Current Affairs Quiz 15th and 16th July 2023 Quiz

Exp. Jammu and Kashmir launches Mobile-Dost-App

In Jammu and Kashmir, a path-breaking Mobile-Dost-App has been launched in sync with the vision of Apka-Mobile-Hamara-Daftar.

It is a pioneering initiative for mobile-based delivery of citizen-centric services in the Union Territory.

The administration is committed to providing seamless services to its residents, fostering ease in accessibility, mobility, transparency, and efficiency in governance.

The administration aims to enhance accessibility and convenience ensuring that every individual of J&K will get benefited from government services at their fingertips.

The Mobile-Dost-App aims at empowering the people of Jammu & Kashmir by providing a comprehensive platform to access all the Government to Citizen Services (G2C) directly from their mobile devices.

With just a few taps, residents can now effortlessly avail a number of services, enhancing their daily lives and fostering an efficient, effective, and transparent governance system.

Exp. Amit Shah addresses inaugural session of the G-20 Conference on Crime

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has addressed the inaugural session of the G20 conference on crime and security to be held in Gurugram.

The conference is envisaged as an opportunity to forge a global partnership to build a safe cyberspace and to prioritize cybersecurity concerns.

The proceedings focus around cyber security and measures to counter cybercrime in the context of new and emerging technologies like Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Metaverse.

Cybersecurity has become an essential aspect of security-related affairs internationally, which requires adequate focus owing to its economic and geopolitical implications.

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

• 3rd Trade and Investment Working Group Meeting – Kevadia, Gujarat (11 – 13 July 2023)
• 3rd G20 Culture Group Meeting – Hampi, Karnataka (9 July 2023)
• Urban-20 Mayoral Summit – Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar, Gujarat (7 July 2023)
• 4th edition of the Space Economy Leaders Meeting – Bengaluru, Karnataka (6 July 2023)
• G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) Summit and Research Ministers’ Meeting – Mumbai, Maharashtra (4 – 5 July 2023)

Exp. India Mobile Congress 2023 to be held in Pragati Maidan

The seventh edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC), co-hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) will be held from October 27 -29 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi this year.

The event will be themed around “Global Digital Innovation” and will showcase 6G, advancements in 5G networks, the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in telecommunications, edge computing, and developments related to India Stack.

IMC 2023 would also highlight related technology domains such as broadcast technology, satellite communication, manufacture of semiconductors.

More than 100,000 plus participants, 5,000 plus CXO-level delegates, 350 plus speakers, and 400 exhibitors are expected to attend the event.

IMC 2023 will launch a start-up event called Aspire, which will seek to encourage the growth of entrepreneurship among “young innovators and industry delegates in the telecom and digital domains”.

The India Mobile Congress 2023 will signify the vision of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to promote India’s pivotal role in the digital revolution impacting every sector globally. This includes pioneering breakthroughs in 5G, 6G, broadcasting, satellite, semiconductor, drone, devices, and green technologies.

Exp. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates DGNSS “SAGAR SAMPARK’

Union Minister of Ports Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated the indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) ‘SAGAR SAMPARK’ to strengthen the maritime sector in India.

It helps mariners navigate safely and reduces the risk of collisions, groundings, and accidents in port and harbour areas.

It would provide more accurate information to the ships for safe navigation.

It will help mariners in safe navigation and will reduce the risk of collisions, and accidents.

Recent Inauguration by Sarbananda Sonowal

• Sarbananda Sonowal launches ‘SAGAR SAMRIDDHI’
• Sarbananda Sonowal flags off India’s 1st International Cruise Vessee from Chennai to Sri lanka
• Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated “PCIM&H e-Office Portal” and an online portal.
• Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates National Mission Conclave in Delhi
• Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Harit Sagar’ the Green Port Guidelines 2023

Exp. Bank of India inaugurates IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT City

Bank of India has inaugurated its IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in the International Financial Services Centre at GIFT SEZ area in Gandhinagar.

The BOI IBU has the twin advantage of being situated in India, providing the benefit of the time zone window for its counterparts located globally with competitive pricing & quick processing from an experienced team.

The IBU will provide services, such as External Commercial Borrowing (ECBs), Trade Finance Facilities, Foreign Currency Loans, Syndication Loans (Origination, Underwriting and Distribution), Foreign Currency deposit account -Current and Term Deposits, besides offering digital banking facilities through transaction-based Internet Banking facility, to various clients allowed as per IFSCA guidelines.

Bank of India looks at achieving $1 billion in business by March 2024.

The bank’s overseas branches contribute around 15% mix business to its Global Deposits and 16% to its Global Advances.

About Bank of India (BOI)

• Founded- 7 September 1906
• Founder- Ramnarain Ruia
• Headquarters- Mumbai
• MD & CEO – Rajneesh Karnatak
• Tagline – Relationship beyond Banking

Recent Facilities Launched in Banks & Insurance Sector

• PNB launched the virtual branch, PNB Metaverse.
• Indian Bank rolls out digital services under ‘Project WAVE’ initiative
• Bank of India launched Centralised Pool Buy-Out and Co-Lending Cell
• Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance launches ‘Nishchit Pension Plan’
• Axis Bank launches ‘One-View’ feature on its mobile application

Exp. Max Life, DCB Bank join hands to offer insurance products

Max Life Insurance Company has partnered with DCB Bank to provide life insurance products to the bank’s customers, including term, savings, and retirement plans, allowing them to protect their financial future and expand their investment portfolio.

The business tie-up will offer bank customers access to Max Life’s protection and long-term savings solutions, offering financial stability for themselves and their families.

Max Life offers protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions, through its multi-channel distribution including agency and third-party distribution partners.

DCB Bank, on the other hand, is a new-generation private sector bank with 427 branches (as on March 31, 2023) across India. It is a scheduled commercial bank regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.

Recent MoU in Banking Sector

• IFSCA and Climate Policy Initiative sign MoU on Sustainable Finance
• Kotak Insurance partners with actyv.ai to provide insurance to MSMEs
• Manipal Technologies, Indian Bank joined hands to offer banking products
• Paytm signs MoU with Arunachal Pradesh for creating startup ecosystem
• IOB signs MoU with the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission

Exp. Razorpay launches first international payment gateway in Malaysia

Fintech firm Razorpay has launched its first international payment gateway for the Malaysian market with Curlec.

The new Curlec Payment Gateway will serve more than 5,000 businesses with a target of RM (Malaysian Ringgit) 10 billion in annualized Gross Transaction Value (GTV) by 2025.

The service simplifies payment collection, automates payouts, and helps businesses of all sizes to control cash flows.

In February 2022, Razorpay acquired a majority stake in the Malaysia-based startup which is now known as Curlec by Razorpay.

About Malaysia

• Capital – Kuala Lumpur
• Currency – Ringgit
• Prime Minister – Anwar Ibrahim

Exp. Harshvardhan Bansal appointed as President of NAREDCO Delhi Chapter

Director of Unity Group Harshvardhan Bansal has been appointed as the president of Delhi chapter of the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO).

The objective of the NAREDCO Delhi chapter is to establish a favorable atmosphere in the real estate sector that will foster sustainable growth and encourage investment by closely partnering with the government, industry professionals, and other key participants.

Presently, NAREDCO already has state branches in Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.

NAREDCO is a leading national organization that represents the real estate sector, it works under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

About NAREDCO

• NAREDCO was established in 1998 with the support of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• Its primary objective is to provide a valid platform to the government, real estate industry and general public to address concerns and find solutions to challenges in the real estate sector.
• It has a membership base of over 5000 members across India, including its State NAREDCO chapters.
• As per the report, digital trade in Malaysia contributes 22.6% to the country’s GDP and is expected to rise to 25.5% by 2025.

Recent Appointment

• First woman director of IIT, to led IIT Zanzibar – Preeti Aghalayam
• CMD of India Tobacco Company Limited (ITC Ltd) – Sanjiv Puri (reappointment)
• President of the Olympic Council of Asia – Sheikh Talal Fahd Al Ahmad Al Sabah (Kuwait)
• Chairperson of National Green Tribunal (NGT) – Sheo Kumar Singh (replace Adarsh Kr Goel)
• CEO of Quick Heal Technologies Ltd – Vishal Salvi

Exp. PM Modi awarded France’s highest award Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the highest French award ‘Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour’ by the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron.

It is the highest French honour in military or civilian orders. With this, PM Modi becomes the first Indian PM to receive this honour.

PM Modi is the Chief Guest at the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July 2023, in which a contingent of the Indian Armed Forces from the three Services is also participating.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership and the Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity to chart out a roadmap for the future of the partnership in various areas such as strategic, cultural, scientific, educational and economic cooperation.

About France

• Capital- Paris
• President- Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister- Elisabeth Borne
• Official language- French

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

• 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
• Order of the Druk Gyalpo by Bhutan in 2021
• Legion of Merit by the US Government in 2020
• King Hamad Order of the Renaissance by Bahrain in 2019
• Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin by Maldives in 2019
• Order of St. Andrew award by Russia in 2019
• Order of Zayed Award by UAE in 2019
• Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award in 2018
• State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan by Afghanistan in 2016
• Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud by Saudia Arabia in 2016.

Exp. Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission bags SKOCH Award

The Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) has bagged the SKOCH Award under the theme “State of Governance India 2047” in Gold category for its outstanding efforts in creating marketing avenues for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Union Territory.

The SKOCH award marks a significant milestone for JKRLM, being the first award received since the inception of the scheme. This recognition represents a remarkable accomplishment for the organization.

The JKRLM has introduced several groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed the lives of countless women associated with Self Help Groups.

The AVSAR scheme, Umeed Women’s Haat, and District Rural Haat, SHG products available on e-commerce platforms are prime examples of these initiatives, which have not only provided a platform for SHGs to showcase their products but have also opened up new marketing avenues for them.

Recent Awards

• Insurer Innovation Awards 2023 – Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance
• Best Performance in CASA at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave 2022 – J & K Bank
• Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023 – Narendra Modi
• Miss Universe Netherlands – Rikkie Kollé (First transgender woman)
• Philippe Chatrier Award by International Tennis Federation (ITF)- Justine Henin (Belgian tennis player)

Exp. Defence Acquisition Council approves proposals for buying 26 Rafale

The Defense Acquisition Council has approved the proposal to buy 26 Rafale-M fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy.

These include 22 single-seated Rafale marine aircraft and four twin-seater trainer versions. Also, three additional Scopene class submarines will also be bought for the Indian Navy.

The deals are expected to be worth around Rs 90,000 crore.

These planes will be used by the Indian Navy on the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, which currently employ the MiG-29. This will be the second such fighter jet purchase from the French aerospace major Dassault Aviation in recent years.

Exp. India’s top table tennis league UTT tournament is being organized in Pune

India’s top table tennis league Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) tournament is being organized at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune this year under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India after a gap of four years.

The league round-robin will be held between the 13th and the 27th of July. The semifinals will be held on the 28 and the 29th of July and the final will be held on the 30th of July.

The Ultimate Table Tennis league consists of six teams. There are 36 players in total with six from each team – four Indian players and two international players. Each team will play five matches.

India’s ace table tennis player Sharath Kamal is participating in the UTT league. He will be leading the Indian team to the 26th Asian Championships to be held from the 3rd to the 10th of September this year in South Korea.

Exp. India’s Nishad Kumar wins silver at Para Athletics World Championships 2023

India’s Nishad Kumar clinches silver in the Men’s High Jump event at Para Athletics World Championships in Paris.

Nishad bagged this medal in the High Jump T47 Event. With this win, Nishad has become the second athlete at this event to grab a medal.

The top-four ranked athletes at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in each of the individual medal events qualify for the 2024 Paralympic Games, also to be held in Paris.

Exp. China launches world’s first methane-fuelled space rocket

A private Chinese company has launched the world’s first methane-liquid oxygen space rocket into orbit.

The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The move helps China beat rivals like the US, India, and Europe in developing the next-generation launch vehicle that could carry payloads into orbit around Earth.

The rocket successfully delivered a test payload into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), the first in the world to make such an achievement.

A methane-powered rocket, also known as Methalox, uses methane as the fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer. It operates based on the same principles as traditional launch vehicles but differs in terms of propellant choice and certain design considerations.

About China

• Capital – Beijing
• Currency – Yuan
• President – Xi Jinping

Exp. A new book ‘Prism: The Ancestral Abode of Rainbow’ by Vinod Mankara released

National Award-winning filmmaker-writer Vinod Mankara’s new book titled “Prism: The Ancestral Abode of Rainbow” was released from the rocket launchpad of Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

ISRO Chairman S Somnath released the book by handing it over to Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) Director S Unnikrishnan Nair.

Published by Kozhikode-based Lipi Books, ‘Prism’ is a compilation of 50 interesting articles from various streams of science including space science, astronomy, biology, anthropology and mathematics.

Recent Book

• The Yoga Sutra for Children – Roopa Pai
• Finance Ministers of India: From Independence to the Emergency (1947-1977) – Journalist A.K. Bhattacharya
• Master Residential Real Estate – Ashwinder Singh
• India Secret War BSF – Ushinor Majumdar
• Through the Broken Glass – T N Seshan
• Beyond Cricket – C D Gopinath