Daily GK Update: 20th December 2023

National Affairs

IndiGo became the first Indian airline to ferry over 100 million passengers within the span of a calendar year.
This milestone represents a 22 per cent jump in passenger traffic as compared to 2022 when the airline ferried over 78 million passengers.
IndiGo operates over 2,000 flights per day, and covers 86 domestic and 32 international destinations.
It has introduced over 20 international flights across Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and West Asia this year.

Banking & Finance

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said India’s economic reforms have helped the nation become a star performer, contributing over 16% to global growth.
According to which the South Asian country, underpinned by prudent macroeconomic policies, is on track to be one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world this year.
India’s economy has rebounded strongly from the pandemic to become an important driver of global growth.

Arts & Culture

The five-day Kuno Van Mahotsav was celebrated in Ranipura village on the outskirts of Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh(17 - 21 December)
The event also aims to advocate cheetah conservation by highlighting the diverse flora and fauna and the importance of the Kuno Forest
It also includes local arts and crafts, folk music, dance forms and adventure sports
50 specially designed Swiss tents equipped with modern amenities have been installed in Ranipura for the festival

International Affairs

The United Nations has declared the year 2024 as the International Year of the Camelids to highlight the importance of camelids in the lives of people around the world.
Aims: To create awareness about the untapped potential of Camelids and strive to increase investment in the Camelids sector through research, capacity development and use of innovative practices and technologies.
These camels are found in more than 90 countries of the world.

Banking & Finance

SBI signed a 70 million euro (approximately Rs 630 crore) Line of Credit (LoC) with KfW.
The LoC with German Development Bank KfW is for promoting solar project in the country.
The agreement has been signed at the bank’s IFSC Gift City Branch in Ahmedabad.
LoC aims to support Solar Photovoltaics (PV) projects in India.
SBI has shown a 9.13% growth in consolidated net profit for the September quarter.

National Affairs

Hyderabad (6th time) city attained the 153rd spot in the Quality of Living Index 2023.
Pune (154th) has the second-best ‘quality of living’ in India.
Quality of Living Index is based on different factors like Water Potability, Waste Removal, Sewage, Air Pollution, Water availability, Traffic Congestion.
Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland) and Auckland (New Zealand) Copenhegan (Denmark) Geneva (Switzerland) are the top five cities in the Quality of Living Index 2023.

Agreement

The Indian Navy signed a MoU with IIT Kanpur to promote innovation at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi.
This will be helpful in enhancing the capacity of both sides and providing solutions to regional issues.
This agreement reflects the commitment of both organizations to promote technology development, innovative solutions and joint research and development.

National Affairs

Shaikh Hassan Khan, a 36-year-old Kerala government employee, has climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica.
This is the fifth peak that Shaikh Hasan Khan has conquered.
Apart from Mount Vinson, Shaikh Hassan Khan has climbed four other highest peaks – Mount Everest (Asia), Mount Denali (North America), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Mount Elbrus (Europe).
The aim of his campaign is to spread awareness about climate change happening in Antarctica.

National Affairs

IIT Madras developed ‘AMRIT’ technology for removing Arsenic and Metal ions from water.
‘AMRIT’ uses nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide. It removes arsenic when water is passed through it.
This water purifier technology has been developed for both domestic as well as community levels.
This technology has been recommended by the ‘Standing Committee’ of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the examination of the best technologies related to water and sanitation.

Sports

Australians Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc broke all records at the Indian Premier League 2024 auction in Dubai.
Pat Cummins went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20.50 crore.
while Mitchell Starc was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping amount of ₹24.75 crore.
A total of 10 franchises may collectively spend 262.95 crore rupees in a paced bidding war.
The highest amount in the purse is with Gujarat Titans (GT) with 38.15 crore rupees.