Current Affairs Quiz 17th July 2024 Quiz

Exp. Uttarakhand govt portal eSwasthya Dham integrates with Ayushman Bharat Digital

The Uttarakhand Government’s Department of Health and Family Welfare has launched a portal called eSwasthya Dham.

eSwasthya Dham portal helps in monitoring the Char Dham Yatra pilgrim’s health parameters. It ensures the smooth journey of pilgrims visiting Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath together called as the Char Dham Yatra.

The eSwasthya Dham portal provides a range of benefits to the pilgrims and one of them is the generation of ABHA. Pilgrims can easily create their ABHA 14-digit number at the eSwasthya Dham portal in a couple of minutes.

Till date, over 65 crore ABHA have already been created. ABHA comes with several benefits for citizens including storing and managing their health records safely. It also allows them to share their health records securely with a doctor anytime and anywhere with their consent.

Through ABHA citizens can avail several digital health benefits from avoiding the long queues at healthcare facilities for registration to facilitating doctor appointments.

About Uttarakhand

• Capital – Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
• Chief Minister – Pushkar Singh Dhami
• Governor – Gurmit Singh

Exp. Coca-Cola India and Gram Unnati collaborate to revolutionise mango cultivation in Karnataka

Coca-Cola India, in collaboration with agri solutions provider Gram Unnati has announced the launch of “Project Mango Unnati.”

The initiative aims to revolutionise sustainable mango cultivation in Karnataka, focusing on the Alphonso and Totapuri varieties.

Project Unnati will collaborate closely with state horticulture agencies such as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), the Mango Board, the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), and various horticulture departments across different districts.

With Project Mango Unnati,we aim to elevate the livelihoods of farmers with adv. horticulture solutions, empowering them to significantly increase their incomes.

Exp. Jayant Chaudhary launches Skill India Digital Hub for Transparent Scheme Access

Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), launched the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) Portal.

The portal’s primary objective is to ensure beneficiaries have access to complete information about all schemes.

It aims to enhance transparency and facilitate easier access to skill development opportunities across India.

About SIDH

• SIDH is integral to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at leveraging digital technologies for skill development
• Its primary goal is to enhance transparency and provide detailed information about government schemes to beneficiaries.
• The portal offers education aligned with industry needs, career opportunities, and support for entrepreneurship, catering to the aspirations of millions of Indians seeking better prospects.

Exp. President Murmu appoints Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, R. Mahadevan as Judges of SC

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and R. Mahadevan as Judges of the Supreme Court.

Justice N. Kotiswar Singh is currently Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while Justice R. Mahadevan as Judge of Madras High Court.

A five-member Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud had recommended their names in a resolution on July 11.

The Centre notified the two appointments which would return the top court to its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

The two judges would replace Justices Aniruddha Bose and A.S. Bopanna, who had retired in April and May, respectively, this year.

Exp. Kotak Mahindra Bank integrates physical and digital branches in new distribution structure

Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) has unveiled a new distribution structure, integrating the physical branch network, digital branch channel (encompassing mobile banking and net banking platforms), and voice channel.

As part of the new distribution structure, the private sector lender appointed Pranav Mishra as the Head of Distribution.

The new distribution structure is aimed at delivering an omn-channel seamless experience for customers across all group products and services. The new structure will ensure a seamless experience for customers across all interaction channels by building synergy and improving service delivery

Exp. Bajaj Finserv AMC launched Savings+ product for retail investors

Bajaj Finserv Asset Management has launched a new financial product for retail investors looking to get returns on their idle savings.

Finserv Savings+ offering seeks to bridge the gap between traditional savings accounts and more lucrative investment options.

Savings+ allows investors to identify surplus cash in their savings accounts and seamlessly invest it in Bajaj Finserv AMC Liquid Fund and Overnight Fund. These funds promise competitive returns while maintaining the liquidity that consumers expect from savings accounts.

Exp. CSIR DG N Kalaiselvi gets two-year extension

Nallathamby Kalaiselvi, the first woman Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was granted a two-year extension in service.

She was appointed to the post in August 2022 following the superannuation of Shekhar Mande in April that year.

She will also hold the charge of Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Kalaiselvi’s research work of more than 25 years is primarily focused on electrochemical power systems and in particular, development of electrode materials, and electrochemical evaluation of in-house prepared electrode materials for their suitability in energy storage device assembly.

Exp. Paul Kagame re-elected for 4th term as Rwandan President

President Paul Kagame has secured a decisive victory in Rwanda’s 2024 presidential election, capturing 99.15% of the votes.This marks his fourth consecutive term in office.

Two challengers, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, garnered 0.53% and 0.32% of the counted votes, respectively.

Approximately 65% of Rwanda’s population, predominantly under 35 years old, participated in the election.

About Rwanda

• Capital- Kigali
• Currency- Rwandan Franc
• President- Paul Kagame
• Prime Minister- Édouard Ngirente
• Official languages- Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

• PM of Nepal – K.P. Sharma Oli (replace Pushpa Kamal Dahal)
• President of Lithuania – Gitanas Nausėda
• President of Iran – Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
• PM of the United Kingdom – Keir Starme (replace Rishi Sunak)
• PM of Netherlands – Dick Schoof

Exp.Manoj Saunik Chairman of as MahaRERA

Former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, Manoj Saunik has been appointed as the Chairman of the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA).

He will succeed Ajoy Mehta, whose term ends in September 2024.

Saunik, an IAS officer of the 1987 batch, retired as Chief Secretary in December 2023 and currently serves as the Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister.

Recent Appointment

• CMD of BSNL – Robert Jerard Ravi (replave PK Purwar)
• COO of Bajaj Electricals Ltd – Vishal Chadha
• President of News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) – Rajat Sharma (replace Avinash Pandey)
• Principal Advisor to Union Health Ministry – Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
• CMD of Indian Energy Exchange – Satya Narayan Goel

Exp. Malta’s Metsola to head EU Parliament for 2nd term

Roberta Metsola secured broad backing for a new term as president of the European Parliament, becoming the first woman to win a second term as head of the EU assembly.

Metsola, a Maltese lawmaker who in 2022 became the first woman in 20 years to head the European Union assembly, is only the second president, after Germany’s Martin Schulz, to win another term since the EU Parliament became a directly elected institution in 1979.

Metsola was approved by a large majority of EU lawmakers to lead the EU assembly for a further two and a half years, with 562 backing her reappointment, out of the 623 that voted.

She was the first leader of an EU institution to visit Kyiv following Russia’s February 2022 invasion, and has consistently backed Ukraine’s bid to join the EU.

About European Union (EU)

• Founded: 1 November 1993
• Founders: Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
• Headquarters – Brussels, Belgium
• Members Country – 27
• President of European Council – Antonion Costa
• President of Commission – Ursula von der Leyen
• President of European Parliament – Roebrt Metsol

Exp. IAF contingent arrives at Royal Australian Air Force base, to participate in Ex Pitch Black 2024

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent landed at the Royal Australian Air Force RAAF) base Darwin, Australia for participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2024.

The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from July 12 to August 2, 2024, and is a biennial, multi-national exercise hosted by the RAAF.

The name ‘Pitch Black’ was derived from the emphasis on night time flying over large un-populated areas.

This edition is slated to be the largest in the 43-year long history of Ex Pitch Black, which includes participation by 20 countries, with over 140 aircraft and 4,400 military personnel of various air forces.

The exercise will be focusing on Large Force Employment warfare aimed at strengthening international cooperation and shall facilitate experience with the IAF Su-30 MKI operating alongside the F-35, F-22, F-18, F-15, Gripen, and Typhoon fighter aircraft. The IAF has previously participated in the 2018 and 2022 editions of this exercise.

Recent Exercise

• 28th edition of Malabar Exercise between India, USA, Japan, Australia – Bay of Bengal (October 2024)
• 16th edition of Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant between India and Mongolia – Umroi, Meghalaya

• 13^th edition of Joint military Exercise MAITREE between India and Thailand – Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.

• 29^th edition of RIMPAC Naval Exercise – Hawaii, Pearl Harbour USA (INS Shivalik Participated)
• 1st edition of Tarang Shakti-2024 – India (August 2024)

Exp. IMF Raises India’s Growth Forecast to 7 % for 2024-25

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its World Economic Report, has raised its forecast for India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in 2024-25 by 20 basis points (bps) to 7 per cent.

In the earlier April report, it had projected a growth rate of 6.8 per cent for the financial year 2024-25.

The growth forecast for 2025-26 has remained unchanged at 6.5 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of India expects the GDP to grow by 7.2 per cent in 2024-25.

Updated GDP List

• IMF – 7% (FY25), 6.5% (FY26)
• NCAER – 7.5% (FY25)
• S&P – 6.8% (FY25), 6.9% (FY26), 7% (FY27)
• Fitch Rating –7.2% (FY25)
• CII – 8% (FY25)
• World Bank – 6.6% (FY25), 6.7% (FY26), 6.8% (FY27)
• RBI –7.2% (FY25)
• Goldman Sachs – 6.8% (FY25), 6.9% (CY24)
• DBS Bank – 7% (FY25)

Exp. Asia’s First Pre-Clinical Network Facility inaugurated in Faridabad

Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has inaugurated Asia’s first health research-related “Pre-clinical Network facility” at the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute” (THSTI), Faridabad.

The facility will be the 9th such network laboratory across the globe and the first such laboratory in the whole of Asia.

The facility includes a large experimental Animal Facility accommodating 75,000 mice and other species.

About THSTI

THSTI, part of BRIC under the Department of Biotechnology, fosters collaborations for vaccine development and research in diseases like Nipah and Influenza.

It supports fundamental and translational research, biomarker identification, and research collaborations across sectors.

Exp. 17 July – World Day for International Justice

World Day for International Justice is observed every year on 17 July.

It is a day dedicated to promoting international criminal justice and honouring the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes that affect the international community.

The origin of the World Day for International Justice dates back to July 17, 1998, when the Rome Statute was adopted, establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC is the first permanent international court capable of prosecuting individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.

Exp. 17 July – World Emoji Day

World Emoji Day is observed every year on 17 July.

The main objective of World Emoji Day is to promote and celebrate the widespread use of emojis, which have become an integral part of modern communication.

The evolution of emojis has transformed simple text-based messages into expressive exchanges.

The journey began in the 1980s with basic text-based emoticons like “:-)” and “:-(.” In 1999, a Japanese designer created the first set of emojis for a mobile company, leading to their global adoption.