Correct Answer :   Tarun Bajaj

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The US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) has appointed former Revenue Secretary and ex-Secretary of Economic Affairs Tarun Bajaj as the head of the US-India Tax Forum.

Bajaj, 61, joined the USISPF as an advisor to the Board of Directors in January and will now spearhead the US-India Tax Forum, an official announcement said on Tuesday.

“With his extensive experience and profound expertise in finance and taxation, Tarun stands as an ideal candidate to steer our efforts forward. His adept leadership in shaping fiscal and tax policies and navigating intricate economic terrains will fortify our mission of nurturing strong economic bonds between the United States and India,” said Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO of USISPF.

A 1988-batch Haryana Cadre IAS officer, Bajaj served as Revenue Secretary. During his tenure with the Indian government, he played a pivotal role in shaping fiscal policies and promoting economic growth.

Bajaj managed both the direct and indirect tax revenues for the Government of India and was instrumental in stabilising the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He also played a critical role in formulating India’s economic response to the pandemic, including the rollout of various relief measures and economic stimulus packages..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   April 11th

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World Parkinson’s Day is observed annually on April 11 to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. This day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals living with Parkinson’s, as well as their caregivers and families.

History of World Parkinson’s Day :

* The date is chosen to mark the birthday of Dr James Parkinson, the British physician who first described the symptoms of the disease in his groundbreaking essay, ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy,’ published in 1817. Dr. Parkinson’s work laid the foundation for the understanding of Parkinson’s disease, and his contributions are honoured on this day.

Significance of World Parkinson’s Day :

* The significance of World Parkinson’s Day extends beyond simply raising awareness about the disease. It’s a day to highlight the impact Parkinson’s has on individuals and communities worldwide and to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis, access to quality care, and ongoing research efforts.

* Parkinson’s disease is characterised by symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty with balance and coordination. These symptoms can significantly impair a person’s quality of life, making it challenging to perform daily tasks and maintain independence.

* Through increased awareness and understanding of Parkinson’s, individuals living with the disease can receive the support and resources they need to manage their symptoms effectively. Moreover, World Parkinson’s Day serves as a platform to advocate for policies that improve access to healthcare, promote research funding, and enhance the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

* By acknowledging World Parkinson’s Day, the global community can come together to support those living with Parkinson’s, honour the contributions of medical pioneers, and work towards finding a cure for this debilitating condition..

Correct Answer :   9th April 2024

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Former New Zealand legspinner Jack Alabaster passed away on Tuesday (9th April 2024) night at the age of 93 in Cromwell, U.K.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) took to X to announce the demise of Alabaster, "NZC is deeply saddened to mark the death of leg-spinner Jack Alabaster, who died in Cromwell last night aged 93. A champion of Southland and @OtagoCricket, Jack played 21 Tests from 1955-1972 (including the first four wins NZ achieved), taking 49 wickets at 38.02."

Alabaster is considered to be one of the best spinners to hail from New Zealand. From 1955 to 1972, he featured in 21 Tests and claimed 49 wickets.

He represented Otago in domestic cricket and made 143 first-class appearances during which he claimed 500 scalps.

He was also a part of New Zealand's first four Test wins and also toured India and Pakistan in 1955-56, England in 1958, South Africa in 1961-62 and the West Indies in 1971-72..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Sushil Sharma

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The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel has recommended Sushil Sharma for the position of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of SJVN Limited. This decision was made during the panel’s meeting on April 8th, 2024. Sharma, currently serving as Director (Projects) within the organization, emerged as the frontrunner from a pool of nine candidates interviewed by the PESB selection panel.

Sushil Sharma’s Background and Experience :

* Having joined SJVN in 1994 as an Assistant Engineer, Sharma has steadily risen through the ranks, showcasing his expertise in hydroelectric projects. With a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from VNIT, Nagpur, and over 30 years of experience, including significant contributions to projects like the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Project and the 412 MW Rampur HPS, Sharma is poised to lead SJVN into its next phase of growth.

Selection Process :

* Out of the nine candidates considered, which included representatives from various sectors such as Indian Railways, NHPC Limited, BSNL, Power Grid, GAIL (India) Limited, and Patel Engineering Ltd., Sharma’s extensive experience and proven track record set him apart, making him the frontrunner for the position of CMD at SJVN Limited.

About SJVN Limited :

* SJVN Limited is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, established in 1988 to develop, operate, and maintain power projects in the country. The company has a diverse portfolio of hydroelectric, thermal, and renewable energy projects, making it a significant player in the Indian power sector.

* Sushil Sharma’s appointment as the Chairman & Managing Director of SJVN Limited will leverage his deep understanding of the company’s operations and his proven expertise in hydroelectric project development to drive the organization’s future growth and expansion plans.

Correct Answer :   Nepal

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PhonePe, in collaboration with eSewa and the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Pokhara, is set to promote UPI during the Fewa New Year Festival in Nepal. The festival, spanning from April 11-14th, is a celebrated event attracting both locals and Indian tourists, offering cultural experiences and culinary delights.

Objectives and Activities :

Objectives : Activities :

Statements from Key Figures :

* Ritesh Pai, CEO International Payments, PhonePe : Expressed excitement about the partnership and emphasized the focus on merchant education and awareness to drive UPI adoption in Nepal.

* Jagdish Khadka, CEO, eSewa : Highlighted the opportunity to promote digital payments and enhance the overall visitor experience during the festival, aligning with the needs of Indian tourists.

* Laxman Subedi, President HAN Pokhara Chapter : Underlined the festival’s aim to attract visitors and promote tourism, emphasizing Pokhara’s appeal as a cultural and culinary destination.

* Diwas Sapkota, CEO, Fonepay : Expressed pleasure in the strategic partnership to integrate UPI capabilities onto the Fonepay Network, leveraging the festival’s massive turnout to showcase advancements in payment technology.

About the Collaborating Entities :

* PhonePe Group : Leading fintech company in India with a focus on digital payments and expansion into financial services and consumer tech businesses.

* eSewa: Nepal’s first and leading online Payment Service Provider (PSP) committed to fostering financial inclusion and creating a digital economy.

* Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) : Representative organization in Nepal’s hospitality industry, fostering unity among hoteliers and promoting their interests.

* FonePay : Payment System Operator facilitating digital transactions in Nepal, regulated by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) and focused on driving a cashless economy.

Correct Answer :   Pakistan

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Syedal Khan Nasir have been elected as Pakistan’s Senate chairman and deputy chairman, respectively.

Election Confirmation :

* Senate Secretary Qasim Samad Khan confirmed their election to the top roles in the upper house of Pakistan parliament.

Senate Swearing-in :

* A total of 41 newly elected Senators were sworn in as members of the House in a session of Pakistan’s Senate. The lawmakers took oath amid protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders.

PTI Protest :

* On the floor of the House, PTI Senator Ali Zafar proposed postponing the election session until the Senate elections are held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI announced its refusal to participate in electing the Senate chairperson and deputy chairperson.

Dysfunctional Senate :

* Pakistan’s upper house became dysfunctional after the retirement of half of its members. Elections were held in Islamabad, Punjab, and Sindh, but not in PTI-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to delayed polls.

Election Results :

* The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition secured 19 seats, sweeping the Senate elections. The ruling coalition now controls 59 of the 85 seats in the centre.

Foreign Minister as Presiding Officer :

* Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who secured a win in a technocrat seat, is the presiding officer for the first session of the Senate. PTI Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand objected, arguing that a presiding officer should be someone who was already a Senator.

Correct Answer :   Second

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India ranks second globally in Hepatitis B and C cases, with 3.5 crore infections, as per the WHO's 2024 Global Hepatitis Report. This ranking highlights the significant health challenges posed by Hepatitis and the need for public health interventions.

Correct Answer :   Third

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India ranked third globally in unicorn creation with 67 unicorns, trailing behind the United States with 703 unicorns and China with 340, as per the Hurun Global Unicorn Index.

This position reflects India's status in the global startup ecosystem, despite a decline in unicorn creation for the first time since 2017.

Correct Answer :   SBI

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State Bank of India (SBI) engaged in the first Credit Default Swap (CDS) trade under the new RBI norms, partnering with Standard Chartered Bank India for a ?25 crore transaction.

This signifies a significant development in credit risk management and financial instrument sophistication in India.

Correct Answer :   KABIL

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* Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) for Technical & Knowledge cooperation for Critical Minerals.

* The MoU entails KABIL leveraging CSIR-IMMT's technical expertise for various projects, including designing metallurgical test work-plans, reviewing process flowsheets, and selecting process technologies for mineral processing and metal extraction.

* This collaboration, spearheaded by KABIL, aims to advance scientific research and technology development in the mineral and metallurgical sectors, thereby enhancing India's mineral security and meeting domestic requirements in line with the Make in India initiative.