• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, heading the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has recently unveiled an insightful book titled “Modi: Energising A Green Future”. This book, a significant addition to environmental literature, is published by Pentagon Press in collaboration with the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.
• The central theme of the book revolves around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and actions for a sustainable and eco-friendly future. It delves deep into the strategies and policies under PM Modi’s leadership that have placed India at the forefront of the global environmental movement.

• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar launched the Yuva Nidhi scheme, the fifth poll guarantee of the Congress for educated unemployed youth of Karnataka, in Shivamogga. Apart from their Cabinet colleagues, thousands of people and youths from Shivamogga and neighbouring districts turned up for the launch.
• The scheme offers financial aid to graduates and diploma holders who are yet to get a job, but only for a maximum of two years. Training will be provided to the graduates and diploma holders who register themselves on the skill connect portal of the State Government.

• The Henley Passport Index 2024 was released, highlighting the "power" of passports of 199 countries. The index, which ranks countries based on the number of destinations that allow visa-free entry to their passport, was topped by France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain. Passports of all these countries have visa-free access to 194 destinations, three more than last year.
• According to the latest ranking, India stands at the 80th rank in the list of most powerful passports. Its passport has visa-free access to 62 nations, including Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, Djibouti, El Salvador, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Qatar and Zimbabwe.

• The Zero Effect, Zero Defect scheme (ZED) by the MSME Ministry has achieved a significant milestone of certifying 1 lakh (100,000) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.
• The Zero Effect, Zero Defect scheme (ZED) was launched in October 2016 and revamped in April 2022, aims to encourage sustainable manufacturing and reduce environmental impact. The scheme was made free for women-led MSMEs in December 2023, and the government guarantees 100% financial support for certification costs.

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to launch a Group (Term) Insurance Scheme for Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs) engaged by Border Roads Organisation/General Reserve Engineer Force for the ongoing project works. This scheme will provide the insured value of Rs 10 lakh as an insurance in any kind of death to CPLs family/Next of Kin.
• This scheme will serve as a social security and welfare measure to the CPLs working in remote and far-flung areas of the nation. It will go a long way in securing the livelihoods of their families

• It has canceled the license of The Hiriyur Urban Co-operative Bank citing weak financial condition. The survival of the bank is detrimental to the interests of its depositors as the bank, with its current financial position, would be unable to make full payments to its existing depositors.
• According to the data presented by the bank, 99.93 percent of the depositors are entitled to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC. According to the release, it has been said that till September 30, 2023, DICGC has already paid Rs 224.53 lakh of the total insured deposits based on the wishes received from the respective depositors of the bank.

• With a new book out, Jaya Jaitly on why graphic design study in India needs an overhaul and how public spaces can do better than 'kindergarten wall art' Jaya Jaitly's latest book is a departure from what came before — from textile, craft and all things handmade. Instead, it's a deep dive into design thinking.
• The tome, recently published by art and publishing platform Arthshila, is co-authored by Jaitly and graphic designer-illustrator Dimple Bahl, also long time faculty at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). In focus are various Indian crafts traditions, as pivotal components of graphic design.

• In a significant development, Sheel Vardhan Singh, the former Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has been appointed as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The decision was conveyed through a personnel ministry order, marking a notable milestone in Singh’s distinguished career.
• During his tenure as the Director General of CISF from November 2021 to December 2023, Singh played a pivotal role in providing visionary leadership that significantly enhanced security measures across the vital industrial sector. His strategic acumen and commitment to strengthening the nation’s security infrastructure earned him recognition and respect within the organization.

• The 9th Asian Winter Games, set to illuminate the winter sports landscape in 2025, have officially entered an exciting phase with the unveiling of its core symbols – the slogan, emblem, and mascots. This grand reveal, hosted in the capital city of Heilongjiang Province, China, marks a significant milestone as the Games draw closer.
• Embracing the spirit of unity and sportsmanship, the official slogan “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia” resonates deeply with the ethos of the Games. This slogan encapsulates the aspirations and passion for winter sports among Asian countries, highlighting the essence of dreams, love, and camaraderie that the Games aim to foster.

• Born on September 13, 1932, Mrs Atre was a science and law graduate and later earned a doctorate in music. She was one of the oldest and most renowned practitioners of the Kirana gharana and was adept at different musical genres, including khyaal, tarana, thumri, dadra, ghazal and bhajan.
• Besides being a classical vocalist, she also excelled as an academician, researcher, composer and author. She composed music for a full-length dance recital ‘Natya Prabha', a music composition adapted for jazz by a top Netherlands artist.

Download Daily GK PDF of 14 January 2024