Correct Answer :   Air India

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Air India has appointed Jayaraj Shanmugam, an industry veteran with 25 years of experience spanning across airlines, airports, and telecom industries, as the Head of Global Airport Operations. This decision comes amidst the airline’s efforts to enhance its operations and customer experience as part of the Vihaan.AI transformation journey.

Shanmugam’s Expertise and Role :

* Expertise in Customer Experience and Operations: Jayaraj Shanmugam brings distinctive expertise in driving excellence in customer experience and airport operations, gained through his extensive career with renowned airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Jet Airways.

* Expectations and Goals: His appointment is expected to significantly enhance Air India’s airport operations and pave the way for achieving milestones in the Vihaan.AI transformation journey.

Restructuring and Organizational Changes :

* Employee Layoffs and Reassignments: Air India, under the Tata Group’s ownership, recently laid off more than 180 non-flying employees as part of organizational restructuring. The company reassigned roles based on organizational needs and individual merit, with a focus on enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

* Employee Evaluation Process: A comprehensive evaluation process was undertaken over the past 18 months to assess the suitability of all employees. This process included offering voluntary retirement schemes and reskilling opportunities, with 1% of the employee base ultimately being laid off due to their inability to utilize these opportunities.

Air India’s History and Recent Transition :

* Historical Background: Founded by JRD Tata in 1932, Air India has a rich history and has established a robust network of flights both domestically and internationally.

Correct Answer :   Zimbabwe

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In an effort to stabilize its economy after years of turmoil, Zimbabwe has launched a new gold-backed currency called ZiG, an abbreviation for “Zimbabwe Gold.” This move comes as the country grapples with hyperinflation and a volatile financial landscape.

Key Features of ZiG :

Under the leadership of central bank governor John Mushayavanhu, the ZiG currency will operate with a market-determined exchange rate, replacing the depreciating RTGS dollar. The new notes, ranging from denominations of 1 to 200, aim to restore confidence in the local currency. Additionally, coins will be introduced to alleviate the scarcity of US coins, which has led to unconventional forms of change.

Backing and Stability :

To instill faith in the ZiG, Mushayavanhu assures that the currency will be backed by precious minerals, predominantly gold, or foreign exchange reserves. This measure aims to prevent the rampant devaluation experienced by previous iterations of the Zimbabwean dollar, addressing historic mistrust stemming from past currency crises.

Challenges and Skepticism :

Despite the introduction of ZiG, the US dollar remains the dominant currency in transactions, reflecting deep-seated preferences among Zimbabweans. Skepticism persists due to previous failed attempts at currency stabilization, notably the bond note, which collapsed amid government overspending.

Moving Forward :

With a 21-day window for exchanging old notes, the success of ZiG hinges on its ability to maintain stability and restore economic confidence. The government’s commitment to prudent monetary policies and effective oversight will be crucial in ensuring the viability of the new currency in the long term.

Correct Answer :   ?5 Lakh Crore

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In FY24, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) loans surpassed the ?5 lakh crore mark, reaching ?5.20 lakh crore in disbursements.

This milestone reflects the program's success in providing collateral-free institutional credit to small businesses, with significant growth and lower delinquency rates, driven by effective credit management mechanisms and empowering women entrepreneurs.

Correct Answer :   Neeraj Sharma

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Neeraj Sharma received the "Medal of Honour" at Consular Day 2024 in Chennai for his exemplary efforts in promoting bilateral relations between Palau and India.

The award, presented by Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi, recognizes his contributions to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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The TATA Group is collaborating with Taiwan's PSMC to establish a 300 mm wafer fabrication plant in Gujarat. This strategic initiative aims to launch the initial 28 nm chip in 2026, contributing to India's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

Correct Answer :   Sangeet Natak Akademi

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To rejuvenate the Temple Traditions in the country Sangeet Natak Akademi, under the series of Kala Pravah, is organizing the festival under the title ‘Shakti a festival of music and dance’ during the holy Navaratri, which starts from today i.e., 9th April 2024. Since Navaratri symbolizes the power of nine goddesses, the Akademi will organize the festival celebrating temple traditions under the title Shakti at seven different Shaktipeeths from 9th to 17th April 2024, in different parts of the country.

The inauguration of the Shakti festival will begin today from the Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati and this will be continued at Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Jwalamukhi Temple, Kangada, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura Sundari, Udaipur, Tripura, Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha, Gujarat, Jai Durga Shaktipeeth, Deoghar, Jharkhand and it will be concluded on 17th April, 2024 at Shaktipeeth Maa Harsidhi Temple, Jaisinghpur, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy of performing arts and an autonomous body of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has been working towards the preservation, research, promotion and rejuvenation of performing art forms of the country expressed in the form of music, dance, drama, folk and tribal art forms and other allied art forms of the country..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Singapore

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* The 14-member IPEF bloc, including India and the US, will organise an investor forum meet in Singapore on June 5- June 6, 2024, wherein domestic climate tech entrepreneurs and companies can win a chance to showcase and pitch their products to global investors.

* The government has invited applications from domestic climate tech entrepreneurs and companies to participate in the meeting, the commerce ministry said in a statement.

* The last date to apply is April 26 and the applications will be evaluated by regional and industry experts.

* “The top 100 companies will be announced in early May 2024 and shortlisted companies will be invited to showcase and pitch at the investor forum in Singapore,” it added.

* The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was launched in May 2022 and includes 14 countries namely Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.

* It provides a platform for these countries to collaborate on advancing resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth, and aims to contribute to cooperation, stability and prosperity in the region. The IPEF comprises four pillars of cooperation – Trade, Supply Chain, Clean Economy and Fair Economy.
The IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum is one of the initiatives under the framework.

* It brings together the region’s top investors, philanthropists, financial institutions, innovative companies, startups and entrepreneurs, the ministry said, adding that the forum aims to mobilize investments into sustainable infrastructure, climate technology and renewable energy projects..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Myanmar

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Sittwe Port located in Myanmar will now be operated by India. After Iran's Chabahar Port, this is the second foreign port which will be operated by India.

A proposal of India Ports Global (IPGL) to take over the operations of this port located on the Kaladan river has been approved.

Correct Answer :   Srinivas Pallia

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Wipro said that its board has appointed Srinivas Pallia as the chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) of the company, effect from 7 April 2024.

* Srinivas Pallia will take over as CEO and managing director. He succeeds Thierry Delaporte, who after spearheading a significant transformation at Wipro for the last four years, is stepping down to pursue passions outside the workplace.

* The board of directors noted the resignation of Thierry Delaporte with effect from 6 April 2024. He will be relieved from the employment of the company with effect from the close of business hours on 31 May, 2024.

* Srinivas PIllai holds a bachelors degree in engineering and a masters in management studies from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He graduated from Harvard Business Schools Leading Global Businesses executive program, and the Advanced Leadership Program at McGill Executive Institute.

* Srini joined Wipro in 1992 and has held many leadership positions, including President of Wipros consumer business unit and global head of business application services.

* Srini is an ideal leader to lead Wipro at this pivotal moment for our company and industry. Over the past four years, Wipro has undergone a major transformation under the most challenging external conditions. Srini has been an integral part of this journey. His client-centric approach, growth mindset, strong execution focus, and his commitment to Wipro's values, make him the perfect fit as we enter the next chapter of growth and profitability, said Rishad Premji, Chairman, Wipro..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   GAIL

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GAIL (India) Limited has been honored with the prestigious 15th CIDC Vishwakarma Award in the ‘Achievement Award for Best Construction Projects’ category for its remarkable accomplishment in the Barauni – Guwahati Natural Gas Pipeline project (BGPL). The project, an integral component of the Jagdishpur – Haldia & Bokaro – Dhamra Pipeline project, marks a significant milestone by connecting North-East India to the National Gas Grid for the first time.

Project Overview :

The Barauni – Guwahati Natural Gas Pipeline project spans 718 km and serves as a pivotal conduit for delivering environmentally friendly natural gas to the entire North-East region through the Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL). Notably, the project caters to prominent customers such as IOCL refineries at Guwahati and Bongaigaon, as well as nine Geographical Areas for City Gas Distribution across Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

Engineering Feats :

The project encountered various challenges, including traversing the formidable Brahmaputra river and negotiating tough terrain with unstable sub-soil strata. However, the GAIL team demonstrated exceptional prowess in overcoming these obstacles. Key engineering achievements include the groundbreaking 3.6 km HDD crossing of the Brahmaputra River, the longest at the time, and the pioneering use of micro-tunnelling techniques for four major river crossings.

GAIL’s Contribution :

As a leading gas pipeline operator, GAIL has played a pivotal role in enhancing the Natural Gas pipeline infrastructure and market development. With an extensive network spanning over 16,000 km across 20 states and 3 union territories, GAIL continues to drive growth and development in the Indian natural gas sector.

CIDC Vishwakarma Awards :

The CIDC Vishwakarma Awards, inspired by the ethos of construction excellence embodied by Lord Vishwakarma, celebrate and incentivize individuals and organizations to elevate their performance and make significant contributions to the Indian construction industry’s growth and development.