Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 29th & 30th January 2023

Correct Answer:  C. Chhattisgarh government

Explanation:  Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said that monthly allowance will be provided to unemployed youths of the state from the next financial year (2023-24). It was one of the election promises made by Congress during its 2018 election campaign. The government is currently working on the criteria and the amount of allowance. Chhattisgarh government has a debt of 26.2% of the state GDP. Apart from this, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced that aid of ₹ 10,000 will be provided every year to each gram panchayat for organising festivals of tribal communities. Chhattisgarh State Innovation Commission will be formed to promote innovation for the development in the state. An aerocity will be also developed near the Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur. Rajasthan government is also giving unemployment allowances under the ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojna’.

Correct Answer:  D. New Delhi

Explanation:  The 3rd edition of the Interpol Young Global Police Leaders Program has been launched in New Delhi with the theme ‘Trust’. The Young Global Police Leaders Program will be conducted from 25 January to 2 February 2023. In which 60 participants from 44 countries are participating. The major objective of this program is to build trust among the public-police as well as international police forces. It is being organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The event brings together Young Police Leaders to do important work in their respective countries and helps them develop an international perspective and understanding.

International Criminal Police Organisation/Interpol

• Interpol was established in the year 1923 with the aim of facilitating criminal investigation across the world.
• Interpol consists of 195 countries including India.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India is the associate agency of Interpol.
• Headquarters – Lyon, France
• Chairman – Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi

Correct Answer:  B. 120

Explanation:  MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and Meta have selected 120 Startups and innovators for the XR Startup Program. It is a program to nurture and promote Extended Reality (XR) technology startups and innovators. The XR Startup Program’s aims to boost the emerging tech ecosystem in the country. Among the selected startup, nearly 30% are from tier 2/3 cities while more than 20% of the cohort has women innovators and startups with women founders/ co-founders. Under the Accelerator Program, 40 early-stage start-ups working in XR technologies will get a grant of Rs 20 lakhs each. The innovators will receive the support to upscale from the R&D phase to developing workable products and services.

MeitY Startup Hub (MSH):

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
• It is focused on building and strengthening the startup ecosystem.

Meta Platforms Inc:

• It builds technology that helps people to connect, find communities and grow businesses.
• It is working towards augmented and virtual reality to build the next evolution in social technology.

Correct Answer:  D. South Africa

Explanation:   Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, and Osman Saleh, the foreign minister of the State of Eritrea, jointly announced South Africa’s Durban as a host of the 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Summit. The summit will be held in August 2023.

• Previously, South Africa hosted the 5th BRICS Summit from 26 to 27 March 2013.
• In April 2011, South Africa participated, for the first time, in the 3rd BRICS Summit held in Sanya, China. Since 2009, the BRICS leaders have convened 14 formal meetings and 9 informal meetings.

Correct Answer:  D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Explanation:  The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an autonomous (Research and Development) R&D institution under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Siemens Healthineers, a Germany-based Healthcare Company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the availability of low-cost Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology in India. This collaboration will advance the development of new, improved, and innovative technologies for advancing healthcare and diagnostic access in India. The MoU was signed in the presence of Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State(MoS) for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Correct Answer:  B. Edwin Lutyens

Explanation:  Recently, the iconic ‘Mughal Gardens’ at the Rashtrapati Bhavan has been renamed as ‘Amrit Udyan’. The Mughal Garden is spread over 15 acres, the lawns boast of more than 150 rose varieties besides several seasonal and winter flowering plants including tulips, Asiatic lilies, daffodils, and hyacinth. This year, visitors will see specially cultivated tulips of 12 unique varieties, which are expected to bloom in phases. During Udyan Utsav, there is no charge for slot reservations or access to Rashtrapati Bhavan’s gardens. In a single booking, reservations can be made for up to 30 people. Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Amrit Udyan open from January 31

• Once a year, the gardens are made available to the public.
• It will be accessible to tourists this year from January 31 to March 26 between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
• However, it will be closed every Monday, March 1 and 2, the G20 summit, and March 8. (Holi).
• Visitors will be able to view 12 different species of carefully cultivated tulips that are anticipated to bloom in stages, among other things.
• This time, the public will be able to visit the Herbal Garden, Bonsai Garden, Central Lawn, Long Garden, and Circular Garden for around two months.

Edwin Lutyens, the architect of New Delhi, designed the Mughal Gardens and William R Mostoe, who was the coadjutor and son of a professional gardener developed it. Sir Edwin Lutyens had finalized the designs of the Amrit Udyan as early as 1917, however, it was only during the year 1928-1929 that plantings were done.

Correct Answer:  B. Mumbai

Explanation:  Manoj Kumar, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, inaugurated the Khadi Fest- 23 which will run from January 27 to February 24, 2023 at the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Headquarters in Mumbai. Events and exhibitions like Khadi Fest, Khadi Institutions, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program – PMEGP and Fund Scheme for Regeneration of Traditional Industries – SFURTI units provide a platform to bring thousands of artisan products directly to the customers. The fest will showcase apparel made of Khadi, Pashmina, Kalamkari, Phulkari,  Tussar silk, etc while Dry-fruits, Tea, Kahwa, Honey, Bamboo Products, Carpets, Aloe Vera Products and others will be up for sale. On 2 October this year, Khadi India’s Delhi outlet created an all-time record of selling Khadi worth Rs 1.34 crore in a single day. Last year, there was a record sale of one lakh fifteen thousand crore rupees of Khadi and village industry items. Apart from this, the Khadi Fest-2022 held on 3rd October registered a sale of Rs.3.03 crore.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

• The Khadi Village Industries Commission was established in 1957 under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act 1956.
• It is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• It is responsible, along with other agencies, for the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programs for the development of Khadi and other village industries in rural areas.
• KVIC Chairman: Manoj Kumar

Correct Answer:  B. Jamuna

Explanation:  Veteran Telugu film actor and former parliamentarian J Jamuna passed away at the age of 86. She was born in Hampi on August 30, 1936, Jamuna made her film debut at the age of 16 with Puttillu (1952) made by Garikapati Raja Rao of Praja Natya Mandali, cultural wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Before that she acted in several stage plays on behalf of Indian People’s Theatre Association floated by Raja Rao.

Jamuna was an actress, director and politician. She made her acting debut when she was 16 years old. Her claim to fame was LV Prasad’s Missamma, which was released in 1955. Missamma is one of the iconic films in the history of Tollywood. While she predominantly acted in Telugu films, she had also acted in Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. She was also a Member of Parliament in the 9th Lok Sabha and represented Rajahmundry. Some of Jamuna’s films include Tenali Ramakrishna, Muddu Bidda, Gundamma Katha, Ramudu Bheemudu and Poola Rangadu, among others.

Correct Answer:  C. Meghalaya

Explanation:  Meghalaya Governor BD Mishra said the state will be hosting a meeting of the G20 nations to discuss how space partnerships can contribute to the economy of the countries. As part of the G20 programme, Shillong will be hosting the Space-20 program on April 17-18. The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, and the European Union (EU).

Correct Answer:  C. Stefanos Tsitsipas

Explanation:  Novak Djokovic claimed his 10th Australian Open championship and 22nd Grand Slam title overall by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas. His 10th trophy in Australia adds to the record he already held. His 22 major championships — which include 7 from Wimbledon, 3 from the U.S. Open, and 2 from the French Open are tied with Rafael Nadal for the most by a man in the history of tennis. The victory allows Djokovic to return to No. 1 in the ATP rankings. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus won against Elena Rybakina by 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Australian Open.

Correct Answer:  C. 30th January

Explanation:  On January 30, 2023, India observed Martyrs’ Day or Shaheed Diwas to pay tribute to all the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country. The day is also marked as the death anniversary of the nation’s ‘Bapu’, Mahatma Gandhi. On this day in 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in the compound of Birla House after one of his routine multi-faith prayer meetings. Godse, a member of Hindu Mahasabha, blamed Gandhi for favouring the Muslim community during the partition of India in 1947. It is said that the last words Gandhi uttered were “Hey Ram”. Martyrs’ Day is also observed in India on March 23 to pay respect to Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, who was hanged death on this day in 1931.

Correct Answer:  B. Germany

Explanation:  Germany has won the Men’s Hockey World Title 2023. Germany defeated defending champions Belgium 5-4 in a shootout in the final played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on 29 January. With this, Germany has won the World Cup three times, first in 2002 and second in 2006. In a thrilling final, the two teams were tied 3-3 after regular time, but the Germans then won 5-4 in penalty shootout at the Kalinga Stadium. Nicklas Wellen (29th), Gonzalo Peillat (41st) and captain Mats Grembusch (48th) scored for Germany. Florent van Obel (10th minute), Tengas Kossins (11th minute) and Tom Boon (59th minute) scored for Belgium.

Germany had earlier won the quarter-finals against England and the semi-finals against Australia after coming from two goals down. Germany also took their world title tally to three, equaling Australia and the Netherlands. The record of winning the most titles in the Men’s Hockey World Cup is recorded in the name of Pakistan, who have won this title four times.

Awards of Hockey World Cup 2023

• Best Player– Niklas Wellen (Germany)
• Best Goalkeeper– Vincent Vanasch (Belgium)
• Best Junior Player- Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa)
• Hero Top Scorer- Jeremy Hayward (Australia)
• Best Team Goal Celebration Award– Korea
• Fan’s Choice Award– Christopher Ruhr (Germany)
• Fair Play Award– Belgium
• Maximum Team Goals Award– Netherlands
• Best Forward of the Tournament Award– Niklas Wellen (Germany)
• Best Midfielder of the Tournament Award- Victor Wegnez (Belgium)
• Best Defender of the Tournament Award– Jeremy Hayward (Australia)

Correct Answer:  B. Nikhat Zareen

Explanation:  Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). He appointment comes after Suresh N. Patel completed his term as the chief of the anti-corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission on January 24. The commission is headed by a CVC and can have a maximum of two Vigilance Commissioners. Besides Mr. Srivastava, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Arvind Kumar is the other Vigilance Commissioner. The tenure of a CVC and vigilance commissioner is of four years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years.

• Mr. Srivastava is a 1988-batch (retired) Indian Administrative Service officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre. He superannuated as Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat on January 31 this year.
• During his tenure as Special Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, he had handled matters relating to cadre management of Indian Police Service, personnel and general administration of central armed police forces and Union territories.
• Mr. Srivastava also assisted the government in negotiations relating to trade in services under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as Director/Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce.
• He also served as Chief Vigilance Officer in RITES Ltd and as Joint Secretary and Mission Director, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
• Mr. Patel, former managing director and chief executive officer of Andhra Bank, was on August 3, 2022 appointed as the CVC.
• He joined the Commission in April 2020 as the Vigilance Commissioner. Mr. Patel was made acting CVC on June 24, 2021 after Sanjay Kothari completed his term.

Correct Answer:  B. 29th January

Explanation:  World Leprosy Day (WLD) is celebrated on the last Sunday of January. In 2023, World Leprosy Day is observed on 29 January. This international day is an opportunity to celebrate people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. This date was chosen by French humanitarian, Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who did much work with persons affected by leprosy and died at the end of January in 1948.

The theme of World Leprosy Day 2023 is “Act Now. End Leprosy.” This year’s theme calls attention to three key messages:

• Elimination is possible: We have the power and tools to stop transmission and defeat this disease.
• Act now: We need the resources and commitment to end leprosy. Prioritize leprosy elimination.
• Reach the unreached: Leprosy is preventable and treatable. Suffering from leprosy is needless.