Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 5th September 2024

Correct Answer:  (c) 125

Explanation:  Google DeepMind’s India unit is spearheading an ambitious AI project named Morni (Multimodal Representation for India), aiming to encompass 125 Indic languages and dialects. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest, Manish Gupta, Director of Google DeepMind India, highlighted that among these languages, 73 had no existing digital corpus. Despite Hindi being spoken by nearly 10% of the global population, its online text representation is just 0.1%.

To address the lack of digital data, Google has launched Project Vaani in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science and ARTPARK (Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Technology Park). This initiative has successfully completed its first phase, creating an open-source database with over 14,000 hours of speech data from 58 languages, contributed by 80,000 speakers across 80 districts. Currently in its second phase, the project aims to collect 154,000 hours of anonymized speech data from all Indian districts.

Correct Answer:  (c) 6.7%

Explanation:  Japanese brokerage firm, Nomura Holdings Inc. has lowered its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) projection for India for the Financial Year 2024-25(FY25) to 6.7% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) from its previous estimate of 6.9%. It has lowered India’s GDP forecast for FY25 following the National Statistical Office (NSO) officially released data on 30th August 2024, which showed India’s GDP grew by 6.7%, slower than expected on an annual basis in the 1st Quarter(Q1: April-June) of FY25 against the growth rate of 8.2% in Q1 of FY24(2023-24).

• Nomura’s GDP projection for India for FY25 (6.7%) is less than 7.8% growth seen in the previous quarter of FY24, which is due to decline in government spending during the national elections.
• It estimated that India’s retail inflation to reduce further to 3% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) in August 2024, and average at 3.6% in July to September, both these figures are lower than the RBI’s inflation target of 4% in FY25.
• As per Nomura Analysts, a slowdown in India’s GDP is expected to be temporary as economists forecast that easing inflation and increase in government spending will boost growth in the next months. However, it cautioned that even as government spending revives, lower corporate profit growth and moderation in credit growth are likely to persist as growth drags.

Correct Answer:  (d) Nagaland

Explanation:  The Wokha SAATHI WhatsApp Chatbot has been awarded the Gold Award at National Awards for e-Governance Scheme 2023-2024. The Wokha SAATHI (Smart AI-based Assistant for Timely Help & Interface) WhatsApp Chatbot is an innovative initiative of the Wokha District Administration of Nagaland. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis presented the award at the 27th National Conference on e-Governance held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This is for the first time that an initiative from Nagaland has got a Gold Award for its contribution to e-Governance. As part of the initiative, over 40 services have been brought under one stop chat bot of the Wokha District Administration.

Correct Answer:  (a) Kenya

Explanation: The third edition of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Kenya was held on 03 September 2024. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of avenues for defence cooperation in areas like military cooperation, training, defence industries, R&D, etc. The Kenyan delegation has met Indian defence industry representatives in Delhi.The delegation is also slated to visit Pune where they would interact with representatives of defence industries to get first-hand experience of their capabilities.India shares a longstanding, friendly and close relationship with Kenya.The MoU on Defence Cooperation signed in July 2016 has provided a legal framework to cooperate in various areas of defence for mutual benefit.

Correct Answer:  (c) Ministry of Women and Child Development

Explanation:  In a significant stride towards ensuring the health and well-being of children of 0-6 years of age, Mission Poshan 2.0 has made remarkable progress in tracking the growth of millions of young lives, through its Monthly Growth Monitoring initiative – Poshan Tracker, which is also a theme for this year Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024. The Poshan Tracker program has successfully identified and addressed growth issues, paving the way for targeted interventions and improved nutritional outcomes.

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has received the National Award for e-Governance 2024 (Gold) for the Poshan Tracker initiative in Mumbai. This award has been given to the Poshan tracker initiative for Government process re-engineering & Digital Transformation.

Poshan Tracker ensures a healthier future for children with real-time Monitoring & evaluation of Children’s nutritional growth. Jan Andolans are celebrated annually in form of Poshan Maah (1st– 30th September) and Poshan Pakhwada (fortnight of March), and through 6 each of Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada held so far since 2018, more than 100 crore nutrition-centric sensitisation activities have been reported under various themes.

Correct Answer:  (c) Anuya Prasad

Explanation:  At the Deaf Shooting Championship in Hanover, Germany, India secured four medals including one gold,two silver, and one bronze. Anuya Prasad won gold in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event. Abhinav Deshwal earned silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol, while the trio of Abhinav Deshwal, Shubham Vashist, and Chetan Sapkal also clinched silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol Team event. Additionally, Shubham Vashist won bronze in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol. A total of 69 athletes from 16 countries competed for the medals.

Correct Answer:  (b) Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

Explanation:  The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has been awarded the prestigious Gold Award under the category “Application of Emerging Technologies for Providing Citizen-Centric Services” in the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) during the 27th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG). The award ceremony was held on 3rd September 2024, in Mumbai. The National Awards for e-Governance by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) is recognized among the most competitive and prestigious digital governance recognition in the country.

The objective of the award is to recognise and promote excellence in implementation of e-governance initiatives and to encourage innovation in successful e-gov. ONDC, a key building block of India’s globally renowned Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), was conceptualised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as a bridge between public service delivery and technological enablement of retail trade sector at large. Representing the ONDC ecosystem, the prestigious Gold Award in the NAeG in the 27th edition of the NCeG was received by Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT; Shri T. Koshy, CEO, ONDC and other officials from the department.

Correct Answer:  (d) 5th September

Explanation: The International Day of Charity, observed annually on September 5th, serves as a reminder of the transformative power of philanthropic activities in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues. In an era of global challenges, charity stands as a beacon of hope, fostering social bonds and contributing to the creation of inclusive and resilient societies. Charity plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of humanitarian crises worldwide. Through swift and targeted interventions, charitable organizations can provide immediate relief to those affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies.

Correct Answer:  (b) Alia Bhatt

Explanation:  French cosmetics giant L’Oreal Paris has made a significant announcement, revealing that it has signed Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s most prominent actresses, as its newest global brand ambassador. This partnership marks a major milestone for both the brand and the actress, signaling L’Oreal’s continued focus on diversity and global representation.  With this appointment, Alia Bhatt joins an illustrious group of international celebrities who represent L’Oreal Paris on the global stage. The brand’s diverse roster of ambassadors includes:

• Viola Davis: Oscar-winning actress
• Jane Fonda: Iconic actress and activist
• Eva Longoria: Actress and producer
• Kendall Jenner: Supermodel and reality TV star
• Elle Fanning: Acclaimed young actress
• Camila Cabello: Chart-topping singer

Bhatt’s inclusion in this list underscores L’Oreal’s commitment to representing diverse beauty and talent from around the world.

Correct Answer:  (c) South Africa

Explanation:  South Africa is launching the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) starting January 2025 to enhance tourism from India and China by reforming the visa system. The TTOS aims to increase the currently low percentage of Indian tourists, which stands at 3.9% of all international visitors to South Africa, by removing key barriers to travel. Under the scheme, vetted and approved tour operators from India and China will register with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring responsible management of their travel groups. The Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and other government bodies, intends to address economic underperformance in tourism by facilitating easier access for these major markets.

Inspired by the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), TTOS will provide swift and simplified visa processing for group applications, reducing red tape and improving overall efficiency. A dedicated team of adjudicators will handle TTOS visa applications, ensuring fast and reliable processing for tourists traveling with approved operators. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber emphasized that a 10% annual increase in tourism could boost South Africa’s economic growth by 0.6% and create tens of thousands of jobs, while also outlining future plans for a fully automated digital visa system.

Correct Answer:  (d) Ayushmann Khurrana and Neeraj Chopra

Explanation:  The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) recently organized its prestigious Young Leaders Awards in New Delhi, bringing together a diverse array of talented individuals from various fields. This event showcased the achievements of artists, entrepreneurs, and social leaders, highlighting their contributions to society and their respective industries. The ceremony was graced by two outstanding personalities who received the coveted FICCI Young Leaders Youth Icon award:

• Ayushmann Khurrana: Bollywood superstar and versatile actor
• Neeraj Chopra: Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw

Correct Answer:  (c) Siddhartha Agarwal

Explanation:  Siddhartha Agarwal, a 49-year-old from Bengaluru, became the oldest Indian to swim solo across the English Channel. He completed the 42-km swim between England and France in an impressive time of 15 hours and 6 minutes. Previously, Srikaanth Viswanathan from Bengaluru held the record at the age of 46 in 2018, which Agarwal surpassed. Despite challenging conditions, including strong winds and tides, Agarwal persevered to achieve this remarkable feat. Agarwal’s journey to this achievement started in 2018 when he was part of an eight-member relay team that swam the English Channel. He trained rigorously under his coach, Satish Kumar, a former international swimmer, for 15 months to prepare for the solo swim.

Correct Answer:  (d) National One Health Mission

Explanation:  Under the National One Health Mission (NOHM), a comprehensive mock drill named “Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas” (Virus War Exercise) was held in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, from August 27 to August 31, 2024. This exercise aimed to assess the pandemic preparedness of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), which includes experts from human health, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors. The drill simulated a zoonotic disease outbreak to evaluate the readiness and response of the teams involved.

The exercise brought together multiple stakeholders, including the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Rajasthan State Administration, and various state departments. AIIMS Jodhpur BSL-3 Lab, District Administration, and local health and veterinary officers also played key roles.

Correct Answer:  (d) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation:  Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur launched the Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on 1st September 2024. this campaign started in 2018 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has played a crucial role in fighting malnutrition across the country, especially in tribal areas.

Correct Answer:  (d) Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan

Explanation: Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan have reported the highest growth in real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY24 among the ten largest states based on their GSDP, according to recent data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The services sector, which contributes significantly to the Gross Value Added (GVA) of large states, has played a crucial role in this economic expansion. Telangana’s GSDP for FY23 was pegged at ₹13.13 lakh crore, marking a 12.6% annual growth rate from 2014-15 to 2022-23, surpassing the national average growth rate of 11%. This performance underscores Telangana’s expanding role in the national economy, now contributing 4.8% to the overall national GDP.

Recent data reveals an upward trend in per capita income across various states. For FY23, Telangana’s per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) at current prices was ₹3,08,732, reflecting significant economic progress. Tamil Nadu’s per capita NSDP was ₹2,73,288, highlighting its robust economic performance as well. The services sector continues to be the largest contributor to GVA among major states. Key sectors include:

• Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: 18.42%
• Manufacturing: 14.70%
• Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication, and Broadcasting: 17.98%
• Financial, Real Estate, and Professional Services: 21.42%

These sectors have shown varying contributions to the overall GVA over the past five years, with services maintaining a significant share.

The per capita NSDP data for FY23 shows a diverse economic landscape across states:

• Andhra Pradesh: ₹2,19,518
• Haryana: ₹2,96,685
• Karnataka: ₹3,01,673
• Kerala: ₹2,28,767
• Maharashtra: ₹2,42,247
• Rajasthan: ₹1,56,149
• Tamil Nadu: ₹2,73,288
• Telangana: ₹3,08,732