Current Affairs 30th May 2024
Welcome to your one-stop shop for all things current affairs for May 30th, 2024! Today’s a unique date, and we’ve got a unique blend of news to match. Dive in and discover the latest advancements in science and technology, along with international observances and fascinating discoveries. From celebrating the power of the potato to the Indian Army’s green initiatives, we’ve got you covered on all the “Current Affairs 30th May 2024” headlines. So, buckle up and get ready for a whirlwind tour of today’s most interesting news!
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1) NSDC & ILO Partners to Enhance Skill Development & Lifelong Learning
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), part of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to promote skill development and lifelong learning in India and throughout the world.
Signatories:
The MoU was signed by Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and Managing Director (MD) of NSDC International, and Sangheon Lee, Director of the Employment Policy, Job Creation, and Livelihoods Department at the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of MSDE, and other Ministry officials were present at the ceremony.
Key Highlights:
The goal of this cooperation is to empower individuals all around the world by providing them with important competences and certifications, therefore increasing employability and promoting long-term economic growth.
It creates effective policies, governance, and financial frameworks to promote skill development both domestically and globally.
Implementing the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is an important feature of the cooperation.
SIDH will enable governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations in ILO member countries to digitize systems, procedures, skill delivery, and job matching using a cost-effective methodology.
It will also improve public-private collaborations and information exchange to strengthen Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), create micro-credentials, and promote Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) via a worldwide knowledge-sharing platform.
These programs are adaptable and inclusive, encouraging learners to adapt and ensuring that skill development stays relevant and accessible to all parts of society.
About National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Ved Mani Tiwari
- Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
- Incorporated- 31st July 2008
About International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Director-General (DG)- Gilbert F. Houngbo
- Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
- Established- 1919
- Member nations- 187
Click here to read from source
BANKING & FINANCE
2) RBI Launched PRAVAAH Portal, Retail Direct App and Fintech Repository for Enhanced Public Access
On May 28, 2024, Shaktikanta Das, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), inaugurated three key initiatives: the Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorisation (PRAVAAH) site, the RBI Retail Direct Mobile Application, and a Fintech Repository. The primary goal of these projects is to improve regulatory processes, encourage retail participation, and give complete statistics on the fintech sector.
The RBI announced these three measures in its bi-monthly announcement on Development and Regulatory Policies in April 2023, April 2024, and December 2024, respectively.
About PRAVAAH Portal:
- It is a centralized, secure web-based platform that allows people or companies to apply online for RBI regulatory approvals, licenses, and authorizations.
- Currently, there are 60 application forms available on the web, which span several regulatory and supervisory departments of the RBI.
Key Features:
- Applicants can submit their applications online using the site.
- Applicants can track the progress of their application or reference.
- The Portal would allow applicants to reply to any clarification or inquiry raised by the RBI in connection with their application or reference.
- Applicants will obtain a decision from the RBI in a timely way.
RBI Retail Direct Mobile Application:
The software will provide retail investors with smooth and simple access to purchase and sell Government Securities (G-Sec) straight from their smartphones (available on Android and iOS). It facilitates transactions in both the primary and secondary markets.
Background:
In November 2021, the RBI unveiled the Retail Direct site, which allows retail investors to create Retail Direct Gilt (RDG) accounts with the RBI through an online portal (https://rbiretaildirect.org.in) under the RBI Retail Direct Scheme.
The plan enables ordinary investors to purchase G-secs in primary auctions as well as buy and sell them in the secondary market.
Investors can participate in the primary auction of government securities and the procedural rules for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) issuance through a non-competitive bid method.
Secondary market: Investors can purchase and sell G-secs using the Negotiated Dealing System- Order Matching (NDS-OM) (‘Odd Lot’ and ‘Request for Quotes’ segments).
Fintech Repository:
- Fintech Repository will give complete data on fintech businesses, both regulated and unregulated.
- RBI has also developed a similar repository “Emtech Repository” exclusively for RBI Regulated Entities (REs), i.e. banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), on their use of emerging technologies like as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Language (ML), Cloud Computing, and so on.
- Policymakers and industry players would get access to aggregated data, trends, and analytics.
- Both repositories are operated by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a completely owned subsidiary of the RBI.
About Reserve Bank of India(RBI):
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das(25th Governor of RBI)
- Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established: 1 April, 1935
Click here to read from source
3) Poonawalla Fincorp & IndusInd Bank Jointly Launch Co-branded Poonawalla Fincorp IndusInd Bank eLITE RuPay Credit Card
Poonawalla Fincorp Limited, a Cyrus Poonawalla group Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) in collaboration with IndusInd Bank, has launched the co-branded Poonawalla Fincorp IndusInd Bank eLITE RuPay Credit Card to redefine and elevate customers’ banking experiences by offering various rewards and benefits.
Note that Poonawalla Fincorp Ltd. is exclusively participating in the marketing and distribution of this co-branded credit card under a revenue-sharing agreement with IndusInd Bank.
Key Features:
- Fees: There are no joining or yearly fees.
- Rewards: Get rewarded for every Rs 100 spent (excluding gasoline), including Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.
- Enhanced Points: Earn 2.5 times as many reward points for e-commerce purchases.
- Point of Sale (POS) Transactions: Reward Points Earned Value (Rs 5,000 Spending Per Month)
- Cash Credit: A greater value of Rs 0.40 per reward point.
Additional Benefits:
- Entertainment: Every month, BookMyShow offers a buy-one, get-one movie ticket deal (up to Rs 200).
- Fuel Savings: 1% fuel fee waiver (for monthly gasoline use of Rs 3000).
- Milestone Rewards: Earn 3000 additional points for hitting particular milestones.
Assurance Benefit:
- To ensure secure cashless transactions, ‘Total Protect’, a first-of-its-kind service, has been established, covering a sum equivalent to the card’s credit limit.
- This insurance provides coverage for unauthorized transactions up to 48 hours before reporting a loss or theft.
- Counterfeit Fraud: Protection against the exploitation of stolen card information.
- Air Accident Coverage: Complimentary personal insurance up to Rs25,000.00.
About IndusInd Bank Ltd:
- Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Sumant Kathpalia
- Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established in 1994
- Tagline– We Care Dil Se; We Make You Feel Richer
Click here to read from source
4) GoI Announces USD 1 Million Immediate Relief Aid for Landslide-Hit Papua New Guinea
The Government of India (GoI), through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), announced USD 1 million in humanitarian aid for Papua New Guinea (PNG) following a huge landslide in Enga Province, PNG, on May 24, 2024, which buried over 2,000 persons.
India’s immediate relief aid, as part of its commitment to Humanitarian aid and Disaster Relief (HADR), is intended to help relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities.
Evacuation:
The PNG government has ordered evacuations from landslide-affected regions, including Yambali village, which has over 150 buildings buried.
Note: India has a history of assisting PNG during natural calamities, such as an earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruptions in 2019, 2023.
Click here to read from source
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
5) BHEL Signed Agreement with BARC For 50 KW Alkaline Electrolyser System
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has inked a Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA) with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for a 50-kilowatt (KW) alkaline electrolyser system to produce hydrogen.
Under this collaboration, BHEL intends to scale up Indigenous Alkaline Electrolyser Technology and commercialize it for use in industries such as refineries, fertilizers, steel, and transportation.
This indigenously produced technique makes extensive use of local materials.
This will be a significant step forward in BHEL’s commitment to the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) and the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
BHEL seeks to contribute to the development of sustainable hydrogen production processes, therefore assisting India’s shift to cleaner energy sources and fostering a greener future.
Click here to read from source
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
6) Indian-Origin Sculptor Anish Kapoor Topped the 6th Hurun India Art List 2024
The Hurun Research Institute announced the 6th edition of the Hurun India Art List (2024) on May 28, 2024, and British Indian artist Anish Kapoor topped the list for the sixth consecutive year.
- He topped the list due to strong sales of his artwork at public auctions, totaling Rs 79.9 crore.
- Arpita Singh, 87 years old (ranked third), led among the female performers on the list.
- Raghav Babbar (27), from Rohtak, Haryana, is the 8th youngest Indian artist on the Hurun India Artist List 2024, with total sales of Rs 12.1 crore.
Krishen Khanna (99) is the oldest Indian artist on the list, ranking fifth with a cumulative art work worth of Rs 18 crore. This represented a 32% rise over the previous year.
About Hurun India:
Hurun Report Inc. is a renowned research, luxury publishing, and events company founded in 1998 in London (UK). Hurun India first debuted in 2012.
- Managing Director(MD) and Chief Researcher- Anas Rahman Junaid
- Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Click here to read from source
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
7) Emmanuelle Soubeyran Elected as New Director General of WOAH (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) chose Dr.Emmanuelle Soubeyran, director of France’s veterinary services, as its 8th Director General (DG) for a 5-year term (2024-2029) during its 91st annual general assembly, held from May 26th to 30th, 2024 in Paris, France. The year 2024 commemorates the 100th anniversary of WOAH.
Emmanuelle Soubeyran succeeded Dr. Monique Eloit, who served at WOAH for eight years, from 2016 to 2024.
About Emmanuelle Soubeyran:
Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty in France, specializes in veterinary public health, animal health, and food-related concerns. She has expertise managing crises and developing large-scale preventative programs.
- Since 2021, she has served as Deputy Head of the General Directorate for Food at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.
- She has also been acting as Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) since 2023.
She will involve WOAH in a combined “One Health” action plan with other international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in order to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
About the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH):
- Director-General –  Dr Monique Eloit
- Headquarters – Paris, France
- Members – 183 members (as of May 2024)
- The Office International des Epizooties (OIE), which was founded in 1924, changed its name to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in May 2003.
Click here to read from source
Click here to read: Current Affairs 29th May 2024
8) ACC Approves Five Secretary Level Appointments (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
On May 27, 2024, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which is part of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (MoPP&P), approved five Secretary appointments.
Details about the appointments:
Pradip Kumar Tripathi:
- Pradip Kumar Tripathi, an Indian Administrative Service officer from the 1987 batch belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, assumes the position of Secretary to the Lokpal of India until his retirement on June 30, 2024.
- Following his superannuation date, his appointment will extend for two years on a contractual basis, contingent upon the customary terms and conditions for re-employed Central Government personnel.
- He is now working as Secretary (Coordination) at the Cabinet Secretariat.
Raj Kumar Goyal:
- Transitioning from his role as an IAS officer of the 1990 batch in the AGMUT cadre, Raj Kumar Goyal ascends to the position of Secretary of the Department of Justice within the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J).
- He is now the Secretary of the Department of Border Management under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Rajendra Kumar:
Rajendra Kumar, from the Tamil Nadu (TN) cadre, who joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1992, now assumes the role of Secretary of the Department of Border Management under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), succeeding Raj Kumar Goyal IAS, who formerly held the position of Secretary in the Department of Justice.
- He is presently the Director General (DG) of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which reports to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Amit Yadav:
- Amit Yadav, a 1991-batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), with the rank and salary of Secretary to the Government of India (GoI).
- He will take over the position following Saurabh Garg’s retirement on July 31, 2024.
- He now serves as the Chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council.
Rakesh Ranjan
- Rakesh Ranjan, a 1992-batch IAS officer from Manipur cadre, has been named Chairman of the Staff Selection Commission.
- The appointment comprises a temporary promotion to the rank and salary level of a secretary to the Government of India.
- He is presently the Special Secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, which reports to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Click here to read from source
9) Jetha Ahir Elected as Chairman of NAFED (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
In the Delhi election, Jethabhai Bharvad (Ahir), an MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) representing the Shehra seat in Gujarat, clinched the position of chairman for the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) without any contest.
He succeeds Bijender Singh, who served as NAFED Chairman since 2007.
With the support of Mohan Kundariya, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, he secured his position unopposed. A board consisting of 21 directors, two of whom hailed from Gujarat, including Rajkot MP Mohan Kundariya, elected him.
About Jetha Ahir:
- Jetha Ahir, an Indian politician, was born on June 1, 1950, in Aniyad, Gujarat.
- He has served as the Gujarat Assembly’s deputy speaker since 2022.
- He is also the Chairman of Panchamrut Dairy and the Panchmahal District Cooperative (PDC) Bank Limited.
About National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED)Â
It is India’s leading marketing cooperative for agricultural commodities.
- Chairman – Jethabhai Ahir
- Managing Director – Ritesh Chauhan
- Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
- Established – 1958
Click here to read from source
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
10) CCI Approved De-Merger of Hotel Business of ITC Limited to Separate Entity (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
On May 28, 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) allowed the de-merger of all ITC Limited hotels-related companies, undertakings, activities, operations, and properties to its newly created wholly owned subsidiary, ITC Hotels Limited.
Following the de-merger, shares in ITC Hotels Limited, the newly formed firm, will be listed on the stock exchange.
It should be noted that the planned merger is merely an internal restructuring exercise and will have no influence on market conditions.
Key Points:
- ITC, maintaining 40% investment in ITC Hotels Limited, allocates the remaining 60% to ITC shareholders proportionally.
- Per NCLT directives, ITC Limited must convene a shareholder meeting by June 6, 2024, to assess and sanction hotel demergers.
Background:
- On August 14, 2023, ITC and ITC Hotels’ boards actively authorized the demerger, employing the Scheme of Arrangement provisions.
- ITC Limited shareholders will get one share in ITC Hotels Limited for every ten shares held in the firm.
Note: During the fourth quarter of FY24 (2023-24), ITC’s hotel business revenue was around Rs 3000 crore.
About Competition Commission of India(CCI):
- It is a statutory authority established under the Competition Act of 2002.
CCI was formed in 2003, although it did not become fully operational until 2009. - Chairman- Ravneet Kaur
- Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
About ITC Limited:
- Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)- Sanjiv Puri
- Headquarters- Kolkata, West Bengal
Click here to read from source
11) Disney Sells 30% Stake in Tata Play, Valuing Company at USD1 billion (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
The Walt Disney Company has agreed to sell a 30% minority share in satellite TV service provider Tata Play Limited to Tata Group for about USD1 billion.
Key Points:
- By selling USD 1 billion in shares, Disney can focus on merging with Reliance Group, aiming for an USD 8.5 billion entertainment giant.
- After purchasing Disney’s 29.8% interest in Tata Play, the Tata Group gains complete control of it.
Background:
- In February 2024, Disney signed a deal to merge its India operations with Viacom18, creating an $8.5 billion entertainment giant.
- In April 2024, Temasek Holdings sold a 10% interest in Tata Play to Tata Sons, boosting Tata Sons’ stake to 70%.
- Tata Play is now a 70:30 joint venture (JV) between Tata and Disney, after Temasek’s withdrawal.
- Tata Play, a joint venture between the Tata Group and TFCF Corp. (previously known as
- Twenty-First Century Fox), was established in 2001.
Click here to read from source
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
12) TCS & IIT-Bombay Partnered to Develop India’s 1st Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to create India’s first Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager.
Utilizing innovative sensing equipment enhances precision, reduces chip failures, and boosts energy efficiency in semiconductor chip testing.
The Government of India’s National Quantum Mission aims to establish India as a global leader in quantum technology, aligning with this project.
TCS specialists will collaborate with Dr. Kasturi Saha at IIT-Bombay’s PQuest Lab, creating the quantum imaging platform over two years.
Note: IIT-Bombay was the first institute to sign on as an academic partner for TCS’ Co-Innovation Network (COIN), which promotes industry-academic collaboration for creative solutions.
Click here to read from source
ENVIRONMENT
13) Oedocladium sahyadricum: New Algal Species Discovered in Western Ghats (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
Phycologists from the Department of Botany at Catholicate College in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, found Oedocladium sahyadricum, a new algal species, in the natural woods (Western Ghats) of Kumbhavurutty in Kollam district, Kerala.
- The word ‘Sahyadricum’ relates to the ‘Western Ghats’, commonly known as Sahyadri.
- This is the first time a species from the Oedocladium family has been discovered in Kerala.
- The finding was reported in Taiwania, an International Journal of Biodiversity.
- The species resembles moss protonema. It starts off velvety green but develops to a yellowish green.
It has potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and the synthesis of astaxanthin, a natural pigment known for its distinct biological activity and health advantages.
Note: Phycology is the study of algae, and the person or scientist who investigates algae is known as a phycologist.
Click here to read from source
IMPORTANT DAYS
14) International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2024 – May 29 (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
Every year on May 29th, people around the world observe the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers, celebrating the professionalism, devotion, and heroism of UN peacekeepers. They include uniformed civilian, military, and police professionals who collaborate to safeguard people.
The day commemorates those who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace.
The UN Peacekeeping’s 76th anniversary, starting in 1948 with UNSC’s deployment of observers to the Middle East, is on May 29, 2024.
The theme for International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2024 is “Fit for the Future: Building Better Together”.
Background:
- In 2002, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed resolution A/RES/57/129, designating May 29 as International Day of the UN Peacekeepers.
- On May 29, 2003, the UN Peacekeepers marked their first International Day.
Click here to read from source
15) World Digestive Health Day 2024 – May 29 (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) is an annual public advocacy and awareness campaign held on May 29th across the world to promote awareness about the prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management, and treatment of digestive illnesses and disorders.
WDHD also focuses on measures to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) problems and their repercussions.
The subject for WDHD in 2024 is “Your Digestive Health: Make It A Priority”.
The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) organizes WDHD yearly. The 66th anniversary of WGO’s inception is on May 29, 2024.
Background:
- WDHD was founded to mark WGO’s 45th anniversary in 2003.
- On May 29, 1958, during the first World Congress of Gastroenterology in Washington, USA, the attendees created the WGO.
- The first WDHD was spotted on May 29, 2004.
- 2005 was the first year when Member Societies and WGO members were invited to commence WDHD activities.
About World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO):
- President– Professor Geoffrey Metz (Australia)
- Headquarters– Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Click here to read from source
16) International Everest Day 2024 – May 29 (Current Affairs 30th May 2024)
Every year on May 29th worldwide, people commemorate Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s 1953 Everest summit achievement.
This Day also commemorates and recognises the achievements and efforts of mountaineers all around the world.
The 71st anniversary of Mt Everest’s summit in 1953 is May 29, 2024.
International Everest Day has been honored since 2008, following Sir Edmund Hillary’s death on January 11, 2008.
Click here to read from source
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