Correct Answer :   INS Vagir

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In a first-if-its-kind, longest ever deployment of India’s Scorpene submarines, INS Vagir, commissioned in January this year (2023), has made its way to Australia, covering a distance of nearly 7,000 km.

The Indian Navy released a statement Saturday evening saying that the submarine is on an extended-range deployment.

The deployment commenced in June 2023 and Vagir will reach Fremantle, Australia on 20 August 2023, it added.

The submarine, which is the Indian Navy’s fifth Kalvari class submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January this year and is based in Mumbai.

Sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that except for one port call in Sri Lanka, as part of International Day of Yoga, the submarine has not made any other port call.

They also said that the submarine has traversed about 7,000 kilometres, or a little over 4,000 nautical miles, since it began its operational deployment in June.

This means that the Vagir has sailed continuously since the Sri Lanka stop, with it resurfacing every three-four days depending on the speed, to recharge its batteries for a few hours before sinking to the depth of the ocean again.

The extended range deployment is the maiden deployment by an Indian submarine to Australia and showcases the capability and professional acumen of the Indian Navy to undertake sustained operations at extended ranges from the base port for prolonged durations, the official statement read.

During her stay in Australia, INS Vagir will participate in various exercises with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) units on the West Coast of Australia.

Concurrently, on the East coast of Australia, Indian naval ships and aircraft are involved in Exercise Malabar between 11 and 21 August and AUSINDEX between 22-24 August.

During the Vagir’s ongoing deployment, basic, intermediate and advanced-level anti-submarine exercises are scheduled. In addition, RAN submarines and Indian Naval P8i aircraft are scheduled to exercise with INS Vagir..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Esha Singh and Shiva Narwal

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Shooters Esha Singh and Shiva Narwal brought cheers to the India camp, clinching the 10m air pistol mixed team gold by defeating Turkey in the final of the ISSF World Championship at Baku, Azerbaijan on 18th August 2023.

* The Indian duo defeated the Turkish pair of Ilayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikec 16-10 in the gold-medal match to take the country's medals tally to two.

* India are currently placed second on the medals table with a gold and a bronze medal, while China is leading the tally with five gold and two bronze medals..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   5

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Five youths from India have been named among 17 teen environmental activists from across the globe to receive the 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Award who have taken initiatives to tackle the world's most pressing environmental challenges.

The young eco-warriors who were recognised for their efforts by the US-based non-profit organisation, "Action For Nature", are Eiha Dixit from Meerut, Manya Harsha from Bengaluru, Nirvaan Somany and Mannat Kaur from New Delhi and Karnav Rastogi from Mumbai.

The International Young Eco-Hero Awards programme recognises and encourages children and teens from ages 8 to 16 who have taken action towards solving the most critical environmental issues.

The awardees are eco-conscious youth who took the crucial steps to solve tough environmental problems.

Winners of the International Young Eco-Hero Award are selected by a panel of independent judges, including experts in environmental science, biology, and education.

For the past 20 years, "Action For Nature" has recognised 339 Eco-Heroes from 27 countries and 32 US states, a media release on Tuesday said.

All of this year's young climate champions are proving one thing loud and clear: the next generation of leaders has arrived, and they're unleashing their power on a global scale to tackle the climate crisis head-on," said Beryl Kay, president of Action for Nature..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Pakistan

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Pakistan left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz retired from international cricket on Wednesday (16th August 2023).  The 38-year-old picked 237 wickets from 154 internationals. However, Riaz will continue to participate in franchise cricket.

* The Pakistani paceman is fondly remembered for his fiery spell in the 2015 World Cup against Shane Watson.

* Though Riaz has figures of 2/54 from 9 overs to show from the match, how he had put pressure on the Australian batsman in his second spell was one of the defining passages of the 2015 World Cup.

* Watson had been left ducking out of Riaz’s firebolts, and when Watson’s catch was dropped in the deep off Riaz’s bowling.

* In 91 ODIs, Riaz picked up 120 wickets. He also represented Pakistan in 36 T20Is picking 34 scalps.

* Though he was lethal in white ball cricket, his Test career was bittersweet.

* Despite pace being on his side, his lines and lengths were inconsistent hence becoming unreliable for the team.

* In his brief 27-match career, Riaz picked up 83 wickets with the red ball.

* However, Riaz stated that he would continue participating in the franchise league as he said, “I am thrilled to embark on a new adventure in franchise cricket, where I hope to entertain and inspire audiences while competing against some of the best talents in the world.”

* Riaz is the leading wicket-taker in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with 113 wickets from 88 games, an economy of 7.79, and an average of 22.68.

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   IIT-Madras

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Agnikul Cosmos, an IIT-Madras-based space-tech start-up, on its path towards its inaugural controlled flight, on 15 August 2023 commenced the integration process of its launch vehicle, Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technological Demonstrator), with its private launchpad located at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota.

* This brings Agnikul closer to realising its vision of delivering reliable and affordable access to space.

* The event marked the official unveiling of the Agnibaan SOrTeD launch vehicle, which was unveiled at Agnikul’s Mission Control Centre after being transported to the site.

* Agnibaan SOrTeD is a single-stage launch vehicle driven by Agnikul’s patented Agnilet engine — an entirely 3D-printed, single-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine.

* Unlike traditional sounding rockets that launch from guide rails, Agnibaan SOrTeD will lift off vertically and follow a predetermined trajectory while performing a precisely orchestrated set of manoeuvres during flight.

* These flight events have been configured to validate key technologies integral to the success of the company’s upcoming orbital flights. Agnikul plans to complete its first flight in the coming few weeks, the release said..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Reserve Bank of India

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The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday (17th August 2023) launched a centralised Web portal, UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits Gateway to Access Information), for members of the public to make it easier to search their unclaimed deposits across multiple banks at one place.

UDGAM, which was launched by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, will aid users in identifying their unclaimed deposits and accounts and enable them to either claim the deposit amount or make their deposit accounts operational at their respective banks.

To begin with, users would be able to access the details of their unclaimed deposits in respect of seven banks (State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Central Bank of India, Dhanlaxmi Bank, South Indian Bank, DBS Bank India, and Citibank N.A.) presently available on the portal.

The search facility for the remaining banks on the portal would be made available in a phased manner by October 15, 2023.

RBI had announced the development of a centralised web portal for searching unclaimed deposits as part of the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated April 6, 2023.

Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS), and participating banks have collaborated on developing the portal...

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Priya Malik

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Indian wrestler Priya Malik secured a gold medal at the ongoing U20 World Wrestling Championships being held in Jordan on Thursday (17th August 2023), becoming the second Indian woman ever to clinch a gold in the competition.

Priya won the gold in the 76 kg category, defeating Germany's Laura Kuehn 5-0 in the gold medal bout. Previously, Antim Panghal had won a gold in the previous edition.

The achievement of this Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athlete has now given India two golds at the ongoing championships, which has only happened for the second time ever. The last time India did so was back in 2001.

Also, Khelo India athlete Arju made India proud in the 68 kg category by defeating Turkey's Elif Kurt in the bronze medal bout.

So far, India has won a total of seven medals with two gold, one silver, and four bronze medals..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Canara Jeevan Dhara

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Canara Bank has introduced Canara Jeevan Dhara, a special savings bank account for pensioners, and prospective pensioners. All the employees who retired on a voluntary basis or normal retirements are also eligible.

(1/2) Introducing Canara Jeevan Dhara, a special savings bank account for pensioners, and prospective pensioners including all the employees who retired on a voluntary basis or normal retirements. pic.twitter.com/q3WYEqqrAT

— Canara Bank (@canarabank) August 16, 2023

The bank offers two variants depending on the pension credit. Diamonds account is for up to Rs 50,000 and Platinum account is for above Rs 50,000.


Canara Jeevan Dhara interest rate :

Interest rate on Jeevan Dhara savings account will be same as regular savings account which ranges from 2.90% to 4% depending on the balance in the account, according to the Canara Bank website.

The bank is offering an interest rate of 2.90% for savings accounts with an outstanding balance of less than Rs. 50 lakh and between Rs. 50 lakh and less than Rs. 5 crore. The bank offers the interest rate of 2.95% on savings account balances between Rs 5 crore to less than Rs 10 crore and the interest rate on savings account balances between Rs 10 crore to less than Rs 100 crore is 3.05%.

Canara Bank will now pay 3.50% interest on balances in outstanding savings accounts ranging from Rs 100 crore to less than Rs 500 crore. Canara Bank will now pay 3.10% interest on outstanding savings account balances between Rs 200 crore and Rs 500 crore.


Loan against deposit :

* Under this account, the bank will offer 0.75% above the deposit rate for senior citizens.

Top up facility :

* For customers of this account, the bank will offer top up facility on pension loans.


Concession on medical expenses :

* Concession on medical expenses up to 25 percent for Canara Bank Jeevan Dhaara customers.


Canara Bank FD interest rates :

* Canara Bank offers FDs maturing in 7 days to 10 years of 4 per cent to 7.25 per cent for the general public and 4 per cent to 7.75 per cent for senior citizens..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Kolkata

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President Droupadi Murmu will launch Vindhyagiri, a Project 17A frigate, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata, on August 17, 2023, the Indian Navy said in a statement on Sunday (13th August 2023).

Named after a mountain range in Karnataka, Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A frigates.

Under the Project 17A programme, four ships by Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) are under construction.

The project’s first five ships were launched by MDL and GRSE, between 2019-2022.

“These warships are follow-ons of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems,” the Navy said, adding that the technologically advanced frigate pays a befitting tribute to the distinguished service of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Vindhyagiri, a Leander Class ASW Frigate.

INS Vindhyagiri : which was the sixth and last of the Nilgiri class frigates—in its nearly 31 years of service from 8 July 1981 to 11 June 2012, had seen many multinational exercises and performed maritime surveillance, coastal patrol and anti-piracy operations. It was decommissioned after being damaged in an accident with a merchant vessel in 2011.

The newly christened Vindhyagiri stands as a symbol of India’s determination to embrace its rich naval heritage while propelling itself towards a future of indigenous defence capabilities.

The Project 17A ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. According to the Navy, as much as 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including MSMEs..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Mohit Kumar

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Creating history, Indian wrestler Mohit Kumar has became the Under 20 World Championship in men’s 61 Kg Freestyle category at Amman City in Jordan.

* Mohit defeated Russia's Eldar Akhmadudinov by 9-8 in the final to become the fourth Indian Freestyle Wrestler to win a Junior World Championship 16th August 2023.

* Mohit is the fourth male wrestler from India to earn a gold medal in the U20 World Championships, following Palwinder Cheema in 2001, Ramesh Kumar in 2001, and Deepak Punia in 2019.

* Jaideep won the 74kg bronze with a win over Kyrgyszstan's Zhakshylyk Ruslanovich Baitashov.

* Sagar Jaglan claimed a silver medal in Freestyle 79 kg category while Deepak Chahal won a bronze medal Freestyle 97 kg category on Day second of the event. The Indian men's freestyle team has so far won five medals..

Source : AIR