Current Affairs Quiz 30th May 2023 Quiz

Exp. India gets approval to set up 2nd hydroelectric project in Nepal

The Government of Nepal has approved India’s Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) to develop the second hydroelectric project in the country.

SJVN is currently involved in the development of the Arun-III Hydroelectric Project in eastern Nepal with a capacity of 900 MW.

India and Nepal share over 20 transmission lines — ranging from 11 kV, 33 kV to 132 kV — that are used for power exchange between the two neighbours.

SJVN Ltd is a joint venture between the central government and the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Its subsidiary is already executing a massive project in Nepal — 900 MW Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project — which is slated to be completed in 2024. When completed, it will be Nepal’s largest hydro project.

About Nepal

• Capital- Kathmandu
• Currency- Nepalese rupee
• President– Ram Chandra Paudel
• Prime minister– Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Exp. Atal Bhujal Yojana water scheme extended by two years

Union government has extended the Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) for two more years until December 2025.

Initially launched in 2019, Atal Jal is active across 8,220 water-stressed Gram Panchayats within 80 districts of seven Indian states, including Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

The scheme is active across 8,220 water-stressed Gram Panchayats within 80 districts of seven Indian states.

Atal Jal plans to bring 450,000 hectares of irrigated area under efficient water techniques like drip irrigation and crop diversification.

About Atal Bhujal Yojana

• Atal Bhujal Yojana is a groundwater management scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 95th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on 25 December 2019.
• The purpose of the scheme is to improve groundwater management in seven states of India.
• In order to acknowledge and contain the ever-growing problem of groundwater depletion, the Indian Government introduced the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) in December 2019 after getting financial approval from the World Bank in 2018.
• It has been launched under the Jal Jeevan Mission of the government.  

Exp. Bandra-Versova sea bridge will be named after Veer Savarkar

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Bandra -Versova sea route in Mumbai will be named as Swatantra Veer Savarkar Bandra- Versova Sagari Setu.

He was speaking at an event on the 140th birth anniversary of SwatantraVeer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in Mumbai.

A new award “The SwatantraVeer Savarkar Shaurya Puraskar” will be given for incredible bravery deeds in the state.

About Maharashtra

• Capital – Mumbai
• Chief Minister – Eknath Sindhe
• Governor – Ramesh Bais

Exp. BPCL develops ethanol-diesel blend to reduce emissions

Public sector oil marketing company BPCL has developed an ethanol-diesel blend in a bid to reduce emissions.

The move is in line with its net zero target of 2040.

The R&D centre of BPCL, according to the company has filed 164 patents and 87 patents have been granted across multiple countries, 17 technologies or products commercialized so far said a company statement.

BPCL is focusing on petrochemicals and sustainable aviation fuel among other products to diversify its operations.

It has also developed two new technologies, namely the ‘K Model’ for crude compatibility and ‘BPMARRK’ for quick and accurate real-time crude assay.

Exp. Bank of Maharashtra top performer in NPA management during FY23

Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the best bank as far as the management of bad loans is concerned with its net non-performing assets (NPAS).

The NPA fell as low as 0.25% during the financial year ended March 2023.

This is the lowest ratio among all banks having total business above ₹3 lakh crore and not just public sector banks (PSBs).

While HDFC Bank’s net NPA fell to 0.27% followed by Kotak Mahindra Bank placed third spot with

About Bank of Maharashtra

• Founders- K. Sathe, V. G. Kale
• Founded- 16 September 1935
• Headquarters- Pune
• CEO- A. S. Rajeev

Exp. SEBI sets up intermediary advisory panel to be led by S Ravindran

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has constituted an Intermediary Advisory Committee to advise the markets regulator on changes in legal framework and increasing transparency in the functioning of market intermediaries like stock exchanges, depository participants, clearing corporations, among others.

The committee will be chaired by former Sebi executive director S Ravindran who in his assignment with the markets regulator handled the charge of Corporation Finance Department.

He had also headed departments related to investment management, and foreign institutional investors and custodians.

The committee’s role will be to advise on enhanced adoption of technology and cyber security by intermediaries, including in respect of compliances, to suggest measures for improving market safety, efficiency, transparency and integrity, and to advise on simplification and transparency in systems and procedures.

Recent Committees

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) set up an 11-member Cheetah Project Steering Committee; Headed by – Rajesh Gopal
• IRDAI constitutes Expert committee for matters related to mental health; headed by – Pratima Murthy
• NGT constitutes committee to investigate disappearance of 1095 ponds – Headed by Adarsh Kumar Goel.
• MeitY constituted task force with the aim to make India ‘product developer and manufacturing nation’; Chaired by – Bhuvnesh Kumar
• SC formed five-member expert committee to look into Hindenburg report – Headed by Abhay Manohar Sapre
• Sports Ministry forms oversight committee to probe allegations in WFI – M C Mary Kom

Exp. Praveen Kumar Srivastava sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner

Praveen Kumar Srivastava was sworn in as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC).

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to him at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Srivastava is a 1988-batch (retired) Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. He superannuated as secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat on January 31, 2022.

The tenure of a CVC and the vigilance commissioner is of four years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years.

Recent Appointment

• As member of UPSC – Suman Sharma
• President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2023-24 – R Dinesh
• Chairman of Internet and Mobile Association of India’ (IAMAI) – Harsh Jain (CEO of Dream 11)
• President of Basketball Federation of India – Dr. K Govindraj
• MD & CEO of Tata Chemical Board – R. Mukundan (reappointment)

Exp. 57th Jnanpith Award was given to Goan writer Damodar Maujo

Goan writer Damodar Maujo has been honoured with the 57th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour.

He is a renowned short story writer, novelist, critic and screenwriter in Konkani language.

Damodar Maujo is the second Goan to receive the Jnanpith Award after Ravindra Kelekar in 2008.

Mauzo’s famous novel ‘Karmelin’ received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.

He has written 25 books in Konkani and one in English, many of which have been translated into various languages.

Recent Awards

• Honoris Causa at Apex University’s Jaipur – Sonu Sood
• National Water Award 2022 – Chandigarh
• Fiji’s highest civilian award “The Companion of the Order of Fiji” – PM Modi
• Papua New Guinea’s highest civilian award Grand Companion of the Order of Loghu (GCL) – PM Modi
• France’s highest civilian award “Knight of the Legion of Honour” – Tata Chairman N Chandrasekaran

Exp. Microsoft launched multilingual Jugalbandi Al chatbot

Microsoft has unveiled a new generative AI-driven chatbot called ‘Jugalbandi’, designed for farmers and other users living in rural India.

The chatbot is being developed in collaboration with Microsoft Research and the government-backed AI4Bharat – an open-source language AI centre based at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras – and OpenNyAI.

The chatbot will operate over the WhatsApp messaging service and it aims to make information on government schemes accessible in multiple languages.

Jugalbandi covers 10 of India’s 22 official languages and 171 of a total of approximately 20,000 government programmes.  

Exp. Max Verstappen wins Monaco Grand Prix 2023

Red Bull’s driver Max Verstappen has won the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.

The vitory was Verstappen’s fourth of the season.

Fernando Alonso finished second, with Esteban Ocon in third.

Charles Leclerc retired from the race after a collision with Carlos Sainz.

Recent Grand Prix Winner

• Monaco Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• Miami Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• Australian Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• Bahrain Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
• Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez (Mexico)
• Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023 – Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez (Mexico)

Exp. Ambati Rayudu announces IPL retirement

Chennai Super Kings’ star batter, Ambati Rayudu has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League.

Ambati Rayudu has been part of the Chennai Super Kings since 2018, and won two titles with the franchise; he had begun his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2010.

Rayudu tasted first success in the tournament in 2013 when he lifted the title with Mumbai Indians; it was also the first title for the franchise.

He scored 14.75 in his debut for CSK and lifted the IPL trophy in 2018. He has scored 602 runs in 16 matches from CSK.

Exp. Chennai Super Kings Beats Gujarat Titians in IPL 2023

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has defeated defending champions Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets to win its 5th IPL title.

The final match of IPL 2023 was held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Chennai Super Kings has equaled Mumbai Indians’ record for most IPL titles.

Full list of Award Winners

• IPL 2023 Winners – Chennai Super Kings
• IPL 2023 Runner-up – Gujrat Titans
• Orange Cap award – Shubman Gill (Gujrat Titans) – 890 runs
• Purple Cap – Mohammad Shami (Gujrat Titans) – 28 wickets
• Fairplay of the Season award – Ajinkya Rahane (Chennai Super Kings)
• Catch of the Season award – Rashid Khan (Gujrat Titans)
• Longest Six of the Season award – Faf du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – 115 metres
• Most Fours award – Shubman Gill (Gujrat Titans) – 84 fours
• Most Sixes award – Faf du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore) 36 sixes
• Most Valuable Player of the Season award – Shubman Gill (Gujrat Titans)
• Dream11 Gamechanger of the Season award – Shubman Gill (Gujrat Titans)
• Super Striker of the Season award – Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
• Emerging Player of the Year award – Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)
• Best Venues of the Season – Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium

IPL Final Match awardee’s

• Player of the Match award – Devon Conway
• Catch of the Match award – MS Dhoni
• Longest Six award – Sai Sudharsan
• Maximum Fours award – Sai Sudharsan
• Most Valuable Asset of the Match award – Sai Sudharsan
• Gamechanger of the Match award – Sai Sudharsan
• Electric Striker of the Match award – Ajinkya Rahane

Exp. 29 May – International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed annually on 29 May.

The day highlights the tireless efforts of the UN peacekeepers work to establish and maintain peace in conflict areas.

Theme 2023 – Peace begins with me

It also serves as a tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving as peacekeepers.

May 29, 1948, marks the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping mission.

Q.14. World Digestive Health Day is observed every year on 29 May. What is the theme of World Digestive Health Day 2023?

विश्व पाचन स्वास्थ्य दिवस हर साल 29 मई को मनाया जाता है। विश्व पाचन स्वास्थ्य दिवस 2023 की थीम क्या है?

(a) Colorectal Cancer Prevention

(b) Your Digestive Health

(c) Gut Microbiome: A Global Perspective

(d) Global Perspective Health

(e) Healthy Liver

Exp. 29 May - World Digestive Health Day

World Digestive Health Day is observed every year on 29 May.

Objective - To raise awareness about digestive diseases and disorders and highlight the importance of maintaining good digestion

Theme 2023 - Your Digestive Health: A Healthy Gut From the Start

World Digestive Health Day was established to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the formation of the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). The WGO was formed on May 29, 1958.

World Digestive Health Day was first celebrated in 2004 and is being marked every year since then to promote a healthy lifestyle and a good diet for a healthy gut.

Exp. 29 May – International Everest Day

International Everest Day is observed every year on 29 May.

International Everest Day commemorates the 1953 summit of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal.

Mount Everest is the tallest peak above sea level and is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. It has been a popular destination for climbers, mountaineers, and trekkers.

The China-Nepal boundary is usually acknowledged to cross via Everest’s highest point, which reaches an elevation of 8,848.86 metres. The normal route, also called the southeast approach in Nepal, and the northern route in Tibet are the two main approaches to the mountain’s top.

International Everest Day came into existence in 2008, the year Edmund Hillary died. Since then, Nepal has designated May 29 to honour Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norgay’s feat.