Current Affairs Quiz 22nd March 2024 Quiz

Exp. GRID-INDIA is now a Miniratna Company

Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) achieved a significant milestone by being conferred with the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).

This recognition, bestowed upon by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, underscores GRID-INDIA’s pivotal role in the nation’s power landscape.

Established in 2009, GRID-INDIA holds the crucial mandate of overseeing the seamless and uninterrupted operation of the Indian Power System, ensuring the efficient transfer of electric power within and across regions, facilitating trans-national power exchanges with a focus on reliability, economy, and sustainability.

It facilitates competitive and efficient wholesale electricity markets and administer settlement systems.

Exp. 47th Meeting of National Committee of Archivists held in Srinagar

The two-days’ 47th Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA) was concluded at the Sher-e Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar.

Delegates from Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh participated in the meeting.

The two-day meeting held with an aim to revitalize the archives administration and records management system across states and Union Territories.

The next meeting of the NCA is likely to be held in Gujarat later in the year.

Exp. 4th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Startup Forum organized in New Delhi

The fourth edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Startup Forum was organized in New Delhi.

The initiative focused on broadening startup interactions among the SCO Member States, fostering an environment conducive to innovation, promoting job creation, and inspiring young talent to develop innovative solutions.

The plenary session of the forum witnessed physical participation from SCO Member States including a delegation of SCO startups, nodal agencies for startups at the Member States, senior government officials and diplomats.

Exp. ITU elects India as co-chair of its Digital Innovation Board

Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, led a high-level delegation to Geneva for a series of crucial meetings at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters.

The visit focused on fostering collaboration and exploring innovative initiatives in the telecommunications and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has selected 17 organizations from around the world to host Network of Acceleration Centres with the Global Innovation Centre at ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre, New Delhi, India to coordinate the efforts of Network Acceleration centres around the globe.

Exp. Ruturaj Gaikwad named new CSK Skipper

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad as its new captain with Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepping down as the skipper after a highly successful stint.

42-year-old Dhoni’s decision comes a day ahead of the high-stakes opening match of IPL 2024 between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period.

Dhoni is the most successful IPL captain with a whopping 133 wins followed by Rohit Sharma at 87.

Gaikwad, who has played six ODIs and 19 T20s for India, made his CSK debut in 2020 and has gone on to represent the five time IPL champions in 52 games.

Exp. DBS Bank India unveils $250 mn lending support to start-ups and ‘new economy’ organisations

DBS Bank India has announced a USD 250 million loan commitment for new-age entrepreneurs.

The project is part of the bank’s efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country’s vibrant startup environment.

The Indian start-up sector, a foundational pillar of the country’s development goals, has seen significant expansion over the years with over 90,000 start-ups and more than 100 unicorns as of 2024.

Exp. Naveen Jindal elected the President of ISA

Noted industrialist and former member of Parliament Naveen Jindal has been elected as the President of the Indian Steel Association (ISA).

He replaced Dilip Oommen, CEO, AMNS India and Executive Vice President, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India.

Naveen Jindal is currently the chairman of Jindal Steel & Power (JSP), India’s leading Industrial conglomerate with interests in steel, mining and infrastructure sector.

About Indian Steel Association (ISA)

• The Indian Steel Association was set up in 2014 as an apex body of steel producing companies of India.
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• It represents 65% of India’s crude steel production.
• The main function of the Indian Steel Association is to be the voice of the Indian steel industry both at national and international levels.

Exp. Bhushan Gagrani appointed new Mumbai civic commissioner

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Maharashtra government to appoint senior IAS officer Bhushan Gagrani as the new Mumbai municipal commissioner.

Gagrani, till now serving as additional chief secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), will replace Iqbal Singh Chahal, who has been moved out from the post of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner on EC orders.

Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in five phases in April-May

Recent Appointment

• CEO of P&G India – Kumar Venkatasubramanian
• Governor of Telangana and LG of Puducherry – C. P. Radhakrishnan (additional charge)
• Government spokesperson –Sheyphali Sharan (replace Manish Desai)
• Director General of All India Radio (AIR) – Maushami Chakraborty (replace Vasudha Gupta)
• National PwD icon by EC – Para Archer Sheetal Devi
• Chairman of Prasar Bharati – Navneet Kumar Sehgal (replace A Surya Prakash)

Exp. M V Rao elected as chairman of Indian Banks’ Association

MD and CEO of Central Bank of India, M V Rao has been elected as Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association.

Rao has been elected as IBA Chairman for the term 2023-24 at a meeting of the Managing Committee of IBA.

Three Deputy Chairmen for IBA would be Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman, State Bank of India (SBI); S L Jain, MD and CEO , Indian Bank and N Kamakodi, Managing Director and  CEO, City Union Bank.

Madhav Nair, Country Head and CEO, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, would be Honorary Secretary of the Association.

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

• MD & CEO of Poonawalla Fincorp -Arvind Kapil
• President of ‘One Kotak’ – Jaideep Hansraj
• Part time Chairman of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd – Ravindran
• MD & CEO of Jana Small Finance Bank – Ajay Kanwal
• Chairperson & Independent Director of PayU – Renu Sud Karnad

Exp. India, Mozambique, Tanzania Joint Maritime Exercise begins

INS Tir and INS Sujata has participated in the second edition of India Mozambique Tanzania (IMT) Tri Lateral (TRILAT) Exercise.

It is a joint maritime exercise scheduled from 21-29 Mar 24.

The first edition of IMT TRILAT exercise conducted in Oct 22, saw participation of INS Tarkash with the Tanzanian and Mozambique Navies.

The current edition of the exercise is planned in two phases. As part of the harbour phase scheduled from 21-24 Mar 24, Naval ships Tir and Sujata will engage with the respective Navies at the ports of Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Maputo (Mozambique).

The sea phase of the exercise is scheduled from 24-27 Mar 24 covering practical aspects of countering asymmetric threats, Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures, boat handling, manoeuvres and firing exercise.

Recent Exercise

• Exercise “TIGER TRIUMPH 2024” between India and USA – Eastern Seaboard
• 10th edition of Military Exercise LAMITIYE-2024 between India and Seychelles – Seychelles
• 5th edition of Military Exercise ‘Dharama Guardian’ between India and Japan – Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan
• 12th edition of MILAN Naval Exercise – Visakhapatnam
• Indian Air Force Conduct Exercise Vayu Shakti-2024 – Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.  

Exp. 21 March – World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day is observed every year on 21 March.

Objective – To raise awareness about the discrimination faced by people with Down Syndrome.

In 2012, World Down Syndrome Day was officially announced by the United Nations to be celebrated on March 21 every year.

The date was chosen keeping in mind the 21st chromosome that is responsible for causing Down Syndrome. Since then, the special day is observed every year on March 21.

Exp. 22 March – World Water Day

World Water Day is celebrated every year on 22 March.

It is an occasion to realize the importance of freshwater, especially this year amid the ongoing Bengaluru water crisis. The tech hub is facing an acute water shortage due to failed monsoons and drying groundwater resources.

Theme 2024 – Water for Peace

In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro saw the first formal proposal of World Water Day under Agenda 21.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 1992 by which March 22 was declared World Water Day.

Exp. 22 March – Bihar Diwas

Bihar Day is celebrated every year on 22 March in India.

The day marks the anniversary of the founding of Bihar state in 1912.

The state was previously part of the Bengal Presidency. The first Bihar Diwas event was organized in 2010 to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the state.

About Bihar

• Capital – Patna
• Chief Minister – Nitish Kumar (9^th time)
• Deputy CM – Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha
• Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
• Rajya Sabha – 16 seats
• Lok Sabha – 40 seats

Exp. 21 March – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed every year on 21st March.

This day reminds us about the negative consequences of racial discrimination.

Theme 2024 – A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent

This date marks the day when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.