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.

Correct Answer :   India

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India has been identified as the country with the highest percentage of doping offenders, according to the 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report. Out of 4,064 samples collected from Indian athletes, 127 individuals tested positive for banned substances, constituting 3.26% of the sample size. This highlights a concerning trend in Indian sports and underscores the need for comprehensive measures to address doping.

Increase in Testing and Adverse Findings :

The report also reveals a 6.4% increase in the total number of samples analyzed compared to the previous year. Additionally, the percentage of Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) rose to 0.77% in 2022 from 0.65% in 2021, indicating a growing issue worldwide.

Comparative Analysis :

India’s doping violations surpassed those of major sporting nations such as Russia, the United States, Italy, and France. China conducted the highest number of samples testing but had a lower percentage of adverse findings compared to India.

Need for Remedial Action :

These findings underscore the urgent need for India to tackle doping through enhanced scientific research infrastructure, improved education about banned substances, and better coaching practices. The involvement of coaches, doctors, and physiotherapists associated with sports teams is crucial in this regard.

Director General’s Statement :

Olivier Niggli, WADA’s director general, emphasized the importance of intelligence-led testing alongside values-based education, investigations, and other strategies to combat doping effectively. This multi-faceted approach aims to protect athletes and maintain the integrity of sports.

Correct Answer :   SIDBI

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The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has forged a partnership with fintech platform KarmaLife to extend micro loans to gig workers. This collaboration aims to enhance financial inclusion for gig workers by leveraging KarmaLife’s mobile app technology to streamline loan access without the need for extensive paperwork.

Streamlined Loan Access for Gig Workers :

KarmaLife’s mobile app eliminates the traditional hurdles associated with obtaining micro loans, enabling gig workers to access financial assistance conveniently. This streamlined process is designed to cater to the liquidity needs of gig workers engaged in various enterprise activities.

Facilitating Financial Inclusion :

The partnership between SIDBI and Onion Life Private Limited, through its technology platform KarmaLife, seeks to support the financial inclusion of gig workers by providing them with formal institutional credit. By simplifying the loan application process, the initiative aims to empower gig workers economically and foster their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Commitment to Digital Innovation :

SIDBI’s Chairman and Managing Director, S Ramann, emphasizes the institution’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to offer affordable credit solutions to micro-enterprises. This pilot program is envisioned to not only assist gig workers but also to establish an institutional framework for assessing credit risks within this segment.

Addressing the Growing Gig Economy :

In response to the rapid expansion of the gig economy in India, there is a growing demand to provide accessible and affordable financial support to non-salaried gig workers. This partnership underscores the importance of adapting financial services to meet the evolving needs of this dynamic workforce.

Empowering Gig Workers :

Rohit Rathi, Co-founder and CEO of KarmaLife, expresses enthusiasm about empowering gig workers with the necessary financial resources to thrive in the gig economy. By facilitating efficient liquidity management, KarmaLife aims to enable gig workers to maximize their entrepreneurial potential and achieve financial stability.