Indian contingent won 27 medals at 25th Asian Athletics Championship 2023

India achieved a historic milestone at the recently concluded 25th Asian Athletics Championship 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Championship took place from July 12 to 16. With an impressive tally of 27 medals, including six gold, 12 silver, and nine bronze, India secured the third position overall, following China and Japan. This remarkable achievement surpasses India’s previous record set in 2017 at Bhubaneswar, where they secured nine gold, six silver, and 12 bronze medals.

Medal Winners at the Championship

India garnered an impressive collection of 27 medals, comprising six gold, 12 silver, and nine bronze, highlighting their exceptional performance.

Here is the list of Gold Medal Winners

Sno	Name	Event	Medal won
1	Jyothi Yarraji	100m hurdles	Gold
2	Parul Chaudhary	3000m steeplechase	Gold
3	Tajinderpal Singh Toor	Shot put	Gold
4	Abdulla Aboobacker	Triple jump	Gold
5	Ajay Kumar Saroj	1500m	Gold
6	*Mixed Relay Team	4x400m	Gold

*Mixed Relay Team – Rajesh Ramesh, Aishwarya Mishra, Amoj Jacob, Subha Venkatesan

Here is the list of Silver Medal Winners

Sno	Name	Event	Medal won
1	Jyothi Yarraji	200m	Silver
2	Chanda	800m	Silver
3	Parul Chaudhary	5000m	Silver
4	Priyanka Goswami	20km racewalk	Silver
5	Shaili Singh	Long jump	Silver
6	Abha Khatua	Shot put	Silver
7	Swapna Barman	Heptathlon	Silver
8	DP Manu	Javelin	Silver
9	M. Sreeshankar	Long jump	Silver
10	Sarvesh Anil Kushare	High jump	Silver
11	*Men’s relay Team	4×400	Silver
12	Krishan Kumar	800m	Silver

*Men’s relay Team – Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Variyathodi, Rajesh Ramesh, Mijo Kurian

Here is the list of Bronze Medal Winners

Sno	Name	Event	Medal won
1	Manpreet Kaur	Shot put	Bronze
2	*Women’s relay team	4x400m	Bronze
3	Ankita	5000m	Bronze
4	Aishwarya Mishra	400m	Bronze
5	Tejaswin Shankar	Decathlon	Bronze
6	Santhosh Kumar	400m hurdles	Bronze
7	Vikash Singh	20km racewalk	Bronze
8	Abhishek Pal	10000m	Bronze
9	Gulveer Singh	5000m	Bronze

*Women’s relay team – Rezoana Mallick, Aishwarya Mishra, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Subha Venkatesan

In 2023, the Asian Athletics Association celebrates its 50th anniversary since its establishment. Japan achieved the highest medal count with 37 medals, including 16 gold, 11 silver, and 10 bronze. China secured the second position by winning a total of 22 medals, which included 8 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze.

Key takeaways for competitive examinations

Edition of the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships: 25th
Asian Athletics Association started in: 1973

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Rajay Kumar Sinha Assumes Role as Chief of SBICAPS

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Rajay Kumar Sinha has officially assumed the position of Chief at SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAPS). Before taking on this role, he was responsible for overseeing Treasury operations at State Bank of India (SBI), where he managed various aspects, including the bank’s investment portfolio, money market, equity, private equity, and forex operations.

Career of Rajay Kumar Sinha

Sinha, who became a Probationary Officer at SBI in 1991, has now taken over the position of Chief at SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAPS), succeeding Amitava Chatterjee. Amitava Chatterjee has moved to SBI, Corporate Centre, where he will serve as Deputy Managing Director, overseeing the Commercial Clients Group.

Before his current role, Sinha was responsible for managing Treasury operations at SBI, handling tasks related to investment portfolio, money market, equity, private equity, and forex operations. With his expertise in global markets, Sinha is expected to play a vital role in bolstering SBICAPS’ investment banking business, both domestically and internationally.

Supported by the talented team at SBICAPS, Sinha is eager to explore new opportunities and achieve greater success in the dynamic realm of investment banking. Over the years, Sinha has gained extensive experience in various banking sectors, including Treasury, International Banking, and Retail Banking, since joining SBI as a Probationary Officer in 1991.

About the SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS)

SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS) is a wholly owned investment banking subsidiary of State Bank of India (SBI). Headquartered in Mumbai, SBICAP has 6 regional offices across India (Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi and Bengaluru) and 3 subsidiaries – SBICAP Securities Limited, SBICAP Trustee Company Limited, and SBICAP Ventures Limited.
SBICAPS offers the entire bouquet of investment banking and corporate advisory services. The service bouquet includes the full range of financial advisory services under one umbrella covering Project Advisory and Structured Financing, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, ESG Advisory and Stressed Assets Resolution.
SBICAPS was established in August 1986. In January 1997 the Asian Development Bank acquired a 13.84% equity stake in SBICAPS. This share was repurchased by State Bank of India in March 2010.

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Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) witnessed the birth of cubs for the first time

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The newly notified Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) witnessed the birth of three cubs for the first time, after a year of reallocation of tigress in the park.

What’s in News?

It is for the first time, the newly notified Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Bundi, Rajasthan witnessed the birth of three cubs after a year of reallocation of tigress in the park.
The tiger population of the reserve now stands at five after the birth of three cubs:
A male tiger- T-115
A tigress- T-102 (daughter of Ranthambore tigress-T-73).
Three newly born cubs
The tigress earlier gave birth to cubs two times.
4 cubs in November 2020.
During second time, cubs were killed by the male tiger T-115 or other wild animals.
Shifting of tigress is in process as male tiger pose a threat to the newly born cubs.

Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve:

Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary was designated a tiger reserve on 5^th July 2021 as it was granted in-principle approval by NTCA.
It was given a status of wildlife sanctuary in 1982 under a state act named Rajasthan Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act, 1951.
It is situated in Bundi district of Rajasthan.
It has core area of 481.9 sq. km and buffer area of 1019.98 sq. km.
A river named Mez passes through this tiger reserve which is a tributary of Chambal River.
The total population of tigers in this reserve is five consist of a male tiger, a tigress and three newly born cubs.

Flora & Fauna

The area of this tiger reserve is rich in biodiversity and it support variety of species.
Apart from tiger it has populations of Leopards, Sloth bears, Jungle cat, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Golden jackal, Hyaena, Crested Porcupine, Indian rock python, Indian Hedgehog, Red sand boa, cobra, Hanuman langur, Rhesus macaque, crocodiles, small Indian Civet, palm civet, Indian fox, Rattle, Ruddy mongoose, Indian hare.
Dry deciduous forests are found in this reserve.
Along with most prominent tree Dhok, it has Khair, Ronj, Gurjan, Tendu, Saler.
Variety of grasses is also present.

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Singapore Passport Tops Henley Passport Index 2023 as World’s Most Powerful

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According to the Henley Passport Index, Singapore now holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa-free access to 192 out of 227 global travel destinations. Three European countries, namely Germany, Italy, and Spain, have moved up one rank to share the second position, with visa-free access to 190 destinations. For the first time in five years, Japan has been dethroned from the top spot and now ranks third, with its passport providing visa-free access to 189 destinations.

India’s ranking in Henley Passport Index

India has made significant progress in the Henley Passport Index, improving its ranking by 5 spots compared to the previous year. It currently shares the 80th position on the index with Togo and Senegal. Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to 57 countries, reflecting the country’s enhanced global travel privileges.

Overview of the Henley Passport Index

The United States, formerly the top-ranked country almost a decade ago, has now slipped to the eighth position in the Henley Passport Index. It shares this position with Lithuania, with both countries offering visa-free access to 184 destinations.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom has made significant progress, jumping two places to claim the fourth spot in the index. British passport holders can now access 188 countries without a visa, a position they last held in 2017.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Afghanistan holds the lowest rank in the ranking, with its passport holders having visa-free access to only 27 destinations. Just above Afghanistan are Iraq with a score of 29 and Syria with 30, making them the three weakest passports in the world.
The influx of migrants into Singapore, driven by a crackdown on private enterprise in China and concerns over geopolitical tensions, has resulted in increased citizenship grants in the nation. Approximately 23,100 people were granted Singaporean citizenship last year.

Passports of these countries hold the top 10 spots on the Henley Index:

Rank	Country	Visa-free travel to (out of 277 nations)
1	Singapore	192
2	Germany, Italy, Spain	190
3	Austria, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Sweden	189
4	Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, UK	188
5	Belgium, Czech Republic, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland	187
6	Australia, Hungary, Poland	186
7	Canada, Greece	185
8	Lithuania, US	184
9	Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia	183
10	Estonia, Iceland	182

Passports of these countries hold the bottom 10 spots on the Henley Index:

Rank	Country	Visa-free travel to (out of 277 nations)
103	Afghanistan	27
102	Iraq	29
101	Syria	30
100	Pakistan	33
99	Yemen, Somalia	35
98	Palestinian territory, Nepal	38
97	North Korea	39
96	Bangladesh	40
95	Sri Lanka, Libya	41
94	Kosovo	42

About the Henley Passport Index

Invented nearly 20 years ago by Dr Christian H Kaelin, Chairman, Henley & Partners, the index is based on the exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It is the original ranking of all the passports according to the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa. It’s worth noting that the Henley Passport Index relies on data from the International Air Transport Association to calculate its rankings. The methodology used by this index differs from other passport rankings, such as the one published by financial advisory Arton Capital, which placed the United Arab Emirates in the top position last year.

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India Extends UPI Payments to France, Empowering Indian Tourists

On July 13, 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to France, India and France signed a groundbreaking agreement that allows Indian tourists to use India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for transactions in rupees.

This partnership marks a significant milestone as it brings UPI, a popular mobile-based payment system, to Europe for the first time after its successful implementation in Singapore. The move is set to revolutionize the payment experience for Indian tourists in France, eliminating the need to carry foreign currency and offering convenience and flexibility.

UPI’s Global Expansion: A Journey Across the Globe

Since its inception, UPI has steadily expanded its reach globally through strategic partnerships. France is the latest addition to the list of countries that have embraced the UPI system for cross-border transactions. Prior to this agreement, UPI had already established itself in countries like Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, and the UAE.

Countries that have adopted different forms of Indian payment systems include France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Singapore, Maldives, Bhutan, and Oman. This means that Indian users can now use UPI, RuPay, and other digital payment channels in these countries, making transactions easier and more convenient.

NIPL: Forging Global Partnerships

The NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in April 2020, is actively forging partnerships with different countries to create a widespread acceptance network for RuPay and UPI. This network enables Indian travelers to make payments using these digital payment channels in their destination countries.

Empowering Indian Tourists with Effortless Transactions

With the implementation of UPI in France, Indian tourists can now transact in rupees with ease. They can use local QR codes or UPI IDs to make payments, eliminating the hassles of carrying and exchanging foreign currency. This newfound convenience allows tourists to spend according to their needs rather than being restricted to fixed amounts of foreign exchange.

Savings on Foreign Exchange Markup Charges

Traditionally, international payments made with credit or debit cards incur foreign exchange markup charges, which can be as high as 3.5% of the transaction amount, depending on the card’s features. While some financial institutions offer forex cards with lower markup fees, UPI payments in rupees provide even greater savings. Since transactions occur in rupees, there is no need for foreign currency conversion, saving travelers from additional fees.

UPI and the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS)

Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), travel-related expenses fall within the purview of the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS). As a result, Tax Credited at Source (TCS) provisions apply as per the norm. While international debit cards, prepaid forex cards, and direct foreign exchange purchases are subject to TCS, credit card spending is exempt. However, not all establishments accept credit cards, making it necessary to carry cash. With UPI payments now available in France, this necessity is eliminated, making transactions smoother for Indian tourists.

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Why is Pilot Whale in News?

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More than 50 pilot whales have died in Scotland and being stranded on a beach on the Isle of Lewis– the largest mass stranding in the country in decades.

What’s in News?

Over 50 pilot whales died in Scotland after they washed up on a beach on the Isle of Lewis on 17^th July. According to the inertial reports, about 55 animals both adults and calves were discovered, of which only 15 are alive.

Marine rescuers rushed to Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta when they spotted dozens of whales in difficulty.

Officials from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) charity attempted to re-float two of the more active whales which were low down in the water on the outgoing tide.

About Pilot Whales:

Despite their names, pilot whales are one of the largest members of the dolphin family.
They belong to the dolphin family
There are two species of pilot whales:

Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) which are mainly found in tropical and warm-temperate region.
Long-finned pilot whales (G.melas), which inhabit colder waters.

Features:

They are characterized by a round bulging forehead, a short beaklike snout, and slender pointed flippers.
The short-finned pilot whales and long-finned pilot whales are similar in appearance except for the pronounced difference in flipper length between the two species.
Both long-finned and short-finned are about 4-6 meters long.
Male of both species of pilot whale are larger than females.
Both species are black, some individuals have a pale, elongated anchor-shaped mark adorning the throat and chest.
Pilot whales live in groups numbering from dozens to hundreds.

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Nokia and TSSC launch 5G skill development centre in Gujarat

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In partnership with the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) and Kaushalya-The Skill University, Nokia has announced the establishment of a 5G skill development center in Gujarat. The Center of Excellence (CoE) at ITI Kubernagar will establish a skill Lab dedicated to training individuals in 5G technology skills.
The primary objective is to offer job placements to at least 70 percent of learners within 4-6 weeks after completing the course. In the first year of the project, approximately 300 candidates will benefit from this program. Balvantsinh Rajput, the Cabinet Minister for Labour and Employment in the state, presided over the inauguration ceremony of the 5G skill development center.

Nokia’s Efforts in developing a skilled 5G workforce for a Connected India

Nokia is leading the way in pioneering advancements in telecom technology and is committed to cultivating a highly skilled workforce to contribute to the development of the 5G ecosystem. As part of its India corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, Nokia is making substantial investments in infrastructure, equipment, and training for the five labs within the Center of Excellence (CoE). Additionally, Nokia aims to foster connectivity and digitization, leveraging these efforts to generate positive socioeconomic, educational, and health benefits in India.

Key takeaways for competitive examinations

President and CEO of Nokia: Pekka Lundmark

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10 Facts you must know about Chandrayan-3_100.1

North Korea tested its latest Hwasong-18

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North Korea recently tested its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (IBM) – Hwasong-18.

About Hwasong-18:

Hwasong-18 is a three stage solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (IBM) developed by North Korea.
It is North Korea’s first ICBM to use solid fuels which allows for faster launch.
It was first unveiled in the February 2023 parade commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army.
The Hwasong-18’s 74 minutes flight time was the longest ever for a North Korean missile test.
Hwasong-18 allows faster development of missiles during a year.
It has the potential to greatly enhance the effectiveness of their nuclear retaliatory posture and influence their offensive military strategy.
Solid-fueled ICBMs such as the Hwasong-18 can be prepared for launch more quickly than their liquid-fueled counterparts as they do not require time-consuming fueling procedures.

Solid-fueled Missiles:

Soild-fueled missiles used a solid propellant composed of fuel and oxidizer that is tightly packed into the rocket’s motor. This mixture is stable and can be stored for long periods without significant degradation. Solid-fueled ICBMs have shorter launch preparation times because the propellant is already inside the missile, making them more responsive to sudden launch orders. They are typically more mobile as they can be easily transported on vehicles without the need of additional fueling equipment.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM):

An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than 5,500 km primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery. They differ from other forms of ballistic missile by their much greater range and payload capacity.

The first ICBMs were developed by the Soviet Union in 1958; the United States followed the next year and China some 20 years later.

Three stage ICBM

A three stage ICBM is a type of ICBM that has three stages which are used to propel the missile to its target.

The first stage is the boost stage which is responsible for lifting the missile off the ground and accelerating it to a high velocity.
The Second stage guides the missile towards its target, using a combination of internal guidance systems and external tracking systems.
The Final stage is the terminal stage which is responsible for ensuring that the missile reaches the target with precision.

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Neeraj Akhoury elected as President of Cement Manufacturers’ Association

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The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), the apex body of India’s large cement manufacturers, unanimously elected Neeraj Akhoury, managing director of Shree Cement, as President and Parth Jindal, managing director of JSW Cement as vice president. This election occurred at its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on 14th July 2023. Akhoury takes over from K C Jhanwar, Managing Director of UltraTech Cement Limited. Members unanimously endorsed the election of the president and vice president of CMA expressing full confidence in the newly elected leadership team.

Akhoury brings over 30 years of rich experience in the steel and cement industries and has worked in various leadership roles in India and other emerging markets. Jindal is the youngest elected vice president in the association’s almost six-decade history and is expected to bring in new energy and perspective to address key challenges of the Indian cement industry. He will also infuse new ideas to support the decarbonisation agenda and digital transformation of the Indian cement sector.

About the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA)

The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) is the apex body of large cement plants in India, representing almost 90% of the total installed cement capacity. CMA was established in 1946 with the objective of promoting the growth and development of the Indian cement industry.

The CMA works to achieve its objectives through a variety of activities, including:

Policy research and analysis: The CMA undertakes policy research and analysis to identify and address the challenges facing the Indian cement industry.
Government relations: The CMA engages with the government to represent the interests of the Indian cement industry and to influence policy decisions.
Industry standards: The CMA develops and promotes industry standards for cement and cement products.
Training and education: The CMA provides training and education programs to its members and to the wider cement industry.
Research and development: The CMA supports research and development activities to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the Indian cement industry.

The CMA is a member of the World Cement Association and the Asia Cement Federation. It also has close working relationships with other industry associations and government bodies.

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Honorary doctorate to be conferred on Communist leader N. Sankaraiah

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced that veteran communist leader N. Sankaraiah will receive an Honorary Doctorate from Madurai Kamaraj University.

What’s in News?

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin announced to present an honorary doctorate to the veteran communist leader N. Sankaraiah who dedicated his life to the poor and needy.

Tamil Nadu government had received demands from various quarters to confer an honorary doctorate on freedom fighter and communist leader N. Sanakaraiah who dedicated his life for the poor and the needy and was a great martyr of the freedom struggle.

About N. Sanakaraiah

Sanakaraiah, born on 15 July 1921, is an Indian Communist Party politician and independence activist. On 15^th July 2023 Sankaraiah has celebrated his 102^nd birthday. He is the last living freedom fighter of India. In 1931 when Sankaraiah was just nine years old attended a rally condemning the execution of Bhagat Singh- his first political activity.
Sankaraiah studied history at the American College in Madurai. He was the secretary of the Madurai Student Organization, and in that capacity he had invited Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to deliver a lecture. For that he was arrested in 1941, just 15 days before the exams of his undergraduate course.
After spending 18 months in jail, Sankaraiah was released in June 1942. Following the release, he became a full-time communist party worker. The Tamil Nadu Government had honored N. Sankaraiah with the award of “Thagaisal Thamizhar” in 2021.

What is an honorary doctorate?

An honorary doctorate degree is one of the most significant awards in post-graduation education. It recognizes a recipient’s outstanding achievements despite not attending the awarding university.

Criteria for honorary doctorate:

The recipient is not a staff member or appointed or elected government official.
The recipient must accept the degree without receiving payments.
The recipient may not have conflicts of interest with the universities.
The recipient has a strong reputation in their field.

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Medal Winners at the Championship

Key takeaways for competitive examinations

Career of Rajay Kumar Sinha

About the SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS)

Context:

What’s in News?

Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve:

Flora & Fauna

India’s ranking in Henley Passport Index

Overview of the Henley Passport Index

Passports of these countries hold the top 10 spots on the Henley Index:

Passports of these countries hold the bottom 10 spots on the Henley Index:

About the Henley Passport Index

UPI’s Global Expansion: A Journey Across the Globe

NIPL: Forging Global Partnerships

Empowering Indian Tourists with Effortless Transactions

Savings on Foreign Exchange Markup Charges

UPI and the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS)

Context:

What’s in News?

About Pilot Whales:

Features:

Nokia’s Efforts in developing a skilled 5G workforce for a Connected India

Key takeaways for competitive examinations

About Hwasong-18:

Solid-fueled Missiles:

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM):

Three stage ICBM

About the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA)

Context:

What’s in News?

About N. Sanakaraiah

What is an honorary doctorate?

Criteria for honorary doctorate:

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