Daily GK Update- 15th July, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Centre declares June 25 as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’: The Union government announced that June 25 will be observed annually as “Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas” to honor those who opposed and fought against the injustices during the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. To observe 25th June as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas will serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India was trampled over. It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency, a Congress unleashed dark phase of Indian history.” On 25 June 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, showing her dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of Indian democracy by imposing an emergency in the country. Lakhs of people were jailed without any reason and the voice of the media was suppressed. The Government of India has decided to celebrate 25 June every year as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas.

 

2. Amit Shah inaugurated PM College Of Excellence in All 55 Districts of MP: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated Prime Minister College of Excellence in all 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh from Indore. All courses will be offered in Excellence Colleges as per the new education policy. Apart from this, all resources will be available in these colleges. The students will get academic benefit. Under the Vibrant Villages Programme scheme, 136 border villages are being provided connectivity through 113 all-weather road projects at a cost of two thousand 420 crore rupees.

 

3. NITI Aayog launches ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ as part of E-FAST India initiative: NITI Aayog has launched the ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ as part of the e-FAST India initiative. This pioneering hackathon aims to foster innovative business models for the adoption of zero-emission trucks in India, addressing the nation’s pressing economic and environmental challenges. NITI Aayog has also invited students, transport service practitioners, academics, and researchers to develop innovative business models that address financial, technical, and operational challenges in the adoption of electric trucks. The program has garnered participation from e-FAST India knowledge partners, financial institutions, and industry forums.

 

4. Bajaj Electricals appoints Vishal Chadha as COO of its Consumer Products Division: Bajaj Electricals Ltd has appointed Vishal Chadha as Chief Operating Officer of its Consumer Products Division. Chadha has been in General Management roles since 2016, first at Snapdeal where he was the Chief Business Officer, followed by a brief stint at Reliance Brands before joining Kohler as Managing Director-India and South Asia where he ran the entire India business, per the regulatory filing. He has experience across FMCG, consumer devices, and e-commerce.

 

5. Robert Ravi appointed as the CMD of BSNL: The government has appointed Robert Jerard Ravi as the new BSNL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) for a period of six months. Ravi is currently appointed as deputy director general, standards, research and innovation at the department of telecommunications (DoT). He will hold additional charge as CMD BSNL, CMD MTNL, and CMD BBNL. Ravi will replace PK Purwar, whose tenure is expiring on July 14. Purwar assumed charge as BSNL CMD in July 2019.

 

6. Paytm Payments Bank appoints Arun Bansal as new CEO: Paytm Payments Bank, an associate entity of One97 Communications (OCL), which operates the Paytm brand, has appointed Arun Kumar Bansal as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Bansal is a former IDBI Bank executive. He resigned from his position as the executive director and head of treasury (on contract) at IDBI Bank.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to organize World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit in November: India will organize the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit from 20th to 24th November in Goa.

India will host the Summit which will be a landmark event for the Media and Entertainment industry the world over. At the curtain raiser event in New Delhi along with Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant, Mr. Vaishnaw said, the media and entertainment world is undergoing a structural change and has seen immense technology infusion. The role of public policy is to enable the harnessing of the best out of this structural change.

 

2. The First Woman Chief Justice of Lahore Takes Oath: Justice Aalia Neelum took oath as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) of Pakistan, making her the first woman to be elevated as the court’s top judge. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan administered the oath of office to her. Punjab province’s first woman Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also present in the oath-taking ceremony. Justice Neelum, 57, stood third in the seniority list of judges of the LHC but the Judicial Commission of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa had decided to consider her nomination for the office of the LHC chief justice. Born on November 12, 1966, Justice Neelum earned her LLB degree from the University of Punjab in 1995 and was enrolled as an advocate in 1996.

 

3. K.P. Sharma Oli sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister: K P Sharma Oli was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister for the fourth time. The leader of Nepal’s largest communist party was appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister by President Ram Chandra Paudel to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the Himalayan nation. Oli, 72, succeeds Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ who lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives leading to the formation of the new government headed by Oli. He became the Prime Minister with the support of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament. Oli now needs to secure a vote of confidence from Parliament within 30 days of appointment according to the constitutional mandate. Oli will need a minimum of 138 votes in the 275-seat House of Representatives (HoR).

 

4. 15 July – World Youth Skills Day: World Youth Skill Day is celebrated every year on July 15. This day recognises the importance of youth skills development to address the global challenges of unemployment and underemployment. Theme 2024 – Youth Skills for Peace and Development

The United Nations General Assembly declared July 15th as World Youth Skill Day in December 2014.

 

5. 15 July – Social Media Giving Day: Social Media Giving Day is observed every year on 15 July. Social Media Giving Day is an annual event that promotes generosity and charitable giving by leveraging the power of social media. It was founded by Givver.com, a non-profit organisation that has been raising cash through Twitter since 2013. It was first observed in 2013. Chris Sommers, the inventor of Givver.com, is also the founder of the famous American restaurant chain Pi Pizzeria.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Wimbledon 2024: Barbora Krejcíkova Lifts Women’s Singles Trophy Beating Jasmine Paolini: Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic defeated Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to win her maiden Wimbledon women’s singles title in London. While, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain won the Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6. Alcaraz dominated the first two sets with scores of 6-2 each, while Djokovic made a comeback in the third set. Despite Djokovic’s efforts, Alcaraz secured the third set and the championship. This was Alcaraz’s second appearance in a Wimbledon final, while Djokovic is a seven-time champion of the tournament.

 

2. Argentina won Copa America 2024 defeating Colombia: Defending champions Argentina has won the Copa America 2024 final at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida after defaeting Colombia. It is a Argentina’s record 16th Copa America title. With this victory, Argentina secured its third consecutive major title, following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup, matching Spain’s achievement of winning the 2008 and 2012 European Championships alongside the 2010 World Cup. Additionally, Argentina ended Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak, which had lasted since a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste. Lautaro Martinez’s goal was his fifth of the tournament, cementing his position as the top scorer and earning him the Copa America 2024 Golden Boot.

 

3. Saudi Arabia to host first ‘Olympics Esports Games’ in 2025: Saudi Arabia and the International Olympic Committee have announced a 12-year agreement to host the new esports Olympics in the oil-rich kingdom starting from 2025. This is a natural next step for our young athletes, our country and the global esports community,” said Prince Abdulaziz, who also heads the Saudi national Olympic committee. The IOC said last month it planned to launch video gaming Olympics to try to attract and retain young fans and audiences. Saudi Arabia and the International Olympic Committee have announced a 12-year agreement to host the new esports Olympics in the oil-rich kingdom starting from 2025. This is a natural next step for our young athletes, our country and the global esports community,” said Prince Abdulaziz, who also heads the Saudi national Olympic committee.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. International honour Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming: The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program, led by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has been awarded the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2024. The announcement was made by Dr. Angela Merkel, chair of the Jury and former Federal Chancellor of Germany, during a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal. APCNF shares the €1 million prize with Dr. Rattan Lal, a renowned soil scientist from the USA, and SEKEM, an Egyptian network promoting biodynamic farming. The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF), a state-wide program of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has been recognized for its significant contributions to global food security, climate resilience, and ecosystem protection.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 14th July, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Tata Power invests over Rs 4,200 cr in network expansion, upgrade in Odisha: Tata Power-led power distribution companies (Discoms) have invested Rs 4,245 crore in infrastructure expansion and network upgrade in Odisha over the past 3-4 years. The company operates four Discoms in joint ventures with the government of Odisha. These are TP Central Odisha Distribution (TPCODL), TP Western Odisha Distribution (TPWODL), TP Southern Odisha Distribution (TPSODL), and TP Northern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL), collectively serving a customer base of over 9 million. The investment includes Rs 1,232 crore through government-backed schemes, including laying 33 KV lines and adding 30,230 distributions. This includes laying 2,177 circuit kilometres (Ckms) of 33 kilovolt (KV) lines and 19,809 Ckms of 11 KV lines, as well as adding 30,230 distribution transformers to improve the distribution network’s reliability across rural and urban areas.

 

2. MoPSW approves Research Proposal on “Valorization of Dredged Sediments”: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has approved a research proposal on Valorization of Dredged Sediments. The project, sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 46,47,380 will be implemented over a duration of three years by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). The primary objective of this research is to create value from dredged sediments by converting them into aggregates suitable for various construction fields. This innovative approach aims to transform dredged sediment, typically seen as waste, into a valuable resource, thus contributing to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

 

3. Haryana cabinet approves IT Saksham Yuva Scheme to provide 5k jobs in first phase: The Haryana Cabinet gave nod to launch the IT Saksham Yuva Scheme 2024, the target of which is to give jobs to 5,000 youths in the first phase. The scheme has been designed in accordance with the ‘Mission 60,000’ announced while presenting the 2024-25 budget proposals aiming to give employment to at least 60,000 young individuals from poor families. Under this scheme, employment will be provided to the youths who are graduate or postgraduate applicants from IT backgrounds. The aspirants will have to undertake the Haryana IT programme (specially designed short-term courses) for minimum three months after which they will be deployed in various departments, boards, corporations, districts, registered societies, etc., in Haryana or private entities.

 

4. ACC approves appointment of 8 EDs in Public Sector General Insurance Cos: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of 8 Executive Directors in Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PGICs). Rashmi Bajpai, currently General Manager (GM) in Oriental Insurance Company Ltd (OICL), has been appointed as Executive Director (ED) in the same Company. Amit Mishra, currently GM of New India Assurance Company Ltd (NIACL), has been appointed as ED in OICL. Hitesh Ramesh Chandra Joshi, currently GM in GIC Re, has been appointed as ED in the same Company. Prasad C.G., currently GM in NIACL, has been appointed as ED in NICL. Sunita Gupta, currently GM in Oriental Insurance Company Ltd (OICL), has been appointed as ED in UIICL. Radhika C.S., currently GM in United India Insurance Company Ltd (UIICL), has been appointed as ED in GIC Re.

 

5. Shashi Kataria appointed as CFO of Quant MF: Quant Mutual Fund, under SEBI lens in a front-running case, has appointed Shashi Kataria as Chief Financial Officer. Kataria has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Operations Head and Executive Director of Quant Money Managers in place of Harshal Patel, who has resigned due to personal reasons. He has previously worked with PPFAS AMC as CFO, COO and Director. He was also associated with DSP Blackrock Investment Managers as Manager Finance. Shashi Kataria has 20 years of overall experience in accounting, audit, direct and indirect taxation, financials & MIS, payroll, and labour law compliance, of which 13 years are from the Indian mutual fund industry, according to the fund house’s notice-cum-addendum.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Philippines Chosen to Host U.N. Climate Fund Board: The Philippines was recently chosen to house the board of the “Loss and Damage” fund. This is a big step toward helping people who have been hurt by climate change.

 

2. Vietnam – Most Affordable Country for Expats in 2024: In 2024, a global study by InterNations found that Vietnam was the best place for expats to live on a budget. This is the fourth year in a row that Vietnam has been at the top of the list

 

3. World Population Prospects 2024: UN: The most recent “World Population Prospects 2024” study from the United Nations gives us a lot more information about how many people are expected to live on Earth in the future. According to key findings, the world’s population.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Shooter Sabeera Haris wins Bronze in Shotgun Junior World Cup: In Shooting, India’s Sabeera Haris has bagged the bronze medal in women’s trap event at the International Shooting Sport Federation, ISSF Junior World Cup in Porpetto, Italy. Sabeera shot 29 out of 40 targets in the final.

Carey Garrison of the US won the gold, shooting down 40 out of 50 targets. While Sofia Gori of Italy claimed the silver with 39 hits out of the full quota of 50 targets. In the junior women’s trap event, another Indian, Bhavya Tripathi, concluded her campaign in 26th place with a score of 102, while compatriot Rajkuwar Ingle finished in 33rd position with 100 points.

 

2. James Anderson retires from Test Cricket: James Anderson has bid adieu to Test cricket for England. The veteran speedster has brought down curtains to his celebrated career, which spanned 21 years. The 41-year-old bowler’s illustrious career, spanning an impressive 21 years, came to a close at the very ground where it all began – the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Anderson holds the record for the most wickets taken by a fast-bowler with 704 in 188 Test matches. Anderson’s former compatriot Stuart Broad, who has already retired, remains the only other pacer with over 600 Test scalps, i.e. 604. Anderson has 32 fifers to his name, which is the sixth-most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket history. Muttiah Muralitharan has the most with 67, followed by Sur Richard Hadlee (36), Anil Kumble (35), R Ashwin (36), and Rangana Herath (34). Anderson’s tally also includes three 10-wicket match hauls.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Punjab National Bank signs pact with SAIL to offer loans: State-owned Punjab National Bank has signed a pact with Steel Authority of India to provide home loan, car loan and education loan to the latter’s employees at concessional rates. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the financial well-being of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) employees while expanding PNB’s customer base within the steel sector. A MoU was signed by PNB General Manager – Business Acquisition and Relationship Management Division Sudhir Dalal, SAIL General Manager – Finance Lavika Jain and SAIL General Manager – HR Bikram Uppal.

 

2. Retail inflation hits 4-month high of 5.08% in June: Retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), accelerated to a four-month high of 5.08 per cent in June 2024, driven by a spike in food inflation to 9.36 per cent due to rising prices of vegetables and pulses. This June 2024 reading is also higher than the 4.87 per cent recorded in the same month last year. In May 2024, CPI inflation hit a 12-month low of 4.75 per cent, despite food inflation remaining high at 8.7 per cent. Retail inflation stood at 4.87 per cent.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Nagaland Wins Best State in Horticulture Award 2024: Nagaland won the “Best State in Horticulture Award 2024” at the Agriculture Leadership Awards, which shows how clever its horticulture projects are. Minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse took the award in New Delhi and said that the government’s policies.

 

Daily GK Update- 13th July, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 7th India-Japan Medical Product Regulatory Symposium held at New Delhi: The 7th India-Japan Medical Product Regulatory Symposium, organized by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, was successfully held at the FICCI Convention Hall. The event was conducted in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan, aimed at fostering collaboration in medical product regulations. The symposium brought together approximately 200 delegates from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, and the Ministry of Health, Law and Welfare, Japan. Regulatory authorities from CDSCO, India, and PMDA, Japan, along with industry representatives from the Pharmaceutical Sector, Medical Devices Sector, and Biologicals-Biosimilar sector, actively participated in constructive discussions.

 

2. Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth launches GAINS 2024: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth has launched “GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS 2024) of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata. It is an innovative scheme which seeks solution to the problems related to the shipyards and promotes technology development using the start-ups created and nurtured in the country. It encourages and enables MSMEs and Start-Ups to develop innovative solutions for further technological advancement. This initiative is in keeping with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Start-up India’ policies of the Government of India. GAINS is a unique national scheme to encourage and enable MSMEs and Start-Ups to develop innovative solutions that GRSE may incorporate for further technological advancement.

 

3. NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24: Kerala retains top rank, Bihar worst performer: Uttarakhand and Kerala have emerged as the top performer states in NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24, which evaluates the progress of states and union territories on social, economic and environmental parameters. While Bihar has been adjudged as the worst performer. According to the NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24, India’s overall Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) score increased to 71 in 2023-24, compared to 66 in 2020-21, supported by significant progress on eliminating poverty, providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land. Among states, Uttarakhand and Kerala have emerged as joint top-performing states with a score of 79, followed by Tamil Nadu (78) and Goa (77).

 

4. ACC approves appointment of 8 EDs in Public Sector General Insurance Cos: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of 8 Executive Directors in Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PGICs). Rashmi Bajpai, currently General Manager (GM) in Oriental Insurance Company Ltd (OICL), has been appointed as Executive Director (ED) in the same Company. Amit Mishra, currently GM of New India Assurance Company Ltd (NIACL), has been appointed as ED in OICL. Hitesh Ramesh Chandra Joshi, currently GM in GIC Re, has been appointed as ED in the same Company. Prasad C.G., currently GM in NIACL, has been appointed as ED in NICL. Sunita Gupta, currently GM in Oriental Insurance Company Ltd (OICL), has been appointed as ED in UIICL.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda sworn in for second term: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda was sworn in for a second five-year term. The ceremony commenced with a ceremonial event at the Lithuanian Parliament, the Seimas, where Mr. Nauseda took the presidential oath with his hand on the Constitution. On this occasion, the 60-year-old economist, Mr. Nauseda proposed increasing Lithuania’s defense budget to four percent of GDP. This would allow Lithuania to fund long-range air defense, a missile shield for the Baltic Sea coast, and border fortifications.

 

2. World Population Prospects 2024: UN: The most recent “World Population Prospects 2024” study from the United Nations gives us a lot more information about how many people are expected to live on Earth in the future. According to key findings, the world’s population.

 

3. India-Taiwan Agreement Boosts Organic Product Trade: The India-Taiwan Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Organic Products will go into action on July 8, 2024. It is a plan to boost trade between India and Taiwan in the organic products sector.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Shooter Sabeera Haris wins Bronze in Shotgun Junior World Cup: In Shooting, India’s Sabeera Haris has bagged the bronze medal in women’s trap event at the International Shooting Sport Federation, ISSF Junior World Cup in Porpetto, Italy. Sabeera shot 29 out of 40 targets in the final.

Carey Garrison of the US won the gold, shooting down 40 out of 50 targets. While Sofia Gori of Italy claimed the silver with 39 hits out of the full quota of 50 targets. In the junior women’s trap event, another Indian, Bhavya Tripathi, concluded her campaign in 26th place with a score of 102, while compatriot Rajkuwar Ingle finished in 33rd position with 100 points.

 

2. James Anderson retires from Test Cricket: James Anderson has bid adieu to Test cricket for England. The veteran speedster has brought down curtains to his celebrated career, which spanned 21 years. The 41-year-old bowler’s illustrious career, spanning an impressive 21 years, came to a close at the very ground where it all began – the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Anderson holds the record for the most wickets taken by a fast-bowler with 704 in 188 Test matches. Anderson’s former compatriot Stuart Broad, who has already retired, remains the only other pacer with over 600 Test scalps, i.e. 604. Anderson has 32 fifers to his name, which is the sixth-most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket history. Muttiah Muralitharan has the most with 67, followed by Sur Richard Hadlee (36), Anil Kumble (35), R Ashwin (36), and Rangana Herath (34). Anderson’s tally also includes three 10-wicket match hauls.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. NASA’s CHAPEA Project: It is called “Mars Dune Alpha” and is a 1,700-square-foot building made with 3D printing at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It has bedrooms, bathrooms, a work area, a robot station, a gym, and a vertical farm.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Jio Financial Services gets RBI nod to become core investment company: Jio Financial Services has received the nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to convert into a Core Investment Company (CIC) from a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). According to the Reserve Bank of India, a CIC is a specialised NBFC with an minimum asset size of Rs 100 crore. Jio Financial Services is the demerged entity of energy-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). One of the conditions stipulated by RBI is that the CIC holds not less than 90 percent of its net assets in the form of investment in equity shares, preference shares, bonds, debentures, debt or loans in group companies. As a Core Investment Company, Jio Financial Services will primarily focus on investments in and the management of its subsidiaries companies.

 

2. Punjab National Bank signs pact with SAIL to offer loans: State-owned Punjab National Bank has signed a pact with Steel Authority of India to provide home loan, car loan and education loan to the latter’s employees at concessional rates. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the financial well-being of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) employees while expanding PNB’s customer base within the steel sector. A MoU was signed by PNB General Manager – Business Acquisition and Relationship Management Division Sudhir Dalal, SAIL General Manager – Finance Lavika Jain and SAIL General Manager – HR Bikram Uppal.

 

3. IMF Agrees to $7 Billion Loan Program for Pakistan: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan reached a deal on July 12, 2024, for a $7 billion loan program that will last for 37 months. The main goal of this Extended Fund Facility program is to help Pakistan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 12th July, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 2 Day BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat Begins in New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held a series of meetings this evening on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. He held a trilateral meeting with his counterparts from Thailand and Myanmar. Their discussions focused on connectivity projects crucial for the future of BIMSTEC.

They also exchanged views on border stability and humanitarian assistance.

 

2. Rajat Sharma appointed as NBDA’s president: The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) has unanimously elected India TV chairman Rajat Sharma as its president. He replaces Avinash Pandey, the former CEO of ABP Network. NBDA is the largest organisation of news broadcasters and digital media in India, consisting of almost all major news networks in the country.

 

3. World’s Largest Ramayan Temple in Bihar: The second part of building the Viraat Ramayan Mandir in East Champaran, Bihar, has begun. This is a big step toward building what will likely be the biggest Ramayan temple in the world.

 

4. Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approves Purchase of New VVIP Jet: The government of Madhya Pradesh recently gave the go-ahead to buy a new plane, a Challenger 3500 Jet Plane. To make it easier for VVIPs to get around, this choice was made with the help of Chief Minister Mohan Yadip.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. REC raises 31.96 billion Japanese yen through 5-year green loan: Power sector financier REC Limited has raised 31.96 billion Japanese yen through a 5-year green loan, with the transaction being conducted from Deutsche Bank’s Gift City branch. The loan, which is equivalent to $200 million, will be used to finance eligible green projects in India. This successful transaction is in line with REC’s commitment to enhance its green energy financing and sustainable projects capabilities as well as the global community’s support for sustainable development projects in India. The transaction marked one of the first yen-denominated green loan transactions for Deutsche Bank through its Gift City branch.

 

2. Colombo Security Conclave welcomes Bangladesh as Fifth Member: A regional security grouping, Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) welcomed Bangladesh as its fifth member at the 8th Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) level meeting hosted virtually by Mauritius. The CSC includes India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Maldives, with Seychelles participating as an Observer State. The Colombo Security Conclave was established in 2020, when India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives agreed to expand the scope of their trilateral meeting on maritime cooperation.

Mauritius joined the conclave at the fifth meeting of the grouping in Male in March 2022. Member states agreed that the 7th NSA level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave will be held in India later this year, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

 

3. WHO launched MeDevIS Platform for Medical Device Information: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched MeDevIS, an online platform that provides users with access to information on medical devices. The platform is designed to support decision-making on the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and health conditions. MeDevIS includes 2301 types of medical devices used in various health areas, including reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and infectious diseases such as COVID-19. By providing a single platform that provides information on a wide range of devices, it is hoped that the platform will make it easier for healthcare professionals to make more informed decisions about the equipment they require.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. PUMA to be footwear partner for Indian contingent at Paris Olympics 2024: PUMA India has partnered with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the official footwear partner for the Indian contingent heading to the Paris Olympics 2024. PUMA has launched a grand outdoor campaign titled “See the Game Like We Do” to honor and celebrate the achievements of Indian athletes. As part of this collaboration, over 100 Indian athletes will receive an array of products designed to enhance their training and comfort. These include podium and travel footwear, trolleys, backpacks, sippers, yoga mats, headbands, wristbands, socks, and towels. Notably, 45 of these athletes are part of the PUMA contingent.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI permits banks to use ratings of Brickwork Ratings subject to conditions: The Reserve Bank of India has permitted banks to use the ratings of Brickwork Ratings India Private Limited, two years after the central bank had instructed its regulated entities that no fresh ratings would be obtained from the firm, which was pulled up by regulators for discrepancies. For existing ratings assigned to working capital facilities exceeding Rs 250 crore, Brickwork shall undertake rating surveillance only till the next renewal of such facility by banks. In respect of existing ratings, Brickwork may undertake rating surveillance irrespective of the rated amount for the residual tenure of such loans.

 

2. Moody’s revises outlook on Yes Bank from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’: Global rating agency Moody’s has revised its outlook on Indian private sector lender Yes Bank from “stable” to “positive” on the expectation of a gradual improvement in its depositor base and lending franchise. This will help improve its core profitability over the next 12-18 months. The positive outlook takes into account the improvement in the bank’s asset quality and capitalization over the past 2-3 years. This is somewhat offset by the bank’s weak core profitability driven by high funding costs and the strain from meeting priority sector lending (PSL) targets. The rating agency also affirmed Yes Bank’s “Ba3” long-term (LT) foreign currency (FC) and local currency (LC) bank deposit ratings.

 

3. SBI raises Rs 10,000 cr via infra bond issuance: State Bank of India (SBI) raised Rs. 10,000 crore today at a coupon rate of 7.36% through its sixth infrastructure bond issuance. The issue attracted overwhelming response from investors with bids in excess of Rs18,145 crore and was oversubscribed by around 3.6 times against the base issue size of Rs. 5,000 crore. The total number of bids received was 120 indicating wider participation with heterogeneity of bids. The investors were across provident funds, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, corporates etc. The proceeds of bonds will be utilized in enhancing long term resources for funding infrastructure and affordable housing segment.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Agriculture Leadership Awards 2024: Nagaland adjudged as Best State in Horticulture: Nagaland has been adjudged as the best state in Horticulture in the prestigious Agriculture Leadership Awards 2024. The award was given to the state for its outstanding work in introducing innovative programmes and policies for horticulture development, which has positively touched the lives of large number of farmers and the rural people in the State. The annual awards were instituted in 2008 for recognizing excellence and leadership roles played by individuals and organizations towards the development of Indian agriculture and bringing about rural prosperity. Nagaland has achieved G.I registration of three horticultural crops viz., Naga Mircha, Naga Tree Tomato and Naga Sweet Cucumber.

 

2. Parijat Industries honoured with CSR Leadership Award 2024: Parijat Industries India Pvt. Ltd. received the prestigious CSR Leadership Award 2024 at the Agriculture Leadership Conclave held at Hotel Holiday Inn, Aerocity, New Delhi. The event was organized by the Agriculture Today Group. The award, presented by the National Awards Committee chaired by Former Chief Justice of India, Justice P. Sathasivam, recognizes Parijat Industries’ significant contributions to rural communities and farmers through a range of impactful projects. Parijat Industries (India) Private Limited is a fully integrated technical-to-final formulations manufacturing agrochemical company. With an advanced R&D-based integrated crop protection approach, Parijat manufactures active ingredients and formulations, selling them under its proprietary brands globally and within India.

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 11th July, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to lead Indian delegation to BRICS Parliamentary Forum: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead an Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to the tenth BRICS Parliamentary Forum (PF) to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Delegation will also comprise Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Shambhu Sharan Patel, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General, Lok Sabha; P.C. Mody, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha. Anjani Kumar, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat is the Secretary to the Delegation.

The overall theme of the Tenth BRICS Parliamentary Forum is ‘The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security.’ Speakers/Presiding Officers, Members of Parliament from BRICS Countries and Invitee countries, namely, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and the President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Tulia Ackson, will participate in the meetings of BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

 

2. UU Lalit to head the Committee on Appointment of VC in Bengal: The Supreme Court has appointed the former Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit as the chairman of the search and selection committee for the appointment of vice-chancellor in all the state-run universities of West Bengal. A division bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice K V Viswanathan passed this order on 9 July 2024. The two-judge bench passed the order on a special leave petition filed by the West Bengal government under Article 138 of the constitution. The two-judge division bench observed that both the office of the governor of West Bengal and the state government have agreed to form the search and selection committee. The bench ordered the constitution of a six-member committee within two weeks.

 

3. Rajasthan to become first State to adopt a road safety action plan for 10 years: Rajasthan will shortly become the first State in the country to adopt an action plan for road safety for the next 10 years. The action plan, to be accompanied by a government policy, will be aimed at reducing road accidents in the State by 50% till 2030. Its first phase focuses on safety audits of 500km of state highways and major district roads. The policy draft also mentions that a pilot speed management programme will be conducted for high-risk corridors in the state, along with piloting improvement works for 25 high-priority black spots. A pilot project for the development of dedicated two-wheeler lanes/cycle lanes on state highways is also planned.

 

4. Punjab gets its first Plant Clinic & Soil Testing Laboratory in Moga: In Punjab, the first plant clinic and soil testing laboratory of the state has been established in Moga, with a grant from the NITI Aayog. The clinic will provide free soil testing and plant disease diagnosis services to farmers. Moga district is among the aspirational districts of the country and this clinic equipped with modern equipment is a part of development by NITI Aayog in the area. The clinic has been set up with a total cost of Rs. 1 crore 25 lakh. The latest machine here can analyze soil samples and provide detailed reports on nutrient content, pH levels, and other parameters.

5. 10 July – National Fish Farmer’s Day: National Fish Farmer’s Day is celebrated on 10th July every year to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of fish farmers, aquaculture industry professionals and other stakeholders towards ensuring a sustainable and thriving fisheries sector. It is celebrated to honour and commemorate the contribution of Professor Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and his colleague Dr. K. H. Alikunhi, in the Indian fisheries sector who had guided induced breeding and reproduction in Indian Major Carps by Hypophysation technique, on this day in 1957, which eventually lead to a revolution in Inland Aquaculture.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Mutual Recognition Agreement between India and Taiwan for Organic Products: The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for organic products between India and Taiwan has been implemented during the 9th Working Group on Trade Meeting with Taiwan at New Delhi. The implementation of the MRA between India and Taiwan is a landmark achievement as it is the first bilateral agreement for organic products. The implementing Agencies for the MRA are Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Agriculture and Food Agency, Ministry of Agriculture (AFA) Taiwan. The MRA will pave the way for the export of major Indian organic products such as Rice, Processed Food, Green/Black and Herbal Tea, Medicinal plant products etc to Taiwan.

 

2. 11 July – World Population Day: World Population Day or International Population Day is observed every year on July 11. Objective – To raise awareness about global population issues and educate people about family planning, gender equality, and reproductive health. Theme 2024 – Leave no one behind, count everyone This day was established by the United Nations in 1989 and commemorates the “Day of Five Billion” when the world’s population crossed the 5 billion mark. The history of the World Population Day goes back to 1980s. It was on July 11, 1987, when the world population reached approximately five billion. This day brought global focus to issues related to sustainable development, resource management, and the dynamics of population expansion.

 

3. World’s Largest Ramayan Temple in Bihar: The second part of building the Viraat Ramayan Mandir in East Champaran, Bihar, has begun. This is a big step toward building what will likely be the biggest Ramayan temple in the world.

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Lt Gen Shankar Narayan Assumes Command at Army Hospital: Lt Gen Shankar Narayan became the new head of the Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi on July 10, 2024. In his long and successful career as a military doctor, this job is a big step forward.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Adani Group announced as Principal Sponsor for Indian Team at 2024 Paris Olympics: Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, has announced that the conglomerate will be sponsoring the Indian team travelling to Paris for the 2024 Olympics Games.With the Indian contingent in the last leg of its preparations for the 2024 Olympics, the Adani Group has pledged its whole-hearted support to the champions of the nation through a campaign with the theme #DeshkaGeetAtOlympics.The campaign centres around the athletes, who have spent hours and years in training to win and hear the national anthem after the victory.The social media campaign has been launched even as the Indian sportspersons continue to put in the hard yards before flying out to Paris for the Olympic Games set to be held from July 26 to August 11. Since 2016, the Adani Group has supported more than 28 athletes in sports like boxing, wrestling, tennis, javelin throw, shooting, running, shotput, brisk walking, archery, and more.

 

2. Tasnim Mir & Mannepalli won singles title at 2024 BWF Reunion Open: The Indian badminton players dominated the 3rd BWF Saint-Denis Reunion Open 2024 by winning both the men’s and women’s singles titles. However, India had to settle for a silver in the men’s doubles. Tharun Mannepalli of Telangana won the men’s singles title by defeating Yudai Okimoto of Japan in straight sets 21-15, 21-15 in the final. It was the second international title for Tharun Mannepalli. Earlier, he had won the singles title of the Kazakhstan International Challenge held in April 2024.

Women’s badminton single player Tasnim Mir of Gujarat defeated Rakshitha Sree of India in straight sets 21-15, 21-19 in the final to lift the single titles. The 2024 Saint-Denis Reunion Open Badminton title was the third challenger title for Tasnim Mir and her first since 2022.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Massive Black Hole Discovered in Omega Centauri: New studies published in the journal Nature have proven that the Omega Centauri star cluster has an intermediate-mass black hole. This group of galaxies, which is only 18,000 light-years away, is now the nearest huge black hole

 

2. James Webb Telescope Captures Quasar’s ‘Einstein Ring’: A fascinating picture of a “bejeweled” cloud of light around a quasar was recently taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This picture has sparked a lot of interest in the astronomy community.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Federal Bank enter into bancassurance tie-up with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance: Federal Bank, a private sector bank, has entered into a Bancassurance tie-up with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, a private life insurer. This partnership will enable Federal Bank’s customers to seamlessly access Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance’s products, across the Bank’s extensive network in India. This strategic partnership aims to leverage the combined strengths of Bajaj Allianz Life and Federal Bank. It aligns with both the companies’ strategic goals and growth plans and will drive insurance penetration and market expansion.