Today's Current Affairs 10th May 2023

NATIONAL

PM lays foundation stone and dedicates to nation infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 5500 crores in Nathdwara, Rajasthan

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation projects worth over Rs. 5500 crores in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. The development projects focus on bolstering infrastructure and connectivity in the region where the railway and road projects will facilitate the movement of goods and services, thereby boosting trade and commerce and improving the socio-economic conditions of the people in the region

Projects –

1. Lays foundation stone for redevelopment of Udaipur railway station and gauge conversion project
2. Lays foundation stone for road construction projects for upgradation to two-lane in Rajsamand and Udaipur.
3. Inaugurates three national highway projects

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to visit the glorious land of Mewar of Lord Shrinath. The Prime Minister recalled performing darshan and puja at the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara earlier in the day and wished for blessings to accomplish the goals of a Viksit Bharat in the Azaadi Ka Amrit Kaal.

Telangana Robotics Framework: IT Minister KT Rama Rao Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Policy

IT and Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao launched Telangana State Robotics Framework with an aim for creating a sustainable robotics ecosystem promote the robotics ecosystem and establishing the state as a leader in the field of robotics,

The framework is a comprehensive roadmap that outlines the state's vision for the development of the robotics ecosystem in the state and contributing to the growth of the industry in the country,

About Robotics Framework - The State Robotics Framework is a detailed plan that outlines Telangana’s vision for advancing the robotics ecosystem and promoting industry growth in India. The framework was created by the Emerging Technologies Wing of the ITE&C Department of Telangana, in collaboration with the All India Robotics Association and input from academic, industry experts and stakeholders.

Punjab becomes first state to implement ‘Right To Walk’

Punjab has become the first state to implement ‘Right To Walk’ by making it mandatory for all road-owning agencies, including the NHAI, to provide footpath and cycle tracks in all future expansion of roads and construction of new ones, This has come amid consistent rise in deaths of pedestrians and cyclists, Punjab has taken the lead among the states and UTs in India.

The state government has issued these directions following two court orders after PILs were filed at Punjab and Haryana HC and another in the Supreme Court. As per a communication from Punjab chief secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua to Punjab government’s traffic adviser, Navdeep Asija, “in future all expansions of existing roads and construction of new roads, a mandatory provision of cycle tracks and footpaths should be made by all road owning departments and agencies”.

 SPORTS

Lionel Messi and Argentina WIN BIG at Laureus AwardS 2023

Lionel Messi has been named the Sportsman of the Year at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Paris. The Argentine football star won the prestigious award for his remarkable achievements on the pitch in the past year, which included leading Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup. Messi was nominated alongside other star athletes such as Kylian Mbappe, Rafael Nadal, Stephen Curry, Mondo Duplantis, and Max Verstappen.

In addition to that, Messi accepted the World Team of the Year award on behalf of the Argentina men’s football team, who won the championship in Qatar. Messi also became the first athlete to scoop both the World Sportsman of the Year Award and the World Team of the Year Award in the same year.

With the win, the Argentine becomes the only footballer ever to win Laureus Awards twice. Messi previously won the Sportsman of the Year award in 2020 in a ceremony that took place in Berlin.

OBITURY

Renowned Bengali author Samaresh Majumdar passes away at 79

Sahitya Akademi Award Winning Bengali Author who in known for portraying the tumultuous Naxalaite period of the 1970s, passes away at a private hospital in Kolkata, he was 79.

Samaresh Majumdar was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and was undergoing treatment at the hospital for over a month.

Born on March 10, 1944, novelist Majumdar is best known for his ‘Animesh’ series. He was first published in the year 1967- a novel named ‘Dour’ (Run). One of his works was even was adapted into the 2013 film ‘Arjun-Kalimpong E Sitaharan’.

Majumdar is also known for ‘Uttoradhikar’, ‘Kaalpurush’, ‘Satkahan’, and ‘Adventures of Detective Arjun’. The writer-poet has innumerable accolades under his belt, including Sahitya Akademi Award which he won for ‘Kalbela’ in 1984.

Apart from this, he has been conferred the Anand Award and Bankim Award. In 2018, the West Bengal government honoured him with the 'Banga Bibhushan' award.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Argania

Every year on May 10, the International Day of Argania or International Day of the Argan Tree is observed to promote awareness and understanding of the argan tree’s environmental importance worldwide. This day was established by UNESCO. The United Nations will celebrate on 10 May 2023, the third International Day of Argania, since its proclamation by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/262 in 2021.

Theme: The theme of the International Day of Argania – 2023 is Socio-economic development & sustainability of the Argan ecosystem.

About: Argania - Argania is a genus of flowering plants containing the sole species Argania spinosa, known as argan, a tree endemic to the calcareous semi-desert Sous valley of southwestern Morocco and to the region of Tindouf in southwestern Algeria. Argan trees grow to 8–10 m high and live up to approximately 200 years.

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

RBI imposes Rs 1.73 crore penalty on HSBC for incorrect credit information

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 8 imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1.73 crore on the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd for contravention of Credit Information Companies Rules, 2006.

A notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why the penalty should not be imposed for contravention of the said provisions of CIC Rules, as stated therein.

After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, the RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of contravention of the aforesaid CIC Rules was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty, This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

About: HSBC - HSBC’s origins in India date back to 1853 when the Mercantile Bank of India was established in Mumbai. The bank has grown steadily and now offers products and services to corporate and commercial banking clients and retail customers.

The Mercantile Bank was bought in 1959 by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. Founded in 1865 to serve the needs of the merchants of the China coast and finance the growing trade between China, Europe and the US, HSBC has been an international bank from its earliest days.

HSBC in India has been active in the development of the Indian banking industry - even giving India its first ATM in 1987.

Federal Bank launches e-Bank Guarantees in partnership with NeSL

Federal Bank has gone live with NeSL for the issuance of electronic Bank Guarantee facility. With this partnership, customers of Federal Bank can now avail of a complete digital experience while getting a Bank Guarantee. This will, in due course, replace the traditional paper-based process.

Electronic Bank Guarantee facilitates the issuance, invocation, amendment, and cancellation of Bank Guarantee in digital form and removes the need of printing any document/request thereof. It is safe, secure, and fast, facilitating the trade/business activities

Individual, Sole Proprietor, Company, Partnership Firm, Govt. Agencies, Association of People, Body of Individuals are eligible to avail of this facility. This is currently available only in states where e-stamping is available. – As on Mat 2023