Current Affairs Quiz 6th March 2024 Quiz

Exp. India’s first indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated India’s first indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

In line with the true spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, PFBR has been fully designed and constructed indigenously by BHAVINI with significant contribution from more than 200 Indian industries including MSMEs.

Once commissioned, India will only be the second country after Russia to have commercial operating Fast Breeder Reactor.

The PFBR reactor core consists of control sub-assemblies, blanket subassemblies and fuel sub-assemblies. With minimised nuclear waste generated from the reactor and advanced safety features, FBRs will provide a safe, efficient and clean source of energy and contribute to the goal of net zero.

In India’s three stages of the nuclear power programme, BHAVINI paves the way as a forerunner in the second stage by building a 500 MWe PFBR.

It is entrusted with a mandate to construct, commission and operate the Fast Breeder Reactors to provide energy security for the nation in the long run.

Exp. Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi, Banglar muslin get GI tag

The Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi, more widely known as Silver Filigree, has recently been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.

This recognition, sought by the Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Limited and supported by the Department of Textile and Handicrafts, Government of Odisha, places Cuttack’s Silver Filigree on the map as a unique and protected form of art.

Silver Filigree, or Tarakasi, is a testament to the unparalleled skill and precision of artisans in Cuttack.

The craft’s history traces back to over 500 years ago, with influences spanning from Persia to Indonesia, and finally making its home in Cuttack, Odisha. This intricate form of metalwork involves twisting thin silver wires to create delicate and complex designs, often used in jewelry and decorative items.

Historical evidence suggests that the art of filigree was present as early as 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia, evolving over millennia and across continents to become what it is today in Cuttack.

Exp. Mandaviya inaugurates Three CIPET Centers Across India

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated 3 centers of Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) established across India.

These three new CIPET centres dedicated to the nation by the Minister are CSTS Baddi (Himachal Pradesh), CSTS, Ranchi (Jharkhand), and CSTS Gwalior (MP).

CIPET Institutes helped the industry not only by providing skilled manpower but also by research and production. By getting training from CIPET, youth almost get 100% jobs in petrochemical sector.

CIPET was started in 1968 in Chennai as Central Plastic Engineering and Tool Institution.

At that time there were only certificate and diploma courses under CIPET but today the number of courses has increased. Now undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level courses are also being offered in these institutes.

The government has increased the number of CIPETs from 23 to 47 in last 10 years in order to meet the needs of petrochemical Industry.

Exp. India’s unemployment rate in 2023 dropped to 3.1%: NSO

India’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 per cent in 2023 from 3.6 per cent in the preceding year, reflecting continued improvement in the labour markets, revealed the latest employment-unemployment indicators report released by the National Statistical Office.

During the calendar year 2023, the unemployment rate in both rural and urban areas declined to 2.4 per cent and 5.2 per cent, respectively, from 2.8 per cent and 5.9 per cent in 2022.

The unemployment rate for rural women (1.9 per cent) was lower than for rural men (2.7 per cent) in 2023, whereas in urban areas, the rate was higher for women (7.5%) compared to men (4.4%).

The unemployment rate under the so-called ‘usual status’ for persons aged 15 years and above during the one-year period shows a decline for the second consecutive year since 2021 when the NSO report started enlisting data on an annual basis.

Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey collects data related to employment and unemployment status in the country between July and June.

Exp. CM Yogi launched ‘MYUVA Scheme’ for Young Entrepreneurs in UP

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has launched an initiative to support young entrepreneurs called “Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (MYUVA).”

The government aims to prepare one lakh young entrepreneurs every year through this initiative.

The scheme offers interest-free loans to young entrepreneurs for projects valued up to Rs 5 lakh.

The scheme promotes digital transactions in business operations and provides grants to encourage the adoption of digital payment methods.

Recent Schemes launched by state governments

• Indiramma Housing Scheme (Telangana) – To provide Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to construct houses
• CM’s Health Insurance Scheme (Nagaland) – To ensures financial security and protection
• Savera programme (Haryana) – For early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
• Van Mitra (Haryana) – To encourage community participation in tree planting activities in non-forest areas.
• Swayam Scheme (Odisha) – To provide interest-free loans up to Rs 1 lakh to youth of the state
• CM Vayoshree Yojana (Maharashtra) – For senior citizens who suffer from some physical or mental disability

About Uttar Pradesh

• Capital – Lucknow
• Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
• Governor – Anandiben Patel

Exp. France become first country to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution

France has become the first country in the world to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution.

French lawmakers from both houses of the Parliament, in a special session, voted 780 to 72 in favor of the move to amend the Constitution.

The amendment states that there is a guaranteed freedom to abortion in France.

France has a long history of supporting abortion rights. The voluntary ending of pregnancy became legal in France in 1975 with a law named after Simone Veil, the health minister who supported it.

The law allowed abortion up to the tenth week of pregnancy. Later, it was extended to the twelfth week in 2001 and then to the fourteenth week in 2022.

Since the 1980s, the procedure has been covered by France’s national healthcare system.

About France

• Capital- Paris
• President- Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister– Gabriel Attal (replace Elisabeth Borne)
• Official language- French

Exp. BHEL bags order worth Rs 9,500 cr to set up 1,600 MW thermal project

Power equipment major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has secured a power plant engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) order of over Rs 9,500 crore from NTPC Ltd.

The order is for the Singrauli Super Thermal Power Project Stage-III (2×800 MW), in Uttar Pradesh.

According to BHEL, the order won in international competitive bidding is for the supply of equipment like boilers, turbines, generators, and associated auxiliaries, along with electrical and control and instrumentation, balance of plant packages, and others.

The first 800 MW unit will be completed in 50 months and the second unit in 54 months.

Exp. SI Suman Kumari makes history as BSF’s First Female Sniper

Sub-Inspector Suman Kumari has etched her name in history as the first woman sniper of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Her recent completion of an eight-week intensive sniper course at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT) in Indore not only showcases her exceptional abilities but also her pioneering spirit.

Suman achieved the prestigious ‘instructor grade’, a testament to her proficiency and expertise.

About Border Security Force (BSF)

• Founded- 1 December 1965
• Founder- Khusro Faramurz Rustamji
• Constituting instrument – Border Security Force Act 1968
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• Director General- IPS Nitin Agarwal

Exp. Swiggy and IRCTC join hands to deliver food on Indian Railways

Online food ordering and delivery platform, Swiggy has signed an MoU with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) whereby it will deliver pre-ordered food on trains.

The service will start with four stations – Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada – from March 12 and will be expanded to 59 additional city stations in the coming weeks.

One of the challenges encountered by travellers during extended journeys is lower availability of options. Through this integration, passengers aboard designated trains can place orders with food being delivered to their seats.

Exp. PNB ties up with EaseMyTrip to launch travel credit card

Public sector bank Punjab National Bank (PNB) has partnered with online travel tech platform EaseMyTrip to launch a co-branded travel credit card “PNB EMT Credit Card”.

This co-branded travel credit card is aimed at mass to premium segments.

Users can earn rewards in a variety of categories, including flights, hotels, and holiday packages. Furthermore, this new credit card includes a wallet for contactless payments.

PNB EMT credit card comes with an annual membership fee of Rs 2000 and can be used across 100 countries.

Recently, AU Bank also introduced the ixigo AU Bank Credit Card, which also rewards users for travel bookings.

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd launched ‘Smart Choice Gold Loan’ for customers.
• MobiKwik launched a new feature on its platform ‘Pocket UPI’.
• Bandhan Bank authorised by the West Bengal govt to collect tax and non-tax receipts through the Government Receipt Portal System (GRIPS)
• SBI launches digital enrolment for PMJJBY and PMSBY Schemes
• LIC launches “Amritbaal” insurance plan for children

Exp. India’s IN-SPACe Inaugurates Satellite & Payload Technical Centre in Ahmedabad

Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated the IN-SPACe Technical Centre at the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in Bopal area of Ahmedabad.

Our target is to take the space economy from 2 per cent to 10 per cent by 2030, which will be a five-fold increase. We have mentioned 15 per cent by 2047 as per our vision document.

The IN-SPACe Technical Centre will help develop rockets and not just satellites.

The IN-SPACe offers a range of facilities including the Climate Simulation Test Facility (CSTF), Thermal and Vacuum Environment Simulation Facility (TVAC), Vibration Test Facility (VTF), the Space Systems Assembly Integration Testing and Checkout Laboratory, the RF and Opto-Electronics Laboratory and Clean Rooms for AIT activities.

Exp. A book on Indian modern art “The Gems of Indian Art” launched

The launch of “The Gems of Indian Art”, a comprehensive documentation of Harish Khullar’s extensive collection of 20th-century Indian modern and contemporary art.

This near-300-page book was unveiled by Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and S.P.S. Baghel, marking a pivotal moment in India’s art scene.

Edited by the veteran art critic Vinod Bhardwaj, the publication is a distinguished addition to the discourse on Indian contemporary art history, appreciated for its archival quality by the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi.

Recent Books

• Doing Business in Uncertain Times – Ramesh Nair
• Goa 1961: The complete story of Nationalism and Integration – Valmiki Falero
• The Great Flap of 1942: How the Raj Panicked over a Japanese Non-invasion – Mukund Padmanabhan.
• 50 Memories from Fifty of Service – Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (PM of UAE)
• Al and National Security – CDS Anil Chauhan

Exp. Shahbaz Nadeem retires from international and India’s domestic cricket

Spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has retired from all forms of international cricket.

Now, he wants to play in T20 leagues worldwide.

Nadeem took 542 wickets in his first-class career and played two Tests for India.

His Test debut was in 2019 when he was 30 years old. The Jharkhand spinner was called in place of Kuldeep Yadav. During the Ranchi Test against South Africa, Shahbaz took 2 wickets for 22 in the first innings and 2 wickets for 18 in the second innings.

Recently Retired Players

• B Sai Praneeth (Teleangana, India) – International badminton.

• Deep Grace Ekka (India) – International Hockey
• Shaun Marsh (Australia) – Professional Cricket
• Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa) – Test cricket
• David Warner (Australia) – – International ODI & Test

Exp. 6 March – Ghana Independence Day

On 6th March1957 Prime Minister of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah declare de country free from British Colonial rule.

Ghana set record as de first country to gain independence from de colonial rule after de long fight for freedom.

In 1957, on this day, Ghana became the first African country in sub-Saharan Africa to officially become a free nation.

Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to become independent from European colonial rule. This day marks the declaration of Ghanaian independence from the British colonial rule.

About Ghana

• Capital- Accra
• Currency- Ghanaian Cedi
• President -Nana Akufo-Addo
• Official language- English