Daily GK Update- 27th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi's personal YouTube Channel reaches two crore subscribers: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first world leader whose personal YouTube Channel has reached two crore subscribers. The channel has also crossed nearly 450 crore views on its videos. Narendra Modi's YouTube Channel has also surpassed the YouTube channels of his Indian and Global contemporaries in terms of views and subscribers.

 

2. UP CM inaugurated state’s first intra-district chopper service: Marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated UP’s first intra-district helicopter service from Bateshwar in Agra to Goverdhan in Mathura. Based on the private-public partnership (PPP), the helicopter service is to be run by a private player from Uttrakhand. A helicopter service will cover a distance of 65 km between Agra city and Mathura. CM Yogi Adityanath also unveiled a statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary in his native village Bateshwar in Agra district. UP CM also laid the foundation stone of projects worth ₹100 crore, which are aimed at bringing new life to Bateshwar, a historical village located amid the ravines of Chambal across the borders of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

 

3. Health Minister launched ‘MedTech Mitra’ to advance health Solution.: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has virtually launched MedTech Mitra – a strategic initiative to empower MedTech innovators and advance healthcare solutions. It will be a game-changer for Indian MedTech industry and facilitate indigenous development of affordable, quality MedTech devices and diagnostics. He said the medical devices sector is an integral constituent of India’s healthcare sector. He also said India is taking a holistic approach to health with a vision to transform the health landscape in the country by 2047.

 

4. Bihar Police to launch ‘Mission Investigation@75 days’: Bihar Police will launch a new initiative, “Mission Investigation@75 days”, making it mandatory for investigators to complete the investigation of cases within 75 days of FIR registration starting from January 1 next year. The Bihar government is preparing to take several measures from January 1, 2024 to make the state police more people-friendly and accountable. Our main focus is to improve the quality of investigation. The performance of all police stations and district police will also be reviewed on a monthly basis from January 1.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UN chief appoints Sigrid Kaag as senior humanitarian coordinator for Gaza: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands as the senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza. Kaag will facilitate, coordinate, monitor and verify aid consignments to the embattled enclave, in line with a recent UN Security Council resolution. She will also establish a UN mechanism to accelerate humanitarian relief shipments through states that are not party to the conflict, Xinhua news agency reported.

 

2. UK to introduce carbon import levy on certain products by 2027: United Kingdom will implement a new carbon import levy on some products from 2027 to help to protect businesses against cheaper imports from countries with less strict climate policies. The planned carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will apply to carbon-intensive products in the iron, steel, aluminium, fertiliser, hydrogen, ceramics, glass and cement sectors. The charge applied will depend on the amount of carbon emitted in the production of the imported good and any gap between the carbon price applied in the country of origin and the carbon price faced by UK producers. Britain, which has a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, launched an emissions trading system (ETS) in 2021 to charge power plants, factories and airlines for each tonne of carbon dioxide they emit as part of efforts to meet that goal.

 

3. India to Acquire Five Lithium Blocks in Argentina: The Indian government is planning to enter into exploration and development agreements with the Argentina government for five lithium blocks that have been identified by Khanij Bidesh India (KABIL) in Catamarca province. The Centre will be investing around Rs 200 crore over the next five years for the purpose of exploring and developing these mines. This marks India’s second attempt at signing a foreign partnership for sourcing critical minerals after previously signing a memorandum of understanding with Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) in 2022. The 2022 agreement allowed India to explore five blocks, two for lithium and three for cobalt.

 

4. 27 December – International Day of Epidemic Preparedness: International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed every year on 27 December. This special day encourages everyone, including individuals, institutions, and governments, to participate in educational and awareness activities that suit their country’s needs. It emphasizes how crucial it is to prevent, prepare for and work together against outbreaks like diseases. The United Nations proclaimed on December 7, 2020, that December 27 would be the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. The first-ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was organised on December 27, 2020, to show how important it is to be ready for and fight against epidemics.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Coca-Cola extends partnership with ICC till 2031: Beverage major Coca-Cola has extended its partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for eight years, encompassing ICC World events across all three formats, up until the end of 2031. This eight-year partnership as a Global Partner of the ICC confirmed the collaboration as one of the longest-ever associations formed by the ICC with a single brand, spanning a total timeline of 13 years (2019-2031). The partnership will see the Coca-Cola Company’s brands becoming exclusive non-alcoholic beverage partners. The agreement includes all men’s and women’s events at the pinnacle of the sport including the ICC Cricket World Cups, ICC T20 World Cups, and ICC Champions Trophies through to the end of 2031.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Education Loans Experience 20.6% Spike From April To October: Education loans registered a record year-on-year growth of 20.6 percent at ₹1,10,715 crore in the current financial year till October compared with ₹96,853 crore in the year-ago period. According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the spurt in education loans was the highest in the last five years. The growth registered in the comparable period was 12.3 percent FY23 and (-) 3.1 percent in FY22. For the last one-year, foreign education loans with an average ticket size of ₹40 lakh-60 lakh accounted for nearly 65 percent of loans disbursed.

 

2. IndusInd Bank launches ‘eSvarna’ credit card: IndusInd Bank has launched the ‘IndusInd Bank eSvarna’, India’s first Corporate Credit Card on RuPay network. This launch positions IndusInd Bank as the first in the country to integrate UPI functionality with a Corporate Credit Card. The card facilitates transactions at merchant outlets and allows users the flexibility to make UPI payments by linking the card with UPI-enabled apps. The IndusInd Bank eSvarna credit card on the RuPay network comes with perks and rewards.

 

3. World Bank Approves $100 Mn For Skill Development In Sikkim: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new project to support the state of Sikkim’s efforts to train, upskill, and provide jobs for 300,500 women and youth in high-growth and priority sectors. Sikkim has been one of the fastest-growing states in India. While over 40 percent of youth are currently engaged in agriculture, the state has a growing manufacturing and services industry. To sustain growth, the state aims to skill its women and youth in jobs in non-farm sectors like renewable energy, information and technology (IT) services, tourism, hospitality and wellness care, and creative design. The $100 million Sikkim: Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies (INSPIRES) Operation will establish an Employment and Entrepreneurship Promotion Facility, which will promote partnerships with private-sector firms, central agencies, and business associations.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 26th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi addresses Veer Bal Diwas programme in New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi participated in the Veer Baal Diwas function at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Veer Bal Diwas marks the martyrdom of Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh In January last year, the Prime Minister had announced that 26th December will be observed as Veer Bal Diwas A digital exhibition on the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzades will be displayed in schools and childcare institutions across the country.

 

2. NIIF Plans To Invest Up To Rs 675 Crore Bhogapuram airport: National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is planning to invest up to Rs 675 crore on the upcoming greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh, which is being developed by the GMR group. This marks NIIF’s second airport investment, after the GMR Goa International Airport Ltd, which operates Manohar International Airport in Goa. GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) — a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd (GAIL) — and NIIF have entered into binding agreements for the NIIF to invest up to Rs 6.75 billion (Rs 675 crore) in GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd (GVIAL).

 

3. Digi Yatra, facial recognition tech, implemented at 13 Indian airports: To save time of passengers during security check at airports, Government is continuously making efforts by increasing security equipment, security manpower and using advance technologies. Digi Yatra, which provides for seamless and hassle-free experience for passengers at airports through biometric-based travel using Facial Recognition Technology has also been implemented at 13 airports and other airports will be covered in phased manner. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd) in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

 

4. SEBI approves Pramod Agrawal’s appointment as BSE Chairman: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the appointment of Pramod Agrawal as the new Chairman of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Agrawal’s tenure will start on January 17, 2024, as per a regulatory filing by the stock exchange. He will replace SS Mundra. Agrawal, a former IAS officer, previously held the position of Chairman at Coal India till June 2023.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UN announces 2024 as International Year of Camelids: The United Nations has declared 2024 the International Year Of Camelids. The decision has been taken to highlight the significant importance of camelids in the lives of people across the world. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), camelids influence the lives of millions of households in more than 90 countries. As a group Camelids include alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, vicuñas which together help in ensuring food security, nutrition and economic growth especially for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Camelids play an important role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged by the United Nations.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. INS Imphal, India’s first warship named after a northeastern state, commissioned: INS Imphal (Pennant D68), the third of four warships of Project 15B that together form the Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers, is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in Mumbai. The move aimed at boosting its maritime capability amid China’s increasing forays into the Indian Ocean region. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest at the event. It is the first warship to have been named after a city from the Northeastern region, the approval for which was accorded by the President in April 2019. The naming of the ship after the capital city of Manipur underlines the importance of the Northeastern region for national security and prosperity.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian women records maiden historic Test win over Australia: India recorded their maiden victory against Australia in a women’s test match at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with their comprehensive eight-wicket win in the one-off contest. India had taken control of the match with a commanding 187-run lead in the first innings. They needed just 75 runs to win the match after bowling Australia out for 261 in the second innings. India reached the target just after lunch losing two wickets. This is India’s first victory against Australia in 11 tests since the teams first clashed in the longest format in 1977. Off-spinner Sneh Rana was chosen player of the match for her seven-wicket haul.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. UP to build India’s first AI city in Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is set to establish the country’s first AI city in Lucknow. This initiative aims to create a thriving hub for artificial intelligence, integrating cutting-edge technology, research centers, and educational institutions to foster innovation and nurture the workforce of the future. A report by Grand View Research pegged the global AI market size at $137 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 37.3 percent from 2023 to 2030. Lucknow houses Centres of Excellence in areas like AI and MedTech (with extensive AI integration). The AI COE (centre in IIIT Lucknow) alone supports more than 15 AI/ML start-ups, nurturing a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship. The government will provide 40 acres in Nadarganj Industrial Area for the project, which is free from all encumbrances and supports land acquisition, zoning regulations, and other relevant clearances.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. JICA extends ₹932 crore loan to India to implement Sustainable Development Goals: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has finalized a loan of approximately ₹932 Crore to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiatives in India. This loan will fund projects overseen by NITI Aayog. These projects are set to impact 112 aspirational districts and 500 aspirational blocks nationwide. The initiatives will concentrate on promoting policy actions, implementing effective practices, and enhancing the Japan-India partnership through the exchange of human resources. Based on consultations with NITI Aayog, policy actions in five fields, such as health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development, and basic infrastructure are prioritized and identified as policy matrix pillars are set in those fields.

 

2. SBI to sign $165 million LoC with World Bank for rooftop solar projects: The country’s biggest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a $165 million Line of Credit (LoC) from the World Bank in Delhi to support grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic projects in residential and institutional sectors. In September, SBI said that it plans to make home loans with rooftop solar installations mandatory for residential projects funded from the bank’s long-term climate action funds drawn down from multilateral agencies. The lender has outstanding forex loans of $2.3 billion from multilateral agencies, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and KfW of Germany. SBI is raising its exposure to green initiatives, including funding green buildings, battery recycling, and solar rooftop plans, among others.

 

3. NABARD and ADB jointly launch climate action initiative: Agri-lender National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have launched an initiative to facilitate climate action in India’s agriculture, natural resources, and rural development sector. Under this initiative, a Technical Support Unit has been set up in Nabard with the partnership of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to enable the agri lender to address the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in the areas of agriculture and rural livelihood sectors in India. NABARD is committed to not just support rural financial institutions in India to identify and abate climate risks but also channel global pools of climate capital into India’s ANR sector.

 

Daily GK Update- 25th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ministry of Rural Development signed with JioMart to Self-Help Groups’ Products: The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Reliance Retail’s JioMart as part of its efforts to enhance the outreach of the products of self-help groups (SHGs) of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). This will bring SHGs under MoRD’s SARAS collection brand onto JioMart offering a range of handlooms and handicrafts products from traditional textiles to pantry, home décor, and beauty products. This collaboration will enable SHGs to be on-boarded as sellers onto the e-commerce fold on JioMart. This initiative will further boost MoRD’s provision under the SARAS collection to be available to a larger consumer base. JioMart will also help set up and support them to navigate and operate their account on the marketplace.

 

2. 23 December – National Farmers Day: National Farmers’ Day, also known as ‘Kisan Diwas’, is observed every year on December 23 to celebrate the hard work and determination of the farmers. This day was chosen to commemorate the occasion as it marks the birth anniversary of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh who belonged to Uttar Pradesh and worked for the welfare of farmers of the nation. Theme 2023 – Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience Farmers’ Day is also observed in other parts of the world. It is celebrated on the first Friday of December in Ghana, USA celebrates it on 12 October, in Zambia it is observed on the first Monday of August and Pakistan started celebrating the day on 18 December 2019. Chaudhary Charan Singh, born in 1902 in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, emerged from a humble peasant family. Serving as the prime minister from 1979 to 1980, he dedicated his life to championing the cause of farmers.

 

3. 24 December – National Consumer Rights Day : National Consumer Rights Day is observed on 24th December. National Consumer Rights Day is observed every year on 24 December. It is also referred to as Bhartiya Grahak Diwas. While the market runs on certain ethics and values, sometimes people can exploit us if we do not know our rights well enough. The awareness of the rights helps us to maximize our benefits as a customer and enable an ethical flow of goods and services in the market. In 1986, the Consumer Protection Act was passed and it received the assent of the President on December 24. Since then, National Consumer Rights Day has been celebrated on this day to commemorate the occasion. The Consumer Protection Act acts to protect consumers from defective goods, negligent services, and unfair trade practices.

 

4. 25 December – Good Governance Day: Governance Day, or Sushasan Diwas is observed on December 25 every year to mark the anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This year marks the 99th birth anniversary of the former PM. The day is celebrated to create awareness about government accountability and administration among the people. The purpose behind the Good Governance Day is to raise awareness among citizens, particularly the young generation, who are the country’s future. To hold the government responsible and maintain good governance in the purest sense, it is critical that the citizens understand their roles and responsibilities. Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, present-day Madhya Pradesh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the Indian Prime Minister thrice – first in 1996 for a term of 13 days, then for 13 months between 1998 and 1999, and later followed by a full term from 1999 to 2004.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Angola to quit OPEC: Angola is leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with effect from 1 January 2024, after exits from Ecuador in 2020 and Qatar in 2019. Angola, which joined OPEC in 2007, produces about 1.1 million barrels per day, compared with 28 million bpd for the whole group. OPEC was founded in 1960 by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela, Iran and Iraq. Angola joined the group in 2007. Since 2017, OPEC has worked with Russia and other non-members as part of the OPEC+ group to manage the market, in whose agreements Angola participated. Angola’s departure from OPEC will leave it with 12 members and crude oil production of about 27 million bpd, some 27% of the 102 million bpd world oil market.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Iran’s navy adds sophisticated cruise missiles ‘Talaeieh and Nasir’ to its armoury: Iran’s navy has added domestically produced sophisticated cruise missiles to its arsenal. Both Talaeieh and Nasir cruise missiles have arrived at a naval base near the Indian Ocean in the southern Iranian port of Konarak, some 1,400 kilometers (850 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. The Talaeieh has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and called it “fully smart”. The cruise missile is capable of changing targets during travel. The Nasi has a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles) and can be installed on warships.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar announces retirement from international cricket: Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar has announced his retirement from international cricket after a test series against India concludes early next month. Elgar, who has scored more than 5,000 runs with 13 centuries in his 84 tests, will play his final test at Newlands in Cape Town starting January 3. Elgar said, The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favourite stadium in the world. A place I scored my first Test run against New Zealand and hopefully my last too. Elgar made his debut against Australia in Perth in 2011, making a duck in each innings in an inauspicious start to his 12-year test career, which has yielded 5,146 runs, including a high score of 199 against Bangladesh in 2017. He is South Africa’s eighth highest scorer in tests. Elgar was elevated to captain in March 2021, replacing Quintin de Kock, and led the Proteas to series wins in the West Indies and at home against India, and a draw in New Zealand.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. World Bank provides $300 million loan to Tamil Nadu to help 21 Urban Local Bodies: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new program to support Tamil Nadu and provide around 2 million people with more and better access to water and sewerage services in cities. The $300 million Tamil Nadu Climate Resilient Urban Development Program will help 21 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) update their delivery systems and provide quality and efficient water supply and sewerage services to consumers. The $300 million loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will use the blended financing instrument of Program-for-Results (PforR) with Investment Project Financing (IPF) to link disbursement of funds directly to the achievement of results while providing technical assistance. The Program loan has a maturity of 32 years with a grace period of 7 years. Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanised states in India and faces increasing impacts of climate shocks like floods and droughts. For its rapidly growing population, access to services like water and sanitation is essential for more climate-resilient cities.

 

2. SEBI proposes two-phase transition to instant settlement in Indian stock market: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a phase-wise transition to instant settlement of trades in the equity cash market. An optional T+0 settlement cycle for trades till 1:30 pm may be introduced in the first phase, with settlement of funds and securities to be completed on the same day by 4:30 p.m. To begin with, a T+0 settlement will be made available in the top 500 listed equity shares in three tranches, from the lowest to the highest market capitalization. In the second phase, an optional immediate trade-by-trade settlement will be carried out for trades till 3.30 p.m. An API-based interface will be built between depositories and clearing corporations to facilitate real-time intimation of early pay-in. To begin with, all securities under Phase 1 will be available under Phase 2.

 

3. Fitch expects India to be among fastest-growing nations in 2024-25: Fitch Ratings expects India to be among the world’s fastest-growing countries, with resilient GDP growth of 6.5% in 2024-25. For the current financial year 2023-24, it pegs GDP growth at 6.9%. Demand will remain strong for cement, electricity and petroleum products, with high-frequency data in 2023 sustained at well above pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels. India’s rising infrastructure spending will also boost steel demand. Car sales will continue to rise, despite our expectation of moderation after robust growth in 2023. India is currently the world’s fifth-largest economy, following the US, China, Germany, and Japan. By 2030, India’s GDP is projected to exceed Japan’s, making India the second-largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Poet Sukrita Paul Kumar Wins Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize: The sixth edition of the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize was awarded to poet-critic Sukrita Paul Kumar for her book, ‘Salt & Pepper: Selected Poems’. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding literary work from around the globe, promoting world peace, literature, art, education, and human rights. An amount of USD 5,000, a Tagore statue, and a certificate for contribution to literature was given to Kumar at the award ceremony. Founded in 2018 by US-based publisher Peter Bundalo, the award is a platform for world peace, literature, art, education and human rights. It also recognizes works towards human rights and world peace with the Social Achievement Prize.

 

2. Yunqing Tang and Ruixiang Zhang won SASTRA Ramanujan Awards for 2022 and 2023 respectively: The SASTRA-Ramanujan Awards for 2022 and 2023 were presented, respectively, to Yunqing Tang and Ruixiang Zhang, both mathematicians at the University of California in Berkeley, at the SASTRA campus in Kumbakonam. Presenting the awards, T. Ramaswami, former Secretary, the Department of Science and Technology, paid glowing tributes to the genius of legendary Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, and highlighted the relevance of his contributions to the contemporary world. The award, instituted by SASTRA in 2005, with a cash prize of USD 10,000 and a citation, is presented annually to individuals aged 32 and below, who have made outstanding contributions in the field of mathematics. The awards are presented on the birthday of Ramanujan.

 

3. Karnataka bags National Energy Conservation Award 2023: Karnataka bagged first place in the State Designated Agency (SDA Group-1) category at the National Energy Conservation Awards – 2023 (NECA 2022) held in Delhi. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency organized the awards as part of the National Energy Conservation Day. Karnataka has scored highest and placed as a top-performing State categorized as Front runner across India for three consecutive years- SEEI 2020 and SEEI 2021-2022 and 2023. President of India, Droupadi Murmu handed over the award to KP Rudrappaiah, Managing Director, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited, as an appreciation for the state’s achievement in energy conservation. KREDL was chosen for the award based on the energy efficiency projects implemented in the state.

 

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 24th Dec, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

Jute Corporation of India introduced ‘Paat-Mitro’ app for farmers: The Jute Corporation of India has unveiled the ‘Paat-Mitro’ app aimed at aiding jute cultivation and income generation.

It is Launched by Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, the application offers vital knowledge on jute farming. It will also feature information on jute gradation parametres, farmer-centric schemes like ‘Jute-ICARE’, weather forecasts and procurement policies. ‘Paat-Mitro’ marks a significant step forward in supporting jute farmers and revitalizing the industry. With greater access to information, technical advancements, and market opportunities, Indian jute farmers can unlock a brighter future for themselves and contribute to the sustainable development of the sector.

 

Amrita Raichand named Health Ambassador for Salaam Bombay Foundation: Amrita Raichand partners with Salaam Bombay Foundation, becoming a Health Ambassador for their Preventive Health Education Programme. This incredible partnership is set to make a real difference in the lives of at-risk adolescents from the urban slums of Mumbai, promoting the importance of healthy living and simple nourishing recipes where it is needed most. The initiative focuses on advancing nutrition knowledge in underserved communities, mainly among Mumbai’s urban slum adolescents.

 

Uday A Kaole Takes Over as CMD of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd: Uday A Kaole has assumed the charge of the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India arm Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). Before joining MCL as its CMD, Kaole was the Director (Technical) at Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL). Kaole has over 36 years of rich technical and administrative experience in the coal mining sector. He has a long experience of working in challenging underground coal mines operations, as well as in the opencast mines. He had joined Coal India as Junior Engineering (Trainee) in 1987 and served at various important positions in Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) and South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

French President Invited to India’s Republic Day 2024: India has invited France President Emmanuel Macron as chief guest for the January 26 Republic Day Notably, this is the 6th time a French leader will be the Chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in the national capital. Prior to Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on India’s Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, and former Presidents Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008, and 2016 respectively. Earlier in July, PM Modi had visited France to attend the Bastille Day Parade. PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on the invitation of President Macron.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

Thakur sets to unveil Khelo India Youth Games logo and mascot: Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur has launched the official logo, jersey, mascot, torch, and theme song for the Khelo India Youth Games Tamil Nadu in Chennai.

The 6th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games is scheduled from January 19 to 31, 2024. The previous 5 editions of the Youth Games have been held in Delhi, Pune, Guwahati, Panchkula, and Bhopal. The upcoming edition will take place in four cities of Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

President awarded Crompton-Most Energy Efficient Appliance of the Year: Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. (CGCEL), one of India’s leading consumer electrical companies, has been conferred with the prestigious National Energy Conservation Award 2023. The honor was conferred by the Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu and the Ministry of Power through its body viz. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day. The company secured this achievement in the category of the Most Energy Efficient Appliance of the Year 2023 for its storage water heater.

Daily GK Update- 23rd Dec, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Manipur Initiates “SAANS” Campaign to Counteract Pneumonia: In Manipur, the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan Singh has launched the Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) Campaign 2023-24 at Imphal. The Minister also inaugurated the State Newborn Resource Centre at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal. In connection to the launching of SAANS Campaign 2023-24, the Minister said that Pneumonia is a common, preventable, treatable disease if precautionary steps are taken up at the right time. Since the disease is preventable, the Health Department is emphasizing spreading awareness to the people.

 

2. Sanjay Singh becomes new president Wrestling Federation of India: Sanjay Singh has become the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). He beat Anita Sheoran in the 50-vote electoral college 42-7 to claim the post. Associated with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for the past 12 years as part of the governing council, Singh, who hails from Varanasi, was promoted to the post of joint secretary in 2019.

 

3. Pramod Sharma appointed as Director (Works) of NHSRCL: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Pramod Sharma for the post of Director (Works) of National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). NHSRCL is an implementation agency for high-speed rail projects in India. Appointed on a deputation basis, his term extends until he reaches 60 years or further orders. Sharma is an Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) officer of 1989 batch. Presently, he is serving as Principal Executive Director (Contract) of NHRSCL. NHSRCL was incorporated in 2016 to manage the High-Speed Rail Corridor in India. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways. The objective of this body is the development and implementation of high-speed rail projects in India.

 

4. Formal Sector Employment Trends: October Data Analysis: The latest official data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has revealed a decline in new additions to formal sector employment in the month of October. This decline is evident across three key data sets: Employees’ ..

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. French President Invited to India’s Republic Day 2024: India has invited France President Emmanuel Macron as chief guest for the January 26 Republic Day Notably, this is the 6th time a French leader will be the Chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in the national capital. Prior to Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on India’s Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, and former Presidents Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008, and 2016 respectively. Earlier in July, PM Modi had visited France to attend the Bastille Day Parade. PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on the invitation of President Macron. PM Modi had visited France to mark the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

 

2. First In Situ Discovery of Megalodon Tooth in Deep Sea: A small team of oceanographers, in collaboration with a zoologist from Germany’s SNSB-Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, has made a groundbreaking discovery—the first in situ fossilized megalodon tooth in the deep sea. The findings, published in the journal Historical Biology, ..

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Thakur sets to unveil Khelo India Youth Games logo and mascot: Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur has launched the official logo, jersey, mascot, torch, and theme song for the Khelo India Youth Games Tamil Nadu in Chennai.

The 6th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games is scheduled from January 19 to 31, 2024. The previous 5 editions of the Youth Games have been held in Delhi, Pune, Guwahati, Panchkula, and Bhopal. The upcoming edition will take place in four cities of Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Display of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) in the Arctic: Over a period of more than three days, the Arctic skies have been adorned with an extraordinary celestial display—rare “rainbow clouds,” scientifically known as Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs). This captivating phenomenon was observed in various locations, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, ..

 

2. Serum Institute’s R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine Granted WHO Prequalification: In a significant milestone in the fight against malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) granted prequalification to the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the biotechnology company Serum Institute of India. The announcement, made

 

3. What is XPoSat Mission?: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to commence the New Year with the anticipated launch of its pioneering polarimetry mission, XPoSat, slated for January 1. This mission marks a significant milestone as the country’s third space-based observatory, joining ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBL Bank Introduces Electronic Bank Guarantee on NeSL Platform: RBL Bank has launched the Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG), signalling a significant step forward in trade finance digital transformation. The e-BG product builds on the framework enabled by NeSL, incorporating their expertise in e-Stamping and e-Sign. This integration eliminates the traditional physical signing and stamping processes, seamlessly transitioning into a secure and efficient digital format. NeSL’s e-BG substantially transforms the trade finance space and marks a milestone in the digitization of banking services. e-BG envisages online and paperless procurement of stamp duty and thus the e-BG can be issued digitally in a couple of minutes and is made available to beneficiaries instantly in a secure, digital, and paperless form.

 

2. Sandeep Batra reappoints as ED of ICICI Bank: Private sector lender ICICI Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to re-appoint Sandeep Batra as the executive director (ED). RBI vide its letter approved the re-appointment of Sandeep Batra as Executive Director of the bank with effect from December 23, 2023 to December 22, 2025. The board of directors recorded that the current tenure of Batra as ED of the Bank as per RBI approval, which was for three years, ends on December 22, 2023. It unanimously approved the reappointment of Batra for a further period of two years with effect from December 23, 2023, to December 22, 2025.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Bengaluru Airport Recognised As One Of World’s Most Beautiful Airports: The Terminal-2 (T2) of the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has secured recognition as one of the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Airports’ and has been awarded the ‘World Special Prize for an Interior 2023’ by the UNESCO’s Prix Versailles. It is the only Indian airport to receive this recognition. The Prix Versailles, established in 2015, focuses on “intelligent sustainability” as a cultural driver, acknowledging innovation, creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and values of social interaction. Encompassing 2,55,661 square metres, the terminal is built upon four foundational pillars: technological leadership, a terminal in a garden, environmental and ecological stewardship, and a celebration of Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture. Phase 1 of T2, inaugurated on November 11, 2022, is designed to accommodate 25 million passengers per annum.

 

2. Sai Sudharsan awarded ‘impact fielder of the ODI series: India’s debutant Sai Sudharsan was awarded the ‘Impact Fielder of the Series’ medal by India’s fielding coach Ajay Ratra after the KL Rahul-led side clinched the 3-match ODI series against South Africa 2-1 India defeated South Africa by 87 runs in the series decider as KL Rahul became only the second Indian captain after Virat Kohli to win an ODI series on South African soil. Sudharsan was commended for a brilliant catch during the third ODI match, contributing to India’s 78-run victory.