Daily GK Update: 18th December 2023

Honours & Awards

Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, Chairman of Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd, receives the Visionary Leader Icon Award 2023 from AASRAA at the 5th National Summit in New Delhi's Constitution Club of India.
The prestigious award was presented at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi.
Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath has also been the Recipient of Times of India - Fastest Growing Real Estate Brands in the Year 2023 and Global ICON Award at G20 Summit at Srilanka.

Important Dates

International Migrants Day is observed on December 18 to recognise the contributions of migrants and highlight the challenges they face.
The day sheds light on the socio-economic realities of migrants around the world.
Conflict, insecurity, and the effects of climate change and war have all played a major role in the forced migration of people in recent times, both within countries and across borders.
Over 281 million people were international migrants in 2020.

National Affairs

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the Drone Academy at Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU).
This paves way for establishing a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) to provide agri-drone pilot training to farmers, diploma holders, agri-graduates and unemployed rural youth with the collaboration of Marut Dronetech Private Ltd for a period of 10 years.

Banking & Finance

AU Small Finance Bank and Network18 launch season 2 of ‘Badlaav Humse Hai’, an initiative to showcase remarkable humanitarian efforts of India's lesser-known changemakers.
Actor, entrepreneur and producer Gul Panag has been roped in as a celebrity champion for change.
Introduced by AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) in 2021, the 2nd season of ‘Badlaav Humse Hai', aims to recognize.

Banking & Finance

RBI had constituted a working group on digital lending including lending through online platforms and mobile apps.
The guidelines state that lending service providers cannot charge any fee, charges from the borrower and the same must be paid directly by the REs with which they are engaged
The objective is to remain proactive, maintain cyber security preparedness with constant vigil and timely action to mitigate any such vulnerabilities in the Indian financial system

State Affairs

PM Modi inaugurates newly built SwarVed Mahamandir at Umaraha in Varanasi.
Addressing the devotees of Mahamandir, Mr Modi urged people to inculcate nine habits in their lives
These include water conservation, promoting digital payment, cleanliness, local for vocal, visiting different places of the country, natural farming, promoting millets, fitness, and helping at least one poor family
PM Modi is on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Banking & Finance

The 605th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India was held today in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) in Gujarat.
The Board, under the Chairmanship of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, reviewed the economic and financial scenario, including the challenges posed by global geopolitical developments.
The Board also discussed the activities of select Central Office Departments and the draft Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India, 2022-23.

National Affairs

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the two-day-long Atal Health Fair in memory of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the PNT Ground in Rajajipuram, Lucknow.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha Dr Dinesh Sharma also graced the occasion
The Vice President added that today's youth is getting all the opportunities.
48 Government and private hospitals are holding medical camps at the fair.

Honours & Awards

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded Toll, Operate and Transfer (TOT) bundles 13 and 14 of a combined length of 273 km for 9,384 crore rupees.
The TOT bundle 13 includes the Kota Bypass and Stay Bridge on NH-76 in Rajasthan, as well as the Gwalior-Jhansi section of NH-75 in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh has been awarded to IRB Infrastructure Trust for 1,683 crores rupees.

National Affairs

Haryana won the inaugural title by securing 105 medals including 40 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze.
KIPG 2023 witnessed the participation of around 1,450 para-athletes from across the country.
Uttar Pradesh came second with 62 medals including 25 gold, 23 silver, and 14 bronze.
Tamil Nadu finished third with 20 gold, eight silver, and 14 bronze medals.
Athletes from 32 states and Union Territories participated in the Games.