Daily GK Update- 27th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Infosys ties with Microsoft for industry-wide adoption of generative AI: IT major Infosys is collaborating with Microsoft to jointly develop industry-leading solutions that leverage Infosys Topaz, Azure OpenAI Service and Azure Cognitive Services.  Both organizations are bringing together their respective AI capabilities to enhance enterprise functions with AI-enabled solutions across multiple industries.  The integrated solutions will accelerate rapid democratization of data and intelligence that will help businesses increase productivity

 

2. RK Singh inaugurated ‘India Energy Summit 2023’ in New Delhi: Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy RK Singh has inaugurated the ‘India Energy Summit 2023′ at FICCI Federation House in New Delhi. Two-day Summit aims to focus on the development of an enabling Green Hydrogen ecosystem in the country. He stressed that India is committed to living behind a healthy and safe plant for the next generation. In the inauguration session of the summit, Ambassador of Kindom of Belgium Didier Vanderhasselt and Germany Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann along with senior dignitaries were also present.

 

3. Haryana govt ban on ‘Hookah bars’ in state: Haryana government has announced that all hookah bars in the state will be shut. The ban includes serving hookah to customers in hotels, restaurants, bars, and commercial establishments across the state. However, this will not apply to traditional hookahs used in rural areas. He announced during a state-level ‘Cyclothon’, organized as part of a drug de-addiction campaign in Karnal.

 

4. Amit Khare gets extension as advisor to PM Modi: Former bureaucrat Amit Khare has been given extension as advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension in Khare’s tenure beyond 12 October 2023, for a period co-terminus with the term of Prime Minister. He was appointed to the post for two years in October 2021. Khare, a 1985-batch (retired) Indian Administrative Service IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, had superannuated on 30th September 2021. He also served as the higher education secretary. In another order, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also approved the extension in tenure of Rajesh S Gokhale as secretary, Department of Biotechnology, for a period of two years, with effect from 1st November 2023.

 

5. Rajnath Singh inaugurated Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 at Hindon Airbase: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition at the Hindan Air Base in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad. The mega drone show is being hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Drone Federation of India (DFI). Approximately 75 drones are on static display, with more than 50 set to be showcased in aerial displays throughout the event. The Defence Minister formally inducted the C-295 transport aircraft into the Indian Air Force in the presence of top military officials, including IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari India has formalized the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force AVRO fleet.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Tourism Day being celebrated across globe: World Tourism Day is being observed on September 27. Aim: To promote tourism all over the globe.  Objective: To foster awareness among the international community on the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value.  The theme for this year's World Tourism Day is 'Tourism and Green Investments'.  Tourism helps provide employment to millions of people to the extent that few countries are completely dependent on the tourism sector

 

2. Katrina Kaif appointed as first Indian brand ambassador of Uniqlo: Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo has appointed Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif as its first brand ambassador in India and attempts to woo affluent shoppers and plans to add to more stores. The 40-year-old actor will be seen in Uniqlo's campaign films across digital and offline channels. Kaif joins the ranks of tennis star Roger Federer, who was appointed as Uniqlo's global brand ambassador in 2018. Uniqlo is part of Japan’s largest fashion group Fast Retailing.

 

3. Mumbai hosts global turmeric conference: Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde has inaugurated the first Global Turmeric conference in Mumbai. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), traders, processors, exporters, researchers and other stakeholders of turmeric ecosystem will come together to discuss various issues related to the crop. The conference is being organized by NICR, an arm of the NCDEX Group company in collaboration with Tefla’s. The conference is expected to be an important event, concentrating on various aspects of the turmeric industry, such as production, marketing, and international trade. It will investigate new developments in agricultural practices, present an overview of the Turmeric Export industry, and investigate global quality standards.

 

4. 27 September – International Day for Universal Access to Information: International Day for Universal Access to Information is observed every year on 27 September. This day emphasizes the significance of an informed citizenry and highlights the theme of the online space’s pivotal role in ensuring access to information. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) took a significant step on 17 November 2015, by declaring September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information. This declaration recognized the global importance of access to information and paved the way for international cooperation on this vital issue.

 

5. 27 September – World Tourism Day: World Tourism Day is observed every year on 27 September. Objective – To raise awareness about the vital role tourism plays in economic growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. Theme 2023 – Tourism and green investment World Tourism Day tracs its origins to a special assembly held in Mexico City on the same date in 1970. During this gathering, the International Union of Official Travel Organizations (IUOTO) adopted the Statutes of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Following this milestone, the UNWTO officially established World Tourism Day on September 27, 1980.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India won gold after 41 years in equestrian in Asian Games 2023: India's dressage team cantered to its first-ever Asian Games 2023 gold and only second medal in the history of the sports. The participants were Sudipti Hajela, Divyakriti Singh, Vipul Hriday Chheda and Anush Agarwalla living up to expectations. They grabbed the top place on the podium leaving behind China and Hong Kong. The last time the sport of equestrian contributed to India's Asian Games tally was in 1986 when the country won a dressage bronze.

 

2. India’s Sift Kaur Samra wins gold in women’s 50m Rifle 3-P individual event: India’s Sift Kaur Samra won gold in the women’s 50m Rifle 3-P individual event at the Asian Games 2023 to give India its fifth gold at Hangzhou. In women's 25m pistol shooting event, Indian team comprising of Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan and Esha Singh also claimed gold medal.  This brings the overall medal tally for India to 21 - 5 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze.  Meanwhile, Esha Singh in an individual women's 25m pistol event won Silver, behind the china's Rui Liu. 

 

3. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar wins bronze in men’s 10m air rifle: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won a bronze medal in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle event at the ongoing Asian Games 2023. This was India’s fourth medal in shooting. Tomar was also part of India’s Men’s team that won gold and broke the world record in the 10m Air Rifle team event. Tomar finished behind China’s Sheng Lihao and Hajun Park of South Korea. Sheng Lihao broke the world record with an effort of 253.3 points and won the gold medal, while Hajun Park won silver with 251.3 points. Meanwhile, India’s Rudrankksh Patil narrowly missed out on a podium finish, coming in fourth spot with a score of 208.7. After 20 attempts, Tomar and Rudrankksh were tied at 208.7 points. Following Rudrankksh’s elimination, Tomar notched up 228.8, having had two more attempts on the target. India women’s team, featuring Ashi Chouksey, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ramita Jindal, secured a silver medal in the 10m air rifle team event.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI deputy governor M Rajeshwar Rao gets term extension by one year: The central government extended the term of M Rajeshwar Rao as the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Deputy Governor by one year.  The re-appointment has been approved by the Cabinet's Appointments Committee. RBI has four deputy governors – two from within the ranks, one commercial banker and another an economist to head the monetary policy department. Currently, those 4 Deputy Governors are BP Kanungo, Dr. M.D. Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao, and MK Jain.

2. RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty On SBI, IB, Punjab & Sind Bank: The RBI imposed monetary penalties on three banks, State Bank of India, Indian Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank, and Fedbank Financial Services for rule violations. The central bank imposed Rs 1.30 crore on SBI, Rs 1.62 crore penalty on IB, Rs 1 crore on Punjab & Sind Bank, and Rs 8.80 lakh on Fedbank Financial Services. This penalty has been imposed under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 51(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949

 

3. RBI clears K N Madhusoodanan as part-time chairman of Dhanlaxmi Bank: The RB  appointed KN Madhusoodanan as a part-time chairman of Dhanlaxmi Bank. He will be part-time chairman of the Kerala-based bank for a period of three years with effect from September 26, 2023. Madhusoodanan has been an independent director with the bank since 2022.  This appointment also follows the RBI's rejection of a proposal to appoint G Rajagopalan Nair as its part-time chairman. Nair has also been an independent director with the bank since August 2020.

 

4. RBI asks banks to display information on borrowers linked to SARFAESI Act: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that the Regulated Entities (REs) that are secured creditors as per the Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002, will display information in respect of the borrowers. The SARFAESI Act is a law that allows banks and financial institutions to recover bad loans effectively.  The bank can recover the loan by taking possession of the security and selling it to recover the dues.

 

5. SBI General Insurance certified as ‘Great Place To Work’: SBI General Insurance, one of India’s leading general insurers, has been recognized as a Great Place To Work Certified in India from September 2023 to September 2024 period. The Company was certified after a comprehensive evaluation and assessment process. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. It reflects the brand’s values and belief that a happy workforce leads to more creativity, ensures customer satisfaction, and drives business success. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. The Institute serves businesses, non-profits, and government agencies in more than 60 countries and has conducted pioneering research on the characteristics of great workplaces for over three decades. The Great Place to Work Certification serves as a confirmation of SBI General’s s commitment to supporting its workforce and delivering top-notch service to its customers.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Chhattisgarh bags three national awards for Ayushman Bharat scheme: Chhattisgarh received three national awards for its outstanding execution of the Ayushman Bharat scheme under the 'big states' category. CM Bhupesh Baghel said that Chhattisgarh has introduced several innovative schemes to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services in the past five years. One such initiative is the Mukhyamantri Haat Bazar Clinic Yojana, which extends free healthcare services to residents in remote forest areas of the state.

 

2. Odisha Scientist Swati Nayak wins Norman Borlaug Field Award 2023: Indian agricultural scientist Swati Nayak became the third Indian agriculture scientist to win the prestigious Norman Borlaug Field Award 2023. The Norman Borlaug Field Award 2023 is presented by the World Food Prize Foundation for outstanding achievements in international agriculture and food production by individuals under 40.  Nayak speaks to businessline about the importance of the award, her work with the agricultural community and more.

 

3. AIIMS New Delhi bags first prize for creation of ABHA ID tokens: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM) celebrated its second anniversary with the institution of the Arogya Manthan platform. The National Health Authority honoured AIIMS, New Delhi with an award for “Top facility” in generating the highest number of ABHA Scan and Share tokens. AIIMS New Delhi has contributed significantly to the cause of ABDM by generating 6 lakh scan and share tokens till date. This makes AIIMS the forerunner in scan and share generation all over India. This award was presented by MOS for Health, SP Singh Baghel to M Srinivas at the inaugural ceremony of Arogya Manthan 2023 organized by the NHA. This recognition underscores AIIMS’ pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare. These achievements stand as testimony to its unwavering dedication in advancing healthcare technology and improving patient healthcare.

Daily GK Update- 26th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

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

 

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

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

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

 

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

 

OBITUARIES

 

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

Daily GK Update- 25th Sept, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

OBITUARIES

 

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

Daily GK Update- 24th Sept, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

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

 

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