Correct Answer :   Cochin Port

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* The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways honoured the Cochin Port Authority (CPA) with the Sagar Shreshtha Sammaan for the best turnaround time in non-container category during 2022-23.

* Minister for Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal presented the award to CPA Chairperson M. Beena in New Delhi on Wednesday (10th May 2023).

* The award is in recognition of the ‘excellent performance of the Cochin Port in handling dry bulk and liquid bulk cargo vessels’.

* The port recorded 48 hours in turning around vessels of an average parcel size of 43,800 MT. The turnaround time is an important performance parameter. The function was attended by senior functionaries of the Ministry, major ports and industry representatives..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   13 Balls

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Yashasvi Jaiswal, a player for the Rajasthan Royals, has been performing exceptionally well in the IPL 2023. During a match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday (11th May 2023), he set a new record by scoring the fastest 50 in IPL history, achieving this feat in just 13 balls.

This surpassed the previous record held by KL Rahul and Pat Cummins, who both reached 50 in 14 balls while playing for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively.

Although Jaiswal’s 13-ball 50 is the quickest in IPL history, it ranks as the second-fastest 50 in the T20 format.

The record for the fastest 50 in T20s is held by former Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh, who achieved it in 12 balls against England in 2007..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   4.7%

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India’s retail inflation in the month of April 2023 eased to an 18-month low of 4.70%, data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Friday (12th May 2023).

* At 4.70, the consumer price index (CPI) in April 2023 remained below the upper threshold of the Reserve Bank of India’s medium-term 4+/- 2% target.

* The country’s headline inflation remained within the tolerance range of the RBI for the second consecutive month. In March 2023, India’s headline inflation stood at 5.66%.

* The consumer food price index (CFPI) eased to 3.84% in April, as against 4.79% in March.

* Meanwhile, the rural inflation in April stood at 4.68%, and the urban inflation came at 4.85 per cent.

* In a bid to keep inflation under the tolerance band, the RBI since 2022 May has hiked the key lending rate –repo rate — by 250 basis points. The RBI’s repo rate currently stands at 6.50 per cent.

* India’s industrial output in March grew 1.1%, the NSO stated in separately released data. Factory output measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew 2.2% in March 2023.

* The manufacturing sector’s output increased by 0.5% in March while the mining output increased 6.8% in the same month, the data showed.

* India’s power output in March declined by 1.6 in March. In fiscal 2023, the IIP grew 5.1% in 2022-23, as compared to 11.4% in FY2021-22..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   1.1%

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India's industrial output grew by 1.1% in March 2023 - the slowest pace in 5 months - data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on 12 May 2023 showed.

* Industrial growth, as per the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), for February 2023 has been revised up to 5.8% from 5.6%.

* At 1.1%, the March 2023 IIP growth figure is well below the consensus estimate of 3.2%.

* For 2022-23 as a whole, industrial production clocked a growth of 5.1% as against 11.4% in 2021-22.

* The sharp fall in industrial growth in March was due to the manufacturing and electricity segments stagnating.

* In March, output of the manufacturing sector - which accounts for more than three-fourth of the IIP - rose by a mere 0.5 percent on a year-on-year basis as against a 5.6% increase in February. To make matters worse, electricity production was down 1.6 percent compared to an 8.2 percent rise in February.

* However, on a sequential basis, manufacturing output was up 6.4% from February, while electricity production was 8.0% higher.

* The third sector, mining, saw its output rise by 6.8 percent year-on-year and 19.3% on a month-on-month basis.

* Going by the use-based classification of goods, five of the six categories posted weaker numbers in March.

* Growth in primary goods' output more than halved to 3.3% from 6.9% in February, while capital goods saw their production rise by a respectable 8.1% in March - albeit lower than the 10.5% growth they had posted in February.

* Production of infrastructure goods was up 5.4% compared to 8.4% in February.

* But the worst showing came from the cosumer goods, with output of both durables and non-durables contracting in March by 8.4% and 3.1%, respectively.

* In February, production of consumer durables had fallen by 4.1%, while that of non-durables had surged 12.1%.

* Only intermediate goods showed any improvement in performance, with their output increasing by 1%, marginally higher than 0.7% in February 2023.

* The poor industrial performance in March is much worse than what was expected, with the most pessimistic estimate in Moneycontrol's survey being a 2.0% growth. However, the actual number coming just over half that figure will be of concern to policymakers and could be a sign of things to come, with GDP data for January-March set to be released on May 31..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   ISRO

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has sucessfully commenced testing of its semi-cryogenic engines that would power future launch vehicles.

* The very first integrated test on an intermediate configuration of the 2000 kN (Kilonewton) semi-cryogenic engine carried out at the newly-commissioned Semicryogenic Integrated Engine & Stage Test facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (10th May 2023) was successful, the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency said.

* The test is a step towards developing a 2000 kN thrust engine, which works on Liquid Oxygen (LOX)-Kerosene propellant combination, for future launch vehicles, an ISRO statement said.

* The intermediate configuration, designated as Power Head Test Article (PHTA), comprises all the engine systems except the thrust chamber.

* It was the first of a series of tests planned to validate the design of the propellant feed system, including the low-pressure and high-pressure turbo-pumps, the gas generator, and control components.

* The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO has undertaken the design & development of a semi-cryogenic engine with 2000 kN thrust with Indian industry participation, and it will power the booster stages of future launch vehicles.

* Wednesday (10th May 2023) test is a major milestone before integrating the complete engine and its qualification, ISRO said.

* According to ISRO, the Semi Cryogenic Propulsion System Project envisages the design and development of a 2000 kN semi-cryogenic engine and ‘SC120 stage’ that will enable the development of a heavy-lift capability for future Indian space transportation systems..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Jayant V. Narlikar

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Prof Jayant V. Narlikar, eminent astronomer and founder director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, was presented the first Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award by the Astronomical Society of India (ASI) on Thursday (11th May 2023).

The ASI had instituted the award in 2022, as it celebrated its golden jubilee, to recognize eminent Indian astronomers for their contributions in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.

Prof Dipankar Banerjee, President of ASI, told The award was announced earlier this year at the 41st meeting of the society held at IIT Indore. “However, Prof. Narlikar was unable to travel to receive it. Hence today we handed over the award to Prof. Narlikar at his residence in Pune and felicitated him,” Prof Banerjee said. The award carries a citation and plaque, and a cash prize..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Rhythm Sangwan

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India’s Rhythm Sangwan has won the bronze medal in the women’s 10-metre air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2023 for rifle and pistol shooters in Baku, Azerbaijan.

* She scored 219.1 in the final to finish third behind Anna 2016 Rio Olympic champion Anna Korakaki of Greece and 2004 Athens Olympics gold medallist Olena Kostevych of Ukraine.

* It was Sangwan’s first individual senior medal at the shooting World Cup..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   YES Bank

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Goldi Solar, India’s most quality-conscious solar brand, has partnered with YES BANK to finance solar projects for its Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) customers, through YES BANK’s YES KIRAN programme.

* Under this programme, the Bank will offer financial assistance to MSME manufacturers, who wish to install solar panels at their premises.

* The platform will process all the loan applications for solar projects sourced from across the country for installation by business entities such as commercial institutions, industries, resorts, hotels, manufacturing units, and warehouses that can utilize this secured financing instrument to switch to solar power.

* Also, consumers can receive technical assistance at their doorstep and get loan approvals faster.

* Speaking on the partnership, Capt. Ishver Dholakiya, Founder & Managing Director of Goldi Solar, said, “Over the past few years, we’ve seen a significant behaviour shift in the Indian MSMEs towards green energy solutions. We anticipate that more small businesses will adopt solar power, increasing their competitiveness in domestic and international markets and contributing to India’s energy security and the decarbonization of power. With our partnership with Yes Bank, we’re excited to offer a financing solution to help MSMEs save on electricity costs and improve access to green energy.”..

Source : Solar Quarter

Correct Answer :   35th

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The Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy conducted the 35th edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) from May 3 to May 10, 2023, in the Andaman Sea, the Ministry of Defence said.

* The bi-annual coordinated patrol aims to reinforce maritime linkages between the two countries and ensure the safety and security of the international trade route in the Indian Ocean.

* The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari, an indigenously built LST (L), and His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Saiburi, a Chao Phraya Class Frigate, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the exercise.

* According to the ministry, the patrol helps in understanding and interoperability between the two navies and facilitates the prevention and suppression of unlawful activities such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, and armed robbery.

* It also enables the exchange of information to prevent smuggling, illegal immigration, and conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.

* The Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region towards enhancing regional maritime security as part of the Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).

* The 35th Indo-Thai CORPAT is another step towards consolidating inter-operability and forging strong bonds of friendship between India and Thailand.

* The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy have enjoyed a close and friendly relationship that has strengthened over the years, covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Lionel Messi

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Argentina footballer, Lionel Messi has been named the Sportsman of the Year at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards.

* He was awarded for his remarkable achievements on the pitch in the past year, which included leading Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup.

* Sportswoman of the Year : Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) Athletics

* Team of the Year : Argentina Men’s Football Team

* Breakthrough : Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) Tennis

* Comeback : Christian Eriksen (Denmark) Football.

Source : Insidesport