General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   PNB

---

Power PSU REC Ltd and public lender Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Tuesday (26th Sep 2023) inked an agreement to co-finance projects in power, infrastructure and logistics projects.

The two entities will jointly finance loans worth Rs 55,000 crore, REC said in a statement.

"REC Limited signed an MoU with Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Tuesday (26th Sep 2023) to jointly explore the possibility to fund the Power Sector and Infrastructure and Logistics Sector projects under the consortium arrangement. REC and PNB will associate with each other to co-finance loans amounting to Rs 55,000 crore over the next three years," the statement said.

The memorandum of agreement was signed between TSC Bosh, Executive Director (Infra & Logistics), REC, and PNB Chief General Manager Rajeeva in the presence of other senior officials of the two companies.

Under the Ministry of Power, REC Limited provides long-term loans and other finance products for the power infrastructure sector, comprising generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable energy, among others.

The company has a loan book of over Rs 4,54,393 crore..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   India

---

Team India went past 3000 ODI sixes in the second ODI against Australia in Indore. They scored 399/6 with as many as 18 sixes hit in the innings. Australia will now have to chase 400 to win the second ODI.

Six off those 18 sixes were hit by Suryakumar Yadav who finished unbeaten on 72 off 37 deliveries and scored at a strike rate of 194.59. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul hit three each while Shubman Gill hit four.

SKY was at his lethal best while hitting those six sixes. He hit four consecutive sixes to Cameron Green taking 26 off his over which was the 44th of the Indian innings.

The Indore wicket was conducive to big hitting and thus the Indian batters made the most of the hot and humid conditions. In the final 10 overs, with SKY set, the Australian bowlers were toyed with.

The Indian innings was all about big hits with all the Indian batters trying to score at the same tempo. Cameron Green was the most expensive Australian bowler going for 103 runs off his spell and picking up two wickets.

India Go Past 3000 ODI Sixes :

India in the process, became the first team to hit 3000 ODI sixes. West Indies closely follows second on the list with 2953 sixes while Pakistan sit third with 2566 sixes. Astonishingly, teams like Australia and England are not within the top three in this ranking despite being renowned for playing aggressive cricket.

Cameron Green was pummelled by SKY in particular as he was asked to bowl by Steve Smith in the end overs. Green went for 103 runs off his spell leaking runs at an economy of 10.30 and was the most expensive bowler in the game. Australia in the second ODI are without Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc as the management is keen on experimenting with the other bowlers.

Meanwhile, India finished on 399/5 which is their highest score against Australia in ODI cricket. The Aussies now need a mammoth 400 runs to win and level the series.

Teams With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket- Full List Below :

Correct Answer :   Kochi

---

* The Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF) said that the 'IBSA Blind Football Intercontinental Cup 2023' will be organized at the United Sports Center in Kakkanad in Kochi.

* This tournament will be held between 26 September and 2 October 2023.

* Teams from Costa Rica, Chile, Poland, Romania, Greece, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea and India will participate in it..

Correct Answer :   United States

---

New Jersey in the United States is set to host the world's second-largest Hindu temple outside India, to be formally inaugurated on 8th October 2023.

Hailed as the world's largest Hindu temple outside India “in the modern era”, the Akshardham temple has been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham organisation.

This grand temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a Hindu spiritual leader of the 19th century, and was inspired by his 5th spiritual successor and renowned saint Pramukh Swami Maharaj.


All you need to know about US's Akshardham temple :

1) Located in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, the temple has been built by over 12,500 volunteers from across the US over a span of 12 years, from 2011 to 2023.

2) The temple popular as Akshardham spans over 183 acres and has been designed according to ancient Hindu scriptures and includes design elements from ancient Indian culture. These include 10,000 statues and statuettes, carvings of Indian musical instruments and dance forms.

3) The unique Hindu temple design includes one main shrine, 12 sub-shrines, nine shikhars (spire-like structures), and nine pyramidal shikhars. It is designed to apparently last a thousand years.

4) In its construction, four types of stone including limestone, pink sandstone, marble, and granite were used to give it lasting strength. These were sources from around the world including limestone from Bulgaria and Turkey; Marble from Greece, Turkey and Italy; Granite from India and China; Sandstone from India.

5) The temple premises also have a ‘Brahma Kund’, a traditional Indian stepwell. It contains water from more than 300 water bodies from around the world, including the holy rivers of India and all 50 states of the US.

6) Though the temple will be formally inaugurated on 8 October 2023, it will be open for visitors from 18 October 2023. Currently, the temple is open for visitors during certain hours but will be closed between September 30 and October 17, 2023 due to a series of private events. The official website of the temple says that till September 30, the campus entry will be open to visitors Monday to Friday only, from 10am to 4:30pm..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Waheeda Rehman

---

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur announced (26th Sep 2023) that veteran actor Waheeda Rehman has been chosen for Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

* The actress has been critically acclaimed for her roles in Hindi films like Pyaasa, Kaagaz ke Phool and several others

* A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, she has exemplified dedication, commitment and the strength of a Bharatiya Nari who can achieve the highest level of professional excellence..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Assam

---

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday (22nd Sep 2023) announced that Biswanath Ghat has been selected as the Best Tourism Village of India 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism.

Sarma added, “Selected from amongst 791 applications from 31 States and UTs, Biswanath Ghat’s selection reflects the huge efforts that our Govt has taken in promoting rural tourism in Assam.”

Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, Biswanath Ghat is also popularly known as ‘Gupta Kashi’ and is named after the ancient Biswanath Mandir. The village is located towards the south of Biswanath Charialii Town.

Happy to share that Biswanath Ghat has been selected as the Best Tourism Village of India 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism.

Selected from amongst 791 applications from 31 States & UTs, Biswanath Ghat's selection reflects the huge efforts that our Govt have taken in promoting… pic.twitter.com/kH0ukTFhOA

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 22, 2023

The ghat boasts a cluster of temples of different gods. Additionally, a Shiva temple was also situated at the confluence of Bridhaganga (Burigonga) River with the Brahmaputra. But now what is left of it are just some ruins. During summer, this temple remains underwater. It is only during winter that tourists throng the spot and worship by constructing a temporary shed.

Though it is a religious place, Biswanath Ghat makes for a perfect tourist destination during the winter. According to the official website, the best time to visit is from the months of October to April. Tourists avoid the monsoon season because of the torrential, unpredictable downpours that can mar your day. The winter season is comfortable with temperatures ranging from 12 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Utkarsh Small Finance Bank

---

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited ("USFBL" or the "Bank"), announced (22nd Sep 2023) the launch of an innovative service, set to revolutionise cash withdrawal experiences. Utkarsh Small Finance Bank is dedicated to offering process-centric, technology-driven, and customer-oriented services that lead to a reliable, scalable, and sustainable institution, driving socio-economic change.

The Bank is pleased to announce the launch of Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW) service, that utilises UPI (Unified Payments Interface) on its ATM networks. This is In line with the Reserve Bank of India's directive in May 2022, urging all banks to provide Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW) options at their ATMs, and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank has taken the lead in fulfilling this mandate.

The ICCW service empowers bank customers who are active on UPI to conveniently withdraw cash from Utkarsh Small Finance Bank ATMs designated for UPI-ATM - ICCW transactions, all without the need for a physical debit card.

Key Features of ICCW :

The ICCW facility brings forth numerous advantages, including :

1. Elimination of skimming, cloning, and other card-related frauds
2. Generation of a single-use (signed) dynamic QR code for each transaction, enhancing security
3. Freedom from carrying multiple physical cards for cash withdrawals, as ICCW permits withdrawals from multiple accounts linked to UPI
4. Accessibility for customers who have completed KYC (Know Your Customer) but have not yet received a physical card.


How ICCW Works :

1. Visit a Utkarsh Small Finance Bank ATM.
2. Select the 'UPI Cash Withdrawal' option.
3. Enter the desired withdrawal amount, triggering the display of a QR code on the ATM screen.
4. Utilize a UPI app enabled for ICCW to scan the QR code.
5. Authorize the transaction with your UPI PIN on your mobile device.
6. On the ATM screen, tap 'Press here for cash.'
7. Witness the cash being dispensed seamlessly.
For customers with multiple bank accounts linked to a single UPI ID, ICCW functionality offers the flexibility to select the desired account for debiting.


Transaction Limits :

Initially, customers can enjoy up to two ICCW transactions per day per account, with a withdrawal limit of Rs. 10,000/- per transaction. It's worth noting that these limits are subject to potential future adjustments for enhanced flexibility.


Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Marco Bezzecchi

---

Marco Bezzecchi won the inaugural Indian Grand Prix 2023 on Sunday (24th Sep 2023) with a dominant performance from start to finish while Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia suffered a crash that blows the world championship contest wide open.

Pole-sitter Bezzecchi lost out on a sprint podium after a collision with team mate Luca Marini, eventually finishing fifth, but on Sunday (24th Sep 2023) there was no rider in the chasing pack who could match the determined Italian's pace up front.

Pramac Racing rider and sprint winner Jorge Martin, who risked a penalty by unzipping his leathers, finished second while Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo completed the podium after the two were involved in a tense battle on the final lap..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   India

---

Indian women's cricket team on Monday (25th Sep 2023) won their maiden gold medal in Asian Games 2023 by defeating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in final. This is a historic feat achieved by the Indian Women's cricket team.

India Women successfully defended 116 to beat Sri Lanka Women by 19 runs and win a historic gold medal in cricket.

Brief scores : India 116/7 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 46, Jemimah Rodrigues 42). Sri Lanka 97/8 in 20 overs (Hasini Perera 25, Titas Sadhu 3/6)..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   India

---

Indian trio Rudrankksh Patil, Divyang Panwar, and Aishwary Tomar clinched gold in the Men's 10m air rifle event in Asian Games 2023

* India won its first medal in shooting as the trio of Ramita Jindal, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ashi Chouksey earned a Silver in the women's 10m air rifle event.

* Indian duo Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh won a silver in men's lightweight double sculls in the rowing discipline.

* India has secured six medals - one gold, three silver, and two bronze..

Source : CNBC