Daily Current Affairs : 13 May 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

Four-day Shri Anna Mahotsav begins in Dehradun

The city of Dehradun in Uttarakhand is hosting the four-day Shri Anna Mahotsav, a millets festival, starting from Saturday. The festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Hathibarkala. This event has attracted thousands of farmers from across the state, who are actively participating in the festivities.
During his address at the Shri Anna Mahotsav, Chief Minister Dhami emphasized that such events play a crucial role in promoting the cultivation of coarse grains. He stated that "Shri Anna" is becoming a catalyst for overall development in India, with citizens from all walks of life getting involved. The festival has set up more than 100 stalls showcasing various types of coarse grains.
The event witnessed the participation of Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and several other dignitaries. It's important to note that the state has initiated the implementation of the National Natural Agriculture Mission scheme in 11 districts, alongside organic farming. The government of India has approved a significant agricultural mission program worth 796 lakhs for cultivation on 6,400 hectares of land.

IBM and NASA Collaborate to Convert Satellite Data into High-Resolution Maps Using AI

IBM and NASA have joined forces to introduce a new geospatial foundation model that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to convert satellite data into high-resolution maps. This collaborative effort aims to analyze floods, fires, and other landscape changes, providing valuable insights into the Earth's past and future.
IBM's geospatial offering, known as watsonx.ai, has immense potential for applications such as estimating climate-related risks to agriculture, infrastructure, and buildings. Additionally, it can assist in assessing forests for carbon-offset initiatives and aid businesses in developing strategies to address climate change through predictive models.
The primary goal of this collaboration between NASA and IBM is to facilitate easier analysis and interpretation of large datasets related to Earth processes. This partnership is part of NASA's Open-Source Science Initiative (OSSI), which is committed to fostering an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative open science community over the next decade.

Linda Yaccarino appointed as the new CEO of Twitter

Elon Musk has confirmed the appointment of Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter. While Musk will focus on product design and new technology, Yaccarino will primarily oversee the business operations of the social media platform. Yaccarino's official commencement as Twitter CEO is scheduled for six weeks from now.
Linda Yaccarino is a prominent figure in the media industry, having worked with NBCUniversal for over 20 years, holding various leadership positions. She currently leads NBCUniversal's global advertising and partnerships businesses. Yaccarino's appointment marks an important milestone as she becomes the first female CEO of Twitter, coming from a non-tech background. Previous Twitter CEOs have all had a tech background.

India Semiconductor Mission signs MoU with Purdue University in the US

The Indian Semiconductor Mission and Purdue University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on capacity building, research and development, and industry participation. Union Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced this partnership during his visit to the US.
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a specialized and independent division within the Digital India Corporation. Its objective is to establish a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem, positioning India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. The mission, led by global experts in the semiconductor and display ecosystem, aims to coordinate the comprehensive and efficient deployment of the Program for Development of Semiconductor and Display Ecosystem in consultation with government ministries, industry, and academia.
Additionally, the London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSEG) has decided to establish a Technology Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, Telangana. This move will contribute significantly to the banking, financial services, and insurance sector in the region, generating around 1,000 employment opportunities within a year. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Telangana government and LSEG.

Cochin Port receives Sagar Shreshta Award

Cochin Port has been honored with the Sagar Shreshta Award by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways for its outstanding performance among all Indian Major Ports in the non-container port category for the year 2022-23. The award was presented to M. Beena, Chairperson of Cochin Port Authority, by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal at a ceremony in New Delhi.
This recognition reflects Cochin Port's excellent handling of dry bulk and liquid bulk cargo vessels. The port achieved an impressive turnaround time (TRT) of 48 hours for vessels with an average parcel size of 43,800 MT. TRT measures the time from the vessel's notice of readiness until the pilot disembarks after completing operations.

Kotak Bank's Privy League offers country's first LED debit cards

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) has introduced Privy League, a premium banking program targeting high-net-worth individuals. This flagship program aims to celebrate the achievements of the bank's customers by providing lifestyle privileges and personalized financial solutions.
Privy League offers several exclusive features, including the Premium Metal Debit Card for customers in the black tier. This card, designed by artist Arunanshu Chowdhury, grants access to luxury deals and complimentary airport lounge access, among other benefits. Additionally, the Platinum tier of Privy League provides customers with India's first LED debit card, known as the Signature LED Debit Card.
These LED cards, designed to enhance the banking experience, incorporate lighting elements, setting them apart from traditional debit cards.