Correct Answer :   India and Kuwait

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Embassy of India in Kuwait, in association with the United Nations Habitat Office in Kuwait, organized a Beach Cleaning Event on 16 June 2023.

The event, held  at the Beach opposite Bneid Al Gar, received tremendous support from various organizations, including the Office of the Hawally Governor, Kuwaiti Municipality, and Indian community associations such as the Kuwait Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KKMCC), Thrissur Association of Kuwait (TRASSK), Telugu Kala Samithi (TKS), Kuwait Tamil Peoples Service Centre (KTPSC), Prvasandra Reddy Association - Kuwait (PRAK), and Kuwait Kannada Koota (KKK).

The Beach Cleaning Event was organized as part of the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) initiative of the Government of India, which was announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister H.E Narendra Modi at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26).

Aim : The mission aims to bring individual behaviors to the forefront of global climate action by promoting a circular economy and mindful utilization. Under Mission LiFE, behavioral change solutions target water and waste management sectors, encouraging climate-friendly practices at the individual, household, and community levels.

During the event, Ambassador of India to Kuwait Dr. Adarsh Swaika stressed the significance of sustainability in his inaugural remarks. Dr. Ameera Alhassan, Head of UN-Habitat GCC Kuwait Office, commended the Beach Cleaning event and called for the adoption of lifestyles that protect the environment.

Representatives of the Hawalli Governor, as well as ambassadors from Peru, Indonesia, Ghana, Afghanistan, Morocco, Romania, Vietnam, Cambodia, diplomats from the US Embassy, and several Heads of UN agencies in Kuwait, were also present and appreciated the efforts.

The Beach Cleaning Event saw enthusiastic participation from over 400 volunteers, including embassy staff, members of Indian community associations, and local residents. The activities focused on collecting and properly disposing of litter, particularly plastic waste and other debris that threatened marine life and the ecosystem.

The event aimed to promote environmental awareness and foster a sense of community while emphasizing the importance of making Mission LiFE a global movement by incorporating climate-friendly behaviors and social norms from different cultures..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   P Vasudevan

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Equitas Small Finance Bank on Friday (16th June 2023) said that the Reserve Bank of India gave its approval for the re-appointment of P N Vasudevan as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

* Vasudevan has been reappointed for a period of three years, from July 23, 2023, to July 23, 2026, the bank said in an exchange filing.

* Vasudevan had expressed his desire to move on from his role for a career in health and education. However, in December 2022 he withdrew his decision.

* Equitas Small Finance Bank reported a net profit of ₹190.03 crore for the quarter ending March 31, 2023. The bank had registered a net profit at ₹119.50 crore during the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

* For the year ending March 31, 2023, the bank had registered a net at ₹573.59 crore from ₹280.73 crore registered in the same period of the previous fiscal.

* Total income during the quarter under review stood at ₹1,394.41 crore as against ₹1,043.97 crore registered in the same period of last year.

* For the year ending March 31, 2023, the total income surged to ₹4,831.46 crore from ₹3,997.22 crore registered year ago..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Third Sunday of June

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The most popular date for Father's Day, It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

* This year (2023) Father’s Day held on 18th June.


International Father's Day  History :

* The Father’s Day origination is back to the early 20th century. In the United States, the first celebration of Father’s Day was held on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington.

* The idea for Father’s Day was conceived by a woman named Sonora Dodd. She wanted to honor her father, who had raised her and her siblings as a single parent after their mother died.

* The idea of a national Father’s Day was not immediately embraced, and it took several decades for the holiday to gain traction. President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a national holiday in the United States in 1972.


International Father’s Day  Significance  : Father’s Day provides an opportunity to show appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices that fathers make for their families. It is a time to say thank you for the love, guidance, and support that fathers provide. Fatherhood is a challenging role, and fathers often face unique pressures and expectations. In some cases, fathers may feel overlooked or undervalued. Father’s Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the important role that fathers play in our lives.

Correct Answer :   June 17th

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The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an annual observance held on June 17th.

Aim : It is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the threats posed by desertification and drought and promoting efforts to combat these challenges.

Desertification refers to the process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, often caused by various factors such as climate change, deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and overexploitation of natural resources. Drought, on the other hand, is a prolonged period of inadequate rainfall, resulting in water scarcity, crop failure, and ecosystem disruption.


World day to combat desertification and drought 2023 Theme : This year (2023), the theme of the International Day Against Desertification, and Drought “Her land. Her rights”, emphasizes that investing in women’s equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity. It’s time for women and girls to be at the forefront of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts.


World day to combat desertification and drought of History :

* The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was established in 1994 following a convention held at the United Nations General Assembly.

* The inaugural observance took place in 1995. The creation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) stemmed from the need to address environmental degradation caused by climate change.

* The primary goal of the convention was to raise awareness among the global population about effective measures to halt desertification, with particular emphasis on regions currently experiencing severe drought.


World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought of Significance :

Awareness and Education : The day serves as a platform to raise global awareness about the challenges posed by desertification and drought. It educates individuals, communities, and governments about the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to combat these issues. By increasing understanding and knowledge, it empowers people to take action.

Sustainable Land Management : The World Day highlights the significance of sustainable land management practices. It emphasizes the need to adopt strategies that conserve and restore land, promote responsible land use, and prevent further degradation. By promoting sustainable land practices, the day contributes to mitigating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring food security.

International Cooperation : The observance fosters international cooperation and collaboration in combating desertification and drought. It encourages governments, organizations, and communities to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices. By promoting cooperation at various levels, the day facilitates the exchange of ideas and the development of innovative solutions to address these challenges collectively.

Climate Change and Resilience : Desertification and drought are closely linked to climate change. The World Day highlights the interconnectedness between these issues and the urgent need to address them in the context of climate action. By promoting resilience and adaptive strategies, it contributes to building climate-resilient communities and ecosystems.

Sustainable Development Goals : The World Day aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 15: Life on Land. It supports the achievement of targets related to combating desertification, restoring degraded land, and ensuring sustainable land management practices. By focusing on these goals, the day contributes to overall sustainable development efforts.

Community Engagement : The World Day emphasizes the role of local communities in combating desertification and drought. It recognizes that sustainable land management requires the active involvement and participation of communities who are directly affected by these challenges. The day promotes community engagement, empowerment, and ownership of initiatives aimed at preventing land degradation and addressing water scarcity..

Source : UN

Correct Answer :   NITI Aayog and United Nations

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The Government of India and the United Nations have signed the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 (GoI-UNSDCF).

* This collaboration between NITI Aayog, the government policy think tank, and the UN in India aims to advance India’s sustainable development goals.

* The framework focuses on key areas such as gender equality, youth empowerment, human rights, and overall sustainable development, aligning with the 2030 Agenda.

The GoI-UNSDCF : A Strategic Roadmap for Sustainable Development
* The strategic roadmap aims to achieve India’s sustainable development targets.
* Four pillars of the framework: People, Prosperity, Planet, and Participation.
* Six key outcome areas: health and well-being, quality education, economic growth, environment and climate, and empowerment of individuals and communities.

Commitment to Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals
* India solidifies its commitment to localize the SDGs through the GoI-UNSDCF.
* Emphasis on South-South cooperation and India’s role as a global leader in sustainable development.
* Showcasing successful models of development on the international stage.

Development Process and Stakeholder Engagement
* NITI Aayog led the formulation of the GoI-UNSDCF, involving line Ministries, State Governments, and Union Territories.
* Inputs from the UN development system in India and contributions from civil society, think tanks, private sector, cooperatives, and labor unions.
* Third-party evaluation of the previous Cooperation Framework (2018-2022) and Common Country Analysis (CCA) informed the new framework.

Implementation and Coordination
* Implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the framework jointly overseen by the Government of India and the United Nations through a Joint Steering Committee.
* Joint collaboration mechanism to ensure effective coordination and synergy in driving sustainable development efforts.

India’s Vision for the Future
* The next five years crucial for innovation-driven, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development in India.
* Focus on the principle of “Leaving No One Behind” due to India’s vast and diverse demography.
* Adapting the Cooperation Framework to address evolving challenges and align with national development priorities.
 
India’s Progress and Role in Sustainable Development
* India’s strides in delivering development and resilience at scale.
* Transformation of social welfare systems, digital public infrastructure, and national missions.
* Leadership in climate action and resilience.
* Addressing challenges of the last century and embracing the challenges of Amrit Kaal for a developed and empowered India.

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   16th June 2023

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Daniel Ellsberg, the U.S. military analyst whose change of heart on the Vietnam War led him to leak the classified "Pentagon Papers," revealing U.S. government deception about the war and setting off a major freedom-of-the-press battle, died on Friday (16th June 2023) at the age of 92.

* Ellsberg, who had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in February, died at his home in Kensington, California, the family said.

* Long before Edward Snowden and Wikileaks were revealing government secrets in the name of transparency, Ellsberg let Americans know that their government was capable of misleading and even lying to them. In his later years Ellsberg would become an advocate for whistleblowers and leakers and his "Pentagon Papers" leak was portrayed in the 2017 movie "The Post."

* Ellsberg took a secret action in 1971 to share important information with the media, hoping to help bring an end to the Vietnam War more quickly. However, this made him a target of attacks by the Nixon White House, which tried to harm his reputation. Henry Kissinger, who was an important advisor to the president at the time, even called him “the most dangerous man in America” and wanted to stop him at any cost.

* When he went to Saigon for the State Department in the mid-1960s, Ellsberg had an impressive resume. He had earned three degrees from Harvard, served in the Marine Corps and worked at the Pentagon and the RAND Corporation, the influential policy research think tank.

* Meanwhile at the behest of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, Pentagon officials had secretly been putting together a 7,000-page report covering U.S. involvement in Vietnam from 1945 through 1967. When it was finished in 1969, two of the 15 published copies went to the RAND Corporation, where Ellsberg was once again working.

Born : 7 April 1931, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died : 16 June 2023, Kensington, California, United States

Source : Reuters

Correct Answer :   Rs 5,740 Crores

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The country's largest public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has given the government a cheque of Rs 5,740 crore as its dividend income for the financial year 2022-23.

* This is the highest dividend the State Bank of India has given in any financial year. Dinesh Kumar Khara, chairman of the country's largest bank, handed over the dividend cheque to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday (16th June 2023).

* Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi was also present on the occasion.

* According to the data available on the BSE website, the State Bank of India has paid a dividend of Rs 23.1130 per share to shareholders for the financial year 2022-23. The record date for this was 31 May 2023.


SBI registers record profit in FY23 :

* State Bank of India reported a standalone net profit of Rs 16,694.5 crore for the quarter ended March, beating analysts' estimates by a huge margin.

* The PSU banking behemoth's net profit grew 83.2% compared to the corresponding year ago period.

* SBI's net interest income (NII) — or the difference between interest earned and interest paid — stood at Rs 40,392.5 crore for the three-month period as against Rs 31,197.9 crore for the quarter ended March 2022, according to a regulatory filing. .

Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer :   $60.29

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India's overall exports in May 2023 stood at US$60.29 billion, comprising both merchandise and services. While there was a decline in exports compared to the same period last year, several sectors demonstrated positive growth.

The trade deficit for April-May 2023 also improved significantly, indicating a positive trend in India’s trade performance.

Overall Trade Performance : India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in May 2023 were estimated to be USD 60.29 billion, showing a negative growth of (-) 5.99 percent compared to May 2022. Similarly, overall imports in May 2023 amounted to USD 70.64 billion, reflecting a negative growth of (-) 7.45 percent compared to the previous year.

Merchandise Trade :

Key Sectors with Positive Growth : Thirteen out of thirty important sectors witnessed positive growth in May 2023 compared to May 2022. These sectors include Electronic Goods (73.96%), Other Cereals (67.96%), Oil Meals (52.91%), Spices (49.84%), Iron Ore (48.26%), and more. Enabling policies, such as duty withdrawal on Iron Ore and investment promotion in electronics and pharmaceuticals, contributed to the growth of these sectors.

Services Trade :

April-May 2023 Performance : Examining the trade figures for April-May 2023, the overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) exhibited a negative growth of (-) 5.48 percent compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, overall imports during April-May 2023 showed a negative growth of (-) 9.63 percent compared to April-May 2022.

Merchandise Trade Deficit :
Services Trade Surplus :

Agricultural Exports :

Trade Deficit :

Correct Answer :   IIT Madras

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The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) researchers have recently developed a low-cost mobile air pollution monitoring framework in which, pollution sensors mounted on public vehicles can dynamically monitor the air quality of an extended area at high spatial and temporal resolution.

Traditionally, ambient air quality is measured in monitoring stations and reported by the ‘Air Quality Index’ (AQI). Since these stations are at fixed locations, they only measure the air quality of a small geographic area.

Air pollution, however, is dynamic with locations just a few hundred meters away from each other exhibiting different levels of pollution. Levels can also vary at different times of the day. However, setting up more stations is not practical because of the high costs.

Towards tackling this issue, IIT Madras researchers have developed a new IoT-based mobile air pollution monitoring technology wherein low-cost air quality sensors are mounted on vehicles to gather spatiotemporal air quality data.

For the cost of a single reference monitoring station, it would be possible to map an entire city at high resolution using these low-cost mobile monitoring devices..

Source : Indiatoday

Correct Answer :   Australia

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Australian foreign minister "Penny Wong" appointed "Philip Green" as Australia’s next High Commissioner to India on Friday (16th June 2023).

* She also announced that Hilary McGeachy has been appointed as Australia’s first Consul-General in Bengaluru.

* India and Australia are working together for a peaceful Indo-Pacific region, Wong said both countries are working together through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as partners of the Quad grouping.

* “The Australia-India relationship has never been closer. Australia and India share perspectives, challenges and a democratic heritage. We are working together, through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and as Quad partners, to promote a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, where sovereignty is respected,” Wong said in a release from the Australian external affairs ministry.

* Philip Green will also serve as High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Bhutan.

* Green served as Australian ambassador to Germany and is a senior career officer with the Australian department of foreign affairs. He also served as Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, to South Africa and to Kenya..

Source : News18