Daily GK Update- 24th Aug, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ministry of Education launches second cycle of Capacity Building Program on Specific Learning Disability: The Ministry of Education has launched the second cycle of its Capacity Building Program on Specific Learning Disability (SLD) under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP).Building on the success of the first cycle, this programme is designed to empower Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) with the skills and knowledge necessary, to support students with specific learning disabilities.The first round of the ‘Capacity Building Program on Specific Learning Disabilities’ was conducted from January to July 2024 partnered with Changeinkk Foundation. In the first round, a cohort of 27 HEIs participated in the programme including Central Universities, IITs, IIITs, IIMs, IISERs, SPAs, and NITs.As part of the programme, different sessions were conducted, viz., Orientation Session, Sensitization Session, Masterclasses, In-Person Zone-wise Workshop, and Monitoring of Implementation. More than 400 faculty members from different departments of these institutions benefited.

 

2. Actor Vijay launches his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s flag: Tamil cinema’s leading actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay launched his party’s flag and flag song at the party headquarters at Panaiyur in Chennai.Vijay introduced the two-coloured flag with red on top and bottom; yellow in the middle; and a flower resembling Vaagai surrounded by 28 stars at the centre with two trumpeting tuskers facing each other on either side.Warriors of ancient Tamil kingdoms wore Vaagai flower garlands to symbolise victory. Mr. Vijay also hoisted the flag at the party’s headquarters and launched the party’s flag song Thamizhan Kodi Parakuthu.Vijay had in February, this year announced the formation of his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and declared that his party would enter the electoral fray in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

 

3. Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates GST Bhawan at Udaipur: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the GST Bhawan, an Official complex of CGST, Udaipur Commissionerate under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), at Udaipur, Rajasthan.The Union Finance Minister also launched ICETAB 2.0, a handheld device for customs operations, and expressed hope that it will help in uploading real-time examination reports and in quicker clearance of cargoes.The complex is located at one of the most preferred locations in Udaipur.

 

4. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi launched Subhadra scheme: The Bharatiya Janata Party Government led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, announced the implementation of the Subhadra scheme under which ₹50,000 will be provided over five years to one crore women between the ages of 21 and 60.The Subhadra scheme is one of the key poll promises made by the BJP which came to power toppling 24 years rule of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.The Scheme has been approved for implementation from the financial year 2024-25 to financial year 2028-29. An outlay of ₹55,825 crore has been made for this initiative.Subhadra will transform the lives of more than one crore women of the State. It will cover all eligible women aged 21 years or above and less than 60 years.A total of ₹10,000 per annum will be paid in two installments of ₹5000 each on Rakhi Purnima Day and International Women’s Day (March 8).

 

5. Eastern Railway develops ‘Prabodh’ chatbox for easier access to railway rules: The 161-year-old Kanchrapara Workshop of Eastern Railway (ER) in West Bengal — one of the oldest such establishments in the country — has come up with an Artificial Intelligence-based chatbox named ‘Prabodh’ to help ER employees remain abreast with the latest rules and regulations.Prabodh is being touted as a human resource management wizard that will help employees give their best while keeping them informed about their responsibilities and rights.Prabodh is not merely a chatbot; it is a groundbreaking innovation designed to streamline the complex world of Railway Establishment Rules. Developed by the personnel department at the Kanchrapara Workshop, Prabodh leverages the cutting-edge capabilities of the OpenAI platform to provide an intelligent, responsive, and user-centric experience.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. DGCA fines Air India Rs 90 lakh for operating flight with unqualified crew: Civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has slapped a fine of ₹90 lakh on Air India for operating a flight on July 9 from Mumbai to Riyadh with an unqualified crew.Besides, the watchdog has slapped fines of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh on Air India’s Director of Operations and Director of Training, respectively, for the lapse.Air India Ltd operated a flight commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a non-line-released first officer which has been viewed by the regulator as a serious scheduling incident having significant safety ramifications.

 

2. PM Modi presents BHISHM Cubes to Ukraine during first visit to Kyiv: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to the Ukrainian government during his visit to the war-torn country where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy under the shadow of the raging war with Russia.Each BHISHM Cube consists of medicines and equipment for the first line of care for all kinds of injuries and medical situations. It also includes surgical equipment for a basic operation room that can manage 10-15 basic surgeries per day.The Cube can handle about 200 cases of diverse nature in emergencies such as trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, etc.It can also generate power and oxygen in limited amounts. A team of experts from India has been deployed to provide initial training to the Ukrainian side to operate the cube.

 

3. Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider steps down after 8 years; Laurent Freixe to take over: Nestle chief executive Mark Schneider quit from the Swiss food group after eight years in charge.He will be replaced by Latin America boss Laurent Freixe.Laurent Freixe joined Nestle in France in 1986 and has “successfully managed” the company’s European zone during the 2008 financial crisis and until 2014.After this he was named CEO of the Americas region before taking over at the newly created Latin America zone in 2022, “where he has been successfully leading through challenging conditions”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Diana Pundole: First Indian Woman Racer to Win National Championship: Diana Pundole, a mother of two and a teacher from Pune, has shattered the glass ceiling by claiming the national championship title in the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024, held in Chennai.She holds the distinction of being the first and only woman participant in the prestigious Indian Touring Cars mixed category, a fiercely competitive racing championship where most participants boast a minimum of 10 to 20 years of experience.Her impressive racing resume includes competing at world-renowned venues such as the Dubai Autodrome, the Hockenheimring, and the F1 Circuit de Spa in Belgium.She has also participated in high-profile races, including the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Ferrari 488 Challenge, BMW M2 Competition, and Renault Clio Cup.

 

2. Ronak Dahiya wins Bronze in U-17 Wrestling Championship: Indian wrestler Ronak Dahiya won bronze medal in Men’s Greco-Roman 110 kilograms event at Under-17 World Wrestling Championship in Jordan.Dahiya defeated Turkish wrestler Emrullah Capkan 6-1 in the crucial medal match.With this, India has finished their campaign in Men’s Greco-Roman category with two Bronze medals in the championship as Sainath Pardhi also secured Bronze in GR 51 kilograms category.

 

3. Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli honoured at the 26th CEAT Cricket Awards: The Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma was awarded the 26th CEAT International Cricketer of the Year Award at a ceremony held in Mumbai.Sharma was honoured for his exceptional performance in the 2023-24 season. Under his captaincy, India reached the final of the 13th ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup but lost to Australia.During this period, Rohit scored around 1800 international runs, including 597 runs during the 13th ODI World Cup.Virat Kohli, who had a terrific year in the One Day Internationals (ODI), was honoured with the Best ODI Batter of the Year award.In the 2023-24 season, Kohli scored 1377 runs, which included six centuries and eight fifties. Kohli was the leading scorer of the 2023 ODI World Cup with 765 runs at an average of 95.62.During the World Cup, Kohli equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most centuries -49 in ODI. With 50 ODI centuries, Virat Kohli has surpassed Tendulakar’s record.

 

4. Neeraj Chopra won silver in Lausanne Diamond League: Star Indian javelin throw athlete Neeraj Chopra registered a season-best throw of 89.49m at the Lausanne Diamond League 2024, in his first competitive appearance since he bagged silver for the nation at the Paris Olympics 2024.The 26-year-old was edged out by Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who claimed the top spot in Switzerland with a mammoth throw of 90.81m. Julian Weber of Germany came in third on the day with a best throw of 87.08m.The top six javelin throwers in the season’s standings qualify for the final in Belgium slated to be held on the 14th of September.

 

5. Shikhar Dhawan retires from all forms of Cricket: One of the finest One Day Internationals (ODI) batsmen in the world, Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. His last competitive match was for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April 2024. Shikhar Dhawan played 269 international matches in his cricketing career and scored 24 hundreds-17 in ODIs and 7 in test matches.His last game for India was an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022.Shikhar Dhawan, nicknamed ‘Gabbar’ by his teammate, is a left-handed batsman who made his debut for India in an ODI Match against Australia in Visakhapatnam in 2010.He created a world record by scoring the fastest century by a debutant in a Test match, an 85-ball hundred against Australia in Mohali in the 2013 Test match.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India observed first National Space Day on 23 August 2024: India is commemorating its first-ever National Space Day on August 23, 2024, marking a historic achievement with the successful landing of ISRO’s Vikram Lander from Chandrayaan-3 on August 23, 2023.This landmark event signifies India’s growing prowess in space exploration, celebrating the importance of space science and technology. The day is also remembered for Pragyan Rover’s successful deployment and the naming of the landing site as ‘Shiv Shakti’ point.On August 23, 2023, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a safe and soft landing of Vikram Lander on the moon’s surface, making India the fourth country to land on the moon and the first to land near its southern polar region. Following this, the Pragyan Rover was successfully deployed. The landing site was named ‘Shiv Shakti’ point, and this date was officially declared as National Space Day.The theme for this year’s National Space Day is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

2. Bandhan Bank launches Avni Saving Account for Women Customer: Kolkata-based Indian Private sector bank Bandhan Bank has launched an exclusive savings account, Avni, for women customers.The bank launched the product on its 9th foundation day, which is on 23 August.The bank also launched a customer loyalty programme called Bandhan Banks Delight. The bank is women-focused, and of its 3.4 customers,73% are women.With the Avni account, customers receive an exclusive debit card that provides benefits like free airport lounge access, personal accident insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh, lost card liability coverage of ₹3.5 lakh, and special milestone-based offers from premium brands. Avni also offers discounts on annual locker rentals, gold loan processing fees, and beauty and wellness products.

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd Aug, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Manohar Lal Khattar launches 3 Online Platforms to Boost Power Sector Efficiency & Transparency: Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar has launched three online platforms to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of power sector in New Delhi. The portals are named as Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT), Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for Power Sector (DRIPS) and JAL VIDYUT DPR. All these online portals have been developed by the Central Electricity Authority under the Union Ministry of Power. NTPC helped the Central Electricity Authority in developing the PROMPT platform.

 

2. KVIC partners with Department of Posts to accelerate PMEGP unit verification: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Posts, which is part of the Communications Ministry. Under this MoU, the postal department employees will physically verify new units being set up across the country under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).KVIC will also train the postal department employees for physical verification.Through this, KVIC will benefit from the services of 1,65,000 post offices spread across the country, out of which 1,39,067 are working in rural areas.Through this, along with physical verification of PMEGP units, margin money subsidy will also be settled at a faster pace.

 

3. Ola becomes only EV maker to secure PLI certification for four electric scooters: Ola Electric’s S1 X 3 kWh and S1 X 4 kWh scooters have received certification for compliance with the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the automobile and auto components sector.This certification, awarded by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), comes after Ola Electric successfully met the minimum localisation criteria of 50% as mandated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.The company stands to receive incentives ranging from 13% to 18% of the determined sales value of compliant products for up to five consecutive financial years starting from Fiscal 2024.With this Ola Electric has become the only EV maker to get PLI compliance certification for four products: S1 Air, S1 Pro, and S1 X models in both 3 kWh and 4 kWh versions. The S1 Air received PLI certification earlier at the Auto PLI Conclave held in January 2024.

 

4. JGU to establish India’s First Constitution Museum for 75th Anniversary of Constitution: P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is set to launch India’s first Constitution Museum, marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India.The museum, named “The Constitution Academy and The Rights & Freedoms Museum,” will be inaugurated on November 26, 2024, at the JGU campus.The museum aims to “demystify the Constitution and make it accessible to wider audiences.” The museum will feature a Children’s Corner with interactive installations and educational materials designed to introduce young visitors to the Constitution in an engaging manner.The Constitution Academy will feature sections dedicated to different parts of the Constitution and their significance. It will include profiles of Constituent Assembly members, debates, and deliberations that shaped the Constitution. The museum will use various formats, including textual, audio-visual, and experiential, to engage visitors.

 

5. Deepti Gaur Mukherjee assumes charge as MCA Secretary: Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, a 1993 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge as Secretary to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).She has succeeded Manoj Govil, who has assumed charge as the Expenditure Secretary.Prior to this appointment, Mukherjee was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Authority.She takes over as the top official of MCA at a time when the Ministry is working on a slew of legislations and reforms that may be introduced in the next few months.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. VP Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates 19th CII India-Africa Business Conclave: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi.The theme of the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave is – Creating One Future.The Conclave will explore the role of the India-Africa partnership in regional and global value chain integration.The 19th Conclave will focus on some of the key areas of the India-Africa partnership and emerging opportunities in Agriculture, Food Processing, Defence, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Digital Partnership, Power and Energy, Financial Partnership, Infrastructure, Quality Ecosystem, Skill Capacity Development, and others.The first edition of the CII India Africa Business Conclave was held in 2005.

 

2. Sri Lanka announces visa-free access to Indians, nationals from 34 other countries from Oct 31: The Sri Lankan government has announced visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the U.K. and the U.S. to the island nation for six months.Countries on the list include India, the U.K., China, the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand.Other countries include Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and New Zealand.Visitors from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia received tourist visas free of charge to Sri Lanka.

 

3. UAE joins BRICS partners for launch of Centre for Industrial Competences: The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology joined its BRICS counterparts on the launch of a Centre for Industrial Competences in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to support the development of Industrial skills and capabilities.The declaration was made at the 8th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting, bringing industry, trade and technology ministries together from the UAE, Russia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, and South Africa.The meeting, chaired by Russia, takes place under the theme of “strengthening multilateralism for equitable global development and security”.The centre will promote partnerships within the framework of the New Industrial Revolution (NIR) to identify interests, challenges, and opportunities in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape. In addition, the centre aims to enable industry and the develop industrial skills of its members.

 

4. 21 August – World Senior Citizens Day: World Senior Citizens Day is observed every year on 21 August.This day aims to raise awareness of the issues being faced by older adults like health deterioration and elder abuse.It is also celebrated to acknowledge their contributions towards society.

 

5. 23 August – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed annually on August 23.This day raises awareness about the horrifying nature of the slave trade and reminds people about the transatlantic slave trade and its implications.The transatlantic trading patterns were established in the mid-17 century. It involved trading ships from Europe, sailing from Europe with manufactured goods to the west coast of Africa, where the goods would be exchanged for people captured by African traders.More than 480,000 people were enslaved in the British Colonies by the 1790s. Enslaved people were forced to toil on plantations in the Caribbean and the Americas. These plantations produced products such as sugar or tobacco meant for consumption in Europe.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. JNCASR partners with HZL to scale up indigenous Zn-ion battery technologies: Vedanta-owned Hindustan Zinc Ltd., India’s largest integrated zinc producer, has signed an MoU with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to collaborate and develop new variants of zinc materials to propel the commercialization of zinc-based batteries.At present, lithium-ion batteries dominate the market but lithium availability, geographic concentration of mineral processing, and safety concerns around combustion issues pose some key challenges to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.The indigenous development of zinc-based batteries will also help the exchequer save due to the element’s abundance within the country. Some of the widely recognized zinc-based battery chemistries include zinc-manganese, zinc-carbon, nickel-zinc, and zinc-air.The collaboration will focus on the research and development of zinc alloys as anodes for zinc ion and zinc air batteries, developing electrolytes for high-performance zinc alloy anodes, and designing and developing chemical processes for recycling zinc metal-based batteries.

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Karnataka Bank unveils credit line on UPI in partnership with Navi Technologies: Karnataka Bank and financial services company Navi Technologies have launched the credit line on UPI, an offering by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).The private sector lender will be offering credit lines through a strategic partnership with Navi, marking Karnataka Bank as one of the early adopters of this next-gen credit product.This is currently offered to a closed group of select users who are pre-qualified for the product, and it will be launched to more users based on customer feedback.The product provides freedom to credit access and is expected to revolutionise how people pay without cards through UPI.

 

2. NPCI launches ‘UPI Circle’ for Secure Payments Among Trusted Users: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced a new feature called ‘UPI Circle’ on its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform.This feature allows primary UPI account holders to securely delegate payment responsibilities to trusted secondary users.Full Delegation: The secondary user is authorised to complete transactions within set limits without further approval.Partial Delegation: The secondary user initiates transactions, but the primary user must authenticate and finalise them using their UPI PIN.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. President Murmu presents Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar-2024 at an award ceremony held at GantantraMandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan.In the first edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, 33 awards were presented to distinguished scientists in four categories – Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team.The Vigyan Ratna Award, given to the scientists who have made lifetime contributions in any field of Science and Technology, was presented to Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan, a pioneer of molecular biology and biotechnology research in India.

The Vigyan Shri Awards, given to the scientists who have made distinguished contributions to Science and Technology, were presented to 13 scientists for their path-breaking research in their respective domains.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 22nd Aug, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Reliance Foundation signs MoU with IMD to strengthen weather information: Reliance Foundation has signed an MoU with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide improved weather information and support to climate-affected communities. The main objective of this partnership is to prepare communities to face climate change and weather-related challenges. Under this, research will be done to strengthen weather forecasting and early warning services and discussions will be held with various experts. This effort will increase people’s tolerance towards weather changes.

 

2. Amardeep Singh Bhatia takes charge as Secretary of DPIIT: IAS Amardeep Singh Bhatia has assumed the charge of Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. Bhatia is an Indian Administrative Service Officer of the 1993 Batch from the Nagaland cadre. In Central Government, he has held many important positions in the Ministries of Corporate Affairs and Health & Family Welfare. Ministry of Commerce and Industry vice Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS consequent upon his appointment as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Defence.

 

3. Salman Khan named brand ambassador for GRM Basmati Rice: GRM Overseas Limited, an exporter of basmati rice and an FMCG player, has signed Bollywood actor Salman Khan as the brand ambassador for its basmati rice and wheat flour products. The partnership aims to leverage Khan’s iconic status to strengthen GRM’s brand presence and connect with consumers globally, the company said. Founded in 1974, GRM Overseas exports premium basmati rice to over 42 countries and has expanded from a rice manufacturing and trading house to a consumer staples organization.

 

4. Amit Shah releases Tarun Chugh’s book ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has released a book written by BJP leader Tarun Chugh which, captures the “transformative” changes brought by the Modi government in a host of sectors and regions, including in the poll-bound Jammu and Kashmir. The book ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’ was “inspired” by the prime minister’s decades-long public life which was always “dedicated” to the country. It examines the broad spectrum of Narendra Modi’s policies, including the ‘Make in India’ campaign designed to boost domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment. This initiative is analysed alongside the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India approves additional 251 MW Power Exports from Nepal: India’s Designated Authority for Cross-Border Trade has approved an additional 251 MW of power exports from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal. For the first time, Nepal would be exporting power to Bihar through a medium-term power sales agreement. This takes the total allowed quantum from 690 MW from 16 projects to 941 MW from 28 projects. Even before this 251 MW approval, Nepal had already become a net exporter of electricity and net revenue generator in the last fiscal year selling NPR 16.93 billion worth of electricity. In October 2021, India approved 39 MW of power exports from Nepal to India for the first time. In less than 3 years, this figure has grown by more than 24 times.

Nepal first began its power exports by selling in the Day Ahead Market of the Indian Energy Exchange. Since then, India has also granted access to the Real-Time Market.

 

2. Rajesh Nambiar quits as Cognizant’s India head to become NASSCOM president: Rajesh Nambiar has stepped down as Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp’s India Chairman and Managing Director to become president of information technology (IT) industry body National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). Cognizant named Rajesh Varrier as his successor. He will take over as global head of operations from 2 September and as chairman and managing director of the Nasdaq-listed from 1 October. Nambiar, now president-designate at Nasscom, will replace Debjani Ghosh, who has been the industry body’s president since 2018. Ghosh will serve in her position till her tenure ends in November this year.

 

3. 20 August – World Mosquito Day: World Mosquito Day is observed annually on 20 August. Objective – To raise awareness about the persistent threat posed by mosquitoes, which are responsible for spreading some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. Theme 2024 – Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world On August 20, 1897, Sir Ronald Ross made a groundbreaking discovery when he found the malaria parasite in the stomach of a female Anopheles mosquito. This discovery revolutionised medical science by providing the first evidence that mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans.

 

4. 20 August – International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism: International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed annually on 20 August. The commemoration of this day is of particular importance for the countries of the African continent located along the Sahara-Sahelian Belt, which are on the front line in the global fight against terrorism. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a significant resolution, 72/165, on December 20, 2017, establishing the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The resounding consensus that endorsed this resolution underscores the global commitment to confronting terrorism and standing by its victims.

The selection of August 21 as the designated date holds special

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. BEML signs MoU with Indian Navy to develop advanced marine applications for Defence: Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML Ltd.), which is into defence and heavy engineering manufacturing, has signed an MoU with the Directorate of Marine Engineering, Indian Navy, for indigenous design, development, manufacture, testing, and product support of critical marine equipment and systems. Aligned with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the partnership aims to strengthen self-reliance in defence production and minimise reliance on foreign imports. This initiative is a pivotal step in enhancing bilateral cooperation for indigenous design, development, manufacture, testing and product support of critical Marine Engineering equipment and systems.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Airtel Payments Bank introduces AI-powered Face Match: Airtel Payments Bank has launched the Face Match, a new security feature designed to protect customer accounts from fraudulent activities. The feature uses advanced machine learning algorithms to assess potential threats and activate facial recognition verification when necessary. The Face Match feature works by analysing various factors, including user behaviour, transactions patterns, location data, and device location to verify the user. In case the user activity is inconsistent with their past behaviour and information, the user is asked to verify their identity through a selfie. Upon activation, users receive a notification prompting them to complete a quick verification through the Airtel Thanks app. The selfie is then compared to the photo taken during the account onboarding process using facial recognition technology and liveliness checks. A successful match allows the transaction to proceed.

 

2. IndusInd Holdings gets nod to acquire majority stake in 2 Invesco entities: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of shareholding in each of Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited and Invesco Trustee Private Limited by IndusInd International Holdings Limited. The proposed combination pertains to the acquisition of 60% shareholding in each of Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Limited (Invesco AMC) and Invesco Trustee Private Limited (Invesco Trustee) by IndusInd International Holdings Limited (IIHL). IIHL will be holding the investment through its wholly owned and controlled subsidiary, IIHL AMC Holdings Limited (IIHL AMC), which has been incorporated specifically for the Proposed Combination. IIHL is a Global Business License (Category 1) licensee company incorporated in the Republic of Mauritius.

 

3. Net foreign direct investment rises to $6.9 billion in Q1: RBI: Net foreign direct investment (FDI) during the April-June period of the current financial year was $6.9 billion, compared to $4.7 billion in the year-ago period, the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India showed. The increase was due to an improvement in gross inward FDI, which grew by 26.4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to $22.5 billion during Q1 of 2024-25. Manufacturing, financial services, communication services, computer services, electricity and other energy sectors accounted for about 80 per cent of the gross FDI inflows. With around 75 per cent of the flows, the major source countries were Singapore, Mauritius, the Netherlands, the US, and Belgium,” according to RBI’s State of the Economy report. Net FDI flow dropped sharply to $9.8 billion in FY24, from $28 billion in the previous year. In FY22, net FDI flows into the country were $38.6 billion.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. RGIA Hyderabad wins best airport award for third consecutive year: Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has once again clinched the prestigious title of Best Airport at the India Travel Awards, marking its third consecutive win. Last year, RGIA was also honored with Skytrax’s ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’ award in Frankfurt, Germany. The airport received recognition at the Passenger Terminal EXPO 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany for emerging on top among all other airports across South Asia and India. The RGIA team is dedicated to building upon this success and maintaining its position as the Best Airport. Ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, upgrade facilities, and introduce innovative services will be crucial in sustaining this level of excellence.

 

2. President Murmu presents National Geoscience awards 2023: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious National Geoscience Awards (NGA) for the year 2023 at a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre New Delhi. This year, a total of 12 awards to 21 Geoscientists, including academicians and professionals from across the country, were honoured under three categories: National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement (01 award), National Geoscience Award (10 awards) and National Young Geoscientist Award (01 award) in various specialized fields of geosciences. Prof Dhiraj Mohan Banerjee received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on phosphorites, isotope geology, and organic geochemistry. Dr Ashutosh Pandey was awarded the National Young Geoscientist Award for his groundbreaking research on the geodynamic evolution of the Eastern Dharwar Craton.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 21st Aug, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Satya Prakash Sangwan named chef de mission for Paris Paralympics: Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) vice president Satya Prakash Sangwan has been appointed as the chef de mission of the Indian contingent at the upcoming Paris Paralympics. As the CDM, he will lead India’s largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes competing across 12 sports disciplines. Satya Prakash Sangwan has been an integral part of the Paralympic Committee of India for over a decade. His dedication and leadership have always been an inspiration to our athletes.

 

2. M Suresh becomes interim AAI Chairman: M Suresh, Member, Air Navigation Services, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been entrusted with additional charge as Chairman of AAI. This is subsequent to relieving Sanjeev Kumar of his duties as AAI Chairman, says a Government Order. Hailing from Tenkasi district in Tamil Nadu, Suresh will hold the post for three months or until a regular incumbent joins or until further orders.

 

3. Jay Shah Set to Become ICC Chairman: Shah’s rise to ICC chairman is a significant moment for Indian cricket. It shows how dominant the BCCI has become in the decision-making processes of the ICC. Shah also holds an influential position as the chairperson of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs sub-committee, further strengthening his impact on the sport. Once he officially takes over, Jay Shah will become the youngest person ever to serve as the ICC chairman. This marks the beginning of a new era of leadership in international cricket, with Shah representing the next generation of cricket leaders.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amul ranked as world’s strongest food brand: Indian brand “Amul” has been ranked as the “strongest food brand in the world” as per the latest Food & Drink 2024 report. Amul has already been ranked number one dairy brand in the world. However, being ranked as the number one strongest food brand is a big recognition. Last year, Amul held the second position in this category. The annual report on the most valuable and strongest food, dairy & non-alcoholic drinks brands has been published by Brand Finance, world’s leading brand consultancy. As per the report, the brand value of Amul rose 11 percent to $3.3 billion, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.0 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating. Amul’s brand strength is attributed to its strong performance in familiarity, consideration, and recommendation metric. As per the report, Amul retains its status as the strongest dairy brand ranked, with an improved Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91 out of 100.

 

2. 19 August – World Humanitarian Day: World Humanitarian Day is observed every year on August 19 to honour humanitarian workers who risk their lives to provide aid and assistance to people in need. The day also aims to encourage global action to support those affected by crises, such as natural disasters, conflicts and other emergencies. Theme 2024 – Act For Humanity World Humanitarian Day traces its origins to a tragic event. On August 19, 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, resulted in the deaths of 22 humanitarian aid workers. Among the victims was Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq.

 

3. 21 August – International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism: The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed every year on 21 August. Objective – To honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorist acts while promoting the protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. The International Day was established through UN General Assembly Resolution 72/165 in 2017. This resolution set August 21st as the annual date for commemoration. In April 2020, UN Secretary-General António Guterres published a report titled “Progress of the UN system to support Member States in assisting victims of terrorism” (A/74/790). This report emphasized the need for enhanced international cooperation in assisting terrorism victims.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Rajnath Singh inaugurates new maritime rescue coordination centre in Chennai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated a new Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Coast Guard in Chennai. At the event, he also inaugurated two new Coast Guard units – the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre (RMPRC) in Chennai and a Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry – through video-conferencing. The new MRCC would facilitate enhanced coordination for the rescue of mariners and fishermen in distress at sea. It has been installed with the latest equipment for distress monitoring through terrestrial and satellite systems and has advanced. The Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry would be equipped with Chetak and Advanced Light Helicopter Squadrons. Both these helicopters are indigenously built and can carry out maritime patrol, search and rescue and other such missions from the land and Coast Guard ships patrolling at sea.

 

2. South Korea, US kick off annual drills over North’s military, cyber threats: South Korea and the United States kicked off annual summertime military exercises on Monday, seeking to boost their joint readiness to fend off North Korea’s weapons and cyber threats. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, set to end on August 29, come as North Korea races to advance its nuclear and missile programmes and tries to launch reconnaissance satellites. The drills will reflect “realistic threats” across all domains, including the North’s missile threats but also GPS jamming, cyberattacks and other lessons learned from recent incidents. About 19,000 South Korean troops will take part, similar to last year, with 48 rounds of combined field training, including field manoeuvre, live fire and amphibious exercises to be held.

3. Pakistan conducts successful training launch of Shaheen-II Ballistic Missile: The Pakistani military has conducted the successful training launch of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-II. The training launch was aimed at training of troops, validating various technical parameters and performance evaluation of different sub-systems incorporated for improved accuracy and enhanced survivability. In May, Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of the Fateh-II Guided Rocket System having a range of 400 kilometres.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Germany Captain Ilkay Gundogan announces International Retirement from Football: Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan announced his retirement from international football after leading his country at Euro 2024. Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, was in the Germany team that reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain after extra time Gundogan made his debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011 but missed their 2014 World Cup triumph with a back injury. He was also ruled out of Euro 2016 due to a dislocated kneecap.

 

2. ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 moved to UAE from Bangladesh: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 venue has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Bangladesh. The tournament will take place across the two venues in the UAE – Dubai and Sharjah – from October 3 to October 20 with no changes in dates of the scheduled matches. The ninth edition of the cricket tournament was supposed to be hosted by Bangladesh but was moved out due to the political unrest in the country. The BCB, however, will retain the hosting rights and stage the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 alongside the Emirates Cricket Board. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe had also placed offers to take over as hosts. The Australian women’s cricket team will enter the competition as three-time defending champions. Australia have won the title six times in the last seven editions.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NCLT approves Slice merger with North East Small Finance Bank: Consumer payments and lending company Slice has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for its merger with North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB). The NCLT Guwahati bench has sanctioned the scheme of arrangement and amalgamation involving Garagepreneurs Internet Pvt Ltd, Quadrillion Finance Pvt Ltd, Intergalactory Foundry Pvt Ltd, RGVN (North East) Microfinance Ltd, and North East Small Finance Bank. The approval paves way for the official merger, combining slice’s digital prowess with NESFB’s grassroots banking expertise to deliver a superior financial experience to Indian consumers. The merger will enable the combined entity to leverage advanced technology and deep community understanding, fostering financial inclusion across the nation.

 

2. LIC sells stake in Hindustan Copper for Rs 447 crore: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has sold a 2.09 per cent stake in state-owned Hindustan Copper for Rs 447 crore through an open market transaction. The insurance behemoth has sold a total of 2,01,62,682 shares, or 2.085 per cent stake, in Hindustan Copper, according to a regulatory filing. With this, LIC’s stake in the state-owned company has reduced to 6.09 per cent from 8.17 per cent. Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines. It is the only company in the country engaged in mining of copper ore and owns all the operating mining lease of Copper ore and also the only integrated producer of refined copper (vertically integrated company).

 

3. IndusInd Bank gets RBI nod to set up mutual fund asset management business: IndusInd Bank has received the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) nod to set up a mutual fund asset management business. It will be a wholly-owned subsidiary, the bank said in its filing to the exchanges. RBI has also allowed the private sector lender to infuse equity capital in the asset management subsidiary. Following the accord from the RBI, the wholly owned subsidiary of the IndusInd Bank would soon move the capital market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) with an application to launch the mutual funds business.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das ranked top central banker globally for the second consecutive year: Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has been rated “A+” for the second consecutive year in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024. The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grade the central bank governors of nearly 100 key countries, territories, and districts, as well as the European Union, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Bank of Central African States and the Central Bank of West African States. Grades are based on an “A+” to “F” scale for success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management. “A” represents an excellent performance, down through “F” for outright failure. The Central Bankers earning an A+ grade in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024, along with Shaktikanta Das, are Denmark’s Christian Kettel Thomsen and Switzerland’s Thomas Jordan.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 20th Aug, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. New AI platform will connect farmers and scientists over phone, aid in pest control: The Union Government has launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) that will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phones. NPSS aims to reduce the dependence of farmers on pesticide retailers, and inculcate a scientific approach among them towards pest management. NPSS will analyse the latest data on pests using AI tools to help farmers and experts in pest control and management. NPSS will help about 14 crore farmers in the country. The Centre envisages connecting scientists with the fields using the platform. Farmers can take photos of the infested crops or the insect using the NPSS platform and these will reach scientists and experts. This system cures the diseases at the proper time using technology. It will help in accurate diagnosis and accurate treatment. This will build confidence among farmers and production will also increase. It will save the soil too.

 

2. Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyam Vikas Abhiyan Yojana: Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyam Vikas Abhiyan Yojana, the state government will provide financial support to the state’s young entrepreneurs. Under the Yojana, the state government has set a target of establishing 10 lakh new MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in the state. The government hopes to create 50 lakh employment opportunities directly and indirectly through the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyam Vikas Abhiyan Yojana.

 

3. RBI appoints Sukumaran Nair as MD & CEO of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Salee Sukumaran Nair as the managing director and chief executive officer of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB), for a period of three years. His last assignment was as deputy managing director and chief credit officer of State Bank of India, until May 2024, where he was responsible for managing the credit portfolio. Nair, a postgraduate in applied electronics, started his banking career in 1987. He joined India’s largest public sector bank, State Bank of India, as a probationary officer. In a career spanning more than 35 years, he has handled various assignments, mostly in the Corporate Accounts Group, managing large corporates.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi inaugurates 3rd Voice of Global South Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit. The Summit is being held in a virtual format, and many leaders of the Global South are participating in the meeting. Theme 2024 – An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future The Voice of Global South is an Indian concept rooted in the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It provides a platform for the countries of the Global South to raise issues that are vital to them.

2. India & Israel join hands for new water technology centre at IIT Madras: India and Israel have joined hands for the establishment of a new water technology centre at IIT-Madras, which is expected to serve as a “key contributor” to India’s efforts to achieve sustainable water supply for all. This tripartite agreement, signed by the Embassy of Israel, IIT Madras, and the AMRUT mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, reflects a shared commitment to address the critical challenges of water management in India. The Center of Water Technology aims to become a hub for innovation, research, and capacity-building in water technologies, particularly focusing on sustainable solutions for urban water supply. To kickstart this initiative, a capacity-building course on ’24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas’ was organised at IIT-Madras from August 5 to August 8, it added.

 

3. India Amends Power Export Rules Amid Bangladesh Electricity Supply Concerns: India made changes to its rules about exporting electricity to other countries, in August 2024. These changes were made to protect Indian companies from political risks in countries like Bangladesh. The new rules allow Indian power companies to bring the electricity back to India if there are delays in payments from the countries they supply. One of the companies affected by this is Adani Power, which runs a power plant in Godda, Jharkhand, that sends all its electricity to Bangladesh. Despite these changes, Adani Power has assured that it will continue to meet its commitments to Bangladesh.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Germany Joins 18th Member State of United Nations Command in South Korea: Germany’s inclusion in the UNC has faced criticism from China and North Korea, who have historically opposed the command. North Korea views the UNC as a tool for U.S. confrontation, while China is concerned about NATO’s growing influence in Asia. Germany plans to reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, which was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is considering its role within the UNC. The exact duties of German troops in Korea are still being discussed. South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik has welcomed Germany’s involvement as a significant contribution to peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula.

 

2. India, Sri Lanka Deploy K9s in Exercise Mitra Shakti: Exercise Mitra Shakti is a joint military training exercise between India and Sri Lanka that began in 2012. It focuses on improving the ability of both armies to work together, especially in counter-terrorism operations and providing humanitarian aid. The exercise usually lasts about two weeks and includes tactical drills, cultural exchanges, and opportunities to learn about each country’s military equipment. It strengthens the relationship between the two nations and enhances their ability to respond to challenges in the Indian Ocean region, symbolizing their commitment to peace and stability.

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. About International Earth Science Olympiad: The International Earth Science Olympiad stands out as one of the most successful student-centric initiatives under the REACHOUT (Research, Education, Training, and Outreach) scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Established in 2003 during the International Geoscience Education Organization Council Meeting in Calgary, Canada, the IESO is an annual competition for secondary school students worldwide. It aims to foster awareness of earth sciences through teamwork, collaboration, the exchange of ideas, and competition. India has been participating in the IESO since 2007 and had the honor of hosting the 10th edition in Mysore.

 

2. Super Blue Moon: This rare supermoon blue moon, also known as the ‘Sturgeon Moon’ appeared on August 19, 2024. A super moon happens when the full moon is at the closest point to Earth in its orbit. Because the moon is closer, it looks about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than it does when it’s farther away. A full moon occurs when the moon is positioned directly opposite the sun, making the whole side we see fully lit up. The full moon will rise around sunset and set around sunrise, and it will look “full” not just on the main night but also on the nights right before and after.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector: Axis Bank launches PRIMUS super-premium credit card with VISA PNB launches PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card for visually impaired customers DBS Bank India launched “DBS Golden Circle,” a priority banking program for senior citizens. LIC launched LIC’s Yuva Term, LIC’s Digi Term, LIC’s Yuva Credit Life, LIC’s Digi Credit Life term life insurance plans for providing term insurance and safety net against loan repayments RBL Bank becomes first private sector lender to merge UPI and NCMC in RuPay credit cards

 

2. Recent Penalties imposed on Banks by RBI: Muthoot Finance Limited (1.9 lakh) – for non-compliance with certain provision of KYC Directions, 2016’ issued by RBI. CSB Bank Limited (₹1.86 crore) – For violations, including paying commissions to employees for Non-Performing Assets’ recovery Union Bank of India (₹1.06 crore)- For non-compliance with RBI guidelines on creating a central repository for large exposures and KYC norms. Muthoot Housing Finance Company Limited (₹5 lakh) – For governance-related violations Nido Home Finance Limited (₹5 lakh) – For not ensuring that loan agreements under co-lending arrangements with banks

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. 70th National Film Awards winners announced: The winners of the 70th National Film Awards were declared August 16. Honouring the best films and cinematic achievements of the year 2022, the awards were announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) at a presser in New Delhi. Rahul Rawail was the Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury, Nila Madhab Panda was the Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury and Gangadhar Mudalair was the Chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury. Actor Rishab Shetty won the Best Actor award in a Feature Film for his scintillating performance in the Kannada folk action thriller, Kantara. The film, which was also directed by Rishab, was also named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.