Daily GK Update- 22nd Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt to boost nuclear power capacity from7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2032: The Government has initiated steps to increase the nuclear power capacity from 7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2031-32. The annual electricity generation from nuclear power plants has increased from 35334 Million Units (including infirm) in 2013-14 to 46982 Million Units (including infirm) in 2022-23. The installed nuclear power capacity in 2013-14 has also increased from 4780 MW to 7480 MW at present. At present 23 nuclear power reactors are installed. The total electricity generated from nuclear power plants during the last ten years (2013-14 to 2022-23) was about 411 BUs averting release of about 353 Million Tons of CO2 equivalent to the environment.

 

2. 22 December – National Mathematics Day: National Mathematics Day is celebrated annually on December 22 to honour the birth anniversary of the renowned Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan. The day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the importance of mathematics in our lives and to pay homage to one of the greatest mathematical minds in history.

National Mathematics Day is commemorated on the birthday of Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India. Ramanujan was largely self-taught and made significant contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Dalai Lama inaugurates first International Sangha Forum in Bodh Gaya: Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama has inaugurated the three-day International Sangha Forum 2023 in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Organized jointly by the Office of the Dalai Lama and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the forum will be held at the International Convention Centre in Bodha Gaya, Bihar. The event will see discussions among monks, nuns, and Bhikkhu scholars, that delve into the profound teachings of Buddhism. The event will also witness the coming together of practitioners of the Pali traditions of the Southeast and South Asian countries of India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, as well as those of the Sanskrit tradition from Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Russia, Mongolia and other parts of the world.

 

2. World Bank sets up task force to act on MDB reform plan: The World Bank has set up a task force to study the recommendations made by the Independent Experts Group, formed under India’s G20 Presidency, for strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs). The World Bank, which other MDBs looked up to, must take the lead in carrying forward the reform roadmap for MDBs so as to make these global institutions bigger, better, and bolder. Both Ajay Banga and Nirmala Sitharaman discussed outcomes of the G20India Presidency, evolution of the World Bank and its engagement with India in various sectors, besides issues of mutual interest.

World Bank has identified eight unique global challenges to focus on in the next few years as they affect many countries and require attention and Sitharaman expressed India’s support for it.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Defence Ministry signs deal for 6 next-gen OPVs for Coast Guard: The Defence Ministry has signed a ₹1,614.89 crore contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai for the procurement of six next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Out of the six vessels being procured, four would replace the existing ageing OPVs and the other two would augment the ICG fleet. These modern and high-tech ships will play a critical role in enhancing surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime pollution response, and other important capabilities including humanitarian assistance by the ICG. These multirole state-of-the-art vessels will be indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by MDL, and will be delivered in a total period of 66 months (5.5 years).

 

SPORTS

 

1. Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sai Raj Rankireddy to get Khel Ratna Award: The Government of India has announced the National Sports Awards 2023. Badminton players Chirag C Shetty and Satwik Sai Raj Rankireddy will be honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Twenty-six sportspersons will receive the Arjuna Awards. They are Archers Ojas Pravin Deotale and Aditi Gopichand Swami, Para Archer Sheetal Devi, Athletes Sreeshankar M and Parul Chaudhary, Boxer Mohameed Hussamuddin, Chess player R Vaishali, Cricketer Mohammed Shami, Blind Cricketer Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy, Equestrian players Anush Agarwalla and Divyakriti Singh, Golfer Diksha Dagar, Hockey players Krishan Bahadur Pathak and P Sushila Chanu, Kabaddi players Pawan Kumar and Ritu Negi, Kho-Kho player Nasreen, Lawn Bowls player Pinki, Shooters Aishwary Pratap Singh and Esha Singh, Squash player Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, Table Tennis player Ayhika Mukherjee, Wrestler Sunil Kumar and Antim, Wushu player N Roshibina Devi and Para Canoeing player Prachi Yadav.

 

2. Natasha Chethan won sub-junior snooker title: Karnataka’s Natasha Chethan won the sub-junior girls’ snooker title to record a double in the ongoing 90th National Billiards & Snooker Championships at the Nehru Indoor Stadium. The Bengaluru teenager rallied to beat Gujarat’s Aanya Patel 3-1 (35-57, 57-43, 55-42, 41-29) in the snooker final after defeating her for the sub-junior girls’ billiards crown last week. It was the second defeat of the day in a final for Aanya, who lost to Tamil Nadu’s L Shruthi in the junior girls’ billiards title category.

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Karur Vysya Bank, HDFC Life enter into corporate agency tie-up: Private sector Karur Vysya Bank and HDFC Life have entered into a corporate agency agreement to offer life insurance products to their respective customers. This corporate agency arrangement would enable customers of Karur Vysya Bank to avail HDFC Life’s wide range of life insurance products which include solutions for protection, savings and investment, retirement, and critical illness. Our corporate tie-up with HDFC Life will provide one more option to our customers while charting their insurance plans. Since HDFC Life offers claim intimation process online, our customers can avail the services without stepping out of their homes. MD and CEO of Karur Vysya Bank – B Ramesh Babu

 

2. Indian economy to grow 6.3% in FY24 and FY25: IMF: India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.3 percent in the current fiscal year and the next, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The country’s digital public infrastructure and a strong government infrastructure program will continue to sustain growth. India has potential for even higher growth, with greater contributions from labour and human capital, if comprehensive reforms are implemented,” the IMF said. The IMF’s growth projection for the current financial year, ending March 31, 2024, is lower than the 7 percent forecast by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Volatile food prices pushed up retail inflation to 5.55 percent in November from 4.87 percent the previous month. While this was within the RBI’s tolerance band of 2 percent-6 percent, it remains above the target of 4 percent.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Poonam Khetrapal Singh awarded Bhutan’s National Order of Merit Gold Medal: WHO Regional Director (South-East Asia) Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been awarded Bhutan’s National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country. The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk honoured Singh, an Indian national, at Bhutan’s 116th National Day celebration. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the first woman regional director of the WHO South-East Asia region, played a pivotal role in supporting transformative healthcare leadership in Bhutan from 2014 to 2024. Her tenure witnessed remarkable strides, including Bhutan, becoming one of the first countries to eliminate measles and rubella ahead of schedule. She made significant contributions to help Bhutan excel in COVID-19 vaccination.

 

2. NTPC Kanti received FICCI Water Award 2023 for water use efficiency: NTPC Kanti has received the 11th edition of the FICCI Water Award 2023 under the “Industrial Water Use Efficiency” category. The prestigious accolade was presented during the inaugural event of the 9th Edition of India Industry Water Conclave held at FICCI Federation House in New Delhi. The award acknowledges NTPC Kanti’s notable water conservation efforts and efficient use of water resources in its operations. The company has also launched awareness campaigns to promote responsible water usage among employees and the local community. The FICCI Water Awards, presented annually, play a pivotal role in acknowledging organizations across various sectors for their exemplary efforts in water conservation and management. By promoting best practices, these awards contribute to the broader goal of encouraging sustainable water management practices throughout India.

 

3. IREDA CMD Pradip Kumar Das bagged ‘CMD of the Year’ award: Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), Pradip Kumar Das has been bestowed with the esteemed “CMD of the Year” award under the Mini-Ratna category at the 13th PSE Excellence Awards, hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi. This prestigious recognition marks the second consecutive financial year in which Shri Pradip Kumar Das has received this accolade, acknowledging his exceptional leadership that has boosted the company’s growth, pioneering energy transition initiatives, and outstanding contributions for IREDA and Renewable Energy sector development. IREDA also bagged runner-up accolades, emphasizing its commitment to operational, governance, socio-environmental excellence, and inclusivity.

 

4. Chandrayaan-3 Moon Mission Earns Leif Erikson Lunar Prize: For its’s indomitable spirit in advancing lunar exploration & contributing to understanding celestial mysteries and in celebration the first soft landing of Chandrayaan 3, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been awarded Leif Erikson Lunar Prize. This is the first time that ISRO has received this award.

It is for the first soft landing of a spacecraft near the Lunar South Pole and ISRO’s indomitable spirit in advancing lunar exploration. On behalf of ISRO, this was received by the Indian Ambassador to Iceland Ambassador B Shyam from the Exploration Museum in Husavik (Iceland).

 

5. Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2023 announced: Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 in 24 Languages. Sanjeev will get Sahitya Akademi Award for his Hindi novel Mujhe Pahachaano. Neelam Saran Gour will get the award for her English Novel Requiem in Raga Janki. Nine books of poetry, six novels, five short story collections, three essays and one literary study have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards this year. The awards recommended by distinguished jury members in 24 languages were approved by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi which met under the Chairmanship of Madhav Kaushik, President of the Akademi. The awards relate to books first published during the five years immediately preceding the year of award, that is between January 2017 and December 31, 2021

Daily GK Update- 21st Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Accenture opened genAl studio in Bengaluru: Multinational professional services company Accenture has launched a generative AI studio in India’s tech capital Bengaluru. The studio will develop a full stack of genAI capabilities for enterprises to leverage to optimize their business processes. Accenture’s data and AI team and clients will co-create solutions with a modern data and AI foundation, LLM (large language model) architecture, ecosystems partnerships, talent, and responsible AI frameworks. The studio in Bengaluru offers robust generative AI capabilities combined with a wide range of world-class technology services, and in-depth industry knowledge that is the hallmark of Accenture’s Advanced Technology Centers in India.

 

2. NHAI Launched ERS Mobile App For Swift Emergency Response: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative with the introduction of the ERS (Emergency Response Support System) mobile application. This technological advancement aims to revolutionize emergency management on national highways across the country. The ERS app is poised to play a pivotal role in ensuring swift and effective responses to road accidents and other emergencies, thereby enhancing overall safety and security on Indian highways. The ERS app’s primary objective is to provide a rapid and seamless response mechanism during critical situations, such as accidents or medical emergencies, by connecting road users directly to the NHAI’s command and control center.

 

3. Maheshwar Dayal Takes Over as Director General of Prisons: Senior IPS officer and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Maheshwar Dayal took charge as Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services. He had served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Virudhunagar, The Nilgiris and Nagapattinam districts and Deputy Commissioner of Police in Tirunelveli, Tiruchi and Gurgaon, Haryana. He was also Commandant of Tamil Nadu Special Police, Tihar Battalion, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Industrial Security Force and Bureau of Civil Aviation.

Before becoming ADGP, he also served as Inspector General of Police (IG) Economic Offences of Tamil Nadu Police, IG, Anti-Naxal Commando force, Government of India, IG Anti-Naxal Operations, CRPF, Ranchi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Basketball Day 2023: 21st December: World Basketball Day is celebrated annually on December 21 to commemorate the growth of a sport that has inspired millions of people worldwide with its athleticism, joy, and camaraderie. Basketball has developed into one of the most well-liked and extensively practiced sports in the world today. According to estimates from FIBA, the agency that oversees basketball, there are currently at least 450 million basketball players worldwide.

2. Dalai Lama inaugurates first International Sangha Forum in Bodh Gaya: Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama inaugurated the three-day International Sangha Forum 2023 in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The event will see discussions among monks, nuns, and Bhikkhu scholars, that delve into the profound teachings of Buddhism. Over 2,000 members of the sanghas and invited guests from 33 countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea

 

3. Noma added to WHO list of Neglected Tropical Diseases: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the gangrenous disease noma has been added to its official list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, noma mainly affects malnourished children between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, weakened immune systems, and extreme poverty are among the risk factors.

 

4. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi elected president of Egypt: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has secured a third six-year term leading the North African nation Egypt. Sisi won another term with 89.6 percent of the vote. Over 39 million Egyptians voted for the former army chief, who has ruled the nation for over a decade. This will be Sisi’s final term in office as the Egyptian constitution only allows a president to sit for three terms. He was first sworn into office in 2014 after the overthrow of the country’s first popularly elected president, Mohammed Morsi, and was reelected in 2018, both times winning with over 90 percent of the vote.

 

5. 21 December – World Basketball Day: World Basketball Day is observed every year on 21 December. Objective – To honour the development of a sport that has inspired millions of people worldwide with its athleticism, joy, and companionship. In the areas of business, peace, and diplomacy, basketball is significant as it promotes a special environment of collaboration, physical activity, and interdependence that enables players to view one another first and foremost as fellow human beings James Naismith, a Canadian physical education educator, invented basketball on December 21, 1891, at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. He created the game to keep his students active throughout the winter. The General Assembly declared August 25, 2023, to be World Basketball Day by adopting resolution A/RES/77/324.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. FIFA’s 32-team World Cup for clubs could change the face of football: FIFA announced that its revamped Club World Cup, to be held for the first time in 2025, will feature 32 teams and will be played from mid-June to mid-July. The United States will host the 2025 edition of the expanded event, which will be held every four years thereafter. The tournament will have eight groups of four with the top two teams from each group going through to the knockout stages — the same format as the World Cup. The current version of the FIFA Club World Cup — an annual competition with seven teams — will be discontinued after the tournament now being hosted by Saudi Arabia. Europe will have 12 teams in the new competition and South America will have six, while Africa, Asia and North America will have four each.

 

2. India’s Hardik and Savita win accolades in FIH Annual awards: Indian men’s hockey team midfielder Hardik Singh and women’s side captain Savita have won the FIH Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year (women) awards respectively. The awards were declared following a vote by an expert panel, National Associations — represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches, fans, and media. This is Hardik’s second big award this year as he was also conferred the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of the Year 2022. As for Savita, this is her third consecutive FIH Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, having won the recognition in 2021 and 2022. Xan de Waard of the Netherlands has been elected as the 2023 FIH Player of the Year in the women’s category.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Razorpay and Cashfree to Operate as Payment Aggregators: Razorpay and Cashfree have received the final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as Payment Aggregators (PAs). Payment Aggregators are entities that facilitate e-commerce sites and merchants in accepting various payment instruments from customers, streamlining the payment process without requiring merchants to create their systems. PAs collect payments from customers, pool them, and offering a seamless transaction experience.

 

2. Government launched Sovereign Gold Bonds 2023-24 with Digital Discount: The Government of India has launched the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2023-24 (Series III). Stemming from the inaugural scheme in November 2015 under the Gold Monetization Scheme, this initiative aims to reduce the demand for physical gold. Open for subscription from December 18 to December 22, the scheme introduces a digital discount for online applications, enhancing the accessibility and attractiveness of secure gold investments to a diverse investor base. Investors opting for online applications and utilizing digital payment modes will benefit from a ₹50 discount per gram, reducing the issue price to ₹6,149 per gram during the subscription period.

 

3. Aditya Birla Sun Life collaborates with IDFC First Bank for financial solutions: Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and IDFC First Bank have entered into a bancassurance partnership to offer insurance solutions to the bank’s customers. Under this collaboration, the insurer will leverage the extensive distribution network of IDFC First Bank. Aditya Birla Sun Life will offer products and services, including those that focus on retirement planning, ensuring a steady source of second income and tax-free returns tailored to their life stages. This collaboration will go a long way in enhancing accessibility, as well as making financial protection and planning easily available to a wider segment of customers served by IDFC FIRST Bank’s extensive distribution network.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Storyteller Sanjeev gets Sahitya Akademi Award 2023: Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 in 24 Languages.  Sanjeev will get Sahitya Akademi Award for his Hindi novel Mujhe Pahachaano. Neelam Saran Gour will get the award for her English Novel Requiem in Raga Janki. Nine books of poetry, six novels, five short story collections, three essays and one literary study have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards this year.

 

2. NTPC Kanti receives prestigious FICCI Water Award 2023: NTPC Kanti has been awarded the 11th Edition of FICCI Water Award 2023 under the "Industrial Water Use Efficiency" category. The award recognizes NTPC Kanti's exceptional efforts in water conservation and efficient use of water resources in its operation. The award was presented to NTPC Kanti during the inaugural event of the 9th Edition of India Industry Water Conclave held at FICCI Federation House in New Delhi.

 

3. Bhutan top honour for former Punjab cadre IAS officer Dr Khetrapal: WHO South-East Asia regional director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country. Dr Singh is the retired Punjab cadre IAS officer of the 1975 batch. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh became the first Indian to be elected as the regional director of WHO South-East Asia.

 

4. INS Shivaji received ‘Vir Chakra’ of late Vice Adm. Benoy Chowdhury: INS Shivaji, Indian Navy’s premier marine engineering training institute, has received the Vir Chakra medal awarded to Late Vice Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury, the only technical officer of the Indian Navy to be awarded the honour. Vice Admiral Dinesh Prabhakar, Distinguished Chair Marine Engineering at INS Shivaji, received the Vir Chakra on behalf of the Indian Navy from Pradipta Bose and Gargi Bose, the family members of Vice Admiral Chowdhury The Vir Chakra is an Indian wartime military bravery award presented for acts of gallantry on the battlefield, on land or in air or at sea. Vice Admiral Chowdhury is the only technical officer of the Indian Navy, who has been decorated with this prestigious award. Vice Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury’s gallantry is firmly rooted during the1971 Indo-Pak War wherein, he was the Engineer Officer onboard erstwhile INS Vikrant.

 

5. Dr. Nitin Mohan Lal received prestigious International Doctorate: Nitin Mohan Lal, a distinguished Psychologist, Reiki Grandmaster, NLP Practitioner, and Life Coach, has been bestowed with an honorary doctorate by a leading International University.This accolade stands as a resounding recognition of Dr. Lal’s exceptional contributions to the field of healing, mentorship, and transformative personal development. This prestigious honor is a testament to Dr. Lal’s unwavering commitment to empowering lives through a myriad of channels, including his courses, programs, healing sessions, and counseling services. His diverse expertise encompasses a range of modalities, from the intricacies of Angelic healing to the profound principles of Reiki and NLP.

Daily GK Update- 20th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IndiGo becomes first Indian airline to carry 100 mn pax in a single year: IndiGo became the first Indian airline to ferry over 100 million passengers within the span of a calendar year. This milestone represents a 22 per cent jump in passenger traffic as compared to 2022 when the airline ferried over 78 million passengers. IndiGo operates over 2,000 flights per day, and covers 86 domestic and 32 international destinations. It has introduced over 20 international flights across Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and West Asia this year.

 

2. Kuno Forest Festival commences in MP: The five-day Kuno Van Mahotsav was celebrated in Ranipura village on the outskirts of Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh(17 - 21 December) The event also aims to advocate cheetah conservation by highlighting the diverse flora and fauna and the importance of the Kuno Forest It also includes local arts and crafts, folk music, dance forms and adventure sports 50 specially designed Swiss tents equipped with modern amenities have been installed in Ranipura for the festival

 

3. Quality of Living Index 2023 released by Mercer: Hyderabad (6th time) city attained the 153rd spot in the Quality of Living Index 2023. Pune (154th) has the second-best ‘quality of living’ in India. Quality of Living Index is based on different factors like Water Potability, Waste Removal, Sewage, Air Pollution, Water availability, Traffic Congestion. Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland) and Auckland (New Zealand) Copenhegan (Denmark) Geneva (Switzerland) are the top five cities in the Quality of Living Index 2023.

 

4. Kerala's Shaikh Hassan Khan Climbs Mount Vinson: Shaikh Hassan Khan, a 36-year-old Kerala government employee, has climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica. This is the fifth peak that Shaikh Hasan Khan has conquered. Apart from Mount Vinson, Shaikh Hassan Khan has climbed four other highest peaks – Mount Everest (Asia), Mount Denali (North America), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Mount Elbrus (Europe). The aim of his campaign is to spread awareness about climate change happening in Antarctica.

 

5. IIT Madras Developed ‘AMRIT’ Technology: IIT Madras developed ‘AMRIT’ technology for removing Arsenic and Metal ions from water. ‘AMRIT’ uses nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide. It removes arsenic when water is passed through it. This water purifier technology has been developed for both domestic as well as community levels. This technology has been recommended by the ‘Standing Committee’ of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the examination of the best technologies related to water and sanitation.

 

6. PM Modi inaugurates second Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the second Vande Bharat Express on the Delhi-Varanasi route. The train will depart from Varanasi at 6 am, reaching New Delhi at 2:05 pm every Wednesday to Monday. For its return journey to Varanasi, it will start from New Delhi at 3 pm and reach its destination at 11:05 pm on all days except Tuesday. Enhancing passenger comfort with innovative features the Vande Bharat Express offers superior passenger amenities, including onboard Wi-Fi infotainment, a GPS-based passenger information system, plush interiors, bio-vacuum toilets with touch-free conveniences, diffused LED lighting, charging points beneath every seat, individual touch-based reading lights, and concealed roller blinds.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UN announces 2024 as International Year of Camelids: The United Nations has declared the year 2024 as the International Year of the Camelids to highlight the importance of camelids in the lives of people around the world. Aims: To create awareness about the untapped potential of Camelids and strive to increase investment in the Camelids sector through research, capacity development and use of innovative practices and technologies. These camels are found in more than 90 countries of the world.

 

2. 20 December – International Human Solidarity Day: International Human Solidarity Day (IHSD) is observed every year on December 20. Objective – To raise public awareness regarding the importance of solidarity. It highlights the goal of the United Nations and its member states to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication. It encourages debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the Millennium Declaration, published on September 18, 2000, ‘solidarity’ is identified as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st century. On December 20, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the World Solidarity Fund intending to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing nations, especially among the poorest segments of their populations. It was set up as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme in February 2003.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. IIT Kanpur Signed MoU with Indian Navy: The Indian Navy signed a  MoU with IIT Kanpur to promote innovation at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi. This will be helpful in enhancing the capacity of both sides and providing solutions to regional issues. This agreement reflects the commitment of both organizations to promote technology development, innovative solutions and joint research and development.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

1. Starc breaks Cummins' record with monster IPL payday: Australians Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc broke all records at the Indian Premier League 2024 auction in Dubai. Pat Cummins went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20.50 crore. while Mitchell Starc was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping amount of ₹24.75 crore. A total of 10 franchises may collectively spend 262.95 crore rupees in a paced bidding war. The highest amount in the purse is with Gujarat Titans (GT) with 38.15 crore rupees.

 

2. Sandeep Kumar claimed MRF Formula 2000 crown: Sandeep Kumar won the MRF Formula 2000 title in the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2023 at the Madras International Circuit. While Chetan Surnineni won the MRF Formula 1600 title Also picking up the National titles in their respective categories were Gurunath Meiyappan (Race Concepts, Indian Touring Cars), Deepak Ravikumar (Performance Racing, Indian Junior Touring Cars) and T.S. Diljith (DTS Racing, Super Stock and Formula LGB 1300).

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF: India expected to contribute over 16% to global growth: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said India’s economic reforms have helped the nation become a star performer, contributing over 16% to global growth. According to which the South Asian country, underpinned by prudent macroeconomic policies, is on track to be one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world this year. India’s economy has rebounded strongly from the pandemic to become an important driver of global growth.

 

2. SBI to Sign 70 Million Euro Loc With Kfw: SBI signed a 70 million euro (approximately Rs 630 crore) Line of Credit (LoC) with KfW. The LoC with German Development Bank KfW is for promoting solar project in the country. The agreement has been signed  at the bank’s IFSC Gift City Branch in Ahmedabad. LoC aims to support Solar Photovoltaics (PV) projects in India. SBI has shown a 9.13% growth in consolidated net profit for the September quarter.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Reliance Nippon Life Insurance won National Energy Conservation Awards: Reliance Nippon Life Insurance, India’s leading private life insurer, has been recognized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Government of India, Ministry of Power) at the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2023. This prestigious award comes in recognition of the company’s efforts towards institutionalizing climate-friendly operations and driving sustainable business growth. This recognition highlights the company’s investment in environmentally conscious technologies that aid in optimizing resource utilization and energy efficiency. The company’s scale of operations allows it to harness these advantages for benefits at large scale and pass on operating efficiencies to customers through its new line of products.

Daily GK Update- 19th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Goa Liberation Day 2023:19th December: Goa Liberation Day is very important as it marks the official liberation and integration of Goa into the Indian Union in 1961. On this unique day, there is a sense of pride and independence in the air as the golden sun rises over the beautiful state of Goa. Liberation Day in Goa is a historic event that resonates with resilience and freedom.

 

2. Piyush Goyal released Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Piyush Goyal has released the “Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023” report in New Delhi.

The 5th edition of the LEADS annual exercise – LEADS 2023 report, provides insights into improvement of logistics performance at State/UT level. This report, signalling a positive shift in States’ performance across the key pillars – Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services and Operating and Regulatory Environment, empowers the State/UT Governments by providing region-specific insights for informed decision-making and comprehensive growth. This report is based on a pan-India primary survey, conducted between May and July 2023, covering over 7,300 responses across 36 States/UTs.

 

3. PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 in Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. He also flagged off the Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Varanasi and Kanyakumari. The second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) will be held between December 17 to 30, 2023 and is part of the government’s ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam programme.’ The overarching objective of this people-to-people connect programme is to revive the living bonds between Kashi and Tamil Nadu – two important centres of learning and culture in ancient India. It aims to bring these two traditions of knowledge and culture closer together while building an understanding of shared heritage and strengthening ties between the people of these two regions.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi wins third term as president of Egypt: Egypt’s election authority announced that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has secured a third six-year term leading the North African nation. Sisi won another term with 89.6 percent of the vote, the National Elections Authority said. Over 39 million Egyptians voted for the former army chief, who has ruled the nation for over a decade. This will be Sisi’s final term in office as the Egyptian constitution only allows a president to sit for three terms.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Khelo India Games to be Held in Tamil Nadu: Khelo India Games will be held in Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Coimbatore,Madurai and Trichy) from 19 to 31 January, 2024. More than 5,500 sports persons and over 1,600 coaches are expected to participate in the event. More than 1000 referees and 1200 volunteers will be part of the sporting event in which 27 types of sport will be played. For the first time, squash will be included in Khelo India games.

 

2. Bangladesh Clinches First U-19 Asia Cup 2023, Beating UAE: Bangladesh crushed UAE by 195 runs to win the Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai on December 17. Opening the batting, Ashiqur smashed 12 fours and one six in his knock of 129 (149 balls) as Bangladesh posted 282/8 after hosts UAE opted to field. In reply, UAE surrendered meekly to fold up for 87 in 24.5 overs as Bangladesh clinched the eight-nation tournament with five wins from as many games.

 

3. Haryana Won 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy: Haryana won the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 title for the first time by defeating Rajasthan by 30 runs. Haryana's Sumit Kumar was chosen player of the match in the final match. Vijay Hazare Trophy is known as Ranji One Day Trophy. The most runs in the tournament have been scored by Arsalan Khan (508) of the Chandigarh team while the most wickets have been taken by Varun Chakraborty (19) of the Tamil Nadu team.

 

4. Sourav Kothari clinched maiden Senior National Snooker title: Sourav Kothari of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) won his maiden Senior National 15-Red snooker title, beating Paras Gupta of Uttar Pradesh 6-2 in the final. Kothari beat Md Hussain Khan (RSPB) 5-0 in the semifinals and prevailed over Gupta 58-46, 72-34, 0-64, 59-25, 61-54, 21-57, 64-8, 64-25 in the final. He had defeated his PSPB colleague Advani in the round of 32. Kothari is a former national billiards champion, and last month finished runner-up to Advani in the IBSF world billiards final in Doha.

 

5. Haryana emerges best as Khelo India Para Games end with a bang: The first edition of the Khelo India Para Games concluded at New Delhi. Haryana bagged top honours with a total of 105 medals including 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze medals. Finishing second was Uttar Pradesh, with a total of 62 medals, including 25 gold, 23 silver and 14 bronze. Tamil Nadu finished third with 20 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals. Over 1,400 para-athletes from 32 states and Union Territories participated in the Khelo India Para Games which saw events in seven disciplines.

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IndusInd Bank introduces ‘Indus Solitaire Program’ for the Diamond Industry: IndusInd Bank has introduced its ‘Indus Solitaire Program,’ a community banking initiative meticulously crafted for the diamond industry. This curated banking program will be offered through the bank’s flagship branches in prime locations across various cities with a concentration in Mumbai and Surat. It will also provide a range of exclusive benefits along with distinct features and enriched offerings to customers in the diamond industry. Through the ‘Indus Solitaire Program’, IndusInd Bank is all set to offer a whole gamut of tailored banking services for the diamond industry, that includes 24*7 locker access at specific branches, add-on family accounts, debit and credit cards that come with membership benefits at top-tier hotels, concierge services, complimentary golf lessons and movie tickets, zero cross-currency markup fee on foreign exchange, complimentary lounge access, along with an appealing rewards structure and overseas hospitalization coverage on credit cards and customized diamond industry employee salary account.

 

2. Kotak Mahindra Bank partners with IIT Kanpur to launch Kotak School of Sustainability: The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) has partnered with Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd to launch of Kotak School of Sustainability. The collaboration aims to provide leadership solutions for sustainability and prepare future generations to champion the cause of sustainable development. The Kotak School of Sustainability is touted as India’s first full integrated institution dedicated to sustainability education. Funded by Kotak Mahindra Bank through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the school is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainability initiatives in the country. It will have dedicated centres of excellence (COEs) covering different aspects of sustainability such as clean energy, environment, ecology, circular economy, climate finance, sustainable societies and policy. The total project cost is around Rs 200 crore. Kotak will be contributing Rs 70 crore in the first phase.

 

3. Reliance General Insurance unveils ‘Reliance Health Global’: Reliance General Insurance Company (RGICL) has introduced “Reliance Health Global,” a healthcare policy designed to bring global healthcare within reach for Indians. The policy extends coverage not only within India but worldwide, providing a seamless experience for individuals accustomed to a global lifestyle and seeking access to top-notch healthcare services and infrastructure. Reliance Health Global boasts a range of unparalleled features, reshaping the health insurance landscape. Beyond its comprehensive coverage for overseas treatment, including critical illnesses like Cancer and Bypass Surgery, the policy stands out for its exceptional domestic coverage. The company further informed that in addition to planned hospitalization, the policy encompasses travel, accommodation, and end-to-end Visa and Assistance Services, addressing emergencies such as Lost Passport or Emergency Cash.

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Israeli film ‘Children of Nobody’ won Best film award at KIFF Festival: Israeli film ‘Children of Nobody’ directed by Erez Tadmor, has won the Best Film award under International Competition in Innovation Moving Images at the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF). The prize distribution and closing ceremony were held at Rabindra Sadan. 219 films from 39 countries were screened at 23 locations across Kolkata. The Best Director award was bagged by Carlos Daniel Malave. Anjan Dutta’s ‘Chalchitro Ekhon’ bagged the Special Jury Award. Director duo Sharmistha Maity and Rajdeep Paul’s ‘Mon Potongo’ was awarded best film under Bengali Panorama category. For the best film ‘Royal Bengal Tiger Trophy’ 51 lakh rupees were given as an award.