Daily GK Update: 27th September 2022

 Honours & Awards

1. Indian-origin Suella Braverman wins first-ever Queen Elizabeth II award

• Indian-origin UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman (42) has been honoured with the first-ever Queen Elizabeth II Woman of the Year award in 20th Asian Achievers Awards, held at London
• In 2022, she has replaced Priti Patel for the position of Home Secretary
• Other AAA 2022 Winners:
  • Art and Culture: Namit Malhotra (Chairman of DNEG)
  • Business Person of the Year: Shamil and Kavi Thakrar (Founders of Dishoom)
  • Community Service: Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed (CEO of Gift Wellness)

 National & International Appointments

2. Indian govt appoints Bandaru Wilsonbabu as Indian Ambassador to Madagascar

• IFS officer. Bandaru Wilsonbabu has been appointed as the next ambassador of India to the Republic of Madagascar.
• He is presently serving as the joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs.
• He will be replacing ambassador Abhay Kumar.
• He has also served as the joint Secretary in the Eurasia division.
• Madagascar:
  • Capital: Antananarivo; Currency: Malagasy ariary
  • President: Andry Rajoelina; Prime Minister: Christian Ntsay

 Banking & Finance

3. Leh achieves 100 percent digitization of banking operations

• RBI has felicitated the bankers of the district to Leh district for achieving 100% digitization of banking operations.
• Digital Banking: It refers to the electronic banking service provided by a bank for its financial and other transactions through electronic devices online.
• In 2019, RBI has proposed to make at least one district of every state in the country have 100% digitization of banking operations.
• First fully digital banking district of India: Thrissur, Kerala

 Important Dates

4. World Tourism Day: 27th September 2022

• World Tourism Day 2022 is observed annually on 27 September to promote tourism in various parts of the world.
• The theme of World Tourism Day 2022 is ‘Rethinking Tourism’.
• This day was initiated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in 1979.
• This date was selected by UNWTO, because the date marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Statutes of UNWTO.
• In 1997, UNWTO decided that the day would be celebrated in different host countries each year. 

 Banking & Finance

5. S&P Global retains India’s 2022-23 growth at 7.3%

• S&P Global Ratings has retained economic growth projection of India at 7.3% in the current fiscal.
• S&P has also predicted that inflation is likely to remain above the Reserve Bank of India's upper tolerance threshold of 6% till the end of 2022.
• Reason: The external environment has soured for economies in the region and higher global interest rates will exert pressure on central banks.
• While, OECD has projected India's GDP growth rate 6.9% for FY23.

 National Affairs

6. President Murmu inaugurates HAL's Cryogenic Engines Manufacturing Facility

• President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the Integrated Cryogenic Engines Manufacturing Facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.
• The Cryogenic engines are used by ISRO for its satellite launch operations.
• The President has also laid the foundation stone of the South Zonal Institute of Virology virtually at HAL.
• She has also inaugurated the St. Joseph University and attended a Civic reception hosted by the State Government in her honour.

 National & International Appointments

7. Giorgia Meloni becomes first woman PM of Italy

• Giorgia Meloni has become the first woman prime minister of Italy, after defeating, Mario Draghi by a huge margin.
• She has joined politics at age 15 in 1992, joining the neo-fascist Social Movement.
• She has also served as a youth minister in Berlusconi's 2008-2011 government before founding the Brothers of Italy in 2012.
• Three prominent political leaders Meloni, La Russa, and Crosetto founded a new political movement Brothers of Italy in 2012. 

 Obituaries

8. Veteran Congress leader, Aryadan Muhammed passes away

• Former Kerala minister and senior Congress leader, Aryadan Muhammed has been passed away at the age of 87 in Kozhikode, Kerala.
• He has won the Nilambur seat (Malappuram district) of Kerala legislative assembly in 1977.
• He was also a minister in the EK Nayanar cabinet when he was part of the Left Front Group A in 1980.
• He also held the ministerial post in the AK Antony cabinet and Oommen Chandy cabinet.

 State Affairs

9. Himachal Pradesh government approves tutor scheme for 3 to 6 age group

• The HP cabinet has given their nod to the ‘Himachal Pradesh early childhood care and education tutor scheme-2022’ for children in the age group of 3 to 6.
• Aim: To provide an appropriate care and stimulation of the brain in early years to ensure healthy development and growth.
• The govt will be paid a sum of ₹9,000 a month to those candidates who have done a one-year diploma in nursery teacher, so that they can bridge courses to make them eligible.

 Banking & Finance

10. Union Bank of India opens ethical hacking lab

• Union Bank of India has inaugurated ‘Ethical Hacking Lab’ at the Cyber security Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Hyderabad.
• Aim: To build cyber defence mechanism to safeguard the Bank’s Information Systems, Digital Assets, Channels etc against potential cyber threats.
• The Ethical Hacking Lab was inaugurated by Ms. A. Manimekhalai (MD & CEO, Union Bank of India).
• Union Bank is adopting various new initiatives to increase Digital Footprints.
• Union Bank of India HQ: Mumbai

 National Affairs

11. CEC of LAHDC Kargil inaugurated first ever Mega Kissan Mela in Ladakh

• CEC of LAHDC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan has inaugurated the first ever Mega Kissan Mela at Indoor Stadium Kargil.
• This event was organised by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir
• Stalls were established by scores of progressive farmers, KVK Centre, & Research Centre from across UT Ladakh and J&K.
• Aim: Experts will educate the farmers about latest techniques and use of high yielding varieties for satiable agriculture.

 Agreement

12. BPCL, Petrobras signs MoU to diversify crude oil sourcing

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has signed an MoU with Brazilian oil major, Petrobras to diversify its crude oil sourcing.
• The MoU was signed by Arun Kumar Singh (Chairman BPCL) and Caio Paes de Andrade (CEO Petrobras) in Brazil.
• Aim: To strengthen future crude oil trade relations between the two companies and explore potential crude import opportunities by BPCL.
• Petrobras operates in an integrated and specialized manner in the oil, natural gas and energy industry.

 National Affairs

13. Govt to launch Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched a Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan for implementing City Action Plans prepared as part of National Clean Air Programme.
• Aim: To reduce air pollution upto 40% by 2025-26.
• This survey has categorized 131 cities into three groups based on population.
• First group: Population more than 10 lakh (47 cities)
• Second group: Population between 3 to 10 lakh (44 cities)
• Third group: Population less than 3 lakh (40 cities)