Daily GK Update: 2nd August 2022

 Sports

1. Judoka, Shushila Devi clinches Silver medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022

• Shushila Devi has clinched silver in women's judo 48kg category at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
• This is her second silver medal in CWG, she bagged her first silver in Commonwealth Games 2014 .
• While, Vijay Kumar Yadav has also bagged bronze medal in the judo men's- 60kg category in CWG 2022. 
• In Weightlifting, Harjinder Kaur won the bronze medal in the women’s 71kg category (logged 212kg (snatch - 93kg; clean and jerk - 119kg)).

 National Affairs

2. Government forms task force to monitor monkeypox situation in India

• The government has constituted a task force on monkeypox to closely monitor the emerging situation in the country.
• The task force will provide guidance to the government on expansion of diagnostic facilities in the country and explore emerging trends related to vaccination for the disease.
• The task force will be headed by Dr V K Paul, NITI Aayog member (health).
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently declared monkeypox a global public health emergency.

 Defense

3. IAF to participate in multilateral exercise, ‘Pitch Black’ in Australia

• India will take part in the exercise named "Pitch Black, that has been organised by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Australia.
• This mega air exercise is scheduled to be held from August 19 to September 6.
• Participants (17 countries): Australia, Canada, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, the UK and the US.

 Important Dates

4. World Breastfeeding Week 2022: 1-7 August

• World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually on 1st -7th August to highlight the regular breastfeeding for babies.
• Theme 2022: Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a memorandum in 1990 in association with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
• The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was established in 1991 and the inaugural World Breastfeeding Week was observed in 1992.

 Banking & Finance

5. IndusInd Bank partners Rupyy to offer loans for used-cars

• IndusInd Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Rupyy for offering 100% paperless loan processing.
• Rupyy, digital lending platform, is a fintech arm of the Jaipur based, Girnarsoft Pvt Ltd (which houses brands like CarDekho, BikeDekho, Zigwheels, etc).
• This partnership will simplified documentation and instant processing of vehicle loans from IndusInd Bank.
• IndusInd Bank customers can now opt for flexible repayment options while transacting on 'Rupyy'.

 Important Dates

6. Ministry of Culture celebrates 146th birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya

• Ministry of Culture has organized “Tiranga Utsav”, to celebrate the 146th Birth Anniversary of Pingali Venkayya in New Delhi.
• The event include the release of a commemorative Postal Stamp in honor of Pingali Venkayya for his invaluable contribution to the country.
• Pingali Venkayya:
  • He was born on August 2, 1876, in Andhra Pradesh.
  • He was a freedom fighter and follower of Gandhian principles.
  • He was the designer of India’s National Flag.

 State Affairs

7. West Bengal to carve out seven new districts, number rises to 30

• West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee has announced that the state will soon carve out seven new districts.
• Earlier there were 23 districts in Bengal, after this, West Bengal will have 30 district.
• Seven new districts: Sunderban, Ichhemati, Ranaghat, Bishnupur, Jangipur, and Behrampur.
• One more district will be named from the Basirhat region.
• Aim: Smaller units would make governance easier and benefit the people by bringing the administration closer to them.

 Honours & Awards

8. VP Venkaiah Naidu presents President’s Colours to Tamil Nadu police

• Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu has presented the prestigious President’s Colours to the Tamil Nadu police for their commendable service and many achievements.
• The President’s Colours is a recognition of services rendered by police personnel during the past 160 years.
• The Police Department was established in 1856 in Chennai, then known as Madras and in 1859 a police Act for the city was enacted.
• DG of Tamil Nadu Police: C. Sylendra Babu

 Obituaries

9. Founder of Kannada daily 'Udayavani', T Mohandas Pai passes away

• Founder of Udayavani', a popular Kannada daily, T Mohandas M Pai has passed away at 89 years in Udupi after ailing from a chronic illness.
• He was also the president of the Dr T M A Pai Foundation and Manipal Media Network, which runs ‘Udayavani’.
• He also served as the chairman and non-executive director at ICDS limited.
• He set up three centres - the Rashtrakavi Govindapai Research Centre, the Regional Resources Centre for Folk Performing Arts and MGM Yakshagana Kendra.

 National Affairs

10. Steel ministry sets up advisory committee for secondary steel sector

• Steel Ministry has constituted an advisory committee for secondary steel under the chairmanship of minister of civil aviation and steel Jyotiraditya Scindia.
• Aim: To identify and deliberate on the issues pertaining to the steel sector especially the secondary steel industry.
• Secondary steel share in steel output of nation has been falling sharply from a level of 55% (2015) to 40% (now).
• The secondary steel sector wants higher allocation of coal from Coal India.

 Banking & Finance

11. UPI records 6 billion transactions in July 2022

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction has reached 6 billion in July 2022, the highest ever since its inception in 2016.
• According to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the UPI has reported 6.28 billion transactions amounting to Rs 10.62 trillion.
• Month-on-month, the volume of transactions was up 7.16% and value increased 4.76%.
• Year-on-year (YoY), the volume of transactions nearly doubled while value of transactions was up 75%.

 Agreement

12. IISc, Indian navy sign pact to boost self reliance in key tech

• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian navy have signed an MoU to collaborate on aviation research and development.
• The agreement would also aid navy to ramp up self-reliance efforts and also promote joint research programmes in areas of mutual interest.
• The areas of collaboration will fall under the domain of aerospace/aeronautical engineering, including design and education technology.

 National Affairs

13. Tata Steel roll out 'First in India' seating system for Vande Bharat Expres

• Tata Group will launch the 'First in India' seating system for Vande Bharat Express trains from September 2022.
• The firm is also planning to invest Rs 3,000 crore on R&D by FY26.
• The Composites division of Tata Steel has received, a Rs 145 crore, bulk order for seating systems of the Vande Bharat express.
• It includes the supply of complete seating systems for 22 train sets, 16 coaches in each train set.
• The specially designed seats can rotate 180 degrees.