Daily GK Update- 23rd May, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government to provide 30% financial support for Green Shipping promotion: Union Minister of Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal has informed that the government will provide financial support of 30% for the promotion of Green Shipping. In addition, Green Hydrogen hubs will be developed at the Deendayal Port (Kandla) and Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin). Under the Green Tug Transition program, two tugs each will be procured for the Jawaharlal Nehru, VO Chidambaranar, Paradip, and Deendayal ports. A portal will be designed for cruise bookings.

 

2. Assam Governor releases book ‘Partitioned Freedom’: Assam Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria has released a book titled ‘Partitioned Freedom’ at an event in Guwahati. This book was written by Ram Madhav and published by Prabhat Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. This book offers great insights into the events that unfolded during 1905 and the pre-independence era. Ram Madhav is an Indian Politician, Author, and thinker. His other books: Uneasy Neighbours: India and China After 50 Years of the War and Asahaj Pados

 

3. Vizag dist launched health insurance scheme for special children: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the District Collector of Visakhapatnam district, Dr. A Mallikharjuna has launched the Niramaya Health Insurance scheme. Beneficiary: Children suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, and others The money for the scheme was arranged from Sanjivani Nidhi (funds for which were donated by government employees on New Year's Day). The insured person would get 1 lakh a year for health-related issues

 

4. MP becomes first state in country to provide free air travel to pilgrims: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to conduct pilgrimage by air on government expenditure, under the Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has flagged off a regular Indigo flight carrying a batch of 32 senior citizens on pilgrimage to Prayagraj (UP) from Bhopal (MP) via flight. A help center was also set up at the airport for the convenience of the passengers.

 

5. GRSE’s launched ‘GAINS’ Startup Challenge: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd launched GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS) 2023 in Kolkata. Aim: To identify and encourage the development of innovative solutions toward technological advances in shipbuilding by Startups Focus: AI, Renewable/Green Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Efficiency Enhancement It was launched by G Surya Prakash, Assistant Manager (Finance) of GRSE. GRSE was established as a Category 1 Mini Ratna Company.

 

6. Himachal Pradesh govt to formulate Green Hydrogen policy: The Himachal Pradesh government has formulated the ‘Green Hydrogen’ policy to promote the use of green hydrogen and establish the state as a leading hub for its production. It aims to attract investments in large-scale renewable energy projects, ensuring a consistent and sustainable supply of green electricity for electrolysis. The government has already signed an MoU with Oil India Limited to enable the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia on a pilot basis.

 

7. India to host 44th ISO COPOLCO Plenary: India will host the 44th edition of the annual ISO COPOLCO Plenary from 23-26 May 2023, by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The event to be held in New Delhi will be inaugurated by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Organized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the grand event will include interactive sessions and workshops on relevant topics, apart from various activities aimed at enhancing consumer engagement in the standardization process. It will also feature a distinguished presence of leaders from government and business sectors, as well as an international delegation of eminent global stakeholders.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Arab League Summit in Jeddah adopts Jeddah Declaration: The 32nd Arab League Summit has been concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with the adoption of the Jeddah Declaration This declaration focuses on fostering Arab unity and addressing various regional challenges. Highlights: The unanimous decision to readmit Syria to the Arab League The declaration emphasizes the need for increased pan-Arab efforts to assist Syria in resolving its ongoing crisis It also proclaims the Arab League's commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative

 

2. India-US Working Group on Education and Skill Development launched: Ministry of Education and the US Department of State launched the India-US Working Group on Education and Skill Development. Aim: To enhance cooperation and collaboration between the two countries in the field of education and skill development The working group exchanged perspectives on skill development and vocational education, certification and recognition, partnerships between US and Indian higher educational institutions, and engaging with the private sector.

 

3. TCS announces Generative AI partnership with Google Cloud: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to launch TCS Generative AI. It leverages Google Cloud’s generative AI services. It is designed and deployed for custom-tailored business solutions that help clients harness the power of this new technology to accelerate their growth. It is powered by Google Cloud’s Generative AI tools – Vertex AI, Generative AI Application Builder and Model Garden, and TCS’ own solutions.

 

4. World Turtle Day 2023: 23rd May: The non-profit organization, American Tortoise Rescue (ATR)  celebrates World Turtle Day on May 23 every year. Reason: To raise public awareness regarding the need to protect turtles, tortoises, and their rapidly diminishing habitats 2023 theme: I love Turtles The theme highlights the critical need to conserve these species and their future in the face of dwindling habitats. According to ATR, around 61% of turtles worldwide are threatened or already extinct.

 

5. Financial Times global ranking puts IIMK among top four schools in India: According to the Financial Times Ranking 2023, IIM Kozhikode has been placed among the top 4 schools in India and among the top 75 schools worldwide for its Open Enrolment Executive Education Programme. IIM Kozhikode has been ranked 72 among the top 75 providers of open-enrolment executive programs globally. While IIM Ahmedabad ranked 45, IIM Bangalore at 47, and Indian School of Business at 65. Topped by: Iese Business School, Spain, followed by HEC Paris.

 

6. PM Modi addresses 76th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has addressed the 76th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. India shipped almost 300 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to over 100 countries including many countries from the Global South. India’s commitment to international cooperation and informed that the country shipped almost 300 million doses of covid-19 vaccines to over 100 countries including many countries from the Global South. India’s vision for good health is ‘One Earth One Health’, which extends to the entire ecosystem including animals and plants.

 

7. India & Saudi Arabia to conduct Naval Exercise AL MOHED AL HINDI 2023: INS TARKASH and INS SUBHADRA have arrived in Saudi Arabia to participate in the AL MOHED AL HINDI 2023 naval exercise. The exercise will involve the participation of naval forces from both countries and focus on joint operations and training. The inaugural edition of the exercise was successfully conducted in 2021. The exercise encompasses a series of exercises conducted on land and at sea by the two friendly navies. Accompanying INS TARKASH is the INS SUBHADRA, a patrol vessel of the Sukanya class. This vessel has served as a test bed for the Dhanush ship-launched ballistic missile, as well as associated stabilization and launch platforms.

 

8. 22 May – International Day for Biological Diversity: International Day for Biological Diversity is observed every year on 22 May. Objective – To raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues with the urgent need for its conservation. Theme 2023 – From Agreement to Action: Building Back Biodiversity The day provides an opportunity to educate people worldwide about the importance of biodiversity. It highlights the value of diverse ecosystems, species, and genetic resources for the well-being of humanity and the planet. The day falls within the scope of the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations designated 22 May as the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) to promote understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

 

9. 23 May – World Turtle Day: World Turtle Day is observed annually on May 23. Objective – To raise awareness about the need to protect turtles and tortoises and their nesting sites around the world. The day also urges citizens, law enforcement agencies, policy members and governments to stop the illegal turtle trade. The celebration of World Turtle Day was initiated by the non-profit American Tortoise Rescue organization in the year 2000. The organization was founded in Malibu, California in 1990 by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson.

 

10. 23 May – International Day to End Obstetric Fistula: International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is observed every year on May 23. Objective – To raise awareness about this preventable and treatable condition and to mobilize support for affected women. The day provides an opportunity to advocate for increased investment in maternal healthcare, access to quality obstetric care, and the eradication of obstetric fistula. It is an international holiday for gathering support and spreading awareness about obstetric fistula, a childbirth-related injury that majorly affects women in poor economic regions. The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was first observed on May 23rd, 2013. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about obstetric fistula and to promote actions towards its prevention, treatment, and eventual elimination.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Neeraj Chopra becomes World Number 1 in Men's Javelin Throw rankings: As per the latest rankings released by World Athletics, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has become the new world number one in the men’s javelin throw with 1455 points. Anderson Peters from Grenadian ranked second, followed by Jakub Vadlejch, and Julian Weber. Neeraj Chopra also became the first Indian to win a gold medal in a track and field event at the Tokyo Olympics. In 2023, he won the Diamond League in Doha with a world-leading effort of 88.67m.

 

2. Daniil Medvedev wins maiden clay court title at Italian Open 2023: In the Italian Open final, world number three tennis star Daniil Medvedev defeated Holger Roon to win his first claycourt title. In the men’s singles final, the Russian player defeated the 20-year-old Danish player 7-5, 7-5. This is Medvedev’s fifth title of 2023 and the win has lifted him above Novak Djokovic to the second spot in the world rankings. Overall, he captured 20 career titles. He will also be the second seed at the French Open, which starts at Roland Garros on 28th of this month. Hugo Nieves and Jan Zielinski have captured the men’s doubles title in Rome. The Monegasque-Polish pair won their first ATP Masters 1000 title by defeating Robin Haase and Bottic van de Zandschulp 7-5, 6-1 in the men’s doubles final. The Australian-Belgian pair of Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens defeated top-seeded Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-4 to become the women’s doubles champions.

 

3. China claims record 13th Sudirman Cup title: China has claimed a record 13th Sudirman Cup title defeating South Korea 3-0 at Suzhou. Chen Yufei defeated World Number two An Se Young 21-16,22-20, in the women’s singles to seal the victory. In the men’s singles, Korea’s Lee Yun Gyu was easily outmatched by Shi Yuqi. The tournament is one of badminton’s most important because performances will count towards qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

 

4. BCCI announces Adidas as Team India’s kit sponsor: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the Indian national cricket team had secured a new kit sponsorship deal with the renowned German sportswear powerhouse, Following the termination of the three-year agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and global sportswear giant Nike in 2020, a new era commenced with the signing of a partnership between the BCCI and MPL Sports, the sports merchandise brand of Mobile Premier League. This partnership aims at facilitating access to high-quality Indian cricket fan merchandise, including the coveted Indian cricket team jersey for cricket fans not just in the country but globally. India will be hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup this year from October-November.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Paytm Money launches bond investing: Paytm Money has launched the most advanced bond platform for retail investors in India. This platform will simplify debt investing for individuals. Investors can invest in three types of bonds – government, corporate, and tax-free on Paytm Money. It provides all relevant information on one platform to investors. Investors can find all information related to coupon vs yield, clean price vs dirty price, coupon frequency, and coupon record dates on one dashboard.

 

2. RBI approved Rs 87,416 crore dividend payout to Centre for FY23: The Reserve Bank of India has approved Rs 87,416 crore dividend payout to the central government for 2022-23, nearly triple of what it paid in the previous year. The dividend payout was Rs 30,307 crore for the accounting year 2021-22. The decision was taken at the 602nd meeting of the Central Board of Directors of RBI held under the chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das. The board approved the transfer of Rs 87,416 crore as surplus to the central government for accounting year 2022-23, while deciding to keep the Contingency Risk Buffer at 6 percent. The board also reviewed the global and domestic economic situation and associated challenges, including the impact of current global geopolitical developments.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Thalapathy Vijay wins Best Actor Award at Osaka Tamil Film Festival, Japan: Thalapathy Vijay received the Best Actor Award at the Osaka Tamil International Film Festival held in Japan.

He was awarded for his performance in 'Master' (directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj), released in 2021 While Kangana Ranaut has bagged the Best Actress Award for her performance in Thalaivii.

Other winners:

·       Best Tamil Film: Sarpatta Parambarai

·       Best Director: Pa. Ranjith (Sarpatta Parambarai)

·       Best Supporting Actor: K. Manikandan

·       Best Supporting Actress: Lijomol Jose

 

2. Chandigarh bags first rank in National Water Award 2022: Chandigarh has received the first rank in the best Urban Local Body category of the National Water Award 2022. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation declared the 4th National Water Award in 2022. The Ground Water Augmentation Awards and National Water Awards were launched in 2007 to encourage all stakeholders for adopting innovative practices of groundwater augmentation through rainwater harvesting.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Actor Sarath Babu passes away: Veteran actor Sarath Babu has passed away at 71 from Multi-Organ failure. He has primarily worked in Tamil and Telugu films and was known for his roles in 'Annamalai' and 'Muthu'. He has appeared in more than 200 films, including Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films. He started his career in 1973 through a Telugu film and later became popular through the Tamil film 'Nizhal Nijamagiradhu', directed by K Balachander.

He was honored with eight state Nandi Awards.

Daily GK Update- 22nd May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India's defence production exceeds $12 billion for first time: India’s defense production has increased by more than 12% from last fiscal year and crossed the 1 trillion rupees ($12 billion) threshold for the first time. Reason: India is reducing its reliance on imports from countries such as Russia The value of India’s local defence production jumped to 1.07 trillion rupees, as on March 31, 2023, and was expected to rise further once data from some private defence companies came in.

 

2. Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management inaugurated: Union Minister of Environment, Bhupendra Yadav has formally inaugurated the Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM) at ICFRE, Dehradun. Aim: To promote South-South Cooperation and address land degradation issues through sustainable land management practices The CoE-SLM is poised to make a lasting impact in addressing land degradation issues, by leveraging sustainable land management practices, and achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).

 

3. Amit Shah lays foundation stone of campus of National Academy of Coastal Policing: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has laid the foundation stone for the permanent campus of the National Academy of Coastal Policing (NACP) at Okha in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district. The National Academy of Coastal Policing, the country’s first national academy was established in 2018 to provide intensive training to the marine police of nine coastal states, five Union Territories as well as the Central Police Forces. The Center has sanctioned Rs 441 crore to develop NACP with modern infrastructure, latest technology and state-of-the-art training facilities to enhance the security of the coastal borders. The academy’s primary objective is to enhance the skills and capabilities of coastal police personnel. Home Minister also virtually inaugurated five coastal outposts of BSF located at the Jakhau coast of the Kutch district.

 

4. 21 May – National Anti-Terrorism Day: National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed in India every year on May 21. Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of combating terrorism and promoting peace and harmony in society. This day holds significant historical importance and serves as a reminder of the grave consequences of terrorism on innocent lives. The genesis of National Anti-Terrorism Day can be traced back to May 21, 1991, when the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated by a suicide bomber belonging to a terrorist organization, LTTE. In remembrance of Rajiv Gandhi’s sacrifice and to honour his commitment towards fighting terrorism, the Government of India designated May 21 as National Anti-Terrorism Day.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Prime Minister Modi unveils Mahatma Gandhi Bust in Hiroshima: During the visit to Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan on 20 May 2023. The Mahatma Gandhi bust has been gifted by the Government of India to the city of Hiroshima as a symbol of friendship and goodwill between India and Japan. The 42 inches tall bronze bust has been sculpted by Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vanji Sutar.

The bust site, adjacent to the Motoyasu River, is close to the iconic A-Bomb Dome.

 

2. SpaceX sends Saudi astronauts, including first Arab woman, to ISS: Saudi Arabia’s Rayyanah Barnawi has made history as the first Arab woman astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the private Ax-2 mission. She is a breast cancer researcher and was joined on the mission by fellow Saudi Ali Al-Qarni, a fighter pilot. The Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) crew took off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The team also includes Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner.

 

3. International Day for Biological Diversity 2023: 22nd May: The world observed the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22 to increase understanding and encourage the preservation of the Earth’s diverse ecosystems. 2023 theme: From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity The origins of the International Day for Biological Diversity can be traced back to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, commonly referred to as the Earth Summit, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.

 

4. PM Modi releases Tamil classic 'Thirukkural' in Tok Pisin language: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape released the Tamil classic 'Thirukkural' in the Tok Pisin language. Aim: To bring Indian thought and culture closer to the people of this southwestern Pacific nation. Tok Pisin is the official language of Papua New Guinea. Thirukkural is a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economic matters, and love, is written by Poet Thiruvalluvar.

 

5. 1st Inter-Ministerial Committee Meeting held on World Food India 2023: The First Inter-Ministerial Committee Meeting for World Food India 2023 was held in New Delhi. The committee meeting was chaired by Smt. Anita Praveen, Secretary of Food Processing Industries (FPI). The meeting aimed to discuss the preparation and participation of Ministries/ Departments/Organizations for the upcoming event. The second edition of World Food India is set to be organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the first week of November 2023. India is a global leader in the production of millets with an area of about 12.5 million hectares and a share of more than 15 percent of the world’s total production. Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are the major millets producing states.

6. Israel ties up with IIT-M to set up water technology centre: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Israel to build an ‘India-Israel Center of Water Technology’ (CoWT) in Water Resources Management and Water Technologies. The LoI to establish this center was signed by Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Naor Gilon, Ambassador of Israel to India in the presence of External Affairs Ministers S Jaishankar and his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen. The Centre aims to build human capacity to ensure the implementation of the best technologies of Israel in a tailor-made context for the Indian requirements and pilot sustainable technologies to ensure water security for the country.

 

7. India to host Quad summit in 2024: India will host the Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), commonly known as the Quad, is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States of America. It aims to help countries mitigate the effects of climate change and strengthen their climate resilience. This year’s Quad Summit was originally scheduled in Australia but was conducted in Japan as US President Joe Biden had to postpone his trip to Australia due to ongoing debt limit talks in Washington. Japan is hosting the G7 summit and all the leaders of the group are currently visiting the country. Although India is not a member of G7, PM Modi is also traveling to Japan for the G7 and Quad Summit on a personal invite of Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.

 

8. 2025 to be observed as ‘special tourism year’ in Nepal: The decade of the 2080s of Bikram Samvat will be marked as ‘the Visit Nepal decade’ and the year 2025 as the special year for tourism. This was announced by the President of Nepal Ram Chandra Paudel while presenting the policies and programmes for the fiscal year, 2080/81 at the joint meeting of the federal parliament. Nearly one lakh tourists have been visiting Nepal monthly since the beginning of 2023. As per the latest statistics maintained by Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal recorded the arrival of over 3.26 lakh foreign tourists in the first four months of 2023. As per the latest statistics maintained by Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal recorded the arrival of over 3.26 lakh foreign tourists in the first 4 months of 2023. Similarly, the President announced that timely revisions would be made to tourism-related law. The tourist destinations would be popularized in the international community and necessary infrastructure prepared accordingly.

 

9. Indo-Indonesia bilateral Exercise Samudra Shakti-23 concluded: The fourth edition of the Indo-Indonesia bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23 concluded in the South China Sea. The sea phase witnessed the participation of ASW corvette INS Kavaratti with an integral Chetak helicopter and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Indian Navy. KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda with an integral helicopter Panther and a CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft participated in the exercise from the Indonesian Navy. Samudra Shakti exercise was first held in 2018. India, and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. Both countries are neighbours, India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.

 

 

10. 21 May – International Tea Day: International Tea Day is observed every year on 21 May. Objective – To raise awareness of the importance of tea in fighting hunger and poverty, as well as the sustainable production and consumption of tea In 2005, tea-producing countries came together to celebrate International Tea Day. These countries were Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, and Uganda. In 2019, the Intergovernmental Group on Tea decided to celebrate International Tea Day on May 21. The first official U.N. International Tea Day was celebrated on May 21, 2020.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Daniil Medvedev wins Italian Open 2023: The world's number three tennis player, Daniil Medvedev (from Russia) has clinched his maiden Italian Open 2023 title, after beating Holger Rune (Denmark). It is Medvedev's fifth title of 2023 and victory lifts him above Novak Djokovic to second in the world rankings. Other winners: Women's Single Title: Elena Andreyevna Rybakina (Kazakhstani) after defeating Anhelina Kalinina Men's Double: Hugo Nys and Jan Zieliński Women's Double: Storm Sanders and Elise 

 

2. Indian athlete Shaili Singh bags bronze medal at Golden Grand Prix 2023: Indian athlete Shaili Singh clinched a bronze medal at the Golden Grand Prix 2023 athletics meet in the women's long jump in Japan. She has attempted a jump of 6.65 meter, which provided her third place on the podium. Germany’s Maryse Luzolo won the gold medal with an effort of 6.79 meter while Australia’s Brooke Buschkuehl bagged the silver medal with a 6.77 meter leap. During the Indian Grand Prix 4 athletics meet in Bengaluru, she has registered a jump of 6.76 meter.

 

3. Elena Rybakina clinches Italian open women’s Singles title: In Italian Open Tennis, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan won the title defeating Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina by 6-4, 1-0. This was Rybakina’s second title of the year. With this, Rybakina won the fifth singles title of her career. The men’s singles final of the tournament will be played between Denmark’s Holger Rune and Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in Rome. Rohit Sharma becomes 2nd Indian player to complete 11000 runs in T20: Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has become the second Indian batter after Virat Kohli (11, 864 runs) to surpass 11,000 runs in Twenty-20 cricket. He also becomes the seventh batter overall to score 11000 runs after Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, David Warner, and Aaron Finch, and Virat Kohli. Most Runs in Men’s T20

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. No TCS on debit card, credit card forex payments of up to Rs 7 lakh: The Ministry of Finance has notified that no Tax Collection at Source (TCS) will be levied on individual payments using international debit and credit cards of up to Rs 7 lakh in a financial year from July 1, 2023. Further, the Union Budget 2023 has increased TCS for foreign remittances under the LRS from 5% to 20% (except for education and medical purposes). This rule will be effective from July 1, 2023.

 

2. Paytm launches Paytm SBI Card on RuPay Network with NPCI: Paytm has partnered with SBI Card and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch the Paytm SBI Card on the RuPay network. The aim of this new partnership, they claim, is to revolutionize the way credit is consumed in India by bringing ‘new to credit’ users into the formal economy and expanding to non-urban markets. The Paytm SBI Card offers cashback and discounts on transactions made through the Paytm mobile app. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) enabled users to link RuPay credit cards to UPI in 2023.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. PM Modi conferred with the highest honours of Fiji and Papua New Guinea: PM Modi has been conferred with the highest honors by Fiji and Papua New Guinea. He was conferred with the "The Companion of the Order of Fiji" by his Fijian PM, Sitiveni Rabuka for his global leadership. While Papua New Guinea conferred its highest civilian order, Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries. PM Modi is on a visit to Papua New Guinea to attend the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit.

Daily GK Update- 21st May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India's first commercial plane using sustainable aviation fuel flies: Air India’s subsidiary, AirAsia India has successfully operated India's first commercial flight on the Pune-Mumbai sectors using an indigenously produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend. Flight I5767 was powered by SAF blended aviation turbine fuel (ATF). It was supplied by Indian Oil in partnership with Praj Industries, which provided the technology for the blend SAF: It is also referred to as bio-jet fuel. SAF made from renewable biomass and waste resources

 

2. Union Health Ministry launched '75/25′ Initiative: The Union Health Ministry has launched the "75/25" initiative to screen 75 million people for hypertension and diabetes on Standard Care by 2025. The government has launched the Shashakt Portal to train the 40,000 primary healthcare medical officers on the Standard Treatment Workflow for NCDs. The MoHFW has also released revised operational guidelines for the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) for wider coverage.

 

3. Minister Smriti Irani to inaugurate women labourers convention in Kerala: The Union Women and Child Development Minister, Smriti Irani inaugurated the women laborers convention organized by the Kerala unit of BMS in Thiruvananthapuram. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan would make the keynote address at the event. Around 3,000 women workers and laborers are expected to take part in the convention. The trade union informed that 2,000 seminars would be held across the country and out of those 200 would be held in Kerala.

 

4. Telangana HM Mahmood Ali launches ‘Sahas’: Telangana Home Minister Mohamood Ali launched a SAHAS initiative to make workplaces safer for women. SAHAS, which means Courage, is a program that aims at strengthening the support ecosystem for women who face workplace sexual harassment. Under the initiative, the SAHAS Microsite, SAHAS Sathi Chatbot, SAHAS Whatsapp Number, Forum, and online support facilities were launched. It is the first of its kind initiative in the country.

 

5. TN CM Stalin inaugurates India’s longest Skywalk Bridge: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has inaugurated a 570-meter long and 4.2-meter-wide skywalk bridge connecting the Mambalam railway station and T Nagar bus terminus. The multi-modal project connects the railway station and bus stand. It will help pedestrians. The bridge was constructed by the Greater Chennai Corporation at a cost of Rs 28.45 crore from Smart City funds.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India's billionaire population estimated to rise to 19,119 in 5 Years: According to 'The Wealth Report 2023’, released by Knight Frank, India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) with a net worth of over $30 million will rise by over half (58.4%) in the next five years. From the last count in 2022, the number is likely to grow to 19,119 individuals in the next five years in 2027. The billionaire population is also expected to reach 195 from the current 161 individuals in 2022.

 

2. Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin selected to build NASA’s Artemis V lunar lander: NASA has selected Blue Origin to make its lunar lander for Artemis V, a mission slated to put astronauts near the moon's south pole in 2029. The Blue Origin contract will provide NASA with a second ride to the moon. Blue Origin will work with several industry partners like Lockheed Martin, Draper, Boeing, Astrobotic, and Honeybee Robotics. Blue Origin plans to use its New Glenn rocket, which has never flown before, to launch both its lander and this refueling shuttle.

 

3. 20 May – World Metrology Day: World Metrology Day is observed every year on 20 May celebrating the International System of Units. Metrology is the scientific discipline related to measurement and its uses in science, industries, innovation, trade and other sectors. It also highlights the importance of precise measurement units in our lives. Theme 2023 – Measurements supporting the global food system. May 20 is celebrated as Metrology Day, worldwide, commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875, an international treaty that was signed in Paris that established the basis for international agreement on units of measurement.

 

4. 21 May – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, also known as Diversity Day, is observed every year on May 21. Objective – To raise awareness of the importance of cultural diversity for peace and sustainable development. The United Nations General Assembly first declared this World Day in 2002, following UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognizing the need to “enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and global peaceful coexistence.

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Jyothi Yarraji clinches gold in women’s 100 m hurdles: Athlete Jyothi Yarraji won a gold medal in the women’s 100 m hurdles at the Federation Cup athletics event at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi. Yarraji, representing Andhra Pradesh, had set a meet record (13.18 secs) in the heats of women’s 100m hurdles. She further improved the meet record to 12.89 seconds on her way to winning gold. She also bettered the qualification standard of 13.63 seconds set by the Athletics Federation of India, for the Asian Championships to be held in Bangkok from July 12-16.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI to pay ₹87,416 crore as dividend to Centre for FY23: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) central board has approved the transfer of ₹87,416 crore as surplus to the government for FY23, surpassing the budget estimate by 82%. The union budget estimated an aggregate dividend of ₹48,000 crore from the RBI and public sector lenders. The large surplus transfer by the central bank would help the government manage its fiscal math. Last year, the central bank transferred a surplus of ₹30,307 crore to the Centre.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Kamal Haasan to be felicitated with Outstanding Achievement at IIFA 2023: Veteran actor, Kamal Haasan will be honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award at the 23rd IIFA Awards 2023, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He was awarded various awards including Padma Shri (1990), Padma Bhushan (2014), and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2016. While Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza will be honored with Outstanding Achievement in Regional Cinema. Manish Malhotra will also receive the Outstanding Achievement in Fashion in Cinema.

 

2. Chandigarh bags first rank in National Water Award 2022: Chandigarh has received the first rank in the best Urban Local Body category of the National Water Award 2022. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation declared the 4th National Water Award in 2022. The Ground Water Augmentation Awards and National Water Awards were launched in 2007. Aim: To encourage all stakeholders for adopting innovative practices of groundwater augmentation through rainwater harvesting

 

 

 

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. British Novelist, Martin Amis passes away at 73: Renowned British novelist, Martin Amis passed at 73 in Florida due to oesophageal cancer. He was a prolific writer and published 15 novels during his career. He was best known for his works "Money: A Suicide Note" and "London Fields." He was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his memoir "Experience." His novels "Time's Arrow" and "Yellow Dog" were recognized with nominations for the Booker Prize.

Daily GK Update- 20th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Siddaramaiah took oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka: Siddaramaiah took oath as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka for the second time, following the party’s resounding victory in the recently concluded assembly elections. Apart from him, DK Shivakumar was sworn in as the cabinet minister and has been designated as the sole deputy chief minister of Karnataka. Karnataka has a parliamentary system of government with Legislative Assembly, and Legislative Council. Capital of Karnataka: Bangalore.

 

2. Ministry of Civil Aviation organizes Curtain Raiser event for Wings India: Ministry of Civil Aviation in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has organized a curtain raiser ahead of Wings India 2024 in New Delhi on 18th May 2023. The ministry has also unveiled the event and promo video and released the Wings India 2024 brochure. Wings India 2024 is expected to be Asia's largest event on Civil Aviation on Commercial, General and Business Aviation and will bring together various stakeholders.

 

3. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and K V Viswanathan sworn in as SC judges: Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and senior advocate, K V Viswanathan was sworn in as judges of the Supreme Court, administered by Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud. With this enhancement, the working strength of Supreme Court has reached its sanctioned judge strength of 34. KV Viswanathan is the tenth lawyer who has directly been appointed from the Bar to the Supreme Court bench. Justice Mishra was serving as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

 

4. J&K Chief Secretary launches quiz and photo competitions “G20 in Kashmir": Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Arun Kumar Mehta has launched open quiz and photo competitions about “G20 in Kashmir” on the MyGov portal in Srinagar ‘www.jk.mygov.in’. The competition is aimed at promoting G20 awareness and its understanding among the citizen and can also foster critical thinking skills amongst students. Regarding the G20 Photo Competition, the participants have to submit photographs capturing G20 landscapes in J&K 

 

5. Madhya Pradesh cabinet approves ‘Mukhya Mantri Sikho Kamao Yojana’ for unemployed youth: The Madhya Pradesh state cabinet has given its approval to a new scheme called ‘Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana’ (Chief Minister Learn and Earn Scheme), aimed at providing opportunities for unemployed youth in the state. Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana,’ the government plans to offer training in around 700 different types of work across various sectors. These sectors include engineering, hotel management, tourism, travel, hospital services, ITI, software development, banking, insurance, accounting, chartered accountancy, financial services, industries, and the MSME industry. The wide range of options allows the youth to choose fields aligned with their interests and aptitudes. All the youth who have done 12th pass, ITI, Diploma, Graduation and Post Graduation will be eligible for this scheme. After the training, the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) certificate will be given by the Madhya Pradesh State Skill Development and Employment Generation Board (MPSSDEGB).

 

6. PM Modi launches Railway Projects & Flags off Vande Bharat Express: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone and dedicate several railway projects worth over 8,000 crore rupees in Odisha via video conferencing During the event, Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Puri and Howrah. The train will cover 500 kms distance and pass through Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts in Odisha and Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur districts in West Bengal. experience to the rail users, boost tourism and promote economic development in the region. Modi also dedicated 100% electrification of the rail network in Odisha.

 

7. NTPC Green ties up with HPCL Mittal Energy for green hydrogen: State-owned power giant NTPC’s arm NTPC Green Energy Ltd has signed an MoU with HPCL Mittal Energy Ltd to collaborate in renewable energy and generation of green hydrogen. The two companies will work together to source 250 MW of renewable energy power for HPCL Mittal Energy. NTPC is India’s largest power utility firm, having a core business of power generation with a total installed capacity of 72 GW (including JVs and subsidiaries). HMEL is a joint venture between HPCL and Mittal Energy Investments Pvt Ltd, which is an integrated refining and petrochemical company in India. It is engaged in the business of superior petroleum and petrochemical products and operates the Guru Gobind Singh Refinery (GGSR) with 11.3 MMTPA capacity at Bathinda, Punjab.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indo-Indonesia bilateral Exercise Samudra Shakti-23 concluded in South China: The 4th edition of the Indo-Indonesia bilateral Exercise titled ‘Samudra Shakti-23’ concluded in the South China Sea. The sea phase of the exercise was held from 17th to 19th May 2023 witnessed the participation of ASW corvette INS Kavaratti with integral Chetak helicopter and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Sea phase was preceded by a harbour phase which saw professional interactions. Samudra Shakti exercise was first held in 2018.

 

2. Ministry of Education and World Bank organize School-to-Work Transition: Ministry of Education and World Bank has organized a one of its kind workshops on School-to-Work Transition under the STARS Program in Mumbai. This workshop was attended by the Secretaries of Education and Skill Department of the six STARS states: Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. STARS program was launched for strengthening of Vocational Education and the workshop focused on discussion on a Skill Gap analysis.

 

3. 2025 to be observed as 'special tourism year' in Nepal: The decade of the 2080s of Bikram Samvat will be marked as 'the Visit Nepal decade' and 2025 as the special year for tourism This was announced by the President of Nepal Ram Chandra Paudel while presenting the policies/ programmes As per the latest statistics maintained by Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal recorded the arrival of over 3.26 lakh foreign tourists in the first 4 months of 2023 President has announced that timely revisions would be made to tourism-related law.

 

4. Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships awarded to 300 students across Sri Lanka: School students from all 25 districts across Sri Lanka have received the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships. This scholarship provides Rs 2500 Lankan per student every month to the top six students from each district, based on merit cum means. In 2023, two batches of scholarships were awarded simultaneously to compensate for the disruptions caused by COVID-19 during the 2021-2022 period.

 

5. Chile’s 5000-year-old ‘Great Grandfather’ tree declared world’s oldest: A 5,000-year-old tree in Chile has been officially recognized as the world’s oldest. The tree, a Patagonian cypress, is located in the Alerce Costero National Park and is nicknamed “Great Grandfather.” It is estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,500 years old, making it the oldest living organism on Earth. The Great Grandfather tree is a massive specimen, measuring 28 meters tall and 4 meters (13 Feet) in diameter. It is believed to have survived several major climate changes over the centuries, including the Little Ice Age. The tree is also a popular tourist destination, with thousands of visitors coming to see it each year.

 

6. 20 May – World Bee Day: World Bee Day is observed every year on 20 May. Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for our ecosystems. Theme 2023 – Bee engaged in pollinator-friendly agricultural production This observance was established by the United Nations in 2017 with the purpose of emphasizing the importance of bees in sustaining both ecosystems and food production.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India win 3 gold and a bronze medal in Archery World Cup Stage 2 at Shangha: Teenage Indian archer Prathamesh Jawkar (Archery World Cup Stage 2) defeated the world number one Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands to win a maiden World Cup gold medal in the men's individual compound section. In the non-Olympic compound section, India bagged 2 gold with the mixed team duo of Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam beating top-seeded Korean team 156-155. Mixed team duo of Sheetal & Rakesh also bagged gold.

 

2. India win 3 gold and a bronze medal in Archery World Cup Stage 2: Teenage Indian archer Prathamesh Jawkar (Archery World Cup Stage 2) defeated the world number one Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands to win a maiden World Cup gold medal in the men's individual compound section. In the non-Olympic compound section, India bagged 2 gold with the mixed team duo of Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam beating top-seeded Korean team 156-155. Mixed team duo of Sheetal & Rakesh also bagged gold.

 

3. Jyothi Yarraji clinches gold in women’s 100 m hurdles: Athlete Jyothi Yarraji won a gold medal in the women’s 100 m hurdles at the Federation Cup athletics event at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi. Yarraji, representing Andhra Pradesh, had set a meet record (13.18 secs) in the heats of women’s 100m hurdles. She further improved the meet record to 12.89 seconds on her way to winning gold. She also bettered the qualification standard of 13.63 seconds set by the Athletics Federation of India, for the Asian Championships to be held in Bangkok from July 12-16.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI withdraws Rs 2000 notes from circulation under Clean Note Policy: RBI has decided to withdraw Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation under the Clean Note Policy. The policy says that 2,000-rupee notes will continue to be legal tender but will not be ciculated. RBI has said members of the public may deposit Rs 2,000 banknotes into their bank accounts or exchange them for banknotes of other denominations. Exchange of Rs 2000 banknotes of other denominations can be made up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time from 23rd May, 2023.