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.

Correct Answer :   NTPC

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NTPC Limited, India's largest power company, is unveiling a new version of its Girl Child Empowerment Mission (GEM), aligning with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign to promote gender equality and provide opportunities for young girls' development.

Correct Answer :   Kazakhstan

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In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, believed to be perpetrated by extremists from Central Asia potentially influenced by Pakistani seminaries, India and Kazakhstan convened in Astana to bolster their collaboration against terrorism.

Key Discussion Points :

* Regional Terrorist Threats: Both nations engaged in discussions regarding the terrorist landscape within their respective regions. This included addressing state-sponsored terrorism and cross-border terrorist activities, particularly prevalent in South Asia.

* Afghanistan-Pakistan Region: The meeting also delved into the specific challenges posed by terrorism in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Strategies were explored to combat the growing menace in this area, which often spills over into neighboring countries.

Key Points about Kazakhstan :

* Geographical Location : Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country, located in Central Asia, bordered by Russia to the north, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the west.

* Capital and Major Cities : The capital city of Kazakhstan is Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), while other major cities include Almaty, Shymkent, and Karaganda.

* Rich Cultural Heritage : Kazakhstan boasts a diverse cultural heritage influenced by its nomadic history and the convergence of various ethnic groups. Kazakh, Russian, and other ethnic groups contribute to the country’s multicultural society.

* Economy : Kazakhstan has a robust economy driven primarily by its vast reserves of natural resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals. The country has been focusing on economic diversification and modernization efforts to reduce its reliance on resource extraction.

* Political System : Kazakhstan is a presidential republic, with Nursultan Nazarbayev serving as the country’s first president from independence in 1991 until his resignation in 2019. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev succeeded Nazarbayev as president.