Current Affairs - January, 2023 - Free Time Learning

1 .

Who has conferred upon Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar at a ceremony in New Delhi?

A)

Narendra Modi

B)

Droupadi Murmu

C)

Amit Shah

D)

Jagdeep Dhankhar

Correct Answer : Droupadi Murmu

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2023 on 11 children at an award ceremony held in New Delhi today (January 23, 2023).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that children are the invaluable assets of our country. Every effort made to build their future would shape the future of our society and country.

We should make every effort for their safe and happy childhood and bright future. By awarding the children, we are encouraging and honouring their contribution in nation-building.

The President said that some of the award winners have shown such indomitable courage and valour at such a young age that she was not only surprised but also overwhelmed to know about them. Their examples are inspirational for all children and youth.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are being conferred upon children in the age group 5 – 18 years, for their excellence in six categories - Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Scholastic, Social Service and Sports.

This year (2023), awards were presented in the categories of Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service and Sports..

Source : PIB

Published On : January 23, 2023

2 .

When does India celebrate Parakram Diwas every year?

A)

January 20

B)

January 21

C)

January 22

D)

January 23

Correct Answer : January 23

Parakram Diwas is celebrated on January 23 to commemorate the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose.

This year (2023) marks the 126th birth anniversary of Bose, fondly known as ‘Netaji’.

Here are ten things to know about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose :

1) The charismatic leader who gave popular slogans like “Delhi Chalo” was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Bengal division, Odisha.

2) His appealing slogan - "Tum mujhe khoon do, mai tumhe azadi doonga (You give me blood, I will give you freedom)”- fuelled Indians with patriotism during the freedom struggle.

3) Born to Jankinath, a prominent lawyer, and Prabhavati, Bose was the 9th child among their 14 children including 8 sons and 6 daughters.

4) He attended Presidency College, Calcutta, till his suspension in 1916 due to nationalist activities. Later he graduated from Scottish Churches College in 1919.

5) To prepare for the Indian civil service examination, he was sent by his parents to England's University of Cambridge.

6) After clearing the examination in 1920, Bose resigned a year later, in April 1921, following news of nationalist turmoil in his homeland and hurried back to India.

7) In India, Bose joined the Indian National Congress, but with time, refuted from Mahatma Gandhi's less confrontational approach.

8) In 1938, he became the president of the Indian National Congress. But resigned a year later despite defeating his rival in reelection.

9) On October 21, 1943, Bose formed ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ and later started Azad Hind radio station in Germany

10) He went missing on August 18, 1945, after a plane crash in Taiwan. Out of three inquiry commissions on the accident, two claimed he died due to the crash while one stated was alive after the tragedy.

Source : Hindustan Times

Published On : January 23, 2023

3 .

Who has hosted the 2nd International Conference in New Delhi from 23-24 January 2023?

A)

NITI Aayog

B)

Election Commission of India

C)

Ministry of External Affairs

D)

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Correct Answer : Election Commission of India (ECI)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is hosting the 2nd International Conference on the theme ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ at New Delhi on 23-24 January, 2023.

* ECI is leading the Cohort on Elections Integrity which was established as a follow up to the ‘Summit for Democracy’ held virtually in December, 2021.

* The first international conference of the Cohort was organized on 31 Oct – 01 Nov, 2022 at New Delhi on the topic ‘Role, Framework and Capacity of Election Management Bodies’ where nearly 50 representatives from the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of 11 countries participated.

* The two-day international conference will be inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner of India Shri Rajiv Kumar. The concluding session will be chaired by Election Commissioner of India, Shri Anup Chandra Pandey. Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner of India will chair the first technical session. ECI, as the lead for the Cohort on ‘Election Integrity’, took a collaborative approach and invited Greece, Mauritius and IFES to be co-leads for the Cohort.

* ECI has invited International Foundation for Electoral Systems and International IDEA, apart from EMBs and Government counterparts dealing with the conduct of elections worldwide.

* Around 43 Participants from 17 Countries/EMBs including Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Chile, Croatia, Dominica, Fiji, Georgia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Mauritius, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines and Suriname and 06 participants from international organisations namely, IFES, International IDEA are expected to join.

* The representatives from a number of foreign missions located at New Delhi are also expected to attend the conference...

Source : PIB

Published On : January 23, 2023

4 .

How many islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands have been named after the Paramveer Chakra awardees on 23rd Jan 2023?

A)

21

B)

23

C)

26

D)

30

Correct Answer : 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi named the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees in a ceremony on Monday (23rd January 2023) on the occasion of Parakram Diwas.

* PM Modi also unveiled the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, earlier known as Ross Islands.

* Home Minister Amit Shah was also present at the ceremony in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

* The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life in action on November 3, 1947 while fighting Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport.

* "These islands have been named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, viz. Major Somnath Sharma; Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM; 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane; Nayak Jadunath Singh; Company Havildar Major Piru Singh; Capt GS Salaria; Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa; Subedar Joginder Singh; Major Shaitan Singh; CQMH. Abdul Hamid; Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore; Lance Naik Albert Ekka; Major Hoshiar Singh; 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal; Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon; Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran; Naib Subedar Bana Singh; Captain Vikram Batra; Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey; Subedar Major (then Rifleman) Sanjay Kumar; and Subedar Major Retd (Hony Captain) Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav." ...

Source : NDTV

Published On : January 23, 2023

5 .

Who launched (20th Jan 2023) the ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number) in the Ladakh, Calls it a 'Game Changer'.

A)

R K Mathur

B)

Manoj Sinha

C)

Thawar Chand Gehlot

D)

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Correct Answer : R K Mathur

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor "R K Mathur" on Friday (20th Jan 2023) launched the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) in the Union Territory, with both hill councils of Kargil and Leh welcoming the initiative.

According to officials, the 14-digit ULPIN would help in the digitisation of land records and also reaching a conclusive land titling.

Terming ULPIN as a “game changer” and the next step in ‘SVAMITVA’ for digitisation and computerisation of land revenue records, Mathur stressed the importance of 100 percent coverage of land revenue records in Ladakh and completion of the exercise at the earliest.

R K Mathur emphasized the need for the saturation coverage of not only the ‘Abadi deh’ (inhabited) areas but the entire Ladakh by the administration with the help of both the hill councils through its schemes and funds.

Mathur noted the plans to increase the Abadi deh area in Ladakh, including carving out Abadi deh areas in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Ladakh.

He also informed that the administration, along with both the hill councils, will work with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to cover the increased abadi-deh areas in the UT.

The UPLIN scheme will prove beneficial in numerous ways, including settling and expediting land-related disputes in court and addressing legacy issues such as putting a check on any unwanted change in land revenue records.

He also said the scheme would prove beneficial to farmers in availing loans from banks and also using drones to spray insecticides and pesticides on the registered lands of the farmers.

The scheme would prove beneficial to collect accurate land records and land areas for hilly land to record the vertical dimension of land.

He also stated that the scheme would be a blessing for industrialists and entrepreneurs and help in the overall development of Ladakh....

Source : The Print

Published On : January 23, 2023

6 .

Which state targets to be first 'green energy state' by 2025?

A)

Gujarat

B)

Telangana

C)

Himachal Pradesh

D)

Andhra Pradesh

Correct Answer : Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh government intends to make the state as the first "Green Energy State" by the end of 2025 by harnessing hydro, hydrogen and solar energy and switching to green products, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Friday (20th January 2023).

* The state government would also invest in solar plants and will install 500 MW solar projects during the year 2023-24, out of this, 200 MW would be installed by HPPCL for which land has been identified for 70 MW capacity and the rest of the sites will be finalized soon.

* Solar projects up to 150 MW capacity would be installed by HIMURJA through private participation and priority would be given to Himachalis in awarding these projects, he said and added that the capacity of the projects will range from 250 KW to 1 MW.

* The Government of Himachal Pradesh has received a dividend of Rs. 2355 crore against the equity contribution of Rs. 1055 crore and 12 percent free power from Nathpa Jhakri and Rampur hydro power projects amounting to around Rs. 7000 crore so far.

* Thaplan, Solar Power Project (SPP) of 112.5 MW was being set up in district Una. In addition to this, 20 MW SPP Bhanjal and Kadh in Una district, 20 MW in Fatehpur in Kangra district, 30 MW SPP Kolar in Sirmaur district and 12.5 MW in Rajgir in district Kangra were under pre-construction stage....

Source : Business Standard

Published On : January 23, 2023

7 .

Who has inaugurated India's first STEM Innovation and Learning Center (SILC) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu?

A)

Grameen Foundation

B)

Clinton Foundation

C)

MacArthur Foundation

D)

American India Foundation

Correct Answer : American India Foundation

The American India Foundation (AIF) has inaugurated India’s first STEM Innovation and Learning Center (SILC) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

* It was inaugurated under the scheme of Vanavil Mandram.

* AIF is an award-winning flagship education Program 'Digital Equalizer (DE)'.

* It has designed the Center to be a one-stop solution for STEM among students and teachers.

* AIF's DE has also launched Drone and Satellite Launch Vehicle (DSLV) Mission on the occasion..

Source : The Print

Published On : January 22, 2023

8 .

Brazil and _________ to Begin Preparations for Common Currency.

A)

Spain

B)

Argentina

C)

Portugal

D)

Australia

Correct Answer : Argentina

Brazil and Argentina aim for greater economic integration, including the development of a common currency, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentine leader Alberto Fernandez said in a joint article they penned.

"We intend to overcome the barriers to our exchanges, simplify and modernize the rules and encourage the use of local currencies," says the text published on the Argentine website Perfil.

"We also decided to advance discussions on a common South American currency that can be used for both financial and commercial flows, reducing costs operations and our external vulnerability."

The plan, set to be discussed at a summit in Buenos Aires, will focus on how a new currency which Brazil suggests calling the “sur” (south) could boost regional trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

The idea of a common currency was raised originally in an article written last year by Fernando Haddad and Gabriel Galipolo, now Brazil’s finance minister and his executive secretary, respectively, and was mentioned by Lula during the campaign.

Lula’s Push For Greater Regional Integration :

Lula chose Argentina for his inaugural international trip since taking office, keeping with the tradition of first visiting Brazil’s largest trading partner in the region. That follows four years of tense relations during the government of former Brazilian right-wing President JaJir Bolsonaro.

Lula’s trip to neighboring Argentina also marks the return of Brazil to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which Brazil left in 2019 under order from Bolsonaro, who refused to participate in the regional group due to the presence of Cuba and Venezuela.

Both presidents emphasized the need for a good relationship between Argentina and Brazil to strengthen regional integration, according to the article. The leaders also emphasized strengthening the Mercosur trade bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and which Brazilian Finance Minister Haddad recently lamented has been abandoned in recent years.

About MERCOSUR :

* Headquarter : Montevideo (Uruguay).
* The Mercusor trading bloc was established in 1991

* Mercosur is a sub-regional bloc of South American Countries.

* Its purpose is to promote free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people, and currency

* Its full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

* Its associate countries are Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname...

Source : US News

Published On : January 22, 2023

9 .

Who Inaugurated 'International Craft Summit' in Odisha on 20th January 2023?

A)

Droupadi Murmu

B)

Nitish Kumar

C)

Naveen Patnaik

D)

Dharmendra Pradhan

Correct Answer : Naveen Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday (20th January 2023) inaugurated an ‘International Craft Summit’ in Jajpur.

This is the first-of-its-kind craft summit featuring a confluence of pioneering craftspeople, culture, and art enthusiasts. International delegates from 15 countries have arrived in Jajpur to engage with local artisans and other stakeholders, informed the government.

Four UN agencies and five UNESCO Creative Cities have partnered with the District to realize this ambitious and forward-looking event on behalf of the State Government.

Joining the programme on a virtual platform, the Chief Minister said it is a historic occasion for Odisha. He said, “Jajpur was the Ancient Capital of Odisha.

With its existing assets of religious tourism, urban tourism and Buddhist tourism, it has the potential to be a major tourist hub The cultural heritage of Jajpur is reflected in its vibrant art forms.”

Science and Technology Minister Shri Ashok Panda, Rural Development Minister Priti Ranjan Ghadai, and Handloom, Textile and Handicrafts Minister Rita Sahu participated. They highlighted the cultural heritage of Odisha and its significance in the modern age.

Junhi Han, Chief of the UNESCO Culture Sector for South Asian countries appreciated the efforts for the promotion of local art, artists and artisans...

Source : The Print

Published On : January 22, 2023

10 .

Which company Raises $350 Mn From General Atlantic, Joins Indiaâ€™s Decacorn Club.

A)

PhonePe

B)

Paytm

C)

BharatPe

D)

Google Pay

Correct Answer : PhonePe

Payments and financial services unicorn PhonePe has raised $350 million in funding from General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm, at a pre-money valuation of $12 billion, making the Walmart-owned start-up the most-valued financial technology (fintech) player in India.

The investment is the first tranche of the company’s latest fundraise that could see marquee global and Indian investors put in up to $1 billion in the fintech firm.

With this funding round, the home-grown digital payments start-up has more than doubled its valuation — from $5.5 billion in 2020. With a $12-billion valuation, it has joined the decacorn club.

* PhonePe has managed to raise late-stage funding amid a funding winter. General Atlantic will be infusing substantial capital, along with Walmart and other new investors, to a final raise of $1 billion.

* The latest fundraise follows the company’s recently announced change of domicile to India and full separation from Flipkart. It could not be immediately ascertained how the market capitalisation table of the company will look like, given other investments will come in some weeks.

* Additionally, Qatar Investment Authority and Microsoft have brought shares directly into the company as part of its complete separation from Flipkart.

* PhonePe plans to deploy the funds to make investments in infrastructure, including development of data centres and build financial services offerings at scale in the country. The company also plans to invest in new businesses, including insurance, wealth management, and lending.

* PhonePe recently announced a full separation from Flipkart Group. After partial separation from Flipkart in December 2020, several Flipkart shareholders, led by Walmart, acquired shares in the recent separation. This move will allow both companies to chart their growth paths and build their businesses independently.

* PhonePe, which was founded in December 2015, said the funding will help it “turbo-charge” digital payments in India and enable greater financial inclusion.

* The company has more than 400 million registered users, implying more than one in four Indians use its services.PhonePe has the largest market share in the UPI payments space. With this fundraise, PhonePe ranks above other decacorns like Swiggy, Oyo, Ola, Paytm, Dream11, RazorPay, and Polygon.

What is a Decacorn : A decacorn is a startup company that has a current valuation of over $10 billion. According to CBInsights, there are presently eighteen decacorns within the world, with ten being from the USA. Toutiao (Bytedance), a Chinese digital media/AI company is at the highest of the list with a present valuation of $75 billion.

Decacorns are the evolved versions of unicorns. What separates them isn’t simply the funding. It’s the distinctive business model, the revenue model, and also the rate. They’ve received such investments and have a post-money valuation of over $10 billion as a result of they’ve shown the globe a fantastic growth rate that the others couldn’t...

Source : Business Standard

Published On : January 22, 2023