1st September 2023
National & International Appointments
1. Jaya Verma appointed as first woman CEO, chairperson of Railway Board
- The Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed Jaya Verma Sinha as first woman CEO and chairperson of Railway Board. She succeeds Anil Kumar Lahoti.
- She also worked as Railway Advisor in the High Commission of India, Dhaka, Bangladesh for four years.
- She also worked as the Divisional Railway Manager, Eastern Railway, Sealdah Division.
- She joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service in 1988 and worked in Northern Railway and South-East Railway.
Defense
2. Warship ‘Mahendragiri’ to launch in Mumbai
- The warship ‘Mahendragiri’ built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited was launched in Mumbai.
- It would be launched by Dr Sudesh Dhankhar and it is the seventh ship of the Project 17A Frigates.
- The warship has been named after a mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats located in the state of Orissa.
- Mahendragiri is a technologically advanced warship and stands as a symbol of India's determination to embrace its rich naval heritage.
National Affairs
3. Government to celebrate sixth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2023 in September
- The Central Government is celebrating the sixth Rashtriya Poshan Maah in September 2023.
- Objective: To comprehensively tackle malnutrition through a life-cycle approach and to cultivate widespread awareness concerning critical human life stages comprising pregnancy and adolescence.
- Aim: To foster nutritional understanding across India through a theme centered on "Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat" (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India).
National Affairs
4. President launch the theme “The Year of Positive Change” of Brahma Kumaris
- The President Droupadi Murmu graced the state-level launch of the theme of the year “The Year of Positive Change” of Brahma Kumaris at Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- Brahma Kumaris are working tirelessly to spread love, harmony, and peace in the world.
- She urged all to develop their inner strength, keep doing positive work, and stay with positive thoughts and good company.
- She advised me to be in the company of such people who inspire me to follow the right path.
National & International Appointments
5. UK PM Rishi Sunak appointed Grant Shapps as new Defence Minister
- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed Grant Shapps as the new Defence Minister.
- The development comes after former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace resigned.
- Shapps has previously served as Transport Secretary, energy secretary and Home Secretary. T
- The new post of Defence Secretary marks his fifth ministerial portfolio. Grant Shapps has been a strong supporter of Sunak as Conservative Party leader.
Sports
6. Neeraj Chopra bagged silver in javelin event in Zurich Diamond League 2023
- Neeraj Chopra finished second with a final round throw in the men's javelin event of the Diamond League 2023 in Zurich.
- He finished behind Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic, who had won a bronze in the World Championships.
- The Indian superstar, who was unbeaten this season qualified for the Diamond League finals to be held on the 17th of September in Eugene, He had won the Diamond League trophy in 2022.
Banking & Finance
7. Bandhan Bank authorized by RBI to disburse civil pension
- Bandhan Bank has been designated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an authorized pension disbursement bank for civil pensioners on behalf of the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO).
- The bank will collaborate with the CPAO and the Ministry of Finance to implement the pension disbursement process.
- Objective: To distribute pensions to central government employees in civil ministries and departments, excluding railways, posts, and defense.
National Affairs
8. India, USA join hands to launch RETAP for c
- India and the United States launched the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) under the umbrella of the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership.
- Objective: To revolve around the development of green and clean hydrogen, wind energy, and long-duration energy storage solutions.
- Aim: To explore opportunities in geothermal energy, ocean/tidal energy, and other mutually identified emerging technologies, opening doors for diverse renewable energy avenues.
National & International Organizations
9. Savart Launched First Fully Automated Investment Fund, 'The Ad Astra Fund'
- Savart launched its world's First Fully Automated Investment Fund,The Ad Astra Fund in Hyderabad.
- Aim: To transform the traditional human-led investment research processes and increase the probability of achieving a superior return on investment.
- The fund features end-to-end research automation, from investment opportunity discovery until exit i.e., the entire research and investment decision-making is driven by their AI research system APART.
Banking & Finance
10. PNB launches GST Sahay App for invoice-based MSME loans up to Rs 2 lakh
- Punjab National Bank launched the PNB GST Sahay App for MSME borrowers to access loans up to Rs 2 lakh digitally using GST invoices.
- Aim: To streamline the lending process for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses.
The key features include:
- End-to-End Digital Lending Process
- Cost-Effective and Smooth Process
- Direct Loan Crediting
- Technology-Driven Assessment
- Loan Range and Repayment Options
- Integration with GST Profile
- Focus on MSMEs
Agreement
11. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare signs an MoU with private sector
- Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare and Genpact India Private Limited signed MoU in New Delhi.
- Aim: To generate employment opportunities for the esteemed Ex-Servicemen of the Defence Services.
- Genpact, a global leader in professional services, would provide meaningful career opportunities for Veterans.
- Objectives: To provide skilled manpower and give a dignified second career to our Ex-servicemen”.
National & International Organizations
12. NPCI Launches India’s Own Blockchain-Backed Open-Source Project ‘Falcon’
- The National Payments Corporation of India announced the launch of Falcon, an open-source project that aims to simplify the management and use of blockchains based on ‘Hyperledger Fabric' and supported on Kubernetes clusters.
- Objective: To help blockchain developers use distributed ledger technology to facilitate efficient, reliable, and automated deployment of network as well as Web3 solutions.
- Hyperledger fabric is an enterprise-level permission blockchain network.
State Affairs
13. Nagaland becomes first state to launch Aadhaar linked birth registration
- Nagaland became the first state in the northeastern region to initiate Aadhaar-linked birth registration (ALBR).
- Objective: To enable children's access to various social welfare schemes designed for their welfare.
- Aim: To streamline birth registration by integrating it with Aadhaar enrolment for children in the age group of 0 to 5
- Directorate of Economics, Nagaland has collaborated with UIDAI as a Registrar cum Enrolment Agency for Child Enrolment via the ALBR process
2nd September 2023
Science & Technology
1. ISRO launched India’s first solar mission Aditya-L1 successfully
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched India's first solar observatory mission named Aditya L1 from Sathish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota.
- It was launched from the PSLV C57 rocket.
- In Aditya L1, L1 refers to Lagrange Point 1.
- Aim: To study the Solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics
- As per the reports, it will take 125 days (approx 4 months) to reach designated point L1 to study the Sun's mysteries.
Honours & Awards
2. India's Dr. R Ravi Kannan wins Ramon Magsaysay Award 2023
- The Assam-based surgical oncologist Dr. R Ravi Kannan has won the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2023 for his revolutionizing cancer treatment in Assam.
- He worked at the Cancer Institute in Chennai before he moved to Silchar in 2007 to join the Cachar Cancer Hospital.
- The Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 to reward individuals for integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism in democratic societies.
National & International Appointments
3. Indian-origin economist Shanmugaratnam wins Singapore Presidential election
- Indian-origin Economist and Former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has won the presidential election of Singapore.
- He won over 70% of votes in the country's first contested presidential polls since 2011.
- He had served as Singapore's Deputy prime minister from 2011 to 2019.
- He has also worked in the public sector and held ministerial positions.
- He will be Singapore's third Indian-origin President after Sellapan Ramanathan and Chengara Veetil Devan Nair.
National Affairs
4. Govt forms high-level committee to examine One nation, One election
- The Government of India has constituted an eight-member high-level committee to examine One Nation, One Election.
- Former President Ram Nath Kovind has been appointed as Chairman of the committee.
- Other members: HM Amit Shah, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Former Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Chairman 15th Finance Commission N.K. Singh and others
- Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will attend the meetings of the committee as special invitee.
Sports
5. Neeraj Chopra finished second in men's javelin at Zurich Diamond League
- India's Javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra finished second with a final round throw of 85.71 m in the men's javelin event of the Diamond League Meeting at Zurich.
- He finished behind Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who had won a bronze in the World Championships.
- He is also the reigning Olympic champion, producing three legal throws of 80.79m, 85.22m, and 85.71m.
- He has been qualified for the Diamond League finals to be held on the 17th of September in Eugene, USA.
International Affairs
6. PM Modi will visit to Jakarta, Indonesia
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit to Jakarta, Indonesia on 06-07 September 2023 at the invitation of H.E. Joko Widodo (President of the Republic of Indonesia).
- During his visit, PM Modi will attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit being hosted by Indonesia as current Chair of ASEAN.
- The forthcoming ASEAN-India Summit will be the first Summit since the elevation of India-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
Honours & Awards
7. RBI governor Shaktikanta Das ranked top central banker globally
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been ranked as the top central banker globally by US-based Global Finance magazine.
- He has been rated 'A+' in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023.
- He has been placed at the top of the list of three central bank governors who have been rated A+.
- Grades are based on a scale from A to F for success in inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability, and interest rate management.
International Affairs
8. US State Georgia officially declares October as 'Hindu Heritage Month'
- In an official proclamation, Governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp has declared October as 'Hindu Heritage' month.
- Aim: To celebrate Hindu heritage by emphasizing its rich culture and the diverse spiritual traditions that originate from India
- Hindu Heritage Month (HHM) serves as a worldwide endeavor with the objective of spotlighting Hinduism as a longstanding tradition.
- Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world.
National & International Appointments
9. R Madhavan Nominated as President of FTII Pune
- Renowned actor R Madhavan has been nominated as the new President of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
- Additionally, he will serve as the Chairman of the governing council of FTII.
- Madhavan’s nomination follows the recent success of his film, ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,’ which earned national recognition.
- The film secured the prestigious Best Feature Film award during the 69th National Film Awards.
National Affairs
10. Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates Utkela Airport in Odisha
- Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has inaugurated Utkela Airport in Odisha.
- It has been developed as a regional airport under the UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India at a cost of Rs 31.07 crore.
- It has a runway of length 917 metre (2,995 ft) with a width of 30 metre.
- With the addition of Utkela Airport, Odisha will now have five airports.
- IndiaOne, will be running the flights on this route from 31 August onwards.
3rd September 2023
Sports
1. Indian Men's Hockey team beat Pakistan to win Men's Hockey 5s Asia Cup 2023
- The Indian Hockey team beat Pakistan in a penalty shootout in the final and won the inaugural Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman.
- India also qualified for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024.
- This is the first time in three meetings that India has beaten Pakistan in the Hockey 5s format.
- Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey congratulated the team on qualifying for the FIH Men's Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 and winning the Gold medal.
National Affairs
2. Health Minister inaugurates Amrita Patel Centre of Public Health in Gujarat
- Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Amrita Patel Centre of Public Health in Anand Gujarat.
- According to Mandaviya, India is leading the world in the health sector today.
- Aim: To strengthen the health infrastructure in the country.
- The Government is making wide efforts to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for all.
- Mandaviya who is on a visit to Gujarat, will attend several programmes in Surat later in the day.
National & International Organizations
3. Amazon partners with India Post, Railways for international deliveries
- Amazon has signed a MoU with the Indian postal service and has also partnered with the Indian Railways for a dedicated freight corridor that will help Amazon expedite deliveries for its seller partners.
- Aim: To create the first-of-its-kind, seamless, integrated cross-border logistics solution.
- Smbhav, which is a corruption of the word Sambhav in Hindi, is Amazon's event that is focused on enlightening MSMEs about the opportunities that technology makes possible.
Banking & Finance
4. PhonePe enters online stock broking with a new app
- PhonePe announced its foray into the stock broking business with the launch of a new mobile application called ‘Share(dot)Market’, under its subsidiary PhonePe Wealth Broking.
- This App elevates discount broking by providing market intelligence and quantitative research-based WealthBaskets, a scalable technology platform.
- It will be available as a mobile app and a dedicated web platform, enabling retail investors to buy stocks, engage in intra-day trades.
Banking & Finance
5. Mastercard launches ALT ID solution for enhanced online payment security
- Mastercard has launched the ALT ID solution in India to enhance the security of guest checkout transactions on e-commerce platforms, simplifying payments for merchants and cardholders.
About ALT ID
- ALT ID stands for Alternate Identification Number
- It is a custom-made capability developed by Mastercard to create an alternate identifier for the real card numbers provided by cardholders when at guest checkout transactions on e-commerce platforms.
Defense
6. Titagarh Rail Systems launches diving support craft for Indian Navy
- Titagarh Rail Systems Limited’s shares were up by 0.84 percent after the company launched its first Diving Support Craft (DSC) from its shipyard in Titagarh, West Bengal.
- Aim: To play a vital role within the Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command Clearance Diving Teams, offering essential support during underwater repair, maintenance, and salvage operations within designated harbors
- The project aligns seamlessly with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Defense
7. GalaxEye launches drone-based imaging prototype
- Ahead of their planned satellite launch in 2024, IIT Madras-incubated space tech startup GalaxEye Space launched their drone-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system.
- Aim: To combine the prowess of the drone-based SAR system and their planned imaging satellites to provide all-weather imaging data from space.
- GalaxEye's satellite launch in Q3 of 2024 will be the latest in the long line of Indian space tech startups that are currently preparing to launch into space.
Important Dates
8. National Skyscraper Day is observed on 3rd September
- Skyscraper Day is celebrated on September 3 every year to capture people’s imagination.
- The theme of National Skyscraper Day 2023 is Go on and try to tear me down I will be rising from the ground
- This day is our golden opportunity to appreciate these architectural marvels and feats of engineering.
- Hosting a skyscraper is really a mark of your city's economic prowess, and cities with more skyscrapers tend to see more business activity than cities with lower rooftops.
Obituaries
9. Veteran Tamil actor and comedian RS Shivaji passes away at 66
- Popular comedian and actor RS Shivaji passes away in Chennai
- Shivaji had a strong collaboration with actor Kamal Haasan and his production house Raaj Kamal Films International, contributing to many successful Tamil projects.
- Besides acting, Shivaji's career skills extended to assistant direction, sound design, and line production for multiple Tamil films.
- The actor predominantly worked in Tamil Cinema. Born in Chennai in 1956 to actor and producer M.R. Santhanam
National Affairs
10. CCI approves merger of Tata SIA Airlines into Air India
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the merger of Tata Group airlines Vistara and Air India
- This will make Air India, India’s leading domestic and international carrier with a combined fleet of 218 aircraft, making it India’s largest international carrier and second largest domestic carrier.
- The deal is part of Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran’s effort to simplify the conglomerate’s businesses and make them more efficient.
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