Correct Answer :   BLR Pulse

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The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has launched the "BLR Pulse" app which will enable passengers flying through Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to experience the airport in a new way.

BIAL said that in collaboration with GrayMatter Software Services, it has created BLR Pulse, an omnichannel platform which alleviates common pre-travel apprehensions like long security queues, wait times, etc.

“It allows passengers to navigate within the terminal buildings and take control of their journey at departures and arrivals by providing essential information about the Airport in real-time. The interactive chatbot feature in the app enables a self-sufficient mode of finding answers to various questions, which will be further curated over time,” BIAL said.

Real-time updates : BLR Pulse offers real-time updates on various passenger processing touchpoints, including entry gates, check-in counters and security check areas, while delivering flight status updates directly to passengers’ mobile or email inboxes.

In addition, the WayFinder feature allows passengers to find their way through the Airport easily. Passengers can book a transit hotel for their short-term stay or complete their last-minute flight check-ins, the operator added.

‘One-tap solution’ : Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), said, “Travelling through BLR Airport gets more seamless with the BLR Pulse app. The objective is to help passengers plan their travel on the go even before they reach the Airport. We value our passengers’ time and needs, and hence this app comes as a one-tap solution. Through BLR Pulse, we are connecting the physical and digital worlds to create a ‘Phygital’ environment that will provide passengers and visitors with a unique interactive experience. Passenger experience is at the core of our business, and every product that we launch is to enhance their comfort and support their needs through every aspect of their journey through the Airport.”.

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   DBS Bank

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DBS Bank India has appointed Rajat Verma as managing director and head of institutional banking, the lender said in a statement on Monday (26th June 2023).

Rajat, who was formerly with HSBC as the MD and country head of Commercial Banking, India, will be succeeding Niraj Mittal, as head of institutional banking. Mittal will be taking up a new role as country head of DBS Bank in Australia.

Rajat will lead the growth of the institutional banking franchise for DBS Bank in India given the significantly expanded footprint of the lender. DBS Bank India said that Rajat's appointment strengthens its leadership team and commitment to grow institutional banking business.

Commenting on Verma's new role, Surojit Shome, Managing Director and CEO of DBS Bank India said, "He (Rajat Verma) is a seasoned banker with a proven track record of delivering value to institutional clients across diverse sectors and markets. His appointment reinforces our commitment to growing our business in India."

Under Rajat’s leadership, the bank aims to strengthen in digitalisation and deliver better value for its customers, he added..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Parshottam Rupala

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Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Parshottam Rupala Monday (26th June 2023) launched NANDI (NOC Approvals for New Drugs & Inoculation System).

The NANDI portal has been developed to pave the way to a resilient Animal Health Sector in India by streamlining and digitising the regulatory approval process.

It is also aimed to speed up the process to assess and examine the safety, efficacy, and essentiality of veterinary product proposals received in the Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rupala termed the launching of the portal as a timely move. He said the NANDI will ensure seamless approval of vaccines. The Minister said, the decision of launching the Mobile Veterinary Units and vaccinating all livestock in the country will bring a big change in the Animal Husbandry Sector.

The NANDI portal will help in achieving the goal of developing a global manufacturing hub for veterinary products in the country and stimulating research and development focused on improving Animal health..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Rs 56,415 crore

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The Finance Ministry Approved investments worth Rs 56,415 Crore in 16 states as part of the 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’ scheme, it said in a release on Monday (26th June 2023).

Aiming at providing a timely boost to capital spending by states, the Department of Expenditure has approved investment projects in several sectors including health, education, irrigation, power, roads and railways among others. The said department has also included the state share of two projects, namely Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan Mantri Gram sadak Yojana under this scheme.

"Under the scheme, special assistance is being provided to the State Governments in the form of 50-year interest free loan up to an overall sum of Rs. 1.3 lakh crore during the financial year 2023-24," the release read.

The ministry has divided the scheme into eight parts.

For the first part,Rs 1 lakh crore has been allocated which is further distributed among states in proportion to their share of central taxes and duties.

Part-II sees allocation of Rs 3,000 crore incentives for scrapping of vehicles, including state government vehicles and ambulances. The funds will also be used to waive liabilities on old vehicles, provide tax concessions to individuals for scrapping of old vehicles and set up of automated vehicle testing facilities.

Parts III & IV focus on incentives to states for reforms in urban planning and finance. For the same, Rs 15,000 crore and Rs 5,000 have been set aside respectively..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   June 26

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The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26 to spread awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse.

History :

At the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held in Vienna on June 26, 1987, it was recommended that a day should be observed to commemorate the struggle against drug abuse. The United Nations General Assembly on December 7, 1987, decided to observe June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.


Significance :

* The day is recognised to highlight the health challenges related to drug abuse and encourage combating measures like prevention, education, treatment, and rehabilitation.

* The day is observed by individuals, communities, and several organisations globally and aims to bring attention to the threat that illegal drugs pose to society.

* The day promotes global collaboration and communication between countries, groups, and people to create a world free from drug addiction and illicit drug trafficking.

Theme 2023 :
The theme for this year (2023) is "People First: stop stigma and Discrimination, strengthen Prevention," which aims to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy; providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to punishment; prioritizing prevention; and leading with compassion, the United Nations Office On Drug And Crime (UNODC) stated.

The campaign also aims to combat stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental, said the UNODC..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   25th June 2023

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Co-inventor of lithium-ion batteries and co-winner of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, John Bannister Goodenough 25th June 2023 passed away at 101.

* He shared the 2019 Nobel Prize with Stan Whittingham, a British-American scientist, for discovering that lithium may be held within sheets of titanium sulphide.

* He was also instrumental in the invention of computer RAM (Random Access Memory).

* According to the Nobel Prize website, John Goodenough was born in Jena, Germany to American parents. After studying mathematics at Yale University, he joined US Army as a meteorologist during the Second World War.

* He then attended the University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in physics in 1952. He then worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

* He had formerly taught at the University of Texas at Austin.

* Witness to Grace, Goodenough's autobiography, was published in 2008, and he described it as "my personal history." The book discusses both science and spirituality.

Born : 25 July 1922, Jena, Germany

Died : 25 June 2023.

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   Kyriakos Mitsotakis

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Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of Greece’s center-right New Democracy party, has comfortably won a second four-year term as prime minister.

Mitsotakis is set to return to the prime minister’s office in a stronger position with his party’s resounding victory in Sunday’s elections, which were dominated by financial stability and cost-of-living issues.

“We have high targets that will transform Greece,” a triumphant Mitsotakis said in his victory speech, promising that “major reforms” would soon be under way.

“I will not tolerate any arrogance,” he added.

With nearly 100% of the vote counted, New Democracy had garnered over 40% of the vote. Its main opposition, leftist party Syriza trailed far behind in the preliminary results with over 17%.

A total of eight parties, including centrist PASOK-KINAL and leftist KKE, crossed the 3% threshold to enter the Greek parliament. They included groups on the far-right; the biggest surprise in Sunday’s vote was the entry to parliament of the little known, strongly anti-migrant Spartans party, backed by disgraced former lawmaker Ilias Kasidiaris, who is currently serving a prison sentence of over 13 years for membership in a criminal organization.

He is a former leading member of Golden Dawn, a neo-Nazi party that gained popularity during Greece’s financial crisis.

Other fringe far-right entries to parliament included the nationalist party Greek Solution and the ultra-religious, anti-abortion Niki. The three together have secured for the far right a bloc of more than 30 seats...

Source : CNN

Correct Answer :   Infosys

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IT major Infosys has bagged a digital transformation deal from Denmark-based Danske Bank estimated to be around USD 454 million for five years, the company said on Monday (26th Jun 2023).

As part of the strategic collaboration with Danske Bank, Infosys will acquire Danske Bank's IT centre in India, which employs 1400 digitally skilled professionals.

"Danske Bank, a leading Nordic bank, has selected Infosys as Strategic Partner to accelerate the bank's digital transformation initiatives with speed and scale. This collaboration will help Danske Bank achieve its strategic priorities towards better customer experiences, operational excellence, and a modernised technology landscape, powered by next-gen solutions," Infosys said.

Nordics is a strategic market for Infosys and this collaboration further enhances our commitment to the region.

Infosys said that it will acquire a 100 per cent stake in Danske Bank's IT centre in India in an all-cash deal for about Rs 16 crore, according to a regulatory filing.

We expect the transactions to be completed before the second quarter of the financial year 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

Infosys Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Salil Parekh said the company's rich experience in financial services transformation to work for Danske Bank and help the bank accelerate its strategic growth agenda..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Jalandhar

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Union Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated newly constructed State-of-the-art BSF Hockey Turf Ground at BSF campus Jalandhar on 26th June 2023.

In his address Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said that the newly constructed stadium received all necessary approvals from the Hockey Federation of India, ensuring compliance with international standards.

He expressed his happiness for the support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, which has provided necessary financial support for the development of the Hockey Turf Ground, demonstrating the government’s commitment for fostering sports infrastructure and development.

He said that the stadium has been constructed under Khelo India Scheme with total cost of Rs. 5.50 crores. Terming it an asset for sports authority of India, he said that it will herald new era of world class hockey infrastructure in BSF and also for Jalandhar area..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Shankar Mahadevan

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Renowned singer-composer "Shankar Mahadevan" has been granted an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University (BCU) in England, United Kingdom.

The prestigious recognition is a tribute to his significant contributions to the field of music and the arts. Shankar Mahadevan, 56 years old, is a prominent member of the highly accomplished music composing trio known as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

The honorary doctorate was presented to him by Professor Philip Plowden, the Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, during a ceremony held in Birmingham.


About News :

* Following an organized visit by Mahadevan to Birmingham City University’s state-of-the-art campus, which boasts cutting-edge facilities for the creative industry, including the renowned Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), a doctoral ceremony was conducted.

* This ceremony was a result of the BCU India and West Midlands India Partnership initiative. The university’s campus, valued at GBP 400 million, provided a fitting backdrop for the visit and ceremony.

* Earlier this year, the renowned Bollywood actor visited the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) alongside fellow musicians, including Zakir Hussain. During the visit, they had the opportunity to engage with students, staff, and partners of the conservatoire.

* The purpose of the visit was to establish connections and explore potential collaborations between the Shankar Mahadevan Academy, based in Bangalore, and the RBC.

* Shankar Mahadevan, who originally pursued a career in engineering before becoming a successful musician, possesses a diverse repertoire that spans across various genres.

* His musical contributions encompass Indipop, film music, folk and spiritual compositions, Indian classical music, jazz, and world music. Recognizing his remarkable achievements in the field of arts, he was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2019.