General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   6 Submarines

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* German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to India on February 25–26, 2023 will focus on advancing a $5.2 billion agreement between Germany and India to jointly construct six(6) conventional submarines in India.

* The naval project is a Western military manufacturing power’s most recent effort to wean New Delhi off of its reliance on Russian military hardware.

* India seeks to replace its ageing submarine fleet, with 11 of its 16 conventional submarines more than two decades old, and as it seeks to counter China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean.

* The Indian Navy also has two indigenous nuclear-powered submarines.

* The central government wants the country to manufacture more weapons at home in collaboration with foreign partners after decades of being one of the world’s largest arms importers.

* The submarine project, for which Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is one of two international bidders, will be discussed between the two countries during Scholz’s trip and Berlin would support the deal.

* Under the deal, a foreign submarine manufacturer will have to partner with an Indian company to build the submarines in the country.

* The foreign company will also need to transfer a niche technology for fuel-cell based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), a clause that has been a sore point for most foreign firms.

* France’s Naval Group had pulled out of the project just ahead of Modi’s visit to Paris in May 2022, citing its inability to meet conditions listed by the Indian government in 2021..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   RRR

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The RRR juggernaut rolls on with back-to-back wins at the Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) Awards in Los Angeles. The film won Best International Film along with 3 big awards, including Best Action Film, Best Stunts, and Best Original Song.

* The film's director SS Rajamouli and lead actor Ram Charan received the award. Jr NTR was MIA at the ceremony.

* Team ‘RRR’ is currently in Los Angeles and will be attending the Oscars on March 12. ‘RRR’ song ‘Naatu Naatu has been nominated for the Oscars in ‘Original Song’ category.

* In January this year (2023), ‘Naatu Naatu’ won the Golden Globes in the ‘Best Original Song’ category.

* ‘RRR’ bagged two more awards at the 28th edition of the Critics Choice Awards.’RRR’ starring Jr NTR and Ram Charan bagged the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Song for its track ‘Naatu Naatu’.

* It also picked up the ‘Critics’ choice award for ‘Best Foreign language film’ in a ceremony held in Los Angeles.

About the RRR Movie :

* RRR is a fictional story based on the lives of two Telugu freedom fighters, Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem. Ram Charan and Jr NTR played lead roles, respectively.

* The film collected over ₹1,200 crore worldwide. Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn and Shriya Saran also starred in the film.

* This lyrical composition of ‘Naatu Naatu’ by MM Keeravani, high energy rendition by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, unique choreography by Prem Rakshith, and lyrics by Chandrabose are all the elements that make this ‘RRR’ mass anthem a perfect dance craze...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   $2.5 Billions

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* The World Bank on Friday (24th Feb 2023) announced $2.5 billion in additional grant financing from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support Ukraine's budget and maintain essential services.

* The latest financing under the World Bank's Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE) project lifts the total to $20.6 billion and will support salaries in core government functions and sectors such as healthcare and education while allowing Kyiv to pay pensions and support internally displaced people.

* "One year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world continues to witness the horrific destruction inflicted on the country and its people," said World Bank Group President David Malpass.

* He said that $18.5 billion of the total funds mobilized had been disbursed, reaching more than 12 million Ukrainians.

* The additional funding was announced a day after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that Washington was preparing an additional $10 billion in economic assistance for Ukraine and called on the International Monetary Fund to pull together a loan programme for Ukraine.

* Ukraine is seeking a $15 billion multi-year IMF package.

* The World Bank-facilitated financing under the PEACE program is set up to minimize the risk of corruption. The World Bank transmits funds to cover Ukraine’s expenditures a month after they are made, once it has verified that the money has gone to the government employees, pensioners and other recipients.

* The latest USAID funds will be transmitted to the government of Ukraine after the World Bank verifies eligible expenditures.

* The total of $20.6 billion in emergency financing comes from commitments and pledges from, the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, Belgium, and Japan...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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* Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi on Friday (24th February 2023) inaugurated the three-day All-India Taekwondo Championship in New Delhi.

* The championship is being organised to commemorate the 50th year of diplomatic ties between Korea and India and to revitalize Taekwondo that has been stagnant since the pandemic, and to lay the foundation for the future as a major sports event between the two countries. 

* The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is co-hosting the event with Korean Cultural Centre India and Korea National Sports University. 

* Speaking on the occasion, the Sports Secretary expressed hope that this sporting event will further strengthen the ties between the two countries.
 
* The Taekwondo Championship is being held at  Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the national capital and has been divided in two parts - Poomsae and Sparring called Kyorugi.

* Only elite Taekwondo players registered in 79 regional centers and regional training centers of Sports Authority of India will participate in the sparring category and the Poomsae category is open to the public anyone with a Kukkiwon-certified Taekwondo dan certificate can participate..

Source  : AIR

Correct Answer :   Niva Bupa Health Insurance

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Niva Bupa Health Insurance on Thursday (23rd February 2023) announced the launch of health insurance policy 'ReAssure 2.0'. The first of its kind indemnity plan offers lock-in of entry age until a policyholder makes his/her first claim, thereby helping customers save on premiums.

* Niva Bupa Health Insurance MD and CEO Krishnan Ramachandran said with this product, "we have addressed the prevailing concerns of customers which act as a hindrance during health insurance purchase.

Aim : To encourage customers to start investing for their health and financial security at an early age.

* This new-age indemnity plan offers 'live healthy' benefit that gives premium discount of up to 30 per cent on policy renewal basis health points earned.

* Other benefits include, no capping on room rent, any hospitalisation of 2 hours and above to be covered, Smart Health+ rider - offering unlimited tele consultations - and Day 1 coverage for diabetes and hypertension.

* The product is available as an individual, multi-individual and family floater starting from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore for the age bracket of 18 years to 65 years..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   Dunzo delivery

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Dunzo delivery and Alliance Insurance Brokers have joined hands to provide insurance to the former’s national network of delivery partners.

Through this initiative, Alliance Insurance Brokers is providing insurance protection to almost 20,000 delivery partners, insured on a daily basis, while they are active on the platform.

In case there is an accident, the policy offers a benefit of Rs 5 lakh to cover children’s education, and reimburse business losses and hospitalisation expenses etc.

There is also an OPD (Outpatient Department) component, under which delivery partners get compensated even in cases where hospitalisation is not required and the accident can be treated through OPD consultation and medication.

Speaking on the partnership, Ankit Shah, AVP, City and Supply Operations, said, “We are a people-first organisation and partner welfare has always been a priority for us. Delivery partners are an integral part of Dunzo’s growth. The partnership with Alliance Insurance Brokers is a natural progression to support delivery partners in their times of need.”

Dunzo has sponsored the entire premium for their delivery partners and Alliance Insurance Brokers ensures a smooth end to end insurance process...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Federal Bank

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Federal Bank, a leading private sector bank in India, has inaugurated Thursday (23rd Feb 2023) a 100KWp on-grid solar power plant at its corporate office, Federal Towers in Aluva.

The solar plant was inaugurated by the Bank’s MD & CEO, Shyam Srinivasan, in the presence of other senior executives of the Bank.

Speaking at the inauguration, Shyam Srinivasan said, “We are delighted to inaugurate the solar power plant, which is a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. This initiative is in line with our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting clean energy. With this installation, we will be able to reduce emissions by 129 tCO2 every year.”

* Federal Bank has been committed to promoting renewable energy and reducing its carbon footprint.

* With the inauguration of this solar power plant, the total capacity of solar plant installations at Federal Bank has increased to 300KWp.

* The units being generated out of this powerplant will reduce the consumption of power by 20%.

* The Bank has also installed solar panels at several of its branches and offices across the country. The Bank is strengthening its Rishta with the environment with these initiatives

The event was attended by the Bank’s executives, including Venkatraman Venkateswaran, Group President & CFO, Ajith Kumar K K, President & CHRO, Damodaran C, SVP & Chief Risk Officer, and Hema Sivadasan, DVP & Head Corporate Services, who expressed their support for the Bank’s sustainability initiatives.

Correct Answer :   Karnataka Bank

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Karnataka Bank and Paisalo Digital Ltd, a non-deposit-taking NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India, have entered into a co-lending arrangement to provide financial support to the small income segment and to give impetus to the micro and small enterprise segment of the country.

The arrangement will leverage Karnataka Bank’s low cost of funds and its end-to-end digital capabilities and Paisalo to help the sourcing, servicing and recovery of small-ticket priority sector loans.

* Mahabaleshwara MS, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, said, Co-lending model is one of the innovative avenues of lending to priority sector.

* This tie-up shall create a dynamic synergy between the two sets of lenders — Paisalo Digital Ltd and Karnataka Bank.

* As per RBI’s co-lending norms, this arrangement will help us in extending credit to the priority sector and promoting financial inclusion by providing necessary financial support to micro-entrepreneurs.”

* Santanu Agarwal, Deputy Managing Director of Paisalo Digital Ltd, said, Paisalo sees a huge opportunity and is well positioned to capitalise on the ₹8-lakh crore market of small-ticket loans for its 365 million under-banked and under-serviced population.

* Karnataka Bank and Paisalo co-lending product is a big step towards Paisalo’s goal of creating the most competitive and seamless banking solution for India’s bottom of pyramid population..

Source  : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Spain

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Sergio Ramos announced his retirement from the Spanish national team on Thursday (23rd Feb 2023).  Ending his 18-year old career with the Spanish National Team, where he won every possible silverwares.

* The 36-year old appeared in 180 matches, the most number of games played by any Spanish player and scored 23 goals.

* He was won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and two back to back Euros in 2008 and 2012 and was the captain of the national team for 5 years.

* Ramos revealed that the current head coach Luis de la Fuente called him up and said that the former Real Madrid man will no longer be in his future plans regardless of his performance.

* The charismatic defender last featured for his nation back in 2021.

* The centre-back made his debut for Spain in 2005 and earned 180 caps for La Furia Roja.

Source : India

Correct Answer :   Carlos Alcaraz

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Top-seeded Spanish player, Carlos Alcaraz, claimed his first title since his landmark U.S. Open win by defeating Cameron Norrie in straight sets at the Argentina Open tennis tournament 2023.

Argentina Open title 2023 :

* Argentina Open trophy at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club on Sunday (19th Feb 2023) evening.

* After missing the Australian Open due to injuries, Carlos Alcaraz returned to the court in style and won his seventh ATP title and his first since the US Open 2022.

* Alcaraz defeated Cameron Norrie in the final, marking his first ATP tournament since November 2022.

* The victory made Alcaraz the first Spanish player to win the title in Buenos Aires since Rafael Nadal in 2015.

Men's Doubles : In the men's doubles category, Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini won the title by defeating Nicolás Barrientos and Ariel Behar in straight sets with a score of 6–2, 6–4.

* Winner of Men's Singles : Carlos Alcaraz
* Runner-up of Men's Singles : Cameron Norrie

* Winner of Men's Doubles : Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini
* Runner-up of Men's Doubles : Nicolás Barrientos and Ariel Behar