Daily GK Update- 27th May, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. WB govt plans new AI and ML-focused data centre: The West Bengal state government will set up a powerful, high-capacity data centre that will allow 2,300 concurrent users to run artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. This facility will enable the practical application of data science by providing infrastructure to support advanced data analysis. This initiative will unveil at the Data Science 2024 Conference.

 

2. Jetha Ahir appointed as chairman of NAFED: Shehra BJP MLA Jetha Ahir has been elected uncontested as the chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). Ahir was elected unopposed by the board comprising 21 directors, of which two are from Gujarat, including Kundariya. Ahir is also the chairman of Panchmahal’s Pancharmrut Dairy as well as the Panchmahal District Cooperative (PDC) Bank.

 

3. Justice Najmi Waziri appointed as Chairperson of Equestrian Federation Of India’s Ad-Hoc Administrative Committee: The Delhi High Court has appointed its retired judge, Justice Najmi Waziri as the Chairperson of ad-hoc Administrative Committee constituted to supervise the administration of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI). Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju also directed that the committee will also comprise of former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr SY Quraishi as the observer. Justice Waziri, famously known as the “green judge” of Delhi for his efforts to enrich the greenery of the national capital by asking litigants to plant 3.7 lakh trees in several cases, demitted office last July.

 

4. 27 May 2024 – National Memorial Day: National Memorial Day is observed every year on last Monday of the month of May. This year, National Memorial Day falls on May 27. National Memorial Day is dedicated to the lives and glory of those military personnel who lost their lives in protecting the country. During the Civil War, women began the pattern of decorating the graves of the fallen warriors. Three years after the war finished, on May 5, 1868, the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR); a group of Union veterans declared that annually, a day must be dedicated to the fallen fighters.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cyclone Remal bring heavy rains in part of WB and Bangladesh: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a low depression in Bay Bengal has developed into a severe cyclonic storm Remal. Cyclone Remal is the first cyclone of the season to develop in the Bay of Bengal region. The name Remal has been given by Oman which means sand in Arabic. The Remal cyclone is expected to have a wind speed of 100-120 km per hour, bringing heavy rain and thundershowers in parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Tropical cyclones are quite common in India during the months of May-June and October-November.

2. Jyoti Ratre becomes India’s oldest woman to Conquer Mount Everest: Jyoti Ratre, an entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast from Madhya Pradesh, has etched her name in history by becoming the oldest Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest. Ratre’s remarkable achievement was realized as part of a 15-member expedition team organized by 8K Expeditions, led by the renowned Bolivian climber David Hugo Ayaviri Quispe. Ratre’s triumphant ascent to the summit of the world’s highest peak comes precisely six years after Sangeeta Bahl, at the age of 53, earned the title of ‘India’s oldest woman to climb Mount Everest’ on May 19, 2018.

 

3. Allamaye Halina named new PM of Chad: Chad’s newly elected president, Mahamat Idriss Deby, has been sworn in to succeed his late father after three years as an interim leader under military rule in the northcentral African country. Shortly after, the country announced that Allamaye Halina would assume the post of prime minister after Succes Masra announced his resignation from the position this week.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh takes Command of NDA: Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh assumed the appointment of Commandant, National Defence Academy from Vice Admiral Ajay Kocchar in Pune. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1st July 1990. Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh has held several appointments, both afloat and ashore. As a specialist in Gunnery and Missiles, he has served onboard Indian Naval Ships Ranjit and Prahar.

 

SPORTS

 

1. India’s Simran Sharma wins Gold Medal at World Para Athletics Championship: India’s Simran Sharma has won a Gold medal in the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan. Simran clinched the gold in the women’s 200m T12 event, achieving a personal best time of 24.95 seconds on the competition’s final day. India concluded their World Para Athletics Championships journey with remarkable achievements, securing a total of 17 medals, including six golds, propelling them to the sixth position in the standings.

 

2. KKR wins their third IPL title beating SRH: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricket team won their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title by beating Sunriser Hyderabad (SRH) in the final of the 17th IPL. The final was played at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. They defeated the Sunrisers by eight wickets to lift the trophy for the third time. Player of the Match: Mitchel Starc of KKR. Some important awards and winner amount of the IPL 2024 are as follows.

Winner (Rs. 20 crore) – Kolkata Knight Riders Runner Up (Rs. 12.5 crore) – Sunrisers Hyderabad

 

3. Dipa Karmakar clinches India’s first-ever Gold Medal in Asian Championships: Dipa Karmakar scripted history clinching India’s first-ever gold medal at the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The 30-year-old Olympian registered an average score of 13.566 in the women’s Vault final. This is the first time that an Indian gymnast has won a gold medal in any event at the Asian Championships. She is the first female gymnast from India to compete in the Olympics, and at Rio 2016, she put on the best performance of any gymnast competing in the Summer Games, placing fourth in the women’s vault.

 

4. Charles Leclerc wins Monaco Grand Prix 2024: Charles Leclerc becoming the first Monegasque driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix since Louis Chiron in 1931. The Ferrari driver’s victory, his first since the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, came after a chaotic race that saw two standing starts and several first-lap collisions. The 26-year-old driver, who had previously failed to secure a podium finish in six previous attempts at the iconic race, started from pole position and controlled the race from the outset. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished second, 7.1 seconds behind after a race that saw little overtaking on the narrow street circuit. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz secured third place.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Cyber Security Conclave organized in New Delhi: Cyber Security Conclave was organized in the country’s capital New Delhi. During this conclave, important strategies for cyber security were discussed. It was organized with joint efforts by CSC and United Service Institution. During this, MoU was signed between CSC and USI to strengthen cyber security. As cyber security has become a serious and sensitive matter, cyber threats are increasing rapidly across the world, with the number of data breaches increasing every year.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Chidanand and Anasuya Sengupta create history at Cannes FF: Chidanand Naik and Anasuya Sengupta created history at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which is being held in Cannes, France.

Chidanand Naik’s film ‘Sunflowers Were the First to Know’ won the La Cinef Award for Best Short Film, while Anasuya Sengupta became the first Indian to win the Best Actress award for her film Shameless. Chidanand Naik’s short film ‘Sunflowers Were the First to Know’ won the La Cinef Award for Best Short at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Chidanand Naik made the film a part of his coursework at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 26th May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. COVID-19 Erases Decade of Life Expectancy Gains: According to a study from the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a big drop in life expectancy around the world. The results show that the average life expectancy is now 71.4 years, which is much lower.

 

2. CERT-In Warns of Critical Flaws in Google Chrome: The Center’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) just sent out a warning about major security holes found in Google Chrome. CERT-In’s warning note, CIVN-2024-0170, talks about this worry and stresses how important it is for users to update their browsers.

 

3. Antibiotic Protocol needed in all Indian Hospitals: In hospitals, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) like central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia are main concerns. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) makes these infections much worse because the pathogens involved are not easily killed with regular medicines. Reports.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World’s first 100% biodegradable pen launches in India: Saurabh H Mehta from New Delhi has introduced the world’s first fully biodegradable pen, named the NOTE pen (No Offence to Earth). The pen features a recycled paper refill, and non-toxic ink, and comes in options of metal, paper, or bamboo exteriors. This innovation aims to reduce plastic waste, a significant issue as over 50 billion ballpoint pens are discarded annually.

 

2. ICC names Shahid Afridi as Men’s T 20 WC 2024 Brand Ambassador: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi as the brand ambassador of the forthcoming 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America from 1 to 29 June 2024. Shahid Afridi joins Indian Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle of West Indies, and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as brand ambassadors for the event. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup start on 1 June, with the USA team taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the United States of America. India will take on Pakistan on 9 June in New York.

 

3. 25-31 May – International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories: The UN commemorates International Week of Solidarity with Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories annually from May 25 to May 31. This day aims to request the administering Powers to protect and respect the rights of the peoples in these territories to their natural resources and their property rights. The UN describes a Non-Self-Governing Territory as a territory “whose people have not yet gained a complete degree of self-government.” From 1960 to 2002, 54 territories attained self-government. At present, there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999.

 

4. Myanmar Junta Revives $3.6 Billion Chinese-Backed Dam Project: With help from China, Myanmar’s junta is starting up again the $3.6 billion Myitsone dam project that was put on hold before. This move is a big change in policy from when it was first put on hold in 2011 ..

 

5. Philippines to Attract More Indian Medical Students: The Philippines recently made major changes to its laws that allow foreign medical students, including those from India, to work as doctors in the Philippines after they graduate with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Because of this change, there will.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Chinese Military Drills Intensify Near Taiwan After Lai Inauguration: China started large-scale military training near Taiwan soon after William Lai Ching-te became president of Taiwan on May 20, 2023, under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). In his inauguration speech, Lai promised to protect Taiwan’s freedom and told China to ..

 

2. Army Conducts Survey On Agnipath Scheme, May Recommend Changes: The Indian government started the Agnipath plan in June 2022. It was a new way to hire people for the Armed Forces. People who are hired as Agniveers are in service for four years. Up to 25% of these people.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Dinesh Karthik announced retirement from IPL: Indian wicketkeeper and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star player Dinesh Karthik has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League. The veteran wicket-keeper batter was given a guard of honour by RCB players. Dinesh Karthik, an accomplished Indian cricketer, debuted internationally in 2004 and has played over 300 T20 matches. Karthik served as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders between 2018 & 2020 and has also been a commentator for Sky Sports.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Spacex Mega-Rocket Starship’s Next Launch On June 5: SpaceX recently announced that the next test flight for Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket, will take place on June 5, 2024. If the government gives the go-ahead, this event will start at 7:00 a.m. local time at the Starbase ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI approves appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has granted its approval for the appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as the Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank. Sinha is set to assume this role for a term of three years, starting from July 1, 2024. Sinha will step into the position vacated by G. C. Chaturvedi, who is due to retire as Non-Executive Part-time Chairman on June 30, 2024, at the close of business hours. Sinha has been a Government Nominee Director in numerous major Public Sector Undertakings like ONGC, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, GAIL, etc.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Anasuya Sengupta Wins Best Actress at Cannes: The 77th Cannes Film Festival gave Best Actress to Anasuya Sengupta for her part in “The Shameless.” She is a very good actress from Kolkata. This win is important because it shows that Indian filmmaking is present and growing in.

 

Daily GK Update- 25th May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sikkim celebrates Saga Dawa festival: Sikkim has celebrated Saga Dawa, a festival that falls annually on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Northern Buddhist Calendar. Saga Dawa is considered the most sacred Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (passing away) of Buddha Shakyamuni. This day is also known as the ‘Triple Blessed Occasion’.

 

2. MS Dhoni appointed as Citroen’s brand ambassador in India: French automaker Citroen has roped in former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador in India. Dhoni will mark his debut innings with Citroen in a campaign that will soon go live. We believe that our association with one of India’s finest cricketers, Dhoni, will go a long way in reinforcing our commitment to the Indian market.

 

3. RBI approves appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has granted its approval for the appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as the Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank. Sinha is set to assume this role for a term of three years, starting from July 1, 2024. Sinha will step into the position vacated by G. C. Chaturvedi, who is due to retire as Non-Executive Part-time Chairman on June 30, 2024, at the close of business hours. Sinha has been a Government Nominee Director in numerous major Public Sector Undertakings like ONGC, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, GAIL, etc.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World’s first 100% biodegradable pen launches in India: Saurabh H Mehta from New Delhi has introduced the world’s first fully biodegradable pen, named the NOTE pen (No Offence to Earth). The pen features a recycled paper refill, and non-toxic ink, and comes in options of metal, paper, or bamboo exteriors. This innovation aims to reduce plastic waste, a significant issue as over 50 billion ballpoint pens are discarded annually.

 

2. Delhi ranks 350 in Oxford Global Cities Index Report 2024: Delhi has been placed 350 in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024, making it the highest ranked Indian city. The ranking compares the world’s 1000 cities. Bengaluru, India’s IT hub, stood at 411, higher than the country’s financial capital Mumbai, which stood at 427. On the other hand, Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh ranked last in the index, at 1000th place. New York achieved the highest ranking in all five categories with a score of 100, followed by London and San Jose securing the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively. The Global Cities Index Report is an annual report that ranks roughly 1,000 largest cities across the world, spanning 163 different countries in five crucial categories.

 

3. 25 May – World Football Day: 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions, which took place on May 25, 1924, during the summer Olympic games held in Paris. In recognition of this milestone, on May 7, 2024, the General Assembly passed Resolution A/RES/78/281 proclaiming May 25 as World Football Day. The resolution acknowledges “the global reach of football and its impact in various spheres, including commerce, peace and diplomacy, and recognizing that football creates a space for cooperation.”

 

4. 25-31 May – International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories: The UN commemorates International Week of Solidarity with Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories annually from May 25 to May 31. This day aims to request the administering Powers to protect and respect the rights of the peoples in these territories to their natural resources and their property rights. The UN describes a Non-Self-Governing Territory as a territory “whose people have not yet gained a complete degree of self-government.” From 1960 to 2002, 54 territories attained self-government. At present, there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999.

 

5. 25 May – Africa Day: Africa Day, also known as African Liberation Day, is celebrated on May 25. The Day celebrates African unity, diversity and achievements across the continent. It stressed the importance of unity among African nations in achieving common goals and addressing shared challenges. Theme 2024 – Education Fit for the 21st Century It is also an annual commemoration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. ICC names Shahid Afridi as Men’s T 20 WC 2024 Brand Ambassador: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi as the brand ambassador of the forthcoming 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America from 1 to 29 June 2024. Shahid Afridi joins Indian Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle of West Indies, and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as brand ambassadors for the event. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup start on 1 June, with the USA team taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the United States of America. India will take on Pakistan on 9 June in New York.

 

2. Dinesh Karthik announced retirement from IPL: Indian wicketkeeper and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star player Dinesh Karthik has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League. The veteran wicket-keeper batter was given a guard of honour by RCB players. Dinesh Karthik, an accomplished Indian cricketer, debuted internationally in 2004 and has played over 300 T20 matches. Karthik served as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders between 2018 & 2020 and has also been a commentator for Sky Sports.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. DD Kisan launched AI Anchors Krish and Bhoomi: Doordarshan Kisan (DD KISAN) has become the first government TV channel of the country to launch two AI anchors – AI Krish and AI Bhoomi.

The AI anchors can speak in fifty languages and read news 24 hours and 365 days without getting tired. The viewers will be able to see these anchors in all the states of the country. These AI anchors will provide necessary information about agricultural research in the country and global level, trends in Krishi Mandis, changes in the weather and information about government schemes.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI imposes Rs 3.10-lakh penalty on Hero Fincorp for rule violations: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed Rs 3.10 lakh penalty on Hero Fincorp Ltd for rule violations. The penalty was imposed for non-compliance with certain provisions of the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company – Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016’ issued by RBI. Hero Fincorp did not convey the terms and conditions of loans in writing to the borrowers in the vernacular language understood by them. This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. E -Rickshaw driver Arti conferred UK’s Women’s Empowerment Award: An 18-year-old woman E-rickshaw driver from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, Arti has been conferred with the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award by the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III. Arti arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Pink E-rickshaw, which she received under the Mission Shakti scheme of the UP government. The Uttar Pradesh government launched Mission Shakti in 2020 to empower the women of the state through safety, security, and self-reliance. The scheme aims to provide a secure environment for women and provide training and access to livelihood schemes so that they can change their lives and become self-independent.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 24th May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. L&T Technology Services launches simulation centre for Airbus in Bengaluru: L&T Technology Services has inaugurated a simulation centre of excellence (CoE) for Airbus at its Bengaluru campus. The CoE is designed to provide engineering support for Airbus aircraft structural simulation activities across its business units in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain. The CoE is equipped with simulation software, hardware, and computational machinery. It aims to standardise processes across all Airbus European business units and aircraft programmes, streamline efficiency, and enhance productivity.

 

2. Karnataka mandates 33% reservation for women in govt contract jobs: Aligning with the quota policy applied in permanent government positions, the Karnataka State government has now made it mandatory to provide 33% reservation for women in services and posts that are being outsourced by various government departments and organizations. This reservation is within the stipulated quota for SC/ST and other backward communities, ensuring women’s representation in outsourced jobs across various government departments and organizations. There are currently over 75,000 employees holding outsourced jobs in government departments.

 

3. 24 May – National Brother’s Day: National Brother’s Day is celebrated every year on 24 May to respect the special bond shared between brothers. National Brother’s Day traces its origins back to 2005, when C Daniel Rhodes from Alabama first organised the holiday. Initially named ‘National Brother’s Day,’ it was created to honour and recognise the contributions brothers make to their families.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kaamya Karthikeyan becomes youngest Indian to summit Mt Everest at 16: Sixteen-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan successfully summited Mt. Everest, becoming the youngest Indian mountaineer to scale the world’s highest peak from the Nepal side. The daughter of a naval officer, Kaamya is a class 12 student at Navy Children School, Mumbai. Kaamya and her father Cdr S Karthikeyan successfully summited Mt. Everest (8,849 m).

 

2. Indian Oil exports premium fuel to Sri Lanka: Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) exported its first-ever consignment of 100 octane premium fuel, XP100 to Sri Lanka. The product is tailored for premium high-end vehicles.

 

3. Norway, Spain, and Ireland to recognize Palestinian state: The governments of Norway, Spain, and Ireland have announced that they would recognize the Palestinian state. In a swift reaction, the Israeli government condemned the move, while the Palestinians welcomed it. The official recognition by the three nations of an independent Palestinian state will take effect on 28 May 2024. Currently, seven member of the 27-nation European Union officially recognize a Palestinian state.

 

May 24 – International Day of the Markhor: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has proclaimed May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor. Objective – To raise awareness and promote the conservation of this iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. The markhor (Capra falconeri) is an iconic and ecologically significant species found across the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, including Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Preetismita Bhoi smashes clean and jerk record for gold at World Youth C’ship: Indian weightlifter Preetismita Bhoi smashed the youth clean and jerk world record in the women’s 40kg category to win a gold medal at the IWF World Youth Championship The 15-year-old bettered the existing record of 75kg by 1kg. She lifted 57kg in snatch for a total effort of 133kg, finishing within 2kg of the youth world standard on total on the opening day of the competition.

 

2. IOC launches ‘Let’s Move India’ Campaign to Inspire People to celebrate Athletes at Paris Olympics: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched the ‘Let’s Move India’, an initiative to inspire people to celebrate the athletes participating in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The move invites people from across the country to join the movement through a digital challenge on social media. Young people can take part in a series of regional school initiatives to coincide with Olympic Day on June 23. People are encouraged to recreate their favourite athlete celebrations or create their own, aiming to inspire and celebrate the Olympians heading to Paris 2024, who will be representing their 1.4 billion compatriots from July 26.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI imposes ₹11.90 crore fine on 19 entities for Superior Finlease ‘pump and dump’: SEBI has slapped penalties totalling ₹11.90 crore on 19 entities and also barred them from the securities market for up to five years for indulging in a pump-and-dump scheme of shares in the matter of Superior Finlease Ltd. The regulator-imposed fines in the range of ₹10 lakh to ₹5 crore on 19 entities, including Rajneesh Kumar, Ashish P Shah and Kirtidan K Gadhavi. Further, Sebi also barred 17 entities, including Kumar, Shah, and Gadhavi from the securities markets for five years.

In addition, the markets watchdog barred Jalaj Agrawal and Arvind Shukla from the securities markets for three years.

 

1. HSBC acquires 6.125% stake in CCIL IFSC: HSBC, a leading global bank and financial services major, has through its branch in Gift City executed transaction documents to acquire 6.125 per cent equity stake in CCIL IFSC Limited (CCIL IFSC). The investment value for this transaction stood at ₹6.125 crore. Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL) is promoter of CCIL IFSC Limited and will hold 57.125 per cent stake in this subsidiary. CCIL IFSC is being incorporated 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Thiruvananthapuram Airport achieved Zero Waste to Landfill status: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport was awarded the zero waste to landfill (ZWL) accolade by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII-ITC) Centre of Excellence. It is the first airport in India to receive this recognition, achieving 99.50% waste diversion from landfills. The award confirms the airport’s implementation of leading waste management practices.

 

2. Jenny Erpenbeck’s ‘Kairos’ wins the International Booker Prize 2024: German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann won the International Booker Prize for “Kairos,” the story of a tangled love affair during the final years of East Germany’s existence. The book would help readers learn there was more to life in the now-vanished Communist country than depicted in ‘The Lives of Others’, the Academy Award-winning 2006 film about pervasive state surveillance in the 1980s. The International Booker Prize recognizes fiction from around the world that has been translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland.

 

3. Srinivas Kulkarni honoured with 2024 Shaw Prize in astronomy: Srinivas R. Kulkarni, an Indian-origin U.S. scientist and brother of Sudha Murty, has been awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy for 2024. Kulkarni, who serves as the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Caltech. Kulkarni has been awarded for his ground-breaking discoveries on millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other transient astronomical phenomena. The Shaw Prize consists of three annual prizes: Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences, each bearing a monetary award of USD 1.2 million.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Noise acquires women’s wellness platform SocialBoat: Leading smartwatch and connected lifestyle brand, Noise has acquired AI-powered women’s wellness platform SocialBoat for an undisclosed amount. This strategic move is part of Noise’s broader strategy to advance innovation in smart rings. This acquisition will expand its tech offerings and build specialized innovation capabilities for its flagship smart wearable, Luna Ring. Noise aims to redefine consumers’ experience of its smart ring, by strengthening the health tracking analytics and will now be able to integrate AI to ensure overall wellbeing of the women cohort as well, enabling them to achieve their full potential and ‘rise to brilliance.

 

2. Government appoints Ramesh Babu V as Member in Central Electricity Regulatory Commission: Shri Ramesh Babu V. has taken oath of office and secrecy as Member, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. The oath of office and secrecy was administered to him, by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) was established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998.

 

3. 23 May – 2586th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha: Buddha Purnima, or Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, is an annual celebration observed on the first full moon of the Hindu calendar month Vaishakha. Buddhists worldwide celebrate Buddha Purnima with great fervour. This year, Buddha Purnima observed on 23rd May (Thursday). This significant day commemorates the birth of Lord Gautam Buddha, who was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautam in Lumbini, present-day Nepal, around 563 BC. He overcame the cycle of birth and rebirth, taking on the roles of philosopher, spiritual guide, religious leader, and devoted meditator. Buddha Purnima celebrates the ‘Enlightened One’, who achieved liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cisco and Tata Communications partner to launch Webex Calling in India: Cisco and Tata Communications have launched their Webex Calling solution in India with cloud public switched telephone network (PSTN), aimed at helping enterprises move from on-premises phone systems to a global cloud calling system. The calls will be routed via Tata Communications’ data centre in the Mumbai region, thereby helping organisations stay compliant with local regulations Webex Calling is a modern and complete business phone system that delivers enterprise-grade calling through a globally available cloud platform with over 14 million users around the world.

 

2. Spain becomes 99th member of International Solar Alliance: Spain has become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance. Spain handed over the International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification, during the meeting of Ambassador José María Ridao Domínguez of Spain with the Head of Depository, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Abhishek Singh in New Delhi. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries. The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.

 

3. University of Tokyo inaugurates world’s highest observatory in Chile: The University of Tokyo has inaugurated the Atacama Observatory (TAO) in Chile’s Antofagasta Region. It has been built on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor in the Antofagasta Region, at 5,640 meters above sea level. TAO also houses a 6.5-meter optical-infrared telescope. The telescope will focus on understanding the nature of the universe, according to Emol’s academic section. This new observatory is located near the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array) radio telescope, one of the largest astronomical projects in the world, in which an international association of countries participates.

 

4. 23 May – World Turtle Day: World Turtle Day is observed every year on 23 May. Objective – To raise awareness about the lifestyle and habitat of turtles as well as tortoises and urge people to understand them better and contribute to their wellbeing. It was started in the year 2000 by American tortoise Rescue as a way of urging people to come together to understand tortoises and turtles better.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. CDS Anil Chauhan attends Exercise Cyber Suraksha 2024: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan attended ‘Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024’ and underscored the importance of strengthening India’s cyber defence capabilities. The comprehensive cyber defence exercise is being conducted by Defence Cyber Agency. It aims to further develop Cyber Defence Capability of all Cyber security organisations and promote synergy amongst all stakeholders. It focusses on enhancing collaboration and integration among participants from various military and prominent national organizations.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. 2nd stage of Archery World Cup 2024 begins in Korea: The second stage of the Archery World Cup 2024 begins at Yecheon in Korea. India has sent the same 16-member team that took part in the first stage in Shanghai, China last month. The Indian contingent emerged as the champion team in the first stage, with a total of eight medals, including five gold medals, two silver, and one bronze. This was India’s highest medal tally at any single edition of an archery World Cup. Stage three of the prestigious tournament will be held in Antalya, Turkiye, while the final stage will be held in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

 

2. Sachin Khilari clinches gold medal in shot put at World Para Athletics Championship: In Para Athletics, India’s Sachin Sarjerao Khilari clinched the gold medal in the men’s shot put at the World Para Athletics Championship in Kobe, Japan. He also set a new Asian record with a throw of 16.30 metres in the F46 category, to defended his title at the world championships. Another Indian, Dharambir bagged the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Club Throw. His final throw distance of 33.31 metres not only secured him the Bronze Medal but also set a new Asian Record in the F51 Category.

 

3. Australia and Uzbekistan host AFC Women’s Asian Cups: Australia and Uzbekistan have been confirmed as hosts for the 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cups, It highlights the growing importance of women’s football in Asia. This marks Australia’s second time hosting after 2006 and makes Uzbekistan the first Central Asian nation to host the event.

President of AFC – Shaikh Salman.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI approves ₹2.11 lakh crore dividend payout to govt for 2023-24: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a ₹2.11 lakh crore dividend payout to the central government for 2023-24, more than double the amount it paid for the previous 2022-23 financial year. The decision was taken at the 608th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India held under the chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das. The Board approved the transfer of ₹2,10,874 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2023-24. The dividend payout was ₹87,416 crore for 2022-23.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NTPC gets third rank at ATD BEST Award 2024 for talent development: NTPC, one of the largest power utility public sector companies, has secured a significant milestone by securing the third rank globally at the ATD BEST Award 2024. Rachana Singh Bhal, CGM (Strategic HR and Talent Management), accepted the award at a ceremony held in New Orleans, USA. The ATD BEST Award, established by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA, is one of the most esteemed international recognitions in the field of Learning and Development (L&D).