Daily GK Update- 3rd Feb, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 40,000 rail bogies to be converted to Vande Bharat standards: In a move to modernize the Indian Railways, the Centre has announced an ambitious programme to upgrade 40,000 standard rail coaches to Vande Bharat standards. This initiative, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in while presenting the interim budget for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), aims to elevate the safety, convenience, and comfort of rail travel while also providing a boost to private sector railway manufacturers through new refurbishment contracts. The initiative to elevate regular rail bogies to Vande Bharat standards represents a substantial opportunity for railway sector players. The projected contracts are estimated to be worth ₹4,000 crore annually for the next few years.

 

2. Tamil Superstar Vijay launches his political party: Tamil superstar Vijay has announced the name of his new political party “Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam”. Vijay will contest 2026 Assembly Elections in Tamil Nadu, when the current term of MK Stalin-led DMK party ends. The Tamil movie superstar is fondly called by his fans as Thalapathy, meaning General or Commander.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer: nion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the government’s plans to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer for girls aged 9 to 14 as part of her Interim Budget 2024. The FM also announced multiple other health-related schemes in her speech, including extending Ayushman Bharat cover to all Asha workers and Anganwadi workers and helpers. Cervical cancer, which develops in a woman’s cervix, is the second-most common cancer among women in India. It is caused by persistent infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). India accounts for nearly a quarter of all cervical cancer deaths in the world.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy Declares 2024 As ‘Year of Naval Civilians’: Indian Navy has declared 2024 as ‘Year of Naval Civilians’ to improve administration, efficiency and well-being of Naval Civilians by addressing all facets of Civilian HR Management in a time bound manner. Major focus areas towards maximising administrative efficiency, digital initiatives, generic and specific training programmes and welfare activities have been identified for implementation in 2024. Naval Civilian Personnel constitute about a third of the Indian Navy’s total workforce and contribute significantly to its operational effectiveness across all domains.

 

1. Record Rs 6.21 lakh crore allocation to Defence in Interim Budget 2024-25: In the current geopolitical scenario and with the twin objective of promoting self-reliance and exports, the Defence Budget has touched Rs 6,21,540.85 crore in the Financial Year 2024-25. This comes out to be 13.04% of total Union Budget. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to receive the highest allocation among the Ministries. The budgetary allocation to Defence for FY 24-25 is higher by approx.  one lakh crore (18.35%)  over  the  allocation for the FY 2022-23 and 4.72% more than allocation of FY 23-24.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Abhinav Bindra selected as torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics: Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual gold medalist at the Olympic Games, has been selected as a torchbearer for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games. He will be part of the Olympic torch relay to be held from April 16 to July 26. Bindra, a member of the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), clinched the gold medal in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. 97.50% of Rs 2,000 Notes Returned to System: RBI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has annouced nearly 5 per cent of the Rs 2,000 bank notes have been returned to the banking system, and only about Rs 8,897 crore worth of the withdrawn notes are still with the public. On May 19, 2023 the RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 denomination bank notes from circulation.

The total value of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023. When the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 banknotes was announced, has declined to Rs 8,897 crore at the close of business on January 31, 2024,” the RBI said in a statement.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Maha Gaurav 2024 award presented to Nikhil Wagh by Maharashtra govt: Nikhil Mukund Wagh, who works as a Public Relations Officer at Goa Shipyard Limited, was given the “Maha Gaurav 2024” award. This award was handed to him by Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, during a ceremony at Kaneri Math in Kolhapur. The award is a big deal because it recognizes Nikhil’s great work in public relations.

 

Daily GK Update- 2nd Feb, 2024

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Five more Indian wetlands added to Ramsar list: India has added five more wetlands to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, or the Ramsar List, taking the number of such sites in the country to 80. The announcement of adding five more sites, three in Karnataka and two in Tamil Nadu, to the list was made by Federal Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav. Three of these sites, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve are located in Karnataka whereas two, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest are in Tamilnadu.

 

2. Dharmendra Pradhan launches MoE – AICTE Investor Network: Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has launched ‘Ministry of Education – AICTE Investor Network’ in New Delhi. This initiative to be a ground-breaking beginning that will bring students, faculty, investors and the market on one platform to strengthen the culture of innovation. The network aims to provide crucial financial support, mentoring, and strategic guidance to early-stage student or faculty-led startups. Through this unique network, the Ministry of Education seeks to encourage private investment in student- and faculty-led startups.

 

3. BHU gets automated DNA extractor machine: North India’s first human DNA bank is being set up at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The Automated DNA Extractor Machine has been installed in the Gnyaneshwar Lab of the Zoology Department of BHU. These machines are completely indigenous to Make in India. It has been made in such a way that the minimum plastic is used in it, so that there is no harm to the environment. With this machine, DNA can be extracted from any biological material, like blood, saliva, hair or tissue. With its help, DNA can be separated from about 32 samples at one time in 30 minutes.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. WHO awards countries for progress in eliminating industrially produced trans fats for first time: WHO has awarded its first-ever certificates validating progress in eliminating industrially produced trans fatty acids to five countries. Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand have each demonstrated they have a best practice policy for industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) elimination in effect, supported by adequate monitoring and enforcement systems. While the ambitious target set by WHO in 2018—to fully eliminate iTFA from the global food supply by the end of 2023—was not met, there has been remarkable progress made towards this goal in every region of the world.

 

2. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt confirmed they are joining BRICS: The BRICS group, a key platform for emerging markets and developing countries, has officially welcomed five new members: Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia. The five countries were extended invitations along with Argentina at a summit in August in Johannesburg to join the bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa. Argentina has declined the invitation to join. The newly enlarged BRICS now boasts a combined population of 3.5 billion and an economy exceeding $28.5tn, constituting around 28% of the global economy.

 

3. Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar sworn in as Malaysia’s 17th king: Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor State in Malaysia has become the new Sultan of the country. Ibrahim Iskandar was sworn in as the country’s 17th Sultan. Sultan Ibrahim received the reins from the Sultan of Pahang State, Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. Ibrahim Iskandar will remain in office as the country’s Sultan for the next five years. The Sultan has been elected every five years in Malaysia since 1957, after gaining independence from Britain.

 

4. 2 February – Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day: Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day is observed every year on February 2nd. Objective – To raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disease that affects the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), another name for rheumatoid disease, is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks and damages the lining of the joints, mistaking it for foreign material. This causes pain and inflammation. Although it can affect people of any age, sex, race or ethnicity, women are more likely to be affected (2.5 times more likely than men). The most common age group is between 20 and 50.

 

5. 2 February – World Wetlands Day: World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February.

The day primarily aims to raise global awareness regarding the crucial role of the wetlands for human beings and the planet. Theme 2024 – Wetlands and Human Wellbeing It also marks the date of adopting the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, around 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s. As per the data, the wetlands are now depleting three times faster than the forests, and as these are critically important for the ecosystem World Wetlands Day plays a pivotal role.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. SARVATRA: A Multispan Mobile Bridging System Developed by DRDO: SARVATRA, a Multispan Mobile Bridging System designed and developed by Armament and Combat Engineering Systems (ACE) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence. SARVATRA assists the Army in constructing bridges over flowing water, ensuring robust connectivity between two areas during natural disasters. SARVATRA’s truck-mounted design facilitates swift setup, ensuring operational readiness within 100 minutes, a critical capability during emergencies and natural disasters. Constructed from aluminum alloy, SARVATRA’s five scissor bridges exhibit exceptional durability, capable of spanning distances of up to 75 meters, overcoming various terrain challenges with ease.

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GST collections rise 10% to ₹1.72 lakh crore in January: The gross GST revenue collected in the month of January 2024 is ₹1,72,129 crore, which shows a 10.4% Year-o-Year (Y-o-Y) growth over the revenue of ₹155,922 crore collected in January 2023. Notably, this is the second-highest monthly collection ever and marks the third month in this financial year with collection of ₹1.70 lakh crore or more. The government has settled ₹43,552 crore to CGST and ₹37,257 crore to SGST from the IGST collection.

 

2. AU SFB appoints former RBI deputy guv HR Khan as non-executive chairman: Private sector lender AU Small Finance Bank has appointed Harun Rashid Khan, former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as non-executive chairman following approval from the shareholders.

Khan’s tenure will begin from the date of taking charge, January 30, 2024, after approval from the Board of Directors and from the RBI and shareholders of the bank. Khan will take charge from Raj Verma, whose tenure as Part-time Chairman ended on January 29, 2024.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Filmfare Awards 2024 announced: The 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards 2024 took place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event featured hosting by Karan Johar, and performances by Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Kartik Aaryan among others.

Daily GK Update- 1st Feb, 2024

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launches MoE - AICTE Investor Network: Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched ‘Ministry of Education - AICTE Investor Network’ in New Delhi. The MoE-AICTE Investor Network will strengthen the all-round support ecosystem to dynamic innovators—right from idea generation to successful graduation as a commercially viable start-up. This initiative to be a ground-breaking beginning that will bring students, faculty, investors and the market on one platform to strengthen the culture of innovation.

 

2. Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Inaugurated the UDAN Flight Service: Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia virtually inaugurated a UDAN flight connecting Dehradun and Pithoragarh from New Delhi. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami also joined the event from Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The flight connecting the two cities is to be operated by  Fly Big under the RCS UDAN Scheme. Pithoragarh Airport has been developed under the UDAN-RCS scheme, with a cost of Rs 6.68 Crore into a 2B VFR Airport.

 

3. BHU gets automated DNA extractor machine: North India's first human DNA bank is being set up at the Zoology Department of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). These machines are completely indigenous to Make in India. It has been made in such a way that the minimum plastic is used in it, so that there is no harm to the environment. With this machine, DNA can be extracted from any biological material, like blood, saliva, hair or tissue.

 

4. Nitin Gadkari inaugurates 9 highway projects worth Rs. 2,367 crore in MP: Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 9 National Highway projects costing Rs 2,367 crore and total length of 225 km in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Among the projects inaugurated, a 1.5 km long bridge has been constructed on Jamni river on Tikamgarh-Jhansi road at a cost of Rs 43 crore. This will make it easier to reach Orchha, the tourist destination of Rajaram's temple.

 

5. Assam Cabinet approves new bill to develop tourism: The Assam cabinet approved the Assam Tourism Development and Registration Bill 2024 to regulate the tourism sector. Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said that the bill will be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly. This bill will be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The bill will bring benefits such as ensuring economic growth through the development of tourism.

 

6. PFRDA opens bidding for development of of Technology Architecture project: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has opened bidding for the PFRDA- Tracking Reporting Analytics and Compliance E-Platform (TRACE) RFP as part of Technology Architecture project. The PFRDA is inviting bids for selection of System Integrator (SI) for design, development, implementation and maintenance of PFRDA-TRACE. PFRDA-TRACE will serve as a comprehensive tool for submitting regulatory and supervisory compliance reports by intermediaries.

 

7. Champai Soren to be next Jharkhand CM: Hemant Soren has resigned as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister while the ruling JMM-led coalition proposed the name of senior leader and State Transport Minister Champai Soren as the new Chief Minister. Hemant Soren tendered his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan after about seven hours of questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to a land scam. Champai Soren was unanimously elected as the JMM Legislature Party leader by the ruling alliance in the State.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Qatar inks 15-year deal for Bangladesh gas supply: QatarEnergy and US-based Excelerate Energy signed an agreement to supply 1 million metric tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh for 15 years from January 2026. The deal is the latest in a series state-owned QatarEnergy has with European and Asian partners tied to its massive North Field expansion project, which is expected to lift Qatar's LNG production to 126 mtpa by 2027 from 77 mtpa. Qatar is already the largest supplier of LNG to Bangladesh.

 

2. Toyota keeps crown as world’s top-selling automaker in 2023: Toyota Motor sold a record 2 million vehicles in 2023, taking the crown as the world’s top-selling automaker for a fourth straight year. The Japanese automaker reported a 7.2% jump in global group sales last year, including those of truck unit Hino Motors and small-car maker Daihatsu, helped by record overseas sales of 8.9 million vehicles. Sales of Toyota’s parent-only vehicles, which include those of its namesake and Lexus brands, hit a record of 10.3 million vehicles in 2023. Second-ranked German rival Volkswagen Group earlier this month reported a 12% rise in deliveries last year to 9.2 million cars, marking a post-pandemic recovery as supply chain bottlenecks eased.

 

3. India slips 8 places on Transparency International’s corruption perception index: Transparency International (TI) released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023. India slipped 8 places to 93rd in CPI, as India’s rank in 2022 was 85th. The index prepared by Transparency International ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption drawn from experts and business people. On a scale of 0 to 100 on which countries are judged, 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Coast Guard Day:1st February 2024: India celebrates the Indian Coast Guard Day on February 1st every year, a tribute to the valour, dedication, and service of the personnel safeguarding the country's maritime interests. This year, the Indian Coast Guard Day will be commemorating its 48th Raising Day. Indian Coast Guard, with 152 ships and 78 aircraft in its arsenal, is on track to achieve its targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 100 aircraft by 2030.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Khelo India Winter Games 2024 mascot, snow leopard ‘Sheen-e She’ (Shan) reveals: The mascot and logo of Khelo India Winter Games were launched. The first part of the Winter Games, a mouth-watering event for winter sports athletes, will be held in Union Territory of Ladakh for the first time from February 2-6. The second portion is scheduled in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir from February 21-25.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Highlights of Union Budget 2024: The Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Union Budget for 2024-2025 in Parliament today. She announced that the capital expenditure outlay for the next year is being increased by 11.1 percent to Rs 11,11,111 crore, which would be 3.4% of the GDP. India’s Real GDP is projected to grow at 7.3 percent. She added For Railways, three major economic railway corridor programmes will be implemented.

 

2. RBI Imposes Major Restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed Paytm Payments Bank to cease all deposits and credit transactions after February 29, 2024. This action stems from persistent non-compliances and ongoing supervisory concerns within the bank, raising questions about the impact on its customers. In exercise of its powers under section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, RBI has directed that no further deposits and credit transactions or top-ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, and FASTags after the 29th of February, other than any interest, cashbacks, or refunds which may be credited anytime.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Best Republic Day tableaux: Odisha wins 1st prize: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt gave away the best marching contingents and tableaux awards for the Republic Day Parade. He announced separate results – one by a panel of judges and other through an online public vote conducted by MyGov and congratulated all the winners. Three panels of judges were appointed for assessing the performance of Marching Contingents from three Services, Marching Contingents from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)/other auxiliary forces and tableaux from various States/Union Territories and Ministries/Departments.

 

2. Three Indian Scientists To Be Honored With Prestigious UK Prize In London: The UK has named nine scientists, including three researchers of Indian descent, as recipients of a prestigious award for young scientists who are advancing science and improving the world. The UK’s Blavatnik Awards For Young Scientists honour research in three categories—Chief Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Life Sciences—that is revolutionising technology, medicine, and our understanding of the world. 

Daily GK Update 31st Jan, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s employable youth up from 33.9% in 2014 to 51.3% in 2024: DEA: The Department of Economic Affairs, in its January 2024 review of the economy, said there is ample scope to mainstream skilling into education curriculum and upskilling a large chunk of the existing workforce into future-relevant skills on the back of a transformative journey in skill development in India in the last decade. According to the report, the push to mass skilling since 2014 has begun to pay dividends. “The employable percentage of final-year and pre-final-year students increased from 33.9% in 2014 to 51.3% in 2024,” it said citing the findings of the online Wheebox National Employability Test. Further, the across-the-board progress in skilling has manifested in India’s rising position in WorldSkills Competitions, from 39 in 2011 to 11 in 2022.

 

2. Sharat Chauhan appointed as Puducherry’s New Chief Secretary: Sharat Chauhan (Principal Commissioner, Finance, Planning and Investment Department, Arunachal Pradesh) is the new Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Puducherry. The outgoing Chief Secretary, Rajeev Verma, has been posted as Adviser to the Administrator in Chandigarh. Chauhan belongs to the 1994 AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre. Chauhan has also served as an Executive Officer to the Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), South East Asia Region.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Zebra Day:31st January: Each year on January 31st, International Zebra Day is observed to bring attention to the conservation and well-being of zebras, shedding light on the difficulties these iconic animals encounter. With their distinct stripe patterns and fascinating social behaviours, zebras remain captivating creatures that spark curiosity and admiration. Zebras are highly social animals that form tight-knit groups called harems.

 

2. Corruption index: India ranks 93 out of 180 countries: India ranked 93 out of 180 countries on the corruption perceptions index (CPI) for 2023, according to the latest report released by Transparency International. The index, which lists countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, ranked Denmark at the top, followed by Finland, New Zealand and Norway. In 2023, India’s overall score was 39 while in 2022, it was 40.

 

3. IMF upgrades India’s GDP growth rate to 6.7 per cent for current financial year: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has increased its GDP growth estimate for India to 6.7 per cent for the current financial year. It is 40 basis points higher than its previous forecast of 6.3 per cent. In its latest World Economic Outlook report, IMF also raised India’s upward medium-term GDP growth to 6.5 per cent for 2025 and 2026.

 

4. 31 January – International Zebra Day: International Zebra Day is observed annually on January 31. Objective – To raise awareness about the conservation of zebras. These unique animals, easily recognizable by their black and white stripes, are an integral part of Africa’s wildlife and ecosystem. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, their population has decreased by approximately 54% over the past three decades.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India nominates ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ for 2024-25 UNESCO WHL: The Ministry of Culture announced that India is nominating the 'Maratha Military Landscape' for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2024-25 cycle, with a total of 12 components included in this nomination. Suvarnadurg Fort is a part of the historic 'Maratha Military Landscape'. The 'Maratha Military Landscapes' represents extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers, showcasing the vibrant history of India.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra wins intercontinental title in U.S.: Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra has won the U.S.-based National Boxing Association’s intercontinental super featherweight title after defeating American Gerardo Esquivel at Toppenish City, Washington. Undefeated in his professional career so far the 30-year-old, who trains under former Olympic silver-medallist Roy Jones Jr, dropped down from his previous 75kg weight class to compete for this title. Before the win against Esquivel, Jangra, who made his professional boxing debut in 2021, registered knockout wins in four out of his six fights.

 

2. Divyansh Singh Panwar Clinches ISSF World Cup Gold In 10m Air Rifle Event: 21 years old, Divyansh Singh Panwar has securing his fourth World Cup gold in the 10m air rifle event. This latest triumph adds to his impressive collection, which includes victories in Munich, Beijing, and Delhi since 2019. The former world no. 1, Olympian Divyansh qualified in style by topping the field with 632.4. He beat Danilo Sollazzo of Italy by 1.9 points for the gold. The earlier world record of 253.3 for the men’s final was achieved by Sheng LIhao of China in the Asian Games last year in Hangzhou. Sheng’s qualification world record stays at 637.9

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF upgrades India's GDP growth rate to 6.7 percent for current FY: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has increased its GDP growth estimate for India to 6.7 percent for the current financial year.  It is 40 basis points higher than its previous forecast of 6.3 percent. In its latest World Economic Outlook report, IMF also raised India's upward medium-term GDP growth to 6.5 percent, a 20 basis point upgrade from its October 2023 forecast, for years 2025, 2026.

2. Mahila Samman Savings Certificate collected over ₹14,500 crore in 9 months: Over 22.5 lakh accounts have been opened under the Mahila Samman Saving Certificate Scheme (MSSCS) in the first nine months of the fiscal with a deposit of over ₹14,500 crore. The scheme was announced in the budget 2023. The scheme was notified on March 31 and made available through 1.6 lakh post offices from April 1. Data shows, Maharashtra circle leads in opening accounts under MSSCS with over 4.5 lakh accounts and deposits of over 2,800 crore followed by Tamil Nadu circle (around 3.5 lakh accounts, around ₹1,600 crore of deposits), Odisha circle (over 2.5 lakh accounts, over ₹1,000 crore of deposits), Karnataka circle (around 1.7 lakh accounts, around ₹1,200 crore of deposits) and Andhra Pradesh circle (over 1.3 crore accounts, over ₹600 crore of deposits).

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Naorem Roshibina crowned Female Wushu Athlete of the Year: Two-time Asian Games medallist Naorem Roshibina Devi (Manipur) has been named International Wushu Federation’s (IWUF) female athlete of the year in the sanda category after a month-long public voting. The 23-year-old Roshibina, who won a bronze and a silver in the 2018 and 2022 Asian Games respectively, polled 93545 votes to beat Shahrbano Mansouriyan Semiromi (88179) of Iran and Wu Xiaowei (46753) of China. After the IWUF Athletes Committee’s preliminary evaluation, 45 candidates from 23 countries and regions entered in the public voting in various categories. The Manipuri also won a bronze medal in the 2016 World Junior Wushu Championships. She was conferred with the Arjuna Award this year.

 

2. NTPC Limited gets certified as a Top Employer 2024 in India: The 2024 Top Employers of the Top Employers Institute have been announced and NTPC Limited has been certified as a Top Employer in India by the institute. NTPC completed the following steps in order to qualify for the certification: HR Best Practice Survey, Validation and Audit. NTPC’s performance score was rated against an international standard and NTPC has achieved Top Employer status. NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation, is an Indian central Public Sector Undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Power and the Government of India, which is engaged in the generation of electricity and other activities.

Daily GK Update 30th Jan, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 4th Orange Festival 2024 In Nagaland: The fourth edition of the annual Orange Festival began at Local ground in Rusoma village Kohima, Nagaland. Theme 2024 – “Organic Orange” The two-day festival was inaugurated by Minister for Women Resources & Horticulture Salhoutuonuo Kruse.

With approximately 3400 attendees, this year’s event showcased the best of organic produce, community spirit, and rural entrepreneurship.

 

2. PM Modi Unveils Infrastructure Boost in Bulandshahr, UP: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 19,100 crore in Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. The projects are related to several sectors like rail, road, oil and gas and urban development and housing. The PM also dedicated a 173 km long double line electrified section between New Khurja – New Rewari on the Dedicated Freight Corridor. He dedicated the fourth line connecting the Mathura-Palwal section and the Chipiyana Buzurg-Dadri section.

 

3. Election Commission collaborates with Rajkumar Hirani for a short film: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has collaborated with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani for a short film to spread awareness about voting. Titled ‘My Vote My Duty’, the short is compiled from video messages by cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar as well as actors Rajkummar Rao, Amitabh Bachchan, R Madhavan, Raveena Tandon, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Arshad Warsi, Bhumi Pednekar and Mona Singh. A short film ‘My Vote My Duty’ produced by #ECI in association with @RajkumarHirani featuring several renowned celebrities on the theme ‘Value of one vote’ was released on #NVD2024.

 

4. THDC dedicates India’s largest Green Hydrogen pilot project: THDC India Limited, a leading Power Sector PSU, has established a benchmark in Green Hydrogen production, by successfully implementing India’s one of the first pilot project aligned with the “National Green Hydrogen Mission”. The Project will be India’s largest electrolyser end fuel cell-based pilot project. THDC India Limited is under the ownership of National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, Ministry of Power, Government of India. It was incorporated in July 1988 to develop, operate and maintain the Tehri Hydro Power Complex and other Hydro Projects. THDC India Limited is a Mini Ratna Category-I Enterprise.

 

5. Odisha CM inaugurates 4th National Chilika Birds Festival: Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the 3-day 4th National Chilika Birds Festival. The festival, jointly organised by the Department of Tourism, the Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change and the Chilika Development Authority, kicked off with a captivating photo exhibition. The exhibition showcased the pictures of renowned photographers including Shakti Nanda, Umakanta Biswal, Dhritiman Mukherjee and others. The festival witnessed the participation of 52 selected birders from across the country.

 

6. Anil Kumar Lahoti appoints as Chef of TRAI: Former Railway Board Chairman and CEO Anil Kumar Lahoti has been appointed as the Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The post of TRAI chairman has been lying vacant for four months since PD Vaghela’s retirement on September 30. The 1984 batch Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer has been appointed as TRAI chief for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until he attains the age of 65 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. During his more than 36 years of career in railways, Lahoti worked in various capacities over Central, Northern, North Central, Western and West Central Railways and in Railway Board.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Sustainable Development Summit to be held in New Delhi: The 23rd World Sustainable Development Summit will be held in New Delhi from Feb 7-9. The summit is Organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), this independent international summit aims to address global challenges such as conflict, planetary crises, and setbacks in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the theme ‘Leadership for Sustainable Development and Climate Justice’, the summit will emphasise the crucial role of visionary leadership in steering the world toward sustainability. Expected to be inaugurated by the Vice President of India, the summit will host prominent speakers, including ministers from Fiji, Kiribati, and Spain, as well as representatives from the World Bank and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

 

2. 28 January 2024 – World Leprosy Day: World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January, across the globe. Therefore, it was observed on 28 January, this year. However, in India, this day is annually celebrated on 30 January. World Leprosy Day helps to create awareness about the disease and eliminate the stigma and discrimination faced by those who suffer from the disease. Theme 2024 – Beat Leprosy The first World Leprosy Day was established in 1954 by French Journalist Raoul Follereau. He chose the date as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who showed compassion and empathy towards people affected by leprosy.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Preeti Rajak Becomes Indian Army’s 1st Woman Subedar: Havildar Preeti Rajak, who is a champion trap shooter, has become the first woman to hold the rank of Subedar in the Indian Army. Subedar Preeti Rajak joined the Army in the Corps of Military Police in December 2022. Preeti Rajak has been awarded a promotion based on her spectacular performance in sports. During the 19th Asian Games, held at Hangzhou in China, Preeti Rajak won a silver medal in the trap women team event. Subedar Preeti Rajak is currently ranked sixth in India (trap women event) and is training at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

 

2. 30 January – Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas: India commemorates Martyrs’ Day, also known as Shaheed Diwas, on January 30th each year. The death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is 30 January. He was shot and killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, on 30 January 1948, while he was on his way to address an evening prayer meeting at Birla Bhavan, Delhi. Mahatma Gandhi is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’. He led the freedom movement in India and emphasised the use of non-violent and peaceful methods to fight the British rule.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian women’s hockey player Deep Grace Ekka announces international retirement: Indian women’s hockey team defender and penalty corner specialist Deep Grace Ekka has announced her international retirement. The 29-year-old was instrumental in India qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics. She was a vital cog in the team’s defence line at the Tokyo Games where India finished fourth. Ekka was also a member of the Indian team that won bronze in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. She also represented the Indian teams that won medals in 2014 and 2018 Asian Games. She was also a member of the title-winning Indian teams in 2016 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and 2017 Asia Cup.

 

2. ICC lifts ban on Sri Lanka Cricket two months after suspension: The ICC Board has lifted the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect. SLC was suspended in November for being in serious breach of its obligations as an ICC member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka. The Board have been monitoring the situation since the suspension and are now satisfied that SLC are no longer in breach of membership obligations.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. ‘India: Mother of Democracy’ clinches First Spot at Republic Day Parade 2024: The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) announced that its tableau Bharat: Mother of Democracy’ of the Ministry of Culture has secured the first prize at the Republic Day Celebration Parade 2024 at Kartavya Path, marking a significant triumph in the realm of cultural representation. The tableau, a stunning blend of tradition and innovation, captivated audiences with its masterful use of the anamorphic technique alongside a rich display of Bharat’s cultural heritage, often hailed as the mother of democracy. The anamorphic technique, skillfully employed in the presentation, added a contemporary touch, reflecting the dynamism of the culture.