Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 7th April 2023

Correct Answer:  D. West Champaran

Explanation:  The Mircha rice variety from West Champaran district of Bihar has recently been granted the GI tag. The grains of this rice are similar in size and shape to black pepper, which is why it is called Mircha or Marcha rice. The rice has a distinct aroma, and its grains and flakes are known for their palatability. The rice is also famous for its ability to produce aromatic chura (rice flakes). When cooked, the rice is fluffy, non-sticky, and sweet with a pleasant aroma resembling that of popcorn.

The application for the GI tag was submitted by the Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh, a registered organization of paddy cultivators. Other agriculture and horticulture products from Bihar that have received GI tags include Zardalu mango, Katarni rice of Bhagalpur, Shahi litchi of Muzaffarpur, Magahi paan of Magadh region, and Makhana of Mithila.

Correct Answer:  D. Amazon

Explanation:  The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Amazon India have signed a collaboration agreement to boost India’s creative economy. Amazon Prime Video will sponsor scholarships, create internship programs, and offer job opportunities for students of the Film and Television Institute of India and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Award-winning films and films produced as part of India’s international co-production treaties will be onboarded by Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video and MiniTV will also onboard the rich archival content owned by Prasar Bharati and National Film Development Corporation.

Correct Answer:  A. Punjab

Explanation:  The Punjab government has launched the ‘CM di Yogshala’ program and portal in Punjab. To create a mass movement to carve out a healthy and prosperous Punjab. The initiative was initially launched for four cities of the state: Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Phagwara. The formation of these Yogshalas will be under a pilot project.  Trained Yoga instructors will impart free Yoga training to people in open parks and other public places.

Correct Answer:  C. Sudha Shivakumar

Explanation:  Sudha Shivakumar has been appointed as the 40th National President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organization (FLO), a women-led and women-focused business chamber from South East Asia. She is an investment banker and lawyer and his appointment was announced on 3 April. As National President, Shivakumar’s main focus will be on empowering women by creating an enabling environment that promotes entrepreneurship, industry participation and economic growth of women.

FLO is the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), a non-profit organisation established in 1927 to promote trade and commerce in India. Its mission is to empower women through entrepreneurship, leadership and economic independence. FLO organises workshops, seminars, conferences and networking events to promote women’s entrepreneurship and leadership. It has branches across India and partners internationally with women’s organisations. FLO has partnered with governmental and non-governmental organisations to support women entrepreneurs and promote their businesses.

Correct Answer:  B. Sanjita Chanu

Explanation:  Sanjita Chanu, a weightlifter from India who has won the Commonwealth Games twice, has been banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) of India after she tested positive for banned drugs. The testing took place during the National Games held in Gujarat in September-October 2022, and the results showed the presence of drostanolone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Drostanolone is mainly prescribed to treat advanced inoperable breast cancer in women, but it is commonly abused by athletes as a performance-enhancing drug. The primary medical purpose of drostanolone is to treat advanced inoperable breast cancer in women. Nevertheless, athletes often misuse the steroid as a performance-enhancing drug. Following her positive test for drostanolone, Sanjita Chanu was temporarily suspended by NADA from the date of her sample collection, and her four-year suspension has now been formally declared. Consequently, Chanu will be stripped of her silver medal from the National Games as well.

Correct Answer:  C. Iran

Explanation:  Iran had appointed an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time since 2016.  Iran has appointed Reza Ameri as its first ambassador to the United Arab Emirates after eight years of political strife. Ameri previously held the position of director general of the Iranian expatriate office at Iran’s Foreign Ministry. His prior diplomatic posts included serving as Iran’s ambassador to Algeria, Sudan and Eritrea. The move comes after the UAE in August upgraded ties with Iran and announced the return of its ambassador to Tehran.  UAE had downgraded ties with Iran in 2016 after Saudi Arabia broke ties with the latter.

Correct Answer:  C. 9th

Explanation:  Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) ranks ninth in the list of top ten busiest airports in the world, according to data from the Airports Council International (ACI). For the first time, an Indian airport has made it to the list of top ten airports in terms of traffic. As per ACI report, Delhi airport is expected to handle more than 5.94 crore passengers in 2022. As a result of this achievement, IGIA has jumped from 17th position in pre-Covid 2019 to 9th position, according to ACI data. In terms of traffic, five of the top ten airports are from the US. Apart from India, Dubai is the only other airport in Asia in the list. No Chinese airport made it to the list considering the travel restrictions due to the Covid situation in the country. Mumbai is India’s second busiest airport.

Top 10 busiest airports in the world in 2022

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (93.7 million passengers)
2. Dallas Fort Worth Airport (73.4 million passengers)
3. Denver Airport (69.3 million passengers)
4. Chicago O’Hare Airport (68.3 million passengers)
5. Dubai Airport (66.1 million passengers)
6. Los Angeles Airport
7. Istanbul Airport (64.3 million passengers)
8. Heathrow Airport in London
9. IGI Airport in Delhi
10. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Correct Answer:  C. 7th April

Explanation:  Every year on April 7th, the World Health Day is celebrated to bring global attention to a specific health issue that impacts people worldwide. This day is also significant as it coincides with the founding day of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948. This year marks the 75th anniversary of WHO. Each year, the WHO chooses a theme for the World Health Day, and various activities and events are organized to promote awareness of the issue. The aim is to encourage governments, organizations, and individuals to take action to improve global health and well-being.

The World Health Day 2023 has adopted the theme “Health For All” with the objective of reflecting on the accomplishments of public health in enhancing people’s quality of life over the past seven decades. The theme emphasizes the need for the world to take necessary measures to address current and future health challenges. According to the World Health Organisation, the theme urges the world to take action towards addressing the existing health issues.

Correct Answer:  B. DBS Bank

Explanation:  DBS Bank India has introduced a new investment solution called ‘digiPortfolio,’ which is now available on the bank’s digibank platform. The platform uses technology and human expertise to curate a set of investment options customized by Morningstar, which aligns with the risk preferences of different investors. The platform provides an easy-to-use, one-stop solution for investors to put money into ready-made baskets of mutual funds. DBS Bank India is among the first banks in India to offer this digital solution, aiming to redefine the customer experience by using advanced technologies like data and AI.

The digiPortfolio platform is run by Quantifeed, making it automated and easy to use. It includes different types of investment options such as domestic equity, debt, and money market instruments, ensuring that there are diverse portfolios to cater to different investor risk profiles. The investment options on the platform are chosen and made up of mutual funds that have been carefully selected by Morningstar, which has over 37 years of industry research experience. The portfolios are regularly adjusted to ensure they remain strong even in volatile markets and offer the best possible returns.

Correct Answer:  C. Peru

Explanation:  FIFA announced that it had withdrawn Peru’s hosting rights to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023™. The decision was made following extensive discussions between FIFA and the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF). The reasons for the withdrawal of Peru’s hosting rights were not immediately clear, but FIFA officials cited concerns over the country’s ability to meet the requirements for hosting such a major tournament. The decision was a major blow to Peru, which had been preparing for the event for several years. The country had been investing heavily in the development of its football infrastructure, including the construction of new stadiums and the refurbishment of existing ones.

Correct Answer:  B. Assam

Explanation:  The Gaj Utsav-2023 was inaugurated at the Kaziranga National Park (Assam) by the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu. During her speech, she highlighted the significant bond between nature and humanity, which is regarded as sacred. India has always identified itself with a culture of respecting nature. Our country has a unique connection between nature and culture, where both have been intertwined and nourishing each other. Elephants have been held in high esteem in our tradition, and are considered a symbol of prosperity. As the National Heritage Animal of India, safeguarding elephants is an essential element of our national duty to conserve our national heritage.

• The Gaj Utsav 2023 is a significant event in India that commemorates the 30th anniversary of Project Elephant, a flagship conservation initiative launched by the Indian government in 1992.
• The event aims to promote awareness about the conservation of elephants and their habitats, reduce human-elephant conflicts, and ensure the welfare of captive elephants.
• The event is being celebrated at the Kaziranga National Park, which is known for its high population of Asian elephants.
• The two-day event includes various activities such as cultural programs, elephant processions, exhibitions, and seminars.
• These activities are designed to engage the public and raise awareness about the importance of elephant conservation.
• The event also highlights the challenges faced by elephants in India due to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and human-elephant conflicts.
• Through the Gaj Utsav 2023, the Indian government aims to work towards mitigating these challenges and ensuring a better future for elephants in India.

Correct Answer:  B. 6.19 million

Explanation:  The tourism industry has shown good signs of revival after Covid-19 pandemic. According to latest data released by the Bureau of Immigration, India received 6.19 million foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compared to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021.  There were 10.93 million FTAs in India during pre-pandemic year 2019. In 2022, the FTA was 6.19 million. This is 56 per cent of pre-Covid levels.

The foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) have risen to ₹1.34 lakh crore from ₹65,000 crore the previous year, compared to 2021, this was a 106 per cent hike. However, it is yet to reach pre covid levels of ₹2.11-lakh crore. The Indian travel industry was amongst the worst affected sectors during Covid. The government has now launched the Dekho Apna Desh initiative with the objective of creating awareness among the citizens about the rich heritage and culture of the country and encourage citizens to travel within the country.

Correct Answer:  C. Nitya Abraham

Explanation:  An Indian-American physician and professor Dr. Nitya Abraham has been honoured with the Young Urologist of the Year Award conferred by the American Urological Association (AUA). Dr. Abraham is an Associate Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Program Director for the Montefiore Urology residency programme. She is among the honorees of the 2023 Young Urologist of the Year Award. Abraham is among members selected by their colleagues who serve on the Young Urologists Committee and endorsed by their respective Section/Society to receive the special honour for 2023.

Correct Answer:  C. Argentina

Explanation:  The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) released the latest rankings of international football teams and Argentina topped the FIFA rankings for the first time in six years. The top five teams in the FIFA rankings as of April 2023 are Argentina, France, Brazil, Belgium and England. The next FIFA World Rankings will be published on 20 July 2023. FIFA is the governing body for association football, beach soccer and futsal at the international level. It was established in 1904 to oversee international competition between the national federations of several European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

FIFA is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and is responsible for organising major international tournaments such as the World Cup, the Women’s World Cup and the Club World Cup. The organisation also maintains the Laws of the Game, which are the rules governing how football is played around the world. FIFA has 211 member associations, making it one of the largest international organisations in the world. The current President of FIFA is Gianni Infantino, who was elected to the position in 2016. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Argentina continues to hold the top spot as the world champions, followed by France, Brazil, Belgium, England, Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, and Spain in the top 10 positions. Japan holds the highest rank among the Asian countries.