Correct Answer :   $150 Million

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The board of directors of the World Bank approved a $150 million loan to support Resilient Kerala programme to continue strengthening the state’s preparedness against natural disasters, climate change impacts, and disease outbreaks.

* This additional financing will further deepen the state’s resilience in critical areas of coastal erosion and water resource management.

* According to a statement released by the World Bank on Saturday (17th June 2023), this loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a final maturity of 14 years, including a grace period of six years.

* This financing complements the bank’s earlier investment of $125 million. The overall support of the two projects is expected to protect nearly 5 million people from the impacts of floods.

* “Through this additional financing, the World Bank will continue supporting Kerala in increasing its resilience to climate change,” said Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank’s country director for India. The project will focus on addressing coastal erosion along vulnerable areas of the state, impacting millions of lives.

* The additional financing will expand and deepen the state’s resilience to mitigate impacts of coastal erosion by building a shoreline management plan. The plan will assess the current and future shoreline changes in the state and create policies to address the risks to environmental resources, human settlements and infrastructure along the coast...

Source : TOI

Correct Answer :   Axis Bank

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Axis Bank on Friday (16th June 2023) said it has appointed former Reserve Bank deputy governor NS Vishwanathan as the non-executive chairman.

* The third largest private sector bank's board of directors approved the appointment of Vishwanathan as an independent director and non-executive (part-time) chairman for three years, as per an official statement.

* His appointment will be effective from 27 October 2023 or the date of approval of his appointment by the Reserve Bank of India.

* Vishwanathan, a career central banker, was handling critical areas like regulation and quit ahead of his scheduled retirement in 2020.

* Amitabh Chaudhary, Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Bank, said, "His vast knowledge of the financial sector, understanding of the financial sector and expertise in navigating the regulatory landscape will enhance strategic decision-making, while further enhancing our commitment to uphold the highest standards of compliance and corporate governance..

Source : Outlookindia

Correct Answer :   Dubai

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The inaugural edition of India's first-ever Women's Kabaddi League (WKL) commenced with great fanfare in Dubai on June 16, 2023.

This historic event marks the first time that women kabaddi players from across India have been given the opportunity to exhibit their skills and prowess on a global stage.

The league consists of eight teams, featuring a total of 96 players, each representing Indian states. These teams bear the names of various states, including the Delhi Dynamites, Gujarat Angels, Great Marathas, Haryana Hustlers, Punjab Panthers, Rajasthan Riders, Uma Kolkata, and Bengaluru Hawks.

The victorious team will be awarded a prize of approximately half a million dirhams (equivalent to 1 crore INR). The opening ceremony of the IPL-style women's kabaddi league was graced by the presence of Bollywood actor Govinda, who unveiled the coveted trophy.

APS Sports, the primary organizer of the WKL, highlighted that this substantial reward exemplifies the league's commitment to acknowledging and appreciating the relentless efforts, dedication, and exceptional talent exhibited by these outstanding athletes.

The Women's Kabaddi League is set to span over a period of 12 days, from June 16 to June 27, at the Shabab Al Ahli Sports Club in Dubai. The league's overarching objective is to enhance the prominence of kabaddi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and empower female athletes from India. It provides a robust platform for these exceptional talents to exhibit their prowess, ultimately inspiring a new generation of kabaddi enthusiasts.

Pradeep Kumar Nehra, director of the Women's Kabaddi League, emphasized the league's mission and its impact on women's empowerment, stating, "We have started the league to promote women power. Talented girls from villages and rural areas, who were playing very well in school and college, but could not find a good platform. We tried to give them a platform".

Chandrashekhar Bhatia, a resident of Dubai, shared his thoughts on the initiative, saying, "This is an initiative to fulfill the Prime Minister's dream of promoting women in sports. In the coming times, we hope  basketball, kho-kho, cricket, and other events will be organised."

As the Women's Kabaddi League unfolds in Dubai, it promises to captivate audiences with exhilarating matches and extraordinary displays of athleticism. This landmark event stands as a testament to the growing recognition and support for women's sports, paving the way for a brighter future for female athletes in India and beyond..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Egypt

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Egypt has retained the World Squash Championship 2023, after beating Malaysia by 2-1 in the final, at the Express Avenue Mall on Saturday (17th June 2023)

* Malaysia won the silver, and third place (bronze) was shared jointly by hosts India and Japan.

* India was defeated by Malaysia 3-0 in the semi-final.

* The championship was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu with 8 countries as participants and was held from June 13 to 17.

* Egypt won the World Cup when it was last held here in 2011..

Source : Sportstar

Correct Answer :   United States

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Amid preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, the Defence Ministry on Thursday (15th June 2023) approved the deal for acquiring the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from America for which the final decision would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

* The deal for the Predator drones was given approval by the Defence Acquisition Council meeting 15th June 2023.

* The acquisition proposal will now have to follow a procedure after which it will have to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security," defence sources told here.

* The DAC is the highest body in the Defence Ministry to take decisions on acquisitions. All high value acquisitions are given final approval by the CCS.

* The Indian Navy is the lead agency for the deal in which 15 drones will be going to the maritime force for surveillance operations in its area of responsibility.

* The three services also have plans of going in for same type of medium altitude and long endurance drones from indigenous sources..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Jagdeep Dhankhar

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The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar will confer the 4th National Water Awards on 17th June, 2023 at an award distribution ceremony being organised at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

By the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD &GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The Department has announced a total of 41 winners, including joint winners, for the 4th National Water Awards, 2022, covering 11 categories. Each award winner will be conferred with a citation and a trophy as well as cash prizes in certain categories.

* The 1st Prize for the Best State will be conferred on Madhya Pradesh;

* Best District will be conferred on Ganjam District, Odisha;

* Best Village Panchayat will be conferred on Jagannadhapuram Village Panchayat, Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana;

* Best Urban Local Body will be conferred on Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh;

* Best Media will be conferred on Advance Water Digest Private Limited Gurugram, Haryana;

* Best School will be conferred on Jamiyatpura Primary School, Mehsana, Gujarat;

* Best Institution for Campus usage will be conferred on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir;

* Best Industry will be conferred on Barauni Thermal Power Station, Begusarai, Bihar;

* Best NGO will be conferred on Arpan Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, Rajasthan;

* Best Water User Association will be conferred on the Sanjeevani Piyat Sahkari Mandli Ltd, Narmada, Gujarat;

* Best Industry for CSR Activities will be conferred on HCL Technologies Ltd., Noida, Uttar Pradesh..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Sri Lanka and Pakistan

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The Asia Cup 2023 will be take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka between August 31 and September 17, 2023.

* Earlier, the tournament was originally meant to be held entirely in Pakistan.

* The Asian Cricket Council has approved the hybrid model, in which four of the 13 matches will be played in Pakistan and the remaining 9 in Sri Lanka.

* In Pakistan, matches will be held in Lahore while the games to be played in Sri Lanka will be held in Kandy and Pallekele.

* The hybrid model has come into effect after the BCCI expressed its reservations about touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Earlier, former champions Pakistan were given the right to entirely host the continental tournament.

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Varanasi Cantt Railway Station

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Indian Railways’ Varanasi Cantt Railway Station has been awarded a 5- star 'Eat Right Station' certification for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. This certification is granted by FSSAI to railway stations adhering to standard food storage and hygiene practices.

The 'Eat Right Station' certification is awarded by FSSAI to railway stations that set benchmarks in providing safe and wholesome food to passengers. The station is awarded a certificate upon a conclusion of an FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit agency with ratings from 1 to 5.

The 5-star rating indicates full compliance by the station to ensure safe and hygienic food is available to passengers.

The certification is part of the 'Eat Right India' movement- a large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform the country's food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.

Eat Right India adopts a judicious mix of regulatory, capacity building, collaborative, and empowerment approaches to ensure that our food is suitable both for the people and the planet.

The other railway stations with Star certification include Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station (Delhi); Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai); Mumbai Central Railway Station, (Mumbai); Vadodara Railway Station, Chandigarh Railway Station and Bhopal Railway Station..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Shaktikanta Das

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The chief of the Reserve Bank of India, Shaktikanta Das was honoured with the title of ‘Governor of the Year’ for 2023 by Central Banking in London. Central Banking is an international economic research journal.

Reason : The award recognised his role as the RBI chief in managing inflation and skilfully handling India's banking system during crises like COVID pandemic and global turmoils.

* The RBI governor is behind critical reforms, and has ensured smooth management of world-leading payments innovation and led India through difficult times, said the organisers.

* He was recommended for the award by the publication in March 2023. He was awarded the title for his leadership of the central bank during global turmoil and tough situations.

* He managed India's central bank, and ultimately the whole banking system with finesse during COVID-19 pandemic, significant non-banking companies, Russia-Ukraine war, etc.

* He is the second RBI governor after Raghuram Rajan, who was honored with this title in 2015.

* While the National Bank of Ukraine was presented with the 2023 Central Bank of the Year..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   (-)3.48

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The annual rate of inflation based on all India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) numbers is (-) 3.48% (Provisional) for the month of May 2023, against (-) 0.92% recorded in April 2023.

Reason : Fall in prices of mineral oils, basic metals, food products, textiles, non-food articles, crude petroleum & natural gas, and chemical & chemical products

The food index has declined to 1.59%, while fuel and power fell to 9.17%

Manufactured product prices fell 2.97% in May 2023.

Source : PIB