Current Affairs Quiz 10th January 2024 Quiz

Exp. Tamil Nadu receives investment proposals worth ₹6.64 lakh crore

Tamil Nadu has attracted an impressive investment commitment to the tune of over ₹6,64,180 crore through 631 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

It would generate nearly 27 lakh jobs across sectors at the conclusion of the first Global Investors Meet (GIM 2024) conducted by the DMK government at Chennai Trade Centre.

A total of 26,90,657 jobs are expected to be generated from these investments that include direct employment for 14,54,712 persons and indirect employment for 12,35,945 persons.

Some of the big-ticket investment proposals were made by Tata Power (₹70,800 crore), Adani Group (₹42,768 crore), Sembcorp (₹36,238 crore), Leap Green Energy Pvt. Ltd. (₹17,400 crore) and Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (₹17,000 crore).

With this GIM, this government that espouses the ‘Dravidian model’ of governance has laid the foundation for Tamil Nadu’s growth for the next 20 years.

The proposed investments would be across sectors such as advanced electronics manufacturing, green energy non-leather footwear, automobiles and e-vehicles, defence and aerospace, data centres, global capability centres, Information Technology and Digital Services.

The TN government attain its ambitious target to make Tamil Nadu a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and play a key role in India’s economic growth.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated TANFUND, which aims to bridge the gap between start-ups in Tamil Nadu and investment partners in India and across the world.

About Tamil Nadu

• Formation – 26 January 1950
• Capital – Chennai
• Chief Minister – M K Stalin
• Governor – R N Ravi

Exp. India and Mauritius collaborate on Rs 20 crore small satellite project

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC).

The agreement, which was inked on November 1, 2023, in Port Louis, Mauritius, lays the groundwork for the joint development of a small satellite.

The MoU is set to establish a robust framework for cooperation, leveraging the MRIC’s Ground Station and involving the participation of Indian industries in the development of some of the satellite’s subsystems.

This partnership is expected to not only enhance industrial capabilities but also generate employment opportunities within India.

The implementation of this MoU is projected to lead to the realization of the joint small satellite within a 15-month period. The Government of India has earmarked an estimated Rs 20 crore for the development of the joint satellite, with no additional exchange of funds between the two parties involved.

The roots of space cooperation between India and Mauritius trace back to the late 1980s when Isro established a ground station in Mauritius to provide tracking and telemetry support for its missions.

Recently India signed MoUs with others countries

• India and Guyana signed MoU for Hydrocarbon Sector
• India and Malaysia sign an MoU for Cooperation in Broadcasting
• India and Italy signed Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement
• India, Russia ink pacts on construction of future power generating units of Kudankulam nuclear plant, Tamil Nadu
• India provides $250 million Line of Credit to Kenya for agricultural modernizations

Exp. Nitin Gadkari inaugurates and lays foundation stone of 12 National Highway projects in Kerala

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated and lays foundation stone of 12 National Highway projects with a total length of 105 km worth over Rs 1464 Crore in Kerala.

The proposed projects aim to enhance seamless connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, ensuring swift and trouble-free transportation.

This initiative holds the promise of reducing overall transportation costs. Furthermore, a focus on eliminating black spots on National Highways is anticipated to contribute to a significant decrease in road accidents.

The undertaking is poised to generate substantial employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, fostering socio-economic growth in Kerala.

Additionally, the improved accessibility to Munnar is expected to boost tourism potential, while the construction of a high-level bridge will eliminate a 27 km detour during floods, streamlining travel and benefiting the export of key Kerala products.

Nitin Gadkari In News

• Nitin Gadkari addresses 5th edition of India STEM Summit 2023 in New Delhi
• Nitin Gadkari launches India Jewellery Shopping Festival (IJSF) 2023
• Nitin Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programe)
• Nitin Gadkari inaugurates and lays foundation stone of 11 highway project worth Rs 5600 crore in Rajasthan
• Nitin Gadkari inaugurates four projects worth Rs 1450 Crore in Assam

Exp. Indian Railways Electrifies 6,577 Route Kilometers in 2023

Indian Railways has achieved 6,577 route kilometers electrification in the calendar year 2023.

Till December 2023, 61,508 route Kms have been electrified, which is 93.83 percent of total Broad-Gauge route of 65,556 kms.

With a vision of providing an eco-friendly, faster and energy-efficient mode of transportation, Indian Railways is marching ahead towards 100 per cent electrification of Broad-Gauge tracks.

The Indian Railways has set a target to become the world’s largest green railway by 2030.

So far, the Indian Railways has achieved 100 per cent railway electrification in at least 14 states/UTs.

The push towards the electrification drive is aligned with the government’s efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals endorsed by the United Nations.

Exp. Dharmendra Pradhan attends inaugural ceremony of Kala Utsav

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan attended the inaugural ceremony of the Kala Utsav as the Guest of Honour.

Minister of State for Education, Annpurna Devi also be present at the function as the Guest of Honour.

The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) are going to organize Kala Utsav 2024 at National Bal Bhavan and the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi.

Kala Utsav 2023 which will be held from 9-11 January 2024 will witness performances in 10 art forms: 1. Vocal Music – Classical; 2. Vocal Music – Traditional Folk; 3. Instrumental Music – Percussive; 4. Instrumental Music – Melodic; 5. Dance – Classical; 6. Dance – Folk; 7. Visual Arts (2-dimensional); 8. Visual Arts (3-dimensional); 9. Indigenous Toys and Games; and 10. Drama (Solo acting).

Around 700 students from 36 States and Union Territories, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti will showcase their art forms in all these genres.

Exp. Parshottam Rupala Lays Foundation Stone For Upgradation Of Paradip Fishing Harbour

Union minister Parshottam Rupala has laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Paradip Fishing Harbour in Odisha for Rs 108.91 crore.

The modernisation and upgradation of the Paradip Fishing Harbour (PFH) will improve its hygienic conditions and make it clean, pollution-free, and aesthetically pleasing.

PFH will be upgraded in 18 months by Paradip Port Authority using 100 per cent central assistance from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) under the Sagarmala Scheme.

Modernisation of the fishing harbour will improve the lives of the thousands of fishermen and allied workers who depend on the harbour for their livelihood.

PHF spread across 43 acres, is one of Odisha’s largest fishing harbours located on the right bank of the river Mahanadi, two kilometres upstream of the river mouth in Jagatsinghpur district.

The harbour was initially built to oversee 370 numbers of 10-metre vessels, 80 numbers of 13-metre vessels, and 50 numbers of 15-metre vessels, as well as traditional watercraft.

Now, approximately 640 numbers of 15-metre vessels and 100 numbers of 9-metre Gill Netter (FRP boats) use the harbour amenities.

Exp. West Bengal CM launches ‘Yogyasree’ for SC/ST students

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a comprehensive social welfare scheme named “Yogyasree.”

The initiative aims to provide free training modules for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in West Bengal, specifically targeting entrance and competitive examinations.

Fifty centres will be opened all across the state where the SC and ST students will be able to take training completely free of cost for competitive examinations.

Similar 46 centres will offer free training to the SC & ST students for students aspiring for government jobs, civil services etc.

She also started a student’s internship programme where 2500 students will be receiving such internships.

About West Bengal

• Capital – Kolkata
• Chief Minister – Mamata Banerjee
• Governor – C V Ananda Bose

Exp. Seema Kumar takes charge as Member of Railway Board

Ms. Seema Kumar has taken over the charge of the post of Member (Operations & Business Development), Railway Board.

Prior to this, Ms Seema Kumar was Additional Member (Tourism & Catering), Railway Board.

She also held the additional charge of Additional Member (Traffic), Additional Member (Marketing & Business Development) and also of Chairman & Managing Director of IRCTC at various intervals.

Ms. Seema Kumar joined Indian Railways Traffic Service (IRTS) in 1988. She is a Gold Medalist in M.Sc. (Physics) from Meerut University and an M. Tech. from IIT Delhi.

She is the recipient of various prestigious awards like Platinum Award for Web based Citizen Services in the year 2009, Silver Award for e-Governance 2010-2011 under the category ‘Innovative Use of ICT by PSUs for Customer’s Benefits’ and National Tourism Award 2014-2015 for showcasing Cultural Heritage and Local Talent.

Recent Appointment

• Secretary of Railway Board – Aruna Nayar
• MD of NIVEA India – Geetika Mehta
• First woman DGP of Maharashtra – Rashmi Shukla (replace Rajnish Seth)
• CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone – Ashwani Gupta
• CEO of Indian Olympic Association – Raghuram Iyer

Exp. Gabriel Attal becomes France’s youngest PM

French President Emmanuel Macron has named Gabriel Attal as the country’s new prime minister.

Attal, the current education minister, will become the youngest person to occupy France’s second-highest office at 34 years old.

It follows the apparently reluctant resignation of Elisabeth Borne, who said in a letter that she had been informed it was Macron’s wish.

About France

• Capital- Paris
• President- Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister- Gabriel Attal (replace Elisabeth Borne)
• Official language- French

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

• Prime Minister of Bangladesh – Sheikh Hasina (5^th term)
• President of Congo – Felix Tshisekedi (2nd term)
• President of Egypt – Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (3^rd term)

• Prime Minister of Poland – Donald Tusk

• Prime Minister of Luxembourgish – Luc Frieden

• Prime Minister of Spain – Pedro Sanchez (re-elected)

Exp. Satish Kumar appoints as Member of (TRACTION & ROLLING STOCK), Railways Board

Satish Kumar has appointed as Member od (Traction & Rolling Stock) in Railway Board in the Ministry of Railways.

He is from the 1986 batch of Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers. Kumar joined Indian Railways in March 1988 and has a rich experience of 34 years.

Before joining as MTRS, Railway Board, he worked as General Manager, North Central Railway, Prayagraj.

Earlier, Kumar had worked in Jhansi Division and BLW (Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi), NER, Gorkahpur, Patiala Locomotive Works in various capacities. He was trained in Total Quality Management, under UNDP programme in 1996 and has handled many project in his career.

He had also worked as Divisional Railway Manager, Lucknow Division of Northern Railway from April 2017 to April 2019. A large number of infrastructural works were accomplished during his tenure as DRM, Lucknow.

Exp. PhonePe Appoints Ritesh Pai As CEO For International Payments Division

Walmart-owned fintech firm PhonePe has appointed Ritesh Pai as chief executive officer of its international payments business.

his development aligns with India’s ambition to globalize the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), attracting interest from countries like Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, and the United Kingdom.

In his last role, as the president of products and solutions at TerraPay, he was responsible for launching and implementing payment products and solutions globally.

Before that, he served as the senior group president and chief digital officer at Yes Bank, where he led the digital strategy and transformation for the bank and launched multiple successful partnerships with many of today’s leading fintech players.

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Executive Director of SEBI – G Ram Mohan Rao (for 3 years)
• ‘Class C’ Director on Board of Directors of Federal Reserve Bank of New York – Rajiv Shah
• MD & CEO of National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) – P Santhosh (replace Natarajan Sundar)
• MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank – Ashok Vaswani (replace Dipak Gupta)
• Chairman of 16th Finance Commission – Arvind Panagariya (15th Finance Commission – N K Singh)
• Secretary of 16th Finance Commission – Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey

Exp. Microsoft launches AI Odyssey to skill 1 lakh developers in India

Microsoft has launched an initiative that aims to skill one lakh developers in India in the latest AI technologies and tools.

The program offers a comprehensive learning experience that helps developers acquire and demonstrate relevant skills needed to execute critical projects using AI technologies that align with business goals and outcomes.

Through programs like AI Odyssey, Microsoft is offering opportunities for developers to build solutions for India’s growth and showcase their talent to solve real-world problems, said the company.

The month-long program is open to all AI enthusiasts in India, regardless of experience level or background. The program has two levels that participants need to complete by January 31, 2024.

The first level of the program educates participants on how to use Azure AI services to create and deploy AI solutions for different scenarios. This will give them access to useful resources, code samples, and guides to master practical AI skills.

The second level of the program challenges participants to prove their AI skills by completing an online assessment with interactive lab tasks that earns them Microsoft Applied Skills credentials, a new verifiable credential that validates their ability to solve real-world problems with AI.

Participants completing both the levels of challenges will also stand a chance to win a VIP Pass to attend the Microsoft AI Tour in Bangalore on February 8, 2024, and witness the impact of generative AI.  

Exp. Divyakriti Singh Becomes 1st Indian Woman Arjuna Awardee for Equestrian Sports

23-year-old Divyakriti Singh Rathore of Rajasthan received the prestigious Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu for her remarkably outstanding stint in Equestrian sports.

Singh, the first Indian female to receive the Arjuna in the Equestrian sport, has mastered the tricks of the sport after rigorous practice over the years.

It was a proud moment not only for Divyakriti Singh but also for her home state of Rajasthan, as she stands as the sole representative to receive an Arjuna Award not only this year, but for the past five years.

Ranked No. 1 in Asia and No. 14 worldwide in the Global Dressage Rankings by the International Equestrian Federation, Divyakriti also scored a gold in team dressage event held last year at the Asian Games in China Hangzhou.

The recipients (2023 awards)

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2023

Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy (badminton).

Arjuna Awards

Ojas Pravin Deotale (archery), Aditi Gopichand Swami (archery), Murali Sreeshankar (athletics), Parul Chaudhary (athletics), Mohammad Hussamuddin (boxing), R. Vaishali (chess), Mohammed Shami (cricket), Anush Agarwalla (equestrian), Divyakriti Singh (equestrian dressage), Diksha Dagar (golf), Krishan Bahadur Pathak (hockey), Sushila Chanu (hockey), Pawan Kumar (kabaddi), Ritu Negi (kabaddi), Nasreen (kho-kho), Pinki (lawn bowls), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (shooting), Esha Singh (shooting), Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (squash), Ayhika Mukherjee (table tennis), Sunil Kumar (wrestling), Antim Panghal (wrestling), Naorem Roshibina Devi (wushu), Sheetal Devi (para archery), Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy (blind cricket), Prachi Yadav (para canoeing).

Dronacharya Award (regular category) for outstanding coaches

Lalit Kumar (wrestling), R.B. Ramesh (chess), Mahaveer Prasad Saini (para-athletics), Shivendra Singh (hockey), Ganesh Prabhakar Devrukhkar (mallakhamb).

Dronacharya Award (life-time category) for outstanding coaches

Jaskirat Singh Grewal (golf), Bhaskaran E (kabaddi), Jayanta Kumar Pushilal (table tennis).

Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement

Manjusha Kanwar (badminton), Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey), Kavitha Selvaraj (kabaddi).

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (overall winner university); Lovely Professional University, Punjab (1st runner -up), Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (2nd runner-up).

Exp. 10 January – World Hindi Day

World Hindi Day is celebrated every year on 10 January.

The Hindi Diwas is used to spread awareness about the use of the Indian language as well as the ongoing issues with Hindi usage and promotion.

Theme 2024 – Hindi–Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence

It marks the day when Hindi was first spoken in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1949.

Hindi speakers around the world began to celebrate the language and its culture, and the first World Hindi Day was celebrated in 2006.

The day was celebrated for the first time under the instructions of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

World Hindi Day is celebrated on January 10 every year, whereas, Hindi Diwas is celebrated on September 14.