Current Affairs Quiz 13th May 2024 Quiz

Exp. Nepal climber Kami Rita Sherpa climbs Mt Everest for 29th time

Nepali Sherpa climber Kami Rita has scaled Everest for the 29th time, surpassing his own record of 28 ascents.

He now holds the record for the most ascents of the world’s tallest peak in its 71-year climbing history.

Kami Rita Sherpa, also known as ‘Everest man,’ embarked on the Spring Season Everest expedition from Kathmandu, accompanying a team of approximately 28 climbers. Seven Summit Treks organised the expedition to conquer the world’s highest peak.

He completed his first ascent of Everest in 1994, at 24.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Kami Rita has scaled Everest nearly every year since his first climb, totalling 29 ascents now.

In 2020, the south side of Everest in Nepal was closed to climbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a partial reopening in 2021 allowed Kami Rita to achieve his 25th summit in May 2021.

About Nepal

• Capital- Kathmandu
• Currency- Nepalese rupee
• President– Ram Chandra Paudel
• Prime minister– Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Exp. SAIL-Bhilai to set up Chhattisgarh’s first 15-Mw floating solar plant

Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), the Chhattisgarh-based arm of the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), will install the state’s first 15-megawatt (MW) floating solar project in its Maroda-1 reservoir to improve its carbon footprint.

The steel major is undertaking various projects to reduce carbon emissions, conserve energy, and promote renewable energy.

The project is being implemented through NTPC-SAIL Power Supply Company Limited (NSPCL), a 50:50 joint venture company of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and SAIL.

The solar plant will be set up in Durg district.

Exp. All Inactive Accounts to be closed on 1 June 2024: PNB

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has announced that it will close all its customers’ inactive bank accounts on 1 June 2024.

Customers whose accounts have become inactive can activate their accounts by completing their KYC (Know Your Customer) by 31 May 2024.

The bank has taken this step to reduce expenses and prevent fraud in such accounts.

Which PNB accounts will be closed?

• Accroding to the PNB, those customers’ accounts will be closed where there has been no transaction(deposit or withdrawal) by the customer for the past three years, and the account balance has been zero.
• If these account holders do not complete their KYC by 31 May 2024, then they will not be given further notice, and their account will be closed permanently on 1 June 2024.

Which PNB accounts are not impacted?

• Accounts linked to DEMAT accounts, lockers, or active standing instructions
• Student accounts for customers under the age of 25
• Minor accounts
• Accounts opened for specific schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, SSY, APY, DBT
• Accounts frozen by court orders, income tax department orders, or other statutory authorities

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

Exp. Hinduja Group gets IRDAI approval for Reliance Capital acquisition

Hinduja Group’s IndusInd International Holdings (IIHL) has received the long-awaited Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India’s approval for the acquisition of Reliance Capital.

The acquisition will include the takeover of Reliance Capital’s insurance arms — wholly-owned subsidiary Reliance General Insurance and 51:49 JV with Nippon Life, Reliance Nippon Life Insurance.

The insurance regulator has cleared the transfer of Reliance Capital’s 26 per cent stake in Reliance Nippon Life to Aasia Enterprises.

Post the transaction, Reliance Capital, Nippon Life Insurance and Aasia Enterprises LLP will be the promoters of the company.

Exp. Dr Soumya Swaminathan to be awarded honourary doctorate by Canada’s McGill University

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, most recently WHO’s Chief Scientist, has been named among the 10 exceptional individuals who will receive honorary degrees from Canada’s prestigious McGill University as part of the Spring 2024 Convocation ceremonies.

More than two centuries old, McGill, a public research university in Montreal, grants honorary degrees to individuals “who have lifetime records of outstanding scholarly, scientific, or artistic achievement, or of exceptional contributions to the public good through professional or philanthropic activity.

In 2017, Swaminathan joined the World Health Organisation (WHO) as Deputy Director General (Programmes), and, in March 2019, was named its first Chief Scientist, a role she filled through the Covid-19 pandemic until late 2022.

Exp. Vivek Kolhe elected as IFFCO Director

Vivek Bipindada Kolhe has been elected as a director of IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertilizers Co-op Ltd.) New Delhi.

He is currently working as the Chairman of Sahkar Maharshi Shankarao Kolhe Co-operative Sugar Factor.

Kolhe’s extensive experience in the cooperative sector, coupled with his past role as RGB of IFFCO, positions him as a formidable advocate for farmers’ rights and interests.

With Kolhe assuming his new responsibilities, the future of cooperative farming in Maharashtra looks bright.

IFFCO, the cornerstone of India’s agricultural landscape, stands as a beacon of support for farmers nationwide.

About IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Corporation)

• Founded- 3 November 1967, New Delhi
• Founder- Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa
• Headquarters- New Delhi
• CEO- Udai Shanker Awasthi
• Director – Vivek Bipindada Kolhe

Exp. Idashisha Nongrang appointed first woman DGP of Meghalaya

Senior IPS Officer Idashisha Nongrang has been named first woman Director General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya state.

A 1992 batch Indian Police Service officer, she will replace Lajja Ram Bishnoi who will retire on May 19.

She will serve as the State’s police chief till May 19, 2026.

Nongrang is also the first tribal woman to ascend to this prestigious rank.

Recent Appointment 

• President of Larsen and Toubro – R Shankar Raman
• Director in Ministry of Ayush – Subodh Kumar
• Country Manager for Visa India – Sujai Raina
• DG of National Institute of Solar Energy – Mohammad Rihan
• Head of GST Appellate Tribunal – Sanjaya Kumar Mishra (for 4 years)

About Meghalaya

• Capital – Shillong
• Chief Minister – Conrad Kongkal Sangma
• Governor – Phagu Chauhan

Exp. Japan defeated Pakistan to win the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy

Japan has won its maiden Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey trophy by defeating Pakistan 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out in the final.

The final was played at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Japan won the trophy, with Pakistan in second place. Malaysia was in third place, followed by New Zealand, South Korea, and Canada in last place.

Six teams, Japan, Pakistan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, and the host team, Malaysia, participated in the 2024 event.

Sultan Azlan Shah is considered a prestigious Hockey tournament in Asia that has attracted the world’s top men’s national hockey teams.

India has been a regular participant in the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament. India has won the Sultan Azlan  Shah Trophy 5 times in 1985, 1991, 1995, 2009, 2010.

This time, the Indian team skipped the tournament as they were more focused on preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which start on 26 July 2024.  

Exp. Hemant Khatri receives PSU Samarpan Award

Hindustan Shipyard Limited’s (HSL) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Hemant Khatri has been honoured with the esteemed ‘PSU Samarpan Award’ by Gov Connect at the award ceremony held in New Delhi.

The ‘PSU Samarpan Award’ acknowledges the significant contributions of Public Sector Undertakings to the country’s progress.

‘PSU Samarpan Award’ by Gov Connect, an initiative by ilouge Media, recognised the exemplary leadership of HSL’s CMD for driving the transformation of the shipyard and inspiring countless individual within the industry.

Recent Awards

• Global Pride of Sindhi Award 2024 – Pawan Sindhi (Social worker)
• Best Employer’ 2023 by Kincentric – DBS Bank India
• Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize 2024 – Bhavi Mehta (for The Book Beautiful)
• UNESCO’s Guillermo Cano World Press Prize 2024 – All Palestinian journalists
• Whitley Gold Award (Green Oscar) 2024 – Dr Purnima Devi Barman (Assam)

Exp. Neeraj Chopra finishes 2nd with 88.36m throw in Doha Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra finished second with a best throw of 88.36m throw while India’s Kishore Jena’s best was 76.31m in Doha Diamond League.

Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who finished first with a best effort of 88.38. while Anderson Peters claimed the third spot.

Meanwhile, India’s Kishore Jena, who claimed the silver medal at the Asian Games last year with a personal best of 87.54m, endured a disappointing Diamond League debut, finishing ninth with a best throw of 76.31m.

Exp. 12 May – International Day of Plant Health

The International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) is observed on 12 May.

Objective – To raise awareness about the necessity of protecting plant health in order to prevent hunger, reduce poverty, safeguard biodiversity, and promote economic development.

Theme 2024 – Plant Health, Safe Trade, Digital Technology

The United Nations established the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to draw public attention to the necessity of safeguarding plant health in order to prevent hunger, reduce poverty, safeguard biodiversity, and promote economic development.

The IDPH resolution was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly in March 2022.

Exp. 12 May – International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day is observed every year on 12 May.

This day marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale who laid the foundation of modern nursing. International Nurses Day aims to highlight the importance of nurses in the healthcare sector.

It also acts as an opportunity to thank nurses for their efforts and for taking care of patients around the clock.

Theme 2024 – Our Future, The economic power of care.

The International Council of Nurses initiated the first International Nurses Day celebration on 12 May 1974, aiming to draw attention to the crucial role nurses play in modern healthcare systems.

Exp. UN proclaims May 25 as World Football Day

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming May 25 as World Football Day. The sport is called soccer in the United States.

The day marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions which took place on May 25, 1924 during the summer Olympic Games held in Paris, according to the resolution.

The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution by consensus with a bang of the gavel by its president, Dennis Francis, to applause from diplomats in the assembly chamber. It was co-sponsored by more than 160 countries.

Exp. Punjabi poet Surjit Patar passes away

Noted Punjabi poet Surjit Patar passed away at the age of 79 in Punjab’s Ludhiana.

Patar’s notable achievements include receiving top honours like Padma Shri and the Sahitya Akademi Award for his work of writing in a regional language.

Patar hailed from Patar Kalan village in Jalandhar and retired as a professor of Punjabi from Punjab Agricultural University.

He received the Padma Shri in 2012 and served as the president of the Punjab Arts Council.