Current Affairs Quiz 25th and 26th May 2024 Quiz

Exp. DD Kisan launched AI Anchors Krish and Bhoomi

Doordarshan Kisan (DD KISAN) has become the first government TV channel of the country to launch two AI anchors – AI Krish and AI Bhoomi.

The AI anchors can speak in fifty languages and read news 24 hours and 365 days without getting tired.

The viewers will be able to see these anchors in all the states of the country.

These AI anchors will provide necessary information about agricultural research in the country and global level, trends in Krishi Mandis, changes in the weather and information about government schemes. 

Exp. Sikkim celebrates Saga Dawa festival

Sikkim has celebrated Saga Dawa, a festival that falls annually on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Northern Buddhist Calendar.

Saga Dawa is considered the most sacred Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (passing away) of Buddha Shakyamuni.

This day is also known as the ‘Triple Blessed Occasion’.

About Sikkim

• Capital – Gangtok
• Chief Minister – Prem Singh Tamang
• Governor – Lakshman Prasad Acharya

Exp. RBI approves appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank

The Reserve Bank of India has granted its approval for the appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as the Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank.

Sinha is set to assume this role for a term of three years, starting from July 1, 2024.

Sinha will step into the position vacated by G. C. Chaturvedi, who is due to retire as Non-Executive Part-time Chairman on June 30, 2024, at the close of business hours.

Sinha has been a Government Nominee Director in numerous major Public Sector Undertakings like ONGC, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, GAIL, etc.

About Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank

• Founded – 1994
• Headquarters – Mumbai
• MD & CEO – Sandeep Bakhshi
• Tagline – Hum Hai Na Khayal Apka

Exp. MS Dhoni appointed as Citroen’s brand ambassador in India

French automaker Citroen has roped in former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador in India.

Dhoni will mark his debut innings with Citroen in a campaign that will soon go live.

We believe that our association with one of India’s finest cricketers, Dhoni, will go a long way in reinforcing our commitment to the Indian market.

Recent Brand Ambassador

• Kareena Kapoor Khan – UNICEF India National Ambassador
• Sanjana Sanghi – SPACE India
• Neeraj Chopra – Eveready Batteries
• Nayanthar – Slice (the popular mango-flavored drink)
• Neeraj Chopra – BPCL’s Speed Petrol Varian

Exp. Delhi ranks 350 in Oxford Global Cities Index Report 2024

Delhi has been placed 350 in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024, making it the highest ranked Indian city. The ranking compares the world’s 1000 cities.

Bengaluru, India’s IT hub, stood at 411, higher than the country’s financial capital Mumbai, which stood at 427.

On the other hand, Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh ranked last in the index, at 1000th place.

New York achieved the highest ranking in all five categories with a score of 100, followed by London and San Jose securing the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.

The Global Cities Index Report is an annual report that ranks roughly 1,000 largest cities across the world, spanning 163 different countries in five crucial categories.

The index is calculated based on scores across categories such as Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. These scores are combined to generate an overall rank for each city. In 2023, cities in the report accounted for 60% of global GDP and 30% of the world’s population.

Mumbai was ranked 915th in terms of quality of life, while Thrissur, a city in Kerala, achieved the 757th position in the Quality of Life category in India. On the other hand, Saharanpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh, ranked lowest at 966th place.

Delhi secured the 55th rank in the Human Capital category and 108th in the Economics category, while Bengaluru ranked 179th in Human Capital and 171st in Economics.

All Indian cities scored 380 in the Governance category.

Exp. ICC names Shahid Afridi as Men’s T 20 WC 2024 Brand Ambassador

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi as the brand ambassador of the forthcoming 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The tournament will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America from 1 to 29 June 2024.

Shahid Afridi joins Indian Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle of West Indies, and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as brand ambassadors for the event.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup start on 1 June, with the USA team taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the United States of America. India will take on Pakistan on 9 June in New York.

About International Cricket Council (ICC)

• Formation – 15 June 1909
• Headquarters – Dubai, UAE
• Chairman – Greg Barclay (New Zealand)
• Deputy Chairman – Imran Khwaja (Singapore)
• CEO – Geoff Allardice (Australia)
• General Manager – Wasim Khan
• Membership – 108 members

Exp. RBI imposes Rs 3.10-lakh penalty on Hero Fincorp for rule violations

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed Rs 3.10 lakh penalty on Hero Fincorp Ltd for rule violations.

The penalty was imposed for non-compliance with certain provisions of the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company – Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016’ issued by RBI.

Hero Fincorp did not convey the terms and conditions of loans in writing to the borrowers in the vernacular language understood by them.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers.

Exp. World’s first 100% biodegradable pen launches in India

Saurabh H Mehta from New Delhi has introduced the world’s first fully biodegradable pen, named the NOTE pen (No Offence to Earth).

The pen features a recycled paper refill, and non-toxic ink, and comes in options of metal, paper, or bamboo exteriors.

This innovation aims to reduce plastic waste, a significant issue as over 50 billion ballpoint pens are discarded annually.

Exp. Dinesh Karthik announced retirement from IPL

Indian wicketkeeper and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star player Dinesh Karthik has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League.

The veteran wicket-keeper batter was given a guard of honour by RCB players.

Dinesh Karthik, an accomplished Indian cricketer, debuted internationally in 2004 and has played over 300 T20 matches.

Karthik served as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders between 2018 & 2020 and has also been a commentator for Sky Sports.

Recently Retired Players

• Toni Kroos (Germany) – International Football ⚽
• Sunil Chhetri (India) – International Football ⚽
• Colin Munro (New Zealand) – International Cricket
• Bismah Maroof (Pakistan) – International Cricket
• Saurav Ghosal (India) – Professional Squash  

Exp. E -Rickshaw driver Arti conferred UK’s Women’s Empowerment Award

An 18-year-old woman E-rickshaw driver from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, Arti has been conferred with the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award by the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III.

Arti arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Pink E-rickshaw, which she received under the Mission Shakti scheme of the UP government

The Uttar Pradesh government launched Mission Shakti in 2020 to empower the women of the state through safety, security, and self-reliance.

The scheme aims to provide a secure environment for women and provide training and access to livelihood schemes so that they can change their lives and become self-independent.

Recent Award

• Shaw Prize 2024 in astronomy – Srinivas R. Kulkarni
• International Booker Prize 2024 – Jenny Erpenbeck and Michael Hofmann (Kairos)
• ATD BEST Award 2024 for Talent Development – NTPC Ltd (3rd Rank)
• Global Excellence Award 2024 – Chandrakant Satija
• PSU Samarpan Award – Hemant Khatri (CMD of Hindustan Shipyard Limited)

Exp. 25 May – Africa Day

Africa Day, also known as African Liberation Day, is celebrated on May 25.

The Day celebrates African unity, diversity and achievements across the continent. It stressed the importance of unity among African nations in achieving common goals and addressing shared challenges.

Theme 2024 – Education Fit for the 21st Century

It is also an annual commemoration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963.

Exp. 25-31 May – International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories

The UN commemorates International Week of Solidarity with Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories annually from May 25 to May 31.

This day aims to request the administering Powers to protect and respect the rights of the peoples in these territories to their natural resources and their property rights.

The UN describes a Non-Self-Governing Territory as a territory “whose people have not yet gained a complete degree of self-government.”

From 1960 to 2002, 54 territories attained self-government. At present, there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999.

Exp. 25 May – World Football Day

2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions, which took place on May 25, 1924, during the summer Olympic games held in Paris.

In recognition of this milestone, on May 7, 2024, the General Assembly passed Resolution A/RES/78/281 proclaiming May 25 as World Football Day.

The resolution acknowledges “the global reach of football and its impact in various spheres, including commerce, peace and diplomacy, and recognizing that football creates a space for cooperation.”