Daily GK Update- 15th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. State Health Minister launches "Mission Intensified IndraDhanush” 5.0: Punjab state Health Minister Balbir Singh launched "Mission Intensified Indra Dhanush” 5.0. Aim: To provide vaccination against 12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) i.e. diphtheria, Whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, meningitis and pneumonia. The main purpose of the launch of this mission is to cover those pregnant women who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated as well as children left out and drop out in the age group of 0-5 years.

 

2. Engineer's Day is observed on 15th September: Engineers Day is being celebrated across the country on 15th September.  The theme for 2023 is 'Engineering for a Sustainable Future. The date of birth of Dr. Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, popularly known as the Civil Engineer of India, was announced by the Government of India in the year 1868 to celebrate 15 September (year 1860) as Engineer's Day. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in the year 1955, 15 September (year 1860). It is also celebrated in Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

 

3. SIDBI partners with Tata Power for MSME solar rooftop financing: Tata Power Company signed a MoU with the Small Industries Development Bank of India to provide accessible financing options to MSMEs looking to adopt solar solutions. Aim:  To promote solar energy adoption among MSMEs by providing tailored and innovative financing solutions through SIDBI’s 4E Scheme Scheme: MSMEs opting for Rooftop Solar PV Plants or associated services from Tata Power or its channel partners across India will receive financial support from SIDBI.

 

4. Odisha Govt signs MoU with six public sector banks to provide banking servi: Odisha Govt has signed an MoU with six Public Sector Banks for providing banking services in all unbanked Gram Panchayats of the State through CSP Plus banking outlets. Banks include  SBI, PNB, Union Bank, UCO Bank, BOI, BOB Aim: To provide rent free banking space for 5 years and also bear one-time expenses for Fixed Cost & Recurring expenses for a period of 3 years. Scheme will be implemented in a phased manner to cover all unbanked GPs of State within the FY23-24

 

5. Assam Governor launches 'Sarpanch Samvad' app: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria unveiled ‘Sarpanch Samvaad’ , a mobile application app of the Quality Council of India (QCI) in Raj Bhavan. Aim: To connect approximately 2.5 lakh Sarpanchs across India, which serves as a holistic platform for networking, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration. Through this initiative, Sarpanchs can spotlight developmental activities in their villages, learn about best practices, and foster connections nationwide.

 

6. India becomes the 13th nation to issue OIML certificates: India has become the 13th Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates Issuing Authority. Aim: To create a facility for international manufacturers to get their equipment tested in here and this, in turn, will generate revenue and employment. OIML is an intergovernmental organisation and its certificate is internationally accepted for selling weights & measures anywhere in the world.

 

7. Uber partners with Indian Navy to offer Mobility Solutions: Uber has partnered with the Indian Navy to become its exclusive mobility partner to offer transportation solutions for official travel and commute of naval officers, staff, and families across the country. This partnership will deliver reliable, convenient, and safe mobility solutions to the esteemed Indian Navy officers, staff, and their families. Through this partnership, the Indian Navy will seamlessly integrate Uber’s advanced ride-sharing technology via a seamless platform – Uber for Business into the Naval ecosystem. The partnership will help streamline the travel experiences of the Naval workforce, making their travel smoother and the process more efficient. As part of this collaboration, Uber aims to drive effective change management for both official travel and commuting and also bring curated enterprise benefits for the Indian Navy.

 

8. ICCR organized ‘Vaishali Festival of Democracy’ at Bihar: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has organized the “Vaishali Festival of Democracy” at Bihar’s Nalanda University exhibiting India’s rich democratic traditions. The festival – the ‘Vaishali Festival of Democracy’, will be held on Friday (September 15), which is also the International Day of Democracy. The ICCR chose the university as the venue due to its great significance for Bihar, the democratic ethos of the country, and the presence of an international audience. Vaishali in Bihar is the place where the roots of democracy are traced. The ICCR, which is an autonomous body under the administrative control of the Ministry of External Affairs, chose Nalanda University as the venue for the event comprising panel discussions and cultural exchange to take the discourse on a global stage. Ambassadors from five countries, including Chili, Egypt, Argentina, and Nepal, has also attend the festival, besides dignitaries.

 

9. 15 September – Engineer’s Day: Engineer’s Day in India is celebrated on September 15 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of India’s greatest engineering visionaries, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Sir Visvesvaraya, born in 1861, was not only a distinguished engineer but also a statesman and the Diwan of Mysore. He played a pivotal role in the development of India’s infrastructure and was a pioneer in various fields of engineering. His contributions left an indelible mark on the nation, and Engineer’s Day serves as a tribute to his remarkable legacy It’s a day to celebrate the spirit of innovation, problem-solving, and technological advancement. Engineers from various fields, including civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, and more, are recognized for their relentless efforts in shaping a better future for India.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Day of Democracy is observed on 15th September: The International Day of Democracy is celebrated around the world on 15 September each year. 2023 Theme: Empowering the next generation It was established through a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007, encouraging governments to strengthen and consolidate democracy. It is an opportunity to highlight the important role of parliaments and to celebrate their capacity and mandate to deliver on justice, peace, development, and human rights.

 

2. India and Japan hold discussion on bilateral cyber cooperation in Tokyo: India and Japan discussed important areas of bilateral cyber cooperation and reviewed the progress achieved in the areas of cyber security and Information and Communication Technologies. Japan hosted the fifth India-Japan Cyber Dialogue in Tokyo  Aim: To exchange views on the latest developments in the cyber domain and mutual cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral and regional fora, including under the Quad framework.

 

3. TCS collaborates with Dassault Systems in Living Heart Project: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. has partnered with Dassault Systems as part of the Living Heart Project. This initiative brings together a network of cardiovascular experts, medical professionals, and regulatory bodies, including the US FDA, to develop and validate highly realistic digital simulations of the human heart. The Living Heart Project aims to revolutionize medical solutions, including the utilization of heart simulations as digital evidence for the approval of new cardiovascular devices. TCS will use its technology expertise to contribute to developing digital human heart models.

 

4. Maharashtra Governor inaugurated the 4th Edition of World Trade Expo: Ramesh Bais inaugurated the 4th edition of the World Trade Expo, which is India’s biggest business platform for aiding global trade linkages, especially for MSMEs. The event is organized jointly by the World Trade Center Mumbai and All India Association of Industries (AIAI) with a view to highlight technology as a key driver of trade and tourism. It is an effective platform for MSMEs to explore new global markets and identify opportunities in trade, tourism and technology exchange. This unique trade show will facilitate networking for MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, startups, and Corporate Houses with diplomatic missions from more than 25 countries, Chambers of Commerce and Government agencies. World Trade Expo will be a promising platform to showcase trade and investment opportunities in the participating countries to local MSMEs, start-ups and other stakeholders through Country Presentations, Knowledge Sessions and Exhibits.

 

5. 15 September – International Day of Democracy: The International Day of Democracy is observed every year on September 15. Objective – To underscores the importance of democracy as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of good governance and peace. Theme 2023 – Empowering the next generation Established in 2007 by a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), this day serves as a reminder of the essential role that democracy plays in shaping societies worldwide. The establishment of the International Day of Democracy can be traced back to the Universal Declaration on Democracy, which was formally adopted on September 15, 1997, by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. FIH withdraws Olympic qualifiers hosting rights from Pakistan: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has withdrawn the hosting rights of the Olympic Qualifiers from Pakistan, slated to be held in January 2024. The FIH decision came as a result of the infighting between the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the state-owned Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). The decision has come as a big blow to Pakistan hockey, which had got the rights to host an international event after more than a decade Pakistan failed to qualify for the last two editions.

 

2. Kuldeep Yadav becomes fastest Indian spinner to reach 150 ODI wickets: Kuldeep Yadav reached the 150 ODI wickets mark, becoming the fastest Indian spinner to do so in just 88 One Day Internationals. The Chinaman bowler accomplished this milestone against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Super Four match. Now in 88 ODIs, Kuldeep has 150 wickets at an average of 25.64, with the best bowling figures of 6/25. He has taken seven four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls for India in ODIs. He is the second-fastest Indian to reach the mark after pacer Mohammed Shami, who reached 150 wickets in 80 matches. Kuldeep is also the fourth-fastest spinner ever to reach 150 ODI wickets, with Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis (84 matches), Rashid Khan (80 matches) and Saqlain Mushtaq (78 matches) above him.

 

3. India Crowned Champions After Beating Bangladesh In SAFF U16 Final: India secured the championship title by triumphing over Bangladesh with a 2-0 victory in the final match of the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan. Bharat Lairenjam scored a goal in the first half, while Levis Zangminlun secured the winning goal in the second half, leading to a convincing victory for India. India Under-17

 

·       Head coach- Ishfaq Ahmed

·       Best Goalkeeper of SAFF U16 Championship- Suraj Singh

·       Most Valuable Player (MVP) – Mohammed Arbash

·       Highest Scorer of SAFF U16 Championship – Mohammed Arbash

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IIT Kanpur partners with ICICI Bank to foster startup innovation: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur signed a MoU with private lender ICICI Bank to support the startup ecosystem in the institute.  Aim: To empower startups and innovators at its Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC).  SIIC is one of the oldest incubators in the country having been engulfed on its journey in 2000. Objective: To support incubates by improving their understanding of foreign trade policies by conducting several workshops and seminars.

 

2. Max Life Insurance enters health, wellness segment with new plan SEWA: Max Life Insurance Company made its foray into the health and wellness category with the launch of a flagship offering Secure Earnings & Wellness Advantage Plan (SEWA) Aim: To drive insurance adoption amongst women and transgender customers for financial inclusion, it provides a 5% discount in the 1st yr premium to these customer segments Objective: To integrate health, protection, and holistic wellness benefits to cater to the evolving needs of the modern consumer

 

3. Yes Bank and BriskPe partner to enable seamless cross-border payments: Cross-border payments company BriskPe and Yes Bank have partnered to introduce BriskPe A2A, a suite of solutions designed to empower exporters and importers. Aim: To boost the MSME sector and transform India into a global export powerhouse. Objective: To enables BriskPe’s customers to collect payments in over 36 foreign currencies, spanning over 180 countries.  The funds can then be converted into INR and settled directly into their local bank accounts in India

 

4. RBI issues revised norms for valuation of investment by banks: The Reserve Bank of India has issued revised classification, valuation and operation guidelines for the investment portfolio of commercial banks, which will be effective from April 1, 2024. Banks will have to categorize investments into three categories from the next financial year: available for sale (AFS), held to maturity (HTM), and a new category called ‘fair value through profit and loss’, or FVTPL. The existing held-for-trading (HFT) category will become a sub-category of the FVTPL. The revised directions include principle-based classification of the investment portfolio, tightening of regulations around transfers to/from held to maturity (HTM) category and sales out of HTM, inclusion of non-SLR (statutory liquidity ratio) securities in HTM subject to fulfillment of certain conditions and symmetric recognition of gains and losses. As per the revised norms, banks will have to classify their entire investment portfolio under three categories — Held to Maturity (HTM), Available for Sale (AFS) and Fair Value through Profit and Loss (FVTPL).

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Najma Akhtar honored with lifetime achievement award in academia 2023: Professor Najma Akhtar, the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award-Academia 2023. The award was presented by Padma Vibhushan awardee Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at the Grand Conference and Award Function titled Making India Employable. The ‘ Making India Employable' Awards are organized to celebrate individual success, innovation, and real-world impact in the field of education, and employability.

 

2. Rail India Technical and Economic Service won Safety Innovation Award 2023: Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited has been honored with the ‘Safety Innovation Award 2023’, under the ‘Construction’ category, for implementing ‘Innovative Safety Management Systems’ in its operations.  The award was presented to RITES’ officials during the inaugural function of the 20th Safety Convention organized. RITES, having multi-sectoral presence, has consistently embraced best safety practices in its operations.

Daily GK Update- 14th Sept, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Hindi Diwas 2023 is celebrated on 14th September: Indians on 14 September celebrate National 'Hindi Diwas'.  On this day in 1949, the Hindi language was adopted as one of the official languages of the Republic of India.  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, officially declared 14 September as the Hindi Diwas. 425 million people speak Hindi as their 1st language and about 120 million people speak Hindi as their 2nd language.

 

2. PM Modi to be on a day-long visit to MP and Chhattisgarh: In Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  dedicated important rail sector projects to the nation. Prime Minister’s emphasis on improving connectivity across the country will get a boost with the dedication to the nation of important rail sector projects worth more than  Rs. 6 thousand crores in the public programme in Raigarh.  Aim: To provide impetus to socio-economic development by facilitating movement of passengers as well as freight traffic in the region.

 

3. VP Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated International Conference on dam safety: VP Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the International Conference on Dam Safety at Jaipur in Rajasthan. According to the Jal Shakti Ministry, there are over 6000 dams in India and it is ranked third globally in terms of large dams.  Aim: To provide a major platform for experts to come together and debate cutting-edge topics in dam safety and management.  It has been essential to civilization's development, have role in meeting demand for drinking water, irrigation, hydropower

 

4. DMRC, BEL sign MoU to develop Communication Based Train Control system: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Bharat Electronics Limited signed a MoU to develop an indigenous Communication Based Train Control system.  Aim: To transform rail transportation in India, driving innovation, reducing costs, and fostering self-reliance in the field of train control signaling systems. The Communication-Based Train Control System will optimize train operations, and enhance passenger services while efficiently utilizing rail infrastructure.

 

5. Cabinet approved the expansion of Ujjwala Yojana: The Cabinet approved the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) allocating 7,500,000 new LPG connections over a three-year period until the FY26.  Costing Rs 1,650 crore, this expansion will elevate the total number of PMUY beneficiaries to 103.5 million. The government announced this extension after reducing the price of cooking gas by Rs 200 across all markets last month. Data indicate that LPG penetration reached 99.9 per cent in 2022

 

6. S.R. Batliboi is appointed as a Paytm auditor: Digital payment services provider Paytm has appointed a new statutory auditor, S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP, for five years. The previous statutory auditor, Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP, completed its term at the conclusion of the AGM.  Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP on August 7 had announced its resignation as auditor of Paytm Payments Services Limited with immediate effect.

 

7. Joshit Ranjan Sikidar takes over as Director (Finance) of SECI: Joshit Ranjan Sikidar has taken over as the Director (Finance) of the state-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Before this appointment, Sikidar was working as Group General Manager (Finance) and the Company Secretary of RITES Ltd. Sikidar is a Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Cost Accountant and holds an MBA in Finance. The SECI is a Miniratna company. Sikidar has also worked with RITES for more than four years, over 16 years in NSPCL — a joint venture of NTPC & SAIL– and more than nine years in SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant.

 

8. 14 September – Hindi Diwas: Indians on 14 September celebrate National ‘Hindi Diwas’. On this day in 1949, the Hindi language was adopted as one of the official languages of the Republic of India. Written in the Devanagari script, the Constitution of India accepted Hindi language as the official language of India on 14 September 1949. And, on 14 September 1953, India celebrated the first Hindi day (Hindi Diwas). About 425 million people speak Hindi as their first language and about 120 million people speak Hindi as their second language. The Hindi language is majorly spoken in states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Punjab. In terms of countries, Hindi is also spoken in Mauritius, Nepal, Fuji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago. This day also marks the birthday of the Indian writer Simha who worked tirelessly to make Hindi one of the official languages. The Indian constitution recognizes 22 major languages of India in what is known as “the 8th Schedule” of the Constitution. These include Sanskrit, Assamese, Bangla, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kannada, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Santali, Sindhi, and Urdu.

Originally, only 14 languages were included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian constitution. Bodo, Dogri, Konkani, Maithili, Manipuri, Nepali, Santali, and Sindhi were recognized later.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Tharman Shanmugaratnam appointed as Singapore’s president: Indian-origin Singapore-born economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam appointed as the ninth president of the city-state. He has served Singapore all his life in public service. Prior to being president-elect, he served as a senior minister and Deputy Prime Minister from May 2011 to May 2019.  He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum. This was the first contested presidential election since 2011.

 

2. Distant Planet may have Water Ocean and Possibly a life: NASA: Nasa has announced the existence of a possible rare water ocean on a giant exoplanet scores of light years away and also a chemical hint of a sign of potential life. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in its study of K2-18 b, an exoplanet, discovered the presence of carbon dioxide and methane. This suggests that K2-18b could be a Hycean exoplanet, one which has the potential to possess a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a water ocean-covered surface. 

 

3. Cabinet approves signing of an MoU between India and Armenia: The Government approved the signing of a MoU between the Ministry (E&IT) of India and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia on Cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented at the Population Scale for Digital Transformation.  Aim: To promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and digital technologies-based solutions in the implementation of digital transformational initiatives of both the countries.

 

4. Amazon's AWS ties up with ISRO to advance its AI capabilities: Cloud behemoth Amazon Web Services has signed a strategic MoU with the ISRO and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to support space-tech innovations through cloud computing. Aim: To enable the space industry to make better decisions, faster – pushing the boundaries of possibilities, and AWS is committed to help startups identify use cases and accelerate solution development.

 

5. Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated International Conference on Dam Safety: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated the International Conference on Dam Safety at Jaipur in Rajasthan. Professionals from across the nation and about fifteen countries are expected to participate in the conference. There are over six thousand dams in India and it is ranked third globally in terms of large dams. Approximately 80 percent of these dams are over 25 years of age. The conference aims to provide a major platform for experts to come together and debate cutting-edge topics in dam safety and management. Dams have been essential to civilization’s development, and have played a multifaceted role in meeting the increasing demand for drinking water, irrigation, hydropower, and flood protection.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Maharashtra wins 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023: Maharashtra clinched the title of champions in the 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 by securing a convincing victory over Karnataka. Aim: To promote and expand the sport of wheelchair rugby across the nation. It was organized by The Indian Rugby Football Union (Rugby India), the governing body for rugby in India. It was conducted in association with the Wheelchair Rugby Federation of India and Mitsubishi Corporation

 

2. 62nd edition of Subroto Cup will be held from Delhi and Gurugram: The 62nd edition of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament will be held from 19th September this year. A total of 109 teams from 27 States and Union Territories will participate in the tournament. Under – 17 Junior Boys and Girls tournaments will be held in Delhi and Gurugram, While Under-14 Sub Junior Boys Competition will be held in The teams from Bangladesh and Nepal will also participate in Subroto Cup. Subroto Cup International Football Tournament is a prestigious inter-school football tournament that is held annually. The Tournament is named after Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, who conceived the Idea to promote sports at the grassroots level.

It is an annual event that began in 1960. This is a unique tournament where; the champion school teams from all states and foreign countries participate in this tournament.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI released direction for the settlement of loan account: The RBI has asked all banks, non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) to release all the original movable/immovable property documents and remove charges registered with any registry within a period of 30 days after full repayment/settlement of the loan account. In case where the delay is attributable to the RE, it shall compensate the borrower at the rate of ₹5,000 for each day of delay.

 

2. NABARD partners with UNDP to boost data-driven innovations: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have signed a MoU to co-create data-driven innovations in agriculture and food systems to support smallholder farmers. Under the MoU, the organizations will work to improve lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers by sharing open-source data for product development, transfer of technology and supporting the framing of agrarian policies. The partnership aims at enhancing and disseminating collaborative digital public goods like DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture). DiCRA provides open access to key geospatial datasets pertinent to climate-resilient agriculture. DiCRA, which is curated by UNDP and partner organizations to inform public about investments in agriculture, already provides intelligence on climate resilience for 50 million hectares of farmland across the country.

 

3. HSBC India became the first foreign bank in India to launch ‘ONDC in a Box’: Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) India has launched ‘ONDC in a Box’, a one-stop-shop proposition for corporates towards seamless enablement on ONDC. With this launch, HSBC India became the first foreign bank in India to offer an ONDC-enabled proposition. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to build an open, interoperable network on which buyers and sellers can transact without needing to be present on the same platform. ONDC aims at fostering an inclusive, competitive, and open network, amplifying its impact across the business spectrum.

 

4. DBS Bank unveils metaverse adventure on ‘DBS Better World’: DBS Bank has unveiled its metaverse concept for DBS Better World, a gamified adventure for metaverse use cases. Through DBS Better World, we aim to drive awareness about issues such as food waste and create engagement opportunities. This intends to align with the DBS Foundation’s focus on championing social enterprises that bridge gaps within food and agricultural value chains.

 

5. Bharti AXA Life introduces “Income Laabh” to simplify insurance: Bharti AXA Life Insurance has launched a new product “Bharti AXA Life Income Laabh” with an aim to simplify insurance and deliver maximum protection to its consumers. The plan provides financial protection and a steady income stream to consumers. The newly launched plan provides customers with a steady stream of guaranteed income for 10 to 12 years, depending on the policy term they choose. It starts with an initial income pay-out equivalent to 100 percent of the annual premium paid by the policyholder. After 5 years, for those opting for a 10-year policy term, the income increases to 150 percent. Similarly, for a 12-year policy term, the income sees a boost of 200 percent after 6 years. MD & CEO of Bharti AXA Life Insurance – Parag Raja

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Bloomberg annual ranking of B-Schools 2023-24 released: The Bloomberg Businessweek Best B-Schools Ranking 2023-24 which was released includes India B-schools among the top five ranks.  Hong Kong HKUST bagged the top rank in the Asia Pacific B-School rankings category,  Shanghai University of Finance and Economics secured second position and CIEBS at third rank.

In the overall Asia Pacific B-school rankings category, IIM Bangalore clinched 4th position followed by the Indian School of Business (ISB) at 5th position.

Daily GK Update- 13th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Fourth G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group Meeting to begin in Varanasi: The 4th G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group Meeting is held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to finalize the 2023 G20 Sustainable Finance Report.  Aim: To focus on finalizing the 2023 G20 Sustainable Finance Report Objective: To discuss the progress made by jurisdictions, International organizations and relevant stakeholders against the actions listed out. Session Include: Experience sharing presentations on the theme Scaling up Social Impact Investment in India

 

2. IIT-Delhi Claim To Have Done India's First Soil Erodibility Mapping: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi conducted the country's first national-scale mapping of soil erodibility. Before this, soil erodibility assessments were conducted in specific regions or catchments Aim: To highlight specific areas where the soil is most prone to erosion. Soil erodibility is the susceptibility of soil particles from becoming detached and reflects the combined effect of rainfall, infiltration, and runoff.

 

3. Vijayawada gets IGBC’s ‘Green Railway Station’ certification: Vijayawada Railway Station was awarded the ‘Green Railway Station’ certification with the highest rating of Platinum by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)  Award is given for its efforts in improving environmental standards and providing eco-friendly services to passengers. This is an upgrade of the station’s ratings, from gold in 2019 to platinum in 2023. It bagged second in the South Central Railway zone after Secunderabad to have bagged the platinum rating.

 

4. TN govt to launch scheme granting monthly aid to over 1 crore women: The Tamil Nadu government is all set to launch the largest social welfare initiative, the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam, whereby monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 will be provided to 1.06 crore eligible women families. The sum will be directly transferred into the bank accounts of beneficiaries and they will be given ATM cards to withdraw the amount. The government will start disbursing the money under the scheme from September 15.

 

5. India Air Force to receive first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus: The Indian Air Force is all set to acquire its first Airbus C-295 aircraft. India has formalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force AVRO fleet. Among these, 16 units of the military aircraft will be manufactured in Spain while the rest will be made in India from the manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The new aircraft will play a major role in the forces as a tactical military transport aircraft.

 

6. MP cabinet approves Mob Lynching Victim Compensation Scheme 2023: Madhya Pradesh government will provide Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the kin of any person killed in a mob lynching incident. There will be a provision of compensation of Rs 4 to Rs 6 lakh for the injured. 

This will also include all those incidents of mob lynching that occur due to religion, caste, language, or any other reason.  Under the scheme, mob lynching will be considered in which five or more accused are involved.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, Mongolia review bilateral ties: India and Mongolia reviewed cooperation in the fields of education, information technology, and skills during the visit of Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar to Ulaanbaatar. Aim: To discuss bilateral projects and cooperation in areas of education, IT,  skilling, and capacity building. They also witnessed the signing of the contract for the construction of the India-Mongolia Friendship Secondary School.

 

2. India and UK Launch Infrastructure Financing Bridge: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced India and the UK have launched an infrastructure financing bridge to plan and implement major infrastructure projects. The two countries have also agreed to conduct investment negotiations in parallel with the goods negotiations to conclude their free trade agreement (FTA) talks. The Indian government has also confirmed with the UK government its plans to consider allowing Indian companies to list on exchanges overseas.

 

3. ICG participates in 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting: Indian Coast Guard participated in the 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Istanbul, Türkiye. A four-member ICG delegation led by DG Rakesh Pal, Director General of Indian Coast Guard took part in the annual event of the independent forum with 23 members of Coast Guard Agencies and 02 associate members in the form of ReCAAP and UNODC. During the three-day High-Level Meeting, in which heads of Coast Guards of all member nations participated, a series of vital issues including maritime law enforcement, safety and security of life at sea, marine environment protection, illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and humans at sea etc. were discussed, and avenues for further cooperation were explored through the framing of agenda. The last edition of the HACGAM was held in New Delhi in 2022.

 

4. G20 leaders endorse Goa Roadmap and ‘Travel for LIFE’ program: The G20 Leaders’ Summit held in Delhi culminated in a resounding endorsement of the ‘Goa Roadmap’ and the ‘Travel for LiFE’ program, propelling India to the forefront of sustainable tourism initiatives. The ‘Goa Roadmap,’ a flagship initiative of India’s G20 Tourism Track, serves as a groundbreaking blueprint for global sustainable tourism. Aligned with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency, it underscores the role of tourism in society, the economy, and environmental stewardship. The roadmap addresses five interconnected priorities identified by the G20 Tourism Working Group: Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management. It offers a comprehensive strategy for nations to align their tourism policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

5. India and Saudi Arabia sign Agreement on Cooperation in Energy Sector: India and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of energy. The MoU is expected to result in enhanced ties between India and Saudi Arabia in renewable energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen, electricity and grid interconnections, petroleum, natural gas, strategic petroleum reserves, and energy security. It also seeks to encourage bilateral investment in the fields of renewable energy, electricity, hydrogen and storage and oil & gas, as well as create an enabling environment for circular economy and technologies to reduce the effects of climate change through carbon capture, utilization, and storage. India has targeted to achieve 5 million tonnes (MT) of green hydrogen capacity annually, along with an additional 125 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission announced in August 2021 as part of the national effort to diversify its energy basket.

 

US & Vietnam sign deal on semiconductor supply chains: The United States and Vietnam have signed a deal on semiconductor supply chains to expand the capacity of the semiconductor ecosystem in Hanoi, in support of the US industry. The newly-signed Memorandum of Cooperation on Semiconductor Supply Chains, Workforce and Ecosystem Development will formalize this bilateral partnership to expand the capacity of the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam, in support of US industry. The US and Vietnam also launched of comprehensive workforce development initiatives in Vietnam that jointly develop hands-on teaching labs and training courses for semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging. The US government will provide initial seed funding of 2 million US Dollars to launch the initiatives, in conjunction with future support from the Government of Vietnam and the private sector.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Kiran George clinches Indonesian Masters title 2023 in Badminton: Indian badminton player Kiran George clinched the men’s singles title at the Indonesia Masters 2023 in Medan, North Sumatra. Kiran George, 50th in the badminton rankings, beat world No. 82 Koo Takahashi of Japan to claim his second BWF World Tour Super 100 badminton title. He won the Odisha Open 2022, beating compatriot Priyanshu Rawat in the final. He was the only Indian who reached the final at the Indonesia Masters 2023.

 

2. China's Ruoning Yin, 20, grabs No. 1 Women's World Golf Rankings 2023: China's Ruoning Yin is the new No. 1 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings 2023 She is the second Chinese player to reach No. 1 since the rankings began in 2006, joining Shanshan Feng (2017-18). Yin is also the third player aged 20 or younger to hit No. 1, joining Atthaya Thitikul (2022) and Lydia Ko (2015). The 20-year-old Yin is the 18th different player to reach the top spot and the fifth this year, a record.

3. Prathamesh Jawkar wins silver in men’s Archery World Cup: Indian archer Prathamesh Jawkar won silver in the Archery World Cup Final 2023 in Hermosillo, Mexico. World No. 14 Jawkar was facing a major challenge against the 10th-ranked Mathias Fullerton of Denmark in the gold medal clash. Sara Lopez of Colombia won her eighth world title in the women’s compound event. Dafne Quintero of the host nation clinched the bronze medal by defeating Cho Su A of the Republic of Korea.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI approves re-appointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as ICICI Bank MD & CEO: The Reserve Bank of India re-appointed Sandeep Bakhshi as the managing director and chief executive officer (MD and CEO) of the ICICI Bank. He has been with the ICICI Group for 36 years and has handled various assignments across the group in ICICI Limited, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, ICICI Bank and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. He has served as Wholetime Director and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the bank, prior to his appointment as MD and CEO

 

2. Bharti AXA Life Insurance launches 'Income Laabh': Bharti AXA Life Insurance announced a new product, Bharti AXA Life Income Laabh with an aim to simplify insurance and deliver maximum protection to its consumers.  Objective: To provide financial protection and a steady income stream to consumers.  It starts with an initial income pay-out equivalent to 100 percent of the annual premium paid by the policyholder.  After 5 years, for those opting for a 10-year policy term, the income increases to 150 percent.

 

3. Cashfree Payments Partners with NPCI for ‘AutoPay on QR’: Cashfree Payments has announced the launch of ‘AutoPay on QR’ in collaboration with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).  Aim: To enable subscription-based businesses to enhance customer acquisition, supporting retention, and facilitating rapid growth. Cashfree Payments' ‘AutoPay on QR’ will help subscription-based businesses to boost return on investment (ROI) on ad spends by enabling mandate creation in two clicks.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Army doctor awarded Dr AM Gokhale award for ophthalmology in Pune: Renowned ophthalmologist Brig Sanjay Kumar Mishra of Indian Army’s Research and Referral Hospital was conferred with the prestigious “Dr AM Gokhale Award” in Pune. Dr AM Gokhale was a renowned teacher of Ophthalmology and his students progressed to become the doyens of Ophthalmology in the country. Brig Mishra is one of the highest decorated officers of Indian Armed Forces Medical Services. Sanjay Kumar Mishra has performed surgeries on two serving Presidents of India.

 

2. Najma Akhtar honored with lifetime achievement award in academia: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Vice Chancellor, Professor Najma Akhtar was presented ‘The Lifetime Achievement Award-Academia. The award was presented to her by Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar (Padma Vibhushan) at the Grand Conference and award function titled “Making India Employable” was organized by TeamLease EdTech. Akhtar was selected for the award by a jury panel comprising of educationists and industry experts. She has been awarded for her “great efforts to connect education to employment”.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Dennis Austin, co-creator of Microsoft PowerPoint, dies at 76: One of the co-creators of Microsoft PowerPoint, Dennis Austin died at the age of 76. Dennis Austin, along with Robert Gaskins, developed PowerPoint and introduced it in 1987. Austin and Gaskins were both part of the software company Forethought, which was later acquired by Microsoft for $14 million shortly after the launch of PowerPoint, which was originally named Presenter. Initially, PowerPoint was available exclusively for the Macintosh platform.