Correct Answer : Option (C) - Amravati

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In a first, Central Railway’s New Amravati station becomes the first station in Bhusaval Division and third station of Central Railway (CR) to be a "Pink Station" to be fully managed by women staff.

Central Railway has inaugurated the New Amravati station under the capable management of an all-women team.

This remarkable accomplishment of establishing an all-women managed station at New Amravati follows in the footsteps of the trailblazing examples set by Matunga station in the Mumbai division and Ajni station in the Nagpur division.

The New Amravati station has a staff strength of 12 women employees – 4 Deputy Station Superintendents, 4 Pointswomen, 3 Railway Protection Personnel and 1 Station Ticket Booking Agent.

These women work in unison to ensure the smooth functioning of the station.

According to the press release issued by the Central Railway, the New Amravati station, which joins the ranks of “Pink Stations,” caters to the needs of approximately 380 passengers who frequent the station daily.

As the third station within Central Railway’s purview to be exclusively managed by women, the New Amravati station stands as a testament to the remarkable strides being taken towards fostering inclusivity and representation in the railway industry.

Handling the operations of ten trains, the station holds a pivotal role within the Bhusaval Division, underscoring its significance and importance in the broader railway network..

Source : Financial Express

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Airtel Payments Bank

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Airtel Payments Bank has become the 1st Indian bank to launch an eco-friendly debit card for its new and existing customers with a savings bank account.

The debit cards will come in r-PVC material, a certified eco-friendly material. Every batch of 50,000 cards produced, will lead to a substantial reduction of 350 kgs of carbon emissions compared to the conventional PVC cards commonly used in the market.

Moreover, the r-PVC cards' production will result in a 43% decrease of hydrocarbon usage, effectively reducing petroleum consumption during manufacturing.

Different card types :

Airtel Payments Bank is launching two cards in the Classic variant – the Personalised Classic Card and the Insta Classic Card. Customers can request the Personalised Card through the Airtel Thanks app, while the Insta Card will be accessible at specific neighborhood banking points by the end of the current quarter. Both cards offer rewards, including e-commerce benefits of up to Rs 10,000, and complimentary One Dines experiences in major cities across India.

Speaking about the launch, Ganesh Ananthanarayanan, chief operating officer of Airtel Payments Bank said, “We are delighted to introduce our new eco-friendly Debit Cards, made using recycled PVC. Airtel Payments Bank believes in responsible consumption and production for a sustainable future. These cards demonstrate our support for sustainability and commitment to offer safe and convenient banking experience. Our aim is to provide India with accessible and inclusive banking by driving positive change in the financial industry and offering our customers a seamless and secure payment experience.”.

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer : Option (B) - INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata

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Indian Navy's indigenous frontline warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata will participate in Exercise MALABAR 2023.

* The 11-day exercise will commence 11th Aug 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

* Defence Ministry said, ships and aircraft from the US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and the Royal Australian Navy will also participate in the exercise.
 

* MALABAR series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between Indian Navy and US Navy.

* It has grown in stature over the years to include four prominent navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.

* The exercise provides an opportunity for the Indian Navy to enhance and demonstrate interoperability and also gain from the best practices in maritime security operations from its partner nations..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (C) - INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand

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Two Indian Navy ships, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand, arrived at Port Rashid in Dubai on Wednesday (9th August 2023) for a bilateral exercise with the UAE Navy.

* The exercise, which will be held from August 8 to August 11, 2023.

Aim :  To share best practices and increase synergies between the two navies.

* Under Rear Admiral Vineet McCarty's command, the ships will engage in professional interactions with the UAE Naval Force, focusing on maritime operations.

* 'Zayed Talwar,' a bilateral exercise, is scheduled to enhance interoperability and synergy between the two navies, contributing to regional security.

* Led by Captains Ashok Rao and Pramod G Thomas, INS Visakhapatnam, and INS Trikand showcase advanced maritime capabilities.

* This visit underscores growing diplomatic collaboration between the Indian and UAE navies..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)

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* The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has won Asia's Best Brand Employer Award 2023 under the category 'Organisation with Innovative HR Practices'.

* It was announced at the 14th edition of the 18th Brand Congress and would be presented on August 17 in Singapore.


Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) :

* It was inaugurated by the Mysore Road Transport Department on 12 September 1948.

* Later it was converted to an independent corporation and renamed Karnataka Road Transport Corporation..

Correct Answer : Option (A) - INS Chennai

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The Indian Navy has placed its locally built guided missile destroyer, INS Chennai, in a key location within the Red Sea as part of a strong commitment to safeguarding secure marine environments. This mission is a crucial step in preserving the world’s oceans.

The INS Chennai made a crucial port call to Jeddah between August 3 and August 5, 2023, strengthening the sense of camaraderie and diverse defence ties between India and Saudi Arabia.

The Jeddah Border Guards Commander and the Commanding Officer of INS Chennai had a productive conversation during this port visit. Mohd Shahid Alam, CGI Jeddah, inspected the ship and learned about its operating prowess, furthering the diplomatic cooperation.

The vessel was warmly welcomed upon arrival by dignitaries from the Royal Saudi Naval forces, Border Guards and the Indian embassy.

On August 5, the INS Chennai set sail from Jeddah for its next destination and participated in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) alongside the Royal Saudi Naval Ship HMS Al Jubail. Off the coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this collaborative operation involved complex tactical manoeuvres, skillful seamanship developments, and rigorous communication drills.

These joint efforts strengthened not only the foundation of mutual dependence but also the operational chemistry between the two maritime forces. Additionally, this drill was a demonstration of the growing interoperability between the Saudi Navy and its Indian counterpart.

The mission of INS Chennai takes crucial relevance in a world where the waters are a witness to several difficulties. India’s commitment to maritime security and global security is embodied by its critical location within the Red Sea. Additionally, the joint exercise with HMS Al Jubail highlights the shared dedication of the two countries to foster long-lasting friendships in addition to protecting their waters.

A collaborative effort can be heard throughout the nautical expanse as the waves of the Red Sea encircle the INS Chennai and the echoes of joint manoeuvres reverberate with the HMS Al Jubail..

Source : First Post

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Suryakumar Yadav

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Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav stole the show as India defeated West Indies by seven wickets in the third T20I on Tuesday (8th Aug 2023).

Tilak has been a consistent performer in the series so far, having scored 139 runs in three innings. It has seen him edge past Gautam Gambhir as the player with the most runs after first three T20Is for India.

Gambhir scored 109 runs across his first three games in the inaugural T20I World Cup in 2007. He was dismissed for a duck against Pakistan before securing scores of 51 runs vs New Zealand and 58 against England.

Tilak surpassed the two-time world cup winner by hitting 39 runs in debut before a maiden half-century in the second (51) followed by an unbeaten 49 in the third fixture.

He narrowly missed out on Deepak Hooda’s record who currently sits on the top with 172 runs to his name.

Suryakumar played a blistering innings, at the Providence Stadium.

The Indian batter lacked his usual flare in the first two games with scores of 21 in the first and a single in the second.

However, the flamboyant batter lived up to his reputation as the number one ranked batter in T20Is.

Suryakumar went on to score 83 off just 44.

He belted 10 fours and four sixes during the innings.

He became the joint second-fastest cricketer to notch up a century of sixes in T20I history.

The right-hander achieved the feat in 49 innings tying himself with Chris Gayle. He currently sits next to only Evin Lewis in the list.

With a 2-0 lead, West Indies opted to bat first in the third game of the series.

Brandon King top-scored with run-a-ball 42.

Later, Rovman Powell added 40 off just 19 to help West Indies finish with a total of 159.

India’s Kuldeep Yadav had a phenomenal bowling performance that saw him pick three wickets. During the chase, Suryakumar and Tilak stitched an 87-run partnership, guiding India to a victory by seven wickets..

Source : News18

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Savita

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India ended their 2023 World Cadet Wrestling Championships, meant for under-17 grapplers, with a total of 11 medals, including a gold, at Istanbul, Turkey.

Savita, who entered the event as the defending champion, won the only gold medal for India at Istanbul in the women’s 61kg weight division.

India finished sixth in the men’s freestyle and fourth in men’s Greco-Roman team rankings as well. However, it was the women’s freestyle where India shone best by finishing third, only behind Japan and USA, with 118 points in the team rankings.

Indian medallists U17 World Wrestling Championship 2023 :

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam

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In the Four Nations Para-Badminton International 2023 held in England, the top-ranked men's doubles duo of Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam clinched a gold medal in the SL3-SL4 category.

They achieved this victory by defeating Ranjan Bisoyee and Manoj Sarkar.

Bhagat secured a silver medal in the singles SL3 category, and he also teamed up with Manisha Ramdass to claim a silver medal in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 category.

Kadam won a bronze in the singles SL4 category..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Postal Life Insurance

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Postal Life Insurance (PLI), a distinguished name in the insurance sector since 1884, is taking a momentous leap forward in its customer-centric approach. Recognising the pivotal role of its sales force, the PLI is proud to introduce the pilot program for “Direct Incentive Disbursement” in the Delhi and Uttarakhand Circles.

The cornerstone of PLI's success has always been its sales staff, the driving force behind the department’s accomplishments. Their dedication profoundly influences PLI’s ability to acquire and retain clients, making them indispensable brand ambassadors. By delivering personalised services and cultivating strong client relationships, PLI’s agents consistently contribute to the growth of revenue.

In alignment with its unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, PLI is now unveiling a major enhancement to its agent incentive program. 

Through the "Direct Incentive Disbursement” feature, agents will experience the seamless transfer of their hard-earned commissions from the previous month directly to their Post Office Savings Bank Accounts.

This groundbreaking initiative will impact around two lakh sales force members across the nation, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, Direct Agents, Field Officers, and Departmental Employees. With secure and instantaneous fund transfers, this streamlined process eradicates delays and the need for physical checks. By modernising the way incentives are distributed, the PLI aims to solidify its bond with agents and inspire a culture of excellence.


Key benefits of pilot program :

* Swift and Secure Transactions: Salesforce receive incentives directly in their POSB accounts.

* Convenience and Motivation: Salesforce can conveniently manage their funds, and immediate rewards drive optimal performance.

* Simplified Administration: Automated payouts reduce administrative costs, enabling a greater focus on delivering client service.

The unveiling of this initiative was graced by Shri Alok Sharma, Director General, Postal Services, Department of Posts, in the presence of the Member (PLI) & Chief General Manager (PLI). Chief Postmasters General of all Postal Circles also participated in this program through video conference..


Source : PIB