Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 31 2024

Ans (B)

The 2nd Meeting of the Joint Russian-Indian Commission on Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management was held in Moscow on 28 August 2024.

The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanad Rai.

The Russian delegation was led by Kurenkov Aleksandr Vyacheslavovic, the Russian Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies, and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters.

Both countries agreed to continue exchanging best practices in Disaster Management and cooperating in emergency management during 2025-26.

The first meeting of the Indo-Russian Joint Commission on Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management was held in New Delhi in 2016.

Ans (A)

Shannon Gabriel, a tall West Indian fast bowler, has announced his retirement from international cricket but will continue to play domestic cricket and T20 franchise leagues.

Gabriel started his international career in 2012 and played 59 Tests, 25 ODIs, and two T20 Internationals, taking a total of 202 wickets.

He was more successful in Test matches and became a regular member of the West Indies team in 2017.

Gabriel was banned for four ODIs in 2019 after making a homophobic remark against English player Joe Root.

His last international appearance was in a Test match against India in July 2023.

In domestic cricket, Shannon Gabriel plays for Trinidad and Tobago.

Ans (D)

CS Setty became the 27th Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI) on 28 August 2024, succeeding Dinesh Khara.

Dinesh Khara retired after reaching the maximum age limit of 63, following his appointment as SBI Chairman in October 2020.

John Matthai was the first chairman of SBI, appointed in 1955 after the nationalisation of the Imperial Bank of India, which was renamed the State Bank of India.

The Chairman of SBI is appointed by the government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as per the State Bank of India Act 1955.

In practice, the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) under the Union Ministry of Finance conducts interviews for the post of Chairman and recommends candidates to the government of India.

Ans (D)

National Sports Day, observed annually on 29 August since 2012, honors Major Dhyan Chand, known as the ‘Wizard of Hockey.’

Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

He was instrumental in securing India gold medals in the 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles, and 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics.

Dhyan Chand ruled the world of hockey from 1928 until his retirement in 1948, earning the nicknames ‘Hockey Wizard’ and ‘The Magician.’

He retired as a Major in the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army in 1956 and passed away in 1979 at the age of 74.

Major Dhyan Chand was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, in 1956.

Ans (B)

India handed over the first payment for hybrid power projects on three Sri Lankan islands.

The projects are funded by an $11 million Indian grant.

The hybrid power projects are aimed at addressing energy needs in Delft, Nainativu, and Analaitivu islands.

These projects will replace a previously suspended Chinese venture.

The projects are expected to be completed by April 2025.

The islands are not connected to Sri Lanka’s national grid and are located near Tamil Nadu.

Ans (C)

Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair, NM, assumed command of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, succeeding Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty.

Vice Admiral Nair is a Surface Warfare specialist in Communications and Electronic Warfare.

He was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1991.

Before this appointment, Nair was the Commander of the Western Fleet.

He also served as the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy and Plans).

Ans (B)

NTPC Kanti received the Silver Medal for CSR innovation at the Tusker Awards.

The award was presented by Kerala’s Tourism Minister, PA Mohammed Riyas, to Chandra Prakash.

NTPC Kanti was recognized for its impactful CSR initiatives.

The CSR initiatives included areas such as skill development, youth employment, women empowerment, health, infrastructure, and education.

The Silver Medal was awarded by the Indo-Continental Trade and Entrepreneurship Promotion Council.

Ans (A)

Bangladesh won the SAFF U-20 Championship by defeating Nepal 4-1 in the final.

The competition started on August 18, 2024.

Teams participating in the championship included Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, and Bhutan.

India previously won the SAFF U-20 Championship in 2019, 2022, and 2023.

The SAFF U-20 Championship is a biennial event organized by the South Asian Football Federation.

Ans (C)

The Union Cabinet approved Rs 4,136 crore in equity support to northeastern states.

This funding is for developing 15,000 MW of hydropower capacity over the next eight years.

The Ministry of Power will provide this financial assistance for Joint Venture projects between state entities and Central Public Sector Undertakings.

The scheme is part of India’s goal to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

Ans (A)

The Indian government appointed interim chairmen for Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).

Satish Kumar Vaduguri, IOC’s Director (Marketing), is the new interim chairman of IOC, replacing Shrikant Madhav Vaidya.

Rajneesh Narang, HPCL’s Director (Finance), has been appointed as interim chairman and managing director of HPCL, replacing Pushp Kumar Joshi.