NATIONAL NEWS

Water Resources Action Plan-2023-25

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal will inaugurate the integrated Water Resources Action Plan-2023-25 under the Amrit Jal Kranti initiative.

• This plan, aimed at conserving water resources, represents a significant and proactive step in addressing water conservation in the state.
• Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, a two-day water conservation seminar was conducted in Panchkula on April 26-27.
• The seminar witnessed the participation of various departments from Haryana, along with experts from India and abroad, who shared their research and insights on water conservation.
• Taking into account the suggestions and inputs received during the water conservation seminar, all the departments have collaborated to prepare an action plan for water conservation.
• This plan reflects the collective efforts and expertise of multiple departments in tackling the challenges related to water resources.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UN’s Accelerator Programme

• Farmers Fresh Zone (FarmersFZ), a Kerala-based startup, has achieved recognition by being chosen for the United Nations' 'Accelerator Programme.'

• This program, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, aims to support and develop agri-food startups worldwide.

• FarmersFZ has been included in a select list of 12 agri-food startups worldwide, curated by the UN body.

• The Kochi-based multichannel marketplace platform, operating under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), aims to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• FarmersFZ operates under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), which serves as the nodal agency for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state of Kerala, India.
• KSUM promotes and supports startup initiatives across various sectors, including agriculture and food technology.

BANKING

Federal Bank Launches 'I Am Adyar, Adyar Is Me' Campaign

• The campaign 'I am Adyar, Adyar is me' was launched by the Federal Bank in Chennai.

• The campaign aims to honour and celebrate the local community of Adyar.

• The Adyar branch of Federal Bank has been converted into a living museum for the campaign.

• Vibrant paintings depicting the vibrant spirit of Adyar now adorn the walls of the branch.

• The campaign features a special exhibition showcasing 40 compelling stories of the individuals who made Adyar special.
• The campaign aims to capture the essence of Adyar and promote its rich culture and heritage.
• It fosters a sense of pride and belonging among local residents.
• The 'I am Adyar, Adyar is me' campaign is an innovative initiative by Federal Bank to honour and recognize the Adyar community.

Wipro Partnered with Microsoft for Financial Services

• Wipro Limited, a leading technology services and consulting company, has collaborated with Microsoft and announced the launch of the Wipro Industry Innovation Experience for Financial Services, featuring a new suite of banking and financial services solutions built on Microsoft Cloud.

• It is to help financial services clients accelerate growth and deepen client relationships.

• The Innovation Experience will bring together Microsoft Cloud capabilities with Wipro FullStride Cloud, as well as leverage Wipro’s and Capco’s deep domain expertise in financial services.

• The Innovation Experience will allow financial services firms to explore new solutions in an immersive 3D environment.

SIDBI Signs Pact with HDFC Bank

• State-owned Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HDFC Bank for providing financial solutions to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

• The MoU will facilitate providing complete financial solutions to MSMEs in a seamless manner.

• This arrangement will enable MSMEs to avail financial products and services of both the banks.

• Both banks will endeavour to bring more MSMEs in financial ecosystems through the arrangement.

HDFC Bank Introduces Millennia Credit Card

• HDFC Bank has introduced a new credit card – Millennia offering cashback.

• The card comes with contactless technology allowing customers to ‘tap and pay’ via a Point of Sale (POS) machine.

• The card offers cashback and reward points on Amazon, Flipkart, and other e-commerce platforms.

• The card also offers 1% cashback on offline purchases, smart Equated monthly instalments (EMI), and lounge access for free, among others.

• In every billing, a maximum reward of ₹1000 would be offered.
• The cardholder receives a Rs 1000 gift card after spending Rs 1 lakh in a calendar quarter.
• The Millennia card is applicable to both self-employed and salaried persons.
• The minimum age limit is 21 and the maximum age is 40.
• People earning a maximum of ₹35,000 gross salary can apply for the card.
• Self-employed people with an annual income of ₹6 lakhs or above are also eligible.

SPORTS

Decathlon Gold at Asian U20 Athletics Championships

• Sunil Kumar, representing India, won the gold medal with a score of 7003 points in the men's decathlon event at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Yecheon, South Korea.
• In the women's high jump event, Pooja won the silver medal with a jump of 1.82 metres.
• Bushra Khan earned a silver medal in the women's 3000m race.
• The Indian women's 4x100m relay team won the bronze medal with a timing of 45.36 seconds.
• In the javelin throw event, Shivam Lohakare won the silver medal with a throw of 72.34 metres.
• India has earned a total of 12 medals.
• Japan topped the rankings with 10 gold medals and 17 medals in total.
• China is second in the rankings with a total of 14 medals.

DEFENCE

Air Force Exercise, ‘Air Defender 23’

• NATO is set to commence its largest air force deployment exercise in Europe, known as ‘Air Defender 23,’ according to German and US officials.

• The exercise will span approximately 10 days, starting from 12 June, and will involve the participation of around 220 military aircraft from 25 NATO and partner countries.

• The exercise will be conducted across Germany, with some of the training taking place at Ramstein Air Base, one of NATO's largest air bases.
• The exercise is purely defensive in nature.
• Its primary objective is to enhance the defense capabilities of participating nations and ensure preparedness to respond to potential security challenges.
• The exercise also intends to send a message to other countries including Russia.

6th Edition of India Maldives Exercise ‘Ezkatha’

• The sixth (6th) edition of annual exercise ‘Ekatha’ between India and Maldives scheduled to run from 04 June to 03 July 2023.
• It is to enhance interoperability in diving and special operations.
• The Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and divers went to participate in the 6th edition of Exercise with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
• The High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command, Indian Navy, Vice Admiral M. A. Hampiholi handed over certificates to the Marines of Special Operations Group (SOG) of the MNDF Marine Corps.
• Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdullah Shamaal as well as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command, Indian Navy, Vice Admiral A. Hampiholi addressed the attendees at the ceremony.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

World’s 1st Multi-Sensor Earth Observation Satellite -Drishti

• An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras, Tamil Nadu (TN) -incubated space-tech startup, GalaxEye, is building the world’s first multi-sensor earth observation satellite named Drishti.

• It will launch its first satellite ‘Drishti Mission’ in 2024.

• It is being built with the help of a visible spectrum camera providing synchronised imaging that can take multiple images at the same time.

• ‘Drishti ‘becomes India’s first and the world’s highest resolution multi-sensor imaging satellite.
• GalaxEye is working on deploying a satellite constellation with a first-of-its-kind sensor based on data fusion to provide the most comprehensive imagery dataset from space.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

New Graphic Novel 'Ajay to Yogi Adityanath'

• Author Shantanu Gupta launched a new graphic novel titled "Ajay to Yogi Adityanath" for young readers.

• Shantanu Gupta has earlier written two bestseller titles on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

• The graphic novel was launched in 51+ schools across Uttar Pradesh on 5th June, on the occasion of Yogi Adityanath's 51st birthday.

• More than 5000 children from different districts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the book release.
• The simultaneous launch at multiple locations with multiple participants has earned this event a place in the Asia Book of Records.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Accreditation Day

• World Accreditation Day is a day celebrated annually on 09 June.

• It is a global initiative established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
• Theme for the year 2023 is ‘Accreditation: Supporting the Future of Global Business.’
• The objective of the day is to raise awareness of the value and importance of recognition.
• It promotes the quality, safety and reliability of products, services and systems.
• It also lowers trade barriers and promotes innovation.
• World Accreditation Day (WAD) was established in 2008 by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

OBITUTARY

Doordarshan Anchor Gitanjali Aiyar

• Four times Best Anchor Award winner DD anchor Gitanjali Aiyar passed away.

• She was India's first English woman news presenter on Doordarshan.

• She was suffering from Parkinson's disease.

• She joined Doordarshan in 1971 and won the Best Anchor award four times.

• In 1989, she received the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for Outstanding Women.
• Iyer was also known for his appearance in print advertisements and his role in the TV drama "Khandaan" directed by Shridhar Kshirsagar.