Correct Answer :   Justice Fatima Beevi

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Justice Fatima Beevi has been appointed as the first woman judge in India’s Supreme Court on 6th October 1989, breaking the rule that said only men could be judges in Supreme Court.

In the annals of legal history, there are certain individuals who did something great. M. Fathima Beevi is one of these important people. She broke the rule that said only men could be judges in Supreme Court of India.

She started from a humble beginning and worked hard to reach the pinnacle of the Indian Judiciary.


Early Life and Education :

Fatima Beevi, born on April 30, 1927 in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, was raised in a society where gender roles were deeply entrenched. She went to school at Catholicate High School and later moved to Trivandrum for more studies. She got a degree in science from University College and then studied law at Government Law College in Trivandrum.

Breaking Records :

Fatima Beevi was one of only five girls in her law class, and later only three. But that didn’t stop her. In 1950, after finishing her law studies, she took a big exam called the Bar Council exam. She not only passed but also become the first woman to get the highest marks. She even got a special medal for this achievement.


Legal Career of M. Fatima Beevi :

After becoming a lawyer, she started working in the lower courts in Kerala from November 14, 1950. She kept moving up and eventually reached an important position of judge in Supreme Court of India.


Historic Appointment of M. Fatima Judge :

On 6 October, 1989, Justice Fatima Beevi created history by becoming the first lady judge in India’s Supreme Court. This was a huge deal because it showed that women could do any job, even ones that were usually done by men. Her appointed opened the doors for other women who wanted to work in the law field.

Notable Judgements :

Fatima Beevi’s legacy also includes her insightful judgements. In cases such as “Scheduled Caste and Weaker Section Welfare Assn. v. State of Karnataka” and “Assam Sillimanite Ltd. v. Union of India”, her thoughtful approach underscored the importance of safeguarding citizen rights and questioning unconstitutional laws.


Beyond the Courts :

After retiring from the Supreme Court, Fatima Beevi became a member of the National Human Rights Commission. Fatima Beevi also had a political career. She became the Governor of Tamil Nadu on 25th January 1997. This showed that she was also a great leader who made important decisions for the state. From 1997-2001, she served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, leaving an indelible mark on governance.


Legacy :

Fatima Beevi’s remarkable journey, from a young woman in Kerala to a pioneer in the Indian legal system, continues to inspire generations. Her unwavering commitment to justice, her trailblazing spirit and her advocacy for gender equality have left an indelible mark on India’s legal landscape.

Correct Answer :   13th August 2023

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Former Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) president Prof MR Satyanarayana Rao, known for his research in biochemistry, passed away following a cardia arrest at his Tatanagar residence here at 7pm Sunday (13th August 2023). He was 75.

* The Padma Shri recipient is survived by his mother, wife and two sons. Born in January 1948 in Mysuru, Prof Rao graduated and completed his PG from Bangalore University before getting his PhD from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where he later served as chairman, the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Department of Biochemistry.

* Rao, whose area of expertise was in biochemistry and molecular biology, did his postdoctoral research at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, US.

* He served as JNCASR president for a decade between 2003 and 2013. He was also associated with the Chromatin Biology Lab at the institute. He was a member on several panels of the ICMR and CSIR.

* During his long professional career he served as assistant professor in Baylor College of Medicine.

* He was also a visiting Professor at the Harvard Medical School, and visiting Scientist at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California at San Diego, USA.

* He was also member, Karnataka Knowledge Commission between 2014-2017. Prof Rao received various awards and honours aside from Padma Shri. his cremation is scheduled for Tuesday (15th August 2023)..

Source : ToI

Correct Answer :   16th August

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Death Anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee 2023 : As the nation observed the solemn occasion of the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 16th August, leaders from various political backgrounds and affiliations converged at the ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial in Delhi.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Praful Patel, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister, Anupriya Patel and HAM’s Jitan Ram also paid tribute to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 5th death anniversary.

Former PM Atal Bihari’s foster daughter Namita Kaur Bhattacharya pays floral tribute at ‘Saidav Atal’ on his death anniversary.


PM Modi’s Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by President Droupadi Murmu, paid his respects at the memorial. PM Modi’s tribute extended beyond the physical act, he tweeted on X, “I join the 140 crore people of India in paying homage to the remarkable Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India benefitted greatly from his leadership. He played a pivotal role in boosting our nation’s progress and in taking it to the 21st century in a wide range of sectors.”

This heartfelt tribute from the current Prime Minister echoed the feelings of countless Indians, underscoring Vajpayee’s contributions in steering India towards growth and prosperity across various sectors.

About Atal Bihari Vajpayee :

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s journey in Indian politics spanned decades during which he became an important figure representing the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). His leadership marked an era of significant growth and development in various sectors, from economics to international relations. Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister was characterized by his commitment to good governance, economic reforms and foreign policy initiatives that elevated India’s global stature.

Born on 25th December 1924, Vajpayee’s legacy extended beyond his time as the Prime Minister. He served two non-consecutive terms as PM, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s political landscape.


A Lasting Tribute: Good Governance Day :

In recognition of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s contributions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared December 25th, his birthdate, as Good Governance Day. This annual observance seeks to commemorate Vajpayee’s commitment to effective governance, nation-building and progress.

Correct Answer :   R. Doraiswamy

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Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a public sector insurance firm, has announced the appointment of Doraiswamy Ramachandran as the Managing Director, effective from September 1, 2023.

Currently, Doraiswamy is serving LIC as the Executive Director at the head office in Mumbai. He will be taking over from Mini Ipe, who is retiring as CEO and MD this month, after around 35 years of service. In her latest role, she had been acting as MD since 2021, and prior to that, she served as the Executive Director of the Legal department for LIC.

In the exchange filing submitted by LIC, it stated, “Pursuant to the Government of India’s Notification F. NO. A-11011/04/2023-Ins. dated 14th August 2023, Shri R. Doraiswamy, Executive Director (IT/SD), Life Insurance Corporation of India, Central Office, Mumbai, has been appointed as Managing Director, LIC of India vice Ms. Ipe Mini with effect from the date of assumption of charge of Office on or after 1st September 2023 and up to the date of his superannuation (i.e., 31st August 2026), or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”

Doraiswamy’s appointment as Managing Director (MD) of LIC has been recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), the official recruiter of directors for state-owned banks and financial institutions.

The bureau led by Bhanu Pratap Sharma, ex-Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), also recommended the appointment of Sat Pal Bhanoo as MD of LIC in July 2023.

Doraiswamy joined LIC in 2010 as Senior Divisional Manager and was promoted to Chief Information Technology Officer in 2013. After over 10 years of service, he was named Executive Director in 2022. Prior to that, he worked as a Research Associate at the National Insurance Academy for over five years.

On the academic front, Doraiswamy graduated from the Institute of Actuaries of India and completed a fellowship programme from the Insurance Institute of India. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Madurai Kamaraj University..

Source : People Matters

Correct Answer :   13-15 August 2023

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The government is celebrating Har Ghar Tiranga from 13-15 August 2023, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Har Gar Tiranga campaign launched by the Ministry of Culture has transformed into a people’s movement with increasing jan-bhagidari, said Culture secretary Govind Mohan.

The idea behind this is to commemorate the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with the essence of collaborative participation.

Giving details in a presser, Mohan said that the Postal Department has placed requisition for 2.5 crore flags this year and 55 lakh flags have already been sent out through post offices.

The Ministry of Textiles has already sent out 1.3 crore flags to states, he said and added, "Crores of flags are also being produced by self-help groups in states indicating a trend of AtmaNirbharta in flag manufacturing."

According to the Culture Ministry, this year the Tiranga rallies are under full swing in various parts of the country and are witnessing immense public participation.

Correct Answer :   Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar

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Pakistan on their Independence day got their caretaker Prime Minister in little known  senator from Baluchistan- Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif dissolved the parliament last week as its five-year term came to an end. Usually, such a step is a formality and a general election would typically have to be held within 90 days.

The 52 year old senator from Baluchistan takes charge of Pakistan which has been wracked by political and economic instability for months. The latest development being former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan's most popular politician, getting arrested and put in jail and disqualified from elections for five years.

Kakar was sworn in by President Arif Alvi on Pakistan's Independence Day in a ceremony carried live on TV, having resigned from his post as senator on Sunday (13th August 2023).

"I Anwaar-ul-Haq, do swear solemnly... that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan," he said.

Kakar, who is comparatively new to politics and known to be close to the powerful military, has been representing his Baluchistan province in the Senate since 2018.

Kakar on Sunday (13th August 2023) quit as the head of his small Baluchistan Awami Party and quit as a senator after being named by outgoing premier Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raza Riaz to oversee the vote and run the day-to-day affairs of the government until the people elect a new government, reported AP.

For the new Prime Minister of Pakistan the first task in order will be to choose a cabinet to run the country as it heads into an election period that could last for months.

It is normal practice in Pakistan to appoint a caretaker administration for the election period. Under the constitution, the election should take place in the next 90 days.

The swearing-in took place as Pakistanis celebrate the country's 76th Independence Day. But the day comes amid a deepening political turmoil, which started after the removal of former premier Imran Khan from power last year..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   World Health Organization

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A first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, is set to take place on August 17-18, 2023, at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The summit will take into account the vast experience and expertise of the country and this highly anticipated event will serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to delve into the latest scientific advancements and evidence-based knowledge in the sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring health and well-being for all.

The esteemed Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will inaugurate the event in the presence of Minister of Health Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

G20 health Ministers, Regional Directors of WHO and eminent invitees from countries across WHO's six regions are expected to grace the event along with scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, health workers and members of civil society organisations. Union Minister of State for Ayush, Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai gave this information in a press conference today at New Delhi.

Dr Munjpara stated that the summit's outcome will be a declaration, and this declaration will assist WHO in shaping the future of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. He also stated, “It is very natural that after the foundation laying ceremony of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar last year, we are going to witness this first global event in India. It testifies to the multi-dimensional strides taken by various traditional medicine systems of our country in the recent past.”

“By blending traditional practices with contemporary practices aided by visionary policies and digital initiatives, India has demonstrated a path for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through traditional medicine systems.” He added.

Director, Department of Health Systems Development (WHO South East Asia Regional Centre) Shri Manoj Jhalani stated that the summit is expected to develop a roadmap toward creating a more holistic and healthier world for future generations by recognizing the interconnectedness between human health, planetary harmony, and technological advancement.

An array of distinguished speakers will be spearheading discussions on key focus areas, namely research, evidence and learning; policy, data and regulation; innovation and digital health; and biodiversity, equity and traditional (healthcare) knowledge..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   5

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August 15 is a day of celebration for many countries around the world. It is the day on which they gained their independence from colonial rule.

* India, South Korea, North Korea, Bahrain, and Liechtenstein all celebrate their independence on August 15.

* India gained its independence from British rule in 1947. This was a momentous occasion for the Indian people, who had long struggled for freedom. The day is celebrated with parades, flag hoisting ceremonies, and cultural events.


* Republic of Congo

Set on the western coast of Africa, this country is also known as Congo-Brazzaville. Originally a French colony, it gained independence from France in 1960. Don’t confuse this place with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is a neighbouring country!

* South Korea and North Korea

On this day in 1945, the Korean peninsula was freed from Japanese rule. It was then divided into the two countries we know today—the exciting and chaotic South Korea, and its secretive northern neighbour, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

South Koreans call this day ‘Gwangbokjeol’, meaning ‘the day the light returned’. Many countries also mark this date as ‘Victory over Japan Day’, to celebrate Japan’s surrender in World War II.


* Liechtenstein

One of Europe’s smallest but richest countries, Liechtenstein doesn’t actually have an independence day…because it has never been captured! Instead, August 15 is the country’s National Day—a public holiday since 1940 that sees fireworks, street fairs and processions in the capital city of Vaduz.

Bahrain

* On August 15, 1971, Bahrain’s local population chose to free themselves from British and Iranian control using a United Nations survey. This small group of islands in the Persian Gulf then grew to be a jet set country with a glittering skyline. However, Bahrain’s actual National Day is celebrated on December 16, when the country’s first emir (ruler) took the throne.

Correct Answer :   RBI

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The Reserve Bank has selected global consultancy firms McKinsey and Company India LLP and Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd India to develop systems using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for its supervisory functions.

The RBI is looking to extensively use advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to analyse its huge database and improve regulatory supervision over banks and NBFCs. For this purpose, the central bank plans to hire external experts.

In September last year, the RBI invited expressions of interest (EoI) for engaging consultants for the use of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for generating supervisory inputs.

Based on the scrutiny/evaluation set out in the EOI document, the central bank had shortlisted seven applicants to participate in the request for proposal process (RFP) for the selection of consultant(s).

The seven firms were Accenture Solutions Private Limited; Boston Consulting Group (India) Pvt Ltd; Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP; Ernst and Young LLP; KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP; McKinsey and Company; and Pricewaterhouse Coopers Pvt Ltd.

Of these, McKinsey and Company India LLP and Accenture Solutions Private Limited India have been awarded the contract, as per a Reserve Bank document.

The value of the contract is about Rs 91 crore.

While the RBI is already using AI and ML in supervisory processes, it now intends to upscale it to ensure that the benefits of advanced analytics can accrue to the Department of Supervision in the central bank.

The Department of Supervision has been developing and using linear and a few machine-learnt models for supervisory examinations. The interest now is to explore the data to identify its attributes that can be leveraged to generate new and improved supervisory inputs, said the EoI issued in September.

The supervisory jurisdiction of the RBI extends over banks, urban cooperative banks, NBFCs, payment banks, small finance banks, local area banks, credit information companies and select all Indian financial institutions..

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   Shri Charanjit Singh

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One District One Product (ODOP) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) joined hands to launch ‘ODOP wall’ here 11th August 2023.

* Launching the ‘ODOP Wall’, Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Ministry of Rural Development, GoI said that such convergence is one more step forward towards realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of showcasing the uniqueness of Indian Craft before the world.

* The One District One Product (ODOP) program, an initiative under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, aims at manifesting the vision of the Prime Minister to make the country and its people self-reliant by fostering balanced regional development across all districts of the country.

* The program selects, brands, and promotes one unique product from each district, showcasing the diverse range of products across the country which encompasses various sectors, including handlooms and handicrafts.

* The launch was joined by Ms. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Ms. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Shri Raghvendra Pratap Singh, Director, Rural Livelihoods, Ms. Nivedita Prasad, Deputy Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Shri Raman Wadhwa, Deputy Director, Rural Livelihoods along with other officials from the Ministry of Rural Development and Ms Supriya Devasthali, Director, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with other officials from the Ministry.


Under this Collaboration :

Products are being identified from all districts to be promoted for their unique qualities and cultural significance which include various handicrafts, handloom, and agricultural products that have been associated with the identity of their place of origin.

Collaboration Aim : To drive consumers towards emporia, boosting sales and increasing the visibility SARAS products even further to promote indigenous crafts and artisans of rural SHGs women..

Source : PIB