Daily GK Update- 21st Feb, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government appoints BVR Subrahmanyam as the new CEO of Niti Aayog: The government has approved the appointment of an IAS officer of the 1987 batch of the Chhattisgarh cadre, BVR Subrahmanyam as the CEO of NITI Aayog. He would succeed Parameswaran Iyer, who has been appointed as executive director of the World Bank for a period of two years. Earlier, he served as the chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) in Chhattisgarh. He also served as private secretary to then PM Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2008

 

2. India to host Permanent Mission Roundtables at UN as G- 20 chair: India will host the Permanent Mission Roundtables at United Nations Head Quarter as Chair of G- 20 and ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Summit 2023 to be held in New York. A roundtable titled 'Gandhian Trusteeship: A panel discussion on Sustainable Lifestyles and Enduring Pace' will be held on the 23rd of February 2023. Focus: India’s growth story and achievements and how these might be scaled for the potential benefit of the global South

 

3. INS Sumedha reaches Abu Dhabi to participate in IDEX and NAVDEX: Indian Naval Ship Sumedha has reached Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2023 and International Defence Exhibition(IDEX) 2023. Agenda: To showcase the strengths of India's indigenous shipbuilding and underscore the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. INS Sumedha: It is the third ship of the indigenously built Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2014.

 

4. Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches Learning-Teaching Material: Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan launched a Learning-Teaching Material named Jaadui Pitara. It was launched for the Foundational Stages of children. It is a unique initiative of the government that will help students of foundational stages to learn in a play-way method with ease. The Jaadui Pitara consists of playbooks, activity books, flashcards, posters depicting various stories, games, puzzles, puppets, and many more items.

 

5. Politician Upendra Kushwaha launches new political party: Senior Janata Dal (United) leader, Upendra Kushwaha has resigned from all party positions and launched a new political party 'Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD)'.

·       He has also resigned from the post of MLC.

·       He was a key political aide of Nitish Kumar.

·       He quit the JD(U) in 2013 to float Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP).

·       He allied with the NDA and won the Lok Sabha polls a year later.

·       In 2021, Kushwaha merged his RLSP with the JD(U).

 

6. Ladakh sets Guinness world record for 21-km long frozen lake marathon: Ladakh has created history by successfully conducting its maiden 21-km trail running event in sub-zero temperature at 13,862 feet high Pangong Tso. It was registered in the Guinness world record as the world’s highest frozen lake half marathon. The four-hour-long marathon started from Lukung and ended at Maan village. Five energy stations, consisting of energy drinks, medical teams, oxygen support, and mobile ambulances were set up along the route.

 

7. LG Manoj Sinha inaugurated 33rd Police-Public Mela in Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has inaugurated the 33rd Police-Public Mela at Jammu. The Police-Public Mela has emerged as a powerful platform for police officers and public to interact and celebrate the shared heritage. The fair is being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Wives Welfare Association (JKPWWA). The LG also paid tributes to the martyrs of J&K Police who devoted their lives to serving and protecting the nation.

 

8. North India’s first nuclear power plant to be set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana: Union Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh has announced that North India’s first nuclear power plant would be set up in Gorakhpur in Fatehabad district, Haryana. The first phase will be completed by 2025 and the second by 2028. As the second phase completes, the plant will be fully operational to generate 2800 MW. The project will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 20,594 crores.

 

9. First PMGati Shakti Workshop for Western & Central Zone held in Goa: The first PM Gati Shakti regional workshop for the Western and Central Zone was held in Goa. The workshop featured discussions on use cases of National Master Plan (NMP) adoption by Central Ministries & State Departments for planning and acted as a platform for mutual learning among the States and Central Ministries/Departments. The scheme incorporates the infrastructure schemes of various Ministries and State Governments and was launched on 13 October 2021 by PM Modi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Mother Language Day 2023: 21st February: International Mother Language Day is observed on every year February 21 to highlight the cultural and linguistic diversity in the country. Theme 2023: Multilingual education - a necessity to transform education This day was first initiated by Bangladesh and it was accepted at the UNESCO General Conference held in 1999. UNESCO decided to observe this day to understand the value of the mother tongue.

 

2. India & Japan’s joint military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ begins: India – Japan joint training exercise “Dharma Guardian” will be conducted at Camp Imazu in the Shiga province of Japan from 17 February – 2 March. It is the 4th edition of the joint military exercise “Dharma Guardian” between India and Japan. Soldiers from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an infantry regiment from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) are participating in the exercise.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India win two Gold Medals in Shooting at ISSF World Cup, Egypt: India has won two gold medals in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed team and 10m Air Pistol Mixed team at the ongoing ISSF Shooting World Cup, Cairo in Egypt. Indian 10m Air Rifle Mixed team of Narmada Nithin Raju and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil defeated Hungary’s Eszter Denes and Istvan Peni by 16-6 to bag the top spot on the podium. While the 10m Air Pistol Mixed team of Rhythm Sangwan and Varun Tomar won gold.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. PM Modi, Singapore counterpart launch real-time payment systems linkage: Indian PM Narendra Modi and Singapore's PM Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the launch of the cross-border linkage between UPI and PayNow. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and MD of the Monetary Authority of Singapore Ravi Menon did the launch. It enables residents of both countries to transfer cross-border remittances faster and more cost-efficient. It will also help the Indian diaspora in Singapore to transfer money from Singapore to India and vice-versa.

 

2. RBI cancels licence of MP-based Garha Co-operative Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has canceled the license of Garha Co-operative Bank, Guna in Madhya Pradesh. Reason: The lender does not have adequate capital and earning prospects About 98.4% of the depositors of the bank are entitled to receive the full amount of their deposits from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). The bank is prohibited from conducting various activities, such as acceptance, and repayment of deposits with immediate effect.

 

3. Aviva India launches Aviva Signature Guaranteed Income Plan: Aviva Life Insurance has launched Aviva Signature Guaranteed Income Plan. It is a non-linked, non-participating savings life insurance plan, that helps build long-term wealth. It also helps customers save tax and guarantees a steady income stream in the long run. It aims to meet the diverse financial needs of policyholders at different phases of their lives. The options include Signature Moneymaker, Signature Investor, Signature Builder, and Signature Saver.

 

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Ranbir Kapoor wins Best Actor at the DPIFF awards 2023: Ranbir Kapoor was awarded the Best Actor award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards 2023 in Mumbai. He was awarded for his role in Brahmastra Part One-Shiva.

Alia Bhatt won the Best Actress award for Gangubai Kathiawadi.

·       Best Film: The Kashmir Files

·       Film Of The Year: RRR

·       Most Promising Actor: Rishab Shetty (Kantara)

·       Critics Best Actor: Varun Dhawan (Bhediya)

·       Critics Best Actress: Vidya Balan (Jalsa)

·       Best Director: R Balki (Chup)

 

2. Karthik Subramaniam won National Geographic’s ‘pictures of the year’: Indian-origin photographer Karthik Subramaniam has topped National Geographic’s ‘Photo of the Year’ contest 2023 beating over 5000 entries. His photograph, titled “Dance of the Eagles”, was taken at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Alaska and will be the cover page of the May edition of National Geographic. The award was presented to him for a striking picture of an eagle struggling to settle on a tree branch. The title of the picture is inspired by RRR Martin’s popular novel ‘A Dance with Dragons’.

 

3. Poet V Madhusoodanan Nair received Jnanappana Award 2023: A noted writer V Madhusoodanan Nair has been received for Jnanappana Puraskaram 2023 for his contribution to the field of literature. The award consists of a Rs 50,001 cash prize, 10-gram gold locket with an image of Sree Guruvayoorappan, a citation, and a memento. The award will be presented on February 24, when the devaswom celebrates the birthday of Poonthanam. This award was instituted by Guruvayur Devaswom in memory of ‘Poonthanam Namboothiri’, the ardent devotee of Guruvayoorappan, who wrote Jnanappana.

 

4. Austin Butler won the Best Actor award at the 76th BAFTA Awards: The 76th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA Awards, were announced at an event held in London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Austin Butler won the 76th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) Awards 2023 in the Best Leading Actor category for Elvis. Cate Blanchett won the Best Leading Actress Award for her performance in TAR. A German anti-war drama, ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ won a maximum of seven awards including Best Film and Director. This movie is a screen adaptation of the 1928 novel by Erich Maria Remarque. The Banshees of Inisherin’ and ‘Elvis’ both movies won four BAFTA awards.

 

 

 

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Gujarat governor O P Kohli passes away: Former Gujarat Governor and Rajya Sabha MP, Om Prakash Kohli passed away at 87 in Noida. He joined the political arena in January 1991. He was the 19th Governor of Gujarat between 2014 and 2019 during the term of chief ministers Anandiben Patel and Vijay Rupani. He also held the additional charge as Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 2016 to 2018 and Goa governor for three weeks in 2014. He was a lecturer at Hansraj College and Deshbandhu College in Delhi.

Daily GK Update- 20th Feb, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 achieves new milestone: India’s lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3 has successfully underwent Electro-Magnetic Interference/ Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMI-EMC). EMI-EMC test: It is conducted for satellite missions to ensure the functionality of the satellite subsystems in the space environment.It also ensures compatibility with the expected electromagnetic levels.The test was conducted by the ISRO at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. The performance of the systems was satisfactory.

 

2. North India's first nuclear power plant to be set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana: Union MoS, Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh announced that North India's first nuclear power plant would be set up in Gorakhpur in Fatehabad district, Haryana. The plant will be built on 560 hectares of land. Aim: To generate 2800 MW The first phase will be completed by  2025 and the second by 2028. As the second phase completes, the plant will be fully operational to generate 2800 MW. The project will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 20,594 crores.

 

3. MEA launches 'mPassport Police App': The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched the 'mPassport Police App' to streamline and expedite the police verification process for passport issuance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the App during the 76th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police. The mPassport Police App will cut the verification time period to 5 days. He also dedicated 350 mobile Tablets to personnel of the Delhi Police Special Branch, on the occasion of the force's Raising Day.

 

4. Govt approves Rs 30.40 cr ‘Sensor-based Smart Agriculture’ project: Jammu and Kashmir's government has approved Rs 30.40 crore for the Sensor-based Smart Agriculture project. It aims to integrate agriculture with technology driven by Artificial Insemination and IoT to automate practices, enhance resource use efficiency, and improve profitability. The project would enable the use of Hi-tech poly houses to cultivate cash crops around the year. In J&K, over 70% of the economy is based on agriculture.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India-Uzbekistan biennial military Ex-DUSTLIK 2023 begins in Uttarakhand: The 4th edition of the biennial training Ex DUSTLIK 2023, between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army is being conducted in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 20th February to 5th March 2023 Aim: To enhance the military capability to undertake multi-domain operations in a Sub Conventional scenario The 14th Battalion, the GARHWAL RIFLES, part of Western Command represented the Indian contingent The troops of the North Western Military District represented the Uzbekistan Army

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI issues final guidelines on interest rate risk in banking book: The RBI issued the final guidelines on Interest Rate Risk (IRR) in the Banking Book. Banks use this to measure, monitor, and disclose their exposure to IRRBB, which may impact the capital base and future earnings of lenders. IRRBB: The current or prospective risk to banks' capital and earnings arising from adverse movements in interest rates that affect their banking book positions. Excessive IRRBB: Risk to banks' current capital base and/or future earnings

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Austin Butler wins the Best Actor award at the 76th BAFTA Awards: Austin Butler won the 76th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) Awards 2023 in the Best Leading Actor category for Elvis. Cate Blanchett won the Best Leading Actress Award for her performance in TÁR. A German anti-war drama, ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ won a maximum of seven awards including Best Film and Director. This movie is a screen adaptation of the 1928 novel by Erich Maria Remarque. ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ and ‘Elvis’ both movies won four BAFTA awards.

 

1. Poet V Madhusoodanan Nair receives Jnanappana award 2023: A noted writer, V Madhusoodanan Nair has been selected for Jnanappana Puraskaram 2023 for his contribution to the field of literature. The award consists of a Rs 50,001 cash prize, a 10-gram gold locket with an image of Sree Guruvayoorappan, a citation, and a memento. Guruvayur Devaswom in memory of ‘Poonthanam Namboothiri’, the ardent devotee of Guruvayoorappan, who wrote Jnanappana, instituted this award. The award will be presented on February 24, 2023.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Actor Nandamuri Taraka Ratna passes away: Noted Actor and Politician, Nandamuri Taraka Ratna passed away at the age of 39 due to cardiac arrest in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was the grandson of the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and founder of the TDP, N.T. Rama Rao. He made his debut with Okato Number Kurraadu (2002) followed by Yuva Rathna (2003), Taarak (2003), and Bhadradri Ramudu. He was also awarded the Nandi Award 2009 for Best Villain in Amaravathi.

1. Legendary manga artist Leiji Matsumoto passes away: Legendary manga artist, Leiji Matsumoto passed away at age 85 due to acute heart failure in Tokyo, Japan. His manga works Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Herlock were adapted into television anime series in the 1970s and became huge hits in and outside Japan. Many of his manga was in the "battlefield comics" genre with more than 150 stories depicting the tragedy of war. Mangas are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. 

Daily GK Update- 19th Feb, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Divya Kala Mela 2023 is being organized in Mumbai: Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry will organize Divya Kala Mela in Mumbai from 16 to 25 February. The fair will showcase the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans from across the country. Around two hundred Divyang artists and entrepreneurs from about 24 States and Union Territories will be showcasing their products and skills. The event will present an enthralling experience to the visitors as vibrant products from various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern states will be seen together. It is an unique exhibition cum sale of products made by divyang entrepreneurs and artisans.

 

2. AICTE and BPRD Jointly Launch KAVACH-2023: A national-level hackathon KAVACH-2023 has launched to identify innovative ideas and technological solutions to address India’s 21st-century cyber security and cybercrime challenges. KAVACH-2023 is a one-of-a-kind national hackathon jointly developed by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. It identifies innovative ideas and technological solutions to address 21st century cyber security and cybercrime challenges faced by law enforcement agencies and common citizens.

 

3. Gujarat CM launched sixth phase of Sujalam-Sufalam Jal Abhiyan: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched the 6th phase of Sujalam-Sufalam Jal Abhiyan at Khoraj in Gandhinagar. The campaign aims to raise the groundwater level and maximize the use of rainwater will be held for 104 days till 31st May.Various developmental works for the deepening of lakes, delisting works of check dams, and reservoirs, construction of new check dams, forest ponds, and farm ponds, and cleaning of canals and banks will be carried out across the state.

 

4. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar sworn in as Bihar Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Bihar. He was administered the oath by Patna High Court Acting Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh at a function at Raj Bhawan. Arlekar succeeded Phagu Chauhan who is now the Governor of Meghalaya.

 

5. MV Suchindra Kumar to be new Vice Chief of Army: Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. He is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) in the Army Headquarters. Lt Gen Kumar will succeed Lt Gen B S Raju who has been appointed as the Jaipur- headquartered South Western Army Commander. Lt Gen NSR Subramani, at present serving as the Chief of Staff at the headquarters of the Northern Command in Udhampur, has been appointed as the next Central Army Commander in Lucknow.

 

6. APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission-2023 launched: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India in association with Martin Foundation launched the APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite launch vehicle mission 2023 in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It can be used for weather research and to assess atmospheric conditions and radiation. It was designed and constructed by students from grades 6 to 12 from different parts of the nation including 200 students from the fishermen's community.

 

7. Parshottam Rupala launches Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala launched the Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port, Gujarat. It started towards the coastal line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, and Parikrama and ended at Sasson Dock, Mumbai. Aim: To disseminate information on various fisheries-related schemes and programs being implemented by the government It also aimed to promote responsible fisheries and protect marine ecosystems.

 

8. Soil Health Card Day 2023: 19th February: India observed the 8th edition of the Soil Health Card Day on 19 February 2023 to commemorate the launch of the Soil Health Card Scheme. It provides information to farmers on the nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosages of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health. It also aims to provide financial assistance to farmers to apply corrective measures for deficiencies. In 2015, PM Modi has launched this scheme in Rajasthan.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 19 February – World Whale Day: World Whale Day is observed every year 19 February. Objective – To increase public knowledge of these amazing creatures, their beauty, and the ecological importance of what they contribute to the earth. The aquatic mammals belonging to the order Cetacea. The term ‘whale’ can be used in reference to any cetacean, including porpoises and dolphins, but in general it is applied to those more than 3 metres (10 feet) long.

World Whale Day was founded in Maui, Hawaii, in 1980 to honor humpback whales, which swim off the coast of this tropical island. This day was started as an idea by Greg Kauffman, founder of the Pacific Whale Foundation, to raise awareness about the threat of extinction faced by humpback whales.

 

2. UAE, India launch the UAE Chapter of the Business Council: The UAE and India have launched the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter (UIBCUC). Aim: To robust the economic ties and support their joint mission to increase bilateral trade and investment Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade) has launched the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter (UIBC-UC) in Dubai. Shared Goals: To increase the bilateral trade to $100 billion To attract $75 billion in investment from the UAE to India

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Saurashtra defeated Bengal to win its second Ranji Trophy title 2023: Saurashtra has defeated Bengal by nine wickets to lift their second Ranji Trophy title 2023, organized at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat was declared Man of the Match for his impressive performance. While Batter Arpit Vasavada was named the player of the series. Most runs: Mayank Agarwal (Karnataka) (990) Most wickets: Jalaj Saxena (Kerala) (50) Saurashtra won their first title in 2019-20 after beating Bengal.

 

2. India secured bronze in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship 2023: Team India won the bronze medal at the Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023, held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 14 to 19 February 2023. P.V. Sindhu-led side faced a 2-3 defeat against China in the semifinals and settled for the bronze medal. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won the Women’s Doubles. While team China won the Gold medal, South Korea won the Silver medal.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GST council will set up Appellate Tribunal for dispute redressal: FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the GST Council adopted the Group of Ministers (GoM) report on the GST Appellate Tribunal with certain modifications. The GoM on Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunals was set up under the chairmanship of Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala in July 2022.

Suggestions:

·       The tribunals should consist of two judicial members.

·       One technical member each from the Centre and States, besides a retired Supreme Court Judge as president.

 

2. GBBC Digital Finance join the IOSCO: GBBC Digital Finance has joined the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) as an affiliate member. GBBC Digital Finance has joined the Affiliate Members Consultative Committee, which is the 70th member of the committee. This committee contributes to IOSCO policy and standards development. IOSCO is a global organization that creates and advocates for global securities standards. It consists of 35 national securities regulators.

 

3. First G20 meeting of Finance Ministers to be held in Bengaluru: The first G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under the G20 Indian Presidency will be held on the 24th and 25th of February in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das will chair the meeting. It will see the participation of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G20 members, invitee members, and heads of International Organisations. 

 

4. Bank of Maharashtra tops list of public sector lenders in loan growth: According to an analysis of the latest financial results of public sector banks (PSBs) showed that the Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the top performer in terms of loan growth percentage during the third quarter of 2022-23. The BoM recorded a 21.67% increase in gross advances on a year-on-year basis. The Union Bank of India (19.80%) growth followed BoM. While the State Bank of India (SBI) ranked fourth with 16.91% rise in advances growth.

Daily GK Update- 18th Feb, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Tata Motors VP Rajan Amba appointed as MD of Jaguar Land Rover India: Rajan Amba has been appointed as the managing director of Jaguar Land Rover India, effective from 1st March 2023. He will replace Rohit Suri, who announced his retirement from the position of MD and President in January 2023. Prior to this role, he worked as the Vice President - Sales, Marketing, and Customer Care of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. He has also worked as a Chief Operating Officer with Carat Lane (a subsidiary company of Titan).

 

2. Lt General MV Suchindra Kumar appointed as Vice Chief of Army: Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. He is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) in the Army Headquarters. He will succeed Lt Gen B S Raju, who has been appointed as the Jaipur- headquartered South Western Army Commander.

While Lt Gen NSR Subramani has been appointed as the next Central Army Commander in Lucknow. All the new appointments will come into effect on March 1.

 

3. IAF develops indigenous ‘Vayulink’ platform for jammer-proof communication: The Indian Air Force has developed an innovative solution named ‘Vayulink’ to send radio communication to the base station when the signals are low. It would help pilots to deal with bad weather and also provide them with jammer-proof uninterrupted communication with the base station. It is an ad-hoc data link communication system. It will be installed in an aircraft and provide information about other aircraft close by, encrypted traffic data over a secured channel.

 

4. Vertiplane X3 Drone delivers TB medicines: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Rishikesh conducted a trial to test the feasibility of drones supplying medicines to primary health centers or smaller hospitals by Vertiplane X3 drone. This drone was used to deliver a 2kg package of anti-tubercular drugs to a district hospital in Tehri Garhwal during the trial. The aerial distance of nearly 40 kilometers between the helipad at AIIMS and the hospital was covered in 30 minutes.

 

5. Twelve cheetahs brought from South Africa to Kuno National Park: Twelve cheetahs from South Africa were brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Of the 12 cheetahs, seven are male and five are female. Union Ministers Bhupendra Yadav and Narendra Singh Tomar and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released these cheetahs into the Park. The cheetahs are being brought to India as part of the Cheetah Reintroduction Project on the basis of the MoU signed between the South African and the Indian governments. Thus, the number of cheetahs in Kuno National Park has increased now from 8 to 20.

 

6. India’s first waste-to-hydrogen plant to be set up in Pune: The Government of India is to set up the first waste-to-hydrogen plant at a cost of Rs 430 crores in Pune. A private company Green Billion Limited will build the plant. The company has signed an agreement with the Pune Municipal Corporation for 30 years. The objective of the plant is to treat 350 tonnes of solid waste daily. From this, it will produce ten tonnes of Hydrogen every day. The plant is to be built in Hadapsar Industrial Estate in Pune. The plant is the first of its kind in the country.

 

7. PM virtually inaugurated Jal Jan Abhiyan in Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated the Jal Jan Abhiyan in Abu Road in Sirohi district of Rajasthan. The main objective of this campaign is to plant trees along with water harvesting and motivate people for water conservation. This campaign has been started by the Brahma Kumar is organization and the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The 21st-century world is realizing the gravity of the limited water resources on earth and water security is a big question because of India’s huge population.

 

8. Lt Gen KT Parnaik takes oath as 20th Governor of Arunachal Pradesh: Lieutenant General (Retd) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik took oath as the 20th Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. He was administered the oath of office by the Judge of Gauhati High Court, Justice Nani Tagia in a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Itanagar. Lt Gen Parnaik replaced Brig (Retd) Dr. B D Mishra, who has been posted as Lt Governor of the union territory of Ladakh.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India ranks 47th in OECD's services trade restrictiveness index: According to the services trade restrictiveness index (STRI), conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), India ranked 47 out of 50 countries. As per the report, India had been progressively introducing reforms over the past years, contributing to a slight liberalization of services trade in some sectors. Top 5: Japan (1), UK, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Chile (5) Bottom: Indonesia (50), Thailand(49), and Russia (48)

 

2. BEL & Israel Aerospace Industries to form joint venture: Bharat Electronics Limited and Israel Aerospace Industries have concluded an MoA to form a JV aiming at a single point of contact for extending long-term product support services for India's defense forces. The new JV is being established to provide life cycle support for MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) air defense systems. MRSAM is an advanced air and missile defence system. The IAF, Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Israeli Defence Forces use it.

 

3. Bengaluru ranks as the 2nd slowest city to drive in the world: Bengaluru has ranked high among the slowest cities in the world when it comes to moving in traffic. The Silicon Valley of India is the second slowest city in the world to drive in as one can cover just 10 km in 29 minutes and 10 seconds in the city. The findings were shared by a report by TomTom, a Dutch multinational developer of location tech. Four other Indian cities made it to the list with Pune also securing a rank in top 10 at 6. Delhi is ranked at 34 with the average time needed to travel 10 km in the city at 22 minutes and 10 seconds. Mumbai came in at 47 and the average travel time for 10 km is 21 minutes and 10 seconds – a minute less than Delhi. The top rank went to London with 36 minutes and 20 seconds – an increase of 1 min 50 seconds as compared to 2021. Dublin came in third behind Bengaluru while Sapporo in Japan was fourth. Milan, Pune, Bucharest, Lima, Manila and Bogota came in at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 respectively.

 

4. Neil Mohan appointed as new CEO of YouTube: Indian-American executive Neil Mohan has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YouTube. He will replace Susan Wojcicki, who has announced her decision to step down after nine years in the position. He is working as YouTube’s Chief Product Officer and Senior Vice President. She was previously senior vice president for ad products at Google and became the CEO of YouTube in 2014. Mohan joined Google in 2008 and is the chief product officer at YouTube, where he has been focusing on building YouTube Shorts and Music.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI appoints V S Khichi as member on RCap advisory committee: The Reserve Bank of India has appointed former Bank of Baroda ED, Vikramaditya Singh Khichi as a member of the Advisory Committee on Reliance Capital. The move follows the resignation of former Axis Bank Deputy MD Srinivasan Varadarajan. The Advisory Committee on Reliance Capital was set up to advise the administrator of crisis-ridden Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Capital. Other members:  Sanjeev Nautiyal (former DMD, SBI) and Praveen P Kadle (former MD, Tata Capital).

 

2. 49th meeting of GST Council held in New Delhi: The 49th meeting of the GST Council held in New Delhi. The meeting has chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The meeting discussed setting up appellate tribunals and mechanisms to prevent tax evasion in the pan masala and gutkha business. The last meeting of the GST Council was held in December 2022 in which it recommended decriminalizing three different types of offences, including preventing any officers in the discharge of his duties and deliberate tampering with material evidence.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. K.K. Shailaja selected for 32nd Ramashramam Unneerikkutty Award: Former Health Minister, K.K. Shailaja has been selected for the 32nd Ramashramam Unneerikkutty Award. Reason: For her services as a minister during the times of the Nipah outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic, and her services to the State. This is an annual award, which is given to individuals who have made a mark in the fields of art, literature, culture, politics, or social service. She is the fourth woman to win the award ever since its inception in 1985.

 

2. Ramesh Krishnan gets Rotary Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Former India Davis Cup tennis player, Ramesh Krishnan was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual awards, organized by the Rotary Club of Madras, T. Nagar (RCMT), Chennai. Tamil Nadu Tennis Association president and ace tennis player Vijay Amritraj presented the award. Vijay Amritraj was the recipient of the first award in 2010. Golf player, Uttam Singh Mundy was awarded for vocational excellence.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Yakshagana artiste Balipa Narayana Bhagavatha passes away: Noted Yakshagana Bhagavatha (playback singer), Balipa Narayana Bhagavatha passed away at 85. He gained fame with his ‘Balipa style’ of singing. His grandfather Balipa Narayana Bhagavatha was also a famous Bhagawatha who had first popularised the Balipa style of singing. He has written more than 30 Yakshagana ‘Prasanga’ (scripts). He was the chief Bhagwat of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Prasadita Yakshagana Mandali (Kateel Mela).