Daily Current Affairs June 20 2023 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Kotak Mahindra Bank launched “ActivMoney” feature for savings account holders

• Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) announced the launch of its ActivMoney feature which gives customers the benefit of fixed deposit (FD)-like interest rates of up to 7% per annum with no charges on premature withdrawal.

Key Highlights :

• Once a customer avails the ActivMoney feature in the savings account, it automatically transfers the balance above the threshold (defined as per account variant) in multiples of Rs 10,000 to a Fixed Deposit (FD) of 180 days currently at an interest rate of 7% per annum.
• In case a customer wishes to use the funds, the entire balance in savings and FD is instantly available.
• Through ActivMoney, excess funds in the account, beyond a defined threshold, are automatically transferred to an FD, thereby offering you the chance to earn a higher interest on your savings.
• Default minimum threshold over which the surplus funds earn FD like higher interest rate is Rs 25,000 for savings/salary/811 accounts and Rs 50,000 for current accounts.

About KMBL :

• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Uday Kotak
• Tagline : Let’s make money simple

RBI surveys show a rise in confidence & easing of inflation perception among consumers

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) surveys show an easing of inflation perception and a rise in confidence among consumers.
• The Consumer Confidence survey showed improvement in both the Future Expectations Index (FEI) and the Current Situation Index (CSI) from the previous round.
• They improved on the back of improved assessment for all the survey parameters, except essential spending.

Key Highlights :

• The Current Situation Index improved by 1.5 points from the previous survey round to 88.5.
• The Future Expectations Index improved marginally by 0.80 points to 116.3 in the latest survey round.
• Households’ Inflation Expectations Survey showed easing of the median inflation perception by 10 bps to 8.8%.
• Inflation expectations for both three-month and one-year-ahead periods moderated by 10 bps each from the March 2023 level to 10.1% and 10.4%, respectively.
• Among different respondent categories, inflation expectations of retired persons were the highest.
• Real gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) is likely to increase from 6.8% in FY24 to 7.4% in FY25.
• Merchandise exports are likely to decrease 2.9% and imports by 4%, in US dollar terms, during FY24.
• Exports are expected to increase 8.3% and imports 7.8% in FY25, per the results of the 82nd Survey of Professional Forecasters on Macroeconomic Indicators.
• Current account deficit (CAD) is projected at 1.5% of GDP in FY24 and 1.6% in FY25.

About RBI :

• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy governors : Mahesh Kumar Jain, M. Rajeshwar Rao, Michael Patra and T. Rabi Shankar

RBI opens sub-office at Kohima, to increase presence in north east India

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a sub-office at Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
• It has also announced its aim to have an office in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, to strengthen its presence in North East India.
• The sub-office at Kohima was inaugurated by Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra.
• RBI is present in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland in the north-eastern region.
• The RBI’s Guwahati office will continue to serve Arunachal Pradesh’s needs until the Itanagar office opens.
• The Kohima sub-office has Financial Inclusion and Development Department (FIDD), Consumer Education and Protection Cell (CEPC), Market Intelligence Cell and Human Resource Management Department (HRMD).
• The newly inaugurated sub-office is headed by general manager Paresh Chauhan.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Third G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group meeting commenced in Chennai

• The third G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group meetingcommenced in Mahabalipuram near Chennai.
• Around 100 delegates from G20 countries, invitees and international organisations are attending the meeting.
• Discussions will be held under priority areas with regard to the mobilisation of funds for climate finance, sustainable development goals, support of climate-friendly investments, transition activities, working out with nature-related data and making informed investment decisions taking into account environmental impacts and other challenges.
• India is developing a set of voluntary recommendations as part of its deliverables for 2023 to address the challenges and benefit the entire sustainable finance ecosystem.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to inaugurate G20 Co-branded Event on Health and Well-being of Adolescents and Youth organized in collaboration with PMNCH:

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, Child Health (PMNCH), Geneva is organizing a G20 co-branded event titled ‘Health of Youth-Wealth of Nation’, at New Delhi.
• This global gathering aims to highlight the health and well-being needs of 1.8 billion adolescents and youth worldwide and to foster increased attention and investment by G20 nations in the health of adolescents and youth.
• Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare will inaugurate the event and deliver the key-note address. Minister for Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof S. P. Singh Baghel, and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar will also be present and share their insights on meeting the challenges faced by the youth and the efforts being made by the government to improve the health and well-being of youth and the future strategies required to meet their challenges.
• Mathume Joseph ‘Joe’ Phaahla, the Health Minister of South Africa will also address the inaugural session adding to the diverse perspectives and expertise present among the audience.
• The event will feature two technical sessions focusing on adolescent health and well-being and multi-sectoral partnerships for youth engagement.
• Additionally, a town-hall session will encourage the participation of young people in policy making.
• A Marketplace will also be held to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative policies and programs that have advanced the health and well-being of adolescents and youth in G20 countries.
• A key features of the event is special discussions led by influential figures from the G20 nations, including G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant, Union Health Secretary, Shri Rajesh Bhushan, PMNCH Board Chairperson Helen Clark, and Director from UNFPA Headquarter Dr. Julitta Anabanjo.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

G20 Supreme Audit Institutions-20 (SAI) Summit begins in Goa

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India is the Chair of the Supreme Audit Institutions-20 (SAI20) Engagement Group under India’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency.
• The SAI20 Summit will take place in the state of Goa from 12th to 14th June 2023.
• CAG of India Shri Girish Chandra Murmu (14th CAG of India) is the chair of the SAI20 engagement group under India’s G20 presidency.

Participants :

• The delegates of SAIs of Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Spain, UAE, Morocco and Poland are participating in the summit.

Key Highlights :

• The CAG India has proposed collaboration on two priority areas- Blue Economy and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) among the SAI20 Engagement Group.
• Blue Economy is the Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth with the conservation of the health of the ecosystem.
• SAIs are looking for opportunities to adopt AI into their audit techniques to increase their effectiveness.

About CAG :

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the supreme audit institution of India, established under Article 148 of the Constitution of India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Assam Government Launches Web Portal to Check Illegal Cattle Transportation

• In a bid to prevent illegal transportation of cattle in Assam, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department of the Assam Government inaugurated a web portal for cattle transportation.
• The portal was launched by Assam Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora in an event held in Guwahati, Assam.
• This system prepared under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 will alleviate the problems encountered in transportation of improved breeds of high milk producing cattle to the state and help in preventing the illegal transportation of cattle.
• Livestock farmers and cattle traders can obtain permits required for inter-state transportation of cattle through the website.
• Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department Manish Thakur and other senior officials of the department were present at the inauguration ceremony.

About Assam :

• Governor : Gulab Chand Kataria
• Chief Minister : Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Capital : Guwahati
• National Park : Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Garampani Wildlife Santuary, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

Kerala’s FarmersFZ selected for United Nations’ ‘Accelerator Programme’ for food startups

• A Kerala-based startup, Farmers Fresh Zone (FarmersFZ), has been selected for the ‘Accelerator Programme by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).

About FarmersFZ :

• FarmersFZ has figured in the list of 12 agri-food startups around the world for the UN body to develop business.
• It acts as a bridge between rural farmers and urban consumers, offering healthy, premium-quality, and pesticide-free vegetables within 24 hours of harvest.
• The platform connects over three lakh consumers and 2,000 farmers in Kerala, facilitating direct farm-to-table delivery.
• The Kochi-based multichannel marketplace platform, which functions under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), is one among India’s two startups to qualify for the Accelerator Programme’.
• Its ultimate aim is to attain the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• KSUM is the nodal agency of the Kerala government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state.
• Pradeep P.S., the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FarmersFZ, will attend the UN event in Rome next month.
• This event, known as the ‘UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment,‘ will take place at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from July 24 to 26, 2023.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Gross Direct Tax collections for Financial Year (FY) 2023-24 register a growth of 12.73%

• Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year 2023-24, net collections are at Rs. 3,79,760 crore, compared to Rs. 3,41,568 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding Financial Year i.e. FY 2022-23, representing an increase of 11.18%.
• The Net Direct Tax collection of Rs. 3,79,760 crore include Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 1,56,949 crore (net of refund) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) including Securities Transaction Tax(STT) at Rs. 2,22,196 crore (net of refund).
• The Gross collection of Direct Taxes (before adjusting for refunds) for the FY 2023-24 stands at 4,19,338 crore as compared to Rs. 3,71,982 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year, registering a growth of 12.73% over collections of FY 2022-23.
• The Gross collection of Rs. 4,19,338 crore includes Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 1,87,311 crore and Personal Income Tax (PIT) including Securities Transaction Tax(STT) at Rs. 2,31,391 crore.
• Minor head wise collection comprises Advance Tax of Rs. 1,16,776 crore; Tax Deducted at Source of Rs. 2,71,849 crore; Self-Assessment Tax of Rs. 18,128 crore; Regular Assessment Tax of Rs. 9,977 crore; and Tax under other minor heads of Rs. 2,607 crore.
• The Advance Tax collections for the first quarter of the FY 2023-24 stand at Rs. 1,16,776 crore, against Advance Tax collections of Rs. 1,02,707 crore for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding Financial Year i.e. 2022-23, showing a growth of 13.70%.
• The Advance Tax collection of Rs. 1,16,776 crore comprises Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 92,784 crore and Personal Income Tax (PIT) at Rs. 23,991 crore.
• Refunds amounting to Rs. 39,578 crores have also been issued in the FY 2023-24 till 17.06.2023, as against refunds of Rs. 30,414 crore issued during the corresponding period in the preceding Financial Year 2022-23, showing a growth of 30.13%.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 to be conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur

• The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021 is being conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
• Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by Government of India in 1995, on the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Mahatma Gandhi.
• The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender.
• The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.
• The past awardees include organizations such as ISRO, Ramakrishna Mission, Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Akshaya Patra, Bengaluru, Ekal Abhiyan Trust, India and Sulabh International, New Delhi.
• It has also been awarded to luminaries like Late Dr. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, Dr. Julius Nyerere, Former President of Tanzania, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, Founder President of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka, Dr. Gerhard Fischer, Federal Republic of Germany, Baba Amte, Dr. John Hume, Ireland, Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Shri Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Shri Yohei Sasakawa, Japan.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

National Fertilizers Limited appoints U. Saravanan as chairman & Managing Director

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of U Saravanan as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-owned National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL).

About U Saravanan :

• Saravanan has a wide experience spanning over 33 years covering both oil refinery and fertilizer industries
• He has worked as chairman & managing director of Madras Fertilizers.
• He was a board member of Indian Potash (IPL) and Fortune Biotech.
• He has also held additional charge as director (technical) of FACT.
• Prior to this new appointment, he was serving as CMD of another fertilizer CPSE, Madras Fertilizers Ltd.

About NFL :

• Founded : 23 August 1974
• Headquarters : Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
• NFL is an Indian central public sector undertaking and the largest government-owned-Urea fertilizer-producer in India as of 2022.
• It is a Miniratna (Cat-1) company, with the Government of India owning a majority stake.
• NFL comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and is the 2nd largest producer of the key fertiliser urea in India.
• As of 31 March 2023, the Government of India held 74.71% stake in NFL.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India’s metaverse platform Bharatmeta receives global recognition at VivaTech 2023 in Paris

• In a first of its kind, India-based Kiya.ai, which is into Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technology-based solutions services, showcased its version of the metaverse called Bharatmeta at the VivaTech 2023 event held in Paris expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France.
• Bharatmeta aims to bridge the gap between physical and virtual realms.
• The Bharatmeta has been showcased at the India Pavilion.

Key Highlights :

• VivaTech 2023 is the 7th edition of Europe’s biggest annual technology and startup event.
• Bharatmeta offers practical use cases for banking, commerce, culture, and collaboration within the metaverse.
• This unique approach allows real businesses to embrace metaverse technology and leverage its potential.
• The metaverse refers to a multi-dimensional digital space that employs virtual reality and augmented reality to provide lifelike experiences to users online.
• Bharatmeta is designed to be inclusive and accessible, catering to users across various devices such as XR headsets, laptops, mobile handsets, and kiosks.
• This approach ensures that both urban and rural populations can benefit from the metaverse.

About Kiya.ai :

• Founded : 1995
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director and CEO : Rajesh Mirjankar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Indian archer Abhishek Verma clinch gold medal in men’s compound individual final at Archery World Cup 2023 at Colombia

• Indian archer Abhishek Verma clinched gold medal in the men’s compound individual final at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Medellin, Colombia.
• With this medal, Abhishek became the third Indian compound archer to book a spot in the 2023 Archery World Cup Final which will be played on the 9th and 10th of September in Hermosillo, Mexico.
• The 33-year-old Abhishek defeated James Lutz of USA 148-146, adding the second gold to the Indian medal tally.
• En route to the gold in this tournament, Abhishek also beat world number one and top seed Mike Schloesser.
• Abhishek is multiple World Cup gold medalist including the compound team gold and an individual silver in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
• The Indian contingent, which has won two gold and three bronze medals so far, has a chance to further increase its tally as the recurve mixed team will compete for the bronze

Goa CM Pramod Sawant launches mascot for upcoming 37th National Games:

• Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant launched the mascot for the upcoming 37th National Games.
• The launch ceremony was held at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao.
• It was organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Sports Authority of Goa and held on the occasion of the Goa Revolution Day.
• Sports Minister of Goa, Govind Gaude, President of Indian Olympic Association Dr. P.T Usha and Olympic medalist MC Mary Kom were present in the ceremony.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said like the IFFI, the National Games, too, will be organised in Goa.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty script history by winning Men’s doubles title of the Indonesia Open

• India’s shuttler duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated reigning world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia to clinch the Indonesia Open Men’s Double Title, in Jakarta.
• Satwik and Chirag, who are ranked sixth in the world, won their first Super 1000 title with a straight-set victory of 21-17, 21-18.
• With this feat, they become India’s first-ever doubles pair to win the prestigious tournament.
• It was also their first win over the Malaysian pair in ninth meeting.

Indian Men’s Senior Football Team beat Lebanon 2-0 to clinch Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneshwar:

• Indian men’s senior football team clinched the Intercontinental Cup with a 2-0 victory over Lebanon in the final at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.
• The first half was goalless while in the second half, the hosts made it 1-0 in the 46th-minute with Lallianzuala Chhangte netted the second goal in the 65th -minute, making it 2-0.
• This is India’s second title in the tournament, following their win in the inaugural edition in 2018.
• Korea won in 2019.
• India extended their streak of being unbeaten in the competition as they drew their previous meeting against Lebanon and defeated both Vanuatu and Mongolia.
• This is Chhetri’s 87th international goals in 137 appearances.
• Chhetri is continued to be the third highest goal-scorer among active players in international football, only behind Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

National Yoga Olympiad organized in Madhya Pradesh:

• The National Yoga Olympiad is being organized in Madhya Pradesh ahead of the main event on the 9th International Yoga Day on June 21 at Jabalpur.
• The three-day National Yoga Olympiad was inaugurated by Governor Mangu Bhai Patel in Bhopal.
• National Yoga Olympiad is being organized for the first time outside the national capital Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Legendary Malayalam actor Poojappura Ravi passed away

• A renowned malayalam actor, primarily performing comedy roles in Malayalam films, Poojappura Ravi passed away at the age of 82, in Idukki, Kerala.

About Poojappura Ravi :

• Ravi was born as M Raveendran Nair in Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• He acted in over 800 movies and 4,000 plays.
• He made his acting debut with ‘Veluthampi Dalawa’ in 1962.
• He was also a part of several prominent movies including ‘Poochakkoru Mookuthi’, ‘Odaruthammava Aalariyam’, ‘Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu’, ‘Kallan Kappalil Thanne’, ‘Mutharamkunnu PO’, ‘Kadathanadan Ambady’, ‘Dilliwala Rajakumaran’, ‘Love in Singapore’, ‘Ormakal Marikkumo’ and ‘Manjadi Kuru’ among others.
• He was last seen in the 2016 movie ‘Guppy’ which also starred Tovino Thomas in the lead.

Noted cinematographer Navroze Contractor Passed away

• A multi award winning cinematographer, photographer, superbike enthusiast, cricket player, coach and administrator, and writer, Navroze Contractor passed away in a road accident at the age of 80.

About Navroze Contractor :

• Contractor, who hailed from Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• He was known for the contributions he made to the documentary scene in India and across the world, shooting several documentaries, including Ballad of Pabu by George Luneau, Dreams of the Dragon’s Children by Pierre Hoffmann, Are you listening? by Martha Stewart, and Last House in Bombay by Luke Jennings.
• He was also the director of two documentaries – Bharat Parikrama (on his circumnavigation of India in 2005 along with two fellow motorcycle enthusiasts) and Jhadu Katha (on brooms).
• He also wrote a book The Dreams of the Dragon’s Children, a memoir of his filmmaking experiences in China in 1984.
• He also shot several feature films, including Mani Kaul’s Duvidha, Pattabhi Rama Reddy’s Devarakadu, and Shankar Nag’s Lalach.
• He was also an eminent photographer, with his photographs of jazz musicians in the collection of the Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC, and his photographs of artist Bhupen Khakhar in the collection of the Tate Modern, London.
• Nazroze, throughout his life, was an active campaigner for road safety.
• Recently, he had been working on a collection of photographs on the dying art of ‘kusti’ and ‘akhadas’.

Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg Passed away

• A prominent whistleblower who leaked the Pentagon Papers, Daniel Ellsberg passed away at the age of 92.
• The Pentagon Papers, a comprehensive study commissioned by then-Defence Secretary Robert S McNamara in 1967, became the catalyst for Ellsberg’s whistleblowing.

About Daniel Ellsberg :

• Ellsberg was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States (US).
• He was an American political activist, economist and United States military analyst.
• He precipitated a national political controversy in 1971 when he released the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret Pentagon study of U.S. government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War, to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other newspapers.

Awards & Honors :

• Ellsberg was awarded the Right Livelihood Awardin 2006.
• He was awarded the 2018 Olof Palme Prize for his “profound humanism and exceptional moral courage.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Refugee Day: June 20

• Every year on June 20th, World Refugee Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and the difficulties they face.
• The 2023 theme of World Refugee Day is “hope away from home.”
• In 1914, World Day of Migrants and Refugees is established by Pope Pius X and is celebrated in January.
• On December 4, 2000, Resolution 55/76 ie The United Nations General Assembly decides to observe World Refugee Day from June 2001.
• In 2000, the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is observed.

Daily CA One- Liner: June 20

• Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) announced the launch of its ActivMoney feature which gives customers the benefit of fixed deposit (FD)-like interest rates of up to 7% per annum with no charges on premature withdrawal.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) surveys show easing of inflation perception and rise in confidence among consumers.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a sub-office at Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
• The third G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group meetingcommenced in Mahabalipuram near Chennai
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, Child Health (PMNCH), Geneva is organizing a G20 co-branded event titled ‘Health of Youth-Wealth of Nation’, at New Delhi
• Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year 2023-24, net collections are at Rs. 3,79,760 crore, compared to Rs. 3,41,568 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding Financial Year i.e. FY 2022-23, representing an increase of 11.18%.
• The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021 is being conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur
• Indian archer Abhishek Verma clinched gold medal in the men’s compound individual final at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Medellin, Colombia.
• Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant launched the mascot for the upcoming 37th National Games
• India’s shuttler duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated reigning world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia to clinch the Indonesia Open Men’s Double Title, in Jakarta
• Indian men’s senior football team clinched the Intercontinental Cup with a 2-0 victory over Lebanon in the final at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar
• The National Yoga Olympiad is being organized in Madhya Pradesh ahead of the main event on the 9th International Yoga Day on June 21 at Jabalpur
• The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India is the Chair of the Supreme Audit Institutions-20 (SAI20) Engagement Group under India’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency.
• In a bid to prevent illegal transportation of cattle in Assam, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department of the Assam Government inaugurated a web portal for cattle transportation.
• A Kerala-based startup, Farmers Fresh Zone (FarmersFZ), has been selected for the ‘Accelerator Programme by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of U Saravanan as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-owned National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL).
• In a first of its kind, India-based Kiya.ai, which is into Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technology-based solutions services, showcased its version of the metaverse called Bharatmeta at the VivaTech 2023 event held in Paris expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France.
• A renowned malayalam actor, primarily performing comedy roles in Malayalam films, Poojappura Ravi passed away at the age of 82, in Idukki, Kerala.
• A multi award winning cinematographer, photographer, superbike enthusiast, cricket player, coach and administrator, and writer, Navroze Contractor passed away in a road accident at the age of 80.
• A prominent whistleblower who leaked the Pentagon Papers, Daniel Ellsberg passed away at the age of 92.
• Every year on June 20th, World Refugee Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and the difficulties they face