Harsha Bhupendra Bangari becomes new MD of EXIM Bank
The government has appointed Harsha Bhupendra Bangari as the new Managing Director (MD) of the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). Before this Bangari was posted as deputy managing director at EXIM Bank. She has been appointed for a period of three years or until further orders of the government. He will replace the incumbent MD David Rasquinha, who was appointed for five years on July 20, 2014.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Export-Import Bank of India Founded: 1 January 1982;
- Export-Import Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
TRIFED and MEA to set up Atmanirbhar Bharat corners
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is setting up an Atmanirbhar Bharat corner in 75 Indian Missions/ Embassies across the world in the next 3 months. The first such Atma Nirbhar Bharat corner was successfully inaugurated at Indian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand on August 15, 2021. Apart from this, TRIFED will also be establishing Atmanirbhar corners in 75 embassies of foreign countries set up in India.
As India moves ahead with its strategy for India@75 and focuses on converting development into a mass movement, TRIFED is working with its roots in ground realities and emphasizing the welfare both in design and implementation. With the focus on “Vocal for Local” and building an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, TRIFED is undertaking several activities, while re-dedicating its efforts towards tribal empowerment.
Key Highlights:
- The 75 countries include Jamaica, Ireland, Turkey, Kenya, Mongolia, Israel, Finland, France, and Canada, Singapore, Russia, the US, Indonesia, Greece and Cyprus among others.
- The corner will be an exclusive space to promote GI tagged tribal art and craft products besides natural and organic products.
- TRIFED will also be establishing Atmanirbhar corners in 75 embassies of foreign countries in India.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Minister of Tribal Affairs: Arjun Munda;
- TRIFED was established on the 6th of August 1987.
PM Modi inaugurates Shikshak Parv-2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the “Shikshak Parv-2021” and addressed the inaugural conclave through a video conference. The theme of ‘Shikshak Parv-2021’ is “Quality and Sustainable Schools: Learnings from Schools in India”. The event was organised by the Ministry of Education, will continue to be celebrated from September 07 to 17, 2021.
The objective of the Shikshak Parv-2021 is to encourage innovative practices to ensure not only continuity of education at all levels but to improve quality, inclusive practices and sustainability in the schools across the country as well.
As a part of the event, PM launched five key schemes under the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. These included:
- Indian Sign Language Dictionary (audio and text embedded sign language video for the hearing impaired, in conformity with Universal Design of Learning)
- Talking Books (audiobooks for the visually impaired)
- School Quality Assurance and Assessment Framework of CBSE
- NISHTHA teachers’ training programme for NIPUN Bharat
- Vidyanjali 2.0 portal (platform for non-teaching professionals to contribute to increasing the quality of education in government schools.)
Former Union Health Secretary Keshav Desiraju Passes Away
Former Union health secretary Keshav Desiraju has passed away, due to “acute coronary syndrome”. Desiraju was the grandson of former president Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was the 1978 batch IAS officer from the Uttarakhand cadre. He was known for his contributions to mental health and community healthcare. He was the architect of India’s mental healthcare act of 2017.
Yoshihide Suga to step down as Japan’s prime minister
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga would step down, setting the stage for a new premier after a one-year tenure marred by an unpopular COVID-19 response and rapidly dwindling public support. Suga, who took over after Shinzo Abe resigned last September, citing ill health, has seen his support ratings sink to below 30% as the nation struggles with its worst wave of COVID-19 infections ahead of a general election this year.
Suga’s decision to not run in a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election in September means the party will choose a new leader, who will become prime minister.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Japan Capital: Tokyo;
- Japan Currency: Japanese yen;
Namita Gokhale honoured with 7th Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award
Writer Namita Gokhale has been chosen as the recipient of the seventh Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award. She was conferred upon the honour recently in a virtual ceremony. She is a co-founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Gokhale also mentors Himalayan Echoes and the Kumaon Festival of Literature and the Arts.
About the award:
The award was organised by a collective of women professionals from the year 2015, the annual award honours Yamin Hazarika, the first woman from Northeast India to be selected for DANIPS, a federal police service that administered Delhi and the Union Territories in 1977.
Indian Navy’s aviation wing honoured with prestigious President’s Colour award
President Ram Nath Kovind has awarded the President’s Colour to the Indian Naval Aviation at a ceremonial parade held at the INS Hansa base near Panjim in Goa. The president was given the guard of honour by the Indian Navy on the occasion. The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed on a military unit in recognition of its exceptional service to the nation.
The Indian Navy was the first amongst the Indian Armed Forces to be awarded the President’s Colour on 27 May 1951 by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. Subsequent recipients of the President’s Colour in the Navy include Southern Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command, Western Naval Command, Eastern Fleet, Western Fleet, Submarine Arm, INS Shivaji and the Indian Naval Academy.
Satish Parekh appointed as International Road Federation India president
Ashoka Buildcon Managing Director and promoter Satish Parekh has taken over as the president of the India Chapter of the International Road Federation (IRF). The governing council of the International Road Federation unanimously endorsed Satish Parakh as President, IRF-IC. He takes over from Subhmay Gangopadhyay, former director of Central Road Research Institute. The Geneva-based global road safety body IRF is working for better and safer roads worldwide.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- International Road Federation Founded: 1948;
- International Road Federation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Rajni Kaul, the first News Broadcaster for BBC Hindi passes away
Rajni Kaul who was the first News Broadcaster for BBC Hindi passed away in Faridabad, Haryana. She was 93. She was not only the first woman to join BBC Hindi as a staff member but she also became the first woman to read a news bulletin in Hindi on the network in 1961. She was well-known for her programme Indradhanush.
Bank of Baroda tops the MeitY Digital Payment Scorecard for 2020-21
Bank of Baroda, announced that the bank has Ranked #1 with a total of 86% marks on the scorecard issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the month of February and March 2021. The scorecard ranks 44 banks (Public Sector Banks, Private Banks, Foreign Banks, Payments Banks, Small Finance Banks) on various parameters on the digital business. In the same period last year, BOB was rated “Average” by Meity, which has now been upgraded as “Good”.
This overall rating was based on multiple factors where the Bank scored above average. These factors consist of the following:
- The exceptional growth of digital payment transactions achievement (129% of 137 Cr. Digital transactions target)
- Achievement of 6 times the target for merchant acquiring in Rural geography target (16,100)
- Achievement of 124% merchant acquiring in North-Eastern States target (6,900)
- Reduction in average % of Technical Declines of UPI from 0.59% in FY 2019-20 to 0.29% in FY 2020-21.
- The declining ratio is the 2nd lowest amongst all large banks.
- Reduction in average % of Technical Declines of Aadhaar Enabled Payment Systems activation from 0.39% in FY 2019-20 to 0.12% in FY 2020-21.
Indian biologist Shailendra Singh wins global award in turtle conservation
Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award for bringing three critically endangered turtle conservation species back from the brink of extinction. Shailendra Singh was named to lead the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)/ Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India turtle programme.
About the award:
- The award has been bestowed by several global bodies involved in turtle conservation such as Turtle Survival Alliance, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtle Conservancy, and Turtle Conservation Fund.
- The Behler Turtle Conservation Award was established in 2006 to recognise outstanding achievements, contributions and leadership excellence in international turtle conservation and biology.
Chandigarh Railway Station certified five-star ‘Eat Right Station’
The Chandigarh Railway Station(CRS) was awarded a 5 star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. The certification was awarded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) upon the conclusion of the FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit agency. CRS was selected to upgrade on the pattern of the World Class Railway Station.
About the certification:
- The certification is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement- a large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.
- According to IRSDC, Eat Right India adopts a judicious mix of regulatory, capacity building, collaborative, and empowerment approaches to ensure that our food is suitable both for the people and the planet.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Lt. Governors & Administrators of Chandigarh: Banwarilal Purohit.
Ramesh Narayan to be inducted into AFAA Hall of Fame
Indian advertising doyen Ramesh Narayan will be inducted into the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) Hall of Fame at AdAsia 2021. The AFAA Hall of Fame sets out to recognise the best of the very best. It’s for those who’ve defined a generation of advertising.
Ramesh has been honoured with AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Advertising Association Global Champion Award, the Public Relations Society of India Special Award, the Association of Business Communicators of India Lifetime Achievement Award, and an induction into the Hall of Fame of the India chapter of the IAA.
