Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 19th May 2023

Correct Answer:  D. Uttar Pradesh

Explanation:  The online rural education initiative ‘Pahal’ was officially launched by Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra at Government UP Sainik Inter College in Sarojini Nagar. This program, developed through a partnership between the Department of Secondary Education and IIT Kanpur, aims to provide education to rural communities through online platforms.

• In the initial phase of the program, 10 government secondary schools in the state will offer free online education as part of the ‘Pahal’ initiative.
• During his speech, the chief secretary expressed his appreciation for the introduction of the online rural education program, considering it a positive and promising start.
• The online classes will provide students from rural areas with up-to-date knowledge in the fields of science and mathematics. As part of the event, the rural online education program was launched in 10 government schools in Uttar Pradesh.
• In the near future, this service will be extended to 40,000 schools across the state. Emphasizing the importance of skill, scale, and speed, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated for these principles.
• The approach entails acquiring knowledge, expanding its reach, and ultimately benefiting the entire population by leveraging technology. Mishra emphasized that the goal of reaching a larger audience will be achievable only when the people of the state embrace and utilize technology effectively.

Correct Answer:  C. Morgan Stanley

Explanation:  India’s economic recovery has gained significant momentum, positioning the country as a key contributor to global GDP growth, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley. As the Indian economy continues to outperform its counterparts in Asia and defy the weakness seen outside the region, the country is benefitting from a combination of cyclical and structural factors. With various indicators pointing towards a robust and broad-based recovery, India is expected to contribute 16% to global GDP growth over the period of 2023-2024.

Correct Answer:  C. Arjun Ram Meghwal

Explanation:  In a cabinet reshuffle, Arjun Ram Meghwal has been appointed as the new union law minister, in addition to his existing portfolios. He is a retired IAS officer, social worker, and farmer, who later turned politician from Rajasthan. Currently, he is serving as the MoS for Parliamentary Affairs and MoS for Culture. He has also served as the Union Minister of State, Ministry of Finance; and Ministry of Corporate Affairs from 2016 to 2017. He has replaced Kiren Rijiju, who will now handle the portfolio of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Correct Answer:  D. N Chandrasekaran

Explanation:  Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, was honoured with the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest French Civilian award,  for his substantial role in developing and fostering commercial links between India and France. N Chandrasekaran received the award from Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, who gave the award on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron. In 2022, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for his excellence in Trade and Industry.

Correct Answer:  C. Madhya Pradesh

Explanation:  The State Cabinet of Madhya Pradesh(MP) chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a new scheme named ‘Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana’ (Chief Minister Learn and Earn Scheme) to provide opportunity to learn skills for unemployed youths of the state. Candidates accommodated in Madhya Pradesh and aged between 18 and 29, with a minimum educational qualification of 12th class, ITI (industrial training) are eligible for the scheme.

• To provide employment-oriented skill training to about a lakh youth of MP.
• The scheme will also provide stipend to the youths along with training, skill upgradation which will boost employment opportunities and pave the way for a better way of earning.

Correct Answer:  A. Bhopal

Explanation:  Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, has become the first city in India to measure its progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The city has adopted a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) process, which is a tool that helps cities to assess their progress on the SDGs and identify areas where they need to improve. The VLR process in Bhopal was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and a number of other local stakeholders. It involved a comprehensive assessment of the city’s performance on the SDGs, including a review of data, interviews with stakeholders, and public consultations.

• The VLR process has helped Bhopal to identify a number of areas where it needs to improve its performance on the SDGs. These include areas such as poverty, education, health, and environment. The city has now developed a plan of action to address these challenges and achieve the SDGs by 2030.
• The VLR process in Bhopal is a valuable tool that can help other cities in India to measure their progress on the SDGs and identify areas where they need to improve. It is a step in the right direction for the city and for India as a whole.
• The SDGs are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015. The goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The SDGs are a roadmap for a better future for all.
• The VLR process is a tool that can help cities to track their progress on the SDGs and identify areas where they need to improve. The process is voluntary, but it can be a valuable way for cities to demonstrate their commitment to the SDGs and to engage with stakeholders in a meaningful way.
• The VLR process in Bhopal is a positive step for the city and for India as a whole. It is a demonstration of the city’s commitment to the SDGs and it is a way for the city to engage with stakeholders in a meaningful way. The VLR process can help Bhopal to achieve the SDGs and to create a better future for all.

Correct Answer:  B. 16

Explanation:  The South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship 2023, a three-day international event, came to a close on May 17 in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Over 100 athletes from six countries, including Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, participated in the championship. Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.), the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest at the Dorjee Khandu Indoor Stadium in Itanagar. On the final day, the host nation India achieved a remarkable feat by winning all the available gold medals at the tournament. India bags 16 gold medals in South Asian Youth TT Championship 2023.

Correct Answer:  B. $12.7 billion

Explanation:  Amazon Web Services (AWS) has revealed plans to invest $12.7 billion into cloud infrastructure in India by 2030, aiming to meet the increasing demand for cloud services in the country. The investment is projected to contribute $23.3 billion to India’s economy over the same period, building upon AWS’s previous investment of $3.7 billion between 2016 and 2022. With this latest commitment, AWS’s total investment in India will reach $16.4 billion by 2030. The company is focused on fostering positive social and economic impact in India, as demonstrated by its efforts in digital skills training and renewable energy projects.

AWS’s investment in data center infrastructure in India is expected to generate an estimated 131,700 full-time equivalent jobs in Indian businesses each year. These positions encompass a wide range of roles, including construction, facility maintenance, engineering, and telecommunications, forming an integral part of India’s data center supply chain. AWS currently operates two data center infrastructure regions in India, located in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Through its substantial investments, AWS has already made a significant contribution of over $4.6 billion to the Indian economy between 2016 and 2022, supporting approximately 39,500 full-time equivalent jobs annually.

Correct Answer:  C. Operation Karuna

Explanation:  India launched “Operation Karuna” to provide humanitarian assistance for people in Myanmar, which is affected by Cyclone Mocha. Three ships from India carrying relief material reached Yangon on 18th May. Indian Naval Ships Shivalik, Kamorta and Savitri were the first Naval ships to arrive at Yangon with relief material on 18th May. The ships are carrying emergency food supplies, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, hygiene items, etc. Indian Navy Committed to Ensuring Security and Growth for All in the Region. India has always been at the forefront in providing assistance to its neighbors during such calamities.

• Cyclone Mocha which recently hit Myanmar has been classified as an extremely severe cyclonic storm by the IMD.
• It has been classified as a ‘Super Cyclone‘ by the global weather website Zoom Earth.
• The name of the storm ‘Mocha’ has been suggested by Yemen.
• Mocha originated in the Bay of Bengal.
• With a recorded wind speed of 277 kmph, Mocha has become the strongest all-season cyclone to form in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal since 1982.

Correct Answer:  B. Ruskin Bond

Explanation:  Indian author Ruskin Bond wrote a book titled “The Golden Years: The Many Joys of Living a Good Long Life”. The Golden Years book is published by HarperCollins India and released on 19 May 2023, Bond’s 89th birthday. “The Golden Years” focuses on Bond’s experiences during the 60s, 70s and 80s. He was born on 19 May 1934 in Kasauli, Punjab States Agency, British India. His first book, “The Room on the Roof“, was written when he was 17 and featured the semi-autobiographical character Rusty. In 1992, Bond received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his work “Our Tree Still Grows in Dehra”. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014 for his contribution to literature and education.

Correct Answer:  B. Rs 1.08 lakh crore

Explanation:  The Union Cabinet has approved Rs 1.08 lakh crore fertiliser subsidy for the 2023-24 Kharif season. The package includes Rs 70,000 crore for urea and Rs 38,000 crore for Di-ammonium Phosphate, or DAP. The total subsidy amount is lower than last year, but still higher than normal. The government has ensured that rising global fertilizer prices do not hurt India’s farmers. The reduced fertilizer subsidy of Rs 1.08 lakh crore for the April-September kharif season will not lead to higher prices for farmers. The package is expected to benefit over 120 million farmers in the country. The government is committed to providing farmers with affordable fertilizers to help them increase production and productivity.

Correct Answer:  B. 18th May

Explanation:  May 18 is recognized as World AIDS Vaccine Day, an occasion that emphasizes the importance of creating a vaccine for the incurable illness. This day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, not only raises awareness but also pays tribute to the dedicated scientists and researchers who are committed to developing a vaccine to prevent HIV/AIDS. According to the World Health Organization, HIV has resulted in the loss of 40.1 million lives thus far. HIV transmission is occurring globally, with certain countries observing a rise in new cases. Despite the absence of a cure for HIV infection, appropriate and efficient treatments and healthcare can significantly extend the lifespan and improve the well-being of individuals living with HIV.

Correct Answer:  C. Rs. 17, 000 crore

Explanation:  The Union Cabinet cleared a revised production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware with an outlay of Rs 17,000 crore, more than doubling the budget for the scheme that was first cleared in 2021. The scheme will be implemented from July 1, with a cap on maximum incentives available to participating companies. The tenure of the new scheme has been fixed for six years and the Centre is expecting an investment of over Rs 2,430 crore as part of it. The expected incremental production value could touch Rs 3.35 lakh crore, and the scheme could generate 75,000 direct jobs – in total, the employment figure could touch 2 lakh when accounted for indirect jobs.

Correct Answer:  C. 1,100

Explanation:  The government has allocated these additional 1100 FPOs to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) under FPOs’ Scheme. Under the FPO Scheme, each FPO gets financial assistance of 33 lakh rupees. Further, the Cluster-Based Business Organizations are provided the financial assistance of 25 lakh rupees per FPO. The Ministry of Cooperation said Primary Agricultural Credit Societies can now engage in other economic activities including high-income generating activities such as bee-keeping and mushroom cultivation. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies are primarily involved in short-term credit and distribution of seeds and fertilizers.    National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is a statutory corporation. It was set up in March 1963. Pankaj Kumar Bansal is its managing director.