Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   Aalok Kumar

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Aalok Kumar, Corporate Officer & Sr VP - Head of the Global Smart City Business, NEC Corporation, and President & CEO, NEC Corporation India, has been appointed as a member of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) High-level Advisory Group on Digital Technology for Development with effect from May 1, 2023.

The eight-member group, consisting of global industry leaders in digital technology and academicians, is committed to further accelerating the utilization of ICT technology among ADB activities for developing countries.

* Mr. Aalok Kumar takes on this mantle from Katsumi Emura, former NEC Corporation Fellow, one of the founding members of the group. Carrying Emura’s legacy forward, Aalok will leverage his decades of experience and wide range of knowledge in providing strategic counsel towards the optimal adoption of digital technologies for ADB to carry out its developmental work.

* Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Aalok Kumar said, "I feel humbled to have been elected to represent NEC Corporation as part of Asian Development Bank’s High-level Advisory Group on Digital Technology. I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside this esteemed group of industry luminaries to help develop strong strategies for ADB to carry out critical developmental work in Asian countries, cutting across multiple focus areas."

* Asian Development Bank was established in 1966 as a regional development bank to promote social and economic development in Asia. This advisory group was founded in 2019, with a core purpose to help devise digital strategies on ADB’s operational priorities, as defined in "ADB Strategy 2030." These priorities include addressing poverty, reducing inequality, mitigating climate change, bridging the gender gap, and making cities liveable.

* These are in alignment with NEC’s own vision and priority areas for its work in the developing world, and in that regard, this appointment serves as an opportunity for NEC Corporation to accelerate and further cement its efforts towards solving the challenges of the developing world. "This accelerates NEC’s mission of ‘Orchestrating a brighter world’ - bringing immeasurable impact in societies leveraging the power of technology," Aalok Kumar further added.

* An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Aalok Kumar brings nearly three decades of experience in senior leadership roles in business transformation, performance improvement, and margin expansion. Prior to taking up the mantle as the President and CEO of NEC India in 2020, he served as the Senior Vice President of McKinsey & Company. He has also worked in companies that include GE Healthcare, GE Capital and ABN Amro Bank.

Source : NEC

Correct Answer :   India

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The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the country's first mRNA-based Omicron-specific booster vaccine, which is developed by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, for emergency use.

* The Pune-based company on Tuesday (20th June 2023) released a press release to announce that its vaccine against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, which will be available under the name GEMCOVAC-OM, has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the office of the DCGI.

* According to Gennova, GEMCOVAC-OM is the first booster COVID-19 vaccine developed in India against the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Approximately 3000 individuals received the vaccine in the Phase-II/ III trials clinical trial conducted at 20 centers across 13 cities in India.

* The vaccine was found safe, well tolerated as well as demonstrated robust immune responses.


Why do we need Omicron-Specific Booster Vaccine?

* COVID-19 vaccines that are currently used as precautionary/booster doses in India are designed to fight against the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2. These existing vaccines may increase the antibody titers, but they may not be effective against the circulating Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

* Hence the need to develop antibodies and memory immune responses specific to the Omicron variant to reduce the probability of infection and hospitalization as well as prevent future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of GEMCOVAC-OM specifically addresses this gap, the company stated..

Source : The Health Site

Correct Answer :   Swaminathan Janakiraman

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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Tuesday(20th June 2023) approved the appointment of State Bank of India’s (SBI) Managing Director Swaminathan Janakiraman to the post of Deputy Governor (DG) of the Reserve Bank of lndia (RBI) for a period of three years.

He will succeed M K Jain, who will retire on June 21, 2023.

* At SBI, Swaminathan is in charge of corporate banking and subsidiaries. He has vast experience in the areas of retail and international banking, trade finance, digital banking and transaction banking products.

* Apart from Jain, the three Deputy Governors of the RBI at present are – Michael D Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao and T Rabi Sankar.

Who is Swaminathan Janakiraman?

* Swaminathan Janakiraman currently holds the position of Managing Director at the State Bank of India (SBI), where he oversees the Corporate Banking and Subsidiaries division.

* Previously, he was responsible for the bank’s Assurance functions, which included Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, and Stressed Assets verticals.

* According to his LinkedIn profile, Janakiraman is a seasoned banker with expertise in various areas such as Retail and Corporate Banking, International Banking, Trade Finance, Correspondent Banking & FI products, Digital Banking, and Transaction Banking products.

* Janakiraman has also served as a nominee director of SBI on the boards of Yes Bank, Jio Payments Bank, and NPCI. Furthermore, he has represented SBI as a director in Bank of Bhutan, a joint venture of SBI.

* He has played a crucial role in the Finance function of SBI, overseeing budgeting and performance monitoring, Capital Planning, and Investor Relations. Additionally, he has been involved in the bank’s Digital Transformation journey as the Head of the Digital Banking vertical..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   June 21st

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World Music Day, also referred to as Fête de la Musique, is a yearly commemoration held on June 21st that advocates for the influence of music and its universal ability to connect people. The occasion encourages musicians from diverse genres to showcase their talents in public areas, fostering a lively and inclusive ambiance for individuals worldwide to appreciate music. On this unique day, musicians and music enthusiasts from all corners of the globe unite to perform and revel in a wide array of musical genres.

World Music Day 2023 Theme : The theme of World Music Day 2023 is yet to be released, you can acquaint yourself with the theme of the previous year. The theme of World Music Day 2022 was “Music on the intersections.” This theme was about finding and appreciating music at the intersectional level.


World Music Day History : 

* The origins of World Music Day can be traced back to 1982 when Jack Lang, the French Minister of Culture, proposed the concept of celebrating a day dedicated to music, known as Fête de la Musique or the festival of music.

* However, there is another theory suggesting that the celebration dates back to 1976 when Joel Cohen proposed an all-night music festival to commemorate the summer solstice.

* Regardless, the inaugural World Music Day festivities took place in Paris in 1982, featuring over 1,000 musicians performing across various parts of the city.

* Since then, musicians have taken to the streets, parks, and concert venues to play and share their passion for music on this special occasion.

World Music Day 2023 Importance :

* World Music Day, also known as Fête de la Musique, is a global celebration that occurs annually on June 21st.

* It holds great importance as a day devoted to the universal language of music, promoting peace, unity, and cultural diversity, all of which play a vital role in everyone’s lives.

* Musicians from various genres and backgrounds across the globe come together to share their passion and talent through concerts, street performances, and events.

* World Music Day encourages the appreciation of diverse musical styles, fostering connections between different cultures and creating a sense of belonging. It symbolizes the transformative power of music to transcend boundaries, unite people, and spread joy, making it a truly remarkable and meaningful observance.

Correct Answer :   June 21st

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International Day of Yoga is observed globally every year on June 21. It highlights the importance of finding balance in our fast-paced, modern lives and encourages physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. Yoga fosters mindfulness, stress reduction, and overall health and vitality.

In its 9th edition,  this year (2023), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the ceremony at the United Nations (UN) headquarter in New York during his state visit to the United States between 20 June to 24th June 2023. This marks the first time a yoga session will be conducted by the Prime Minister at this location.

International Yoga Day 2023 Date : Back in December 2014, India’s Permanent Representative Ashok Mukherjee introduced a draft resolution regarding the same in the United General Assembly. The draft received tremendous support from the 177 member states and was adopted as a special day. The United Nations on December 11, 2014, proclaimed that June 21 will be marked as International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

International Yoga Day 2023 Theme : The theme for International Yoga Day in 2023 is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", which represents our shared desire for “One Earth, One Family, One Future."

"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is a Sanskrit phrase that translates to "the world is one family" in English. It is a concept rooted in ancient Indian philosophy and is often quoted as a guiding principle for promoting global unity, peace, and harmony.

The idea behind Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is that all of humanity, irrespective of differences in nationality, race, religion, or culture, is interconnected and should live together as a global family.

The theme for International Yoga Day changes every year, focusing on different aspects of yoga practice. The celebrations aim to highlight yoga's contribution to physical fitness, mental peace, stress relief, and spiritual growth. It also emphasizes the role of yoga in creating a more harmonious and balanced world.

International Yoga Day 2023 History And Significance :  Yoga is believed to have originated in India thousands of years ago and also finds mention in ancient mythological books like the Rig Veda. On 27 September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, proposed the idea of practicing 'Yoga Day'.

In his speech, Modi termed Yoga as an 'invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition' and highlighted the importance of yoga for maintaining 'harmony between man and nature'. The draft resolution passed by India was backed by 177 nations and the first International Yoga Day was celebrated on June 21, 2015.

On International Yoga Day, people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or fitness level, come together to participate in yoga sessions and events. The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of yoga and its potential in promoting overall well-being. Many countries organize mass yoga sessions, workshops, seminars, and cultural programs to celebrate the occasion.

International Yoga Day has gained significant popularity worldwide, with millions of people actively participating in the celebrations. Yoga enthusiasts, practitioners, and organizations use this day to spread the message of yoga's positive impact on individual and community health..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   June 19

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National Reading Day is celebrated on June 19 every year. It honours the contributions of PN Panicker, also known as the 'Father of Library'.

National Reading Day in honour of PN Panicker, a prominent educator and social reformer from Kerala. This day holds great significance in promoting literacy and creating awareness about the importance of reading.

3 things you need to know :

* The Sanadana Dharma Library was started by PN Panicker.
* He established the Travancore Library Association in 1945, which later changed its name to Kerala Granthasala Sangham KGS.
* Originally made up of 47 municipal libraries, this association grew to 6000 libraries after Kerala was formed in 1956.

Who was PN Panicker?
PN Panicker, also known as the father of the library movement in Kerala, dedicated his life to eradicating illiteracy and improving the education system in the state. He established numerous libraries and reading centres to make books more accessible to people from all walks of life. His efforts played a crucial role in the democratisation of knowledge and the spread of education throughout Kerala.

History of National Reading Day : On June 19, 1995, in honour of PN Panicker's death anniversary, the Government of Kerala declared this day as National Reading Day. The initiative gained tremendous momentum and has since become an integral part of the state's cultural calendar. National Reading Day aims to inspire people to cultivate a habit of reading and highlights the importance of literacy in personal, cultural and societal development.

Significance of National Reading Day : National Reading Day, introduced in 1996, is a testament to Panicker's relentless dedication to promoting literacy. The day aims to instill love for reading among individuals of all age and backgrounds. The state's literacy rate, which was already commendable, has witnessed further improvement due to the sustained efforts of the government and various organisations.

National Reading Day serves as a reminder of the power of knowledge and the transformative impact of reading. Reading is not merely a recreational activity but a gateway to acquiring knowledge, broadening perspectives, and nurturing critical thinking skills..

Source : Republic World

Correct Answer :   20th June

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World Refugee Day is commemorated every year on 20th June to serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by millions of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or violence.

2023 theme : Hope Away from Home

This year's theme highlighted the resilience and challenges faced by refugees, who lost everything.

On December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly established this day through Resolution 55/76..

Source : UNHCR

Correct Answer :   N. Gopi

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Acharya N. Gopi has been selected for the first-ever Prof. Kothapalli Jayashankar Award, instituted by Bharat Jagruthi.

The award would be presented to Acharya Gopi at an event to be organized at Telangana Saraswatha Parishath in Abids on June 21, 2023.

The award has been instituted for honoring the littérateurs every year.

Acharya Gopi has penned 56 books including 26 compilations of poems, 7 compilations of essays, 5 translations, and 3 research books..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Karnataka

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Karnataka government has launched (18th June 2023) a free power scheme named 'Gruha Jyothi scheme' for providing free electricity up to 200 units a month.

* Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also stated that the scheme also extends to tenants living on rent if their electricity consumption matches the scheme's criteria.

* The beneficiaries will get a ‘zero bill’ starting August 1 if usage is within their entitlement.

* The Gruha Jyothi scheme is part of the Congress government's five poll promises..

Source : Moneycontrol

Correct Answer :   Vietnam

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* India will gift Vietnam an in-service warship as a gesture of friendship and expanding military ties between the nations. Missile Corvette INS Kirpan - a Khukri class warship commissioned in 1991 - will soon be handed over to the Vietnam People's Navy.

* The announcement was made during a meeting between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Gang in New Delhi on Monday (19th June 2023).

* The focus of the visit was on enhancing military ties, with maritime security and defence industrial cooperation key to the discussions.

* India has been steadily expanding defence ties with Vietnam over the years, with a landmark military logistics sharing pact signed last year to enhance interoperability and jointness..

Source : India Times