Daily GK Update- 26th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Madhya Pradesh notifies 'Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve': Madhya Pradesh, which is home to the most tigers in the country, has got a new protected area for the big cats named ‘Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve’, the seventh in the state and 54th in the country. Veerangana Drugavati Sanctuary, recognized for their ecological significance in preserving biodiversity,including flora, fauna, geology, and zoology Until now, M.P. was home to six tiger reserves – Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Pench, Panna and Sanjay-Dubri.

 

2. Madhya Pradesh Announced Hike Retirement Benefits For Kotwars: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an increase in honorariums and retirement benefits for kotwars.  The government would provide Rs 1 lakh to kotwars at the time of their retirement.  Kotwars are appointed at the village level to assist revenue officials and provide them with information. kotwars, who do not own land, will get Rs 8,000 per month instead of the earlier Rs 4,000, while those with less than 3 acres of land will get Rs 2,000.

 

3. Banmali Agarwal appointed as the new chairman of Tata Advanced Systems: Tata Sons has appointed Banmali Agarwal as the new chairman of the group’s aerospace and defense solutions unit Tata Advanced Systems (TASL).  He has been appointed in place of Vijay Singh, Who have retired.  He is also a senior advisor to Tata Sons and chairman of Tata Electronics. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is the strategic aerospace and defense arm of the Tata Group. TASL is both an operating and holding company.

 

4. MP CM unveils 108-ft statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has unveiled the 108-foot-tall ‘Statue of Oneness’ of Adi Shankaracharya at Omkareshwar in the poll-bound. The statue depicts Shankaracharya as a 12-year-old child when he is said to have visited Omkareshwar. The government has invested Rs 2,200 crore to develop the temple town located on the Mandhata island of Khandwa district, which will form an important tourism circuit, along with Ujjain, Maheshwar and Mandu religious towns.

 

5. ICICI Lombard appoints Sanjeev Mantri as MD and CEO: Sanjeev Mantri has been appointed the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICICI Lombard. Mantri, who is currently an Executive Director at ICICI Lombard General Insurance, will take over his new role from December 1, 2023, or the date of IRDAI approval, whichever is later, for a period of five consecutive years. Sanjeev Mantri has been with the ICICI Group for over 20 years, beginning his career with ICICI Bank in 2003. The general insurer’s latest move to appoint Mantri as the MD & CEO of the company follows the recent resignation of Bhargav Dasgupta as MD & CEO of the company. Dasgupta, who held the post of MD & CEO of ICICI Lombard for 14 years, had resigned few days back to pursue a career outside India. Over the 14 years when Bhargav was at the helm, the company’s revenues grew six times and net profits 78 times. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Bhargav Dasgupta as Vice-President of market solutions for 3 years.

 

6. 25 September – Antyodaya Diwas: Antyodaya Diwas is celebrated annually in India to mark the birth anniversary of Indian leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. It is a day of remembrance and celebration of his life and legacy and he was one of the most prominent figures in India’s political history. He was a co-founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) and a thinker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Upadhyaya is also known for his efforts to uplift the poor and less fortunate, and so his birth anniversary is celebrated on Antyodaya, which means ‘rising of the last’. Tragically, he passed away in 1968 near the Mughalsarai Junction railway station. In recognition of his contributions, the Uttar Pradesh government renamed the station as ‘Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction’ in 2018. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s legacy also extends to the realm of rural development, as in 2014, on this day, the Ministry of Rural Development reintroduced “Aajeevika Skills,” a skill development program under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), later renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM in November 2015.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World’s Second Largest Hindu Temple outside India to be Inaugurated in US: New Jersey in the US is set to host the world's second-largest Hindu temple outside India, to be formally inaugurated on October 8. Hailed as the world's largest Hindu temple outside India “in the modern era”, the Akshardham temple was built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham organization. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a Hindu spiritual leader of the 19th century, and was inspired by his 5th spiritual successor  Pramukh Swami Maharaj

 

2. World Contraception Day is celebrated on September 26: World Contraception Day is an annual observation that falls on September 26 every day. Aim: To spread awareness around the importance of contraception and to empower couples. The World Contraception Day 2023 theme is "The Power of Options," It is important to make women aware of how they can avoid unplanned motherhood.  In addition to family planning, contraception also prevents HIV AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections.

 

3. World Environmental Health Day is celebrated on September 26: World Environmental Health Day is celebrated on September 26. Objective: To foster healthy and safer communities which can help both human beings and the environment to thrive. It also helps in promoting the importance of human health and their well-being Aim: To focus on creating awareness about environmental health. The theme of World Environmental Health Day 2023 is "Global Environmental Public Health: Standing up to protect everyone's Health each and every day."

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India Women’s Cricket Team Wins Gold Medal By Defeating Sri Lanka: Indian women's cricket team won their maiden gold medal in Asian Games 2023 by defeating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final.  This is a historic feat achieved by the Indian Women's cricket team. India secured a new world record and captured the gold medal in the men's 10 air rifle team event during the Asian Games 2023.  The Indian contingent participating in the men's four rowing final displayed their mettle, securing a well-deserved bronze medal.

 

2. India bags gold medal in Men’s 10-meter air rifle event at Asian Game 2023: India’s Men’s 10m Air Rifle Team has broken the World Record to win the first gold medal for the nation in the ongoing Asian Games 2023. The team, consisting of Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Divyansh Singh Panwar, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, not only clinched India’s first gold medal of the games but also shattered the world record in the process. The trio shot a total of 1893.7 points in the individual qualification round, surpassing the previous world record set by China at the Baku World Championship. South Korea finished in second place with 1890.1 points, while China came in third with a total score of 1888.2. Rudrankksh, who finished third in qualification, scored 631.6 points for the team. Aishwary registered 631.6 points while Divyansh scored 629.6 points for India. The women’s 10m air rifle team, featuring Ashi Chouksey, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ramita Jindal, also made their mark by securing India’s first medal at Hangzhou 2023, a silver in shooting.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SIDBI signs pact with DLAI to boost fintech sector : The Small Industries Development Bank of India has inked an agreement with the Digital Lenders Association of India (DLAI) to boost the country's fintech sector.  Aim: To collaborate with SIDBI to develop standard protocols to expedite the adoption of digital lending partnerships including alliances between banks and Lending Service Providers  It also provides resource support to eligible DLAI member NBFCs and also explores Assignment and Securitisation transactions

 

2. Global investment in Indian banks to continue on robust finances: Indian banks will continue attracting global investment from investors looking for better returns as credit growth, improved margins, and stable asset quality boost the country’s lenders The total market value of foreign institutional investors' holdings in Indian banks has increased to Rs 8.36 trillion as of June 30 2023 from Rs 7.71 trillion 2022 Top lenders that attracted foreign institutional investors include ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

 

3. JP Morgan to add India G-Secs to its emerging market bond index: JP Morgan Chase & Company will include Indian government bonds to its emerging markets bond index from June 2024. The move can potentially attract about $25 billion into the country, as per analyst estimates. India, which will be included in the GBI-EM Global Index suite starting June 28, 2024, is expected to reach the maximum weight of 10 percent in the GBI-EM Global Diversified Index (GBI-EM GD). Currently, 23 Indian government bonds with a combined notional value of $330 billion are index-eligible. Inclusion of the bonds will be staggered over 10 months through March 31, 2025 (i.e., inclusion of 1 percent weight per month).

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Biswanath Ghat in Assam named ‘Best Tourism Village of India 2023: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Biswanath Ghat has been selected as the Best Tourism Village of India 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism. Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, Biswanath Ghat is also popularly known as ‘Gupta Kashi’ and is named after the ancient Biswanath Mandir.  The village is located towards the south of Biswanath Charialii Town. The ghat boasts a cluster of temples of different gods.

 

2. Legendary actor Waheeda Rehman to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur announced that veteran actor Waheeda Rehman has been chosen for Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 The actress has been critically acclaimed for her roles in Hindi films like Pyaasa, Kaagaz ke Phool and several others A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, she has exemplified dedication, commitment and the strength of a Bharatiya Nari who can achieve the highest level of professional excellence

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. National Award Winning Malayalam Filmmaker K G George Passed Away At 78: Veteran Malayalam filmmaker and national award winner K G George died at an old age home near Kakkanad here.  He received the national award for best feature film 'Swapnaadanam' (1976) and has also bagged nine state film awards since he started his film career in 1970. 'Panchavadi Palam' directed by George in 1984 is considered one of the best political satire films in Malayalam cinema. He worked to reduce the difference between artistic and commercial cinema

Daily GK Update- 25th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Oil minister launched India’s first green hydrogen fuel cell bus in Delhi: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri flagged off India’s first green hydrogen fuel cell bus in Delhi  The success of this project can catapult India from being a net importer of fossil energy to becoming a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy. Aim: To provide global leadership to other countries in terms of technology transfer, while becoming a large green hydrogen producer and supplier of manufacturing parts.

 

2. Rajnath Singh inaugurated Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 at Hindon Airbase: Indian Air Force and Drone Federation of India will co-host Bharat Drone Shakti- 2023 at the Indian Air Force airbase at Hindon in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The usage of drones in India is seeing an increase- both, in the military, as well as in the civil domain. The induction ceremony of the first C-295 MW transport aircraft will be held during the program. India has formalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force AVRO fleet.

 

3. Tamil Nadu, Kerala may join hands to count endangered Nilgiri tahr: Tamil Nadu Forest Department joints hand with Kerala to conduct a synchronized census, as the animal is only found in select habitats in the two States. After launching Project Nilgiri Tahr 2022 for the conservation of the State animal, TN is now working on a standardized protocol to count the endangered population of southern India’s only mountain ungulate  Objective: To restore the ecosystem’s fragmentation, particularly in the Shola grasslands, where the Tahr thrives

 

4. 75 per cent Indian villages declared ODF Plus: According to Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat about 4.4 lakh or 75 per cent of India's villages have achieved the open defecation free-plus status. An 'ODF Plus' village is one that has sustained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status along with implementing either solid or liquid waste management systems. The top performing states and UTs which have 100 per cent ODF Plus villages are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Goa, Gujarat etc.

 

5. PM Modi flags off 9 new Vande Bharat trains: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off nine new Vande Bharat Express trains via video conferencing, taking the total number of semi-high-speed trains to 34. The prime minister said the Vande Bharat Express trains being launched will significantly improve connectivity as well as boost tourism across India. The nine trains will provide faster connectivity across 11 states — Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand and Gujarat. The new trains that were flagged off by Prime Minister Modi are Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express, Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express, Hyderabad –Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express, Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express, Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express, Rourkela – Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express, Ranchi – Howrah Vande Bharat Express and Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Pharmacists Day is observed on 25th September: World Pharmacist Day is celebrated on September 25 as a dedicated occasion to recognize and honor pharmacists for their significant contributions to improving global health. The theme of 2023 is Pharmacy Strengthening Health Systems. Objective: To promote and support initiatives that raise awareness of and advocate for the vital contributions made by pharmacists worldwide. This special day emphasizes the vital role that pharmacists play in enhancing human life.

 

2. Singapore Overtakes Hong Kong as World’s Freest Economy : Singapore has dethroned Hong Kong to become the world’s freest economy in 2023, according to a report released by Canadian think tank Fraser Institute. Singapore is now the world’s freest economy, displacing Hong Kong after 53 years. For the first time since the Economic Freedom of the World Index started in 1970, Hong Kong slipped to second place from the number one spot — and its score is about to drop even further. Switzerland, New Zealand, and the U.S. occupy the third, fourth and fifth positions respectively. Other notable mentions include the United Kingdom coming in ninth, while Japan and Germany claimed 20th and 23rd place respectively. Some of the tenets used to gauge economic freedom index are measured based on ease of international trade, freedom to enter and compete in markets, as well as business regulations, amongst other yardsticks.

 

3. World’s oldest wooden structure discovered in Zambia: Archaeologists have discovered what is thought to be the world’s oldest known wooden structure near the border of Zambia and Tanzania. Found along a riverbank in Zambia, the simple structure consists of two interlocking logs of a large-fruited willow tree. One log lies on top of the other and is held in place by a notch in its underside. Marks on the wooden structure show that the logs were carved, chopped, and shaped with sharp stone tools. The structure predates modern humans and probably served as a walkway for human ancestors who lived along the Kalambo River nearly half a million years ago. The structure dates back at least 476,000 years, well before the evolution of Homo sapiens, according to a study describing the find in the journal Nature. The earliest evidence of Homo sapiens is from around 300,000 years ago. It is possible that the structure was the work of Homo heidelbergensis, thought to have lived in that region between 700,000 to 200,000 years ago. A collection of wooden tools, including a wedge and a digging stick, were also discovered at the site.

 

4. 24 September 2023 – World Day of the Deaf: World Day of the Deaf is observed every year on the last Sunday in September. This year, it falls on September 24. This day is dedicated to recognizing their linguistic and cultural diversity, promoting sign language as a crucial means of communication, and advocating for their inclusion and equal opportunities in society. The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) observed the first World Deaf Day in 1958. It is a global NGO that aims to advance the rights of the deaf community and enhance their standard of living. According to a variety of sources, Granville Richard Seymour Redmond is honoured on World Deaf Day. He was born in Philadelphia in 1871 and went deaf quite early in life. He studied painting, pantomime, and drawing at the esteemed California School of Design despite being deaf. He rose to fame as a landscape painter and prolific colorist by 1905.

 

5. 24 September 2023 – World Rivers Day: World Rivers Day is observed every year on the fourth Sunday in September. This year, it marked on September 24. This annual event also advocates for the conservation and sustainable management of these vital natural resources. The first World Rivers Day was observed in 2005, following the launch that year of the Water for Life Decade by the United Nations. The proposal for such a celebration was initiated by renowned Canadian river advocate Mark Angelo.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India bags Gold medal in Men's 10-meter air rifle event at Asian Game 2023: Indian trio Rudrankksh Patil, Divyang Panwar, and Aishwary Tomar clinched gold in the Men's 10m air rifle event in Asian Games 2023 India won its first medal in shooting as the trio of Ramita Jindal, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ashi Chouksey earned a Silver in the women's 10m air rifle event. Indian duo Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh won a silver in men's lightweight double sculls in the rowing discipline. India has secured six medals - one gold, three silver, and two bronze

 

2. India Become First Team In ODI Cricket History To Hit 3000 Sixes: Indian cricketers created history and became the first team to hit the 3000 sixes mark (3007) in ODI cricket.  No team has hit 3000 sixes in ODIs so far. West Indies (2953) is the team with the most number of sixes in ODIs after India.  Pakistan (2566), Australia (2476), New Zealand (2387), England (2032), South Africa (1947), Sri Lanka (1779), Zimbabwe (1303) and Bangladesh (959) are in this list.

 

3. Marco Bezzecchi won inaugural race in India Grand Prix 2023: Marco Bezzecchi won the inaugural Indian Grand Prix 2023 with a dominant performance from start to finish. Pramac Racing rider and sprint winner Jorge Martin, who risked a penalty by unzipping his leathers, finished second  Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia suffered a crash that blew the world championship contest wide open.  Pole-sitter Bezzecchi lost out on a sprint podium after a collision with teammate Luca Marini, eventually finishing fifth

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. UPNEDA and SIDBI join hands to promote green projects: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) have signed two MoUs to make direct financing options available for MSMEs.

The first one is a structured arrangement for solarisation of residential units at Ayodhya. The second one is for bio-energy and renewable project financing.  Aim: To disseminate information about solar and green projects to MSMEs.

 

2. Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Leads the Way with ICCW: Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (USFB) Limited announced the launch of Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW) Using UPI on ATMs  It is an innovative service, set to revolutionize cash withdrawal experiences. Aim: To offer process-centric, technology-driven, and customer-oriented services that lead to a reliable, scalable, and sustainable institution, driving socio-economic change. ICCW's advantage is Elimination of skimming, cloning, and other card-related frauds.

 

3. Axis Bank Launched ‘NEO For Business’ Banking Platform for MSMEs: Axis Bank has launched a transaction banking platform for the Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) called NEO for Business. It will cater to the “real, current, and emerging” transaction needs of Indian MSMEs. The NEO for Business platform offers features like digital self on-boarding, bulk payments, GST compliance invoicing, payment gateway integration, end-to-end transaction tracking, auto reconciliation, cash flow reports, and recurring collections, among others India currently has over 65 million MSMEs, which contribute over 30 percent to India’s gross domestic product (GDP). The MSME Business Banking landscape is evolving rapidly, and there is a need for a comprehensive solution for all their Banking and Beyond Banking requirements. NEO by Axis Bank’ was launched as a platform for our corporate banking customers, offering a complete suite of digital banking products and services. Within this platform, our newly launched ‘NEO for Business’ is a one-stop solution for the business requirements of MSMEs.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano passed away: Former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano passed away at the age of 98. His passing marks the end of an era in Italian politics, as he was not only the longest-serving president but also a central figure in shaping the country’s post-war history. Giorgio Napolitano, who served as the President of Italy from 2006 until 2015, was a pivotal figure in the nation’s political landscape. He holds the distinction of being the first president in Italian history to be reelected to the office, a testament to his widespread popularity and the trust placed in him by the Italian people.

Daily GK Update- 24th Sept, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Fourth G20 Infrastructure Working Group meeting held in MP: Under India’s G20 presidency, the fourth International Infrastructure Working Group meeting was organized in Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Center, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. More than 50 delegates participated in this two-day meeting. The delegates discussed various aspects of infrastructure investments, including developing infrastructure as an asset class, promoting quality urban infrastructure, Infratech, and identifying innovative instruments for mobilizing financial resources for investment towards resilient, sustainable, and inclusive urban infrastructure. The meeting is being hosted and chaired by the Ministry of Finance with Australia and Brazil as co-chairs.

 

2. Government Unveils AI Chatbot for PM-Kisan Scheme: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched an AI chatbot — the first of its kind to be integrated with a major flagship scheme of the central government — for the PM-KISAN scheme. The AI chatbot was launched by Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, in presence of Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Additional Agriculture Secretary Pramod Meherda. The AI Chatbot introduced with the PM-KISAN scheme serves as a comprehensive guide for beneficiaries, offering timely and accurate responses to their inquiries related to the scheme. This marks the first instance of an AI Chatbot integration with a major flagship scheme of the Union Government. Developed and enhanced with the support of EK step Foundation and Bhashini, the Chatbot aims to empower farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform.

 

3. ECI ropes in Chacha Chaudhary & Sabu to educate young voters: “Chacha Chaudhary aur Chunavi Dangal” comic book has been launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) & Pran Comics to inspire youth to enroll and participate in the festival of democracy. Chacha Chaudhary, Sabu, Raaka, Dhamaka Singh, Billoo & other comic characters will now create awareness amongst children about elections The characters brought to life by the renowned Cartoonist late Pran Kumar Sharma.

 

4. Adani Group bags contract for smart meter installation in Maharashtra: The Adani Group has been awarded two contracts worth Rs 13,888 crore by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to install smart meters. A total of six tenders were awarded by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) to install smart meters, of which two have been bagged by the Adani Group. The diversified group has a sizeable presence in the power sector and had recently won a Rs 1,000 crore contract to install smart meters in the area serviced by BEST Undertaking in Mumbai. The two zones awarded to Adani include Bhandup, Kalyan, and Konkan having 63.44 lakh meters, and Baramati and Pune having 52.45 lakh meters, it said. The group’s transmission arm Adani Energy Solutions, which was earlier known as Adani Transmission, is active in the smart meter segment. Adani Group will emerge as the largest smart meter supplier in the country, commanding a 30 percent share of the market. It has already won contracts to install such meters in four to five states.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Singapore – India annual Naval Maritime Bilateral Exercise started: The 30th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) has commenced, marking another milestone in the strong and enduring partnership between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). This annual naval exercise, which began in 1994, stands as a testament to the deep-rooted maritime cooperation between the two nations. Indian Naval Ships Ranvijay and Kavaratti, alongside the submarine INS Sindhukesari, have arrived in Singapore to participate in SIMBEX-2023. The exercise also sees the inclusion of the Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I. The SIMBEX enhances interoperability and mutual understanding between two navies. The Exercise is conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase includes wide range of professional interactions, cross-deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges and sports fixtures. The Sea phase of SIMBEX includes exercises of air- defence, gunnery firing, anti-submarine and other maritime operations.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India won two silver; Women's trio in 10m air rifle and Men's double Rowing: In Asian Games 2023, The Indian women's 10m air rifle team comprising Mehuli Ghosh, Ramita and Ashi Chouksey bagged silver medal.  China claimed the gold medal in women's 10m air rifle team In Rowing, India secured silver medal in the lightweight men's double sculls event.  Arjun Lal jat and Arvind singh representing India finished second  In shooting, India grabbed its first medal.

 

2. Antim Panghal wins bronze medal at World Championships: Young Indian wrestler Antim Panghal won a bronze medal in the women’s 53 kg category at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Panghal’s victory also secured a quota for India in the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the bronze medal match, Panghal defeated two-time European champion Emma Jonna Denise Malmgren by a score of 16-6, India’s first medal in the ongoing edition of the World Championships. Antim became the first Indian wrestler male or female to qualify for the 2024 Paris Games. She is only the sixth Indian woman to win a bronze medal at the World Championship.

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Indian banker first to scale world’s 8th highest peak this season: A 32-year-old Indian banker has successfully scaled Mt Manaslu in Nepal, achieving the feat of being the first Indian climber to summit the world’s eighth-highest mountain peak in this season. Sunil Kumar, who hails from Haryana, reached the peak of Mt Manaslu which stands at 8,163 metres above sea level along with another Nepalese climber and two mountain guides. Kumar climbed the mountain situated on the northern side of central Nepal in Gorkha district.

 

2. African Union to launch own credit ratings agency: The African Union plans to launch a new African credit rating agency next year in response to its concerns about what it views as unfair ratings given to African countries. The agency will generate its own evaluation of lending risks associated with African countries. It will operate within the continent, self-funding its operations, and aims to provide additional context for investors when making decisions about purchasing African bonds or extending private loans to countries. The African Union and its member nations’ leaders assert that the “big three” ratings agencies – Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings – do not fairly assess the lending risks associated with African countries. They also allege that these agencies are quicker to downgrade African countries, especially during crises such as the global health crisis. A study by the UN earlier had shown that subjective biases in credit ratings had cost African countries a combined US$74.5 billion. This was through funding opportunities lost and excess interest paid on public debt.

Daily GK Update- 23rd Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PFC, SJVN tie up for ₹1.18 trillion investment in RE, thermal projects: Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has inked a MoU with state-owned hydro power firm SJVN Ltd, committing to finance the latter's renewable energy and thermal power projects. The deal is valued at Rs 1.18 trillion and aims to set up 12 Gw of power generation capacity, from renewable sources such as solar, wind along with a 660 mw thermal power project. Aim: To meet the specific needs of the renewable projects, highlighting the flexibility of the partnership.

 

2. Indian DAC Has Officially Approved The Indigenous Dhruvastra Missile: The Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement including the indigenous Dhruvastra short-range air-to-surface missile.

About the Dhruv Astra Missile:

·       It is a helicopter-launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system.

·       It is a short-range air-to-surface missile.

·       It was indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

·       It is a third-generation, renowned for its versatility in engaging and neutralizing enemy tanks and armored vehicles.

 

3. Northeast’s mithun gets ‘food animal’ tag and its meat a leg-up: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently recognized the Mithun as a ‘food animal,’ opening doors for its commercial use found in Arunachal Pradesh. Aim: To promote its meat as a commercial product can indeed have significant economic and cultural implications for the region. It is a captivating and culturally significant bovine species found in Northeast India. Its role in the livelihoods of indigenous communities, ecological balance.

 

4. India has become the world's third-largest startup ecosystem: India has become the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. Startup India initiative has witnessed remarkable growth from four fifty startups in 2016 to over one lakh currently 2023 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the crucial role of the country's youth as the foundation for India's development in the Amrit Kaal. He expressed confidence that by 2047, India's economy would experience exponential growth.

 

5. Assam launched Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme: Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme. Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme aims to provide employment opportunities and financial assistance to the unemployed youth of the state. The new scheme would provide financial assistance for ₹2 lakh each to two lakh youth for making them self-independent.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Singapore Overtakes Hong Kong as World’s Freest Economy: Singapore has dethroned Hong Kong to become the world’s freest economy in 2023. For the first time since the Economic Freedom of the World Index started in 1970, Hong Kong slipped to second place from the number one spot. Some of the tenets used to gauge the economic freedom index are measured based on ease of international trade, freedom to enter and compete in markets, as well as business regulations, amongst other yardsticks.

 

2. Meta launches UPI payments for WhatsApp Business messaging in India: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a significant expansion of WhatsApp’s payment feature in India during the Meta Conversations event. Users in India will now have the option to make payments to businesses via WhatsApp Business using various payment methods, including UPI, credit/debit cards, net banking, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and more. Initially, Meta partnered with RazorPay and PayU for this payment service. 

 

3. PM inaugurated ‘International Lawyers’ Conference 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a two-day International Lawyers Conference in New Delhi. The theme of the Conference is Emerging Challenges in the Justice Delivery System. This Conference is being organized for the first time by the Bar Council of India. The objective of the Conference is to act as a platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion on various legal topics of national and international importance. It also aims to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences and strengthen international cooperation and understanding of legal issues.

 

4. 23 September – International Day of Sign Languages: International Day of Sign Languages is observed every year on 23 September. Objective – To raise awareness of the importance of sign languages in the lives of deaf communities and the need to protect them as an essential part of human diversity Theme 2023 – A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere The date of September 23 was chosen to honour the day in 1951.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. PM Modi Laid the Foundation Stone of an International Cricket Stadium: PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the first international cricket stadium in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The architecture of the cricket stadium proposed at Ganjari in Varanasi will be reminiscent of the holy city’s rich heritage and things related to Lord Shiva. The roofs will be in the form of a crescent that crowns Lord Shiva, while the floodlights will be trident-shaped The stadium will be built in a 30-acre area at a cost of Rs.450 crore.

 

2. India Becomes No 1 Ranked Team In All Formats Of Cricket: India became the number 1 ranked team in all three formats i.e. Tests, ODIs and T20Is, after their 5-wicket won against Australia. India displaced Pakistan from the top of the ODI rankings while they lead England in the T20I rankings. In the longest format, they are in the first place while Australia are right behind them. The rankings reflect the hard work put in by this team as they chase excellence on the field. 

 

3. ICC releases official Anthem ‘Dil Jashn Bole’ for Men’s Cricket World Cup: International Cricket Council has released the official Anthem for the Men’s Cricket World Cup beginning on the 5 October. The theme of the anthem is Dil Jashn Bole and it features Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh and other popular social media influencers. The music for the anthem has been prepared by Pritam, and the singers are Pritam, Nakash Aziz, Sreerama Chandra, Amit Mishra, Jonita Gandhi, AKASA, and Charan. The video showcases Ranveer Singh dancing in a train compartment on the song Dil Jashan Jashan Bole, and then travelers join him to dance. The Cricket World Cup is being held in India after 12 years. It will be played across 10 cities. The opening match on 5th October will be played between England and New Zealand at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. India will play its first match against Australia in Chennai.

 

4. Antim Panghal wins bronze medal at World Championships: Young Indian wrestler Antim Panghal won a bronze medal in the women’s 53 kg category at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Panghal’s victory also secured a quota for India in the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the bronze medal match, Panghal defeated two-time European champion Emma Jonna Denise Malmgren by a score of 16-6, India’s first medal in the ongoing edition of the World Championships. Antim became the first Indian wrestler male or female to qualify for the 2024 Paris Games. She is only the sixth Indian woman to win a bronze medal at the World Championship.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Axis Bank Launched ‘NEO For Business’ Banking Platform For MSMEs: Axis Bank has launched a transaction banking platform for the Indian  MSMEs called NEO for Business. Aim: To cater to the "real, current, and emerging" transaction needs of Indian MSMEs. The NEO for Business platform offers features like digital self on-boarding, bulk payments, GST compliance invoicing, payment gateway integration, end-to-end transaction tracking, auto reconciliation, cash flow reports, and recurring collections, among others. 

 

2. EPFO records highest net member addition of 18.75 lakh in July: Retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has recorded the highest net member addition of 18.75 lakh in July 2023. The labour ministry in a statement said that the addition of 18.75 lakh during the month is the highest since the first publishing of EPFO payroll data from April 2018 covering the period of September 2017 onwards. A growing trend has continued for the last three months with an increase of around 85,932 net members over the previous month of June 2023. Around 10.27 lakh new members have enrolled during July 2023 which is the highest since July 2022. The majority of new members joining EPFO are in the age group of 18-25 years constituting roughly 58.45 percent of total new members additions during the month.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Malini Rajurkar, Hindustani vocalist passes away at 82: Noted Hindustani classical vocalist Malini Rajurkar, who epitomised simplicity and depth, passed away in a Hyderabad at age the 82 As one of the foremost exponents of Gwalior gharana, she forged a special connection with the audience in Pune at the annual Sawai Gandharva festival for nearly five decades. They were spellbound by her tappa recital, her khayal renditions and her natya sangeet and many recalled her unforgettable "Yaa Bhavanatil Geet Purane".

Daily GK Update- 22nd Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam govt to launch scheme to give Rs 2 lakh each to two lakh youth: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has unveiled a transformative scheme called 'Mukhya Mantri Atmanirbhar Asom aimed at bolstering the self-reliance of the state's youth.  Objective: To foster self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship among the youth of Assam.  Under this initiative, a generous financial aid of Rs. 2 lakh will be provided to each eligible young person, empowering them to pursue self-employment opportunities and chart their own path to success.

 

2. Union Minister Kailash Choudhary launches PM KISAN AI-Chatbot: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary launches PM KISAN AI-Chatbot (Kisan e-Mitra) in New Delhi. Aim: Tol help in accessing scheme information and resolving grievances.  This is the first AI Chatbot integrated with a major flagship scheme of the Union government.  The AI Chatbot acts as a comprehensive guide for the beneficiaries, providing them with timely and accurate responses to their queries related to the scheme.

 

3. Rajasthan tops the list in solar water pump installations: Rajasthan tops the list in solar water pump installations in 2023. More than 62,000 farmers have directly benefited from the scheme introduced by the Ashok Gehlot government four-and-a-half years ago. According to the gov, farmers in Rajasthan are encouraged to install solar pumps for irrigation, instead of relying on electricity connections and diesel-powered plants. The state government is encouraging farmers by offering 60 percent subsidy for installing solar pumps

 

4. PM Modi inaugurated 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas in UP: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas built across Uttar Pradesh. These are built at a cost of over 11 hundred crore rupees to further enhance access to quality education for children of labourers, construction workers, and orphans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each school is constructed on an area of 10 to 15 acres with classrooms, sports ground, recreational areas, a mini auditorium, hostel complex, mess and residential flats for staff. These residential schools intend to eventually accommodate 1000 students each. Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone of the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi. The cricket stadium, to be built in Ganjari, Rajatalab, Varanasi will be developed in more than 30-acre area, at a cost of about 450 crore rupees. The stadium will have a capacity of 30,000 spectators.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ISO and UNDP announce partnership to enhance sustainability action: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a landmark Statement of Intent, in addressing global development challenges. Aim: To collaborate on initiatives geared towards enhancing international standards that advance sustainability actions by both the public and private sectors Objective: To provide a common basis for documentation and certification, making it easier for organizations.

 

2. International Week of the Deaf (IWDeaf) from 18th to 24th September 2023: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is celebrating International Week of the Deaf (IWDeaf) from 18th to 24th September 2023.  Aim: To be aware of the Declaration of the Rights of the Deaf Child, Building Capacity across the globe Theme 2023: A World where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere. Motto: “Nothing without us” Agenda: To achieve sign language rights for all and focus on building inclusive deaf communities.

 

3. Welfare of Cancer Patients Day is celebrated on September 22: The Welfare of Cancer Patients Day, also known as World Rose Day, is observed annually on September 22.  The day is dedicated to individuals who are suffering from cancer across the globe.  Aim: To support the brave hearts who are going through mental and physical struggles every moment against the deadly disease.  The day commemorates the 12-year-old Canadian cancer patient Melinda Rose, who suffered from cancer and died in 1996.

 

4. World Rhino Day 2023 is celebrated on September 22: World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22. Aim: To provide the opportunity for cause-related organizations, NGOs, zoos, and members of the public to celebrate rhinos in their own unique ways. The activities vary from one participant to the next. Donors and partners are able to contribute to the organizations and initiatives of their choosing. Peaceful demonstrations, classroom projects, fundraising dinners, auctions and poster displays are just a few examples.

 

5. India Ranked 52nd in Digital Quality of Life Index: India has been ranked 52nd out of 121 countries in the Digital Quality of Life Index The survey has been carried out by cybersecurity firm Surfshark. The annual survey by the Netherlands-based firm has ranked 121 countries on five factors: internet quality, internet affordability, e-infrastructure, e-government and e-security. The top 3 Countries in the Digital Quality of Life Index survey are Denmark, South Korea, and Finland. In terms of internet quality, India ranks 16th among 121 countries. In terms of e-infrastructure, India is placed at the 91st position. In terms of factors like internet affordability, e-governance and e-security, India was placed on 28th, 25th and 66th positions respectively. The survey has placed Singapore and Saudi Arabia in top positions when average internet speed is considered. It stands at 300 Mbps and 310 Mbps respectively.

 

6. Naval Ship ‘Nireekshak’ successfully conducted Diving training sessions: Indian Naval Ship ‘Nireekshak’ has successfully conducted vital Mixed Gas Diving training sessions as part of IN-SLN Divex 23. The Indian Navy’s diving support vessel initiated the sea dive and after a successful diving exercise, returned with the Sri Lanka Navy divers. Earlier last week, the vessel arrived at Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee port where Commanding Officer Jeetu Singh Chauhan, held productive discussions with Rear Admiral PS De Silva. The Indian Naval Ship is well-equipped with two six-man recompression chambers and a three-man diving bell. It possesses the capability to execute submarine rescue operations and train saturation divers. This marks the ship’s continued engagement with the Sri Lanka Navy, aligning with India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy for capacity building in neighboring nations. The vessel had previously visited Trincomalee in September 2019 and March 2022 for similar training initiatives.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Antim Panghal won bronze medal in wrestling at World Championships 2023:  Indian wrestler Antim Panghal secured a bronze medal in the women's 53 kg category at the wrestling World Championships 2023 iin Serbia. She also secured the Paris Olympics 2024 quota for India.  This is India's first medal in this edition of the tournament.  Antim has captured India's 23rd medal in the World Championships to date, which includes one gold, five silver, and 17 bronze medals. Japan's Akari Fujinami won the gold in World Championships 2023

 

2. Nischal wins silver with new national record at Shooting World Cup in Rio: Young Indian shooter Nischal has won the silver in the women’s 50m rifle 3 Positions at the ISSF World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. She finished behind Norwegian rifle ace Jeanette Hegg Duestad with a score of 458.0 in the final. Duestad is the reigning air rifle European champion and 300m 3 position World Champion and has 12 ISSF World Cup medals to her name including five gold. She was also fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. Nischal was in supreme form throughout the day, breaking the qualification national record in women’s 3 position in the process. The 16-member Indian team returned with one gold and one silver from the Rio World Cup and was seventh in the standings. Elavenil Valarivan had won the Women’s 10m Air Rifle gold Italy was on top with two gold and a bronze. China was second with a gold, four silver and three bronze.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. BCCI announces SBI Life as Official Partner for BCCI Domestic Season: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced SBI Life as one of the official partners for the BCCI Domestic and International Season 2023-2026. SBI Life has signed a 3-year deal with the BCCI and their partnership will begin with the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting September 22. This collaboration reflects our commitment to promoting and supporting the sport of cricket at all levels.

 

2. RBI proposes lenders identify 'wilful defaulters' within six months: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) aanounced lenders would have to examine all aspects relating to wilful default on accounts with outstanding dues of Rs 25 lakh or more. Identify wilful defaulters within six months of a loan becoming a non-performing asset (NPA). It has allowed non-banking finance companies and cooperative banks to identify them. A large defaulter is one whose amount in default is Rs 1 crore and above.

 

3. TCS and BankAxept AS partner to enhance Norway’s payment system: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into a partnership with BankID BankAxept AS, the provider of Norway’s national payment and electronic identity systems.  Aim:  To establish and manage an operations command center. BankAxept, the dominant national payment system in Norway, facilitates 80 per cent of card payments in the country.  BankID serves as Norway’s primary eID verification solution, relied upon by over 90 per cent of the population.

 

4. UP gov launches instant birth certificate for newborns at health facilities: Newborns at government health facilities of Uttar Pradesh will now be issued birth registration certificates immediately after delivery without the parents having to apply for same Gov has integrated its Maa Navjaat Tracking app (MaNTrA) with the birth registration system as part of its efforts to provide 'ease of living' to the citizens using digital technology UP has become the first state to implement suo motu birth registration for government health institutions

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Bengal’s Kiriteshwari Bags Best Tourism Village of India award: Kiriteshwari village in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district has been selected as the country’s best tourism village by the Centre. The village beat 795 applications received from 31 states and Union Territories to bag the honour. The Union ministry will give the award at a function in New Delhi on September 27.

Other than its scenic beauty, the village’s big attraction is the Kiriteswari temple, considered one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.

 

2. Binomo Awarded the Most Reliable Trading Platform of 2023: Binomo has been honoured with two prestigious international awards at the World Business Outlook Awards and the International Business Magazine Awards for “Best Trading Platform Global 2023” and “Most Trusted Platform Global 2023”. In today’s world, with up to 3,000 successful cyber-attacks per day, digital security must be given as much attention as physical security. Therefore, it is very important for us to provide our services at the highest level. These awards are an achievement in the world of financial services. They emphasize excellence in the areas of customer service and security. Binomo is constantly striving for development, and these awards confirm the company’s position. “Best Trading Platform, Global 2023” recognizes Binomo as the most user-friendly and easiest trading platform to learn. The platform is constantly introducing new technologies, developing training materials, and expanding its functionality to help users achieve their financial goals and enjoy themselves.