Current Affairs Quiz 7th August 2023 Quiz

Exp. Sarbananda Sonowal launches Port Health Organization under Sagar Setu

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal has launched Port Health Organization (PHO) module under Sagar Setu – National Logistics Portal (Marine).

PHO will conduct disease surveillance, health inspection, and quarantine measures to safeguard citizens and port workers.

The launch of the PHO module is yet another step towards the digitalization and modernization of our systems which will further the ease of doing business in the country.

The Port Health Organization module has been envisaged as a part of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ by covering features like requests for PHO clearance certificates, approval by PHO, online certification generation, tracking of request status, etc.

The PHO module will help the Shipping Agents, PHOs, Port Authorities, Customs, etc allowing easier access to functionalities of PHO clearance online.

Recent Inauguration by Sarbananda Sonowal

• Sarbananda Sonowal launches 3rd edition of Global India Maritime Summit
• Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates DGNSS “SAGAR SAMPARK
• Sarbananda Sonowal launches ‘SAGAR SAMRIDDHI’
• Sarbananda Sonowal flags off India’s 1st International Cruise Vessel from Chennai to Sri lanka
• Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated “PCIM&H e-Office Portal” and an online portal.
• Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates National Mission Conclave in Delhi

Exp. Ministry implemented ‘Naya Savera’ or ‘Free Coaching and Allied’ scheme

The Ministry of Minority Affairs implemented the ‘Naya Savera’ scheme also known as the ‘Free Coaching and Allied’ scheme.

Objective – To assist students/candidates belonging to the six minority communities namely Sikh, Jain, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and Parsi by way of special coaching for qualifying examinations.

The coaching period under the scheme ranged from 3 months to 2 years.

Preparing for qualifying examinations for admission into technical/professional courses like engineering, medical, law, management, information technology, etc., and language/aptitude examinations required for seeking admission to foreign universities.

Assisting with competitive examinations for recruitment to Group ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ services, as well as other equivalent positions under the Central and State governments, including public sector undertakings, banks, insurance companies, and autonomous bodies.

This information was given by the Minister of Minority Affairs, Smriti Zubin Irani in Lok Sabha.

Exp. Bureau of Indian Standards signs MoU with 35 institutions

The National Standards Body, the Bureau of Indian Standards has signed MoUs with 35 institutions across the country for fostering collaboration in standardization and conformity assessment.

The institutions include some prominent NITs, Government and Private Engineering colleges from different states across the country.

It will pave the way for the partner institutions to participate in standardization activities by associating with the technical committees of the Bureau at the national and international levels.

About Bureau of Indian Standards

• BIS is a statutory body functioning under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.
• It operates various schemes like Product Certification (ISI mark), Management Systems Certification, Hallmarking of Gold and Silver Jewellery and Artefacts, and Laboratory Service for the benefit of the industry and in turn aiming at consumer protection.

Exp. MASI Portal for Monitoring Child Cares Homes

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has developed the ‘MASI’ application for real-time monitoring of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and their inspection process across the country.

MASI stands for Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection.

The effective and efficient functioning of the mechanism for inspection of CCIs provided under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021) and synchronous monitoring of the system is the rationale behind developing this comprehensive application.

The app aims to synchronize the monitoring of the system by various authorities, including Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), State Inspection Committees, District Inspection Committees, Members of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs).

Exp. BHEL signs MoU with Greenstat to explore opportunities in Hydrogen value chain

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has signed an MoU with Greenstat Hydrogen India Pvt. Ltd. for “potential collaboration opportunities in Green Hydrogen and derivatives in the Hydrogen Value Chain.

This partnership will pave the way for collaboration in the Hydrogen value chain, contributing towards the ‘National Hydrogen Mission’ of the Government of India, making India ‘Atmanirbhar’.

The collaboration between BHEL and Greenstat Hydrogen India aims to focus on establishing a framework for cooperation between the two organizations to explore and develop projects related to the production, marketing, and use of green hydrogen.

This partnership will leverage BHEL’s expertise in manufacturing and renewable energy, with Greenstat’s experience in hydrogen technology and solutions.

Recent MoU

• Defense ministry signs with HAL to upgrade Dornier Aircraft for ICG
• GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL to produce fighter jet engines
• ICAR signed MOU with Amazon Kisan to empower farmers
• NHPC signs MoU with Maharashtra for renewable energy projects
• Microsoft, AirJaldi Networks collaborate to provide internet access

Exp. China plans to limit smartphone usage by children to two hours

China’s cyberspace watchdog has put forward plans to limit the usage of smartphones by children to no more than two hours a day and to require all tech companies to introduce a “minor mode” to enable restrictions.

The Cyberspace Administration of China published the draft guidelines on its site, stating that minors would not be allowed to use most internet services on mobile devices from 10 pm to 6 am and that children between the ages of 16 and 18 would only be able to use the internet for two hours a day.

Children between the ages of 8 and 15 would be allowed only an hour a day, while those under 8 would only be allowed 40 minutes.

Only certain services, such as apps or platforms that are deemed suitable for the physical and mental development of minors, will be exempted. The CAC did not specify which internet services would be allowed exemptions.

In 2019, Beijing limited children’s daily online game time to 90 minutes a day and tightened those restrictions in 2021, allowing children only an hour a day of online gameplay on Fridays, weekends and public holidays.

About China

• Capital – Beijing
• Currency – Yuan
• President – Xi Jinping

Exp. Anant Maheshwari appoints as President and CEO of Honeywell High Growth Region

Former Microsoft India Head, Anant Maheshwari has been appointed as the President and CEO of Honeywell High Growth Region, effective from September 4, 2023.

In his new role, Maheshwari will oversee operations in China, India, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America, driving strategic growth initiatives across these key markets.

Maheshwari previously served the company from 2004 to 2016 in various leadership roles and ultimately became President of Honeywell India.

Prior to rejoining Honeywell, Maheshwari held the position of Head of Microsoft India for seven years. Puneet Chandok, former Head of AWS India, will be succeeding Maheshwari.

Recent Appointment

• President of Qualcomm India – Savi Soin (replace Rajen Vagadia)
• Additional DG of Military Nurse Service – Amita Rani
• Director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) – Prof Ganesan Kannabiran
• Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – James Ferguson ‘Jim’ Skea (UK)
• CEO of Dentsu X India – Jose Leon

Exp. Government appoints Sanjay Kumar Agarwal as new CBIC Chairman

Union govt has appointed Sanjay Kumar Agarwal as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) after the superannuation of Vivek Johri.

Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, a 1988 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) official as the Chairman of CBIC with the status of special secretary to the government of India.

Separately, the ministry also appointed Surjit Bhujabal, a 1989 batch Indian Revenue Service official as member of CBIC with the status of special secretary to the government.

Bhujabal is currently Principal Director General at the Directorate of GST Intelligence (DGGI) in New Delhi.

Recent Appointment

• President & CDIO of Tata Motors – Rajesh Kannan
• First female IPS officer of Arunachal Pradesh – Tenzing Yangki
• CEO and MD of Tata Steel – T V Narendran (reappointment)
• Chairman and MD of Bharat Dynamics – A Madhavarao
• Indian women’s volleyball team new coach – Ravindra Banshtu

Exp. SAI launches short movie series ‘Halla Bol’

Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Umbrella Campaign ‘Cheer4India’ has launched a short movie series ‘Halla Bol’ on the journey of Asian Games-bound athletes.

Objective – To motivate them for Hangzhou Asian Games and spread awareness about the upcoming Asian Games.

According to SAI, a total of 12 short movies will be showcased in the coming weeks.

SAI highlighted that the initiative will not only motivate the athletes heading to Asian Games but also youngsters of the country to take up sports

A similar movie series, ‘Olympics ki Aasha,’ was launched before the Tokyo Olympics.

Exp. Aditi Swami becomes 1st Indian to win individual World Title at WAC 2023

Indian archer, Aditi Swami has become the first-ever Indian to clinch the individual World Title at the World Archery Championships final 2023 in Berlin.

17-year-old Aditi, became the senior world champion when she defeated Andrea Becerra of Mexico, 149-147 in the summit clash of the compound women’s event.

Conversely, India’s Ojas Deotale also created history after defeating Lukasz Przybylski of Poland in a thrilling final to become the new world champion in Men’s Individual compound event.

Earlier in the day, Aditi ousted her ‘idol’ Jyothi Surekha Vennam 149-145 in an all-Indian semifinal.

Q.11. National Handloom Day is observed across India on which day every year?

राष्ट्रीय हथकरघा दिवस पूरे भारत में हर साल किस दिन मनाया जाता है?

(a) 4 August / 4 अगस्त

(b) 5 August / 5 अगस्त

(c) 6 August / 6 अगस्त

(d) 7 August / 7 अगस्त

(e) 8 August / 8 अगस्त

Exp. 7 August - National Handloom Day

National Handloom Day is observed across India on August 7 every year.

The primary goal of celebrating Handloom Day is to promote handloom and to recognize the efforts as well as skills of the community of weavers engaged in the sector.

The National Handloom Day was first observed in 2015 which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The day was initiated with the objective of spreading awareness about the importance of the handloom sector.

August 7 was chosen for celebrating National Handloom Day to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on the same day in 1905 in Calcutta (now Kolkata). The movement was then led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.

The Swadeshi Movement was initiated to improve the usage of India-made goods which prominently involved handlooms. This movement also played a major role in the Independence of the country during British Rule.

Exp. 6 August 2023 – Friendship Day

Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. This year, the day falls on August 6.

The day serves as a reminder to acknowledge the relationships that lighten up our burden in so many ways.

It is time to embrace the spirit of camaraderie and express gratitude to our friends and let them know how much they mean to us.

Theme 2023 – Sharing the Human Spirit through Friendship

The history of Friendship Day can be traced back to 1958 when Joce Hall, the owner of Hallmark Cards, proposed the idea of celebrating Friendship Day in Paraguay.

The International Day of Friendship follows the proposal made by UNESCO. The initiative was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1997.

However, it was in 2011 that the United Nations officially declared July 30 as International Friendship Day.

Exp. 6 August – Hiroshima Day

Hiroshima Day is observed every year on 6 August.

Objective – To raise awareness of the catastrophic consequences of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima.

On 6 August 1945, a United States warplane dropped the powerful “Little Boy”, the first atomic bomb, over Hiroshima in Japan, killing over 140,000 people.

A US B-29 bomber aircraft dropped flew over Hiroshima and dropped the bomb at 8:15 am. Three days later, Nagasaki was bombed after the US dropped, “Fat Man”, another atomic weapon, in its war against imperial Japan.

This year commemorated the 76th anniversary of this event

Exp. Telangana folk singer Gummadi Vittal Rao ‘Gaddar’ passes away

Revolutionary balladeer and renowned folk singer Gaddar, also known as Gummadi Vittal Rao, passed away.

He played a significant role in the Telangana statehood movement through his songs highlighting injustices in the region.

He earned the title of the people’s singer due to his songs that brought attention to various issues faced by the common people.

Additionally, he showcased his acting skills in a few films, including “Maa Bhoomi” and “Rangula Kala”.

Gaddar was a former Maoist ideologue who played a crucial role in the left-wing extremist movement through his songs.