Current Affairs Quiz 13th march 2023 Quiz

Exp. New initiative called ‘Beggar Free City’ launched in Maharashtra’s Nagpur

In Maharashtra, a new initiative called ‘beggar-free city’ has been started in Nagpur.

Nagpur City Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said that a notice under 144 CrPC has been issued in this regard.

This is the joint venture of Nagpur City police and Nagpur.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has made special arrangements in its owned shelters to restrict homeless people.

The civic bodies have also arranged a bus and an ambulance to shift the beggars caught in the police operation to their shelter homes.

About Maharashtra

• Capital – Mumbai
• Chief Minister – Eknath Sindhe
• Governor – Ramesh Bais

Exp. IRCTC to start ‘Bharat Nepal Ashtha Yatra Tour’

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) announced to run on 31 March 2023, “Bharat Nepal Ashtha Yatra” tour package.

It will run under the Bharat Gaurav Tourists train which will showcase four important pilgrimage and heritage destination in the 10 days tour.

The Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train launch is in line with the Government of India initiative “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote special interest circuits in domestic tourism.

The train will depart from Jalandar but have boarding from Delhi Safdarjung. The departure date of the Bharat Nepal Ashtha Yatra is from 31 March 2023.

The destinations that will be covered in this 10 days tour are: Ram Janmbhoomi temple, Hanuman Garhi, SaryuGhat, Nandigram in Ayodhya; Pashupatinath Temple, Darbar Squire, Swaymbhunath Stupa in Kathmandu; Tulsi Manas temple, SankatMochan temple, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and temple, Ganga Aarti at VaranasGhat in Varanasi; and Ganga – Yamuna Sangam, Hanuman temple in Prayagraj.

Exp. Nitin Gadkari unveiled first methanol run buses in Bengaluru

Union Minister for Road and Transport Nitin Gadkari unveiled Bengaluru’s first methanol-run buses.

The project is aimed at reducing the level of emissions and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) NITI Aayog, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Ashok Leyland are conducting the project together.

The concept of the ‘Methanol Economy’ is being actively pursued by China, Italy, Sweden, Israel, the US, Australia, Japan, and many other European countries.

In the pilot project, the BMTC is planning to launch 80 buses that will run on methanol fuel and 20 Ashok Leyland buses will also be introduced in the initial phases. As part of the project, the Indian Oil Corporation will provide free diesel and methanol for three months.

Methanol can be blended with gasoline or used as a standalone fuel in vehicles with modified engines. It has a high octane rating, which means it can improve engine performance and reduce harmful emissions.

Nitin Gadkari In News

• Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated 7 National Highway projects with an investment of 6500 cr in Chitbada village, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.

• Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Rs 3670 cr Highways projects in Maharashtra
• Nitin Gadkari chaired 10th meeting of Group of Infrastructure Committee
• Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated the first phase of the New Zuari Bridge in Goa.
• Nitin Gadkari launched Surety Bond Insurance product from Bajaj Allianz

Exp. Two-day G20 flower festival begins in New Delhi

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has inaugurated a two-day G20 Flower Festival.

The Festival has been organized at Delhi’s Connaught Place for highlighting the vibrancy of G20 members and guest countries.

G20 countries like Japan, Singapore, and the Netherlands are participating in it.

Flower plants of different colours and varieties are being displayed in different forms and installations to showcase the diversity of the Indian subcontinent.

The festival is also showcasing the painting and photographs of flowers of G20 member countries and guest countries.

G20 in News (Note – All Meetings are Under the Presidency of G20 by India)

• Fourth Y20 Consultation Meeting – Pune, Maharashtra (11 March 2023)
• First Environment & Climate Sustainability Working Group (ESCWG) Meeting – Gandhinagar, Gujarat (27 – 29 March 2023)
• Civil 20 (C20) Inception Meeting – Nagpur, Maharashtra (20 – 22 March 2023)
• First Labour 20 (L20) Meeting – Amritsar, Punjab (19 – 20 March 2023)
• Second Business 20 (B20) Meeting – Aizwal, Mizoram (1 – 3 March 2023)
• G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting – New Delhi (1 – 2 March 2023)

Exp. PM Modi unveils world’s longest railway platform in Hubballi-Dharwad

PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated several development projects in Karnataka including the longest railway platform in the world in Hubballi-Dharwad.

With the inauguration of the Hubballi railway platform, the city has registered its name in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest railway platform in the World at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji station.

The 1,507-metre-long platform has been built at a cost of about ₹20 crore.

The Hubballi station is an important junction in Karnataka and a major hub of trade and commerce. It connects the railway lines towards Bengaluru (Davanagere side), Hosapete (Gadag side), and Vasco-Da-Gama/Belagavi (Londa side).

PM Modi in News

• PM Modi inaugurated the 3rd session of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi.

• PM Modi has inaugurated Shivamogga airport in Karnataka.
• PM Modi inaugurated ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.

• PM Modi chaired the 41st edition PRAGATI Interaction meeting
• PM Modi virtually inaugurated the Jal Jan Abhiyan in Abu Road in Sirohi district of Rajasthan.
• PM Modi inaugurated national 15th edition of Aadi Mahotsa in New Delhi

Exp. SCO Supreme Courts Chief Justices’ meet held in New Delhi

18th meeting of Chief Justices of the Supreme Courts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States was held in New Delhi.

It was held under the Presidency of Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud with an aim to foster effective judicial cooperation among the Member States.

It was a 2-day session wherein all SCO member states had taken part

The SCO was created in 2001 based on the “Shanghai five” formed after the signing by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia and Tajikistan.

The main goal of SCO is to strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good neighbourliness, encouraging effective cooperation in several areas among the member states.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 

• Founded – 2001
• Headquarters – Beijing, China
• Secretary General – Zhang Ming (China)
• Member Countries – 9 (Iran, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan & Uzbekistan)
• SCO Summit 2021 – Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
• SCO Summit 2022 – Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• SCO Summit to be hosted by the Indian side in 2023
• The founding members (5) of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan. India and Pakistan officially joined this organization in 2017

Exp. Ayush Ministry organized Yoga Mahotsav 2023 in New Delhi

Ayush Ministry has organized Yoga Mahotsav 2023 at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.

The Yoga Mahotsav is an event to commemorate 100 days countdown to the 9th edition of International Day of Yoga.

The three-day, Mahotsav is being organized to give a wider promotion and publicity to various dimensions of Yoga and its utility.

During this Mahotsav, mass yoga demonstrations will take place in one hundred places in Delhi – NCR to celebrate the countdown.

This year’s International Day of Yoga endeavors to connect with the larger global community, as India’s G20 presidency theme One World, One Health resonance with the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Exp. First Supreme Audit Institution (SAI20) meeting begins in Guwahati

The first Supreme Audit Institution 20 (SAI20) Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) has begun in Guwahati with the themes -‘Blue Economy’ and ‘Responsible Artificial Intelligence’.

The SAI20 is aimed at bringing together an ecosystem wherein SAIs are active partners in governance, promoting transparency and accountability.

The delegates from G20 member countries, guest countries, and other International Organisations would attend the SAI20 event.

SAIs of Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Oman, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and UAE will be participating in person.

Exp. PM Modi inaugurated 118 Km long Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway in the Mandya district of Karnataka.

Built at a cost of over Rs 8400 crore, the 10-lane Bengaluru Mysuru Expressway will boost connectivity and socio-economic development in Karnataka.

The 118 km long Bengaluru-Mysore Expressway will reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru from three hours to about 75 minutes.

It will reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru from around 3 hours to about 75 minutes. It will act as a catalyst for socioeconomic development in the region.

PM Modi in News

• PM Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of the Aero India show in Bengaluru, Karnataka

• PM Modi inaugurated the first phase of the 1,400 kilometres long Delhi-Mumbai expressway in Rajasthan’s Dausa.
• PM Modi inaugurated first phase of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
• PM Modi inaugurated Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary eventin New Delhi.
• PM Modi flagged off 2 Vande Bharat Express trains from Mumbai
• PM Modi inaugurated Arabic Academy in Mumbai

Exp. PNB signed MoU with Central Warehousing Corporation to facilitate farmers’ financing

Punjab National Bank has signed an MoU with Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) to facilitate financing under e-NWR (Electronic Negotiable Warehousing Receipt).

The partnership is aimed at providing easy access to finance to farmers/ food processors/ traders against the pledge of agriculture commodities stored in CWC warehouses.

About Punjab National Bank (PNB)

• Founded – 12 April 1894
• Founder – Dyal Singh Majithia and Lala Lajpat Rai
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• MD & CEO – Atul Kumar Goel
• Tagline – The Name You can Bank Upon
• Punjab National Bank Merge – (Oriental Bank of Commerce & United Bank of India

Exp. IDFC Mutual Fund rebrands itself as Bandhan

IDFC Mutual Fund has been rebranded itself as Bandhan Mutual Fund and its schemes will reflect the new name with effect from March 13, 2023.

IDFC Mutual Fund has also unveiled a new logo as the company was acquired by Bandhan Financial Holdings-led consortium in April 2022

The scheme of the fund house will be renamed to replace the word ‘IDFC’ with ‘Bandhan’. Unitholders of IDFC MF would continue to benefit from the same high-quality investment approach.

The company, which was earlier a part of the IDFC group, was acquired by a Bandhan Financial Holdings-led consortium in April 2022. The deal was approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in November 2022.

Exp. Citi India names Bhanu Vohra head of commercial banking in India

Citi group has named Bhanu Vohra as the head of Citi Commercial Bank (CCB) business in India.

He has replaced Tushar Vikram, who is now the global head of healthcare for CCB.

He will report to Ashu Khullar (Citi India CEO) and Rajat Madhok (head of Citi Commercial Bank Asia Pacific).

The Citi Commercial Bank business addresses the banking and financial services requirements of emerging large corporates and mid-market enterprises.

Recent Appointment in Banking Sector

• MD & CEO of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) – Surinder Chawla
• Interim CEO of BharatPe – Nalin Negi
• CEO of Bank of Singapore – Jason Moo
• MD and CEO of the Indian Overseas Bank – Ajay Kumar Srivastava
• MD & CEO of BSE – Sundararaman Ramamurthy

Exp. Siddhartha Mohanty appointed as the interim chairman of LIC

Siddhartha Mohanty has been appointed as the Interim Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for three months with effect from March 14, 2023.

He is presently a Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of LIC Housing Finance.

Currently, Bishnu Charan Patnaik, Ipe Mini, Siddhartha Mohanty, and Raj Kumar are the Managing Directors of LIC.

Currently, Mangalam Ramasubramanian Kumar is the Chairman of the company.

LIC is the fifth-largest life insurer in the world by life insurance gross written premiums (GWP) and by total assets, it is the tenth-largest. With 1,335,000 agents and ₹27.80 crore in policies being serviced, the LIC is the third-strongest insurance brand globally.

Recent Appointment in Banking Sector

• MD and CEO of Axis Mutual Fund – B Gopkumar
• MD & CEO of HDFC Bank – Sashidhar Jagdishan (reappointment)
• As member of Advisory Committee of SIFL, SEFL by RBI – V Ramachandra
• CEO of JP Morgan Chase & Co (India) – Prabdev Singh
• RBI Deputy Governor – Michael Patra (reappointment)

Exp. British Architect David Chipperfield won Pritzker Prize 2023

British architect Sir David Chipperfield has won the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2023, arguably the highest international honour in the discipline.

David Chipperfield is the 52nd winner of the award, established in 1979.

Francis Kéré (Germany) was awarded the prize in 2022, and Anne Lacton (France) and Jean-Philippe Vasal (France) in 2021.

The 45th Pritzker Prize ceremony honoring David Chipperfield will be held in Athens, Greece in May 2023.

Recent Awards

• PEN/Nabokov Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 – Vinod Kumar Shukla
• BBC Indian Sportswoman of The Year for 2022 – Mirabai Chanu
• Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 – Sajjan Jindal
• Marconi Prize 2023 – Hari Balakrishnan
• Kerala’s Akbar Kakkattil award – Subhash Chandran (for Samudrasila novel)
• UNESCO Peace Prize in Ivory Coast – Angela Merkel

Exp. Oscars 2023: RRR’s Naatu Naatu won Best Original Song award

The song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from the Indian film RRR has won the Oscar in the Best Original Song category at the 95th Oscar Awards.

RRR is the first Indian film to be nominated for Academy Awards in the last two decades, while ‘Naatu Naatu’ was the first Indian song to be nominated for an Oscar.

The song beat out other nominees in the category including Applause (Tell It Like a Woman), Hold My Hand (Top Gun Maverick), Lift Me Up (Black Pather Wakanda Forever) and This Is a Life (Everything Everywhere All At).

List of Academy Award winners 2023-