Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 29th & 30th April 2023

Correct Answer:  C. Dimasa National Liberation Army

Explanation:  A tribal insurgent group, Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) signed the tripartite agreement with the Centre and the state government of Assam to avoid the violence and join the mainstream. According to the MoU, the DNLA will lay down the arms and abide by the Constitution. It was decided to set up a Dimasa Welfare Council and grant a special financial package of Rs. 1,000 crores (Rs. 500 crores each by the Centre and Assam government). For the rehabilitation of the cadres and for political, cultural and economic welfare of the Dimasa residents living in Dima Hasao and outside.

Correct Answer:  D. United Kingdom

Explanation:  During the India-UK Science & Innovation Council meeting, chaired by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and attended by UK Minister George Freeman, it was announced that the two countries will collaborate to establish the India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre. Dr Singh highlighted India’s impressive technological and innovative capabilities, which have been recognized worldwide, and emphasized that India is on its way to becoming a major economic force under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Both leaders emphasized the need for strengthened Science & Technology cooperation between the two nations.

• During his opening statements at the meeting chaired by Co-Chair Minister Freeman, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised India’s determination to achieve its Climate Change and Environmental targets in a timely manner, as the nation is on the fast track move.
• He highlighted the close partnership between India and the UK, demonstrated through the ambitious ‘Roadmap 2030’, which covers health, science and technology, trade, education, defence, and climate.
• The Indian Minister also lauded the UK’s emergence as India’s second largest international research and innovation partner under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
• The two Ministers appreciated the proposal to establish an India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Center, which aims to unite stakeholders from both nations to work on key focus areas such as Green Hydrogen as a renewable source and Decarbonization of manufacturing processes and transport systems.
• Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that energy efficiency and renewable energy are integral pillars to India’s net zero journey, with initiatives such as the India Solar Alliance and Clean energy mission spearheading such efforts.
• He also underscored the need for further cooperation, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed optimism that the India-UK MoU would pave the way for long-term sustainable growth through expanding and maximizing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
• Finally, he shared that India’s commitment towards environmental goals involves consistent efforts towards developing mitigation and monitoring solutions for environmental pollution while pursuing pathways for reducing carbon emissions.

Correct Answer:  B. Maria Stepanova

Explanation:  Maria Stepanova, a powerful contemporary voice of Russian literature now living in exile in Berlin, has been awarded the prestigious Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding in 2023. She was honored in Leipzig for her volume of poetry “Mädchen ohne Kleider”(Girls Without Clothes). It is described as a sensitive and highly poetic study of often hidden violence against the female body and the power imbalance that drives this oppression. The Russian-Jewish author, whose novel In Memory of Memory explores Stalinism and the fall of the Soviet Union, was nominated for the Booker Prize in 2021, was honored in Leipzig on Tuesday for her volume of poetry, Girls Without Clothes. It is described as a sensitive and highly poetic study of often hidden violence against the female body and the power imbalance that drives this oppression.

Correct Answer:  C. India and United Kingdom

Explanation: The 7th edition of the joint military exercise “AJEYA WARRIOR-23” is currently underway at Salisbury Plains in the United Kingdom from 27 April to 11 May 2023. This biennial training event with the United Kingdom alternates between the United Kingdom and India, and the last edition was held in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand in October 2021.

• The exercise features soldiers from the 2 Royal Gorkha Rifles from the United Kingdom and soldiers from the BIHAR Regiment of the Indian Army. The Indian Army contingent arrived at Brize Norton on 26 April 2023 via an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft, bringing indigenous weapons and equipment.
• The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance positive military relations, learn from each other’s best practices, and promote the ability to operate together in undertaking company-level sub-conventional operations in urban and semi-urban environments under UN mandate.
• The exercise also aims to develop inter-operability, camaraderie, bonhomie, and friendship between the two armies.

The exercise is comprised of two components: a Command Post Exercise (CPX) at the Battalion level and a Company-level Field Training Exercise (FTX). Participants will engage in a variety of missions to test their operational skills in various simulated situations, showcasing and refining their tactical drills while learning from each other’s operational experiences. The exercise marks a significant milestone in defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the British Army and further fosters bilateral relations between the two nations.

Correct Answer:  C. Rs. 1,570 crore

Explanation:  In a significant move towards strengthening nursing workforce in the country, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved establishment of 157 new nursing colleges in co-location with the existing medical colleges established since 2014. The step will add approximately 15,700 nursing graduates every year. The total financial implication will be Rs.1,570 crore. The initiative aims to address the geographical and rural-urban imbalances in the healthcare sector, which have led to the skewed availability of nursing professionals and impacted healthcare services in underserved areas.

Correct Answer:  C. Silvassa

Explanation:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute’ in Silvassa town, located in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The institute has been developed under the Ministry of Health and is spread over a lush green campus of 14.48 acres built at a cost of ₹203 crore. Here are five things to know about this new medical college. The NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute has been built at a cost of ₹203 crore, and the foundation stone for the project was laid in January 2019. The institute is a significant addition to the healthcare infrastructure of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and is expected to improve the healthcare services in the region.

The campus of the NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute is spread over a sprawling 14.48-acre area in Silvassa. It features a medical college building, a 24×7 central library, residential quarters, hostels for students and interns, research labs, an anatomy museum, and a club house. The institute has an annual intake capacity of 177 medical students. The hospital associated with the institute is equipped with modern facilities such as blood bank facilities, Intensive Care facilities, modular operation theatre facilities, and 24X7 emergency and pharmacy services for all indoor and outdoor patients.

Correct Answer:  C. Raymond Limited

Explanation:  Hygiene and personal care major Godrej Consumer’s (GCPL) recent move to acquire two popular brands – Park Avenue consumer goods and Kamasutra – from Raymond Group comes at a time, when the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) market is abuzz with mergers and acquisitions. The deal – valued at Rs 2,825 crore – marks the century old Godrej’s Group’s foray into two of the rapidly growing categories – deodorant and sexual wellness. That, however, comes with its own set of challenges that GCPL may have to overcome to taste the fruits of success in the near term.

According to Sameer Shah, Chief Financial Officer, GCPL, the company has extensively studied the two categories and the brands before taking the leap. Shah told Business Today that both of these categories “offer a multi-decadal double-digit sales growth rate possibility. “While we currently do not operate in the deodorant market, we have significant experience in the segment. We have a pretty good understanding of the level of penetration, sales, and consumption patterns, among other aspects, on the two markets,” he said. While GCPL tried its luck in the deodorant market earlier with its brand Cinthol, it had to withdraw from the category a sometime ago.

Correct Answer:  C. State Bank of India

Explanation:  State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s biggest lender, has raised USD 750 million through bonds to fund offshore business growth. SBI has concluded the issue of USD 750 million senior unsecured fixed rate notes having a maturity of 5 years and coupon of 4.875 per cent payable semiannually under Regulation-S, SBI said in a filing. “The bonds will be issued through our London branch as of May 5, 2023 and shall be listed on Singapore Stock Exchange and India International Exchange, GIFT City,”.

The issuance received an overwhelming response and saw strong interest from investors across geographies with a final order book in excess of USD 2.9 billion across 181 accounts. On the back of strong demand, the order booked peaked at USD 5.4 billion, making room for the guidance to be revised from T+185 area to T+145. The successful issuance demonstrates the strong investor base SBI has created for itself in offshore capital markets, allowing it to efficiently raise funds from world’s leading fixed income investors, even during periods of heightened volatility. Earlier this month, the bank’s board had approved a proposal to raise USD 2 billion (about ₹16,000 crore) from bonds to fund its global operations.

Correct Answer:  C. Siddhartha Mohanty

Explanation:  The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the Department of Financial Services’ proposal to appoint Siddhartha Mohanty as the chairperson of India’s insurance behemoth up to June 29, 2024. After June 2024, Mohanty will continue to hold office as the chief executive officer and managing director up to 62 years of age until June 7, 2025. In March, Mohanty was appointed as the interim chairperson for three months after the completion of the term of Mangalam Ramasubramanian Kumar as chairperson on March 13, in addition to his duties as a managing director. Siddhartha Mohanty is also the first chief executive of the Life Insurance Corp of India (LIC) (LIFI.NS), the country’s biggest insurer.

Correct Answer:  C. 29th April

Explanation:  World Dance Day, which occurs every year on April 29th, is a yearly celebration of dance that aims to increase awareness about its importance in diverse cultures and societies worldwide. The event, also known as International Dance Day, honors the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet instructor recognized as the father of contemporary ballet, and encourages the promotion of this artistic expression.

Correct Answer:  D. Jammu and Kashmir

Explanation:  The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and Kishtwar Tourism Development Authority (KTDA) is organising a two-day Sinthan Snow Festival-2023 at Sinthan Maidan, Kishtwar on 29-30 April 2023. The snow festival is being organized in collaboration with the District Administration Kishtwar, the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL), and the Army. The 2 day Sinthan Snow Festival-2023 will host a variety of activities like Bike Rally, Paragliding, Snow Kayaking, Fun Snow activities, Local cultural performances, and much more. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the conduct of snow activities like skiing, sledging, snow kayaking, snow scooter, etc during the festival. Further, a trekking expedition shall be organized from Pathramorh to Sinthan Maidan jointly with the Forest Department. Besides, horse riding, treasure hunt game, volleyball, marathon, and tug of war will be the other attractions.

Correct Answer:  C. Amitav Ghosh

Explanation:  On July 15th, HarperCollins’ Fourth Estate will publish a book titled “Smoke and Ashes: A Writer’s Journey Through Opium’s Hidden Histories” by Amitav Ghosh. The book is a combination of a memoir, a travelogue, and a deep dive into the economic and cultural history of opium. Ghosh explains that the book is based on the vast amount of research he conducted while writing his trilogy of novels between 2005 and 2015. Overall, “Smoke and Ashes” explores the hidden and often overlooked aspects of opium’s impact on history and society.

Kolkata-born Ghosh grew up in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. His other acclaimed works include “The Shadow Lines”, “The Glass Palace”, “The Hungry Tide”, “Gun Island”, “The Great Derangement”, “The Nutmeg’s Curse”, “Jungle Nama” and “The Living Mountain”. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages. In 2019, he became the first English-language writer to receive India’s highest literary honour – the Jnanpith Award.

Correct Answer:  C. 30th April

Explanation:  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated April 30th as International Jazz Day to bring attention to jazz and its ability to unite people worldwide in a diplomatic manner. UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azoulay and renowned jazz pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock, who is also a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, are responsible for leading and overseeing International Jazz Day. The Institute, a non-profit organization, is tasked with organizing, promoting and executing this annual celebration.

Correct Answer:  B. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam

Explanation:  Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) has bagged Steel Ministry’s “Ispat Rajbhasha Samman” for the year 2021-22. The award was presented by the MoS for Steel and Rural Development Faggan Singh Kulaste to CMD, RINL Atul Bhatt, in the meeting of Hindi Salahkar Samiti held at Srinagar. During the ceremony, the minister also released RINL’s March issue of Hindi In-house Magazine “Rashtriya Ispat Sugandh”. The members of Hindi Salahkar Samiti appreciated various activities being undertaken by RINL.