Daily Current Affairs : 19 May 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

Bhopal Becomes 1st City to Measure Sustainable Development Goals Progress

Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first city in India to measure its progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the adoption of a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) process, Bhopal is now able to assess its performance on the SDGs and identify areas for improvement.
The VLR process in Bhopal was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and several local stakeholders. It involved a comprehensive assessment of the city's performance, including data review, stakeholder interviews, and public consultations.
This initiative in Bhopal serves as a valuable tool for other cities in India to measure their progress on the SDGs and identify areas for improvement. It marks a positive step forward for both the city and India as a whole.

IIT-Madras Partners with Israel to Establish 'India-Israel Center of Water Technology'

In a significant collaboration, the Government of Israel is joining forces with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish the 'India-Israel Center of Water Technology' (CoWT) at IIT Madras. The partnership aims to focus on water resources management and water technologies.
A Letter of Intent was signed by key representatives from both countries, including Mr. Manoj Joshi (Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India), Prof. V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras), Mr. Naor Gilon (Ambassador of Israel to India), Shri. S. Jaishankar (External Affairs Minister of India), and Mr. Eli Cohen (External Affairs Minister of Israel).
Israel, being a global leader in Integrated Water Resources Management, will contribute its expertise to this collaboration. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) will work closely with MASHAV, Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, to establish the center at IIT Madras.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Launches State Dashboard

Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, has introduced the State Dashboard, a platform powered by data analytics that aims to streamline the monitoring of government schemes and facilitate data-driven decision-making. The State Dashboard consists of three critical components: CM Dashboard, Department Dashboard, and Administrative Action Monitoring Portal.
This application evaluates the performance of various administrative departments based on 5T parameters. The CM dashboard promotes transparency by sharing extensive data with the public. It offers key performance indicators for performance monitoring and a visual display of progress to facilitate timely decision-making.
Currently, the State Dashboard showcases 30 different dashboards from 16 departments, with plans to include more departments in the future. Leveraging visualization and advanced analytics, it provides a comprehensive appraisal of departmental performance and scheme progress.

BJP MP Rattan Lal Kataria Passes Away

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rattan Lal Kataria, representing Ambala in Haryana, passed away at the age of 71. He was admitted to PGI Chandigarh, where he breathed his last. Rattan Lal Kataria served as an MP from Ambala and was associated with the RSS for over five decades.
He held various positions within the BJP, including the President of the BJP Haryana Unit from 2000 to 2003. In 2014, he was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha as a BJP candidate. From 2019 to 2021, Rattan Lal Kataria served as the Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Social Justice and Empowerment.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed Deputy Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has taken over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the fighter stream in 1986. With over 3,300 hours of flying experience on fighter, trainer, and transport aircraft, Mr. Dixit is a qualified flying instructor and an experimental test pilot.
Throughout his career, he has actively participated in notable operations such as 'Safed Sagar' and 'Rakshak'. Air Marshal Dixit has commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron and a premier fighter training base. He has also held key positions, including Principle Director of Air Staff Requirement, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans).

MoU Signed for Ferry Service on Brahmaputra to Connect 7 Religious Sites

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Sagarmala Development Corporation Limited (SDCL), Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), and the Department of Inland Waterways Transport (DIWT), Government of Assam.
The MoU aims to establish a 'Riverine Based Religious Tourism Circuit' that connects seven historically significant temples along the Brahmaputra river. The circuit will offer a modern ferry service operating on a 'Hop-On Hop-Off' mode, providing passengers with convenient travel between the spiritual landmarks. The temples included in the circuit are Kamakhya, Pandunath, Ashwaklanta, Doul Govinda, Umananda, Chakreshwar, and Auniti Satra.
To minimize travel time, the circuit will commence from Hanuman Ghat, Uzan Bazar, with ferry services departing every 30 minutes. The project, estimated to cost Rs 45 crore, will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). SDCL and IWAI will jointly contribute 55% of the costs, while ATDC will provide the remaining funds. Additionally, DIWT has offered free usage of Ghats near the temples to facilitate the initiative.

MoUs for Two Community Development Projects Signed Between India and Nepal

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Government of Nepal, have signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for two High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal. The projects, implemented with a grant assistance from the Government of India, will focus on healthcare and education sectors.
The construction of Malagiri Shanti Yogashram in Ramechhap District and Kedar Jyotipunja Multiple Campus in Doti District are the two projects that will be implemented through Ramechhap Municipality and Badikedar Rural Municipality, respectively. The total estimated cost of these projects is around Rs 80.33 million.

SBI Funds Management Approved to Acquire 9.99% Stake in HDFC Bank

State Bank of India (SBI) Funds Management has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to acquire up to a 9.99% stake in HDFC Bank. The acquisition must be completed within six months, by November 15, 2023.
SBI Funds Management must ensure that its aggregate holding in HDFC Bank remains below 10% of the bank's paid-up share capital or voting rights at all times. The approval from RBI is subject to compliance with relevant provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, RBI's Master Direction and Guidelines on Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies, provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and other applicable guidelines, regulations, and statutes.