1. Gautam Adani Reclaims Title of Asia's Richest Man
Tags: Person in news
Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, has reclaimed the title of Asia's richest person.
An Overview of the News
Adani's net worth: $111 billion (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
Adani Group shares rallied up to 14% on 31 May, boosting Adani's net worth.
Adani overtakes Reliance Industries' Mukesh Ambani.
Ambani's net worth: $109 billion, ranking 12th globally.
Ambani had previously overtaken Adani after a share crash due to the Hindenburg report.
2024 Wealth Growth
Adani's net worth increase in 2024: $26.8 billion.
Ambani's net worth increase in 2024: $12.7 billion.
Challenges in 2023
Adani Group faced challenges due to the Supreme Court-ordered probe following the Hindenburg report.
Adani's ranking dropped rapidly after the report, from the third richest globally.
Global Rankings
Bernard Arnault: Richest in the world, $207 billion.
Elon Musk: Second, $203 billion.
Jeff Bezos: Third, $199 billion.
2. Sameer Bansal Appointed New MD and CEO of PNB MetLife India
Tags: Person in news
PNB MetLife India Insurance has appointed Sameer Bansal as the new Managing Director and CEO, effective July 1.
An Overview of the News
Bansal succeeds Ashish Srivastava, who has been appointed Managing Director for MetLife Inc’s global shared services team in India, based in New York.
Regulatory Approval: The appointment is pending necessary regulatory approvals.
Promoters: The company is promoted by MetLife International Holdings and Punjab National Bank.
Experience: Bansal brings over 25 years of experience in financial services, including expertise in bancassurance, agency, digital, employee benefits, and direct marketing business models.
About PNB MetLife India
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) was established in 2001.
It is one of the leading life insurance companies in India.
Headquarters:- Mumbai
3. Renowned Wildlife Biologist A.J.T. Johnsingh Passed away in Bengaluru
Tags: Person in news
A pioneer and eminent wildlife biologist in the field of wildlife conservation in the country, A.J.T. John Singh died on 7 June in Bengaluru at the age of 78.
An Overview of the News
Early Career and Education:
Began his career as a Zoology lecturer in Sivakasi in the early 1970s.
Johnsingh's passion for wildlife led him to pursue a Ph.D. in wildlife studies, driven by his extensive field trips to forests.
Contributions to Conservation
Pioneered research on elephants in the early 1980s, which played a crucial role in the formulation of Project Elephant by the Government of India.
Organized an international conference on elephants at Mudhumalai wildlife sanctuary, gathering experts from around the world.
Affiliations and Associations
Associated with esteemed organizations such as the Bombay Natural History Society, the Corbett Foundation, and the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru.
Served as a member of the National Wildlife Board and Tiger Conservation Authority, contributing his expertise to policy-making and conservation efforts.
Recognition and Awards
Johnsingh was honored with the 2004 Distinguished Service Award for Government by the Society for Conservation Biology.
He received the Carl Zeiss Wildlife Conservation Award in 2004 for his lifelong dedication to Indian wildlife.
In 2005, Johnsingh was recognized with the ABN AMRO Sanctuary Lifetime Wildlife Service Award.
4. Appointment of Sandeep Batra as Chairman of ICICI Prudential Life
Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news
Sandeep Batra's appointment as Chairman of the Board of Directors of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited has been approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
An Overview of the News
Batra will assume the role following the retirement of M S Ramachandran, who has reached the maximum age limit of 75 years. Batra's appointment will take effect from 30 June 2024.
About Sandeep Batra:
Long-Term Association: Batra has been associated with ICICI Group since 2000.
Executive Director at ICICI Bank: He has served as an Executive Director on the Board of ICICI Bank since 2018.
Board Memberships: Batra serves on the boards of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, ICICI Prudential Asset Management, and ICICI Ventures.
Founding Member: He was one of the founding members of ICICI Prudential Life, holding the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from September 2000 to 2006.
Previous Roles: Batra has held various positions including Executive Director and Board member from January 2014 to July 2018, and also served as a Group Compliance Officer at ICICI Bank.
About M. S. Ramachandran:
Non-Executive Independent Director: Ramachandran is the current Non-executive Independent Director and Chairman of the ICICI Prudential Board.
Corporate Leadership Experience: He has previously served as the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, among others.
Involvement in Governance: Ramachandran has been a Member of the Governing Council of India Habitat Centre.
Directorship at ICICI Bank: Additionally, he has served as a Director on the Board of ICICI Bank Limited.
About ICICI Prudential Life
It was established on July 20, 2000, as a public limited company according to the Companies Act of 1956.
Operations began in 2001 following its incorporation.
The company is jointly promoted by ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited.
Mr. Anup Bagchi serves as the Managing Director and CEO.
The headquarters of ICICI Prudential Life is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
5. Tripathi as Lokpal Secretary, Ranjan as SSC Chairman, Yadav, Goyal, and Rajendra Kumar in New Roles
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Cabinet Approves Key Appointments: Tripathi as Lokpal Secretary, Ranjan as SSC Chairman, and New Roles for Yadav, Goyal, and Rajendra Kumar
An Overview of the News
Pradip Kumar Tripathi Appointed Secretary to Lokpal
IAS Pradip Kumar Tripathi has been appointed as Secretary to Lokpal until July 30th.
Rakesh Ranjan Approved as SSC Chairman
The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of IAS Rakesh Ranjan as Chairman of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
Amit Yadav Named Officer on Special Duty
IAS Amit Yadav (1991 batch) has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. He will become Secretary after the current secretary, Saurabh Garg, retires on July 31st.
Raj Kumar Goyal Transferred to Ministry of Law and Justice
IAS Raj Kumar Goyal (1990 batch) has been transferred from Secretary of the Department of Border Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs to Secretary of the Department of Justice in the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Rajendra Kumar Appointed Secretary of Border Management
The committee has approved the appointment of IAS Rajendra Kumar (1992 batch) as Secretary in the Department of Border Management.
6. Gitanas Nauseda Re-elected Lithuanian President
Tags: Person in news International News
Gitanas Nauseda has been re-elected as the President of the Republic of Lithuania, securing a second five-year term from 2024 to 2029.
An Overview of the News
Gitanas Nauseda has held the office of President since 2019.
Nauseda won the presidential election with an impressive 74.43% of the total votes cast.
Ingrida Simonyte came in second place, securing 24.06% of the votes.
Background of Gitanas Nauseda:
Gitanas Nauseda, aged 60, holds expertise in economics, banking, and politics, hailing from Lithuania.
From 1996 to 2000, Nauseda occupied the role of Director of Monetary Policy at the Bank of Lithuania.
He further contributed to the banking sector as the Chief Economist to the Chairman of SEB bankas, a prominent commercial bank in Lithuania, spanning from 2008 to 2018.
In his capacity as President, Nauseda addressed Lithuania's responses to the Belarusian uprisings occurring between 2020 and 2021, as well as Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
About Lithuania
It is one of the three Baltic countries located in the northeastern region of Europe, alongside Estonia and Latvia.
It became a member of the European Union in 2004.
The Prime Minister of Lithuania is Ingrida Simonyte.
Gitanas Nauseda serves as the President of Lithuania.
The capital city of Lithuania is Vilnius.
The currency used in Lithuania is the Lithuanian litas (LTL).
7. Appointment of Jetha Ahir as NAFED Chairman
Tags: Person in news
Jetha Ahir, BJP MLA from Shehra and former deputy speaker of the Gujarat Assembly, has been elected uncontested as the chairman of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
An Overview of the News
The election took place in Delhi, where Ahir was elected unopposed by the board comprising 21 directors. Notably, two directors are from Gujarat, including Mohan Kundariya.
Ahir, while elected as chairman, had reportedly supported Mohan Kundariya, the sitting Rajkot MP, for the position.
Previous Roles:
Apart from his new role, Ahir holds positions as the chairman of Panchmahal's Pancharmrut Dairy and the Panchmahal District Cooperative (PDC) Bank.
About NAFED
NAFED stands as the apex body for marketing cooperatives in India.
It oversees the marketing of agricultural produce.
NAFED serves as a central organization for coordinating marketing efforts among cooperatives.
Its primary role is to facilitate the marketing of agricultural products efficiently.
The official website of NAFED provides information and resources about its functions and activities.
Founded - 2 October 1958
Headquarters - Ashram Chowk, New Delhi, India
Procurement Activities:
NAFED, in collaboration with FCI and with the support of state governments, actively engages in the physical procurement of oilseeds, pulses, and copra.
This procurement is conducted under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), which falls within the broader framework of the PM-AASHA scheme.
Establishment of National Spot Exchange:
In 2008, NAFED established the National Spot Exchange, a commodities exchange.
This initiative was realized through a joint venture with Financial Technologies (India) Ltd. (FTIL).
8. Appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited
Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news
Pradeep Kumar Sinha appointed to succeed Girish Chandra Chaturvedi as the Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited upon Chaturvedi's retirement on June 30, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Sinha to assume the position from July 1, 2024, following Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval, for a term of three years.
Sinha approved as an Additional Independent Director by ICICI Bank's Board of Directors for a five-year term (2024 to 2029) during the meeting held from February 15-17, 2024.
Background of Pradeep Kumar Sinha
Sinha, a 1977 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Uttar Pradesh (UP) Cadre, brings extensive administrative experience to the role.
Held Government Nominee Director positions in major public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) including ONGC, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, and GAIL.
Served as India's Cabinet Secretary from 2015 to 2019, demonstrating leadership at the highest levels of government.
From 2019 to 2021, Sinha served as a Principal Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contributing to strategic decision-making.
Additionally, Sinha served as an Additional Independent Director in Bharti Airtel Limited from 2022 to May 14, 2024, bringing corporate governance insights to his roles.
About ICICI Bank Limited
Established:- 1994
MD & CEO:- Sandeep Bakhshi
Headquarters:- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline:- Hum Hai Na, Khayal Apka
9. Payal Kapadia Becomes First Indian Filmmaker to Win Grand Prix at Cannes
Tags: Awards Person in news
Payal Kapadia becomes the first Indian filmmaker to win the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival.
An Overview of the News
Kapadia's film “All We Imagine as Light” won the Grand Prix, the second-most prestigious prize after the Palme d’Or.
The film is the first Indian film in 30 years and the first ever by an Indian female director to be showcased in the main competition at Cannes.
Prestigious Competition
Kapadia’s film competed against works by renowned directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Sean Baker, Yorgos Lanthimos, Paul Schrader, Magnus Von Horn, and Paolo Sorrentino.
The jury was presided over by Greta Gerwig, the director of ‘Ladybird’ and ‘Barbie’.
Previous Awards:
Three years ago, Payal Kapadia won the ‘le prix du Documentaire’ for Best Documentary for ‘A Night of Knowing Nothing’ at Cannes.
First Feature Film:
'All We Imagine As Light’ is Kapadia’s first feature film.
Film Synopsis of ‘All We Imagine As Light’
The film, an Indo-French production, tells the story of a nurse named Prabha who receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, causing disruption in her life.
Legacy of Indian Films at Cannes
Notable Selections: Other Indian films that have previously been selected for the Cannes competition section include works by Chetan Anand, V Shantaram, Raj Kapoor, Satyajit Ray, MS Sathyu, and Mrinal Sen.
Previous Winner: ‘Neecha Nagar’ remains the only Indian film to have won a Palme d’Or.
10. Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh Assumes Command as Commandant of NDA
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Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh assumed the role of Commandant, National Defence Academy (NDA), taking over from Vice Admiral Ajay Kocchar in Pune.
An Overview of the News
Gurcharan Singh is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla) and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990.
Throughout his career, Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh has held various appointments both at sea and on land.
He specializes in Gunnery and Missiles and has served aboard Indian Naval Ships Ranjit and Prahar.
Notably, he was part of the commissioning crew for three Indian constructed warships: INS Brahmaputra, INS Shivalik, and INS Kochi.
About NDA
The National Defence Academy serves as the training hub for the Indian Armed Forces.
Cadets from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force undergo joint training at the NDA.
Following their NDA training, cadets proceed to their respective service academies for further pre-commission training.
Established - 7 December 1949
Commandant - Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh
About 146th NDA Passing Out Parade Honors Cadets in Pune Ceremony
Passing Out Parade (POP) of the 146th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) took place at Khadakwasala, Pune.
The Convocation Ceremony of the 146th course was held at the Habibullah Hall.
General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff, presided as the Reviewing Officer for the POP ceremony.
Pro. Dr. Sat Prakash Bansal, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Himachal Pradesh, served as the Chief Guest.
A total of 205 cadets were awarded bachelor's degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University during the ceremony.
