Correct Answer :   June 15

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on June 15, every year. This day was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 to raise awareness about the abuse experienced by older adults.

According to the UN, elder abuse can be defined as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person". It is a global social issue which affects the Health and Human Rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

Theme of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023 : The theme for 2023 is "Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Older Age - Policy, Law and Evidence-based Responses." The theme underscores the intersection of gender-based violence and elder abuse, specifically focusing on the experiences of older individuals.

Significance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day : Elder abuse is a problem that exists in both developing and developed countries yet is typically underreported globally. Prevalence rates or estimates exist only in selected developed countries - ranging from 1 per cent to 10 per cent. Although the extent of elder mistreatment is unknown, its social and moral significance is obvious. As such, it demands a global multifaceted response, one which focuses on protecting the rights of older persons.

History of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day : World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed every year on June 15, was started by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) in 2006. In 2011, the United Nations adopted it as a designated day for the prevention of abuse of older people..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   June 15

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Global Wind Day is an important event celebrated annually on June 15 worldwide. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of wind energy and promote its further development and usage worldwide.

* Global Wind Day, also known as National Wind Day, is an annual global occasion that plays a significant role in exploring the potential of wind, its immense power, and the transformative possibilities it offers in reshaping our energy systems.

* With a focus on decarbonising our economies, stimulating job growth, and fostering sustainable development, Global Wind Day is a collaborative endeavor led by WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

* Moreover, it engages all United Nations member nations in commemorations aimed at familiarising the public with wind energy through a range of engaging activities.

Global Wind Day History & Significance :

* In 2009, the European Wind Energy Association and Global Wind Energy Council joined forces to establish Global Wind Day as a worldwide event. This annual occasion serves to recognise the formidable power of the wind and raise awareness regarding its potential as a sustainable resource.

* Indeed, renewable resources, including wind energy, hold immense value as they are both freely available. As a clean energy source that leaves no pollutants in its wake, wind energy holds paramount importance in fostering the adoption of alternative energy resources.

Correct Answer :   Dharmendra Pradhan

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Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off Gabon’s first Agri- SEZ project from New Delhi on 14th June 2023.

The project will be implemented by AOM group with Centurion University as the technical and knowledge partner. In the first phase of the program, 30 farmers and 20 B.Sc./M.Sc. Agri and B.Tech/M.Tech Engineering students from Gajapati district, which is an Aspirational district of Odisha, will be travelling together as agri-technical and technical consultants for the agriculture SEZ which is being developed under this project.

Shri Pradhan said that from Gajapati to Gabon, from Cheetahs to Climate Change, India-Africa relationship is going from strength to strength. Today’s launch will add a new chapter in that relationship, he further added. He also expressed confidence that the establishment of an Agriculture and Food Processing Special Economic Zone in Gabon will be a significant milestone towards enhancing food security and self-sufficiency in the country.

Speaking about India-Africa relationship, he said that, in last 9 years, India-Africa relations have gone from strength to strength, recording more than 35 high level visits from India and more than 100 similar ones from Africa.

Anti-colonial solidarity, diasporic goodwill, and the principle of 'South-South' cooperation, among others, are also playing a significant role in strengthening the partnership between India and the African continent, he further added.

He also said that development partnership is a key pillar in India’s Africa policy. Being a trusted partner in the journey of socio-economic development, India has extended concessional loans of over US$ 12.3 billion to Africa and US$ 700 mn of grant assistance with development projects in various sectors.

Speaking about India’s G20 Presidency, he said that India's G20 Presidency is very unique given India's role in amplifying the voice and concerns of the Global South and developing countries, scripting another chapter in strengthening India- Africa relations.

He said that Gabon and other African countries have a lot to learn from India’s development journey and recent initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Program.

He also spoke about India-Africa long standing relations in the areas of education and skill development..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Mahendra Lodha

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PTC India Financial Services Ltd (PFS) on Thursday (15th June 2023) said it has appointed Mahendra Lodha as director (Finance) and chief financial officer of the company.

Lodha will be responsible for overseeing the financial functions of PFS, including strategic financial planning, resource mobilization and fund management. His expertise in managing venture capital and private equity funds will help shape PFS’s financial growth, the company said in a statement.

Pawan Singh, MD & CEO of PFS, said, “His (Lodha’s) extensive experience and deep knowledge of finance and investment management will be invaluable in driving PFS’s business objectives. We believe that his strategic insights and leadership will contribute significantly to PFS’s continued success in the infra financing sector."

Lodha has held significant roles in renowned organizations, including chief executive officer of SIDBI Venture Capital Limited, Rajasthan Asset Management Co. (RAMC), and Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Limited (RIICO)..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   433

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India's largest power generation company, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited - NTPC, has climbed 52 positions to secure the 433rd rank in Forbes' - The Global 2000- List for 2023.

* It was on 485th rank in the list last year (2022).

* The Ministry of Power said that the climb of 52 positions in just one year demonstrates NTPC's emergence as a strong force in the global market.

* The Ministry said that it is also evidence of the company's steady expansion, sound financial condition, and persistent dedication to excellence.

* 'The Global 2000' List recognizes the world's largest companies based on four key metrics- sales, profits, assets and market value..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Russia

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Russia’s dominant lender, SBER Bank has launched Wednesday (14th June 2023) Indian rupee accounts for individuals, expanding the range of foreign currencies available as Moscow strives to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar and euro.

* As Sberbank has highlighted, the bank supports the trend of de-dollarisation and constantly increases the number of foreign currencies available to clients.

* Sberbank has more than 100 million retail clients and already offers deposits in China’s yuan and UAE dirhams. Rupee accounts would be available from Wednesday (14th June 2023).

* In a separate statement, Sberbank said it would raise rates on dirham deposits by 100 basis points for a six-week period from Wednesday (14th June 2023).

* The bank’s finance chief said earlier that Sberbank will issue bonds in Chinese yuan this year if an opportunity arises and will continue borrowing in roubles to drive portfolio growth.

* Rival VTB on Wednesday (14th June 2023) said yuan savings would make up about a quarter of Russia’s overall foreign exchange portfolio by end-2023, rising to 45% in 2024 and accounting for two thirds in 2025.

* “It is the Chinese currency that today acts as the main alternative, in fact, to the departing dollar and euro and forces banks to compete more actively for clients,” Deputy President-Chairman of VTB’s management board Anatoly Pechatnikov said.

* “Other soft currencies are still only looking for their consumers in Russia, acting as niche offers,” he added..

Source : Reuters

Correct Answer :   Dhaka

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The World Bank (WB) launched its first dedicated road safety project in South Asia with a USD 358 million financing agreement signed in Dhaka with the government of Bangladesh on Wednesday (14th June 2023).

The project seeks to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and injuries from road crashes in selected cities, high-risk highways, and district roads.

Two national highways of Bangladesh, Gazipur-Elenga (N4) and Natore-Nawabganj (N6), will be taken up for the implementation of this project.

The project will pilot comprehensive road safety measures, including improved engineering designs, signage and marking, pedestrian facilities, speed enforcement, and emergency care. These measures will help reduce road traffic deaths by more than 30 percent on these two highways.

Road signs, dividers, footpaths, zebra crossings, speed breakers and bus bays will be constructed on the two highways passing through the five divisions of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Mymensingh to reduce accidents and fatalities.

The project will pilot Ambulance services, including bike-ambulances, with a toll-free number to take road crash victims to the hospital quickly. Further, the project will upgrade trauma care facilities in selected district hospitals, and Upazila Health Complexes.

To control speed, the project will Install CCTV on roads, and construct an electric messaging system. It will make provision for patrol vehicles and crash site cleaning equipment. It will also support the government to strengthen institutions to effectively manage road safety across the country..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

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* Toy train was started once again in Gulab Bagh of Udaipur (Rajasthan), which has been named Maharana Pratap Express train.

* According to the engineer of the toy train, Anirudh Singh Nathawat, this is the country's first CNG-powered toy train.

* Here tourists will be able to ride this toy train for ₹25/₹50.

Correct Answer :   22%

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* Microfinance loan portfolio increased by 22% to Rs 3.48 lakh crore during 2022-23.

* Gross loan portfolio stood at Rs 2.85 lakh crore as on March 31, 2022.

* Microfinance loan disbursals during FY 2022-23 improved by 23% to Rs 2,96,423 crores compared to Rs 2,39,433 crore in the previous financial year.

* About 7.17 crore loans were disbursed during FY 22-23 as against 6.30 crore in the previous year indicating higher ticket size of new loans, microfinance institutions network (MFIN), the microfinance industry association and an RBI-recognized self-regulatory organization.

* The microfinance active loan accounts increased by 14.6% during the past 12 months to 13 crore as on March 31, 2023.

* In terms of regional distribution of gross loan portfolio, East & Northeast and South account for 63% of the total portfolio.

* Bihar is the largest state in terms of portfolio outstanding followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

* It further said 82 NBFC-MFIs are the largest provider of micro-credit with a loan amount outstanding of Rs 1,38,310 crore, accounting for 39.7% to total industry portfolio..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   17%

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According to Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) data, the outstanding portfolio under education loans grew 17% at ₹96,847 crore in the year 2022-23 as against ₹82,723 crore in the previous year.

For the first time in five years, growth in education loans not only turned positive but also registered a 17% surge in the last financial year ended March, 2023.

The NPA in education advances stood at 7.82% of a total outstanding portfolio of ₹80,000 crore at the end of the first quarter of FY23..

Source : Hindu Businessline