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CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

Total banking transactions at GIFT IFSC reach USD 508 billion by July 2023                           

• Total banking transactions at GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) here reached USD 508 billion till July 2023.
• GIFT IFSC Executive Director Dipesh Shah stated that till July 2023, the total banking asset size at GIFT IFSC stood at USD 41.20 billion, and cumulative derivative transactions booked by banks were worth USD 632 billion.
• There were a total of over 545 IFSCA registered entities at GIFT IFSC till July 2023, including 25 aircraft and shipping entities, and monthly turnover on the IFSC international stock exchange in July 2023 was USD 60.33 billion.
• As per IFSCA annual report 2022-23, as on March 31, 2023, a total of 20 IFSC Banking Units were operational at GIFT IFSC.
• Two more IBUs, which received licences before March 31, 2023, are expected to commence operations during FY 2023‐24.

About GIFT IFSC:

• Established: April 2015
• Headquarters: Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat
• CEO: Ajay Pandey

Cashfree Payments introduced ‘Vendor Payments’ to streamline businesses' purchase-to-pay cycle

• Cashfree Payments, India’s leading provider of payments and API banking solutions, introduced ‘Vendor Payments,’ a comprehensive platform that enables businesses to optimize and manage their purchase-to-pay cycle, increasing efficiency and lowering processing time.
• ‘Vendor Payments’ streamlines not only vendor payments, but also other account payables such as utility bill payments, other business expenses, and tax payments.
• ‘Vendor Payments’ allows users to easily input invoices received from suppliers and other account payables, either manually or by importing them from accounting software.
• Bulk invoice uploads are also supported, allowing businesses to process several invoices at the same time for increased efficiency.
• Similarly, businesses will be able to add beneficiary information for payments and conveniently submit invoice information.
• Businesses can start single or batch reimbursements for unpaid invoices once the invoice details have been updated.

Benefits of vendor Payments:

• It also accepts a variety of payment methods, including Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), Interbank Funds Transfer (IFT), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), for maximum flexibility.
• For smooth syncing of outstanding invoices and payment statuses, ‘Vendor Payments’ connects with common accounting programmes such as Tally, Tally Prime, and other ERP
• Payment data may be easily exported and reconciled thanks to integration with accounting software.

 About Cashfree Payments:

• Established: 2015 by IIT Kharagpur
• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka
• CEO & Co-founder: Akash Sinha

Union Bank of India to raise up to Rs 5,000 crores through qualified institutional placement

• A Committee of Directors on Raising Capital Funds approved the raising of funds for an amount not exceeding Rs 5,000 crores through the issue of equity shares through Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP), Union Bankstated in a regulatory filing.
• According to the exchange filing, the committee “approved the opening of the issue” and “approved the floor Price of Rs 91.10 per equity share.”
• The panel approved raising money “not exceeding Rs 5,000 crore through issue of equity shares through qualified institutional placement subject to the requisite regulatory /statutory approvals,” according to the state-run lender.
• Union Bank stated in another exchange filing that the committee will meet again on August 24, 2023 to “consider and approve the issue price, including a discount, if any, thereto” for the equity shares to be distributed to eligible institutional buyers under the offer.

About Union Bank of India:

• Established: 1919
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• CEO: Manimekhalai
• Tagline: Good People to Bank with

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

The National Health Authority launched the first ABDM Microsite as a part of its 100 Microsites Project in Aizawl, Mizoram.

• The National Health Authority (NHA) announced 100 microsite projects for accelerated adoption of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) across the country.
• Mizoram becomes the first state in India to operationalize an ABDM Microsite in its capital city Aizawl.
• Under this, all healthcare facilities including the private clinics, small hospitals and labs in the region shall be made ABDM-enabled and offer patients digital health services.
• The ABDM Microsites are defined geographical regions where focused outreach efforts would be made to onboard small and medium-scale private healthcare providers.
• These Microsites would be majorly implemented by State Mission Directors of ABDM while the financial resources and overall guidance would be provided by NHA.
• Patients will be able to link the health records generated at these facilities with their Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs) and will be able to view and share these records using any ABDM-enabled Personal Health Record (PHR) application on their phones (https://phr.abdm.gov.in/uhi/1231).
• NHA had previously overseen microsite pilots in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Surat. The learnings and experiences from these pilots have been incorporated into the overall structure of the 100 Microsites project under ABDM.
• Besides Mizoram, other states including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh have also made significant progress regarding the implementation of ABDM Microsites.

Varanasi will host the fourth meeting of the G20 Culture Working Group (CWG):

• The 4th G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) Meeting will begin in Varanasi culminating in the Culture Ministers’ Meeting (CMM).
• Delegates from G20 member nations, invitee countries, and various international organizations will attend the meeting.
• Building upon the success of the previous three CWG meetings in Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar and Hampi, as well as the four Global Thematic Webinars, the 4th CWG meeting in Varanasi, from 23-25th August 2023, aims to arrive at actionable outcomes while positioning culture at the heart of policy-making.
• The insights and recommendations from the expert-driven Global Thematic Webinars on the priority areas of the CWG have been collated in a comprehensive report titled "G20 Culture: Shaping the Global Narrative for Inclusive Growth”.
• This insightful report, by India’s G20 presidency's Culture Working Group, will be launched in Varanasi as a part of the Culture Ministers’ Meeting.
• The Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi will aim to catalyze collective actions for accelerating progress on the four priority areas articulated by the Indian Presidency- Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property, Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future, Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy, and Leveraging Digital Technologies for the Protection and Promotion of Culture.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has inaugurated Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao yojna scheme

• Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao yojna.
• The implementation of the Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao yojna (Chief Minister's Learn-Earn scheme) is beginning on 22 August 2023.
• The scheme has facilitated on-the-job training along the lines of learn and earn along with skill development.
• The Chief Minister will inaugurate the scheme by distributing contract letters to the youth.
• In the first phase of the 'Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao' scheme, One lakh youth are targeted to be included.
• It has been started for the youth in the age group of 18 to 29 years.
• Under this scheme, training will be provided to the selected youth according to the requirements of industries.
• Along with training, the selected youth will also get an 8 to 10 thousand rupees stipend.

About MP :

• Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
• Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
• Capital: Bhopal
• National Park: Satpura National Park, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary

Recent News

• Madhya Pradesh (MP) Chief Minister (CM) Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off a batch of 32 senior citizens comprising 24 men and 8 women on pilgrimage to Uttar Pradesh's (UP) Prayagraj from Bhopal, MP via flight under the scheme of 'Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana'

India To Get $25 Million Grant From G20 Pandemic Fund For Strengthening Animal Health System

• India will receive USD 25 million from the G20 Pandemic Fund for strengthening the animal health system of the country.
• The fund that was established under Indonesia's G20 Presidency is targeted at low-to-middle-income countries to finance efforts like surveillance, research, and better access to vaccines, among other measures.
• According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the G20 Pandemic Fund has approved India's USD 25-million proposal for strengthening animal health security in the country for pandemic preparedness and response.
• The Pandemic Fund received around 350 Expressions of Interest (EoI) and 180 full proposals in the first call with grant requests totalling more than USD 2.5 billion against an envelope of only USD 338 million.
• The Pandemic Fund's Governing Board has approved "19 grants" under its first round of funding allocations aimed at boosting resilience to future pandemics in 37 countries across six regions on July 20.
• The impact of the project would be to reduce the risk that a pathogen will emerge from animals (domesticated and wildlife) to be transmitted into the human population endangering the health, nutritional security, and livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
• The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as the lead implementing entity with The World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

India and the ASEAN countries agreed to review their free trade pact for goods by 2025.

• India and the ASEAN countries agreed to review their free trade pact for goods by 2025.
• A Joint Committee of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) created a roadmap for the review of the pact and to finalize the terms of reference for the fresh negotiations.
• The AITIGA review will now take place at the India-ASEAN Leaders’ Summit scheduled in early September.
• The review of the AITIGA was a demand from Indian businesses for a very long time.
• The review of AITIGA will enhance and diversify trade while addressing the current issues in bilateral trade.
• ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement was signed and entered into force on January 1, 2010.
• ASEAN and India signed the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods (TIG) Agreement in 2009.
• India and ASEAN are also working on increasing private-sector engagement.

About ASEAN :

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 Southeast Asian countries.
• It was established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
• Members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• The first summit meeting of the ASEAN union was hosted in 1976 on Indonesia’s most prominent island Bali.

Recent News

• India sent two frontline warships to take part in the first-ever ASEAN-India maritime exercise (AIME-2023).
• To strengthen defence cooperation between India and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), India would launch an initiative on "women in United Nations Peacekeeping (UNPK) operations."

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee Increases Grant To Durga Puja Committees To ₹70,000

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after holding a meeting with Durga Puja committees announced an increase of ₹70,000 grant to puja committees in the state.
• Addressing the media, Mamata stated that the puja committees will have to pay only 1/4 th of the total electricity consumed during Durga Puja.
• "Durga Puja is a grand affair and business worth several crores is done during this period. All should celebrate it elaborately as people from foreign shores also visit West Bengal during Durga Puja," stated Mamata.
• Mamata also asked concerned departments to take care of public security and emergencies during the festivity.
• The Chief Minister also announced that the Durga Carnival (the annual immersion of idol's making processions) will be held on October 27.

About West Bengal:

• Capital: Kolkata
• Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
• Governor: C V Anantha Bose
• National Parks: Neora Valley National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jaldapara National Park, Gorumara National Park, Sunderbans National Park

Uttarakhand government going to organize Global Investors Summit-2023

• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a meeting with officials of his advisory group constituted with an aim to provide guidance for the upcoming Global Investors Summit, 2023.
• CM Dhami has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the summit which is scheduled to be held in Uttarakhand in November 2023.
• The Uttarakhand government is going to organize the Global Investors Summit-2023 this year.
• The CM also held discussions with FICCI and CII and took their suggestions.
• He stated that the Uttarakhand government is giving all kinds of facilities to the entrepreneurs.
• The Chief Minister stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set a target of making the country's economy USD 5 trillion.
• Keeping this in mind, the Uttarakhand state has launched the Shashkt Uttarakhand Mission to strengthen the state's economy, under which a target has been set to double the state's GSDP in the next 5 years.
• Setu (State Institute for Empowering and Transforming Uttarakhand) has been set up in the state like NITI Aayog for better planning structure, effective policy making, promotion of innovations and inter-departmental coordination and monitoring and evaluation of development works.
• CM also stated that the state has set a target of making Uttarakhand the best state in the country by the year 2025.
• To fulfill this objective, we are working towards realizing the Prime Minister's concept of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas" through collective efforts.
• He stated that The crime rate in Uttarakhand is 22 percent less than the national average.
• In the Export Preparedness Index for the year 2022 released by NITI Aayog, the state of Uttarakhand ranks first among the Himalayan states, while it ranks 9th in the entire country.
• In the “LEADS" ranking of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Uttarakhand is included in the State Achievers category in the year 2022 ranking.

About Uttarakhand:

• Capital: Dehradun
• Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
• Governor: Gurmit Singh
• National Parks: Govind National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Gangotri National Park, Rajaji National Park, Jim Corbett National Park

Kerala's first AI school launched in Thiruvananthapuram    

• Kerala got its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) school at Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
• The inauguration was done by Former President Ram Nath Kovind.
• As per the School authorities, the Al School is designed and molded by one of the world's most advanced educational platforms iLearning Engines (ILE) USA in collaboration with Vedhik eSchool, managed by a committee of veteran professionals including former Chief Secretaries, DGPs and Vice Chancellors.
• According to Vedic eSchool authorities, it is an innovative learning method that ensures international standards and quality learning opportunities for students with the help of artificial intelligence technology.
• AI School enables schools to achieve higher grades as the content and pedagogy are prepared in accordance with the National School Accreditation Standards based on the New National Education Policy (NEP 2020), the authorities stated.

About Kerala:

• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
• National Parks: Periyar National Park, Mathikettan National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

L&T secures orders worth ₹2,500 crores for urea plant in Australia

• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured an order worth ₹2,500 crore for the fabrication and supply of pipe rack modules for a 2.3-MMTPA urea plant for Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilizers Pty in Australia.
• The contract was awarded to L&T Energy Hydrocarbon by Saipem & Clough JV (SCJV) and the plant will be constructed in the Burrup Peninsula, about 20 km north of Karratha, Western Australia.
• It will be the largest urea plant in Australia and one of the largest in the world.
• Seventy per cent of the plant will be fabricated in India at L&T’s Kattupalli modular fabrication facility.
• About 1,160 mt of equipment will be delivered in 25 months and 50,000 mt of modules in 32 months.

About L&T

• Larsen & Toubro Ltd, commonly known as L&T, is an Indian multinational conglomerate company, with business interests in engineering, construction, manufacturing, technology, information technology and financial services, headquartered in Mumbai.
• Anil Manibhai Naik is the Group Chairman of Larsen & Toubro Limited.

About Australia

• Capital: Canberra
• Currency: Australian dollar
• Prime minister: Anthony Albanese

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENTS

The Indian Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard signed a memorandum of understanding for increased maritime cooperation, and the two governments met for the first time.

• In a significant step towards bolstering the bilateral cooperation between India and the Philippines, the Indian Coast Guard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on enhanced maritime cooperation.
• The MoU was signed by DG Rakesh Pal, Director General Indian Coast Guard and CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, Commandant, PCG at the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi on 22 August 2023.
• The MoU inked seeks to enhance the professional linkage between the two Coast Guards in the domain of Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) and Marine Pollution Response (MPR).
• The implementation of this MoU will enhance bilateral maritime cooperation between the two nations to ensure safe, secure and clean seas in the region.
• The first-ever bilateral meeting between both maritime agencies signifies the dedication to strengthening the professional bonds by sharing best practices, conducting joint exercises and enhancing training collaborations.
• Earlier, the delegation visited Goa on 21 August, where they witnessed the operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
• During the visit, the delegation was also provided with a customer demonstration flight on the Indian Coast Guard Advance Light Helicopter MK-III.
• The delegates also visited Indian Coast Guard Ship Sujeet built by Goa Shipyard Limited.

About ICG :

• Established: February 1977 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India.
• It operates under the Ministry of Defence.

Recent News

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Coast Guard & and Indian Navy with Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd., in Gandhinagar for the planning, development, construction, and commissioning of a gallery on the theme “Evolution of Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard” at the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) which is being constructed at the historic Indus Valley civilization region of Lothal (Gujarat).

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region and UNDP.

• The United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region signed an MoU formalising the collaboration
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has committed to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) to speed up India's sustainable development goals (SDGs).
• This collaboration was formalised in the presence of B L Verma, the Minister of State for both the Ministry of DoNER and the Ministry of Cooperation, as well as Ulrika Modeer, the UN assistant secretary-general & and director of the UNDP Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
• In this MoU, the UNDP has committed to providing technical assistance to MDoNER in several important areas.
• This includes speeding up progress towards the SDGs, enhancing the ability to monitor and evaluate projects, and building capacity.
• The partnership will also extend support to aspirational districts and blocks.
• Furthermore, UNDP will assist in implementing cutting-edge technologies within governance and expanding successful approaches.

Recent news

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched its 3rd cohort of 4 ocean innovators to demonstrate the compelling roles of marine spatial planning (MSP), marine protected areas (MPAs) and new environmentally and socially sustainable economic activities for a healthy and resilient ocean.
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) entered into a collaborative partnership aimed at empowering women to make well-informed career choices in the field of entrepreneurship.

About UNDP :

• Established: 22 November 1965
• Headquarters: New York, United States
• Administrator : Achim Steiner
• The UNDP is a United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human development.
• It was founded with the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance (EPTA) and the Special Fund.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Citi dealmaking head for South Asia and India Ravi Kapoor retires

• Citigroup stated Ravi Kapoor will retire as head of banking, capital markets and advisory (BCMA) for South Asia and India after 18 years with the U.S. bank.
• K Balasubramanian, currently head of corporate bank for Citi India, will take on Kapoor's role.
• Kapoor, who reached the superannuation age last year but continued in his role at Citi's request, is "actively thinking about professional and entrepreneurial opportunitie

About Citi Bank:

• Established: 1812
• Headquarters: New York, US
• CEO: Sunil Garg
• Chairman: Barbara Desoer

CURRENT AFFAIRS: ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

HDFC Capital, Abhinandan Lodha Group ink JV to invest Rs 1,500 crore in low-rise projects

• HDFC Capital Advisors and the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) have formed an alliance to set up a joint venture platform with investments of over Rs 1,500 crore to undertake land projects including plotted developments and low-rise projects across key property markets in India.
• HDFC Capital Advisors will be investing in this new platform through HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund-3 and the Investment is expected to result in a gross development value (GDV) of over Rs 4,500 crores.

About HDFC Capital:

• Established: 2016
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• CEO: Vipul Roongta

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Sports Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurates 33 Khelo India Centres across Rajasthan

• The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated 33 Khelo India Centres in the State of Rajasthan this morning at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
• The Union Minister announced that a National Center of Excellence with a dedicated Sports Science Centre will be set up in Rajasthan along with an additional 18 Khelo India centres, thus taking the total number of Khelo India centres in the State to 51.
• It was also announced that Competitions will be organised between the Khelo India Centers while the Coaching the Coaches programme will also be extended to the Khelo India Center.
• Coaches as well & as the KIC coaches will be trained by getting them attached to our national & and international coaches.
• Also present at the event was Sh. Ashok Chandna, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. Of Rajasthan, as well as other eminent dignitaries from the State, YAS Ministry and SAI.

About Rajasthan :

• Governor: Kalraj Mishra
• Chief Minister : Ashok Gehlot
• Capital: Jaipur
• National Park: Keoladeo National Park, Ranthambore National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Legendary Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar declared as National Icon of the Election Commission of India

• Bharat Ratna Awardee, Legendary Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been declared the National Icon of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to create awareness among voters and encourage their participation in the electoral process.
• Addressing an event in Akawani Bhawan in New Delhi, Mr Tendulkar said this is a new inning for him after retiring from cricket.
• He said every vote is important in the development of the nation. He encouraged the voters especially the young citizen to cast their votes.
• During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Sachin Tendulkar for three years in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
• Through this partnership, ECI aims to address the challenges of urban and youth apathy toward votin
• The Election Commission has continuously associated itself with renowned Indians from various fields and designates them as its national icons to motivate voters.
• Last year, the Commission recognized famous actor Pankaj Tripathi as the National Icon.
• Earlier, during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Cricketer MS Dhoni, Actor Aamir Khan, and Boxing Champion Mary Kom were the ECI national icons.

Indian’s Honey Dabas and Rahul Jograjiya, clinch first historic gold and silver medals in World Para Powerlifting Championships

• Indian powerlifters Honey Dabas and Rahul Jograjiya created history as they made an extraordinary start to the Dubai 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships by clinching the gold and silver medals respectively.
• Dabbas clinched the nation's first-ever gold with lifts of 132 kg and then 135 kg displaying amazing grit, determination, and strength.
• Meanwhile, Jograjiya followed his compatriot to secure the silver medal with a final lift of 132kg in the fiercely contested men's -72 kg junior weight category.
• Dabas has two gold medals from the Dubai 2022 Fazza World Cup.
• India’s only medal at a World Championships has been claimed by Parmjeet Kumar (men’s -49kg) at the Tbilisi 2021 World Championships.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

A spell ends: Zimbabwean cricket legend Heath Streak passes away at 49

• Zimbabwean cricket icon Heath Streak has passed away at the age of 49 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

About Heath Streak:

• Heath Streak, a versatile cricketer who not only captained the national team but also coached Bangladesh's men's national cricket team, has left a lasting impact on aspiring cricketers, especially those hailing from his homeland.
• His career coincided with a period of political unrest that deeply affected the game in Zimbabwe.

Singer Raju Punjabi passes away at 40, ‘irreparable loss’ to Haryanvi music industry says CM Khattar

• Renowned Haryanvi singer Raju Punjabi, aged 40, has passed away at a private hospital in Hisar after battling jaundice.

About Raju Punjabi :

• Raju Punjabi was a well-known Haryanvi singer and music composer.
• He was known for his songs such as ‘Desi Desi Na Bolya Kar,’ ‘Solid Body,’ ‘Sandal,’ and ‘Aacha Lage Se’.
• He was quite popular in Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
• He was fondly called the “King of Tunes” by his fans

Daily CA One- Liner: August 24

• Total banking transactions at GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) here reached USD 508 billion till July 2023.
• Cashfree Payments, India’s leading provider of payments and API banking solutions, introduced ‘Vendor Payments,’ a comprehensive platform that enables businesses to optimize and manage their purchase-to-pay cycle, increasing efficiency and lowering processing time.
• A Committee of Directors on Raising Capital Funds approved the raising of funds for an amount not exceeding Rs 5,000 crore through the issue of equity shares through Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP), Union Bankstated in a regulatory filing.
• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after holding a meeting with Durga Puja committees announced an increase of ₹70,000 grant to puja committees in the state.
• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a meeting with officials of his advisory group constituted with an aim to provide guidance for the upcoming Global Investors Summit, 2023.
• Kerala got its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) school at Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Citigroup stated Ravi Kapoor will retire as head of banking, capital markets and advisory (BCMA) for South Asia and India after 18 years with the U.S. bank.
• HDFC Capital Advisors and the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) have formed an alliance to set up a joint venture platform with investments of over Rs 1,500 crore to undertake land projects including plotted developments and low-rise projects across key property markets in India.
• Zimbabwean cricket icon Heath Streak has passed away at the age of 49 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
• Renowned Haryanvi singer Raju Punjabi, aged 40, has passed away at a private hospital in Hisar after battling jaundice.
• The National Health Authority (NHA) announced 100 microsite projects for accelerated adoption of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) across the country
• The 4th G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) Meeting will begin in Varanasi culminating in the Culture Ministers’ Meeting (CMM).
• Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao yojana.
• India will receive USD 25 million from the G20 Pandemic Fund for strengthening the animal health system of the country.
• India and the ASEAN countries agreed to review their free trade pact for goods by 2025.
• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured an order worth ₹2,500 crore for the fabrication and supply of pipe rack modules for a 2.3-MMTPA urea plant for Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilizers Pty in Australia.
• In a significant step towards bolstering the bilateral cooperation between India and the Philippines, the Indian Coast Guard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on enhanced maritime cooperation.
• The United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region signed an MoU formalising the collaboration.
• The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated 33 Khelo India Centres in the State of Rajasthan this morning at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur
• Bharat Ratna Awardee, Legendary Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been declared the National Icon of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to create awareness among voters and encourage their participation in the electoral process
• Indian powerlifters Honey Dabas and Rahul Jograjiya created history as they made an extraordinary start to the Dubai 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships by clinching the gold and silver medals respectively