Current Affairs Quiz 10th and 11th February 2024 Quiz

Exp. Cabinet approves telecom spectrum auctions at base price of Rs 96,317.65 cr

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved auctions in eight spectrum bands for mobile phone services at a base price of Rs 96,317.65 crore to improve the quality of telecom services and coverage for consumers.

The Ministry of Communication has announced auctions for spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands.

The spectrum will be offered with a validity period of 20 years.

A total of 10,523.15 MHz is being offered with a valuation of Rs. 96,317.65 crore.

Spectrum for Railways

• During the meeting, the Cabinet also gave its green light to a proposal for spectrum requirements of rail-based urban/regional transit systems like NCRTC in the 700 MHz band for Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems and operations.

Exp. Cabinet approves Rs 6,000 crore scheme for formalization of fisheries sector

The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 6,000 crore sub-scheme under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with the objective of formalizing the largely unorganized fisheries sector in the country.

The formalization will be done through the creation of a national fisheries digital platform, facilitating access to institutional finance for the sector and creating an insurance product which would cover at least 100,000 hectares of aquaculture farms during the project period.

Almost half of the total project cost, that is around Rs 3,000 crore, will come from public financing that includes World Bank and the AFD external financing while the balance is expected investment from the private sector and the beneficiaries.

The scheme will run for four years starting from FY-24, incentivising fisheries and aquaculture microenterprises through performance grants for improving fisheries sector value-chain.

The scheme proposed a one-time incentive to the willing farmers against purchase of insurance with a farm size of four hectares of water spread area and less.

About PMMSY

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched on 10th September 2020.
• The aim of the scheme is to bring about Blue Revolution through the sustainable development of the fisheries sector over a period of five years (2020-2025.)
• PMMSY was announced in the union budget 2019-20.

Exp. Govt launches SARATHI portal to help insurance companies reach out to farmers

The Centre Government has launched a portal ‘SARATHI’ that aims to help insurance companies reach out to farmers and rural population with tailored products as well as the government’s subsidized insurance products including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Sarathi (Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology and Insurance)

In the first phase, personal accident and hospital cash policies, while in the second phase health, shop and home insurance and in the third phase tractor, two-wheeler, livestock and non-PMFBY insurance products.

A learning material system about PMFBY, Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MIIS) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) was also launched.

Exp. Google partners with Maharashtra govt to provide AI-led services

Tech giant Google has signed an MoU with the Government of Maharashtra to provide artificial intelligence (AI)-led solutions across key sectors in the state.

As a part of the collaboration, Google will leverage its AI capabilities to provide solutions in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, education, and startups.

The company also launched a state-of-the-art AI Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Nagpur.

This collaboration will empower our citizens with critical future-ready skills, revolutionise essential sectors like healthcare and agriculture, and create a thriving environment for the Maharashtra AI startups through the AI Center of Excellence at IIIT Nagpur.

Exp. Indian Oil-Adani Gas joint venture announces Rs 2,500 crore investment

IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt Ltd will invest 25 billion rupees ($301.24 million) over four years as it looks to double gas sales to small industries and households in India.

The company, an equal joint venture of refiner Indian Oil Corp and Adani Total Gas, daily sells about one million standard cubic metres of gas through its 300 retail outlets.

The joint venture aims to double gas sales in four years and strengthen infrastructure to more than 600 retail outlets during the period to meet India’s rising gas demand.

Exp. Tata Trusts inaugurated India’s first small animal hospital in Mumbai

Tata Trusts has launched India’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital, with a mission to save the lives of pets and strengthen the bond between pet parents and veterinarians.

The hospital, to be located in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, will be a 5-floor, 98,000-square-foot facility, with 200 beds, and will dedicate itself to providing round-the-clock services.

The hospital will specialize in pet care to bridge the gap in quality pet care in India.

The hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including diagnostic services, treatment facilities, and an emergency room. It will also have a dedicated training centre for pet parents and veterinarians.

Exp. India ranks 3rd in USGBC’s list on green building certification for 2023

India ranked third in the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual list of top 10 countries and regions in the world for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in 2023.

While mainland China and Canada held the first and second positions, respectively. The United States has not been included in the list.

LEED is a green building rating system and the certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

The rating system is available for virtually all building types, thereby providing a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings.

In India, LEED is administered by the Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI).

Exp. Varanasi to have country’s first conservation centre for Gangatiri cows

The Uttar Pradesh government will set up the country’s first conservation centre for Gangatiri, a breed of cows in Varanasi.

This breed of cows originates along the Ganga banks. The state govt will establish a centre for genetic improvement and propagation of the breed in Varanasi with the help of the Central government.

Over the years, Gangatiri has been significantly overshadowed by high-yielding cow breeds like Sahiwal.

But the technology used at the centre will help produce cows of high genetic merit using the IVF and embryo transfer technology (ETT), in which embryos from genetically superior cows would be disseminated to other females to increase the number of genetically superior progenies.

About Uttar Pradesh

• Capital – Lucknow
• Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
• Governor – Anandiben Patel

Exp. Papanasam beach at Kerala’s Varkala secures spot among world’s 100 best beaches

Varkala’s Papanasham Beach has achieved a significant milestone by securing a place among the world’s top 100 beaches in Lonely Planet’s renowned guidebook, “Best Beaches: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches.”

Situated approximately 45 kilometers north of Kerala’s capital, the beach is easily accessible via road and rail, attracting a plethora of backpackers due to its stunning cliffside setting.

Recognized as a geological monument by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the beach offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and serves as a popular destination for both international and domestic tourists.

Exp. Ravi Kumar Jha appoints as MD & CEO of LIC Mutual Fund

Ravi Kumar Jha has been appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LIC Mutual Fund.

Jha, with a distinguished career and prior association with LIC, comes with a track record of over 30 years in handling diverse positions and he was serving as Executive Director – Corporate Strategy till December 2023.

His previous roles include Executive Director Corporate Strategy – LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management and various positions at LIC of India.

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Non-executive Chairman of NPCI Board – Ajay Kumar Choudhary (replace Biswamohan Mahapatra)
• MD & CEO of Tata AIA Life Insurance – Venkatachalam H (replace Naveen Tahilyani)
• Consumer lending and mortgages head of Bandhan Bank – Santosh Nair (Shantanu Sengupta)
• Non-executive chairman of AU Small Finance Bank – HR Khan (replace Raj Verma)
• Executive Director of Bank of Baroda – Sanjay Vinayak Mudaliar

Exp. Bharat Ratna For Former PMs Charan Singh, PV Narasimha Rao

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh, and scientist Dr MS Swaminathan will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna.

Mr Narasimha Rao was the prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and is known to be the man who heralded the economic liberalisation of India.

Mr Charan Singh, a champion of workers and farmers’ rights, briefly served as the prime minister in 1979.

Dr Swaminathan, a renowned scientist, is known as the architect of India’s green revolution.

The Prime Minister had also announced earlier that former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur and LK Advani would also be awarded the Bharat Ratna in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

About Bharat Ratna

• The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian honor, which was established in 1954.
• This award is not limited to any specific caste, occupation, status, or gender and is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions in any field of human endeavor.
• The Prime Minister recommends the Bharat Ratna recipients to the President, and no formal recommendation is required.
• The recipient of this award is presented with a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medal.
• However, no monetary grant is given to the recipient. According to Article 18(1) of the Constitution, the Bharat Ratna cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the name of the recipient.

Exp. India declared joint winners Of SAFF Women’s U-19 Championships with Bangladesh

India was declared joint winners of the SAFF Women’s Under-19 Football Championships with hosts Bangladesh though the visitors initially thought they have won the title through the toss of coins, in an unprecedented change of decision made by the match officials.

The match ended 1-1 after the regulation 90 minutes of play and direct penalty shootout was ordered by the referee.  

Exp. 10 February – World Pulses Day

World Pulses Day is a global event observed on February 10 every year with the primary aim of educating the masses about its nutritional value and environmental benefits.

According to United Nations, the celebration of World Pulses Day offers an opportunity to highlight the role of its sustainable option for diversification as well.

Theme 2024 – Pulses: Nourishing Soils and People

Pulses, also known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated to consume. Among the variety of types, dried beans, lentils, and peas are the most commonly consumed across the globe.

The UN General Assembly recognised the value of pulses in 2013 and initiated the process of adopting the year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP).  

Exp. 11 February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated on February 11 every year.

The day is observed by the United Nations to promote full and equal access and participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

This year will be the ninth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly.

Theme – Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability and the subtheme is “Think Science … Think Peace”

Exp. Chile’s former President Sebastian Pinera dies in helicopter crash

Chilean ex-President Sebastian Pinera died in a helicopter crash.

The helicopter carrying Pinera, 74, and three others plunged into a lake in southern Chile. The former president was pronounced dead shortly after rescue personnel arrived at the scene. The other three passengers survived.

Pinera, aged 74, was a towering figure in Chilean politics, having served two terms as president, from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022.