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Current Affairs 20 June 2023
1. 146th Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2023 begins in Gujarat
- The 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in
Gujarat's Ahmedabad city amid tight security as lakhs of devotees flocked the 18-km route of the procession to catch a glimpse of the deity. The Gujarat Police have for the first time in the Rath Yatra used 3D mapping technology to monitor the entire route and also deployed anti-drone technology to ensure no unauthorised drones are used during the event. - Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in the morning performed 'Pahind Vidhi', a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the chariots using a golden broom, following which the chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra embarked on the yatra from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area.
Foot Notes:
About Gujarat:
Capital: Gandhinagar
Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
Governor: Acharya Devvrat
2. Intel and Germany sign agreement for $32.8 bn chip plant investment
- Intel and the German government signed a deal that would
see the United States company investing more than 30 billion euros ($32.8 billion) in a chip manufacturing site in the German city of Magdeburg, with financial support from Berlin. Word of the agreement came as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger in the German capital. - Intel acquired the land for two semiconductor facilities in Magdeburg in eastern Germany in November, and the company says the first of them is expected to start production in four or five years.
Foot Notes:
About Intel:
Headquarters: California, United States
Founded: 18 July 1968
CEO: Patrick P. Gelsinger
3. International Yoga Day is observed every year on 21st June
- International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21st
to promote the numerous benefits of practicing yoga. The chosen date coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the holistic approach to well-being that yoga offers. The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar has been invited as the chief guest for the International Day of Yoga (IDY 2023) celebrations in Jabalpur on June 21, 2023. - It highlights the importance of finding balance in our fast-paced, modern lives and encourages physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. Yoga fosters mindfulness, stress reduction, and overall health and vitality. In its 9th edition, this year’s International Day of Yoga will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Headquarters on June 21st. The theme selected for this year’s International Day of Yoga 2023 is “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which represents our shared desire for “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
4. Assam Govt Launches Web Portal to Check Illegal Cattle Transportation
- In a bid to prevent illegal transportation of cattle in the state,
the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department of the Assam Government inaugurated a web portal for cattle transportation. The portal was launched by Assam Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora in an event held in Guwahati. - This system prepared under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 will alleviate the problems encountered in transportation of improved breeds of high milk producing cattle to the state and help in preventing the illegal transportation of cattle. Livestock farmers and cattle traders can obtain permits required for inter-state transportation of cattle through the website http://ahvd-cattletrans.assam.gov.in from now on.
Foot Notes:
About Assam:
Capital: Dispur
Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor: Shri Gulab Chand Kataria
5. Centre launches ‘Dakshta’ course collection on iGOT platform to enhance skills of young professionals
- The central government introduced a new curated collection of
courses called “Dakshta" (Development of Attitude, Knowledge, Skill for Holistic Transformation in Administration) on the iGOT Karmayogi Platform. - The Dakshta collection, consisting of 18 courses, is designed to acquaint learners with subjects crucial to effectively discharging their duties and responsibilities. It focuses on building expertise in areas such as data-driven decision making, code of conduct for government employees, office procedures, effective communication, public policy research, stress management, and more.
6. Kotak Mahindra Bank launched “ActivMoney” feature for savings account holders
- Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) announced the launch
of its ActivMoney feature which gives customers the benefit of fixed deposit (FD)-like interest rates of up to 7% per annum with no charges on premature withdrawal. - Once a customer avails the ActivMoney feature in the savings account, it automatically transfers the balance above the threshold (defined as per account variant) in multiples of Rs 10,000 to a Fixed Deposit (FD) of 180 days currently at an interest rate of 7% per annum. In case a customer wishes to use the funds, the entire balance in savings and FD is instantly available.
Foot Notes:
About KMBL :
Headquarters : Mumbai
MD & CEO : Uday Kotak
Tagline : Let’s make money simple
7. Indian army contingent participates in multinational joint exercise “ex khaan quest 2023” in mongolia
- Multinational Peacekeeping Joint Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest
2023” featuring participation from military contingents and observers from over 20 countries has commenced in Mongolia. Mr Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the Hon’ble President of Mongolia inaugurated the Exercise in a ceremony organised at the exercise location in Mongolia. The exercise is co-sponsored by Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC). - The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the GARHWAL RIFLES. The 14-day exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability of the participating nations, for sharing experience and to train uniformed personnel for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO). The exercise will prepare participants for future UN Peacekeeping missions, develop peace operations capabilities and enhance military readiness.
Foot Notes:
About Indian Army:
Headquarters: New Delhi
Founded: 1950
Chief of the Army Staff: General Manoj Pande
8. National Fertilizers Limited appoints U. Saravanan as chairman & Managing Director
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has
approved the appointment of U Saravanan as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-owned National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL). - Saravanan has a wide experience spanning over 33 years covering both oil refinery and fertilizer industries. He has worked as chairman & managing director of Madras Fertilizers. He was a board member of Indian Potash (IPL) and Fortune Biotech. He has also held additional charge as director (technical) of FACT. Prior to this new appointment, he was serving as CMD of another fertilizer CPSE, Madras Fertilizers Ltd.
Foot Notes:
About NFL :
Founded : 23 August 1974
Headquarters : Uttar Pradesh, India
9. Writer Arundhati Roy receives European Essay Prize for lifetime achievement
- Writer Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 45th European
Essay Prize for lifetime achievement, the Charles Veillon Foundation has announced. - Arundhati Roy's book of essays, 'Azadi' (2021), especially the French translation, received acclaim. 'Azaadi' explores the concept of freedom in an increasingly totalitarian world, with an emphasis on fiction and alternative imaginations. Roy is known for his notable works, including the Booker Prize-winning novel The God of Small Things. The award ceremony will be held on September 12 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
10. Bhavani Devi creates history by winning India's first medal in Asian Fencing Championships
- Bhavani Devi won the bronze medal in the women's sabre
event at the Asian Fencing Championships held in Wuxi, China. Bhavani lost her semi-final match against Uzbekistan's Zainab Daybekova with a score of 14-15. In the quarterfinals, Bhavani defeated defending world champion Misaki Emura of Japan by a score of 15-10. - Bhavani registered his first win against a Japanese swordsman. Bhavani's next challenge will be the World Championships to be held in Milan from July 22 to 30. It is organized by the Asian Fencing Confederation for the Asia-Oceania zone.
Foot Notes:
About China:
Capital : Beijing
President : Xi Jinping
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