Daily GK Update- 2nd Jun, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. OTT platforms mandated to show anti-tobacco warnings: The Union health ministry has amended the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2004, to mandate the display of anti-tobacco warnings and disclaimers on over-the-top (OTT) platforms. India has become the first country to make it mandatory for OTT platforms Features: To display anti-tobacco health spots of a minimum of 30 seconds each at the beginning and middle of a program An audio-visual disclaimer of a minimum of 20 seconds on the ill effects of tobacco use

 

2. NGEL, UPRVUNL collaborate for development of Renewable Energy Power Parks: NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) signed an MoU in Lucknow. Aim: To collaborate in the development of Renewable Energy Parks and Projects Signed by: Mohit Bhargava (CEO, NGEL) and Nidhi Kumar Narang (Director (Finance) UPRVUNL) NTPC is India’s largest Power Utility, with a total installed capacity of about 72 GW. UPRVUNL was constituted to set up and operate Power-generating stations in UP.

 

3. IIT-Kharagpur partners HCLTech for collaboration in petroleum engineering: IIT Kharagpur and HCLTech signed an MoU for collaboration in the field of petroleum engineering and earth sciences. Aim: To develop innovative and sustainable solutions to address critical challenges of the petroleum industry, which include reduction of carbon footprint, and provide significant sustainable solutions towards net zero HCLTech will provide opportunities to IIT-Kharagpur students and research scholars to undertake projects and internships at the company.

 

4. P Upadhyay INAS takes over as Director General of Naval Armament: INAS, P Upadhyay assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) on June 1, 2023, and replaced KSC lyer, who superannuated on 31 May 2023. He is an alumnus of the Naval Defence College of NDC-53. He belongs to the 1987 batch of the Indian Naval Armament Service. He joined the Naval Armament Organization of the Indian Navy in 1989. He is specialized in Missile and Torpedo Maintenance besides having vast knowledge of the disposal of ammunition.

 

5. India conducts successful training launch of Agni-1 ballistic missile: India successfully launched the Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-1 from the APJ Abdul Kalam Islands, Odisha.

It was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command, which is responsible for the management and administration of the country's tactical and nuclear assets Agenda: To validate all operational and technical parameters of the missile Agni series of missiles includes Agni-1(700km), Agni-2 (2000), Agni-3 (3000), Agni-4 (4000), and Agni-5 (5000)

 

6. BIS introduces 31 Indian standards related to Ayush: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced 31 Indian standards related to Ayush, encompassing 30 herbs and one product, the stainless steel neti pot. BIS has established an additional department with a dedicated focus on Ayush for strengthening its standardization framework. A Working Group on 'Traditional Medicine' established within the ISO/TC-215 'Health Informatics'. BIS also initiated efforts to formulate international standards in collaboration with ISO

 

7. Amarendu Prakash takes charge as SAIL chairman: Amarendu Prakash has taken charge as a Chairman of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) on May 31, 2023. Prior to this, he was Director in charge at Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL). He is a metallurgical engineer from BIT Sindhri and joined SAIL in 1991 as a Management Trainee (Technical). He also took on additional charge as Director In-Charge of the Rourkela Steel Plant, IISCO, and Durgapur Steel Plant.

 

8. Union Minister For Jal Shakti launched portal for GOBARdhan: The Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has launched the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan. Aim: One-stop repository to assess investment and participation in the Biogas/CBG sector at the pan India level and streamline the process of setting up CBG/Biogas plants GOBARdhan refers to Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan. It is an initiative of the Government of India, that aims to convert waste to wealth towards promoting a circular economy.

 

9. Ahmednagar to be named after Ahilyabai Holkar: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Ahmednagar district will be named after warrior queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The announcement was made during a program organized at the birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar on her 297th birth anniversary at Chondi village in Ahmednagar district. Ahilyabai Holkar, born in 1725, was a famous ruler of the Indore kingdom, known for her wisdom and compassion. Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that the Bandra-Versova sea-link bridge would be named ‘Veer Savarkar Setu’.

 

10. 1,275 Railway Stations to be upgraded under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: The Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Railways has resolved to upgrade 1,275 railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station. The decision was taken at a meeting in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The catering services were given to passengers through either static or mobile units, adding that there were 473 pairs of trains with pantry cars/mini pantries and 706 pairs of trains with a train-side vending facility. It added that there were 9,342 minor and 582 Major Static units of Indian Railways which included the Jan Aahaars outlets, Food Plazas, and Refreshment Rooms.

 

11. Rajesh Kumar Anand VSM takes over as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA): Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar Anand took over as the Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA). An alumnus of the National Defense Academy, the Air Marshal was commissioned as Air Marshal in the administrative branch of the Indian Air Force. In a career spanning over 36 years, the Air Marshal has held various field and staff appointments. Prior to his present appointment, he was the Director General (Administration) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India in January 2022.

12. Bidyut Bihari Swain sworn in as UPSC member: Former Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) secretary Bidyut Bihari Swain was sworn in as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Swain, a 1988 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Gujarat cadre, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by UPSC chairman Manoj Soni. He served in various capacities within the Gujarat government from 1989 to 2018, holding significant positions such as CEO of the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board, Secretary of Primary Education, Industries Commissioner, Vice Chairman, and Managing Director of the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, and Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat State. In 2018, he joined the Government of India as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, overseeing Special Economic Zones and trade negotiations with CIS countries. He also served in positions such as Chairman of the Kimberley Protocol and Commissioner General of India for the World Expo-Dubai. From January 2021 to May 2023, he served as the Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s GCC market size to hit $60 billion by 2025: Report: According to the report titled “GCC 4.0 – India Redefining the Globalization Blueprint”, released by NASSCOM – Zinnov, India's Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem will expand with over 1,900 GCCs and a market size of $60 billion by 2025. As of FY23, India is home to 1,580 unique GCCs, with several global MNCs opting to establish their first global center outside of their headquarters in India. The GCC market size in FY 23 was $46 billion.

 

2. NHPC, VUCL sign MoU for Phukot Karnali Hydroelectric Project: NHPC Limited and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), Nepal signed an MoU in New Delhi for the development of the Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal. The MoU was signed in the presence of PM Modi and Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. The project will use the flow from the Karnali River for power generation and the generated power will be fed into the integrated power system of Nepal. The installed capacity of the project shall be 480 MW.

 

3. India, Vietnam hold 3rd Maritime Security Dialogue: The 3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held in New Delhi. Both sides discussed ways to better maintain the marine environment which is helpful for the inclusive development of both countries. They also reviewed maritime cooperation initiatives and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security. Senior officials from ministries and services dealing with maritime affairs participated in the dialogue.

 

4. French company Alstom to make 100 Vande Bharat trains: French railway major Alstom has emerged as the lowest bidder for manufacture and maintenance of 100 aluminium Vande Bharat trainsets, valued at Rs 30,000 crore. The company, which is a major player in the Indian railway and urban transport sector, bid Rs 150.99 crore as the cost to manufacture one trainset, followed by a consortium of Swiss rolling stock company Stadler Rail and India’s Medha Servo, which quoted Rs 169.9 crore to build one trainset. The basic manufacturing cost would be paid upon delivery of the trainsets, while the remaining portion of close to Rs 17,000 crore would be paid for maintenance for a period of 35 years. The train is pegged to have a speed capability of 200 km per hour.

 

5. 3rd Employment Working Group meeting organized in Geneva: The Indian G20 Presidency is organizing the third Employment Working Group EWG meeting at the International Labour Organization ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a G20 tradition since the inception of the EWG, to organize an Employment Working Group at the side-lines of the ILO’s annual International Labour Conference in Geneva. 78 delegates from twenty G20 member countries, nine guest countries and four International Organizations are attending the meeting. The Ministry of Labour and Employment’s international knowledge partners, ILO, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD, International Social Security Association ISSA, World Bank and a domestic knowledge partner, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship are attending the meeting to provide their technical expertise to the Group.

 

6. South Korea launches first commercial-grade satellite: South Korea has launched its first commercial-grade satellite. The commercial-grade satellite was launched by the Naro Space Center in Gohang, South Korea, using a Launch Nuri rocket. The main satellite objectives include verifying imaging radar technology and observing cosmic radiation in near-Earth orbit. The main satellite, called “Next Generation Small Satellite 2”, was accompanied by seven cube-shaped satellites. South Korea also plans to launch three more Nuri rockets by 2027.

 

7. 2 June – International Sex Workers’ Day : International Sex Workers’ Day is observed every year on 2 June. This day is dedicated to all sex workers, and it aims to raise awareness of the exploited working conditions of sex workers globally. According to the latest data, there are around 3 million sex workers in India between the age group 15-35 because of the emphasis on physical appearance and endurance capacity to entertain multiple customers. Globally, the number of sex workers is 40-42 million, of which 80 percent are females and range in age between 13-25. The movement started in 1975 on June 2 when nearly 100 sex workers occupied the Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon. The women occupied the church for eight days, demanding an end to police discrimination against sex work and asking for decent working conditions. The protest by the women was sparked by sex workers facing increasing violence. The movement brought the plight of sex workers to national attention.

 

8. 2 June – Telangana Formation Day:            Telangana Formation Day is celebrated on June 2 every year, marking the day when the state of Telangana was formed in 2014. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014 bill was passed in the Parliament in February 2014 for the formation of the Telangana state. The bill was then passed by the President of India on March 1, 2014, and the state of Telangana was finally formed on June 2. The creation of Telangana was a complex and lengthy process. The demand for a separate Telangana state emerged in the early 1960s, eventually leading to the passing of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act in 2009. This act paved the way for the formation of Telangana. Since its establishment, Telangana has experienced positive developments, including increased investment and growth. The state has also witnessed improvements in poverty reduction and employment opportunities.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India defeated Pakistan to win Junior Men's Asia Cup Hockey in 2023: The Indian hockey team defeated Pakistan in the final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023, held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex Stadium in Salalah, Oman. This was India’s fourth title at Men's Junior Asia Cup, after winning in 2004, 2008, and 2015. With this title win, India has become the most successful country in the history of the Men's Junior Asia Cup. While Pakistan is the second-most successful team in the tournament with three titles.

 

2. India’s Esow Alben wins bronze medal in Bahnen-Tournee cycling 2023: Indian cyclist Esow Alben has bagged the bronze medal in the elite men's keirin event at a UCI Class 1 Event-Finale Bahnen-Tournee 2023 cycling competition in Germany. He has also listed himself in being the first cyclist from India to participate in the UCI Champions League. Alben was also the first Indian who won a medal in a cycling world championship. Apart from Alben, Indian cyclist Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam finished 10th in the men’s sprint event at Germany meet.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI, IIT Madras to launch voice-banking solution: Reserve Bank Innovation Hub has partnered with IIT Madras Research Park and Incubation Cell to launch voice-banking solutions to eliminate language barriers It will assist the illiterate and the visually impaired in their banking needs. Aim: To conduct the basic banking transactions through voice controls in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English, in the initial stage SBI, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra, and IDFC First conducted a code fest on voice banking called ‘Vaulter Voice’

 

2. Bajaj Allianz Life launches term insurance plan for Type 2 diabetics: Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has launched an exclusive term plan Bajaj Allianz Life Diabetic Term Plan Sub 8 HbA1c. This is a first-of-its-kind protection plan in the Indian life insurance industry designed especially for Type 2 diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals. The plan offers coverage by factoring in the nuances of the health condition of those having diabetes. For pre-diabetic or Type 2 diabetic individuals whose HbA1c is up to 8 percent, the comprehensive plan will enable them to provide financial security. The insurer offers a 10% premium reduction for individuals trying to achieve health goals and other health management services. The policy term ranges from five to 25 years and premiums can be paid monthly/annually.

Daily GK Update- 1st Jun , 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt appoints Ashwani Kumar as UCO Bank MD & CEO: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ashwani Kumar as Managing Director and CEO of UCO Bank. He has replaced Soma Sankara Prasad, who superannuated on May 31, 2023. Prior to this, he served as an Executive Director at Indian Bank. He would lead the public sector bank for a period of three years from June 1, 2023. He would also be eligible for an extension of the term of office, after a review of his performance.

 

2. Ajay Yadav appointed MD of Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited: Ajay Yadav has been appointed as the Managing Director of Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI). He is a 2005 batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre. SECI is a Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). It was incorporated in the year 2011. It is the primary implementing agency of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for Renewable Energy schemes/projects towards the fulfillment of India's international commitments.

 

3. MeitY launches pilot project on Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has launched the Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) Pilot initiative. Aim: To validate certain transformational policy and process changes to make India the Repair Capital of the World The pilot project is being conducted in Bengaluru and will run for three months. The government has supported this project to make India a world leader in a hitherto untapped domain.

 

4. Cabinet approves scheme to increase grain storage capacity: The Cabinet has approved the constitution and empowerment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the facilitation of the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector”. This will be done by the convergence of various schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Ministry of Cooperation will implement a pilot project in at least ten selected districts.

 

5. India's GDP growth hits 7.2% for fiscal year 2022-23: According to the Statistics Ministry's provisional estimate, India's GDP is pegged to grow at 7.2% during the fiscal year 2022-23. The data is 20 basis points higher than the government's second advance estimate of 7%. The GDP registered a growth of 6.1% in January-March 2023. Quarterly terms in 2022-23: 13.1% growth (Q1), 6.2% (Q2), and 4.5% (Q3) In the fourth quarter, the agricultural growth was estimated at 5.5% and Manufacturing growth at 4.5 %.

 

6. PM Modi to chair SCO Summit virtually: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 22nd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State on 4th July. It will be held in the virtual format. India assumed the rotating Chairmanship of SCO at the Samarkand Summit on 16 September last year. All the SCO Member States, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been invited to attend the Summit. In addition, Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia have been invited as observer states. As per SCO tradition, Turkmenistan has also been invited as the Guest of the Chair. The theme of the summit is ‘Towards a Secure SCO’.

 

7. Krithivasan takes charge as CEO of TCS: Krithivasan took charge as the chief executive officer (CEO) for Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The stepping down of erstwhile chief, Rajesh Gopinathan, isn’t expected to pose any uncertainty for the company, for which Krithivasan is the fifth CEO in its 55-year history. Krithivasan, who has been at TCS for over 34 years now, will be the oldest CEO appointment so far. His predecessor, Gopinathan, was the youngest appointee, taking up the role in 2017, aged 46. TCS is India’s largest information technology (IT) services firm by market capitalization.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India-EU Connectivity Conference held in Meghalaya: The India-EU Connectivity Conference is being organized in Meghalaya on June 1, 2023. It is jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, EU Delegation to India, and the Asian Confluence. Aim: To explore possibilities of boosting connectivity investments in India’s North Eastern States and with India’s neighbours -- Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh It was inaugurated by Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, and MoS for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.

 

2. India emerges as key source country for FDI into Dubai: According to a report released by 'fDi Markets’, a service from UK’s Financial Times Ltd, India has emerged as a key source country for FDI in Dubai, one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates in UAE. The top sectors by FDI projects from India into Dubai in 2022 were software & IT services (32%), business services (19%), consumer products, real estate, and financial services. The top sectors by FDI capital from India into Dubai in 2022 were consumer products (28%).

 

3. Pakistan, Afghanistan among global hunger hotspots: UN report: According to the UN's Hunger Hotspots – FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity report, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, are among the hunger hotspots in the world. Globally Hunger is set to worsen in 18 'hotspots' comprising a total of 22 countries. Highest Concern Nations: Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen Very High Concern Nations: Pakistan, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Congo, and Syria

 

4. University of Edinburgh launches Hindi course: The University of Edinburgh and the Indian consulate in the UK have collaborated to create the first open-access course in Hindi language. The Climate Solutions course is available in English, Arabic and Hindi, with versions focused on Egypt, the UAE, India and the UK. It is designed and delivered by award-winning climate change experts, including Executive Director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) Professor Dave Reay. This program named Climate Solutions was created with the help of translators and developed in conjunction with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute and the government of India. The Climate Solutions: India (Hindi) course, unveiled this month, looks at the science, impacts and solutions of climate change in the country as a valuable resource for many thousands of Hindi-speaking students and educators across India and the rest of the world. The university said the collaboration between the government of India and the university was instrumental in the launch of the new Hindi course, having been carefully curated with the help of expert translators.

 

5. Suriname to host Indian energy majors from 19 June: The South American nation of Suriname is hosting an oil and gas conference from June 19 to 23 in hopes of attracting energy companies, particularly from India. Suriname is thought to have at least 3-4 billion barrels of oil reserves which were discovered in recent years. India imports roughly 85% of its crude oil requirements from abroad. While American and European energy companies currently dominate the energy market in Suriname, the country’s officials are interested in bringing in Indian companies and expertise.

 

6. Tayyip Erdogan re-elected as President of Turkey: Recep Tayyip Erdogan re-elected as President of Turkey. After failing to secure more than 50 percent of votes required for an outright win in the first round held on May 14, Erdogan received 52.14 percent of votes in the second round on Sunday, beating his rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who won 47.86 percent. The vote seals Erdogan’s place in history as he extends his 20-year rule for a further five years.

 

7. 1 June – Global Day of Parents: The Global Day of Parents is celebrated annually on June 1. It aims to honour parents and their vital role in nurturing and caring for their children. It recognizes the important contributions parents make to the well-being and development of their families. The inception of the Global Day of Parents can be traced back to 1983 when the Economic and Social Council and the Commission for Social Development called upon the Secretary-General to prioritize family-related issues. Subsequently, in 1989, the United Nations General Assembly declared 1994 as the International Year of the Family, highlighting the significance of families. Finally, in 2012, June 1 was officially designated as the Global Day of Parents through a proclamation by the General Assembly. The inaugural observance of the Global Day of Parents took place in 2013, marking a significant milestone in recognizing and celebrating the role of parents worldwide.

 

8. 1 June – World Milk Day: World Milk Day is observed annually on 1 June. Objective – To raise awareness about the benefits of milk for overall nutrition and health. Theme – Enjoy Dairy The day is an opportunity to appreciate the significance of milk and dairy products in our lives. It is also a chance to support sustainable and responsible dairy practices while promoting the importance of a balanced diet for overall health and well-being. World Milk Day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food and to celebrate the dairy sector. The first World Milk Day was celebrated on June 1, 2001, and since then, it has become an annual event observed in many countries around the world.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Bellingham named Bundesliga Player of the Season 2022-23: 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund football player Jude Bellingham has been named Bundesliga Player of the Season for his incredible campaign in season 2022/23. The award is a well-deserved honor for the midfielder, who played a crucial role in BVB’s title bid this season. At the age of 19, he became the youngest-ever captain of Borussia Dortmund.

 

2. Jyothi Yarraji clinches gold medal at T-Meeting 2023: Jyothi Yarraji has bagged the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles event in the T-Meeting 2023 athletics meet in Tilburg, Netherlands. The 23-year-old Jyothi Yarraji clocked 13.20s in the final to win the event at the category E World Ranking competition. En route to the final, Jyothi Yarraji topped the heats with a time of 13.08s. Angel Agwazie of Belgium clinched the silver with 13.64s while Dutch athlete Mira Groot clocked 13.78s to bag the bronze. While Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalakath finished third in the men’s 400m race at the T-Meeting 2023.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bajaj Allianz Life launches term insurance plan for Type 2 diabetics: Bajaj Allianz Life has launched an exclusive term insurance plan for Type 2 diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals. The Bajaj Allianz Life Diabetic Term Plan Sub 8 HbA1c is first of its kind protection plan in the Indian life insurance industry. The insurer offers a 10% premium reduction for individuals trying to achieve health goals and other health management services. The policy term ranges from five to 25 years and premiums can be paid monthly/annually.

 

2. Aegon first to provide life insurance cover for surrogate mothers: Aegon Life has become the first insurance company to launch a policy that covers surrogate mothers and egg donors. Aim: To support the financial well-being of surrogate mothers and egg donors The new cover aligns with the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, introduced by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It provides a three-year life cover for surrogate mothers and a one-year cover for egg donors

 

3. YES BANK launches new logo and campaign: Yes Bank has unveiled its new and refreshed brand logo. The logo is designed to resonate with consumer needs by providing them utmost experience. The design language is digitally friendly and reflects a brand that believes in being fluid. The tick has been transformed into a soaring bird, which represents the Bank’s current position of ‘soaring’. In addition, Yes Bank is all set to roll out an integrated campaign with the tagline – ‘Life Ko Banao Rich’ – which represents the bank’s core focus of being a complete solution provider for every financial matter. The revamped identity extends across bank’s headquarters, branches, products, digital platforms, and communication materials

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. AIIMS Nagpur is the first AIIMS to receive NABH accreditation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur has become the first of all AIIMS to receive National Accreditation Board for Hospitals(NABH) accreditation. The NABH accreditation is a globally recognized standard for healthcare quality. It assesses the performance of hospitals in various areas including patient care, safety, and organizational efficiency. AIIMS Nagpur achieved this accreditation by demonstrating its commitment to excellence in all areas.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Padamashree Dr Ved Kumari Ghai passes away: A noted Sanskrit scholar Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai passed away at 91. She was an Indian Sanskrit scholar from Jammu City, J&K, and was head of the Sanskrit department at Jammu University. She was awarded the Padma Shri (India's fourth highest civilian award), a Certificate for her scholarship in Sanskrit, and President’s Award for Sanskrit. She was also awarded Gold Medal by Jammu and Kashmir Government for social work and the Dogra Ratan award.

Daily GK Update- 31st May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Maharashtra govt names Sachin Tendulkar as 'Smile Ambassador': The Maharashtra govt has named cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar as 'Smile Ambassador' under the state medical education & drug department’s 'Swachh Mukh Abhiyan. Aim: To spread awareness about oral health and hygiene Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis signed an MoU with Sachin Tendulkar. Deputy CM has informed that he has offered his association free of cost, and for the entire duration the government wishes to run the program.

 

2. Maharashtra farmers to get Rs 6,000 per annum under new scheme: The Maharashtra government has approved a new financial scheme named Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana, under which more than one crore farmers in the state will be paid 6,000 rupees annually. The amount is in addition to the 6,000 rupees being paid to farmers by the Centre under the PM Kisan Yojana. Maharashtra Cabinet also approved the implementation of 'Gender Inclusive Tourism Policy called 'Aai' to empower women in the tourism sector. 

 

3. Justice Nitin Jamdar appointed as Acting CJ of Bombay HC: The Central Government has notified the appointment of Justice Nitin Jamdar as Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He has succeeded Chief Justice RD Dhanuka, who demitted office on May 30. He is from Solapur and is the third generation to pursue law. He practiced at the Bombay High Court in diverse fields, primarily in administrative and constitutional law. He represented various public bodies and was also Senior Standing Counsel for the Union of India.

 

4. Odisha government announces ‘Mo Ghara’ housing scheme: The Odisha government has launched a 'Mo Ghara’ (My House) scheme to provide credit-linked financial assistance to beneficiaries who face a fund crunch to complete or upgrade their houses. The scheme will cover all such families who were left out in the existing housing schemes. Under the Scheme, a beneficiary can avail housing loan up to Rs 3 Lakh which can be repaid in 10 years excluding a one-year moratorium period in easy installments.

 

5. Kheer Bhawani Mela 2023 organized in Kashmir Valley: Every year on the day of Jyestha Ashtami, Kashmiri Pandits visit Mata Ragneya Devi Temple, also known as Kheer Bhavani Temple, for darshan. The Kheer Bhawani Mela is an annual festival celebrated by both Kashmiri Pandits and locals of the Kashmir valley. The festival is held on Jyeshtha Ashtami and is considered sacred by the Kashmiri Pandits community. Over the years, the Kheer Bhawani Mela has become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir.

 

6. 30 May – Goa Statehood Day: Goa Statehood Day is celebrated every year on 30 May. Goa received statehood on May 30, 1987. It was a Portuguese territory since Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered it in 1510 by defeating Adil Shah of Bijapur who was ruling the region. 400 years later, India took back Goa from the Portuguese. The Indian Army invaded Goa in December 1961 under “Operation Vijay” to liberate it from the Portuguese. They captured and assimilated Goa, Daman and Diu as part of India. The annexation by the Indian Army began on December 17, 1961. In December 1962, Shri Dayanand Bhandarkar became the first Chief Minister of Goa.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World No Tobacco Day 2023: 31st May: World No Tobacco Day, also known as Anti-Tobacco Day, has been observed every year on May 31 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. This global initiative was led by the World Health Organization. 2023 theme: We need food, not tobacco The 2023 theme highlights alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourages them to grow sustainable crops

 

2. China’s Shenzhou-16 spacecraft launched: China successfully launched the Shenzhou-16 spacecraft crewed by three astronauts. The Long March 2F rocket carrying the spaceship took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. It is heading to China’s space station and will relieve the crew of Shenzhou-15. The crew will conduct scientific experiments and maintenance on space station equipment. It is the fifth crewed mission China to its space station since it first sent astronauts in 2021.

 

3. 8th International Convention of SPIC MACAY inaugurated in Nagpur: In Nagpur, the 8th International Convention of the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music among Youth -SPIC MACAY was inaugurated at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology -VNIT in This cultural convention is being jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Culture, and Incredible India. Padma-awarded artists will perform at this weeklong convention. More than 1500 delegates and youths from India and abroad will attend the convention. It includes classical music, dance programmes, folk art, a sculpture workshop, a cinema screening, heritage walk. The main purpose of this convention is to make the new generation aware of Indian culture and traditions and to impart to music learners a Gurukul ashram-like environment.

 

4. 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. This is the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria.

 

5. Chaman Lal elected 1st-ever Indian-origin Lord Mayor of Birmingham: Councilor Chaman Lal has become the first ever British-Indian Sikh to take oath as Birmingham’s Lord Mayor. Lal, who is from the Ravidassia community of British Sikhs, was born in the village of Pakhowal in Hoshiarpur and later moved to the United Kingdom in 1964. He is a Labour Party leader who was first elected to Soho and Jewellery Quarter ward in 1994.

 

6. 31 May – World No Tobacco Day: Anti-Tobacco Day or World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on 31 May. Objective – To promote awareness about the devastating health issues connected with tobacco use Theme 2023 – We need food, not tobacco The day advocates for effective tobacco-control policies. The WHO first established the day in 1987, and it has since become a significant occasion for public health initiatives globally to take effective measures against tobacco use. The World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution in 1987 establishing no tobacco day. At the World Health Assembly, a resolution was passed calling for observing 7 April 1988 as “a world no-smoking day”. Next year, another resolution was passed calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 every year.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India won CAVA Women’s Challenge Cup 2023: India has won the title of the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup 2023 held in Kathmandu. India defeated Kazakhstan in a shared set of 3-0. India won the first set 25-15, the second set 25-22, and the third set 25-18. Along with this, India finished the competition by remaining undefeated. 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, Nepal third, Uzbekistan fourth, Sri Lanka fifth, Kyrgyzstan sixth, Maldives seventh, and Bangladesh eighth.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ADB launches India strategy for 2023-27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched its 2023-27 country partnership strategy for India Aim: To identify accelerating structural transformation and job creation, promoting climate-resilient growth, and deepening social and economic inclusiveness as key focus areas ADB highlighted that India has quickly rebounded from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with economic growth projected at 6.4% in FY24 India ranks among the fastest-growing major global economies

 

2. RBI to introduce expected loss approach for bad loan provisioning: RBI has proposed to introduce an expected loss-based approach for provisioning in 2023-24. It would be a part of its measures to strengthen the bad loan resolution ecosystem. This will enable banks to design their own credit loss models and spread the higher provisions over a five-year period under a newer system of setting aside money for lending. Aim: To classify financial assets as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale, into three categories (Stages 1, 2, and 3)

3. RBI working on lightweight, portable payment system: RBI has conceptualized a lightweight payment and settlement system (LPSS), that can be operated from anywhere by a bare minimum staff in the event of natural calamities and war. This new payment system will be independent of conventional technologies used for existing payment systems such as RTGS, NEFT, and UPI. This system is expected to operate on minimalistic hardware and software It will process transactions that are critical to ensure the stability of the economy

 

4. YES BANK launches new logo and campaign: YES Bank has unveiled its new logo as part of its “refreshed brand identity” and also launched the new brand campaign with the slogan Life Ko Banao Rich. The new identity will be extended to all customer touchpoints of the bank. The design language is digitally friendly and reflects a brand that believes in being fluid. The tick has been transformed into a soaring bird, which represents the Bank’s current position of ‘soaring’.

 

5. Razorpay launches one-step payments solution Turbo UPI: Razorpay has launched ‘Turbo UPI’, which claimed India's fastest one-step UPI (unified payments interface) payment solution. It allows customers of online merchants to make UPI payments directly without getting redirected to a third-party UPI app during checkout. It aims to deliver a 5X faster payment experience It helps businesses achieve a significant increase in the success rate of UPI payments by 10% This solution was developed in partnership with NPCI and Axis Bank

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. FICCI presents award to Mumbai's BEST for excellence in smart mobility: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has conferred the award in the 'Smart Mobility' category to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST). Reason: Pioneering efforts in adopting green and sustainable practices The BEST has been working on its transformation for 2 years, such as 10,000 Electric Buses, Digital Tickets on NCMC and BEST Chalo App, First And Last Mile Services, and Mobility-As-A-Service (MaaS).

 

2. RINL awarded prestigious “Greentech Safety Award 2023": RINL has conferred the prestigious "GreenTech Safety Award 2023" under Safety Excellence Category at the 21st Annual Greentech awards function. Reason: For its outstanding contribution to improving workplace safety in 2022-23 The 21st Annual Greentech Awards was organized by the Greentech Foundation to recognize the organizations that are taking responsibility for defining a commercial future by adding value through excellence in fire, safety, and security management.