Daily GK Update- 14th Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Narendra Modi lays foundation of Sant Ravidas temple in Madhya Pradesh: PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a temple-cum-memorial for Sant Ravidas and along with that also inaugurated developmental works which are worth Rs 4,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh in Aug 2023 The memorial is steeped in the spirit of ‘Samrasta’ as the soil of more than 20,000 villages and 300 rivers have been used in it Sant Ravidas was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the bhakti movement and founder of the Ravidassia religion during the 15th to 16th century CE

 

2. Partition Horrors Remembrance Day is observed on 14th August: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared that August 14, will be remembered as 'Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas' or Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in memory of the struggles and sacrifices during the partition in 1947.  Aim: To keep reminding us of the need to remove the poison of social divisions, and disharmony and further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the event on this date in 2021

 

3. MakeMyTrip and ministry of tourism jointly launched Traveller's Map: Online travel company MakeMyTrip(MMT) has joined hands with the Ministry of Tourism to launch a microsite, 'Traveller’s Map of India in Aug 2023 Aim:  To showcases 600 plus destinations beyond the popular travel spots in the country Objective: To discover lesser-known tourism gems that lie within the country's borders based on their preferences According to MMT "This microsite has been designed in line with the Government of India’s visionary 'DekhoApnaDesh' program,"

 

4. First space-based Indian observatory Aditya-L1, is ready for launch: The first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun - Aditya-L1, is getting ready for its launch in September 2023 The spacecraft is expected to be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point - L1 of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million Km from the Earth and has advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any eclipses.  This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real-time.

 

5. Centre approves establishment of new spaceport in Tamil Nadu: The Centre has approved the establishment of a new spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu for carrying out the launches of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The Indian Space Policy 2023 has the provision for the utilization of a spaceport for carrying out launch activities by Non-Government Entities (NGEs), subject to technical feasibility and range safety constraints. The Policy opens up the sector for enhanced participation of NGEs across the entire value chain of the space economy, while clearly delineating the roles of various stakeholders like IN-SPACe, ISRO, NewSpace India Limited and Department of Space. The Government has set up the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as a single-window agency for promotion and authorization of space activities. The budget allocations for IN-SPACe are 2023-24 ₹95 crore; 2022-23 ₹33 crore and 2021-22 ₹10 crore.

 

6. Odisha Govt to open ‘CSP Plus’ banking outlet in 4373-gram panchayats: The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave nod to open CSP Plus banking outlets in 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats (GPs) at a cost of Rs 500 crore. The CSP (customer service point) Plus banking outlets will be opened in coordination with six public sector banks (PSBs). Six PSBs — State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Bank of India will help in opening the facilities in 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats. The cabinet also approved an additional budget of Rs 2,687 crore for a special programme for developing and creating awareness for millets in four years from 2023-24 to 2026-27.

 

7. UP government to build country’s largest IT Hub in Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government will set up the country’s largest IT hub in Lucknow. The IT hub will be located on 40 acres of land in the Nadarganj Industrial Area of Amausi on Kanpur Road. The hub will be divided into three parts: IT Park, Business Park, and International Incubation Facility Center. The IT Park will be constructed on 11.47 acres.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Global Maritime India Summit 2023 to be held in October: Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) 2023 is slated for October 17 to October 19 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The meeting, with participation from more than 40 countries, including 21 Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Deputy High Commissioners, Trade Commissioners, and 23 other diplomats, underscored the global interest in the upcoming GMIS 2023. GMIS 2023 is a premier maritime sector focussed event to bring together pivotal figures from the industry to explore opportunities, understand challenges, and stimulate investment within India’s maritime sector.

 

2. 13 August – World Organ Donation Day: World Organ Donation Day is observed every year on 13 August. Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of and help people understand organ donation. Theme 2023 – Donate Organs, Save Lives Organ donation is quite similar to giving someone another chance at life. The first ever successful living donor organ transplant was performed in 1954 in the US. A man named, Ronald Lee Herrick donated his kidney to his identical brother, Richard Lee Herrick. The doctor who performed this surgery was named Joseph Murray. He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1990 for successfully carrying out this kidney transplant. It is an annual event that provides a special opportunity to celebrate and thank the donors who save some valuable lives during need.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

 

1. American golfer Lilia Vu captures second major at Women's British Open 202: American golfer Lilia Vu won the Women’s British Open to claim her second major title of 2023 by defeating Charley HullbShe also won the Chevron Championship in April 2023, became the first female player to win two majors in the same year since Jin Young Ko in 2019, and the first American woman since Juli Inkster in 1999. Three of the five women's majors have been won by American this year 2023 Allisen Corpuz won the Women's U.S. Open title at Pebble Beach

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Maharashtra tops list of public sector lenders in loan in Q1 2023: State-owned Bank of Maharashtra has emerged as the top performer among public sector lenders in loan and deposit growth in percentage terms during the first quarter of the current FY 2023. The deposit and advances of the Pune-based lender recorded a nearly 25 percent rise, the highest by any public sector bank during the April-June quarter. With a growth rate of 24.98 percent, the gross domestic advances of the bank rose to Rs 1,75,676 crore at the end of June 2023

 

2. RBI selects McKinsey and Company, Accenture Solutions to use AI and ML to: RBI has selected global consultancy firms McKinsey and Company India LLP and Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd India in August 2023 Aim: To develop systems using artificial intelligence and machine learning for its supervisory functions.  RBI is looking to AI and machine learning to analyze its huge database and improve regulatory supervision over banks, NBFCs to ensure that the benefits of advanced analytics can accrue to the Department of Supervision in the central bank.

 

3. Tata AIA introduces Industry-First Premium payment through WhatsApp: To reinforce its value of ‘Consumer Obsession‘, Tata AIA Life Insurance (Tata AIA) has introduced digital payments via WhatsApp and Unified Payment Interfaces. This industry-first feature provides an instant premium payment facility through WhatsApp and UPI-enabled payment options. The newly added payment option is first-of-its-kind in the insurance industry. The agile, seamless process allows consumers to pay premiums digitally and receive a quick premium payment confirmation and acknowledgment. In addition to being easy to use for both tech and non-tech-savvy consumers, it also offers a hassle-free premium payment experience. WhatsApp and UPI have become household messaging and payment facilities, respectively, in India. The country has close to 500 million WhatsApp users today and more than 300 million UPI users. This clearly indicates the penetration of these new-age platforms. By introducing premium payment through these platforms, Tata AIA is ensuring that it provides its consumers with the ease and convenience of doing a transaction through their preferred modes.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Kupwara bagged ‘Best Performer District Award’ under PMAY-G Convergence: District Kupwara has been conferred with the award for the “Best Performer District 2023 in UT of J&K under PMAY-G” by Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor J&K UT, held at Srinagar. Kupwara has received the award in recognition of the construction of 4723 PMAY houses out of a target of 4902 houses for FY 2022-23  PMAY-Gis successfully fulfilled the dream of several poor and vulnerable families having their own Pucca house in frontier Kupwara district.

 

2. NAFIS gets Gold Award for fool-proof fingerprint identification system: National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) Team won Gold Award under Excellence in Government Process Reengineering for Digital Transformation Category-1 by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Complaints in Aug 2023. ABOUT NAFIS NAFIS helps in the quick and easy disposal of cases with the help of a centralized fingerprint database. It assigns a unique 10-digit National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to each person arrested for a crime.

 

3. 954 Police awarded Police Medals on the occasion of the Independence Day: A total of 954 police personnel have been awarded Police Medals on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day. The President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been awarded to the Central Reserve Police Force's Assistant Commandant Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh The Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) has been awarded to 229 police personnel President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) to 82 and Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM) has been awarded to 642.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Renowned Nuclear physicist Bikash Sinha passed away: Renowned nuclear physicist Bikash Sinha passed away at the age of 78. He was the recipient of Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhusan in 2010 for his contribution to science & technology. In 1987 he was appointed the director of the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre. He held the concurrent charge as director of the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics till 2009. The SN Bose Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress Association in 1994, he was conferred by the West Bengal government the state’s highest award ‘Bangabibhushan’ in 2022 and also the ‘Rabindra Smriti Puraskar’ in the same year.

Daily GK Update- 13th Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. SC launches ‘SuSwagatam’ online portal: The Supreme Court of India has launched ‘SuSwagatam’, an online facility to generate online electronic passes for visitors to enter the apex court’s premises. “‘SuSwagatam’ is a web-based and mobile-friendly application that allows users to register themselves online and request for e-passes for various purposes such as attending court hearings, and meeting advocates. The portal also provides role-based secure logins for different types of users where they can upload their proof of identity and capture their live photo during the registration process. SuSwagatam’ will enable a user to avoid long queues, and have a paperless entry pass (e-pass) for access at the apex court.

 

2. Odisha launched scheme to improve banking penetration in 4,373 panchayats: The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved to open banking outlets in 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats at a cost of Rs 500 crore in Aug 2023 Aim: To improve financial inclusion, will be implemented in coordination with six public sector banks in a phased manner. The scheme will be implemented in coordination with six public sector banks - State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India. 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 12 August – International Youth Day: International Youth Day is observed every year on 12 August. International Youth Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing young people around the world. Theme 2023 – Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared August 12 as International Youth Day in 1999. The UNGA decision was based on the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, which was held in Lisbon in 1998. The first IYD was observed on 12 August 2000.

 

2. Indian Navy participated in bilateral naval exercise 2023 with UAE Navy: Two Indian Naval Ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand participated in a bilateral Naval Maritime Partnership Exercise with the UAE Navy at Port Rashid, Dubai in Aug 2023  Aim:  To enhance the interoperability and synergy between the two navies by cross-training on tactics, techniques, and procedures while developing stronger professional bonds. Objective: To jointly tackle the common challenges of piracy, smuggling, and human trafficking and enhance maritime security.

 

3. 13 August is celebrated as World Organ Donation Day: World Organ Donation Day is observed every year on August 13  Aim: To spread awareness around the importance of organ donation and bust myths around it.  Theme for 2023: "Step up to volunteer; need more organ donors to fill the lacunae". Organ donation means when a person allows to surgically remove their organ and transplant it to another person.  This is done with the content of the donor when they are alive or that of their kin when they are no more.

 

4. 13 August is celebrated as International Left-Handers Day: International Left-Handers Day is celebrated every year on August 13 Aims: To raise awareness about the challenges and of left-handers, understanding in a predominantly right-handed world. Goal: To work on the challenges left-handers face and cater to their unique needs. Theme for 2023:  “Left-Handers in Sports.”  Objective: To recognize and appreciate the diversity of skills, talents, and perspectives that left-handers bring to various fields and activities.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India beat Malaysia clinch fourth Asian Champions Trophy: India beat Malaysia 4-3 and clinch a record fourth Asian Champions Trophy title at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. With four Asian Champions Trophy titles, India is the most successful team in the history of the tournament. Pakistan, with three titles, is in the second spot now. Japan take 3rd spot after beating South Korea 5-3. Japan finished behind Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy tournament after the beat defending champion South Korea 5-3 in the third-place playoff tie in Chennai.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Airtel Payments Bank Launched India’s 1st Eco-Friendly Debit Card: Airtel Payments Bank has launched an eco-friendly debit card for its customers with savings bank accounts, underlining the company’s ‘commitment to sustainability and promoting eco-friendly practices within the financial sector.’ The company will manufacture these debit cards from r-PVC (recycled polyvinyl chloride) material, which it claims to be eco-friendly. Moreover, the payments bank stated that every batch of 50,000 cards produced would reduce carbon emissions by 350 kilograms, compared to conventional PVC cards in the market. Producing these eco-friendly debit cards will also diminish petroleum consumption during manufacturing, cutting hydrocarbon usage by 43 percent. This manufacturing approach will conserve 6.6 million litres of water for every batch of r-PVC produced. Airtel Payments Bank is developing two cards under the classic variant; a personalized Classic card and an Insta Classic card. The former can be ordered through the Airtel Thanks app, while the latter will be available at select neighbourhood banking points by the end of the current quarter. The cards come with rewards including e-commerce benefits of up to Rs 10,000 and complimentary dining experiences under the ‘One Dines Free’ programme across major cities of India.

 

2. Gross Direct tax collections rise 16 % to Rs 6.53 lakh crore in FY 2023: The gross direct tax collection has registered a growth of around 16% to RS 653,000 crore compared to the same period in 2022 in Aug 2023 Net direct tax collection, after adjusting refunds, stands at RS 584,000 crore, which is over 17 % higher than the net collections for the same period 2022.  The collection is over 32% of the total Budget estimates of Direct Taxes for 2023-24. Refunds amounting to Rs 69,000 crore has issued, which is 3.73% more compared to year 2022

 

3. NPCI launches UPI Chalega 3.0 campaign to promote easy digital payments: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the 3rd edition of the UPI Safety Awareness Campaign, “UPI Chalega” in August 2023. Aim: To promote UPI’s brand awareness, amplify understanding of its features, and encourage wider adoption among new users It also educates users about various features such as UPI LITE, which enables swift low-value transactions; UPI AUTOPAY, which allows secure and convenient recurring payments using any UPI application

 

4. 5 banks offering MSSC, post office scheme earning 7.5% interest rate: Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC), a small savings scheme for women and girls in August 2023 MSSC is a 2-year deposit scheme, which offers an interest rate of 7.5% per annum. Objective: To promote financial inclusion and empower women, including girls.  It is a one-time program that runs from April 2023 to March 2025.  Banks Include: Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Canara Bank and Bank of India

 

5. Wholesale inflation stays in negative for fourth month at (-) 1.36% in July: The wholesale price-based inflation remained in the negative territory for the fourth straight month in July 2023 at (-)1.36 percent on easing prices of fuel, even though food articles turned costlier. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation rate has been in the negative since April and was (-)4.12 percent in June. In July last year, it was 14.07 percent. Inflation in food articles skyrocketed 14.25 percent in July against 1.32 percent in June 2023

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Kanwardeep recieved Home Minister’s award for excellence in investigation: Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police, Kanwardeep Kaur was named as the recipient of the ‘Union Home Minister’s Medal of Excellence in Investigation’ for the year 2023.  She was given the award for her outstanding investigative work in a minor’s rape case, which resulted in the accused being sentenced to death within 11 months of committing the crime. She worked the case when she was the SSP of Kapurthala district.

Daily GK Update- 12th Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Telangana launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange and ADMF: Telangana IT and Industries Minister K Taraka Ramarao launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) and Agriculture Data Management Framework (ADMF) in Hyderabad in August 2023. The ADeX has been developed as a digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector Aims: To ensure fair and efficient usage of agricultural data by the industry and startups and provide a big boost to the data economy specifically in the agriculture sector.

 

2. CM Solar Mission launched in power deficit Meghalaya: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the Rs 500 crore Chief Minister's Solar Mission for minimizing the power deficit in this northeastern hill state in August 2023. The mission will be a flagship Renewable Energy intervention committed to fostering green and clean energy transformation across the state. The mission will begin a new era of resilience, independence, and green progress for Meghalaya.

 

3. NCLT Approves $10 Billion Mega-Merger Between Zee and Sony: The National Company Law Tribunal approved the merger scheme of India’s homegrown entertainment company Zee Entertainment Enterprises with Culver Max Entertainment in Aug 2023. Aim: To create a $10-billion Indian media giant. ZEE will have 30 days to file with the registrar of companies, following which, the shares of the company will be de-listed from the stock exchanges and the merged company will get re-listed in another six weeks

 

4. IEPFA and Common Service Centre (CSC) launches “Niveshak Sarathi” Vans: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) CEO Anita Shah Akella and Common Service Centre (CSC) launched two Investor Awareness Vans titled “Niveshak Sarathi” Theme: From Unawareness to Financial Independence. Aims: To disseminate crucial financial education and raise awareness against fraudulent schemes across the Delhi NCR region. These vans are equipped with a TV screen running “Hisab Ki Kitab,” developed by IEPFA.

 

5. Amit Shah lays foundation stone for IFFCO Nano Urea Plant: Union Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited Nano Urea Plant at Gandhidham in Kutch in August 2023. Aims: To fulfill 3 primary goals which include achieving self-sufficiency in food production and bringing prosperity to the farmers. This will reduce imports of fertilizers and make India self-reliant in the field of fertilizers and conserve the nutrients of the soil and ensure judicious use of fertilizers.

 

6. Dharmendra Pradhan launches DBT in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme: Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Direct Benefit Transfer in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme in New Delhi in August 2023. The Scheme marks a stride towards transparency and efficiency as the skilled workforce is paramount, to encompass policy evolution Objective: To focus on the vision of making skilling an apprenticeship aspirational as well as encouraging earning while learning as envisioned in the National Education Policy.

 

7. Amit Shah lays foundation stone for IFFCO Nano Urea Plant: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has laid the foundation stone for the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited Nano Urea Plant at Gandhidham in Kutch, Gujarat. India needs another green revolution in the form of natural farming under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which aims to ensure the highest value addition to farmers and protect farmlands from degradation. The nano urea plant will provide multi-dimensional benefits to the agricultural economy. It will also help conserve the nutrients of the soil and ensure judicious use of fertilizers. The plant will play a vital role to reduce imports of fertilizers and make India self-reliant in the field of fertilizers. This will reduce imports of fertilizers and make India self-reliant in the field of fertilizers and conserve the nutrients of the soil and ensure judicious use of fertilizers.

 

8. Gujarat CM Unveils ‘Sinh Suchna’ Web App: On the occasion of World Lion Day, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has virtually launched Lion Anthem’ and unveiled the ‘Sinh Suchna’ Web App. The application will help the state forest department track the movement of lions through the information shared by common people using the app. Using the ‘Sinh Suchna’ app, common people can directly inform the state forest department about the movement of lions in their area so that timely steps can be taken. This mobile will help us in locating lions in real-time and also help the authorities in avoiding human-animal conflicts,” Patel said after launching the app.

The central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a budget of Rs 2,900 crore under ‘Project Lion’ for the conservation of Asiatic Lions, which are found only in Gujarat. Under this project, we will set up a breeding centre for lions, an isolation centre, and more facilities to provide them timely treatment. The funds will also be utilized to install CCTV cameras, buy radio collars as well as drones. Gir forest is the only abode of Asiatic lions in the world.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Youth Day is observed on12 August: International Youth Day is commemorated every year on 12 August.  The theme of International Youth Day 2023 is Green Skills For Youth: Towards A Sustainable WorldT Aims: To encourage youth around the world to organize activities to raise awareness about the situation of youth in their country. Objective: Bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

 

2. 13 August – International Lefthanders Day: International Lefthanders Day is celebrated every on 13 August. Objective -To raise awareness of the unique skills and talents of left-handed people Theme 2023 – Left Handers in Sports Left-handed people are often more creative and intelligent, and they are also more likely to be entrepreneurs and leaders. International Lefthanders Day was first celebrated in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, the founder of Lefthanders International, Inc. The holiday was created to raise awareness of the challenges that left-handed people face in a world that is designed for right-handers. It is also a day to celebrate the unique skills and talents of left-handed people.

 

3. 12 August – World Elephant Day: World Elephant Day is observed every year on 12 August. The day aims to raise awareness about the threats facing elephants, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict, and to promote efforts to ensure the survival of both African and Asian elephant species. Theme 2023 – Ending the Illegal Wildlife Trade World Elephant Day was first launched in 2012 by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark, along with the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand. The date, August 12th, was chosen to honor the iconic Asian elephant, which holds great cultural and ecological significance. The day provides a platform for organizations, governments, and individuals to come together, share knowledge, and engage in initiatives aimed at protecting elephants and their habitats

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. 69th edition of Nehru Trophy Boat Race to be held in Kerala: The 69th edition of the famed Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2023 would be held at the picturesque Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha district in Kerala. 72 boats, including 19 Chundan Valloms or Snake Boats vying for the coveted trophy, will be participating in the boat race, held every year on the second Saturday of August.

Chief Minister of Kerala PInarayi Vijayan would inaugurate the event. The current champion, Pallathuruthy Boat Club from Alappuzha, has bagged the Trophy thrice

 

2. Bangladesh appointed Shakib Al Hasan as ODI captain for both Asia Cup: Bangladesh appointed veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as its ODI captain for both the Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. He had also led Bangladesh in 49 ODIs between 2009 and 2011, when he first became captain, and won 22 of those. He later captained Bangladesh in three more ODIs in 2015 and 2017, each time standing in for Mashrafe. Shakib has so far led Bangladesh in 19 Tests and 39 T20Is, and the last of his 50 ODIs as captain was in 2017.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI raises per transaction limit for UPI Lite to 500 rupees: RBI has increased the offline transaction limit from 200 rupees to 500 rupees but the overall limit of small value digital transaction limit is kept unchanged at 2,000 rupees. These initiatives will further deepen the reach of digital payments in the country. Central Bank has also proposed to use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in UPI transactions.

2. IIITD-IC partners with YES Bank to scale up Indian startups: Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi Innovation and Incubation Centre (IIITD-IC) has signed a MoU with YES Bank. The partnership aims to enable IIITD-IC to strengthen its mentoring initiatives for startups, gain access to experts across the industry, as well as identify newer investment and funding opportunities that can benefit startups. In this collaboration, YES Bank aims to provide banking services to startups in the developmental phase at IIITD-IC through the Bank’s specialized YES Head Startup programme. YES Bank has brought the bank to Startups, adopting a horizontal approach and bundling up the most lucrative features possible.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Subhash Runwal receives the Lifetime Achievement Award 2023: Chairman Subhash Runwal, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 at the first-ever RICS South Asia Awards. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is a global industry body representing professionals across the country. Aim: To acknowledge outstanding accomplishments in both global and Indian industries, showcasing the commitment to the highest levels of professionalism and ethics by individuals and teams working within built and natural environments.

Daily GK Update- 11th Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indian Navy participated in Exercise Malabar 2023 with indigenous warships: Indian Navy's indigenous frontline warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata (11-days long) participated in Exercise MALABAR 2023 in Australia Aims: To enhance and demonstrate interoperability and also gain from the best practices in maritime security operations from its partner nations. Ships and aircraft from the US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and for the first time the Royal Australian Navy will also participate in the exercise.

 

2. ISB signed MoU with Goa government for knowledge partnership: The Indian School of Business (ISB’s) Bharti Institute of Public Policy signed an MoU with the Goa government in August 2023. Aims: To begin a knowledge partnership with a focus on evidence-based policy formulation and its impact in the State. Objectives: To improve the social and economic prosperity indicators through evidence-based public policy interventions, capacity-building workshops, and citizen-centric governance-based initiatives as a knowledge partner. 

 

3. IIITD-IC partners with YES BANK; aims to scale up Indian startups: Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi Innovation and Incubation Centre (IIITD-IC), signed a MoU with YES BANK in August 2023 Aims: To enable IIITD-IC to strengthen its mentoring initiatives for startups, as well as identify newer investment and funding opportunities that can benefit startups. Under the partnership, YES BANK will offer banking facilities to Startups that are in a developmental phase at IIITD-IC under the Bank’s YES HeadStartup program.  

 

4. Centre approves establishment of new spaceport in Tamil Nadu: Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh has approved the establishment of a new spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu in August 2023.
Aims: To carrying out the launches of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicles developed by ISRO.
The Indian Space Policy 2023 has the provision for utilisation of a spaceport for carrying out launch activities by Non-Government Entities, subject to technical feasibility and range safety constraints.

 

5. Air India gets a makeover with a new logo: Air India unveiled its mega brand makeover and new logo, which signifies “limitless possibilities” in August 2023. AI’s new logo  'The Vista’ includes a modern design with golden, red and purple colours. It is inspired by the peak of the gold window frame, signifying limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline’s bold, confident outlook for the future. It represents the spirit of a bold new India, marking a significant turning point in its Vihaan.

 

6. New Amravati Station Becomes Central Railway’s Third ‘Pink Station’: Central Railway has inaugurated the New Amravati station as the 1st “Pink Station” on the Bhusaval Division and the 3rd station on Central Railway to be fully managed by an all-women staff. The examples are set by Matunga station in the Mumbai division and Ajni station in the Nagpur division. Railway has a staff strength of 12 women employees including 4 Deputy Station Superintendents, 4 Pointswomen, 3 Railway Protection Personnel and 1  Ticket Booking Agent

 

7. Sebi halves listing timeline to 3 days post IPO closure: The Securities and Exchange Board of India reduced the timeline for listing of securities after the closing of an initial public offering to three days from the present requirement of six working days The reduction in timelines will benefit both issuers as well as investors Issuers will have faster access to the capital raised thereby enhancing the ease of doing business, and the investors will have opportunity for having early credit and liquidity of their investments

 

8. The Securities and Exchange Board of India reduced the timeline for listing: Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, declared the goal of suppressing Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027 during the inauguration of the second phase of the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration initiative. The second phase, targeting 81 districts across nine endemic states, including Assam and Uttar Pradesh. He highlighted the "Whole of Government" and "Whole of Society" approach as pivotal to successfully eliminating the disease.

 

9. Kerala Assembly passes resolution to rename ‘Kerala’ as ‘Keralam’: The Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central Government to change the name of the state from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’. The resolution was moved by CM Pinarayi Vijayan who stated that the name ‘Keralam’ is used in the Malayalam language. The resolution said, “The name of our state in Malayalam is Keralam. States were formed on the basis of language on November 1, 1956. That day is also observed as Kerala formation day. The demand for a united Kerala for all Malayalam-speaking communities has been strongly raised right from the days of the freedom struggle. However, the name of our state in the First Schedule of the Constitution has been written as Kerala. This Assembly is unanimously requesting the Union Government to take immediate steps under Article 3 of the Constitution to change the name of the state to Keralam.

 

10. Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrates 7th Foundation Day: Government e-Marketplace (GeM) commemorates its 7th Foundation Day on 10 August 2023. GeM has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, and its journey over the past seven years has been marked by remarkable achievements that have propelled it to become one of the largest public procurement portal in terms of both transaction value and the breadth of the buyer-seller ecosystem In an astonishingly short span of time, GeM has surpassed the achievements of renowned public procurement platforms such as South Korea’s KONEPS and Singapore’s GeBIZ. In 2023, GeM achieved a milestone of INR 2 lakh crore in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) for the fiscal year 2022-23. GeM is India’s online marketplace for public procurement. Launched in 2016, GeM facilitates transparent and efficient procurement for government departments, organizations, and PSUs.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Russia launched its lunar lander after almost 5 decades: Russia launched its first lunar landing mission on August 11 2023 after almost 5 decades. A Soyuz 2.1v rocket carrying the Luna-25 craft will blast off from the Vostochny cosmodrome targeted to the south polar region of the Moon. Aims: To study composition of the polar regolith, and to study the plasma and dust components of the lunar polar exosphere. According to the Russia's space chief Yuri Borisov the spacecraft is expected to reach the lunar world on Aug 21 2023.

 

2. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un replaces its Chief of General Staff, Pak Su: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has replaced its Chief of General Staff, Pak Su Il who previously served as Defence Minister in August 2023. He set a target for the expansion of weapons production capacity. He has instructed the military to be prepared in case of war and also directed to conduct drills with country's latest weapons and equipment. Pak Su Il served as the top commander of its conventional troops.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Savita won gold at World Cadet Wrestling Championship 2023: Indian wrestler Savita, who entered the event as the defending champion, won the only gold medal for India in the women’s 61kg weight division in World Cadet Wrestling Championships 2023. India bagged a total of 11 medals, including 1 gold, 7 silver, and 3 bronze at the World Cadet Wrestling Championship 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. India finished sixth in the men’s freestyle and fourth in men’s Greco-Roman team rankings as well. However, it was the women’s freestyle where India shone best by finishing third, only behind Japan and USA, with 118 points in the team rankings.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Airtel Payments Bank Launched India’s 1st Eco-Friendly Debit Card: Airtel Payments Bank has become the first Indian bank to launch an eco-friendly debit card for its new and existing customers with a savings bank account in Aug 2023 The debit cards will be made from certified eco-friendly r-PVC (recycled polyvinyl chloride) material, which is environmentally safe.

Producing the r-PVC cards will lead to a 43 percent reduction in hydrocarbon usage, effectively decreasing petroleum consumption during the manufacturing process.

 

2. India’s first AU bank to provide 24x7 video banking service.: AU Small Finance Bank Limited (AU Bank), has become the first financial services provider in India to launch a 24x7 live video banking service in August 2023. Aims: To provide a virtual platform where customers can communicate with a video banker in real time via video calls, like video conferencing. Objectives: To extend the reach of banking services to areas with limited infrastructure and resources, offering a convenient and personalized banking experience.

 

3. RBI Unveils AI-Powered “Conversational Payments” for UPI Transactions: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced Artificial Intelligence-powered conversational features on UPI, in August 2023. Aims: To enable digital payments through voice commands  The concept, known as “Conversational Payments,” introduces a dynamic and user-friendly approach to transactions

Objectives: To allow users to initiate payments seamlessly within chat or messaging conversations, transforming routine interactions into instant financial exchanges

 

4. Bajaj Finance partnered with ICICI Lombard to offer insurance plan: Bajaj Finance has partnered with ICICI Lombard General Insurance along with other partners to provide car and two-wheeler insurance plans on the platform Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall. These policies can be bought instantly on the platform through an all-digital and seamless customer experience journey. The ICICI Lombard Car and Two-wheeler Insurance policies offer comprehensive damage coverage, including third-party cover and various add-on benefits to vehicle owners. These policies provide extensive coverage against various risks and damages to vehicles.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Subhash Runwal receives the Lifetime Achievement Award RICS: Subhash Runwal, Chairman – Runwal, a leading real estate developer with a legacy of over four decades, has been recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the first-ever RICS South Asia Awards. RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is a global industry body representing professionals across the country. Hosting its first-ever awards, it aimed to recognize global and Indian industry-leading achievements and demonstrate the upholding of the highest standards of professionalism and ethics by individuals and teams across built and natural environments. This recognition is a testimony to Runwal’s exceptional contributions, outstanding achievements, and unwavering dedication to the real estate sector.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Filmmaker Siddique passes away in Kochi: Prominent filmmaker Siddique passed away at the age of 63 in Kochi. Siddique’s journey in the world of Malayalam cinema began with his directorial debut, “Ramji Rao Speaking” along with his friend Lal. He and his friend Lal started their directorial journey as the ‘Siddique-Lal’ duo. They marked their debut with the comedy film Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). Other Iconic films include In Harihar Nagar (1990), Godfather (1991), Vietnam Colony (1992) and Kabooliwala (1993). His solo venture films include Hitler, Friends, Chronic Bachelor, and Bodyguard.