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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Indian Bank Launches 'IB SAATHI' to Offer Basic Banking Services  

• Indian Bank has launched a financial inclusion solution called "IB SAATHI" (Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion).
• The initiative focuses on providing basic banking services to stakeholders through the business correspondent (BC) channel.
• IB SAATHI aims to simplify the delivery of services and offers both basic and value-added services to customers
• The bank plans to offer basic banking services at all its branches for a minimum of 4 hours per day.
• Banking Correspondents (BCs) will also provide services directly to customers at their doorstep.
• Indian Bank has set a target to deploy around 5,000 banking correspondents by March 2024 to expand its reach and accessibility to customers.
• The initiative is part of the bank's efforts to promote financial inclusion and enhance banking services for underserved areas and populations.

About Indian Bank :

• Established : 1907
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• MD &CEO : Shanti Lal Jain
• Tagline : Your Own Bank/ Apka Apna Bank

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) Launches Online Safe Deposit Locker Allotment Service   

• Public sector Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has introduced an online allotment of safe deposit locker facility for its customers and non-customers.
• Customers, both existing and non-customers of the bank, can access this new facility by logging into the bank's official portal, which is iob.in.
• One of the significant advantages of this service is that it allows both IOB customers and non-customers to avail of the safe deposit locker facility without the need to physically visit a bank branch.

About IOB :

• Founded : 10 February 1937
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• MD &CEO : Ajay Kumar Srivastava
• Tagline : Good people to grow with

Maruti Collaborates with Indian Bank to Offer Financing Solutions to Dealers

• Maruti Suzuki India Limited has entered into a partnership with Indian Bank to offer financing solutions to its dealers.
• Both parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise this collaboration.
• This partnership aims to empower over 4,000 Maruti Suzuki dealerships nationwide by providing them with comprehensive inventory funding options to meet their working capital requirements.
• The collaboration involves the development of personalised offers and end-to-end working capital solutions tailored to the needs of Maruti Suzuki's dealer partners across India.

Recent News :

• In Feb 2023, Maruti Suzuki India Limited signed MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with South Indian Bank through which the company aims to help dealer partners streamline vehicle inventory funding and offer comprehensive retail financing solutions to their customers.

About Maruti Suzuki India Limited :

• Founded : 24 February 1981
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• MD &CEO : Hisashi Takeuchi
• Maruti Suzuki India Limited is the Indian subsidiary of Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation.

About Indian Bank :

• Established : 1907
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• MD &CEO : Shanti Lal Jain
• Tagline : Your Own Bank/ Apka Apna Bank

Reserve Bank's Frictionless Credit Initiative Leads to 70% Reduction in Lender Customer Acquisition Costs and 6% Savings for Borrowers

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is piloting a "Frictionless Credit Initiative" that has resulted in a substantial 70% reduction in customer acquisition costs for lenders, on the other hand, borrowers are saving 6% of the loan amount.
• The pilot started with an all-digital KCC (kisan credit card) lending, developed by the RBI Innovation Hub on the public tech platform, in Tamil Nadu (TN) and Madhya Pradesh (MP) this April, 2023.
• The pilot program has been extended to 4 additional states: Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat (for dairy farmers) from August 17, 2023.

Key Highlights :

• The platform was created by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, an independent subsidiary of the central bank, enabling seamless flow of necessary information to lenders.
• This in turn will help in disbursing frictionless credit.
• On April 17,2023 the RBI rolled out a pilot project for pure retail products such as kisan credit card (KCC) loans up to Rs 1.6 lakh per borrower, dairy loans, uncollateralized MSME loans, personal loans, and home loans, in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Tamil Nadu (TN).
• The platform is an open architecture, based on open application programming interfaces (APIs) and standards platform where all financial sector players can connect seamlessly in a plug and play model.
• Based on the learnings, the scope and coverage will be expanded to include more products, information providers and lenders during the pilot.

Max Life Insurance Launches 'SEWA' Plan, a Combined Life and Health Insurance Policy    

• Max Life Insurance, a private life insurer, has entered the health and wellness segment by launching a new insurance plan called "Secure Earnings & Wellness Advantage" (SEWA).
• This plan combines the benefits of health and life insurance in a single policy.
• The SEWA plan is available in two variants - "Elite" and "Lite."

Unique Features of SEWA Plan :

• It combines health, security, and financial stability benefits.
• The health component of the SEWA plan offers a return on premiums.
• The policy allows partial withdrawals through a traditional guaranteed plan.
• Guaranteed returns are payable as a lump sum at maturity, regardless of health claims paid during the policy term.
• The plan includes an in-built health cover in addition to existing health insurance.
• Coverage :The SEWA plan covers various aspects, including hospitalisation, ICU stays, surgeries, critical illness, disability, and life insurance.
• As part of financial inclusion efforts and to promote insurance among women and transgender customers, the SEWA plan offers a 5% discount on the first-year premium.
• Max Life's research on retirement, known as the "India Retirement Index Study," indicates that 59% of Indians prioritise health when planning for retirement.
• The plan also offers customers access to the Max Fit wellness digital app, which incentivises them for leading a disciplined and healthier lifestyle, by providing enhanced maturity benefits.

About Max Life Insurance Company Limited :

• Established : 2000 (Commenced Operations : 2001)
• Headquarters : Gurugram, Haryana
• MD &CEO : Prashant Tripathy

Star Health and Allied Insurance Introduces UPI QR Code Payment Option for Insurance Purchases

• Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has introduced a UPI (Unified Payments Interface) QR code-based payment option for policy purchases and renewals.
• This customised solution aims to simplify the customer purchase experience, reducing it to just a few clicks.
• The company has also launched personalised UPI payment intent links to enhance customer convenience.
• This initiative is made possible through the support of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and signifies the adoption of modern, technology-driven payment solutions.

Key Highlights :

• The dynamic UPI QR code is integrated into payment reminder emails, allowing customers to complete transactions within seconds.
• The QR code includes all essential payment details, including the premium amount, eliminating the need for customers to manually enter the premium amount.
• Customers can make payments within seconds by scanning the customised QR code, ensuring a hassle-free, error-free, and efficient payment experience.

Recent News :

• In Aug 2023, Private sector health insurance provider Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd has signed a "strategic corporate bancassurance" with Standard Chartered Bank to provide its insurance products to customers.

About Star Health and Allied Insurance Co Ltd :

• Established : 2006
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• MD &CEO : Anand Roy

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

India has 150 elephant corridors spanning 15 range-states, West Bengal tops list

• India has at least 150 elephant corridors spanning15 range-states across four elephant-bearing regions, with West Bengal topping the list with 26 such land strips, according to a new Union Environment Ministry report.
• The central government's 2010 Elephant Task Force report (Gajah report) listed 88 corridors in the country.
• The latest report, titled "Elephant Corridors of India", also highlights that the intensity of elephant use has increased in 59 of these corridors, remained stable in 29 and decreased in 29 others.
• Of the total corridors, 15 have been impaired and require restoration efforts to restore functionality.

Key Highlights

• Information regarding the current use of 18 corridors by elephants was unavailable.
• An elephant corridor is a land strip facilitating the movement of elephants between two or more viable habitat patches.
• According to the last estimation conducted in 2017, there are around 30,000 elephants in India, which accounts for 60 per cent of the animal's global population.
• The latest report is an outcome of a collaborative effort between the Union Environment Ministry's Project Elephant and state forest departments, with technical support from the Wildlife Institute of India. Ground validation of the 150 elephant corridors across 15 states took nearly two years to complete.
• West Bengal leads with the highest number of elephant corridors in India, accounting for over 17 per cent of the total such land patches in the country.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation inaugurates ‘Udaan Bhawan’ at Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport

• With the inauguration of‘Udaan Bhawan,’ an Integrated Office Complex at Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport which was inaugurated by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, in the august presence of General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.), Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways & Civil Aviation and Shri VumlunmangVualnam, Secretary, MoCA.
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), being Regulatory Authorities, play a vital role in Civil Aviation sector by framing and implementing rules and regulations as per standards. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the major airport operator responsible for construction, operations, providing ATC and CNS services & maintenance at various airports throughout India.
• Udaan Bhawan, the New Integrated Office Complex has been constructed at Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi which will facilitate better coordination between various regulatory authorities under MoCA.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launches ‘Skills on Wheels’ initiative with NSDC and IndusInd Bank to promote skilling

• Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla launched ‘Skills on Wheels’ initiative with NSDC and IndusInd Bank with a flagging off ceremony.
• Under the partnership, 60,000 youth will be empowered over a period of five years with the objective of improving the livelihood of rural households by providing relevant skills training to its youth population.
• Under the collaboration, a customized bus with retrofitted tools will promote the 'Skill India Mission’ initiative through 'Skills on Wheels' and will travel across the length and breadth of aspirational and backward districts.
• The initiative is aimed at spreading awareness at the grassroots level about free skill training programs enabling youth to profoundly change the trajectory of their lives through robust skill training.
• Aligned with this mission, this partnership with IndusInd Bank is aimed at empowering the youth of the nation through the ‘Skills on Wheels’ project.
• The objective of Skills on Wheels is to enable a large number of youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will improve their theoretical as well as practical knowledge and help them secure a better livelihood by bringing necessary synergy, oversight, and effective coordination.
• It aims to bridge the gap between the skilled people required in the industry and the unemployed youth by ensuring that the right candidate with a passion for a particular job chooses the right course according to his/her academic background, aptitude, and skill set.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Unveils the Kalaignar Women's Rights Fund Scheme

• Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) Shri MK Stalin has inaugurated the 'KalaignarMagalirUrimaiThittam' (Kalaignar Women's Rights Assistance Scheme), which provides a monthly assistance of 1,000 to women in TN.
• The scheme would be launched on September 15, 2023, coinciding with the birth anniversary of C N Annadurai.
• The choice of the launch date holds historical significance, as it marks the birth anniversary of C N Annadurai, the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a prominent Dravidian leader.
• Annadurai played a crucial role in the Dravidian movement and founded the DMK party, serving as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister from 1967 to 1969.
• Launching the scheme on Annadurai's birth anniversary is a tribute to his legacy and contributions to the state's political history.
• The year 2023 marks the 115th birth anniversary of C N Annadurai

About Kalaignar Women's Rights Assistance Scheme :

• The initiative is designed to acknowledge and support the hard work of women in Tamil Nadu.
• The TN government has identified approximately06 crore women as beneficiaries under the scheme.
• The Rs. 1,000 assistance is disbursed to beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

About Tamil Nadu :

• Governor: R. N. Ravi
• Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
• Capital: Chennai
• Dance : Bharatnatyam, Karakattam
• National Park: Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
• Tiger Reserve: Anamalai Tiger Reserve
• Biosphere Reserve :Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

Uttar Pradesh Government Introduces Special Gift Deed Scheme

• The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has introduced a special Gift Deed Scheme.
• The Yogi Adityanath Government launched this scheme with the aim of promoting harmony and resolving property-related family disputes.
• Beneficiaries: From August 5, 2023, to September 12, 2023, the scheme has benefited more than 43,574 people.

About the Scheme :

• Financial Impact: Under this scheme, the public has received a total benefit of Rs 1,807.31 crore.
• Stamp Duty Reduction: The new scheme reduces the stamp duty for property donations to blood relatives to a fixed amount of Rs 5,000.
• Previously, individuals had to pay stamp duty based on the prevailing circle rate when executing a gift deed.
• In 2022, over 2.56 lakh people took advantage of the scheme, which was implemented from June 2023 to December 2023.

Recent News :

• In Aug 2023, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government introduced the 'Manav Sampada Portal' with the objective of instilling transparency and accountability in the functioning of officers and employees across all 74 departments in the state.
• In Aug 2023, to reach out to 5,000 children, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government decided to expand the ‘Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana’ to all 75 districts.

About UP :

• Governor : Anandiben Patel
• Chief Minister : Yogi Adityanath
• Capital : Lucknow
• National Park :Dudhwa National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary :Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Infosys signs $1.5 billion deal to leverage AI solutions

• IT major Infosys has signed a contract worth $1.5 billion with a global company for a period of 15 years to leverage the company’s platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
• Infosys did not name the company, nor has it mentioned whether it is a new or an existing client.
• This is the fifth mega-deal for Infosys this financial year.
• In May, it won a deal worth $1.5 billion with British oil and gas company BP.
• This was followed by a second pact worth $454 million with Danske Bank in June.
• In July, Infosys announced a $2 billion deal with an existing strategic client.
• Most recently in August, Infosys and Liberty Global, a London-based telecom, signed a $1.64 billion deal for the initial five years to evolve and scale up the telco's digital entertainment and connectivity platforms.
• The deal announced leverages AI, similar to the deal with Liberty Global which leverages Infosys AI offering Topaz to bring AI-enabled digital entertainment powered to Liberty Global’s customers.
• In June this year, India’s biggest IT services firm signed a contract worth $1.9 billion for a period of 18 years, with UK’s National Employment Savings Trust (Nest).
• It also inked a 10-year pact with the Department of Education to administer and enhance customer experience for the Teacher’s Pension Scheme in England and Wales.

Gross Direct Tax collections registered Rs 9.87 lakh crore for FY 2023-24

• Gross Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, as of the 16th September, have registered a growth of 18.2 per cent.
• The gross collection stands at nine lakh 87 thousand 61 crore rupees as compared to eight lakh 34 thousand 469 crore rupees in the corresponding period of the last FY.
• The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections for this FY show that net collection stands at eight lakh 65 thousand 117 crore rupees as compared to seven lakh 416 crore rupees in the same period of the last FY.
• The figures here also represent an increase of 23.51 percent.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

84 artists conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar presented the one-time Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards to 84 artists from varied fields of performing arts.
• Natak Akademi Amrit Awards is a national honour bestowed on performing artists as well as teachers and scholars in the field of performing arts.
• The recipients are selected by the Akademi’s General Council.

Key Highlights

• The Akademi’s General Council consisted of distinguished musicians, dancers, theatre artists and scholars in these disciplines and nominees of the Government of India, state governments, and Union Territories.
• The honour carries a purse money of Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
• The award was constituted to honour Indian artists aged above 75 years who have not been accorded any national honour in their career so far.
• It was created by a resolution of the Ministry of Education, with P.V. Rajamannar as its first Chairman.
• It was set up in 1953 for the preservation and promotion of the vast intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and drama.
• Presently, it is an Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture.
• The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.
• It is fully funded by the Government for the implementation of its schemes and programmes.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Mastercard India appoints former SBI head Rajnish Kumar as its Non Executive Chairman

• Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry, has appointed Rajnish Kumar, former Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), as the Chairman of Mastercard India.
• In his role as Chairman of Mastercard India, Rajnish Kumar will serve in a non-executive advisory capacity.
• He will provide guidance to Mastercard's South Asia executive leadership team, which is led by Gautam Aggarwal, Division President for South Asia and Country Corporate Officer for India.
• This guidance will be particularly valuable in navigating the dynamic domestic payments landscape.

About Rajnish Kumar :

• Rajnish Kumar boasts nearly four decades of experience at SBI, where he held various leadership positions.
• He managed critical operations for the bank across India, the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada.
• He is widely recognized for spearheading the YONO (You Only Need One) platform.
• Kumar completed his 3-year term as the Chairman of SBI in October 2020.
• While his expertise lies in corporate credit and project finance, Rajnish Kumar also holds several directorships including seats on the boards of corporate giants such as HSBC Asia Pacific, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Brookfield Property Management.
• Additionally, he chairs the boards of BharatPe and serves on the board of governors at the leading management institute, MDI, Gurgaon.

About Mastercard :

• Established : 1966
• Headquarters : New York, United States of America
• CEO : Michael Miebach
• It offers a range of payment transaction processing and other related-payment services (such as travel-related payments and bookings).
• The company has connections across 210 countries.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

NHAI Inks Agreement to Develop Multi Modal Logistics Park at Bengaluru

• National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a 100% owned company of NHAI signed an agreement for the development of Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Bengaluru proposed to be developed under the Public Private Partnership (DBFOT) model at an estimated cost of Rs 1,770 crore, the agreement has been signed between Government SPV, Bengaluru MMLP Pvt. Ltd. & Concessionaire SPV M/s. PATH Bengaluru Logistics Park Pvt. Lt
• The MMLP is being developed in an area of 400 acre at Muddelinganahalli in Bengaluru rural district in Karnataka.
• The project is poised to become the first and largest MMLP ever implemented in the country under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
• To facilitate seamless logistics movement, the site is strategically located adjacent to the upcoming KIADB industrial area on East side, abutting the NH 648, Dabbaspet to Hosur as well as Satellite Town Ring Road on North side and Bengaluru – Hubli – Mumbai rail line on South side. Bengaluru MMLP is located at a distance of 58 km from Bengaluru Airport and 48 km from Bengaluru city railway station.

About MMLP

• The MMLP will be developed in three phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in two years. MMLP will cater to about 30 million metric tonnes (MMT) cargo by the end of concession period of 45 years and will give huge boost to the industrial zones in the catchment region such as Bengaluru and Tumkur.
• A Government SPV is incorporated between National Highways Logistics Management Ltd. (NHLML), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) amd Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB).
• Development of MMLP is a key initiative of the Government of India to improve the country's freight logistics sector by enabling efficient inter-modal freight movement to lower overall freight costs and time, provide efficient warehousing, improve tracking and traceability of consignments thereby enhancing the efficiency of the Indian logistics sector.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

Best Countries Ranking 2023: Switzerland Stays At Top Position, India Climbs One Spot To 30th

• Switzerland has once again claimed the title of the world's best country, according to the latest S. News & World Report's annual Best Countries rankings.
• This marks Switzerland's second consecutive year at the pinnacle and its sixth time overall as the No. 1 nation on the list.
• The rankings, released recently, reaffirm Switzerland's supremacy, closely followed by
• Canada at No. 2,
• Sweden at No. 3,
• Australia at No. 4,
• and the United States at No. 5.
• According to the 8th edition of US News & World Report’s Best Countries 2023, India was ranked 30th.

Key Highlights

• The United States has slipped one spot compared to its 2022 ranking.
• In the 2023 rankings, European countries dominate the top tier, securing 16 of the top 25 spots.
• Notable shifts include Germany, which has fallen five spots since 2022, and Australia and New Zealand, both climbing three places year over year.
• The Middle East is represented by the United Arab Emirates, while Asia boasts Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea within thetop 25.
• The rankings are developed in collaboration with global marketing communications company WPP and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
• Notably, Cyprus, Honduras, and Zimbabwe have made their debut in the rankings, while El Salvador rejoins the list after being absent in 2022.
• The ‘Movers’ category, in which nations are placed based on their potential for future growth, including how well-prepared they are to handle difficulties posed by the global economy, saw India perform the best.
• Next to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, India was ranked fifth on the list. India was rated eighth for culture and heritage. India is the 12th most powerful nation in the world.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Germany beat Serbia to win first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup

• Germany has won their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup title by beating undermanned Serbia 83-77 in a slugfest of the two European powerhouses in Manila.
• The tournament’s most valuable player Dennis Schroder carried Germany with a game-high 28 points, way above his average of 17.9 points per game, and added two rebounds and two assists.
• Germany became the first team to win a FIBA World Cup crown in their final debut since Spain in 2006.
• Germany’s previous best showing at the men’s World Cup was in 2002, when MVP Dirk Nowitzki led them to the bronze medal at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) event.
• Earlier, Canada bagged their first World Cup podium finish at the expense of short-handed United States 127-118 in overtime in a riveting, record-setting bronze-medal game.
• FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 took place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10

About FIBA:

• The International Basketball Federation is an association of national organizations that governs the sport of basketball worldwide.
• President: Hamane Niang
• Founded: 18 June 1932
• Headquarters: Mies, Switzerland

Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan wins Gold medal in women’s 10 metre air rifle event at ISSF World Cup

• Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan has won the gold medal in the women’s 10 metre air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Olympian Elavenil Valarivan shot 252.2 from her series of 24 shots in the final and narrowly beat France’s Oceanne Muller.
• A total of eight shooters qualified for the final.
• This was Elavenil Valarivan’s second individual ISSF World Cup medal.
• Earlier, Elavenil Valarivan finished 9th in the qualification round with 630.5.
• The Rio meet is the last rifle and pistol ISSF World Cup of 2023.
• The ongoing event in the Brazilian city will be followed by the finals in Doha, Qatar, scheduled from November 18 to 27. India have sent a 16-member squad for the ISSF World Cup.

About ISSF:

• Founded: 1907
• Headquarters: Munich, Germany
• Membership: 150 regions
• Secretary: Willi Grill (Secretary-General)

India beats Sri Lanka by 10 Wickets in Colombo to win Asia Cup 2023 title

• In Cricket, India demolished hosts Sri Lanka by registering a 10-wicket win in the final to lift the Asia Cup in Colombo.
• Opting to bat, the hosts were bundled out for a paltry score of 50 runs in just 15.2 overs.
• India's Mohammed Siraj brought Sri Lanka down to their knees with a six-wicket haul.
• He was followed by Hardik Pandya who took three wickets, along with one wicket by Jasprit Bumrah.
• In reply, India achieved the target of 51 runs in just 6.1 overs.
• Ishan Kishan at 23 and Shubman Gill at 27 remained unbeaten.
• Mohammed Siraj was declared player of the match and Kuldeep Yadav player of the series.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

First president of Moldova Mircea Snegur Passed away

• Mircea Snegur, who led Moldova to independence and served as its first president, has passed away at the age of 83.

About Mircea Snegur :

• Snegur was born on 17 January 1940 in Trifănești, in Soroca District, Moldova.
• From 1968 to 1973, he served as the director of the Experimental Station of Field Cultures.
• From 1973 to 1978, he worked as the director of the Main Agricultural Science Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Between 1978 and 1981, he held the position of general director at the Selectia Research Institute of Field Crops.
• He served as the chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1989 to 1990.
• Additionally, he held the position of chairman of the Supreme Soviet from April 27 to September 3, 1990.
• He served as the first president of Moldova from 1990 to 1997, making significant contributions during this pivotal period in the country's history.

About Moldova :

• President : Maia Sandu
• Capital :Chișinău
• Currency : Moldovan leu

Hindustani Classical Vocalist Malini Rajurkar passed away

• Hindustani classical vocalist Malini Rajurkar, an exponent of Gwalior gharana passed away at the age of 82.

About Malini Rajurkar :

• Rajurkar was born in 1941 in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
• She performed at major music festivals across India, including Gunidas Sammelan (Mumbai), Tansen Samaroh (Gwalior), Sawai Gandharva Festival (Pune), and Shankar Lal Festival (Delhi).
• She was well-known for her expertise in the "tappa" style of music, which is a captivating form of Indian semi-classical vocal music.
• Tappa is characterised by its fast-paced and intricate melodies.
• She gained popularity for her renditions of Marathi natyageete (Marathi musical dramas), including songs like "pandu-nrupatijanakjaya," "naravarkrishnasamaan," and "yabhavanatilgeetpurane."
• Malini Rajurkar received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her significant contributions to Indian classical music in 2001.

Daily CA One- Liner: September 19

• Indian Bank has launched a financial inclusion solution called "IB SAATHI" (Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion).
• Public sector Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has introduced an online allotment of safe deposit locker facility for its customers and non-customers.
• Maruti Suzuki India Limited has entered into a partnership with Indian Bank to offer financing solutions to its dealers.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is piloting a "Frictionless Credit Initiative" that has resulted in a substantial 70% reduction in customer acquisition costs for lenders, on the other hand, borrowers are saving 6% of the loan amount.
• Max Life Insurance, a private life insurer, has entered the health and wellness segment by launching a new insurance plan called "Secure Earnings & Wellness Advantage" (SEWA).
• Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has introduced a UPI (Unified Payments Interface) QR code-based payment option for policy purchases and renewals.
• India has at least 150 elephant corridors spanning 15 range-states across four elephant-bearing regions, with West Bengal topping the list with 26 such land strips, according to a new Union Environment Ministry report.
• With the inauguration of‘Udaan Bhawan,’ an Integrated Office Complex at Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport which was inaugurated by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, in the august presence of General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.), Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways & Civil Aviation and Shri VumlunmangVualnam, Secretary, MoCA.
• Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla launched ‘Skills on Wheels’ initiative with NSDC and IndusInd Bank with a flagging off ceremony.
• IT major Infosys has signed a contract worth $1.5 billion with a global company for a period of 15 years to leverage the company’s platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
• Gross Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, as of the 16th September, have registered a growth of 18.2 per cent.
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar presented the one-time Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards to 84 artists from varied fields of performing arts.
• National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a 100% owned company of NHAI signed an agreement for the development of Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Bengaluru proposed to be developed under the Public Private Partnership (DBFOT) model at an estimated cost of Rs 1,770 crore, the agreement has been signed between Government SPV, Bengaluru MMLP Pvt. Ltd. & Concessionaire SPV M/s. PATH Bengaluru Logistics Park Pvt. Ltd.
• Switzerland has once again claimed the title of the world's best country, according to the latest S. News & World Report's annual Best Countries rankings
• Germany has won their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup title by beating undermanned Serbia 83-77 in a slugfest of the two European powerhouses in Manila.
• Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan has won the gold medal in the women’s 10 metre air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• In Cricket, India demolished hosts Sri Lanka by registering a 10-wicket win in the final to lift the Asia Cup in Colombo.
• Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) Shri MK Stalin has inaugurated the 'KalaignarMagalirUrimaiThittam' (Kalaignar Women's Rights Assistance Scheme), which provides a monthly assistance of 1,000 to women in TN.
• The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has introduced a special Gift Deed Scheme.
• Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry, has appointed Rajnish Kumar, former Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), as the Chairman of Mastercard India.
• Mircea Snegur, who led Moldova to independence and served as its first president, has passed away at the age of 83.
• Hindustani classical vocalist Malini Rajurkar, an exponent of Gwalior gharana passed away at the age of 82.