Daily GK Update- 27th Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Anil Kumar Lahoti appointed as Chairman of Railway Board: Former General Manager of Central Railway, Anil Kumar Lahoti has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Railway Board with effect from January 1, 2023. He will replace Vinay Kumar Tripathi. Lahoti belongs to the 1984 batch of Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE). Lahoti was appointed as the general manager of Central Railway in July 2021. He has also worked in several key positions in both zonal railways and the railway board in Delhi.

He reportedly also worked on developing the public private partnership model for station redevelopment, along with important infrastructural interventions leading to decongestion in stations in Delhi during his tenure with Northern and North Central Railways.

 

2. Ministry of Power signs MoU with DRDO for Vulnerable Hydro Projects: Ministry of Power has signed an MoU with DRDO for the implementation of Early Warning System (EWS) for Vulnerable Hydro Projects/Power Stations. Alok Kumar (Secretary, Ministry of Power) and Dr. Samir V Kamat (Chairman, DRDO) signed the MoU. Both will work towards developing suitable mitigation measures against avalanches, landslides, and other geo-hazards

Ministry of Power has already signed MoUs with CSIR-NGRI, IMD, WIHG and NRSC-ISRO for implementation of EWS Ministry of Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence today here for Implementation of Early Warning System for Vulnerable Hydro Projects/Power Stations. Shi Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power and Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) & Chairman, DRDO, signed the MoU.

 

3. President Murmu inaugurates project worth Rs 43.08 cr at Srisailam Temple: President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the project “Development of Srisailam Temple” at Srisailam Temple Complex, Andhra Pradesh. The project has been sanctioned and executed under PRASHAD scheme, under Ministry of Tourism. The project has been completed with a cost of Rs 43.08 crores. The project is 100% funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India. Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati.

President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the project “Development of Srisailam Temple in the State of Andhra Pradesh” today at Srisailam Temple Complex, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.  The project has been sanctioned and executed under PRASHAD scheme viz. National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive of the Ministry of Tourism.

 

4. IIT Kanpur develops Artificial Heart to deal with Acute Cardiac Problems: IIT Kanpur has developed an artificial heart that would be of great help to people with acute cardiac problems. IIT Kanpur and cardiologists from across the country have developed this artificial heart. As per the IIT Kanpur Director, Abhay Karandikar, the trial on animals would begin next year, after success in the trial, transplantation can be done in humans in the next two years. Most of the implants and stents for heart patients are being imported. "Artificial heart is being developed to reduce the sufferings of the patients," he said, adding, "a team of 10 scientists and doctors has prepared this artificial heart. After the success of the trial on animals, heart transplantation in humans will begin within two years."

 

5. Madhya Pradesh Government to build Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s grand memorial in Gwalior: Madhya Pradesh Government will build a huge statue of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and a research centre as part of his grand memorial in Gwalior. The ‘Gwalior Gaurav Diwas’ function marked the 98th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The event was also attended by Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Narendra Singh Tomar. The Madhya Pradesh government has allotted nearly 4,050 hectares of land in the Sirol area of Gwalior to build a memorial of Vajpayee. Vajpayee was born in Gwalior on December 25, 1924.

 

6. Bulandshahr prison foods become the 2nd jail in UP to be rated five star by FSSAI: The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has awarded the food provided by the Bulandshahr prison of Uttar Pradesh a five-star rating and the tag ‘Eat Right Campus’. Bulandshahr Jail is the second prison after Farrukhabad jail to get this tag from Uttar Pradesh.

The FSSAI team inspected the kitchen’s food quality, storage and hygiene on stringent measures, based on which the Bulandshahr prison was given a five-star rating, the ‘Eat Right Campus’ tag in addition to the remark of ‘Excellent’ by the FSSAI.

 

7. Losar Festival celebrated in Ladakh: Losar Festival was celebrated in Ladakh on 24 December 2022 to mark the Ladakhi New Year. Ladakhi New Year is the major socio-religious festival of Ladakh celebrated in winter. The Losar festivities continue for nine more days from the New Year with the offering of prayers in the name of God and Goddess, dances and songs in honour of Ibex, and the pilgrimage of Mount Kailash. The lighting of prayer lamps, illumination of buildings, houses, religious places like monasteries, stupas, and other business establishments making appear that the entire Ladakh is lit in lights are part of celebrations of the Losar Festival.

 

8. Kerala’s Dharmadam becomes first complete library constituency in India: Dharmadam, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s constituency has achieved the position of complete library constituency in India, the first in India. Out of the total 138 wards in the constituency, there were no libraries in 63 wards. Dharmadam reached the achievement with the opening of libraries in these wards too. Complete librarianisation was made possible with the support of all sections of the people of the constituency. The People’s Mission for Social Development, a people’s organization, has taken up the work of establishing libraries and expanding the existing ones in Dharmadam constituency A mission was formed to consolidate operations. The District Library Council and local self-governing bodies, which are part of the mission, became active participants in the activities.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s Cuisine Ranked Fifth in the list of best Cuisines of the World: According to Taste Atlas, India is ranked fifth on the global list of the best cuisines for 2022. The ranking is based on audience votes for ingredients, dishes, and beverages. Italy’s food came in first place followed by Greece and Spain. India received 4.54 points and the best-rated foods of the country include “garam masala, malai, ghee, butter garlic naan, keema”. It has a total of 460 items in the list. Furthermore, the best restaurants to try Indian cuisine are Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (Mumbai), Karavalli (Bengaluru), Bukhara (New Delhi), Dum Pukht (New Delhi), Comorin (Gurugram) and 450 others, according to the list. Japan, the United States of America, Turkiye, France, and Peru were also among the top 10 countries with the best cuisines.

Chinese cuisine, which is the world’s most popular, however, ranked 11th on the list.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Nikhat Zareen won gold at 2022 Women’s Boxing National Championship: Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain have won gold medals at Women’s National Boxing Championship 2022, organised in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Lovlina Borgohain has defeated Arundhati Choudhary of Services in the 75kg final. Nikhat Zareen defeated Anamika of Railways in the 50kg category.

While, The Railways team has topped the medals tally with 10 medals – five golds, three silvers and two bronze. MP placed second in medal tally, followed by Haryana. Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen have won Gold medals at Women’s National Boxing Championship 2022 in Bhopal. While Lovlina Borgohain beat Arundhati Choudhary of Services 5-0 in the 75kg final, Nikhat Zareen defeated Anamika of Railways 4-1 in the final of the 50kg category.

 

2. Cricket Australia renames Test Player of the Year award: Australia's men's Test Player of the Year award has been renamed to honour legendary spinner Shane Warne. The Shane Warne Men's Test Player of the Year award will be presented annually at the Australian Cricket Awards. Warne himself won the award once, in 2006 after an incredible year that included a record 40 wickets in the famous 2005 Ashes series in England. This Australian Cricket Awards will be announced on January 30, 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India will become third largest economy by 2035 : CEBR: According to the British consultancy, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) report, India will become third largest economy by 2035 from the current fifth spot. Report title: World Economic League Table

India's annual rate of GDP growth is expected to average 6.4% after which growth is expected to average 6.5% in the subsequent nine years. The world gross domestic product will be doubled by 2037 as developing economies will catch up with the richer ones. CEBR also adds that by 2037, world gross domestic product will be doubled as developing economies will catch up with the richer ones. The shifting balance of power will see the East Asia and Pacific region account for over a third of global output by 2037, while Europe's share shrinks to less than a fifth.

 

2. RBI to migrate payments fraud reporting module to Daksh on January 1: RBI has issued an order to migrate the payments fraud reporting module to DAKSH (RBI’s advanced supervisory management system) on January 1, 2023. Aim: To streamline reporting, enhance efficiency and automate the payments fraud management process. Earlier, it was facilitated through Electronic Data Submission Portal (EDSP). As per the RBI, all authorised Payment System Operators (PSOs) and payment system participants in India are required to report all payment frauds.

 

3. Infibeam Avenues receives RBI nod for Bharat Bill Payment licence: Infibeam Avenues Ltd has received Perpetual Licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for its bill payments business, BillAvenue. The licence will allow BillAvenue to function as a Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU) under Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). BillAvenue can operate as both biller and customer operating unit onboarding billers and agent institutions to service customers. It will help the company offer safe, secure and uninterrupted services. Infibeam Avenues Ltd., the country’s first listed payments infrastructure firm, has received Perpetual Licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for its bill payments business, BillAvenue. 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Aleida Guevara to be honoured with first KR Gouri Amma national award: Cuban social worker and human rights activist, Dr Aleida Guevara has been selected for the first KR Gouri Amma national award 2022. She is an active member of the Cuban Medical Mission that works to improve the health profile of children in Latin America. The award will be presented by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan at Olympia Hall at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium. The award consists of $3,000, a statute and a citation It has been instituted by the K R Gouri Amma Foundation

 

2. IIT Madras wins Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards 2022: IIT Madras programmes on BS Data Science and NPTEL in collaboration with IISc Bangalore, have won the Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards 2022 for the best programmes. The BS in Data Science and Applications programme won Silver in the ‘Best Online Program’ category. The NPTEL-National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, has won the Gold in the ‘Lifelong Learning' category. The Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards are considered to be the Oscars of Education.

 

3. Cyclist Swasti Singh gets Ekalabya Puraskar: The ‘Ekalabya Puraskar’ for the year 2022 was presented to cyclist Swasti Singh. The award is given every year to encourage young sports talents. Singh was presented with a citation, trophy, and Rs 5 lakh cash in a programme organized by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT). She was honoured for her performance from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022 at both national and international levels. Football player Pyari Xaxa and Hockey player Shilanda Lakra also were honoured with a citation and Rs 50,000 cash each.

 

4. Beth Mead won BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 award: English football player Beth Mead has been awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 as she was the player of the tournament and top scorer at Euro 2022. Beth Mead has defeated Germany in the finals at Wembley to win England’s first major women’s football trophy. The 27-year-old competed against Ben Stokes and Ronnie O’Sullivan for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 award. While Sarina Wiegman (England’s manager) has won the Coach of the Year.

 

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Veteran golfer, Kathy Whitworth passes away: Kathy Whitworth, the winningest golfer in history, has been passed away at the age of 83. She is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. She had 88 wins on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour which include six LPGA major championships. Her 88 wins are six more than Sam Snead and Tiger Woods, who hold the record for the men’s game. In 1981, she became the first LPGA golfer to earn $1 million in career earnings.

 

2. England Football Player George Cohen passed away: England’s 1966 World Cup-winning George Cohen passed away recently at the age of 83. Cohen played every minute of England’s victorious campaign on home soil. He made 37 appearances for his national team as a right-back. Cohen played his entire club career for Fulham, where he made 459 appearances between 1956 and 1969. He retired from playing at 29 after a serious knee injury. Cohen was the vice-captain for England when the team beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. England striker Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick in that match, which went to extra time.

Daily GK Update- 26th Dec, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurates Sports Science Centre: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated the Sports Science Centre in Udupi, Karnataka. The government has increased the sports budget from 854 crores before 2014 to 3,100 crore rupees (2022) and spent 2700 crore rupees to enhance sporting infrastructure as against 630 crore rupees earlier. For Khelo India Games, the government has spent 3,136 crore rupees for a period of five years. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Sports Science Centre in Udupi yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the government is making efforts to transform India into a sporting soft power. It has increased the sports budget from 854 crores before 2014 to 3,100 crore rupees this year and spent 2700 crore rupees to enhance sporting infrastructure as against 630 crore rupees earlier.

 

2. India observes Veer Baal Diwas of 26th December: India has observed first 'Veer Bal Diwas' on December 26, to honor the ‘Sahibzadas’, the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh. This day is observed to pay honor and tribute to the sacrifices made by Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (6) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (9), who were laid down their lives while defending their faith in Sirhind, Punjab. Veer Bal Diwas has been celebrated at an event hosted by PM Narendra Modi at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi.

 

3. Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal unveiled 'right to repair' portal: Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal has introduced various initiatives, including a right to repair portal and an NTH mobile app and opened new premises of the National Consumer Helpline centre. On this portal, manufacturers would share the manual of product details with customers so that they could either repair by self, by third parties, rather than depend on original manufacturers.

Initially, mobile phones, automobiles and farming equipment will be covered. Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday introduced a host of new initiatives, including a right to repair portal and an NTH mobile app and opened new premises of the National Consumer Helpline centre in the national capital.

 

4. Ladakh celebrates Losar Festival to mark Ladakhi New Year: Ladakh has celebrated Losar Festival on December 24, to mark the Ladakhi New Year. Ladakhi New Year is the major socio-religious festival of Ladakh celebrated in winter. The Losar festivities continue for nine more days from the new year with the offering of prayers in the name of God and Goddess, dances and songs in honour of Ibex and the pilgrimage of Mount Kailash. During the festival, they perform the traditional role of the three Lama Jogis and Grandparents. Ladakh is celebrating Losar Festival today, December 24, to mark the Ladakhi New Year. Ladakhi New Year is the major socio-religious festival of Ladakh celebrated in winter.

AIR correspondent reports, the lighting of prayer lamps, illumination of buildings, houses, religious places like monasteries, stupas, and other business establishments making appear that the entire Ladakh is lit in lights are part of celebrations of the Losar Festival.

 

5. Railways plans to modernize 1,000 small stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: The railways is planning to modernize 1,000 small yet important stations under the new “Amrit Bharat Station Scheme”. This is apart from the ambitious plan to revamp 200 big stations under a separate redevelopment programme. The aim is to identify developing cities with potential and envisage railway stations as city centres that would link not just various parts of the city but also between different cities in the future. The plan is to map everything connected to it — bridges and different modes of transport. Khurda station in Odisha has been modernized for Rs 4 crore with all contemporary amenities for passengers. The main structure was renovated, the facade was redone and the number of railway tracks was also increased.

 

6. IIT Kanpur developed an artificial heart: IIT Kanpur is ready with an artificial heart that would be of great help to people with acute cardiac problems. Trial on animals will start from February or March. After success in the trial, transplantation can be done in humans in the next two years. An artificial heart is being developed to reduce the suffering of the patients. A team of 10 scientists and doctors has prepared this artificial heart. After the success of the trial on animals, heart transplantation in humans will begin within two years.” India imports 80 percent of equipment and implants from abroad. Only 20 percent of the equipment and implants are being manufactured in India. Most of the implants and stents for heart patients are being imported.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' elected as PM of Nepal for third time: CPN-Maoist Centre chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'  has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time. He will head the new government until 2025 as part of a deal reached with another party. He has replaced Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress party. Prachanda’s Maoist Centre party has won 32 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives. The UML (Party) has won 78 seats, and the rest won by smaller groups. CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'  appointed  as the new Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed Prachanda as the prime minister as per Article 76 (2) of the constitution this evening.

 

2. Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen sentenced to 11 years: Former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering and bribery. Yameen was accused of abusing his position and taking one million US Dollar from a private company to facilitate the sale of Aarah for resort development.

Yameen, who lost power in 2018, was sentenced to five years in jail and fined 5 million dollars in 2019 for embezzlement in state funds.

About Maldives

·       Capital – Male

·       Currency – Rufiya

·       President – Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

 

3. Polar bears in a key region of Canada are in sharp decline: According to a government survey, the Associated Press reported, Polar bears in Western Hudson Bay of Canada, an inland sea connected to the Arctic Ocean, are dying at a fast rate. The study has also revealed that females and younger polar bears are the worst affected. When the last survey took place in 2016, there were 842 bears in the area, but now only 618 bears left in Western Hudson Bay.

The polar bear is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List Polar bears in Canada’s Western Hudson Bay, an inland sea connected to the Arctic Ocean, are dying at a fast rate, according to a new government survey, the Associated Press reported on Friday. It also revealed that females and younger polar bears are the worst affected.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Arunachal’s Geto Sora won Junior International Badminton Championship: Arunachal Pradesh’s 7-year-old Geto Sora has won the Top Arena Junior International Badminton Championship title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He won the championship title after beating Malaysia’s second seed Jaryl Teh in straight sets 21-5, 21-16. This is Sora’s second international badminton title in two months. In November, the 7-year-old Sora won the multinational BTY-Yonex-Singha Championship, which was held at the Banthongyord Badminton School in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI's revised bank locker rules to come into effect from 1st January: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated banks in the country to renew their locker agreements with existing locker customers by 1st January, 2023. All the existing locker depositors are required to furnish proof of eligibility for a renewed locker arrangement. RBI has advised the banks to install CCTV camera at entry and exit points of the strong room and the common areas of operation. It mandates to preserve its recording for a period of not less than 180 days. RBI has also instructed banks to ensure that any “unfair terms or conditions” are not covered in their locker agreements. The revised guidelines add that the terms of the agreement shall not be more “onerous than required in ordinary course of business” to secure the interests of the bank.

 

2. HDFC gets $400-million loan from IFC for homes, affordable and green: International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided a loan of USD 400 million to Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Limited. Reason: To boost the green affordable housing finance in India. The loan will support India's shift towards a more sustainable growth path, creating jobs and ensuring long-term business growth. It focuses on its green affordable housing portfolio, with 75 per cent (USD 300 million) of the proceeds earmarked for this sector.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NHPC won 2022 ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India' award: NHPC Limited has been awarded the ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India – Hydropower and Renewable Energy Sector’ award at PRAKASHmay ‘15th Enertia Awards 2022’.

Reason: For its leadership in the hydropower sector with a gross asset class renewable energy capacity of more than 7000 MW. The award also recognizes that NHPC has more than 5000 MW of projects under construction and an ambitious 7000 MW plus plan for Solar capacity addition. NHPC Limited has been awarded as Winner of ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India – Hydropower and Renewable Energy Sector’ at PRAKASHmay ‘15^th Enertia Awards 2022’. Shri U.S. Sahi, Executive Director (EMS/CC/CSR), NHPC received the award on behalf of NHPC at a glittering function held at New Delhi Institute of Management, New Delhi on 22^nd December 2022.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India & Japan to conduct 1st bilateral air combat exercise in Jan 2023: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) will conduct their first Air exercise “Veer Guardian 23” from January 16 to 26 at Hyakuri air base and Iruma air base in Japan. The exercise aims to promote mutual understanding and strengthen defence cooperation between the air forces.

IAF will be fielding its Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft drawn from a squadron under the Western Air Command. The IAF 150 crew will be flying in IAF’s C-17 transport aircraft. The fighter jets on their journey from India to Japan will be re-fuelled mid-air using the IL-78 planes of the IAF. Japan will field its F-2 jets which are derivatives of the F-16 plane of the US. It will also field the F-15, like the ones used by the US too. The exercise will at Hyakuri Air Base northwest of Tokyo.

 

2. Indian Navy launched indigenously-built ship ‘Arnala’ in Chennai: The Indian Navy launched the indigenously-built ship INS Arnala at the shipbuilding facility of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in Chennai’s Kattupalli. The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) built the ship. Arnala is the first of the 8 anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft (ASW-SWC).

The vessel made its first contact with the water of the Bay of Bengal during a recently-held launch ceremony in Chennai. The launch ceremony is one of the four important ceremonial occasions associated with a ship’s life. The other three are keel laying, commissioning, and decommissioning. The ship has been named ‘Arnala’ to signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the island of Arnala. The ‘Arnala’ class ships are being built to replace the Indian Navy’s ‘Abhay’ class ASW ships.

Daily GK Update- 25th Dec, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. P N Vasudevan reappointed as MD, CEO of Equitas Small Finance Bank: P.N. Vasudevan has been reappointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of Equitas Small Finance Bank.His current term as MD, CEO will expire on July 22, 2023.The board of Bank has decided to renew his term for a further period of 3 years with effect from July 23, 2023, subject to approval from RBI.He is the founder of Equitas and has been associated with its journey as a microfinance institution since 2007.It was converted into a bank in 2016. “The Board believes that continuity of management and his leadership would help the Bank sustain its growth in a stable, scalable and inclusive manner. Accordingly the present ongoing process of identifying a successor to him will stand terminated,” the bank said.

 

2. Good Governance Day 2022: 25th December: India observed "Good Governance Day" on the birth anniversary (25th December) of former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Vihari Vajpayee.

In 2014, PM Narendra Modi has announced to observe "Good Governance Day" every year on December 25 in memory of the former PM. Purpose of this day: To increase public access to various government programmes and services via good governance. It was established with the slogan "Good Governance through e-Governance." The Indian government decided that every year December 25 would be a full day of work. The government has been commemorating Good Governance Day every year since 2014. The day is celebrated to t make sure that the country's residents are treated fairly by the government and they receive the advantages of various government services.

 

3. Researchers at IIT Kanpur developed organic solar cell devices: Researchers at IIT Kanpur have developed organic solar cells under the DST-RCUK APEX project.Organic solar cell: It is a combination of an organic polymer and PCBM developed on steel substrates can potentially convert a steel roof into an energy-producing device. The devices consist of a blend of organic polymer PTB7 as a donor and PCBM as an acceptor. It is a jointly developed programme of the Department of S&T and the Research Councils United Kingdom (RCUK).

An organic solar cells consisting of a combination of an organic polymer and PCBM (an organic semiconductor) developed on steel substrates can potentially convert a steel roof into an energy-producing device with greater efficiency than those currently available in the market.

 

4. PM Matsya Sampada Yojana envisages insurance coverage to fishers: Parshottam Rupala (Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying) has informed that Department of Fisheries, under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has provided an insurance coverage to fishers.The insurance coverage provided under the PMMSY includes:Rs.5,00,000/- against accidental death or permanent total disability Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability

Hospitalization expenses in the event of accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000/-

 

5. Cabinet approves revision of pension for defence personnel: Union Minister of information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur has informed that the Union Cabinet approved the revision of the pension for family pensioners of armed forces under One Rank One Pension (OROP) from July 1, 2019.The revision will entail an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 8450 crore. The arrears will be with effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022. The decision to implement OROP was taken by the Narendra Modi government on November 7, 2015. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners including war widows and disabled pensioners, Thakur said. He said benefits will be extended to about 25.13 lakh armed forces pensioners and family pensioners.

 

6. CJI D Y Chandrachud constituted committee to conduct accessibility audit of SC premises: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud has constituted a committee to conduct an audit of “physical and functional access” of the top court premises to make them disabled-friendly. The committee will be headed by Supreme Court Judge S Ravindra Bhat. The ‘Supreme Court Committee on Accessibility’ has been given a broad mandate to prepare and release a questionnaire for persons with disabilities, including the apex court employees, advocates, litigants and interns, who visit the top court premises to assess the nature and extent of problems they face.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sitiveni Rabuka becomes new Prime Minister of Fiji: Sitiveni Rabuka has become the 12th prime minister of Fiji after a coalition of parties voted to elect him. His appointment has ended 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament. Social Democratic Liberal party held the balance of power and voted to form a coalition with Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation party. In secret parliamentary votes, 28 members of parliament voting for Rabuka while 27 voted in support of Bainimarama. The appointment of Rabuka on Saturday ended 10 days of uncertainty after an election delivered a hung parliament. Fiji’s Social Democratic Liberal party (Sodelpa) held the balance of power and on Friday voted to form a coalition with Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and the National Federation party. Saturday’s secret parliamentary vote for prime minister was closer than had been expected, with 28 members of parliament voting for Rabuka while 27 voted in support of Bainimarama.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Geto Sora wins 2022 Junior International Badminton Championship title: Badminton player, Geto Sora (7) from Arunachal Pradesh has won title of 2022 Junior International Badminton Championship in the below 9 years category, organised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has defeated Jaryl Teh from Malaysia in straight sets 21-5, 21-16. In November 2022, he had won the U-9 boys singles title in the Yonex-Singha-BTY Championships 2022, held at the Banthongyord Badminton School in Bangkok, Thailand. Budding badminton sensation Geto Sora once again made Arunachal proud by winning the Top Arena Junior International Badminton Championship title in the below 9 years category, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, December 23.

 

2. Harmanpreet Singh to captain Indian team at the FIH men’s world cup 2023: Hockey India has announced Dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh as the captain of the Indian men’s Hockey team for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023. Amit Rohidas has been named as the vice-captain of the squad. The team coach is Graham Reid. The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup is held every four years and the 2022 event was postponed to 2023 due to the corona pandemic. The last 14th FIH Men’s World Cup Hockey was also played in Odisha in 2018.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF predicts 6.8% growth in current fiscal for India: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted the India's GDP growth rate of 6.8 per cent for the current fiscal year (2022-23). IMF has also estimated the India's growth rate of 6.1 per cent in the next fiscal years (2023-24). In its report, IMF has stated that the growth of India is expected to moderate as it is navigating a "very difficult" external environment. IMF has also highlighted that Indian economy has rebounded from the deep pandemic-related downturn.

 

2. IFC provides $400 million loan to HDFC to promote green housing: World Bank’s investment arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided to make a $400 million (around ₹3,400 crore) loan to mortgage lender HDFC Ltd, with an aim to drive India’s green housing growth. The capital will help HDFC boost its green affordable housing portfolio, with 75% (around $300 million) of the proceeds earmarked for this sector. Earlier in April, HDFC Ltd decided to merge with its banking subsidiary HDFC Bank. Green Houses are built with sustainable, environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, and recyclable resources. These houses are constructed in such a way that water, air, solar, and geothermal energy are optimally utilized, thus reducing energy waste. Affordable houses means that it will target Middle-income groups.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Football player, Beth Mead wins BBC Sports Personality of Year 2022 award: English football player, Beth Mead (27) has been awarded the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year as she was the player of the tournament and top scorer at Euro 2022. Beth Mead has defeated Germany in the finals at Wembley to win England’s first major women’s football trophy. She has competed against Ben Stokes and Ronnie O’Sullivan for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 award. While, Sarina Wiegman (England's manager) has won the Coach of the Year. However, Beth was the favorite to win. While Mead won, Stokes came in second place. Beth said she was speechless and massively honoured to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022.

 

2. UIDAI gets DSCI AISS Award for ‘Best Security Practices in Govt Sector’: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has won Data Security Council of India's (DSCI) award 2022 in Best Security Practices in Government Sector category. The award was given to UIDAI during DSCI's three-day Annual Information Security Summit (AISS) in New Delhi.

Reason: For its significant role in securing national critical Aadhaar infrastructure that provides digital identity-based welfare services to residents. UIDAI CEO: Dr. Saurabh Garg Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022 announced: Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages. 7 books of poetry, 6 novels, 2 short stories, 3 Play/Dramas, 2 Literary Criticisms, one each of Autobiographical Essays, Collection of Articles, and Literary History have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2022. The awardee will receive an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and Rs. 1,00,000 in Cash. It also announced the ‘Sahitya Akademi Translation’ awards for 2022.