World Paper Bag Day 2023

On July 12, World Paper Bag Day is celebrated annually to promote the significance of utilizing paper bags instead of plastic. This observance serves as a reminder to prioritize environmentally conscious choices in our everyday lives and encourages individuals and businesses to adopt more sustainable alternatives. World Paper Bag Day holds great importance in advocating for a greener and cleaner world. Plastic bags, being non-biodegradable, pose a significant threat to our planet.

NABARD Foundation Day 2023

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day on July 12, 2023. The day was marked by a series of events across the country, including a webinar on the theme of “NABARD: 42 Years of Rural Transformation.” The webinar was addressed by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, who highlighted the important role that NABARD has played in the development of rural India. He said that NABARD has helped to increase agricultural production, improve rural infrastructure, and promote financial inclusion in rural areas. The webinar also featured presentations by senior officials from NABARD, who discussed the bank’s various initiatives in the areas of agriculture, rural development, and financial inclusion.

SBI appoints Abhijit Chakravorty as SBI Card’s CEO

SBI Cards & Payment Services (SBI Card), the country’s largest pure-play credit card issuer, has appointed Abhijit Chakravorty as MD & CEO. Chakravorty, who is presently a Deputy Managing Director at SBI, will assume charge of his new role on August 12, SBI Card said in a filing with stock exchanges. He has been appointed as SBI Card’s MD&CEO for two years. Incumbent MD & CEO Rama Mohan Rao Amara has tendered his resignation owing to his transfer to SBI. Amara will demit office on August 11.

Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashleigh Gardner wins ICC ‘Player of the Month’ award

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan spinner, and Ashleigh Gardner, the Australian women’s team all-rounder, as the recipients of the ‘Player of the Month’ award for their remarkable performances in June. Hasaranga earned this honor for his outstanding achievements during the World Cup Qualifier matches in Zimbabwe, where he set new records. Ashleigh Gardner, the hero of the Women’s Ashes, became the first player to win the Player-of-the-Month accolade three times.

India bags 11 medals in World Archery Youth Championships, 2023

India has secured the second position with an impressive haul of 11 medals, including six gold, one silver, and four bronze in the recently concluded biannual event, 2023 World Archery Youth Championships in Limerick, Ireland. Parth Salunkhe, a rising Indian archer created history by becoming the first Indian male archer to win the Youth World Championship in the recurve category. A grand total of 518 archers (comprising 277 men and 241 women) from 58 different countries participated in both individual and team events.

Max Verstappen won British Grand Prix 2023

Red Bull’s driver, Max Verstappen has clinched F1 2023 British Grand Prix title, held at the Silverstone Circuit, England. Lando Norris for McLaren placed second and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton placed third on the podium. 2023 is the 74th season of the F1 world championship.

Recent Grand Prix Winner

• Austrian Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• Canadian Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• Spanish Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• Monaco Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)

Lakshya Sen wins Canada Open

Indian Badminton player Lakshya Sen defeated China’s Li Shi Feng to clinch the men’s singles title at the Canada Open 2023. The 21-year-old Lakshya Sen triumphed over the reigning All England Champion Li Shi Feng by winning the first set by 21-18 and the second set by 22-20. A Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Lakshya Sen secured his second BWF World Tour after winning the Indian Open in 2022. Lakshya Sen went on to win his second Super 500 title of his career after the India Open, beating the reigning All-England champion.

ONGC Becomes India’s First PSU to Achieve Anti-Bribery Management System Certification

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has recently made history by becoming the first Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) in India to receive certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS). The certification was awarded by the internationally accredited certification body InterCert USA. ONGC’s commitment to combat bribery was previously demonstrated in 2005 when it became the first organization in India to adopt the Integrity Pact (IP) initiated by Transparency International.

K. Rajaraman appointed as new chairperson of IFSCA

The government has appointed senior bureaucrat and telecom secretary K Rajaraman as the next Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). Rajaraman is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1989 batch. His appointment is for a period of three years. He succeeds the first IFSCA Chairperson Injeti Srinivas who led the authority since 2020. Rajaraman’s term will be for three years from the date of his assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 65 years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.

India wins 34th International Biology Olympiad

In a remarkable achievement, India has emerged as the overall winner at the 34th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) held in Al Ain, UAE from 2-11 July. The Indian student team clinched an unprecedented all-gold performance, securing the top position on the medals tally for the first time.

ITC board reappoints Sanjiv Puri as chairman & managing director

In a significant development, the board of ITC Ltd has re-appointed Sanjiv Puri as the company’s Chairman and Managing Director for a period of five years. The decision, made on the recommendation of the committee, is set to take effect from July 22, 2024. ITC Limited is an eminent Indian conglomerate, which holds a prominent position among the largest companies in the country. Its operations encompass a diverse range of business sectors, such as tobacco manufacturing, food processing, retailing, and financial services.

Shelf Cloud: A Spectacular and Powerful Cloud Formation

A recent awe-inspiring shelf cloud in Haridwar, Uttarakhand has captured attention. Let’s explore the characteristics, formation, and significance of this fascinating weather phenomenon known as a shelf cloud or arcus cloud.

Anil Chauhan inaugurates LRMR Hangar at Naval Air Station

Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, inaugurated the LRMR Hangar & Dispersal at Naval Air Station, INS Utkrosh in Port Blair. The newly added hangar facility, covering an area of 6000 sq. mt., is capable of accommodating a combination of P8I aircraft with Dronier & Advanced Light Helicopters. This inauguration marks significant milestones in enhancing jointness and integration among the armed forces in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Lambani Art set Guinness World record in 3rd G20 CWC meeting

India’s G-20 Presidency recently achieved a remarkable feet by setting a new Guinness World record. The record-breaking involved the largest display of Lambani items, showcasing the rich heritage of India.

Edgars Rinkevics sworn in as EU’s first openly gay President

Edgars Rinkevics, the former foreign minister of Latvia, has been sworn in as the eleventh president of Latvia since its independence in 1991. Rinkevics, who openly announced his sexual orientation as gay in 2014, becomes one of Europe’s few LGBTQ+ heads of state. Known for his firm stance on Russia and support for Ukraine, Rinkevics assumes the presidency for a four-year term following the departure of Egils Levits, the previous president who did not seek re-election.