Current Affairs Quiz 26th and 27th June 2024 Quiz

Exp. JP Nadda launches National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda has launched the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 at a function in New Delhi.

He launched the campaign by distributing oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc tablets to children in presence of Minister of States for Health Anupriya Patel and Patraprao Jadhav.

The two-month campaign will begin from the 1st of July and continue till the 31st of August.

The goal behind the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea. While the existing diarrhoea strategy entailed a two-week campaign, the new strategy involved a two-month long campaign with the pre-positioning of two ORS packets and zinc as a co-packaging for under-5 children.  

Exp. Jitendra Singh launches ‘One Week One Theme’ Campaign

Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched “One Week One Theme” (OWOT) campaign showcasing recent success stories of India in different streams of science and technology.

‘One week One Theme’ is the brainchild of Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. ‘OWOT’ is built on the legacy and success of the ‘One Week One Lab’ (OWOL) initiative started last year.

OWOT program aims to promote their achievements and foster collaboration with industry to empower MSMEs, SHGs, Agripreneurs and Startups.

Exp. Srinagar gets tag of ‘World Craft City’, fourth from country

Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognized as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC), three years after it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts.

Jaipur, Malappuram and Mysore are the other Indian cities that have previously been recognized as World Craft Cities.

As of now, at least 10 different forms of craftsmanship survive in Srinagar and its suburbs, including papier-mâché, walnut wood carving, carpets, Sozni embroidery and Pashmina and Kani shawls.

About World Craft Council?

• The World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-AISBL) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that was founded in 1964.
• Objective – To promote fellowship, foster economic development through income generating craft related activities, organize exchange programs, workshops, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions and in general, to offer encouragement, help, and advice to the crafts persons of the world.
• The organization is now formally registered in Belgium as an international organization and AISBL is there the French shortcut for an international association without lucrative purpose.

Exp. Aditya Birla AMC reappointed A Balasubramanian as MD & CEO for 3 years

Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company (ABSLAMC) has reappointed A Balasubramanian as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for three years, effective from July 25, 2024.

Balasubramanian, who brings over three decades of extensive experience, has been associated with ABSLAMC since 1995.

Prior to assuming the role of CEO in 2009, he served as Chief Investment Officer from 2006 to 2009. Under his leadership, ABSLAMC currently oversees assets under management exceeding Rs 3.20 lakh crore.

About Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC

• Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC is co-owned by Aditya Birla Capital and Sun Life (India) AMC Investments Inc., and serves as the primary investment manager for Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund.
• Beyond mutual funds, the company operates various alternative investment strategies including portfolio management services, real estate investments, and alternative investment funds.

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Chairperson of Sa-Dhan – Paul Thomas
• CMD of New India Assurance Company – Girija Subramanian
• Non-executive Independent Director of Paytm – Neeraj Arora
• MD and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank – Ajith Kumar KK
• DG of ESIC – Kamal Kishore Soan

Exp. Tapan Kumar Deka gets one-year extension as IB Chief

Counter-terrorism expert IPS Tapan Kumar Deka has been given an extension as Intelligence Bureau chief for one year beyond June 30, 2024.

Deka, known for his pivotal role in combating northeast insurgency and dismantling the Indian Mujahideen.

He is a 1988 batch Officer for Himachal Pradesh.

During his tenure as IB chief, Deka took the fight to the left-wing extremists in Central India with the Maoists now confined to Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.

A highly competent, Deka has served in the US and was the main force behind India taking down the Pak-sponsored Indian Mujahideen group.

He has investigated the 26/11 Mumbai massacre and brought culprits to justice.

Exp. HDFC Bank launches digital investment platform SmartWealth

HDFC Bank has launched a new digital investment platform to take wealth services to every Indian and make investments simple and transparent.

Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the HDFC Bank SmartWealth comes loaded with first-ever features that allow investors to make the right investment decisions and plan their financial journey.

It has been developed with first-time investors in mind, built with smart intelligence and has pioneering tools that allow users to make the right investment decisions to plan their finances.

Users can create SmartJars, which gives users personalised portfolio plans that can be modified or paused anytime.

Model portfolios on Smart Wealth suggest curated investment baskets for DIY investing based on over 25 years of HDFC Bank’s financial expertise.

About HDFC Bank

• Founded – August 1994
• Founder – Hasmukhbhai Parekh
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO – Sashidhar Jagdishan
• Chairman – Atanu Chakraborty
• Tagline – We understand your world

Exp. S&P Global Ratings retains India’s growth forecast for FY25 at 6.8%

The S&P Global Ratings retained its growth forecast for India at 6.8 per cent for FY25, citing high interest rates and lower fiscal boost tempering demand in the non-agricultural sectors.

For FY26 and FY27, S&P projected India’s economy to grow at 6.9 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.

The rating agency expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to reduce its policy rate to 6 per cent in the current financial year from 6.5 per cent at present.

Additionally, it anticipates further cuts in the lending rate to 5.5 per cent and 5.25 per cent in 2025-26 and 2026-27, respectively.

Updated GDP List

• 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)
• NSO – 8.2% (FY24)

Exp. ICICI Bank unveils ‘SmartLock’, a new safety feature for iMobile Pay

ICICI Bank has launched a “SmartLock,” a novel safety feature that lets users lock and unlock several banking services at once without contacting customer support via phone or email.

Available on iMobile Pay, it helps customers to lock/unlock access to internet banking, UPI (including payments from other UPI apps linked to the bank account), credit and debit cards, by clicking a button.

‘SmartLock’, the first-of-its-kind measure in the Indian banking sector, also allows customers to lock/unlock the entire iMobile Pay.

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. Om Birla elected as the speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha

A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, Om Birla was re-elected speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha.

He was elected by voice vote after the opposition party did not press for the counting of votes.

Om Birla was also the speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha. Om Birla is the 17th person to be elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

According to Article 93 of the constitution, members of the Lok Sabha are to elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among the members of the House. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by a simple majority.

About Om Birla

• A three-time member of Lok Sabha, Om Birla was elected from the Kota constituency of Rajasthan in the 2014,2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
• He is the fifth person to hold the office of Lok Sabha speaker twice.

Exp. Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani is set to be the next Vice Chief of Army Staff with the government clearing his appointment to the post.

The officer, who is presently helming the Army’s Central Command, will succeed Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi.

Lt Gen Dwivedi, currently serving as the Vice Chief, will be the next Chief of the Army Staff when incumbent Gen Manoj Pande retires on June 30.

Lt Gen Subramani has a distinguished and illustrious military career spanning more than 37 years.

Lt Gen Subramani has the distinction of commanding a battalion during ‘Operation Rhino’ in Assam, an infantry brigade along the International Boundary with Pakistan and a ‘Black Cat‘division in Northeast India.

He also commanded Uttar Bharat Area in 2020 and the premier Kharga Corps at Ambala.  

Exp. Indian clinches 11 Medals at Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championships in Amman

India concluded their campaign at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championships in Amman, Jordan, on a resounding note.

The young Indian contingent clinched a total of 11 medals, including four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals.

Women wrestlers grabbed all four gold medals. Dipanshi in 46 kg, Muskan in 53 kg, Rajnita in 61 kg, and Mansi Lather in 69 kg delivered stellar performances in their respective weight categories to clinch the yellow metal.

Raja Bala had to settle for a silver in the 40 kg category, despite her valiant efforts.

On the men’s front, Samarth Gajanan Mhakave bagged a silver medal in the fiercely contested 55 kg category. While Akash in 65 kg, Sachin Kumar in 71 kg, Bikash Kacchap in 48 kg, Tushar Tukaram Patil in 60 kg, and Ronak in 110 kg showcased their prowess by clinching bronze medals.

Exp. Paraguay becomes 100th member of International Solar Alliance

Paraguay has become the 100th country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member.

The South American nation officially handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi.

The ISA, co-founded by India and France during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, aims to promote solar energy deployment worldwide.

It serves as a collaborative platform for member countries to increase energy access, ensure energy security, and drive the transition towards sustainable energy sources.

The alliance has gained significant traction since its inception, with 119 countries now signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement. Of these, 100 have completed the ratification process to become full members, with Spain joining as the 99th member in May this year.

The ISA’s primary goal is to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement through rapid and massive deployment of solar energy technologies.

About Paraguay

• Capital- Asunción
• Currency – Guarani
• President – Santiago Peña

Exp. L&T win deals for 185 MW solar plant in Bihar

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a major order for setting up a grid-connected 185 megawatt (MW) solar PV plant along with a 254 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kajra in Lakhisarai district of Bihar.

The project cost is estimated to be in the range of ₹2,500-5,000 crore.

The BESS, with a capacity of 254 MWh will enable storing solar energy during low-demand periods and discharging when the demand peaks.

In addition, the BESS will also help smooth the fluctuations in generation, frequency regulation and voltage support. It comes with a black start capability to the grid that will facilitate quick re-energisation after an outage.

Exp. 26 June – International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on 26 June. This day is popularly known as World Drug Day.

Objective – To raise awareness about the global fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Theme 2024 – The evidence is clear: invest in prevention

The United Nations established the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 7 December 1987.

Exp. 26 June – United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is celebrated every year on 26 June.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment generally known as the Torture Agreement, entered into force on June 26, 1987.

This was a step towards recognizing that torture is universally banned. Ten years later, on June 26, 1997, the United Nations General Assembly formally designated the day as the International Day.

Exp. 27 June – MSME Day

Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Day is observed every year on 27 June.

The day highlights the contribution of the MSME sector to a country’s economic development and employment generation.

Theme 2024 – MSMEs and the SDG.

On 6 April 2017, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to observe 27 June as the Micro Small Medium Enterprise(MSME) Day.

The first MSME Day was observed on 27 June 2017.

According to the United Nations, MSMEs account for 90% of businesses, 60 to 70% of employment, and 50% of Gross Domestic Product worldwide.  

Exp. Kerala’s Kozhikode becomes India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’

Kozhikode in north Kerala, known for its rich cultural heritage, was officially declared as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’.

The state government also announced that from coming year, June 23 will be celebrated as the ‘City of Literature’ Day of Kozhikode.

In October 2023, Kozhikode had earned a place in the ‘Literature’ category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

While Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh made it to the coveted list in the ‘Music’ category, Kozhikode earned the place in the ‘Literature’ category.

These cities join the list of places which received tags from the UNESCO including Bukhara – Crafts and Folk Art, Casablanca – Media Arts, Chongqing – Design, Kathmandu – Film, Rio de Janeiro – Literature, and Ulaanbaatar – Crafts and Folk Art

About Kerala

• Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister – Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor – Arif Mohammad Khan