Current Affairs Quiz 22nd December 2023 Quiz

Exp. Govt to boost nuclear power capacity from7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2032

The Government has initiated steps to increase the nuclear power capacity from 7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2031-32.

The annual electricity generation from nuclear power plants has increased from 35334 Million Units (including infirm) in 2013-14 to 46982 Million Units (including infirm) in 2022-23.

The installed nuclear power capacity in 2013-14 has also increased from 4780 MW to 7480 MW at present.

At present 23 nuclear power reactors are installed. The total electricity generated from nuclear power plants during the last ten years (2013-14 to 2022-23) was about 411 BUs averting release of about 353 Million Tons of CO2 equivalent to the environment.

Nuclear Power is a clean and environment friendly base load source of electricity generation, which is available 24X7. It has huge potential and can provide the country long-term energy security in a sustainable manner. Expansion of nuclear power capacity will help in the country’s energy transition to meet the goal of a net zero economy by 2070.   

Exp. Dalai Lama inaugurates first International Sangha Forum in Bodh Gaya

Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama has inaugurated the three-day International Sangha Forum 2023 in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.

Organized jointly by the Office of the Dalai Lama and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the forum will be held at the International Convention Centre in Bodha Gaya, Bihar.

The event will see discussions among monks, nuns, and Bhikkhu scholars, that delve into the profound teachings of Buddhism.

The event will also witness the coming together of practitioners of the Pali traditions of the Southeast and South Asian countries of India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, as well as those of the Sanskrit tradition from Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Russia, Mongolia and other parts of the world.

The ISF aims to foster dialogue on the intricate aspects of Vinaya rules and explore the evolving role of Buddhism in the 21st century.

Exp. World Bank sets up task force to act on MDB reform plan

The World Bank has set up a task force to study the recommendations made by the Independent Experts Group, formed under India’s G20 Presidency, for strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs).

The World Bank, which other MDBs looked up to, must take the lead in carrying forward the reform roadmap for MDBs so as to make these global institutions bigger, better, and bolder.

Both Ajay Banga and Nirmala Sitharaman discussed outcomes of the G20India Presidency, evolution of the World Bank and its engagement with India in various sectors, besides issues of mutual interest.

World Bank has identified eight unique global challenges to focus on in the next few years as they affect many countries and require attention and Sitharaman expressed India’s support for it.

Sitharaman stressed that the Country Climate and Development Report exercise of the World should take into account the country’s priorities and circumstances.

About World Bank

• Founded – 1944
• Headquarters – Washington Dc
• President – Ajay Banga
• MD & CFO – Anshula Kant
• Chief Economist – Indermit Gill
• Member Countries -189
• World Bank Group – 5 (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA and ICSID)

Exp. Karur Vysya Bank, HDFC Life enter into corporate agency tie-up

Private sector Karur Vysya Bank and HDFC Life have entered into a corporate agency agreement to offer life insurance products to their respective customers.

This corporate agency arrangement would enable customers of Karur Vysya Bank to avail HDFC Life’s wide range of life insurance products which include solutions for protection, savings and investment, retirement, and critical illness.

Our corporate tie-up with HDFC Life will provide one more option to our customers while charting their insurance plans. Since HDFC Life offers claim intimation process online, our customers can avail the services without stepping out of their homes.

MD and CEO of Karur Vysya Bank – B Ramesh Babu

Karur Vysya Bank has 827 branches across 20 states and three union territories.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• Aditya Birla Sun Life collaborates with IDFC First Bank for financial solutions
• Kotak Mahindra Bank partners with IIT Kanpur to launch Kotak School of Sustainability
• ICICI Pru Life, Ujjivan SFB enter into Bancassurance tie-up
• SBI signed 70-million-euro LoC with Germany Bank’ KfW for solar projects
• Reliance Industries partners with DBS Bank for financing programme

Exp. Indian economy to grow 6.3% in FY24 and FY25: IMF

India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.3 percent in the current fiscal year and the next, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The country’s digital public infrastructure and a strong government infrastructure program will continue to sustain growth.

India has potential for even higher growth, with greater contributions from labour and human capital, if comprehensive reforms are implemented,” the IMF said.

The IMF’s growth projection for the current financial year, ending March 31, 2024, is lower than the 7 percent forecast by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Volatile food prices pushed up retail inflation to 5.55 percent in November from 4.87 percent the previous month. While this was within the RBI’s tolerance band of 2 percent-6 percent, it remains above the target of 4 percent.

Updated GDP List

• IMF – 6.3% (FY24), 6.3% (FY25)
• ICRA –6.5% (FY24)
• Kotak Mahindra Bank – 6.8% (FY24)
• Citigroup – 6.7%
• DBS – 6.8%
• ADB –6.7% (FY24), 6.7% (FY25)
• Morgan Stanley – 6.9%(FY24)
• RBI –7% (FY24)
• Nomura – 6.7% (FY24)
• CII – 6.8% (FY24), 7% (FY25)
• UBS – 6.3 % (FY24)

Exp. Defence Ministry signs deal for 6 next-gen OPVs for Coast Guard

The Defence Ministry has signed a ₹16a14.89 crore contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai for the procurement of six next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

Out of the six vessels being procured, four would replace the existing ageing OPVs and the other two would augment the ICG fleet.

These modern and high-tech ships will play a critical role in enhancing surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime pollution response, and other important capabilities including humanitarian assistance by the ICG.

These multirole state-of-the-art vessels will be indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by MDL, and will be delivered in a total period of 66 months (5.5 years).

Recent MoU in Defence Sector

• India & France sign MoU for construction of three Scorpene submarine
• Defense ministry signs with HAL to upgrade Dornier Aircraft for ICG
• GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL to produce fighter jet engines
• The Defence Ministry has signed a contract of 500 crore rupees with ICOMM Tele Limited to strengthen the Indian Army’s communication system.
• Mazagon Dock signs deal with Germany to build diesel submarines

Exp. Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sai Raj Rankireddy to get Khel Ratna Award

The Government of India has announced the National Sports Awards 2023.

Badminton players Chirag C Shetty and Satwik Sai Raj Rankireddy will be honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Twenty-six sportspersons will receive the Arjuna Awards. They are Archers Ojas Pravin Deotale and Aditi Gopichand Swami, Para Archer Sheetal Devi, Athletes Sreeshankar M and Parul Chaudhary, Boxer Mohameed Hussamuddin, Chess player R Vaishali, Cricketer Mohammed Shami, Blind Cricketer Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy, Equestrian players Anush Agarwalla and Divyakriti Singh, Golfer Diksha Dagar, Hockey players Krishan Bahadur Pathak and P Sushila Chanu, Kabaddi players Pawan Kumar and Ritu Negi, Kho-Kho player Nasreen, Lawn Bowls player Pinki, Shooters Aishwary Pratap Singh and Esha Singh, Squash player Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, Table Tennis player Ayhika Mukherjee, Wrestler Sunil Kumar and Antim, Wushu player N Roshibina Devi and Para Canoeing player Prachi Yadav.

Wrestling coach Lalit Kumar, Chess coach R. B. Ramesh, Para Athletics coach Mahaveer Prasad Saini, Hockey coach Shivendra Singh and Mallakhamb coach Ganesh Prabhakar Devrukhkar will be honoured with the Dronacharya Award in the regular category.

Golf coach Jaskirat Singh Grewal, Kabaddi coach Bhaskaran E and Table Tennis coach Jayanta Kumar Pushilal will be honoured with the Dronacharya Award in the lifetime category.

Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games, will be given to Manjusha Kanwar for Badminton, Vineet Kumar Sharma for Hockey and Kavitha Selvaraj for Kabaddi.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023 will be presented to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar as the overall winning university, Lovely Professional University, Punjab is the 1st runner up University and Kurukshetra University, Haryana is the 2nd runner up University.

The awardees will receive their awards from President Droupadi Murmu in a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the 9th January 2024.

Exp. Natasha Chethan won sub-junior snooker title

Karnataka’s Natasha Chethan won the sub-junior girls’ snooker title to record a double in the ongoing 90th National Billiards & Snooker Championships at the Nehru Indoor Stadium.

The Bengaluru teenager rallied to beat Gujarat’s Aanya Patel 3-1 (35-57, 57-43, 55-42, 41-29) in the snooker final after defeating her for the sub-junior girls’ billiards crown last week.

It was the second defeat of the day in a final for Aanya, who lost to Tamil Nadu’s L Shruthi in the junior girls’ billiards title category.

Exp. Poonam Khetrapal Singh awarded Bhutan’s National Order of Merit Gold Medal

WHO Regional Director (South-East Asia) Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been awarded Bhutan’s National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country.

The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk honoured Singh, an Indian national, at Bhutan’s 116th National Day celebration.

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the first woman regional director of the WHO South-East Asia region, played a pivotal role in supporting transformative healthcare leadership in Bhutan from 2014 to 2024.

Her tenure witnessed remarkable strides, including Bhutan, becoming one of the first countries to eliminate measles and rubella ahead of schedule.

She made significant contributions to help Bhutan excel in COVID-19 vaccination.

Recent Awards

• Prestigious International Doctorate – Dr. Nitin Mohan Lal
• National Energy Conservation Awards 2023 – Reliance Nippon Life Insurance
• Visionary Leader Icon 2023 Award – Srinivas Naik Dharavath
• Miss India USA 2023 – Rijul Maini (Indian-American)
• Mrs India USA 2023 – Sneha Nambiar (from Massachusetts)
• Miss Teen India USA 2023 – Saloni Rammohan (from Pennsylvania)

Exp. NTPC Kanti received FICCI Water Award 2023 for water use efficiency

NTPC Kanti has received the 11th edition of the FICCI Water Award 2023 under the “Industrial Water Use Efficiency” category.

The prestigious accolade was presented during the inaugural event of the 9th Edition of India Industry Water Conclave held at FICCI Federation House in New Delhi.

The award acknowledges NTPC Kanti’s notable water conservation efforts and efficient use of water resources in its operations.

The company has also launched awareness campaigns to promote responsible water usage among employees and the local community.

The FICCI Water Awards, presented annually, play a pivotal role in acknowledging organizations across various sectors for their exemplary efforts in water conservation and management. By promoting best practices, these awards contribute to the broader goal of encouraging sustainable water management practices throughout India.

Exp. IREDA CMD Pradip Kumar Das bagged ‘CMD of the Year’ award

Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), Pradip Kumar Das has been bestowed with the esteemed “CMD of the Year” award under the Mini-Ratna category at the 13th PSE Excellence Awards, hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi.

This prestigious recognition marks the second consecutive financial year in which Shri Pradip Kumar Das has received this accolade, acknowledging his exceptional leadership that has boosted the company’s growth, pioneering energy transition initiatives, and outstanding contributions for IREDA and Renewable Energy sector development.

IREDA also bagged runner-up accolades, emphasizing its commitment to operational, governance, socio-environmental excellence, and inclusivity.

Exp. Chandrayaan-3 Moon Mission Earns Leif Erikson Lunar Prize

For its’s indomitable spirit in advancing lunar exploration & contributing to understanding celestial mysteries and in celebration the first soft landing of Chandrayaan 3, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been awarded Leif Erikson Lunar Prize.

This is the first time that ISRO has received this award.

It is for the first soft landing of a spacecraft near the Lunar South Pole and ISRO’s indomitable spirit in advancing lunar exploration.

On behalf of ISRO, this was received by the Indian Ambassador to Iceland Ambassador B Shyam from the Exploration Museum in Husavik (Iceland).  

Exp. Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2023 announced

Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 in 24 Languages.

Sanjeev will get Sahitya Akademi Award for his Hindi novel Mujhe Pahachaano.

Neelam Saran Gour will get the award for her English Novel Requiem in Raga Janki.

Nine books of poetry, six novels, five short story collections, three essays and one literary study have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards this year.

The awards recommended by distinguished jury members in 24 languages were approved by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi which met under the Chairmanship of Madhav Kaushik, President of the Akademi.

The awards relate to books first published during the five years immediately preceding the year of award, that is between January 2017 and December 31, 2021

The award, in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and ₹1,00,000, will be presented at the award presentation function on March 12, 2024.

The Sahitya Akademi, founded on March 12, 1954 is an autonomous body under the Union Culture Ministry and is dedicated to the promotion of literature in Indian languages.

Exp. 22 December – National Mathematics Day

National Mathematics Day is celebrated annually on December 22 to honour the birth anniversary of the renowned Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan.

The day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the importance of mathematics in our lives and to pay homage to one of the greatest mathematical minds in history.

National Mathematics Day is commemorated on the birthday of Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India.

Ramanujan was largely self-taught and made significant contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions.

The idea of observing National Mathematics Day was first proposed by the then Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in 2012.

The day was subsequently declared National Mathematics Day to honour Ramanujan’s legacy and to promote the importance of mathematics in education and research.

Exp. Padma Bhushan awardee Mohini Giri passes away

Former chair of the National Commission for Women and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. V Mohini Giri passed away.

She started the War Widows Association in 1972, after the Indo-Pak war of 1971. An institution builder, her life was dedicated to women’s rights, human rights and particularly the rights of widows.

Dr. Giri was awarded the Padma Bhushan for her work in 2007.

A graduate in Political Science from University of Lucknow, Dr. Giri was the founder trustee of Women’s Initiative for Peace in South Asia, trustee of various organisations such as Navdanya, Justice Sunanda Bhandare Foundation and FAEA. She also served as the chairperson of both Central Social Welfare Board and National Commission for Women.

A documentary —Still We Rise: The Passion and Compassion of Mohini Giri’— directed by filmmaker Meera Dewan, commemorating 50 years of Guild for Service and the contribution of Dr. Giri, was screened in February.