IAF deployed the first S-400 air defence system in Punjab
Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed the first squadron of the S-400 air defence missile system in the western Punjab sector which will take care of aerial threats from Pakistan and China. The S-400 air defence system was contracted for by India from Russia in a deal worth around Rs 35,000 crores and five squadrons would be provided to India for tackling air threats from up to 400 km.
About the S-400 Defence missile system:
- The surface-to-air missile system would give India an edge in South Asian skies as they would be able to take out enemy aircraft and cruise missiles from a 400 km distance.
- The S-400 Triumf air defence system is equipped with four different missiles which can engage enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and AWACS planes at 400 km, 250 km, the medium-range 120 km and the short-range 40 km.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Indian Airforce founded: 8 October 1932;
- Indian Airforce Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Indian Airforce Chief of Air Staff: Vivek Ram Chaudhari.
O.P. Jindal Global University won “Digital Innovation of the Year” award
O. P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has won the ‘Digital Innovation of the Year Award’ in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Awards 2021 for creating a free, cloud-based application to help schools and universities manage data. JGU was the only Indian University to be shortlisted for the “Digital Innovation of the Year”.
The university was awarded under the ‘Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year category for its transformative work in the last 2 years. This award is also a reflection of JGU’s commitment to ensure continued education for its students during the ongoing pandemic. In March 2020, we were faced with one of the most unprecedented crises of our time.
Times Higher Education Awards Asia 2021 winners:
| Category | Winner |
| Leadership and Management Team of the Year | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (India) |
| Workplace of the Year | Saint Joseph University of Beirut (Lebanon) |
| International Strategy of the Year | Hangzhou Dianzi University of Hong Kong |
| Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year | National University of Singapore |
| THE Datapoints Social Impact Award | Institute Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (Indonesia) |
| THE Datapoints Improved Performance Award | University Utara (Malaysia) |
| Excellence and Innovation in the Arts | Hong Kong Baptist University |
| Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year | O.P. Jindal Global University (India) |
| Outstanding Support for Students | University Teknologi Petronas (Malaysia) |
| Student Recruitment Campaign of the Year | Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Vietnam) |
Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Rogers passes away
Pritzker Prize-Winning British-Italian Architect, Richard Rogers has passed away at his residence in London, United Kingdom. He received the Pritzker Prize, known as the Nobel Prize of Architecture, in 2007. He received the Knight Bachelor in 1991 and he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He was the architect of the new World Trade Center (3 World Trade Center) in New York City, United States, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France and the Millennium Dome in London, UK.
Oriental Insurance categorised as public shareholder in Axis Bank
Axis Bank has announced the approval to reclassify Oriental Insurance Company Ltd (OICL) from promoter category to public category shareholder in the bank. In October, applications were made to BSE and NSE for reclassification of The New Oriental Insurance Co to the public category from the promoter category.
At present, OICL holds a 0.16 per cent stake in Axis Bank. Currently, BSE & NSE gave approval for the reclassification of New Oriental Insurance Company to the public category from the promoter category.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Axis Bank Founded: 3 December 1993;
- Axis Bank Headquarters: Mumbai;
- Axis Bank MD & CEO: Amitabh Chaudhary;
- Axis Bank Chairperson: Rakesh Makhija;
- Axis Bank Tagline: Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi.
Central Bank of India signed a co-lending agreement with U GRO Capital
Central Bank of India and U GRO Capital has signed a co-lending agreement and plans to disburse up to Rs 1,000 crore to medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) over the next 12 months. The disbursement will be to U GRO Capital’s varied MSME segments under its programs – Pratham, Sanjeevani, Saathi, GRO MSME and machinery financing.
Central Bank of India will provide co-lending support through the GRO-Xstream platform with the loans originated by U GRO Capital’s distribution network. The arrangement will ensure the availability of credit to MSMEs at an affordable cost.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Central Bank of India Founded: 21 December 1911;
- Central Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
- Central Bank of India MD & CEO: Matam Venkata Rao.
CSB Bank has been impaneled as Agency Bank by RBI
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the empanelment of CSB Bank, a private sector lender as an ‘Agency Bank’. Through this appointment, the CSB Bank will undertake the general banking business of the central and state governments under the guidelines set by the RBI. As an Agency bank, CSB Bank will work with different state governments and central government departments for businesses such as tax collections, pension payments, collection of stamp duty, etc.
About the CSB Bank:
CSB Bank Limited, formerly Catholic Syrian Bank Limited, is an Indian private sector bank with its headquarters at Thrissur, Kerala, India. The bank has a network of over 450 branches and more than 319 ATMs across India.
List of banks recently empanelled as Agency Bank of RBI:
- RBL Bank
- Dhanlaxmi Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- Bandhan Bank
- South Indian bank
- Karnataka bank
- DCB Bank
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- CSB Bank Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala;
- CSB Bank CEO: C.VR. Rajendran;
- CSB Bank Founded: 26 November 1920, Thrissur.
IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance appoints HO Suri as MD & CEO
IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance has announced the appointment of HO Suri as its new managing director and chief executive officer. He was the financial advisor, head, internal audit & legal, at the company and the new position took effect from October 1. IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance Company Limited is a 51:49 joint venture between IFFCO and Japan’s Tokio Marine Group. The firm offers retail products like motor, health, travel, home and personal accident insurance and corporate insurance products.
About the HO Suri:
HO Suri began his professional journey in 1982 with Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO). A chartered accountant by profession, he is one of the founder-members of IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Company in 2000.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance CEO: Anamika Roy Rashtrawar (27 Mar 2020–);
- IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Headquarters: Gurugram;
- IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Founded: 2000.
India replace the UK to be 3rd top country hosting unicorns
Adding 33 “unicorns” in a single year has helped India displace the United Kingdom to be third in the list of countries that are home to such enterprises valued at over $1 billion each. The US and China, who occupy the first two ranks, are way ahead, according to the data compiled by Hurun Research Institute.
US and China are home to 74 per cent of the unicorn universe. The US added 254 unicorns and now totals 487 companies in the coveted list, while China added 74 to take its tally to 301 start-ups having a valuation of over $1 billion. The UK added only 15 unicorns to take its total to 39, and hence got displaced by India.
Last year:
India was placed fourth when it comes to the number of unicorns last year. However, the US and northern neighbour China, who occupy the first two ranks, are way ahead, according to the data compiled by Hurun Research Institute.
Anahat Singh becomes first Indian girl to win Jr Squash Open in US
Indian teenager Anahat Singh has scripted history by winning the U-15 girls category of the prestigious Junior US Open Squash tournament in Philadelphia. The 13-year-old girl from Delhi overcame powerhouse Egypt’s Jayda Marei in the final match 11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5 played at the Arlen Spectre Centre. More than 850 squash junior players, representing 41 countries, participated in the World’s largest junior individuals squash tournament.
Asian Champions Trophy: India win bronze, Korea lift title
India defeated Pakistan 4-3 to secure the bronze medal, while Korea defeated Japan 4-2 to emerge Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The five-nation tournament came to an end with two matches being played on the last day of the game.
Kanta Tanaka of Japan was declared the best player of the tournament while Suraj Karkera of India was adjudged the best goalkeeper. Jang Jonghyun of Korea was the top scorer with 10 goals in the tournament.
Padma Bhusan Anil Prakash Joshi wins Mother Teresa Memorial Award
Environmentalist Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, who was conferred upon the Padma Bhushan this year, has been awarded the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2021. Vidyut Mohan, the winner of the Earth shot Prize, and Ridhima Pandey, a young environmental activist from Uttarakhand, were also the recipients of the award.
The Harmony Foundation identifies a theme each year for the Mother Teresa Memorial Awards and felicitates individuals and organisations who work in the realm of augmenting environmental sustainability. The awardees were felicitated by Dr Abraham Mathai, the founder chairman of the foundation.
Why were these 3 awarded?
- Dr Joshi was given the award for his efforts as a changemaker in the environmental sustainability sector by impacting over 10,000 villages in the Himalayan region through his Himalayan Environmental Studies & Conservation Organisation.
- Vidyut was acknowledged for his seminal and ingenious efforts in combating air pollution through his social enterprise Takachar.
- Ridhima, on the other hand, received the award for her spectacular courage, and indomitable spirit as a youth environmental activist who has galvanized national participation to stop climate change.
Atal Innovation Mission Unveils Vernacular Innovation Programme
Niti Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission has unveiled Vernacular Innovation Programme, which will enable innovators and entrepreneurs in India to have access to the innovation ecosystem in 22 scheduled languages by the Centre. This will help in overcoming the barriers of language & empower innovators.
To get the program rolling, AIM NITI Aayog is launching a train-the-trainer program where it will collaborate with the Design Department of IIT Delhi to coach the VTF in design thinking and entrepreneurship and the adaptation of these subjects in the 22 languages and cultures. Furthermore, industry mentors have joined hands to lend design thinking expertise, and CSR sponsors have agreed to generously support the program. Upon training the task force over the period of December 2021 to April 2022, the ecosystem will be opened to vernacular innovators.
Maharashtra launched Chalo mobile app & smart card for bus travel
Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister, Aaditya Thackeray has launched the Chalo mobile application (app) and Chalo smart cards to facilitate digital and advance purchase of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus tickets. He also launched the NCMC compliant smart card of BEST as well as new fare schemes for the passengers, one that provided 10 trips at Rs 70 and another called ‘Flexifare’.
About the app:
Chalo mobile app will allow passengers to buy online bus tickets and have access to bus passes through an e-wallet. A contract worth Rs 85 crore has been given for the maintenance of the Chalo mobile application for six years.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai;
- Maharashtra Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari;
- Maharashtra Chief minister: Uddhav Thackeray.
SAFF U 19 Women’s Championship: Bangladesh defeat India
Bangladesh women team has won the SAFF U 19 Women’s Championship by defeating India in the finals. Shaheda Akter Ripa of Bangladesh scored the maximum number of goals in the tournament. She received the ‘most valuable player’ award. The 2021 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship was the 2nd edition of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship.
The tournament was organized from 11 to 22 December 2021 at BSSS Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka. Five countries have participated in the 2021 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship. Pakistan Football Federation was suspended by FIFA in April 2021 so it didn’t participate in this competition.
