August - 2024 Current Affairs

Correct Answer :   Patna

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Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has received Stage-I approval from its Board of Directors to construct a greenfield marketing terminal in Bihta, Patna, Bihar.

This project involves relocating the existing marketing terminal and pipeline pump station in Patna and is estimated to cost Rs 1,698.67 crore.

The new terminal will be situated on the Barauni-Kanpur and Patna-Motihari-Baitalpur Pipelines, enhancing the infrastructure in Patna.

Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

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Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) partnered with RajCOMP Info Services Ltd (RISL) to enhance public service delivery and promote energy efficiency in Rajasthan.

This collaboration utilizes the extensive e-Mitra network to offer UJALA products and services, including LED lighting and efficient cooling systems, on RISL's e-Mitra portal, thus promoting energy-efficient solutions throughout the state.

Correct Answer :   Government employees

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The Electronic Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS) introduced by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh is designed to benefit government employees by streamlining and enhancing the management of their service matters through digitization.

This system facilitates data-driven decisions related to training and personnel management, reduces transaction time and costs, and improves access to digital records, thus providing instant access to service details for all government employees (central and state) for better HR management.

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The three-day event for the Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum was held in New Delhi from August 1-3, 2024.

Organized by the GLAM Division of the Union Ministry of Culture, this event marked a significant moment in India's cultural landscape.

The 'State Museum Conclave' brought together key stakeholders, including Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Resident Commissioners of State governments, museum directors, and other cultural experts to discuss the creation of the world's largest museum in New Delhi.

Correct Answer :   Droupadi Murmu

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The two-day Conference of Governors began at Rashtrapati Bhavan 2nd Aug 2024. President Droupadi Murmu is presiding over the conference. This is the first Conference of Governors being presided over by President Droupadi Murmu.

Governors of all States are attending the Conference. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers including Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dr Mansukh Mandaviya are attending the conference.

In a social media post, Mr Modi said, he attended the Conference of Governors this morning. The Prime Minister said, this is an important forum in which they discussed how Governors can foster development and serve society.

The Vice Chairman and CEO of NITI Aayog and other senior officials from the PMO, and Cabinet Secretariat in the Home Affairs Ministry will also participate.

The agenda of the Conference includes the implementation of three criminal laws, reforms in higher education and accreditation of universities, and the development of focus areas development like tribal areas, aspirational districts and blocks and border areas, role of Governors in campaigns like MYBharat, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and Ek Vriksha Maa ke Naam and natural farming.

Enhancing public connect and role of Governors in better coordination between various central agencies in the state is also part of agenda.

Governors will deliberate these agenda items in various breakaway groups. In the concluding session, these groups will make presentation before the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and other participants. .

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

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Minister for Culture and Tourism "Gajendra Singh Shekhawat" inaugurated (1st Aug 2024) the ‘State Museum Conclave on the upcoming Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The three-day conclave aims to deepen discussion on various aspects of the upcoming museum by stakeholders and provide their valuable insights to develop as a world class museum.

Addressing the inauguration session, Mr. Shekhawat said, with the increase of India’s capability and strength, the world has inclined towards India. He added that people across the globe want to explore and understand India today.

Mr. Shekhawat said, India has many valuable heritage assets which are unseen by the world so far and need to be showcased on a global platform.

He added the world has accepted India’s heritage and infrastructure after successfully organised two international events like G20 and World Heritage Committee of Unesco. Mr. Shekhawat said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focusing on the country’s development with the vision of ‘Virasaat Bhi aur Vikaas Bhi’.

Speaking on the Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum, Mr. Shekhawat said, India is on the path to developing the largest museum in the world. He expressed confidence that the outcome of the conclave will be strengthened by the idea of Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum.

Akashvani correspondent reports that more than 150 stakeholders, including 80 representatives of state museums and universities across the country, are participating in the conclave.

The Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum is set to develop as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project in New Delhi. The museum will be spread over one lakh 54 thousand square meter, which will be the largest museum in the world...


Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Tel Aviv

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Air India on Thursday (1st Aug 2024) cancelled its flight from the national capital to Tel Aviv, citing operational reasons. The cancellation also comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terror group Hamas.

Air India operates four flights from Delhi to Tel Aviv every week.

In an update on its website, Air India said it has cancelled its flights AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv and AI140 from Tel Aviv to Delhi on August 1 due to operational reasons.

"Passengers having confirmed bookings for travel on these two flights, will be provided with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. The inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted," it said...

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   8th

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India held onto its position as the world’s eighth(8th)-largest exporter of agricultural products in 2023, despite a decline in exports from $55 billion in 2022 to $51 billion.

This stability comes amid a general decrease in agricultural exports among seven of the top ten exporting nations.

Key Insights from WTO Trade Statistics 2023 :

* The WTO’s Trade Statistics 2023 report highlights that only three countries among the top ten—Brazil, the European Union (EU), and Thailand—increased their agricultural exports in 2023.

* Brazil saw an increase of 6% to $157 billion, maintaining its third place, while the EU’s exports rose by 5% to $836 billion, preserving its top spot. Thailand’s exports grew by 0.2%, although it remains outside the top three.

Impact of Geopolitical Factors :

India’s export decline can be attributed to geopolitical issues such as the Red Sea crisis and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which affected global trade dynamics. Additionally, India imposed export bans on wheat (May 2022), non-basmati rice (July 2023), and sugar (October 2023), contributing to the overall decrease in agricultural exports.

Ranking of Other Top Exporters :

The United States, despite a decrease to $198 billion, retained its second position. China, holding the fourth spot, saw a minor drop to $95 billion. Other countries in the top ten include Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, and Australia.

New Digital Tools for Trade Data :

The WTO’s 2023 report introduces a new interactive platform for exploring international trade data. This tool enables users to view and analyze trends in world trade, both by value and volume, with options to filter by economy, region, and product group.

Correct Answer :   Vikas Lakhera

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Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera assumed the position of Director General of the Assam Rifles on Thursday (1st August 2024), also known as the “Sentinels” of the northeastern region.

* He took over from Lt. Gen. PC Nair, who retired after four decades of service. Lt. Gen. Lakhera has extensive professional experience serving in the northeast region.

* He was commissioned into the 4 SIKH LI of the Indian Army on June 19, 1990, and has held various command and staff appointments throughout his career.

* Lt. Gen. Lakhera served as the Additional Director General of Military Operations, where he handled information warfare, before taking over as the Director General of Assam Rifles.

* He has extensive experience in planning and executing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in Jammu, Kashmir, and the Northeastern region.

* The officer graduated from the Defence Service Staff College in Wellington. He also completed the Higher Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management in Secunderabad and the prestigious National Defence Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.

* His academic qualifications include an MSc from Madras University, an MA from King’s College, London, and a Masters in Management Studies from Osmania University.

* He is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Sena Medal, the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card, and two Army Commander Commendation Cards..

Source : Bharat Shakti

Correct Answer :   Third

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Rapido is the third Indian startup to become a unicorn this year after fintech Perfios and AI upstart Krutrim.

Bike-taxi startup Rapido is the latest Indian startup to become a unicorn, meaning it reached $1 billion in valuation. The 8-year-old firm has raised $120 million in a new funding round led by WestBridge Capital, according to a regulatory filing.

The new capital, a Series E infusion, underscores Rapido’s growing prominence in India’s mobility sector where it has emerged as a formidable challenger to the long-standing duopoly of Uber and Ola.

It is simultaneously also helping Swiggy’s competitive stance against rival Zomato in the fiercely contested food-delivery market.

Swiggy led Rapido’s last round in April 2022, which valued the mobility startup at $800 million. Rapido has raised about $430 million to date.

Rapido’s focus on two-wheeler transportation, instead of cabs, has allowed it to navigate the challenges that have hindered the growth of traditional cab-hailing services in India, capitalizing on the widespread use of motorcycles and scooters in the country’s congested urban centers.

Rapido didn’t respond to a request for comment.

In Rapido, Swiggy has found a delivery partner that is helping it serve the growing food delivery orders in the country. Rapido is able to provide its drivers more work opportunity through its tie-up with Swiggy, according to an investor of Rapido, who requested anonymity discussing strategy. Swiggy eventually plans to increase its stake in Rapido, according to a person familiar with the situation, but not before the IPO..

Source : Tech Crunch