Latest Current Affairs For Thursday 6th July, 2023

Lt Gen MU Nair appointed as the Head of National Cyber Coordination Centre

Lt Gen MU Nair has been appointed as the Head of the National Cyber Coordination Centre, after replacing Lt Gen (ret.) Dr. Rajesh Pant.

Additionally, he has served as the additional director general, head of signal intelligence, chief of staff of a corps, and command. 

Previously, Lt Gen Nair served as Army Headquarters' chief signal officer. 

He is a distinguished National Defence Academy alumni. 

Nair has extensive knowledge of both domestic and international communication. 

ICFA, RAKEZ signs MoU to enhance food and agriculture collaboration

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

Aim: To promote mutual growth and development in the food and agriculture sectors of the UAE and India. 

The agreement strengthens the strategic collaboration between the two countries.

The partnership aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, trade promotion, investment, and research and development collaboration.

Meesho collaborates with IISc's lab for research in generative AI

Softbank-backed e-commerce platform Meesho has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vision & AI Lab of the Indian Institute of Science for one year.

Aim: To collaborate in the area of generative artificial intelligence. 

The goal of this partnership is to foster innovation in generative artificial intelligence and multimodal large language models in the e-commerce industry, thus enhancing user experience.

China's Qu-Dongyu re-elected as head of FAO

China's QU Dongyu has been re-elected as Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for a second term.

In the ballot of FAO member countries, Qu received a total of 168 out of 182 votes deposited.

His new term will run from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2027.

He was elected as FAO Director-General for the first time in 2019.

Under the leadership of QU, the World Food Forum (WFF) was created in 2021.

Indian Overseas Bank unveils RuPay Select Debit card, luxury benefits

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched a new RuPay Select Debit card, to provide luxury, convenience, and security, all in one card.

Eligibility Criteria:

One is required to have a savings account or a certificate of deposit with IOB. 

Maintaining an average daily balance of ₹ 1 lakh. 

The cash withdrawal limit is set to ₹50,000.

The daily limit for usage in merchant establishments (PoS) is set at ₹ five lakh.

Daily usage limit in e-commerce platforms: up to ₹3,50,000. 

PM Modi inaugurates Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Andhra Pradesh

PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Puttaparthi in Satya Sai district in Andhra Pradesh via video conferencing.

The inauguration witnessed the presence of prominent dignitaries and devotees from around the world.

The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has constructed a new facility at Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi.

Prasanthi Nilayam is the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The Convention Centre was donated by philanthropist Ryuko Hira. 

Iran becomes a new permanent member of SCO

Iran has become the new permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping.

With the addition of Iran as a new member, the total membership of the SCO reaches nine.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

India and Pakistan became permanent members of SCO in 2017.

SCO headquarters: Beijing, China. 

Government launched the Bharat 6G Alliance

The Department of Telecommunications has launched Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) to drive innovation and collaboration in next-generation wireless technology.

Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) is a collaborative platform consisting of public and private companies, academia, research institutions, and standards development organizations.

The website for Bharat6G Alliance has been also launched.

Bharat 6G Alliance will forge coalitions and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances.

Govt organising international conference on green hydrogen ecosystem

Union Power Minister R. K. Singh has inaugurated the International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2023, which is being organized in New Delhi from 5-7 July 2023.

Aim: To discuss recent advances and emerging technologies in the entire green hydrogen value chain. 

It is being organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, CSIR, and Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India in collaboration with CII.

Lallianzuala Chhangte wins AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year award 2022-23

Indian football team midfielder Lallianzuala Chhangte has been named the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year for 2022-23.

He beat Nandhakumar Sekar and Naorem Mahesh Singh of East Bengal to win the award.

While Manisha Kalyan won her second consecutive Women’s Footballer of the Year award.

AIFF Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2022-23: Akash Mishra

AIFF Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2022-23: Shilji Shaji

AIFF President: Kalyan Chaubey

Senior Men’s Cricket Selection Committee appoints Ajit Agarkar as Chairman

Former Indian cricketer, Ajit Agarkar has been appointed as chairman of the Senior Men’s Cricket Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee now consists of Ajit Agarkar, Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, and Sridharan Sharath.

Ajit Agarkar represented India in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is, in addition to playing 110 first-class, 270 List A, and 62 T20 matches.

He also held the record for being the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets for a decade.

India beat Kuwait to lift SAFF Championship title for 9th time

India defeated Kuwait 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out to lift the SAFF Championships trophy 2023 held at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

India recorded its win for the ninth time in the SAFF Championships trophy.

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh turned out as the hero for the Indian side, saving the final kick from the Kuwaiti captain.

In the semi-final, India defeated Lebanon while Kuwait defeated Bangladesh 1-0 in the other last-four clash.

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.