National
Tribal livelihoods initiative 'Sankalp Se Siddhi – Mission Van Dhan'
⇒ Shri Arjun Munda, Minister for Tribal Affairs launched the tribal livelihoods initiative “Sankalp Se Siddhi – Mission Van Dhan”.
The mega-launch event ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’ – Mission Van Dhan was launched by Shri Arjun Munda at the new premises of TRIFED Head Office in New Delhi on 15 June 2021.
With this Shri Arjun Munda virtually inaugurated seven new Tribes India outlets which include 2 in Jagdalpur, 3 in Ranchi, 1 in Jamshedpur and 1 in Sarnath.
Immunity boosting hampers, Tribes India Coffee table book, new TRIFED Head Office among others were the highlights of the mega-launch event ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’ – Mission Van Dhan.
Export of ‘Jalgaon banana’ to Dubai
⇒ In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indications (GI) certified agricultural produce, a consignment of fibre and mineral rich ‘Jalgaon banana’ has been exported to Dubai.
Export During 2020-21:
India’s banana exports grew both in terms of volume as well as value from 1.34 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 413 crore in 2018-19, to 1.95 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 660 crore in 2019-20.
During 2020-21 (April-February), India has exported banana worth of 1.91 lakh tonne valued at Rs 619 crore.
India as Banana Producer:
India is the world’s leading producer of bananas with a share of around 25% in total output. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh contribute more than 70% of the country’s banana production.
Centrum Financial Services to set up a Small Finance Bank
⇒ Paving the way for takeover of crisis-ridden Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC), the Reserve Bank of India on 18 June 2021 granted in-principle approval to the Centrum Financial Services to set up a small finance bank. Centrum Financial Services was one of the applicants for takeover of the PMC Bank.
Infosys announced Digital Banking SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)
⇒ Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys announced its Digital Banking SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) offering, on 17 June 2021.
It has been designed as an accessible solution to help Indian Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) to modernize their business and operations.
Brand Ambassador, MyGlamm
⇒Beauty and personal care brand MyGlamm has appointed actress Shraddha Kapoor as its brand ambassador.
The MyGlamm brand was founded in 2017 by Darpan Sanghvi and Priyanka Gill. It offers a range of 600-plus cruelty-free products across makeup, skincare, and personal care.
International
China launched Crewed Spacecraft 'Shenzhou-12'
⇒ China successfully launched its crewed spacecraft ‘Shenzhou-12’ on 17 June 2021. The spacecraft was launched to send three astronauts to Tianhe, the core module of China’s space station for a three-month mission.
» The Shenzhou-12 – or “Divine Vessel” – capsule was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China’s Gobi Desert atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket.
» The three astronauts are Commander Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, and Tang Hongbo. The crewed spacecraft has been launched for space station construction.
» It is China’s seventh crewed mission to space and the first during the construction of China’s space station.
» Shenzhou-12 is the third of 11 missions – four of which will be crewed – needed to complete China’s first full-fledged space station.
» The crew will operate and manage the complex task for the space station construction. The station is expected to be completed by 2022.
Sports
2nd Edition of ICC World Test Championship
⇒The International Cricket Council has confirmed the points system for the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) as well as the bilateral series that will be part of the 2021-23 cycle.
The 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship will be the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship of Test cricket. The World Test Championship is scheduled to run from 4 August 2021 to 31 March 2023.
It comprises the top nine Test teams- Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies.
All of them will play six series each – three at home and three away. The top two teams will compete in the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Next Cycle of ICC World Test Championship:
The ICC plans to continue holding the World Test Championship every two years over the next eight-year cycle – 2023- 25, 2025-27, 2027-29 and 2029-2031.
First edition of ICC World Test Championship:
2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship was the first edition of the ICC World Test Championship of Test cricket. Its final match was held in June 2021. New Zealand defeated India by 8 wickets to win 1st title of ICC World Test Championship.
Death
Malayalam poet and lyricist, S Ramesan Nair
⇒ Noted Malayalam poet and lyricist S Ramesan Nair died on 18 June 2021. He was 73.
Nair was honoured with the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2018 for the collection of his poems titled ‘Gurupournami.’ He was also a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2010.