Daily GK Update- 24th June, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. HM Amit Shah lays foundation stone of ‘Balidan Stambh’ in Srinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has laid the foundation stone of Balidaan Stambh' (martyr's memorial) at Pratap Park, near the Lal Chowk city centre the commercial hub of Srinagar city. Home Minister has laid the foundation stone in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The memorial, a project under the Srinagar Smart City, is a tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

 

2. Paytm collaborates with Arunachal Pradesh to Foster Startup Ecosystem: Paytm Payment Services Limited signed an MoU with Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park to create a startup ecosystem for the youth. Under an MoU, Paytm Incubation Centre will provide its product to early-stage startups at a discounted price. It also offers free credits through the Paytm Startup toolkit to aid youths' business ventures in their early growth stage. This will nurture the startup ecosystem in the state and motivate young entrepreneurs

 

3. IFFCO starts exporting world’s first Nano urea invented in India: IFFCO has started exporting the world’s first Nano urea invented and manufactured indigenously in India to the US. An agreement to export Nano urea was signed between IFFCO and Kapoor Enterprises Inc of California. The nano urea is a revolution in the agriculture sector as it has the potential to reduce storage space and money. A 500 ml bottle of IFFCO Nano Urea Liquid has the capacity to replace at least one bag of conventional Urea.

 

4. IIT Kanpur successfully conducts test flight for cloud seeding: IIT Kanpur has successfully conducted a test flight for cloud seeding. The project was initiated at IIT Kanpur a few years ago and is headed by Prof. Manindra Agrawal from the Computer Science and Engineering Department. The experiment was conducted with due approval from the DGCA. Cloud seeding involves the utilization of various chemical agents such as silver iodide, dry ice, common salt, and other elements with the aim of enhancing the probability of precipitation.

 

5. Narendra Tomar launches PM Kisan Mobile App with Face Authentication: The PM-Kisan Mobile App with Face Authentication Feature was launched by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Through this App, remote farmers can do e-KYC by scanning their faces without OTP or fingerprint. PM-Kisan is an innovative scheme whose benefits are being given by the central government to the farmers without any middlemen. PM-Kisan is a very comprehensive and ambitious scheme of the Central Government and due to the support of States, the Centre is in a position to pay the installment to about 8.5 crore farmers after the completion of their KYC. PM Kisan is one of the world’s largest DBT schemes in which farmers get six thousand rupees directly transferred through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts in three installments in a year. Two lakh 42 thousand crore rupees have been transferred to the accounts of more than 11 crore farmers till date.

6. Odisha cabinet approves Rs 1,000 cr for transforming Puri: The Odisha cabinet approved an additional outlay of over Rs 1,000 crore for the ABADHA Yojana. In 2019, the Odisha government allocated Rs 3208 crore under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme in three years to transform Puri into a world heritage city. Now, the State government decided to raise the amount to Rs 4224.22 crore. Similarly, the Odisha cabinet also approved the implementation of the MMSY-Connecting Unconnected Villages in Difficult areas for a period of 2 years i.e. from 2023-24 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 976 crore. The Cabinet has approved the execution of projects with a length of 361.34 km approximately targeted to be taken up in 2023-24 & 2024-25. The Odisha State Cabinet has also approved a projected outlay of Rs 3354.40 crore for the “Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana (MSPY)”. The yojana is aimed at transforming nutrition outcomes of adolescent girls (15-19 years), pregnant women & lactating mothers, SAM, MAM, and severely underweight children of under 6 years of age across the state over a period of five years commencing from FY 2023-24.

 

7. IndiGo makes historic order for 500 Airbus planes worth USD 50 billion: India’s largest airline by market share, Indigo has placed an order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft in the largest purchase agreement in aviation history. This historic deal is pegged at $50 billion at list prices and the airline will take delivery of these new aircraft between 2030 and 2035. The current order comprises a mix of A320 neo, A321 neo, and A321 xlr aircraft The engine selection for this order will be done in due course and so will be the exact mix of A320 and A321 aircraft. At the moment IndiGo operates over 300 aircraft and has previous orders totaling 480 aircraft which are expected to be delivered by the end of 2030. With this additional firm order of 500 aircraft for 2030-2035, IndiGo’s order book has almost 1,000 aircraft yet to be delivered well into the next decade. Currently, IndiGo operates flights to 26 international destinations, serving 75 international city pairs. With its fleet of over 300 aircraft, the airline is operating well over 1,800 daily flights connecting 78 domestic destinations.

 

8. Vitasta Mahotsav celebrated in J&K: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah addresses the Vitasta Mahotsav organized by the Ministry of Culture as the chief guest in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The objective of Vitasta Mahotsav is to acquaint the whole country with the great cultural heritage, diversity and uniqueness of Kashmir. The festival focuses on the folk beliefs associated with the Vitasta (Jhelum) river.

 

9. Umesh Kumar appoints as Chief of DERC: President Droupadi Murmu has appointed former Allahabad high court judge Umesh Kumar as the new chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). This appointment comes after justice (retired) Rajeev Kumar Shrivastava (Madhya Pradesh high court), who had been proposed for appointment as DERC chairperson by the GNCTD. The President of India has appointed him under the sub-section 2 of Section 84 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

 

10. GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL to produce fighter jet engines: American firm General Electric has signed an MoU with India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India, and GE Aerospace continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorisation for this. Once cleared, HAL will carry out the work at its Engine Division facility in Bengaluru and the co-production will not be through a joint venture. The F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2. Eight F414 engines have already been delivered as part of an ongoing development program for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, UAE signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement: India and UAE formally inked an agreement on the sidelines of the 141st/142nd sessions of the World Customs Organization's Customs Co-operation Council meeting held in Brussels. Both countries have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Authorized Economic Operators. Aim: To promote greater trade facilitation and ease of doing business The agreement establishes a framework that enables the recognition of Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) from both countries.

 

2. Google to invest 10 billion dollars in India's digitisation fund: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy, and Boeing CEO David Calhoun in Washington DC. After the meeting, it was informed that Google is investing 10 billion dollars in India's digitization fund and will open Google's global fintech operation centre in GIFT City, Gujarat. While Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy has already invested 11 billion dollars and with an intention to invest another 15 billion dollars.

 

3. Dr Vanessa Kerry appointed as WHO DG Special Envoy for Climate Change: WHO has appointed Dr Vanessa Kerry as the first-ever WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health. She is a renowned global health expert and medical doctor and CEO of Seed Global Health. She will play a pivotal role in amplifying WHO's climate and health messaging and undertake high-level advocacy. Climate change is emerging as the greatest health challenge of the 21st century, impacting various aspects of human well-being.

 

4. Google Cloud launches anti-money-laundering tool for banks: Google Cloud has launched Anti Money Laundering AI (AML AI) to help financial institutions detect money laundering more effectively and efficiently. The product utilizes machine learning to assist banks and other financial institutions in meeting regulatory requirements for identifying and reporting suspicious activities. The tool is designed to aid global financial institutions to detect money laundering more effectively and efficiently. The risk score is based on the bank’s data including network behavior, and Know Your Customer (KYC) data.

 

5. Global Gender Gap Index 2023: India ranked 127; topped by Iceland: According to Gender Gap Report 2023, India has been ranked 127 out of 146 countries in Gender Gap Report 2023. In 2022, India was on 135. The Global Gender Gap Index was established in 2006 and this is its 17th edition. It is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Iceland has been ranked first as the most gender-equal country in the world for the 14th consecutive year with a score of 91.2%. While Norway ranked 2nd, followed by Finland and Sweden. Among India’s neighbouring countries, Pakistan is at 142, Bangladesh at 59, China at 107, Nepal at 116, Sri Lanka at 115, and Bhutan at 103. Iceland is the only country that has reduced the gender gap by more than 90%.

 

6. Ruby Sinha appointed as the President of BRICS CCI WE: Ruby Sinha has been appointed as the president of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women’s Vertical (BRICS CCI WE) for a three-year term. Sinha takes over from Shabana Nasim, who has become the Executive Director of BRICS CCI and Chief Patron of BRICS CCI WE. An entrepreneur herself, Ruby Sinha is the founder of SheAtWork, a knowledge hub for women entrepreneurs, and Kommune Brand Communications. BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry works towards promoting active trade, commerce and entrepreneurship between the BRICS and other friendly nations. BRICS CCI is a parent organisation that promotes commerce and industry in the BRICS and other friendly nations. The chamber, founded in 2012, is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation. BRICS CCI is a registered body under the Societies Registration ‘Act 1860, Government of India and empanelled with Niti Aayog. The Women Vertical of BRICS CCI has been created with a prime focus on women empowerment initiatives and policies across geographies. The objective of the women’s wing is to create an enabling support system for women entrepreneurs and professionals across geographies.

 

7. 24 June – International Day of Women in Diplomacy: International Women’s Day in Diplomacy (IDWID) is observed annually on 24 June. It is a day to honor and recognize notable women in the field of diplomacy and decision-making globally. Theme 2023 – Breaking Barriers, Shaping the Future: Women in Diplomacy for Sustainable Development IDWID was created just last year, at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which began on September 14, 2021 and concluded on September 13, 2022. The resolution was adopted by the UNGA on June 20, 2022. It recognised that as part of the 2030 SDG target, highlighting women’s contributions in diplomacy, the need for equal participation of women in decision-making was a vital need. To this end the UNGA declared June 24 as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Madhya Pradesh won13th Ind Junior Men National Championship: Hockey Madhya Pradesh won the 13th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2023 after defeating Hockey Chandigarh in the Final at the iconic Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. Hockey Madhya Pradesh defeated Hockey Chandigarh by 4-2 in the Final. Meanwhile, Hockey Haryana defeated Hockey Association of Odisha to finish third in the competition. The goalscorers for Hockey Madhya Pradesh were Shreyas Dhupe (17’, 46’), Mohd Konain Dad (25’), and Ali Ahmad (52’). Meanwhile, Sumit (9′) and Surinder Singh (31′) scored for Hockey Chandigarh.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Manipal Technologies, Indian Bank joined hands to offer banking products: Manipal Technologies Limited (MTL) has partnered with the Indian Bank to drive financial inclusion by offering customized banking products. Aim: To build a sustainable network of corporate business correspondents (CBCs). It will enhance the availability, affordability, and accessibility of financial services, particularly in underserved markets and rural areas. MTL will work closely with Indian Bank to offer tailor-made banking products in rural locations.

 

2. RBI fines J&K Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Axis Bank: The Reserve Bank has imposed a penalty of Rs 2.5 crore on Jammu and Kashmir Bank for non-compliance with directions related to time-bound implementation and strengthening of SWIFT-related operational controls. A penalty of Rs 1.45 crore was also imposed on Bank of Maharashtra for non-compliance with Loans and Advances Statutory and Other Restrictions' and Advisory on Man in the Middle Attacks in ATMs'. The RBI also imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Axis Bank. 

 

3. RBI imposes Rs 2.5 crore penalty on Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Axis Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty on three private and public sector lenders. The central bank charged Jammu & Kashmir Bank with ₹2.5 crore penalty, while the Bank of Maharashtra faced a fine of ₹1.45 crore. Axis Bank received the least amount of penalty among them to the tune of ₹30 lakh. RBI imposed a ₹2.5 crore penalty on J&K Bank for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Creation of a Central Repository of Large Common Exposures-Across Banks. The RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1.45 crore on Bank of Maharashtra for non-compliance with specific directions issued by the RBI. Axis Bank has been levied a monetary penalty of Rs 30 lakh by the RBI for non-compliance with certain provisions of the RBI’s directions on Prudential Norms on Income Recognition, Asset Classification, and Provisioning pertaining to Advances – Credit Card Accounts.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Priya A.S. received Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 for children’s literature: Indian writer, Priya A S has been named the prestigious (Kendra) Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023. She was awarded for children’s literature in Malayalam for her 2018 novel Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal. She won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children’s Literature for the same novel in 2020. The book was featured in the Sammanapothi series by Poorna Books.

Bal Sahitya Puraskar consists of a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and an engraved copper plaque.

 

2. Cristiano Ronaldo receives Guinness World Record award: Portuguese football player, Cristiano Ronaldo has received the Guinness World Record Award certificate to become the first men’s player to make 200 international appearances. He celebrated the milestone by scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute as Portugal beat Iceland in European Championship qualifying. He received a Guinness World Records certificate before the game. The closest to Ronaldo’s tally is Bader Al-Mutawa, who was capped by Kuwait on 196 occasions.

Daily GK Update- 23rd June, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indian Railways, USAID/India Indian sign MoU for Renewable Energy: Indian Railways has signed an MoU with the United States Agency for International Development/India (USAID/India) for collaboration on Renewable energy and Energy Efficiency. It was signed in the presence of the Chairman of the Railway Board, Anil Kumar Lahoti. As Indian Railways is proactively working towards the achievement of Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030. As part of its commitment to reduce carbon footprints, Indian Railways is taking several initiatives.

 

2. PM-KISAN mobile app introduces face authentification feature : Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar has unveiled a new feature on the PM-Kisan mobile app. Farmers can be registered by scanning their faces without a one-time password or fingerprint, by using the "face authentification" feature on the mobile application. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), eligible farmers are provided with a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each every four months.

 

3. Defense Minister inaugurates Integrated Simulator Complex ‘Dhruv’: Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) ‘Dhruv’ in Kochi, Kerala. The ISC ‘Dhruv’ hosts modern state-of-the-art indigenously-built simulators which will significantly enhance practical training in the Indian Navy. These simulators are envisaged to give real-time experience in navigation, fleet operations, and Naval tactics. These simulators will also be utilized for training of personnel from friendly countries.

 

4. Milk processing plant in collaboration with NDDB in Kangra: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed that the Himachal Pradesh government will collaborate with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to set up a state-of-the-art milk processing plant at Dagwar in Kangra district. The dairy development board’s assistance would be taken for its operation and marketing. The Dagwar plant’s capacity would range from 1 lakh to 3 lakh liters, in which high-quality milk products would also be prepared.

 

5. Centre allocates ₹145 crore to Nagaland for Unity Mall: The Central government has allocated ₹145 crore for the construction of a Unity Mall in Dimapur, Nagaland. Aim: For promoting and showcasing the state’s One District One Product offerings The allocation is part of the Union Budget 2023-24, which has earmarked ₹5,000 crore for the establishment of Unity Malls. The announcement was made during an ODOP Sampark event, which was organized by the DPIIT, Invest India, and the Department of Industries and Commerce, Nagaland.

 

6. Jharkhand government launches panchayat-level medicine scheme: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has launched the state government’s ambitious panchayat-level drugs shop scheme, aimed at making essential medicines available in remote areas. Hemant Soren inaugurated the scheme in Chatra district by handing over licences to three persons for operating the medicine shops in panchayats. A total of 15 people have been selected for licences in the district so far. Essential medicines will be now be available here, so that villagers living in remote areas do not have to run from pillar to post for medicines The CM also laid foundation of 177 projects worth around Rs 364 crore for Chatra district. He inaugurated 42 projects to the tune of nearly Rs 14.6 crore on the occasion. The programs like ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwar’ will be restarted to establish a “real connection with people

 

7. Mahendra Lodha appointed interim MD & CEO of PFS: Mahendra Lodha has been appointed as interim MD & CEO of PTC India Financial Services Ltd (PFS). The move comes after the current MD & CEO Pawan Singh has been sent on leave. The PFS is an Indian non-banking financial institution promoted by PTC India (PTC) to make principal investments across the energy value chain.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Global Liveability Index 2023 released : According to the Global Liveability Index 2023 published by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), Vienna in Austria has topped the ranking of the most liveable cities. While Copenhagen in Denmark placed second on the list, followed by Melbourne and Sydney. Damascus in Syria and Tripoli in Libya remained at the bottom of the liveability index. From India, New Delhi and Mumbai are at 141st position and Chennai at 144th.

 

2. GE Aerospace, HAL signs MoU to produce fighter jet engines for Tejas Mk2: US-based GE Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. Aerospace's F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk2. The development comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US. It is part of an effort to improve defense- and technology-sharing between the India and US.

 

3. International Widows Day 2023: 23rd June: International Widows Day is observed annually on June 23 to spread awareness about the plight of millions of widows facing poverty. 2023 theme: Innovation and technology for gender equality The first-ever International Widows Day was established by The Loomba Foundation back on June 23rd, 2005. In 2010, the UNGA recognized the importance of this day and they officially adopted International Widows Day to share its importance on a global level.

 

4. Eddie Wu named as the new CEO of Alibaba: A Chinese e-commerce company, Alibaba Group Holding, Eddie Wu (the chairman of Alibaba’s core Taobao) will take over as the chief executive of the company. He is one of the co-founders of Alibaba, who first served it as a technology director back in 1999. While Joe Tsai will take over as chairman on September 10th, 2023. He was appointed as the company's CFO until 2013. The present CEO and Chairman Daniel Zhang is planning to step down this year.

 

5. International Women In Engineering Day 2023: 23rd June: International Women in Engineering Day is observed every year on June 23 for improving the participation of young girls in the field of engineering. The theme of the special day this year is ‘Make Safety Seen’. In 2014, the United Kingdom officially dedicated June 23 to lead a national campaign for women in the engineering field. In 2017, UNESCO celebrated this day for the first time, to mark the vigilant efforts of women in the engineering society.

 

6. Surat sets Guinness World Record for largest gathering on Yoga Day: The Yoga Day event organized in Surat city of Gujarat has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering for a yoga session at one place with 1.53 lakh people joining the program. The previous world record was set in 2018 in Kota city of Rajasthan when 1,00,984 people participated in a Yoga Day session in one place. The participants were given wristbands with QR codes for accurate counting. The QR code data confirmed the participation of 1.53 lakh people surpassing the previous record. Nearly 2.20 lakh people registered themselves through an online link created for this purpose.

 

7. Petteri Orpo elected as new PM of Finland: Petteri Orpo, the leader of the conservative party in Finland, has been elected as the country’s prime minister by the parliament. Orpo will replace Sanna Marin of the Social Democrats, who finished third in the polls. Orpo’s election was supported by 107 members of parliament, while 81 opposed and 11 abstained.

 

8. 23 June – United Nations Public Service Day: United Nations Public Service Day is observed every year on 23 June. Commemorated on June 23, this special occasion aims to shine a spotlight on the vital role played by public servants. It also seeks to honor the commendable work of these dedicated individuals and inspire the younger generation to embark on meaningful careers within the public sector. On December 20, 2002, the General Assembly of the United Nations officially designated June 23 as Public Service Day through the adoption of resolution 57/277. In order to enhance the recognition of this important day and highlight the significance of public service, the United Nations launched the UN Public Service Awards (UNPSA) program in 2003. In 2016, the program underwent a review to align its objectives with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

9. 23 June – International Olympic Day: World Olympic Day or International Olympic Day is celebrated all around the world on June 23. The day is celebrated to commemorate the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and promote the values of the Olympic Movement. This day is marked by sports activities such as runs, exhibitions, music, and educational seminars involving athletes from all nations. In 1948, World Olympic Day was established to commemorate 23 June 1894, when the modern Olympic Games were born at the Sorbonne in Paris. The IOC encourages National Olympic Committees (NOCs) around the world to organize events and activities to promote sports and Olympic values on this day.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. CM Yogi unveils the first ticket for the first race of ‘MotoGP India’ 2023: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath has unveiled the first ticket for the first race of MotoGP 2023, to be hosted by Uttar Pradesh. For the first time, the motorbike race is being held in India. The event is scheduled to be held at the Buddha International Circuit in Greater Noida from September 22 to 24, 2023. The event would firmly establish ‘Brand Uttar Pradesh’ at the global level. This is the first time the event is being held outside Europe.

 

2. Cristiano Ronaldo receives Guinness World Record award: Portuguese football player, Cristiano Ronaldo has received the Guinness World Record Award certificate to become the first men’s player to make 200 international appearances. He celebrated the milestone by scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute as Portugal beat Iceland in European Championship qualifying. He received a Guinness World Records certificate before the game. The closest to Ronaldo's tally is Bader Al-Mutawa, who was capped by Kuwait on 196 occasions.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Airtel Payments Bank ties up with Care for health insurance: Airtel Payments Bank has partnered with Care Health Insurance to offer health insurance products to its customer via the Airtel Thanks app. The offerings will include coverage for pre-existing ailments and daycare treatment. Customers can opt for health insurance services through the Airtel Thanks app and pay using an APB account. According to the NITI Aayog report, nearly 30% of India's population is devoid of any health insurance backup.

 

2. UK’s Lloyds Banking Group to set up tech center in Hyderabad: The UK-based Lloyds Banking Group has decided to invest in a new technology centre in Hyderabad. The Lloyds Technology Centre is a part of the group’s £3 billion strategic investment over the next three years to transform its digital offering. The group, with over 20 million digitally active users will initially employ around 600 highly skilled specialists in technology, data, and cyber security roles. Lloyds Technology Centre will not provide any banking services but will focus on using technology and digital, data and analytics capabilities to drive innovation and end-to-end product delivery and is a step forward in the group’s approach to international resourcing.

 

3. Axis Bank launches ‘One-View’ feature: Axis Bank has launched the ‘one-view’ feature on its mobile application which enables account management across multiple bank accounts, including non-Axis accounts. The feature has been launched using the open banking principle leveraging the account aggregator (AA) ecosystem—an industry-first initiative. AA or data aggregator platforms provide secure sharing of information while maintaining customer consent and data privacy. Customers can link their non-Axis Bank accounts and get a comprehensive view of their balance, transactions and statements on a real-time basis, thus simplifying the process of managing finances and providing access to multiple bank accounts on one platform. The feature will eliminate the need for multiple mobile banking applications and also allow customers to download and e-mail transaction details from their linked accounts.

 

4. Fitch raises India’s GDP forecast to 6.3% from 6% for FY24: Ratings agency Fitch has raised India’s GDP forecast for the financial year 2023-24 to 6.3 percent from 6 percent. The revision is based on a stronger first-quarter performance and positive momentum in the near term. In FY23, the growth forecast compares with a 7.2% GDP expansion. The economy had a growth of 9.1% in FY22. The growth forecast compares with 7.2 percent GDP expansion in FY23. In the previous fiscal year (FY22), the economy had grown 9.1 percent.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. WHO DG Tedros Ghebreyesus awarded Olympic Order by IOC: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the Olympic Order to Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO). The award was given to Dr. Tedros for his efforts in holding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Olympic Order was presented to Dr Tedros, for his support of the cooperation agreement between the IOC and the WHO signed in 2020, by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach at the Olympic House here.

Daily GK Update- 22nd June, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Hasmukh Adhia appointed as the chairman of GIFT City, GACL and GMDC: Former Union Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia has been appointed as chairman of GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City. In addition to this role, he was also appointed as the Chairman and Director of the Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd (GACL) and the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC). He replaced Sudhir Mankad, to take the helm of GIFT City. He has also served as the Principal advisor to Narendra Modi when he was CM of Gujarat.

 

2. UNDP partners with DAY-NULM towards empowering women entrepreneurs: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has joined hands with India's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). Reason: To empower women to make well-informed career choices in the field of entrepreneurship The partnership will provide support for women looking to start and expand their own enterprises, particularly in sectors such as the care economy, digital economy, electric mobility, waste management, food packaging, and more

 

3. Retired Allahabad HC judge Umesh Kumar appointed chairman of DERC: Former Allahabad High Court judge Umesh Kumar was appointed the chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), by the President of India. President Droupadi Murmu has exercised the powers conferred by Section 45(b) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, read with sub-section 2 of Section 84 of the Electricity Act, 2003. He served as the justice of Allahabad High Court till July 2022.

 

4. Petteri Orpo elected as new PM of Finland: Finland's parliament elected conservative Petteri Orpo as prime minister at the head of a four-party coalition. Parliament voted in favor of Orpo, who won the April elections. He was formally appointed as prime minister by President Sauli Niinisto. He took over from Sanna Marin, whose Social Democrats finished third behind Orpo's National Coalition Party and the Finns Party. The new coalition is made up of the smaller Swedish People's Party and Christian Democrats.

 

5. Agriculture Ministry and APPPC organize workshop on Fruits Flies Management: The Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission unanimously elected India as chair of the Standing Committee on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the biennium 2023-24 during their 32nd Session held in Bangkok in November 2022. The APPPC Workshop on Systems Approach for the management of fruit flies on mango has been scheduled from 19-23 June 2023 in Navi Mumbai.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje inaugurated the workshop.

 

6. NHAI launches ‘Knowledge Sharing Platform’ for development of Highways: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a Knowledge Sharing Platform for inclusive development of National Highways. This initiative will help the authority to collaborate with experts and citizens who want to share knowledge and insights related to topics such as road design, construction, road safety, environment sustainability and related fields. The platform will encourage sharing of best practices from around the world and will contribute towards holistic development of the National Highway infrastructure in the country.

 

7. Cabinet approves Micron’s $2.7 bn semiconductor packaging plant: The Indian cabinet has given its approval to Micron Technology’s plan to invest $2.7 billion in setting up a semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Gujarat. The government will provide production-linked incentives worth Rs 11,000 crore ($1.34 billion) for the semiconductor plant. This investment is expected to boost India’s semiconductor industry and aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a global hub for semiconductor production. The new facility is anticipated to create jobs and enhance India’s capabilities in the sector, contributing to its digital ambitions and self-reliance in advanced technologies.

 

8. Nitin Gadkari inaugurates 4 National Highway projects in Haryana: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 4 National Highway projects at Sonepat, Karnal, and Ambala in Haryana. The construction of 11 flyovers on 8-lane National Highway 44 from Delhi to Panipat in Sonepat at a cost of Rs 890 crore with a total length of 24 km will provide better connectivity to the economic nodes of Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. The construction of national highways, Karnal Greenfield 35 km 6-lane Ring Road at a cost of Rs 1690 crore is not just a road but will become the lifeline for the development and prosperity of the region in times to come. Gadkari also Inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 2 NH projects worth Rs 1255 Crore in Ambala, Haryana.

 

9. BEL receives orders worth Rs 5900 crore for Akash Missiles: Bharat Electronics (BEL) has received orders worth Rs 5,900 crore, of which Rs 3,914 crore of orders are from the Akash Prime Weapon System. BEL received a work order for 2 regiments of Improved Akash Weapon System (AWS) with upgrades from Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), another defence PSU, for a value of Rs 3,914 crores. Akash is an all-weather, point/area air-defense weapon system for defending vulnerable points/areas against threats emanating from low, medium and high altitudes. The system uses high-mobility vehicles for mobile application. The improvements incorporated include high altitude operation, simultaneous engagement of multiple threats over 360 degrees, missiles fitted with RF Seeker and reduced footprint.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India ranks 127 in Gender Gap Index 2023: According to a Gender Gap Index 2023, released by World Economic Forum, India has been ranked 127 out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, up by 8 positions from 135 in 2022. The report reflects an improvement of 1.4% points. India's neighboring countries rank: Bangladesh (59), Bhutan (103), China  (107), and Pakistan (142) For the 14th year running, Iceland (91.2%) takes the top position. While Norway ranked 2nd, followed by Finland, and Sweden.

 

2. India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) launched: India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was launched at an event in Washington DC, USA on 21st June 2023. The INDUS X event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence, and the US Department of Defence (DoD) and hosted by US-India Business Council (USIBC). Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion), MoD, Anurag Bajpai led the Indian delegation in the two-day INDUS-X event.

 

3. Surat has set a new Guinness World Record in the Yoga event: The city of Gujarat, Surat has set a Guinness World Record with over 1.53 lakh people participating in a yoga event at one place on the International Day of Yoga (IDY), organized on 21st June. Guinness officials handed over the certificate to chief minister Bhupendra Patel at the venue. Two 4km-long stretches of roads, each around 300 meters wide, connecting the Y junction were covered with carpet for participants The participants were divided into groups of 1,000 each

 

4. Estonia becomes 1st Baltic nation to legalize same-sex marriage: Estonia’s parliament approved a law legalizing same-sex marriage, making it the first central European country to do so. The law will come into effect in 2024. The bill received 55 votes in the 101-seat parliament, from the coalition of liberal and social democratic parties. 53 percent of the population supported same-sex marriage in a 2023 poll by the Centre for Human Rights. Same-sex marriage is legal in much of Western Europe but not in central European countries which were once under communist rule and members of the Moscow-led Warsaw Pact alliance but now members of NATO and, largely, the EU.

 

5. Himalayan Glaciers on Track to Lose up to 75% of Ice by 2100: Report: According to a new report, Glaciers in Asia’s Hindu Kush Himalaya could lose up to 75 percent of their volume by the century’s end due to global warming. Global warming is causing dangerous flooding and water shortages for the 240 million people who live in the mountainous region. A team of international scientists has found that ice loss in the region, home to the famous peaks of Everest and K2, is speeding up. During the 2010s, the glaciers shed as much as 65 percent of ice, which was faster than they had in the preceding decade, according to the assessment by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The Hindu Kush Himalaya stretches 3,500 km (2,175 miles) across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. At 1.5 degrees Celsius or 2 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial temperatures, glaciers across the entire region will lose 30 percent to 50 percent of their volume by 2100.

 

6. Europe is world’s fastest-warming continent: climate report: Europe should brace for more deadly heatwaves driven by climate change, said a sweeping report, noting the world’s fastest-warming continent was some 2.3 degrees Celsius hotter last year. Crop-withering drought, record sea-surface temperatures, and unprecedented glacier melt are among the consequences laid out in a report by the WMO and the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Since the 1980s, Europe has been warming twice the global average and witnessed its warmest summer on record last year as countries like France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom faced their warmest year on record. Since the mid-1800s, the world has warmed at an average of around 1.2C, leading to a devastating cascade of extreme weather, which includes more severe droughts in a few areas, more intense heatwaves and storms which will be made more ferocious by rising seas.

 

7. 22 June – World Rainforest Day: World Rainforest Day is observed every year on 22 June. Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of rainforests, their biodiversity and the urgent need for their preservation. Theme 2023 – Conserve Restore Regenerate. The roots of World Rainforest Day can be traced back to 2017 when the Rainforest Partnership, a non-profit environmental organization based in Austin, Texas, launched the global event. This initiative was aimed at raising awareness about the importance of rainforests and their invaluable contributions to the planet.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India beat Bangladesh to win the 2023 Women's Emerging Asia Cup title: The India U-23 women's team won the 2023 Women's Emerging Asia Cup T20 title after defeating Bangladesh in the final held at the Mission Round Ground in Hong Kong. India has scored 127 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. India's Kanika Ahuja was named the Player of the Match, who stayed not out on 30 off 23 with four fours in the final. While India's Shreyanka Patil was named the Player of the Series, as she was the highest-wicket taker.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Axis Bank launches 'One-View' feature: Axis Bank has launched its latest feature ‘One-View’, on Axis Mobile Application. It also becomes the first private sector Bank to introduce this new-age banking feature leveraging the Account Aggregator ecosystem. Aim: To create a seamless banking experience for its customers It helps in managing finances for customers, by providing them access to multiple bank accounts on a single platform It also enables them to track their balances and spending on a real-time basis.

 

2. UK's Lloyds Banking Group to set up tech center in Hyderabad: Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK’s largest financial services providers, would set up a technology center in Hyderabad. The group, which has brands such as Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland under its belt, is planning to expand its digital capabilities through the tech center. It won’t offer banking services in the country, rather it will focus on using technology and digital data, and analytics capabilities to drive innovation and end-to-end product delivery Fitch raises India's GDP forecast to 6.3%: Fitch Ratings has raised its forecast for India's economic growth to 6.3% for the current fiscal year 2023-24 from 6%. This is primarily because of a stronger outturn in the first quarter and near-term momentum. The growth forecast compares with a 7.2% GDP expansion in FY23. It estimated growth of 6.5% each for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 fiscal years. The Fitch stated that the GDP growth in January-March was higher than expected.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Amul Girl creator, Sylvester daCunha passes away: Sylvester daCunha, the man behind the iconic Amul Girl 'utterly butterly' campaign, passed away. He conceived the 'Utterly Butterly' campaign for Amul, the brand owned by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), in 1966. In 1969, daCunha solidified his legacy by establishing daCunha Communications. The 'Utterly Butterly' campaign for Amul had celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016.