Daily GK Update- 25th Dec, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. P N Vasudevan reappointed as MD, CEO of Equitas Small Finance Bank: P.N. Vasudevan has been reappointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of Equitas Small Finance Bank.His current term as MD, CEO will expire on July 22, 2023.The board of Bank has decided to renew his term for a further period of 3 years with effect from July 23, 2023, subject to approval from RBI.He is the founder of Equitas and has been associated with its journey as a microfinance institution since 2007.It was converted into a bank in 2016. “The Board believes that continuity of management and his leadership would help the Bank sustain its growth in a stable, scalable and inclusive manner. Accordingly the present ongoing process of identifying a successor to him will stand terminated,” the bank said.

 

2. Good Governance Day 2022: 25th December: India observed "Good Governance Day" on the birth anniversary (25th December) of former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Vihari Vajpayee.

In 2014, PM Narendra Modi has announced to observe "Good Governance Day" every year on December 25 in memory of the former PM. Purpose of this day: To increase public access to various government programmes and services via good governance. It was established with the slogan "Good Governance through e-Governance." The Indian government decided that every year December 25 would be a full day of work. The government has been commemorating Good Governance Day every year since 2014. The day is celebrated to t make sure that the country's residents are treated fairly by the government and they receive the advantages of various government services.

 

3. Researchers at IIT Kanpur developed organic solar cell devices: Researchers at IIT Kanpur have developed organic solar cells under the DST-RCUK APEX project.Organic solar cell: It is a combination of an organic polymer and PCBM developed on steel substrates can potentially convert a steel roof into an energy-producing device. The devices consist of a blend of organic polymer PTB7 as a donor and PCBM as an acceptor. It is a jointly developed programme of the Department of S&T and the Research Councils United Kingdom (RCUK).

An organic solar cells consisting of a combination of an organic polymer and PCBM (an organic semiconductor) developed on steel substrates can potentially convert a steel roof into an energy-producing device with greater efficiency than those currently available in the market.

 

4. PM Matsya Sampada Yojana envisages insurance coverage to fishers: Parshottam Rupala (Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying) has informed that Department of Fisheries, under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has provided an insurance coverage to fishers.The insurance coverage provided under the PMMSY includes:Rs.5,00,000/- against accidental death or permanent total disability Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability

Hospitalization expenses in the event of accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000/-

 

5. Cabinet approves revision of pension for defence personnel: Union Minister of information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur has informed that the Union Cabinet approved the revision of the pension for family pensioners of armed forces under One Rank One Pension (OROP) from July 1, 2019.The revision will entail an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 8450 crore. The arrears will be with effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022. The decision to implement OROP was taken by the Narendra Modi government on November 7, 2015. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners including war widows and disabled pensioners, Thakur said. He said benefits will be extended to about 25.13 lakh armed forces pensioners and family pensioners.

 

6. CJI D Y Chandrachud constituted committee to conduct accessibility audit of SC premises: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud has constituted a committee to conduct an audit of “physical and functional access” of the top court premises to make them disabled-friendly. The committee will be headed by Supreme Court Judge S Ravindra Bhat. The ‘Supreme Court Committee on Accessibility’ has been given a broad mandate to prepare and release a questionnaire for persons with disabilities, including the apex court employees, advocates, litigants and interns, who visit the top court premises to assess the nature and extent of problems they face.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sitiveni Rabuka becomes new Prime Minister of Fiji: Sitiveni Rabuka has become the 12th prime minister of Fiji after a coalition of parties voted to elect him. His appointment has ended 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament. Social Democratic Liberal party held the balance of power and voted to form a coalition with Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation party. In secret parliamentary votes, 28 members of parliament voting for Rabuka while 27 voted in support of Bainimarama. The appointment of Rabuka on Saturday ended 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament. Fiji’s Social Democratic Liberal party (Sodelpa) held the balance of power and on Friday voted to form a coalition with Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation party. Saturday’s secret parliamentary vote for prime minister was closer than had been expected, with 28 members of parliament voting for Rabuka while 27 voted in support of Bainimarama.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Geto Sora wins 2022 Junior International Badminton Championship title: Badminton player, Geto Sora (7) from Arunachal Pradesh has won title of 2022 Junior International Badminton Championship in the below 9 years category, organised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has defeated Jaryl Teh from Malaysia in straight sets 21-5, 21-16. In November 2022, he had won the U-9 boys singles title in the Yonex-Singha-BTY Championships 2022, held at the Banthongyord Badminton School in Bangkok, Thailand. Budding badminton sensation Geto Sora once again made Arunachal proud by winning the Top Arena Junior International Badminton Championship title in the below 9 years category, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, December 23.

 

2. Harmanpreet Singh to captain Indian team at the FIH men’s world cup 2023: Hockey India has announced Dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh as the captain of the Indian men’s Hockey team for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023. Amit Rohidas has been named as the vice-captain of the squad. The team coach is Graham Reid. The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup is held every four years and the 2022 event was postponed to 2023 due to the corona pandemic. The last 14th FIH Men’s World Cup Hockey was also played in Odisha in 2018.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF predicts 6.8% growth in current fiscal for India: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted the India's GDP growth rate of 6.8 per cent for the current fiscal year (2022-23). IMF has also estimated the India's growth rate of 6.1 per cent in the next fiscal years (2023-24). In its report, IMF has stated that the growth of India is expected to moderate as it is navigating a "very difficult" external environment. IMF has also highlighted that Indian economy has rebounded from the deep pandemic-related downturn.

 

2. IFC provides $400 million loan to HDFC to promote green housing: World Bank’s investment arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided to make a $400 million (around ₹3,400 crore) loan to mortgage lender HDFC Ltd, with an aim to drive India’s green housing growth. The capital will help HDFC boost its green affordable housing portfolio, with 75% (around $300 million) of the proceeds earmarked for this sector. Earlier in April, HDFC Ltd decided to merge with its banking subsidiary HDFC Bank. Green Houses are built with sustainable, environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, and recyclable resources. These houses are constructed in such a way that water, air, solar, and geothermal energy are optimally utilized, thus reducing energy waste. Affordable houses means that it will target Middle-income groups.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Football player, Beth Mead wins BBC Sports Personality of Year 2022 award: English football player, Beth Mead (27) has been awarded the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year as she was the player of the tournament and top scorer at Euro 2022. Beth Mead has defeated Germany in the finals at Wembley to win England’s first major women’s football trophy. She has competed against Ben Stokes and Ronnie O’Sullivan for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 award. While, Sarina Wiegman (England's manager) has won the Coach of the Year. However, Beth was the favorite to win. While Mead won, Stokes came in second place. Beth said she was speechless and massively honoured to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022.

 

2. UIDAI gets DSCI AISS Award for ‘Best Security Practices in Govt Sector’: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has won Data Security Council of India's (DSCI) award 2022 in Best Security Practices in Government Sector category. The award was given to UIDAI during DSCI's three-day Annual Information Security Summit (AISS) in New Delhi.

Reason: For its significant role in securing national critical Aadhaar infrastructure that provides digital identity-based welfare services to residents. UIDAI CEO: Dr. Saurabh Garg Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022 announced: Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages. 7 books of poetry, 6 novels, 2 short stories, 3 Play/Dramas, 2 Literary Criticisms, 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.

Daily GK Update- 24th Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Revamped probity, e-HRMS portal to be launched for central govt employees: Union minister Jitendra Singh is set to launch revamped probity portal and e-HRMS 2.0 portal for central government employees. At the  revamped e-HRMS 2.0 portal, employees could avail of limited services and it was not connected with other human resource applications. The revamped portal is the first digital system in the government of India to provide end-to-end HR services. The revamped e-HRMS 2.0 will save several thousand man-hours and tons of printing paper.  The minister of state for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space will also launch e-books on major initiatives and achievements of the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions on Sunday to mark Good Governance Day in the national capital.

 

2. 10th Edition of North East Festival begins at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: The 10th Edition of the North East Festival began at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Objective – To promote the North East region’s diverse life, culture, traditions, and tourism. Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Narayan Rane has inaugurated the MSME Exhibition at the North East Festival. The festival will provide an opportunity to entrepreneurs from North East regions especially women and SC/ST entrepreneurs to showcase their skills, products and create new opportunities for growth.

 

3.  Singh Thakur launched new dashboard for Khelo India: Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has launched Khelo India’s new Dashboard. The Dashboard is inclusive of all the statistical data related to the Khelo India Scheme and the Khelo India events. It will be updated in real-time and it aims to be a unique one-stop platform for the citizens to access all the information regarding various offerings of the Khelo India Scheme. The platform will also help in accessing information regarding progress made regarding the development of sports infrastructures, Fit India & playfield development.

 

4. PM Modi addressed 75th Amrut Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed the 75th “Amrut Mahotsav” of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan via video-conferencing. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Sahajanand Nagar in Rajkot inaugurated the five-day Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. As part of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, mega blood donation camps, and free medical check-up camps are being organized at Sahajanand nagar where renowned multi-specialty doctors are providing free medical services and free-of-cost medicine to the people. Established in 1948 by Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami. Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan has more than 40 branches all over the world.

 

5. PV Sindhu among top 25 highest-paid female athletes in Forbes annual list: India’s badminton star PV Sindhu is the only player in the top 25 in Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Sindhu, the 2016 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, occupies the 12th spot in the list. Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list. The 27-year-old made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings, having won a singles gold and doubles silver at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year in Birmingham. For the third straight year, Osaka tops Forbes’ annual list of the World’s highest-paid female athletes.

 

6. 24 December – National Consumer Rights Day: National Consumer Rights Day is observed every year on 24 December. The Consumer Protection Act, of 1986 received the assent of the President on this day. It also provides awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities. While World Consumer Day is celebrated on 15th March every year.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Suhel Ajaz Khan appointed India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Suhel Ajaz Khan has been appointed as the next envoy to Saudi Arabia. Presently he is India’s ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon. A member of the 1997 batch of the IFS, Khan has spent much of his diplomatic career in the Middle East and can speak Arabic. This will be Khan’s third stint in Saudi Arabia.

He served a stint in Jeddah as Consul at the Consulate-General of India in that city. He was also deputy chief of mission in Riyadh between 2017 and 2019. A member of the 1997 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, Khan has spent much of his diplomatic career in the Middle East and can speak Arabic. This will be Khan’s third stint in Saudi Arabia. He served a stint in Jeddah as Consul at the Consulate-General of India in that city. He was also deputy chief of mission in Riyadh between 2017 and 2019 and held the personal rank of ambassador. He was subsequently appointed India’s ambassador in Beirut in 2019.             

 

2. Spain, Scotland pass Gender Recognition Reform Bill: Scotland and Spain have recently passed a bill to make it easier for people to change their legally recognized gender.  Scotland has now become the first region of the United Kingdom to approve a self-identification process for changing gender. Other countries, including Ireland, Denmark and Argentina have adopted self-ID laws to make it simpler and less invasive to change gender. Under the Spanish law, drawn up by the center-left coalition government, minors ages 12and 13 will need a judge’s authorization to make the change, while those between 14 and 16 will have to be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

 

3. Puma India appointed Anushka Sharma as its brand ambassador: Puma India has appointed Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma as its new brand ambassador. The actor will endorse the brand’s footwear, apparel and accessories, including select collections, through myriad activities and brand campaigns throughout the year. Puma India has a total of 30-35 brand ambassadors in India which include Sharma’s husband and cricketer Virat Kohli. Other brand ambassadors associated with Puma India include Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Mary Kom, Sunil Chhetri and Harrdy Sandhu.

 

4. Sitiveni Rabuka elected as new Prime Minister of Fiji: Sitiveni Rabuka has been elected as Fiji’s new Prime Minister. After 16 years, Fiji is preparing to welcome its new prime minister.

It also signals the end of former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s 16 years in power. In the 55-member Parliament of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka secured 28 votes against Bainimarama’s 27 votes.

About Fiji

·       Capital- Suva

·       Currency- Fijian dollar

·       President – Wiliame Katonivere

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. England's Sam Curran became the Most Expensive Player in 2023 IPL Auction: England all-rounder Sam Curran emerged as the most expensive player in the IPL’s history as Punjab Kings bought him for Rs 18.50 crore. The most expensive player in IPL so far was South African all-rounder Chris Morris, who received Rs 16.25 crore at the 2021 auction. Australia all-rounder Cameroon Green was the second-highest earner, fetching ₹17.5 crore bid from Mumbai Indians. England test skipper Ben Stokes was the 3rd-highest gainer, fetching ₹16.25 cr from CSK. 

 

2. Anurag Thakur inaugurated the National Level Kabaddi Championship: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated the National level Kabaddi championship in Udupi in Karnataka. The National level Kabaddi tournament will be held under the floodlights on MGM grounds where 12 teams from different states will take part.

The winner will get the Atal trophy and a prize money of one lakh rupees The runner-up will be awarded Rs 75,000, the third prize winner Rs 50,000 and the fourth prize winner Rs 25,000.

 

3. Harmanpreet Singh to captain Indian team at the FIH men’s world cup 2023.: Hockey India has announced Dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh as the captain of the Indian men’s Hockey team for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.Amit Rohidas has been named as the vice-captain of the squad. The team coach is Graham Reid. The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup is held every four years and the 2022 event was postponed to 2023 due to the corona pandemic. The last 14th FIH Men’s World Cup Hockey was also played in Odisha in 2018.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NSE to set up Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment: The National Stock Exchange of India received in-principle approval from SEBI to set up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment.  The creation of the SSE was proposed by FM Sitharaman in her Union Budget speech for 2019-20. The SSE will work for listing social enterprises and voluntary organisations working for the realisation of a social welfare objective. The SSE will help these organisations to raise capital as equity, debt or as units like a mutual fund. The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) received in-principle approval from market regulator Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on December 19, 2022, to set up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment of the NSE.

 

2. CIBIL, SIDBI, Online PSB loans launch MSME rankings: TransUnion CIBIL, in collaboration with Online PSB Loans and MSME lender SIDBI, launched FIT Rank – a comprehensive ranking model for MSMEs. FIT Rank will leverage the details available with Goods and Services Tax (GST) filings, Bank Statements, and Income Tax returns (ITR) information to provide a ranking model for MSME lending. This is the first-ever credit default predictor model developed by CIBIL in collaboration with OPL.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. PV Sindhu 12th highest-paid female athlete in world: India's badminton star PV Sindhu is the only Indian player in the top 25 in Forbes' annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Sindhu, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist, occupies the 12th spot in the list.  Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list. The 27-year-old made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings.  For the 3rd straight year, Osaka tops Forbes' annual list of the World's highest-paid female athletes. India's badminton star PV Sindhu is the only Indian player in the top 25 in Forbes' annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Sindhu, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist, occupies the 12th spot in the list.  Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list. The 27-year-old made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings, having won a singles gold and doubles silver at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year in Birmingham.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India to receive 3rd squadron of S-400 air defence missile from Russia:

Russia will begin supplying India with the third squadron of the S-400 air defence missile system in January or February of next year. India has already put its first two missile system squadrons into service. India and Russia have agreed to a three-year, more than ₹35,000 crore deal for India to buy five squadrons of S-400 air defence missiles, and all deliveries are anticipated to be completed by the end of the following fiscal year. Russia will begin supplying India with the third squadron of the S-400 air defence missile system in January or February of next year. India has already put its first two missile system squadrons into service. India and Russia have agreed to a three-year, more than ₹35,000 crore deal for India to buy five squadrons of S-400 air defence missiles, and all deliveries are anticipated to be completed by the end of the following fiscal year.

 

2. India, Japan to conduct first-ever air combat exercise ‘Veer Guardian 23': India and Japan are set to conduct their first-ever bilateral combat air exercise over 10 days in Japan next month. The exercise ‘Veer Guardian 23’ will be conducted from Jan 16 to Jan 26 The Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) will conduct bilateral fighter training with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise aims to promote mutual understanding and strengthen defence cooperation between the air forces. The exercise will be held at Hyakuri Air Base northwest of Tokyo.

 

3. Navy launches indigenously-built ship ‘Arnala’ in Chennai :The Indian Navy launched ‘Arnala’, the first of the eight indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC), at the shipbuilding facility of L&T in Chennai’s Kattupalli. The ship was built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). The ship has been named ‘Arnala’ to signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the island of Arnala The ‘Arnala’ class ships are being built to replace the Indian Navy’s ‘Abhay’ class ASW ships.  Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), ‘Arnala’ made its first contact with the water of the Bay of Bengal at 10.40 am at the launch ceremony presided over by Rasika Chaube, financial adviser (defence services) of the defence ministry. In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Chaube launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Telugu actor Kaikala Satyanarayana passed away: Legendary Telugu actor Kaikala Satyanarayana passed away at the age of 87. Sri Ranga Neethulu was one of his well-known films. He was also a producer, director, and politician. In his career spanning over six decades, Satyanarayana received a number of awards, including a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and two Nandi Awards.

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.