Current Affairs Quiz 11th May 2023 Quiz

Exp. Health Ministry launches SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System

Union Health Ministry has launched a learning management information system SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management).

SAKSHAM is a platform for providing online training and medical education to all health professionals in the country.

SAKSHAM was launched by Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.

This digital learning platform will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals. Presently, the platform is hosting more than two hundred public health and 100 clinical courses through online mode.

Health professionals can register for these courses through lmis.nihfw.ac.in and get certification after undergoing requisite training and qualifying the required assessment criteria.

The platform has been developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi.

Exp. Telangana govt introduces a Robotics Framework

The Telangana Government has introduced a Robotics Framework, for providing a roadmap to promote a robotic ecosystem in the State.  This is the first-of-its-kind policy in the country.

Under the initiative, the Government will set up a Telangana Robotics Innovation Centre (TRIC) to implement the framework which will focus on the key pillars of infrastructure access, business enablement, fostering research and innovation, development of a skilled workforce, and responsible deployment.

The framework will promote an innovation ecosystem that will help the State manufacture robots not only for the country but for the world.

The State government signed Memoranda of Understanding with IIT-Hyderabad, AgHub of State Agriculture University, and a few others to enhance the robotics ecosystem in the state and promote innovation, research, and growth in the field.

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – K. Chandrashekar Rao
• Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan

Exp. IIT Madras, DRDO develop sensor technology for underwater communications

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have partnered with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists to develop cutting-edge sensor technology for underwater communications.

Which will be advantageous to defence applications, especially in the Indian Navy.

The indigenous development of this technology enables the nation to fabricate the devices at a relatively lower cost than the internationally-available foundries where the cost of fabrication is high and the number of foundries is also limited.

The ‘Piezoelectric MEMS technology’ is required to develop high-performance thin films and convert ‘piezo thin film’ into state-of-the-art futuristic naval sensors and devices for underwater applications.

The Piezo Thin Films are one of the vital components of piezo MEMS devices and are considered for acoustics and vibration-sensing applications.

IIT News

• IIT-Kanpur launched cybersecurity skilling programme
• IIT Guwahati Researchers Develop Time-Bomb Liquid Marbles
• IIT Madras will set up its first international campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania in October 2023.
• IIT Roorkee signs pact with Taiwanese centre for developing tech solutions for earthquakes, floods
• IIT Indore and NASA-Caltech develop low-cost camera for flame imaging

Exp. BITS Pilani develops face mask with sensor to check for Illness

Researchers at BITS Pilani Hyderabad have designed a face mask equipped with a sensor to detect illness.

The team designed and developed a ‘Kirigami’ based stretchable, flexible Laser induced Graphene (LIG) a 3-D carbon nanomaterial, for real-time attachments with surgical masks.

LIG is a widely used material for monitoring vital physiological signs such as breath rate (BR) or respiratory rate (RR), body temperature, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation.

Monitoring breath rate is considered as a parameter to detect diseases like cardiac arrest, asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and of course, COVID-19.

Exp. MyGov and Ministry of Culture launches ‘YUVA PRATIBHA’

MyGov in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture has launched a YUVA PRATIBHA Singing Talent Hunt.

The initial submission for the competition will be open for a period of one and half month.

Singing Talent Hunt is a unique opportunity for citizens across India to display their singing talent and skills and to gain national recognition.

If one wishes to be New India’s emerging artist singer, or musician, then he/she can participate in the YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing Talent Hunt and lend the melodic voice in the various genres:

Reward & Recognition:

• 1st Winner: INR. 1,50,000/- + Trophy + Certificate
• 2nd Winner: INR. 1,00,000/- + Trophy + Certificate
• 3rd Winner: INR. 50,000/- + Trophy + Certificate
• Following 12 Contestants will be rewarded with a Cash Prize of INR. 10,000/- each

Exp. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana completes 8 years

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) completed eight years on 9th May.

These schemes are playing an instrumental role in providing social security net and affordable insurance to the people.

These three schemes were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this day in 2015 from Kolkata in West Bengal.

The government had launched two insurance schemes Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to make the people belonging from unorganised sections financially secure. The government also introduced Atal Pension Yojana to cover the exigencies in the old age.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana is a one-year life insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death due to any reason.
• The scheme provides life cover of two lakh rupees in case of death due to any reason against a premium of 436 rupees per annum.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is a one-year accidental insurance scheme renewable from year to year offering coverage for death or disability due to an accident.
• The scheme provides accidental death cum disability cover of two lakh rupees against a premium of 20 rupees per annum.

Atal Pension Yojana

• Under the Atal Pension Yojana, the subscribers would receive the guaranteed minimum monthly pension ranging from one thousand to five thousand after the age of 60 years, based on the contributions made by the subscriber.

Exp. AU Small Finance Bank launches RuPay credit card for self-employed customers

AU Small Finance Bank has partnered with RuPay to introduce the Business Cashback RuPay credit card, a solution tailored to meet the financial requirements of self-employed customers.

This is aimed at providing a diverse range of benefits to small businesses.

AU Small Finance Bank’s Business Cashback RuPay Credit Card simplifies financial operations for businesses with benefits like upto 2 percent cashback, 48 days interest-free credit, and instant loans.

It also offers fire insurance, burglary, and housebreaking coverage, making it a one-stop solution for businesses.

MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank – Sanjay Agarwal

Recent Facilities Launched in Banks & Insurance Sector

• RBI, BIS launch global technology competition ‘G20 TechSprint’
• Airtel Payments Bank Introduces Face Authentication for Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS)
• HDFC Bank introduced a digital distribution platform HDFC Bank Smart Sarthi
• Canara Bank launched Digitalised Submission of Form 15G/15H with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH)
• South Indian Bank debuts 2 flexible savings accounts SIB SEAFARER and SIB PULSE for NRIs

Exp. Reserve Bank gold reserves rose 4.5% to 794.64 tonnes in 2022-23

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) added 34.22 metric tonnes of gold in the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2023, taking the total gold reserves to 794.64 metric tonnes.

RBI held 760.42 metric tonnes as of March 31, 2022, compared to 695.31 metric tonnes as of March 31, 2021.

A recent World Gold Council (WGC) report showed that the RBI added 7 metric tonnes of gold in January-March 2023.

The gold reserves as of March 31, 2023, included gold deposits of 56.32 metric tonnes, according to the RBI’s half-yearly report on Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves- October 2022 – March 2023.

While 437.22 metric tonnes of gold is held overseas in safe custody with the Bank of England and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), 301.10 metric tonnes of gold is held domestically.

As of March 31, 2023, the country’s total foreign exchange reserves stood at $578.449 billion, and gold reserves were at $45.2 billion.

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• Founded – 1 April 1935
• RBI Nationalized – 1 January 1949
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• RBI set up – Hilton Young Commission
• 1st Governor – Sir Osborne Smith (Australia)
• 1st Indian Governor – CD Deshmukh
• 25th Governor – Shaktikanta Das
• RBI Deputy Governor (4) – 1. Tavarna Rabi Sankar

2. Mukesh Kumar Jain
3. Michael D Patra
4. M Rajeshwar Rao

Exp. Parminder Chopra, first woman to lead India’s largest NBFC

The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) has recommended the name of Parminder Chopra to succeed as the next CMD of India’s largest NBFC by networth (all reserves), Power Finance Corporation (PFC).

Chopra will be the first woman to be appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Maharatna company. Her name was recommended by the PESB.

She has been with the company since 2005 and has been serving as the Director (Finance) and CFO since 2020, as well as a member of the board of directors.

Exp. Badminton Asia appoints Umar Rashid as chairman of the Technical Officials Committee

Badminton Asia appointed Umar Rasheed, joint secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), as the chairman of the Technical Officials Committee.

Rasheed will oversee the development and implementation of rules and regulations to elevate officiating standards in badminton tournaments across the country.

Rashid also serves as the General Secretary of the Assam Badminton Association, contributing significantly to the development of badminton in Assam and the Northeast region of India.

About Badminton Association of India (BAI)

• Establishment -1934
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• President – Himanta Biswa Sarma

Exp. President Droupadi Murmu confers 37 Gallantry awards

President Droupadi Murmu has conferred 37 Gallantry awards to the personnel of the Armed Forces, CAPF, and State or Union Territory Police during the Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-1) in New Delhi.

The Gallantry awards were given to the personnel for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty.

Murmu conferred 8 Kirti Chakras, including 5 posthumous, and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including 5 posthumous, upon the personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State or Union Territory Police during Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-1) in New Delhi.

Exp. Argentina’s Lionel Messi wins Laureus Sportsman of the Year 2023

Argentina footballer, Lionel Messi has been named the Sportsman of the Year at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards.

Messi also became the first athlete to scoop both the World Sportsman of the Year Award and the World Team of the Year Award in the same year.

He was awarded for his remarkable achievements on the pitch in the past year, which included leading Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup.

Sportswoman of the Year: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) Athletics

World Breakthrough of the Year Award – Carlos Alcaraz

World Comeback of the Year Award – Christian Eriksen

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award – Catherine Debrunner

World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award – Eileen Gu

Laureus Sport for Good Award -TeamUp

World Sportsman of the Year Award – Lionel Messi

World Sportswoman of the Year Award – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

World Team of the Year Award – Argentina Men’s Football Team

Exp. Mastercard replaces BharatPe as global sponsor of ICC

The American multinational financial services corporation, Mastercard has replaced BharatPe as the global sponsor of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The sponsorship pact between ICC & Mastercard is a multi-year arrangement and will cover the upcoming 4 years.

For the past year, Mastercard has been aiming to bag some lucrative sponsorship deals as it also secured title sponsorship rights of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) international and domestic home fixtures from Paytm.

ICC primarily helms a three-year sponsorship and its partnership with BharatPe was kicked off on June 2021.

About International Cricket Council (ICC)

• The International Cricket Council is the global governing body of cricket.
• It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa.
• It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1987.
• Formation – 15 June 1909
• Headquarters – Dubai, UAE
• Chairman – Greg Barclay (New Zealand)
• Deputy Chairman – Imran Khwaja (Singapore)
• CEO – Geoff Allardice (Australia)
• General Manager – Wasim Khan
• Membership – 108 members

Exp. 10 May – World Lupus Day

World Lupus Day is a global healthcare event commemorated every year on May 10.

Objective – To raise awareness about this critical condition; that calls for an in-depth understanding and support for each individual who has been impacted in addition to increase the funds for more research.

On this day, many local and international organizations, communities, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals gather together for a day of action to promote understanding about the disease so that people throughout the world can learn more about this crippling condition and fight against it.

What is Lupus?

• Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissue, resulting in pain and inflammation of the body tissues.
• There are four various types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus, where SLE is the most common one.
• Lupus is often described as an “invisible disease” as its symptoms might fluctuate and mimic those of other medical conditions such as fever, joint pain, skin rashes, and internal organ issues (kidney, heart, lungs and brain), leading to misdiagnosis of lupus condition.  

Exp. 11 May – National Technology Day

National Technology Day is observed annually on May 11 in India.

Objective – To commemorate the significant achievements and contributions made by Indian scientists, engineers, and technologists towards nation-building.

Theme 2023 – Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future

This day holds immense historical and cultural significance, highlighting the country’s commitment to innovation and its pursuit of technological advancements.

May 11 was declared as National Technology Day by the Government of India to commemorate the first of the five nuclear tests under the Pokhran-II program which were conducted on May 11, 1998.

The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee christened the day. On the same date, a test flight of the ‘HANSA-3,’ the first indigenous aircraft was conducted at Bengaluru.