Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 18th September 2024

Correct Answer:  (b) Manu Bhaker

Explanation:  The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterway has appointed double Olympic medalist shooter Manu Bhaker as its Brand Ambassador. This was announced by the Union Minister for Port Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, at the  4th Harnessing of the Nari Shakti for the Development of the Nation event held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 17 September 2024 to facilitate women achievers. The 4th Harnessing of the Nari Shakti for the Development of the Nation was jointly organised by the Chennai Port Authority and the Kamarajar Port Authority at the International Cruise Terminal of the Chennai Port in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Women achievers with a background in marine or other sectors were honoured for their contribution to nation-building.

Apart from Manu Bhaker, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also felicitated First Lady Marine Engineer in the history of Indian Mercantile Marine, Sonali Banerjee;  First Women Captain of the INSV Tarini, Lt Commander Vartika Joshi; 2024 Paris Paralympics Badminton  silver medallist, Thulasimathi Murugesan; Paris Paralympics silver medalist in badminton Manisha Ramadass; Surveyor, 1 STS Marine Components, Indian Registrar of Shipping, Rupali Joshi and General Manager, JM Baxi Group, Chennai Branch, Teena Joey.

Correct Answer:  (d) Rs 2,500 crore

Explanation:  The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the Indian Navy’s (IN) Rs 2,500 crore plan to develop Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vessels (XLUUVs) as part of its strategy to enhance underwater combat and surveillance capabilities. These vessels are expected to strengthen India’s defense against enemy submarines and surface vessels. The XLUUVs, weighing over 100 tonnes, will have strike capabilities against enemy submarines and surface vessels. These vessels will be deployed for various tasks including mine-laying, mine-clearing, surveillance, and launching weapons. The IN will issue a tender soon, with Indian shipyards bidding under the Aatmanirbharta initiative and the Make-1 procedure. IN is also expanding its unmanned long-range surveillance capabilities by inducting drones like the MQ-9B and Drishti Hermes 900, with more planned for future use.

Correct Answer:  (a) Rahul Dravid

Explanation:  Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Shriram Finance Limited, the flagship company of the Shriram Group has announced the onboarding of Rahul Sharad Dravid, former captain and head coach of the Indian cricket team, as its brand ambassador. The partnership intends to strengthen Shriram Finance’s commitment to improve the financial well-being of individuals and businesses in India. Rahul Sharad Dravid has been honoured with the Arjuna Award by the Government of India (GoI) in 1998 for achievements in cricket, Padma Shri  in 2004 and Padma Bhushan  in 2013.

Correct Answer:  (c) Anmol Kharb

Explanation:  India’s 17-year-old Anmol Kharb clinched her first international title in women’s singles as she beat Denmark’s Amalie Schulz in a hard-fought final in the Belgian International badminton tournament. Born on January 20, 2007, in Haryana’s Faridabad, Anmol Kharb took up badminton at a young age. Anmol Kharb became the women’s singles national badminton champion at the age of 16 and a year later, proved to be the driving force behind the Indian women’s team bagging a historic gold medal at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Malaysia.

Her Achievements

• In 2019, at the age of 12, Anmol won the U-17 All India Ranking title in Hyderabad, her first national-level title.
• Also picked for the government of India’s Khelo India Scheme, which provides assistance to budding athletes.
• The Indian badminton player also has done well in international age-group tournaments, reaching the pre-quarterfinals of the Asian Junior Championships in 2022.
• Anmol soon became the India No. 1 in both the under-17 and 19 age groups.
• Senior Women’s Singles National Champion in 2023
• Gold Medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024

Correct Answer:  (d) Samir Kumar

Explanation:  Samir Kumar appointed as Amazon India’s new country manager. Amazon’s leader, Samir Kumar, took over as country manager for India by replacing Manish Tiwary. Manish Tiwary has stepped down from his role in August. Samir Kumar will take India’s responsibility in addition to his current charter of leading Amazon’s consumer businesses in the Middle East, South Africa and Turkey.

Correct Answer:  (c) 1.31 percent

Explanation:  ​India’s wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation fell to a four-month low of 1.31 percent on an annual basis in August from 2.04 percent in July due to a reduction in the prices of manufactured products and food items, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Food price inflation stood at 3.11 percent in August as compared to 3.45 percent in July. The prices of other major sub-indices like manufactured products also witnessed deceleration. Meanwhile, the prices of fuel and power contracted during the month. Manufactured products, which weight 64.2 percent in the index, also saw a decline in inflation to 1.22% from 1.58% in July.

Correct Answer:  (c) 18th September

Explanation:  World Bamboo Day is celebrated globally on September 18 to raise awareness about bamboo. This day highlights bamboo’s numerous medicinal and practical uses, and the World Bamboo Organisation (WBO) has taken steps to promote its conservation, sustainable use, and the protection of our environment. The theme for World Bamboo Day 2024 is “Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation, and Design”. Bamboo, a giant grass, is known for being hard and hollow. It holds the record for being the world’s fastest-growing land plant, with some types growing 36 inches in just 24 hours.

Correct Answer:  (a) Fixed deposits

Explanation:  Bharti Airtel, a leading Indian telecommunications provider, introduced a Fixed Deposit (FD) marketplace under its digital arm, Airtel Finance. This new platform, accessible via the Airtel Thanks App, offers interest rates of up to 9.1% per annum. Airtel Finance provides an assured return and fixed-income investment option on the digital platform.

• Airtel Finance will offer the FD service by partnering with several Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in India, including Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (USFB), Shriram Finance Limited (SFL), etc.
• Airtel Finance also provides the flexibility of withdrawal anytime after 7 days, addressing customer concerns over lock-in periods.
• Customers can book and manage FDs via the Airtel Thanks App, with a minimum investment of Rs 1,000, eliminating the need to open a new bank account.

Correct Answer:  (d) Brijendra Pratap Singh

Explanation:  Brijendra Pratap Singh has been recommended for the position of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Corporation (NALCO) by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel. Currently, Singh serves as Director in-charge of SAIL’s Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plants. He was chosen from a list of six candidates interviewed by the PESB panel on September 17, 2024. The list included candidates from SAIL, NLC India Limited, RailTel, NALCO, and the Indian Revenue Service. Singh holds a B Tech in Mining Machinery from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, and has over 33 years of diverse experience in mining, blast furnaces, and overall plant operations.

His notable achievements include ramping up production at Bhilai Steel Plant and introducing a three-tier inspection and maintenance system at Bokaro Steel Plant. As CMD of NALCO, Singh will be responsible for the efficient functioning of the corporation, meeting its corporate objectives, and reporting to the Board of Directors and the Government of India.

Correct Answer:  (a) Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi

Explanation: On a significant day for Tamil literature and cultural heritage, Thiru. R.N. Ravi, the Honorable Governor of Tamil Nadu, presided over the release of a groundbreaking book titled “Sri Rama in Tamilagam – An Inseparable Bond”. This literary work, authored by the esteemed duo Dr. D.K. Hari and Dr. D.K. Hema Hari, explores the deep-rooted connection between Lord Rama and the land of Tamilagam, now known as Tamil Nadu. Dr. D.K. Hari and Dr. D.K. Hema Hari, renowned for their expertise in Indian history and culture, have meticulously crafted this book to illuminate the often-overlooked relationship between Lord Rama and the Tamil region. Their work serves as a bridge, connecting the cultural narratives of North and South India through the timeless tale of the Ramayana.

Correct Answer:  (c) Sqn Ldr Mohana Singh

Explanation:  Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has become the first woman fighter pilot to join the Indian Air Force’s LCA Tejas fighter fleet, specifically the 18 ‘Flying Bullets’ squadron. Singh was part of the recent ‘Tarang Shakti’ exercise in Jodhpur, where she played a significant role in a historic flight involving the vice chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Singh, along with Bhawna Kanth and Avni Chaturvedi, were inducted as the first women fighter pilots in the IAF in 2016. Women pilots have flown helicopters and transport aircraft since 1991, but fighter jets were introduced for women in 2016.

Before joining the LCA Tejas squadron, Mohana Singh was flying MiG-21s and has been posted to the LCA squadron at Naliya airbase, Gujarat. Mohana Singh hails from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Her grandfather was a flight gunner, and her father is a warrant officer in the IAF. Support for ‘Make in India’: The exercise in which Singh participated was a significant demonstration of support for the ‘Make in India’ initiative, showcasing indigenously developed fighter jets.

Correct Answer:  (c) ₹2,871 crore

Explanation:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for railway projects totaling ₹2,871 crore in Odisha, aimed at improving rail connectivity and contributing to socio-economic development. The inaugurated projects include the 25 km Lanjigarh Road-Ambadola-Doikallu section, costing ₹432 crore, which enhances connectivity between western Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and improves freight movement. The 23 km Laxmipur Road-Singaram-Tikiri section, part of the Koraput-Singapur road doubling project, was completed at ₹260 crore, increasing train movement capacity in southern Odisha and easing freight transport.

The 41 km Dhenkanal-Sadashibapur-Hindol Road section, valued at ₹540 crore, is part of the Budhapank-Salegaon third and fourth line project, aimed at improving industrial route capacity and goods transportation. The 12.5 km Bangurkela-Nowgaon section of the Bondamunda-Ranchi doubling project, costing ₹239 crore, reduces congestion and enhances connectivity between Odisha and Jharkhand. Foundation stones were laid for additional projects, including a 7 km flyover between Siju and Paradeep coaching yard (₹200 crore), the Paradeep-Badabandha third and fourth line expansion (₹300 crore), and the MCRL Inner Corridor Phase-1 doubling (₹152 crore). The 41.9 km Jeypore-Nabarangpur New Line project, costing ₹748 crore, will connect tribal areas, enhancing market access and promoting economic growth in Jeypore and Nabarangpur.

Correct Answer:  (b) Jafar Hassan

Explanation:  Jordan’s King Abdullah II has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh following last week’s parliamentary elections. Al-Khasawneh, a seasoned diplomat who had been in office since October 2020, resigned in accordance with the constitutional norm after legislative elections. Jafar Hassan, a technocrat and former planning minister who was serving as the king’s head of office, has been appointed as the new prime minister. Jordan’s Parliament is bicameral, with members of the House of Representatives elected every four years, while the king appoints all members of the Senate. In the recent elections, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, secured 31 of the 138 seats, marking their largest representation since 1989.

Correct Answer:  (b) 18th September

Explanation:  International Equal Pay Day, celebrated on 18 September, represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. It further builds on the United Nations’ commitment to human rights and against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination against women and girls.

Correct Answer:  (b) Maharashtra

Explanation:  Maharashtra leads with a 13.3% share of India’s GDP, though its contribution has decreased from over 15%. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu collectively contribute 30% of the national GDP. Maharashtra’s per capita income is 150.7% of the national average. Delhi and Haryana also have high per capita incomes, with Delhi consistently performing well.

• Decline in Contributions: Uttar Pradesh’s GDP contribution has fallen from 14% in 1960-61 to 9.5%. Bihar, despite being the third-most populous state, only contributes 4.3% of the GDP.
• Improvement: Odisha has shown significant improvement, shedding its previous image as a laggard in economic performance.
• Steady Decline: West Bengal’s GDP contribution has decreased from 10.5% in 1960-61 to 5.6% today. Its per capita income has also dropped from 127.5% to 83.7% of the national average, now lower than Rajasthan and Odisha.