Correct Answer :   ACKO & PhonePe

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ACKO General Insurance and PhonePe have collaborated to provide a range of inclusive car and bike insurance products directly to users through the PhonePe platform. This strategic partnership combines ACKO’s customer-centric approach with PhonePe’s extensive distribution network, ensuring convenient access to insurance as a readily available financial option for PhonePe users.

In addition, this partnership will witness ACKO expanding its product range to encompass health insurance and various other lines in the coming years. The integration of ACKO with PhonePe is facilitated through the cutting-edge partnership API stack, crafted for modularity and smooth integration. This API stack is geared to facilitate quick and efficient collaborations with online distributors, ensuring that ACKO’s personalized pricing, innovative SKUs, and consistent user experience are seamlessly delivered to all partners, with PhonePe being the first in line.

Speaking about the partnership, Sanjeev Srinivasan, CEO, ACKO General Insurance said, “This partnership with PhonePe marks a significant milestone in our journey to democratize insurance in India. By combining ACKO’s customer-first approach and PhonePe’s vast distribution network, we are positioned to offer unmatched value and convenience to millions of customers, reinforcing our commitment to make insurance simple and accessible."

Vishal Gupta, CEO, PhonePe Insurance, added, “PhonePe is transforming the insurance landscape in India. We are committed to offering our customers the best Insurance product selection while streamlining the purchasing process. Partnering with ACKO, renowned for its innovation and customer-centric approach, empowers us to fulfill our commitment and actively contribute to the advancement of digital insurance in India."

Users of PhonePe will enjoy the advantages of the insurance company’s products, which guarantee not only competitive prices but also industry-leading claims and service experience. This collaboration emphasizes the shared commitment of both ACKO and PhonePe to deliver intuitive, affordable, and reliable insurance coverage to millions of customers throughout India...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Pushpa Bharati

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The 33rd Vyas Samman will be conferred to notable Hindi-Writer Pushpa Bharati this year (2023).

* The award was instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991. It is given annually to an outstanding work of Hindi literature by an Indian citizen published in the last 10 years.

* The Foundation said that Ms Bharati has been selected for her memoirs- Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein.

* The foundation added that she would be felicitated with an amount of four lakh rupees, a citation, and a plaque.

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Fatima Wasim

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Captain Fatima Wasim has become the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed on an operational post on the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, the Fire and Fury Corps said on Tuesday (12th Dec 2023).

* She is the second medical officer to be deployed on the Siachen Glacier in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

* The Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps announced this on social media while highlighting the significance of Captain Fatima’s deployment in promoting gender inclusion within the military. “Capt Fatima Wasim of Siachen warriors creates history by becoming the first woman Medical Officer to be deployed on an operational post on the Siachen Glacier,” the Fire and Fury Corps said in a post on X.

"NATION FIRST"🇮🇳

Capt Fatima Wasim of #SiachenWarriors creates history by becoming the First Woman Medical Officer to be deployed on an operational post on the Siachen Glacier.
She was inducted to a post at an altitude of 15200 feet after undergoing rigorous training at… pic.twitter.com/u5EovNNu1Y

— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) December 11, 2023

* The Fire and Fury Corps further said that she was inducted to a post at an altitude of 15,200 feet after undergoing rigorous training at the Siachen Battle School, which speaks of her indomitable spirit and high motivation.

* Earlier this month, Captain Geetika Koul became the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen.

* Siachen, located in the northern Himalayas, poses challenges due to its strategic importance, harsh climate and demanding terrain..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Kabir Bedi

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Kabir Bedi was awarded the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the country’s highest honour awarded to civilians, at a private ceremony held in Mumbai on Sunday (11th Dec 2023). The actor was joined by his daughter Pooja Bedi, granddaughter Alaya F, and wife Parveen Dusanj at the event.

This award, the most prestigious Italian honorific one, ultimately recognizes his unconditional feeling and passionate dedication to Italy. The “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” stands as a testament to Italy’s appreciation for those who have made outstanding contributions to society, embodying the nation’s values of merit and excellence.

About the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana) :

The “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,” known as “Merito della Repubblica Italiana” in Italian, is one of Italy’s highest honors. Established on March 3, 1951, the order is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including arts, literature, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic, and humanitarian activities.

Key Points about the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic :

Purpose and Recognition : The order aims to recognize and honor individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements and contributions to Italian society and beyond.

Classes and Insignia : The order has five classes: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight. Recipients are awarded the corresponding insignia based on the degree of their contributions.

Nomination and Selection : Individuals are nominated for the Order of Merit by the President of the Italian Republic on the advice of ministers or other public authorities. The selection process is rigorous and considers the nominee’s exceptional merits.

Fields of Merit : The order recognizes merit in various fields, including arts, literature, science, economy, public service, and social and humanitarian activities.

Insignia Design : The order’s insignia features a white enameled cross with a green border, symbolizing the Italian tricolor. The center of the cross bears the emblem of the Italian Republic.

Importance and Prestige : Being awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is a mark of distinction and prestige. It reflects the recipient’s commitment to excellence and service in their respective fields. Over the years, the Order of Merit has been an important means of acknowledging the valuable contributions of individuals across diverse domains, fostering a sense of national pride and honor. The order is not limited to Italian citizens; it can also be conferred upon foreign nationals who have significantly contributed to strengthening ties between Italy and other countries..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   6 Crore

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The total enrolment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has crossed 6 crore, with over 79 lakh enrolments in the current Financial Year. This was announced by the Ministry of Finance 12th Dec 2023 in a press release.

The Ministry added that the feat of bringing in the most vulnerable sections of society under the coverage of pension has been made possible with the untiring efforts of all banks.

The APY is a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India which was launched on 9th May 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide old age income security to Indian citizens. The scheme focuses particularly on the poor, underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized sectors.

Under the APY, the subscriber is eligible to get triple benefits of a lifelong monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 from the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions, which itself would vary based on the age of joining the scheme.

The same pension would be paid to the spouse of the subscriber after the demise of the subscriber. On the demise of both the subscriber and the spouse, the pension wealth as accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber would be returned to the nominee..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   54.68 Crore

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* The Government 12th Dec 2023 said around 54 crore 68 lakh Permanent Account Numbers(PAN), have been linked with Aadhaar till June 2023.

* In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said, no PAN is deactivated for the reason of non-linking with Aadhaar.

* The PAN is made only inoperative if it is not linked with Aadhaar. He said over 2 crore people have paid one thousand rupees for linking Aadhaar with PAN during the period from 1st July 2022 to 30th of last month.

* The Minister said 2 thousand one hundred 25 crore rupees have been collected from these people..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Oman

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A proposed comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman is on a fast-track mode, with a team of officials from the department of commerce in Muscat for negotiations, people aware of the matter said.

It is learnt that the department of commerce has set an internal deadline of finalising the deal by month-end.

The development assumes significance since India and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) —has not been able to begin negotiations for more than a year. This is due to differences pertaining to the terms of reference, especially with Saudi Arabia. If the trade works out, Oman will be the second GCC member after the UAE to ink an FTA with India. That apart, the proposed agreement is also expected to further strengthen India’s economic ties with West Asia.

India and the UAE had signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) in February 2022.

“The India-UAE agreement is expected to be replicated in the case of the trade pact with Oman,” one of the persons cited above told Business Standard. Oman is India’s 29th largest trading partner.

Bilateral trade has been witnessing robust growth, increasing from $3.15 billion in FY22 to $4.48 billion during FY23, up 42 per cent year-on-year (YoY).

During the previous financial year, petroleum products, primarily motor gasoline, accounted for close to half of India’s exports.

Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India can hope to radically increase its exports to post FTA, as currently over 80 per cent of its goods enter Oman at average 5 per cent import duties, and there are not many trade barriers.

“Over 83.5 per cent of India’s goods exports, valued at $3.7 billion, currently face a 5 per cent import duty in Oman. With the new FTA, these products, including major exports like motor gasoline, iron and steel, electronics, machinery and textiles, among other items, will benefit from the duty elimination,” GTRI said in a report.

It added that about 16.5 per cent of India’s exports to Oman are already entering duty free. So, they will not see additional benefits from the FTA.

Imports from West Asian nations are greater than exports and saw 15.6 per cent increase to $7.91 billion in FY23.

Top inbound shipments include petroleum products and urea, which comprise close to three-fourth of imports.

“The India-Oman CEPA, while offering direct economic benefits through import duty reductions, also serves a larger strategic role in India’s foreign policy. While acknowledging the limitations set by Oman's smaller economic size and population, the agreement’s true value lies in its potential to open doors for India in the Middle East, fostering economic and strategic ties in a region of critical importance,” the GTRI report, authored by former trade ministry official Ajay Srivastava said..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Kothakota Srinivas Reddy

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Taking forward his intent to provide clean governance, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday (12th Dec 2023) picked senior police officials Kothakota Srinivas Reddy and Avinash Mohanty to head the crucial Hyderabad and Cyberabad police commissionerates.

G. Sudheer Babu, a 2001 batch IPS officer serving as additional police commissioner, traffic, Hyderabad, was posted as the Rachakonda police commissioner,


Hyderabad Police Commissionerate: K. S. Reddy Takes Charge :

Kothakota Srinivas Reddy, a distinguished officer with a track record of effective leadership, is set to assume the role of Hyderabad Police Commissioner. Having served as Mahbubnagar district superintendent of police and later heading the elite anti-Maoist force Greyhounds, Srinivas Reddy has been instrumental in redefining training modules and intensifying combing operations.

Cyberabad Police Commissionerate: Avinash Mohanty Assumes Command :

Avinash Mohanty, a seasoned officer from the 2005 batch, is appointed as the Cyberabad Police Commissioner. With a background in administration and a previous role as joint commissioner of police, administration, at Cyberabad, Mohanty brings a wealth of experience to his new position. Mohanty has a notable track record, having served as DCP Traffic in Cyberabad and subsequently as DCP, Central Crime Station, Hyderabad.


Restructuring Leadership: Sudheer Babu Takes Over Rachakonda Police Commissionerate :

G. Sudheer Babu, a 2001 IPS officer, is the new Rachakonda Police Commissioner, succeeding D.S. Chauhan. With experience as additional police commissioner, traffic, Hyderabad, and roles in Warangal, Sudheer Babu has a proven record of enhancing policing standards, exemplified by his impactful stint as DCP Task Force in Hyderabad City..


Source : Deccan Chronicle

Correct Answer :   12th December

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International Day of Neutrality is commemorated on December 12 every year to raise awareness regarding the importance of neutrality in intergovernmental relations and to strengthen peace and security at the global level. As per the United Nations, neutrality is the legal status arising from the abstention of a country from any kind of participation in a war between other states and maintaining an impartial attitude toward the belligerents.

* The day is marked globally by holding various types of events aimed at raising public awareness of the value of neutrality in international relations.

International Day Of Neutrality History :

* The idea of the International Day of Neutrality was proposed by Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia which has been recognised as a permanent neutral state by the United Nations since December 1995.

* The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved the proposal on February 2, 2017.

* On December 12, 2017, the International Day of Neutrality was proclaimed. It also highlights the link between peacekeeping and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

* The resolution recognised how some states’ national neutrality policies can help in improving global peace and security and play a major role in promoting friendly ties between several nations across the world.

International Day Of Neutrality Significance :

* Neutrality can help to strengthen international peace and security, and can also play an important role in developing mutually beneficial relationships between countries around the world.

* Amid political tension and escalating crises, the International Day of Neutrality is of great importance in upholding the principles of sovereignty and the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity, self-determination and non-intervention in the internal affairs of any State.

* Further, it defends, promotes and encourages the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security are not endangered, according to the United Nations.

* This day serves as a reminder of how critical neutrality is, particularly for humanitarian reasons. At the time of armed conflicts, it is only via neutrality that NGOs and other humanitarian organisations can properly care for casualties.

* The International Day of Neutrality serves as a reminder to strive for peace. It asks people to strive for a world without conflict and we can achieve this by working together..

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Meghalaya

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Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, state Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has said.

Along with Lakadong turmeric, Garo Dakmanda (traditional dress), Larnai pottery and Garo Chubitchi (alcoholic beverage) were also awarded the GI tag, she said.

Lyngdoh said the Lakadong turmeric, which is found in Lakadong area of Jaintia Hills, has high curcumin content and the GI tag will help farmers in marketing and give access to customers to the authentic product.

"We are pleased to announce that GI has been awarded to Lakadong turmeric," the minister told PTI.

She thanked the stakeholders who took the initiative to get the GI tag.

Lakadong turmeric is considered to be one of the world's best varieties of turmeric, with a curcumin content of around 6.8 to 7.5 per cent. It is darker in colour and is grown organically without the use of fertilisers.

Around 14,000 farmers from 43 villages of Lakadong area are currently engaged in cultivating the turmeric variety on 1,753 hectares of land.

Lyngdoh said the GI tag will provide the farmers with a unique selling point and they will fetch a good market price.

Lakadong farmer Trinity Saioo, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021 for encouraging more farmers in the state to take up cultivation of the turmeric variety, expressed happiness and gratitude to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for promoting the spice.

"I am very happy that Lakadong turmeric has received the GI tag. It is a blessing for the people of Jaintia Hills," she said.

It will boost the competitiveness of Lakadong farmers in domestic and international markets and create more livelihood opportunities, she added.

Dakmanda is a handwoven ankle-length lower garment which is part of the traditional attire of Garo women of Meghalaya. Chubitchi is a rice-based fermented drink of the Garo community consumed during feasts and ceremonies.

Larnai pottery is made of of black clay from Larnai village and the art form has been passed down through generations..

Source : Deccan Herald