Daily Current Affairs 14 August 2023, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 14 August 2023. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, MakeMyTrip, Heron Mark-2 drones, ‘ODOP Wall’, ‘UPI Chalega’.

Top 13 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 14 August 2023

National News

1.Dharmendra Pradhan launches DBT in NAPS to strengthen apprenticeship ecosystem

• Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, inaugurated the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to strengthen apprenticeship training and encouraging the involvement of both industries and young individuals.
• Since its inception in 2016 until July 31, 2023, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme has engaged a total of 25 lakh youths as apprentices. The scheme has witnessed remarkable progress, with around 2.6 lakh apprentices successfully completing their training in the fiscal year 2023-24.
• The Government of India introduced the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) in August 2016 as a strategic initiative to foster apprenticeship across the nation. This program is designed to stimulate apprenticeship adoption by offering financial incentives, technological assistance, and advocacy support.

2.Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras To Be Established Across The Country

• The Railways Ministry is embarking on a significant endeavor aimed at establishing Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) at railway stations throughout the country. This initiative holds the primary objective of ensuring the availability of top-notch medicines to the public, all while maintaining an affordable price point.
• As part of this progressive initiative, the Ministry has meticulously curated a list of fifty railway stations that will serve as the launching grounds for the pilot project. This strategic selection aims to lay the groundwork for greater accessibility to Janaushadhi products for both passengers and visitors frequenting these bustling stations.
• These PMBJK outlets will be strategically positioned at easily accessible locations, ensuring the convenience of both incoming and outgoing passengers. The locations for PMBJKs will be identified by Railway Divisions, and the stalls will be allocated through an E-auctioning process facilitated by the Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS). The design of these stalls is entrusted to the esteemed National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad.

3.NCERT Constitutes 19-Member Panel for Textbook Revision in India

• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has formed a 19-member committee responsible for aligning school syllabi, textbooks, teaching materials, and learning resources with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
• The committee’s mandate covers Classes 3 to 12, and it also aims to ensure a seamless transition from Classes 1 and 2 to subsequent grades.
• With a diverse range of expertise spanning mathematics, arts, economics, sports, policy, and administration, this committee aims to create an educational framework that aligns with contemporary needs while embracing cultural and regional diversity. Each member contributes their valuable insights, driving the transformation of India’s school education system.

Defence News

4.India inducts new Heron Mark-2 drones

• The Indian Air Force has inducted its latest Heron Mark 2 drones, which have strike capability and can carry out surveillance along the borders with both China and Pakistan in a single sortie itself.
• The Heron Mark-2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone, with a maximum range of 3,000 kilometers and an endurance of 24 hours. It is equipped with a variety of sensors, including a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera, and a laser designator.
• The induction of the Heron Mark-2 is a major boost for the IAF’s surveillance capabilities. The drone will be used for a variety of missions, including intelligence gathering, border patrol, and counter-insurgency operations.

Business News

5.Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP): Empowering Employees and Driving Growth

• An Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) is a compensation scheme that grants employees the option to purchase company shares at a predetermined price within a specified time frame.
• To motivate and engage their employees,  Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) will not only rewards employees but also aligns their interests with the company’s success.
• ESOPs are commonly used by startups, established firms, and even publicly traded companies to incentivize employees and foster a culture of shared success.

6.NPCI Launches UPI Chalega 3.0 Campaign to Drive UPI Adoption and Safety Awareness

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced the third edition of its UPI Safety Awareness Campaign named “UPI Chalega.” Collaborating with key stakeholders in the payments ecosystem, the campaign aims to emphasize the ease, safety, and swiftness of using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for transactions.
• With the launch of UPI Chalega 3.0, the campaign continues its mission to encourage the adoption of UPI while prioritizing user safety. Through captivating initiatives, the campaign aims to achieve its objectives.
• The overarching objective of the campaign is to enhance overall brand awareness of UPI, enhance understanding of its distinctive features, and drive increased adoption among new users. By using relatable and heartwarming scenarios, the campaign provides an engaging platform to enlighten the audience about the innovative aspects of UPI and its role in transforming digital transactions.

Banking News

7.Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Introduces Reforms for Transparent Home Loan EMIs

• In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency and consumer protection in the home loan sector, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a comprehensive set of reforms pertaining to floating rate home loans.
• These reforms are designed to bring more clarity to the process of resetting interest rates, offer borrowers the option to switch to fixed interest rates, and prevent banks from unilaterally changing the loan tenure without proper consent.
• The RBI’s reforms emphasize the need for banks to establish a transparent framework for resetting interest rates on floating rate home loans.

8.RBI Embraces AI for Enhanced Regulatory Oversight: Collaborates with McKinsey and Accenture

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is taking a significant step towards bolstering its regulatory supervision over banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies.
• To achieve this, the RBI has partnered with two prominent global consultancy firms, McKinsey and Company India LLP, and Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd India. This move aligns with the RBI’s aim to harness the potential of advanced analytics to strengthen its supervisory functions.
• The RBI’s supervisory authority extends its reach over a diverse array of financial entities, including banks, urban cooperative banks, NBFCs, payment banks, small finance banks, local area banks, credit information companies, and select All Indian Financial Institutions. This comprehensive reach underscores the significance of robust and technologically advanced supervisory mechanisms.

Important Days News

9.India Observes Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to Remember Victims of 1947 Violence

• India observed Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to remember the victims of the 1947 violence that accompanied the country’s partition. The day was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 to commemorate the sufferings of millions of people who were displaced and lost their loved ones during the partition.
• On Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, survivors of the 1947 violence shared their stories of pain and loss. They spoke of how they were forced to flee their homes, of how they witnessed loved ones being killed, and of how they struggled to rebuild their lives after the partition.
• Partition Horrors Remembrance Day is a reminder of the dark side of history. But it is also a day to remember the resilience and courage of the people who survived the violence. It is a day to reflect on the importance of peace and harmony, and to rededicate ourselves to building a better future for all.

Agreements News

10.MakeMyTrip And Ministry Of Tourism To Launch Traveller’s Map of India Microsite

• Travel company MakeMyTrip has announced a collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism to introduce over 600 unique and unconventional travel destinations. The company has introduced a specialized microsite named ‘Traveller’s Map of India‘ to facilitate this initiative.
• Building upon this foundation, the company meticulously handpicked destinations that remain undiscovered or are recognizable primarily within specific regions of the nation.
• The ‘Traveller’s Map of India’ resonates with the sentiments of every Indian explorer. This endeavor will grant every individual the authority to advocate for the nation’s cultural, historical, natural, and geographical wonders.

Awards News

11.Amit Shah Hails The Team Of NAFIS Of NCRB For Winning Gold Award

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the team of National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for securing the Gold Award in the Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering for Digital Transformation Category-1.
• The accolade was conferred by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). The Gold Award recognizes NAFIS for its commitment to crafting an impregnable fingerprint identification system, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a secure India.
• NAFIS is a centralized searchable database for crime and criminal-related fingerprints. Managed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) at the Central Fingerprint Bureau in New Delhi, this web-based application aims to gather fingerprint data of criminals across all states and Union Territories.

Summits and Conferences News

12.Traditional Medicine Global Summit To Be Held In Gandhinagar On Aug 17, 18

• The first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit is set to unfold on August 17 and 18, 2023, in the city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
• This event will intertwine with the G20 health ministerial meeting, creating a dynamic platform aimed at galvanizing both political commitment and evidence-based actions in the realm of traditional medicine. This age-old practice serves as the initial recourse for millions across the globe, catering to their diverse health and well-being requisites.
• As an inclusive stage, the Summit will convene an array of stakeholders encompassing traditional medicine practitioners, users, communities, national policymakers, international organizations, academia, private sector representatives, and civil society entities.

Miscellaneous News

13.One District One Product ‘ODOP Wall’ Launched

• In a significant stride towards showcasing the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship and fostering self-reliance, the One District One Product (ODOP) program has joined hands with the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to launch the captivating and innovative ‘ODOP Wall’.
• This collaboration between the ODOP program and DAY-NRLM aims to highlight the exceptional craftsmanship and cultural significance embedded within the products that originate from various districts across India.
• With a focus on fostering self-reliance, the ODOP program identifies, brands, and promotes one distinct product from each district. This initiative encompasses a wide array of sectors, including handlooms and handicrafts, reflecting the diverse and vibrant culture of India.

Important Current Affairs of 14th August 2023

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