Daily Current Affairs Quiz: June 29, 2023

Solution: option d.)

In recognition of the notable contributions made by Professor (late) Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics and economic planning, the Government of India has designated 29th June every year, coinciding with his birth anniversary, as “Statistics Day” in the category of Special Days to be celebrated at the national level.
The objective of this Day is to create public awareness, especially in the younger generation for drawing inspiration from Professor (late) Mahalanobis about the role and importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation.
Theme: Alignment of State Indicator Framework with National Indicator Framework for Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals

Solution: option a.)

Hockey India appoints Tushar Khandker as India women’s junior team coach, as it prepares for the FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2023, which will be held in Santiago, Chile, from 29th November to 10th December.
Khandkar will join the Junior Women’s Core Probable Group at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru.
He was also part of the Indian coaching staff at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Solution: option b.)

The World Bank has approved a loan worth USD 300 million to help expand and improve the quality of education in government-run schools in Chhattisgarh.

The loan has a maturity of 18.5 years with a grace period of 5 years.

In a World Bank press release on Tuesday, the global financial institution said the project aims to benefit about four million students, mostly from poor and vulnerable communities in the state.

Chhattisgarh CM: Bhupesh Baghel
Chhattisgarh Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan.
Chhattisgarh Capital: Raipur
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries to pursue capital projects.
World Bank President: Ajay Banga
ESTD: 1944

Solution: option d.)

Infosys a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that it has signed a strategic collaboration with Danske Bank, a leading Nordic Bank, to accelerate the bank’s digital transformation initiatives with speed and scale.
This collaboration will help Danske Bank achieve its strategic priorities towards better customer experiences, operational excellence, and a modernised technology landscape, powered by next-gen solutions.
Headquartered in Denmark, Danske Bank provides banking services to personal and business customers, as well as large corporate and institutional customers.

Solution: option a.)

Indian woman cricketer Jhulan Goswami has joined England women’s team captain Heather Knight and Eoin Morgan to become a member of the MCC World Cricket Committee (WCC).
This committee is an independent body that consists of current and former international cricketers, umpires, and officials from various countries. Jhulan Goswami retired from international cricket in 2022.

MCC World Cricket Committee
i. It is an independent body of current and former international cricketers, umpires, and officials from across the world.
ii. The committee, funded entirely by the MCC, conducts research, particularly into technological advances and the biomechanical elements of the game.

Solution: option a.)

The seven products of Uttar Pradesh have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai. Seven products are Amroha Dholak, Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip, Mainpuri Tarkashi, Sambhal Horn Craft, Baghpat Home Furnishings, Barabanki Handloom Product, and Kalpi Handmade Paper.
The Amroha Dholak is a musical instrument made of natural wood. Mango, jackfruit, and teakwood are preferred for making the dholak. The Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip is a stone craft.
It is a very unique and soft stone with a scientific name, the ‘Pyro Flight Stone’.
The registration of a geographical indication is valid for 10 years.

Solution: option c.)

The 8th edition of the world’s largest urban Swachhata survey, Swachh Survekshan 2023 – Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan has been started. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the Field Assessment for Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2023.
Swachh Survekshan 2023 indicators focus on parameters about segregated door-to-door waste collection, zero waste events, Divyang-friendly toilets, improved plastic waste management, and cleaning back lanes.

Solution: option b.)

In a significant step towards embracing sustainable transportation, India is poised to launch its first-ever hydrogen-powered train.
Hydrogen trains, which rely on fuel cells to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, offer a clean and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel trains.

The first hydrogen fuel-powered train in India is scheduled to operate along the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.
This strategic choice for the inaugural route highlights the commitment of Indian authorities to transform regional transport networks with sustainable alternatives.

Haryana CM: Manohar Lal Khattar
Haryana Capital: Chandigarh

Solution: option a.)

India is known for its rich cultural heritage with each Indian state having its distinct traditions and festivals. One such fascinating festival is Kharchi Puja, which is celebrated in the Northeastern state of Tripura.

Also called the ‘Festival of 14 Gods’, Kharchi Puja is observed on the eighth day of the new moon in July or August every year. This year, the auspicious festival began on June 26 and will go on till July 2.

The festival is centred around the worship of Chaturdasa Devata, the ancestral deity of the Tripuri people.

Tripura Capital: Agartala
Tripura Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya
Tripura CM: Manik Saha

Solution: option b.)

The Himachal Power Sector Development Program is set to receive a substantial boost with a USD 200 million loan (equivalent to approximately Rs 1,600 crore) from the World Bank, as announced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday, June 28.
This financial support aims to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources in the state.
Alongside the state’s equity, the programme’s total outlay will amount to Rs 2,000 crore.

Himachal Pradesh Capital: Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Governor: Shiv Pratap Shukla

The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries to pursue capital projects.
World Bank President: Ajay Banga
ESTD: 1944

Solution: option c.)
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) is organizing a special event called ‘Divya Kala Mela’ from June 29, 2023, to July 5, 2023, at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
This event aims to showcase the products and craftsmanship of entrepreneurs and artisans with disabilities from across the country. The ‘Divya Kala Mela’ will offer visitors an exciting and vibrant experience with a wide range of products from different parts of the country.
These products will include handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery works, packaged food, and more.

Rajasthan Capital: Jaipur
Rajasthan CM: Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan Governor: Kalraj Mishra

Solution: option d.)

New York City will now add Diwali, the festival of lights, to the list of its public school holidays. This addition comes from the city administration’s recognition of the growth of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities.
However, Diwali, which is celebrated around October-November, depending on the lunar calendar, will not be a public school holiday this year as the calendar has already been made. Diwali will be celebrated on a Sunday, November 12, this year.

USA Capital: Washington DC
USA President: Joe Bidden

Solution: option a.)

In a remarkable feat, IIT Bombay attained a rank among the top 150 universities in the latest edition of QS World University Ranking.

The big point: IIT Bombay’s ranking at 149 marks the first time in eight years that an Indian university has made it to the top 150 list. The public technological institute moved up 23 positions from its position of 172 last year. Before this, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore had secured the 147th rank in 2016.

Ranks of other major Indian institutes: IIT Delhi ranked 174 in the 2023 QS rankings, rising from 197 last year, while IISc was at the 155th position. The University of Delhi was ranked 407.

Solution: option c.)

The city of Ahmedabad is all set to host the Urban20 (U20) Mayoral Summit on 7-8 July 2023. This Mayoral Summit is expected to bring together several city leaders and Mayors from across G20 nations.
The summit will also be attended by delegates representing various cities, knowledge partners, Indian and international organizations, academic institutes and dignitaries from the Government of India and the State Government.

U20 is an Engagement Group under India’s G20 presidency. It is a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries, emphasizing the role of cities in taking forward the global agenda for sustainable development through collaboration among cities.
Ahmedabad is the U20 Chair for the current sixth cycle and is supported by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) as the Technical Secretariat, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) as the nodal ministry.

Solution: option b.)

The Government of India is organizing an International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2023) during 5th – 7th July 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to bring together the global scientific and industrial community to discuss recent advances and emerging technologies in the entire green hydrogen value chain.
The conference will enable the sector stakeholders to explore the evolving green hydrogen landscape and innovation-driven solutions in the sector.

The conference is being organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.