Correct Answer :   Russia

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Russia is all set to launch its first lunar landing mission on 11 August 2023 after almost 5 decades. 14 July 2023, the day when India's Chandrayan-3 was launched, Russia is ready to launch its spacecraft just after 28 days of Indian Spacecraft.



A Soyuz 2.1v rocket carrying the Luna-25 craft will blast off from the Vostochny cosmodrome, 3,450 miles (5,550 km) east of Moscow, at 2:11 a.m. on Friday (11h August 2023) Moscow time (1111 GMT on Thursday). With its upper stage boosting the lander out of Earth's orbit toward the moon over an hour later, Russia's space agency Roscosmos confirmed.

"Now we will wait for the 21st. I hope that a highly precise soft landing on the moon will happen," Borisov told workers at the Vostochny Cosmodrome after the launch, according to Interfax.

Luna-25, roughly the size of a small car, will aim to operate for a year on the moon's south pole, where scientists at NASA and other space agencies in recent years have detected traces of water ice in the region's shadowed craters.

the spacecraft is expected to reach the lunar world on Aug 21, Russia's space chief Yuri Borisov told Interfax on Friday. Russian space agency Roscosmos previously pegged Aug. 23 as the landing date.

As no country has made a soft landing on the south pole, Luna-25 and Chandrayaan-3 now will be in a race to set foot on the moon..

Source : DD News

Correct Answer :   AU Small Finance Bank Limited

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AU Small Finance Bank has achieved an unprecedented feat with the launch of its groundbreaking customer service 24x7 via Video Banking.

This service provides a virtual platform where customers can communicate with a video banker in real time via video calls, like video conferencing.

 “AU Small Finance Bank's foray into round-the-clock Video Banking represents a paradigm shift in modern banking. Even on holidays and weekends, AU’s dedicated team would ensure face-to-face, human-centric interactions, underscoring the bank's commitment to enhancing nationwide banking experiences.

We empower our customers in this digital epoch by elevating accessibility and convenience to unparalleled heights," said Uttam Tibrewal, Executive Director, of AU Small Finance Bank.

Security stands paramount in the realm of Video Banking, with AU Small Finance Bank raising the bar with advanced encryption, AI-powered facial recognition, OTP and signature verification, and video validation.

Every transaction and confidential piece of information is meticulously safeguarded, ensuring customers can engage with the platform with the utmost confidence.

Now, AU SFB’s customers could revel in the convenience of services such as real-time account support, demographic updates, hassle-free financial transactions, effortless loans and Credit Card inquiries, efficient issue resolution related to all banking relationships, and beyond.

AU SFB’s Video Banking transcends the conventional, catering effortlessly to a diverse spectrum of customer segments within the domestic market. In essence, AU’s 24x7 Video Banking extends the reach of banking services to areas with limited infrastructure and resources, offering a convenient and personalized banking experience that addresses the unique needs of tech-savvy millennials, new to banking customers, busy professionals, and senior citizens alike..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced Artificial Intelligence-powered conversational features on UPI, in August 2023.

* Thursday (10th August 2023) with the announcement by the Reserve Bank of India on the addition of conversational payments and offline capability to UPI Lite. The central bank increased the UPI light payment cap from ₹200 to ₹500.

* Aims : To enable digital payments through voice commands .

* The concept, known as “Conversational Payments,” introduces a dynamic and user-friendly approach to transactions.

* Objectives : To allow users to initiate payments seamlessly within chat or messaging conversations, transforming routine interactions into instant financial exchanges.

Source : Industry Wired

Correct Answer :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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