- National:
- Starting from 2025, Assam will celebrate August 20 as Sootea Day to honor the region’s role in India’s freedom movement. This date marks the 1942 event when locals, led by Biman Chandra Bora, hoisted the national flag at Sootea Police Station during the Quit India Movement. The government plans to build a heritage monument at the site with a ₹5 crore budget.
- Hartalika Teej is being celebrated today, September 6, 2024. This Hindu festival is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Married women observe a strict fast on this day to pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands, while unmarried women pray to get a good husband.
- Kerala topped the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) and State Reform Action Plan (SRAP) rankings by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The state excelled in two business-centric and seven citizen-centric reform categories, including facilitating utility permits, paying taxes, and improving service delivery in the public distribution system and transport sector.
- The first International Solar Festival was held in Delhi on September 5-6, 2024, and was virtually addressed by PM Narendra Modi. He highlighted India’s 32-fold increase in solar capacity over the last decade and emphasized the need to democratize solar technology for developing nations. The event, organized by the International Solar Alliance, saw participation from over 100 countries and focused on promoting solar power as a sustainable energy source.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiative via video conferencing in Surat, Gujarat on September 6, 2024. This initiative aims to construct around 24,800 rainwater harvesting structures to boost water conservation efforts. PM Modi emphasized the importance of water conservation and encouraged adopting the mantra of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recharge, and Recycle’.
- For the first time since Independence, India’s average household spending on food has fallen to less than half of the total monthly expenditure. This shift is due to government food security policies, diversification of diets, and overall economic progress. Households are now spending more on varied and nutritious food items like milk, fruits, and meat.
- The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation launched the ‘Greatness of Spirit’ series on September 4, 2024. This seven-volume series celebrates the 65th anniversary of the award given to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
- Banking:
- The Bank of India (BOI) launched the 333-Day Star Dhan Vriddhi Fixed Deposit scheme on September 1, 2024. It offers interest rates of up to 7.90% for super senior citizens, 7.75% for senior citizens, and 7.25% for the general public.
- India’s UPI processed nearly ₹81 lakh crore in transactions from April to July 2023, surpassing major global digital payment platforms like Alipay and PayPal. This marks a 37% year-on-year increase, with July alone seeing transactions worth ₹20.6 lakh crore. UPI handled an impressive 3,729.1 transactions per second during this period.
- Chennai-based fintech company Paysharp has received final authorization from the RBI to act as a Payment Aggregator (PA) as of August 30, 2024. This allows Paysharp to offer its flat pricing model to more merchants, focusing on non-card-based payments like UPI and virtual account-based solutions. This milestone places Paysharp among the 36 RBI-authorized payment aggregators.
- Kotak General Insurance has rebranded as Zurich Kotak General Insurance after Zurich Insurance Group acquired a 70% stake. This partnership aims to leverage Zurich’s global expertise and Kotak’s local market strength to enhance insurance offerings in India.
- HDFC Bank’s GIGA is a financial suite tailored for gig workers and freelancers. It offers specialized savings and current accounts, business debit and credit cards, affordable health insurance, and flexible investment products. This initiative aims to address the unique financial needs of gig workers, from professionals to delivery partners.
- Product launched by banks:
- Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd launched India’s first Braille insurance policy, Special Care Gold, on September 4, 2024. This policy is tailored for persons with disabilities, particularly those with 40% or more disability, ensuring they have access to comprehensive health coverage.
- Axis Bank launched its innovative digital solutions, UPI-ATM and Bharat Connect for Business, on September 3, 2024. These solutions aim to facilitate cardless cash withdrawals and streamline business operations, enhancing convenience and efficiency for users.
- Summits & Conferences:
- Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the 27th National Conference on e-Governance in Mumbai on September 3, 2024. The event, themed “Viksit Bharat: Secure and Sustainable e-Service Delivery,” highlighted Maharashtra’s leadership in e-governance. Key discussions focused on leveraging AI, Big Data, and Blockchain for improved service delivery.
- Defence:
- India and South Africa signed an agreement on submarine rescue operations on September 4, 2024. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation and ensure the safety of submarine crews in distress. It marks a significant step in strengthening maritime security and collaboration between the two nations.
Questions:
1 Which state topped the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) and State Reform Action Plan (SRAP) rankings?
- A) Kerala
- B) Maharashtra
- C) Tamil Nadu
- D) Gujarat
2 India's UPI processed nearly how much in transactions from April to July 2023?
- A) ₹50 lakh crore
- B) ₹60 lakh crore
- C) ₹81 lakh crore
- D) ₹90 lakh crore
