World Athletics Day 2023

• On May 7^th, 2023, the world celebrated World Athletics Day, which aims to promote physical fitness among children and motivate them to participate in athletics.
• The theme for this year's event is "A New Beginning: Athletics for All," emphasizing the inclusivity of athletics.

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Multi Modal Logistic Park (MMLP) At Jogighopa in Assam

• Under the Bharatmala Project of the Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways, the Government of India has established the country's first international Multi-Modal Logistic Park (MMLP) at Jogighopa in Assam.
• With a budget of Rs 693.97 crore, the park is currently under construction and is slated for completion in 2023. Upon completion, the park will offer seamless transportation options through waterways, roadways, railways, and airways.
• Revitalizing the transportation system in the Northeast region of India, including Bhutan and Bangladesh, is the primary objective of the project. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is an essential component of this endeavor, aimed at rejuvenating the transportation network and transforming it into a more efficient and effective catalyst for progress.

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RBI Made it Mandatory to Provide Comprehensive Information for All Money Transfers

• The Reserve Bank of India instructed all banks and financial institutions in the country to ensure that all wire transfers, whether domestic or international, include comprehensive details about the sender and receiver.
• This measure is intended to prevent wire transfers from being exploited as a means of money laundering or financing terrorist activities.
• The Reserve Bank of India has revised its guidelines on Know Your Customer (KYC) in relation to wire transfers, bringing them in line with the relevant recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
• This update was made in the Master Direction, indicating the central bank's efforts to stay up-to-date with global standards for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing through wire transfers.

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UAE Government Launched the ‘Machines Can See 2023’ Summit

• The UAE government has collaborated with the 'Machines Can See' company to organize the 'Machines Can See 2023' Summit at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, which is among the leading international conferences on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the region.
• This event is sponsored by the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, highlighting the country's commitment to promoting AI and its related fields.
• Experts from across the globe convened at the Museum of the Future in Dubai to participate in the 'Machines Can See 2023' Summit, an international conference dedicated to exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in realizing the UAE's vision of creating a new Silicon Valley.
• The event was co-hosted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, as well as the Dubai Future Foundation, and featured presentations and panel discussions from leading AI experts. The conference aimed to discuss the latest advancements and applications of AI, as well as its future prospects in the UAE and beyond.

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Mission LiFE: India’s Pledge Towards a Sustainable Future

• India's Mission LiFE is a worldwide initiative aimed at addressing climate change and promoting sustainable living to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
• The concept was initially proposed at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021, highlighting the significance of a conscious and intentional lifestyle in minimizing wasteful consumption.
• India inaugurated the LiFE Global Movement on June 5, 2022, in observance of World Environment Day. This initiative encourages researchers, start-ups, and academics worldwide to collaborate and propose precise and scientific solutions to combat the environmental crisis.
• The Mission LiFE initiative adopts the P3 model, which stands for Pro Planet People, with an emphasis on a lifestyle that is beneficial for the planet, by the planet, and of the planet. The program advocates for a circular economy, where reducing, reusing, and recycling resources is fundamental to promoting development, economic growth, and sustainability in balance.

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Kisan Credit Card Scheme

• As a part of the AazadiKaAmritMahostav celebrations, Shri Parshottam Rupala, the Union Cabinet Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, will commence the Nationwide AHDF KCC Campaign for 2023-24 on May 3rd, 2023.
• The launch event will feature an interactive session between the minister and beneficiaries of AHDF-KCC through CSC and the State Animal Husbandry Department, with the objective of extending the KCC facility to all small landless farmers involved in animal husbandry and fisheries activities.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
  • Initially launched in 1998, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme was designed to provide financial assistance to farmers to procure agricultural inputs and withdraw cash for their production requirements.
  • In 2004, the scheme was revised to encompass long-term and working capital loans for agriculture and allied activities. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India has extended the KCC facility to farmers involved in animal husbandry and fisheries, allowing them to fulfill their working capital needs.

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Anurag Thakur, Unveiled the Logo, Mascot, Torch, Anthem, and Jersey of the Khelo India University Games

• On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, launched the official logo, mascot, torch, anthem, and jersey of Khelo India University Games Uttar Pradesh 2022 in Lucknow.
• The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath. The launch was marked by enthusiasm and excitement.

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Visa Has Introduced CVV-Free Tokenised Transactions for Domestic Payments in India

• Visa has introduced a groundbreaking approach to enhance the safety and ease of digital transactions by eliminating the need for CVV in tokenized transactions for domestic payments in India, aligning with the Reserve Bank of India's directives.
• By introducing CVV-free tokenized transactions for domestic payments in India and following the Reserve Bank of India's guidelines, Visa aims to offer a faster and more secure online transaction experience to its users.
• This innovative solution sets Visa apart as the first payment network to introduce this feature, paving the way for a seamless and secure online payment experience for its customers.
• CVV-Free Tokenisation
  • The card verification value (CVV) is a security feature that comprises a three or four-digit number situated on the back of a physical credit or debit card.
  • It serves as an additional layer of security to verify that the person initiating the transaction is the rightful card owner. In most online transactions, the user is required to enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV to complete the transaction.

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Accenture appointed Ajay Vij as Country Managing Director

• After a 20-year tenure, Rekha M. Menon, Senior Managing Director and Chairperson for Accenture in India, is retiring from her position, and the company has appointed new leaders for India.
• Ajay Vij has been appointed as the new Country Managing Director of Accenture, taking on the responsibility of expanding his existing role as the Corporate Services & Sustainability lead for India to lead and coordinate the company's key priorities.
• Meanwhile, Sandeep Dutta, who previously served as India Sales Lead, will now be in charge of leading Accenture's India Market Unit. In this role, Dutta will oversee business operations and drive growth and market differentiation in the domestic market. Additionally, he will represent Accenture within the local industry and trade bodies, building relationships with local business communities.

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PM Launches Gati Shakti: National Master Plan for Infrastructure Development

• In New Delhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched Gati Shakti, which is the National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity, marking a new phase in governance. Gati Shakti, a digital platform, aims to integrate the planning and implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects by bringing together 16 ministries, including Railways and Roadways.
• The Gati Shakti platform will integrate the infrastructure programs of multiple Ministries and State Governments such as Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN, among others.
• It will focus on improving connectivity and enhancing the competitiveness of Indian businesses, covering Economic Zones such as textile clusters, pharmaceutical clusters, defence corridors, electronic parks, industrial corridors, fishing clusters, and agri zones.
• To achieve this, Gati Shakti will extensively leverage technology, including spatial planning tools using ISRO imagery developed by BiSAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics).