Current Affairs - January, 2023 - Free Time Learning

1 .

Who from India has been elected as Secretary General of Asia Pacific Postal Union (APPU)?

A)

Leena Nair

B)

Vinaya Prakash Singh

C)

Arvind Krishna

D)

Laxman Narasimhan

Correct Answer : Vinaya Prakash Singh

India will take over the leadership of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) having its Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand from this month (January 2023).

* Following the successful elections held during the 13th APPU Congress held in Bangkok during August- September 2022, Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh, erstwhile Member (Personnel), Postal Services Board will take over the charge of Secretary General of the Union for a tenure of 4 years.

* Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) is an intergovernmental organization of 32-member countries of the Asian-Pacific region.

* APPU is the only Restricted Union of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in the region, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

* The goal of APPU is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services. As the regional center for various UPU projects, APPU also takes the lead in ensuring that all technical and operational projects of the UPU are fulfilled in the region so that the region is integrated into the global postal network in the best possible way.

* Secretary General leads the activities of the Union and is also the Director of the Asian Pacific Postal College (APPC) which is the largest intergovernmental postal training institute in the region..

Source : PIB

Published On : January 7, 2023

2 .

Purple Fest, First-ever inclusive festival of India starts in which state from 6th January to 8th January 2023?

A)

Goa

B)

Karnataka

C)

Kerala

D)

Himachal Pradesh

Correct Answer : Goa

The Purple Fest, First-ever inclusive festival of India starts in goa from 6th January to 8th January 2023.

It is an inclusive event that aims to showcase how we can come together to create a welcoming and inclusive world for everyone.

The festival includes engaging panel discussions, artistic live performances, grand exhibitions, immersive experience zones, and more.

Registration Category - Delegates/ Media Delegates/ Exhibitors/ Volunteers.

* Registration Charges for Delegates are INR 1000.

* Group registrations for more than 10 delegates would be at the rate of INR 500 per delegate.

* Registration Charges for Exhibitors are INR 2500.

* Registration for Goan delegates is Free.

* Registration for Students with Disablities is Free..

Source : goa.gov.in

Published On : January 7, 2023

3 .

17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention 2023 will be held in which city from January 8th to 10th, 2023?

A)

Indore

B)

Nagpur

C)

Lucknow

D)

Jabalpur

Correct Answer : Indore

The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh Government from 08-10 January 2023 in Indore.

Theme 2023 : The theme of this PBD Convention is "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”. Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 different countries have registered for the PBD Convention.

PBD Convention will have three segments :

* On 08 January 2023, the inauguration of the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in partnership with Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports. H.E. Ms. Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament of Australia, will be the Guest of Honour at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

* On 09 January 2023, the PBD Convention will be inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and will feature addresses by the Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and the Special Guest of Honour, H.E. Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Hon’ble President of the Republic of Suriname.

* On 10 January 2023, Hon’ble Rashtrapati ji, Smt. Droupadi Murmu will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2023 and preside over the Valedictory Session. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are conferred to select Indian diaspora members to recognize their achievements and honour their contributions to various fields, both in India and abroad..

Source : Narendramodi

Published On : January 7, 2023

4 .

Who inaugurated (5th January 2023) 'Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium' in India in Rourkela?

A)

Amit Shah

B)

Nitish Kumar

C)

Naveen Patnaik

D)

Anurag Singh Thakur

Correct Answer : Naveen Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday (5th January 2023) inaugurated the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, the largest hockey stadium in the country, here.

Standing in the middle of the jampacked stadium, Patnaik announced the opening of the facility ahead of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 beginning from 13 January 2023.

Rourkela is the second venue for the international event after the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Rourkela will host 20 of the 44 matches while the remaining 24 matches, including the final, will be played at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

India's first match against Spain is scheduled to be played at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on January 13. Two days later, India will be up against England at the same venue.

The stadium named after eminent tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, was built at a cost of Rs 146 crore.

The total capacity of the stadium is 21,000 and it is the largest hockey stadium in the country. The facility is spread over 15 acres of land on the campus of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT).

The stadium was built by the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO). The foundation stone of the stadium was laid by the Odisha chief minister in February 2021..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : January 6, 2023

5 .

Who inaugurates three-day 'North East Krishi Kumbha-2023' in Meghalaya on 5th Jan 2023?

A)

Nitin Gadkari

B)

S. Jaishankar

C)

Nirmala Sitharaman

D)

Narendra Singh Tomar

Correct Answer : Narendra Singh Tomar

In Meghalaya, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday (5th Jan 2023) inaugurated the three-day ‘North East Krishi Kumbha-2023’.

* He also participated in the 49th Foundation Day celebration of the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam.

* The Minister also inaugurated the administrative cum academic block office and Girls Hostel of the College of Agriculture at Kyrdemkulai, Ri Bhoi district.

* During his address, the Union Minister said that Northeast is the heaven of our country and Meghalaya’s geographical scenario is such that we can develop it if we try with all our efforts.

* The highlights of the North East Krishi Kumbha -2023 included live demonstrations and exhibition of recent technologies through 102 stalls, by the host institute and its regional centers along with all the ICAR institutes.

* K Moses Chalai, Secretary, North Eastern Council, Dr B C Deka, VC AAU, Jorhat, Dr Anupam Mishra, VC, CAU, Imphal, Dr S K Chaudhuri, Director ICAR, NEH Region and senior officials of Centre and State Government were present during the programme..

Source : AIR

Published On : January 6, 2023

6 .

Sunil Babu, who died recently (4th January 2023), belongs to which field?

A)

Science

B)

Film Industry

C)

Politics

D)

Social work

Correct Answer : Art director

Sunil babu was a renowned art director and was known for his across film industries in India. He passed away in Ernakulam, Kerala on 4th January 2023.

Sunil died in a private hospital from a heart attack, according to reports. The Malayalam art director has worked in the cinema industries of Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.

He is well-known for his contributions to Bangalore Days, Ghajini, and Banglore Day. Sunil Babu also appeared in Vijay's forthcoming flick Varisu.

Published On : January 6, 2023

7 .

'Bailey Suspension Bridge' has been inaugurated in which state/UT on 3rd Jan 2023?

A)

Jammu and Kashmir

B)

Assam

C)

Uttar Pradesh

D)

Arunachal Pradesh

Correct Answer : Jammu and Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (3rd Jan 2023) e-inaugurated the newly rebuild 240 ft Bailey Suspension Bridge (BSB), (Maitri Setu) over Chenab River, besides other 27 infrastructure projects constructed in other parts of India from Shyom Setu (bridge) Arunachal Pradesh.

At the BS Bridge site, District Development Council, Chairperson, Ramban, Dr Shamshad Shan unveiled the inaugural stone in presence of Commander, 11-Sector, Rashtriya Rifles, Brig. Joe Sabby; Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Islam and SSP Ramban, Mohita Sharma, Commander, 760 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), Superintendent Engineer (Civil), Sunil Chander Srivastava; Officer Commanding (Executive Engineer) 52 RCC GREF, Shri Kumar Gautam and various other senior officers, prominent citizens.

According to the Commander, the de-launching of this over-six-decade-old bridge was started on September 15, 2022, on the recommendation of Deputy Commissioner Ramban and keeping in view its strategic importance in strengthening road connectivity.

The work of the Bridge was completed on October 31, 2022, at a cost of Rs. 3.25 crore, he added.

Among the inaugurated 28 projects, 4 are in J&K UT and 8 in Ladakh UT. These 28 projects include 67 bridges, 30 roads, 2 Helipads, 1 Carbon Habitat or Green Building, and 3 Telemedicine Nodes..

Published On : January 6, 2023

8 .

The first G-20 meeting will be held in ______ on 31st January 2023.

A)

Goa

B)

Kerala

C)

Lakshadweep

D)

Puducherry

Correct Answer : Puducherry

Puducherry Lieutenant governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan said that the first G-20 meeting will be held in Puducherry on January 31, 2023.

* At a function held in beach road Gandhi Tidal, Lieutenant governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan released the G 20 logo for the meeting.

* Speaking at the event Dr. Tamisai thanked Prime minister Narendra Modi for giving an opportunity to host the G 20 Meetings to all the states.

* She released stickers, posters, and badges and also inaugurated a Selfie booth in the presence of Chief Minister Rengasamy.

* While addressing the occasion chief minister Rengasamy said that representatives from various countries will be participating in the meeting and important decisions will be taken..

Source : AIR

Published On : January 6, 2023

9 .

Who inaugurated (5th Jan 2023) "National Genome Editing & Training Centre" at National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) Mohali, Punjab?

A)

Rajnath Singh

B)

Ashwini Vaishnaw

C)

Jitendra Singh

D)

Dharmendra Pradhan

Correct Answer : Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday (5th Jan 2023) inaugurated “National Genome Editing and Training Centre (NGETC)” at National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) Mohali in Punjab.

* He also inaugurated a 4-day International Conference on Food and Nutritional Security 2023.

* Genome editing is a crucial tool to cause site-specific gene mutation changes so that important crop traits can be developed.

* These mutations have the potential to mimic nature-like mutations and could be target specific in the genome.

* NGETC will cater to the regional needs to adapt different genome editing methods.

* Dr Singh said that Agri-tech StartUp has an exclusive potential in India. He said, “the StartUp movement has picked up momentum in India and led to creation of over 80,000 StartUps whose number was only about 350 before 2014.”

* The Minister said, “this quantum jump in the number of StartUps must equally and proportionally reflect in Agri and Bio-tech as well because this area is yet to be fully explored and taken advantage of by Indian entrepreneurs and youth.”

* The 4-day conference will brainstorm how genome editing could enhance the country’s food and nutritional security under the changing climate in the country.

* The conference will work as a stage for fostering new research collaborations between laboratories in different countries.

* Advanced biotechnology tools such as genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 has potential to achieve these goals in a sustainable manner.

* NABI, under the Department of Biotechnology, is a national institute with a mandate focusing on research activities at the interface of Agriculture, Food and nutritional biotechnology. NABI can expand the genome editing of crops, including Banana, Rice, Wheat, Tomato, Maize and Millets..

Source : The Indian Wire

Published On : January 6, 2023

10 .

Who Inaugurated Octave festival 2023 at Thanjavur on 3rd Jan 2023?

A)

M. K. Stalin

B)

R N Ravi

C)

M. K. Alagiri

D)

Tamilisai Soundararajan

Correct Answer : R N Ravi

Octave 2023 is a festival being held under the aegis of the South Zone Culture Centre, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu to showcase the indigenous art and culture of Northeast India.

* Octave 2023 was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on 3rd Jan 2023.

* The Governor of Tamil Nadu said that the perspective of the nation towards the Northeast has changed with the passage of time and the state have involved in the growth stories of India. The Northeast is moving towards development and advancement and is bubbling with capacities and aspirations.

* Inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi under the sponsorship of the South Zone Culture Centre (SZCC)

* Participating states : Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh

* Eminent personalities in attendance : Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture B Chandra Mohan, Principal Secretary to Governor Anandrao V Patil, Director of SZCC K K Gopalkrishnan, Chairman of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan N Ravi, Director of BVB K N Ramaswamy

* Governor's remarks : people of Northeast are talented, innocent, emotional, energetic, enthusiastic; Northeast culture, art, and spirituality have contributed to nation's development; encouraged festival participants to visit Tamil Nadu and Chennai (spiritual and artistic capital)

* Festival dates : January 3-6, 2023

* Cultural programme will be staged on all days from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Craft fair and food festival will be held from 5 pm to 9.30 pm..

Source : ABP Live

Published On : January 6, 2023