Daily GK Update- 27th July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM inaugurated Gujarat’s first Greenfield Airport: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate Gujarat's first greenfield airport, situated in Hirasar village near Rajkot city in july 2023. Aim: To reduce the time and cost related to logistics for multiple industries in the region.

The Rajkot International Airport has been included under PM Gati Shakti Project. During this event, he will dedicate packages 8 and 9 of the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana. 

 

2. CRPF celeberated 85th Raising Dayon 27 July 2023: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest Central Armed Police Force, is observing its ‘84th Raising Day’  on 27 July 2023 CRPF is organizing its Raising Day Parade for the first time in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, the epicenter of Left Wing Extremism, and it is a matter of pride for the entire nation. The day celebrates the immense and unparalleled contribution of the force in upholding the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation.

 

3. MRPL becomes largest single-location PSU refinery in India: The Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), a mini-Ratna CPSE PSU refinery based in coastal Karnataka has become the single largest PSU refinery in the country for the year 2022-23. It processed 17.14 million metric tonnes of crude oil during the past financial year.  It processes 10 per cent of the total crude oil refined by the PSU petroleum refineries in the country. MRPL can process more than 250 different types of crude from around the world.

 

4. Federal Bank launches NR savings accounts for NRI women: Federal Bank announced the introduction of a unique NR savings account plan designed exclusively for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women in July 2023 This scheme, known as NRE Eve+, has been designed to meet the specific financial needs of NRI women by Objective: To provide a variety of advantages that are geared at enhancing their financial journeys. With NRE Eve+, account customers get free access to domestic and international airport lounges.

 

5. Amit Shah launches virtual platform, part of 'Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar' proj: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches a virtual platform, part of the unique initiative of 'Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar' under the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' at Qutub Minar in New Delhi MGMD, a pan-India project under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping in coordination with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) The main objective of the project is to culturally map India's 6.5 lakh villages on a comprehensive virtual platform

 

6. Over 123 lakh passengers travelled on UDAN flights since its inception: Government: More than 123 lakh domestic passengers have travelled on Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) flights since the inception of the scheme, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen V K Singh (Retd) said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha. The scheme was initiated in October 2016 with the objective of fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizen, with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities. Under UDAN, 148 Airports, including nine heliports and two water aerodromes, have been developed/operationalized till date. The govt has also approved the ‘Revival of unserved and under-served airports’ scheme to develop 100 airports, and water aerodromes by 2024.

 

7. Centre grants in-principle approval to set up 21 greenfield airports: The government has approved the establishment of 21 new Greenfield airports across the country. These airports will be set up in different regions of the country to enhance connectivity and boost air travel accessibility. 11 Greenfield airports have already been made operational. These include Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg, Kushinagar, Itanagar, Mopa, and Shivamogga. Other approved airports are in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The state government of Tamil Nadu has applied for the first stage clearance, known as ‘site-clearance,’ to develop a Greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram District.

 

8. Punjab govt signs MoU with BCEIP to launch online course ‘English for Work’: The Punjab government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British Council Education India Pvt Limited (BCEIPL) to expand employment opportunities for the youth, reported Khalsa Vox. The MoU was officially signed by the Director of Higher Education Amarpal Singh on behalf of the Punjab Government, and Managing Director of BCEIPL Duncan Wilson. Following that, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his optimism and highlighted the potential of MoU to open new directions for employment and skills enhancement for the youth. Moreover, under the partnership, they will launch a specialized training course “English for Work” for students of government colleges under the Higher Education Department. The training program aims to upskill the employability of young individuals, making them more competitive in the job market. The “English for Work” course will be offered online and will have a “flipped classroom” approach. It will further aim to blend the flexibility of self-study with interactive live classes. In the beginning of this course, around 5,000 students from government colleges will be offered the opportunity to undergo comprehensive training starting from this academic session.

 

9. Phangnon Konyak became the first woman to chair the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland: Phangnon Konyak, the first woman member from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, presided over the House. Phangnon Konyak became the first woman member to be appointed to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons. She is also the first woman to be elected to Rajya Sabha from Nagaland (April 2022) and the second woman from the state to be elected to either house of the Parliament or the state assembly. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar nominated four women members (50% of the total) to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons to promote gender equality. All the nominated women members are first-time MPs The reconstituted panel now comprises a total of eight members, half of whom are women, a first in the history of the Upper House. The nominated women members are as follows – PT Usha, S. Phangnon Konyak, Dr. Fauzia Khan, Sulta Dev

 

10. Tenzing Yangki becomes the 1st female IPS officer of Arunachal Pradesh: Tenzing Yangki has become the first female IPS officer of Arunachal Pradesh who cracked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2022. Tenzin Yangki achieved a rank of 545 and has become the first lady IPS officer from Arunachal Pradesh. Yangki had earlier cleared the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) exam in 2017. Robin Hibu was the first IPS officer from Arunachal Pradesh. He joined as an IPS officer in 1993. The state boasts of 11 later entry IPS officers, who have been promoted to the rank of inspector general of police (IGP). After the elevation of 2004 batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer C K Mein to IGP rank on 31.03.22 by the MoHA, Arunachal till then had 11 IGPs, including Chukhu Apa, Tussar Taba, Apur Bitin, Kime Kaming, PN Khirmey, Sang Norbu Mosovi, Nabam Gungte, Hibu Tamang, Isaac Pertin, Mari Riba and C K Mein.

 

11. Air Force Day Parade and Flypast to be held at Prayagraj: The Indian Air Force will be celebrating its 91st anniversary on 08 October 2023. Keeping with the new tradition of hosting the Air Force Day celebrations in different parts of the country, this year’s Air Force Day parade and Air Display will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The ceremonial parade will be conducted at Air Force Station, Bamrauli, while the air display will take place at the Sangam area, the picturesque confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj. The Air Force Day celebrations will commence more than a week before with an air display near Bhojtal Lake in Bhopal on September 30. The IAF was officially established on October 8, 1932. Its first aircraft flight came into being on April 1, 1933, with six officers trained by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and 19 “havai sepoys” (air soldiers)

 

12. 27 July 2023 – National Refreshment Day: National Refreshment Day is observed every year on the fourth Thursday of July and this year celebrated on July 27. The day draws our attention to the much-needed destressing activities we need to do for peace of mind and a healthy body. National Refreshment Day was first commemorated in 2015 by Traveler Beers. The U.S.-based company was established in 2012. The founders wanted to integrate European shandy flavors with American ones in order to bring a refreshing touch and look to the beer scene in America.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ETS launches TOEFL Go app to facilitate test takers: The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has launched an application for test takers to prepare for the new and shorter version of the exam. ETS conducts the English testing exam— Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) The app— TOEFL Go, includes complete TOEFL iBT mock tests, additional practice sets for all four sections, artificial intelligence (AI) powered automated scoring, performance feedback for sections, personalized feedback.

2. Summit on “Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs 2023: The  Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers organized the 3rd edition of the Summit on “Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs in India” (GCPMH 2023) in New Delhi. Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitaraman will inaugurate the two days Summit on Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs 2023 Aim: To develop possible strategies and address the challenges that will shape the Chemicals and Petrochemicals Industry in India and across the world. 

 

3. ‘India AI’ and Meta, signed MoU to foster advancements in AI: Abhishek Singh, CEO of India AI, and Shivnath Thukral, Director & Head of Public Policy, Meta have signed an MoU in India. Objective: To establish a framework for collaboration and cooperation between ‘India AI’ and Meta in the field of Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies. ‘India AI’ and Meta share a common goal of raising awareness about AI's potential benefits and risks among various stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses and civil society

 

4. India & Argentina signs MoU for bilateral exchange of young researchers: India and Argentina have agreed to a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture. The two countries also decided to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, Research, and Development Institutes, and Industry in the field of Science and Technology and Biotechnology. India is the 4th largest trading partner of Argentina, with bilateral trade touching a historic peak of 6.4 billion US dollar in the year 2022, recording a growth rate of 12 percent over 2021.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Tripura’s Asmita Dey wins gold at Junior Asian Judo Championships 2023: Tripura’s sporting pride 20-year-old, Asmita Dey won the gold medal in the Junior Asia Cup Judo Championship 2023 in Macau, China. She competed in the women’s 48 kg category against opponents from 27 different countries. The Judo Asian Championship is organized by the Judo Union of Asia. The men’s tournament began in 1966 and was held approximately every four years, until 1991.

 

2. Max Verstappen clinches Hungarian GP: Red Bull’s driver Max Verstappen stormed to victory over Lando Norris and Sergio Perez with another commanding performance in the Hungarian Grand Prix. McLaren’s Lando Norris was runner-up for the second straight race. With the victory the reigning double world champion clinched his seventh straight victory and the Red Bull their 12th in a row beating McLaren’s long-standing record. Teammate Perez also furthered his advantage over third-place man Fernando Alonso, who finished a disappointing ninth in Hungary.

3. India ranked 2nd at ISSF World Championship in South Korea 2023: India finished 2nd on the medals tally at the recently concluded ISSF Junior Shooting World Championships 2023 in Changwon, South Korea. Indian shooters bagged 17 medals, which include 6 Gold, 6 Silver, and 5 Bronze. The championships saw 90 Indian shooters vie for medals in pistol, rifle, and shotgun competitions in the under-21 age category. The majority of the medalists were Khelo India athletes. Seven Indians managed to bag more than one medal. Abhinav Shaw and Kamaljeet won two golds each. Sainyam won three medals — gold in the 10m air pistol women, and a bronze each in the 10m air pistol mixed team and women’s team events.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. HDFC Bank partners Dvara KGFS for micro loans: Dvara KGFS has entered into a co-lending partnership with HDFC Bank to provide business capital to micro business units operating primarily in rural areas and the unorganized sector across 10 States. Dvara KGFS unveiled the enterprise loans vertical in 2020 with focus on three primary value chains – grocery, dairy and agriculture This engagement will enhance our capabilities in empowering micro businesses operating in rural areas.

 

2. HDFC Bank overtakes SBI in CRISIL's corporate banking ranking for 2023 : India’s largest private lender HDFC Bank has overtaken State Bank of India (SBI) to earn top spot on the list of 2023 CRISIL’s Greenwich market share Leaders in Large Corporate Banking. According to Coalition Greenwich many of the gains for large private sector and foreign banks came at the expense of the smaller banks. Indian companies are joining forces with the country’s largest banks to help fuel their drive to become bigger, more international and more efficient.

 

3. RBI permits banks to open vostro accounts from 22 countries: The Reserve Bank has permitted 20 banks operating in the country to open 92 Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) of partner banks from 22 countries like Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Guyana and Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives. Aim: To promote bilateral trade in local currencies. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash informed that an MoU has been signed between the RBI and the Central Bank of UAE in July 2023

 

4. Govt approves 8.15% interest rate on Employees Provident Fund deposits: The government has cleared the interest rate for Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) accounts for the financial year 2022-23. The declared interest rate stands at 8.15 percent, as notified by the retirement body Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in a circular. The EPFO has directed all filed offices to credit the interest at a rate of 8.15 percent on EPF for the financial year 2022-23 into the respective accounts of its members. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has conveyed the approval of the Central Government under para 60(1) of Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 to credit interest@ 8.15 % for the year 2022-23 to the account of each member of the EPF Scheme as per the provisions under Para 60 of EPF Scheme, 1952. The EPFO has directed its field offices to credit the interest into the accounts of over 6 crore active members as of March 2023.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Heritage Byculla Railway station received the UNESCO award 2023: The Byculla Railway station, a heritage site on the Central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway, was awarded by UNESCO after its successful restoration to its original glory in July 2023. The project, launched in July 2019 by Shaina NC, Trustee of 'I Love Mumbai' and in memory of her father Nana Chudasama, aimed to revive the station's original architectural splendor. Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnav congratulated Central Railway.

Daily GK Update- 26th July, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. S. Phangnon Konyak become first woman member to Preside over Rajya Sabha: Phangnon Konyak, the first woman member to be appointed to the panel of Vice-Chairperson from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha. To promote gender equality, Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, nominated four women members out of total of 8 members to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons. She is a member of Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture She is also the second woman from the State to be elected to either House of the Parliament or the State Assembly.

 

2. Jyotiraditya M Scindia inaugurates Heli Summit 2023 and UDAN 5.2: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, inaugurated the Heli Summit 2023 and also unveiled RCS UDAN 5.2 and the HeliSewa-App in Madhya Pradesh. Theme  "Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft".  Objectives: Providing a common platform for all industry stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss the growth story of the Indian Helicopter and Small Aircraft industry.

 

3. Nation celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas at Kargil War Memorial in Drass.: The Nation celebrates the Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26, remembering the sacrifice made by soldiers of the Indian Army.  The nation celebrates the victory of the Indian Army over Pakistani troops in Kargil, Ladakh, in 1999, following more than 60 days of intense battle. The main event was held at Kargil War Memorial in Drass.  Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan, attended the ceremony at Drass

 

4. National Conference on ‘Moving Mental Health Beyond Institutions: The national conference on "Moving Mental Health Beyond Institutions" was inaugurated by Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.  Objective: To address the challenges in implementing the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and find solutions to mental health issues. The government is actively promoting cost-effective treatment for common mental disorders, and mental health is integrated into the flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme.

 

5. Ministry of Textiles organized ‘6th National Conclave: In association with FICCI and BIS, the Ministry of Textiles conducted the 6th National Conclave on Standards & Regulations under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).  The event included 5 technical sessions in specialized areas of Technical Textiles, such as Protective textiles, Geotextiles, Build tech, Oekotech. Bureau of Indian Standards releases four new standards in the field of Medical textiles, Geotextiles, Agro textiles ,Carpet textiles

 

6. 3rd and final meeting of G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group held in Chennai: The third and final meeting of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group under the chairmanship of India has been held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu This is the first time a dedicated working group on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) has been constituted, signifying India’s commitment to addressing global challenges posed by disasters and climate emergencies. This meeting will bring together G20 countries and their leadership, international organizations and knowledge partners to engage in drafting the communique encapsulating shared commitments and key recommendations regarding the working group’s priority areas. These areas include the Global Coverage of Early Warning Systems, Disaster and Climate Resilient Infrastructure, Financing Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Response System, and the Ecosystem-based Approach to DRR. The communique, endorsed by all, will serve as a seminal guiding document for G20 nations, underscoring the critical significance of disaster risk reduction.

 

7. Jammu to pioneer India’s first Cannabis Medicine Project: Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh confirmed that India’s first Cannabis Medicine Project is set to be pioneered in This project will play a vital role in Atma-Nirbhar Bharat, as it will be capable of producing export-quality drugs designed for various neuropathies etc. The project will spread awareness that this substance of abuse has diverse medicinal uses, especially for patients suffering from malignancies. The ‘Cannabis Research Project’ of CSIR-IIIM Jammu is a first-of-its-kind in the country in public-private partnership with a Canadian firm, which has a “great potential to put substance of abuse for the good of mankind especially for patients suffering from neuropathies, cancer and epilepsy This project of CSIR-IIIM is also important from the perspective of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) as after getting all the approvals, it will be able to produce export quality drugs meant for different kinds of neuropathies and diabetic pains.

 

8. T V Narendran re-appointed as Tata Steel CEO and MD : T V Narendran has been re-appointed as the MD and CEO of Tata Steel, for a period of five years effective 19 September 2023. He has over 35 years of experience in the mining and metals industry. Narendran joined Tata Steel in 1988. He was appointed as Managing Director of Tata Steel for India and South East Asia on November 1, 2013. In October 2017, Tata Steel elevated Narendran as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director globally.

 

9. 26 July – Kargil Vijay Diwas: Kargil Vijay Diwas, or Kargil Victory Day is observed annually on July 26 to mark India’s triumph in the 1999 conflict with Pakistan. The day honours the bravery and sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the intense and prolonged war.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. China appointed Wang Yi as its new Foreign Minister: Wang Yi has been appointed as the new foreign minister of China, replacing Qin Gang, the "missing" foreign minister. After the abrupt removal of his short-lived successor, Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, has returned to his previous role as foreign minister, which he held for nearly a decade from 2013. No reason was given for Mr Qin's removal, Official silence over his mysterious disappearance to date had sparked speculation both in China and abroad.

 

2. First Rupee trade shipment from Petrapole border to Bangladesh: The first Rupee trade shipment from West Bengal's Petrapole border to Bangladesh in July 2023 Petrapole is the major land port for bilateral trade with the neighboring country. The Indian government has been promoting Rupee trade with several countries to reduce dependence on the US Dollar and strengthen regional currency and trade. According to Kamlesh Saini, the manager of the Land Ports Authority of India the value of the shipment is Rs 1.23 crore.

 

3. Thani Al Zeyoudi elected as chair of WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference : Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, has been elected as the chair of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation held to take place in Abu Dhabi.  The announcement was made during a meeting with WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the WTO General Council in Geneva The conference will be attended by representatives from 164 countries and will involve reviewing the trading system's performance and making decisions on future work.

 

4. WHO identifies first case of MERS-CoV in UAE this year: The World Health Organization has identified a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in a 28-year-old male from United Arab Emirates MERS-CoV is a viral respiratory infection caused by a coronavirus known as MERS The infection is transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with dromedary camels, which are the natural host and zoonotic source of the MERS-CoV infection. The symptoms include: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath

 

5. Twitter changes logo to ‘X’, replacing blue bird symbol: The owner Elon Musk, and Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino of Twitter, revealed its new logo replacing the blue bird on its website with an X as part of a broader rebranding effort. The logo – a white ‘X’ seen on a black background was seen on the network’s site and accounts, evoking mixed reactions and an ocean of memes from the netizens. It is the latest change since Elon Musk bought the social media platform for 44 billion dollars last year. Twitter is a free social networking site where users broadcast short posts known as tweets.

 

6. FAO launches action plan for to tackle Global Agri Challenges: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched an Action Plan designed to support the implementation of its ambitious Strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031. The Strategy, which was endorsed in June 2022 by FAO’s executive body, the Council, envisages agrifood systems as sustainable, inclusive, resilient and adaptive to climate change. Global agrifood systems, which encompass the production of food and non-food agricultural products, as well as their storage, transportation, processing, distribution, marketing, disposal and consumption, are currently responsible for about a third of total greenhouse gas emissions. The Strategy aims to scale up the visibility, uptake and investment in these solutions by contributing to adaptive, resilient low-emission economies “while providing sufficient, safe and nutritious foods for healthy diets, as well as other agricultural products and services, for present and future generations, leaving no one behind.

 

7. Italy honours Indian Army’s contribution in World War II: A memorial has been unveiled in Italy to honor Indian troops who fought in the Italian Campaign during the Second World War.

The memorial is in the form of a live sundial and its motto is “We all live under the same sun.” The memorial pays tribute to Naik Yeshwant Ghadge, Victoria Cross, who was killed in action fighting on the heights of Upper Tiber Valley.

 

8. 26 July – International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem: The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is celebrated every year on 26 July. Objective – To raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem”. This International Day was adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015. As per Forest Survey Report 2021, Mangrove cover in India has increased by 17 sq km as compared to 2019 assessment. It now spread to 4,992 sq km. Three states in which highest increase in mangrove cover was observed include- Odisha (8 sq km), Maharashtra (4 sq km) and Karnataka (3 sq km).

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Harmanpreet Kaur suspended for breaching ICC Code of Conduct: Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, received a suspension for the next two international matches due to two violations of the ICC Code of Conduct in the 3rd ODI between India and Bangladesh. During the match, she expressed her frustration by hitting her stumps with her bat after being declared LBW. In the post-match presentation, she criticized the umpiring as "pathetic"  She was fined 50 percent of her match fee.

 

2. India ranked 2nd at ISSF World Championship in South Korea 2023: India secured the 2nd position at the ISSF Junior Shooting World Championships 2023 held in Changwon, South Korea

Indian shooters achieved a total of 17 medals, comprising 6 Gold, 6 Silver, and 5 Bronze. Seven Indian athletes earned more than one medal each. Abhinav Shaw and Kamaljeet both claimed two gold medals. Sainyam won three medals, including a gold in the 10m air pistol women's event, and a bronze each in the 10m air pistol mixed team and women's team events.

 

3. Indian javelin throwers bagged gold medals at Lebanon Athletics 2023: India’s Annu Rani and Kishore Jena won the gold medal in the men’s and women’s javelin throw events, respectively at the Lebanon Athletics Championships 2023 in Beirut. Annu Rani recorded a best throw of 55.32m to top the six-woman field. Her effort, though, was far from her national record-setting mark of 63.82m, achieved last year. In four competitions since the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, where she won the bronze, Annu Rani has not crossed the 60m mark. In the men’s event, Kishore Jena hurled the spear 78.96m to win the gold. His personal best is 82.87, achieved in Bhubaneshwar last month. Tokyo 2020 Olympian Shivpal Singh won the silver with a 73.34m throw, a modest effort compared to his personal best of 86.23m achieved at the 2019 Asian championships in Doha. Seven men competed in the men’s javelin event. Nabil Al-Akoumi was third with 59.79m Tokyo Olympics champion Neeraj Chopra holds India’s national record in men’s javelin throw courtesy his 89.94m mark, registered at the 2022 Stockholm Diamond League in Sweden.

 

4. Lahiru Thirimanne announces retirement from international cricket: Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne has retired from international cricket after a 13-year career. The 33-year-old Lankan featured in 44 Tests, 127 One-Day Internationals, and 26 T20 Internationals, having made his debut in 2010. He played for Sri Lanka in three ICC T20 World Cups, including the 2014 edition where the side emerged victorious. Besides, he also featured in a couple of ODI World Cups. He also had the honour of leading the team in five ODIs. Thirimanne played his final international tie for Sri Lanka in March 2022 — a Test against India in Bengaluru. In his prime, he was considered one of the most prolific batters of the side, especially in the 50-over format, scoring 3,194 runs in 106 innings at an average of 34.71, including four tons and 24 half-centuries.

 

5. Minerva Academy becomes first Indian club to win Gothia Cup: India’s Minerva Academy FC scripted history as they became the first team from the subcontinental nation to lift the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden. The Gothia Cup, an international youth football tournament organized has been held annually at Gothenburg in the Scandinavian country of Sweden. The prestigious tournament is organized under the aegis of Allsvenskan club BK Hacken. The Indian team triumphed in the B13 category of the illustrious event with a 3-1 win over Brazilian side Ordin FC in the final of the tournament on Saturday. The tournament is the world’s largest and most international youth football tournament with 1700 teams. The first-ever edition of the tournament was held in 1975. In total, 4500 games were played on 110 pitches during the tournament.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF revises India's GDP growth forecast to 6.1% for FY24: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its projection for India's GDP growth in the current fiscal year from 5.9% to 6.1%. As per World Economic Outlook, In 2023 the growth rate of India's economy is estimated to be 6.1 percent, which is 0.2 percentage points higher than what was predicted in April 2023 According to Danish Leigh, the division chief of the Research department at IMF, India contributes one-sixth of the total global growth this year

 

2. PhonePe launches income tax payment feature: Digital payments and fintech platform, PhonePe has launched a feature to pay income tax through its app. Individuals and businesses can pay self-assessment and advance tax through UPI or credit card via the application, without logging into the income tax portal. The amount will be credited to the tax portal within two working days. Users can pay taxes by logging into the app and selecting the “income tax” icon. Then, they must select the type of tax to be paid, assessment year and Permanent Account Number (PAN) details. After entering the total tax amount, users will be able to pay using the chosen mode of payment. Taxpayers will receive a Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) number as an acknowledgment within one working day after paying the tax while challan for the payment will be available within two working days. Users can get a 45-day interest-free period and earn reward points on their tax payments, depending on their bank. PhonePe has partnered with digital B2B payments service provider PayMate for enabling the feature. Started in 2015, the Walmart subsidiary was recently separated from its e-commerce sibling Flipkart. PhonePe has about 50 crore registered users and processes 45 percent of transactions on Bharat Bill Pay System (BBPS). The company became a fintech in 2017 and launched mutual funds and insurance products.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Draupadi Murmu Confers National Geoscience Awards: President Droupadi Murmu has conferred the National Geoscience Awards (NGA) – 2022 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. Instituted in 1966, the NGA is a symbol of recognition and appreciation for exceptional individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence, dedication, and innovation in the realm of Geosciences. The Ministry of Mines confers this award every year in three categories comprised National Geoscience Award for Life Time Achievement, the National Young Geoscientist Award, and the National Geoscience Award in various fields of geosciences.

There are six boys and five girls among the awardees from 11 states and UTs. Each awardee of the PMRBP will be given a medal, a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a certificate. The Union government the PMRBP award to children for their exceptional achievements. The award is conferred on children in the age group 5-18 for their excellence in six categories, viz art and culture, bravery, innovation, scholastic, social service and sports, which deserve national recognition. This year, the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar will be conferred on 11 children selected from all regions of the country for their exceptional achievement in the field of art and culture (4), bravery (1), innovation (2), social service (1), and sports (3).

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Bengal BJP MLA Bishnu Pada Roy dies at 61: MLA of  Bharatiya Janata Party from Dhupguri, Bishnu Pada Roy, who was suffering from a lung infection died at the age of 61. He was elected as Member of Parliament in 13th, 15th and 16th Lok Sabha representing Andaman and Nicobar Islands constituency in the years 1999, 2009 and 2014, respectively. He was a hardworking legislator who made many efforts to fulfil people's aspirations. He also worked hard to strengthen @BJP4Bengal.

Daily GK Update- 25th July, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Odisha cabinet approves Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana: Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana. Under this scheme, an interest subvention on bank loans up to Rs 1 lakh will be provided to beneficiaries to purchase a scooter. The State government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 528.55 crore for the execution of the scheme over a period of the next five years. The Cabinet has also approved a budget of Rs 1001.14 crore for expanding Comprehensive Cancer Services.

 

2. Capacity building Scheme for North Eastern Region: The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E) implemented the Capacity Building Scheme for the North Eastern Region, which is carried out by the Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) located in Guwahati, Assam IIE has organized numerous capacity development initiatives in Assam as part of the Pradhan Mantri Vandhan Yojana (PMVDY) scheme. In the Sonitpur district, a total of 6 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras Clusters have been approved under the PMVDY scheme

 

3. Central Gov appointed Justice Dhiraj Thakur as Chief Justice of High Court: The Central government has appointed justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. In 1989, he became a registered advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi, and later with the Bar Council of Jammu & Kashmir (JK) He become a Senior Advocate in 2011, and in 2013, he was appointed as a permanent judge of the High Court of JK The Andhra Pradesh High Court which has a sanctioned strength of 37 judges is currently functioning with 30 judges

 

4. T V Narendran re-appointed as Tata Steel CEO and Managing Director: Tata Steel confirmed re-appointed of TV Narendran as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Company for 5 years.  He has over 35 years of experience in the mining and metals industry.  He was appointed as Managing Director of Tata Steel for India and South East Asia in 2013. There is no order passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India or any other such authority that debars him from holding the office of Director.

 

5. Amit Shah inaugurated the Aviation Security Control Center: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated the newly established Aviation Security Control Centre (ASCC) at CISF Campus Mahipalpur in New Delhi. The CISF was inducted at airports for the first time in February 2000. After two decades, currently, CISF is providing security cover to 66 airports out of 134 operational airports in the country, including extremely busy and hypersensitive airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar. In order to monitor the security functions and resource utilization on a real-time basis, Security Operations Control Centres (SOCCs) are functional at every airport. These SOCCs serve as the nerve/nodal center for the collection and dissemination of important information 24×7, especially during contingencies. This newly established ASCC will play an important role in its quest to play a greater role in aviation security and the future of the force.

6. Gajendra Singh inaugurates National Conference On Rural WASH Partners’: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has inaugurated a two-day National Conference of Rural WASH Partners’ Forum at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The stakeholders from the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to deliberate on the progress made and the way ahead to support the expeditious implementation of the Jal Jeevan and Swachh Bharat Mission. The Ministry of Jal Shakti said, under the theme of “Accelerating Progress towards a Swachh Sujal Bharat”, the Conference will provide a forum for partners to share their experiences, learn from each other, and identify new ways to collaborate across the WASH sector. The Rural WASH Partners’ Forum (RWPF) is a leading platform for development partners and sector partners working in the rural WASH sector in India.

 

7. 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit organized in Khajuraho: The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) have jointly organized the 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The event’s theme reflects the critical focus on enhancing transportation services and promoting tourism in remote and hilly terrains. Union Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya M Scindia has inaugurated the event. The aviation and tourism industries are interconnected, and their synergy fosters employment opportunities and drives economic growth across the country. The summit’s primary objectives are to enhance the scope of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme, which focuses on regional connectivity in remote and hilly terrains, and to expand the country’s rural-to-urban connectivity. A key focus is also on boosting the connectivity of helicopters and small aircraft to places with existing and potential tourism hotspots by providing uninterrupted services.

 

8. PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate ‘Semicon India 2023’ in Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a six-day event focusing on semiconductors – Semicon India 2023 – at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on July 28. The event is scheduled to be held between July 25 and 30 and with the PM inaugurating the main event on July 28. Open to the public from July 25 to July 30, this engaging exhibition aims to educate visitors about the intricate manufacturing process of semiconductors and the remarkable strides achieved in this dynamic field. The exhibition will offer the visitors a comprehensive insight into the cutting-edge technologies and innovations driving the semiconductor industry. For aspiring students, this platform will present a valuable opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge about semiconductor manufacturing, fostering a pathway to a rewarding career in this field. Companies such as Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, LAM Research, NXP Semiconductors, ST Microelectronics, Grantwood Technologies, Infineon Technologies, Applied Materials, and other prominent players in the sector will actively participate in this momentous event.

 

9. A Madhavarao appoints as new Chairman and MD of Bharat Dynamics: A Madhavarao has been appointed as the new Chairman and MD of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). He joined BDL in March 2020 as executive director and was currently holding the post of Director (Technical) with the additional charge of Director (production). During his tenure in the Indian Navy, Commodore Madhavarao took part in the Kargil and Parakram operations. He was instrumental in setting up the Nuclear and Safety field organization in Visakhapatnam for the induction of Nuclear Submarines into the Indian Navy. He has served as General Manager Technical at Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam and was responsible for preparing the long-term perspective plan for the Naval Dockyard modernization.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Twitter changes logo to ‘X’, replacing blue bird symbol: The owner Elon Musk, and Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino of Twitter, revealed its new logo, replacing the blue bird on its website with an X as part of a broader rebranding effort. The new logo now shows a white X on a black background. It is the latest change since Elon Musk bought the social media platform for 44 billion dollars last year. Twitter is a free social networking site where users broadcast short posts known as tweets.

 

2. CAIT and Meta expand ‘WhatsApp Se Wyapaar’ partnership: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Meta are expanding their ‘WhatsApp Se Wyapaar program to digitally train and upskill 10 million local traders on the WhatsApp Business App. Goal: To localize digitization efforts to unleash growth opportunities for businesses with hyper-local digital training in 11 Indian languages across all 29 Indian states. CAIT will conduct workshops to digitize their storefronts and establish their 'digital dukaan'

 

3. 25 July – World Embryologist Day: World Embryologists Day is observed every year on July 25 to recognize the work and contributions of embryologists worldwide. Embryologists play an important role in treating infertility and help couples have babies through in vitro fertilization or the IVF process. In an IVF clinic, embryologists play a vital role. They are responsible for creating new life outside a woman’s body. Embryologists also help in conceiving a baby. They are also known as the caretakers of clients’ eggs, sperm, or embryos. On July 25, 1978, Louise Joy Brown was the first child to be born through IVF in England. Since then, IVF has emerged as a glimmer of hope for couples who dream of becoming parents, but are struggling with infertility. Therefore, Brown’s birthday is recognised as World Embryologist Day.

 

4. 25 July – World Drowning Prevention Day: World Drowning Prevention Day is observed every year on July 25. Objective – To raise awareness about the critical issue of drowning and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. Theme 2023 – Anyone can drown, no one should Approximately 236,000 individuals lose their lives to drowning annually, with children between the ages of five and 14 being more susceptible to this tragedy. Research indicates that youngsters and teenagers living in rural areas are at a higher risk of drowning compared to their urban counterparts.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Kamaljeet bagged two golds in Junior Shooting World Championships 2023: Indian player Kamaljeet won two gold medals in the 50-meter free pistol event in the Junior World Championship 2023 in Changwon, Korea. In this championship, India was second on the medals table with six gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.  China stayed on top with 12 gold, nine silver, and seven bronze medals. In the women’s free pistol, Tiyana Phogat won the silver, one point behind Khanna Aliyeva of Azerbaijan.

 

2. Indian javelin throwers bagged gold medals at Lebanon Athletics 2023: Indian javelin throwers Annu Rani and Kishore Jena bagged gold medals in the women’s and men’s javelin throw events, respectively, at the Lebanon Athletics Championships 2023 in Beirut In the women’s event, Annu Rani recorded a best throw of 55.32m to top the six-woman field.  In the men’s event, Kishore Jena achieved a distance of 78.96m to clinch the gold medal. Tokyo Olympics champion 2022 Neeraj Chopra holds India’s national record in men’s javelin throw.

 

3. Rakesh & Sarita win India’s 1st gold at World Para Archery Tournament: Indian compound archers Sarita and Rakesh Kumar gave a fine performance to claim the country’s first-ever gold medal in the World Archery Para Championships in Pilsen, Czech Republic. The duo claimed the mixed team world title, while 16-year-old armless archer Sheetal Devi bagged the compound women’s individual silver. Sarita bagged a second medal when she took the women’s team bronze with Jyoti. The country’s previous best showing was two silver medals — by Pooja in recurve individual event and Shyam Sundar Swami and Jyoti in compound mixed team — in Dubai last year. Sarita and Rakesh defeated Brazil’s Jane Gogel and Reinaldo Ferreira 152-146 in the final. The match began with both sides sharing honours (37-37) in the first end. The Indians showed consistency to take the next three ends 37-36, 39-38, 39-35.

 

4. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinch Korea Open 2023: Asian Champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated world no. 1 Indonesian duo Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in a thrilling 3-game men’s doubles final 17-21, 21-13, 21-14 to clinch the Korea Open 2023 title in Yeosu, Korea. This is the third Super 500 title of their career so far after Thailand Open 2019 and Yonex Sunrise India Open 2022. And also, the third BWF World Tour title in 2023 as well, having previously won Swiss Open 2023 (Super 300) and Indonesia Open 2023 (Super 1000) earlier this year.

 

5. Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal won Tampere Challenger 2023: Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal beat Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic in straight sets to clinch the Tampere Open title held in Finland. Nagal beat Svrcina 6-4 7-5 to emerge victorious. This was Sumit Nagal’s fourth ATP Challenger title overall. It was the second Challenger title of the season after the one in Rome, and the fourth Challenger title of his career for the 25-year-old.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. PhonePe launches income tax payment feature: PhonePe has launched an ‘Income Tax Payment’ feature on its app. Aim: To allow taxpayers to pay self-assessment and advance tax directly from the app using UPI or credit card payments To enable this feature, the company has partnered with PayMate, a B2B payments and service provider. Users can get a 45-day interest-free period and earn reward points on their tax payments, depending on their bank The challan for the tax payment will be available within two working days

 

2. Inclusion of NongHyup Bank in Second Schedule: RBI Notification: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed all banks about the addition of "NongHyup Bank" to the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934.  According to the RBI, NongHyup Bank has been officially included in the regulated list through a prior notification issued on June 20, 2023, and published in the Gazette of India. It is an agricultural bank headquartered in South Korea. The bank was established in 2012 owned by the NACF.  Nonghyup Bank entered India in 2016.

 

3. Canara Bank was top lender to public sector cos in FY23: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament that during the fiscal year 2022-23, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) extended loans amounting to ₹4.12 trillion to state-backed corporations and public sector undertakings.  Canara Bank took the lead in lending ₹187,813 crore to government-backed entities. The top five PSBs – Canara Bank, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Union Bank of India.

 

4. RBI caps deposit withdrawal from ailing National Co-operative Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed business restrictions on  The National Co-operative Bank Ltd and capped deposit withdrawal at Rs 50,000 per account in July 2023. According to the RBI, the bank is not allowed to issue fresh loans or accept fresh deposits without prior approval from the central bank. Depositors will be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount up to Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation.

 

5. Banks write off bad loans worth Rs 2.09 lakh crore in 2022-23: RBI: According to the RBI’s data during the financial year 2022-23, banks wrote off bad loans amounting to over Rs 2.09 lakh crore, contributing to a total loan write-off of Rs 10.57 lakh crore by the banking sector over the past five years. This loan write-off to bring down gross non-performing assets or defaulted loans to a 10-year low of 3.9 percent of advances by March 2023 According to RBI, banks have written off a total of Rs 15,31,453 crore since FY2012-13.

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Anurag Thakur confers 8th and 9th Community Radio Awards: The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur has conferred the 8th and 9th National Community Radio Awards. The awards were conferred during the Inaugural Session of the two-day Regional Community Radio Sammelan (North) which was inaugurated by the Union Minister at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi. Community Radio Stations play a key role in realizing the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of Jan Bhagidari se Jan Andolan. These stations complement the efforts of Akashvani and have played a key role in keeping their listeners informed during calamities. The National Community Radio Awards carry 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for Rs, 1 Lakh, 75,000 Rs and 50,000 Rs respectively. Most Innovative Community Engagement Awards: First Prize Radio SD, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh; Name of the programme: Hizra in Between Second Prize Kabir Radio, Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh; Name of Program: Selfie Le Le Re Third Award: Radio Mind Tree, Ambala, Haryana Name of Programme: Book Bugs

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Australian wicketkeeper Brian Taber passes away: Former Australia and New South Wales wicketkeeper Brian Taber has died at the age of 83. Taber, who played 16 Test matches for Australia between 1966 and 1970. He made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg where he claimed seven catches and a stumping. His highest Test score of 48 came against West Indies at Sydney in 1969 in a match Australia won by 382 runs. He played more than 100 games for New South Wales during his domestic career.

 

 

 

 

 

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