Daily GK Update: 23rd October 2021

National & International Appointments

Dame Sandra Mason (72-years) has been elected after securing two-thirds of the votes in the country's two houses of Parliament.
Mason has been the governor-general since 2018 when she was appointed by the queen.
Barbados has elected its first-ever president as it prepares to become a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth as head of state.
Barbados is an island country, located in Lesser Antilles of the West Indies.

National Affairs

United Kingdom Navy Chief Admiral Sir Tony Radakin met Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh in New Delhi and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial as a tribute to fallen soldiers.
Amongst other naval bilateral cooperation issues, the Chiefs emphasised collaborative mechanisms towards ensuring peace and security in the region.
Admiral Radakin is on a three-day visit to India.
He is also scheduled to visit the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command in Mumbai.

Sports

Namibia defeated Ireland by 8 wickets at Sharjah in the Group A of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
Ireland won the toss, chose to bat and set the target of 126 runs.
Namibia achieved the target with 9 balls remaining.
With this win, Namibia has progressed from Group A to the Super 12 stages.
As a result of finishing at the top of Group A, Namibia will join India's group featuring Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan.

International Affairs

India handed over a 34.9 km long cross-border rail link connecting Jayanagar in Bihar to Kurtha in Nepal to the Nepal government.
The handing over ceremony took place in the presence of the Nepal minister for physical Infrastructure and transport Renu Kumari Yadav and Indian ambassador to Nepal Vinay M. Kwatra.
The Jaynagar - Kurtha section is part of the 68.7 km Jaynagar - Bijalpura- Bardidas rail link built under the Government of India's grant assistance programme

State Affairs

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha e-inaugurated the “Jashn-e-Zafraan”, Harvesting Saffron in presence of Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Kailash Choudhury.
The income of J&K farmers is at the fifth position in the whole country, 46% higher than the national average.
As per data of the National Statistical Survey, the farmers of J&K have a monthly income of 18,918 rupees, way above the national average of 10,218 rupees.

Important Dates

World Snow Leopard Day is observed globally on 23rd October every year.
The main purpose of this day is to show the importance of snow leopard conservation and raise awareness about this incredible animal.
The first Snow Leopard Day occurred on the 23rd of October in 2014.
Snow Leopard is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Sports

Australia fast bowler James Pattinson (31-years) has announced his retirement from test cricket.
Pattinson, who has battled injuries throughout his career, has 81 wickets from 21 Test matches for Australia since he made his debut in December 2011.
The right-arm played 21 Test Matches, 15 One-Day Internationals and four T20 Internationals for Australia.

National Affairs

Textiles Ministry has issued notification for setting up of seven PM MITRA Parks.
It will be set up at Greenfield or Brownfield sites located in different willing States
The Union Development Capital Support will be 30% of the Project Cost, with a cap of 500 Cr rupees and for Brownfield sites 30% of the project cost of balance infrastructure and restricted to a limit of 200 crore rupees
It will reduce logistics costs and improve the competitiveness of Indian Textiles.

National & International Appointments

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has appointed Commodore PK Garg as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
He will replace Commander Rajesh Rajagopalan, who held the post from 2018 till the Tokyo Olympics.
The appointment was officially ratified at SAI's Mission Olympic Cell meeting
Mr Garg represented India in five Asian Games from 1986 to 2002 in the Enterprise Class Sailing Event and has been a National Champion five times.
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Defense

As part of the commemorative activities of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Indian Navy is conducting an Offshore Sailing Regatta from Kochi to Goa under aegis of Indian Naval Sailing Association, INSA.
Six Indian Naval Sailing Vessels Mhadei, Tarini, Bulbul, Neelkanth, Kadalpura and Hariyal will participate in the event.
The Flagging ceremony of the race will be presided over by the Commandant, Naval War College at Goa on the 29th of this month.