Daily GK Update- 3rd Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Marico CEO Saugata Gupta appointed as chairman of ASCI: Saugata Gupta has been appointed as the chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). It is the leading self-regulatory organization in India and deals with communication guidelines in both offline and online advertising.  It recently launched the ‘ASCI Academy’ to boost self-regulation during the creative process.His association with ASCI spans many yrs, including 2 yrs on the Board of Governors and 2 yrs as a special invitee on the Board of Governors

 

2. Tripura becomes fourth state to introduce e-cabinet system: Tripura CM Manik Saha launched an e-cabinet system at Agartala to promote digital infrastructure development and digitization of government services and information. Tripura has thus become the fourth state—and second in the Northeast—after Uttarakhand, UP, and Arunachal Pradesh, to have introduced an e-cabinet system. All future cabinet meetings in the state will be paperless, reducing the carbon footprint and environmental degradation in the process

 

3. Indian Air Force Set to Induct Astra BVR Air-to-Air Missile: The Indian Air Force made significant strides to enhance its air defense capabilities with the impending induction of indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missiles.  The IAF has entered into contracts with Bharat Dynamics Limited for these advanced missiles, marking a crucial step towards reducing import dependency and bolstering national security. The first batch of Astra-MK1 missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory.

 

4. Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan takes over as DG of BRO: Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan has assumed charge as the 28th director general (DG) of the Border Roads Organization (BRO). His appointment to the top post in the BRO follows the superannuation of Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry.

Before the appointment, Srinivasan was holding the appointment of Commandant, College of Military Engineering, Pune. Mr Srinivasan is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1987. The BRO was raised on May 7, 1960 with an aim to secure India’s borders by developing infrastructure in remote areas of the north and northeastern states. Since its raising, the BRO has constructed and dedicated to the nation more than 63,000 km of roads, 976 bridges, six tunnels and 21 airfields. In the last one year, it has completed a record 193 projects, at a cost of Rs 5,400 crore, across eight border states and three Union Territories.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Southeast Asia’s First High-Speed Railway, Launched in Indonesia: President of Indonesia Joko Widodo inaugurated the first “Whoosh” high-speed railway in Southeast Asia, a key project under the Road Infrastructure initiative of China. It is a collaborative venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd He has championed the 142 km railway Largely funded by China, USD 7.3 billion project was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as PT KCIC

 

2. India, Argentina sign Social Security Agreement: India and Argentina have signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA). The agreement was signed by India’s Ambassador to Argentina Dinesh Bhatia and Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Santiago Cafiero in the presence of Argentine Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Raquel Kismer de Olmos. The agreement provides detached workers, i.e., employees working in another country on a temporary basis, and their family members with rights to contributory benefits such as cash allowance for retirement or pension, rent, subsidy or lump sum payments as per local legislation without being subject to any reduction, modification, suspension, suppression or retention. The agreement would protect the rights of professionals and workers against loss of benefits or contributions made towards social security in both countries and thus facilitate greater movement of professionals and the labour force.

 

3. India to host PATA Travel Mart 2023 in New Delhi: India will host the 46th edition of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Travel Mart at Pragati Maidan in Delhi from October 4-6. The physical version of the event is being held after a hiatus of three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PATA Travel Mart 2023 will be held at the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC). The event in Delhi will bring together tourism professionals and business stakeholders from across the world, offering a unique platform for networking, learning and collaboration. Headquartered in Bangkok, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), which was founded in 1951, is a renowned not-for-profit association recognised internationally for its role as a catalyst in the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

4. 3 October – World Nature Day: World Nature Day is observed every year on 3 October. Objective – To raise awareness about the challenges our environment faces, particularly due to climate change. It is established by the World Nature Organization (WNO) on 3 October 2010. WNO serves as a crucial platform This annual celebration unites individuals, groups, and organizations worldwide in their commitment to spreading information about climate change and advocating for its mitigation. In this article, we delve into the significance, celebration, and key facts about World Nature Day, highlighting its vital role in addressing the environmental issues that affect us all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India's skating contingent captures its first medal in Asian Games: Indian women's Heeral Sadhu, Kartika Jagadeeswaran and Aarathy Kasturi Raj skating teams secured bronze medals in the speed skating 3000m relay competition at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. 

Other Winners

·       Indian boxer Preeti Pawar won bronze medal

·       India’s men's team of Aryan Pal, Anand Kumar, Siddhant, and Vikram won bronze medals in the speed skating 3000m relay 

·       India bagged total of 62 medals at the 2023 Asian Games, consisting of 13 gold, 24 silver, and 25 bronze

 

2. Indian men's football team wins SAFF Under-19 Championship: In Football, India won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Championship after defeating Pakistan in the finals at the Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu.

Most Valuable Player was Manglenthang Kipgen (IND)

·       Top Scorers of the Tournament (all 3 goals)

·       Gwgwmsar Goyary (IND)

·       Jigme Namgyal (BHU)

·       Samir Tamang (NEP)

·       Best Goalkeeper

·       Lionel Daryl Rymmei (IND)

 

3. ICC announces official mascots for Cricket World Cup 2023: ICC After fans around the globe participated in voting, the names of the two official ICC mascots have been revealed, ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.The ICC has announced that ‘Blaze’ and ‘Tonk’ have been unanimously chosen as the names of the mascot duo. The two mascots will be seen in World Cup matches around all the venues, engaging and interacting with fans in attendance and adding to the excitement of the showpiece event. The duo was unveiled back in August and fans from around the globe were asked to help name them, with Blaze and Tonk emerging as the winners. ‘Blaze’ is a female mascot, bowling at rapid pace, leaving batters in sheer awe. She is adorned with a belt carrying six power cricket orbs, each meticulously prepared for various game-changing tactics. ‘Tonk’ is a male mascot, with icy-cool composure, making him a batting champion. Tonk has an electromagnetic bat and versatile shot repertoire, lighting up the grandest stage. The Cricket World Cup in India, starts from October 5 with a heavyweight clash between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ADB reforms to free $100 billion over a decade: The Asian Development Bank approved capital management reforms that unlock $100 billion in new funding capacity over the next decade to address the region’s overlapping, crises.  The expansion of available funds will be further leveraged through mobilizing private and domestic capital to move from the billions to trillions to tackle the climate crisis. They expand the bank’s annual new commitments capacity to more than $36 billion an increase of approx $10 billion.

 

2. PR Seshadri appointed as MD & CEO of South Indian Bank: South Indian Bank has appointed P R Seshadri as its MD & CEO effective from October 1. He has succeeded Murali Ramakrishnan who served a successful tenure from October 1, 2020, till September 30, 2023. With nearly 25 years of banking experience spanning domestic and international markets, Seshadri has held senior leadership positions at various institutions, including Karur Vysya Bank Limited and Citigroup. Prior to joining SIB, Seshadri was associated with the Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) in a similar role.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Sudha Murty Becomes The First Woman To Get Global Indian Award: Renowned author and philanthropist Sudha Murty Became the First Woman to honored with the Global Indian Award by the Canada India Foundation.  The Global Indian Award, worth $50,000, is given annually to prominent Indians who have excelled in their respective fields. He was conferred by the Canada India Foundation at the Toronto gala event where she was accompanied by the parents of her son-in-law and British PM Rishi Sunak to the event.

 

2. Nobel Prize 2023 Announced in Medicine or Physiology: The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet announced the recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The award has been given to Katalin Kariko, and Drew Weissman for their discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against Covid-19. Six Nobel Prizes are awarded each year, recognizing an individual’s or group’s contribution to a specific field.

There are 351 nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

 

3. Mathematician Ruixiang Zhang to receive 2023 Sastra Ramanujan Prize: Ruixiang Zhang, Assistant Professor, University of California, Berkeley, USA awarded with the 2023 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for his outstanding contributions to mathematics. The annual cash prize of USD 10,000 will be given at an international conference in Number Theory on December 20 and December 22 at SASTRA University in Kumbakonam He has made contributions to the Generalization of Vinogradov’s Mean Value Theorem and Breakthroughs in Restriction Theory

Daily GK Update- 2nd Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nation celebrates 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi: The nation paid homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary on October 2nd.  A Sarva Dharma Prarthana Sabha was organised at Bapu's Samadhi at Rajghat in the national capital.  Historic Gandhi Ashram at Noakhali organised a series of programmes in the premises to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. The nation is also remembering former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.

 

2. TCS retains its number one position as most valuable brand: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has retained the top spot with a brand value of $43 billion in the latest edition of the Kantar BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Indian Brands Report. 

The top five positions are:

·       TCS

·       HDFC Bank

·       Infosys

·       Airtel 

·       State Bank of India 

TCS continues to successfully capitalise on global demand for digital transformation, despite a tough year for the business technology category in general.

 

3. Jitendra Singh launches the Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS): Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science & Technology launched the IGMS 2.0 Public Grievance portal and Automated Analysis in Tree Dashboard portal of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). It has been implemented by IIT Kanpur following an MoU with DARPG in 2021 for upgrading DARPG Information Systems with AI He also launched the Swachhata Special Campaign 3.0 and released the Precedent Book (e-book) prepared by the Department.

 

4. Bihar to get second tiger reserve in Kaimur district: After the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district, Bihar is set to get a second tiger reserve in Kaimur district (Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary) by the end of the year or early 2024. The total tiger count in the State currently is 54. A report from the NTCA said that the tiger population in the Valmiki reserve has increased from 31 in 2018 to 54.

 

5. PM Modi launches Sankalp Saptaah : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a week-long program called “Sankalp Saptah” for aspirational blocks in New Delhi. Sankalp Saptaah’ is linked to the effective implementation of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). The nationwide programme was launched by the PM on January 7, 2023. It aims to improve governance at the block level in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens. It is being implemented in 500 Aspirational Blocks across 329 districts in the country. To implement the Aspirational Blocks Programme and to prepare an effective block development strategy, chintan shivirs were organized at village and block levels across the country. ‘Sankalp Saptaah’ will be observed in all of the 500 Aspirational Blocks. Each day in ‘Sankalp Saptaah’, starting from October 3 till October 9, 2023, is dedicated to a specific development theme on which all Aspirational Blocks will work.

 

6. Saugata Gupta appointed as ASCI Chairman: Saugata Gupta, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Marico Ltd, has been appointed new Chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). Gupta’s association with ASCI spans several years, including two years on the Board of Governors and four years as a special invitee on the Board of Governors. Partha Sinha, president of response, Bennett Coleman & Company Limited, was elected vice chairman, and Sudhanshu Vats, deputy managing director, Pidilite Industries Ltd, was appointed honorary treasurer.

 

7. Dinesh Dasa appointed as member of UPSC: Former Gujarat Public Service Commission Chief Dinesh Dasa took oath as UPSC member. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by UPSC chairman Manoj Soni. Dasa holds a Ph.D in forest laws and sustainable development from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar. He has been the chairman of Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) from February 2016 to January 2022. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts civil services examination to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others, is headed by a chairman and it can have a maximum of 10 members. With Dasa’s appointment, there exists a vacancy of four members.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Mohamed Muizzu has been elected as President of Maldives: Pro-China leader Mohamed Muizzu has been elected as President of Maldives.  Muizzu defeated incumbent Mohamed Solih to become president of the island nation.

About Mohamed Muizzu:

·       Mohamed Muizzu, 45, is a British-educated civil engineer.

·       He was an unlikely candidate for the presidency after serving as construction minister in the government of his mentor Abdulla Yameen.

·       He oversaw several Chinese-funded infrastructure projects including a $200-million bridge linking

 

2. Iran’s launch of Noor 3 satellite casts shadow on Middle East – analysis: Iran's Revolutionary Guards, a branch of the nation's armed forces, launched the Noor 3 spacecraft atop a three-stage Qasem rocket “Noor” means “light” in Farsi, while “Qased” means “messenger.” Noor 3 is an imaging satellite The spacecraft's two predecessors, Noor 1 and Noor 2, launched in April 2020 and March 2022, respectively, also atop Qased rockets The country has had many failed satellite launches in recent years

 

3. 2 October 2023 – World Habitat Day: World Habitat Day is observed every year on the first Monday of October. This year World Habitat Day was observed on 2nd October. World Habitat Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of having a habitat or a home of our own and discuss important aspects of them, with reference to the impact they have on us. Theme 2023 – Resilient Urban Economies: Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery In 1986, the first World Habitat Day was celebrated in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of that year’s World Habitat Day was – Shelter is my right.

 

4. 2 October – International Day of Non-Violence: The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2 every year, and is dedicated to honouring Gandhian principles. The day is observed on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and reflects upon his philosophy and commitment to non-violence as a means of social and political change. Gandhi’s birth anniversary holds immense importance due to his central role in India’s fight for Independence from British rule. Guided by non-violence and peaceful resistance, he inspired millions of Indians to achieve Independence through peaceful protests, boycotts, and hunger strikes. The roots of this day can be traced back to a proposal made by Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi in 2004. The idea to observe non-violence day globally found resonance at the World Social Forum in Mumbai. In June 2007, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution emphasized the dissemination of the message of non-violence through education and public awareness.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India’s Rohan Bopanna-Rutuja Bhosale win gold medal in mixed doubles: Indian tennis players Rohan Bopanna and Rutuja Bhosale won the gold medal in the mixed doubles event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou The second-seeded Indian duo defeated ninth seeds Tsung-hao Huang and Liang En-shuo of Chinese Taipei in the final at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre. 

Other Winners The men's doubles team of Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan won a silver in tennis.

 

2. PM inaugurated the country's first high-tech sports training center: On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's first high-tech sports training center for Divyangjan, named after former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.  Aim: To provide equal opportunities in sports, enhance talent, and encourage participation in various sports disciplines. Objective: To demonstrate commitment to an inclusive and accessible sports ecosystem, emphasizing the power of sports

 

3. Table Tennis players won bronze medal in women’s doubles tournament: Indian Table Tennis players Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee picked up a historic bronze medal in the women’s doubles tournament in the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. The Indian duo lost to Suyong Cha and Sugyong Pak of North Korea in the semi-finals The Indian duo is ranked 16th in the world. With this, India's medal tally has now gone up to 56 medals, comprising of 13 gold, 21 silver, and 22 bronze.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Nashik Zilla Girna Sahakari Bank’s Registration Canceled by RBI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has canceled the certificate of registration of Nashik Zilla Girna Sahakari Bank Ltd due to the Bank’s inadequate capital and failure to comply with the banking regulations.  According to RBI, on liquidation, every depositor in Nashik Zilla Girna Sahakari Bank would be entitled to receive the deposit insurance claim amount of his/ her deposits up to Rs5 lakh from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

 

2. Karnataka Bank launches “Doorstep Gold loan facility” with SahiBandhu: Karnataka Bank, a leading private sector Bank is launching “Door -Step Gold Loan” facility named “KBL-Swarna Bandhu” for its customers, a unique product for gold loans with end to end digitization.  Aim: To provide Gold Loan Services at customer’s door step. The bank has partnered with SahiBandhu a leading aggregator platform for gold loans backed by The Manipal Group.  It help in improving the gold loan portfolio of Bank.

 

3. SIDBI to launch app-based ‘invoice financing’ loans platform: With an aim to enhance the economic and financial sustainability of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is in the process of launching an app-based ‘invoice financing’ loans platform ‘GST Sahay’. The MSMEs are vital for the economic growth and development of India. They (MSMEs) create jobs and contribute enormously to the socio-economic development of the country. Although several measures for the MSMEs have been taken in the past few years by the government, the crunch in working capital credit is one of the major issues for them. Now, SIDBI is in the process of launching an app-based ‘invoice financing’ loans platform for them.

Daily GK Update- 1st Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. CRPF organized a cross-country bike expedition with "Yashaswini": The Central Reserve Police Force, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, will organize a bike expedition with Yashaswini, to celebrate women's power in the country.  A total of 150 women CRPF officers of three teams will embark on the cross-country rally.The teams will start their journeys from the Srinagar, Shillong, and Kanyakumari. They will converge at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat for the grand finale.

 

2. NESTS to organize 4th National EMRS Cultural, Literary and Kala Utsav – 202: The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is organizing the 4th National EMRS Cultural, Literary and Kala Utsav - 2023, from 3rd October to 6^th October in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Aim: To showcase the artistic talent of school students through the Kala Utsav. This year 2023 Eklavya Vidyalaya Sangathan Samiti (EVSS), Uttarakhand (State EMRS Society) will host the event at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun.

 

3. National Zoological Park begins celebration of 69th Wildlife Week: National Zoological Park begins celebration of 69th   Wildlife Week with  theme "Partnerships for wildlife conservation" The Nature Park is a serene and breathtaking space within the bustling Gujarat Science City.  It is a must visit for nature enthusiasts and botanists alike. The park not only promotes biodiversity but also serves as an educational platform for people.” It imparts valuable lessons on environmental conservation and sustainability.

 

4. PM gift National Turmeric Board & Sammakka Sarakka Tribal University: The Prime Minister has announced the National Turmeric Board and Sammakka Sarakka Tribal University for Telangana and also 900 crore rupees to the Tribal University.  Aim: To boost the farmers of the area as it will provide necessary infrastructure support, value addition, research facility and help in exports in a professional manner Awareness of the therapeutic value of turmeric had increased during the Covid pandemic leading to increased demand as well as exports.

 

5. Odisha assembly passes land acquisition bill: The Odisha assembly passed four bills, including the land acquisition and resettlement one that will enable the government to exempt strategic and development projects from social impact assessments. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Odisha Amendment) Bill, 2023, was first introduced in the assembly in March but withdrawn a month later following severe criticism. The land acquisition bill enables the government to exempt ‘strategic and development projects’ from social impact assessments and special provisions for safeguarding food security. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLAR&R) Act, 2013 is a central legislation. It came into force with effect from January 1, 2014.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st October: International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st October and is a special day for senior citizens all over the world. 2023 Theme: Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons Aim: To raise awareness of the value of senior persons in our society and to show our appreciation for their contributions.  The purpose of the day is to draw attention to how the world might better the lives of older people.

 

2. International Coffee Day is observed on 1st October: To recognize the work of millions of coffee farmers from all over the world, every year on October 1, the world celebrates International Coffee Day. Theme 2023: promoting the right to a safe and healthy working environment in the coffee supply chain. Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world with an estimated 2 billion cups consumed each day. Coffee trade expanded across the Middle East and made its way to Europe by the 17th century.

 

3. India’s Solar Mission Aditya L1 successfully escaped sphere of Earth: India’s Solar Mission Aditya L1 successfully escaped the sphere of Earth’s influence by traveling beyond a distance of 9.2 lakh kilometers from Earth  It is now navigating its path toward the Lagrange point L1 that is 1.5 million km from Earth. ISRO has informed the spacecraft is now on a trajectory that will take the spacecraft to the Sun-Earth L1 point After 110 days, the spacecraft will be injected into an orbit around L1 through a maneuver from the Ground station

 

4. The 2024 Best World Universities, Oxford At The Top, Ranked By THE: The 20th edition of the World’s Best Universities by the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings has been released.

The  top 3 institutions in the ranking:

·       University of Oxford, U.K.

·       Stanford University, U.S.

·       Massachusetts Institute of Technolog, U.S.

This time, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore has featured in the 201-250 bracket.

Anna University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Mahatma Gandhi University – are in the 501-600 bracket.

 

5. Global Innovation Index 2023: India at 40th; topped by Switzerland: India has retained its 40th rank out of 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. The 16th edition of the index, which ranks world economies according to their innovation capabilities, was released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), an agency of the United Nations. For the 13th year in a row, Switzerland is the most innovative economy in 2023 followed by Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. Denmark (9th) and the Republic of Korea (10th) remain in the top 10. France (11th) gets closer, improving one rank this year, while Japan remains strong as the 13th most innovative economy. Israel re-enters the top 15, reaching 14th place. China ranks 12th this year, dropping one rank relative to 2022. Apart from China, there are only four other middle-income economies among the top 40 economies, namely, Malaysia (36th), Bulgaria (38th), Türkiye (39th) and India (40th). India has been on a rising trajectory, over the past several years in the Global Innovation Index (GII), from a rank of 81 in 2015 to 40 in 2023.

 

6. 30 September – International Translation Day: International Translation Day is observed every year on September 30. The day is observed by the International Federation of Translators (FIT) to highlight the significant role of translators all across the world. Theme 2023 – Translation Unveils the Many Faces of Humanity International Translation Day is recognized on a global level to promote the role of language translators, and to create awareness about the commendable contributions of translators and interpreters in bridging the linguistic and cultural divisions. International Translation Day was established by United Nations in 2017. The day is observed to honour boisterous efforts of language translators and interpreters in promoting understanding, peace, and dialogue among people belonging from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This day is observed alongside the feast of St. Jerome (a patron saint of translators who translated the Holy Bible).

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Avinash Sable for bagged Gold in Men’s 3000 meter Steeplechase: India’s Avinash Sable won the First-Ever gold medal in men’s 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Games 2023. His medal is India’s 12th gold at this edition of the Asian Games and the first track and field gold in China.

He is 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and holds the national record of 8min 11.20 sec.

Other Winners

·       India won bronze in the men's canoe double 1000m event

·       Harmilan Bains in women's 1500m won silver 

·       Murali Sreeshankar won silver in men's long jump

 

2. India won gold in 10m Air Pistol Team event in Asian game 2023: India won a gold medal in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol team event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. India players team – Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Singh Cheema, and Shiva Narwal This was India’s 13th medal in shooting and the second of the day after Roshibina Devi Naorem won a silver medal in wushu.

In a contest that turned out to be incredibly close, Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Singh Cheema and Shiva Narwal combined for a score of 1734 points, ahead of China’s 1733 points and Vietnam’s 1730 points. Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema progressed to the individual final in the 10m Air Pistol with scores of 580 and 579 points respectively for a fifth and eighth-place finish. With only the top-eight shooters qualifying, this too ran close Sarabjot and Arjun finished fourth and eighth respectively. Vietnam’s Pham Quang Huy won gold with a score of 240.5, while South Korea’s Lee Wonho (239.4) and Uzbekistan’s Vladimir Svechnikov (219.9) took the silver and bronze, respectively. Sarabjot, 21, finished fourth, scoring 199, while Arjun ended up eighth and last, exiting on the second elimination shot.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI imposes monetary penalty on 3 co-operative banks: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on three co-operative banks for violating rules.

The banks include:

·       Saraswat Co-operative Bank, 

·       Rajkot Nagarik Sahakari Co-operative Bank

·       Bassein Catholic Co-operative Bank.

The RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 25 lakh, Rs 13 lakh and Rs 23 lakh on Bassein Catholic Co-operative Bank, Rajkot Nagarik Sahakari Bank Ltd and Saraswat Co-operative Bank, respectively.

 

2. REC signs MoU with PNB to co-finance infrastructure projects: State-run REC Limited and Punjab National Bank have signed an MoU to explore funding possibilities in the Power Infrastructure and logistics sectors. The consortium arrangement will co-finance loans worth Rs 55,000 crores over the next three years. REC, which essentially lends to the power sector, has been authorized by the Power Ministry to also lend to the infrastructure sector. Its loan book has exceeded ₹4,54,393 crore. In FY23, the non-power infrastructure and logistics sector accounted for 32 percent of the total loan sanctioned by the company. The Maharatna company has now diversified into the non-power infrastructure sector, which includes roads and expressways, metro rail, airports, IT communication, social and commercial infrastructure (educational institutions, hospitals), ports, and electro-mechanical (E&M) works in respect of sectors such as steel, refinery, etc.

 

3. Yes Bank appoints Manish Jain as country head of Wholesale Banking: Yes Bank has appointed Manish Jain as the new country head of Wholesale Banking. He succeeds Ravi Thota, who resigned on 2 August 2023, citing personal and professional reasons. Jain will be responsible for spearheading the wholesale banking business at Yes Bank. Jain has three decades of work experience which includes 23 years in Standard Chartered Bank. While, Pankaj Sharma has been appointed as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Yes Bank.