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By admin: Aug. 4, 2024

RBI Approves Re-appointment of Inderjit Camotra as MD & CEO of Unity Small Finance

Tags: Person in news

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the re-appointment of Inderjit Camotra as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unity Small Finance Bank Limited (Unity Bank) for an additional 2 years.

An Overview of the News

• Inderjit Camotra has been serving as MD & CEO of Unity Small Finance Bank since 2022.

• Camotra has over 28 years of experience in senior roles with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ), and Citigroup Inc.

• Previously served as Executive Director (ED) with Centrum Financial Services Limited, the promoter entity of Unity Bank.

About Unity Small Finance Bank Limited:

• Unity Bank is a Scheduled Commercial Bank (SCB) promoted by Centrum Financial Services Limited, with Resilient Innovations Private Limited as a co-investor.

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Incorporated: 2021

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to Succeed Jay Shah as ACC President in 2025

Tags: Person in news

Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is set to become the next President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in January 2025. His term will last for two years.

An Overview of the News

• Current ACC President Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), received a one-year extension in January 2024, continuing his third consecutive term.

• Naqvi will oversee the Asia Cup in 2025 (T20I) in India and the 2027 edition in Bangladesh (ODI).

• In addition, Naqvi will be responsible for managing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan.

• The ACC, established in 1983, is a cricket organization dedicated to promoting and developing the sport in Asia.

Asian Cricket Council(ACC)

• It was set up in 1983 to promote cricket in Asia.

• All the test playing nations of Asia are its members namely. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

• Headquarters : Colombo, Sri Lanka 

BCCI

• President: Roger Binny

• Headquarters: Mumbai

• Founded:1928

Scientists Discover Six New Bent-Toed Gecko Species in Northeastern India

Tags: Science and Technology

Researchers have discovered six new species of bent-toed geckos in Northeastern India.

An Overview of the News

• This Conducted by scientists from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), and the Natural History Museum London (NHM).

New Species Locations:

• Two species from Arunachal Pradesh (AR)

• Two species from Nagaland

• One species from Manipur

• One species from Mizoram

Bent-Toed Geckos:

• Distributed across Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, the Himalayan foothills, Northeast India, Southeast Asia, and the Solomon Islands.

• Significant diversity with approximately 346 species identified.

Highlights of New Species Descriptions

• Arunachal Pradesh:

  • Namdapha Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves; inhabits lowland evergreen forests.

  • Siang Valley Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in the Siang River valley, known for its unique biodiversity.

• Mizoram:

  • Ngengpui Bent-Toed Gecko: Located in Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary; characterized by tropical semi-evergreen to moist evergreen vegetation.

• Manipur:

  • Manipur Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered near Lamdan Kabui village; found on shrubs along the road connecting Leimatak and Charoikhullen.

• Nagaland:

  • Kiphire Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in regenerating jhum land at elevations between 740m and 1,300m above sea level.

  • Barail Hill Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in a reserved forest at similar elevations.

Research and Implications

• Survey Duration and Locations:

  • Surveys conducted from 2018 to 2022 across 22 locations in Northeast India.

• New Lineages:

  • Morphological and scientific tests revealed six previously undescribed lineages.

• Species Diversity:

  • Higher species diversity south of the Brahmaputra River compared to the Himalayan foothills.

  • Each Northeastern state now has its own endemic bent-toed gecko species.

• Biodiversity Significance:
  

  • Findings highlight the rich biodiversity and importance of exploring lesser-known areas.

  • Protected areas and abandoned jhum lands are crucial for documenting undocumented species.

Renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi Dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy Passes Away at 84

Tags: Person in news

Renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy passed away at 84 in Apollo Hospital.

An Overview of the News

• Yamini Krishnamurthy was born on December 20, 1940 in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh.

• She trained in Bharatanatyam from Rukmini Devi Arundale at Kalakshetra and also learnt Kuchipudi and Odissi.

• She was also adept at Carnatic singing and the Veena.

Achievements and Honors

• Awarded Padma Shri (1968), Padma Bhushan (2001), and Padma Vibhushan (2016).

• Received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977.

• Known for adding power, beauty, and glamour to Bharatanatyam.

Tributes

• Former students and fellow dancers, including Rama Vaidyanathan and Sonal Mansingh, paid tribute to her dedication and impact.

• Condolence messages from notable figures like former Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and Kuchipudi couple Raja and Radha Reddy.

Daljit Singh Chawdhary Takes Over Additional Charge as DG of BSF

Tags: Person in news

Daljit Singh Chawdhary, Director General of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB), took over additional charge as Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) on August 3, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Daljit Singh Chawdhary is a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), Uttar Pradesh cadre.

• He assumed the charge of DG SSB on January 23, 2024.

Service Tenure:

• In his 34 years of service, he has served in various capacities in Uttar Pradesh.

• Since 2017, he has been on Central Deputation, serving as ADG in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and as SDG in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Skills and Recognition:

• He is a renowned marksman and qualified skydiver.

• He has been awarded 4 police medals for Gallantry.

• He also received the police medal for meritorious service, the President's police medal for distinguished service, and the Ati Utkrisht Seva Medal.