Daily GK Update- 30th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Praveen Kumar Srivastava sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner: President of India Droupadi Murmu has administered the oath of office to senior administrator Praveen Kumar Srivastava as the next Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). The oath ceremony was attended by PM Narendra Modi and VP Jagdeep Dhankhar. PK Srivastava was already working in the capacity of acting CVC, after the completion of the tenure of incumbent CVC Suresh N Patel in December 2022. He is a 1988-batch IAS officer from Assam-Meghalaya Cadre.

 

2. Naveen Patnaik launches 'Odisha for AI, and AI for Youth' initiative: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has launched the ‘Odisha for AI’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence for Youth’ initiatives. Odisha for AI: A free 4-hour course on AI by Intel on its app/site In the first phase, the initiative will be implemented in Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Cuttack. AI for youth: It is for students (below 18) of 2000 5T schools of phase 1 and Odisha Adarsh Vidyalayas Aim: To create an ecosystem fostering research, innovation, and application across sectors

 

3. Unemployment rate dips to 6.8% in January-March 2023: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey, released by the National Statistical Office, India's unemployment rate has declined to 6.8% in January-March 2023 (Q4FY23) from 7.2% in Q3FY23. The unemployment rate was 6% for men and 9.2% for women. It was 6.5% and 9.6% for men and women respectively, in October– December 2022. The female labour force participation has increased marginally to 22.7% in Q4FY23 and the male labour force participation stands at 73.5%.

 

4. Goa Raj Bhavan launches first books under Governor’s scheme: Five books published under the Raj Bhavan’s scheme for new writers titled ‘Nayi Pahal’ were released by Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai in a function at Raj Bhavan. The five books released were authored by Sanjay Ramesh Salelkar (Konkani), Pallavi Polekar (Marathi), Manohar Adpaikar (Marathi), and Pachu Menon (two books in English). The five titles are the first of 100 odd books that the Raj Bhavan plans on publishing in 22 different languages through its innovative scheme

 

5. Bandra-Versova sea bridge will be named after Veer Savarkar: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Bandra -Versova sea route in Mumbai will be named as Swatantra Veer Savarkar Bandra- Versova Sagari Setu. He was speaking at an event on the 140th birth anniversary of SwatantraVeer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in Mumbai. A new award “The SwatantraVeer Savarkar Shaurya Puraskar” will be given for incredible bravery deeds in the state.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. CAG Girish Chandra Murmu re-elected External Auditor of WHO for four-year: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, Girish Chandra Murmu has been re-elected as the External Auditor of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a four-year term (2024-2027). The CAG is already holding this position in the WHO for a four-year term (2019-2023). In the election held at the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, the CAG was re-elected with a majority of 114 out of 156 votes. Earlier, the CAG was selected as an External Auditor of the ILO.

 

2. Dubai set goals for Zero-Emissions Public Transportation by 2050: The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai has set a target to achieve zero-emissions public transportation by 2050. Aim: To contribute to climate change mitigation and minimize its carbon footprint across three critical areas (public transportation, buildings and facilities, and waste management) This move aligns with the UAE COP28 preparations and UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative It outlined ten key initiatives, each assigned to various agencies and sectors

 

3. India gets approval to set up 2nd hydroelectric project in Nepal: The Government of Nepal has approved India’s Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) to develop the second hydroelectric project in the country. SJVN is currently involved in the development of the Arun-III Hydroelectric Project in eastern Nepal with a capacity of 900 MW. India and Nepal share over 20 transmission lines — ranging from 11 kV, 33 kV to 132 kV — that are used for power exchange between the two neighbours. SJVN Ltd is a joint venture between the central government and the state of Himachal Pradesh. Its subsidiary is already executing a massive project in Nepal — 900 MW Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project — which is slated to be completed in 2024. When completed, it will be Nepal’s largest hydro project.

 

4. Microsoft launched multilingual Jugalbandi Al chatbot: Microsoft has unveiled a new generative AI-driven chatbot called ‘Jugalbandi’, designed for farmers and other users living in rural India. The chatbot is being developed in collaboration with Microsoft Research and the government-backed AI4Bharat – an open-source language AI centre based at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras – and OpenNyAI. The chatbot will operate over the WhatsApp messaging service and it aims to make information on government schemes accessible in multiple languages. Jugalbandi covers 10 of India’s 22 official languages and 171 of a total of approximately 20,000 government programmes.

 

5. 29 May – International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed annually on 29 May. The day highlights the tireless efforts of the UN peacekeepers work to establish and maintain peace in conflict areas. Theme 2023 – Peace begins with me It also serves as a tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving as peacekeepers. May 29, 1948, marks the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping mission.

 

6. 29 May – World Digestive Health Day: World Digestive Health Day is observed every year on 29 May. Objective – To raise awareness about digestive diseases and disorders and highlight the importance of maintaining good digestion Theme 2023 – Your Digestive Health: A Healthy Gut From the Start World Digestive Health Day was established to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the formation of the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO). The WGO was formed on May 29, 1958. World Digestive Health Day was first celebrated in 2004 and is being marked every year since then to promote a healthy lifestyle and a good diet for a healthy gut.

 

7. 29 May – International Everest Day: International Everest Day is observed every year on 29 May. International Everest Day commemorates the 1953 summit of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal. Mount Everest is the tallest peak above sea level and is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. It has been a popular destination for climbers, mountaineers, and trekkers. The China-Nepal boundary is usually acknowledged to cross via Everest’s highest point, which reaches an elevation of 8,848.86 metres. The normal route, also called the southeast approach in Nepal, and the northern route in Tibet are the two main approaches to the mountain’s top. International Everest Day came into existence in 2008, the year Edmund Hillary died. Since then, Nepal has designated May 29 to honour Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norgay’s feat.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Chennai Super Kings beat Gujarat Titans to win fifth IPL title: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has defeated defending champions Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets to win its 5th IPL title. The final match of IPL 2023 was held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on May 29, 2023.

IPL 2023 awards:

·       Orange Cap (Highest Run-Scorer): Shubman Gill (GT) 890 runs

·       Purple Cap (Leading Wicket-taker): Mohammed Shami (GT) 28 wickets

·       Most Valuable Player: Shubman Gill

·       Emerging Players: Yashasvi Jaiswal

·       Fairplay Award: Gujarat Titans

 

2. UP Hockey wins 13th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2023: Uttar Pradesh Hockey defeated the Hockey Association of Odisha to win the 13th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2023, held at the iconic Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Odisha. Meanwhile, Hockey Haryana beat Hockey Madhya Pradesh to finish third in the competition. Ujjwal Pal converted three penalty corners, while Rahul Yadav, Ketan Kushwaha, Rahul Rajhbar, and Ajeet Yadav (Team Captain) each scored a goal to secure their victory.

 

3. India clinches title of CAVA Women’s Challenge Cup 2023: India has won the title of the NSC-CAVA Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup held in Kathmandu, Nepal. India won the title by defeating Kazakhstan in the final at the National Sports Council’s Covered Hall in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. The event was organized by the Nepal Volleyball Association and is supported by the NSC, eight nations participated in it. In the competition, Kazakhstan became the runner-up, followed by Nepal, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, and Kyrgyzstan.

 

4. Max Verstappen wins Monaco Grand Prix 2023: Red Bull’s driver Max Verstappen has won the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix. The vitory was Verstappen’s fourth of the season. Fernando Alonso finished second, with Esteban Ocon in third. Charles Leclerc retired from the race after a collision with Carlos Sainz.

 

5. Ambati Rayudu announces IPL retirement: Chennai Super Kings’ star batter, Ambati Rayudu has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League. Ambati Rayudu has been part of the Chennai Super Kings since 2018, and won two titles with the franchise; he had begun his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2010. Rayudu tasted first success in the tournament in 2013 when he lifted the title with Mumbai Indians; it was also the first title for the franchise. He scored 14.75 in his debut for CSK and lifted the IPL trophy in 2018. He has scored 602 runs in 16 matches from CSK.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. FDI equity inflows dip 22% to $46 billion in 2022-23: DPIIT data: According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade data, the Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India has declined by 22% to $46 billion in 2022-23. Reason: Lower inflows in computer hardware and software, and the automobile industry The FDI inflows stood at $58.77 billion during 2021-22. Top Investors (April-March 2022-23): Singapore ($17.2 billion), Mauritius, US, and UAE State-wise, Maharashtra received the highest inflows of $14.8 billion.

 

2. Bank of Maharashtra top performer in NPA management during FY23: Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the best bank as far as the management of bad loans is concerned with its net non-performing assets (NPAS). The NPA fell as low as 0.25% during the financial year ended March 2023. This is the lowest ratio among all banks having total business above ₹3 lakh crore and not just public sector banks (PSBs). While HDFC Bank’s net NPA fell to 0.27% followed by Kotak Mahindra Bank placed third spot with

 

3. SEBI sets up intermediary advisory panel to be led by S Ravindran: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has constituted an Intermediary Advisory Committee to advise the markets regulator on changes in legal framework and increasing transparency in the functioning of market intermediaries like stock exchanges, depository participants, clearing corporations, among others. The committee will be chaired by former Sebi executive director S Ravindran who in his assignment with the markets regulator handled the charge of Corporation Finance Department. He had also headed departments related to investment management, and foreign institutional investors and custodians. The committee’s role will be to advise on enhanced adoption of technology and cyber security by intermediaries, including in respect of compliances, to suggest measures for improving market safety, efficiency, transparency and integrity, and to advise on simplification and transparency in systems and procedures.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Goan writer Damodar Mauzo conferred with 57th Jnanpith Award: Governor of Goa, P S Sreedharan Pillai has presented the 57th Jnanpith Award, the country's highest literary honor, to Goan writer Damodar Mauzo. 25 books have been published in Konkani and one in English. Many of his books have also been translated into different languages. In 1983, he has conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel 'Karmelin'. He is the second Goan to receive the Jnanpith Award, after Ravindra Kelekar, who received the award in 2008.

 

2. Justine Triet’s ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ wins Palme d’Or at Cannes 2023: Crime drama 'Anatomy of a Fall' (directed by Justine Triet) was conferred with the Palme d’Or, the highest prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. She is the third woman director to win Cannes' top honour. Other awardees:

·       Honorary Palme d’Or: Michael Douglas

·       Best Actress: Merve Dizdar (for About Dry Grasses)

·       Best Actor: Kōji Yakusho (For Perfect Days)

·       Best Director: Tran Anh Hung (For The Pot-Au-Feu)

·       Short Film Palme d’Or: 27 (directed by Flóra Anna Buda)

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Congress MP Suresh Dhanorkar passes away: Congress MP from Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency of Maharashtra, Balu alias Suresh Dhanorkar passed away. Dhanorkar was born in Yavatmal district on June 4, 1975. In 2014, he was elected as an MLA of Shiv Sena, winning the Warora-Bhadrawati Assembly seat. He resigned from the Shiv Sena in 2019 and was elected as a Congress MP from Chandrapur Vani Arni Lok Sabha constituency. His wife Pratibha Dhanorkar is also a Congress MLA from the Varora constituency.

Daily GK Update- 29th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ISRO successfully placed 2G navigation satellite into intended orbit: ISRO has successfully launched a second generation navigation satellite, NVS-01, by using a GSLV rocket with a cryogenic upper stage. NVS-01 would augment the India's regional navigation system, providing accurate and real-time navigation The GSLV-F12/NVS-01 mission was launched from the 2nd launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota The signals will be more secure, civilian frequency band has been introduced This was one of the five of such satellites.

 

2. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni arrives in New Delhi: King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni has arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit to India. The King will have bilateral meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi. He will also pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. The visit marks the culmination of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia. This visit by the King of Cambodia is taking place after almost six decades.

 

3. Assam's first Vande Bharat Express train inaugurated: PM Modi has flagged off Assam's first Vande Bharat Express train through video conferencing on May 29, 2023. This new service will cover the distance of 411 km between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri in 5 hours and 30 minutes. The train will stop at Kamakhya, New Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, New Alipurduar, and New Coochbehar and culminate at NJP This will be the third Vande Bharat for West Bengal, after Howrah-NJP Vande Bharat Express and Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express

 

4. Patna becomes first municipal corporation to use CBDC: Jagadish Pillai of Varanasi (UP) has created a Guinness World Record by singing Shri Ramcharitmanas for 138 hours, 41 minutes, and two seconds. This remarkable accomplishment has been officially recognized in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records as the longest song ever composed. The entire process of recording, editing and mixing took four years, 63 days and 295 hours to complete. The previous record for the longest song was held by UK’s Mark Christopher Lee and The Pocket Gods on December 1, 2021 with a duration of 115 hours and 45 minutes.

 

5. Telangana achieves 100% coverage of PMJDY: Since the launch of Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana, Telangana State has achieved 100 percent household coverage of banking services extending them to all sections of people. As per the Social Security Administration survey, the state has achieved 100 percent coverage and the benefits of 135 welfare schemes and programmes under 20 departments are credited to these zero-balance bank accounts of the beneficiaries. Telangana state has over 1 crore 11 lakh Jan Dhan bank account holders by the middle of this month. As per the official records, these accounts have a balance of over 3 thousand crore rupees However, as the footprint of banking services has expanded to the nook and corner of the state, over 61 lakh people have opened their Jan Dhan accounts in rural areas whereas, nearly 50 lakh people in urban areas have zero balance accounts. Out of these JDY account holders, over 84 lakh people are availing the services of the RuPay cards through which they are able to get other benefits like credit facilities.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins Presidential election: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won the presidential election In Turkiye, extending his rule to a third decade. He defeated opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a runoff vote. Out of 99.43% of the votes, Erdogan got 52.14% of the votes and Kilicdaroglu received 47.86%. The vote seals Erdogan’s place in history as he extends his 20-year rule for a further five years. Türkiye capital: Ankara and Currency: Turkish lira

 

2. India's SJVN to develop second hydropower project Arun-4 in Nepal: Nepal has decided to allow India's Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited to develop a second hydropower project in the country. Presently, SJVN is developing a 900-MW Arun -III hydroelectric project, a run-of-river located on the Arun River in Eastern Nepal. The draft project development agreement was approved by Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and is to be signed with India's state-owned SJVN to develop the 669 MW Lower Arun Hydropower project in eastern Nepal

 

3. Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as the President of Nigeria: Bola Tinubu, from Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress party, has been sworn in as the new President of Nigeria. In February 2023, he defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The swearing ceremony was attended by the Indian defense minister, Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Nigeria. Agenda of visit: To strengthen the India-Nigeria bilateral relations This is the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria.

 

4. International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023: 29 May: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is celebrated every year across the globe on May 29 to highlight the efforts of the UN peacekeepers work to establish and maintain peace in conflict areas. 2023 theme: Peace Begins With Me The first UN peacekeeping effort commenced in the Middle East in 1948 and this year (2023) marks the 75th year of operation of UN peacekeeping The Dag Hammarskjold medal was posthumously awarded to peacekeepers who passed away in 2022

 

5. Mukesh Ambani joins advisory committee to COP28 President: Mukesh Ambani, chairman and CEO of Reliance Industries, has been selected to serve on the Advisory Committee to the President of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Other than Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, Mukesh Ambani is the only Indian, on the Advisory Committee to the President of COP28. The COP28 UAE Advisory Committee brings together the climate expertise of thought leaders from countries across six continents. From November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023, the UAE will serve as the host country for the Conference of Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC. It will take place in Dubai Expo City. The 31 members of the Committee, 65 percent of whom are from the Global South and represent policy, business, energy, finance, civil society, youth, and humanitarian action, will offer advice and direction to the COP Presidency in the lead-up to COP28 and beyond. The Presidency and venue of COP rotate among the five recognized UN regions — Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Central, Eastern and Western Europe. The first COP meeting was held in Berlin, Germany in March 1995.

 

6. 28 May – International Day of Action for Women’s Health: International Day of Action for Women’s Health is observed on May 28 across the globe. Objective – To raise the demand for the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and justice for women. Theme 2023 – Our Voices, Our Actions, Our Demand: Uphold Women’s Health and Rights Now During the 1987 Women’s Health Meeting in Costa Rica, the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network (LACWHN) proposed that May 28 be celebrated every year as International Day of Action for Women’s Health. LACWHN promoted the day across Latin America while Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) spread it globally. The campaign has historically focused on women’s health care, poverty, abortion, HIV/AIDS, contraceptives and government accountability.

 

7. 28 May – Menstrual Hygiene Day: Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28. Objective – To highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene, break stigma around menstruation, and raise awareness about challenges regarding access to menstrual products. Theme 2023 – Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030 According to UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate every month that includes girls, women, transgender men and non-binary persons. Many of them face a range of issues from stigma to social exclusion. Menstrual Hygiene Day was started by Germany-based NGO WASH United in 2013 when a 28-day social media campaign was launched to spread awareness around different aspects of menstruation. Motivated by the positive response around the campaign, Menstrual Hygiene Day was observed for the first time on May 28, 2014 with rallies, exhibitions, workshops, speeches etc.

 

8. 28 May – World Hunger Day: World Hunger Day is observed every year on May 28. Objective – To create awareness among the general public regarding hunger and provided to sustainable initiatives. Theme 2023 – celebrating sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty his helps in addressing the issue of food wastage across Nations, making people aware that there are still people who do not get enough food to eat daily. According to the world hunger index, India ranks 94 out of 107 countries and with the score of 27.2 is placed in the severe category. India is also ranked first in the world in terms of malnutrition.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. HS Prannoy wins his maiden BWF World Tour title 2023: India's world No.9 shuttler, H.S. Prannoy has clinched his maiden BWF World Tour title 2023, held at the Malaysia Masters Super 500 badminton tournament. In finals, he beat Weng Hong Yang of China 21-19, 13-21, 21-18. He had previously clinched the title at the 2017 US Open.

·       Women's singles: Akane Yamaguchi

·       Men's Double: Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae

·       Women's doubles:  Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee

·       Mixed doubles: Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai

 

2. Magnus Carlsen won Superbet Rapid and Blitz Poland 2023: Five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has won the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland 2023, held at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland. He finished with a score of 24/36 and won the cash prize of $40,000. Jan-Krzyzstof Duda (Polish), who placed second ended with 23/36. While the USA’s Wesley So and France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave finished in a tie for third. The 2023 Grand Chess Tour continues with the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz in Zagreb Croatia, taking place from July 3-10 and Saint Louis in USA (November 12 – 19).

 

3. India’s ace shuttler HS Prannoy won the Malaysia Masters Badminton title: India’s star shuttler HS Prannoy won the gold medal in the Malaysia Masters Badminton Championship 2023 played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He defeated Weng Hong Yang of China 21-19, 13-21, 21-18 in men’s singles final in Kuala Lumpur. Prannoy became the third Indian after Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to win the Malaysia Masters Championship and also became the first Indian to win in the men’s singles category.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Maharashtra top performer in NPA management during FY23: Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the best bank as far as the management of bad loans is concerned with its net non-performing assets (NPAs). The NPA fell as low as 0.25% during the financial year ended March 2023. This is the lowest ratio among all banks having total business above Rs 3 lakh crore and not just public sector banks (PSBs). While HDFC Bank's net NPA fell to 0.27% followed by Kotak Mahindra Bank placed third spot with 0.37% of net advances.

 

2. UPI to account for 90% of retail digital payments by 2026-27: According to PwC report 'The Indian Payments Handbook - 2022-27, UPI transactions are likely to reach 1 billion per day by 2026-27, accounting for 90% of the retail digital payments UPI is driving the digital payments revolution, accounting for about 75% of the total transaction volume in the retail segment during 2022-23 The Indian digital payments market also saw steady growth at a CAGR of 50% (volume) and is expected to reach 411 billion transactions in FY 2026-27

 

3. RBI imposes Rs 84.50 lakh penalty on Central Bank of India: Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of ₹84.50 lakh on Central Bank of India (the bank) for non-compliance with certain provisions of norms related to frauds classification and reporting. The Reserve Bank had conducted statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of the bank with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2021. Examination of the reports revealed that the public sector lender had failed to report as fraud to RBI certain accounts within seven days of decision of Joint Lenders’ Forum (JLF) to declare the accounts as fraud.

 

4. Equitas SFB partnered with IBM for digital banking platform: Equitas Small Finance Bank has signed an agreement with International Business Machines (IBM) to design and build a digital banking platform. The collaboration between the two entities aims at boosting the digital products offered by Equitas as well as its service offerings, as it evolves its business for a digital-first generation. Equitas aims to commence its modernization journey with a cloud-native platform architecture. This partnership with IBM is just the first step towards engaging customers. This strategic partnership will help simplify and transform the banking experience for customers across the board.

 

5. Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma appoints as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank: Private sector lender Karnataka Bank has appointed Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma as the new managing director and chief executive officer of the bank for three years. The appointment is subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing AGM or within a period of 3 months from the date of assuming charge whichever is earlier. He has also worked at HDFC Bank Limited, Yes Bank, and Jio Payments Bank.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. IIFA Awards 2023 announced: Hrithik Roshan has won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) 2023 held in Abu Dhabi. Alia Bhatt also won the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in the movie Gangubai Kathiawadi. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan was conferred the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award. Another veteran actor Anil Kapoor has presented the award for Performance In A Supporting Role (male) for the movie Jug Jugg Jeeyo. Meanwhile, Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva was adjudged the best film of the year. The film won many other awards at the event, including Best Playback Singer (Female) – Shreya Ghoshal, Best Playback Singer (Male) – Arijit Singh and Best Supporting Actor (Female) – Mouni Roy.

 

2. Madhavan won the award for best director for his film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. Meanwhile, Drishyam 2 won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Late actor Irrfan Khan’s son Babil Khan won the award for Best Debut (male) for his performance in the movie Qala. Babil shared the award with Santanu Maheshwari for his performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi.

The award for Best Debut (Female) was presented to Khushali Kumar for her performance in the movie Dhoka Around the Corner.

Daily GK Update- 28th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated new Parliament building in New Delhi:  PM Modi inaugurated the new New Delhi Parliament House on May 28, 2023. He has also installed the Sengol with Nandi in the Lok Sabha chamber. About New Parliament: Constructed by: Tata Projects Ltd Three main gates: Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar The new building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber The new Lok Sabha chamber has a peacock theme and Rajya Sabha's theme is based on National Flower, Lotus

 

2. Odisha govt collaborates with Infosys, Nasscom: The Odisha Government’s Higher Education Department has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Infosys Limited and Nasscom to enhance the skills and employability of students in Higher Education Institutions in Odisha. This collaboration aims to provide learning and employment opportunities for students and promote equal access to education for passionate individuals, equipping them for the future. Infosys, in line with its ESG Vision 2030, has set a goal to enable digital skills on a large scale and empower more than 10 million people across India from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds by 2025 through its programme called Infosys Springboard. As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, Infosys Springboard aims to offer a comprehensive virtual platform that provides learning experiences free of charge. The platform is accessible on any device and facilitates close collaboration between educators and learners, catering to students from the 6th grade to lifelong learners. Under this MoU, Nasscom will provide training to 800,000 students through their future skills prime program. The collaboration focuses on developing technical expertise across various disciplines, promoting digital fluency, and delivering industry-curated content. It offers a comprehensive career-building programme that leads to industry-recognized Nasscom certifications.

 

3. NTCA forms new committee to oversee Cheetah project: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) set up an 11-member Cheetah Project Steering Committee. Rajesh Gopal, general secretary of the Global Tiger Forum, has been appointed as the chairman of the committee. The committee works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The move comes following the death of six cheetahs, including three newborn cubs, within a period of two and half months at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh. In the last one week, three cheetah cubs born to the Namibian cheetah allegedly died of dehydration and malnourishment. The decision to form the committee was taken in a meeting with the additional chief secretary of the Madhya Pradesh government. The committee will also take decisions on the opening of the cheetah habitat for eco-tourism and suggest regulations in this regard.

 

4. Mega ‘Yoga Festival’ in Hyderabad: Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) under the Union Ministry of AYUSH has organized a mega ‘Yoga Festival’ at NCC Parade Ground, Hyderabad. Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan was the chief guest at the Yoga Festival being organized at NCC Parade Ground, Hyderabad. This event was organized 25 days before the Yoga Festival to be held in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of ‘International Yoga Day’ on June 21, 2023. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal announced the theme of International Day of Yoga this year as ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

 

5. R Dinesh appointed as CII President for 2023-24: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has elected R Dinesh, the Executive Vice Chairman of TVS Supply Chain Solutions as its President for 2023-24. He takes over from Sanjiv Bajaj, the Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv Limited. Rajeev Memani, President, EY India Region, has been appointed as the Vice President of CII.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023: 28th May: Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene and break stigma around menstruation. The theme for 2023 is 'Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030. This day was selected because the menstrual cycle averages 28 days in length and people on average menstruate for five days each month. This day was started by Germany-based NGO WASH United in 2013 and it was observed for the first time on May 28, 2014.

 

2. 8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector: Union Health Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has inaugurated the 8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector. He unveiled the National Medical Device Policy 2023 and launched the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices. He also launched a scheme titled ‘Assistance for Medical Devices clusters for Common Facilities (AMD-CF)’. Aim: To establish and strengthen common infrastructure facilities in the medical devices clusters

 

3. Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Advisory Committee of COP28: Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman, Mukesh Ambani has been named as a member of the international advisory committee that will provide guidance and counsel to the presidency of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28), UAE. He is among 31 international experts named on the panel. The panel will inspire collaborative and transformative action across adaptation, mitigation, damage, food, and nature-based solutions.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI sanctions merger of Maratha Co-op Bank with Cosmos Co-op Bank: RBI has approved the voluntary Scheme of Amalgamation of Maratha Sahakari Bank with The Cosmos Co operative Bank, with effect from May 29, 2023. The central bank had placed Maratha Sahakari Bank under Directions under Section 35 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, on August 31, 2016. All the branches of Maratha Sahakari Bank Ltd will function as branches of The Cosmos Co-operative Bank Limited. Maratha Sahakari Bank has seven branches in Mumbai.

 

2. Indian Bank empanelled as a clearing and settlement bank with ICCL: Indian Bank has entered into an agreement with Indian Clearing Corporation Ltd. (ICCL) as its Clearing and Settlement Bank. Indian Bank will now facilitate banking services to members of BSE, Mumbai for clearing and settlement operations. Clearing members can now open settlement accounts with the bank for funds settlement under the equity derivatives segment. The proposal to extend this facility to the members of NSE is under active consideration.

 

3. SEBI sets up intermediary advisory panel: SEBI has formed an Intermediary Advisory Committee to advise the market regulator on changes in the legal framework. The committee will also advise SEBI on increasing transparency in the functioning of market intermediaries like stock exchanges, clearing corporations, etc. Chaired by: Former Sebi executive director S Ravindran. Other members: Ashish Chauhan (CEO of NSE) and Sundararaman Ramamurthy (CEO of BSE), representatives from the broking community, legal, and FI

 

4. India signed agreement with ADB for development of infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh: The Indian government has signed a loan agreement of USD 141.12 million with the Asian Development Bank for the development of infrastructure in three industrial clusters situated in Andhra Pradesh. The loan will be utilized to enhance road networks, water supply systems, and electricity distribution networks, fostering industrialization and job creation in the targeted areas. This financing is the second tranche of the $500 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the program approved by ADB in 2016 to build infrastructure in three industrial clusters in the Visakhapatnam and Srikalahasthi-Chittoor nodes in the state. By adopting a multi-sectoral approach, ADB financing aims to boost manufacturing, improve competitiveness, and increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Andhra Pradesh’s gross domestic product.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt win the award for best actor at IIFA 2023: Hrithik Roshan has bagged the Best Actor award at the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) 2023 held in Abu Dhabi. He was awarded for his performance in Vikram Vedha. While Alia Bhatt also won the Best Actor (Female) award for Gangubai Kathiawadi.

·       Best Film: Drishyam 2

·       Best Director: R Madhavan (Rocketry: The Nambi Effect)

·       Supporting Role:

·       Best Actor (Female): Mouni Roy (Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva)

·       Best Actor(Male): Anil Kapoor (Jugg Jugg Jeeyo)

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Writer and literary critic G H Nayak passes away: Writer and literary critic Govindaray H Nayak, who was popularly known as G H Nayak, passed away at 88 due to a heart attack in Mysuru. He won the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award for his work ‘Uttarardha’ in 2014. He was also awarded the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award for ‘Nirapeksha’ and V M Inamdhar Memorial Award for ‘Nijadani’. He had also been the recipient of the prestigious Pampa Award. His works include Samakaalina and Anivaarya

Daily GK Update- 27th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM presides over 8th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting: The Eighth meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council was concluded in New Delhi, presided over by PM Modi as the Chairman of NITI Aayog. Theme: Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India Eight prominent themes were discussed: (i) Viksit Bharat@2047, (ii) Thrust on MSMEs, (iii) Infrastructure and Investments, (iv) Minimising Compliances, (v) Women Empowerment, (vi) Health and Nutrition, (vii) Skill Development, (viii) Gati Shakti for area development and social infrastructure.

 

2. Central government notifies appointment of CJ of Himachal Pradesh HC: The Central government has notified the appointment of Justice MS Ramachandra Rao as the Chief Justice (CJ) of Himachal Pradesh HC. He has succeeded CJ Amjad Sayed, who retired in January 2023. In addition, Justice SV Gangapurwala was appointed as the CJ of Madras HC. Presently, Justice S Vaidyanathan has been serving as the Acting CJ of Madras High Court. Justice Ramesh Dhanuka has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Bombay HC with a tenure of four days.

 

3. R Dinesh appointed as CII President for 2023-24: The National Council of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has elected R Dinesh as the president of CII for 2023-24. He is an executive vice-chairman of TVS Supply Chain Solutions. He has replaced Sanjiv Bajaj, the chairman and managing director, Bajaj Finserv Limited. Sanjiv Puri (chairman and managing director of ITC Ltd) has taken over as president-designate of CII for the year 2023-24. Rajiv Memani has taken over as vice-president of CII for the year 2023-24.

 

4. Giriraj Singh launched SAMARTH campaign: The Union Minister for Rural Development, Giriraj Singh has launched the ‘SAMARTH’ Campaign to promote Digital Transactions in 50000 Gram Panchayats’ in Lucknow. This campaign, initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development, aims to promote digital transactions in rural areas, with a particular focus on empowering women. Under the SAMARTH Campaign, the government seeks to foster the adoption of digital transactions in 50,000 Gram Panchayats across India. This initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s AzadiKaAmritMahotsav, which commemorates 75 years of India’s independence. The campaign commenced on February 1, 2023, and will continue until August 15, 2023. Minister has lauded the SHG’s NPA, which was reduced from 9.58 % in 2013 to below 2%, and urged banks to recognize and outstanding credit performance of SHG Didis and facilitate loans.

 

5. About National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM): Goa, Uttarakhand sign MoU to boost tourism Himachal Pradesh signed MoU with the French Development Agency Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) for Rs 817.12 crore project. Kerala government signed MoU with UN Women to boost women-friendly activities in tourism

Nagaland government partnered with Patanjali Foods for palm oil cultivation NTPC REL signs MoU with Tripura for collaboration in Renewable Energy REC signed MoU with UP govt for multiple projects worth Rs 98,853 crore

 

6. PM Modi chairs the 8th meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chaired the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog. The meeting, based on the theme ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India’, was held at the new Convention Centre in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. The prime minister deliberated on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment, and infrastructure development, with the aim of making India a developed nation by 2047. Eight prominent themes were discussed during the day-long meeting including

 

7. Dream 11 CEO Harsh Jain appointed new chairman of IAMAI: CEO of online gaming platform ‘Dream11’, Harsh Jain has been appointed as the new chairman of ‘Internet and Mobile Association of India’ (IAMAI) for two years (2023-2025). He replaces Sanjay Gupta, vice president and country manager of Google India. A new 24-member governing council and a new executive council will take charge at the upcoming annual general meeting of IAMAI, which represents top technology companies. The IAMAI governing council election is held every two years. As many as 83 IAMAI members contested the elections this year, after the end of the two-year tenure of the previous council.

 

8. Suman Sharma sworn in as member of UPSC: Senior bureaucrat Suman Sharma was sworn in as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Sharma is a 1990-batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer. UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed member. The Commission is headed by a chairman and it can have a maximum of 10 members. With her appointment, there exists a vacancy of five members. A UPSC member is appointed for a term of six years or until attaining 65 years of age. The UPSC conducts civil services examinations to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India-Saudi Arabia conducted bilateral maritime exercise: Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) concluded the sea phase of the second edition of bilateral exercise 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23', which was held in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia from 23 - 25 May 2023. Indian Navy participated with the INS Tarkash, INS Subhadra, and Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft (MPA). The RSNF was represented by HMS Badr and Abdul Aziz, MH 60R helo, and UAV. The exercise culminated with debrief at sea followed by a traditional steam past.

 

2. Nepal celebrates Bhoto Jatra: Nepal celebrates Bhoto Jatra which is a public holiday in Kathmandu Valley. It is a part of Rato Machhindranath Jatra which is a month-long chariot procession. It originates at Pulchok where chariot made of wood without use of iron nail is created and the procession ends at Jwalakhel. In Bhoto Jatra a “lost & found” bejeweled Nepali vest “bhoto” of Rato Machchindranath is displayed to the public to find its “rightful owner” in accordance with the legend and as per tradition.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Magnus Carlsen won Superbet Rapid and Blitz Poland 2023: Norwegian chess GM, Magnus Carlsen has won the Superbet Rapid and Blitz Poland 2023, held at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland. He finished with a score of 24/36 and won the cash prize of $40,000. Jan-Krzyzstof Duda (Polish), who placed second ended with 23/36. While the USA’s Wesley So and France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave finished in a tie for third. The 2023 Gr

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Karnataka Bank appoints Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma as MD & CEO: Karnataka Bank has appointed Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma as the new managing director and chief executive officer of the bank for three years. The appointment is subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing AGM or within a period of 3 months from the date of assuming charge whichever is earlier. His expertise and leadership would drive the bank toward continued growth and success. He has worked at HDFC Bank Limited, Yes Bank, and Jio Payments Bank.

 

2. PhonePe becomes first payment app to link 2 Lakh RuPay Credit Cards to UPI: PhonePe has become the first digital payments app to successfully enable the linkage of two lakh RuPay credit cards to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Besides, it has also processed a total payment value (TPV) of Rs 150 crore via RuPay credit on UPI. PhonePe offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for RuPay Credit on UPI in partnership with NPCI. It has already enabled the acceptance of RuPay Credit Cards on UPI across 12 million merchant outlets.

 

3. Equitas SFB collaborates with IBM for digital banking platform: Equitas Small Finance Bank has signed an agreement with International Business Machines (IBM) to design and build a digital banking platform. Aim: To provide a secure experience to customers The collaboration will boost the digital products offered by Equitas as well as its service offerings, as it evolves its business for a digital-first generation. Equitas SFB aims to commence its modernization journey with a cloud-native platform architecture.

 

4. RBI imposes Rs 84.50 lakh penalty on Central Bank of India: The RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 84.50 lakh on the Central Bank of India for non-compliance with norms related to fraud classification and reporting The RBI had conducted a statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of the bank with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2021. The reports revealed that the bank had failed to report as fraud to RBI certain accounts within seven days of the decision of the JLF to declare the accounts as fraud.

 

5. HDFC Bank partners Manipal Global to build up a talent pipeline: DFC Bank has partnered with Manipal Global Academy of BFSI to launch its Future Banker 2.0 programme to groom young graduates into banking professionals within a year. The nationwide recruitment initiative seeks to establish a talent pipeline for the bank’s retail banking division to man its expanded network post-Merger. The one-year professional diploma, offered in collaboration with Manipal Global Academy of BFSI, incorporates classroom sessions, guest lectures, group discussions, role plays, and practical fieldwork. The programme includes eight months of paid internship and on-the-job training at HDFC Bank branches nationwide. The internship will facilitate hands-on exposure to banking products, compliance frameworks, and day-to-day operations.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Three Indian peacekeepers honored with Dag Hammarskjold Medal: Three Indians have been honored posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal. India's Permanent Representative at UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj has received the medal in honor of three Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022 BSF Head Constables Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi have served with the Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo While Shaber Taher Ali served in a civilian capacity with UNAMI