• The State Bank of India announced the appointment of Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti, who has been with the bank since 1991, as its chief financial officer (CFO). Kodavanti replaces Charanjit Surinder Singh Attra, who has resigned from the post.
• He has been working with State Bank of India since August 1991 and has experience in fields of banking, forex, finance, and accounting. He is a qualified chartered accountant. The State Bank of India launched 34 transaction banking hubs to better serve its small business clients in the country. The initiative was launched by the bank’s chairman Dinesh Khara, and 2,000 current accounts were onboarded under revamped current account variants.

• New Zealand banned the use of plastic wrapping for fruit and vegetables in supermarkets. The decision is expected to prevent the use of 150 million plastic bags per year.
• In 2019, New Zealand banned plastic carrier bags from supermarkets, a policy that has prevented the use of more than one billion plastic bags, said Associate Environment Minister Rachel Brooking. The government will encourage people to use reusable bags for their products and impose fines on supermarkets that violate the ban. The new policy, which will also bar single-use plastic straws and utensils, comes into effect next month.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sai Hira Global Convention Center in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh via video conferencing. Sai Hira Global Convention Center will become the focal point for discussions on spirituality and educational programs involving scholars and experts.
• The leaders' conference of the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council coincides with the dedication of the convention centre. The theme of the program is 'Exercise and Motivation'. The era leading up to the centenary of India's independence has been named the 'Kartavya Kaal', which encompasses both development and heritage.

• YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme to promote education and empower mothers. Jagananna Amma Vodi was inaugurated on 9 January 2020 by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. was launched by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
• The financial assistance provided under the 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme is Rs 6,392 crore. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to around 42 lakh mothers. The financial assistance provided to mothers is in the form of an annual gift of 15,000. Mothers receive this gift for sending their children to school and thus encouraging education.

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• State Bank of India launched 34 Transaction Banking Hubs at 21 district centres across the country with an aim to provide quick and efficient Transaction Banking solutions to customers. Dinesh Khara, the chairman of the SBI, inaugurated the hubs, on the occasion of the 68th foundation day of the bank.
• As part of the transformational journey of Transaction Banking services and Current Account-related offerings, the bank's goal is to meet all customers' needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their transaction, payment, and collection requirements under one roof, read SBI press release.

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• P M Prasad, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) has been appointed as Chairman-cum-Managing Director in Coal India Limited (CIL) in Schedule 'A' of the CPSE.  With over 30 years of experience in the coal mining sector, Prasad holds a post-graduate degree in mining engineering from the Indian School of Mines, IIT Dhanbad.
• He takes over the position from Pramod Agrawal, who retired upon reaching the age of superannuation on June 30th. Prasad’s career in Coal India began in 1984 as a management trainee at Western Coalfields Limited, and he has held various roles across different subsidiaries of Coal India. He also spent three years as the Executive Director (coal mining) at NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation).

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• Tata Group-backed life insurance arm, Tata AIA has introduced a first-of-its-kind in the insurance industry, by enabling digital payments via WhatsApp and Unified Payment Interfaces (UPI).
• This feature provides an instant premium payment facility through WhatsApp and UPI-enabled payment options. It is for easy use for both tech and non-tech-savvy consumers, it also offers a hassle-free premium payment experience. Through the new feature, policyholders can pay premiums digitally and receive a quick premium payment confirmation & acknowledgement.

• Cashgrail Private Limited-owned Zupee, a gaming platform, has announced comedian and actor Kapil Sharma as its new brand ambassador. Sharma will be seen in the company’s new ad film which will have a 360 degree campaign.
• Zupee announced its latest campaign, ‘India ka Apna Game’ which celebrates the bond and popularity of Ludo, honouring its connection among the masses, while further extending the platform’s outreach.

• Popular British children's author Michael Rosen, who has written over 200 books for kids and adults, has been announced as the winner of the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize for 2023. Praising his works, the judges called them “fearless” writings that gives a “lesson in humanity".
• Named in honour and memory of English writer Harold Pinter, the PEN Pinter Prize is a prestigious award which is given to a writer who reflects a “fierce intellectual determination (to) define the real truth of our lives and our societies,” as per Pinter’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech given in 2005.

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• Rajindar Singh Dhatt, one of the last surviving Sikh soldiers who fought in the Second World War, has been honored by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with the prestigious Points of Light award. The recognition took place at a special UK-India Week reception held at 10 Downing Street.
• At the age of 101, Mr. Dhatt received this distinguished accolade on June 28 in acknowledgment of his remarkable service during the war and his efforts in leading the “Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association.” The organization aims to unite British Indian war veterans and provide them with support.

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