attributable to its remarkable performance across components like Personal Freedom and Choice, Shelter, and Water and Sanitation. Lakshadweep scored 65.89 and Goa closely follow with 65.53. Jharkhand and Bihar scored the lowest.

 

3. IICA launches programme to create Impact Leaders in areas of ESG: Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) has launched a programme to create Impact Leaders in the areas of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG). IICA is an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Leena Nandan (Environment Secretary) was the Chief Guest at the launch of the programme. IICA has also formed a National Association of Impact Leaders which is a membership-based association only for ESG professionals. Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs has launched a programme to create Impact Leaders in the areas of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG). IICA is an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 

 

4. Dinesh Kumar Shukla appointed as new chief of AERB: Senior nuclear scientist, Dinesh Kumar Shukla has been appointed as the chairperson of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for a period of three years. He has succeeded G. Nageswara Rao to the top post.

Prior to this role, he has been the executive director of the AERB. He was a graduate in mechanical engineering from the Jabalpur University, Shukla joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1981.

 

5. Nitin Gadkari launched Surety Bond Insurance product from Bajaj Allianz: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has launched one of India’s first-ever Surety Bond Insurance products from Bajaj Allianz. Surety Bond Insurance — which will help replace bank guarantees — is expected to optimize capital for contractors while giving a fillip to the country’s infrastructure sector. This product launch is in line with the Government’s vision to up-scale the infrastructure development in the country. In Budget 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Surety Bond Insurance would be allowed as a substitute for bank guarantees in case of government procurement and also for gold imports. Surety Bond Insurance, which is mainly aimed at infrastructure development, is a risk transfer tool that shields the principal from the losses that may arise in case the contractor fails to perform their contractual obligation.

 

6. Assam government launched Orunodoi 2.0 scheme: Assam government has launched a special scheme Orunodoi 2.0. The flagship scheme of the state government aimed at providing financial security to financially disadvantaged families. Around 17 lakh women have been receiving an amount of Rs 1,250 each on the 10th of every month through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method under the first phase of this social sector scheme April 2023 onwards, all the existing beneficiaries of the Deen Dayal Divyangan Pension Yojana and Indira Miri Widow Pension Scheme would be subsumed under Orunodoi 2.0. Divyangans and transgenders would also be included under the ‘Orunodoi’ scheme.

 

7. Jyotiraditya Scindia launched India’s first Green Steel Brand: Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has launched India’s first Green Steel Brand ‘KALYANI FeRRESTA’ in New Delhi. This first-of-its-kind steel has been manufactured by a Pune-based Steel company, Kalyani group by using renewable energy resources, leaving zero carbon footprints in the environment. The plant where green steel is being produced has the capacity to manufacture 250,000 tonnes of steel.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UAE to host World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference 2024: The 13th edition of the World Trade Organization ministerial conference will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in February 2024. The WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) took place in June 2022 in Geneva. For the UAE, hosting the meeting is part of its own push to position itself as a global hub for business amid growing competition in the Middle East. WTO was founded in 1995.The WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

 

2. Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2022: India ranked 68th; topped by Finland: The Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2022 report has been released by the British weekly The Economist.

The 11th Global Food Security Index shows a deterioration in the global food environment for the third year, threatening food security. In this report, South Africa overtook Tunisia to become the most food-secure country in Africa. It measures the underlying drivers of food security based on the following factors- Affordability, Availability, Quality and Safety, Natural Resources and Resilience. India is ranked at 68th position along with Algeria with the overall score of 58.9. China’s position is at 25th with the score of 74.2. While Finland topped.

India was ranked at 71st position in the Global Food Security (GFS) Index 2021 of 113 countries with an overall score of 57.2 points on the GFS Index 2021.

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Karim Benzema announces retirement from international football: France forward Karim Benzema announced his retirement from International football after the FIFA World Cup 2022 came to an end. Benzema ends his time with France with 37 goals in 97 appearances.

When Benzema made his debut for France against Austria in March 2007, he scored while playing as a substitute. He was included in the France team for Euro 2020, and he ended up being the third-highest scorer with four goals.

 

2. Rehan Ahmed becomes youngest to claim 5 wickets on Test Cricket debut: England’s leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has become the youngest men’s Test cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on debut during the ongoing third match against Pakistan. He made his Test debut at 18 years and 126 days during Pakistan and England match. He claimed three wickets in six overs on his way to 5-48 in the second innings against Pakistan. Rehan broke the record of now-Australian captain, right-arm fast-bowler Pat Cummins, who was 18 years and 193 days when he took 6-79 on his Test debut against South Africa in 2011.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Leh - J&K bank signs MoU to provide banking facilities to the UT employees: UT Ladakh and the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide banking facilities to the UT employees. Under the MoU, J&K Bank would give the most favoured client status to the UT Administration as well as the active permanent employees who have their salary accounts in J&K Bank Aim: To increase awareness about banking facilities

J&K Bank will also organize various financial literacy camps at its centres for UT employees. Union Territory Ladakh and the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to provide banking facilities to the UT employees. Under the MoU, J&K Bank would give the most favoured client status to the UT Administration as well as the active permanent employees who have their salary accounts in J&K Bank.

 

2. SEBI to introduce regulatory framework for 'execution only platforms': Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced that it will introduce a regulatory framework for "Execution Only Platforms (EOP)" for direct plans of mutual fund schemes. The new rules will make make it convenient for investors to make investment via Execution Only Platforms (EOPs) as well as appropriate investor protection mechanisms. It will have investor protection mechanism, cyber security requirements, pricing of services and grievance redressal. SEBI on Tuesday said it will introduce a regulatory framework for "Execution Only Platforms" for direct plans of mutual fund schemes in a bid to further promote the penetration of such instruments as an investment vehicle.

 

3. Paytm, HDFC ERGO launches insurance for digital transactions: Paytm has partnered with the HDFC ERGO General Insurance to launch a group insurance plan called ‘Paytm Payment Protect’. Aim: To insure transactions made through UPI across all apps and wallets.

With the new insurance offering users would be able to secure themselves against mobile fraudulent transactions up to Rs 10,000. To avail this insurance, users need to pay Rs 30 per annum. Higher cover options for cover up to Rs 1 lakh per annum will soon be added to the product

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Sethrichem Sangtam awarded first Rohini Nayyar prize for rural development: Sethrichem Sangtam (40) has been honoured with the first Rohini Nayyar prize for outstanding contribution to rural development. Reason: To triple the incomes of 1,200 marginalised farmers in Eastern Nagaland. He introduced them fruit growing, prompting the farmers to change from shifting farming to permanent farming. He was awarded the prize by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Suman Bery. The award was instituted by the family of late Dr. Rohini Nayyar.

 

2. Gujarat's Vadnagar, Modhera Sun Temple on UNESCO sites tentative list: Gujarat's Vadnagar town, Sun Temple at Modhera, and the rock cut sculptures of Unakoti in Tripura have been added to the tentative list of UNCESO World Heritage Sites. The UNESCO tentative list is an “inventory of those properties which each State Party intends to consider for nomination”.

With the addition of these three sites, India now has 52 sites on the UNESCO tentative list.

India has a total of 40 sites which enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage tag. Gujarat so far has four World Heritage Sites: Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Rani ki Vav (Queen's Stepwell), Historic City of Ahmedabad and Dholavira. The Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann of Kutch has been on the tentative list since 2006.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy receives indigenously-built Scorpene-Class Submarine 'Vagir': Indian Navy has received the fifth indigenously-built Scorpène submarine 'Vagir', of Project - 75 Kalvari Class submarines. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France. The submarine would shortly be commissioned into the Navy and enhance its capability. Project - 75 includes the indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai delivered the fifth Scorpène submarine, Vagir of Project - 75 Kalvari Class submarines to the Indian Navy today.  The Defence Ministry said, the submarine would shortly be commissioned into the Navy and enhance its capability. Project - 75 includes the indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.

 

2. Indian Navy launches INS Arnala, first ship of ASW SWC Project: Indian Navy has launched 'Arnala', first ship of ASW SWC Project at Kattupalli, Chennai. This ship built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between Defence Ministry and GRSE, Kolkata in April 2019. Arnala class of ships will replace the Abhay class ASW Ships of the Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters and Low Intensity Maritime Operations. Arnala, the first ship of the ASW SWC Project, being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, GRSE for the Indian Navy was launched yesterday, December 20 at Kattupalli, Chennai. She made her first contact with the water of the Bay of Bengal at 1040 hrs at the launch ceremony graced by Rasika Chaube, Financial Adviser, Ministry of Defence.

 

3. Indian forces acquiring 'Pralay' ballistic missile: The Indian defence forces will induct 'Pralay' ballistic missiles that can hit targets from 150 to 500 km. Pralay is a quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile. Pralay is powered with solid propellant rocket motor with the capability to destroy enemy targets within a range of 150 to 500km. The proposal moved by the Indian defence forces is at an advanced stage and is scheduled to be taken up for clearance during a high-level meeting. Indian forces acquiring 'Pralay' ballistic missile for striking targets at 150-500 Km

 

4. Major General Mohit Seth takes over as GoC Kilo Force: Major General Mohit Seth took over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Counter Insurgency Force Kilo. He took over from Major General Sanjiv Singh Slaria who has been moved to Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, Major General Slaria’s tenure saw the Kilo Force take distinctive steps towards peace and stability in North Kashmir. Major General Seth was commissioned into the 3 MADRAS Regiment in December 1991. Major General Mohit Seth has also served as Indian Army Liaison Officer, High Commission of India, and United Kingdom.

 

5. INSV Tarini to participate in 50th edition of Cape Town to Rio Race 2023: INSV Tarini has set sail for an expedition to Cape Town, South Africa for participating in the 50th edition of Cape to Rio Race 2023. This ocean sailing race will be flagged off on 2nd January 2023 from Cape Town and will culminate at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Objective – To train crew onboard, in essential seamanship skills including Navigation, Communication, and Planning.

During the expedition, while transiting from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back, INSV Tarini would be covering a distance of almost 17000 nautical miles. The crew, over a period of 5-6 months in this trans-oceanic voyage is expected to face extreme weather and rough sea conditions of the Indian, Atlantic, and Southern oceans.

INSV Tarini is known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in the historic expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ in 2017.