Correct Answer :   PhonePe

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* PhonePe has launched Pincode, a new consumer-facing application, which will be a part of India's Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) framework as the Walmart-backed fintech decacorn looks to strengthen its e-commerce forays, three months after Flipkart completed full ownership separation of the payments startup.

* Pincode, a buyer app, will focus on hyperlocal commerce and is available for download on both Google Play and the App store, Sameer Nigam, co-founder and CEO, PhonePe said at its launch in Bengaluru.

* Pincode will launch in six major categories including grocery, food, pharma, electronics, home decor and fashion.

* Starting with Bengaluru, Pincode will expand city by city, Nigam said. However, the company plans to limit its expansion to no more than 10 cities in the first year.

* Customers can search for stores by browsing for category and can have multiple carts at the same time with one active cart per store. Buyers can also save multiple carts.

* Nigam said that they aim to have one lakh orders a day by December on the app.

* PhonePe marks the first time that there is a dedicated app by a player for ONDC. ONDC is an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce...

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   United States

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India is going to sign a weapons deal with the United States soon to buy American weapons, including the Hellfire missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes, in a step towards strengthening their military hardware cooperation.

* These weapons are going to be fitted on the 24 MH-60 helicopters that are going to be fully inducted into the Navy in the near future.

* The proposal for buying the weapons package for the MH-60 Romeo choppers is being moved forward briskly and the deal is expected to be signed sooner. Speaking to India Today, top government officials informed that the deal would be inked under the Foreign Military Sales route.

* The plan to induct the Hellfire missile missiles, which are precision-guided weapons, comes after they have been used by the American forces against high-value targets. The other major weapon includes the MK 54 lightweight torpedoes which are used by US surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and are their primary anti-submarine warfare weapon.

* It is also already inducted into the Indian Navy’s P-8I anti-submarine warfare and surveillance planes. India and the US have signed an over-Rs 16,000 crore deal to buy 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin in 2020 under fast-track procedures in a government-to-government deal to hasten the process.

* The 24 MH-60 Romeos would be equipped with multimode radars and night-vision devices as well as armed with missiles, torpedoes and other precision-guided weaponry. The MH-60s are going to replace Sea King choppers which will be on their way out of the force very soon.

* The MH-69 helicopters can operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Telangana

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In a bid to make Telangana a heat resilient state, municipal administration and urban development department has launched India’s first Cool Roof Policy 2023-2028 at CDMA office at Masab Tank on Monday (3rd April 2023).

* The policy aims to drive state-wide adoption of cool roofs by making it mandatory to install cool roofing materials, such as solar reflective paints, tiles or sheets.

* The five-year policy, which came into force on 1st April 2023, and would be in operation till March 31, 2028.

Aim : To achieve a target of implementing clean roofing technology across 300 square kilometres of roof area — majorly (200 sq km) covering Hyderabad and rest of the urban pockets in Telangana.

* MAUD minister KT Rama Rao stated that they chose to launch the policy in April rather than December so that the issue would be taken seriously during summer.

* “This policy isn’t framed with a myopic vision but with a long-term vision to serve well for future generations. Even in New York, the target set was just 10 lakh sq feet, but we have set an ambitious target of bringing 300 sq km, which is 20% of the area inside ORR,” Rao explained.

* Rao said that the government would be implementing the scheme across all government buildings and housing schemes. “We are also making this mandatory and enforcement will be done in this regard..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   1 Only

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Recently, the world-famous Basohli Painting which is popular for its miniature art style from Kathua district of Jammu has obtained the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.

* Basholi paintings originated in the Basholi region of Jammu and Kashmir.

* It is a reputed school of miniature paintings known for its vivid, evocative colours, bold lines, and deep-set facial patterns.

* It is considered the first school of Pahari paintings.

Patronage : The Basholi painting style flourished during the 17th and 18th centuries under the patronage of local rulers and wealthy merchants.

Features of the Bisholi painting :

* It has peculiar characteristics, they have perfect geometrical patterns, bright colours and glossy enamel.

* Colours used : Ochre yellow, brown, and green grounds predominating.

* The figures in the paintings are shown clad in rich costumes, stylised faces and large bulging eyes lent unique individuality to these paintings.

* Themes : The portraits of local rulers, Radha-Krishna, and Madhava-Malati love themes and themes from the Bhagavata Purana.

* These are painted on paper, cloth, or wood using natural pigments and dyes...

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   Colombia

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Recently, People living on the upper slopes of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia are being evacuated after an increase in seismic activity.

* Nevado del Ruiz is an ice-clad stratovolcano located in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, South America.

* It is part of the former Ruiz-Tolima volcanic complex as well as the dangerous Pacific Ring of fire.

Previous eruption :

* The volcano has erupted several times in the past, with the most catastrophic eruption occurring on November 13, 1985.

* Since the 1985 eruption, has remained active, with several smaller eruptions occurring in the years following the disaster...

Source : BBC

Correct Answer :   Pacific Ocean

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* Recently, scientists photographed a snailfish swimming 8,336 meters below sea level near Japan, making it the deepest recorded fish ever caught on camera.

* Scientists dropped an autonomous "lander" camera into the Izu-Ogasawara Trench near Japan and filmed the snailfish.

* It is located in the western Pacific Ocean, on the boundary between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Pacific Plate.

* It is one of the most seismically active regions on Earth.

* The trench is formed by the Pacific Plate subducting beneath the Philippine Sea Plate...

Source : Science Alert

Correct Answer :   Kenichi Umeda

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Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL) on Tuesday, 4th April 2023, announced the appointment of Kenichi Umeda as its new Managing Director.

* Umeda replaces Satoshi Uchida, who has completed his term as Managing Director of the company.

* Umeda brings with him over 27 years of valuable industry experience across various global markets, the company informed through its official release. He will be responsible for further growing and strengthening Suzuki Motorcycle India’s position in the Indian and overseas markets.

* Commenting on his appointment, Kenichi Umeda said, "I am excited to take on this new role and lead Suzuki Motorcycle’s operations in one of the world's largest two-wheeler markets."

* India is an important market for Suzuki. Delivering innovative products and solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers has been the priority for Suzuki Motorcycle India since its inception. I am very excited to work with the talented team at Suzuki Motorcycle India and contribute to its growth story.

* According to Suzuki, Umeda has a unique style of leadership, a customer-centric business approach, and above all, he comes with renewed passion and commitment towards the brand Suzuki Motorcycle.

* The release says that the appointment of Kenichi Umeda as new Managing Director of Suzuki Motorcycle India reflects SMC's commitment to focus on the growth of India operations...

Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer :   April 4

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International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed every year on April 4 to raise awareness against explosive mines and gather assistance towards their eradication.

The mine action community plays a significant role towards achieving the mine action goals and it is led by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance 2023 Theme : The United Nations Mine Action Service has chosen the theme “Mine Action Cannot Wait”, for this year’s campaign to highlight decades of problems faced in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam due to these explosives.

International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance History :

* In 1997, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention was established for signature which first led the campaign against mines and 164 countries have ratified it since then.

* Later, on December 8, 2005, the UN General Assembly declared April 4 as the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance for Mine Action every year globally.

* Since then the UNMAS has been working towards catering to the needs of the affected people and eliminating the threats of explosive hazards to civilians, humanitarians, and peacekeepers.

The UNMAS gets assistance from other organisations and states across the globe to help people affected by land mines.

International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance Significance :

* The celebration of International Day of Mine Awareness and Action aims to provide a world free of landmines and explosive remnants of war. This is to help individuals and communities survive in a safe environment where the needs of the victims are taken care of.

* The significance of the day is the establishment of an accountability framework for the United Nations and the introduction of the 'Theory of Change' of the UN in the mine action program.

* On this day, 12 UN Departments and Offices of the Secretariat, specialised agencies, funds, and programs come together to play a significant role in 30 countries and 3 territories to work on mine action programs...

Source : CNBC TV

Correct Answer :   28th March 2023

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The Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto — who wrote the haunting score to "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" and won an Oscar for 1987's "The Last Emperor" — has died aged 71.

* His management team announced that he died on 28th March 2023. He had been treated for cancer in recent years.

* Born 1952 in Tokyo, Japan, the composer enjoyed the music of The Beatles in his early years as well as classical greats like Bach.

* He played keyboard with the influential electronic act Yellow Magic Orchestra, a band he co-founded in 1978.

* The group would go on to enjoy international success, with its experimental use of synthesizers widely though to have shaped the emergence of genres including house and techno.
But Sakamoto was best known for his soundtrack work, which brought numerous awards.

* He wrote the score and starred alongside David Bowie in the 1983 film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." Four years later, he took home a Golden Globe and Oscar for best music for his score for the "The Last Emperor."

* He worked continuously until his later years, including the score for 2015 film "The Revenant." An album of music from the composer, curated by "The Revenant" director Alejandro González Iñárritu, is set to be released on May 5...

Born : 17 January 1952, Nakano City, Tokyo, Japan

Died : 28 March 2023, Tokyo, Japan

Source : CNN

Correct Answer :   Sudha Shivkumar

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Chennai-based Sudha Shivkumar took over as the 40th president of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the oldest women-led and women-centric business chamber of Southeast Asia, at the 39th annual session.

* Under her leadership, the FLO will carry out many interventions towards fostering larger contributions of women in India’s industrial and economic growth story, according to a statement.

* Ms. Shivkumar said her focus would be to transform the power of women’s voices into forward thinking economic initiatives by changing perceptions and influencing policies.

* She is a lawyer and investment banker by profession. At present, she is a director at her family run business focused on auto ancillaries. Ms. Shivkumar was the Chairperson of FLO Chennai Chapter in 2016-17...

Source : The Hindu