Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 26th January 2023

Correct Answer:  C. USD 131 million

Explanation:  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal Private Limited (NSFTPL) have signed a USD 131 million (about ₹1,066 crore) loan agreement to upgrade the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal, Navi Mumbai, to enhance international trade in India through efficient, transparent, and state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure.

• NSFTPL is a special purpose vehicle jointly owned by J M Baxi Ports and Logistics Limited (JMBPL) and CMA Terminals.
• The financing package comprises $61.4 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources and $69.6 million from Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP) administered by ADB.
• LEAP is an ADB-managed fund capitalised with a $1.5 billion commitment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Established in 2016, LEAP focuses on delivering high-quality and sustainable private sector infrastructure projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and offer accessible and affordable health care, education, and communication services to ADB’s developing members.

Correct Answer:  C. Bank of Baroda

Explanation:  Bank Of Baroda Financial Solutions Limited (BFSL), a fully-owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, has introduced the Vikram Credit Card for members of the Indian military, paramilitary, and police forces. The Vikram Credit Card, according to BFSL, strengthens its commitment to meet the credit needs of the soldiers, who selflessly protect us and serve our country. BFSL already has exclusive cobranded credit cards with the Indian Army (Yoddha), Indian Navy (Varunah), Indian Coast Guard (Rakshamah) and Assam Rifles (The Sentinel).

Correct Answer:  C. ₹26 crore

Explanation:  Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd (CDEL) was penalized ₹26 crore by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for alleged fund diversion. CDEL is the parent company of Café Coffee Day. An order passed by Sebi whole time member Ashwani Bhatia directed that “The company in consultation with the National Stock Exchange, shall appoint an independent law firm, of standing and repute, to take effective steps for recovery of the outstanding dues, as directed in sub-para (a) above, within 60 days of this order. The appointed law firm, so appointed, shall act independent of the Board of CDEL for this matter, under the oversight of the NSE, on behalf of the Noticee (CDEL)and its subsidiaries”. Sebi in its investigation found out that funds amounting to ₹3,535 crore were diverted from 7 subsidiaries of CDEL to Mysore Amalgamated Coffee Estates Ltd(MACEL), an entity related to promoters of CDEL.

Correct Answer:  C. Shamalbhai B Patel

Explanation:   Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that markets milk and dairy products under the Amul brand has announced the appointment of Shamalbhai B Patel as its chairman and Valamjibhai Humbal as vice chairman. The announcement was made after an election was carried out by the deputy collector, Anand, in presence of 17 out of 18 members who’re chairmen representing their district milk unions within the state. GCMMF is made up of 18 member unions overlaying 33 districts.

• Shamalbhai B Patel is the chairman of Sabarkantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., Sabar dairy and related to dairy cooperatives of Gujarat since final 33 years.
• Valamjibhai Humbal, has been chairman of Kutch District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., Sarhad Dairy for the reason that final 14 years. Humbal’s nomination was proposed by Mansinhbhai Patel, chairman, Surat milk union and supported by Vihabhai Sabhad, chairman, Surendranagar milk union.

Correct Answer:  A. India

Explanation:  India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Animal Genetic Resources (AGR) to be held in Rome. Dr. BN Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Science) and National Coordinator, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) chaired the session and acted as ambassador. This working group was formed by the FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA).

The task of this group is to review technical issues, advise and submit recommendations to the Commission and implement the Commission’s program relating to AGR at the global level. The 12th session of the ITWG reviewed the implementation of the Global Action Plan for Animal Genetic Resources, monitoring ANGR diversity and preparation of the third country report. The Global National Coordinators’ Workshop prior to the ITWG session was held in Rome.

Correct Answer:  D. Suryakumar Yadav

Explanation:  Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav has been selected as theICC T20 Cricketer of the Year for the year 2022 for his stellar performance. Suryakumar Yadav beat Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikander Raza, Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan, England all-rounder Sam Curran to win the award. Suryakumar Yadav scored 1164 runs in 31 T20 matches played in 2022 and also became only the second batsman in T20 history to score more than 1000 runs in a calendar year. Yadav hit 68 sixes in 2022,the most by any batsman in a single year in the history of the format.

Australia’s Tahlia McGrath has been awarded theICC T20 Women’s Cricketer of the Year award. McGrath left behind India’s Smriti Mandhana, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and Pakistan’s Nida Dar for the award. Tahlia McGrath scored 435 runs and 13 wickets in 16 T20 matches in 2022.

Correct Answer:  C. 26th January

Explanation:  The World Customs Organisation (WCO) marks International Customs Day on 26th January every year. The occasion commemorates the WCO’s maiden session held in 1953. The day is dedicated to spreading awareness about the role Customs authorities play in the seamless movement of goods across borders and their importance in the cross-border regulatory apparatus. Every year, such authorities of WCO’s member administrations organise events to celebrate International Customs Day. This year, the theme of International Customs Day is ‘Nurturing the next generation: Promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs.’ With this, the aim is to heighten the sense of belonging to the global Customs community.

Correct Answer:  D. Architect

Explanation:  Dr Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, who is widely revered for his contribution in the field of architecture, has passed away. He was 95. For his outstanding contribution to the field of architecture, he was conferred with Pritzker Prize in 2018 and the coveted Padma Shri in 1976.  The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced that Indian architect Balkrishna Doshi will be the recipient of the 2022 Royal Gold Medal. A Padma Bhushan awardee, Doshi was known for designing the buildings of the Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environment and Planning Technology (CEPT) and Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute. His style of architecture — an amalgam of European modernist, brutalist architecture with Indian sensibilities — won many hearts.

Correct Answer:  D. Chandigarh

Explanation:  Union Territory Administrator, Banwari Lal Purohit has inaugurated northern India’s largest floating solar power project of 2000kWp worth Rs 11.70 crore at waterworks, Sector 39, Chandigarh. The inauguration was held in the presence of MP Kirron Kher. He also inaugurated a 500kWp floating solar project with fountains at Dhanas Lake.

• The floating solar power plant at waterworks, Sector 39, has been installed at a cost of Rs 11.70 crore, including 10 years O&M (operations and maintenance), and the 500kWp floating solar power plant with fountains has been installed at Dhanas Lake at a total cost of Rs 3.34 crore, including 10 years O&M for the plant as well as for the fountains.
• These projects have been designed and executed by CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society) and will generate a minimum of 35 lakh units (kWh) of solar energy per year with 20% module efficiency.
• These projects have been designed and executed by CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society) and will generate a minimum of 35 lakh units (kWh) of solar energy per year with 20% module efficiency.

Correct Answer:  B. PepsiCo Foundation

Explanation:  CARE is an international organization fighting against poverty. Frito-Lay, Pepsi, and Cola companies merged together and formed Pepsico in 1965. Today Pepsico is a food and beverage company with leading products such as Quaker, Lays, Pepsi, Cola, etc. The philanthropic foundation of PEPSICO and CARE joined together and launched the “She Feeds the World” program . The program, which will be implemented in the Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal, aims to reach out to more than 48,000 women, men and children and indirectly benefit 1,50,000 individuals.

According to Roberto Azevedo, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Chairman, Board of Directors, PepsiCo Foundation, the project is a key pillar of the company’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) commitment to spreading regenerative agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods of more than 2,50,000 people in agricultural supply chain and communities by 2030.

Correct Answer:  B. Rs 2,200 crore

Explanation:  The planned projects include a ‘grass-roots terminal’ at Asanur and Vallur, a ‘captive petroleum’ project, oil and lubricant-LPG jetty at Kamarajar port among others. The company constitutes a 57% share in Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPS), 36.9% in petrol, and 43.9% in diesel in the state of Tamil Nadu. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya is the current MD & Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) is India’s flagship Maharatna national oil company.
• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd was established in the year 1959 as Indian Oil Company Ltd. In the year 1964 Indian Refineries Ltd merged with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Indian Oil Blending Ltd a wholly owned subsidiary was merged with Indian Oil on May 2006.

Correct Answer:  B. 25th January

Explanation:  India is celebrating National Tourism Day on January 25. The day is marked annually in order to raise awareness about the importance that the tourism industry plays in the country. In 2022, the National Tourism Day was part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the 75-week grand celebration marking 75 years of Indian Independence. World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27.The theme of National Tourism Day 2023 is ‘Rural and Community Centric Tourism’.

Correct Answer:  C. ₹26.00 lakh

Explanation:  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹26.00 lakh on Nutan Nagarik Sahakari Bank Ltd., Ahmedabad (the bank) for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on ‘Co-operative Bank-Interest rate on deposits’ and ‘Guidelines for issue of ATM-cum-Debit cards by UCBs’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI conferred under section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Correct Answer:  C. 5.8 percent

Explanation:  The United Nations pared down India’s growth forecast by 20 basis points to 5.8 percent for the 2023 calendar year, citing higher interest rates and risks of recession in the developed world weighing on investment and exports. The report has projected global trade to contract by 0.4 percent and the world economy to grow at 1.9 percent in 2023.  For the fiscal year 2023-24, the UN kept its growth forecast unchanged for India at 6%.