Current Affairs Quiz 9th April 2024 Quiz

Exp. Cochin Shipyard signs repair agreement with US

The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a government enterprise, has signed the Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the United States Navy.

This will facilitate repair of US Naval vessels under Military Sealift Command in Cochin Shipyard.

CSL (Cochin Shipyard) has been qualified for entering into the Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) after a detailed evaluation process and capability assessment by the US Navy – Military Sealift Command.

Recent MoU

• BEML, BEL join hands to develop indigenous train control management system
• Mahindra Aerostructures inks $100-million supply contract with Airbus group
• IOCL, Panasonic Energy ink pact for lithium-ion cell JV
• HPCL and Tata Join Forces to Build Nationwide EV Charging Network
• NHPC inks pct with JBIC for 20 billion for developing a 300 MW solar project in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Exp. FSSAI launches extensive Awareness & Sensitization Program Targeting Major Markets

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched an extensive awareness and sensitization program targeting major markets in the New Delhi.

The awareness campaign will focus particularly on the detection and mitigation of pesticide residue and contaminants in food products.

During the programme, the food business operators were sensitized about the importance of organic farming, raw material testing, ill effects of pesticide residues, artificial ripening and wax coating using unapproved chemicals.

About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Founded – 5 September 2008
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Under – Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Exp. Air India, BIAL sign agreement to develop Bengaluru airport as hub

Air India and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have signed a pact to develop the Bengaluru airport as an aviation hub, encompassing the construction of a dedicated domestic lounge, expansion of international services, and establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility.

Air India (along with other Tata Group airlines – AIX and Vistara) and BIAL will collaborate to enhance international connectivity, operational efficiency, and passenger experience over the next five years.

Air India is wholly owned by the Tata Group, while AIX Connect and Air India Express are its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, is currently undergoing a merger into Air India. The Bengaluru airport is operated by Fairfax-run BIAL.

Exp. Piramal Alternatives invests Rs 110 crore in Biodeal Pharmaceuticals

Piramal Alternatives, the investment arm of Piramal Group, has announced an investment of Rs 110 crore in Biodeal Pharmaceuticals.

The funding will be directed towards improving infrastructure and capacities, upgrading technology, and underlay a dedicated nutraceuticals manufacturing facility.

Biodeal is a contract development and manufacturing organisation.

The investment is aimed at fuelling Biodeal’s development of solutions, enhancing its production capabilities, and operations, positioning it as a leading nasal spray manufacturer.

Exp. Sumit Nagal becomes first ever Indian to win main draw match in Monte Carlo Masters

Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal stuns 35th ranked Matteo Arnaldi and becomes first ever Indian to win main draw match at Monte Carlo Masters.

He defeated Arnaldi. The unseeded 95th-ranked Nagal, is only the third Indian to feature in the main draw in Monte Carlo after Vijay Amritraj in 1977 and Ramesh Krishnan in 1982.

He became the first-ever male Indian singles player to win a Masters 1000 match on clay.

Exp. J&K Bank partnered with Paymart India to launch virtual ATM Facility

J& K Bank has partnered with Paymart India Pvt Ltd to introduce a Virtual ATM (VATM) facility.

The partnership aims to introduce cardless cash withdrawal for the Bank’s customers through their neighbourhood merchants.

The goal of the collaboration is to enhance banking convenience for its customers across its areas of operations especially in J&K and Ladakh.

The move is to leverage technology to enhance banking accessibility and convenience for the bank customers. The bank’s customers would be able to avail this facility through its mobile banking app.

The merchants would also need to have the bank’s app to initiate a cash withdrawal request. After that, the customer will receive an OTP for validation and sharing that with the merchant would complete the transaction.

It is to be noted that the Virtual ATM facility has a limit to the transaction amounts. For now, it enables consumers for a withdrawal of up to Rs 2,000 cash per transaction and a total of Rs 10,000 per month.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• SIDBI partners fintech platform KarmaLife for micro loans to gig workers
• Central Bank of India partners with Veefin Solutions to commence supply chain finance
• Ujjivan Small Finance Bank partners with Veefin Solutions for MSME growth
• Star Housing Finance partnered with Tata Capital Housing Finance to leverage domain of Star HFL in low ticket affordable housing finance space
• Airtel Payments Bank partners with Noise and Mastercard to unveil ‘A New Way To Pay

Exp. Union Bank raises 4200 cr from DIFC to fund overseas business growth

State-owned Union Bank of India has raised $500 million (about Rs 4,200 crore) from foreign markets to fund overseas business growth.

The fund was arranged by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Branch, Union Bank of India said in a regulatory filing.

A syndicated term loan of $ 500 million ($400 million and Green Shoe of $100 million) would be drawn in two tranches with tenure of 3 and 5 years.

This is the maiden syndicated term loan raised by Union Bank of India at an overseas centre.

Exp. Najmi Waziri appoints as head of committee to protect Delhi’s forests

The Delhi High Court has appointed its former judge, Justice Najmi Waziri as the head of the internal departmental committee tasked with protection of forests in the national capital.

This decision follows concerns about various government departments not fully cooperating with efforts to protect these vital natural resources.

On December 21, 2023, the high court had while observing that the “deemed and protected forest area needs to be protected” said that it is the “responsibility of this committee to do so”.

The high court had then directed that the “Internal Departmental Committee, as proposed, may be constituted and put into operation immediately”.

Recent Appointment

• CEO of Wipro – Srinivas Pallia (replace Thierry Delaporte)
• Chairman of National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Ltd – Meenesh Shah
• DG of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers – J S Sidana
• CMD of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. – Santosh Kumar Jha
• Chief Business Officer of Perfios – Sridhar Narayan

Exp. Indian Coast Guard inaugurates Aquatic Centre in Tamil Nadu

Indian Coast Guard’s DG Rakesh Pal has inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard Aquatic Centre at ICGS Mandapam, Tamil Nadu.

This is as part of his four-day visit to the maritime force’s bases in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.

The visit aimed to review operational preparedness and infrastructure development in the region, with a focus on ensuring safe, secure, and clean seas.

Exp. INS Sharda awarded “On The Spot Unit Citation” for anti-piracy ops

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has awarded an ‘On-the-spot Unit Citation’ to INS Sharda for successful conduct of anti-piracy operations at sea.

The ship was involved in the safe release of all 19 crew members (11 Iranian and 8 Pakistani) of Iranian fishing vessel “Omari” which was held hostage by pirates off the east coast of Somalia.

The ship was tasked to investigate the Iranian fishing vessel “Omari” that was likely hijacked by pirates.

Recent Awards

• American Surgical Association (ASA) Fellowship – Dr Raghu Ram
• 15th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards 2024 – SJVN Limited
• SKOCH ESG Award 2024 in Renewable Energy Financing Category – REC Limited
• International Culture Award 2024 – Meena Charanda
• Times Power Icon 2024 Award by The Times Group – Vijay Jain

Exp. New Zealand teams win men’s and women’s titles at the Hong Kong Sevens

New Zealand won the men’s and women’s titles at the Hong Kong Sevens to cap off a tournament that sets a scene for rugby at the Paris Olympics.

The All-Blacks Sevens scored the first two tries in a 10-7 win over France in the men’s final to successfully defend their title.

New Zealand’s 36-7 win over the United States lifted the women’s title.

For the New Zealand men, it was the 68th tournament title in the world series.

The Australian women won bronze with a late 24-21 win over France.

Exp. Sam Pitroda’s released his new book ‘The Idea of Democracy’

Sam Pitroda has launched ‘The Idea of Democracy’, expressed concern over democracy’s state in the US and India, highlighting 2024’s global elections.

He discussed political challenges worldwide, including authoritarian regimes and social media’s role in misinformation.

Highlighted cycle of elite regimes falling to public dissent, suggesting the current political-business elite facing rejection.

Recent Books

• From A Car Shed To The Corner Room & Beyond – S Raman
• The Man Who Lot India – sMeghna Pant
• Conspiracy to oust me from the Presidency – Gotabaya Rajapaksa
• The Gems of Indian Art – Harish Khullar
• Doing Business in Uncertain Times – Ramesh Nair

Exp. Mohammedan win maiden I-League title

Mohammedan Sporting won its first I-League title by defeating Shillong Lajong FC 2–1 at the SSA Stadium.

They have garnered 52 points from 23 matches.

Mohammedan Sporting Club is an Indian football clun based in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Currently, the club competes in I-League and Calcutta Football League.

Q.14. CRPF Valour Day is observed every year on which day?

सीआरपीएफ शौर्य दिवस हर साल किस दिन मनाया जाता है?

(a) 7 April

(b) 8 April

(c) 9 April

(d) 10 April

(e) 11 April

Exp. 9 April - CRPF Valour Day

Every year April 9 is celebrated as Bravery Day (Valour Day) to pay tribute to the brave soldiers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

This year, CRPF is celebrating its 59th Bravery Day.

In 1965, a group of Pakistani soldiers attacked some other Indian soldiers near the Rann of Kutch. The Indian soldiers were unaware of this sudden attack, as they did not know that the attack was going to happen.

During this attack, a CRPF officer named Bhavana Ram had saved a place called Sardar Post from infiltrators. in a fight.

This was the first time that a special group of police fought directly with Pakistani soldiers and they won. Six police officers died in this fight.

About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

• Headquarters- New Delhi
• Formation - 27 July 1939
• Motto- Service and Loyalty
• Director General- Anish Dayal Singh

Exp. 9 April – National Mature Women’s Day

National Mature Women’s Day is observed every year on 9 April.

It’s a special holiday for the special older women in our lives — a day to recognize mature and confident women.

This day is all about reminding women that they are special regardless of their advancing years.

It was celebrated since 2021.  

Exp. Cinematographer Gangu Ramsay passes away

Veteran filmmaker, producer and cinematographer Gangu Ramsay passed away at the age of 83.

Ramsay Brothers were known for making horror films in Hindi.

Gangu Ramsay’s illustrious career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian film industry. He lent his creative vision to over 50 films under the banner of Ramsay Brothers, including classics like “Veerana”, “Purana Mandir”, and “Bandh Darwaza”, “Do Gaz Zameen Ke Niche”, “Samri”, “Tehkhana”, “Purani Haveli”, and “Khoj” with Rishi Kapoor.