Current Affairs Quiz 27th and 28th August 2023 Quiz

Exp. 3rd International Conference on Structural Integrity inaugurated at Mamallapuram

The 3rd International Conference on Structural Integrity (ICONS 2023) began virtually at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu

ICONS 2023 was inaugurated under the leadership of Dr. N. Kailaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

ICONS 2023 is jointly organized by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam and the Society for Failure Analysis, in association with Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Indian Society for Non-destructive Testing, Kalpakkam Chapter, Indian Institute of Metals Kalpakkam Chapter and Indian Structural Integrity Society.

ICONS 2023 was attended by around 250 delegates from India and abroad, including mechanical engineers, materials scientists, academicians, industry experts, plant managers and regulatory personnel.

The aim of the conference is to discuss recent developments and future directions in assessing and ensuring structural integrity in industries such as nuclear, defence, aerospace, chemical and oil.

About Tamil Nadu

• Formation – 26 January 1950
• Capital – Chennai
• Chief Minister – M K Stalin
• Governor – R N Ravi

Exp. BHEL develops India’s first catalyst set to curb NOx emissions in power plants

State-owned engineering firm Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has successfully manufactured the first set of indigenous SCR Catalysts for limiting NOx emissions from thermal power plants.

SCR Catalysts were earlier imported in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The initial batch of indigenous SCR Catalyst was manufactured for 5×800 MW Yadadri Thermal Power Station in Telangana.

BHEL set up a manufacturing facility at its Solar Business Division unit to produce SCR catalysts for reducing NOx emissions in thermal power plants.

Burning coal converts its nitrogen content into nitrogen oxides (NOx), a major air pollutant that includes substances such as NO, NO2, and N2O.

About Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)

• Establishment – 1956
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• BHEL works as a part of the Government of India and comes under the purview of the Ministry of Heavy Industry.
• It has the distinction of being the largest manufacturer of power generation equipment under government ownership.

Exp. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal launches Tele-Law 2.0

Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has launched Tele-Law- 2.0 which Integrates Tele-Law and Nyaya Bandhu App to ensure access to justice.

This will enable the common citizen to access legal advice, legal assistance and legal representation through a single registration and single gateway of Tele-Law.

The number of beneficiaries of the Tele-Law Scheme have reached 50 Lakhs.

The integration of legal guidance, support, and representation through a single registration process stands as a testament to the commitment to nurture a digitally literate and empowered populace.

The Minister called upon legal professionals to contribute pro bono services to ensure that no citizen is deprived of essential legal assistance

Exp. Draupadi Murmu releases postage stamp in memory of Dadi Prakashmani

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has released a postage stamp in memory of Dadi Prakashmani, former chief of Brahma Kumaris at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.

This stamp was released under the ‘My Stamp’ initiative of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications to mark the 16th death anniversary of Dadi Prakashmani.

Dadi Prakashmani spread Indian values and culture in India and abroad through spirituality.

Under her leadership, the Brahma Kumaris became the largest women-led spiritual organization in the world. Like a true leader, she stood by Brahma Kumaris family with faith and courage even in challenging circumstances and always guided them.

Exp. Indian Oil ropes in chef Sanjeev Kapoor as its brand ambassador

Indian Oil has collaborated with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor as the brand ambassador for its Indane XTRATEJ LPG brand.

IndianOil has observed significant year-on-year growth in market volume since the initial trial of XTRATEJ in Belgaum, Karnataka.

Indian Oil has 16 crore customers connections.

IndianOil’s unwavering dedication to customer efficiency, underscoring how the hospitality industry now benefits from innovations like XtraTej that enhance business operations.

Kapoor applauded Indian Oil for providing a cost-efficient solution that conserves LPG, essential in an era where customer expectations continue to evolve rapidly.

Recent Brand Ambassador

• Iga Swiatek – Infosys’s Global Brand Ambassador
• Rafael Nadal – Infosys brand and Infosys Digital Innovation
• Rahul Dravid – Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
• Shraddha Kapoor – Asics India Private Limited (a sports gear company)
• Rashmika Mandanna – Printer company Epson India
• Smriti Mandhana – Wrangler brand

Exp. Germany develops device for visually impaired

With the help of modern technology, even the visually impaired can now try their hand at sports of shooting. Germany has developed a device for the visually impaired.

This device has been brought to India for the first time and given to the visually impaired in Pune.

In shooting, the target is identified and aimed through binoculars. The same technique has been developed by these devices, one part of this device is in the rifle and the other part is on the headphones placed on the ear.

This device will do the work of target sighting for visually impaired shooters. The device sends a signal to the visually impaired when they come close to the main circle.

About Germany

• Capital – Berlin
• Currency – Euro
• President – Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Exp. SBI launches Aadhaar-based enrolment for social security schemes

Public sector lender the State Bank of India has launched a Customer Service Points (CSPs) functionality that allows customers to enroll for social security schemes through Aadhaar Card.

Chairman Dinesh Khara introduced the feature which will be availed at the bank’s CSPs that aims to make the process of enrolling in various social security schemes simpler.

The customers visiting CSPs will need only their Aadhaar to enroll in social security schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

They will no longer need to carry passbooks to the CSP outlet for enrolment.

With the feature, the bank aims to strengthen its offerings and extend the benefits of crucial schemes to the masses.

This technology-driven enhancement is a testament to SBI’s commitment to improve financial inclusivity and social welfare through digitization.

About State Bank of India (SBI)  

• Founded – 1 July 1955
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman – Dinesh Kumar Khara
• Tagline – (1) Pure Banking Nothing Else

(2) With you all the way

(3) A bank of the common man

(4) The banker to every Indian

(5) The Nation banks on us

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• IndusInd Bank launches multi-branded credit card with Qatar Airways
• Canara Bank launches UPI Interoperable Digital Rupee mobile application
• YES BANK launched ‘iris’ app to offer digital banking solutions in India
• RBI launched UDGAM portal to track unclaimed deposits
• Canara Bank introduced Canara Jeevan Dhara savings bank account for pensioners.

Exp. DBS partners with Maptrasco to complete the first eBL transaction

DBS Bank has partnered with commodities trader Maptrasco for the completion of the first “live” transaction of electronic Bills of Lading (eBL) for shipments between Singapore and India.

With this first shipment, businesses across Singapore and India can participate in the TradeTrust network via their respective choice of TradeTrust-enabled platforms to enable the digital trade finance of live shipments of goods between the two countries.

The transaction was implemented under the TradeTrust framework, an initiative by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and supported by Enterprise Singapore.

The project leverages the United Nation’s Model Law for Electronic Transferable Records and aims to drive cross-border document and title exchanges.

The successful transaction ushers in a new chapter of more efficient, and interoperable digital bills of lading and is a key milestone in the digital transformation of trade financing.

About Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) Bank

• Founded – 1968
• Headquarters – Singapore
• Chairman – Peter Seah
• CEO – Piyush Gupta

Recent MoU in Banking Sector

• Axis Bank partners with RBI innovation hub to launch KCCs and MSME loans
• NHA and IRDAI collaborate to boost digital health integration in insurance
• IIITD-IC partners with YES Bank to scale up Indian startups
• Bajaj Finance partnered with ICICI Lombard to offer insurance plan
• Bandhan Bank ties up with Odisha govt to strengthen Odisha Tourism Development Corporation

Exp. Indian women’s blind cricket team wins gold in IBSA World Games

Indian women’s blind cricket team created history as it defeated Australia in the finals by 9 wickets and won the gold medal at the IBSA World Games.

The women’s cricket team showed exceptional resilience in the rain-spoiled match and ultimately became the first-ever cricket winners at the IBSA World Games.

The Indian men’s blind cricket team earned a silver medal at the IBSA World Games 2023 after losing to Pakistan in the men’s T20 cricket final held at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

The inclusion of cricket in the IBSA World Games began and both the Indian men’s and women’s blind cricket teams reached the finals, ensuring medals for India.

The team became the first-ever cricket winners at the IBSA World Games.

Exp. Indore won National Smart City Award 2022

Indore bagged the best “National Smart City Award”, followed by Surat and Agra.

The central government announced the India Smart Cities Awards for 2022.

Madhya Pradesh has won the best ‘State Award’ and Tamil Nadu bagged the second spot. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were in the third spot jointly.

Chandigarh has been ranked the number one in the Union territory category.

Among the 100 smart cities in the country, Indore bagged the top spot, Surat in Gujarat the second place, and Agra the third spot.

In October last year, Indore was adjudged India’s cleanest city for the sixth time in a row.

The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said that while 66 winners in different categories were announced the awards would be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in Indore on September 27.

It includes 35 in Project Award, six in Innovation Award, 13 in the National/Zonal City Award, five in State/UT Award and seven in Partner Award.

Exp. Shivraj Singh & Anurag Thakur releases books based on speeches of PM Modi

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan have released books based on speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi titled “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” at the Kushabhau Thackeray International Convention Centre in Bhopal.

The speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are always connected with the public, make relations, create motion, and are based on Nation-First policy and that is why they are perfect and reach the heart of the public.

The second volume of the book covers 86 speeches from the second year of Mr. Modi’s second term in the Prime Minister’s Office, i.e. from June 2020 to May 2021.

Whereas, the third volume is a collection of 80 speeches from June 2021 to May 2022, the third year of Mr. Modi’s second term in the Prime Minister’s Office.  

Exp. Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win gold at World Athletics

Neeraj Chopra achieved another historic feat, becoming the first Indian athlete to win World Athletics Championships gold medal during the men’s javelin throw final event in Budapest.

Chopra’s second attempt in the final saw him launch the javelin to a distance of 88.17 meters, which remained the highest in the event.

Neeraj’s achievement marked a significant improvement from the 2022 edition of the Worlds, where he secured a silver medal.

Chopra’s compatriot from Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem finished second as he finished marginally behind the Indian gold medallist at 87.82m. The Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch took the bronze in 86.67m.

The other two Indian javelin throwers in contention – Kishore Jena and DP Manu – also produced impressive performances even as they couldn’t secure podium spots.

Both throwers qualified for the top 8 positions and finished fifth and sixth respectively. While Jena had the highest registered throw of 84.77m – also his personal best – Manu threw 84.14m

Chopra, the current no.1 in the javelin world rankings, had won the Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 but finished with a silver at the worlds in Eugene last year, as Anderson Peters had clinched the gold.

The only other Indian to win a medal at the worlds was Anju Bobby George, who took bronze in the women’s long jump in 2003 in Paris

India’s superstar javelin thrower also became only the third in history to simultaneously hold the Olympics and World Championships titles in the sport, after the iconic Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway

Zelezny clinched Olympics gold in 1992, 1996 and 200 while winning World Championships title in 1993, 1995 and 2001. Thorkildsen won gold in 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships.

Exp. India declares August 23 as National Space Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared August 23 as the National Space Day to commemorate the remarkable achievement of Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the moon.

The specific spot where Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon will be named ‘Shivshakti’, and the spot where Chandrayaan-2 landed will be called ‘Tiranga Point’.

PM Modi made this announcement during his visit to the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

On 23 August 2023, Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic feat by becoming the first mission to land on the South Pole of the Moon.

Mission goals included a safe lunar landing, rover maneuverability, and the performance of scientific experiments on-site.

India has now joined the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China in successfully landing on the Moon.

Exp. Veteran actor Seema Deo passes away

Marathi cinema legend and Hindi film actor Seema Deo passed away at the age of 83.

The senior actor was seen in films like Anand, Koshish and Kora Kagaz.

Apart from appearing in several Hindi films, Seema Deo was a renowned actor in Marathi cinema.

She appeared in over 80 films throughout her career.