Daily GK Update- 4th July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. G-20 Research & Innovation Initiative Gathering Summit begins in Mumbai: The G-20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) Summit and Research Ministers’ Meeting started in Mumbai on July 4, 2023. In 2023, a total of 5 RIIG meetings were hosted by India under the theme "Research and Innovation for Equitable Society". More than 100 foreign delegates including Research Ministers from 29 G-20 members, invited guest countries and international organizations to participate in the meeting.

 

2. The World famous Shravani Mela inaugurated in Deoghar: Shravani Mela 2023 was inaugurated by Jharkhand's Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh by offering prayers at Baba Baidyanathdham temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand. He informed that the state government has made adequate arrangements for Kanwariyas to perform the Jal Abhishek puja of Baba Baidyanath. Shravani Mela is being organized from the 3rd of July to the 7th of September 2023. Baba Baidyanathdham Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country.

 

3. DAY-NRLM launches Mobile App to Market products made by SHGs women: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) launched a mobile App named 'eSARAS', which will add to eCommerce initiatives for products made by the SHGs. Aim: To strengthen the marketing support for products made by women of SHGs The eSARAS fulfillment center will be managed by the Foundation for Development of Rural Value Chains (a Not for Profit Company constituted jointly by the Ministry of Rural Development and Tata Trust)

 

4. Tamil Nadu regains top spot in electronic exports in India: According to the Exports data, released by the government for FY23 shows that Tamil Nadu ($5.37 billion) has emerged as the top exporter of electronics in India. As per the data, TN overtook UP and Karnataka to emerge as India's top electronics exporter in March 2023. Reason: The global giants Foxconn and Pegatron accelerated iPhone exports last year In FY23, UP placed second in electronics exports, exporting $4.90 billion, and Karnataka third with $4.52 billion.

 

5. Unsafe WASH behind 395,000 deaths of children under 5 in 2019: WHO report: As per the WHO report, Unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) were responsible for 395,000 deaths among children under the age of five in 2019. Report title: Burden of Disease Attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and Hygiene: 2019 Update Out of these, 273,000 deaths are attributed to diarrhea, while 112,000 deaths are from acute respiratory infections. Half of the world’s population still does not have adequate access to WASH.

 

6. Amit Shah launches Akshar River Cruise in Ahmedabad: Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah has virtually launched the ‘Akshar River Cruise’ on Sabarmati Riverfront.

This cruise is developed under Public Private Partnership by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited. The cruise is the first passenger catamaran built in the country under Make in India at a cost of Rs 15 crore with twin engines where 165 passengers can travel safely for one-and-a-half hours. The cruise has been designed keeping in mind the convenience of the citizens and is equipped with 180 life safety jackets, fire safety and emergency rescue boat.

 

7. First of its kind exhibition ‘Banking on World Heritage’ inaugurated: The first-of-its-kind exhibition ‘Banking on World Heritage’ was inaugurated in New Delhi by the Minister of Culture and External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi. The exhibition displays banknotes of G20 member nations, depicting world heritage sites listed by UNESCO, in a unique manner. The exhibition will help to connect the youth, who are mostly engaged on the digital platform, to their heritage through the physical currency notes. The G20 countries have 70 percent of declared Heritage of the world and the exhibition brings out the collective effort of these countries to preserve and conserve Heritage and to connect the current generation to the greatness of their past. The exhibition has been curated by the scholar Rukmini Dahanukar.

 

8. Chandigarh University ranked number 1 private university: Chandigarh University (CU) has achieved a significant milestone by securing the first rank among India’s private universities in the latest edition of the coveted Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking. As per QS WUR-2024, in which 2963 institutions were evaluated, Chandigarh University – keeping continuing its success streak – has secured an overall rank of 771-780, which is higher than its 801-1001 rank in the previous edition of the ranking released last year. The university’s overall score in this year’s ranking is 15.2. As many as 45 Indian universities have featured in the 20th edition of the QS rankings and the all-India rank of Chandigarh University is 20 – among all public and private institutes. The university also stood at 233rd spot in Asia. While Chandigarh University (CU) climbed up the ladder as India’s number one ranked private University, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has emerged as the number one ranked Indian public institute, in this year’s coveted QS World University Rankings 2024. The university also attained 27th rank in India’s top universities in the recently released NIRF Rankings 2023. Last year, Chandigarh University became the Youngest University to feature in the Top 200 QS Asia University Rankings 2023.

 

9. Aditi Tatkare becomes first woman minister in Eknath Shinde govt: Aditi Tatkare has become the first woman minister in the new government led by Eknath Shinde. She was sworn in as the Minister of State for Water Resources and Medical Education on July 3, 2023. Previously serving as a minister of state in the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government from 2019 to 2022, she successfully handled various portfolios, including tourism and industries, contributing to the state’s development. Tatkare is a member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and has been a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly since 2009. Aditi is the daughter of former Maharashtra CM Sushilkumar Shinde.

 

10. Defence ministry inks a Rs 2725 cr deal with MDL for INS Shankush: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has sealed an agreement worth Rs 2,725 crore with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the refurbishment and life certification of INS Shankush, a formidable submarine from the Indian Navy’s sub-surface killer (SSK) class. The project, known as Medium Refit with Life Certification (MRLC), aims to upgrade the submarine’s combat capabilities. The INS Shankush submarine is projected to be combat-ready and integrated into the active fleet of the Indian Navy after the completion of MRLC. The upgraded vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2026, equipped with enhanced combat capabilities.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India hosts 23rd Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization virtually: PM Narendra Modi hosted the 23rd edition of the SCO Summit virtually on July 4, 2023. Theme 2023: Towards a SECURE SCO SECURE stands for Security, Economic development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental protection. The summit was attended by SCO Members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan,  Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Observer States: Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia Guest of the Chair: Turkmenistan

 

2. NADA India, SARADO signs MoU in New Delhi: National Anti-Doping Agency, India (NADA India) has signed an MoU with  South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SARADO) to increase Regional Cooperation in anti-doping in sports. The MoU was signed between Ritu Sain (DG & CEO, NADA India) and Mohamed Mahid Shareef (DG, SARADO), in the presence of Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur. SARADO members include anti-doping organizations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Meta to launch Twitter-like app 'Threads': Meta Platforms, the parent company of the social media platform Facebook, is planning to launch a microblogging app 'Threads', Instagram’s text-based conversation app. It is expected to be released soon and will allow users to follow the accounts they follow on the photo-sharing platform and keep the same username. The launch comes after Twitter announced a slate of restrictions on the app, including the need to be verified in order to use TweetDeck.

 

3. SpaceX launches European space telescope Euclid to explore ‘dark universe’: SpaceX launched the European Space Agency’s Euclid observatory toward its ultimate destination 1.5 million km away. This telescope has been named after the ancient Greek mathematician, Euclid. It will take a month to get there and another two months before it starts its ambitious six-year survey this autumn. Euclid will measure dark energy and dark matter with unprecedented precision. It is four meters tall and almost as wide.

 

4. IEP report 2023: Afghanistan least peaceful country in the world: Afghanistan is the least peaceful country in the world for the fifth consecutive year, according to the ‘Global Peace Index 2022’ report released by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Yemen, Syria, Russia, and South Sudan are followed by Afghanistan in the Global Peace Index 2022 report. All these countries have remained among the ten least peaceful nations for the past three years, Tolo News reported. India stands at 126 ranks out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index. While Iceland has most peaceful country followed by Denamrk, Ireland.

 

5. 4 July – USA Independence Day: The United States celebrated the 247th anniversary of its independence on 4th July. The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States is sung during various events to mark the historic day. According to the Library of Congress, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted by the Second Continental Congress, signifying the colonies’ decision to break away from the Kingdom of Great Britain. After the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, the tradition of celebrating patriotism on July 4 became more widespread. In 1870, the U.S. Congress established July 4 as a federal holiday, and in 1941, it was expanded to grant federal employees a paid holiday.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. BCCI announces Dream11 as new lead sponsor for Team India: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) signed a three-year sponsorship deal with fantasy sports gaming platform Dream 11. The fantasy gaming platform Dream11 has replaced the ed-tech platform Byju as the next lead sponsor for Team India. The change in lead sponsor comes ahead of crucial Test series against West Indies which will be the first task for Team India in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. Back in 2019, Byju’s replaced Oppo as the sponsor of the national team and signed a deal for three years until 2022. The learning app extended its contract until 2023 before being replaced by Dream 11, one of the most popular fantasy platforms around the world.

 

2. Max Verstappen wins Austrian GP 2023: Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen has won the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix 2023. This win further solidified his pursuit of a third consecutive world title. Charles Leclerc, the previous year’s winner at this circuit, finished in second place, crossing the finish line 5.2 seconds after Verstappen. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez secured the third position, finishing 17.2 seconds behind the leader.

 

3. West Indies fail to qualify for World Cup 2023 for first time: West Indies cricket team failed to qualify for the Cricket World Cup 2023 for the first time in their history after losing to Scotland. West Indies won the first two editions of the men’s 50-over cricket World Cup in 1975 and 1979 and also the runners-up in 1983. In the World Cup Qualifiers, West Indies were grouped with Zimbabwe, Netherlands, USA, and Nepal in Group A. And as per the format, only the top three teams from each of the two groups made it to the Super Six stage, which West Indies succeeded too. But with the defeat to Scotland in Group B, the maximum West Indies can get to is four points, which is not sufficient for them to qualify for a World Cup ticket to India. Before this, West Indies managed to get 2019 ODI World Cup in England, via the World Cup Qualifiers. But, they did not qualify for the Super 12 stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, as they won just one against Zimbabwe and lost two to Scotland and Ireland in their group matches.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI appoints Kameshwar Kodavanti as new CFO: The State Bank of India board has appointed Kameshwar Kodavanti as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective from July 1, 2023. He has replaced Charanjit Surinder Singh Attra, who has resigned from his post. He has an extensive career in banking, with over 31 years of experience at SBI, starting from August 1, 1991. He brings expertise in banking, forex, finance, and accounting to his new position. Kodavanti holds the qualification of a Chartered Accountant.

 

2. State Bank of India launches ‘Transaction Banking Hubs’: State Bank of India launched 34 Transaction Banking Hubs at 21 district centers across the country. Aim: To provide quick and efficient Transaction Banking solutions to customers Dinesh Khara, the chairman of the SBI, inaugurated the hubs, on the occasion of the 68th foundation day of the bank. The bank's goal is to meet all customers' needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their transaction, payment, and collection requirements under one roof.

 

3. Debadatta Chand takes charge as Bank of Baroda MD: Debadatta Chand assumed charge as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Baroda. He has taken over charge from Sanjiv Chadha, whose tenure ended on June 30, 2023. Before this role, Chand was serving as the Executive Director at the bank since March 2021. He was overseeing corporate & institutional credit, corporate & institutional banking, treasury & global markets, mid-corporate business, and trade & foreign exchange.

 

4. Indian Bank rolls out digital services under 'Project WAVE' initiative: Public sector lender Indian Bank has unveiled new services under its digital transformation initiative 'Project WAVE'. The bank in collaboration with National E-Governance Services Ltd, has introduced an electronic bank guarantee (e-BG) service to ease traditional paper-based processes. This move will also reduce the turnaround time of the bank guarantee issuance and delivery to the beneficiary from an industry average of 3-4 working days to a few minutes.

 

5. HDFC merger to create world’s fourth-largest bank by market capitalization: The boards of directors of Housing Development Finance Corp Ltd (HDFC) and HDFC Bank have approved the merger between the two institutions creating the world’s fourth-biggest bank by market value. The merged entity will be the world’s fourth largest bank by market cap in the world — behind JPMorgan Chase, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and Bank of America. HDFC Bank announced in April last year that it will be acquiring its parent company Housing Development Finance Corporation, the largest home financing lender in India, in a $40 billion all-stock deal. The merger was carried out efficiently due to the “common culture” that both companies have, said Nilesh Shah, managing director at Kotak Mahindra Asset Management. HDFC shareholders will receive 42 shares of HDFC Bank for every 25 shares they own, and HDFC will cease operations on the Indian stock market on 13 July. The new entity now holds a market cap of approximately $172 billion, Rajan said, adding it will become India’s second most-valued company by market cap after Reliance Industries.

 

6. SBI launches ‘Transaction Banking Hubs’ for efficient solutions: State Bank of India (SBI) has launched 34 Transaction Banking Hubs in the top 21 district centres across the country to provide customers with quick and efficient transaction banking solutions. Dinesh Khara, the chairman of the SBI, inaugurated the hubs, on the occasion of the 68th foundation day of the bank. India’s largest bank said its goal is to meet all customer needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their transaction, payment, and collection requirements under one roof. The newly launched hubs will be staffed by product specialists who will also assist business customers with their other financial service needs by leveraging the ‘Power of One’ within the SBI Group by enabling seamless connectivity with different business verticals and subsidiary companies.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. An elephant image shot has emerged the winner at Drone Photo Awards: A photo of an elephant taken at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Tamil Nadu has emerged as the winner of the Siena Drone Photo Awards 2023 The photo was taken by wildlife photographer, Mathanraj S and will receive a cash prize of $10,000. The photo shows a herd of elephants crossing a river in the reserve. The photo was chosen as the winner by a panel of judges from around the world.

Daily GK Update- 3rd July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. HM Amit Shah inaugurates ‘Akshar River Cruise’ on Sabarmati Riverfront: Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah has virtually launched the ‘Akshar River Cruise’ on Sabarmati Riverfront. This cruise was developed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited. It is the first passenger catamaran built in the country under Make in India at a cost of Rs 15 crore with twin engines where 165 passengers can travel safely for one-and-a-half hours Impact: It will boost Gujarat’s tourism

 

2. ICG, Indian Navy, and Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation signed MoU: Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy signed an MoU with Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd for the planning, development, construction, and commissioning of a gallery on the theme “Evolution of Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard”. The Government of India is building the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at the historic Indus Valley civilization region of Lothal (Gujarat) under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. 

 

3. HM approves release of ₹6,194 crore disaster relief fund to 19 States: Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the release of Rs 6,194.40 crore to 19 states under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The amount includes Rs 1,209.60 crore as a central share of the SDRF to four states (Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh) for 2022-23. Rs 4,984.80 crore will also be given to 15 states (Andhra Pradesh, AP Assam, Bihar, Goa, Haryana, HP, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, TN, and Tripura)

 

4. Nine Nano Urea plants to be set up across the country by 2025: Chemical Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has said that the country is aiming to manufacture 44 crore bottles of Nano Urea annually by the year 2025. He highlighted the merits of Nano Urea saying that the urea absorption rate by crops is 80% in the case of Nano Urea whereas the traditional urea absorption rate is only 30%. Nano Urea is cost-effective and demonstrated an increase in crop yield. America and several other countries have evinced interest in Nano Urea.

 

5. Tamil Nadu emerges as India’s top electronics exporter in 2023: Tamil Nadu has become India’s Top Electronics Exporter of 2023 with the export worth USD 37 billion while Uttar Pradesh was second. Companies like Tata Electronics and Pegatron starting production have helped Tamil Nadu overtake three states – Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra – to become India’s top exporter of electronic goods in FY23. In 2020-21, of India’s total electronics goods export of $15.59 billion, Tamil Nadu’s share was 11.98 percent. However, this zoomed to 22.83 percent, out of a total value of $23.57 billion, according to Central government data. Tamil Nadu is now home to over 15 leading electronics manufacturers, including Foxconn, Tata Electronics, Salcomp and Pegatron.

 

6. Government to develop National Maritime Heritage Complex in Gujarat: A National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) will be developed in Lothal, Gujarat at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore under the government’s Sagarmala programme. NMHC would be developed as an international tourist destination at Lothal, where the maritime heritage of India from ancient to modern times would be showcased and an “edutainment approach” using the latest technology would be adopted to spread awareness about the country’s maritime heritage.

 

7. India’s first indigenous nuclear reactor starts operation in Gujarat: India’s first indigenously developed 700 MW nuclear power reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) in Gujarat started commercial operations. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is building two 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar, which is also home to two 220 MW power plants. Various commissioning activities were underway at KAPP 4, which had achieved 96.92 percent progress by May end. The NPCIL plans to build sixteen 700 MW PHWRs across the country and has granted financial and administrative sanction for the same. Construction of 700 MW nuclear power plants is underway at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan (RAPS 7 and 8) and at Gorakhpur in Haryana (GHAVP 1 and 2).

 

8. P M Prasad takes over as Coal India chairman: P M Prasad has been appointed as the new Chairman of Coal India Limited (CIL). He succeeds Pramod Agrawal who stepped down on 30 June. He has over 30-year experience in the coal mining sector and is a post-graduate in mining engineering from the Indian School of Mines IIT Dhanbad. Prasad began his CIL career in 1984 as a management trainee at Western Coalfields Limited and served in different capacities across different CIL’s subsidiaries. He also had a three-year stint in NTPC as Executive Director (coal mining).

 

9. Ajit Pawar sworn in as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Ajit Pawar took oath as the Deputy chief minister of Maharashtra after joining the Eknath Shinde-led government. He is the son of Sharad Pawar’s elder brother Anantrao. He made his first foray into politics by being elected to the board of a sugar cooperative in 1982.

In 1991, Ajit became the chairman of Pune District Cooperative Bank, a post he served for the next 16 years. Elected as an MP to the Lok Sabha from Baramati in 1991, Ajit later vacated the seat for Sharad Pawar who was the defence minister in the P.V. Narasimha Rao government. He later went on to become a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Baramati Assembly Before the ceremony, Ajit submitted a letter of support of 35 NCP MLAs to Governor Ramesh Bais.

 

10. Tushar Mehta reappointed as Solicitor General of India: Senior advocate Tushar Mehta was re-appointed as the Solicitor General of India for a term of three years. Mehta was appointed as Solicitor General on 10 October 2018 and since then he had been granted extension twice. Besides Mehta, six Additional Solicitors General for the Supreme Court were also re-appointed for a period of three years. Six ASGs who were re-appointed for the top court are Vikramjit Banerjee, K M Nataraj, Balbir Singh, S V Raju, N Venkataraman and Aishwarya Bhati. Additional Solicitors General Chetan Sharma for Delhi High Court, Satya Pal Jain for Punjab and Haryana High Court, Devang Girish Vyas for Gujarat High Court and Krishna Nandan Singh for Patna High Court were also re-appointed for a period of three years.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Plastic Bag Free Day 2023: 3rd June: International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed annually on July 3 to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of single-use plastic bags on the environment. The initiative was started by the Bag Free World campaign, a global movement. Aim: To reduce the use of single-use plastic bags that inspired other parts of the world to participate in Plastic Bag Free Day There is no specific theme for International Plastic Bag Free Day 2023.

 

2. 3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day: International Plastic Bag Free Day is celebrated every year on July 3. Objective – To increase public awareness of the damaging effects that single-use plastic bags have on the environment. On July 3, 2008, Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), initiated the inaugural International Plastic Bag Free Day. In its first year, the occasion was only observed in Catalonia. However, a year later, ZWE introduced the European Union to the International Plastic Bag Free Day.

 

3. 2 July – World Sports Journalists Day: World Sports Journalists Day is observed every year on 2 July. The purpose of the occasion is to support those who promote different forms of sports, spreading the culture among the general masses. In 1994, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) established World Sports Journalist Day, the day commemorates the formation of AIPS as an organization on July 2 during the Summer Olympics in Paris. Over the years, numerous sports media professionals have been honored for their accomplishments on this special day.

 

4. 2 July – World UFO Day: World UFO Day is observed every year on 2 July. It aims to promote the gathering of people who are interested in observing the skies for unidentified flying objects (UFOs). On July 2, 1952, a significant event took place in Washington, D.C., involving multiple sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). These sightings were not only reported by numerous individuals but were also confirmed by radar operators and witnessed by experienced pilots. World UFO Day was officially established in 2001 by Haktan Akdoğan, a Turkish UFO researcher. Initially, it was celebrated on June 24 to commemorate the first widely reported UFO sighting in the United States.

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Max Verstappen wins Austrian GP 2023: Red Bull's driver Max Verstappen has clinched the Austrian Grand Prix 2023, held at the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg in Austria. Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc has ranked second, while Red Bull's Sergio Pérez placed third in the Austrian Grand Prix 2023. Previous GP 2023 winners:

·       Canadian GP: M. Verstappen (Red Bull)

·       Spanish GP: M. Verstappen (Red Bull)

·       Monaco GP: M. Verstappen (Red Bull)

·       Miami GP: M. Verstappen

·       Azerbaijan GP: S. Pérez (Red Bull)

 

2. Indian wins Gold and Bronze medals at the Asian Squash Mixed Doubles 2023: India's squash players, Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Harinderpal Singh Sandhu, showcased their excellence by clinching the gold medal at the Asian Squash Mixed Doubles Championships in Huangzhou. India's campaign at the championship saw another shining moment as Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh partnered together to claim a bronze medal. They faced a tough semifinal battle against Malaysia's Ivan Yuen and Rachel Arnold.

 

3. Olympian Neeraj Chopra wins Lausanne Diamond League 2023: Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra obtained the top spot in Lausanne Diamond League 2023 with a best throw of 87.66 m.

He opened his account with a throw of 83.52m in his second attempt, which put him in third place behind Julian Weber (86.20m) and Jakub Vadlejch (84.71m). Chopra won his first Diamond League Trophy when he won the Lausanne League in August 2022. He went on to win the Diamond League Trophy in the final in 2022. The Tokyo Olympic gold medallist had won the Diamond League meeting in Doha on May 5 with a throw of 88.67 meters.

 

4. Shreyanka Patil becomes first player to be signed up for Women’s CPL: Young spin bowler Shreyanka Patil has made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to be signed for the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). Patil is also the first Indian player to be offered a contract in an overseas league before making her international debut. Shreyanka Patil made a name for herself when she was selected for Royal Challenger’s Bangalore (RCB) in the inaugural edition of the WPL. In the 7 matches she played for RCB, the all-rounder took 6 wickets and scored 62 runs. Patil has been selected for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the WCPL, which will be held from 31 August to 10 September.

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI gives ₹22 crore to IIT-Bombay for data analytics, AI capabilities: The State Bank of India (SBI), through its CSR arm SBI Foundation, has pledged a grant of ₹22.5 crore to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B). Reason: To establish a Banking Data and Analytics Hub at IIT-B The focus of the Hub will be to address the unique challenges faced by the Indian banking and financial services sector. The collaboration aims to leverage SBI's extensive experience in banking and IIT Bombay's research expertise.

 

2. India's External Debt reaches $624.7 billion in End-March 2023: India's external debt has increased marginally to $624.7 billion annually in end-March 2023, although the debt-GDP ratio declined The external debt increased by $5.6 billion from $619.1 billion at end-March 2022. Valuation gains due to the appreciation of the US dollar compared to the Indian rupee and major currencies were placed at $20.6 billion. Excluding the valuation effect, external debt would have increased by $26.2 billion instead of $5.6 billion in March 2023.

 

3. SBI’s chief financial officer Charanjit Surinder Singh Attra resigns: State Bank of India (SBI)’s chief financial officer, Charanjit Surinder Singh Attra has resigned. Attra, who took on the role on October 2, 2020, had previously worked as a Partner at EY India and held a senior executive position at ICICI Securities. Before Attra, the CFO position was held by Prashant Kumar, who moved to Yes Bank as part of a rescue plan led by SBI. SBI also appointed four directors on the bank’s central board for a period of three years. Ketan Shivji Vikamsey and Mrugank Madhukar Paranjape, have been re-elected. while, other two directors who have appointed are Rajesh Kumar Dubey and Dharmendra Singh Shekhawat.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Michael Rosen wins 2023 year’s PEN Pinter Prize: Michael Rosen has been awarded the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize 2023 for his work in poetry and literature for children. Rosen is known for making poetry accessible to children through his work and performances, and his themes are often social, political, and ethical. Michael Rosen is one of our most tenacious and fearless writers. He is one of our most significant contemporary poets writing for young people.

In over 140 books, he has championed a way of writing for children which reflects their everyday worlds, using humour and wordplay to validate their imaginative ways of thinking and being, and which has informed his succinct interventions into the lifeless way that children are taught literacy in schools…” Rosen’s first book of children’s poems, Mind Your Own Business, came out in 1974. At present, he is a professor of children’s literature at Goldsmiths, University of London.

 

 

 

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning 'Little Miss Sunshine' actor, dies: Alan Arkin, the wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in comedy and drama as he received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar in 2007 for "Little Miss Sunshine," has died. In recent years he starred opposite Michael Douglas in the Netflix comedy series "The Kominsky Method," a role that earned him two Emmy nominations. He also directed the film version of Jules Feiffer's 1971 dark comedy "Little Murders".

Daily GK Update- 2nd July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi inaugurated 17th Indian Cooperative Congress in New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 17th Indian Cooperative Congress (ICC) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The two days Indian Cooperative Congress would be organized by the National Cooperative Union of India. Theme 2023: Amrit Kaal: Prosperity through Cooperation for a Vibrant India It chaired by the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah The objective of the meeting is to discuss various trends in the cooperative movement, to showcase the best practices being adopted by the successful cooperatives and to deliberate on challenges being faced by the cooperative world.

 

2. 1 July – National Postal Worker Day: National Postal Worker Day is celebrated every year on July 1 to honour and appreciate the hard work and dedication of postal workers. They brave various weather conditions, gruelling schedules, and challenging circumstances to deliver mail to homes and businesses, keeping the communication channels open and operational. From delivering letters and packages to providing essential services, postal workers have been an integral part of our society for several decades. The inaugural National Postal Worker Day took place in 1997, initiated by a postal carrier in the Seattle area as a means to honor postal employees. On that memorable day, a remarkable achievement was accomplished by postal workers across the United States. Approximately 490,000 postal workers embarked on a journey, walking an average of 4 to 8 miles, to successfully deliver a full load of letters and packages to every doorstep. Since then, National Postal Worker Day has been celebrated annually as a way to express gratitude and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of postal workers.

 

3. 1 July – National Doctors’ Day: National Doctor’s Day is celebrated on July 1st every year in India. Objective – To create awareness about the importance of doctors, their selfless service, and the valuable role they play in improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Theme 2023 – Celebrating Resilience and Healing Hands The history behind National Doctor’s Day dates back to the birth anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. Roy was born on July 1, 1882, and he dedicated his life to the medical profession, making significant contributions to the field of healthcare and public health. This day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a prominent figure in the medical field, and serves as a platform for discussions and activities that aim to enhance healthcare services and promote a healthier nation. It was in his honour and as a tribute to his invaluable contributions that the Government of India designated July 1st as National Doctor’s Day in 1991. This decision was taken to recognise the importance of doctors and their role in society, as well as to commemorate Dr. Roy’s legacy, professionalism, and humanitarian values.

 

4. 1 July – National Chartered Accountants Day: National Chartered Accountants Day (CA Day) is observed on July 1 to commemorate the findings of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) by Parliament in 1949. The day recognizes the contribution of India’s oldest and most professional financial and accounting organization – the ICAI. This year ICAI celebrates its 75th year of existence. The ICAI is India’s exclusive licensing and regulatory authority for the accounting profession and financial auditing. Every accounting and finance organization, including the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), is required to adopt the accounting standards guidelines issued by them. On July 1, 1949, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was established.

 

5. Sarbananda Sonowal launches campaign to transform iconic 75 Lighthouses: Union Minister of Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal launched a campaign to transform 75 historic Lighthouses into Tourism Spots in India. Under this campaign, the historic lighthouses were renovated with adequate facilities to act as tourist spots. It is in line with the visionary approach of PM Modi to transform India’s distinctive lighthouses into captivating tourism sites. Aim: To showcase the rich culture, significance, and allure of these magnificent structures

 

6. Regional Symposium on Child Protection, Safety and Child Welfare: The Ministry of Women and Child Development has organized a one-day Regional Symposium on Child Protection, Safety, and Child Welfare in New Delhi. The event was participated by the states and UTs i.e. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh, J&K, and Ladakh. It started with a series of regional symposiums to be held across the country to raise awareness and outreach about child protection, safety, and welfare issues.

 

7. Zoological Survey of India celebrates 108th ZSI Day: Union Minister for Environment & Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav inaugurated a three-day celebration program of the 108th Zoological Survey of India Day in Kolkata. The Special Focus of this day is ‘Mission Life'. ZSI has completed its 108 glorious years dedicated to the service of faunal diversity. Minister has also appreciated the efforts of ZSI in establishing globally well-known protected areas.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. New Zealand becomes 1st country in the world to ban thin plastic bag: New Zealand became the first country in the world to ban thin plastic bags at supermarkets on July 1, 2023. The ban applies to single-use plastic bags that are less than 70 microns thick. This includes bags used to carry fruit and vegetables, as well as bags used for bread and other items. The new ban will also extend to plastic straws and silverware, as the government expands a campaign against single-use plastics it started in 2019 when it banned the thicker plastic shopping bags that customers used to carry home their grocery items.

 

2. Gernot Dollner appoints as Chairman and CEO of Audi: German luxury car brand Audi has appointed Gernot Dollner as Chairman of the Board of Management, effective September 1, 2023. He will take over Markus Duesmann. Gernot Dollner joined Volkswagen as a Ph.D. candidate in 1993 and subsequently served in a number of management roles at Porsche, including as head of Concept Development and head of the Panamera Series. Since 2021, he has overseen the Volkswagen Group’s Product and Group Strategy and the General Secretariat.

 

3. Nord Security joins the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC): Nord Security, which is home to NordVPN, has recently joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) community. UNGC:

Launched: 2000 It is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world It is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with 10 Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. It promotes activities that contribute to sustainable development goals to create a better world.

 

4. Canada launches a remote-work scheme for digital nomads: Canada is developing a scheme to attract digital nomads to the country. This plan aims to make Canada a go-to destination for digital nomads. Under current Canadian immigration rules, digital nomads can stay in Canada for up to six months under a visitor status while still working for foreign companies. They are also planning to collaborate with public and private partners to access if more policies were needed to attract global remote workers.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Neeraj Chopra clinches Lausanne Diamond League title 2023: Javelin thrower champion Neeraj Chopra has clinched the 2023 Lausanne Diamond League title with the best throw of 87.66 meters. While Julian Webber from Germany secured second place with a best throw of 87.03 meters and Jakub Vadlech of the Czech Republic got third place with an 86.13-meter throw. He won his first Diamond League Trophy when he won the Lausanne leg in August 2022 and went on to win the Diamond League Trophy in the final later that year.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GST collection grows 12% to over ₹1.61 lakh crore in June: India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection crossed ₹1,61,497 crore in June. The government has settled ₹36,224 crore to CGST and ₹30269 crore to SGST from IGST. The total revenue of Centre and the States in the month of June 2023 after regular settlement is ₹67,237 crore for CGST and ₹68,561 crore for the SGST. The revenues for the month of June 2023 are 12% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year. During the month, the revenues from domestic transactions (including import of services) are 18% higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year It is for the fourth time; the gross GST collection has crossed Rs. 1.60 lakh crore mark. The average monthly gross GST collection for the first quarter of the FY 2021-22, FY 22-23 & FY 23-24 are Rs. 1.10 lakh crore, Rs. 1.51 lakh crore and Rs. 1.69 lakh crore respectively.

 

2. Govt raises interest rates on select small saving schemes by up to 0.3%: The govt. has raised interest rates on select saving schemes by up to 0.3% for the July-September quarter in line with the high-interest rates in the banking system. The highest increase of 0.3% was for the five-year recurring deposit (RD) During the second quarter of the current fiscal, RD holders would get 6.5% against the existing 6.2% With the revision, a one-year term deposit with post offices will now earn 0.1% higher point at 6.9% and 7% for the two years tenor

 

3. GST collections rise 12% to over Rs 1.61 lakh crore in June: The government collected over Rs 1.61 lakh crore of Goods and Services Tax in June 2023, which rose 12% from May 2023. The gross GST collection has crossed Rs 1.60 lakh crore mark for the fourth time since the roll-out of the indirect tax regime six years ago on July 1, 2017. The gross GST revenue collected in the month of June 2023 is Rs 1,61,497 crore of which Central GST is Rs 31,013 crore, State GST is Rs 38,292 crore, and Integrated GST is Rs 80,292 crore.

 

4. Fiscal deficit narrows to 11.8% as non-tax revenue surges: The fiscal deficit of the government for April-May 2023 has been narrowed to 11.8% of annual estimates to ₹2.10 trillion, from 12.3% a year ago. Reason: Sharp jump in non-tax revenue and lower revenue spending, which combined to offset a robust increase in capital expenditure and decline in net tax revenue Total receipts during April-May 2023 stood at ₹4.16 trillion (15.3% of the annual estimates) of which tax receipts stood at ₹2.78 trillion.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Rajindar Singh Dhatt honoured with the Points of Light Award 2023: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak honoured Rajindar Singh Dhatt with a Points of Light award at a UK-India Week reception at 10 Downing Street. He was recognized for his service and work running the ‘Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association’. The Points of Light award recognize outstanding people whose service is making a difference in their communities and whose stories can inspire others towards innovative solutions to social challenges in their own communities and beyond. Dhatt was one of the last surviving Sikh soldiers who fought in World War II. Dhatt had joined the British Indian Army during the Second World War and excelled up the ranks, being promoted to Havildar Major (Sergeant Major) in 1943.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Punjab deputy speaker Bir Devinder Singh passes away: Former deputy speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha and two-time Congress MLA Bir Devinder Singh passed away at 73. The senior politician was diagnosed with cancer in his food pipe (esophagus) around 10 to 15 days ago. He was known to be a politician who called a spade a spade without caring about political repercussions. During his political career, he was associated with the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), People’s Party of Punjab, SAD (Taksali), and SAD (Sanyukt).

Daily GK Update- 1st July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Andhra Pradesh CM launches ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme for the fourth year. Under this financial assistance of Rs 6,393 crore will be deposited into the bank accounts of 43 lakh beneficiaries. Under the Amma Vodi scheme, eligible mothers who send their children to schools will receive Rs 15,000 financial aid to meet the educational expenses. The state has credited a total of Rs 26,067 crore under Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme, including Rs 6,393 crore disbursal set in motion.

 

2. IPS officer Ajay Bhatnagar appointed as Special Director in CBI: Ajay Bhatnagar has been appointed as the Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Bhatnagar is a senior IPS officer of the 1989 batch from Jharkhand cadre. Currently serving as Additional Director in the CBI, Bhatnagar will hold the position of Special Director until his superannuation on November 20, 2024. Anurag, who was previously Joint Director in the CBI, has been promoted to the role of Additional Director in the agency for a period until July 24, 2023, which completes his seven-year tenure. Manoj Sashidhar, a 1994 batch IPS officer from Gujarat cadre, has been appointed as Additional Director in the CBI for a three-year term. He is currently serving as Joint Director in the agency.

 

3. Deloitte appoints Manoj Kohli as senior advisor: Deloitte has appointed Manoj Kohli as a senior advisor to leverage his extensive business and industry knowledge. Kohli has 44 years of experience across 30 countries, with expertise in technology, telecommunications, renewables, and digital sectors. He played a pivotal role in expanding Softbank India’s presence in India. Prior to that, he served as the CEO and Managing Director of Bharati Airtel, driving the company’s growth and market dominance in India’s telecommunications industry.

 

4. 1 July -GST Day: Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day is observed every year on 1 July to commemorate the implementation of the GST regime in the country. GST is a comprehensive indirect tax imposed on the supply of goods and services nationwide. GST was implemented in India on July 1, 2017, marking a significant milestone in the country’s economic history. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) idea was first proposed in India in the early 2000s to simplify the complex tax system. The Kelkar Task Force, a dedicated team, suggested a comprehensive indirect tax system as a replacement for the existing structure that was impeding the economic growth of the country. After discussions and negotiations, the Parliament passed the Constitution (101st Amendment) Act in August 2016, giving the central government the power to levy and collect GST. To oversee the implementation, the government formed the GST Council, comprising Finance Ministers from both central and state governments. The council held meetings to determine GST rates, exemptions, and address concerns. Finally, on July 1, 2017, GST was implemented across India, creating a unified market for seamless trade between states. GST has replaced multiple indirect taxes charged by the central and state governments, including excise duty, service tax, value-added tax (VAT), and others, making the tax system more straightforward and transparent. The implementation of GST has also reduced compliance costs for taxpayers, promoting ease of doing business and improving the country’s overall business climate.

 

5. Govt. reappoints Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General of India for 3 years: The Appointments Committee of Cabinet, headed by PM Modi has re-appointed Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General of India for three years. He has been continuing as Solicitor General of India since October 2018. In 2020, he was re-appointed as the SG for a term of three years with effect from July 1, 2020. The center has also re-appointed Vikramjit Banerjee, KM Nataraj, Balbir Singh, SV Raju, N Venkataraman, and Aishwarya Bhati as the Additional Solicitors General (ASGs).

 

6. PM Modi launches National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: PM Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh. Aim: To eradicate anemia by 2047 He also distributed sickle cell genetic status cards to the beneficiaries at the event. The mission would be implemented in 278 districts of 17 states in India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, WB, Odisha, TN, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, UP, Kerala, Bihar, and UK).

 

7. Govt revised Crop Residue Management guidelines: The Union Government has revised the Crop Residue Management guidelines enabling efficient ex-situ management of paddy straw generated in Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi. As per the revised guidelines, techno-commercial pilot projects for Paddy Straw Supply Chain will be established under bilateral agreement between the Beneficiary or Aggregator (Farmers, rural entrepreneurs, Cooperative Societies of FPOs and Panchayats) and Industries utilizing the paddy straw.

 

8. DPIIT organizes National Workshop on Industrial Park Rating System: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has successfully organized the National Workshop on Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) in New Delhi. IPRS was launched by DPIIT in 2018 with the help of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It is an extension of the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) platform which features more than 4,500 industrial parks.

 

9. National Postal Worker Day 2023: 1st July: National Postal Worker Day is observed every year on July 1 to give tribute to the hardships of the postal workers of the postal service department. It was first observed in 1997 by the postal carrier in the Seattle area to respect the efforts of his employees. First post office in India was established by East India Company in 1727 and later in 1774 Calcutta GPO was established. However, Warren Hastings (1773-1784) opened the posts to the public in March 1774.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Virgin Galactic launches first commercial spaceflight: Space tourism company Virgin Galactic, founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2004, completed its long-awaited first commercial spaceflight, called Galactic 01. Taking off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, the company’s spacecraft was flown by a pair of pilots and carried four passengers: a Virgin Galactic trainer, to oversee the mission from inside the cabin, and its first trio of paying customers. The three paying passengers are members of the Italian Air Force. The flight also carried 13 research payloads onboard. If Galactic 01 was a success, it would plan to fly its second mission as soon as August and then aim to begin flying its spacecraft, VSS Unity, once a month.

 

2. 1 July – Canada Day: Canada day is celebrated every year on 1 July. It is a national holiday of Canada. The day marks the country’s confederation, which brought together the three provinces into a single Dominion within the British Empire in 1867. The day is celebrated with excitement and joy on 1 July as on this date Canada became a self-governing nation and a constitution was enacted.

 

3. Indian Naval ships undertook Maritime Partnership Exercise with French Navy: Indian Naval ships INS Rana and INS Sumedha undertook Maritime Partnership Exercise with French Navy ship FS Surcouf in the Bay of Bengal on 30^th of June 2023. INS Rana is a guided missile destroyer and INS Sumedha is an indigenously built offshore patrol vessel were from the Indian Navy side.

This Exercise included tactical manoeuvres, replenishment at sea approaches, air defence against fighter aircraft and cross deck helicopter operations.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India beat Iran to win Asian Kabaddi Championship in Busan: India beat Iran 42-32 in the final of the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 in Busan, Korea. This is India’s eighth title in nine editions. Indian captain Pawan Sehrawat led from the front with a super 10. Earlier in the day, India had beaten Hong Kong 64-20 to end the league stage of the tournament undefeated. The next big challenge for the Indian kabaddi teams will be the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Six teams – India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong – participated in the Championships.

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of India launched Centralised Pool Buy-Out and Co-Lending Cell: Bank of India has launched a ‘Centralized Pool Buy-Out and Co-Lending Cell’ to boost priority sector lending in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Cell will be equipped with an end-to-end digital underwriting system to onboard pool buy-outs and co-lending of loans in partnership with NBFCs (non-banking finance companies). Through this platform, seamless integration will be provided between the Bank and multiple NBFCs. The Cell will onboard loan assets under Retail, MSME and the Agriculture segment with a dedicated team. So far, the Bank had been underwriting the aforementioned loans via various branches spread across the country.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Michael Rosen wins 2023 PEN Pinter Prize: British children’s writer and poet Michael Rosen (77) has been awarded the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize 2023. This prestigious award is given to a writer from the UK, Ireland, and the Commonwealth whose work is committed to a fearless exposition of truth about contemporary life. This prize was named after English writer Harold Pinter. It was established in 2009. Previous winners: Hanif Kureishi (2010), Salman Rushdie (2014), and Lemn Sissay (2019).