Correct Answer :   Wipro

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India’s leading technology services and consulting company, Wipro, announced the launch of a new Center of Excellence on Generative AI in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

* The Wipro CoE on Generative AI is anchored within the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence (ScAI) at IIT Delhi and will support foundational and applied research, nurture talent, and expand state-of-the-art in this critical field.  

* The partnership underscores Wipro’s commitment to driving ongoing innovation in emerging technologies. It is part of the company’s $1 billion commitment to accelerating AI-led innovation as part of the Wipro ai360 ecosystem.

* According to Subha Tatavarti, Chief Technology Officer at Wipro Limited, they are excited to partner with IIT Delhi to foster accelerated innovation in some of the most exciting emerging areas of technology.

* This collaboration will not only enhance our research & development capabilities in emerging regions, such as generative AI. Still, it will also connect us with a talent pool that will help us build advanced solutions to address existing and emerging business problems.

* The CoE will act as an R&D hub, bringing together Wipro researchers with ScAI faculty members and graduate students to address at-scale real-world problems. Wipro CoE teams will jointly work on building innovative solutions using AI, ML, and other technologies.  

 

* In a statement, Dr Ajay Chander, Head of Research & Development at Wipro Limited, remarked that collaborating with the eminent and multidisciplinary faculty at IIT Delhi and its research partner ecosystem will help us realize the vision of Engineered Prosperity faster.  

* Professor Mausam, Head of the Yardi School of AI at IIT Delhi, shared his delightment in partnering with Wipro to create new learning and growth opportunities for the students of IIT. The CoE will allow students to gain valuable insight into problems of relevance to the industry and learn first-hand how their technical know-how transfers to commercial environments.

Correct Answer :   Tamil Nadu

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A new street circuit, which will also hold night races, was launched by the Tamil Nadu government and RRPL here on Wednesday (16th August 2023).

The state government has partnered with Racing Promotions Private Limited (RRPL) for the project. RRPL is also the promoter of the Indian Racing League and F4 Indian Championship.

Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, launched the circuit.

As for the track, it is a 3.5km layout, located around the Island Grounds that resides in the heart of the city.

Also, it would become the first-ever street circuit in India and South Asia that will be hosting a night race.

The track would be stretched across the Island Grounds, Victory War Memorial and the Napier Bridge with elevation changes, along with the view of the Marina Beach Road and the Bay of Bengal. It will also have 19 corners with multiple chicanes.

The newly launched track is set to host a couple of events - the F4 Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League on December 9-10, 2023.

According to its press release, the SDAT will be investing Rs 42 crore to host the event.

The F4 Indian Championship is an FIA-certified championship intended for aspiring and up-and-coming racing drivers and the Indian Racing League, which is India's only motorsports league with men and women drivers competing in a team-based championship. Drivers will be from India and overseas in both the championships..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   PR Seshadri

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 17th August 2023 approved the appointment of PR Seshadri as MD & CEO of South Indian Bank, with effect from 1st October 2023.

According to a notification to stock exchanges, the bank said Seshadri will serve for a period of three years.

Seshadri has served, amongst other positions, as Managing Director & CEO of The Karur Vysya Bank Limited (KVB), Managing Director & Regional Sales and Distribution Head, Citibank N.A., Asia Pacific, Singapore, Managing Director & Regional Head of Lending, Businesses, Citibank N.A., Asia Pacific, Singapore, Managing Director CitiFinancial Consumer Finance India Limited (CCFIL), India, Marketing Director, Citibank N.A, India Branches, Head of Structured Finance & Managing Director, CFRSIL & Integration Manager - Associates India Limited, Head of Banking Collections, Citibank N.A, India, Head of Automobile Finance -Northern India, Head of Community Banking, Northern India, and Mortgage Business, Head – Southern India, Citi India.

He is currently mentoring businesses both at an operating level as well as at the board level at various companies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Delhi College of Engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

“By August 2023, we’re expecting the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to give its clearance,” said Ramakrishnan.

South Indian Bank reported a net profit of Rs 202.3 crore for the April-June FY24 quarter on July 20, compared to Rs 115 crore in the corresponding quarter last yearwith effect from 1st October 2023.

The private sector lender's gross non-performing asset (GNPA) stood at 5.13 percent, down from 5.14 percent recorded in the same quarter last yearwith effect from 1st October 2023. Whereas, the net NPA (NNPA) of the lender for the quarter stood at 1.85 percent, declining from 1.86 percent on a year-on-year basis..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Trinidad and Tobago

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India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing INDIA STACK — a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale, the Ministry of Electronics and IT informed on August 17, 2023.

As per the statement, both sides have agreed to cooperate in the areas of digital transformation by means of capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices, exchange of public officials and experts, development of pilot or demo solutions, among others.

This collaboration comes after Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator Hassel Bacchus, last week.

During the meeting, discussions on mutual cooperation in the fields of IT, emerging technologies, and the India Stack were held.

Highlighting the significance of India Stack offerings, MoS Chandrasekhar said, "With the help of India Stack, these countries can climb up the digitalisation ladder rapidly and transform their economies and governance.”

It shall create a robust ecosystem of startups, developers and system integrators working around it on Next-Gen innovation.

Since June 2023, India has signed MoUs with various countries, namely Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Antigua & Barbuda to share India Stack. A similar MoU was also signed with Papua New Guinea also last month, showcasing the growing interest and acceptance of the initiative on a global scale. Several other countries, such as Mauritius and Saudi Arabia have shown interest and are at an advanced stage of finalising cooperation on India Stack. Meanwhile, UPI which is also a part of India Stack, has been accepted in France, UAE, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.

The MoU was signed in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Electronics and IT, National E-Governance Division, MeitY, and also from the Ministry of External Affairs..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Shatrujit Singh Kapoor

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In Haryana's Nuh district, IPS Officer Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor has been appointed as the Director General of Police, Haryana, replacing PK Agarwal.

* Kapoor had previously served a stint in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

* PK Agarwal, served as the DGP for two years, and retired on August 15, 2023. Giving a statement on the violence in Nuh, Agarwal had said that the situation is improving. Meanwhile, Hindu outfits announced that they would resume the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) Braj Mandal Yatra on August 28 in Nuh district after it was disrupted by communal violence last month.

* Earlier, the Nuh Superintendent of Police Varun Singla, who was on leave when the deadly communal clashes broke out, was transferred to Bhiwani. Six people, including two home guards and a cleric, had died in the clashes that erupted in Nuh over an attempt to stop a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession and spread to Gurugram.

* Shatrujit Singh Kapoor is a 1990 batch IPS officer. He has done B-Tech in Mechanical Engineering. Shatrujit Singh had held the post of SP and DIG in CBI from 2002 to 2005.

Correct Answer :   Rs. 14,903 crore

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The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the launch of an extended version of the Digital India programme, aimed at further accelerating the country’s digital transformation journey. The extended programme encompasses a wide range of initiatives spanning technology, education, governance, and innovation with an additional outlay of Rs 14,903 crore.

1. DIGILOCKER EXTENSION
In a bid to streamline documentation and enhance digital record-keeping, an extension of the DigiLocker platform will be introduced, specifically tailored for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other organisations. This move is anticipated to improve operational efficiency and facilitate seamless access to important documents.

2. FUTURESKILLS PRIME PROGRAMME
Acknowledging the rapidly evolving technological landscape, the FutureSkills Prime Programme is set to re-skill and up-skill around 6.25 lakh IT professionals. The initiative aims to equip them with the necessary expertise to excel in emerging technologies and contribute to the nation’s digital prowess.

3. ISEA PROGRAMME
Under the Information Security & Education Awareness Phase (ISEA) Programme, 2.65 lakh individuals will undergo comprehensive training in information security. This effort seeks to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity framework and create a more secure digital environment for all citizens.

4. UMANG APP EXPANDS SERVICES
The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) app, which already offers over 1,700 services, is set to enhance its offerings with an additional 540 services. This expansion aims to simplify access to government services and information through a single, user-friendly platform.

5. NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION GROWS
To further advance scientific research and computational capabilities, the National Supercomputing Mission will see the addition of 9 new supercomputers. This expansion builds upon the existing 18 supercomputers already deployed across the country.

6. BHASHINI
The AI-enabled multi-language translation tool, Bhashini, currently available in 10 languages, will be extended to cover all 22 Schedule 8 languages. This move is expected to break language barriers and foster better communication across diverse linguistic communities.

7. MODERNISATION OF NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
The National Knowledge Network, which interconnects 1,787 educational institutions, will undergo modernisation to provide enhanced connectivity and collaboration opportunities for students and researchers.

8. SUPPORTING STARTUPS
Under the extended version of the Digital India programme, 1,200 startups in tier 2 and 3 cities will receive support, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship beyond metropolitan areas.

9. CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR AI APPLICATIONS
Three Centres of Excellence will be established, focusing on developing AI applications for health, agriculture, and sustainable living in urban areas. These centres are poised to drive technological advancements for societal benefit.

10. CYBERSECURITY AND CYBER AWARENESS INITIATIVES
A significant emphasis will be placed on cybersecurity and cyber awareness. Cyber awareness courses will be made available for 12 crore college students, while initiatives will be taken to boost CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team - India) and take this organisation to the next level. The programme will also introduce new cybersecurity tools and integrate more than 200 sites with the National Cyber Coordination Centre.

Correct Answer :   Pramod Sawant

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The government of Goa on Monday (14th August 2023) launched its flagship scheme "Gramin Mitra" to provide doorstep delivery of government services across the state and promote digital empowerment in rural areas.

* Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister "Pramod Sawant" said the scheme will bridge the digital divide and promote digital empowerment in the rural parts of the state.

* State Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Rohan Khaunte, Union Minister Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade were present on the occasion.

* The launch of the "Gramin Mitra" initiative marks a significant step towards bridging the divide between rural and urban Goa, Sawant said.

* Programme Aim : To empower rural communities with access to information and opportunities that can transform their lives and drive socio-economic growth

* By bringing selected government services to people's doorsteps, the initiative saves their time and resources and ensures that no one is left behind in the digital age, the chief minister said.

* The Gramin Mitra scheme is poised to revolutionise the way public services are delivered in Goa, enabling rural communities to reap the benefits of technology and innovation..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Parminder Chopra

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Parminder Chopra, an industry veteran, has been formally appointed as the new chairman and managing director (CMD) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited. This appointment, as confirmed by PFC to the stock exchanges, makes her the first woman to lead the country's largest non-banking financial company (NBFC).

The Ministry of Power has approved Chopra's appointment "till the date of her superannuation (April 30, 2027) or until further orders, whichever is earlier", a regulatory filing stated.

Chopra was, since June 1, holding the additional charge of CMD, while also discharging her role as the director (finance), which she had assumed since July 2020.

About Parminder Chopra :

* The new PFC head has a cumulative experience of over 35 years, spanning across power and financial sectors. In her last stint as the company's director (finance), she "spearheaded the Finance Division, leading to highest Net Profit, highest Net worth and lowest NPA levels. its highest net Profit, highest Net worth and lowest NPA levels", the NBFC said.

* The robust financial performance, for which Chopra is credited, also allowed the public sector firm to attain the highest status of “Maharatna”.

* She had also played a key role in the successful implementation of Rs 1.12 trillion Liquidity Infusion Scheme (LIS) for the power distribution sector, PFC said. The scheme was rolled out as part of the Centre's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

* As the CMD, she will be "providing impetus to PFC’s crucial role of financing India's energy transition goals apart from funding power & infrastructure sectors", the exchange filing noted.

* Chopra had joined PFC in 2005, and was working as executive director (finance) before assuming the director (finance) charge in 2020. She was heading key finance functions including resource mobilisation (domestic & international markets), banking, treasury, asset liability management and stressed asset resolution.

* Her prior experience includes service in power sector majors like NHPC and Power Grid Corporation of India. In terms of educational background, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Delhi University and is a qualified Cost and Management Accountant..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Meghalaya

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development and maternal mental health in the northeastern state of Meghalaya.

The Meghalaya government is contributing USD 15.27 million to the project.

The project is expected to strengthen home-based childcare (children 0-1.5 years) and center-based childcare (1.5-6 years) through daycare (Anganwadi) centers in Meghalaya.

Project Aim :  To improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental health care and group-based parenting programs to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving.

ADB's assistance will also improve nutrient adequacy by adding eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children 0.5-6 years of age.

The first early years-including especially the first 1,000 days-are critical to a child's growth and development.

Providing ample nutrition and nurturing care early on and enabling both parents are essential to building a strong growth foundation for a child. At the heart of childcare are mothers, making it important to ensure they have the needed health services and support.

The ADB-supported project will upgrade 1,800 Anganwadi centers and construct around 600 new ones in hard-to-reach areas..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Rs 20000 Crore

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The government has cleared a Rs 20,000 crore deal to manufacture fleet support vessels (FSVs) which are urgently required by the Indian Navy.

* Vizag-based Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) will manufacture five of the 45,000-tonne warships, the largest ship of its class being built at the defence ministry-owned yard.

* The Indian FSV project was initially given a go-ahead in 2016 after the Indian Navy projected a requirement for ships that could carry fuel and other supplies for warships at sea.

* The ships are needed to support warships on long range patrol and can carry a variety of equipment, such as fuel, ammunition and food supplies. They will be able to support ships of all classes, including the two Indian aircraft carriers.

* The navy has a variety of new ships that are being planned, including next generation missile vessels and counter mine vessels. Three additional Scorpene class submarines are also expected to be ordered shortly.

* The order will come as a boost for HSL, which has been struggling with getting orders from the government. The yard has delivered a missile tracking vessel and has carried out refit and upgrades of Kilo class submarines...

Source : Economic Times