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Current AFfairs
Current Affairs Daily Digest – April 20 2024
1. Intel announced Santhosh Viswanathan as India region head
Computer chip maker Intel announced, Santhosh Viswanathan will head the India region business as its Managing Director (MD).
Viswanathan took charge as Vice President and Managing Director for the Indian market in July 2022.
Now Intel has carved out India as a separate region.
About Intel
- Intel Founders: Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce
- CEO: Patrick P. Gelsinger
- Hq: Santa Clara, California, United States
2. Euvichol-S : WHO Approves New Oral Cholera Vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently gave the green light to Euvichol-S, a new oral cholera vaccine made in South Korea by EuBiologics Co., Ltd.
The new vaccine works about the same as older cholera vaccines, but its makeup is simpler, which makes it easier to make and cheaper.
It is believed that this prequalification will increase the supply of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) around the world and help fight the current rise in cholera outbreaks around the world.
More on Euvichol-S A vaccine
- Another vaccine made by EuBiologics is Euvichol-Plus, but Euvichol-S is a simpler form of it.
- The new formula cuts down on the amount of parts in the vaccine while keeping its ability to protect against important cholera serogroups.
- This makes things easier, which lowers the cost and difficulty of production and lets more be made more quickly.
- The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, EuBiologics, and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) all worked together to make Euvichol-S.
3. Kaushik Rajashekara Honored with International Fellowship by the Engineering Academy of Japan
The esteemed Engineering Academy of Japan has made Kaushik Rajashekara, a well-known professor at the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston, an International Fellow.
His outstanding efforts to the fields of power conversion and making transportation electric are recognized by this award.
A Trip from a Small Village to the World’s Attention
- Professor Rajashekara comes from a small town in Karnataka, India.
- He has had an amazing journey filled with many accomplishments and awards.
- He was named an International Fellow because of his “outstanding scientific research and scientific-technical developments in the field of energy,” which make energy sources around the world more efficient and safer for the environment.
4. Nalin Prabhat Appointed as Director-General of NSG
The Cabinet’s appointments committee has accepted two important appointments in India’s top security agencies. This is a big step forward.
Nalin Prabhat, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre who graduated in 1992, has been named Director-General of the National Security Guard (NSG).
Sapna Tewari, also an IPS officer from the Odisha cadre who graduated in 1992, has been named Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Named NSG Chief Nalin Prabhat, who is currently the Additional Director-General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir, has been named the Director-General of the NSG.
The NSG is the country’s top counter-terrorism and counter-hijacking force.
Authorities from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) have said that Prabhat will be the head of the NSG until he retires on August 31, 2028.
The NSG is a very specialized group of people who are taught to fight terrorism, hijackings, and other dangerous situations.
5. Top Indian Banks in Asia-Pacific Region: S&P Global Report
A new study from S&P Global says that State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank are three Indian banks that are among the top 50 banks in the Asia-Pacific region based on their assets.
State Bank of India (SBI):
- SBI, which is India’s biggest business bank, came out on top of the list of Indian banks in 2023.
- With assets worth $780.05 billion, it moved up from 20th place in 2022 to 21st place in 2023.
HDFU Bank
- HDFC Bank, which is India’s biggest private bank, moved up a lot, from 46th place in 2022 to 33rd place in 2023.
- With $464.34 billion in assets, the merger with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) in 2023 helped this rise.
ICICI Bank
- The second-largest private sector bank in India, ICICI Bank, made its appearance on the list by getting the 48th spot.
- Its presence shows how much the bank’s assets have grown, which is a big deal.
6. Airtel Payments Bank Launches NCMC-enabled Debit and Prepaid Cards
Together with NPCI and RuPay, Airtel Payments Bank has released debit and prepaid cards that are in line with NCMC.
These cards are meant to help India’s “One Nation, One Card” program. People with savings accounts can get bank cards that work with NCMC, and people who use wallets can get prepaid cards.
These cards are made from eco-friendly e-PVC material and can be used for a variety of payment methods, such as online shopping and using public transportation.
They also offer better security with EMV Chip protection.
The NCMC Enabled Card All-in-One Travel Solution has the following main benefits: You can use the card easily for metros, buses, tolls, and parking when you’re not online.
Flexible Use: The card can be used for a wide range of transactions, from shopping in stores to buying things online, getting tickets, and paying for gas.
Flexible Payment Options: You can choose from different ways to pay for your rides, such as buying passes or paying per ride.
Better security: Use the highly secure EMV Chip-protection tool to make sure you are safer.
7. National Civil Service Day 2024 is observed on April 21
India’s National Civil Service Day is held every year on April 21.
National Civil Service Day 2024 hasn’t been given a theme yet, but it’s likely to be about a problem or chance that the Indian civil service is facing right now. Here are some possible themes:
“Public service in a changing world” talks about how the public service can change to meet new needs and keep up with technological progress.
Encouraging responsible and open government: Emphasizing the value of integrity, accountability, and citizen-centric service delivery.
Strengthening citizen involvement means encouraging government workers and the public to work together to improve services and deal with community issues.
Celebrating differences and welcoming everyone: Bringing attention to how important it is to have a civil service that is representative of the Indian people and welcomes everyone.
