Daily Current Affairs- 20th May 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 20th May 2024

NATIONAL

Assam Launches DRIMS for reporting damages during disasters

• The Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), a digital platform for online reporting of damages incurred during various disasters, was launched by Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota.
• DRIMS is a state-of-the-art initiative of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), for accurate reporting and assessment of damages caused by disasters, and disbursal of aid to those affected. 

SPORTS

Deepthi Jeevanji wins gold with world record time in 400m T20 class in World Para C'ships

• India's Deepthi Jeevanji clinched the gold medal with a world record time of 55.07 seconds in the women's 400m T20 category race at the World Para Athletics Championships here on Monday ( May 20, 2024 ).
• Deepthi smashed American Breanna Clark's earlier world record of 55.12 seconds set during last year's edition of the championships in Paris. 

SCIENCE &TEHNOLOGY

Gopi Thotakura becomes 1st Indian space tourist on Blue Origin's private astronaut launch

• Gopi Thotakura, an entrepreneur and a pilot, on Sunday May 19, became the first Indian to venture into space as a tourist aboard Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission.
• Thotakura was selected as one of the six crew members for the NS-25 mission, making him the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Army's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
• Blue Origin's seventh human flight, NS-25, lifted off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Sunday morning, the company announced on social media. 

OBITURY

Legendary banker and former ICICI Bank Chairman N Vaghul Passes Away

• Narayanan Vaghul, legendary banker and former ICICI Bank Chairman, passed away at Apollo hospital, Chennai, earlier today. According to people familiar with the development, Vaghul was unconscious and critical for the last two days after he had a fall at home.
• During his decades-long career path, Vaghul was instrumental in building ICICI Bank from an early-stage financial institution into a full-fledged bank. Vaghul mentored many senior executives at the bank, including the likes of KV Kamath. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Bee Day

• Globally, May 20 is celebrated as World Bee Day. As bee population is declining, people are stepping up to create awareness about importance of bees. The date for this observance was chosen as it was the day Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture, was born.
• In recognition of the pivotal role that youth can play in addressing challenges bees and other pollinators are facing, World Bee Day 2024 focuses on the theme "Bee engaged with Youth." This theme highlights the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future stewards of our environment. 

International HR Day

• Every year, International HR Day, or IHRD, is a celebration of the revolutionary impact that HR has on both individuals and organizations. The European Association for People Management established it in 2019 with the goal of highlighting the important role that HR professionals and practices play within the organization and increasing public awareness of the changing demands and vital role that HR professionals play in today's dynamic workplace and their crucial role in the success of organizations.
• This year's International HR Day theme is HR shaping the new future, focusing on four sub-themes:
• Ethical use of technology and AI
• Future workplaces
• People leadership
• Continued innovation in skills and education 

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Conference on Administration of Criminal Justice held in Guwahati

• The Union Ministry of Law and Justice, in association with the Assam Government, has organised a two-day conference, ‘India's Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System’, in Guwahati, Assam, on 18th- 19th May 2024.
• The aim of the conference was to create awareness about the recent changes made by the government in repealing British-era criminal law and the enactment of new laws related to the criminal justice system in the country. 

RANKING

Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani in World’s Top 15 Super Rich List

• Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani have been included in the top 15 world’s super-rich list of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Gautam Adani made it to the list after he lost his place in 2023 due to short selling in his company's stock after the publication of the Hinderberg report.
• The short selling in 2023 led to an erosion in Adani's wealth, leading to his exit from the top 15 super-rich list. For the first time, every individual included in the top 15 super rich in the world has a networth of $100 billion or more. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

SBI General unveils 'Surety Bond Bima' for infrastructure projects

• SBI General Insurance, the non-life insurance arm of State Bank of India (SBI), on Tuesday announced the launch of the General Surety Bond Bima (Conditional & Unconditional)' insurance product.
• Surety Bond Insurance will act as a security arrangement for infrastructure projects and will insulate the contractor as well as the principal (contract awarding authority).
• The product is designed to provide protection against breach of terms and conditions by the contractors either during the bidding stage or during the performance stage of a project, SBI General said in a statement. 

Fusion Micro Finance gets $25 million loan from US International DFC

• Fusion Micro Finance has entered into a loan agreement with the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for an overall facility of $25 million,
• The microfinancier has received an initial disbursement of $20 million as external commercial borrowing (ECB), which will be used for the expansion of business operations with the aim of advancing financial inclusion and economic access among rural women entrepreneurs.