National Insurance Awareness Day 2023: 28 June
National Insurance Awareness Day is annually observed on 28th June to raise awareness about Insurance which offers a layer of protection to guard in various situations and about the benefits of investing in an insurance plan. The day also serves as a reminder to people to check if all their insurance payments (or renewals) are up to date.
TS Singh Deo appointed Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister
TS Singh Deo was appointed Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Singh Deo’s appointment was announced in a review meeting held to discuss the upcoming Chhattisgarh Assembly elections at the Congress headquarters in Delhi. In 2018, when the Congress returned to power in Chhattisgarh after 15 years, a war of supremacy had broken out between Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singh Deo, over the chief minister’s chair. Later, it was decided that the CM post would be fixed for Baghel for two-and-a-half years and for Deo for the remaining half.
Canada launches ‘digital nomad strategy’ for foreign workers
Canada has taken a proactive approach to address its shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the tech industry. During Collision’s tech conference in Toronto, the country’s immigration minister announced the launch of a digital nomad strategy aimed at attracting talented individuals from around the world.
Cabinet Approves National Research Foundation Bill, 2023 to Strengthen Research Eco-system in India
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in the Parliament. This significant move aims to establish the NRF, an apex body that will play a pivotal role in seeding, nurturing, and promoting Research and Development (R&D) while fostering a culture of research and innovation across universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories in India.
American Co-Inventor of Lithium-Ion Batteries, John Bannister Goodenough, Passes Away
Renowned American scientist John Bannister Goodenough, the co-inventor of Lithium-ion batteries and a co-winner of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, has sadly passed away. Goodenough was just a month shy of his 101st birthday. His British-American counterpart, Stan Whittingham, shared the Nobel prize with Goodenough for their groundbreaking work. Whittingham initially discovered that lithium could be stored in titanium sulphide sheets, and Goodenough perfected the concept by incorporating a cobalt-based cathode, resulting in a product that has become an integral part of people’s lives today.
Priya A.S. received Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 for children’s literature
Priya A S, a talented writer, has been honored with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023 in the Malayalam language for her novel “Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal” (The Children Who Never Withered). This recognition adds to her previous achievement of winning the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children’s Literature in 2020 for the same novel.
QS World University Rankings 2024: MIT Tops for 12th Year, Indian Universities Make Gains
The QS World University Rankings 2024 have been released, showcasing the top universities globally. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retains its position at the pinnacle of the rankings for the 12th consecutive year. Notable changes in the rankings include the University of Oxford surpassing Stanford University to secure the third spot. The methodology for the rankings has been updated, incorporating new metrics such as Sustainability, Employment Outcomes, and International Research Network.
Shri Narayan Rane Launches ‘CHAMPIONS 2.0 Portal’ and Key Initiatives for MSMEs on International MSME Day
On the occasion of International MSME Day, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) celebrated ‘Udyami Bharat-MSME Day’ with a special event. The Union Minister for MSME, Shri Narayan Rane, launched several initiatives aimed at promoting the growth and development of MSMEs in India. The event also featured the Union Minister of State for MSME, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, and highlighted the significant role of MSMEs in the country’s economy.
Sarbananda Sonowal Launches New CSR Guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, unveiled the new guidelines for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) called ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’ by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. The guidelines aim to empower ports to address local community issues more efficiently and collaboratively. The launch event was attended by Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, and Union Minister of State of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shripad Yesso Naik.
RBI Imposes Penalties on Standard Chartered Bank and Credit Bureaus; Penalizes Cooperative Banks as well
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties on Standard Chartered Bank, four credit bureaus, and seven cooperative banks for various violations. Standard Chartered Bank was fined ₹30 lakh for non-compliance with KYC directions. The credit bureaus, including Experian, TransUnion CIBIL, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark, faced penalties totaling ₹1 crore for inadequate maintenance of accurate credit information. Additionally, the RBI penalized seven cooperative banks, including UP Co-operative Bank, for violating certain provisions.