Daily GK Update- 4th Jan, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Manipur celebrates Gaan Ngai festival: Zeliangrong community of Manipur has celebrated the Gaan Ngai festival on 4th Jauary 2023. This festival also marks the end of the year when the farmers have stored their foodgrain in their ganeries. They show their gratitude by offering to the almighty a good harvest and praying for a better life. It is a custom to produce new fire by rubbing dry wood and split bamboo pieces and distributing them. The Zeliangrong community comprises Rongmei, Liangmei, and Zeme tribes. In Manipur, the Gaan Ngai festival of the Zeliangrong community will be celebrated tomorrow. The Gaan Ngai festival is one of the major festivals of Manipur which is celebrated every year after harvesting.

 

2. MoD, MoE, MSDE and all three Services sign MoUs for education of Agniveers: The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and all three Services have signed MoUs to facilitate the continued education of Agniveers while serving in the Armed Forces. National Institute of Open School and IGNOU will awarded 12th Class certificates and Bachelor’s degrees to Agniveers. This will enable Agniveers to complete education in a timely manner and develop additional qualities and skills The Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and all three Services have signed MoUs with various stakeholders to facilitate the continued education of Agniveers while serving in the Armed Forces.

 

3. Shashi Tharoor’s latest book Ambedkar: A Life launched: A book titled 'Ambedkar: A Life', authored by Shashi Tharoor has been launhced at the Kitaab Kolkata event. Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) at the ITC Sonar presented by Shree Cement organized the event. The event was attended by bibliophiles young and old, members of Ehsaas Women and FICCI FLO. Other notable books of Shashi Tharoor: Riot (2001), Why I Am A Hindu (2018), The Paradoxical Prime Minister (2018), India: From Midnight to the Millennium (1997) 

 

4. BharatPe appoints Nalin Negi as interim CEO: BharatPe has appointed current chief financial officer (CFO), Nalin Negi as the interim chief executive officer (CEO). He has replaced Suhail Sameer, who stepped down from the position. He will take on the role of strategic advisor, effective January 7, 2023. Negi has previously worked at GE Capital and SBI Card. He was the CFO of SBI Card for over ten years. BharatPe was founded in March 2018. BharatPe Board Chairman: Rajnish Kumar 

 

5. President Murmu inaugurated Samvidhan Udyan in Jaipur: President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated Samvidhan Udyan at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The President also inaugurated the Transmission System for Solar Energy Zones in Rajasthan and lay the foundation stone for one thousand Mega Watt Bikaner Solar Power Project virtually.

She also launched a National Campaign on ‘RISE-Rising India through Spiritual Empowerment’, organized by Brahma Kumaris. Murmu also inaugurated the 18th National Scout-Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in Pali district Rajasthan. Over 35,000 scouts – guides from all over the country will participate in this mega-event scheduled to be held from the 4th to the 10th of January. Rajasthan is hosting it after 66 years.

 

6. PM Modi to launch world’s longest river cruise from Varanasi to Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the world’s longest luxury river cruise – ‘Ganga Vilas’ – from Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi to Dibrugarh in Assam on January 13. The cruise will cover 3,200 kilometres in 50 days. Passing through the rivers of India and Bangladesh, the cruise will be covering 27 different river systems and will stop at over 50 tourist sites, including world heritage. This will be the largest river journey by a single river ship in the world and would put both India and Bangladesh on the river cruise map of the world. The Ganga Vilas cruise, which will start from Varanasi, will pass through prominent cities like Kolkata and Dhaka before reaching Bogibeel in Dibrugarh district of Assam on March 1. Private players Antara Luxury River Cruises and JM Baxi River Cruises along with the governmental partnership from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will operate the river cruise. The luxury river cruise vessel, Ganga Vilas, have 18 cabins/suites and all other associated facilities.

 

7. Rajnath Singh inaugurated steel arch Siyom Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the 100 metre-Siyom Bridge in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is a state-of-the-art Class 70 steel arch superstructure bridge. He also inaugurated 27 other infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh. All these projects have been prepared at a cost of Rs. 724 crore in seven border states and union territories. He also inaugurated three VSAT-based telemedicine nodes in Ladakh and Mizoram. The Siyom Bridge is one of the 28 projects completed by the Border Roads Organisation at a cost of Rs 724 crore to strengthen border infrastructure. Of the 28 projects inaugurated by the Defence Minister, eight are in Ladakh, five in Arunachal Pradesh, four in Jammu and Kashmir, three each in Sikkim, Punjab and Uttarakhand and two in Rajasthan. In addition, three telemedicine nodes were inaugurated, two in Ladakh and one in Mizoram.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to take charge of APPU in Bangkok, Thailand: India will take charge of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) in Bangkok, Thailand from January 2023. Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh will take over the charge of Secretary General of the Union for a tenure of four years. The APPU is an intergovernmental organization of 32-member countries of the Asian-Pacific region. Aim of APPU: To extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services. The goal of APPU is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services. Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh, erstwhile Member (Personnel), Postal Services Board will take over the charge of Secretary General of the Union for a tenure of four years.

 

2. China becomes the first country in Asia to launch Hydrogen powered Train: China has become the first country in Asia and second in the world to launch Hydrogen powered urban trains. Germany was the first country to introduce hydrogen-powered trains in September 2022. The hydrogen train gets a top speed of 160 km/h, and the operational range without refueling is 600 km. The German Coradia iLint serial train developed by French company Alstom has set a record 1175 Km range without refueling. As per Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, India will most likely get its first-ever indigenous Hydrogen trains by December 2023. As per the minister, like Vande Bharat Express, the Indian Railways is working on the new environment-friendly trains and the engineers are designing it. The design process is already going on and we should be able to roll out the first hydrogen train in the country by December 2023. France’s rail transport company Alstom has made the hydrogen train in Germany. Fuel cells have been installed in this train, which generates energy by mixing hydrogen with oxygen and in return, only water and steam are emitted. This eco-friendly train can travel up to 1000 kilometres in one go and its maximum speed is 140 km/h. China began manufacturing hydrogen trams in 2010.

 

3. India takes over leadership of the Asian Pacific Postal Union: India will take over the leadership of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) having its Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand from this month. Vinay Prakash Singh assumed the charge as the Secretary General of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) on 1 January 2023. This is the first time that an Indian is leading an international organization in the postal sector. Dr. Singh will remain in office for 4 years.

 

4. IIT-M collaborated with DRDO to develop defence technology: IIT Madras Centre of Excellence (CoE) has collaborated with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop Advanced Defence Technologies. Both DRDO and IIT Madras are working together on Advanced Defence Technologies including Combat Vehicle Technologies. It is an important milestone in bringing together the Academia, Industry and DRDO to collaborate and develop Atmanirbhar technologies for critical needs of our country. Specifically, this will provide a first-of-its-kind opportunity for Startups and MSMEs to participate in this critical Nation Building activity. IIT Madras CoE- ‘DRDO Industry Academia- Ramanujan Centre of Excellence’ (DIA-RCoE) will be conducting a directed research process to meet the national defence and security needs of the nation.

 

5. 4 January – World Braille Day: World Braille Day is celebrated every year on 4 January around the world and it also marks the birth anniversary of Braille’s inventor Louis Braille. Objective – To promote awareness about Braille and the contributions of Louis Braille. The United Nations has been commemorating the day since 2019. Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809. He lost his vision at an early age following an accident. An educator for the visually impaired, Braille developed his eponymous writing and reading system in order to help others. His writing system used six tactile dots in order to represent alphabetic, numerical, musical, mathematical, and scientific symbols. He had received a scholarship to the National Institute for Blind Children, where he taught later.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Koustav Chatterjee becomes 78th Grandmaster of India: 19-year-old Koustav Chatterjee became India’s 78th Grandmaster in MPL 59th National Senior Chess Championship in New Delhi. He is also the tenth GM from West Bengal. Koustav earned his first GM norm in October 2021 at a Grandmasters’ chess tournament in Bangladesh. He crossed FIDE rating 2500 in August. Koustav is in the joint-lead with GM Abhijeet Gupta at the National Senior Chess Championship with a score of 8/10 after 10 rounds.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India and ADB sign loan agreements to boost infrastructure sector in India: India has signed various loan agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to boost the infrastructure sector in the country. A loan agreement of 350 million US dollars was signed to improve connectivity in Maharashtra. Govt also signed agreement worth 300 million US dollars to upgrade over 300 Km of State highways and district roads in Assam. A 220 million dollar loan agreement was signed to improve energy security, and resilience of the power sector in Tripura. Several loan agreements have been signed today by the Government and the Asian Development Bank to boost the infrastructure sector in the country. The Finance Ministry said, a loan agreement was signed worth 350 million US dollars to improve connectivity in Maharashtra, and a loan agreement worth 300 million US dollars will be utilised to upgrade over 300 kilometres of State highways and major district roads in Assam.

 

2. HDFC Bank partners with Microsoft for digital transformation: HDFC Bank has partnered with Microsoft in the next phase of its digital transformation. Aim: To unlock business value by transforming the application portfolio, modernising the data landscape, and securing the enterprise with Microsoft Cloud. The bank is developing in-house intellectual properties (IP) as well as partnering with several companies. The bank has leveraged Microsoft Azure to consolidate and modernise its enterprise data landscape by Federated Data Lake. The private sector lender is developing in-house IPs as well as partnering with several companies, including FinTechs, to co-create technology IPs, the lender said in a statement.

 

3. India Accelerator, ICICI Bank and Infosys Finacle join hands: India Accelerator has launched a program created to nurture and co-innovate with the startup ecosystem in India named 'i3 Launchpad'. This has been developed in collaboration with ICICI Bank and Infosys Finacle. Objective: To support a community of entrepreneurs who are on a mission to create brands that can have a global impact. The program is open to startups across all industries and will onboard two cohorts a year, with a target of 12-18 startups in each cohort. The program is open to startups across all industries and will onboard two cohorts a year, with a target of 12-18 startups in each cohort. Sectors in focus for the first cohort include fintech, enterprise tech & SaaS, proptech, wealthtech, sustainability & greentech, and insurtech.

4. Niva Bupa and Sundaram Finance signs corporate agency agreement: Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company (formerly Max Bupa Health Insurance Company) has signed a corporate agency agreement with Sundaram Finance Limited. Sundaram Finance will use its network across the country to reach out to customers as part of this partnership Niva Bupa’s select range of indemnity plans would be offered to Sundaram Finance’s growing customers Sundaram Finance Limited MD: Rajiv Lochan Niva Bupa Health Insurance MD & CEO: Krishnan Ramachandran

 

5. Bandhan Bank launched ‘Jahaan Bandhan, Wahaan Trust’ campaign: Bandhan Bank has launched its campaign ‘Jahaan Bandhan, Wahaan Trust’, featuring cricketer Sourav Ganguly as its brand ambassador. The campaign was conceptualised by Leo Burnett Orchard. Bandhan was constituted in 2001 as a not-for-profit entity. The RBI had accorded ‘universal banking licence’, following which the Bank has started operating on August 23, 2015. Objective: To bring in financial inclusion and women empowerment

Bandhan Bank headquarters: Kolkata

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Captain Shiva Chouhan becomes first woman officer to be deployed at Siachen: Captain Shiva Chauhan (Indian Army's Fire and Fury Corps) has become the first woman officer to be operationally deployed in Kumar Post (height: 15,632 feet) at the highest battlefield in the world-Siachen. She hails from Rajasthan. She led an arduous 508-km long `Sura Soi’ Siachen Sappers cycling expedition from the Siachen War Memorial to Kargil War Memorial in July 2022. She got inducted to the Siachen Glacier on January 2 after an arduous climb. Before this, no women officer was ever deployed at Siachen glacier at such an altitude in the past 40 years after India launched Operation Meghdoot to secure the world’s highest and coldest battleground.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen passes away: Noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent, Sumitra Sen has been passed away at the age of 89. Her rendition of songs inlcude Jokhon Porbe Na Mor, Sokhi Vabona Kahare Bole and Mone Ki Dwidha. In 2012, she was honoured with the Sangeet Mahasamman award by West Bengal government. Rabindra Sangeet also known as Tagore Songs, are songs from the Indian subcontinent written and composed by the Bengali polymath Rabindranath Tagore. Noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen passed away in Kolkata Monday. She was 89. Her daughter Srabani Sen took to the social media platform Facebook to inform of her death.

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 3rd Jan, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government forms Committee to protect Ladakh culture, language & employment: The government of India has constituted 17 member, High Powered Committee (HPC) under the Chairmanship of Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. Reason: To discuss measures to protect unique culture, language and employment of Ladakh. The committee includes Ladakh LG, RK Mathur; MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Chairmans of Leh and Kargil Hill councils, representatives of Apex Body Leh, Kargil Democratic Alliance and nominee officials of Home ministry. The Centre has constituted a High Powered Committee, HPC, to discuss measures to protect Ladakh's unique culture, language and employment. AIR  correspondent reports that a 17 member committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

 

2. ‘SMART’ program launched for Ayurveda professionals: The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) have launched‘SMART’program.'SMART' refersto Scopefor Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals. Aim: To boost scientific research in priority healthcare research areas through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals. Vaidya Jayant Deopujari (Chairman, NCISM) and Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya (DG, CCRAS) launched the program. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), the two prominent institutions under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India for regulating medical education and conducting scientific research respectively, have launched ‘SMART’ (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals) program aimed to boost scientific research in priority healthcare research areas through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals.

 

3. IIT-M and DRDO collaborates to develop defence technology: IIT Madras Centre of Excellence (CoE) has collaborated with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop Advanced Defence Technologies. IIT Madras CoE- ‘DRDO Industry Academia- Ramanujan Centre of Excellence’ (DIA-RCoE) will be conducting a directed research process to meet the national defence and security needs of the nation. DIA-RCoE was initially established by DRDO and then IIT Madras took it over. Director of DIA-RCoE: Dr. O.R. Nandagopan

 

4. Imoinu Eratpa festival celebrated across Manipur: The Meitei community of Manipur celebrated Imoinu Eratpa festival every year. They regard the Imoinu goddess as a goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is also associated as one of the incarnations of the goddess Leimarel Sidabi. This festival falls on the twelfth lunar day of Wakching month of Meitei calendar (falls either in December or January according to the Gregorian calendar).

This year the festival is falling on January 3, 2023.

 

5. Defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates steel arch Siyom Bridge: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the 100-metre, Siyom Bridge in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. This bridge will open an alternative route to the India-China border. The Siyom Bridge is one of the 28 projects completed by the Border Roads Organisation at a cost of Rs 724 crore to strengthen border infrastructure. He has virtually inaugurated other 27 projects in Ladakh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Punjab and J&K.

 

6. Mamata Banerjee launches new campaign 'Didir Suraksha Kavach': West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee has launched two programme named 'Didir Suraksha Kawach' and ‘Didir Doot’, ahead of the 2023 panchayat polls. The programme will focus on 15 state government schemes, covering various sectors such as food, housing, health, education, social security, income and employment. ‘Didir Doot’, a mobile application has also been developed for people to register their problems. The programme will be launched on January 11, 2023. Ahead of panchayat polls in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress Chairperson and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a fresh public outreach programme to reach out to people of the State. Under the initiative  ‘ Didir Suraksha Kawach’ (Didi Protection Shield)‘   about 3.5 lakh volunteers of the Trinamool Congress will reach out to all 2 crore households of the State in a span of 60 days. 

 

7. Election Commission appoints Maithili Thakur as Bihar's state icon: The Election Commission has appointed folk singer, Maithili Thakur as the state icon for Bihar. She will create awareness among the voters for their participation in the electoral process. She was born in Madhubani district of Bihar. She is a trained in Indian classical and folk music. She was recently selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar of the Sangeet Natak Akademi for her contribution to the folk music of Bihar for 2021.

 

8. Kerala CM inaugurated Indian Library Congress in Kannur, Kerala: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated Indian Library Congress at the Collectorate Ground in Kannur, Kerala. The People’s Mission for Social Development and Library Council organized the event in association with Kannur University. The program was presided over by Dr. V Shivdan, and Higher Education Minister Dr. R Bindu announced 100 new libraries to be dedicated to the Kannur district. Representatives from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar, and other states and foreign countries are participating in the Indian Library Congress.

 

9. Modi inaugurated 108th Indian Science Congress:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 108th Indian Science Congress through video conferencing. The focal theme of this year’s ISC is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment”. The first session of Congress was held in 1914. The 108th annual session of ISC held at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Maharashtra which is also celebrating its centenary this year. The technical sessions of the 108th Indian Science Congress have been divided into 14 sections.

 

10. Government starts process to buy 100 more K9-Vajras: The Defense Ministry has initiated the process to procure 100 more K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, which are made in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) using technology transferred from South Korean defence major Hanwha Defence. The K-9 Vajra is a 155 mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer built by L&T with technology transferred from South Korean defence major Hanwha Defence based on its K-9 Thunder. The 100th gun was delivered to the Army in February 2021, the contract for which was signed in May 2017. The contract also involved the maintenance transfer of technology to an Army base workshop to support the howitzers throughout their operational life cycle. The K-9 Vajra was mainly bought for use in deserts, but the standoff prompted them to be deployed in the mountains as well.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Bank of Singapore appoints Jason Moo as new CEO: Jason Moo (Singapore) has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Bank of Singapore, with effect from March 6, 2023. He will replace Vincent Choo, who assumed the role of interim CEO on January 1, 2023 after the retirement of former CEO Bahren Shaari on December 31, 2023. He has more than 25 years of experience in private banking, wealth management and capital markets. He has also worked at Goldman Sachs and Julius Baer.

 

2. Croatia adopts euro, entered borderless Europe club: Croatia has adopted the euro as its currency with effect from 1 January 2023 and become the 20th member of the eurozone. Croatia has entered the EU in 2013. It becomes the 27th country to join the Schengen area. Schengen Area: It is an area that comprises 27 European countries that have abolished all passports and border control at their respective mutual borders Eurozone: It is officially called the euro area. The monetary authority of the Eurozone is the Eurosystem.

 

3. India signed an agreement with Austria for migration and mobility 3: India and Austria have signed five agreements and two of them are in the interest of the Indian community living in Austria. The two agreements would be in the interest of the Indian community. There is an agreement on ‘Migration and Mobility’ for people who want to work in Austria and who want to come to India for business, or who come here as students and professionals. Another agreement is on the ‘Working Holiday’ program that will enable Indian students in Austria to work for 6 months. This is the first India-Austria EAM-level visit in the last 27 years which is taking place in 2023 against the backdrop of 75 years of diplomatic relations.

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Koustav Chatterjee becomes 78th Grandmaster of India: Koustav Chatterjee (19) has become 78th Grandmaster of India at the MPL 59th National Senior Chess Championship in New Delhi. He is also the tenth Grandmaster of West Bengal. He won his maiden GM-norm in October 2021 at Sheikh Russel GM 2021 in Bangladesh. He scored his second GM-norm at Asian Continental Championship in November 2022. He has also crossed 2500 in the August FIDE rating list. 77th grandmaster of India: Aditya Mittal 76th GM of India: Pranav Anand

 

2. World Boxing Council to create transgender category: The president of World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaiman has announced that it will introduce a transgender category from 2023. A ‘at birth rule’ will be used, which means a transgender boxer who is registered as male at birth will be allowed to fight others who have also been registered as male at birth. While, those registered as female at birth will be allowed to fight others who have been registered as female at birth. World Boxing Council HQ: Mexico

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Tripura signed agreement with ADB to improve Power Distribution Network: The Tripura government has signed an agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) amounting to Rs 2,275 crore to strengthen and improve power distribution efficiency in the north-eastern state

Of the Rs 2,275 crore fund, the central government will repay Rs 1,820 crore while the state is supposed to provide Rs 455 crore. The project will be implemented in the next three years. At present, gas based Rukhia power project produces 66 MW power and its installed capacity will be doubled by modernizing the plant. The Dumbur hydropower project’s capacity will be increased from 5 MW to 10 MW. The externally aided project will benefit five to six lakh consumers and it will also generate 6,000 to 6,500 direct jobs in different levels.

 

2. Gross GST collection in December goes up by 15% is ₹1.49 lakh.: The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collected in December 2022 is ₹1.49 lakh. The GST revenues are 15 percent higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year. The gross GST revenue collected during December 2022 is ₹1,49,507 crore, of which CGST is ₹26,711 crore, SGST is ₹33,357 crore, IGST is ₹78,434 crore (including ₹40,263 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is ₹11,005 crore (including ₹850 crore collected on import of goods). The monthly GST revenues more than ₹1.4 lakh crore for 10 straight months in a row. The government has settled ₹36,669 crore to CGST and ₹31,094 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. The total revenue of Centre and the States after regular settlements in the month of December 2022 is ₹63,380 crore for CGST and ₹64,451 crore for SGST.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Govt names 27 overseas Indians for 2023 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards: The government of India has selected 27 people for the highest honour for overseas Indians, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2023. The awards will be conferred by the President Droupadi Murmu at 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held at Indore in Madhya Pradesh from January 8-10, 2023. President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be the chief guest this year. PBW 2023 theme: Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in Amrit Kaal The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. PBSA is conferred by the Hon’ble President of India as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention on Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin or an organization/institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Karnataka seer Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji passes away: Siddeshwara Swamiji, one of the prominent Lingayat seers in Karnataka, has been passed away at the age of 82 at Jnanayogashrama. He was born and brought up in Bijjaragi, Vijayapura in Karnataka. He was often referred to as the ‘Walking God of North Karnataka'. He was ordained as a math seer by his guru, Vedanta Kesari Sri Mallikarjuna Mahashivayogi. In 2018, he refused to accept the Padma Shri award.

 

Daily GK Update- 2nd Jan, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ajay Kumar Srivastava appointed as new MD and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank: Ajay Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as MD and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) with effect from January 1, 2023. Presently, he is serving as the executive director of IOB. He started his banking career as a probationary officer in 1991 with Allahabad Bank. After the successful completion of about 27 years in Allahabad Bank he was elevated as Executive Director of IOB in October 2017

He was appointed as Director on the Board of India Infrastructure Finance Company

 

2. Ministry of Rural Development launches Prajjwala Challenge: The Ministry of Rural Development under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission has launched the Prajjwala Challenge Aim: To invite ideas, solutions and actions that can transform rural economy The broad contours fall into following categories: Focus on Women and Marginalized section of community; Localised Models; Sustainability; Cost Effective solutions; Multi sectoral ideas and solutions Top 5 ideas will be rewarded with Rs. 2 Lakh each With an aim to invite ideas, solutions and actions that can transform rural economy, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has launched the Prajjwala Challenge. It is one of the platforms where ideas are invited from individuals, Social Enterprises, Start up, Private Sector, Civil Society, Community Based Organization, Academic Institution, Start-ups, Incubation centres, Investors etc having potential to transform the rural economy.

 

3. CRPF DG Sujoy Lal Thaosen takes additional charge as BSF chief: The Union government has given an additional charge as Border Security Force (BSF) DG to senior Madhya Pradesh cadre IPS officer and CRPF Director General (DG), Sujoy Lal Thaosen. He replaced Pankaj Kumar Singh, who retired on December 31, 2022.

About BSF:

·       It was raised in 1965, after the India-Pakistan war.

·       It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces.

·       Other Central Armed Police Forces are: Assam Rifles (AR), ITBP, CISF, CRPF, NSG and SSB.

 

4. ISRO, Andhra University set up equipment to predict rip currents at sea: Indian Space and Research Organization, National Centre for Earth Sciences (NCES), and the Andhra University (AU) have researched and concluded that constant rip current zones at Rushikonda beach and RK Beach have become a danger to the beach visitors. They have set up equipment to identify Rip currents to warn marines and local police. Rip currents are common at all beaches across the globe. People can enter the waters in rip current zones up to knee-deep levels. Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], December 31 (ANI) Over 200 people have drowned in sea at various beaches in and around Visakhapatnam between 2012 to 2022 and of these, RK beach in the city accounted for 60 per cent of deaths, according to official statistics.

 

5. PM Modi to address 108th Indian Science Congress on January 3, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 108th Indian Science Congress through video conferencing on 3rd January, 2023. Theme 2023: Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) at its Amravati Road Campus will host Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment The inaugural ceremony. The technical sessions of the 108th Indian Science Congress have been divided into 14 sections. A special attraction of the event is the mega expo "Pride of India". The prominent developments, major achievements and the significant contributions largely of Indian Science and Technology to the society will be showcased in the exhibition, which brings together and displays hundreds of new ideas, innovations, and products covering the entire canvas of the scientific world.

 

6. International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 kick starts on 1 Jan 2023: The year 2023 is being observed all over the world as the International Year of the millets. The Government of India aims to make the International Year of the millets a ‘People’s Movement’ and position India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’. The proposal was accepted and passed by the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 and 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets. Central Ministries, States and Indian embassies allocated a focused month in 2023 to carry out various activities for the promotion of the International Year of Millets and increase awareness about the benefits of millets. January 2023 is the focused month for the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and the States of Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Rajasthan for conducting events and activities. The Ministry has planned 15 activities over 15 days in January which include engaging sports persons, nutritionists and fitness experts through video messages, and conducting webinars on millets with leading nutritionists, dieticians, and elite athletes. India is the largest producer of millets in the world. ‘Millets’ were among the first crops to be domesticated in India.

 

7. CRPF celebrated Jashn-e-Chillai-Kalan’ with students in Srinagar: CRPF celebrated ‘Jashn-e-Chillai-Kalan’ with students in Srinagar. Chillai-Kalan is the harshest winter period in Kashmir for a period of 40 days starting from 21st December to 29th January every year. Many activities such as Badminton, debate, drawing, singing, etc. were organized in the school. The program gives them an environment to participate and learn new things. Through these programmes, people of the area and forces develop good and healthy relationships.

 

8. India’s second longest cable-stayed eight-lane Zuari Bridge opens in Goa: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated the first phase of the New Zuari Bridge across River Zuari connecting Bambolim in North Goa to Verna junction in South Goa. Located on NH-17/NH-66 on the Panjim-Mangalore section in the state of Goa, the bridge will reduce the travel time between North and South Goa by minimizing the traffic blockades between the Bambolim-Agasaim-Cortalim-Sancoale to Verna Junction.

 

9. Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha assumes command of the IAF Western Command: Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha has assumed command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command. Pankaj Mohan Sinha succeeds Air Marshal S Prabhakaran who superannuated on 31 December 2022 after putting in more than 39 years of distinguished service in the IAF. The Air Marshal is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Pune, and was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot in June 1985. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sworn in as 39th president of Brazil: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (77) has been sworn in as the 39th president of Brazil. He has defeated Jair Bolsonaro in October 2022 to win an unprecedented third presidential term. In election, he has secured 50.83% of the votes, whereas his opponent, Bolsonaro got 49.17% votes. He was served as the president of Brazil for two terms from 2003 to 2006 and then 2007 to 2011. He is the first Brazilian president to have been elected to a third term in office. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been sworn in as the 39th president of Brazil following the 2022 Brazilian general election. 77-year-old Lula narrowly defeated Jair Bolsonaro in October to win an unprecedented third presidential term after a hiatus that saw him spend a year and a half behind bars on corruption convictions that were later overturned.

 

2. 1668 Journalists killed in the last 20 years: Reporters without Borders: According to Reporters without Borders (RSF), a total of 1,668 journalists have been killed worldwide in connection with their work of journalism over the past two decades (2003–2022), due to murders, contract killings, ambushes, war zone deaths, and fatal injuries. The report says that on average every year 80 journalists lost their lives. The total killed since 2000 is 1,787. The annual death tolls peaked in 2012 and 2013 with 144 and 142 journalists killed, respectively. These peaks, due in large measure to the war in Syria, were followed by a gradual fall and then historically low figures from 2019 onwards. During the past two decades, 80% of media fatalities have occurred in 15 countries. The two countries with the highest death tolls are Iraq and Syria, with a combined total of 578 journalists killed in the past 20 years, or more than a third of the worldwide total. They are followed by Afghanistan, Yemen, and Palestine. Africa has not been spared, with Somalia coming next.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr: Portugal team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The 37-year-old Ronaldo signed the deal, which is believed to be worth more than 200 million euros, which will continue till June 2025. Ronaldo will move to Saudi Arabia after a stellar spell at Spanish club Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, winning two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League titles, and three Club World Cups.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Gross GST collection in December goes up by 15%: The government of India has collected Rs 1,49,507 crore gross GST revenue during December 2022. Out of which, CGST is Rs 26,711 crore, SGST is Rs 33,357 crore, IGST is Rs 78,434 crore and Cess is Rs 11,005 crore. The revenues for December 2022 are 15% higher than the GST revenues in December 2021. The total revenue of Centre and the States after regular settlements in the month of December 2022 is Rs 63,380 crore for CGST and Rs 64,451 crore for the SGST.

 

2. RBI launches Utkarsh 2.0 for the period 2023-2025: RBI Governor, Shaktikanta Das has launched Utkarsh 2.0, the second phase of RBI's medium-term strategy for strengthening regulatory and supervisory mechanism. The Vision in Utkarsh 2.0 that will guide RBI over the period 2023-25 are: Excellence in performance of its functions Strengthened trust of citizens and Institutions in the RBI Enhanced relevance and significance in national and global roles Transparent, accountable and ethics-driven internal governance

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Gujarat's first woman chief secretary Manjula Subramaniam passes away: The first woman chief secretary of Gujarat, Dr Manjula Subramaniam has been passed away at the age of 74 due to health complications at a hospital in Vadodara. She was appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Gujarat in 2007. PM Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat then. After retirement, she was appointed as chief vigilance commissioner of Gujarat. She was also part of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation.

 

2. Tata group veteran R Krishnakumar passes away: Tata group veteran R Krishnakumar has been passed away at the age of 84. He started working for Tata Administrative Services in 1963 and joined Tata Global Beverages (erstwhile Tata Finlay) in 1965. He had also worked through Tata Global Beverages’ transformation into Tata Tea and became VP of South India Plantations in 1982. He was honoured with the India’s fourth highest civilian honour, Padma Shri in 2009 for contributions to the country’s trade and business.

 

3. Former Pope Benedict XVI passed away: Former Pope Benedict XVI passed away recently in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. He was 95 years old. The head of the Catholic Church, former Pope Benedict, was the first pope in 600 years to resign. He resigned in 2013 and was replaced by the present pope Francis. Pope Benedict was the first German to become pope in 1000 years. He was the head of Vatican City from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. He was born as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, in the southern German village of Marktl, close to Austria.