National News

YashoBhoomi Convention Centre Inaugurated by PM Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment as he unveiled Phase 1 of the India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), aptly named ‘Yashobhoomi.’
• This state-of-the-art facility, constructed at a cost of Rs 5,400 crore, promises to redefine the landscape of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) on a global scale.
• Yashobhoomi stands as a testament to India’s commitment to world-class event hosting, boasting an expansive project area of over 9 lakh square meters and a built-up area exceeding 1.8 lakh square meters.
• The convention centre spans more than 73,000 square meters and encompasses 15 convention rooms, including the main auditorium, the grand ballroom, and 13 meeting rooms. These facilities collectively offer a remarkable capacity, capable of accommodating up to 11,000 delegates.

State News

Hyderabad Liberation Day Celebrated on 17 September

• Officially known as Kalyana-Karnataka Liberation Day (Vimochana Diwas), Hyderabad-Karnataka Liberation Day is an important annual observance celebrated across various districts of Karnataka, India.
• This event, held on the 17th of September each year, commemorates the integration of Hyderabad into India in 1948.
• The historical significance of this day dates back to September 17, 1948, when the formerly Nizam-ruled Hyderabad state became a part of the Indian union, marking a pivotal moment in India’s post-independence history.
• In 2022, the Government of Telangana made a decision to broaden the significance of this day by designating it as “Telangana National Integration Day” or “Telangana Jathiya Samaikyatha Vajrotsavam.”
• This move demonstrates a commitment to fostering unity and integration among the diverse communities in the state, emphasizing the importance of India’s diverse cultural fabric.

Maharashtra Renames Aurangabad and Osmanabad

• The Maharashtra government has issued an official notification regarding the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively.
• The decision to change these names at various levels, including sub-division, village, taluka, and district, has been finalized.
• This notification has been issued by the Revenue Department of the state. Aurangabad, a historic city in Maharashtra, derived its name from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
• Similarly, Osmanabad was named after a 20th-century ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad. The decision to rename ‘Aurangabad’ as ‘Sambhajinagar’ carries historical and cultural significance. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of the renowned warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the second ruler of the Maratha state established by his father.
• His execution on Aurangzeb’s orders in 1689 remains a significant chapter in Maratha

Banking News

E-Rupee Worth ₹16.39 Crore in Circulation as of March 2023: RBI

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has disclosed that as of March 2023, the circulation of the E-rupee, India’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), has reached ₹16.39 crore.
• This digital currency, which mirrors the country’s physical legal tender, comes in different denominations and serves both wholesale and retail purposes.
• Its denominations range from 50 paise to ₹100. As of now, there are approximately 15,000 E-rupee transactions daily.
• The RBI aims to scale this number to one million (10 lakh) transactions. Recent efforts have focused on making E-rupee interoperable with UPI QR codes, and the next step is to enhance transaction volumes.

Indian Bank Launches ‘IB SAATHI’ to Enhance Financial Inclusion Services

• Indian Bank has introduced a new initiative called ‘IB SAATHI’ (Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion) to bolster its financial inclusion efforts.
• The primary goal of IB SAATHI is to provide essential banking services to various stakeholders through the business correspondent (BC) channel.
• Indian Bank has set ambitious targets for expanding its BC network.
• The bank plans to deploy over 5,000 new BCs by March 2024. Currently, it already has 10,750 BCs and 10 corporate business correspondents (CBCs).
• These numbers are set to increase significantly to 15,000 BCs and 15 CBCs, enhancing the bank’s reach and coverage.

Important Days News

World Bamboo Day 2023 Observed on 18th September

• World Bamboo Day, observed annually on September 18, is a global initiative that sheds light on the incredible significance of bamboo.
• World Bamboo Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the myriad benefits of bamboo and its role in addressing pressing global challenges.
• On September 18, 2009, during the 8th World Bamboo Congress, participants officially declared September 18 as World Bamboo Day.
• This date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of the renowned bamboo researcher, Nobel Laureate, and India’s former President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
• Kalam was a staunch advocate for bamboo’s potential to combat poverty and environmental degradation.

International Equal Pay Day 2023

• International Equal Pay Day, celebrated on 18 September, is a significant global observance that highlights the ongoing struggle for equal pay for work of equal value.
• This day underscores the commitment of the United Nations to uphold human rights and combat all forms of discrimination, particularly discrimination against women and girls.
• One pressing issue it addresses is the gender pay gap, which continues to persist in various parts of the world.
• The gender pay gap quantifies the difference between the average earnings of men and women, typically expressed as a percentage of men’s earnings.

Schemes News

IRDAI Standing Committee on Cyber Security

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has established a standing committee dedicated to regularly assessing cyber threats associated with existing and emerging technologies.
• This committee is not only tasked with identifying vulnerabilities but also with recommending necessary changes to fortify the cyber security framework within the insurance sector.
• The 10-member committee is chaired by PS Jagannatham, a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of technology and cyber security.
• The committee comprises a diverse group of experts, including academics, industry professionals, and representatives from the insurance broking community.

Summits and Conferences News

India Hosts Inaugural UNCITRAL South Asia Conference

• India recently played host to the inaugural United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) South Asia conference, held from September 14 to 16.
• This significant event was jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, UNCITRAL, and the organization’s national coordination committee for India.
• UNCITRAL has been instrumental in reforming and harmonizing international business rules worldwide for over half a century.
• An essential focus of the conference was to position India as a hub for international arbitration, recognizing the country’s potential in this field.

Ranks and Reports News

Santiniketan on UNESCO World Heritage List

• Santiniketan, the cultural and educational hub founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has earned a coveted spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
• The decision to include Santiniketan in the prestigious list was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its importance on the global stage.
• Santiniketan now stands as India’s 41st World Heritage site, solidifying its place in the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

Awards News

84 Artistes Conferred With Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar presented the one-time Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards to 84 distinguished artistes, comprising 70 men and 14 women.
• The significance of these awards lies in their aim to honor Indian artists aged above 75 years, who, despite their remarkable contributions, have not received any national recognition in their illustrious careers thus far.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi serves as India’s preeminent institution dedicated to music, dance, and drama.

Fashion Designer Rahul Mishra Honored With France’s “Chevalier De L’Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres” Award

• Rahul Mishra, the visionary Indian designer, was honored with the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government.
• His unique ability to seamlessly blend traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern design aesthetics has earned him international acclaim.
• Mishra's creations have been worn by a host of celebrities, further solidifying his status as a designer of global repute.

Sports News

Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second in Diamond League Final

• Neeraj Chopra, India’s star javelin thrower and the reigning World champion, secured the second position in the Diamond League finals in Eugene with a best throw of 80 meters.
• Although Chopra displayed remarkable skill and resolve, he was surpassed by Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who made a remarkable throw of 84.24 meters.

Asia Cup 2023 Awards: Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj Shine

• Kuldeep Yadav won the title of Player of the Tournament (Man of the Series) in the Asia Cup 2023, while Mohammed Siraj was awarded the Player of the Match in the final for his remarkable performance.
• Siraj secured figures of 6/21, a feat that ranks as the fourth-best by an Indian player in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).

Indian Oil Sponsors MotoGP Bharat

• Indian energy giant Indian Oil has taken on the title sponsorship of MotoGP Bharat, the first-ever grand prix in India, which will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.
• This event is set to be an exciting spectacle with notable riders from around the world competing in the MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3
• The sponsorship deal is a major coup for both MotoGP Bharat and Indian Oil.

Obituaries News

Renowned Writer Gita Mehta Passes Away

• Renowned writer-filmmaker Gita Mehta passed away at the age of 80. She was known for her literary works, including "Karma Cola," "Snakes and Ladders," and "A River Sutra," as well as her contributions to television documentaries.
• Gita Mehta's books have been translated into 21 languages and have been on bestseller lists in Europe, the US, and India.