Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 11 2024

Ans (C)
Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami was honored with the Arjuna Award by the President of India Draupadi Murmu.
Arjuna Award is the second biggest sports award in the country after Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
This time this award has been given to 26 players from different sports.
This time, two legendary badminton players Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy were honored with the country’s biggest sports honour, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961 by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievements in national sports events.
It is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and a sense of discipline.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a bronze statue of Arjuna, and a scroll of honor.

Ans (A)
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned from her post.
French President Emmanuel Macron has not yet announced the name of the new Prime Minister.
Elizabeth Bourne, at the age of 62, became only the second woman to become Prime Minister.
Possible candidates to replace Born include 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal and 37-year-old Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
She has served as prime minister since 16 May 2022.

Ans (D)
Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated a two-day regional conference on “e-Governance” in Guwahati.
is organizing a two-day conference on January 9-10, 2024, involving eight North-Eastern states and four states of the Eastern region, in collaboration with the Government of Assam.
This is the 26th regional conference organized by DARPG during 2014-2024.

Ans (D)
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh launched the “College Phagthansi Mission” while laying the foundation stone and inaugurating various development projects in the Bishnupur district.
The Chief Minister launched the “College Phagathansi Mission” to improve government colleges in the state at a function held at Moirang College.
The Chief Minister said that a total of 24 colleges have been taken under the mission and facilities will be developed in each college at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore.

Ans (C)
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year on 9 January.
Various types of conferences are organized on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the return of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi to India.
Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa on 9 January 1915.
This day was celebrated for the first time in 2003.
The thematic focus of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is chosen to align with the current priorities and concerns of the Indian diaspora.
In 2021, the theme centered around “Contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” while 2023’s theme was “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.”

Ans (B)
Recently, Chandubi Festival was organized on the banks of Chandubi Lake in the state of Assam.
This festival is organized every year for five days from the first day of the New Year on the banks of Chandubi Lake.
The main objective of Chandubi Mahotsav is to promote eco-tourism in this biodiversity hotspot of Assam.
The major festivals celebrated in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Ali-Ai-Ligang, Baikho, Rongker, Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela and Jonbill Mela and so on.

Ans (D)
India will chair and host UNESCO’s ‘World Heritage Committee’.
This will be the first time when India will chair this committee.
The committee selects the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
The World Heritage Committee, in its 19th session, had decided to organize the 46th session in India (New Delhi) which is to be held from 21 July to 31 July 2024.
The World Heritage Committee meets once a year for an ordinary session.

Ans (B)
State Bank of India, the largest lender, successfully raises $250 million via green bonds.
The bonds, part of SBI’s $10 billion medium-term note program, will mature on December 29, 2028.
Proceeds are to be allocated for eligible green projects, aligning with SBI’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework.
A green bond is a debt instrument with which capital is being raised to fund ‘green’ projects, which typically include those relating to renewable energy, clean transportation, sustainable water management, etc.
A bond is a fixed-income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental).
Bonds traditionally paid a fixed interest rate (coupon) to investors.
In 2007, green bonds were launched by a few development banks such as the European Investment Bank and the World Bank.
Subsequently, in 2013, corporates also started participating, which led to its overall growth.

Ans (D)
Aruna Nayar, a 1987 IRPS officer, assumes the role of Secretary of the Railway Board.
Historic as the first IRPS officer empanelled in the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) at level 16.
Brings extensive experience, having served in various capacities across Railways and IT Ministry.
Jaya Varma Sinha is the current Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board of the Indian Railways.
Jaya Varma Sinha assumed office on 1 September 2023 becoming the first female chairman of the Railway Board in its 118-years history.
Other Appointments-
Ms Seema Kumar, an experienced officer from IRTS, takes over a key role in the Railway Board.
Shri Satish Kumar, a seasoned officer from the 1986 batch, takes over a key role in the Railway Board.

Ans (A)
West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee launched a new social welfare scheme “Yogyasree”, offering free training for SC and ST students preparing for competitive exams.
Fifty centers across the state will provide free training specifically for government job and civil service aspirants, bolstering equal opportunity efforts.