Which Indian-American has been appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force?

Daily Current Affairs

Neal Mohan

Vivek Ramaswamy

Ravi Chaudhary

Arun Subramanian

Correct Answer : Ravi Chaudhary

On 15th March 2023, the United States Senate confirmed Ravi Chaudhary, an Indian-American, as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and the Environment.

Chaudhary won the mandate with a vote of 65-29, making him one of the top civilian leaders in the Pentagon. He is the first Indian-American to serve in this position.

Chaudhary's nomination was supported by US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who released a statement congratulating him on his achievement. She shared that Chaudhary had dreamed of serving the United States as an Air Force pilot, and that he had dedicated his career to public service.

She expressed confidence in his qualifications and experience for the role and looked forward to working with him to support the men and women of the Air Force.

Who is Ravi Chaudhary?

Chaudhary served as an active duty Air Force pilot for over two decades, between 1993 and 2015. He conducted numerous combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq during this time. After his retirement from military service, Chaudhary served as a senior official within the Regions and Center Operations and Office of Commercial Space at the Federal Aviation Administration for five years. He was also appointed by President Obama to serve on the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

As the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and the Environment, Chaudhary will be responsible for the Air Force's sustainability and operational readiness. This includes developing installations and basing strategies, as well as ensuring the quality of military housing..

Source : Mint

Published On : March 17, 2023

Solar’s Ascendance in India :

In 2015, India ranked ninth in solar energy deployment, but by 2023, it produced 5.8% of its electricity from solar, up from 0.5% in 2015. This significant increase underscores India’s commitment to clean energy and its pivotal role in mitigating climate change.

Global Solar Growth Trends :

Ember’s report highlights that solar energy witnessed a remarkable increase globally, with 2023’s solar generation exceeding six times that of 2015. The top four solar growth countries, including India, accounted for 75% of this growth, emphasizing the widespread adoption of solar power worldwide.

Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India's Toy Exports Slip to _____ Million in 2023-24

$102.92

$121.19

$139.53

$152.34

Correct Answer : Option (D) - $152.34

India’s toy exports experienced a slight decline to USD 152.34 million in the fiscal year 2023-24, with limited benefits from quality control measures. Despite efforts to bolster the domestic industry and ensure product safety, exports did not see significant improvement.

Declining Export Trends :

Export figures dropped marginally from USD 153.89 million in the previous fiscal year to USD 152.34 million in 2023-24, as outlined by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Despite a modest increase in exports from FY’2020 to FY’2022, the subsequent year witnessed a downturn.

Import Trends :

Conversely, imports rose to USD 64.92 million in 2023-24 from USD 62.37 million in the preceding year, indicating a persistent challenge in balancing trade dynamics.

GTRI’s Recommendations :

Comprehensive Industry Development Strategy : GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava emphasized the necessity for a holistic approach to foster the growth of India’s toy industry and bolster exports.

Domestic Ecosystem Strengthening : Developing a robust domestic ecosystem is paramount, alongside measures to encourage renowned global toy brands to establish manufacturing facilities within India’s borders.

Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India Leads Global Remittances, Surpassing _____ Billion Mark.

$50

$100

$200

$250

Correct Answer : Option (B) - $100

India emerged as the global leader in remittances in 2022, receiving over $111 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) highlighted India, alongside Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France, as the top five remittance recipient countries.

Consistent Growth: From $53.48 Billion to $111.22 Billion

The UN’s World Migration Report 2024 underscored India’s consistent growth in remittances, noting a rise from $53.48 billion in 2010 to $111.22 billion in 2022. This significant increase showcases India’s pivotal role in the global remittance landscape.

Southern Asia’s Significance in Global Remittances :

The IOM emphasized Southern Asia’s importance as a major recipient of global remittances, attributed to its high proportion of migrant workers and emigrants. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh all ranked among the top ten recipients worldwide, highlighting the sub-region’s reliance on labor migration.

Prominent Migration Corridors and Destination Countries :

While India ranks 13th as a destination country for immigrants, it features prominently in various international migration corridors, including India-United Arab Emirates, India-Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh-India, all of which are among the top 10. This indicates India’s significant role in global labor migration patterns.

Published On : May 9, 2024