Daily GK Update- 19th Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Vice Admiral Swaminathan becomes Controller of Personnel Services in Navy: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as Controller of Personnel Services on April 17, 2023. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, and is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. Earlier, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group, and Flag Officer Sea Training. He was the second Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

 

2. Ganga mission clears projects worth ₹638 crore: Eight projects worth ₹638 crore (approx) were approved in the 48th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). Chaired by: Director General, G Asok Kumar In an initiative to clean River Hindon, four projects worth Rs 407.39 crore were approved for pollution abatement in the Shamli district. As part of preparations for the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj in 2025, one project for the development of seven ghats was approved.

 

3. Govt launches 'Sangathan se Samriddhi' scheme: Union Minister of Rural Development, Giriraj Singh has launched the ‘Sangathan Se Samriddhi’ campaign to empower marginalized rural households by bringing all eligible rural women into the fold of Self Help Groups (SHGs). The govt is targeting to bring 10 crore women under the purview of SHGs (existing nine crores). The govt has also set a target that every woman associated with SHGs should be able to earn 1 lakh rupees per annum. He also urged women to produce millet.

 

4. Kerala adopts Water Budget to tackle summer water shortage: Kerala has become the first state to adopt a water budget in a bid to come up with a solution to water scarcity in certain regions. The first phase would cover 94-gram panchayats and 15-block panchayats. CM Pinarayi Vijayan released Public Water Budget. The third phase of the Ini Njan Ozhukatte (Let me flow now) project for the rehabilitation of irrigation networks in the Western Ghats was also launched. The idea of a water budget was first mooted by the state in 2019.

 

5. Country’s first Mangrove Pitta Bird census undertaken in Bhitarkanika: The first-ever census of Mangrove Pitta Bird was conducted by the Odisha forest officials in the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary. In the first census, 179 mangrove pitta birds were sighted. The habitats of these beautiful birds are confined to mangrove forest areas in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and Sundarban in West Bengal. Mangrove pitta is a colorful bird that has a black head with a brown crown. It feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, and insects.

 

6. Satinder Kumar Lambah's book 'In Pursuit of Peace' launched: The memoir of the late Satinder Kumar Lambah, ‘In Pursuit of Peace: India-Pakistan Relations Under Six Prime Ministers’ was launched by Nina Lambah. It was forwarded by former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh. Satinder Kumar Lambah had served two tenures in Pakistan as Deputy Chief of Mission and High Commissioner and was Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board. He also served as a Special Representative for Afghanistan under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

 

7. Centre approves Rs 638 cr under Namami Gange programme: Eight projects worth approximately ₹638 crore were approved in the 48th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). In an attempt to clean River Hindon, which is a tributary of River Yamuna, four projects worth Rs. 407.39 crore were approved for pollution abatement in the Shamli district. These projects are part of the comprehensive Hindon Rejuvenation Plan. Hindon River is identified as a Priority I polluted river stretch. The projects which were sanctioned are to prevent the flow of polluted water into Krishna River. The four projects in Shamli district include the construction of 5 Million Litres per Day (MLD) Sewage Treatment Plant (Nirmal Jal Kendra), 5 KLD Septage Co-treatment Facility, Interception & Diversion (I&D) and other works in Babri and Bantikhera villages. As part of preparations for the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in 2025, one project for development of 7 ghats in Prayagraj was also approved in the EC meeting. The ghats include Dashashmedh Ghat, Quila Ghat, Naukayan Ghat, Gyan Ganga Ashram Ghat, Saraswati Ghat, Maheva Ghat and Rasulabad Ghat. These ghats will have amenities such as area for bathing, change room, universal access ramp, drinking water points, flood lights for night, kiosks, landscaping etc.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. New York Senate appoints Rowan Wilson as state's first Black chief judge: The New York Senate has confirmed Judge Rowan Wilson (62) as the new chief judge of the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. He is also New York’s first Black chief judge. He was appointed by the 57th governor of New York, Kathy Hochul. Since 2017, he has been an associate judge of the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court. He studied at Harvard College, and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1984.

 

2. India violated global trading rules in IT tariff dispute: WTO: A World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel has ruled that India has violated global trading rules in a dispute against the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan. The case pertains to import duties for a wide range of products. In 2019, the EU, Japan, and Taiwan challenged the import duties on certain IT products. The EU had challenged India’s introduction of import duties between 7.5% and 20% for products such as mobile phones, mobile phone components, and accessories.

 

3. World Liver Day 2023: 19 April: World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19 to raise awareness about liver-related diseases. Theme 2023: Be vigilant, do a regular liver check-up, fatty liver can affect anyone This day educates the public on lifestyle modifications that can help prevent liver diseases, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting vaccinated against hepatitis. As per the WHO, liver ailments amount to the 10th most common reason for death in India.

4. India contributes $500,000 to UN entity for women empowerment: Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj has handed over the cheque of USD 500,000 (Rs 4.09 crore) to the UN Women - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The cheque was received by Sima Sami Bahous, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women. The Indian government is committed to the goals of gender equality, the empowerment of women, and gender mainstreaming.

 

5. Neeli Bendapudi named to a US-India task force: Indian-origin academic Neeli Bendapudi has been appointed as one of five co-chairs of an Association of American Universities (AAU) task force focused on the expansion of research and academic partnerships among higher education institutions in the US and India. AAU created the national task force in coordination with the Biden administration’s US-India initiative on critical and emerging technology, which seeks to grow technological and industrial collaboration between the two nations. Bendapudi was president of the University of Louisville, where she oversaw a series of transformative efforts spanning academics; finance; health enterprise, philanthropy; athletics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and more. Bendapudi is the first woman to serve as president of the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

 

6. 19 April – World Liver Day: World Liver Day is observed every year on 19 April. Objective – To spread awareness about liver-related disease. Theme 2023 – Be vigilant, do a regular liver check-up, fatty liver can affect anyone. The liver is one of the most complex organs in the human body. It plays a pivotal role in our body’s immunity, digestion and metabolism. Plus, it also carries out the filtration of toxins, stores vitamins and minerals, and produces bile, among other functions. Liver is also the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, with the exception of the brain. Human Liver Weight – 1.5 Kg

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Suryakumar Yadav & Harmanpreet Kaur named Wisden’s leading T20I cricketer: Wisden Cricketers Almanack has released the list of top-5 cricketers of the year 2022. Suryakumar won the honour of Wisden Almanack’s leading T20I cricketer while Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian woman to win the Cricketer of the Year award. Apart from Kaur, the list also includes the names of Tom Blundell (New Zealand), Ben Foakes (England), Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) and Matthew Potts (England). Apart from this, Ben Stokes of England has been selected as the best cricketer in the world for the year 2022-23 among male players. Harmanpreet has received this honor for her excellent performance last year. Harmanpreet scored an unbeaten 143 off 111 balls in the ODI against England in the year 2022. Suryakumar Yadav is currently the world’s number-1 batsman in T20 cricket. He played 31 matches in the year 2022 and scored 1,164 runs at an impressive strike rate of 187.43. Which is the second most runs ever in a calendar year. During this, he had scored 2 centuries and 9 half-centuries.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. AU Small Finance Bank launches bill payments via video banking: AU Small Finance Bank has become the country's first commercial bank to connect with the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) and deliver bill payment services via video banking. Aim: To increase digital accessibility and economic capabilities, which will lead to greater financial inclusion Customers can use this platform to pay their bills without having to go to a branch, which is especially useful for senior persons and others with mobility challenges.

 

2. CRED launches UPI-based P2P payments: Fintech major CRED has launched its UPI-based peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, providing its users with a new payment option. The feature allows CRED members access to ‘pay anyone’ through their contact list, phone numbers, or UPI IDs. The new payment experience has been introduced after the launch of Scan & Pay in October 2022. As scan and pay gain traction, CRED expects the number of merchants to grow. Now with the launch of P2P UPI payments, CRED members will have multiple payment options including offline payments (UPI P2P, Scan & Pay, Tap to Pay), online merchant payments (CRED Pay, CRED flash) and bill payments.

 

3. Karnataka Bank launches home loan campaign: Karnataka Bank has launched a special home loan campaign — ‘KBL Centenary Mahotsav’ from April 17 to July 17. Karnataka Bank has developed digital loan products for home loans allowing customers to enjoy seamless digital processing and immediate in-principle approvals at their convenience and comfort. Customers can avail home loan with discount in upfront fee, attractive rate of interest starting from 8.75 percent, and nil processing charges for home loan under the ‘KBL Centenary Mahotsav’ campaign.

 

4. City Union Bank launches India’s 1st Voice Biometric Authentication Banking App: City Union Bank has launched the country’s first voice biometric authentication for logging into mobile banking app. The voice biometric service was developed by Chennai-based deeptech start-up, Kaizen Secure Voiz Pvt Ltd, under the guidance of the 5G use case lab of the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT). Customers have to register their voice once, which will be validated on various parameters. The service will prevent fraud based on PIN / OTP and the technology is fool-proof against recorded or mimicked voices.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Karnataka Bags National Award For Fasal Bima Yojana: Karnataka has bagged the national award for the best implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the country. The state has recorded a 47.74% increase in the enrolment of farmers under the scheme, between the Kharif season 2021 and 2022. While the area covered under the scheme increased by 41.80%. The common service centers have also seen an enrolment of 4.66 lakh non-loanee farmers over the last six years.

 

2. Utsa Patnaik selected for Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023: A renowned economist of national and international repute, Utsa Patnaik has been selected for the Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023. It is granted for outstanding contributions to Development Studies. The award consists of a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh. The award is given every year by the Malcolm & Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust. It is annually given to an outstanding social scientist selected from nominations received by a specially constituted national jury.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Ranji opener Abdul Azeem passed away: Former Hyderabad cricketer and one of the finest openers in the domestic circuit, Abdul Azeem passed away. In a career spanning 73 first-class games between 1980-95, the dashing opener scored 12 centuries and 18 fifties. Making his first-class debut in 1979-80, he went on to play 73 matches, scoring 4,644 runs with 12 centuries including a triple century against Tamil Nadu at Gymkhana ground.

Daily GK Update- 18th Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Tribal Affairs Minister launches PTP-NER scheme in Manipur: Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda has launched the Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North-Eastern Region (PTP-NER) scheme in Manipur. This scheme has been introduced for the benefit of Scheduled Tribes of the North-Eastern Region. Vision: To strengthen the livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans through increased efficiency in procurement, logistics and marketing of tribal products from North Eastern States.

 

2. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches ‘YUVA PORTAL’: Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched a YUVA PORTAL for connecting and identifying potential young Start-Ups in the country. He has also launched the One Week -One Lab program. This program will offer the opportunity to the CSIR labs to showcase the work being done by them so that others can avail of it. During the launch event, he also hailed the launching of the astronomy lab that has come up in Karnal, Haryana.

 

3. Union Minister of Steel to inaugurate India Steel 2023 in Mumbai: The Union Minister of Steel Jyotiraditya M. Scindia will inaugurate India Steel 2023, organized in Mumbai from 19-21 April 2023. The event will be conducted by the steel ministry, Department of Commerce, and FICCI. Aim: To bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the steel industry. It will showcase advance technologies, products, and solutions from the Indian steel industry.

 

4. India to Chair Commonwealth group on Reform of financial architecture: Finance ministers from various Commonwealth countries have agreed for India to be the chair of the Finance Ministers Working Group for a Commonwealth Call for Reform of the Global Financial Architecture. While Nigeria has been elected as the deputy chair of the Finance Ministers Working Group. Their collective call for reform came at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group Meeting in Washington DC Commonwealth Secretary-General: Patricia Scotland KC

 

5. Andhra Pradesh Govt changes name of greenfield seaport in Srikakulam: The Andhra Pradesh government has renamed the proposed Bhavanapadu port in the Srikakulam district as Mulapeta port at the request of the locals. CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will lay a foundation stone for this nearly Rs 4,000 crore project on April 19, 2023. This decision was taken as farmers from Mulapeta and Vishnuchakram villages requested the name change. The state govt also issued an order notifying Bhavanapadu Port as Mulapeta Port with the same limits

 

6. DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence inaugurated at IIT Hyderabad: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) has been inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad. This is the biggest such facility in the country. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat inaugurated the facility at the campus of the IIT-Hyderabad at Sangareddy in Telangana. The DIA CoE IITH is the largest centre among all 15 CoEs in the country and DRDO team will work with IIT-H to identify the target projects in each of these domains and execute to complete in a period of 3-5 years. The DIA CoE IITH is the largest centre among all 15 CoEs in the country.

 

7. Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam begins in Gujarat: The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam began with great zeal and enthusiasm at Somnath in Gujarat. The ten-day-long cultural extravaganza was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The programme is being organised under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat to foster the age-old cultural bond between Gujarat and Tamilnadu As part of the Sangamam, delegates will visit various heritage and tourist places such as Somnath, Dwarka and the Statue of Unity and participate in the cultural programmes.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi to inaugurate first Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi: PM Modi will inaugurate the first Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on April 20, 2023. Theme 2023: Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis This two-day summit will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture and its grantee body International Buddhist Confederation. It will be attended by scholars, Sangha leaders, and Dharma practitioners from all over the world. It will also enhance the cultural and diplomatic relationships with other countries.

 

2. World Heritage Day 2023: 18th April 2023: World Heritage Day (or International Day for Monuments and Sites) is celebrated on April 18 to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and the need to preserve it for future generations. Theme 2023: Heritage Changes It was established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and was approved by the 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (As of April 18, 2023): 40 ICOMOS Founded: 1965; HQ: Paris

 

3. Kenya launches first operational satellite into space: Kenya has successfully launched its inaugural earth observation satellite, Taifa-1 using a SpaceX rocket from the United States The satellite was carried by the Falcon 9 rocket, launched from Vandenberg Base in California. It was developed over a two-year period at a cost of 50 million Kenyan shillings, with assistance from the Bulgarian aerospace firm Endurosat Additionally, under SpaceX’s rideshare initiative, the launch rocket carried 50 payloads from other countries

 

4. IIT Indore and NASA-Caltech develop low-cost camera for flame imaging: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore in collaboration with the NASA-Caltech from the US and the Sweden’s University of Gothenburg has developed a low-cost camera setup which can provide multispectral imaging of four chemical species in a flame using single DSLR camera. Using only a single DSLR camera, it can simultaneously capture multiple spectral three-dimensional images of four chemical species in a flame, whereas earlier scientific imaging required a complex system with four cameras. The picture of the four chemical species present in a flame can be clicked together in complete detail with this smart camera. The camera is designed for multispectral imaging of flames. It is low-cost and can be used for research and industrial applications.

 

5. US becomes India’s biggest trading partner in FY23: Report: The US has emerged as India’s biggest trading partner in 2022-23 on account of increasing economic ties between the two countries. According to the provisional data of the commerce ministry, the bilateral trade between India and the US has increased by 7.65 percent to USD 128.55 in 2022-23 as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. It was USD 80.51 billion in 2020-21. Exports to the US rose by 2.81 percent to USD 78.31 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 76.18 billion in 2021-22, while imports grew by about 16 percent to USD 50.24 billion. Exports to China dipped by about 28 percent to USD 15.32 billion in 2022-23, while imports rose by 4.16 percent to USD 98.51 billion in the last fiscal. The trade gap widened to USD 83.2 billion in the last fiscal as against USD 72.91 billion in 2021-22. In 2022-23, the UAE with USD 76.16 billion, was the third largest trading partner of India. It was followed by Saudi Arabia (USD 52.72 billion), and Singapore (USD 35.55 billion).

 

6. Syria becomes world’s largest ‘Narco-state’: Syria has become the world’s foremost narco-state as its economic survival now depends heavily on the production and export of Captagon also known as the “poor man’s coke”. Captagon is a banned illicit drug recognized by the UNODC (2021) and is a synthetic stimulant that combines amphetamine and caffeine. According to the Collins Dictionary, “narco-state” refers to a nation where a significant portion of the economy is reliant on the illicit trade of narcotic drugs.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Nithya wins gold in women's singles at Brazil Para-Badminton International: India's Para-Badminton player, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan has won two gold medals at the Brazil Para-Badminton International 2023. In the women's singles SH6 category finals, she defeated Peru's Giuliana Poveda Flores to win the gold medal. In the mixed doubles SH6 final, she combined with Sivarajan Solaimalai to beat Hong Kong's Chu Man Kai and Choi Wing Kei. While Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam also won gold in the men's doubles category.

 

2. Shaili Singh qualifies for Asian Games; logging 2nd longest jump in India’s history: At the Indian Grand Prix-4 in Bengaluru, Shaili Singh won in the women’s long jump. With a personal best of 6.76 meters, she is now the holder of the 2nd longest jump in India’s history and has qualified for the Asian Games. Shaili’s win at the Indian Grand Prix-4 is a major milestone and will have a significant impact on the future of Indian sports. Athlete Shaili has been training hard at NCOE Bangalore and her dedication and commitment to her sport are truly inspiring.

 

3. Vedaant wins 5 gold medals in Malaysia Swimming Championships 2023: Indian Swimmer, Vedaant Madhavan has claimed 5 gold medals for India at the Malaysian Invitational age group Championships 2023 held in Kuala Lumpur. He won gold in the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 1500m swimming categories. In 2022, he also participated in the 48th Junior National Aquatics Championships and became the first person in India to break the record of the 1500m freestyle by finishing the race within 16:01.73 seconds.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India saw a record of ₹149.5 trillion UPI, card transactions in 2022: According to a report by a French payment and transactional services firm, Bengaluru has topped the list of Indian cities in terms of the highest digital transactions in the year 2022. The city recorded 29 million transactions worth ₹6500 crore in 2022. Delhi ranked second followed by Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai. Report title: India Digital Payments Annual Report Payment modes like UPI, Debit and Credit cards processed 87.92 billion transactions.

 

2. CBIC to introduce new system of publishing daily currency exchange rates: The CBIC is likely to introduce a system of publishing daily currency exchange rates on the integrated customs portal. It would replace the existing system of notifying rates fortnightly. Aim: To capture daily exchange rate fluctuations and help importers and exporters to precisely calculate customs duties based on daily exchange rate Currently, CBIC manually notifies exchange rates of 22 currencies every fortnight based on rates obtained from SBI.

 

3. ADB provides USD 230 million for flood rehabilitation in Bangladesh: ADB will provide a loan of USD 230 million to Bangladesh to help the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the northeastern part of the country affected by devastating floods in May–June 2022. The agreement between ADB and the government of Bangladesh was signed in Dhaka. The assistance under the Flood Reconstruction Emergency Assistance Project will help in the reconstruction, improvement of resilience, and economic recovery.

Daily GK Update- 17th Apr, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. WPI inflation eases to a 29-month low of 1.34% in March 2023: According to the government data, India's annual Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation has declined to a 29-month low of 1.34% in March 2023, as input prices continued to moderate. This is the 10th straight month of decline in WPI-based inflation. The WPI inflation data was 3.85% in February, 4.73% in January 2023, and 14.63% in March 2022. While the food index inflation eased to 2.32% in March 2023 from 2.76% in February 2023.

 

2. Ministry of Panchayati Raj to Celebrate National Panchayat Awards Week: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is celebrating the National Panchayat Awards Week from 17th – 21st April 2023 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2.0. The ministry has conceptualized a series of Thematic Conferences for the National Panchayat Awards Week on the theme “Panchayaton ke Sankalpon ki Siddhi ka Utsav”. Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh has released a booklet on ‘Best Practices on Works of Awardee Panchayats’.

 

3. DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence inaugurated at IIT Hyderabad: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) has been inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology -Hyderabad. DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat inaugurated the facility at the campus of the IIT-Hyderabad at Sangareddy in Telangana. The government is taking up futuristic projects towards long-term directed research needed for DRDO. The DIA CoE IITH is the largest centre among all 15 CoEs in the country.

 

4. G20 MACS meeting in Varanasi to feature the MAHARISHI Initiative: A three-day Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) under India's G20 presidency has been started on April 17, 2023, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. They will discuss sustainable agriculture and food systems for healthy people and the planet, Agriculture research and development, including food security and nutrition, public-private partnership etc. The 'Millets And Other Ancient GRains International ReSearcH Initiative (MAHARISHI)' is also proposed.

 

5. Confederate of Indian Industry (CII) co-organizes Digital Health Summit 202: Confederate of Indian Industry (CII) has co-organized a Digital Health Summit 2023 with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on April 16, 2023. The theme of the event was ‘Building One Health Together – Improving Health Equity’. Objective: To bring together the policy makers, industry leaders, and global healthcare experts and thought leaders to deliberate upon key issues confronting the digital health space

 

6. India opens its 16th Visa application center in Kushtia: The High Commission of India opened its 16th Visa application center in Kushtia town of Southwestern Bangladesh. The inauguration of the new Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) was done by High Commissioner Pranya Verma. This IVAC will provide greater ease and convenience to the residents of Kushtia and its adjoining areas seeking visa services for visiting India. The new Centre will further strengthen the people-to-people contacts that bind the two countries and which are at the core of India-Bangladesh relations rooted in their shared sacrifices during the Liberation War of 1971. The new IVAC centre will serve as a new platform for promoting tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges between India and Bangladesh.

 

7. 2nd G20 Health Working Group Meeting commence in Goa: The 2nd Health Working Group meeting under G20 India Presidency begins in More than 180 delegates from 19 G20 member countries, 10 invited states, and 22 International Organizations will be participating in the meeting. The 2nd Health Working Group meeting of G20 will have discussions on the Priorities which include Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness and Response, Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with a focus on Access and Availability to safe, effective, quality, and Affordable Medical Countermeasures and Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery. The Health Track of the G20 India Presidency will comprise four Health Working Group (HWG) Meetings and one Health Ministerial Meeting (HMM).

 

8. 16 April – Save The Elephant Day: Save the Elephant Day is observed every year on 16 April. Objective -To promote awareness of the issues faced by elephants and inspire efforts to protect these majestic animals. Theme 2023 – Protecting Elephant Habitats for a Sustainable Tomorrow

The day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of elephants, the challenges they face and the actions that can be taken to protect their existence. The event was first celebrated on 16 April 2012 and is now celebrated every year.

 

9. 13 April 2023 – 39th Siachen Day: Every year on April 13, the Siachen Warriors celebrate Siachen Day. This year marks the 39th anniversary of Operation Meghdoot, launched by the Indian Army on April 13, 1984, to secure the Siachen Glacier, which was important from a strategic point of view since the glacier shares boundaries with Pakistan and China. The Siachen Warriors also felicitated the veterans, Veer Naris, and Civil Defence employees who made supreme sacrifices on this most challenging battlefield, fighting extreme weather conditions and tough terrain. More than 11,000 troops have made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty during the last 39 years, ever since the beginning of Operation Meghdoot.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. The US emerges as India's biggest trading partner in FY23: According to the provisional data, released by the commerce ministry, the bilateral trade between India and the US increased by 7.65% to USD 128.55 in 2022-23 as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. The US has emerged as India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23. During 2022-23, India's two-way commerce with China declined by about 1.5% to USD 113.83 billion. In 2022-23, the UAE (USD 76.16 billion) was the third largest trading partner, followed by Saudi Arabia.

2. Syria becomes world's largest 'narco-state': Syria has become the world's foremost narco-state, as its economic survival now depends heavily on the production and export of Captagon.

Captagon is a banned illicit drug recognized by the UNODC (2021) and is a synthetic stimulant that combines amphetamine and caffeine. According to the Collins Dictionary, "narco-state" refers to a nation where a significant portion of the economy is reliant on the illicit trade of narcotic drugs.

 

3. Global Conference on Compressed Biogas held in New Delhi: IFGE- CBG Producers Forum organize a two-day Global Conference on Compressed Biogas in New Delhi. The theme of the Conference is – Towards Progressive Policy Framework for a Robust CBG Foundation and Growth. The objective of this Conference is to apprise the industry regarding the initiatives taken by the Central Government for the development of the Compressed Biogas Industry and to identify the areas where policy modifications are required. India is dedicated to achieving a net zero target by 2070 and the Government has taken several initiatives to reduce emissions.

 

4. 17 April – World Hemophilia Day: World Hemophilia Day is observed on 17 April every year. Objective – To spread awareness about this rare blood disorder and other inherited bleeding disorders like the Von Willebrand disease. Theme 2023 – Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds as the Global Standard of Care World Hemophilia Day was established in 1989 after the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) chose April 17 to bring the community together in honour of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Russia’s Gazprombank deepens ties with Indian banks for bilateral trade: Russia’s Gazprombank has expanded its ties with banks in India to expedite trade between the two countries in national currencies, as Russia this year has become the biggest supplier of oil to India. It is the third-largest lender of Russia by assets and a key conduit of the Russian energy trade. In 2022, India implemented a broader framework to facilitate overseas trade in rupees, and since then many Russian institutions have opened vostro accounts with Indian banks.

 

2. Chennai Metro launched Singara Chennai Card with SBI: Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has collaborated with the State Bank of India for the National Common Mobility Card or Singara Chennai Card as part of the multimodal and ticket integration plan. The card, which can be used on metro trains now and on MTC buses and suburban trains later, can also be used in other metros. The card, which can be had for free on production of a government identity proof. It is available at metro stations at Koyambedu, Central, Airport, High Court, Alandur, Thirumangalam and Guindy, besides SBI branches. It can be preloaded with cash from 100 to 2,000, with a 1.8% commission charged by SBI. The option to link the card to an SBI bank account will be available soon.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Nandini Gupta of Rajasthan crowned Femina Miss India World 2023: Nandini Gupta (19) of Rajasthan has been crowned the 59th edition of the beauty pageant, Femina Miss India World 2023. Meanwhile, Shreya Poonja from Delhi and Thounaojam Strela Luwang from Manipur were announced as the first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively. She hails from Kota, Rajasthan, and holds a Business Management degree. Femina Miss India 2023 was held at Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak, Imphal, Manipur.

 

2. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari awarded the “Maharashtra Bhushan” for the year 2022: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has presented the “Maharashtra Bhushan” award for the year 2022 to Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at Raigarh, Maharashtra. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari is a famous social reformer. His father Nanasaheb was Dharmadhikari. In view of his work, Appasaheb was also honored with Padma Shri in 2017. The work of tree plantation was done by the Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Foundation keeping in view the effect of climate change and temperature. A total of 36,61,611 trees have been planted by the Foundation from 2015 to 2021.

 

3. Nandini Gupta wins Femina Miss India 2023: Nandini Gupta has won Femina Miss India World 2023 crown. The 19-year-old hails from Kota, Rajasthan. Along with Nandini, the country got its new beauty queens of the year including Shreya Poonja from Delhi became the first runner-up, and Manipur’s Thounaojam Strela Luwang as 2nd runner-up. The 59th edition of Femina Miss India was held in Manipur.

 

4. Raj Subramaniam presented with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: The Indian-American CEO of global transportation giant FedEx, Raj Subramaniam has been presented with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. It is the highest civilian award given by India to persons of Indian origin and Indian diaspora. Subramanian was presented with the award by India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu at a ceremony at the India House. Subramanian is the president and CEO of FedEx Corporation, one of the world’s largest transportation companies.

 

Daily GK Update- 16th Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Arunachal Pradesh CM inaugurates Shar Nyima Tsho Sum Namyig Lhakhang: Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu has inaugurated the Shar Nyima Tsho Sum Namyig Lhakhang (Gonpa) at Gyangkhar village, located in the Tawang district of the state. The Gonpa has great historical importance for the well-being and betterment of humans, particularly for the people of Shar Nyima Tsho Sum and all Buddhists in general. The 11- 12th-century Gonpa was on the verge of collapse but it has been restored with a new structure.

 

2. PM Modi inaugurated the northeast’s first AIIMS: PM Modi has inaugurated the All Indian Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Guwahati, Assam. The foundation stone was laid in May 2017 and was built at a cost of over Rs 1,120 crore. It has a total capacity of 750 beds, including 30 AYUSH beds, and also has an intake capacity of 100 MBBS students per year. He also laid the foundation of the Rs 546 crore Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute, a joint initiative of the state government and IIT Guwahati.

 

3. SIDBI launches new financing solution for electric vehicle space: SIDBI has launched a pilot scheme for better financing terms in the electric vehicle space and strengthening the whole ecosystem. The pilot phase of 'Mission 50K-EV4ECO' aims to strengthen the EV ecosystem, including uptake for two, three, and four-wheelers through direct and indirect lending. Direct lending: SIDBI will directly give loans to eligible MSMEs Indirect lending: Targeted at NBFCs, including small unrated focused, and emerging NBFCs.

 

4. Indian Oil, LanzaJet to set up India's first green aviation fuel firm: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is planning to set up a joint venture with US-based clean energy technology company LanzaJet Inc and multiple domestic airlines. Reason: For the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) The proposed venture will set up a plant to make SAF with alcohol-to-jet technology at the state-run company’s Panipat refinery in Haryana at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. IOC will possess a 50% share, while LanzaJet Inc will hold a 25% share.

 

5. Tamil Nadu govt formed a panel to assess the functioning of juvenile homes: The Tamil Nadu government has formed a one-man committee to recommend measures for the effective administration of the homes functioning as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015. The committee will be headed by Retired judge K. Chandru The committee will look into various aspects of running the institutions including infrastructure, health and medical facilities, qualification of staff among others and provide recommendations to the government for improvement. The period of the committee will be for four months and extendable up to six months. A government order issued by the department in this regard had stated that a high-level committee would be formed to improve the functioning and administration of observation homes, special homes and places of safety functioning under the JJ Act, 2015.

6. Bharat Gaurav tourist train flagged off on the occasion of Dr. BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary: Union Tourism Minister G Krishan Reddy and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar have flagged off Bharat Gaurav Tourist train to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in New Delhi. Bharat Gaurav Tourist train will not only showcase India’s rich cultural heritage but also the life of B R Ambedkar. During the 8-day tour, the train will cover cities including, New Delhi, Mhow, Nagpur, Varanasi and sacred Buddhist sites like Sanchi, Sarnath, Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda. The theme-based tourist circuit trains, Bharat Gaurav Train is in line with the Government of India initiative “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” and DekhoApnaDesh to promote domestic tourism.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 16 April – World Voice Day: World Voice Day (WVD) is celebrated annually on April 16. Objective – To promote the proper care and training of the human voice, particularly among those who use their voice for professional or recreational purposes The voice is critical to effective and healthy human communication. World Voice Day helps bring global awareness to the need to prevent voice problems, rehabilitate troubled voices, train artistic voices, and research the function and application of the human voice. The concept of dedicating a special day to the voice was first introduced in 1999 by the Society of Laryngology & Voice in Brazil, which selected April 16 as the annual date.

 

2. 15 April – World Art Day: World Art Day is observed every year on 15 April. Objective – To commemorate Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, recognizing the importance of art in promoting creativity, cultural diversity, and information exchange. World Art Day was officially established on April 15 during the General Assembly of the International Association of Art in 2012. This was the first year of celebration, and the date was chosen in honor of the renowned artist, Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

 

1. Shaili Singh produces second longest jump at Indian Grand Prix 4 Athletics: Long jumper, Shaili Singh won a gold medal in the women’s long jump at the Indian Grand Prix 4 2023 athletics meet in Bangalore, Karnataka. She has logged a 6.76m effort, the second-best by an Indian after the legendary Anju Bobby George. With this win, she has also qualified for the Asian Games 2023, scheduled in Hangzhou, China, by breaching the women’s long jump qualifying standard of 6.45m set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Banking on Climate Chaos Report released: According to the annual Banking on Climate Chaos report, the world’s 60 largest banks have spent $5.5 trillion (Rs 4,49,36,265 crore) on financing fossil fuel projects since 2016. Released by: Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club and Urgewald. JPMorgan Chase & Co has spent $434.15 billion, followed by Citibank NA, Wells Fargo & Company, and Bank of America Corporation

 

2. Chennai Metro and SBI launch Singara Chennai Card: Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has collaborated with the State Bank of India for the National Common Mobility Card or Singara Chennai Card as part of the multimodal and ticket integration plan. It can be used on metro trains and on MTC buses and suburban trains later, and can also be used in other metros. The option to link the card to an SBI bank account will be available soon. It can be preloaded with cash from 100 to 2,000 with a 1.8% commission charged by SBI.

 

3. SBI reintroduces 400 days ‘Amrit Kalash’ retail term deposit scheme: State Bank of India (SBI) has reintroduced a retail term deposit ‘AMRIT KALASH’, a special scheme of 400 days tenor. Earlier, the bank had launched this retail term deposit scheme with a specific duration and it was valid from February 15, 2023, to March 31, 2023. The Rate of Interest on this term deposit is 7.10 % w.e.f. April 12th, 2023. While Senior Citizens are eligible for a rate of interest of 7.60%. The Scheme will be valid till 30-June-2023.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Dr. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2022: Union HM Amit Shah has presented the Maharashtra Bhushan Award for 2022 to Dr. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at Raigarh, Maharashtra. He has played a significant role in organizing several tree plantation drives, blood donation drives, free medical clinics, and job fairs. Award: A shawl, citation and memento, and a cheque of Rs 25 lakh He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 2017. His father Dr. Narayan Vishnu Dharmadhikari was also awarded the Maharashtra Bhushan in 2008. 

 

2. Solar Energy Corporation of India gets 'Miniratna Category-I' status: Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has been accorded the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). SECI was incorporated in the year 2011 and is the primary implementing agency of the ministry for renewable energy schemes/ projects towards fulfillment of India's international commitments. As of date, SECI has awarded RE project capacities of over 56 GW. Managing Director, SECI:  Suman Sharma.