Correct Answer :   Om Birla

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Om Birla inaugurated the 20th annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, India Region. The conference will deliberate on natural disasters and strategies for management with special reference to the northeast region.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has appealed to the people of Manipur to maintain peace and harmony due to the ongoing unrest in the Northeastern state. Speaking at the opening of commonwealth parliamentary association meeting for the North East legislators 29th July 2023 at Rilbong, Meghalaya he appealed for peace.

The Lok Sabha speaker also said that in the process of development, we should not deviate from path of human values and ethics and it is the collective responsibility of all of us to protect our tradition, heritage and culture. He also spoke about Regional cooperation and connectivity through Act East policy as it will enhance regional integration at political, economic and social levels in North East.
 
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has made an official request to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to designate the Shillong Airport as an International Airport. During his address at the Conference, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that the Shillong airport, with an average of 10,000 passengers per month, enjoys direct connectivity to major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Aizawl, Agartala, Imphal, Dimapur, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Nirmala Sitharaman

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will launch the Rs. 33,000-crore backstop fund for mutual funds (MFs) on Friday (28th July 2023).

The backstop facility, termed the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF), was cleared by the capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), in March.

The fund corpus will be created by pooling money from debt schemes. The initiative aims to provide liquidity to debt schemes during periods of market stress.

According to a Sebi circular issued on Thursday, debt schemes — excluding passive, overnight, and gilt funds — will contribute 25 basis points (bps) of their assets under management towards the creation of the CDMDF.

Conservative hybrid funds will also contribute to the fund. In addition, asset management companies (AMCs) will make a one-time contribution of 2 bps.

The total collection will be around Rs. 3,300 crore. The fund can avail itself of credit for up to 10 times the initial corpus whenever needed. The circular also details the investment framework of the CDMDF and the pricing models.

During phases of market dislocation, MF schemes will be able to sell their investment-grade papers to the CDMDF at a fair value rather than selling at distressed prices in the market to meet redemptions. They can sell bonds to the fund to the extent of their contribution.

The fund has been set up in the form of an alternative investment fund and will enjoy a guarantee from the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company.

From the same stage in Mumbai, Sitharaman will flag off the AMC Repo Clearing, a limited-purpose clearing corporation backed by Sebi and funded by AMCs. The platform will help all regulated entities — such as AMCs, insurance companies, market makers, and short-term traders — take positions and manage their risks in listed corporate bonds and debentures (non-convertible debt securities), commercial papers, and certificates of deposit..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   106

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The Ministry of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed 106 MoUs with various esteemed organizations and institutions in New Delhi (30th July 2023).

The event took place on the occasion of the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2023 and the 3rd anniversary of the National Education Policy. Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the MoUs aim to foster innovation, research, and knowledge exchange in multiple domains, promoting collaboration in education and industry-academia linkages. These partnerships involve both public and private entities and cover school education, literacy, and higher education.
 
Under the CBSE, 15 MoUs were signed with organizations like Atal Innovation Mission, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft, among others, to focus on skill development and education.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) signed 3 MoUs, including one with Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) to promote Indian Sign Language.
 
NCERT signed 20 MoUs for quality e-Content development and dissemination. In the realm of higher education, 6 MoUs were signed to promote the Indian Knowledge System. International collaborations were also strengthened with 6 MoUs signed.

Additionally, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed 14 MoUs to equip the youth with cutting-edge skills and knowledge. These partnerships reflect the government's commitment to nurturing academic excellence and fostering innovation in India..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   July 29

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International Tiger Day is celebrated on July 29 every year to raise awareness about the conservation of tigers. Tigers, listed as an endangered species in many regions worldwide, face numerous threats to their survival, including habitat loss and poaching. Countries all over the world celebrate this day as a comprehensive effort to protect tigers and their natural habitat at a global level. International Tiger Day is celebrated so that humans and tigers can coexist harmoniously.


International Tiger Day History :

* International Tiger Day, or Global Tiger Day, was proposed for the first time in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia. Many countries agreed to join an agreement to safeguard tigers. Among these countries were thirteen tiger range countries including India, Russia, and China.

* At the Saint Petersburg Summit, the countries committed to a resolution to double the number of tigers by 2022, which is also the Chinese year of the tiger. Since then, International Tiger Day has been celebrated every year.

International Tiger Day Significance :

* Tigers are mostly found in Asia and Africa. Unfortunately, because of poaching and habitat loss, more than 95 percent of tigers have been killed, leaving the remaining 5 percent severely endangered. Tigers play a crucial role in the food chain and in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.

* It is critical to save these animals before they become extinct. The importance of tigers for the environment, the threats they face from poaching for body parts, and the immediate measures required to safeguard this endangered species are all highlighted on International Tiger Day.

Correct Answer :   Deepak Mohanty

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Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the revamped website of the National Pension System Trust. Prof. Manoj Anand and Ms. Mamta Shankar, Whole Time Members, PFRDA, Shri Suraj Bhan, Chairman, NPS Trust, were also present on the occasion.

* The new website accessible at https://npstrust.org.in marks a significant milestone in NPS Trust’s commitment to enhancing user experience and providing seamless access to information related to the National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

* The new website features a sleek and intuitive design, optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. It incorporates a range of new features and improvements to better serve the needs of the people.

The key highlights of the website are :

* Streamlined navigation and menu structure
* Structured Information
* Enhanced online services with new features
* Enhanced user experience
* Improved search functionality

On the landing page itself, 3 important tabs :

1. Open NPS Account
2. Plan your retirement (pension calculator)
3. View my NPS holdings

are placed for the convenience of the subscribers.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The 10th meeting of Sub Committee on Military Cooperation between India and Malaysia was held in New Delhi on July 27, 2023.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence Shri Amitabh Prasad, while the Malaysian side was headed by Assistant Chief of Staff, Defence Operations and Training Division Maj Gen Dato' Khairul Anuar bin Abd Aziz.

During the meeting, the existing defence cooperation between the two countries was reviewed and wide-ranging discussions were held on issues of mutual interest.

Both sides explored effective and practical initiatives to further expand the bilateral defence engagements. The Indian side highlighted the potential of the Indian defence industry with capacity and capability to cooperate with the Malaysian Armed Forces in its shipbuilding and maintenance plans.

Both the co-chairs also deliberated on the possible outcomes for the 12th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting which will be held at the level of Defence Secretary in India in September this year.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the Enhanced Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust & understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy & rule of law. The Enhanced Strategic Partnership was established during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Malaysia in 2015..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   National Health Authority

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National Health Authority (NHA) has launched 100 Microsites Project under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). A Microsite, within the context of ABDM, shall be a cluster of all small and medium scale clinics, nursing homes, hospitals (preferably <10 bedded), labs, pharmacies and other healthcare facilities that are ABDM-enabled and offer digital health services to the patients.

These Microsites would be established across the country in various states/UTs, majorly implemented by State Mission Directors of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission while the financial resources and overall guidance would be provided by National Health Authority.

Aim : The Microsites aim to establish a small ecosystem within a particular geographic area where there is complete ABDM adoption, and the entire patient journey is digitized.

The State/UT may leverage a development partner and an interfacing agency for setting up and running the microsite. Within the microsite, all health facilities and healthcare professionals serving across different systems of medicines, especially from the private sector, shall be registered in ABDM modules like Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), Health Facility Registry (HFR) followed by installation of ABDM enabled applications. 

The patients visiting these centers will also become a part of ABDM with their health records linked to their ABHA which would then be accessible to them on their mobile phone applications like ABHA App, Aarogya Setu among others.

Talking about the project, CEO, NHA said – “We aim to establish 100 such Microsites across the country where focused efforts would be made to bring as many small-medium scale healthcare entities under the ABDM fold.

This will not only increase adoption among private sector providers but will also help ABDM to expand its footprints among the private healthcare providers across the country as well.”

It is intended that through these microsites, as many small-medium scale healthcare providers are made aware of ABDM and its benefits, registered on ABDM’s core registries, use ABDM certified digital solutions, and eventually begin to link digital health records - all contributing towards a wider adoption of ABDM in the country. Such focused adoption efforts will activate the ecosystem to embrace ABDM..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Mahindra & Mahindra

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Mahindra & Mahindra Limited has picked up 3.53% stake in RBL Bank as an investment at a cost of ₹417 crore, the company informed the exchanges on Wednesday (26th July 2023).

“We may consider further investment subject to pricing, regulatory approvals and required procedures. However, in no circumstance will it exceed 9.9%,” it said.

Following reports of the stake buy, shares of RBL Bank jumped 8.5% to touch a 52-week high of ₹242.20 intraday. The stock later pared some gains to close 7.2% higher at ₹239.40 on the NSE.

As per RBI norms, any entity looking to acquire over 5% stake in a bank needs to seek prior approval from the regulator.

“No such application has been received by us till date. The bank wishes to state that the holding of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited as per the last beneficiary position as on July 21, 2023 as received from the depository (NSDL) is 3.53% of the total paid up share capital of the Bank,” RBL Bank notified the bourses..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Bhutan

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Bhutan has announced the successful elimination of rubella. On 21 July 2023, the World Health Organisation recognised Bhutan's efforts to tackle this highly contagious and potentially devastating disease, The Bhutan Live reported.

In the past 20 years, Bhutan's health workers have worked tirelessly and fought against rubella, also known as German Measles, according to the report.

This infectious disease poses a threat to those infected and also causes severe complications for pregnant women, resulting in irreversible birth defects in newborns.

However, Bhutan's efforts in vaccination promotion and creating awareness have resulted in commendable success..


Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   NS Vishwanathan

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Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of NS Vishwanathan as non-executive (part-time) chairman of Axis Bank for three years.

His appointment to the post will come into effect on October 27, 2023. Axis Bank appointed him as an independent director in May.

Vishwanathan who joined the Reserve Bank of India in 1981, has a career of nearly four decades at the central bank. He got retired in March 2020 as the deputy governor.

Throughout his time as the deputy governor, he demonstrated extensive knowledge and proficiency in central banking, which spanned several critical domains including administration, banking and non-banking regulation, governance, risk management, and human resource management.

He also held other significant roles including director of supervision at the Bank of Mauritius; chief vigilance officer and head of internal audit with the Industrial Financial Corporation of India. He was also a member of the board at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), where he served from July 2016 to March 2020.

In addition to his role at Axis Bank, Vishwanathan currently serves as the non-executive chairman of the Governing Council at the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, Hyderabad, as also of the Academic Council of the College of Supervisors, RBI, Mumbai.

He is an independent expert professional on the Investment Approval Committee of the National Stock Exchange in Mumbai and holds the position of non-executive chairman of the Board of Directors at Acuite Ratings and Research Ltd, based in Mumbai.

Additionally, Vishwanathan serves in advisory capacities at Ernst and Young LLP in India and Razorpay in Bangalore. He is also a Senior Fellow in the Centre for Public Policy at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore..