Current Affairs Quiz 12th December 2023 Quiz

Exp. Telangana rolls out free bus travel scheme for women, transgenders

The Congress government in Telangana has launched the ‘Maha Lakshmi scheme’ which provides free travel for women, girls, and transgender persons.

As per an official release, the Transport Department of the Government of Telangana has announced the launch of the ‘6 Guarantees-Maha Lakshmi’ scheme.

The Maha Lakshmi scheme was announced by the Congress party on September 18, in its Manifesto for Telangana.

According to the scheme, the Congress party will provide free bus travel for women in Telangana while also providing ₹2500 to women every month under the Mahalaxmi Yojana.

The Maha Lakshmi scheme aims to provide free travel for girls, women of all age groups, and transgender persons in state-run Palle Velugu and express buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) within the borders of Telangana State.

The scheme is specifically designed for the benefit of girls, women of all age groups, and transgender persons who are domiciled in Telangana.

Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy also launched the Rajiv Aarogyasri Scheme – enhanced to ₹10 lakh – in Hyderabad.

The Rajiv Arogyasri Scheme provides financial protection, to families living below the poverty line, up to ₹10 lakh in a year for the treatment of serious ailments requiring hospitalization and surgery and also financial coverage up to ₹10 lakh for high end procedures.

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – Revanth Reddy (replace K. Chandrashekar Rao)
• Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan

Exp. NITI Aayog releases the 1st Delta Ranking of ABP

Tiriyani Block of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana has secured the top position in the first delta rankings of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) announced by NITI Aayog.

The second position was bagged by Kaushambi block of Kaushambi District, Uttar Pradesh.

The rankings were announced in a virtual event at NITI Aayog which saw participation of 329 districts and 500 aspirational blocks from across the country.

The ranking of the blocks has been calculated based on the performance of blocks and progress achieved in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the month of June 2023.

In addition to ABP, the ADP rankings were also announced for the month of October 2023 which saw Rayagada (Odisha) and Jamui (Bihar) achieving the first and second ranks respectively. The top rankers in the thematic and overall categories of ADP were felicitated.

About Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)

• The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) was launched on January 7, 2023.
• ABP focuses on improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens in the most difficult and relatively underdeveloped blocks of India.
• 500 blocks from 329 districts across 27 states and 4 Union Territories of India are part of the programme.
• The Programme strategy is based on convergence of existing schemes, defining outcomes, and monitoring them on a constant basis
• In consultation with various stakeholders, 40 key performance indicators (KPIs) were chosen to measure progress of the blocks which have been grouped into 5 themes.
• The baseline data of March 31, 2023 and of the first quarter on June 30, 2023 of 500 Aspirational Blocks was sourced through Management Information System of 11 ministries. The 1st Delta rank has been calculated based on improvement made in the first quarter.

Exp. Invest India to host 27th World Investment Conference in New Delhi

Invest India will host the 27th edition of World Investment Conference in New Delhi.

Under the theme “Empowering Investors: IPAs Pioneering Future Growth,” the conference is set to be the largest ever, bringing together over 1000 attendees, 50 Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), and various multilateral agencies.

The conference, organized by Invest India and serving as the flagship event of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), will be a platform for global investment promotion and innovation stakeholders.

It aims to foster collaboration, trade, investments, and knowledge sharing among IPAs, international organizations, academia, the private sector, and startups.

Exp. UNICEF in collaboration with India to launch “Green Rising” initiative at COP28 Summit in Dubai

UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change will unveil the “Green Rising” initiative at COP28 in Dubai.

The global “Green Rising” initiative and the “Green Rising India Alliance” marks a collaborative effort involving UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and a diverse network of public, private, and youth partners.

The main goal is to mobilize millions of young people worldwide, encouraging their active participation in green initiatives addressing and adapting to the severe impacts of climate change on their communities.

The “Green Rising” initiative focuses on engaging youth for impactful environmental actions at the grassroots level, aligning with the global effort to address the severe impacts of climate change.

The global “Green Rising” initiative and the “Green Rising India Alliance” marks a collaborative effort involving UNICEF, Generation Unlimited and a diverse network of public, private, and youth partner.

About United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

• Founded – 1946
• Headquarters – New York City, USA
• Director General – Catherine M. Russell
• Membership – 192

Exp. U GRO Capital joined hands with Laghu Udyog Bharati to empower MSMEs

A leading DataTech NBFC focused on MSME lending, U GRO Capital has joined hands with Laghu Udyog Bharati (an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting micro-enterprises) to empower India’s micro-enterprises with knowledge about government schemes, and digital credit.

This Strategic Partnership Aims to Educate Small Businesses on Government Schemes and Promote Digital Credit across the Country.

India’s MSMEs have long been the backbone of the country’s economy, contributing significantly to employment generation, industrial production, and overall economic growth.

This collaboration is set to bring a positive and transformative impact on micro-enterprises in India, promoting their growth and success.

Under this partnership, U GRO Capital, along with Laghu Udyog Bharati, will host a series of seminars, workshops, and events in over 100 micro markets across India.

These events are aimed at educating and empowering the network of small businesses empaneled with Laghu Udyog Bharati.

Recent MoU in Banking Sector

• Union Bank collaborates with Accenture to boost operational efficiency
• Ujjivan Small Finance Bank partners Water.org to offer sanitation loan
• Karnataka Bank ties up with HDFC Life to offer life insurance products
• Axis Bank signed MoU with IRMA to promote financial inclusion and literacy in India
• Kotak Bank partnered with NeSL to issue electronic Bank Guarantee
• IndusInd Bank partnered with Viamericas to enhance Fast Remit platform

Exp. IDFC FIRST Bank launches “FIRST SWYP” credit card

IDFC FIRST Bank has introduced a youth-centric “FIRST SWYP” credit card in partnership with Mastercard.

This card can be used as a no-interest charge card and has curated features — flexible bill repayments through EMIs, a benefit-laden referral program, and exclusive and relevant merchant partnerships.

The card will address demands of new-age customers, blending benefits across their favorite categories of spends and lifestyle-related offers and innovative propositions, it added.

The new card is the Bank’s second youth-focused credit card. It had earlier launched “FIRST Millennia Credit Cards”.

About IDFC First Bank

• Founded – October 2015
• Headquarters – Mumbai
• MD & CEO – V. Vaidyanathan
• Executive Director – Madhivanan Balakrishnan

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• LIC introduces new whole life insurance policy Jeevan Utsav
• SEBI unveiled Investor Risk Reduction Access platform
• Federal Bank introduces UPI lite for small-value digital payments

• SIDBI launches ‘Sumpoorn’ MSME Economic Activity Index with Jocata
• HSBC India launches e-bank guarantee services for MSMEs

Exp. Anish Shah takes over as FICCI President for 2023-24

Group CEO of Mahindra Group and Managing Director of M&M, Anish Shah has become the new President of the industry association FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry).

Shah succeeded Subhrakant Panda as FICCI President at the apex chamber’s just-finished 96th Annual Convention in the capital.

Shah earned a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Emami Limited’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, has been promoted to Senior Vice President at FICCI.

Before joining Mahindra Group, Shah was President and CEO of GE Capital India from 2009 to 2014, where he oversaw the company’s restructuring, including the rescue of its SBI Card joint venture.

Recent Appointment

• Chairman of World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 – Mohammed Al Ramsi (UAE)
• Head of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Board – Samir Shah
• Chairman of Swiggy India – Anand Kripalu
• First Indian to operate Mars rover – Akshata Krishnamurthy
• First woman medical officer to be deployed at Siachen – Captain Geetika Kouls

Exp. Mohan Yadav becomes the new CM of Madhya Pradesh

The newly elected BJP MLAs in Madhya Pradesh have elected Dr Mohan Yadav as the new chief minister of the state. Earlier this month, the BJP scored a landslide victory in Madhya Pradesh by winning 166 seats.

Outgoing finance minister and two-time MLA Jagdish Devda from Mandsaur and outgoing public relations minister MLA Rajendra Shukla from Rewa have been elected as deputy chief ministers.

Mohan Yadav is a member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Ujjain Dakshin constituency in Ujjain district

He first became an MLA in 2013 from the same seat. He won the assembly elections from the same seat in 2018 and 2023.

Mohan Yadav is also a cabinet minister in Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government.

Mohan Yadav has won the 2023 elections by more than 13000 votes.

Mohan Yadav has several educational degrees including BSC, LLB, MA, MBA, and PhD.

Ex-union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar has been elected as the speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly.

About Madhya Pradesh

• Capital – Bhopal
• Chief Minister – Dr Mohan Yadav (replace Shivraj Singh Chauhan)
• Deputy CM – Jagdish Devda & Rajendra Shukla
• Speaker of Madhya Pradesh Assembly – Narendra Singh Tomar
• Governor – Mangubhai C. Patel

Exp. Kashvi Gautam became most expensive uncapped star of all time in WPL auction

India’s young player Kashvee Gautam has bagged a huge profit in the star auction ahead of the 2024 season of Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024).

Kashvi became the most valuable uncapped player of all time in the Women’s Premier League. The young star, who had a base price of Rs 10 lakh, was acquired by Gujarat Giants for Rs 2 crore.

The Chandigarh star was snapped up by Gujarat after a fierce bidding war with UP Warriors. Within minutes Gautham owns Vrinda Dinesh’s record of fetching Rs 1.3 crore in this auction itself.

Who is Kashvi Gautam?

• Kashvi Gautam first became famous in Indian cricket in 2020. The Chandigarh pacer shocked everyone by taking 10 wickets against Arunachal Pradesh in the domestic U-19 ODI. This performance included a hat trick.

Exp. Ashwini-Tanisha duo clinches women’s doubles title in Guwahati Masters 2023

Indian women’s doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa have secured their second Super 100 title with a straight-game win over Chinese Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun and Yu Chien Hui at the Guwahati Masters 2023.

The second-seeded Indian combination, which finished runners-up at the Syed Modi International Super 300 tournament in Lucknow, beat the world no. 81 combination 21-13 21-19 in a 40-minute final.

This was the third title for the Indian pair, which had clinched the Abu Dhabi Masters Super 100 and Nates International Challenge this year.

Ashwini, 34, and 20-year-old Tanisha started playing together only in January and were part of India’s Asian Games squad which competed in Hangzhou, China in September-October.

The BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Tour is divided into six levels, namely World Tour Finals, four Super 1000, six Super 750, seven Super 500, and 11 Super 300. One more category of the tournament, the BWF Tour Super 100 level, also offers ranking points

Each of these tournaments offers different ranking points and prize money. The highest points and prize pool is offered at the Super 1000 level.  

Exp. Indian Navy Conducts Exercise ‘Prasthan’ Off Mumbai Coast

The Indian Navy, along with other defence state and civil agencies completed a two-phased exercise ‘Prasthan’ in the Offshore Development Area, off the Mumbai coast.

The exercise, which is conducted every six months, was held on the R12A (Ratna) Platform of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) around 83 km away from Mumbai harbour.

The ‘Prasthan’ is conducted to validate measures and procedures to address various contingencies that may arise in the oil production platforms.

Exp. 12 December – Universal Health Coverage Day

Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated every year on 12 December.

As per WHO, Universal health coverage (UHC) means all people can access a full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial issues.

Theme for 2023 – Health For All: Time for Action

It includes all essential health services, from prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.  Countries need to have robust primary health care (PHC).

On 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to implement universal health coverage.

In 2017, the UNGA proclaimed 12 December as UHC Day.

Exp. 11 December – International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day 2023 is observed every year on December 11.

Objective – To increase awareness and call for nature-based solutions, best practices, and investments that can enhance the resilience and adaptability of mountain ecosystems.

Theme 2023 – Restoring Mountain Ecosystems

The history of International Mountain Day dates back to 1992 when Agenda 21 “Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development” of Chapter 13 was adopted by the United Nations during its Conference on Environment and Development.

While it brought a major milestone in the history of mountain development, it was finally in 2002 that the UN General Assembly declared the UN International Year of Mountains and designated December 11 as International Mountain Day from 2003 onwards.  

Exp. 11 December – UNICEF Day

United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Day is observed every year on 11 December.

UNICEF aims to “protect the rights of every child, everywhere”. It is considered to be one of the most recognizable charities in the world, with several celebrity ambassadors and a staff of over 13,000 people.

UNICEF was first formed as the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund on December 11, 1946, to meet the needs of children affected by World War II.

By the 1950s, UNICEF expanded its mandate and began addressing “the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries everywhere

Exp. Former West Indies batter Joe Solomon passed away

The former West Indies and Guyana batter Joe Solomon passed away at the age of 93.

Solomon played 27 Tests for West Indies between 1958 and 1965, scoring 1326 runs at an average of 34.

Though he was a late starter in first-class cricket, debuting at 26, he proved his credentials quickly, as his first three innings in first-class cricket were centuries: 114 not out against Jamaica, 108 against Barbados, and 121 against the touring Pakistanis.

From there, he was drafted straight into the West Indies squad to tour India; in his fourth Test, he scored an unbeaten 100 in Delhi, and averaged 117 in the series.

Solomon, though, is perhaps most remembered for his role in the tied Test against Australia at the Gabba in 1960. With six runs to win off the final eight-ball over, and with three wickets remaining, Australia looked set to steal an already dramatic Test.