Daily GK Update- 5th Jan, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jal Ministry organises first All India Annual State Ministers Conference: The Jal Shakti Ministry has organised the first All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on January 5, 2023. Theme: Water Vision @ 2047 Aim: To bring together key policymakers to discuss ways to harness water resources for sustainable development and human progress. The Conference has also deliberated on ‘5P’ mantra (Political will, Public financing, Partnerships, Public Participation and Persuasion for sustainability)

 

2. MP govt launched Chief Minister's Residential Land Rights Scheme: MP CM, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the Chief Minister's Residential Land Rights scheme (Mukhyamantri Awasiya Bhu Adhikar Yojana) at the Bagaj Mata temple complex in Tikamgarh district. Under the scheme, plots worth about 129 crore rupees were distributed to 10 thousand 918 families of Tikamgarh district. Aim: To provide free plots to the poor living in rural areas for building their houses. The benefits of all other schemes will also be provided.

 

3. Govt approved investment for 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project: The Government has approved the investment for the 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh with an estimated cost of over 2,614 crore rupees (Rs 2,246.40 crore (Hard cost amounting), Rs 358.96 crore (Interest During Construction) and 9.15 crore (Financing Charges).

The project will be built on the Sutlej river. It will be constructed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited in over 5 years. The project will generate employment for about 4,000 persons.

 

4. Union Government approves National Green Hydrogen Mission: The government has approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an initial outlay of 19,744 crore rupees. Aim: To make India a Global Hub for production, utilisation and export of Green Hydrogen. Of the Rs 19,744 crore outlay, 17,490 crore for Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT) programme. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) will also formulate the scheme guidelines for implementation of the respective components.

 

5. Digantara launched second satellite to monitor space weather: Digantara (Space start-up) has launched its second satellite Pushan-Alpha as rideshare onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-6 mission from Cape Canaveral in Florida, US. The satellite will serve as a space weather testbed in the sun synchronous orbit. It will also enhance precision driven situational space awareness applications. Its observations will help complement Digantara’s ROBI (ROBust Integrating proton fluence meter) mission. Digantara Aerospace CEO: Anirudh Sharma President Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Rajasthan: President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the Pali district of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is hosting Jamboree after 66 years.

6. Theme of the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree: Progress with Peace. Over 35,000 scouts and guides from all over the country will participate in this 7-day mega-event. A smart jamboree village has been set up with all the facilities on a two hundred twenty hectare area at Nimblee village 3500 tents have been erected at the venue. The first National Scout and Guide Jamboree was held in Andhra Pradesh in 1951. The 17th Jamboree was held in Mysuru, Karnataka in December 2016 -January 2017.

 

7. 2nd Phase of Sari Festival “VIRAASAT” begins in New Delhi: The second phase of the Sari Festival “VIRAASAT” is celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India in New Delhi. This phase is being organized by the Ministry of Textiles from 3rd to 17th January 2023 at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. The second phase, having 90 participants from different parts of the country, will bring participation of famous handcrafted varieties of Saris like Tie and Dye, Chikan embroidered Saris, Hand Block Saris, Kalamkari printed Saris, Ajrakh, Kantha and Phulkari. The first phase of “VIRAASAT”- started on the 16th and concluded on 30th of last month. A social media campaign has also been launched under a common hashtag #MySariMyPride to support the Indian handloom weavers.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Complaints received under ombudsman schemes rises 9.39% in 2021-22: RBI: According to the annual report of Ombudsman Schemes, 2021-22, released by the RBI, the complaints received under ombudsman schemes has been increased by 9.39% in 2021-22. The volume of complaints received under the RB-IOS and consumer education and protection cells stood at 4,18,184 in 2021-22. About 42% complaints were related to the digital modes of payment and transactions. Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) was launched on November 12, 2021. RBI lifts restrictions on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services: RBI has lifted restrictions on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited on loan recovery via third-party services. On September 22, 2022, RBI had directed Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services to immediately cease carrying out any recovery or repossession activity through outsourcing arrangements, till further orders. Mahindra Finance could continue recovery or repossession activities through its own employees.

 

2. ICICI Bank launches digital solutions for exporters: ICICI Bank has launched 'digital solutions for exporters', a comprehensive set of banking and value-added services on a single platform. Aim: To simplify the journey of exporters by decongesting the current time-intensive manual procedures It will digitise the entire export life-cycle from discovery of export markets, foreign exchange services to receipt of export incentives. Key services: Insta EPC, Trade accounts, Paperless exports solutions, and many more

 

3. Aegon Life Insurance launches iTerm Prime Insurance plan: Aegon Life Insurance has launched iTerm Prime Insurance plan catering to the need of self-employed individuals with a special 10% discount on first-year premium. It offers a minimum sum assured of ₹25 lakhs, with no upper limit on a consumer’s requirement. It also offers a ‘Special Exit Value’ option that allows the policyholder to get all premiums back when they turn 55 years old. It is designed to encourage emerging India to gain access to life insurance.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Dr. Tapan Saikia to receive Assam highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav’: Assam CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma has selected 21 personalities for the Assam State Civilian Awards 2022. The State’s highest civilian award, ‘Assam Baibhav’ to Dr. Tapan Saikia for his contributions in the field of cancer care. Assam Saurav (Assam second highest civilian award) will be conferred to Krishna Roy; Gilbertson Sangma; Nayanmoni Saikia; Dr. Binoi Kumar Saikia and Dr. Shashidhar Phukan. som Gaurav (third highest civilian award) will be conferred to 15 people.

 

2. Odisha won World Habitat Award 2023: Odisha has won the UN-Habitat’s World Habitat Awards 2023 for Jaga Mission, a 5T initiative of the state. The Jaga mission is the land titling and slum upgrading program that aims at empowering the lives of slum dwellers. The Government of Odisha has set itself the ambitious target of becoming the first slum-free state in India and is leading the Jaga Mission programme to upgrade all of the state’s 2,919 slums. The initiative in the last five years, 1,75,000 families have been granted land tenure security. 100 percent of households in 2,724 slums have been provided with pipe water connections, 707 slums have transformed fully into liveable habitats, 100 percent of households in 666 slums have individual toilets, and 8 cities have become slum-free. In 2019, Odisha’s Jaga mission received World Habitat Awards for its success in providing land tenure security to slum dwellers.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. NASA's Apollo 7 astronaut, Walter Cunningham passes away: The last surviving astronaut from the first successful crewed space mission in NASA's Apollo programme, Walter Cunningham has been passed away at the age of 90. He was one of the three astronauts of Apollo 7 mission, that was launched in 1968 and lasted for 11 days. Before joining NASA, he was enlisted in the US Navy and began training as a pilot in 1952. He was served as a fighter pilot with the US Marine Corps on 54 missions in Korea.

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.