• Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd.’s independent director Sridhar Kalyanasundaram has resigned from the board with effect Sept. 16., citing “factionalism” to “unethical” business conduct. Kalyanasundaram, appointed on Dec. 5, 2022, also referred to whistle-blower issues, rights issue of the bank and the “belligerent attitude” of Shivan JK, managing director and chief executive officer, among other reasons for his exit, according to the company’s exchange filing.
• In his resignation letter, Kalyanasundaram has raised issues like factionalism in the board, his differences regarding rights issue and the alleged ‘lack of in depth banking knowledge’ in other members. The former independent director also raised the “probity and lack of consensus” on the various whistle-blower issues, as a reason of resignation.

• Prime Minster Narendra Modi launched the first phase of the International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), YashoBhoomi, in Delhi's Dwarka today on his birthday (September 17). ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ chants reverberated at the convention centre after PM Modi inaugurated the YashoBhoomi.
• PM Modi took a metro ride on his way to the Convention Centre. He was seen interacting with the commuters in the metro.. Yashobhoomi stands as a testament to India’s commitment to world-class event hosting, boasting an expansive project area of over 8.9 lakh square metres and a built-up area exceeding 1.8 lakh square metres.

• The Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government has issued a notification on the change of names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv respectively.
• The suggestions and objections sought a few months ago have been considered and the decision to change the names at the sub-division, village, taluka and district levels has been taken, the notification issued by the Revenue Department. The decision to rename Aurangabad and Osmanabad was taken in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government's last cabinet meeting chaired by the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on June 29, 2022 just before he resigned.

• The 14th edition of the World Spice Congress (WSC) began at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. World Spice Congress (WSC) was planned and conceived in 1990 as a forum for discussion and interaction between the importers and exporters of spices.
• It is the conglomeration of the global spice industry that has become the most apt platform to deliberate the concerns and considerations of the sector over its three-decades-long presence. Since its inception, it has been Organized under the leadership of the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The theme of the WSC 2023 is VISION 2030: S-P-I-C-E-S, which stands for sustainability, productivity, innovation, collaboration, excellence and safety.

• Assam Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria launched the ‘Sarpanch Samvad’ mobile app at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati, Assam. The ‘Sarpanch Samvad’ app has been developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI).
• It’s Objective is to provide comprehensive support to sarpanchs (village heads) and promote their growth as leaders. It’s aim is to connect approximately 2.5 lakh sarpanchs across India & serves as a holistic platform for networking, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration among sarpanchs.

• Public sector Indian Bank on Saturday announced roll out of 'IB SAATHI' initiative aimed at providing an integrated ecosystem for all stakeholders in the financial sector through the business correspondent route.
• The IB Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion (SAATHI) offers an enhanced user experience through the simplified delivery of services, encompassing both basic and value-added offerings to customers.

• Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished second in the men’s event at the Diamond League Final in Eugene, Oregon, USA. The Indian’s best throw of 83.80 meters came in his second attempt. However, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, won his third title with a best throw of 84.24 meters.
• Reigning Olympic and world champion Chopra, who holds the Indi an national record of 89.94 meters, won a world championship silver medal at the same venue last year with an 88.13-meter effort.
• Earlier this month, Chopra, who won India’s first-ever gold at the World Athletics Championships, failed to defend his Diamond League title, falling just short of Jakub Vadlejch 85.86 meter again, who took home the trophy. Next, he will defend his title at the Asian Games 2023 starting in Hangzhou later this month.

• MotoGP Bharat has roped in IndianOil as the title sponsor for the event scheduled to take place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from September 22 to 24, its promoter Fairstreet Sports said in a statement.
• "We are thrilled to welcome IndianOil as our title sponsor for MotoGP Bharat. As we gear up for the country's biggest racing event, this association with one of India's energy giants adds a new layer of excitement to it," said Pushkar Nath Srivastava, founder and chief operating officer of FairStreet Sports.

• Ferrari's Carlos Sainz won the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday (Sep 17) to end Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen's record run of 10 wins in a row and shatter Red Bull's dream of going through the season unbeaten. McLaren's Lando Norris finished a close second and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton took third place as Red Bull ended up off the podium for the first time since last November's Brazilian Grand Prix.
• In a strategic, slow-burning thriller of a race, Sainz - nicknamed "smooth operator" - played his hand perfectly after starting on the pole, slowing the field to close any safety car window and saving his tyres before helping former teammate Norris stave off the chasing Mercedes pair.

• Renowned writer-filmmaker and author Gita Mehta, sister of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, passed away on Saturday in New Delhi.
• Her coverage of Bangladesh's 1971 liberation war for NBC and her acclaimed documentary "Dateline Bangladesh" is what she is most well-known for.  Mehta, who died at he age of 80, is survived by her son. Her husband, renowned American publisher late Sonny Mehta, predeceased her.

Download Daily GK PDF of 18 September 2023