Correct Answer :   10th April 2024

---

Former Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Jack Clarke has passed away at the age of 70 in Adelaide, said the governing body on Wednesday (10th April 2024).

Clarke joined the CA Board as a director in 1999 and served as its Chairman from 2008 to 2011. He also spent 21 years as a director at the South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) and was made an Honorary Life Member of the SACA in 2012.

As CA Chairman, Clarke was instrumental in many important initiatives, including commissioning reports into governance and high performance that helped shape and modernise Cricket Australia’s practices in these areas and the launch of the Big Bash League..

Source : Sentinel Assam

Correct Answer :   Pakistan

---

Pakistan is often referred to as the "Country of Canals" due to its extensive network of man-made waterways, particularly stemming from the mighty Indus River and its tributaries.

In a world comprising 195 countries, with 193 of them being members of the United Nations, each nation boasts its own natural wonders, including rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and canals. These natural features not only contribute to biodiversity but also play a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance. However, did you know that there is a country known as the land of canals? Let’s delve into which country holds this title and the primary reasons behind it.

What is a Canal?

A canal is a man-made waterway constructed to divert water from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs for various purposes such as irrigation, transportation, or drainage. Canals typically have artificial banks and are often equipped with locks or gates to control water flow. They play a crucial role in facilitating water distribution to agricultural lands and supporting transportation networks in many regions worldwide.

Which Country is Known as “Country of Canals”?

Pakistan is often referred to as the “Country of Canals” due to its extensive network of man-made waterways, particularly stemming from the mighty Indus River and its tributaries. These canals form the backbone of Pakistan’s irrigation system, supplying water to agricultural lands, especially in the Punjab province. With more than 70 major canals, Pakistan’s canal network plays a vital role in supporting the country’s agricultural activities and sustaining livelihoods.

Why is Pakistan known as the Land of Canals?

* Now, let’s uncover why Pakistan is often referred to as the land of canals. Pakistan’s extensive network of canals, particularly those stemming from the Indus River and its tributaries, forms the backbone of its irrigation system. These canals play a vital role in supplying water to agricultural lands, especially in the province of Punjab, known as Western Punjab in Pakistan, which was part of undivided Punjab before partition.

* During the partition of India in 1947, Punjab was divided into two parts, with one portion remaining in India and the other becoming part of Pakistan. Consequently, Pakistan inherited a significant portion of the canal network, particularly in Western Punjab, now known as the Punjab Province of Pakistan.

Prominent Canals in Pakistan

* Some of the major canals in Pakistan include the Great Thal Canal, the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal, the Lower Bari Doab Canal, the Sidhnai Canal, the Upper Chenab Canal, the Lower Chenab Canal, and the Haveli Main Line Canal, among others. Pakistan is home to more than 70 canals, highlighting the importance of its canal network in the country’s agricultural landscape.

Correct Answer :   Jagjit Pavadia

---

India has been elected to several key bodies at the United Nations. This includes a significant victory by its nominee, Jagjit Pavadia, who was re-elected for a third term to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

Jagjit Pavadia’s Re-election to the INCB :

* Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected to the INCB by secret ballot for a third term, from March 2025 to 2030.
* He garnered the highest number of votes in the highly competitive election.

India’s Election to Other UN Bodies :

India was also elected by acclamation to the following UN bodies:

* Commission on the Status of Women (2025-2029)
* Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (2025-2027)
* Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (2025-2027)
* Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (2025-2027)
* Executive Board of the World Food Programme (2025-2027)

India’s Commitment to the UN :

* India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, stated that India remains steadfast in its commitment to actively engage in the discourse within these UN bodies.
* This commitment is guided by the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), which underscores India’s dedication to contributing constructively and collaboratively to global deliberations.

The Election Process and India’s Convincing Win :

* The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held elections to fill vacancies in 17 of its subsidiary bodies.
* India secured 41 votes out of the 53 voting members of the ECOSOC, the highest among all winning member states.
* Jagjit Pavadia’s re-election was a convincing win, with the candidate in second place garnering 30 votes.

Jagjit Pavadia’s Background and the INCB’s Mandate :

* Jagjit Pavadia has been a member of the INCB since 2015 and served as its President in 2021-2022.
* He has held several senior positions in the Indian Revenue Service, including Narcotics Commissioner of India and Commissioner of Legal Affairs.
* The INCB is an independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the United Nations’ international drug control conventions.
* The INCB’s mandate includes ensuring adequate supplies of drugs for medical and scientific uses and preventing the diversion of drugs and chemicals into illicit channels.

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

---

Adani Green Energy Limited, an Adani Group company, is building the world’s largest renewable energy park in Khavda, Kutch district of Gujarat. The park is spread over 538 square kilometers, which is about five times larger than the total size of the French capital, Paris.

Khavda Plant Capacity

* According to Vineet Jain, Managing Director of Adani Green Energy, the total capacity of the Khavda plant will be 30 GW.
* Adani Group will invest Rs 1.5 lakh crore in this project.
* Currently, 2 GW of renewable energy is being produced from this park, and 4 GW capacity will be added by March 2025.
* Thereafter, 5 GW capacity will be increased every year.

Khavda Park’s Proximity to the Pakistan Border

* The Khavda Park is just 1 kilometer away from the international border with Pakistan.
* The share of solar energy in the proposed capacity of 30 GW is 26 GW, while wind energy will be 4%.
* When the park is fully operational, it will generate 81 billion units of electricity, which can supply the entire demand of countries like Belgium, Chile, and Switzerland.

Nodal Agency for Hybrid Renewable Energy Park :

* Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited (GIPCL) has been appointed as the nodal agency for the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park.
* The project to build this park was prepared as part of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and work on the project has been ongoing since 2021.

Reasons for Locating the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park in Kutch :

* More than 1 lakh hectares of barren land is available near Khavda, located on the India-Pakistan border in Kutch, Gujarat.
* The weather in this region is favorable for both solar and wind energy generation.
* The area is sensitive from a security perspective, and permission was sought from the Defense Ministry to construct the park.

Challenges in Constructing the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park :

* Challenges include humid air, salty water, salty soil, and security concerns due to the park’s proximity to the Pakistan border.
* Lack of basic facilities, including mobile networks, makes it difficult to retain workers on the project.
* There is a risk of Pakistani terrorists infiltrating the worker population.

Timeline for Completion of the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park :

* 50% of the work will be completed by December 2024, with the production of 14,000 MW of electricity.
* The Hybrid Renewable Energy Park will be fully operational by December 2026, with the production of 30 GW of electricity.

Correct Answer :   Sachidananda Mohanty

---

Sachidananda Mohanty, former Professor and Head of the Department of English, University of Hyderabad and former Vice­ Chancellor of Central University of Odisha, has been appointed as Member, University Grants Commission (UGC) for three years with immediate effect.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Government of India, issued a gazette notification on the appointment.

In a career spanning more than three decades, Mohanty has received many distinctions in the field of education and culture, nationally and internationally. He is a former Professor and Head of the Department of English, University of Hyderabad and former Vice­ Chancellor of Central University of Odisha.

Winner of many national and international awards such as the Katha, British Council, Fulbright(twice), Charles Wallace and the Salzburg, he has published extensively in the field of British, American, gender, translation and Post-Colonial studies. His books have appeared in Oxford, Sage, Routledge and Orient ?ongman, among other notable publishing houses.

He was a member of India’s Education Commission to the UNESCO and Governing Board member of Auroville Foundation. He is the son of late Bidyut Prabha Devi, renowned poet of Odisha and late Panchanan Mohanty, financial advisor to the Government of Odisha..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   ZeroPe

---

Ashneer Grover is the co-founder and former managing director of the fintech company BharatPe. After his high-profile exit from BharatPe in 2022, Grover has now ventured into the fintech space again with a new app called ZeroPe.

Introducing ZeroPe: Grover’s Latest Fintech Venture

* ZeroPe is a new fintech app that is currently in the testing phase.
* The app has been developed by Grover’s new company, Third Unicorn, which he launched in January 2023 along with his wife Madhuri Jain Grover and Chandigarh-based entrepreneur Aseem Ghavri.

Focusing on Medical Loans :

* The primary focus of ZeroPe is to provide instant pre-approved medical loans of up to Rs 500,000 to users.
* These loans are offered in collaboration with a Delhi-based Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) called Mukut Finvest.
* The ZeroPe app service is exclusively available at partner hospitals, as mentioned on the app’s website.

Addressing a Growing Market Need

* ZeroPe is entering a growing market for instant financing solutions for medical bills and elective treatments.
* Other businesses like SaveIn, Qube Health, Arogya Finance, Neodocs, Fibe, Kenko, and Mykare Health are already offering similar services in this space.

Projections for India’s Digital Healthcare Market :

* The digital healthcare market in India is projected to generate $37 billion in revenue by 2030.
* Healthcare financing is estimated to contribute $5 billion to this figure.

Grover’s Other Ventures: Third Unicorn and CrickPe

* In January 2023, Grover, along with his wife and the Chandigarh-based entrepreneur, launched Third Unicorn as their new venture.
* Third Unicorn started with a fantasy sports app called CrickPe, which competes with established players like Dream11, MPL, and My11 Circle.
* Third Unicorn raised $3.5 million in a seed funding round led by ZNL Growth Fund, with participation from Vevek Ventures Investments and Rishaayu LLP.

Correct Answer :   Lindy Cameron

---

Lindy Cameron, an Oxford graduate and former CEO of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, has been appointed as the UK's first woman high commissioner to India.

This appointment signifies a milestone in UK-India relations and reflects Cameron's distinguished career and expertise in international affairs.

Correct Answer :   Jagjit Pavadia

---

Ms. Jagjit Pavadia has been re-elected to the International Narcotics Control Board for the period 2025-2030.

The election, held in New York by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, saw Ms. Pavadia securing the highest number of votes, with India receiving 41 out of 53 votes from the council's voting members.

Correct Answer :   Pune

---

Command Hospital in Pune has achieved a significant milestone by successfully employing piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants, aiding patients with auditory impairments like congenital hearing loss in children and Single Sided Deafness in adults.

This breakthrough highlights Pune's leadership in innovative healthcare solutions, especially in treating complex conditions related to hearing.

Correct Answer :   12th April

---

The International Day of Human Space Flight is commemorated every year on April 12 to mark the beginning of the space era for mankind. The United Nations General Assembly, on April 7, 2011, passed a resolution to establish the International Day of Human Space Flight on a particular day every year.

The primary reason behind choosing April 12 as the date is rooted in the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s achievement to orbit Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft on this day. This achievement by Gagarin paved the path for space exploration for the benefit of humanity.

The International Day of Human Space Flight is celebrated to reaffirm the role of space science and technology in accomplishing sustainable development goals, while also contributing to the improvement of the well-being of states and peoples. To celebrate the day, several space museums, science centres, and schools organise events dedicated to space-related programs.

History :

The first human-made satellite Sputnik I was launched into outer space by the Soviet Union in 1957, paving the way for space exploration. It took four years for another momentous occasion to occur. Yuri Gagarin, the Russian cosmonaut, made the first human space journey on April 12, 1961, in Vostok 1, his space spacecraft. Gagarin took 108 minutes to complete his journey in space, which was a watershed moment in the Space Race.

International Day of Human Space Flight 2024, Significance :

* Space exploration not only provides insights into our solar system’s history, but has added a valuable contribution to various fields such as communication, navigation, and weather forecasting among others. Besides, it is helpful in the development of new enterprises.

* The United Nations recognises the efforts of scientists in exploring the possibilities to detect potentially hazardous objects roaming in our solar system through these studies and approaching our planet. This helps us in advanced preparations to face an incoming possible danger.

* Had it not been for space exploration, the world would not have been able to have satellites in space which are the core foundation for communication, navigation, and security.