Daily GK Update- 9th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Adani Green crosses 8.4 GW mark, and becomes India’s largest RE company: Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has become India’s largest green energy company as it reached the 8.4 gigawatt (GW) installed capacity mark. Company executives told this paper that AGEL commissioned a 0.15 GW solar power park in Rajasthan, which helped it surpass the 5 GW capacity for solar and 8.4 GW overall. Among its peers, ReNew is closest with 8.3 GW, followed by Tata Power and Greenko Energies with close to 4 GW capacity each. State-owned NTPC has a 3.2 GW green energy capacity. AGEL’s management has guided that it plans to commission between 2.8 GW to 3 GW in the current financial year (FY24), with a capital expenditure of approximately Rs 14,000 crore in the current financial year.

 

2. Mundra becomes India’s first port to handle 16.1 million tonnes of Cargo: Adani Group’s flagship Mundra Port has set another record by handling 16.1 million tonnes of cargo in October, the highest-ever volume by any port in India. It is the largest port in the country with 102 MMT of cargo handled so far this year with a good 9 percent year-on-year growth. The port crossed the 100 MMT mark in 210 days, surpassing the record of 231 days last year. Mundra witnessed double-digit growth on a YoY basis for containers liquids and gas. Further, it achieved another milestone of handling 4.2 million twenty-foot equivalents (TEUs) of containers in just 203 days, a feat achieved in 225 days in the previous financial year. It added new cargo types such as Hydrolysis Pi Gas (HPG) to its portfolio. So far in 2023, it docked over 2,480 ships and serviced over 11,500 rakes Mudra Port enjoys strong connectivity with the hinterland, particularly to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC).

 

3. Santosh Kumar Jha set to be next CMD of Konkan Railway: Santosh Kumar Jha is set to be next Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), a PSU under the Ministry of Railways. He has been recommended for the post by the Public Enterprises Selection Panel (PESB) panel. Presently, he is serving as Director (Operations & Commercial) in the same organisation. Jha has been recommended for the post of CMD of Konkan Railways from a list of five candidates, who were interviewed by the PESB selection panel in its selection meeting held on November 2. Jha is an Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) officer of 1992-batch. He holds M. Sc. (Geology) from Lucknow University and an MBA (Marketing) from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. He has rich experience over 28 years of experience in operations, infrastructure planning and business development. He has hands on experience as head of operations on major divisions of Indian Railways. The Konkan Railway, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, is responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of 741 kilometers of rail network along the Konkan coast.

 

4. Deepesh Nanda appoints as CEO & MD of TPREL : Deepesh Nanda has been appointed as the CEO & MD of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power. He has succeeded Ashish Khanna who has moved as President, of Generation business. Deepesh Nanda, with 28 years of extensive experience in the industry, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. His professional journey has seen him excel in various roles across reputable companies like GE, Flowserve, and Tyco.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India ranks 2nd in employee well-being, Japan lowest: A recent global survey has ranked Japan lowest for employees’ well-being while keeping Turkey at the top and India just behind it, in the second spot. The survey was conducted by McKinsey Health Institute, and it assessed employees’ physical, mental, social and spiritual health before arriving at the conclusions. Japan scored a mere 25 percent in the poll. Turkey scored highest at 78 percent, followed by India at 76 percent and China at 75 percent, way higher than the global average of 57 percent. The poll results were based on inputs received from 30,000 participants from nearly 30 countries.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Maharashtra secured top spot in 37th National Games 2023: Maharashtra secured the first position in National Games 2023 and bagged 208 medals including 71 gold.  Services Sport Control Board also continued its second position in medal tally with a total of 117 medals including 59 Gold medals.  Haryana stands at third position with a total of 161 medals including  53 gold medals.  In women's Kabaddi, HP won a gold medal and Haryana got a silver medal.  Female Kho-kho gold was won by Maharashtra and Odisha got a silver medal.

 

2. Deepika Kumari secured 2 Gold at National Games 2023: Former world No. 1 archer Deepika Kumari clinched two gold and a silver medal, while Asian Championships gold medal-winning shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar bagged the top spot in 50m rifle 3-positions event at the National Games. Deepika, representing Jharkhand, began her medal rush with a gold in the women’s individual category, and later paired with Mrinal Chauhan to secure the top podium finish in the mixed team category. She also helped Jharkhand win silver in the women’s team event, where it lost to Haryana in the shootout.

 

3. Max Verstappen wins Brazilian Grand Prix 2023: Three-time champion Max Verstappen led from the start and won the Brazilian Grand Prix 2023. Sergio Perez of Red Bull finished in fourth place, distancing himself from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in one of the few competitions left this season — a position for runner-up. Perez nearly took the podium position from third-place Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, but the Spaniard saw the checkered flag 0.053 seconds before the Mexican.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Nirmala Sitharaman launches 12 GST Seva Kendras in Vapi, Gujarat: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman has inaugurated 12 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Seva Kendras in Vapi, Gujarat. It showcasing the government’s commitment to enhancing the Ease of Doing Business in the country. Additionally, she recognized and rewarded the participants of the “Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar” (MBMA) scheme, which promotes the culture of generating bills during sales and purchase transactions. The newly launched GST Seva Kendras, located in key cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Godhra, Vapi, Mehsana, Palanpur, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and Gandhidham, mark a substantial advancement in facilitating GST-related services.

 

2. Axis Bank signed MoU with IRMA to promote financial inclusion and literacy in India: Axis Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to establish the Axis Bank Chair for Financial Inclusion at IRMA. Constituted for a period of 5 years, the Chair will primarily focus on research, deepening industry-academia collaboration, driving thought leadership and policy advocacy. The Chair’s overarching goal is to enhance and expedite the advancement of financial inclusion (FI) and financial literacy in India. The Chair’s main goal is to lead and manage field-based research efforts that contribute to the development of national and state-level financial inclusion policies. This involves crafting financial inclusion strategies tailored to India’s needs, enhancing the banking sector’s capabilities in the realm of financial inclusion, organizing workshops, roundtables, and symposia, and providing educational courses at the Institute.

Daily GK Update- 8th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Adani Green crosses 8.4 GW mark, becomes India's largest RE company: Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has become India's largest green energy company as it reached the 8.4 gigawatt (GW) installed capacity mark. Company executives told this paper that AGEL commissioned a 0.15 GW solar power park in Rajasthan, which helped it surpass the 5 GW capacity for solar and 8.4 GW overall. Among its peers, ReNew is closest with 8.3 GW, followed by Tata Power and Greenko Energies with close to 4 GW capacity each.

 

2. Mundra Becomes India’s First Port To Handle 16.1 Million Tonnes Of Cargo: Mundra Port, the flagship of APSEZ, has set another record by handling 16.1 MMT of cargo in October, the highest-ever volume by any port in India.  It is the largest port in the country with 102 MMT of cargo handled on year to date (YTD) basis, a good 9% Y-o-Y growth.  The port crossed the 100 MMT mark in 210 days, surpassing the record of 231 days last year. Mundra witnessed double-digit growth on a Y-o-Y basis for containers (+10%) and liquids and gas (+14%).

 

3. Delhi banks on IIT Kanpur’s artificial rain to tackle pollution crisis: In light of the escalating air pollution dilemmas in Delhi-NCR, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has brought forth a novel solution.With a mission to alleviate the deteriorating air quality, the renowned institute has reportedly designed an approach using ‘artificial rain’ to cleanse the atmosphere of dust and major pollutants. The institute has been relentlessly working on artificial rain for more than five years and successfully executed a test in July. Artificial rain is heavily reliant on specific meteorological conditions, such as the presence of sufficiently moist clouds and compatible winds. As cloud seeding and artificial rainfall is not an exact science yet, it remains untested whether it would work in the pre-winter months or on a grander scale.

 

4. Jal Diwali -“Water for Women, Women for Water Campaign” launched: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has unveiled a progressive initiative “Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign”. Under its flagship scheme – Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, in partnership with the Ministry’s National Urban Livelihood Mission and Odisha Urban Academy is the knowledge partner. This campaign celebrates “Jal Diwali” and commences from, 7th November, 2023. It will continue till 9th November, 2023. The campaign aims to provide a platform for inclusion of women in water governance. They will be given first-hand knowledge about water treatment processes through visits to Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) in their respective cities. These visits will elucidate the vital procedures involved in delivering clean and safe drinking water to households. Additionally, women will gain insight into water quality testing protocols which ensure that citizens get water of the required quality.

India has more than 3,000 Water treatment plants, with a designed water treatment capacity of more than 65,000 MLD and operational capacity of more than 55,000 MLD.

 

5. 8th edition of ‘Vizag Navy Marathon’ held in Visakhapatnam: The eighth edition of the ‘Vizag Navy Marathon’ has been organized in Visakhapatnam city. Around 12,000 people took part in the Marathon organized by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at RK Beach Road in the city. The event witnessed overwhelming participation from children, youth, senior citizens, and naval personnel from all over India and abroad in various categories The marathon was flagged off by Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, ENC with more than 500 participants. The half-marathon was flagged off by Vice Admiral G Srinivasan, DGNP Vizag, with more than 1,600 runners, and the 10-km run, with more than 2,700 runners, was flagged off by Dr Ravishankar Commissioner of Police. The 5-km run recorded a participation of over 7,000 runners and was flagged off by Vice Adm Sameer Saxena, Chief of Staff, ENC.

 

6. Hitesh Makwana appointed Surveyor General of India: Hitesh Kumar S Makwana has been appointed as Surveyor General of India. Makwana, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, is currently an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Abhishek Singh, CEO of National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has now been appointed as Additional Secretary in the ministry. Niraj Verma, a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, will be Administrator, Universal Service Obligation Fund in the Department of Telecommunications. Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey, a 1998-batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty for Advance Cell of 16th Finance Commission, Department of Economic Affairs. Senior IAS officer Anurag Agarwal has been appointed as Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Pallavi Jain Govil, a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, will be the Director General of Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Radiography Day is observed on 8th November: World Radiography Day is observed each year on November 8 to commemorate the discovery of x-radiation by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895. The theme chosen for World Radiography Day 2023 is “Celebrating Patient Safety. Aim: To honoring the field of radiography, acknowledge the crucial contributions of radiographers, and emphasize the importance of medical imaging in contemporary healthcare.

 

2. India ranks 2nd in employee well-being, Japan lowest: A recent global survey has ranked Turkey at the top and India at second spot while keeping Japan at lowest for employees.

The survey was conducted by McKinsey Health Institute, and it assessed employees’ physical, mental, social and spiritual health before arriving at the conclusions.  Turkey scored highest at 78%, followed by India at 76% and China at 75 %, way higher than the global average of 57 per cent. Japan scored a mere 25 per cent in the poll.

 

3. IIT Madras Sets Its First International Campus On Zanzibar Island In Tanzania: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras became the first Indian Institute of Technology to set up an international campus, by launching a campus in Tanzania. India and the East African nation had recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Aim: To take the top-quality education system of India to international arenas. The Zanzibar Campus, IIT Madras, will be on Zanzibar Island, off the East African mainland and part of the Tanzanian republic.

 

4. 7 November – Infant Protection Day: Infant Protection Day is celebrated every year on 7 November. The day is dedicated to creating awareness among people about the importance of infant care, especially during the early years of growth. Theme 2023 – Ensuring Every Child’s Right to Thrive Currently, the infant mortality rate for India in 2023 is 26.619 deaths per 1000 live births, a 3.89% decline from 2022. When a newborn is born, the first few months are extremely crucial. This is when the newborn baby starts to develop movement, hearing, vision and ways of communication. Hence, we should be extra cautious in taking care of the baby in the initial days to ensure that the baby is healthy, safe and in a good environment. In the early 1990s. European countries came together to observe Infant Protection Day in order to raise awareness about child mortality rate and what steps should be taken to combat it.

 

5. 8 November – World Radiography Day: World Radiography Day is observed every year on November 8. The crucial day commemorates the historic discovery that changed the field of healthcare and medicine. Theme 2023 – Celebrating Patient Safety It celebrates the pioneering work of a German engineer and physicist who found X-rays, subsequently, opening a window into the human body and transforming the way of diagnosing and treating medical conditions. November 8, 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, a German mechanical engineer and physicist, formulated and distinguished electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range known as X-rays or Rontgen rays. Rontgen’s revolutionary work prompted the improvement of the first radiographic picture, which was a basic picture of his wife’s hand. In 1901, he got the first Nobel Prize for his discovery.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Max Verstappen wins Brazilian Grand Prix 2023: Three-time champion Max Verstappen led from the start and won the Brazilian Grand Prix 2023.  Sergio Perez of Red Bull finished in fourth place, distancing himself from Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in one of the few competitions left this season -- a position for runner-up. Perez nearly took the podium position from third-place Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, but the Spaniard saw the checkered flag 0.053 seconds before the Mexican.

 

2. Deepika Kumari Secured Two Gold And One Silver at National Games 2023: Former World No. 1 archer Deepika Kumari was the standout performer, securing two gold medals and a silver at National game 2023. Meanwhile, Olympian Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won gold in the mens 50m Rifle 3-position shooting event in Manderem. In the recurve category, Maharashtra, currently leading the table, along with third-placed Haryana and Assam, claimed additional gold medals to conclude the archery events.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Announces Phased Discontinuation of Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio: The RBI announced that it will discontinue the incremental cash reserve ratio (I-CRR) in a phased manner. Based on an assessment of current and evolving liquidity conditions, it has been decided that the amounts impounded under the I-CRR would be released in stages so that system liquidity is not subjected to sudden shocks and money markets function in an orderly manner RBI will release 25% of the I-CRR maintained on September 9 and another 25% on September 23.

 

2. HSBC India Launches E-Bank Guarantees to Modernize Trade Finance: HSBC India, has introduced Electronic Bank Guarantee (E-BG) services to facilitate digitization of trade finance. Aim: To simplify and expedite the guarantee issuance process by introducing electronic stamping and electronic signing , effectively eliminating the need for paper documentation. HSBC is the first foreign bank in the country to offer this facility which is made possible through a collaboration with National E-Governance Services Ltd.

 

3. RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty On Four Co-operative Banks And One NBFC: The RBI has imposed monetary penalties on four co-operative banks and a non-banking financial company for deficiencies in regulatory compliance The banks are Shree Lodra Nagarik Sahakari Bank, Malpur Nagarik Sahakari Bank, Jolarpet Co-operative Urban Bank, Limbasi Urban Co-operative Bank  The RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹4.00 lakh on Shree Lodra Nagarik Sahakari Bank Limited for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on ‘Loans and advances to directors.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Kerala honored with Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023: Kerala has bagged the prestigious Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023, in a major endorsement of the sustainable and women-inclusive initiatives successfully promoted by the state’s Responsible Tourism Mission (RTM). The award is instituted by Responsible Tourism Partnership and International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), in the Best for Local Sourcing, Food and Craft category. This international award reflects the universal appeal of the Responsible Tourism projects that Kerala implemented.

 

2. AIFF wins AFC President’s Recognition Bronze Award for Grassroots Football: The All India Football Federation was honoured with the AFC President’s Recognition Bronze medal for its efforts in the grassroots-level development of the sport in the country. It was AIFF’s second bronze medal in the category, having earned the same recognition back in 2014. The accomplishment reflects AIFF’s commitment to promoting football at the grassroots level, characterized by several innovative initiatives.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Odisha Assembly speaker Maheswar Mohanty passed away: Former Odisha Assembly speaker Maheswar Mohanty passed away at the age of 67. Mohanty was elected to the Odisha Assembly from Puri constituency five times. He was the speaker of the assembly from 2004 to 2008. Popularly referred to as the “strongman” of Puri, Mohanty was elected to the assembly from the holy town five times, as a Janata Dal candidate in 1995 and as a BJD nominee in 2000, 2004, 2009, and 2014. An advocate by profession, he was also the chairperson of the Puri Municipality twice before being elected to the assembly. In the Naveen Patnaik government, he held portfolios such as Panchayati Raj, Revenue, Law, and Tourism, between 2011 and 2019.

Daily GK Update- 7th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. National Cancer Awareness Day is observed on 7th November: National Cancer Awareness Day in India is observed on 7th November to spread awareness around the types of cancer, need for early detection, and important lifestyle changes. The theme of National Cancer Awareness Day 2023 is Close the care gap. According to WHO, cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in any organ or tissue of the body and occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and even spread to other body parts 

 

2. IIT Kanpur’s Innovative Solution: ‘Artificial Rains’ to Tackle Delhi’s Air: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has reportedly developed a potential solution to address the problem of air pollution in Delhi and its neighbouring regions. They propose the use of "artificial rains" through cloud seeding to help clear pollutants and dust from the air. The premier institute has been working on creating the necessary conditions for artificial rains for over five years and conducted successful trials in July.

 

3. Jal Diwali -“Water for Women, Women for Water Campaign” launched: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is all set to unveil a progressive initiative "Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign". Under its flagship scheme - Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, in partnership with the Ministry's National Urban Livelihood Mission and Odisha Urban Academy is the knowledge partner.  Aim: To provide a platform for inclusion of women in water governance.  This campaign celebrates "Jal Diwali"  from, 7th Nov, 2023.

 

4. Bharat Botanics To Open India’s Largest Cold Oil Production Facility: Bharat Botanics announced the opening of its wood-pressed cold oil processing facility in Gondal, Rajkot Gujarat.  This 16,000 square feet automated facility is one of its kind, promoting 100% hygiene and transparency. At Bharat Botanics facility, seeds are crushed using traditional "Wooden Ghani's" with the cold-pressed technique, resulting in natural, chemical-free edible oils rich in healthy nutrients, natural flavor, and a scintillating aroma

 

5. PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to be extended for 5 more years: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana will be extended for the next five years. Under this scheme, about 80 crore poor people across the country are being given 5 kg of free food grains every month. This scheme was ending in December this year. PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was launched in April 2020.

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sweden’s Saab Secures India’s First 100% FDI in Defense Project: India has approved its first 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector, permitting Sweden's Saab to establish a facility for rocket manufacturing.  The FDI proposal, valued at less than Rs 500 crore, was given the green light last month, according to an ET report.  India currently allows up to 74% FDI in the defence sectorthrough the automatic route, with clearances beyond that available on a case-by-case basis.

 

2. First Australia India Education & Skill Council meeting held at IIT Gujarat: The First Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC) meeting was held at IIT Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Ministry of Education said that the AIESC, earlier the Australian India Education Council (AIEC), is a bi-national body established in 2011 to guide the strategic direction of the education, training, and research partnerships between the two countries. The scope of this forum was enhanced in alignment with the national priorities of both countries to bring focus on promoting internationalization, two-way mobility, and collaboration in the domains of education as well as the skill ecosystem. This is the first time that education and skilling are being brought under the same institutional forum. This meeting will provide a platform for academic and skill experts to discuss a wide range of mutually agreed priorities, with the ultimate aim of shaping the future of education and skilling in both our nations.

 

3. 6 November – International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War: The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is a global day observed on November 6 every year. Objective – To raise awareness about the devastating effects of war on the environment. Theme 2023: Together for a more sustainable and peaceful future The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict originated from the acknowledgment of the detrimental effect of war on the environment. This day was inaugurated by the United Nations (UN) on November 5, 2001, through a UN General Assembly resolution.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Sultan of Johor Cup 2023: Indian Hockey Team Wins Bronze Medal: India’s junior men’s team beat Pakistan in penalty shootout to finish its campaign with a bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 Defending champion India bounced back from loss to Germany in the semifinals, defeating Pakistan to clinch its ninth medal in 11 editions of the under-21 tournament This victory marked India’s third title in the Sultan of Johor Cup. The junior men’s hockey team had previously won the prestigious Johor Bahru Cup twice in 2013 and 2014.

2. Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews becomes first Cricketer to get ‘timed out’: Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews was given "timed out" in a World Cup clash against Bangladesh, becoming the first man to suffer in the 146-year history of international cricket The former captain took more than two minutes to take strike and opposition skipper Shakib Al Hasan appealed, which was upheld by the on-field umpire Mathews came into bat after the fall of Sadeera Samarawickrama in the 25th over but was unable to secure his helmet strap tightly enough

 

3. Sunil Narine announces retirement from international cricket: Mystery spinner Sunil Narine has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 35-year-old played 6 Tests, 65 ODIs, and 51 T20Is and was part of the T20 World Cup-winning West Indies side in 2012. The T20 globetrotter last played for the senior national team in 2019 in T20I cricket. His last Test was in 2013 while he had not played an ODI after 2016. Sunil Narine also announced he would retiring from the domestic 50-over competition at the end of the ongoing Super 50 Cup in which he is representing Trinidad and Tobago. Narine’s record for the West Indies in international cricket is impressive. He took 92 wickets in 65 ODI matches and 48 wickets in 47 T20 International matches. In addition, he played six Test matches, taking 21 wickets with best figures of 6-91.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IndiaFirst Life Becomes the First Life Insurance Company to Obtain GIFT: IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd became the first Indian life insurance company to get the Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City’s International Financial Services Centre Registration. Aim: To enhance our market presence and capitalize on the customer outreach opportunities at a global level.  Its foray into the hi-tech and ultra-modern financial ecosystem of GIFT City IFSC, will empower us to secure lives and create value for our international customers

 

2. RBI conferred with Businessline’s Changemaker of the Year 2023 Award: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has conferred the Businessline’s ‘Changemaker of the Year’ 2023 award. While utterly butterly beloved brand, Amul was crowned iconic changemaker of the year. Governor Shaktikanta Das accepted it on behalf of the RBI. The recognition was part of the Hindu Businessline Changemaker Awards 2023 held at ITC Maurya in New Delhi. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das attributed RBI’s success in steering through Covid and other crises to the teamwork and diligence of its dedicated officers and employee force. These awards encompass various categories, celebrating those who have contributed to the betterment of society, the economy, and the planet.

 

 

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Kerala honored with Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023: The Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission won the Global Responsible Tourism Award 2023 for promoting sustainable and women-inclusive initiatives. The award is instituted by the Responsible Tourism Partnership and International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) in the best for local sourcing, food, and craft category. This international award reflects the universal appeal of the Responsible Tourism projects that Kerala implemented.

 

2. AIFF wins AFC President’s Recognition Bronze award for Grassroots Football: All India Football Federation has secured its second Grassroots Football award in 2023, having earned the same recognition back in 2014. The accomplishment reflects AIFF’s commitment to promoting football at the grassroots level, characterized by several innovative initiatives. AFC Member Association of the Year

·       Platinum: Uzbekistan Football Association

·       Diamond: Lebanese Football Association

·       Gold: Football Association of Hong Kong

·       Ruby: Guam Football Association

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Writer Leela Omchery passed away: Eminent singer, musicologist and writer Leela Omchery passed away at the age of 94 years. Born at Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari in 1929, she lived much of her life in Delhi. She had proved her mettle in Carnatic music, Hindustani music, Sopana Sangeetham and folk songs. Proficient in Carnatic, Hindustani, Sopanam and folk music, she was honoured her with Padma Shri in 2008.

 

2. NASA Apollo astronaut Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II passed away: Apollo Astronaut Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II passed away at the age of 87. Mattingly was a pivotal figure in the Apollo Program and played a crucial role in ensuring the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew to Earth after an onboard explosion jeopardized their lunar mission. Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II, a former Navy jet pilot with an aeronautical engineering degree, joined NASA in 1966 and embarked on his first spaceflight in April 1972 as part of the Apollo 16 mission. Serving as the pilot of the spacecraft’s command module, Mattingly captured extensive images of the moon’s surface and conducted experiments while two other astronauts collected lunar samples. During the return journey to Earth, Mattingly performed an extravehicular activity to retrieve film canisters containing photos of the moon. He had previously named the spacecraft “Casper” due to the resemblance he saw between an astronaut in a spacesuit and the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Daily GK Update- 6th Nov, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1.  ‘Surat’ Becomes The First Navy Warship To Be Named After A City in Gujarat: The crest of the Indian Navy's latest warship 'Surat' will be unveiled by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

This is the first warship to be named after a city of Gujarat and this is also the first time the unveiling of the crest of a warship is being undertaken in the very city after which it has been named Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had launched this indigenously constructed ship, which is a guided missile destroyer, in March last year at Mumbai.

 

2. “AI” Named Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2023: Collins Dictionary has named “AI” as its word of the year, defining it as an “abbreviation for artificial intelligence: the modelling of human mental functions by computer programs.” Considered to be the next great technological revolution, AI has seen rapid development and has been much talked about in 2023. While AI’s capabilities in mimicking human speech fascinated people at first, they were also the source of some anxiety.

 

3. PM Modi re-elected as the chairman of Shree Somnath Trust: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure as the chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust has been extended by five years. During a meeting of the board, various aspects of the temple’s operations were discussed, including how to enhance the pilgrimage experience through the use of technology. This marks a historic moment as it is the first time in the 74-year-long history of the Shree Somnath Trust that a chairman has been elected for a five-year tenure. The trust has launched a video highlighting the history and traditions of the temple.

 

4. RBI appoints Manoranjan Mishra as Executive Director: Manoranjan Mishra has been appointed as Executive Director by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In his role as Executive Director, Mishra will oversee the Enforcement Department, Risk Monitoring Department, and Department of External Investments & Operations. Prior to being promoted to ED, he was serving as Chief General Manager in the Department of Regulation. Mishra has experience of over three decades in the Reserve Bank having worked in the areas of regulation of banks and NBFCs, supervision of banks, and currency management.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War : The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is a global day observed on November 6 every year.  Aim: To raise awareness about the devastating effects of war on the environment. Theme 2023: Together for a more sustainable and peaceful future This day reminds us of the importance of protecting our environment from the damage caused by war and armed conflicts in different regions of the world.

2. First Australia India Education &Skill Council meeting held at IIT Gujarat: The First Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC) meeting is being held at IIT Gandhinagar,Gujarat. AIESC is a bi-national body established in 2011 to guide the strategic direction of the education and research partnerships between the two countries. Aim: To provide a platform for academic and skill experts to discuss a wide range of mutually agreed priorities, with the ultimate aim of shaping the future of education and skilling in both our nations. 

 

3. CBSE to open new administrative Office in UAE: In a significant development for the Indian expatriate community in the United Arab Emirates, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a meeting with the Principals of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated schools in Dubai. One of the significant announcements made during the meeting was the acceptance of a long-standing demand by CBSE schools to open a regional administrative office in UAE, recognizing the country’s central role in overseeing CBSE-affiliated schools in the GCC region. The new office is set to come in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE. This decision is expected to streamline operations and enhance the educational experience for students and teachers in these schools. The meeting was marked by a sense of unity and inclusion, encapsulated in the phrase “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam,” which translates to “the world is one family.” This move towards greater inclusivity is a promising development for the Indian expatriate community and the education sector in the UAE.

 

4. Vibrant Gujarat International Roadshow held in Dubai: In a bid to showcase the immense potential for business and investment opportunities in the vibrant state of Gujarat, the Government of Gujarat hosted the Vibrant Gujarat International Roadshow in Dubai. The event, a prelude to the upcoming 10th Edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit scheduled for January 10-12, 2024, served as a platform for industry representatives from both Gujarat and the UAE to engage, network, and explore collaborations. The roadshow succeeded in fostering meaningful connections between industry leaders and government officials while shedding light on the myriad opportunities for investment and growth in Gujarat. As the state gears up for the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024, the prospects for business and collaboration in this dynamic Indian state look brighter than ever.

 

5. Minuteman III missile test-launched by US Air Force: The S. Air Force had blown up a Minuteman III missile over the Pacific Ocean after an anomaly was detected following its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The nuclear-capable Minuteman III, made by Boeing, is key to the U.S. military’s strategic arsenal. The missile has a range of 6,000-plus miles (9,660-plus km) and can travel at a speed of about 15,000 miles per hour (24,000 kph). About 400 of the missiles are located at Air Force bases in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. It is key to the U.S. military’s strategic arsenal.

 

6. 5 November – World Tsunami Awareness Day : World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed annually on November 5. The day emphasizes the significance of early warning systems and community preparedness in mitigating the impacts of these catastrophic waves. Theme 2023 – Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future Recognized by the UN General Assembly in December 2015, World Tsunami Awareness Day calls upon nations, international entities, and civil society to amplify awareness efforts and explore innovative strategies for minimizing tsunami-related risks. In December 2015, the UN General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day, calling on countries, international bodies, and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India lifts Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023 title over Japan: In Hockey, the Indian women’s team dethroned Japan to crown themselves Asian Champions Trophy 2023 winners.  India overcame the two-time champions through goals from Sangita Kumari, Neha, Laremsiami and Vandana Katariya.  India won their maiden Asian Champions Trophy title in 2016 in Singapore, while Japan bagged the crown twice, in 2013 and 2021. sian Games champions China beat South Korea to secure third place.

 

2. Bangladesh to host 24th Asian Archery Championships in 2025 : Bangladesh will host the 24th Asian Archery Championships in 2025 after winning votes in the bid at the World Archery Asia Congress held  in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of twenty four member countries of the Asian continent participated in the congress.  Bangladesh and China applied for bids as host countries for the 24th Asian Archery Championship The 23rd Asian Archery Championship will begin on Sunday (Nov 5) in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

3. Kohli equals Tendulkar's record of highest number of ODI centuries: Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 101 runs equaling Sachin Tendulkar's record of highest number of 49 centuries in One Day Internationals. Virat touched the milestone in 277 innings as against Tendulkar's 452 innings. He was adjudged Player of the match. The next batter on the list of most ODI centuries is current captain Rohit Sharma, who has scored 31 centuries. India is currently at Number one position with 14 points followed by South Africa at 2nd place with 12 points.

 

4. Indian Navy Sailing Championship 2023 begins in Mumbai: The Indian Navy’s most awaited and largest sailing regatta, the Indian Navy Sailing Championship, started in Mumbai. The Championship will hold from 05 Nov to 09 Nov 23. The Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC), Mumbai, one of the finest sailing facilities in the country, is geared up to host more than 100 pan-Navy participants who will test their sailing skills in five different classes of boats in three different formats of racing. INSC is an annual event conducted under the aegis of the Indian Naval Sailing Association (INSA) based at Naval Headquarters to encourage the participation of naval personnel in competitive sailing. This edition of INSC will see the participation of teams from the three Naval Commands comprising of officers, cadets, and sailors (including Agniveers). Racing will take place in three most popular formats of sailing. Fleet Racing will be in ILCA-6 class boat for women, ILCA-7 class boat for men and BicNova class board for windsurfing open. Team Racing will take place in Laser Bahia class boat and the Match Racing in J24 class boat.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Rohit Rishi Appointed As Executive Director At Bank Of Maharashtra: Bank of Maharashtra announced the appointment of Rohit Rishi as Executive Director on the company’s Board, with effect from November 1, 2023. He replaced A.B. Vijayakumar. Rohit Rishi started his banking career as Industrial Development Officer in Indian Bank in July 1995 and has over 28 years of experience working in diversified areas of banking.  During his tenure, he worked in all key banking functions in various capacities mainly in credit management.

 

2. RBI imposes penalties on Punjab National Bank, Federal Bank: Reserve Bank of India imposed monetary penalties on Punjab National Bank, Federal Bank, Kosamattam Finance, and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India for rule violations The central bank has imposed a penalty of Rs 72 lakh on PNB, Rs 30 lakh on Federal Bank, Rs 13.38 lakh on Kosamattam Finance

PNB received the penalty due to several violations, including levying SMS charges on certain accounts despite maintaining invalid mobile numbers in the Core Banking Solution

 

3. Reliance Retail to acquire Arvind Fashions’ Beauty Retail Business : Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL) is buying Arvind Beauty Brands Retail, a subsidiary of Arvind Fashions that runs the Sephora India business for ₹99 crore. Reliance Retail has entered into the fast-growing beauty business with Tira, an omnichannel beauty retail platform. This acquisition follows earlier reports in local media suggesting that Sephora and Reliance Retail had terminated discussions regarding a potential retail partnership in the Indian market. Reliance Retail, in response, launched its own beauty retail platform, Tira, in April, positioning itself to compete with established players like Nykaa and the Tata Group.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. UST wins 2023 Mahatma Awards for impactful CSR initiatives: Leading digital transformation solutions company UST has won the 2023 Mahatma Awards for sustainable and impactful contributions to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in areas such as education, health, livelihood, environment, and disaster relief. An initiative of the Aditya Birla Group, the award was presented on Gandhi Jayanti. A highlight of the company’s CSR drive is its Adopt-a-School programme which impacts over 32,000 students in India and Mexico. UST supports over 104 schools, promoting accessible, quality education for all. Its initiatives include medical support for those with disabilities and habitat restoration projects in Kerala. The nature conservation and sustainable livelihood project sourced 75,000 medicinal saplings in 2022 alone. In response to global crises, UST has demonstrated its commitment to humanitarian causes, including a $100,000 pledge to support victims of the conflict in Ukraine. UST associates from the UK, Ukraine, and Poland volunteered to help distribute essentials in the refugee camps.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. NASA Apollo astronaut Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II passed away: Apollo astronaut Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II, known for helping the crew of Apollo 13 safely return to Earth after an explosion doomed their lunar mission, has died at the age of 87. Starting his career with the US Navy, Mattingly, who went by Ken and TK, eventually joined the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School as a student, before being chosen by NASA to be part of the astronaut class in 1966.