Latest Current Affairs For Saturday 8th July, 2023

J&K launches India’s first chatbot for people in mental distress

India’s first Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) chatbot was launched in Jammu & Kashmir on July 5, 2023.

The service was launched by J&K LG Manoj Sinha.

This chatbot will start an instant conversation with people in distress.

Tele-MANAS is a two-tier system - Tier 1 comprises State Tele MANAS cells and Tier 2 comprises specialists at District Mental Health Programme /Medical College resources for physical consultation.

Odisha announces state forest rights scheme

Odisha government has launched the ‘Mo Jungle Jami Yojana’ to saturate recognition of rights pertaining to the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and speed up the post-rights recognition activities within the prescribed time frame.

Under the scheme, designed by the ST & SC Development department, it has been decided to constitute forest rights cells at the tehsil and district level with human resources to ensure and assist in the effective implementation of FRA, 2006.

Flipkart, Axis Bank tie-up to offer upto Rs 5 lakh in lending to customers

Flipkart has joined hands with Axis Bank to offer loans for up to Rs 5 lakh to customers.

The lending service is accessible through Flipkart's app and boasts a 30-second approval time while removing the need for document submission.

By introducing personal loans, Flipkart is expanding its range of financial services, which already includes a 'buy now, pay later' option, EMI payments, and a co-branded credit card.

It will empower consumers to make big-ticket purchases.

FPSB India appoints Krishan Mishra as new CEO

The Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) of India has appointed Krishan Mishra as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 August 2023.

He will lead the strategy and operations of FPSB India and champion the advancement of the financial planning profession in India.

FPSB is the global standards-setting body for the financial planning profession and owner of the international Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification program.

Tamim Iqbal announces retirement from international cricket

Bangladesh one-day captain Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket before the team begins its ODI World Cup campaign in India.

He played 70 Test matches for Bangladesh scoring 5134 runs at an average of 38.89 with 10 tons to his name.

As far as the ODIs is concerned, he played 241 matches amassing 8313 runs at an average of 36.62 with 14 centuries and 56 half-centuries.

He last played in the format in April against Ireland.

India’s first Vedic-themed park unveiled in Noida

India’s first Vedic-themed park has been opened to the public at Sector 78, Noida, inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

This park is also known as Ved Van Park.

It will also highlight excerpts from the four Vedic literature pieces- Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda, and Sama Veda- via laser shows, wall paintings, and sculptures.

The place is home to over 50,000 plants, such as banyan, kalpavriksha, and coconut, which have been mentioned in Vedic literature.

PNB launches its virtual branch in the Metaverse

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched its virtual branch, PNB Metaverse.

It is a virtual branch of the bank, which will deliver a unique experience of banking to existing and new customers.

With the help of this, customers can explore the bank's products and services such as bank deposits, retail/MSME loans, digital products, women/senior citizens, 'Do It Yourself', and government flagship schemes.

The bank will offer an immersive 3D experience to the customers.

Artist Namboothiri, iconic illustrator passes away

K M Vasudevan Namboothiri, who was popularly known as Artist Namboothiri, passed away at Kottakkal in Malappuram district.

His iconic illustrations gave life to many mythical characters in Malayalam literature.

He inspired a golden era of painting and sculpture in Kerala through his unique three-dimensional sketches.

He had received many honors like Kerala Lalita Kala Akademi's Raja Ravi Varma Award and the State Institute of Children's Literature award.

India and Singapore signed a Protocol Document

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances under the Ministry of Personnel and the Public Service Division of the Republic of Singapore signed a Protocol Document.

Reason: To extend the current MoU on Cooperation in the field of Personnel Management and Public Administration till 2028. 

The MoU aims at strengthening the partnership between the two countries through various forms of cooperation between both countries’ Public Service officers.

7th edition of SALVEX exercise conducted in Kochi

The Seventh edition of the Indian Navy and US Navy Salvage and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Eexercise, SALVEX was conducted from 26 Jun – 06 Jul 23 at Kochi.

Both the navies have participated with their ships – INS Nireekshak and USNS Salvor in addition to Specialist Diving and EOD teams.

Aim: To enhance the skill sets of the Diving teams in a number of diverse disciplines such as mine detection and neutralization, wreck location, and salvage.

Bihar overtakes Tamil Nadu to become India's largest MFI market

According to a report, published by Crif High Mark, Bihar has overtaken Tamil Nadu to become the state with the highest microlending borrowings in India as of March 2023.

It highlighted Bihar's impressive growth with a 13.5% increase in the gross lending portfolio during the March quarter compared to the previous quarter.

NBFC holds the largest share in the market (37.3% of the overall MFI loans), while Banks at 33.1% and small finance banks at 16.6%. 

IIT Madras becomes first ever IIT to be set up outside India in Tanzania

Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs signed an MoU with the IIT Madras and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Zanzibar (Tanzania) to set up the first-ever IIT campus outside India.

It was signed in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Zanzibar's President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

The National Education Policy 2020 recommends that high-performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries.

Justice Sheo Kumar Singh appointed as acting chairperson of NGT

The Central government has appointed Justice Sheo Kumar Singh as Acting Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), till further order.

He has replaced Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, who retired on July 6, 2023.

He was appointed as Judicial Member of the NGT on March 11, 2020.

He worked as a district judge in various districts of Uttar Pradesh (UP), as Registrar (Judicial) at the Supreme Court of India, and as Registrar General, Allahabad High Court.

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.