21st-22nd October, 2023

1. Government has launched Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyan scheme to cover all fish farmers with Kisan Credit Card.
2. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Indigenous Portable DC charger to boost electric vehicle adoption.
3. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) awarded Dhordo village in Gujarat’s Kutch district with the prestigious ‘Best Tourism Village’ title.
4. Kerala’s Kasargod district has became 1st district in India to declare official tree, flower, bird and turtle as district species.
5. Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (JJ) School of Art has been declared a de novo Deemed University.
6. Google India has launched ‘DigiKavach’ at 9th Edition of Google for India annual event in Delhi to combat online financial frauds.
7. HDFC ERGO has launched a new policy with enhanced benefits named Optima Secure.
8. US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has offered 30 million USD to Dalmia Polypro Industries for the establishment of an innovative greenfield recycling facility in Nashik, Maharashtra.
9. HDFC Bank has launched ‘XpressWay’ digital platform offering banking products and services and enabling customers to experience the fast-banking services.
10. Kotak Mahindra Bank has received RBI’s nod for acquisition of microlender Sonata Finance.
11. European Union tax observatory has recommended 2% global wealth tax on billionaires in Global Tax Evasion Report 2024.
12. Indian Navy has conducted security exercise ‘Prasthan 2023’ in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada.
13. Yard 12706 (Imphal) the third of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer has been delivered to the Indian Navy.
14. Udhampur military station has been awarded ‘Best Green Military Station’ award during the army commanders conference in New Delhi.
15. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has launched Indian Military Heritage Festival ‘Project Udbhav’ in Delhi.
16. Indian government has granted the permission to export 1.34 million tonne of non-basmati white rice to seven Asian and African nations in humanitarian efforts.
17. Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi has been awarded Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2023.
18. October 21– World Iodine Deficiency Day
19. October 21– Police Commemoration Day (Police Martyr’s Day)
20. October 22- International Stuttering Awareness Day; Theme- “One Size Does NOT Fit All”
21. England has booked its place at Euro 24 after defeating England with a big margin at Wembley.
22. Sanjay Kumar Jain has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

National News

1. Government has launched Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyan scheme to cover all fish farmers with Kisan Credit Card.
   • Objectives-
     • To achieve universal financial inclusion and
     • To ensure that every farmer has unhindered access to credit facilities that drive their agricultural pursuits
   • Benefits-
     • The campaign will play an important role in reaching out to non-KCC account holder PM KISAN beneficiaries and
     • It will encourage the saturation of KCC accounts among eligible PM Kisan beneficiary farmers.

   • Implementing Agency- NABARD

2. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Indigenous Portable DC charger to boost electric vehicle adoption.
   • About Portable DC charger–
     • 2KW DC Portable Charger is developed by Centre of Excellence at IIT Madras Research Park.
     • These chargers have an efficiency more than 95% and they can function at a maximum operating ambient of 50 Degree Celsius.
     • The chargers are designed to meet safety Standard IEC 60950-11.
   • Benefit-
     • It will reduce the current dependence on imported charging solutions
       Source: PIB

3. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) awarded Dhordo village in Gujarat’s Kutch district with the prestigious ‘Best Tourism Village’ title.
   • The award is given for Dhordo’s outstanding contribution to sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and rural development.
   • About Dhordo-
     Dhordo is renowned for hosting the annual Rann Utsav which is a vibrant cultural festival that showcases the region’s traditional arts, music, and crafts.

4. Kerala’s Kasargod district has became 1st district in India to declare official tree, flower, bird and turtle as district species.

Key declarations-

• District tree- Kanjiram (Strychnos nux-vomica)
• District flower- Periya Polathali (Malabar River lily)
• District Bird- Vellavayaran Kadal Paranthu (White-bellied Sea eagle)
• District creature- Palappoovan Amma (Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle)
  Source: Deccan Herald

5. Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (JJ) School of Art has been declared a de novo Deemed University.
   • About JJ School of Art-
     • The Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy School of Art is the oldest art institution in Mumbai, India, and is affiliated with the University of Mumbai.
     • The school grants bachelor’s degrees in fine art and sculpture, and Master’s degrees in fine art.
   • Established- 1857

Source: PIB

Banking and Economy

1. Google India has launched ‘DigiKavach’ at 9th Edition of Google for India annual event in Delhi to combat online financial frauds.
   • About DigiKavach–
     • It is an early threat detection and warning system designed to identify and study emerging financial fraud patterns.
     • It is launched in collaboration between Google and Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE)
   • How it will work?
     • FACE will support Google with market intelligence to inform detection and enable swift action against personal loan apps in India non-complaint with play store’s policies.

   
   

2. HDFC ERGO has launched a new policy with enhanced benefits named Optima Secure.
   • Key features of Optima Secure-
     • Age limit-
       • Can buy insurance policy until 65 years.
     • Coverage-
       • There is no age when coverage stops
     • Policy options-
       • Families and individuals can choose coverage from ₹5 lakhs to ₹2 crore, with different options available.
     • Time frame-
       • Policy can be brought for 1, 2 or 3 years.
     • Key benefits under policy-
     • Secure Benefit-
       • Automatically provides twice the coverage of the purchased insurance without any additional action or payment.

     • Plus Benefit-
       • Increases insurance coverage by 50% after the first year and by 100% after the second year, irrespective of any claims made.
     • Restore Benefit-
       • Guarantees that in the event of a claim, whether for a partial or full amount, the insurance coverage will be reinstated to its full extent without any extra charges.

     
     

3. US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has offered 30 million USD to Dalmia Polypro Industries for the establishment of an innovative greenfield recycling facility in Nashik, Maharashtra.
   • Objective- to spur transformative projects in key areas such as Healthcare, E-mobility, Infrastructure, finance, microfinance, small businesses, defence, wind, and solar energy.
     Source: Hindu Business Line
4. HDFC Bank has launched ‘XpressWay’ digital platform offering banking products and services and enabling customers to experience the fast-banking services.
   • About XpressWay–
     • It offers multiple banking services designed to cater to diverse customer needs.
     • XpressWay is a part of HDFC Bank ‘NOW’, an umbrella brand for the Bank’s digital products and services.
       Source: financial express
5. Kotak Mahindra Bank has received RBI’s nod for acquisition of microlender Sonata Finance.
   • Kotak Mahindra will acquire Sonata Finance for 537-crore.
   • Sonata Finance will become wholly owned business correspondent subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
   • The acquisition will help Kotak bank to increase its presence in rural and semi-urban areas of north India.

6. European Union tax observatory has recommended 2% global wealth tax on billionaires in Global Tax Evasion Report 2024.
   • Key observations of report-
     • Tax evasion helps billionaires to enjoy an effective tax rate of 0% to 0.5% of their wealth.
     • The 2% tax rate will nearly generate $250 billion from less than 3,000 individuals.
     • The wealth of billionaires has grown at 7% a year annually on average since 1995 (net of inflation).
       Source: The Hindu

   
   
   
   

Defence News

1. Indian Navy has conducted security exercise ‘Prasthan 2023’ in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada.
   • Objectives-
     • To ensure the security of offshore development areas in Kakinada
     • To rehearse responses in handling contingencies
   • About Prasthan 2023
     • The exercise was conducted on Rig Ship Platinum Explorer of ONGC and RG Fixed Oil Platform of Vedanta Ltd.
     • Conducted under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command
     • It witnessed participation from multiple organization
       Source: ET
2. Yard 12706 (Imphal) the third of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer has been delivered to the Indian Navy.
   • About Yard 12706-
     • It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai.
     • The Project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade.
     • The ship contains indigenous mate of approximately 75%.
       Source: PIB
3. Udhampur military station has been awarded ‘Best Green Military Station’ award during the army commanders conference in New Delhi.
   • Key points-
     • Dehradun Military Station has been awarded ‘Second Best’ award.
     • Bikaner Military Station has been awarded ‘Best Transformative Station’
       Source: ET
4. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has launched Indian Military Heritage Festival ‘Project Udbhav’ in Delhi.
   • Objective-

   To rediscover the profound Indian heritage of spacecraft and strategic thoughts derived from ancient Indian text of spacecraft, warcraft, diplomacy and grand strategy.

   Source: Print

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Indian government has granted the permission to export 1.34 million tonne of non-basmati white rice to seven Asian and African nations in humanitarian efforts.
   • Exporting authority– National Cooperative Exports Ltd

Source: livemint

Awards

1. Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi has been awarded Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2023.
   • She is awarded to recognize her undaunted courage to put her life on the line as a fearless defender and advocate of human rights against the fundamentalist regime of Iran.
   • The award will be given on 26 November in Mumbai.
   • She is awarded Nobel Peace Prize for 2023.

Source: TOI

Important Days

1. October 21– World Iodine Deficiency Day
   Source: TOI
2. October 21– Police Commemoration Day (Police Martyr’s Day)
   • The day marks the sacrifice of 10 CRPF men who lost their lives to a Chinese attack in 1959.
     Source: ET
3. October 22- International Stuttering Awareness Day; Theme- “One Size Does NOT Fit All”
   • About Stuttering-
     • It is a disruption in speechpattern involving dysfluencies in a person’s speech.
       Source: HT

Sports

1. England has booked its place at Euro 24 after defeating England with a big margin at Wembley.

Source: goal.com

Appointments

1. Sanjay Kumar Jain has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
   Source: indianmandarins

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