Latest Current Affairs For Monday 25th July, 2022

Indian-American professor, Kaushik Rajashekara wins Global Energy Prize

Kaushik Rajashekara has won the prestigious Global Energy Prize for outstanding contributions to transportation electrification and energy efficiency technologies while reducing power generation emissions.

He is an Indian-origin professor of engineering at the University of Houston.

Only three people in the world were selected for the honor this year out of a record 119 nominations from 43 countries.

Bajaj Allianz launches Pay As You Consume motor insurance add-on cover

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has announced the launch of its add-on motor insurance cover, called ‘Pay As You Consume’ (PAYC).

It is a usage-based motor insurance add-on cover, can be opted by the customer along with the basic Own Damage (OD plan) under Package Product, Bundled and Standalone OD cover.

Customers can choose coverage based on their vehicle usage, further to which the premium will be calculated, i.e., kilometres driven annually.

Canara Bank launches 'Canara ai1', new mobile banking app

Canara Bank has launched a new mobile banking app - Canara ai1, it is available in 11 languages to cater to multiple sections of the society in their preferred language.

Features: Intuitive UI and UX with multiple themes and customised menus which can be personalised as per the user’s choice.

Security features: Device binding, malware detection, detection of remote administration tools and a dynamic keyboard to provide safe and secure banking.

Uttar Pradesh CM launches scheme for cashless medical benefit

Uttar Pradesh CM, Yogi Adityanath has launched a scheme Deen Dayal Upadhyaya State Employees Cashless Medical Scheme.

Aim: To provide cashless medical facility to state government employees, pensioners and their dependents.

The eligible people will receive cashless medical facilities at government-run institutions, medical colleges and hospitals without any financial limit.

Also, this facilities up to Rs 5 lakh will be available under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

Burhanpur, MP becomes first certified Har Ghar Jal district of the country

Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh becomes the first certified Har Ghar Jal district in India, where all people have access to safe drinking water through taps.

At the time of the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission, the district had only 36.54% households can accessed the potable drinking water through tap connections.

Jal Jeevan Mission:

Launched: 15th August 2019

Aim: Supply 55 liters of water per person per day to every rural household through Tap by 2024.

Reserve Bank of India imposes restrictions on four cooperative banks

The RBI has imposed restrictions on four cooperative banks due to their deteriorating financial positions.

Four banks: Saibaba Janata Sahakari Bank, Maharashtra, Suri Friends' Union Co-operative Bank Ltd, West Bengal, United India Co-operative Bank Limited, Bijnor (UP) and National Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Bahraich (UP).

Withdrawal limit:

Saibaba Janata Sahakari: Rs. 20,000

Suri Friends' Union Co-operative: Rs. 50,000

National Urban Co-operative: Rs.10,000

Suriya and Ajay Devgn won the 68th National Film Awards Best Actor award

Actor Suriya (Soorarai Pottru) and Ajay Devgn ( Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior) have won the 68th National Film Awards 2022 for the best actor.

Aparna Balamurali has been named as the best actor in the female category for her film 'Soorarai Pottru.'

Other awards:

Best Feature Film: Soorarai Pottru. 

Best Director: Sachidanandan KR, Ayyappanum Koshiyum

Best Feature Film in Hindi: Toolsidas Junior

Most Film-Friendly State: Madhya Pradesh 

Best Audiography: Dollu (Kannada)

India-US launched ‘Operation Broader Sword’

India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of drugs through the International Mail System.

It targeted shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous, unapproved prescription drugs, combination medical devices, and synthetic drug precursors shipped through International Mail Facilities.

The operation resulted in the interception of over 500 shipments of illicit and unapproved prescription drugs bound for US consumers.

NLU Delhi launches research affiliate program ‘Eklavya’

The National Law University (NLU), Delhi launched Eklavya, a ‘Research Affiliate’ program, for those who do not have a traditional law degree.

Aim: To emphasize its commitment to actively seek partnerships outside the varsity and draw from their experiences and perspectives to develop quality legal scholarship. 

It is open to those who have at least three years of demonstrable experience working on issues that have a significant interface with the law.

CarTrade Tech to acquire OLX India's auto business for Rs 537 cr

Mumbai-based used cars platform CarTrade Tech Ltd will acquire online marketplace OLX India's auto sales business for Rs 537 crore.

CarTrade will acquire a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity that houses OLX India’s Automotive business, in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition will likely to be completed in 21-30 days.

Sobek is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, of 2013.

It is engaged in the business of running an automotive digital platform.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy.