Current Affairs Quiz 17th and 18th January 2024 Quiz

Exp. Boeing opens its first distribution center in India

Global aerospace giant Boeing has opened its first distribution center in India, located in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh.

Spanning 36,000 square feet, this parts warehouse aims to assist regional aviation customers in optimizing fleet utilization.

This new facility is part of its ongoing efforts to expand its footprint in the country, providing an efficient, cost-effective, and localized solution.

This is one of Being’s eight distribution centers in the world.

Furthermore, Boeing has pledged a USD 100 million investment in infrastructure and pilot training programs to meet India’s growing demand for pilots over the next two decades.

About Uttar Pradesh

• Capital – Lucknow
• Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
• Governor – Anandiben Patel

Exp. IndoSpace Signs Rs 2000 Cr Deal With Tamil Nadu Govt

India’s leading developer and owner of Grade A industrial real estate, IndoSpace has signed an MoU with the government of Tamil Nadu to invest over Rs 2,000 crore in the state.

This investment by IndoSpace is expected to generate 15,000 new jobs, providing a substantial boost to employment opportunities in the state.

IndoSpace has an existing land bank of around 600 acres in the region. With an expansive presence of 14 Grade A industrial and logistics parks strategically located around the main industrial hubs, IndoSpace has developed and leased around 13 million sq ft with a total investment of Rs 4,000 crore in the state.

This investment agreement with the Tamil Nadu government is a part of the company’s continued commitment towards supporting industrial requirements and has led to the planning of an additional 5 million sq ft of land in the state.

Recent MoUs

• South Korean firm Simmtech signs MoU for creating semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat
• REC limited signs with RVN to finance multi-modal
• NHAI signed MoU with NRSC to develop ‘Green Cover Index’*A
• TGL and Flipkart sign MoU for supply chain decarbonization
• Bharat Electronics Secures ₹445 Cr Deal For UP Dial 112 Project

Exp. L&T wins Rs 10,000 crore electrification order for high-speed rail project

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a mega contract from an authorized Japanese agency to construct an electrification system for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed rail project in India.

Valued in the range of Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore, the project, according to company executives, is the largest single rail-electrification order in India.

This would be the first of its kind railway project in India involving the implementation of Japanese Shinkansen High-Speed Electrification Techno­logy.

This electrification system will enable trains to travel at speeds of up to 320 kmph.   

Exp. Haldia Petrochemicals becomes India’s first BSI Certified ISO 27001:2022 Petrochemical firm

Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL), a leading petrochemicals company in India, has become the first ISO 27001:2022 certified petrochemical organization in the industry by BSI (British Standards Institution), a renowned certification body.

This milestone showcases HPL’s commitment to maintaining a robust and secure information security governance structure throughout its digital transformation journey.

The Certification demonstrates HPL’s commitment towards a secure and reliable digital environment for a seamless exchange of information across internal and external stakeholders.

By achieving this certification, HPL has demonstrated its ability to protect sensitive information and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of valuable data and systems. ISO 27001:2022 is the standard of ISMS (Information Security Management System) program to protect the information assets of the organization.

About BSI

• British Standards Institution (BSI) is the world’s first Standards Body and founding member of ISO from the United Kingdom.
• BSI produces technical standards on various products, services, and supplies certification and standards-related services to businesses.
• They are among the most respected and reputable management systems certification bodies globally and are accredited by around 20 local and international bodies.

Exp. Switzerland to Host Ukraine Peace Summit

Switzerland has agreed to host a global peace summit on Ukraine at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Neutral Switzerland has previously acted as a broker to resolve conflicts and could now help find a resolution for the war that began when Russia sent troops into Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022.

The summit, aimed at resolving the conflict sparked by Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in 2022, highlights Switzerland’s role as a neutral mediator.

About Ukraine

• Capital- Kyiv
• Currency – Hryvnia
• President – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• Prime Minister – Denys Shmyhal

Exp. IndusInd Bank ties up with EazyDiner to launch credit card

IndusInd Bank has launched the ‘EazyDiner IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card’ in association with EazyDiner.

The credit card offers an additional discount of ₹500 while paying through the EazyDiner App via PayEazy for both dining and takeaway at select restaurants.

Cardholders get an EazyDiner Prime membership for three months, with guaranteed discounts of 25 percent to 50 percent, at over 2,000 premium restaurants, without any joining or annual fees. Users can renew their membership upon payment of ₹30,000 every 90 days.

The card offers up to 2 reward points on every ₹100 spent; in addition to the discounts, the reward points earned can be redeemed instantly against dining bills on the EazyDiner app.

IndusInd Bank

• Founded – 1994
• Founder – S.P. Hinduja
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra,
• MD & CEO – Sumant Kathpalia
• Tagline – We Make You Feel Richer

Exp. Yes Bank deploys Veefin’s SmartFin supply chain finance solution

Yes Bank has launched SmartFin, an end-to-end digital supply chain finance (SCF) platform, powered by Veefin Solutions.

The initiative reflects Yes Bank’s commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing its digital offerings, particularly in the realm of working capital efficiencies.

The SmartFin platform, through its end-to-end digital offerings, will help us drive the required operational & financial efficiencies for all stakeholders.

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• DLabs at ISB launches `Build for Billions’ jointly with RBI Innovation Hub, Union Bank of India
• SBI launched Green Rupee Term Deposit of 1,111 days, 1,777 days, and 2,222 days tenor for resident individuals, non-individuals, and NRI customers.
• Indian Bank launches ‘Indian Bank One Co-Branded Credit Card’
• IndusInd Bank lunched ‘Samman RuPay Credit Card’ exclusively for government employees.
• Canara Bank to launch Data Analytics center in Bengaluru from 1 April

Exp. LIC overtakes SBI to become the most valuable PSU

Life Insurance Corporation of India, a government-owned insurance giant, has regained its status as the most valued public sector undertaking, surpassing the market capitalization of State Bank of India.

While SBI holds a market value of Rs 5.63 lakh crore, LIC has surpassed it with a market capitalization (MCap) of Rs 5.64 lakh crore.

In 17 Jan, SBI stock witnessed a 1.5 percent decline to Rs 624, whereas LIC traded at Rs 896 on the BSE, showing a 0.2 percent increase. Concurrently, the benchmark BSE Sensex experienced a 1.02 percent loss, settling at 72,386 points.

In 2023, LIC witnessed a remarkable gain of over 22%, and in the ongoing year, 2024, it has surged by an additional 7.5%. In contrast, SBI made modest progress with an advancement of nearly 5% in the previous year, but in the current year, it has incurred a loss of over 1%.

Exp. Vineet McCarty appointed as Commandant in Indian Naval Academy

Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty took over as Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy.

The Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1989 and is a graduate of Defence Service Staff College, Wellington (2005) and National Defence College, New Delhi (2017).

A specialist in ‘Gunnery and Missiles’, he served as the commissioning crew of INS Delhi and did all his specialist tenures onboard the frontline Guided Missile Destroyer.

Before assuming charge as the Commandant of Indian Naval Academy, he was Flag Officer Commanding the Western Fleet.

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector

• DG (Acquisition) of Defence Ministry – Samir Kumar Sinha
• Vice Chief of the Naval Staff – Dinesh K. Tripathi
• Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command (WNC) – Sanjay Jasjit Singh (replace Dinesh K Tripathi)
• DG of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) – Nina Singh (first woman Director)
• DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) – Rahul Rasgotra (replace Anish Dayal Singh)

Exp. AN Pramod assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO)

Vice Admiral AN Pramod has assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO).

An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course, Naval Academy, Goa, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 July 1990.

The Flag Officer is a CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication & Electronics Warfare Specialist. He did the Staff Course at DSSC Wellington (Nilgiris) and the Naval Higher Command Course at NWC, Goa.

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector

• DG of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) – Anish Dayal Singh
• DG of the Fire Service – Vivek Srivastava
• Vice Chief of Naval Staff – Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
• Chief of Special Protection Group (SPG) – Alok Sharma
• Command of The Eastern Fleet – Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar

Exp. Pixxel opens new spacecraft manufacturing facility in Bengaluru

Bengaluru-based space data company, Pixxel has inaugurated its first spacecraft manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.

The new facility holds significance as it targets to launch six satellites this year and 18 more by 2025, further advancing its mission of building a “health monitor” for the planet.

Spread across 30,000 square feet, the facility, at its full capacity, is equipped to handle more than 20 satellites simultaneously that can be turned around within a timeframe of six months, making possible a total of 40 large satellites per year.

The facility was inaugurated by S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Exp. India, Thailand organized first bilateral exercise “Ex-Ayutthaya”

The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) conducted a maiden bilateral exercise, named ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which symbolizes the significance of ‘Ayodhya’ in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand, which holds historic legacies and has rich cultural ties.

The Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise.

The Royal Thai Navy side was represented by His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The 36th edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise. Moreover, the Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the sea phase of the exercise.

Recent Exercise

• 1st edition of Military Exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’ between India & UAE – Rajasthan
• 12th edition of multi-national naval exercise MILAN 24 – Visakhapatnam
• 4th edition of Military Exercise VINBAX-2023 between India & Vietnam – Hanoi, Vietnam
• 14th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar2023 between India & USA – Umroi, Meghalaya
• 9th edition of Mitra Shakti 2023 between India and Sri Lanka – Aundh, Pune

Exp. Indian President Inaugurated 5th Meghalaya Games

President of India, Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the 5th Edition of the Meghalaya Games in Tura, Meghalaya.

The President highlighted the tremendous potential for the development of sports and sportspersons in the North East region, citing its rich tradition of a strong sports culture.

It is the first time ever that the Meghalaya Games have been conducted in Garo hills in Tura. Around 3000 athletes will compete across 23 sports disciplines.

The torch’s final lap through Tura’s West Garo Hills was carried by Shri Simeon Marak, a Northeast Olympics representative, during the inauguration ceremony at the P.A. Sangma Stadium.

The Torch Relay Ceremony illuminated the state’s commitment to athleticism, unity, and youth empowerment, setting the stage for the upcoming Meghalaya Games, 2024.

Exp. Pat Cummins and Deepti Sharma won ICC Players of the Month for December 2023

ICC revealed the Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month award winners for December 2023.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins wins ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December 2023 for bowling heroics in the Test triumph against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma of India won the maiden ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for December 2023 thanks to her multi-format brilliance against England and Australia.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month

• July 2023 – Chris Woakes (England)
• August 2023 – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
• September 2023 – Shubman Gill (India)
• October 2023 – Rachin Ravindra (New Zeland)
• November 2023 – Travis Head (Australia)
• December 2023 – Pat Cummins (Australia)

ICC Women’s Player of the Month

• July 2023 – Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
• August 2023 – Arlene Kelly (Ireland)
• September 2023 – Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
• October 2023 – Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
• November 2023 – Nahida Akter (Bangladesh)
• December 2023 – Deepti Sharma (India)

Exp. Yogesh Singh wins gold medal in men’s 25m centre fire pistol

Yogesh Singh won the gold medal in the men’s 25m centre fire pistol competition in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Yogesh claimed the individual gold medal after shooting 573, finishing ahead of silver winner Muad Al Balushi of Oman (570) and Indonesia’s Anang Yulianto (567).

The other two Indian participants in the event, Pankaj Yadav (567) and Akshay Jain (564), ended fourth and sixth.

In the women’s event, the Indian trio of Shreyasi, Manisha Keer and Bhavya Tripathi, however, won the silver medal in the women’s trap team event with a total of 328, finishing behind China and ahead of Kazakhstan.

Exp. 18 January 2024 – Women’s Healthy Weight Day

Women’s Healthy Weight Day is observed every year on the Thursday of the third week of January. This year it’s being celebrated on January 18.

The day aims at spreading awareness around the concept of healthy weight and steps to achieve the ideal weight.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for both men and women and it not only helps you feel better and more energetic but can also reduce risk of falling ill due to chronic diseases like cardiovascular illness, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, thyroid issues to name a few.

A balanced meal should be consumed to maintain a healthy weight whether you are on a higher or lower side of the ideal weight.

Shedding extra pounds doesn’t require a strenuous workout routine, but a regular effort to maintain the required weight for overall well-being.