Correct Answer :   Mohammed Shami

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India vs New Zealand, ICC World Cup 2023 1st semi-final : Team India pacer Mohammed Shami is dominating against New Zealand as he clinched 7 wickets to complete his 54 wickets in the ICC World Cup 2023.

The pacer has been great in the ICC World Cup 2023 and displayed that magic in the semi-final match against New Zealand as he dismissed the openers Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, skipper Kane Williamson, and Tom Latham.

With the seven wickets 15th Nov 2023, Mohammed Shami successfully became the fastest Indian bowler to clinch 50 wickets in the history of ICC World Cup as the pacer achieved the milestone during his 17th innings. Earlier, Mitchell Starc was holding this record in 19 innings.

The pacer struck on his first ball to dismiss Devon Conway and soon struck back to take out in-form Rachin Ravindra. Then started a long, tough phase for the Indian team as New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson played in an 181-run partnership with all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who also slammed his second century against India..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Salman Rushdie

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World-renowned author Salman Rushdie has been awarded the first-ever 'Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award' by the Vaclav Havel Center on 14th November 2023.

This was Rushdie's surprise public appearance since he was stabbed during a literary festival in New York in August 2022.


Rushdie Reflects on Awards and Influence :

Rushdie's appearance was unexpected as barely a handful of the 100 attendees were aware of his presence, AP added. Announced by Azar Nafisi, the author of 'Reading Lolita in Tehran', Rushdie said, "I apologize for being a mystery guest. I don’t feel at all mysterious. But it made life a little simpler."

At 76, Rushdie, recipient of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade last month, found himself receiving another accolade, reflecting on the irony of being awarded for "disturbing the peace." He pondered which side of "the fence" this placed him on.

During his speech, Rushdie lauded Vaclav Havel, a close friend and an influential figure who supported him when he was forced into hiding following Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's 1989 decree against his novel, 'The Satanic Verses'. Describing Havel as a hero who balanced artistry with activism, Rushdie expressed deep honor in receiving an award in Havel's name.

The ceremony, hosted by veteran CBS journalist Lesley Stahl, took place at the Havel Center, previously known as the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation. This center, established in 2012 to perpetuate Havel's legacy, focuses on advocating for human rights and free expression..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Rohit Sharma

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Indian captain "Rohit Sharma" has left an indelible mark on cricket history by becoming the first player to hit 50 sixes in the World Cup.

Achieving this remarkable feat during the semifinal clash against New Zealand in Mumbai, the 36-year-old scored an impressive 47 runs from 29 balls, surpassing Chris Gayle’s record of 49 sixes in World Cups with a powerful pull shot off fast bowler Trent Boult.


Semifinal Showcase of Sharma’s Dominance :

Throughout the tournament, Sharma has displayed exceptional form, particularly in the semifinal against New Zealand. He aggressively took on the bowlers, laying the foundation for a robust start for the Men in Blue with a dazzling array of fours and sixes. Despite falling just three runs short of a half-century, Sharma’s innings featured a memorable six off pacer Trent Boult in the fifth over, consolidating his position as the leading six-hitter in World Cup history.

Setting New Records :

Beyond eclipsing Gayle’s overall record, Sharma set a new benchmark for the most sixes in a single edition of the World Cup, reaching his 27th six. This accomplishment surpassed Gayle’s 2019 record of 26 sixes.

Notably, Sharma had already exceeded Gayle’s record for the most sixes in international cricket during a match against Afghanistan earlier in the tournament. He hit four sixes, bringing his tournament total to an impressive 28.

Following Sharma, Glenn Maxwell holds the second position as the second-most prolific six-hitter in the current World Cup with 22 sixes..

Correct Answer :   Virat Kohli

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In a historic moment at the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Virat Kohli, the Former Indian cricket captain, achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first batter in the world to score 50 One Day International (ODI) centuries.

In doing so, he surpassed the iconic Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries, solidifying his place as the leading century-scorer in ODI cricket.


Virat Kohli 50th ODI Century :

* Virat Kohli’s extraordinary performance at the World Cup includes not only reaching the 50th century milestone but also surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in a single World Cup. Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s 673-run mark set during the 2003 World Cup, showcasing his consistency and dominance on the world stage.

* Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI century was a special one as it coincided with his 35th birthday. On this occasion, he demonstrated his prowess by facing South Africa’s formidable bowling lineup with resilience, emphasizing his ability to rise to the occasion in crucial matches.


A Prolific Journey – Kohli’s Centuries :

Virat Kohli records journey to 50 ODI centuries has been marked by consistent excellence across various conditions and against formidable opponents. Here is a comprehensive list of Virat Kohli’s ODI centuries:

Correct Answer :   Diana Edulji

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Former India women's cricket team captain Diana Edulji was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame on Monday (13th Nov 2023). With this, she became the first Indian woman cricketer to receive this honour.

Edulji has been a trailblazer in women's cricket and played a big role during her playing days as well as an administrator after retiring. In her 17-year long career, Edulji has played 20 Test matches and scored 1624 runs with 63 wickets. In ODIs, she has scored 775 runs and scalped 46 wickets in 34 matches.

To acknowledge her achievement, former pacer Jhulan Goswani paid rich tributes to Edulji. In an open letter following her inclusion into ICC Hall of Fame, Jhulan hailed the former India captain's contribution in lifting the stature of women's cricket in the country.

"It is an absolute honour for you, but also a very proud moment for women's cricket in our country and a proud moment for India as a whole, that you are being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. It is so well-deserved, you have been a pioneer for women's cricket in our country," Goswami wrote.

"Your contributions over the years have been immense. It is not too much to say that the game would not be where it is in India without all your efforts." The lanky former India pacer also regretted not playing along side Edulji during her illustrious career.

"From a personal perspective, one of the biggest regrets of my career was that I never got to play against you. Like many young cricketers in India, I had grown up reading about you in the record books. Women's cricket in India started in Mumbai in 1971 and you were there from the start," Jhulan wrote.

"We would read about your exploits, how you led the team and were so important to that side. As a player, your performances for the Indian cricket team in the 1970s and 1980s were legendary..

Source : Sports

Correct Answer :   4.87%

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India’s retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), witnessed a 4-month low in October 2023, settling at 4.87%.

A combination of a supportive economic base and moderation in non-food prices contributed to this decline from September’s 5.02%. However, despite this apparent relief, economists express concerns about underlying issues that may impact the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decisions.


Retail Inflation – A Four-Month Low :

The data reveals a positive trajectory as retail inflation touched 4.87% in October, the lowest since June. September saw a significant moderation in food prices, especially in vegetables, coupled with the impact of reduction in LPG prices. This decline in consumer inflation, which is now below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upper limit of 6%, provides some breathing room for policymakers.


Industrial Production and Manufacturing Surge :

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) witnessed a boost, primarily driven by a robust 9.3% increase in manufacturing. Manufacturing constitutes a substantial 77.6% of the IIP, making this surge a key driver of overall industrial output. After a contraction of 0.5% in August 2022, the manufacturing sector’s output rebounded, reaching 143.5 in August from 141.8 in July and 131.3 in the corresponding period last year.


Headline Inflation vs. Monetary Policy Targets :

Despite the welcome decline in retail inflation, headline inflation remains higher than the RBI’s stated monetary policy target of 4%. This presents a challenge for policymakers who aims to strike a balance between supporting economic growth and maintaining price stability.

Core Inflation at a 3.5-Year Low :

While headline inflation may be above the RBI’s target, the core inflation, which excludes food and fuel, has eased to its lowest in 3.5 years. Understanding the dynamics of core inflation provides insights into the underlying inflationary pressures in the economy.


Economic Concerns and Upcoming Challenges :

Economists, such as Devendra Kumar Pant and Swati Arora, point out several worrying signs in the economy. These include persistent pulses and cereal inflation, posing upside risks to food prices. Additionally, concerns arise from a decline in fuel and lights, transport, communication inflation, a decrease in miscellaneous (mainly services) inflation and weakened core inflation due to demand issues.


Monetary Policy Review and Forward Guidance :

The RBI’s recent monetary policy review opted to keep the key repo rate unchanged at 6.5% citing concerns over elevated inflation. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized that the central bank would consider cutting the repo rate only when Consumer Prize Index (CPI) inflation stabilizes around 4% or below on a durable basis. As per the RBI projection, inflation is expected to be at 5.4 per cent in Q1, 6.4 per cent in Q2, 5.6 per cent in Q3, and 5.2 per cent in Q4..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   6.5%

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Morgan Stanley Research on Monday (13th Nov 2023) forecasted a 6.5% economic growth for India in FY24 and FY25, attributing this growth to solid domestic fundamentals.

* The 2024 India Economics Outlook report emphasizes that strong domestic demand, bolstered by healthy corporate and financial sector balance sheets and policy reforms, will contribute to India's growth despite a global slowdown.

* This forecast comes as the intensifying conflict in Israel may affect oil prices, potentially influencing inflation and fiscal deficits.


Comparisons with other growth projections :

* The projection by Morgan Stanley aligns with the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) estimation of 6.5% growth for FY24.
* In comparison, Moody's Investor Services recently maintained India's economic growth at 6.7% for FY24, noting impressive resilience in the face of a global slowdown due to solid domestic demand.
* The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also increased its FY24 growth forecast for India to 6.3% from its July forecast of 6.1%, based on better-than-anticipated consumption during Q1.

Inflation and interest rates outlook :

* Morgan Stanley anticipates headline inflation to decrease from 5.4% in FY24 to 4.9% in FY25.
* The research firm expects the RBI to maintain steady interest rates until the first half of 2024, followed by a gradual rate cut cycle starting from June 24 as a result of continued moderation in inflation.
* They foresee two rate cuts of 25 basis points each, keeping real policy rates averaging around 100 basis points in 2024.


Factors affecting growth and stability :

* The report indicates that a robust political mandate backing reform measures and enhanced external demand could lead to accelerated growth in India.
* However, potential risks include a delay in the capex cycle due to diminished business confidence from unexpected political outcomes or external environmental factors.
* Morgan Stanley also predicts an increase in private consumption growth, a resurgence in private capex, and stable export trends without impeding growth, assuming a well-balanced policy response..


Source : News Bytes App

Correct Answer :   Visakhapatnam

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The 4th edition of the Bilateral Exercise between the Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy, BONGOSAGAR-23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies were held at Visakhapatnam.

Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line and maritime exercises to enhance interoperability.

Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise. The ships undertook communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical maneuvers and other exercises.

CORPAT-23 also included the maiden Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief drills held between the two navies. The bilateral exercises and coordinated patrols have strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   SpaceX

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SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon embarked on its 29th mission to the International Space Station (ISS), launching from the iconic Pad 39 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:28 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) on November 9th, 2023.


Synchronizing Earth’s Rotation for Orbital Rendezvous in SpaceX’s 29th Mission :

The timing was meticulously synchronized with Earth’s rotation, aligning the seaside firing stand directly with the orbital plane of the space station—a prerequisite for rendezvous missions with objects hurtling through space at speeds exceeding 17,000 mph.


Smooth Ascent and Autonomous Flight :

The ascent to space unfolded seamlessly, and approximately 12 minutes after liftoff, the Dragon spacecraft was released to navigate autonomously. Pending successful progression, the spacecraft was scheduled to rendezvous with the space station docking at the lab’s forward port.

SpaceX’s Impressive Records :

This mission marked the 29th Cargo Dragon flight to the space station and the second voyage for capsule C-211. Notably, the first stage booster, undertaking its second flight, autonomously returned to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking SpaceX’s 39th Florida touchdown and its 243rd overall.


Delivering Research Gear and Equipment :

The primary mission objective is to transport vital research gear and equipment to the ISS. Among the cargo is an experimental high-speed laser communications package designed to revolutionize data transmission using infrared laser beams, surpassing the capabilities of traditional radio systems.


Optical Communication Revolution :

Meghan Everett, a senior scientist with the space station program, highlights the potential impact of optical communication on space research. The technology aims to expedite data transmission from the space station to Earth, providing faster results for scientific experiments and aiding the medical community with swift data transfer.

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) :

A notable payload is the Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE), an externally mounted instrument capturing 68,000 infrared images daily. AWE aims to study gravity waves at the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space, offering insights into their effects on communication, navigation, and tracking systems as they interact with the ionosphere.


Rodent Experiment on ISS :

Inside the space station, a groundbreaking experiment involves 40 rodents, aiming to understand the combined effects of spaceflight, nutrition, and environmental stressors on female reproductive and bone health. This research is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the impact of space travel on reproductive health, both for female astronauts and women on Earth.

Correct Answer :   India

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An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has landed at the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai for participation in the biennial Dubai Airshow, scheduled from 13 to 17 November 2023.

The IAF contingent comprises two indigenous platforms - the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.

While the Tejas will be part of both, the static and aerial displays during the Airshow; the Sarang Helicopter Display Team will be displaying their formation aerobatics skills.

    

Having participated in the 2021 edition as well, this is the second consecutive occasion for the Tejas and Sarang display teams to enthrall the crowd at the Dubai Airshow.

The IAF contingent is being staged by its C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. The teams will first perform on the opening ceremony on 13 November 23, and will thereafter share the airspace with other leading aerial display teams of the world.

This is also an opportunity to showcase the rapid strides made by the Indian Aviation Industry, through the participation of indigenous platforms like the Tejas and Dhruv..


Source : PIB