Current Affairs Quiz 10th July 2024 Quiz

Exp. BSF organises “Grow with the Trees” plantation drive in Srinagar

Border Security Forces (BSF) in association with SBI Bank has organized a “Grow with the Trees” plantation drive at BSF Headquarters in Srinagar.

The initiative is expected to not only help create a more sustainable environment but also foster a sense of community and teamwork among the participants.

The aim of the plantation is to make the campus here greener and to reduce the impact caused by global warming on the planet.  

Exp. India ranks fifth in GenAI innovations, China leads

India ranks fifth in Generative AI (GenAI) innovations, trailing behind China, the US, Republic of Korea, and Japan.

India has filed 1,350 patents related to Generative AI from 2014 to 2023.

The country ranks fifth globally in total number of GenAI patents, following China (38,210), the US (6,276), Republic of Korea (4,155), and Japan (3,409).

India has surpassed the UK (714 patents) and Germany (708 patents) in the number of GenAI patents published.

Chinese companies Tencent, Ping An Insurance Group, and Baidu have published the most GenAI patent families in the last decade.

No Indian entities are in the top 20 GenAI patent owners.

Notable Indian patents include a retail AI assistant solution by RN Chidakashi Technologies (Miko Robotics) and Tata Consultancy Services’ GenAI tool for contract lifecycle management.

India has the highest annual growth rate in GenAI patent publications at 56%, although it holds only a 3% share of total GenAI patents.

Exp. Tata Power launches ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh

Tata Power Solar Systems Limited has launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh aimed at providing every home with clean energy through rooftop solar solutions.

Starting from Varanasi, the ambitious initiative of ‘Ghar Ghar Solar, Tata Power Ke Sang’ promises substantial financial savings and environmental benefits for residents through state-of-the-art Rooftop Solar Solutions (RTS).

Consumers in the state can avail a maximum subsidy of up to Rs.1,08,000 on rooftop solar installation. It will comprise Central Govt. subsidy of Rs 78000 for up to 3 kW and a maximum of Rs 30,000 (Rs 15,000 per kW) for up to 3kW by the State Govt., which will be over and above the Central Govt. subsidy.

Exp. Soumya Swaminathan appointed as Principal Advisor to Union Health Ministry

Former Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research and World Health Organization’s Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has been appointed as the Principal Adviser at the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).

She will be serving in MoHFW on a pro bono basis.

Dr. Swaminathan will be based out of Chennai, where she heads the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation that works on issues of agriculture and climate change.

As the Principal Adviser for the NTEP, Dr. Swaminathan will provide technical advice on the overall strategy to achieve goals, suggest policy directions and necessary course corrections for optimal outcomes, and advise on research strategy.

India accounts for 25% of world’s TB burden and over 25 lakh new cases of TB were notified in 2024 in India, according to the India TB report released by the Centre.

Exp. ICICI Prudential MF launches India’s first oil & gas ETF

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has launched the ICICI Prudential Nifty Oil & Gas ETF, India’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the oil and gas sector.

The scheme will track the Nifty Oil & Gas TRI, an index that reflects the performance of listed sector companies. This is an open-ended scheme, meaning investors can redeem their units at any time.

The Nifty Oil & Gas Index comprises a maximum of 15 stocks listed on the National Stock Exchange.

The selection ensures that no single company holds more than 33 per cent of the weight and the combined weight of the top three companies does not surpass 62 per cent of the index. This ensures a balanced and diversified exposure.

Exp. IEX board reappoints SN Goel as CMD, promotes Rohit Bajaj as joint MD.

Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) board approved the proposal to reappoint Satyanarayan Goel as its Chairman and Managing Director and to appoint Rohit Bajaj as its Joint Managing Director.

The board also approved the appointment of Rajeev Gupta as the Non-Executive Independent Director of the company.

The board unanimously agreed to reappoint Goel as the Chairman & Managing Director for three years from August 10.

Recent Appointment

• CMD of India Trade Promotion Organisation – Pradeep Singh Kharola
• DG of Press Information Bureau – Dhirendra Ojha (replace Sheyphali Sharan)
• Chairperson of the National Medical Commission – Dr BN Gangadhar
• President of Medical Assessment and Rating Board – Dr Sanjay Behari
• Maharashtra’s first Woman Chief Secretary – Sujata Saunik (replace Nitin Kareer

Exp. Gautam Gambhir appointed India men’s cricket head coach

Gautam Gambhir, the former India opening batter, has been appointed as the India men’s cricket team’s head coach.

The former India cricketer will replace Rahul Dravid whose tenure came to an end after the T20 World Cup 2024.

Gambhir, in his first international coaching assignment, has been handed a long rope, having been handed charge of the team till the end of 2027.

India became the first team ever to win the T20 World Cup title without losing a single game. The Rohit Sharma-led side played some brilliant cricket and claimed the title by beating South Africa in the final.

About Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

• Founded – 1928
• Headquarters – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• 1st President – R E Grant Govan
• 39th President – Roger Binny
• Vice president – Rajeev Shukla
• Secretary – Jay Shah
• Men’s coach – Gautam Gambhir
• Women’s coach – Amol Muzumdar

Exp. PM Modi received Russia’s Highest Civilian Honor for Exceptional Service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called at the Moscow Kremlin’s St Catherine’s Hall.

It was bestowed upon PM Modi in 2019 for his significant role in enhancing the strategic partnership and friendly relations between Russia and India.

About Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called

• The award, established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, honors exceptional civilian or military service.
• Named after Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Russia, the Order is highly prestigious and recognizes outstanding contributions to bilateral relations.

Top international awards and honours bestowed by various countries on PM Modi

• The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour’ award by Greece in August 2023
• Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by France in July 2023
• Order of the Nile by Egypt in June 2023
• Companion of the Order of Logohu by Papua New Guinea in May 2023
• Companion of the Order of Fiji in May 2023
• Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau in May 2023

Exp. Maharashtra bags the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024

Maharashtra has won the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024. The announcement was made by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee, headed by Justice P Sathasivam, former Chief Justice of India and Governor of Kerala.

The Maharashtra chief minister, Eknath Shinde, received the award at a function in New Delhi.

Maharashtra has been chosen for this award for its innovative agricultural and rural initiatives.

The award recognises the Maharashtra government’s innovative policies and high-impact developmental initiatives, which have led to the advancement of agricultural and rural prosperity in the state

Exp. 10 July – Chronic Disease Awareness Day

Chronic Disease Awareness Day is observed every year on 10 July.

Chronic Disease Awareness Day is dedicated to increasing awareness about chronic diseases, their impact, causes, symptoms, and prevention.

What is a Chronic Disease?

• Chronic refers to something that happens continuously for a prolonged period of time. Hence, a chronic disease or chronic health condition is a disease lasting for more than three months.
• It develops over time and cannot be prevented by vaccination. It requires long-term, ongoing medical attention. Such a disease is non-communicable and slow-progressing.
• Chronic disease causes are complex and have long latency periods, which means there is a long time between the onset of the disease and the appearance of its first signs.

Exp. Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana named ICC Player of the Month for June

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for June 2024 with India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana both emerging victorious.

Bumrah was crowned Player of the Tournament following India’s triumphant campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, and follows this feat with another personal honour, claiming his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.

Mandhana also won her maiden ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after her scintillating batting performances lit up India’s ODI series victory over South Africa.

The double-win marks the first time the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month represent the same country since the awards began in 2021.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month

• January 2024 – Shamar Joseph (West Indies)
• February 2024 – Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)
• March 2024 – Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
• April 2024 – Muhammad Waseem (UAE)
• May 2024 – Gudakesh Motie (West Indies)

ICC Women’s Player of the Month

• January 2024 – Amy Hunter (Ireland)
• February 2024 – Annabel Sutherland (Australia)
• March 2024 – Maia Bouchier (England)
• April 2024 – Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
• Maay 2024 – Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Exp. India, Russia to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030

India and Russia have announced an initiative to develop strategic areas of economic cooperation to achieve a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030.

The initiative was announced after the 22nd edition of the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

In addition, India and Russia signed a number of MoUs between institutions on climate change, polar research, legal arbitration and pharmaceutical certification and other issues.

Earlier, addressing about 500 members of the Indian diaspora in Russia, Mr. Modi announced that Russia had agreed to India’s request to open two new consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg to help facilitate services for the growing community.

About Russia

• Capital – Moscow
• Currency – Rubel
• President – Vladimir Putin (5^th time)
• Prime Minister – Mikhail Mishustin

Exp. Central Asian countries conduct first war games without Russia or China

The exercises, named Birlestik-2024, which means “alliance” in Kazakh, are hosted by Kazakhstan and include four other ex-Soviet states.

The drills, taking place in the Caspian Sea, will run until July 17, involving around 4,000 troops along with warships, aviation, artillery, and tanks.

The participating countries are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, with Turkmenistan notably absent. Additionally, Azerbaijan, a Caucasus country, is participating in these exercises.

The absence of Russia, which is currently engaged in the conflict in Ukraine, marks a notable shift in the regional military dynamics.

The exercises will focus on “liberating an island captured by terrorists” and conducting operations to ensure maritime security and protect critical infrastructure.

Traditionally, these Central Asian countries have participated in military drills alongside Russia through the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and with China under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The most recent joint drills with these major powers occurred in 2023, involving 1,500 troops.

Exp. 10 July – Global Energy Independence Day

Global Energy Independence Day is observed every year on July 10.

Objective – To promote awareness for alternative forms of energy.

The day also offers opportunities to learn more about renewable forms of energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal.

In 2006, Michael D. Antonovich proclaimed July 10th as Global Energy Independence Day. At the time, Antonovich served as a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The date of July 10th coincides with the birthday of Nikola Tesla, who was born in 1856. Tesla is a Serbian-American inventor born in Croatia.