Latest Current Affairs For Saturday 22nd October, 2022

India ranks 41st among 44 nations on pension index

As per the Mercer CFS Global Pension Index, India has been ranked 41 out of 44 countries in the index, with the index value of 44.4.

Findings: India needs to strengthen its regulatory framework and boost the coverage under private pension arrangements.

The MCGPI is a comprehensive study of 44 global pension systems, which accounts 65% of the world’s population.

The survey was topped by Iceland, followed by the Netherlands and Denmark.

Tazuni unveiled as mascot for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Penguin Tazuni has been unveiled as the official mascot of 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

The design is based on the Eudyptula minor species that found in both host countries.

"Tazuni" is the combination of Tasman Sea and the word unity.

The 9th edition of FIFA Women's World Cup is due to be held from July 20 to August 20, 2023.

FIFA President: Gianni Infantino

Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland

K.P. Ashwini appointed as UNHRC Special Rapporteur

K.P. Ashwini has been appointed Special Rapporteur for United Nations Human Rights Commission.

She will take over the UNHCR special rapporteur in Geneva on November 1 for a period of six years.

She is the first Indian and Asian woman to be appointed to this post.

She hails from Kurabarahalli in Kolar district, Karnataka.

She has obtained MPhil and PhD from JNU, Delhi.

She served as a lecturer at Mount Carmel College and a professor at Saint Joseph’s College, Bengaluru.

The Ukrainian people awarded the European Parliament's 2022 Sakharov Prize

The European Parliament has awarded the people of Ukraine its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to honour their fight against Russia’s invasion.

The prize money of 50,000 euros ($49,100), will be distributed to representatives of Ukrainian civil society.

The prize was named after the late Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov.

This awarded annually since 1988 to individuals and organizations defending human rights and freedoms.

HDFC Securities Opens the First Women-Only Digital Centre in Bengaluru

HDFC Securities has opened its the first-ever women-only Digital Centre (DC) in India.

The centre, staffed with a team of women, will serve both male and female investors.

The DC will be based in Bengaluru and cater to customers from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

This closely follows the company’s announcement regarding the opening of multiple DCs across India to ease access to services and promote digital adoption.

PhonePe launches green data centre with Dell Technologies and NTT

PhonePe has launched its first green data centre in India, leveraging technologies and solutions from Dell Technologies and NTT.

This facility has opened up new opportunities in data management with efficient data security, power efficiency, and cloud solutions.

This 4.8-megawatt facility will occupy 13740 sqft at Mahape, Navi Mumbai.

It is built and designed with advanced alternative cooling technologies like Direct Contact Liquid Cooling and Liquid Immersion Cooling.

India ranks 3rd in list of centi-millionaires list

As per the report, international investment migration advisory firm Henley & Partners, India ranks third in the world's first-ever global study on the rise of centi-millionaires with assets of more than Rs 830 cr ($100 million).

The list is topped by USA, followed by China.

India will overtake China as the fastest growing market for centi-millionaires by 2032.

Top Cities for Centi-Millionaires: New York, followed by San Francisco Bay Area, London, and Mumbai (15)

Google, Assam Govt partner to power digital-led learning

Google has signed an MoU with the Assam government to promote digital growth and development in the State.

Under this new initiative, Google will collaborate with the Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department (SEED) of Assam.

Aim: To strengthen the school digitization efforts of state with digital learning tools and solution.

Google will also provide scholarships for Google Career Certificates to youth in collaboration with Assam Skill Development Mission.

Fifth Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Madhya Pradesh in 2023

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur  has announced that the 5th Khelo India Youth Games 2022 will be organised in Madhya Pradesh from 31st Jan to 11th Feb, 2023.

The Khelo India Youth Games will be held at eight locations.

The sports event would be participated by more than 8,500 athletes and sportspersons.

This event was stared in 2016, to provide a platform to the youth of the country to showcase their performance and talents in sports.

First conference on Akash Tatva - Akash for Life to be held in Dehradun

The first conference on Akash Tatva - Akash for Life, will be held from 5th to 7th November, 2022 in Dehradun.

This event will showcase the blend of traditional and modern knowledge through an extended integration of all schools of though.

Aim: To expose the youth of India to the wisdoms of ancient science along with modern scientific advancements.

The campaign ‘Sumangalam’ is being organised across the country for finding the solutions to the environmental problems.

CCI imposes Rs 1,338 cr fine on Google for 'anti-competitive practices'

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty of over 1,337 crore rupees on Google.

Reason: For misusing its dominant position in multiple markets.

The Commission has also directed Google to modify its conduct within a defined timeline.

Google has leveraged its position in the app store market for Android OS to enter as well as protect its position in non-OS specific web browser market through Google Chrome App.

ISRO to launch its third mission to moon, Chandrayaan-3 in June 2023

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its third mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-3 in June 2023.

The launch of Chandrayaan-3 (C-3) will be onboard from the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).

It will be launched with more robust lunar rover onboard which is crucial for future inter-planetary explorations.

Chandrayaan-3 is the successor to the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

ISRO also plans to fly Indian astronauts into orbit by the end of 2024. 

ISRO Chairman: S Somnath

Sankarasubramanian named Principal Scientist of ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission

ISRO has named senior Solar Scientist, Dr Sankarasubramanian K as the Principal Scientist of the 'Aditya-L1' Mission.

He is the head of the Space Astronomy Group (SAG) of ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru.

He has contributed to AstroSat, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 missions of ISRO in several capacities.

Aditya-L1: It is the first observatory-class space-based solar mission from India and it is scheduled for launch in 2023.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.