Daily GK Update- 19th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Dhananjay Joshi Appointed Chairman Of Telecom Industry Body DIPA: Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) has appointed Dhananjay Joshi as its new Chairman and Sandeep Girotra as Vice-Chairman. He currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Summit Digitel, and has previously held the position of COO at Bharti Infratel. He will be succeeding Akhil Gupta, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises. Sandeep Girotra, currently serves as the current CEO of American Tower India

 

2. 2nd Edition of Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar: The 2nd Edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar – ‘Swavlamban 2023’ is scheduled to be conducted on 04 – 05 Oct 2023. In the maiden edition, PM launched the 75 challenges for the start-ups/ MSMEs as a part of the 'SPRINT' initiative.  Aim:  To give a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in the Indian Navy, and the Navy is committed to developing at least 75 technologies/ products as part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.

 

3. Udhampur railway station renamed after Captain Tushar Mahajan: Udhampur Railway Station was formally rechristened as Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station days after Union minister Jitendra Singh made the announcement. The Northern Railway notified the name change in honour of the Army brave heart following the approval by the Jammu and Kashmir administration. Captain Tushar Mahajan was an officer in the Indian Army who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He was a part of the 9 Para Special Forces unit, also known as the “9 Parachute Commando.” He gained recognition and respect for his bravery and leadership during a counter-terrorism operation in Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir, in February 2016. During the operation, he displayed remarkable courage and skill in neutralizing terrorists who had holed up in a government building. Tragically, he was killed in action during the operation. Captain Tushar Mahajan’s selfless dedication to his duty and his bravery in the face of danger earned him posthumous awards and honours, including the Shaurya Chakra, which is one of India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards.

 

4. Srinivasan K Swamy elected as Chairman of Audit Bureau of Circulation: RK Swamy Hansa Group Executive Chairman, Srinivasan K Swamy was elected as the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for 2023-2024. Srinivasan K Swamy is currently the Chairman of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations. He held leadership roles in various organizations including the International Advertising Association (IAA) and the Advertising Agencies Association of India. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI). Hormuzd Masani held the position of Secretary General in the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Hoysala Temples now India’s 42nd UNESCO’s World Heritage site: The famed Hoysala temples in Karnataka have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. This inclusion marks the 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site in India. The sacred ensembles of the Hoysalas, constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries are represented here by the three components of Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura. All these three Hoysala temples are already protected monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

 

2. Indian-origin Nihar Malaviya named permanent CEO of Penguin Random House: Nihar Malaviya, an Indian-origin publishing executive, has been appointed as permanent CEO of New York-based international publishing group Penguin Random House. He had replaced Markus Dohle, who departed after Penguin Random House's failed bid for Simon & Schuster 2022 He has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Penguin Random House US since 2014. He spearheaded the creation of a variety of industry-first capabilities in data science and supply chain

 

3. 10th meeting of India-Malaysia Joint Sub-Committee on Defence Science: The 10th meeting of the India-Malaysia Joint Sub-Committee on Defence Science, Technology and Industry Cooperation was held in New Delhi. During the meeting, the existing defence cooperation between the two countries was reviewed and wide-ranging discussions were held on issues of mutual interest. Both sides explored effective and practical initiatives to further expand the bilateral defence engagements.

 

4. India, Russia agree to train Indian seafarers in polar and arctic waters: India and Russia agreed to train Indian seafarers in polar and arctic waters in this far-eastern Russian port  Aim:  To widen maritime cooperation including the possibility of usage of new transport corridors like the Northern Sea Route as well as the Eastern Maritime Corridor. The two sides also agreed to train Indian seafarers in Polar and Arctic waters at the Russian Maritime Training Institute, named after GI Admiral Nevelsky.

 

5. UN WFP, IIT Bombay sign MoU for contributing toward improving food security: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay have signed a MoU for contributing towards improving food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and livelihoods. Objective: To focus on ecosystem development for technology and innovations to bolster government food safety net programs. It will involve identifying and analyzing relevant data, research, and evidence generation related to food and nutrition security.

 

6. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is observed on 19 September: International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a day for everyone to talk like a pirate, and it was thought up by John Baur and Mark Summers of Albany, Oregon.  They were playing racquetball on June 6, 1995, when they began to talk like pirates. It is a day when everyone should talk exclusively in Pirate lingo, whether you're talking to your friends or ordering a coffee, keep the piratical language alive

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan wins Gold medal in ISSF World Cup 2023: Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan has won the gold medal in the women’s 10-metre air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup 2023 in Brazil. She defeated France’s Oceanne Muller. This was Elavenil Valarivan’s second individual ISSF World Cup medal. The third position was grabbed by China’s Jiale Zhang, scoring 229 points. At the ISSF World Cups staged so far in 2023, Indian shooters have won a total of 23 medals – seven gold, four silver, and 12 bronze.

 

2. Indian Oil becomes title sponsor of MotoGP Bharat: MotoGP Bharat is set to host the IndianOil Grand Prix of India at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. It is the first time Moto E (electric race) is organizing a Grand Prix outside Europe and MotoGP Bharat will raise the curtains for Asia region. It is scheduled to take place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from 22 to 24 September. MotoGP Bharat announced IndianOil as its title sponsor for the top-tier international Bike riders event.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IREDA signs MoUs with Bank of Maharashtra for Financing Renewable Energy Projects: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has signed a MoU with Bank of Maharashtra to provide a robust financial ecosystem for Green Energy projects. Aim:  To promote and facilitate co-lending and loan syndication for a diverse spectrum of Renewable Energy projects across the nation. Under this agreement, Bank of Maharashtra can invest in the Bonds issued by IREDA in accordance with the specified terms and conditions of the offering.

 

2. IIT Kanpur partners with ICICI Bank to foster startup innovation: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has signed an MoU with private lender ICICI Bank to support the startup ecosystem in the institute. This partnership will 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. The partnership between the two will also focus on supporting incubates by improving their understanding of foreign trade policies by conducting several workshops and seminars.

 

3. Government launches UPAg platform: The Centre Government has launched the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg), an online platform for the management of agricultural data. The UPAg, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA & FW), was launched by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand. The platform is designed to generate crop estimates such as price, trade, procurement, and stock. The UPAg Portal was being envisaged as a public good wherein users will benefit by reduced search costs and frictions and access to credible, granular, and objective data.

 

4. Indian Bank rolls out IB SAATHI to provide basic banking services: Public sector Indian Bank has rolled out of ‘IB SAATHI’ initiative aimed at providing an integrated ecosystem for all stakeholders in the financial sector through the business correspondent route. The IB Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion (SAATHI) offers an enhanced user experience through the simplified delivery of services, encompassing both basic and value-added offerings to customers. Indian Bank, with the launch of the scheme, seeks to provide basic banking services at all centres for a minimum of four hours per day at fixed branches while the Banking Correspondents would extend their services directly at the doorsteps of the customers. By March 2024, Indian Bank has planned to deploy about 5,000 banking correspondents and this is expected to bolster the bank’s reach and accessibility. Currently, the bank offers 36 different services to customers through the Banking Correspondent channel and over 60 services would be added during the financial year 2024-25.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Andhra Pradesh: GI tag for ‘Atreyapuram Pootharekulu’: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has announced the issuance of the Geographical Indication tag to "Atreyapuram Pootharekulu." It is a sweet made of rice and jaggery The production of the sweet is confined only to the Atreyapuram village on the banks of the Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The tag was allotted after Sir Arthur Cotton Pootharekula Sahakara Sangham, a cooperative society, applied to secure a GI tag for the Pootharekulu sweet.

 

2. Himanta Biswa Sarma awarded Singapore’s top fellowship: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been awarded the prestigious Singapore Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship for his distinguished contribution to public service. The Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship is conferred on outstanding individuals in recognition of bilateral relations with Singapore. Sarma is the first Assam Chief Minister to have been bestowed with this prestigious fellowship.

Daily GK Update- 18th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. West Bengal's Shantiniketan makes it to UNESCO World Heritage list: Shantiniketan has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.  Santiniketan becomes the 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and the third in West Bengal, after the Sundarbans National Park and the Darjeeling Mountain Railways. The decision to include Santiniketan in the list was taken during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia. Established in 1901 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, located in Birbhum district of West Bengal.

 

2. Haryana CM Khattar launches new e-Bhoomi portal: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar launched a new e-Bhoomi portal that promises to further ease the process of purchasing land for the development of government projects with the consent of landowners. Objective: To extend benefits to landowners whose names are recorded in the revenue estate of villages Kasan, Kukrola and Sahrawan in Manesar tehsil of Gurugram district Farmers can offer their land independently or through listed aggregators.

 

3. Dharmendra Pradhan, Om Birla launch 'Skills on Wheels' initiative: Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan with Lok sabha speaker Om Birla launched the ‘Skills on Wheels’ initiative with NSDC and IndusInd Bank. Aim: To generate awareness around the government's skill development mission, opportunities and support system available for youths. Objective: To promote digital literacy and digital skills in which India is developing global competency this scheme with the help of NSDC has been launched.

 

4. Rajnath Singh approved 23 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode: Defence minister Rajnath Singh has approved the setting up of 23 New Sainik Schools in partnership mode, thereby increasing the tally of such schools functioning under the aegis of Sainik School Society to 42. Apart from the existing 33 Sainik Schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern. The objective of eventually setting up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode is to provide quality education to the students in tune with the National Education Policy (NEP) and give them better career opportunities, including joining the armed forces. The objectives of this initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi include providing quality education in line with the National Education Policy and enhancing career opportunities for students, including the option to join the armed forces. It also promotes collaboration between the private sector and the government for nation-building and the development of responsible citizens.

 

5. IIT Guwahati researchers develop pharmaceutical and food products: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed pharmaceutical and food products from tea factory waste. As per a recent study, tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide with world tea consumption reaching 6.3 million tonnes and is expected to rise to 7.4 million tonnes by 2025. This huge increase in tea consumption leads to an increase in industrial tea waste generation which leads to the non-utilisation of valuable agricultural resources and deterioration of environment. The findings of these studies have also been published in various international journals including the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Chemosphere, Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, etc.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Bamboo Day is observed on 18th September: World Bamboo Day is observed annually on 18th September 2023.  Aim: To raise awareness about the importance of bamboo but also promote its role in sustainable development, poverty alleviation, environmental conservation and cultural preservation. Bamboo is a type of grass that grows rapidly and is known for its strength, flexibility and eco-friendliness and to celebrate the many uses and benefits of this versatile and sustainable resource.

 

2. Tata Steel signs 500 million pound-deal with UK govt: The United Kingdom has signed a joint investment package with Tata Steel worth £1.25 billion (about $1.55 billion), including a government grant of £500 million ($621 million,) to secure the future of Port Talbot operations in Wales — the country’s largest steelworks. The joint investment package is the largest in the UK steel industry in decades would pave the way for greener steelmaking at the Welsh unit, by replacing coal-powered blast furnaces nearing the end of their effective life with a state-of-art 3 million tonne electric arc furnace (EAF). The move is aimed at reducing the UK’s entire carbon emissions by around 1.5 percent. The £500 million grant — one of the largest support packages from the UK government — is subject to relevant regulatory approvals and consultation processes. Tata Steel’s share, about £700 million, would be funded largely through internal equity.

 

3. India ranks first among 154 nations in grassroots crypto adoption: India has been ranked first in grassroots crypto adoption, even amid a tough regulatory environment, according to Chainalysis’ 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index. The country ranked first in four parameters including centralized service value received, retail centralized service value received, DeFi value received and Retail DeFi value received. Last year India stood fourth. Nigeria ranked second in the index, followed by Vietnam, United States and Ukraine. The report also said that low-income countries saw a dramatic uptick in crypto adoption following a slump in late 2022, spurred by the collapse of the FTX. The report combines on-chain data and real-world data to measure which countries are leading the world in grassroots crypto adoption. Grassroots crypto adoption isn’t about which countries have the highest raw transaction volumes, Instead, it’s the countries where average, everyday people are embracing crypto the most, the report explains.

The government has introduced stringent taxation rules, including a 30% tax on gains and a 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on crypto trades.

 

4. 18 September – World Bamboo Day: World Bamboo Day is observed annually on September 18. Objective – To raise awareness about the myriad benefits of bamboo and its role in addressing pressing global challenges. World Bamboo Day was established courtesy the efforts of the World Bamboo Organization, a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 by Susanne Lucas and David Knights to promote bamboo as a valuable and versatile resource. In 2009, the WBO organized the first World Bamboo Congress in Bangkok, Thailand which brought together bamboo enthusiasts, experts, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world and proposed the idea of creating a dedicated day to celebrate bamboo. Bamboo is a type of grass that grows rapidly and is known for its strength.

 

5. 18 September – International Equal Pay Day 2023: International Equal Pay Day is observed every year on 18 September. This day underscores the commitment of the United Nations to uphold human rights and combat all forms of discrimination, particularly discrimination against women and girls. International Equal Pay Day traces its origins back to 1996 when it was first observed by the National Committee on Pay Equity. This committee comprised women’s and civil rights organizations dedicated to eradicating wage discrimination based on gender and race. Their ultimate goal was to achieve pay equity for all.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Neeraj Chopra scored second in men’s event at Diamond League Final 2023: Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished second in the men’s event at the Diamond League Final 2023 in USA. The Indian's best throw of 83.80 meter came in his second attempt. However, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, won his third title with a best throw of 84.24 meter.  Oliver Helander of Finland scored third position while Andrian Mardare of Moldovan scored fourth position and Curtis Thompson of USA scored fifth position in this event.

 

2. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz wins F1 Singapore Grand Prix to end Red Bull's run: Ferrari's Carlos Sainz won the Singapore Grand Prix 2023 to end Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen's record run of 10 wins in a row and shatter Red Bull's dream of going through the season unbeaten. McLaren's Lando Norris finished a close second and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton took third place as Red Bull ended up off the podium for the first time since last November's Brazilian Grand Prix. Double world champion Verstappen started 11th and finished fifth, with teammate

 

3. India won Asia Cup for record-extending 8th time: India won the Asia Cup 2023 after beating Sri Lanka in the final by 10 wickets. This victory marked India’s first Asia Cup win since 2018. India reached their target in just 6.1 overs, winning the final with 263 balls to spare and all 10 wickets intact. This was India’s biggest winning margin in terms of balls remaining. The previous best was against Kenya in 2001, where they chased down a target of 91 with 231 balls to spare. Kuldeep Yadav clinches 9 wickets in the tournament and wins the Player of the Tournament award. The ground staff who ensured successful completion of the matches were presented with an award of $50000. Mohammed Siraj earned the Player of the Match award.

Ravindra Jadeja was awarded the Catch of the Match award

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Yes Bank partners Juspay to offer merchant in-app UPI payments: Juspay, India's leading payments company, has partnered with Yes Bank to launch HyperUPI, NPCI's plug-in SDK that enables in-app UPI payments in merchant apps.  Merchants can now offer simple “1-click UPI experiences" in their Android and iOS apps without having to become an official UPI app. Customers will no longer need to depend on another app to make UPI transactions as these payments can now be made on the merchant's app.

 

2. IndusInd Bank launches ‘Virtual Commercial Credit Card’: IndusInd Bank launched of the ‘Virtual Commercial Card' to redefine cross-border transactions for corporates and travel agents. In a tie-up with Visa, this has additional layers of security that grant the users control over their international expenses, making it a safe and hassle-free experience for the customers

Users can generate virtual cards in foreign-denominated currencies as well, safeguarding the parent card number, ensuring utmost security for transactions.

 

3. Indian Bank unveils 'IB SAATHI' to enhance banking services: Public sector Indian Bank announced the rollout of the 'IB SAATHI' initiative aimed at providing an integrated ecosystem for all stakeholders in the financial sector through the business correspondent route.

 SAATHI Stands for Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion. Objective:  To offer an enhanced user experience through the simplified delivery of services, encompassing both basic and value-added offerings to customers.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Rahul Mishra awarded Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres: Rahul Mishra received the French government's Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres honor 2023. This award was previously won by his compatriots Ritu Kumar, Ritu Beri, and Wendell Rodricks  His works that highlight the highest standards and craft of local artisans in India have been shown at prestigious fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, and Mumbai.

 

2. Team including Indian researcher wins 2023 Ig Nobel prize: A team of scientists from India, China, Malaysia, and the US has won this year’s Ig Nobels, the prize for humorous scientific feats, in the mechanical engineering category for its study of repurposing dead spiders to be used in gripping tools. Researchers Te Faye Yap, Zhen Liu, Anoop Rajappan, Trevor Shimokusu, and Daniel Preston, from Rice University in the US, won the prize for their research on re-animating dead spiders to use as mechanical gripping tools. Counting nose hairs in cadavers, repurposing dead spiders, smart toilets idea, and explaining why scientists lick rocks, were among the 10 winning achievements in the 33rd Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. The Nobel Prize is the premier award in science, reserved for those that “have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.”

Daily GK Update- 17th Sept, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gov to offer 8 percent subsidy for loans under Vishwakarma Yojana: The government will offer up to 8 percent subsidy for loans given to artisans under the PM Vishwakarma scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Aim: To support the artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban areas across the country financially and also to keep the age-old tradition, culture and diverse heritage alive and flourishing through local products.       Objective: To ensure that they are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.

 

2. Former SBI Chief Rajnish Kumar appointed Chairman of Mastercard India: Mastercard India appointed the former SBI head Rajnish Kumar as its non-executive chairman.  He will guide Mastercard's South Asia executive leadership team led by Gautam Aggarwal,in navigating the vibrant domestic payments landscape. The veteran banker has nearly four decades of experience in India's largest bank.  He held various leadership roles in the bank managing critical operations across India, the UK and Canada.

 

3. G20 Framework Working Group's final meeting to begin in Raipur: The fourth and final meeting of the G20 Framework Working Group, FWG under the Indian G20 Presidency began in Raipur.  Aim: To facilitate discussions on the latest global economic outlook and policy guidance on key macroeconomic issues.  The RBI will host a series of Jan Bhagidari events, including panel discussions on digital banking and financial inclusion, financial literacy programs, a G20 awareness program, a painting contest, and a slogan-writing contest.

 

4. CMAI launches Curtain Raiser for India’s largest apparel show: The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has taken a significant leap onto the global stage by introducing the "Brands of India" initiative in Dubai.  Aim: To establish a new trade corridor encompassing shipping and railways across the Middle East, ensuring trade route stability and resilience for the future. It is a collaborative effort with several countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US, Germany, France, Italy, and the EU.

 

5. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates PM Viswakarma scheme in Guwahati: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the PM Viswakarma scheme in Guwahati. This scheme would help the traditional artisans of the countryand also help in preserving our age-old culture and heritage through art and craft.  He also highlighted the great experience of visiting the exhibition showcased on the occasion and interacting with the artisans and craftsmen. During training times Rs.500 per day allowance will be provided to the Viswakarma friends.

 

6. Gujarat passes bill reserving 27% local body seats for OBCs: The Gujarat Assembly has passed the Gujarat Local Authorities Law (Amendment) Bill 2023 by a majority vote to raise reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) communities in local self-government bodies to 27 percent from the current 10 percent. The Bill provides for a 27 percent quota for over 160 communities listed under OBC in Gujarat, in municipal corporations, municipalities and panchayats, making Gujarat the fourth state in the country to provide for such reservation. The new law will lead to amendments in the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, governing the eight municipal corporations, besides the Gujarat Municipalities Act and the Gujarat Panchayat Act. Currently, the quota reserved for SC is 7 percent and for ST it is 14 percent in the local self-government bodies. The population of OBCs in the state is estimated to be 52 percent in rural areas and 46.43 percent in urban areas, with an average population of 49 percent in the entire state.

 

7. Rahul Navin appoints as interim Director of ED: Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Rahul Navin has been appointed as the interim director of probe agency Enforcement Directorate till the appointment of a regular director. Navin is a distinguished IRS officer of the 1993 batch. He replaced outgoing director Sanjay Kumar Mishra. Rahul Navin currently holds the post of Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate. Sanjay Kumar Mishra initially assumed the role of Director in the Enforcement Directorate for a two-year tenure from November 19, 2018. The central government later issued an order on November 13, 2020, which extended Mishra’s tenure from two years to three years with retrospective effect.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Patient Safety Day is observed on 17th September: World Patient Safety Day is celebrated on 17th September Objective: To increase public awareness and engagement, enhance global understanding, and work towards global solidarity and action by Member States to enhance patient safety and reduce patient harm. The theme of World Patient Safety Day 2023 is "Engaging patients for patient safety", in recognition of the crucial role patients, families, and caregivers play in the safety of health care.

 

2. India hosts inaugural UNCITRAL South Asia Conference: India hosted the inaugural United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) South Asia conference from 14 to 16 September. Aim: To further India’s engagement with UNCITRAL and encourage interaction between UNCITRAL, judiciary, bureaucracy, academia, and the legal fraternity. It is described as “the principal legal entity within the United Nations system dedicated to international trade law.

 

3. Cabinet approves signing of an MoU between India and Armenia: The Government has approved the signing of an MoU between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology 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. The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and digital technologies-based solutions in the implementation of digital transformational initiatives of both the country. It envisages improved collaboration leading to employment opportunities in the field of IT. The MoU will remain in force for a period of three years. In another decision of the Cabinet Meeting, the Centre also approved the signing of similar MoUs with Antigua and Barbuda and Sierra Leone on Cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented at the Population Scale for Digital Transformation.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India beats Sri Lanka by 10 Wickets in Colombo to win Asia Cup 2023 title: The Indian cricket team bagged Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo by defeating Sri Lanka. India's Mohammed Siraj brought Sri Lanka down to their knees with a six-wicket haul.  He was followed by Hardik Pandya who took three wickets, along with one wicket by Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj was declared player of the match and Kuldeep Yadav player of the series.  Ishan Kishan at 23 and Shubman Gill at 27 remained unbeaten.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Odisha Govt signs MoU with six public sector banks to provide banking: The Odisha government has signed an MoU with six public sector banks for providing banking services in all unbanked gram panchayats (GPs) of the state through customer service point (CSP) Plus banking outlets. These banks were the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, UCO Bank, Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. The banking penetration in the state is quite low and not uniform across the districts. As many as 4,373 out of 6,798 GPs not have brick-and-mortar branches. That means around 65 percent of GPs do not have such bank branches. Since banking is an essential service for financial inclusion, every GP of the state needs to be provided with a brick-and-mortar branch for easy access to banking services. In view of this, the state has come forward with a scheme for providing banking services to every GP through CSP Plus banking outlets. The scheme will be implemented in a phased manner to cover unbanked GPs of the state within the current financial year 2023-24. The state government will provide rent-free banking space for five years. It will also bear one-time expenses for fixed costs and recurring expenses for a period of three years.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Jagdeep Dhankhar conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards 2023 to 84 performing artists in New Delhi.  The special achievement awards were given to artists above the age of 75 from all over India who have not been bestowed any national honour yet. The honour carries purse money of one lakh rupees along with Tamrapatra and Angavastra. It is a national honour bestowed on performing artists as well as teachers and scholars in the field of arts.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Mircea Snegur, first president of Moldova, dies at 83: oldova's first president, Mircea Snegur, passed away at the age of 83, former Moldovan vice-premier Constantin Tampiza said on Thursday. He was a former communist, was president from 1990 to 1997, overseeing Moldova's breakaway from the Soviet Union and transition to independence. In August 1989, he was chairman of the Presidium of the Soviet Moldova Supreme Council, Snegur initiated the move making Romanian the official state language.

Daily GK Update- 16th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt approves defence acquisition worth 45 thousand crore: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity, AoN for nine capital acquisition proposals of approximately 45 thousand crore rupees. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. All these procurements will be made from Indian vendors which will give a substantial boost to the Indian defence Industry towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

 

2. IRS officer Rahul Navin appointed ED Acting Director: The Centre has appointed special director Rahul Navin as in-charge director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till the new regular director is selected. He is a 1993-batch IRS officer and took charge as the acting director of the ED from Sanjay Kumar Mishra. He is currently working as a Special Director-Chief Vigilance Officer (ED headquarters). The Centre had approached the Supreme Court seeking a tenure extension for Mishra till October 15.

 

3. Cabinet approves eCourts phase III for 4 years: The Indian government has given the green light to Phase III of the e-Courts project, marking another significant step towards modernizing the country’s judicial system. With a substantial budget allocation of Rs 7,210 crore, this initiative aims to leverage technology to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the courts. One of the central objectives of the e-Courts Phase III project is to transition towards a digital, online, and paperless court system.

 

4. Ministry of Railways launches ‘Swachhata Pakhwada-2023’: The Ministry of Railways in India has officially launched the Swachhata Pakhwada 2023 campaign. This initiative, aimed at promoting cleanliness and environmental consciousness, commenced on the 15th of September, 2023. Chairperson & CEO of the Railway Board, Jaya Varma Sinha, kicked off the event at Rail Bhawan by leading the Swachhata Pledge.  The Swachhata Pledge embraced by the entire Railway family is built upon three fundamental principles

 

5. India launches UPAg, a Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics: The government of India has unveiled the UPAg (Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics) to tackle the complex governance challenges that currently beset the country’s farming industry. The Ministry of Agriculture hails UPAg as an innovative platform meticulously crafted to streamline and enhance data management within the agricultural domain. It represents a crucial stride towards establishing a more efficient and responsive agricultural policy framework.

 

6. Sindhu Gangadharan appointed VC of NASSCOM: Sindhu Gangadharan has been appointed as the Vice Chairperson of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). She is currently Senior Vice-Chairperson and Managing Director at SAP Labs India. As the first woman to lead SAP Labs India, which is SAP’s largest R&D center globally, Gangadharan is responsible for overseeing product development and innovation across all five centers located in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Earlier this year, Gangadharan was appointed as the Chairperson of the Nasscom GCC Council for the term 2023-2025.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 14th edition of World Spice Congress (WSC) held in Mumbai: The 14th edition of the World Spice Congress (WSC) began at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. Theme: 'VISION 2030: S-P-I-C-E-S The three-day event has been organized by the Spices Board India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in association with various trade bodies and export forums. The event has the presence of policymakers, regulatory authorities, spice trade associations, government officials as well as technical experts from G20 countries, among others.

 

2. Srinivasan K. Swamy elected Chairman of Audit Bureau of Circulations: Srinivasan K. Swamy, Executive Chairman of R.K. Swamy Hansa Group, has been unanimously elected Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for the year 2023-2024. He served as Chairman of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations. He was earlier President / Chairman of the International Advertising Association (IAA), IAA India Chapter, Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations, and Advertising Agencies Association of India.

 

3. International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2023: World Ozone Day is observed annually on September 16 to raise awareness about the importance of the ozone layer and how its depletion is leading to global warming and climate change across the world. 2023 theme: Montreal Protocol: Fixing the Ozone Layer and Reducing Climate Change The day is recognised to commemorate the Montreal Protocol, an environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals.

 

4. India ranks first among 154 nations in Grassroot Adoption of Crypto: According to the Chainalysis’ 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index, India has achieved the top rank among 154 nations in grassroots crypto adoption, displaying remarkable resilience. Nigeria ranked second in the index, followed by Vietnam. India has secured the first position in four critical parameters:

·       Centralized Service Value Received

·       Retail Centralized Service Value Received

·       DeFi Value Received

·       Retail DeFi Value Received

 

5. Amazon Web Services ties up with ISRO to advance its Al capabilities: Amazon’s cloud computing division Amazon Web Services (AWS) has signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to support space technology with its cloud products. This will help space startups and research institutes tap cloud technologies and develop talent. Also, it means startups can develop space-tech solutions and improve their research and development using AWS. Cloud computing-led innovations enable the space industry to make faster decisions and help startups identify use cases and accelerate solution development. AWS hopes to grow in the Indian market with space-tech associations as India opens up its space sector to private players creating a successful startup ecosystem.

 

6. 15 September – World Lymphoma Awareness Day: World Lymphoma Awareness Day is observed every year on 15 September. The day is dedicated to educating people about Lymphoma – the cancer of the the lymphatic system. Theme 2023 – We Can’t Wait to Focus on Our Feelings WLAD’s roots can be traced back to the founding of the Lymphoma Coalition in 2002. This international network brought together lymphoma patient organizations from around the world to collaborate, share resources, and advocate for lymphoma patients. In 2004, WLAD was inaugurated to coincide with the establishment of the Lymphoma Coalition. Since then, it has been a global endeavor to raise awareness about lymphoma and its impact on patients. Lymphoma is a life-threatening health conditions that occurs when the cells of lymph system (white blood cells or lymphocytes) become cancerous. There are two types of Lymphoma including of Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

 

7. 16 September – World Ozone Day: World Ozone Day, also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, is observed annually on 16 September. Ozone Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the depletion of the ozone layer and to explore potential solutions for its preservation. Theme 2023 – Montreal Protocol: Recovering the ozone layer and mitigating climate change This theme underlines the important role of the Montreal Protocol not only in protecting the ozone layer but also in addressing and mitigating climate change. The ozone layer is composed primarily of trioxygen molecules (O3) and acts as a protective shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun.

 

8. 17 September – World Patient Safety Day: World Patient Safety Day is annually observed on September 17 every year. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of patient safety within clinical and healthcare environments. Theme 2023 – Engaging patients for patient safety

Since 2019, World Patient Safety Day has been observed across the world while stating the global solidarity and the concerted action by different countries and international partner organizations to improve patient safety. According to a report by WHO, as many as one million fatalities are reported annually due to errors in patient safety, especially during or after an operation of the patient. Additionally, over two million people reportedly suffer from unsafe medical care per year, which is an alarming number.

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. IndiGo becomes official airline for Indian football team: IndiGo has become the global partner and official airline for the Indian football team. As the official airline for the Indian football team, IndiGo’s network is meticulously designed to cater to the diverse travel requirements of players, officials, and support staff. The partnership with the All-India Football Federation ( AIFF ) is for one year.

 

2. 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. 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 This National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 marked a major milestone for Wheelchair Rugby in India. With the participation of 14 states, the event was the largest national wheelchair event that Rugby India has hosted till date. The states participating were Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and host Maharashtra.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SIDBI partners with Tata Power for MSME solar rooftop financing: Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TREPL) has partnered with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to provide loans to MSMEs looking to install rooftop Solar PV plants from Tata Power or its authorized channel partners. The two entities signed a memorandum of understanding for the same at the Global SME Finance Forum 2023 in Mumbai. SIDBI will facilitate the ‘ease of opting’ for renewable energy in the MSME sector and power its quest to become more efficient and globally competitive. Tata Power Solar and SIDBI also launched The Big Solar Fest to encourage the adoption of solar energy among MSMEs with zero percent processing fees for the upcoming festive season. Tata Power Solar offers solar energy solutions from installation to operational maintenance and has so far provided 11.5 GWp ground-mounted solar capacity, over 1.7 GWp rooftop-mounted solar capacity systems, and more than 1 lakh solar water pumps. CEO & MD of Tata Power – Dr. Praveer Sinha

 

2. Yes Bank partnered with BriskPe to enable seamless cross-border payment: Cross-border payments’ fintech company BriskPe and Yes Bank have partnered to introduce BriskPe A2A, a suite of solutions designed to empower exporters and importers. This strategic partnership enables BriskPe’s customers to collect payments in over 36 foreign currencies, spanning over more than 180 countries. The funds can then be converted into Indian Rupees (INR) and settled directly into their local bank accounts in India within a single business day. This collaboration represents a significant leap in the realm of cross-border payments, benefiting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing and services sectors. The product is set to redefine the landscape of international trade with features like real-time transaction processing and instant eFIRA generation. Through this, the bank also aims to contribute and strongly align with the government’s aim of boosting the MSME sector and transforming India into a global export powerhouse.

 

3. S.R. Batliboi appointed as a Paytm auditor: S.R. Batliboi & Associates LLP has been appointed as the new statutory auditor of Paytm for 5 years. Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP has completed its term as the statutory auditor of the company at the conclusion of the AGM. Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP on August 7 announced its resignation as auditor of Paytm Payments Services Limited with immediate effect. PwC had cited the change of auditors at the holding company level and Paytm’s practice to align the auditor of the holding company and subsidiaries to bring in synergies in the audit process.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Karachi’s Erica Robin becomes first Miss Universe Pakistan 2023: Erica Robin, a model from Karachi has been crowned “Miss Universe Pakistan 2023”, becoming the first-ever woman from the country to win the title. Four other models from different parts of the country participated in the beauty pageant, including Hira Inam from Lahore, Jessical Wilson from Rawalpindi, Pakistani-American Malika Alvi from Pennsylvania, and Sabrina Wasim. Jessica Wilson was named first runner-up.

 

2. RITES Limited awarded with Safety Innovation Award 2023 : Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited has received the ‘Safety Innovation Award 2023’ in the ‘Construction’ category. The award was presented to RITES’ officials during the inaugural function of the 20th Safety Convention organized by The Institution of Engineers (India), the largest multi-disciplinary professional body of engineers in New Delhi. RITES, having a multi-sectoral presence, has consistently embraced best safety practices in its operations, exemplifying its commitment to prioritizing safety measures at worksites. RITES is a multi-sector company that consistently prioritizes safety at its workplaces.