General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   Smriti Mandhana

---

Smriti Mandhana on Monday (13th Feb 2023) received the highest bid of ₹3.4 crore for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League(WPL) auctions held in Mumbai.

* Mandhana, whose bidding began at a base price of ₹50 lakh, was finally sold to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

* RCB and Delhi Capitals were the main contenders in the bidding war.

* Deepti Sharma raked in ₹2.6 crore and will represent the team from Lucknow, owned by Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd, UP Warriorz.

* Jemimah Rodrigues went for ₹2.2 crore to Delhi Capitals, which also bought under-19 captain Shafali Verma for ₹2 crore.

* Richa Ghosh was sold to RCB for ₹1.9 crore. 

* Harmanpreet Kaur ( ₹1.8 crore) to Mumbai Indians

* Renuka Singh ( ₹1.5 crore) to RCB.

* Pooja Vastrakar was sold for ₹1.9 crore to Mumbai Indians.

* The five teams for this year are RCB, Gujarat Giants, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, and Mumbai Indians.

* The highest bid for an international player was by Mumbai Indians, which picked up England’s Natalie Sciver for ₹3.2 crore.

* Wicketkeeper-batter from Australia, Beth Mooney, was sold to the Gujarat Giants for ₹2 crore, while Ellyse Perry was sold to RCB for ₹1.7 crore.

* Tahlia McGrath went to UP Warroirz for ₹1.4 crore.

* Out of 1,525 players who were registered for the auction, 409 made it to the final list, comprising 246 Indians and 163 overseas players. There were also eight players from associate nations. All five teams had a salary purse of ₹12 crore per team for this edition.

* Tuhin Mishra, co-founder and managing director of Baseline Ventures, which manages players like Mandhana and under-19 skipper Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh, said the auction created history..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Rayyana Barnawi

---

The first-ever woman astronaut of Saudi Arabia will be going to space this year (2023), the latest move by the kingdom to revamp its ultra-conservative image.

* Saudi woman astronaut "Rayyana Barnawi" will join fellow Saudi Ali Al-Qarni on a 10-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) this year (2023).

* Barnawi and Al-Qarni will fly to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of a mission by the private space company Axiom Space.

* The Ax-2 will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

* Axiom Space carried out its first private astronaut mission to the ISS in April 2022 under which four private astronauts spent 17 days in orbit.

* In 2019, Saudi's neighbour the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country to send one of its citizens into space.

* Astronaut Hazzaa al-Mansoori spent eight days on the ISS. Another fellow Emirati, Sultan al-Neyadi, will also make a voyage to the space station in February 2023.

* Neyadi, fondly called "Sultan of Space", will become the first Arab astronaut to spend six months in space when he blasts off for the ISS aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

* Saudi de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been trying to shake off the kingdom’s austere image through a push for reforms.

* During his regime since 2017, Saudi women have been allowed to drive and travel abroad without a male guardian. Women’s proportion in the workforce has more than doubled since 2016, from 17% to 37%.

* In the oil-rich country in 1985, sent country’s royal Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, an air force pilot on a US-organised mission. It became the first Arab Muslim country to travel to space.

* Years later in 2018, the country set up a space program and last year launched another to send astronauts into space as part of Prince Salman’s Vision 2030 agenda for economic diversification..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Wu Yibing

---

23-year-old Wu Yibing on Sunday (12th February 2023) scripted history by becoming the first man from China to win a title on the ATP Tour title at the Dallas Open 2023.

* He came up with a stunning comeback-from-behind victory over local hero John Isner in the final of the Dallas Open in Texas, USA. Wu prevailed 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3) and 7-6 (14/12) in a thriller that extended for 2 hours and 58 minutes.

* He also becomes the second man from China to break into the top 100 of the ATP rankings.

* While the duo of Jamie Murray (United Kingdom) and Michael Venus (New Zealand) won the doubles title at the same event

* Wu Yibing's win will certainly inspire a generation of Chinese men, who havenot managed to make a mark at the ATP level in the past. No Chinese man had ever managed to win a title on the ATP tour or manage to beat a top 10 opponent in the past but Wu achieved both the feats in Dallas. En route to the final, Wu defeated World No.8 Taylor Fritz in the semi-final..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Real Madrid

---

Real Madrid has won the Club World Cup 2023 for a record-extending fifth time in the final held in the Abdellah stadium, Rabat, Morocco.

* Real Madrid has defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal by 5-3.

* Vinícius Júnior (Brazillian) scored twice and assisted Karim Benzema to lead Real Madrid.

* Real Madrid last won the tournament in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

* Madrid also won three Intercontinental Cups in 1960, 1998, and 2002. a match between European and South American champions, which merged with the Club World Cup in 2005..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   Kotak Mahindra Bank

---

The Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced that it will acquire 100% equity shares of Sonata Finance (SFPL) for Rs 537 crore.

* Sonata Finance is a non-banking finance company, which is engaged in microfinance.

* This acquisition will provide Kotak Mahindra Bank access to 502 branches across the ten states.

* The SFPL will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank after receiving regulatory and other approvals.

* SFPL has Rs 1,903 crore of assets, servicing a customer base of 9 lakh with 2,882 employees.

* Kotak Mahindra Bank plans to use the acquisition to scale up its operations in the rural and semi-urban markets in the northern states of India...

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   154 medals

---

The fifth Khelo India Youth Games will culminate 11th February 2023 with a colourful ceremony at the Upper Lake in Bhopal.

* Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be the chief guests of the concluding ceremony.

* Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Nisith Pramanik will also be present in this ceremony.

* The Khelo India Youth Games-2022 started on the 30th of January. Around six thousand players from different States contested with all their energy and fervour for medals in 27 different sports in these 13 days.

* Maharashtra has retained the first position in the medals tally by winning 154 medals. These include 53 gold, 54 silver and 47 bronze medals.

* Haryana is in the second position with a total of 116 medals, including 40 gold while Host Madhya Pradesh is in the third position with 90 medals including 37 gold medals...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Prashant Saxena

---

Indian Navy’s Captain Prashant Saxena AWPS (Mbi) launched Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, Yard 125 (LSAM 15) on February 10, 2023.

* The Barge was launched at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd in Thane.

* The ACTCM Barge has been equipped with auxiliary systems developed by indigenous manufacturers, making it stand true to the ‘Make in India’ resolve of the Ministry of Defence.

* In accordance with the “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” objectives of the Government of India, a contract for the building of eleven ACTCM Barges was concluded with the MSME, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane. The Barge has been constructed with a service life of 30 years.

* “Contract for construction of 11 x ACTCM Barge was concluded with M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane, an MSME, in consonance with “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India,” read an official statement by the Ministry of Defence.

* The availability of ACTCM Barges will help Indian Navy fulfil its operational commitments by easing the transportation, embarkation, and discharge of supplies and ammunition onto the Navy ships at outer harbours and alongside jetties...

Source : News on Air

Correct Answer :   Jean-Eric Vergne

---

The seasoned Jean Eric Vergne of DS Penske won an action-packed Formula E in Hyderabad on Saturday (11th February 2023).

* This marked a successful return of a high-profile motorsport event in India. Vergne held off a strong challenge from Envison Racing's Nick Cassidy to cross the chequered flag in the first place despite having less than 0.5% energy left in the car.

* Antonio Felix Da Costa of Porsche gained from a 17-second penalty handed out to Sebastian Buemi for 'over power' to secure the final spot on the podium.
           
* Earlier, Sports minister Anurag Singh Thakur turned up for the inaugural. Telangana IT Minister K Tarakarama Rao was also present.
           
* Mahindra Racing, in their first home race, recovered from an ordinary qualifying session earlier in the day to seal a points finish via Oliver Rowland.

* Rowland finished sixth from 10th on the grid while di Grassi came 14th from 17th on the grid. Loss of energy in the final moments of the race cost Mahindra a double points finish.

Take a look at all the point scorers at the Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix :

1. Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Penske) - 46:01.099

2. Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing)

3. Antonio Felix da Costa (Tag Heuer Porsche)

4. Pascal Wehrlein (Tag Heuer Porsche)

5. Sergio Sette Camara (Nio 333)

6. Oliver Rowland (Mahindra Racing)

7. Norman Nato (Nissan)

8. Stoffel Vandoorne (DS Penske)

9. Andre Lotterer (Avalanche Andretti)

Correct Answer :   2

---

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Mumbai-Solapur and Mumbai-Sainagar "Vande Bharat Express" from Mumbai on Friday (10th Feb 2023).

During the event, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister of Maharastra Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis were also present at the occasion.

With the two trains becoming operational, the number of Vande Bharat Express trains running from Mumbai will increase to three and the count will go up to 10 for the country.

The first Vande Bharat train in Maharashtra connected Mumbai with Gujarat's Gandhinagar.

Here is the list of all the trains of Vande Bharat Express in function :

TRAIN NO.: VARANASI – NEW DELHI (22435) / NEW DELHI – VARANASI (22436) :  On February 18, 2019, the first Vande Bharat Express train made its debut. The first route makes stops in Thyagraj and Kanpur on its way from the capital city of Delhi to the sacred city of Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). Except on Monday and Thursday, this train runs five days a week.

TRAIN NO.: NEW DELHI – SMVD KATRA (22439) / SMVD KATRA -NEW DELHI (22440) : From Delhi to Katra, the second Vande Bharat Express is now operating (Jammu and Kashmir). Amit Shah, the minister of home affairs, gave it a ceremonial opening on October 3, 2019, and on October 5, 2019, it began operating for profit. The train stops in Jammu Tawi, Ludhiana, and Ambala Cantt. Except on Tuesday, it operates six days a week.

TRAIN NO.: MUMBAI CENTRAL- GANDHINAGAR CAP (20901)/ GANDHINAGAR CAP -MUMBAI CENTRAL (20902) : On September 30, 2022, the third train began operation. In less than six hours, this train travels the distance between Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Other trains take less than seven to eight hours to complete this trip. This train, which is a 2.0 upgrade of the Vande Bharat Express, is renowned for being quicker, quieter, and smoother. The train runs five days a week, but not on Sundays.

Amb Andaura - New Delhi (22447)/Amb Andaura - New Delhi (22448) : On October 13, 2022, the fourth train was put into service. From New Delhi, through Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, the railway travels the route. Six days a week, the train runs.

TRAIN NO.: CHENNAI – MYSURU (20608)/ MYSURU- CHENNAI (20607) : The Vande Bharat Express, which debuted on November 10, 2022, was the fifth train. Two stops are made by the high-speed train at Katpadi and KRS Bengaluru.

This train travels 479 KM in total. It operates five days a week and is not operational on Wednesday.

TRAIN NO.: NAGPUR JUNCTION (20825) /NAGPUR – BILASPUR JUNCTION (20826) : On December 11, 2022, the sixth Vande Bharat Express train was just inaugurated. It travels from Nagpur to Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) (Maharashtra). This train operates on a six-day schedule. On Saturdays, the train is not in service. The train stops in Gondia, Raipur, Durg, and Rajnandgaon.

TRAIN NO.: HOWRAH-NEW JALPAIGURI (22301) /NEW JALPAIGURI JUNCTION – HOWRAH (22302) : On December 30, the seventh Vande Bharat Express train debuted. The entire voyage of the train lasts 7 hours and 30 minutes. Except for Wednesday, the Vande Bharat Express runs six days every week.

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Rohit Sharma

---

Rohit Sharma led from the front as he scored his ninth Test century to become the first Indian captain to score hundreds in all formats.

* Rohit is the fourth overall to have scored centuries in all three formats as captain.

1. Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan,
2. South Africa’s Faf du Plessis
3. Pakistan’s Babar Azam.
4. India's Rohit Sharma.

* This was Rohit’s first three-digit score in the longest format of the game against Australia in the 1st Test of the four-match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha in Nagpur on Friday (10th February 2023).

* Rohit had scored his maiden ODI century as Indian captain against Sri Lanka on December 13, 2017, in Mohali, unbeaten on 208.

* In T20Is, his first and only century as Indian skipper also came against Sri Lanka on December 22, 2017, in Indore, as he smashed 118.

* Rohit Sharma has scored 30 hundreds overall in one-day internationals.

* Rohit had scored his maiden century in Test cricket way back more than nine years back in November 2013 against the West Indies at the Eden Garden, a majestic 177.

* He had scored his first double-century against South Africa in October 2019, a superb 212 at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi.

* Rohit started cautiously on his overnight 56 before he smacked fast bowler captain Pat Cummins for six over deep-square leg and hit another over the fence from spinner Nathan Lyon....

Source : News18