Current Affairs Quiz 21st February 2024 Quiz

Exp. INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi

The 2-day INDUS-X Summit was held in New Delhi.

The summit aims to be a pivotal event driving strategic technology partnerships and defence industrial cooperation between India and the USA.

It is being organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence, iDEX under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, and Department of Defence, US.

Since its launch in June last year during the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) has been at the forefront of expanding bilateral ties in defence innovation.

Exp. Henley Passport Index for 2024: India at 85th; topped by France

The Henley Passport Index for 2024 has been released, with France securing the top spot, while India’s passport ranking has slipped one place from last year, moving from 84th to 85th position.

The Henley Passport Index ranks nations based on the strength of their passports. In 2024, France leads the list, with its passport granting visa-free access to 194 countries.

Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain are also among the top-ranked countries alongside France.

Meanwhile, Pakistan maintains its position at 106th place, similar to last year, while Bangladesh has slipped from 101st to 102nd position.

India’s neighbour, Maldives, continues to have a strong passport, maintaining its position at 58th place, with Maldivian passport holders enjoying visa-free travel to 96 countries.

India’s drop in the rankings comes even after recent announcements from Iran, Malaysia, and Thailand offering visa-free entry for Indian tourists.

The Henley Passport Index derives its rankings from data spanning the past 19 years, based on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) specialized data, covering 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations worldwide.

The index is updated monthly and serves as a global standard for citizens of independent countries.

Recent index

• Corruption perception index 2023 – India ranked 93rd; topped by Denmark
• Mercer’s Quality of Living City Index 2023 – Rank 1. Vienna (Austria), Rank 2. Zurich (Switzerland), Rank 3. Vancouver (Canada), Hyderabad (153rd), Pune (154th), Chennai (161st), Mumbai (164th), Kolkata (170th), New Delhi (172nd), Khartoum (Sudan) at the bottom-most position (241st spot).
• Climate Change Performance Index 2023 – India ranked 7th
• World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023 – India ranked 49th; topped by US
• Global Unicorn Rankings – Rank 1. USA, Rank 2. China, Rank 3. India
• Inclusiveness index by US varsity – India ranked 117th; topped by – New Zealand

Exp. India contributes $1 mn to IBSA Fund to alleviate poverty, hunger

India has contributed $1 million to a fund established by India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) which undertake projects aimed at alleviating poverty and hunger.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj handed over the cheque of $1 million as a contribution towards the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund (IBSA Fund) to the Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Dima Al-Khatib.

India is committed to supporting the IBSA Fund as we believe that the Fund has made a positive impact on the lives of millions across the Global South and has strengthened the spirit of South-South cooperation.

The IBSA countries – India, Brazil and South Africa – each contribute one million dollars annually to the Fund in a spirit of partnership and support for Southern-led, demand-driven, transformational projects in developing countries.

India’s contribution to the IBSA Fund has cumulatively exceeded $ 18 million since the Fund was established in 2004 and became operational in 2006.

The IBSA Fund supports projects that are concrete expressions of solidarity. Their objectives range from promoting food security, and addressing HIV/AIDS, to extending access to safe drinking water all to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Exp. Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates first Skill India Centre in Odisha

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Dharmendra Pradhan has inaugurated India’s inaugural Skill India Centre (SIC) in Sambalpur, Odisha.

To ensure seamless implementation of the training ecosystem, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will designate a Centre Manager to monitor the implementation of training programs, ensure adherence to quality standards, and oversee the overall functioning of the centre

The introduction of low-cost courses at the centre would empower a large number of young people, making them a part of the evolving job market.

He aimed to uplift over 1200 students through this initiative, upgrading their skill sets and aligning them with the demands of industries.

About Odisha

• Capital – Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister – Naveen Patnaik
• Governor – Raghubar Das

Exp. Malta becomes 119th member of International Solar Alliance

Malta has become the 119th country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The ISA is an alliance of more than 120 signatory countries that aims to reduce the dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels.

ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France. Currently, 116 countries are signatories to ISA Framework.

About ISA

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries.
• The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.
• It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.

About Malta

• Capital- Valletta
• Currency- Euro (€)
• Official languages- Maltese, Maltese Sign Language, English
• Continent- Europe

Exp. Mitsubishi Corp to acquire 32% stake in TVS Vehicle Mobility

TVS Mobility and Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corporation has announced a strategic partnership under which the latter will pick up a 32 per cent stake in a newly-formed subsidiary of the Chennai-based group for Rs 300 crore.

With this, the dealership business of TVS Mobility will transform into the newly-formed subsidiary TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution (TVS VMS) — offering a complete portfolio of services to its customers.

TVS Mobility holds dealerships of major companies like Ashok Leyland, Honda, Mahindra and Renault, among others. These are mainly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.

The remaining 68 per cent stake in TVS VMS will be held by TVS Mobility.

Exp. IEPFA and DBS Bank signs MoU to spread awareness on investment and fraudulent schemes

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and Singapore-headquartered DBS Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to spread awareness on investment and fraudulent schemes.

Under the MoU, DBS Bank aims to support IEPFA’s investor awareness activities by disseminating safety messages via its various digital platforms.

Leveraging DBS Bank’s extensive network of branches and ATMs in 19 States, as well as its digital infrastructure, will significantly increase the reach of IEPFA’s investor awareness and protection messages to end users.

IEPFA was set up on September 7, 2016 under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) for administering the Investor Education and Protection Fund for making refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, and matured deposits and debentures, among other things, to investors.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• SBI partners with Flywire to modernise international education payments for students
• ESAF Small Finance Bank and Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Partner to Offer Life Insurance
• IREDA and Indian Overseas Bank ink pact to co-finance renewable energy projects
• Rural Development Ministry signs pact with SBI to facilitate loans for SHGs
• REC Limited and Bank of Baroda join hands to finance Power, Infra, and Logistics Projects

Exp. IREDA and PNB join hands to Co-Finance Renewable Energy Projects

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. and Punjab National Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing renewable energy initiatives across the nation.

The MoU aims to provide substantial financial support to various renewable energy projects, promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

By leveraging this agreement and existing partnerships with other financial institutions, IREDA aims to contribute towards achieving the 500 GW non-fossil-based electricity generation capacity goal by 2030.

The agreement allows both organizations to collaborate on co-lending and loan syndication for a wide range of renewable energy initiatives.

IREDA has also previously signed MoUs with the Union Bank of India (UBI) and the Bank of Baroda (BoB) to foster co-lending and loan syndication initiatives for a wide array of renewable energy projects.

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. Upendra Dwivedi assumes charge as VC of Army Staff

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

Prior to this appointment, he was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command based at Udhampur from 2022 to 2024.

He replaces LG MV Suchindra Kumar who moved on to take charge of Udhampur based Northern Command.

He will be the senior-most officer in the Army when Army Chief Lt. Gen. Manoj Pande retires from service in May and is in line for the top post based on seniority.

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector

• DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) – Daljit Singh Chaudhary
• Chief Staff Officer at Eastern Naval Command HQ – Shantanu Jha
• Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO) – AN Pramod
• Commandant in Indian Naval Academy – Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty
• DG (Acquisition) of Defence Ministry – Samir Kumar Sinha
• Vice Chief of the Naval Staff – Dinesh K. Tripathi

Exp. REC Ltd receives ‘Innovative Technology Development Award’

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC, has been honoured with the ‘Innovative Technology Development Award’ at the ‘Building India 2047: Technology for Better Tomorrow’, an IIT Madras Corporate Social Responsibility Summit.

The award has been conferred in recognition of REC’s CSR initiative of installation of 2 MW rooftop solar plant at IIT Madras.

The solar plant generates around 3.15 million units of clean energy every year, thus helping IIT Madras reduce its carbon footprint.

Recent Awards

• 58th Jnanpith Award 2023 – Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
• Best Technology Bank of the Year award by IBA – South Indian Bank (6 categories)
• Banking Technology Awards by IBA – City Union Bank (7 categories)
• 9th GovTech Prize for AI-Powered Government Services at World Government Summit 2024 – India
• KPP Nambiar Award for 2024 – ISRO Chairman, S Somanath

Exp. Manoj Tiwary announces retirement from all forms of cricket

India and Bengal batter Manoj Tiwary has announced retirement from all forms of cricket.

Tiwary played 148 First-Class matches and gathered 10,195 runs at an average of 47.86, with a career-best 303 not out and 30 centuries. He scored 5,581 runs in List-A matches and 3,436 runs in T20s.

Tiwary played for India in 12 ODIs, scoring 287 runs, including a knock of 104 not out against West Indies in Chennai in 2011. He also featured in three T20Is.

A middle order batter and a handy leg-break bowler, Tiwary also sported the colours of Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab and Rising Pune Supergiant in the Indian Premier League.

Recently Retired Players

• David Warner – International ODI & Test – Australia
• Dean Elgar – International cricket – South Africa
• Asad Shafiq – All forms of cricket – Pakistan
• Gurkeerat Singh Mann – International Cricket – India
• Meg Lanning – International Cricket – Australia
• Sunil Narine – International cricket – West Indies

Exp. 21 February – International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is observed globally every year on February 21.

Objective – To recognize and promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

Theme 2024 – Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning

According to UNESCO, the idea to celebrate this day was the initiative of Bangladesh and was approved in 1999 at UNESCO General Conference.  

Exp. Germany’s Andreas Brehme passed away

FIFA World Cup winner Andreas Brehme, whose late penalty in the 1990 final against Argentina in Italy handed Germany their third world title, has died at the age of 63.

He attacking full-back and dead-ball specialist became an instant Germany football legend when his spot kick earned them a 1-0 victory over Diego Maradona’s Argentina in the World Cup final in Rome.

Brehme also played for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan among others before retiring in 1998. He won 86 caps for Germany, scoring eight goals, including the one he is best remembered for.