Daily Current Affairs- 11th May 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 11th May 2024

NATIONAL

DRDO Collaborates With IIT Bhubaneshwar for AI-Driven Surveillance Projects

• India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar for undertaking artificial intelligence (AI) driven surveillance and other projects, according to a PTI report republished by the Indian Defence Research Wing.
• Head of the School of Electrical Sciences at IIT, Prof S.R. Samantaray, emphasized that the collaboration is aligned with the evolving needs of defence applications, contributing to the vision of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India). He believes this collaboration will bolster defence research programs, fostering sustainability and contributing to the national ecosystem.

SPORTS

Amul becomes ‘Official Sponsor’ Of Sri Lanka Men’s Team For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

• Sri Lanka Cricket has announced that Indian milk producer Amul has become the ‘Official Sponsor’ of the Sri Lanka Men’s Team for the duration of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
• CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket Ashley De Silva said that Amul’s partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket is an excellent move, as associating with an international sports brand is going to help the firm gain market growth and further enhance its brand visibility among the international audience. 

India won three gold, two bronze medal at the Asian Open Pickleball

• The Indian team put out a dominant show in the Asian Open Pickleball Championship in Vietnam with a total of five medals.
• In the mixed doubles intermediate 35+ category, Sachin Pahwa and Priyanka Chhabra bagged the gold medal after a thrilling 11-9, 5-11, 11-9 win over Ruben Hellberg and Chitlada Hemasee.
• Continuing the winning streak, Isha Lakhani and Pei Chuan Kao emerged victorious in the women's doubles open category with a commanding 15-7, 15-3 win against Dang Kim Ngan and Tyak K.
• In the men's doubles event, Aniket Patel and Rohit Patil overcame Nik Alessandro Isagan and Lester Ga in a hard-fought match to claim the gold medal. They won 5-11, 11-6, 11-8.
• Vijay Menon secured a bronze medal by defeating Yu Hsuan Cher in the men's singles advanced 35+ category. Priyanka Chhabra won a bronze in the women's singles intermediate 35+ category, defeating Marissa Phongsirikul. 

New Zealand’s Colin Munro announces retirement after being ignored for ICC T20 World Cup 2024

• Colin Munro, the hard-hitting New Zealand top-order batsman, has announced his retirement from international cricket after being ignored for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 
• Munro represented New Zealand in 1 Test, 57 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, amassing a total of 3,010 runs. However, it was in the shortest format of the game that Munro truly showcased his batting prowess, earning a reputation as a T20 specialist.
• In T20Is, Munro struck runs at an impressive strike rate of 156.44, a testament to his ability to take the opposition attack apart. The 37-year-old remains one of the few players to have scored upwards of 10,000 runs across all T20 competitions, a remarkable feat in itself.

 OBITURY

Punjabi poet Padma Shri Surjit Patar passes away

• Surjit Patar, 79, a renowned Punjabi poet who received the Padma Shri, passed away, Patar's poetic works include ‘Hawa Vich Likhe Harf’, ‘Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varanmala’, ‘Patjhar Di Pazeb’, ‘Lafzaan Di Dargah’ and 'Surzameen'.
• Surjit Patar was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2012 for his contributions to literature and education. He served as the president of the Punjab Arts Council and had previously held the position of president at the Punjabi Sahit Akademi. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

SBI General Insurance Appoints Jaya Tripathi as Head of Key Relations Group

• SBI General Insurance, one of India’s leading general insurers, has announced the appointment of Ms. Jaya Tripathi as Head – Key Relations Group. In her new role, Ms. Tripathi will lead the expansion of new business opportunities and partnerships, drive sales team growth, and deepen partner relationships to enhance profitability.
• With a diverse background spanning general insurance, fashion retail, and tourism, Ms. Tripathi brings an array of experience to her new position. Her extensive background includes holding senior leadership roles at renowned organizations such as Mahindra Holidays, ICICI Lombard, Forevermark Diamonds (De Beers Group), and Aditya Birla Group, where she has significantly contributed to business and strategic development. 

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Assumes Charge as The Chief of Personnel of Indian Navy

• Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM assumes charge as the Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy, on 10 May 24. He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1989. In a career spanning 35 years, he has held a number of specialists, staff and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore.
• Vice Admiral Bhalla specialised in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He served aboard several frontline warships, honing his skills and expertise. Subsequently, he had the privilege of holding commanding roles at sea, including the coveted appointment of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF).
• During his tenure as FOCEF, Vice Admiral Bhalla served as the Officer in Tactical Command for the prestigious President’s Fleet Review (PFR – 22) and the Sea Phase of the Indian Navy’s flagship multinational exercise MILAN – 22, which witnessed an unprecedented participation from friendly foreign countries. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Technology Day: India

• National Technology Day is celebrated every year in India on 11 May. This day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of innovators, scientists, and engineers, and to promoting scientific and technological innovation in the country.
• The day was first established in 1998 to commemorate the successful nuclear test at Pokharan. This test was a significant milestone in India's technological advancement, and it paved the way for the country to acquire a leading position in the field of nuclear weapons technology. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Pawan Sindhi Honored with Global Pride of Sindhi Award 2024 for Outstanding Social Work

• In a glittering ceremony held at the Mukesh Patel auditorium in Juhu, Mumbai, social worker Mr. Pawan Sindhi was bestowed with the prestigious Global Pride of Sindhi Award 2024. The event, attended by esteemed saints, Mahatmas, and sadhus, was a celebration of Mr. Sindhi’s remarkable contributions to society.
• The Global Pride of Sindhi Award 2024 is a well-deserved honor for Pawan Sindhi, recognizing his exceptional efforts in making a positive impact on society. His dedication to the betterment of humanity serves as an inspiration to others, encouraging them to actively contribute to the welfare of society. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Thomas Cook India launches 'TCPay' for international money transfers

• Omnichannel forex services company Thomas Cook (NS:THOM) India launched a new digital service called 'TCPay' to bring ease and efficiency to international money transfers.
• According to the company, TCPay offers multiple benefits that will transform the way individuals transfer funds. The platform coupled with the Video KYC process, empowers customers with paperless transfers from the comfort and convenience of their home. 

India contributes US$ 500,000 to the Counter Terrorism Trust Fund (CTTF)

• The Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, handed over India’s voluntary financial contribution of half a million dollars towards the Counter Terrorism Trust Fund (CTTF) to Mr Valdimir Voronkov, Under Secretary General, United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT).
• This is a testament to India’s commitment to international cooperation on countering terrorism and continued implementation of the announcement made by Dr S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India during the Special Meeting of the Counter Terrorism Committee in New Delhi on 29 October 2022, to contribute to the Counter Terrorism Trust Fund.