Correct Answer :   Aleksander Ceferin

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A Slovenian lawyer, Aleksander Ceferin has been re-elected unopposed as Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) president for a four-year term (2023-2027).

* Ceferin was elected as UEFA's seventh president in 2016 to replace Michel Platini, who was barred from football administration in 2015 for ethics violations and was forced to resign from UEFA in 2016 after losing an appeal against his ban.

* The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition.

* It is organized by the Union of European Football Associations and contested by top-division European clubs.

* When some of Europe's top clubs attempted to form a European Super League in April 2021, the 55-year-old faced his most difficult challenge.

* The competition posed a direct threat to the Champions League, UEFA's continental club competition and Ceferin urged fans, football federations, and governments to oppose the "disgraceful, self-serving proposal...

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Tripura

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Tripura has been given the best state award in the northeastern region by the Centre for successful implementation of e-procurement, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy said here on Wednesday (5th April 2023).

* To maintain transparency, the state has made it mandatory to go for e-procurement if the value of any government purchase or contract goes beyond Rs. 25,000.

* Impressed by the success in the e-procurement system, the Finance Ministry in association with the Ministry of Electronics and IT gave the best award among the northeastern states at a programme in Delhi, Singha Roy said at a press conference.

* The total value of payments made through e-procurement and Government eMarketplace (GeM) portals increased from Rs. 4,451 crore in 2020-21 to Rs. 7441 crore in 2021-22, he said adding that the figure is Rs. 7,373 crore till December in 2022-23 fiscal.

* Singha Roy said digital payment is being promoted in the government sector to maintain transparency.

* As of now, 80 per cent of payments are made through digital platforms (in Tripura). The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has praised the state for embracing digital payment.

* Except the pension to 82,000 pensioners, all the employees including Anganwadi workers are receiving salary through digital payment.

* Asserting that the northeastern state has been making all-out efforts to increase its revenue, Singha Roy said Tripura’s own tax collection has crossed Rs. 3,000 crore during 2022-23 which is 15 per cent more than that of the last financial year..

Source : Arunachal Times

Correct Answer :   Kerala

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State-owned Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) has introduced India's first solar-powered hybrid tourist boat – Sooryamshu – in Kochi backwaters.

* The 100-passenger capacity air-conditioned vessel with upper and lower deck offer travellers to cruise along the backwaters, where KSINC proposed to introduce packages.

* Sooryamshu’s solar panels have the capacity to produce 27 KW of energy and it has generators which will enable operation of passenger lift systems and air-conditioners.

* About 75 per cent of the vessel’s energy needs will be met with what is generated by the solar panels while the remaining will come from the generators.

* Built at a cost of Rs.3.95 crores at a facility in Sri Lanka, KSINC plans to use it for two tour packages.

* The first one is the Kadamakkudy package that will offer tourists sightseeing and kayaking at a cost of Rs.799. Kadamakkudy is a cluster of 14 islands located less than 10 kilometres from Kochi city.

* There will be delay in this package as at some spots on the route there are Kerala State Electricity Board low-lying cables which will hinder the smooth passage of the boat. As per R. Girija, Managing Director KSINC they are sorting out the issue with the Board officials.

* The other package will take the tourists to Matsyafed farm in Ernakulam district. Here they can enjoy not only kayaking, paddling and fishing but also savour exclusive seafood offered by the farm.

* KSINC’s other tourist vessels, namely, Nefertiti, Sagar Rani-1, and Sagar Rani-2, are already conducting cruises in collaboration with Kerala State Road Transport Corporation’s budget tourism packages.

Correct Answer :   Anshuman Singhania

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Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) on Friday (7th April 2023) said Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director of JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, has been elected its new Chairman.

In a statement, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) said Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Ltd has taken over as the Vice-Chairman.

About Anushuman Singhania :

Singhania, a graduate from Oxford Brookes University, the UK and an alumnus of London Business School, has held several positions in planning, production, product development, finance, sales and marketing, among others, besides playing a key role in implementing the latest technologies in the manufacturing process at JK Tyre, it added.

About Arnab Banerjee :

Banerjee has held several roles and has been the Chief Operating Officer at CEAT since 2018 prior to taking over his current role. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, IIM Kolkata and IIT Kharagpur.

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Droupadi Murmu

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President Droupadi Murmu as she inaugurated the 'Gaj Utsav 2023' at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday (7th April 2023) to mark 30 years of Project Elephant.

The President said the culture of respecting nature has been the identity of our country. Elephants have been most respected in our tradition and it has been considered a symbol of prosperity. It is the national heritage animal of India. Therefore, protecting elephants is our responsibility so that we can preserve our national heritage.

About GAJ UTSAV 2023 :

* The Gaj Utsav 2023 is a significant event in India that commemorates the 30th anniversary of Project Elephant, a flagship conservation initiative launched by the Indian government in 1992.

* The event aims to promote awareness about the conservation of elephants and their habitats, reduce human-elephant conflicts, and ensure the welfare of captive elephants.

* The event is being celebrated at the Kaziranga National Park, which is known for its high population of Asian elephants.

* The two-day event includes various activities such as cultural programs, elephant processions, exhibitions, and seminars.

* These activities are designed to engage the public and raise awareness about the importance of elephant conservation.

* The event also highlights the challenges faced by elephants in India due to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and human-elephant conflicts.

* Through the Gaj Utsav 2023, the Indian government aims to work towards mitigating these challenges and ensuring a better future for elephants in India.

* Kaziranga National Park was established in 1905 and is one of the oldest national parks in India.

* The park covers an area of approximately 430 square kilometers and is home to the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.

* Kaziranga is also home to other rare and endangered species such as the Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer.

* The park is situated in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River and has a unique ecosystem that includes grasslands, swamps, and forests.

* Kaziranga is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a Tiger Reserve and an Important Bird Area.

* The park is a popular tourist destination and offers activities such as wildlife safaris, elephant rides, and birdwatching.

* Kaziranga National Park faces various challenges such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflicts, which require constant attention and conservation efforts....

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   RBI

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will launch a secured web-based centralised portal named ‘PRAVAAH’ (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation And AutHorisation) to simplify and streamline application processes.

* The portal will show time limits for deciding on the applications/approvals sought. This measure will bring greater efficiencies into regulatory processes and facilitate ease of doing business for the regulated entities of RBI.

* Gradually, it will be extended to all types of applications made to RBI across all functions, the central bank said in its statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies.

* The step has also been taken to comply with the Union Budget 2023-24 announcement regarding the need to simplify, ease and reduce cost of compliance by financial sector regulators within laid down time limits to decide the applications under various regulations.

* Various entities are required to obtain license/authorization to carry out activities regulated by RBI, and regulated entities are required to seek certain approvals under various statutes/regulations periodically. Currently, the application and approval processes for the same take place in varied on-line and off-line modes...

Source : H B

Correct Answer :   7th April

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World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7th to call attention to health concerns that affect people all over the world.

* World Health Day is also the birth anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which was founded in 1948 and this year marks the 75th founding anniversary of WHO.

* The pandemic made us realise that overall well-being (physical and mental fitness) is of utmost importance in our life.

* Health issues, be they mental or physical, should never be ignored and one must take necessary measures right away to cure them.

* There are several steps that can be taken to prevent health problems. The most common and effective are regular exercise, eating right, and getting a health checkup regularly. World Health Day aims to spread awareness about the above-mentioned things and other concerns related to health.

World Health Day 2023 Theme : This year, the theme for World Health Day is ‘Health for All’.

* The theme aims at providing an opportunity for the world to reflect on public health triumphs that have helped improve people's quality of life during the last 70 years. The topic also calls on the globe to take the necessary efforts to address health concerns today and in the future, according to the global health organisation.

World Health Day 2023 Significance : World Health Day's aim is to increase awareness of the significance of good health and well-being. The day emphasises the importance of individuals, communities, and governments working together to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality health care...

Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer :   Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi

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The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi has secured the top 9th spot as the busiest airport in the world, as per the latest 2022 rankings released by Airports Council International (ACI).

* With over 75 million passengers passing through its gates in 2022, the airport has witnessed a significant rise in its passenger traffic by 56.2% from the previous year, despite the pandemic-induced travel restrictions.

* The top spot in the list of the world’s busiest airports for 2022 has been claimed by the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), with a staggering 93.7 million passengers.

* The second, third, and fourth spots have been secured by Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW), Denver Airport (DEN), and Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) respectively.

* The ACI report also highlights the reinstatement of several airports in the upper ranks, including Dubai Airport at the 5th position with 66.1 million passengers (+127 per cent), and Istanbul Airport at the 7th position with 64.3 million passengers (+73.8 per cent).

* The ACI World Director General, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, hailed the IGI Airport’s achievement, saying that the airport has been a vital contributor to the aviation industry’s growth in India and the Asia-Pacific region.

* The Director General also highlighted the airport’s efficient handling of the surge in passenger traffic during the pandemic and its continuous efforts to provide a safe and seamless travel experience...

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Richard Verma

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Former US Ambassador to India "Richard Verma" has been sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, making him the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the State Department.

* The Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources is often referred to as the Chief Operating Officer of the State Department.

* A lawyer, diplomat and executive, Verma (54) was confirmed by the US Senate by a vote of 67-26 last month.

* Verma, who served as the US Ambassador to India from January 16, 2015, to January 20, 2017, was till now the Chief Legal Officer and Head of Global Public Policy at Mastercard.

* During the Barack Obama administration, Verma also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.

* Earlier in his career, he was the National Security Advisor to US Senator Harry Reid while he was Democratic whip, Minority Leader and then-Majority Leader of the United States Senate.

* He has served as Vice Chairman of The Asia Group, Partner and Senior Counselor at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, and Senior Counselor at the Albright Stonebridge Group. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate.

* Verma, who was born in 1968 to an Indian immigrant, grew up in Pennsylvania.

* He attended a private college on a US Air Force scholarship. He earned a BS at Lehigh University, a JD Cum Laude at American University, an LLM with distinction at Georgetown University Law Center, and a PhD at Georgetown University..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo

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Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has taken over as president of National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Thursday (6th April 2023).

* The governing body of the NRAI on Thursday (6th April 2023) unanimously approved the elevation of its senior vice-president  Kalikesh N Singh Deo after being informed that President  Raninder Singh has gone on a long leave.

* The same is in accordance with Rule 19 of the Rules and Regulations in the NRAI constitution. The matter of Raninder’s election and tenure continues to remain sub-judice in the Delhi High Court. The virtual emergent meeting of the governing body was attended by 29 of the 35 members and was concluded in approximately 40 minutes.

* Singh Deo will perform all functions and duties of the president. The Sports Ministry had conveyed to the NRAI to comply with the president’s 12-year tenure provision of the National Sports Code.

* Accepting his responsibilities Mr. Singh Deo said, “I humbly accept the responsibility bestowed upon me by the governing body and the trust shown upon me by the president. Our immediate priorities lie in putting our best foot forward for important upcoming events like the Asian Games and the World Championships.”

* The team at NRAI and myself will look to work very closely with the Government of India, the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India and all other key stakeholders, to ensure our sport brings greater laurels for the country going forward he added..

Source : The States Man