Daily GK Update- 25th May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

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

 

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

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

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

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

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

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

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

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

 

 

Daily GK Update- 24th May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

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

 

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

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

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

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

 

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

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

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

 

SPORTS 

 

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

 

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

 

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

President of AFC – Shaikh Salman.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

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

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

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

 

Daily GK Update- 22nd May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam unveiled the” DRIMS” platform For Disaster Management: Assam Government has launched the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS) platform to facilitate efficient disaster reporting and aid distribution in collaboration with UNICEF. DRIMS captures critical impact data, expediting relief delivery for damaged crops, livestock losses, and other post-disaster restoration efforts.

 

2. DAHD & UNDP MoU on Digitalisation of Animal Vaccine Cold Chain Management: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has signed an MoU with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India on Digitalization of Vaccine Cold Chain Management, Communication Planning and Capacity Building. The agreement was signed by Alka Upadhyay, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in India in New Delhi.

 

3. Mahindra Finance appoints Mahesh Rajaraman as CRO: Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services has appointed Mahesh Rajaraman as Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of the company with effect from August 1, 2024. He replaces Mallika Mittal. Rajaraman has been associated with various banks namely Yes Bank, HDFC Bank, HSBC Bank and ANZ Grindlays Bank. During his overall banking career, his areas of expertise and specialisation include retail assets, credit cards, agri lending and SMEs in the domains of policy /risk, underwriting, fraud risk management and anti-money laundering across all banking products.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India climbs to 39th position in World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index: India’s rank on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 has risen to 39th place, with global tourism activities returning to pre-pandemic levels, the annual report showed. While the US topped the list, India is ranked highest in South Asia and among the lower-middle-income economies, the WEF said. India was ranked 54th in the previously published index in 2021, though changes made to the index parameters limit its comparability to earlier years.

 

2. Pakistan’s Sirbaz Khan conquers Mount Everest without Oxygen.: A notable mountaineer, Sirbaz Khan scaled Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen, making him only the 2nd Pakistani to achieve this feat. Khan aims to be the 1st Pakistani to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, having already climbed 13, two with oxygen support. Khan had previously scaled the 8849-metre peak using bottled oxygen. The only other person in Pakistan to achieve this feat is mountaineer Sajid Sidpara. He began his mountaineering career in 2016 and has since become a pioneering figure in Pakistani high-altitude climbing.

 

3. John Slaven appointed as VC of International Aluminium Institute: Vedanta Aluminium has appointed its CEO John Slaven as Vice-Chairman of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI).

In this capacity, Slaven will spearhead global initiatives aimed at fostering the sustainable transformation of the aluminium industry and promote the critical role of aluminium in enabling the energy transition to a zero-carbon modern world. Slaven is a global leader with over three decades of rich experience in the metals, mining and modern manufacturing industries.

 

4. 22 May – International Day for Biodiversity: International Day for Biodiversity is celebrated every year on May 22. Theme 2024 – Be Part of the Plan The International Day for Biological Diversity was established by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in 1993. Initially, it was celebrated on December 29 to mark the day the Convention on Biological Diversity came into effect.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Ekta Bhyan secures Gold Medal in Women’ F51 Club Throw Competition at World Para Athletic Championship: India’s Ekta Bhyan has secured a gold medal with a season’s best throw of 20.12 metres in the women’s F51 club throw competition at the World Para Athletic Championships at Kobe in Japan. While Kashish Lakra took the silver with an effort of 14.56 metres, Nadjet Boucherf of Algeria won the bronze with a score of 12.70 metres. Deepthi, Para Asian Games gold medallist, had smashed a world record time of 55.07 seconds in the women’s 400 metre T20 category race to win gold medal.

 

2. Germany midfielder Tony Kroos to retire after Euro 2024: The Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has announced he will retire after this summer’s European Championship.

The 34-year-old is to hang up his boots after a trophy-laden decade at the Bernabéu. Signed from Bayern Munich, Kroos made 463 appearances for Madrid and won 21 trophies including four Champions Leagues, five Club World Cups and four La Liga titles.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Swiggy joins hands with device-first risk AI platform SHIELD: Online food delivery platform Swiggy has partnered with SHIELD, a device-first risk AI platform, to enhance its fraud prevention and detection capabilities. SHIELD’s Device Intelligence will enable Swiggy to reduce promo abuse and deter fraudulent practices within the Delivery Partner ecosystem. It will enable Swiggy to reduce promo abuse, including the exploitation of platform discounts, sign-up incentives, referral bonuses and monopolisation of limited-time deals to reduce promo abuse and prevent fraudulent practices within the Delivery Partner’s ecosystem.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SBI General Insurance signs bancassurance partnership with Jana SFB to increase insurance penetration: SBI General Insurance has signed a strategic bancassurance collaboration agreement with Jana Small Finance Bank to facilitate the sale of non-life insurance products. Under this strategic relationship, SBI General Insurance will provide Jana Small Finance Bank customers with a comprehensive variety of general insurance products. These products will include a broad range of insurance options, such as health, personal injury, house, auto, and travel insurance. MD & CEO of SBI General Insurance – Kishore Kumar Poludasu

 

2. Airbus Helicopters, SIDBI sign MoU for helicopter financing in India: Airbus Helicopters and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for financing the purchase of Airbus helicopters in India. Under the MoU, Airbus Helicopters and SIDBI would identify potential civil helicopter operators in India interested in financing solutions for purchasing the helicopters. While Airbus would provide the technical and helicopter-industry knowledge, SIDBI would be responsible for evaluating the prospects and financing them exclusively for Airbus.

 

3. NPS assets surge 26% y-o-y to ₹11.94 lakh crore as of May 11: PFRDA: Riding on buoyant equity markets, National Pension System (NPS) assets grew 26 per cent year-on-year to touch ₹11.94 lakh crore, according to PFRDA data. This overall AUM including that of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) — slightly short of ₹12 lakh-crore milestone mark —was higher than end March 2024 level of ₹11.73 lakh crore. The frenetic pace of overall NPS assets growth can be gauged from the fact that only in August last year the NPS assets had touched the ₹10-lakh crore mark.

 

Daily GK Update- 21st May, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar receives first Stamp released: Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received the first stamp released commemorating the completion of 200 years of Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka. Governor of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka Senthil Thondaman presented the stamp to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The stamp is a way to attain recognition for the community which has been neglected for decades. He thanked the Indian government as well as the Sri Lankan government for the assistance given to the IOT community.

 

2. Student Enrollment Under SC Category Grows By 44 %: The student enrollment under the Scheduled Caste category has grown by 44 per cent, from 46 lakh in 2014-15 to 66 lakh in 2021-22, according to a report of the National Commission for Backward Class. In the report, minority female student enrollment also witnessed over 42 per cent increase, from over 10 lakh in 2014-15 to 15 lakh in 2021-22. Female SC enrollment increased by 51 per cent, whereas that of ST students went up by 65.2 per cent.

 

3. Conference on Administration of Criminal Justice held in Guwahati: The Union Ministry of Law and Justice in association with the Assam Government has organized a two-day conference ‘India’s Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’ in Guwahati, Assam. The aim of the conference was to create awareness about the recent changes made by the government in repealing British-era criminal law and the enactment of new laws related to the criminal justice system in the country.

 

4. BARC appoints Dr Bikramjit Chaudhuri as chief of measurement science: The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has appointed Bikramjit Chaudhuri as Chief of Measurement Science and Analytics. He will succeed Dr. Derrick Grey, who is leaving the organization after a six-year stint. He comes in with a rich experience spanning over three decades in the areas of Statistics, Stochastic Modelling, Market Measurement, Consumer Segmentation, AI & ML, Demand Forecasting and Big Data Analytics.

 

5. Honeywell India appoints Atul Pai as MD: Atul Pai has been appointed as the Managing Director of Honeywell Automation India Ltd (HAIL). He succeeds Ashish Gaikwad who is taking on a broader responsibility as India Leader for Industrial Automation, one of Honeywell International Inc’s strategic business groups. Atul brings more than two decades of Honeywell experience in various regional and global roles across Honeywell and its finance division.

 

6. 21 May – National Anti-Terrorism Day: In India, the National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed on May 21 each year to commemorate the date when the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the sixth Prime Minister of India, was killed by a suicide bomber from the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in Sriperumbudur, a village near Madras (now Chennai). Gandhi was sworn in on October 31, 1984 as the Prime Minister of India when he was 40 years old, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. He became the youngest PM of India. The Anti-Terrorism Day in India was founded by the VP Singh government in the memory of Rajiv Gandhi and was intended to educate the people of India about the adverse impacts of terrorism and violence on society and the country.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Lai Ching-Te sworn in as president of Taiwan: Lai Ching-te of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was sworn in as the self-governing island’s new President. A trained physician Lai succeeds Tsai Ing-wen to lead the democracy amid increasing threats from China, which claims the self-governing island as its territory. Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949. She was Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US from 2020 to 2023 and formerly served as a DPP lawmaker for several terms.

 

2. 20 May – World Refugee Day: World Refugee Day is observed every year on 20 May. Objective – To raise the world’s consciousness about the plight of the refugees who have left their homes due to war, persecution, violence or due economic factors, etc. Theme 2024 – Hope Away from Home In 1975, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) passed a resolution to observe 20 May as African Refugee Day to pay tribute to the resilience of those who had been forcibly displaced in Africa due to conflict.

 

3. 21 May – International Tea Day: International Tea Day is celebrated every year on 21 May. Objective – To raise awareness regarding the working conditions of people in the tea industry. The International Tea Day was first initiated in 2005 by trade unions, small tea growers, and civil society organizations in Asia and Africa. The day was established with the goal of addressing the issues faced by tea workers, including living wages and fair prices for small tea producers.

 

4. 21 May – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed every year on 21 May. Objective – To create a better understanding of the values of culture, tradition and education among people.

The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was first celebrated in 2002

UNESCO leads the celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development highlighting not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.

 

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi clinch Gold Medals at Elorda Cup: In Boxing, Two-time world champions Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi won two gold medals for India in the 3rd Elorda Cup 2024. The Indian contingent finished the Elorda Cup with 12 medals—2 gold, 2 silver, and 8 bronze. The 3rd Elorda Cup was held in Kazakhstan’s capital city of Astana. Nikhat in the women’s 52 kg category, triumphed over Zhazira Urakbayeva of Kazakhstan with a 5-Nil victory, while Minakshi defeated another Uzbekistan boxer Rahmonova Saidahon, 4-1 in the women’s 48 kg event.

 

2. Alexander Zverev and Iga Swiatek win Singles Title of Italian open: German’s Alexander Zeverv defeated the first-time Masters finalist Nicolas Jarry of Chile in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 to win the 2024 Men’s Single of Italian Open Masters 1000 title. This was also Zeverv’s second Italian Open title. In 2017, he won the Italian Open by defeating Novak Djokovic. It was also his first master’s title. World no.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in straight sets 6-2 6-3 to win the 2024 Women’s Single of Italian Open Masters 1000 title. This was the third Italian Open title for Iga Swiatek in the last four years. Last year she failed to qualify for the final.

 

3. India’s Deepthi Jeevanji smashes World Record in Women’s 400 Metre event: Twenty-year old Deepthi Jeevanji smashed the world record in the women’s 400m T20 and grabbed her first gold at the World Para Athletics Championships at Kobe in Japan. Deepthi clocked 55.07 seconds, breaking American Breanna Clark’s earlier world record of 55.12 seconds, which she had set during last year’s edition of the championships in Paris. Aysel Onder of Turkey finished second with 55.19 seconds followed by Lizanshela Angulo of Ecuador on third with 56.68 seconds.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Maharashtra tops among PSU banks in business growth in FY24: State-owned Bank of Maharashtra recorded the highest growth rate last fiscal in terms of total business and deposit mobilisation among public sector lenders at a time when most banks are facing difficulty in achieving double-digit growth. The lender has registered a 15.94 per cent rise in the total business (domestic) in FY24. Followed by the country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) with 13.12 per cent growth, according to published financial numbers of the public sector banks (PSBs).

 

2. Tata Motors’ arms partner with Bajaj Finance to provide financing to passenger: Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), subsidiaries of Tata Motors, have joined hands with Bajaj Finance to extend supply chain finance solutions to its passenger and electric vehicle dealers. Under the MoU, the participating companies will come together to leverage Bajaj Finance’s wide reach to help dealers of TMPV and TPEM access funding with minimal collateral.