Daily GK Update- 24th July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched book 'Swachhata Chronicles: Transform: The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, unveiled a book named 'Swachhata Chronicles: Transformative Tales from India.' The book features 75 ODF Plus Best Practices and was launched during the two-day National Conference of Rural WASH Partners Forum. Innovations: To overcome challenges, awareness-raising efforts, special campaigns, and other initiatives of States/UTs in different ODF Plus activities to achieve the goals of SBM-G Phase-II.

 

2. Jitendra Singh launched initiatives targeted towards low carbon economy: Union Minister of State Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, visited the Technology Showcase at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa. It was organized on the sidelines of the G20 Energy Transition Ministerial Meeting with the support of the 8th Mission Innovation and 14th Clean Energy Ministerial. It was organized under three parts: Vehicle and Charging showcase Infrastructure Showcase Mission Innovation and Clean Tech Start-up presentations.

 

3. Gajendra Singh Inaugurates National Conference On Rural WASH Partners' For: Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated a two-day National Conference on Rural WASH Partners' Forum (RWPF) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi Theme: ‘Accelerating Progress towards a Swachh Sujal Bharat’ Objective:  To support the expeditious implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), the flagship missions of DDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India.

 

4. 1309 Railway Stations identified under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme has been launched for development of Railway stations on Indian Railways. 1309 Railway Stations have been identified under this scheme including 80 no. of stations in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Scheme: For development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach It involves the preparation like improvement of station access, toilet, lift, free Wi-Fi, and kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’

 

5. Government of India make arrangements for Child Welfare Committees: In Mumbai Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, stated that the Gov. will take responsibility for setting up and managing offices for Child Welfare Committees that currently lack their own premises. Gov. will provide all the support to establish Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in regions like aspirational districts and also gov is responsible for girls who are victims of sexual exploitation and are deserted by their families.

 

6. Bharat Dynamics appoints A Madhavarao as new chairman and managing director: Ministry of Defence has approved the appointment of A Madhavarao as its chairman and managing director at Bharat Dynamics Limited. He held the position of General Manager Technical at Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam, where he was in charge of creating a long-term perspective plan for modernizing the dockyard. He actively participated in the Kargil and Pakistan operations and played a vital role in establishing the Nuclear and Safety field organization in Visakhapatnam.

 

7. Amit Shah inaugurated the Aviation Security Control Center: Amit Shah inaugurated the Aviation Security Control Center (ASCC) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Mahipalpur campus in New Delhi. Aviation Sector is one of the most dynamic, publicly visible, and international environment-sensitive sectors.

The Aviation Security Control Centre have 4 components:

1. Communication and Monitoring Centre, 
2. Incident Management Centre,
3. Aviation Research Centre and 
4. Data Centre.

8. Lokesh M appoints as CEO of NOIDA: After serving for a long-time as Noida Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ritu Maheshwari has been removed from the position and transferred to Agra where she has been appointed as the commissioner. Kanpur’s divisional commissioner Lokesh M will replace Maheshwari. A 2003-batch IAS officer of the UP cadre, Maheshwari had been serving as Noida CEO since July 2019 after holding the post of the Ghaziabad district magistrate. She is also the Managing Director of Noida Metro Rail Corporation. Lokesh M is a 2005-batch IAS officer, who was appointed as Kanpur Commissioner on May 31. Earlier, he was Saharanpur’s Divisional Commissioner for around 22 months. Before that, he served as District Magistrate and collector of Mainpuri, Kushinagar, Etah, Ghazipur, Amroha and Kaushambi districts from 2009 to 2016.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Global Food Regulators Summit 2023: Suman Berry, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, concludes the 2-day Global Food Regulators Summit 2023. According to Suman Berry, we must enhance food safety scientific standards and enforce regulations to stop food adulteration and counterfeiting. It will serve as a timely intervention in addressing global food safety challenges and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of zero hunger, good health and well-being”.

 

2. Gujarat to get country’s 1st ‘Satellite Network Portal Site’: The Gujarat government through its Department of Science and Technology (DST) has signed an MoU with OneWeb India Communications Pvt Ltd for setting up a ‘satellite network portal site’ — a first for India — at Mehsana in The satellite network portal will be set up at two places in Jotana taluka of Mehsana district with an estimated cost of over Rs 100 crores for Phase 1. Satellite broadband technology or satellite telephony is not a new concept and with satellite constellations in the low Earth orbit (LEO) gaining traction with StarLink, Kuiper and OneWeb among many others, the world is increasingly moving towards relying on LEO satellite communications. LEO satellites operate at an altitude of 500 to 1,200 km, making it ripe for high-speed and low latency — a lower time lag between a user seeking data, and the server sending that data, compared to geostationary Earth orbit positioned satellites. OneWeb has 648 satellites orbiting at 1,000-1,200 km making 13 orbits per day, covering the entire globe.

 

3. India loses 1.5 million lives every year: FICCI-EY report: Road accidents claim around 1.5 million lives in India every year, contributing 11 percent to the total number of such fatalities globally, according to a FICCI-EY report. Globally, at least one life is lost every 24 seconds due to road traffic injury, according to report. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), road crash is the 8th leading cause of death with more than 1.3 billion deaths and 50 million serious injuries. It is the leading cause of death amongst youth and kids aged 5 to 29 years. 1st rank in road fatalities is held by India (11 percent share in the world). Every year India loses 1.5 million lives in road crashes. India is a signatory to the Brasilia Declaration which aims to half the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2030. The report was released by Tukuni Sahu, Minister for Transport, Water Resources & Commerce, Government of Odisha, in the national capital.

 

4. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates Global Food Regulators Summit 2023: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya has inaugurated the first Global Food Regulators Summit 2023. The two-day Summit organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India aims to create a global platform for regulators on enhancing food safety systems. The summit envisages developing a cohesive approach to food safety policy frameworks. This conference perfectly aligns with and complements the theme of this year’s India’s G20 Presidency: “Vasudev Kutumbhakam: One Earth, One Nation”.

 

5. Algeria applies to Join BRICS Bank: Algeria has applied to join the BRICS group and submitted a request to become a shareholder member of the BRICS Bank with an amount of $1.5 billion. Algeria had sought to join the BRICS to open new economic opportunities. The North African country is rich in oil and gas resources and seeking to diversify its economy and strengthen its partnership with countries such as China. More than 40 countries have expressed interested in joining the BRICS group of nations. Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan are among countries that expressed interest. China will also invest $36 billion in Algeria across sectors including manufacturing, new technology, the knowledge economy, transport, and agriculture. The BRICS group of nations comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It accounts for more than 40% of the world’s population and about 26% of the global economy.

 

6. 22 July – World Brain Day: World Brain Day is observed every year on 22 July. Objective – This day aims to increase public awareness of brain health and disorders to widen access and reduce equity disparities. Theme 2023 – Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) was founded on July 22, 1957. The Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee put up a suggestion that led to the creation of “World Brain Day” on July 22. This suggestion was presented during the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) Council of participants meeting on September 22, 2013, and the participants heartily welcomed it. Following this enthusiastic response, the Board of Trustees gave the idea its blessing at their meeting in February 2014, making it an annual celebration that would take place on the same day every year.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Satwik-Chirag won fourth title of year at Korea Open 2023: India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeat Indonesian top seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in the men's doubles Korea Open final 2023 They have won all the four finals they played. They won the Swiss Open Super-300 tournament on March 26, became Asian champions on April 30, claimed their first Super-1000 title at the Indonesia Open on June 18 and Korean open on july 23,SouthKorea.

2. Tamil Nadu unveils ‘Bomman’, the mascot for Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin unveiled the trophy and the ‘Bomman’ mascot for Asian Champions Trophy 2023 hockey tournament to be held in Chennai from August 3 to 12.Six teams from the continent – India, China, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan and Korea – will compete for the coveted trophy. Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 17 crore for the conduct of the event.

 

3. Shah Rukh Khan appointed brand ambassador of ICC World Cup 2023: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was appointed as the brand ambassador of ICC World Cup 2023. He launched the World Cup 2023 campaign ‘It takes one day’ in his iconic voiceover. The ICC World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held in India from 5 October to 19 November 2023. A total of 10 teams will participate in the tournament, with India, Afghanistan, Australia, England, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa qualifying directly based on their performance in the 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. The remaining two teams will be determined through the ongoing World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe. The 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be the 13th edition of the tournament.

Daily GK Update- 23rd July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting held in Goa: G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting held on in Goa. Union Minister of Power, R.K. Singh informed the G20 Energy Ministers have adopted the ambitious and forward-looking Outcome Document & Chair’s Summary of the meeting and G20 High-Level Voluntary Principles on Hydrogen. Delegates also agreed on five principles and that free and open trade will be encouraged so that zero and low-carbon hydrogen is used more and more.

 

2. Rajasthan Assembly passes Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill: The Rajasthan Assembly passed The Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill, 2023. Aim: To cover adult population of the state with a guarantee of wages or pension All families of the state, whether urban or rural, will be able to get an employment guarantee of 125 days every year and also get a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month in case of aged/disabled/single women, etc. The pension will also be automatically increased at the rate of 15% each year.

 

3. Finance Minister inaugurates GST Bhawan at Agartala, Tripura: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the ‘GST Bhawan’ at Agartala, Tripura. It is a project for CGST, CX and Customs Office, Agartala, Guwahati Zone under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The project sits at Mantri Bari Road, Agartala, and has quick and easy access to all the taxpayers. The inauguration of project in Amrit Kaal during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav showcases the strength of New India.

 

4. Logistics Data Bank Project meeting conducted: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) held a Logistics Data Bank Project meeting. Agenda: To review the measures taken by Port Authorities to improve port performance Highlights: The significance of adopting a holistic approach to improving the productivity of ports in order to achieve the USD 2.5 trillion EXIM target by 2030 Development of infrastructure on PM GatiShakti principles for adequate last and first-mile connectivity.

 

5. President to inaugurate two-day Festival of Libraries in New Delhi: President of India Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the unique ‘Festival of Libraries 2023’, a two-day event to be held on 5th – 6th August 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The festival is being organized by the Union Ministry of Culture. The festival will focus on the promotion of both physical and digital libraries. The Minister for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Culture, and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, unveiled the schedule of, the “Festival of Libraries” in New Delhi. The festival will also highlight iconic libraries from across the world in order to initiate a conversation on the modernization and digitization of libraries in India. Libraries in physical mode have occupied a place of pride in our country and we want to revive the reading culture among the people.

 

6. 23 July – Parents’ Day: Parents’ Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July every year in the United States and other parts of the world. This year the day will be celebrated on July 23. It is a unique occasion that celebrates the role of parents in the development of a child and their life. The day is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm to celebrate the foundation of a family and the ones who are there for their kid regardless of the situation. National Parents’ Day was established in the US in 1994 under the presidency of Bill Clinton. The day was established for the upliftment and support of the role of parents in the rearing of children.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India hands over missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam: India has gifted its in-service missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam to robust the strategic partnership between the two nations, especially in the maritime domain. The frontline warship was handed over to Vietnam, during an official visit of Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar. It is for the first time that India gifted a fully operational corvette to any friendly foreign country. INS Kirpan was an indigenously built Khukri-class missile corvette, commissioned in 1991.

 

2. Italy honours Indian troops’ contribution during second World War: Italy has unveiled the memorial named  VC Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial at Montone Italy. Reason: To pay tribute to the Indian troops who fought in the Italian Campaign during the Second World War (1939-1945) and also honour Naik Yeshwant Ghadge, Victoria Cross, who was killed in action fighting on the heights of Upper Tiber Valley The memorial is in the form of a live sundial. Motto: Omines Sub Eodem Sole (Translates to 'We all live under the same sun')

 

3. Algeria applies to Join BRICS Bank: Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune informed that the nation has applied to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group. Algeria has also submitted a request to become a shareholder member of the BRICS Bank. The North African country is rich in oil and gas resources and seeking to diversify its economy. BRICS nations account for more than 40% of the world's population and about 26% of the global economy.

 

4. World Brain Day 2023: 22nd July: World Brain Day is celebrated globally on July 22nd every year to promote education, research, and support for individuals affected by brain-related conditions. World Brain Day's 2023 theme is "Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind." The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) was founded on July 22, 1957. This international movement strives to close the information gap and increase public awareness of impairments to brain health.

 

5. Indian-origin doctor is new chairman of International Myeloma Foundation: Renowned scientist, S. Vincent Rajkumar has been appointed as chairman-elect of the Board of Directors of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF). He takes over from the current chairman, Brian G.M. Durie, who is not seeking re-election to the post. Dr. Rajkumar has also served as principal investigator of several clinical trials for the treatment of myeloma. He awarded the Jan Waldenstrom Lifetime Achievement Award (2021).

 

6. India & Sri Lanka sign MoU on cooperation in field of renewable energy: India and Sri Lanka have signed an MoU on cooperation in renewable energy and another one for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. Both countries also issued a Joint Declaration of Intent in the field of Animal Husbandry & Dairying & Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. This year both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Apart from this, the Tamil community of Indian origin is completing 200 years of its arrival in Sri Lanka.

 

7. UAE leads the world in mobile internet speed in June: According to the Speed test Global Index published by Ookla, UAE has ranked first globally in mobile internet speed for the month of June with a download speed of 204.24 Mbps and an upload speed of 22.72 Mbps. Ookla is a web service that provides analysis of Internet access performance metrics. According to the index, the UAE topped the global rankings during the first half of 2023 (January, February, March, May, and June), while it ranked second in April. As for fixed broadband speed, the UAE ranked second globally and first regionally and among Arab countries in June, with a download speed of 239.2 Mbps. Singapore topped the list with a speed of 247.29 Mbps.

 

9. Adrian Mardell appointed as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a unit of Indian automaker Tata Motors has appointed interim boss Adrian Mardell as chief executive officer for a three-year term. The carmaker also made acting Chief Financial Officer Richard Molyneux’s role permanent. Mardell, a JLR veteran, was appointed to the interim role in November when Thierry Bollore resigned due to personal reasons. Adrian Mardell’s journey with Jaguar Land Rover began in 1990, and he held various financial positions within the company until 2008.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Stuart Broad becomes second pace bowler to take 600 wickets in Test cricket: England cricketer, Stuart Broad has become the second pace bowler to take 600 wickets in Test cricket. He reached the mark by removing Australia's Travis Head on day one of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. England team-mate James Anderson is the only other quick bowler to achieve the feat. Broad is fifth on the all-time list and Anderson third, with spinners Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble completing the top five.

 

2. Virat Kohli becomes 5th highest run-scorer in international cricket: Virat Kohli has surpassed South Africa’s Jacques Kallis to become the fifth-highest run-scorer in international cricket. Kohli achieved this upward movement in the batting charts during India’s second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain. On the first day of the match, which is also his 500th international game. As of now, Virat has 25,548 runs to his name in 559 innings of 500 matches. He has a batting average of 53.67 and has scored 76 centuries and 132 fifties.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Gujarat to host 69th edition of Filmfare Awards in 2024: Gujarat will host the 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards in 2024. The state government’s Tourism Corporation signed an MoU with Worldwide Media to host the event and promote Gujarat as a film destination. Gujarat will host the Filmfare Awards – annual awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Hindi-language film industry of India – for the first time and through that the state will be promoted as a film destination. The Gujarat government aims to promote the state as a film destination, and this event will provide the right environment for that effort. This event will boost tourism and the local economy of the state.

Daily GK Update- 22nd July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting held in Goa: G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting held on in Goa. Union Minister of Power, R.K. Singh informed the G20 Energy Ministers have adopted the ambitious and forward-looking Outcome Document & Chair’s Summary of the meeting and G20 High-Level Voluntary Principles on Hydrogen. Delegates also agreed on five principles and that free and open trade will be encouraged so that zero and low-carbon hydrogen is used more and more.

 

2. Rajasthan Assembly passes Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill: The Rajasthan Assembly passed The Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill, 2023. Aim: To cover adult population of the state with a guarantee of wages or pension All families of the state, whether urban or rural, will be able to get an employment guarantee of 125 days every year and also get a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month in case of aged/disabled/single women, etc. The pension will also be automatically increased at the rate of 15% each year.

 

3. Finance Minister inaugurates GST Bhawan at Agartala, Tripura: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the ‘GST Bhawan’ at Agartala, Tripura. It is a project for CGST, CX and Customs Office, Agartala, Guwahati Zone under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The project sits at Mantri Bari Road, Agartala, and has quick and easy access to all the taxpayers. The inauguration of project in Amrit Kaal during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav showcases the strength of New India.

 

4. Logistics Data Bank Project meeting conducted: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) held a Logistics Data Bank Project meeting. Agenda: To review the measures taken by Port Authorities to improve port performance Highlights: The significance of adopting a holistic approach to improving the productivity of ports in order to achieve the USD 2.5 trillion EXIM target by 2030 Development of infrastructure on PM GatiShakti principles for adequate last and first-mile connectivity.

 

5. President to inaugurate two-day Festival of Libraries in New Delhi: President of India Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the unique ‘Festival of Libraries 2023’, a two-day event to be held on 5th – 6th August 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The festival is being organized by the Union Ministry of Culture. The festival will focus on the promotion of both physical and digital libraries. The Minister for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Culture, and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, unveiled the schedule of, the “Festival of Libraries” in New Delhi. The festival will also highlight iconic libraries from across the world in order to initiate a conversation on the modernization and digitization of libraries in India. Libraries in physical mode have occupied a place of pride in our country and we want to revive the reading culture among the people.

 

6. 23 July – Parents’ Day: Parents’ Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July every year in the United States and other parts of the world. This year the day will be celebrated on July 23. It is a unique occasion that celebrates the role of parents in the development of a child and their life. The day is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm to celebrate the foundation of a family and the ones who are there for their kid regardless of the situation. National Parents’ Day was established in the US in 1994 under the presidency of Bill Clinton. The day was established for the upliftment and support of the role of parents in the rearing of children.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India hands over missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam: India has gifted its in-service missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam to robust the strategic partnership between the two nations, especially in the maritime domain. The frontline warship was handed over to Vietnam, during an official visit of Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar. It is for the first time that India gifted a fully operational corvette to any friendly foreign country. INS Kirpan was an indigenously built Khukri-class missile corvette, commissioned in 1991.

 

2. Italy honours Indian troops’ contribution during second World War: Italy has unveiled the memorial named  VC Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial at Montone Italy. Reason: To pay tribute to the Indian troops who fought in the Italian Campaign during the Second World War (1939-1945) and also honour Naik Yeshwant Ghadge, Victoria Cross, who was killed in action fighting on the heights of Upper Tiber Valley The memorial is in the form of a live sundial. Motto: Omines Sub Eodem Sole (Translates to 'We all live under the same sun')

 

3. Algeria applies to Join BRICS Bank: Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune informed that the nation has applied to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group. Algeria has also submitted a request to become a shareholder member of the BRICS Bank. The North African country is rich in oil and gas resources and seeking to diversify its economy. BRICS nations account for more than 40% of the world's population and about 26% of the global economy.

 

4. World Brain Day 2023: 22nd July: World Brain Day is celebrated globally on July 22nd every year to promote education, research, and support for individuals affected by brain-related conditions. World Brain Day's 2023 theme is "Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind." The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) was founded on July 22, 1957. This international movement strives to close the information gap and increase public awareness of impairments to brain health.

 

5. Indian-origin doctor is new chairman of International Myeloma Foundation: Renowned scientist, S. Vincent Rajkumar has been appointed as chairman-elect of the Board of Directors of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF). He takes over from the current chairman, Brian G.M. Durie, who is not seeking re-election to the post. Dr. Rajkumar has also served as principal investigator of several clinical trials for the treatment of myeloma. He awarded the Jan Waldenstrom Lifetime Achievement Award (2021).

 

6. India & Sri Lanka sign MoU on cooperation in field of renewable energy: India and Sri Lanka have signed an MoU on cooperation in renewable energy and another one for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. Both countries also issued a Joint Declaration of Intent in the field of Animal Husbandry & Dairying & Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. This year both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Apart from this, the Tamil community of Indian origin is completing 200 years of its arrival in Sri Lanka.

 

7. UAE leads the world in mobile internet speed in June: According to the Speed test Global Index published by Ookla, UAE has ranked first globally in mobile internet speed for the month of June with a download speed of 204.24 Mbps and an upload speed of 22.72 Mbps. Ookla is a web service that provides analysis of Internet access performance metrics. According to the index, the UAE topped the global rankings during the first half of 2023 (January, February, March, May, and June), while it ranked second in April. As for fixed broadband speed, the UAE ranked second globally and first regionally and among Arab countries in June, with a download speed of 239.2 Mbps. Singapore topped the list with a speed of 247.29 Mbps.

 

9. Adrian Mardell appointed as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a unit of Indian automaker Tata Motors has appointed interim boss Adrian Mardell as chief executive officer for a three-year term. The carmaker also made acting Chief Financial Officer Richard Molyneux’s role permanent. Mardell, a JLR veteran, was appointed to the interim role in November when Thierry Bollore resigned due to personal reasons. Adrian Mardell’s journey with Jaguar Land Rover began in 1990, and he held various financial positions within the company until 2008.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Stuart Broad becomes second pace bowler to take 600 wickets in Test cricket: England cricketer, Stuart Broad has become the second pace bowler to take 600 wickets in Test cricket. He reached the mark by removing Australia's Travis Head on day one of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. England team-mate James Anderson is the only other quick bowler to achieve the feat. Broad is fifth on the all-time list and Anderson third, with spinners Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble completing the top five.

 

2. Virat Kohli becomes 5th highest run-scorer in international cricket: Virat Kohli has surpassed South Africa’s Jacques Kallis to become the fifth-highest run-scorer in international cricket. Kohli achieved this upward movement in the batting charts during India’s second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain. On the first day of the match, which is also his 500th international game. As of now, Virat has 25,548 runs to his name in 559 innings of 500 matches. He has a batting average of 53.67 and has scored 76 centuries and 132 fifties.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Gujarat to host 69th edition of Filmfare Awards in 2024: Gujarat will host the 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards in 2024. The state government’s Tourism Corporation signed an MoU with Worldwide Media to host the event and promote Gujarat as a film destination. Gujarat will host the Filmfare Awards – annual awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Hindi-language film industry of India – for the first time and through that the state will be promoted as a film destination. The Gujarat government aims to promote the state as a film destination, and this event will provide the right environment for that effort. This event will boost tourism and the local economy of the state.

Daily GK Update- 21st July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gujarat to get country’s first Satellite Network Portal Site: Gujarat will get the country’s first ‘Satellite Network Portal Site’. London-based company OneWeb and the state gov signed  MoU for the establishment of the Satellite Network Portal Site’  in Gandhinagar Aims: To provide affordable, secure and high-speed internet access to villages, district panchayats, local administrative bodies and government departments OneWeb is setting up two ‘SNPS’ and one of them will be in the Mehsana district of Gujarat.

 

2. Haryana Gov appointed nodal officials to facilitate the MoR: The Haryana Government has designated nodal officials to assist the MoR in the prompt execution of PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan, aiming to establish goods sheds in every district of Haryana. This strategic move is expected to significantly boost the State's economy, enhancing trade and logistics across the region. These goods sheds will have a transformative impact on Haryana's transportation network, leading to increased trade and commerce within the state. 

 

3. Labour & Employment Ministers of G20 Countries to meet in Madhya Pradesh: Under India's G-20 presidency, PM Narendra Modi will deliver a video message addressing the meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers. The meeting is being held in Indore where the draft from the Employment Working Group will also be presented. A minister-level meeting will take place, attended by a total of 165 representatives, including 24 ministers from G-20 and invited countries. The meeting will be presided over by (ULEM) Bhupendra Yadav.

 

4. First ever “Credit Guarantee Scheme” for Livestock Sector launched: The DAHD has launched a "Credit Guarantee Scheme" specifically designed for the Livestock Sector. Objective: To ensure that the credit facility from the lender is solely secured based on the primary security of the financed assets. Scheme: Access to financial resources for the un-served and under-served livestock sector, this makes financial assistance from lenders accessible to primarily first-generation entrepreneurs and underprivileged segments of society.

 

5. Minister Kiren Rijiju announced IMD has launched Heat Index: Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences, shared that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recently introduced the Heat Index on an experimental basis across the entire country including the State of Andhra Pradesh. It provides information about the impact of humidity on the high temperatures and thus provides a feel-like temperature for human beings which can be used as an indication for human discomfort.

 

6. One District One Product’ Wall launched by DPIIT and Govt. of Gujarat: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat, inaugurated the 'One District One Product'  Wall at Garvi Gujarat Bhawan in New Delhi. Aims: To select, brand, and promote at least One Product from each District of the country for enabling holistic socioeconomic growth across all regions. Features: 68 unique products, including traditional crafts like Gamthi Block print and Mata-ni-Pachedi to agricultural goods.

 

7. Piyush Goyal launches sale of subsidized chana dal under ‘Bharat Dal’: Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal has launched the sale of subsidized chana dal at Rs 60 per kg under the brand name ‘Bharat Dal’ to provide pulses at an affordable rate to consumers.

Chana dal is being sold in Delhi-NCR through the retail outlets of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Feeration (NAFED). It will also be available at retail stores of NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy’s Safal. Goyal launched the “sale of subsidised chana dal under the brand name ‘Bharat Dal’ at the rate of Rs 60 per kg for one kg pack and Rs 55 per kg for 30 kg pack. The introduction of ‘Bharat Dal is a major step taken by the Central Government towards making pulses available to consumers at affordable prices by converting chana stock of the government into chana dal, it added Chana is the most abundantly produced pulse in India and consumed in several forms all over India. Chana whole is soaked and boiled to make salad and roasted chana is served as snacks. Fried chana dal can also be used as alternative to tur dal, curries and soups. Chana besan is a major raw material for namkeens and sweets. Chana has multiple nutritional health benefits as it is rich in fibre, iron, potassium, vitamin B, selenium beta carotene and choline which are required by human body for controlling anaemia, blood sugar, bone health etc. and even for mental health.

 

8. IPS officer Manoj Yadava as DG of Railway Protection Force: Senior IPS officer Manoj Yadava has been appointed the Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Yadava, a 1988 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Haryana cadre, will succeed Sanjay Chander who retires on July 31. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Yadava to the post of DG, RPF, up to his superannuation on July 31, 2025. Shafi Ahsan Rizvi, Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), has been appointed as Advisor of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), according to ACC. The ACC has also approved the appointment of Rajesh Pradhan as Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a deputation basis from the date of assumption of charge of the post up to his approved deputation tenure of January 30, 2027. Pradhan, a 2003 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Maharashtra cadre, is currently Deputy Inspector General in the CBI.

 

9. Rakesh Pal became the 25th Director General of the ICG: Rakesh Pal has been appointed as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He has the distinction of being the first gunner of ICG. The officer, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, is an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and joined Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in January 1989. He was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in February 2022 and was appointed as the Additional Director General Coast Guard at the Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi. He was also given the Additional Charge of Director General Coast Guard in February 2023. Rakesh Pal has also been conferred with the Tatrakshak Medal (TM) in the year 2013 and President Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) for his distinguished service in 2018.

 

10. 22 July – National Mango Day: National Mango Day is observed every year on 22 July. The yellow fruit is world-famous for its sweet and juicy flavors. Mango is primarily a summer fruit, and it comes in all shapes and sizes, and with each variety, there’s a different way to enjoy the taste. South Asia also happens to produce half the world’s mango supply. China is the second-largest mango producer. According to several sources, the mango was first cultivated more than 4,000 years ago in India. Mango is a stone fruit that grows on a tropical tree called the Mangifera indica. There are more than 500 varieties in the world, and many of these were influenced and developed by political, religious, and social incidents.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nuclear power capacity to increase from over 7000 MW to 22,480 MW by 20: According to Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Nuclear power capacity has set to increase from over 7000 Mega Watt to over 22480 Mega Watt by 2031.  The present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is seven thousand 480 Mega Watt comprising 23 nuclear power reactors.  The share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 2.8 percent in 2022-23.

 

2. India, Japan signs MoU to develop resilient semiconductor supply chain: India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at fostering a robust semiconductor supply chain. According to Mr. Vaishnaw, the Electronics and IT Minister, this MoU reflects the global belief in India's competence and dedication to establishing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in the country. Japan is an important semiconductor producer and technology developer.  There will be cooperation on Manufacturing, Equipment Research and Design.

 

3. Argentina signs letter of intent with HAL to buy helicopters: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the MoD of The Republic of Argentina have signed a Letter of Intent on productive cooperation and acquisition of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters for the armed forces of the Argentine Republic. The LoI was signed by the Argentinean Defence Minister Jorge Taiana and HAL Chairman and Managing Director C B Ananthakrishnan in Bengaluru. Argentina is the first Latin American nation to show interest in acquiring Tejas for its air force.

 

4. Tata to set up EV battery factory in UK for £4 billion: Tata Sons plans to build a four-billion-pound (about Rs 42,300 crore) electric vehicle battery factory in the UK, which will be its first gigafactory outside India. Last month, it announced plans to establish a Rs 13,000-crore battery manufacturing facility in Gujarat. In Britain, the Tata group is working on plans to make batteries for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as well as other vehicle companies. The factory will be located in Bridgwater, Somerset, England. The UK plant, which will cater to the requirements of Tata Group company Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), will create up to 4,000 jobs and have an annual output of 40-gigawatt hours. Production at the gigafactory will start in 2026.

 

5. Nivriti Rai appointed as Managing Director and CEO of Invest India: lobal business and technology expert Nivriti Rai has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Invest India. She has taken over the charge from Ms. Manmeet K Nanda, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) who had assumed this additional charge of MD & CEO ad-interim in March 2023. Rai joins Invest India after an illustrious 29 years of service as a global business and technology veteran at Intel. She was leading Intel India as Country Head for the last 7 years and spearheaded Intel’s growth and investments in the country. Rai was also conferred with the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar for her outstanding contribution in the field of technology.

 

6. 22 July – Pi Approximation Day: Pi Approximation Day is celebrated on July 22 every year. There is an interesting fact why Pi Approximation Day is celebrated on this date. When placed in the date/month format, July 22 looks like 22/7 – this is an approximate value of Pi. The date is significant for more reasons as well – Physicist Albert Einstein was also born on July 22. The symbol of Pi was designed back in 1706 by mathematician Leonhard Euler. Pi Approximation Day, besides being celebrated on July 22, is also celebrated on November 10, as it is the 314th day of the year. Pi Day is also observed on March 14, as it looks like 3/14 when placed in the month/date format.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian GM Praggnanandhaa won Super GM chess tournament 2023: R Praggnanandhaa claimed the championship title in the V Geza Hetenyi Memorial Super GM chess tournament 2023 in Hungary In the 10-player event, the 17-year-old GM secured the top spot by scoring 6.5 points, finishing a clear point ahead of M Amin Tabatabaei from Iran and Russia's Sanan Sjugirov after nine rounds of play. He notched five victories, drew three games, and experienced a single defeat in the fifth round at the hands of Amin Tabatabaei."

 

2. Indian Shuttler sets Guinness world record for fastest badminton shot: Star India shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy has set the Guinness world record for the fastest hit by a male player in badminton, recording a mindboggling 565 km/h with his smash. Satwik broke a decade-long record set in May 2013 by Malaysian Tan Boon Heong, who had produced a speed of 493 km/h (306.34 mph) with his smash. Satwik’s smash was faster than the top speed of 372.6 km/h achieved by a Formula 1 car. Malaysia’s Tan Pearly set the Guinness world record for the fastest female badminton hits with a remarkable speed of 438 km/h (about 272 mph).

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. MoU signed between Ministry of Culture and Canara Bank: Ministry of Culture and Canara Bank signed an MoU to provide financial assistance to selected beneficiaries under the Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists Scheme:  Financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per month is provided to artists and scholars above the age of 60, who have contributed in their specialized fields of performing arts and culture in their active age or still contribute, but due to old age, they are facing difficulty and are in penury condition

 

2. OPPO India set up first PPP-model Atal Tinkering Lab in Kerala: OPPO India in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission has announced the establishment of the first-ever Atal Tinkering Lab, based on the Public-Private Partnership model in Kerala. Objective: To create an empowered future-ready workforce and nurture entrepreneurship and technological skills among the youth. The collaboration holds great significance to promote  'out of the box' thinking and instill community-oriented problem-solving skills in students

 

3. PhonePe launches India’s first Health Insurance platform: PhonePe Insurance Broking Services has launched health insurance plans that will for the first time in India offer monthly subscriptions. The health insurance plans, in partnership with leading insurers, are introducing UPI monthly mode of payment. The health insurance plans, which come with coverage up to one crore rupees, allow users to choose any hospital room without any cap. Health insurance in India is relatively very under-penetrated for various reasons ranging from lack of awareness to affordability issues. Big corporates including Star Health and leading banks such as HDFC Bank, and ICICI all offer health insurance packages, while the central and some state governments too have health insurance scheme for citizens of the world’s most populous country. The only platform in the country where customers can pay for Insurance in easy installments through UPI on the PhonePe app. PhonePe has sold more than 5.6 million policies to date. PhonePe Insurance platform has also sold policies across 98% of India’s PIN codes and has served more than 200 Mn vehicle insurance quotes.

 

4. SBI to set up Trustee Company to manage CDMDF: State Bank of India will set up a new trustee company as its wholly-owned subsidiary for managing the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF). CDMDF will act as a backstop facility for the purchase of investment-grade corporate debt securities to instill confidence amongst the participants in the corporate bond market during times of stress and to generally enhance secondary market liquidity by creating a permanent institutional framework for activation in times of market stress The setting up of the Fund, which will be classified as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012, is subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals.

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. The Coal Ministry is honored with the "Best Engagement" Award.: The Coal Ministry awarded “Best Engagement” for its achievements on e- procurement through GeM by the Ministry of Commerce.  Coal Ministry sets new standards in the e-procurement ecosystem, creating a level playing field for stakeholders and fostering fair competition. Coal India Limited has been awarded“Rising Star” and NLC India Limited has been awarded in the “TimelyPayments” category.

 

2. President of India presents Bhoomi Samman 2023: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Bhoomi Samman awards to nine state secretaries and 68 district collectors for their achievements in the implementation of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme. The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) attempts to build upon the commonalities that exist in the arena of land records in various states to develop an integrated land information management system across the country. Congratulating those who have achieved targets under the DILRMP, President Murmu said digitization of land records will play an important role in the development of rural areas For the development of rural areas, modernization of land records is a basic requirement as the livelihood of most of the rural population is dependent on land resources. The unique land parcel identification number being provided could be useful like Aadhaar card and it would help people in making proper use of the lands as well in implementing new welfare schemes. Many people in rural areas have land records in the name of their forefathers and are not able to get registrations done due to lack of information, resources, or due to disputes.

 

3. Prof. Thalappil Pradeep of IIT Madras won the international Eni Award 2023: Professor of IIT Madras, Thalappil Pradeep won the prestigious International Eni Award 2023 for his work on sustainable and affordable nanoscale materials for removing toxic contaminants from water, under the award category Advanced Environmental Solutions. This award is considered a top global honour for scientific research in energy and environment. The president of Italy is expected to present the award soon. Previous awardees include Nobel laureates, Sir Harold W Kroto, Alan Heeger, and Theodor Wolfgang Hänsch as well as professor C N R Rao, who is also a Bharat Ratna awardee. Prof Pradeep has been recognized earlier with the Padma Shri, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water and Nikkei Asia Prize, among many others.