Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 11th May 2023

Correct Answer:  A. Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd

Explanation: Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. (Max Life) signed a strategic partnership with the Indian Industries Association (IIA) to provide life insurance plans to the MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) sector’s workforce in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Max Life is the appointed lead insurer for the state of Uttar Pradesh under IRDAI’s State insurance plan. Now, Max Life aims to enhance accessibility and drive affordable insurance penetration across UP.

With this partnership, Max Life will be positioned as IIA’s preferred partner, thus will utilize its extensive network across industrialized districts, to offer life insurance access to more than 11 lakh MSME workforce affiliated with IIA, their families in the State, and to reach underserved population in UP. These activities will be undertaken with Sana Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. as the enrolment partner to engage with the MSME workforce.

Correct Answer:  C. State Bank of India

Explanation:  Kalyan(Maharashtra)-based Agritech firm Rukart, which sells “Subjee Cooler” to enhance the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, has partnered with the State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, to help potential customers in getting easy loan options to buy the cold storage system ‘Subjee cooler’. Rukart manufactures Subjee Cooler, a cold chain storage system that requires only 20 litres of water a day to function. The cost of the product is Rs 50,000 each and one Subjee Cooler has a storage capacity of 100 kg. The aim of the tie-up is to mitigate distress sales among marginal/small farmers and retailers. Rukart is mentored by the Powering Livelihoods program, jointly run by Council On Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and Villgro Innovations Foundation.

Correct Answer:  C. Myanmar

Explanation:  Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister Admiral Tin Aung San jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port in Myanmar and received the first Indian cargo ship. The cargo ship was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata. The Sittwe Port has been developed as part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) funded by the government of India. With the development of Sittwe Port, the cost and time of transportation of goods between Kolkata and Agartala and Aizawl will decrease by 50 per cent.

Correct Answer:  C. Punjab

Explanation:   Punjab has become the first Indian State to implement the “Right to walk” by making it mandatory for all road-owning agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to provide footpaths and cycle tracks in all future expansion of roads and construction of new ones. This is a part of the efforts of Punjab to control the number of accidents and deaths of pedestrians and cyclists. These directions were issued by the Government of Punjab following 2 court orders after Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India.

According to the government, the number of pedestrians killed in road crashes has increased from 25,858 in 2019 to 29,124 in 2021, which indicates that the road infrastructure does not provide safety to pedestrians. In 2022, the Supreme Court of India notified the states to ensure the safety of the pedestrians and cyclists by provided dedicated, seamless and safe pedestrian lanes and cycle tracks.

Correct Answer:  D. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Explanation:  Union Minister Rajesh Bhushan, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has launched SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management), a learning management information system (LMIS) of MoHFW. SAKSHAM was developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi, Delhi. Gopalakrishnan, Special Secretary (Health), Dr Dheeraj Shah, Director NIHFW, Nidhi Kesarwani, Deputy Director NIHFW, Dr V K Tiwari, Dean NIHFW, along with senior officials of the Health Ministry and NIHFW were present on the occasion.

• SAKSHAM is a dedicated and unified platform that offers medical education and training online to all health professionals in India.
• It will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals from primary health centres located in rural and remote areas all the way up to tertiary care and corporate hospitals in metropolitan cities.
• Currently, SAKSHAM: LMIS hosts more than 200 public health and 100 clinical courses online.
• After undergoing the necessary training and qualifying for the required assessment criteria, health professionals can register for the clinical courses on the portal https://lmis.nihfw.ac.in/ and receive certification.

Correct Answer:  B. IBM

Explanation:  IBM (International Business Machines) in collaboration with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) disclosed a new geospatial foundation model, designed to convert satellite data into high-resolution maps of floods, fires, and other landscape changes to reveal the planet’s past and hint at its future. The model watsonx.ai geospatial offering is an artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by IBM. The goal of the NASA and IBM collaboration is to provide an easier way for researchers to analyse and draw insights from large NASA datasets related to Earth processes. This collaboration is part of NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative (OSSI), a commitment to building an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative open science community over the next decade. IBM watsonx, is a new AI and data platform to be released that will enable enterprises to scale and accelerate the impact of the most advanced AI with trusted data.

 IBM is working with NASA’s Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) on this effort. IMPACT is a component of NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program and is charged with expanding the use of NASA Earth-observing data through innovation, partnerships, and technology at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, United States of America (USA).

Correct Answer:  B. IIT Madras

Explanation: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M), located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, partnered with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists to develop cutting-edge Piezoelectric MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technology sensor for underwater communications, which will be advantageous to defence applications, especially in the Navy. This sensor will be used by the Indian Navy’s Next Generation SONAR initiative by DRDO to support both innovative and modern technological advances.

• Piezoelectric MEMS technology sensor allows India to fabricate the devices at a lower cost than the foundries that are available internationally, where production costs are high and the availability of foundries is restricted.
• With the development of Piezo MEMS technology, India is able to expand beyond the limits of defence capabilities and undertake strategic operations for key applications.
• “Piezoelectric MEMS technology” is required to produce high-performance thin films and turn “piezo thin film” into sophisticated, futuristic naval sensors and apparatus for underwater applications.
• The piezo thin films are one of the essential parts of piezo MEMS devices and are considered for acoustics and vibration-sensing applications.
• IIT Madras researchers and DRDO scientists collaborated with many partners to develop a piezo MEMS process technology to make “Thin film membrane based Piezo MEMS Acoustic sensors.”
• The fabricated PZT thin film-based acoustic sensor outperforms the traditional PVDF-based acoustic sensor in terms of functionality.
• Lead-Zirconium-Titanium oxide (PZT) is a piezoelectric ceramic with high piezoelectric constants often used as sensors and actuators.

Correct Answer:  C. Dubai

Explanation:  Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) launched India Jewellery Exposition 2023 (IJEX 2023) in Dubai. GJEPC has launched IJEX 2023 to promote “Made in India” gems and jewellery. IJEX 2023 is the first of its kind jewellery exposition centre in Dubai. IJEX 2023 is a Global Business Touchpoint, specially designed to connect GJEPC members with international buyers. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary DPIIT, and Sunjay Sudhir inaugurated the centre in the presence of Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC and others. GJEPC has launched the first-ever exhibition at IJEX in Dubai to celebrate the first anniversary of the India-UAE CEPA.

The Gems & Jewellery sector has gained remarkably from Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). UAE has accounted for 80% of India’s plain gold jewellery exports. India is the leader in cut & polished diamonds. 14 out of 15 diamonds set in jewellery worldwide are processed in India. India is the 4th largest exporter of gold jewellery. India is the 2nd largest exporter of silver jewellery. India is the fastest emerging lab-grown diamond manufacturer in the world. India is taking steps like setting up a Gem Bourse in Jaipur and a Mega Common Facility Centre in Mumbai.

Correct Answer:  C. Parminder Chopra

Explanation:   Parminder Chopra has been recommended by the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) to become the next Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC), India’s largest Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) by net worth. If appointed, she will be the first woman to hold the position.

• Parminder Chopra has been working with PFC since 2005 and has been serving as Director (Finance) and CFO since 2020.
• She is also a member of the board of directors.
• Parminder Chopra has more than 35 years of experience in the power sector, having worked with organizations such as the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation of India (NHPC) and the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL).
• She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, and she is a qualified Cost Accountant and MBA.

Correct Answer:  B. Telangana

Explanation:  The Telangana government (Govt) launched Telangana State Robotics Framework, a first-of-its-kind policy in India, to provide a roadmap for the state to create a sustainable robotic ecosystem and be a leading state in the field of robotics. Telangana State Robotics Framework was launched by Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao(KTR), Minister for Information Technology(IT) and Industries, the Government of Telangana at T-Hub Events Room, Hyderabad, Telangana. The framework was developed by the Emerging Technologies Wing of the ITE&C (Information Technology, Electronics and Communications) Department of Telangana in collaboration with the All India Robotics Association.

The framework focuses on leveraging robotics technology for the growth and development of four key domains such as agriculture, healthcare, consumer robotics, and industrial automation. The state govt plans to set up a Telangana Robotics Innovation Centre (TRIC) to implement the framework.

Correct Answer:  C. Football

Explanation:  Antonio Carbajal, the first Mexican player to appear in five World Cups, has passed away at the age of 93. Carbajal, who was nicknamed “La Tota,” played for Mexico between 1950 and 1966, making 11 World Cup appearances. He was a key member of the Mexico team that reached the quarterfinals of the 1958 World Cup. He is best known for his record-setting five appearances at the FIFA World Cup, a feat replicated by only two other men since (as of 2018): Germany’s Lothar Matthäus in 1998 and Rafael Márquez of Mexico in 2018.

Carbajal was born in Mexico City in 1929. He started his professional career with Club León in 1950 and went on to play for a number of other Mexican clubs, including Club América and Cruz Azul. He retired from professional football in 1968. After retiring from football, Carbajal worked as a coach and manager. He also served as president of the Mexican Football Federation from 1988 to 1994.

Correct Answer:  B. Yogi Adityanath

Explanation:  Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, presented the Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his efforts in creating a fear-free Uttar Pradesh. The award ceremony took place at the Shri Shanmukhananda Auditorium in Mumbai, where Dr. Lalji Prasad Nirmal, a member of the UP legislative council, received the award on behalf of the Chief Minister. The event was organized by the Buddhanjali Research Foundation and was attended by Ramnath Kovind as the chief guest. This was the 13th edition of the award ceremony.

List of Previous winners:

• Harshaali Malhotra (2022)
• Richa Chadha (2020)
• Prakash Ambedkar (2018)
• Mayawati (2017)
• P. S. Krishnan (2016)
• Shabana Azmi (2014)
• Kanshi Ram (2012)
• Joginder Singh (2011)
• Anand Teltumbde (2010)
• Nitish Kumar (2009)
• Shekhar Suman (2008)
• S. M. Krishna (2007)

The Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award is an annual award presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to society in the areas of education, social welfare, and economics, in the spirit of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a renowned Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and politician who played a pivotal role in the drafting of the Indian Constitution and fought for the rights of the oppressed sections of Indian society.

Correct Answer:  C. 37

Explanation:  President Draupadi Murmu, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented eight Kirti Chakras including five posthumously and 29 Shaurya Chakras including five posthumously to Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State/UT personnel in New Delhi. List of Winners-

Shaurya Chakra (non posthumous)

1. Amit Kumar, Assistant Commandant, CRPF Ministry of Home Affairs
2. Satendra Singh, Assistant Commandant, 21 Battalion, CRPF Ministry of Home Affairs
3. 2693096F Havildar Ghanshyam (Now Naib Subedar), The Grenadiers, 55th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles Army
4.  (i) Vicky Kumar Pandey, Deputy Commandant, 209 CoBRA, CRPF (ii) Vijay Oraon, Constable/GD, 209 Cobra, CRPF Ministry of Home Affairs
5. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MRITUNJAY KUMAR (07456-W) NAVY
6. IC-78962W Major Amit Dahiya, Sena Medal, The 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) Army
7. (i) Somay Vinayak Munde, IPS, Additional, Superintendent of Police (now Superintendent of Police), Maharashtra Police (ii) Ravindra Kashinath Naitam, Head Constable, Maharashtra Police (iii) Tikaram Sampatrao Katenge, Police Naik, Maharashtra Police MHA
8. IC-72252H Major Nitin Dhania, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Army
9. 14941570X Lance Naik Raghavendra Singh, The Mechanized Infantry, The 9th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles Army
10. IC-80532L Major Sandeep Kumar, The Grenadiers, 55th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles Army
11. SS-47677W Major Abhishek Singh, Mechanized Infantry, 50th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles Army
12. (i) Squadron Leader Sandeep Kumar Jhajharia, (33270) Accounts/Garuda (ii) Corporal (Now Sergeant) Anand Singh, (954576) Indian Air Force (Garuda) Air Force
13. IC-77164W Major Aditya Bhadauria, The Kumaon Regiment, 50th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles Army
14. (i) Group Captain Yogeshwar Krishnaro Kandalkar, (27207) Flying (Pilot) (ii) Flight Lieutenant Tejpal, (36539) Meteorological/Garuda (III) Chief of Aircraft Sunil Kumar (990231) Indian Air Force (Security) air force (security) air force
15. SS-48529X CAPT (NOW MAJOR) YUDHVIR SINGH, THE MECHANISM INFANTRY, 9TH BATTALION, THE RASHTRAYA RIFLES ARMY
16. 16. SS-48830N CAPT RAKESH TR, 9TH BATTALION THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT (SPECIAL FORCES) ARMY
17. 13779485Y Lance Naik Vikas Choudhary, The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, The 3rd Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles Army
18. SS-48517H CAPT (NOW MAJOR) ARUN KUMAR, The Kumaon Regiment, 13th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles Army

Kirti Chakra (non posthumous)

1. 15486168N Naik Devendra Pratap Singh, Armored Corps, 55th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles Army
2. SS-46926X Major Shubhang, The Dogra Regiment, 62nd Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles Army
3. 3011334X Naik Jitendra Singh, The Rajput Regiment, 44th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles Army

Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)

1. 9115892W Rifleman Aurangzab, The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, 44th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (posthumous) Army
2. 3017767L Sepoy Karan Vir Singh, The Rajput Regiment, 44th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous) Army
3. 15240522P GUNNER JASBIR SINGH, THE REGIMENT OF ARTillery, 19th Bn, The Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous) Army
4. 665/SPO Constable Mudassir Ahmad Shaikh, Jammu and Kashmir Police (Baramulla) (Posthumous) Army
5. 13773112P Naik Jasbir Singh, 6th Battalion The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (Posthumous)

Kirti Chakra (posthumous)

1. Sudeep Sarkar, Constable/GD, BSF (Posthumous) Ministry of Home Affairs
2. (i) Deepak Bhardwaj, Sub Inspector, State Government of Chhattisgarh (Posthumous) (ii) Sodhi Narayan, Head Constable, State Government of Chhattisgarh (Posthumous) (iii) Shravan Kashyap, Head Constable, State Government of Chhattisgarh (Posthumous) MHA
3. Rohit Kumar, SG Constable, Jammu and Kashmir Police (Posthumous) MHA

Correct Answer:  C. Qatar

Explanation:  Qatar has been chosen by FIBA (International Basketball Federation) to host the highly anticipated 2027 Men’s Basketball World Cup.​ Qatar has been selected by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to host the 2027 men’s World Cup. Doha will stage all the games in the 32-team tournament, taking advantage of the upgraded subway and public transport networks that were completed for the men’s soccer World Cup held in November and December. FIBA did not mention any other bidders for the hosting rights.

Despite criticism over labor and human rights issues during the construction for the soccer World Cup, FIBA did not address these concerns in their announcement. The decision to have all games in one city allows fans to plan in advance and enjoy a unique experience, as all venues are within 30 minutes of each other. The event aims to be carbon-neutral through the use of widely used green technologies.