Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 22nd February 2023

Correct Answer:  C. INS Sumedha

Explanation:  INS Sumedha participated in IDEX and NAVDEX 23 exercises in Abu Dhabi. Indian Naval Ship Sumedha has participated in NAVDEX 23 (Naval Defense Exhibition) and IDEX 23 (International Defense Exhibition) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The exercise will be held from 20 to 24 February 2023. INS Sumedha is the third ship of the indigenously built Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 7 March 2014. Indigenously built at Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sumedha is equipped with an impressive array of weapons and sensors. It can carry a helicopter and can be operational for a long time. INS Sumedha is a highly potent warship, which can be deployed for various operational missions.

• Its excellent capability reflects the capabilities of the Indian naval shipbuilding industry.
• The defence ties between the two countries were elevated to the level of ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ during the visit of Sheikh Mohamed, the current President of UAE, as the chief guest on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations in January 2017.
• The inaugural edition of the bilateral Exercise Zayed Talwar between the Indian Navy and the UAE Navy was also conducted in March 2018 with an aim to enhance interoperability between the two navies.

Correct Answer:  C. Jaadui Pitara

Explanation:  Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan launched a Learning-Teaching Material named Jaadui Pitara. It was launched for the Foundational Stages of children. It is a unique initiative of the government that will help students of foundational stages to learn in a play-way method with ease. The Jaadui Pitara consists of playbooks, activity books, flashcards, posters depicting various stories, games, puzzles, puppets, and many more items.

Correct Answer:  B. Garha Co-operative Bank

Explanation:  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) due to insufficient capital and earning potential revoked the licence of Madhya Pradesh’s Garha Co-operative Bank, Guna. According to a statement from the RBI, approximately 98.4% of the depositors of the cooperative bank are eligible to receive the full value of their savings from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

• The bank is immediately forbidden from carrying out a number of activities, including accepting deposits and repaying deposits, as a result of the termination of its licence.
• The bank lacks sufficient capital and earning potential, according to the RBI, which revoked the licence with effect as of Monday’s end of business hours.
• Furthermore, it stated that given its current financial situation, Garha Co-operative Bank would be unable to fully reimburse its depositors.

Every depositor would be entitled to receive the deposit insurance claim amount of his or her deposits from DICGC upon liquidation, up to a maximum financial limit of Rs 5,00,000. DICGC has already paid out Rs 12.37 crore of the total protected deposits as of December 19, 2022, depending on the consent given by the relevant bank depositors.

Correct Answer:  B. Rajasthan

Explanation:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the initiative of ‘Suposhit Maa’ by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla. Responding to a tweet by the Lok Sabha speaker, the Prime Minister said that this is an inspiring initiative of Mr. Birla. He said, In it lies the health of the mother and child as well as the prosperity of the whole family, and it is the foundation stone of a strong society. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla inaugurated Suposhit Maa Abhiyan in Ramganjmandi area of Kota. The goal of this initiative to keep every mother and child healthy.

Correct Answer:  C. Singapore

Explanation:  India and Singapore on 21 February launched a joint digital payment mechanism to enable residents of both countries to make easier and faster cross-border transactions. The facility was jointly launched by Shaktikanta Das, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Ravi Menon, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Singapore’s PayNow have entered into an agreement in this regard to facilitate these transactions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong participated in the virtual launch of Real Time Payment Linkage. This will add a new chapter in fintech connectivity. Now people can make cost effective and fast money transfers from their mobile phones. This real-time payment system will help the Indian diaspora in Singapore, especially migrant workers and students.

Correct Answer:  C. India

Explanation:  India will host the Permanent Mission Roundtables at United Nation Headquarter as Chair of G- 20 and ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Summit this year to be held in New York. During the event, the focus will be on India’s growth story and achievements and how these might be scaled for the potential benefit of the global South. On the 23rd of this month, a roundtable titled ‘Gandhian Trusteeship: A panel discussion on Sustainable Lifestyles and Enduring Pace’ will be held.

Correct Answer:  D. Vikramaditya Singh Khichi

Explanation:  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shri Vikramaditya Singh Khichi as a member in the Advisory Committee of M/s Reliance Capital Ltd. Consequent upon the resignation of Shri Srinivasan Varadarajan from the Advisory Committee with effect from February 17, 2023, it has been decided to appoint Shri Vikramaditya Singh Khichi as a member of the Advisory Committee with immediate effect.

The Advisory Committee shall advise the Administrator in the operations of Reliance Capital Ltd. Reserve Bank of India, vide its press release dated December 07, 2021, had constituted an Advisory Committee under Rule 5 (c) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Insolvency and Liquidation Proceedings of Financial Service Providers and Application to Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2019, to advise the Administrator in the operations of the financial service providers during the corporate insolvency resolution process.

Correct Answer:  C. BVR Subrahmanyam

Explanation:  Former IAS officer BVR Subrahmanyam was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Niti Aayog. The former Commerce Secretary takes over from Parameswaran lyer, who has been named as the Executive Director of World Bank. Subrahmanyam will take over from current CEO Parameswaran Iyer who will join World Bank as executive director in Washington DC. Subrahmanyam’s appointment as NITI Aayog CEO was announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Mr. Subrahmanyam’s appointment is for two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post.

• Subrahmanyam, a 1987 batch IAS of Chhattisgarh cadre, retired as commerce secretary in September 2022. During his year-long stint at the department of commerce, Subrahmanyam played a key role in strategising the road map to a record $422 billion merchandise exports, as the economy struggled to get out of the post-Covid slump last year.
• He also steered at least half a dozen free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. During his tenure in the commerce department, India signed two trade deals — with the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Considered an internal security expert, Subrahmanyam had held the post of chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir earlier.

Correct Answer:  C. Pattipulam, Tamil Nadu

Explanation:  India’s first hybrid rocket by private players has been launched from Pattipulam, Tamil Nadu. It has been launched in the presence of Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission- 2023 has been launched by Martin Foundation in association with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India. 5,000 students were involved in the project. The selected students designed and constructed a student satellite launch vehicle (rocket).

The student team included 200 from the fishermen’s community in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The students have learnt not about satellite technology but also learnt about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The reusable rocket made by selected 100 students can be used for research in weather, atmospheric conditions and radiation. A hybrid-propellant rocket is a rocket with a rocket motor. It uses rocket propellants in two different phases: one solid and the other either gas or liquid.

Correct Answer:  B. 10m Air Rifle Mixed team

Explanation:  India has won two gold medals in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed team and 10m Air Pistol Mixed team at the ongoing ISSF Shooting World Cup, Cairo in Egypt. Indian 10m Air Rifle Mixed team of Narmada Nithin Raju and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil defeated Hungary’s Eszter Denes and Istvan Peni by 16-6 to bag the top spot on the podium. While the 10m Air Pistol Mixed team of Rhythm Sangwan and Varun Tomar won gold.

Correct Answer:  B. Philips

Explanation:  Philips Domestic Appliances has announced the change of its company name to Versuni. The new name ‘Versuni’ is the next step after the Domestic Appliances business became independent in September 2021. Although the visual identity of the company is changing, its mission to turn houses into homes remains constant. As a licensee of Royal Philips, the company will continue to use the Philips consumer brand, as well as Saeco, Gaggia, and Philips Walita, on its products and services. Consumers can also continue to use products from its other brands: Preethi, L’OR Barista, and Senseo.

• Versuni, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, is active in more than 100 countries and has a global innovation, manufacturing, and commercial footprint.
• With more than 900 patents on its name, the company’s portfolio spans kitchen appliances, coffee, climate care, garment, and floor care.
• The company has launched a wealth of successful household products that meet the changing needs of the consumer and deliver best-in-class innovation.
• These include the Philips PerfectCare Elite Steam Generator which has enabled consumers to iron at twice the speed, the Philips Air Purifier to breath cleaner air at home, the Philips SpeedPro Max Vacuum Cleaner which incorporates revolutionary wet and dry cleaning, and the Philips Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with LatteGo, the Saeco Xelsis Suprema and L’Or Barista and Senseo to enjoy different types of coffee every day.
• As Philips Domestic Appliances, the company also brought the Airfryer category to market and successfully rolled-out innovations such as the Philips Air Cooker 7000 Series, delivering great taste and nutrition via a connected app, and the Philips AquaTrio Cordless Wet & Dry Vacuum 9000 Series that cleans any floor type and mops your hard floors as it vacuums.

Correct Answer:  C. Ranbir Kapoor

Explanation:  The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the country’s highest award in the field of cinema. The 2023 winners were revealed by the Directorate of Film Festivals. Mumbai will host the 2023 Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival ceremony. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor won the Best Actor and Best Actress awards at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards. Here is the complete list of winners-

• Best Film- The Kashmir Files
• Film of The Year- RRR
• Best Actor- Ranbir Kapoor (Brahmastra Part One: Shiva)
• Best Actress- Alia Bhatt (Gangubhai Khatiawadi)
• Critics Best Actor- Varun Dhawan (Bhediya)
• Critics Best Actress- Vidya Balan (Jalsa)
• Best Director- R Balki (Chup)
• Best Cinematographer- PS Vinod (Vikram Vedha)
• Most Promising Actor- Rishab Shetty (Kantara)
• Best Actor In A Supporting Role- Manish Paul (Jugjugg Jeeyo)
• Best Playback Singer (Male)- Sachet Tandon (Maiyya Mainu – Jersey)
• Best Playback Singer (Female) – Neeti Mohan (Meri Jaan – Gangubhai Khatiawadi)
• Best Web Series- Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness (Hindi)
• Most Versatile Actor- Anupam Kher (The Kashmir Files)
• Television Series Of The Year- Anupamaa
• Best Actor In A Television Series- Zain Imam for Fanaa (Ishq Mein Marjawaan)
• Best Actress In A Television Series- Tejasswi Prakash (Naagin)
• Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2023 for Outstanding Contribution In The Film Industry- Rekha
• Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2023 for Outstanding Contribution In The Music Industry- Harih

Correct Answer:  C. 22nd February

Explanation:  Every year on February 22, the World Organization of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) observes World Thinking Day. The goal of the day is to collect money for the 10 million girl scouts and guides who are active in more than 150 countries while also celebrating sisterhood, solidarity, and women’s empowerment. On World Thinking Day, female scouts are also encouraged to build enduring bonds with one another that prioritise loyalty and respect. ‘Our World, Our Peaceful Future’, the theme for World Thinking Day 2023, explores what one can understand from the ecosystem and how we can cooperate with nature to build a more secure and tranquil future for girls worldwide.

Correct Answer:  C. Ruchira Kamboj

Explanation:  Ruchira Kamboj, India’s permanent representative to the UN, has been chosen to serve as the commission’s chair during the 62nd session. At the opening session of the 62nd session of the UN Commission for Social Development this week in New York, Kamboj was chosen as chair by acclamation. Also, it chose Thomas Lammar of Luxembourg, Jon Ivanovski of North Macedonia, and Carla Mara Carlson of the Dominican Republic to serve as the 62nd session’s vice chairs. Ruchira Kamboj is an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1987 batch, who currently serves as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations since August 2022.

• On the final day of its 61st session, the Commission for Social Development forwarded four draught resolutions to the UN Economic and Social Council for consideration.
• One of the proposed resolutions centred on achieving full employment and decent work for everybody to reduce inequality and hasten the COVID-19 pandemic’s recovery was adopted by consensus.
• The UN Economic and Social Council would decide that the priority theme for the 62nd session of the Commission will be “Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” and the Commission approved this text during its final meeting of the 62nd session.