Correct Answer :   Shubhman Gill

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The list of Google's top trending athletes of the year 2023 has been released. If we talk about cricketers, New Zealand cricket player of Indian origin Rachin Ravindra is on top.

Whereas India's young opening batsman Shubman Gill is the only Indian cricketer to make it to the top 10.

Shubhman Gill, popularly known as 'Prince of Cricket', played his first ODI World Cup tournament in 2023.  

Google’s top trending athletes of 2023

1. Damar Hamlin

2. Kylian Mbappé

3. Travis Kelce

4. Ja Morant

5. Harry Kane

6. Novak Djokovic

7. Carlos Alcaraz

8. Rachin Ravindra

9. Shubman Gill

10. Kyrie Irving.


Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   France

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A statue of Thiruvalluvar, regarded a cultural icon by Tamils, was inaugurated in the French town of Cergy on Sunday (10th Dec 2023). Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the statue is a "beautiful testament to our shared cultural bonds".

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the inauguration of the statue "implements" an assurance given by the prime minister during his visit to Paris for the Bastille day in July.

"The inauguration of Thiruvalluvar statue in Cergy, France today implements PM @narendramodi's assurance given during his visit for the Bastille day," he said on 'X'.

The inauguration of Thiruvalluvar statue in Cergy, France today implements PM @narendramodi’s assurance given during his visit for the Bastille day.

The statue will be guide to many to follow Thiruvalluvar’s noble thoughts and is yet another symbol of our long-standing cultural… https://t.co/tPyF1jrRPo

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 10, 2023

"The statue will be guide to many to follow Thiruvalluvar's noble thoughts and is yet another symbol of our long-standing cultural links, a key pillar of India-French friendship," Mr Jaishankar said.

India's envoy to France Jawed Ashraf also mentioned the inauguration of the statue in a post on 'X'.

"Fulfilling an assurance given by PM @narendramodi in Paris on July 13. Inaugurated Thiruvalluvar statue in Cergy near Paris, gifted by Tamil Cultural Association France, with Mayor @Jp_jeandon, Minister K Laxminarayan from Puducherry, Governor of Eastern Province of Sri Lanka," he said.

Jean-Paul Jeandon shared some pictures of the statue on X.

Thiruvalluvar statue in Cergy, France is a beautiful testament to our shared cultural bonds. Thiruvalluvar stands tall as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. His writings motivate millions across the world. https://t.co/yaDbtXpOzb pic.twitter.com/UJiX5k5myW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2023

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   Derek O'Brien

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* Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien was suspended from the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, December 14, for the remaining Winter Session of Parliament. He was suspended for his "unruly behaviour" and "misconduct".

* Soon after the House assembled at 12 noon after an initial adjournment, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar named O'Brien and warned him for his conduct. When the Upper House assembled for the day, the chairman asked the TMC MP to leave the House for his "misconduct".

* Dhankar accused O'Brien of violating the directions of the Chair and for disrupting the proceedings of the House. He allowed Leader of the House Piyush Goyal to move a motion in this regard.

Rajya Sabha adopts motion for suspension of TMC MP Derek O' Brien for the remainder part of the winter session for "ignoble misconduct" pic.twitter.com/A3MVk0Top9

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2023

* The motion was adopted with a voice vote and the chairman announced that O'Brien stands suspended from the House for the remainder of the session. Dhankhar then adjourned the proceedings till 2 PM as members of the opposition protested the suspension.

* TMC MP Dola Sen said, "Today Derek O'Brien has been suspended. It is our right to go to the well and raise people's issues. Derek O'Brien has done nothing wrong. PM, Home Minister, treasury are silent on the security breach issue, so as opposition we raised this issue and raised slogans."

* O'Brien observed silent protest in the Parliament complex over his suspension..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   $200 Million

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The Centre has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for availing a $200 million loan from the latter to improve the quality, efficiency, and reliability of power supply in the State of Uttarakhand.

* The signatories to the loan agreement for the Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project were Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry and Hoe Yun Jeong, Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB.

* “The ADB funding for the project will strengthen power system infrastructure and help Uttarakhand in achieving its goal of providing 24x7 power to its residents,” said Mukherjee after signing the loan agreement.

* Jeong said that the project will enhance the power system network’s capabilities, facilitating the seamless integration and transmission of renewable energy to load centers.

* Simultaneously, it involves upgrading the distribution system to minimize power outages and reduce technical losses, Jeong added.

* The project will modernise Dehradun city’s power network infrastructure by introducing an advanced and climate-resilient underground cable system comprising 537 km subterranean cables, 354 ring main units, and 99 compact substations.

* Additionally, it will enhance the current power system by installing upstream substations and their associated power lines that will help meet increasing electricity demand, reduce network congestion, and improve power distribution reliability in urban and suburban areas.

* The project will empower women self-help groups in rural hilly districts, providing them with access to renewable energy sources and energy-efficient equipment to enhance their livelihoods.

* ADB will facilitate training programs for communities, focusing on energy conservation and business management skills, while also conducting awareness and educational activities in schools to promote opportunities for employment in the energy sector. The project will involve nongovernmental organizations in implementing and monitoring livelihood activities.

* The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, financed by the Government of Japan through ADB, will provide a $2 million grant to support livelihood enhancement, training, and awareness-raising activities of the project.

* ADB will support the capacity development of the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited and the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited by conducting leadership courses and project management programs to develop climate-resilient power sector projects.

* It will also collaborate with the Energy Department to formulate an energy transition road map to support Uttarakhand’s low-carbon transition..


Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Nitin Sawhney

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Award-winning British Indian musician "Nitin Sawhney", known for musical scores including for a screen adaptation of Salman Rushdie's 1981 Booker Prize-winning 'Midnight's Children', was on Thursday (14th Dec 2023) announced as a member of the 2024 Booker Prize judging panel.

* Sawhney, in his late 50s, will join a five-member panel chaired by artist and author Edmund de Waal and including novelist Sara Collins, fiction editor of 'The Guardian' newspaper Justine Jordan and Chinese American writer and professor Yiyun Li.

* Sawhney took to social media to say he was "honoured" to be on the panel, which will begin its search for next year's winner of one of the world's most prestigious literary prizes worth GBP 50,000.

* Born in Kent, south-eastern England, Sawhney is recognised as a world-class producer, songwriter, touring artist, club DJ, multi-instrumentalist and composer for theatre, dance, videogames and orchestras.

* Besides Rushdie's novel, he has also composed for the screen adaptation of Booker-shortlisted novelist Jhumpa Lahiri's 'The Namesake' and most recently for Shekhar Kapur directed film 'What's Love Got To Do With It'.

* He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the late Queen Elizabeth II in the 2019 New Year Honours list for services to music.

* "The recipient of the Ivor Novello 2017 Lifetime Achievement award, he has collaborated with other world-class artists of all kinds...He holds eight honorary doctorates from UK universities and sits on the boards of multiple charities, including Complicite," notes the Booker Prize brief on the musician, whose latest album 'Identity' was released in October.

* He will now join his fellow panelists to sift through the best works of long-form fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK and/or Ireland between October 1 this year and September 30, 2024. ..


Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   ACKO & PhonePe

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ACKO General Insurance and PhonePe have collaborated to provide a range of inclusive car and bike insurance products directly to users through the PhonePe platform. This strategic partnership combines ACKO’s customer-centric approach with PhonePe’s extensive distribution network, ensuring convenient access to insurance as a readily available financial option for PhonePe users.

In addition, this partnership will witness ACKO expanding its product range to encompass health insurance and various other lines in the coming years. The integration of ACKO with PhonePe is facilitated through the cutting-edge partnership API stack, crafted for modularity and smooth integration. This API stack is geared to facilitate quick and efficient collaborations with online distributors, ensuring that ACKO’s personalized pricing, innovative SKUs, and consistent user experience are seamlessly delivered to all partners, with PhonePe being the first in line.

Speaking about the partnership, Sanjeev Srinivasan, CEO, ACKO General Insurance said, “This partnership with PhonePe marks a significant milestone in our journey to democratize insurance in India. By combining ACKO’s customer-first approach and PhonePe’s vast distribution network, we are positioned to offer unmatched value and convenience to millions of customers, reinforcing our commitment to make insurance simple and accessible."

Vishal Gupta, CEO, PhonePe Insurance, added, “PhonePe is transforming the insurance landscape in India. We are committed to offering our customers the best Insurance product selection while streamlining the purchasing process. Partnering with ACKO, renowned for its innovation and customer-centric approach, empowers us to fulfill our commitment and actively contribute to the advancement of digital insurance in India."

Users of PhonePe will enjoy the advantages of the insurance company’s products, which guarantee not only competitive prices but also industry-leading claims and service experience. This collaboration emphasizes the shared commitment of both ACKO and PhonePe to deliver intuitive, affordable, and reliable insurance coverage to millions of customers throughout India...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Pushpa Bharati

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The 33rd Vyas Samman will be conferred to notable Hindi-Writer Pushpa Bharati this year (2023).

* The award was instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991. It is given annually to an outstanding work of Hindi literature by an Indian citizen published in the last 10 years.

* The Foundation said that Ms Bharati has been selected for her memoirs- Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein.

* The foundation added that she would be felicitated with an amount of four lakh rupees, a citation, and a plaque.

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Fatima Wasim

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Captain Fatima Wasim has become the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed on an operational post on the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, the Fire and Fury Corps said on Tuesday (12th Dec 2023).

* She is the second medical officer to be deployed on the Siachen Glacier in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

* The Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps announced this on social media while highlighting the significance of Captain Fatima’s deployment in promoting gender inclusion within the military. “Capt Fatima Wasim of Siachen warriors creates history by becoming the first woman Medical Officer to be deployed on an operational post on the Siachen Glacier,” the Fire and Fury Corps said in a post on X.

"NATION FIRST"🇮🇳

Capt Fatima Wasim of #SiachenWarriors creates history by becoming the First Woman Medical Officer to be deployed on an operational post on the Siachen Glacier.
She was inducted to a post at an altitude of 15200 feet after undergoing rigorous training at… pic.twitter.com/u5EovNNu1Y

— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) December 11, 2023

* The Fire and Fury Corps further said that she was inducted to a post at an altitude of 15,200 feet after undergoing rigorous training at the Siachen Battle School, which speaks of her indomitable spirit and high motivation.

* Earlier this month, Captain Geetika Koul became the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen.

* Siachen, located in the northern Himalayas, poses challenges due to its strategic importance, harsh climate and demanding terrain..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Kabir Bedi

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Kabir Bedi was awarded the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the country’s highest honour awarded to civilians, at a private ceremony held in Mumbai on Sunday (11th Dec 2023). The actor was joined by his daughter Pooja Bedi, granddaughter Alaya F, and wife Parveen Dusanj at the event.

This award, the most prestigious Italian honorific one, ultimately recognizes his unconditional feeling and passionate dedication to Italy. The “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” stands as a testament to Italy’s appreciation for those who have made outstanding contributions to society, embodying the nation’s values of merit and excellence.

About the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana) :

The “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,” known as “Merito della Repubblica Italiana” in Italian, is one of Italy’s highest honors. Established on March 3, 1951, the order is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including arts, literature, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic, and humanitarian activities.

Key Points about the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic :

Purpose and Recognition : The order aims to recognize and honor individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements and contributions to Italian society and beyond.

Classes and Insignia : The order has five classes: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight. Recipients are awarded the corresponding insignia based on the degree of their contributions.

Nomination and Selection : Individuals are nominated for the Order of Merit by the President of the Italian Republic on the advice of ministers or other public authorities. The selection process is rigorous and considers the nominee’s exceptional merits.

Fields of Merit : The order recognizes merit in various fields, including arts, literature, science, economy, public service, and social and humanitarian activities.

Insignia Design : The order’s insignia features a white enameled cross with a green border, symbolizing the Italian tricolor. The center of the cross bears the emblem of the Italian Republic.

Importance and Prestige : Being awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is a mark of distinction and prestige. It reflects the recipient’s commitment to excellence and service in their respective fields. Over the years, the Order of Merit has been an important means of acknowledging the valuable contributions of individuals across diverse domains, fostering a sense of national pride and honor. The order is not limited to Italian citizens; it can also be conferred upon foreign nationals who have significantly contributed to strengthening ties between Italy and other countries..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   6 Crore

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The total enrolment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has crossed 6 crore, with over 79 lakh enrolments in the current Financial Year. This was announced by the Ministry of Finance 12th Dec 2023 in a press release.

The Ministry added that the feat of bringing in the most vulnerable sections of society under the coverage of pension has been made possible with the untiring efforts of all banks.

The APY is a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India which was launched on 9th May 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide old age income security to Indian citizens. The scheme focuses particularly on the poor, underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized sectors.

Under the APY, the subscriber is eligible to get triple benefits of a lifelong monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 from the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions, which itself would vary based on the age of joining the scheme.

The same pension would be paid to the spouse of the subscriber after the demise of the subscriber. On the demise of both the subscriber and the spouse, the pension wealth as accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber would be returned to the nominee..

Source : AIR