Current Affairs 23 July 2024

Current Affairs 23 July 2024

01. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Federal Bank?
(a) Shyam Srinivasan
(b) KVS Manian
(c) Krishnan Venkat Subramanian
(d) Uday Kotak

• Krishnan Venkat Subramanian has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India as the new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Federal Bank.
• He will start his three-year term on September 23, 2024.
• Subramanian previously served as the Joint Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited.
• He has led various critical divisions including Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, Private Banking, and Asset Reconstruction.

02. Which institute is set to launch India’s first medical institutional museum?
(a) AIIMS Delhi
(b) JIPMER Puducherry
(c) CMC Vellore
(d) PGIMER Chandigarh

• PGIMER, Chandigarh announced the establishment of India’s first medical institutional museum to commemorate its history and contributions to medical science.
• The initiative honors the vision of the late Sardar Partap Singh Kairon and India’s first Prime Minister, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Prof Vivek Lal, director of PGIMER, emphasized the museum’s role in preserving the institution’s heritage and inspiring future generations.
• Pankaj Rai, deputy director (administration), noted the museum’s significance as a landmark in the history of medical institutions in India.
• PGIMER, established in 1962 and granted autonomy in 1967, aims to provide high-quality patient care, postgraduate medical education, and conduct community-based research.
• The museum will feature historical medical equipment, visitor books, photographs, and awards, showcasing the institute’s evolution and achievements.
• The museum will start temporarily in the research block and later move to a larger space, preserving and displaying the rich history and efforts behind PGIMER’s development.

03. What is the amount allocated to the agriculture sector in the Union Budget 2024-25?
(a) ₹1.52 crore
(b) ₹1.52 lakh crore
(c) ₹1.52 billion
(d) ₹1.52 trillion

• Fin Min Nirmala Sitharaman announced the allocation of ₹1.52 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2025 to the agriculture sector.
• The allocation of ₹1.52 lakh crore is aimed at boosting the agriculture sector.
• This significant allocation could enhance rural demand for automobiles, particularly entry-level two-wheelers and tractors.
• The move is expected to support rural economies by increasing disposable incomes among farmers.
• The agriculture sector plays a crucial role in the Indian economy, and this allocation underscores the government’s commitment to its development.

04. Which two tennis stars won the Swiss Open 2024 doubles event?
(a) Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti
(b) Fabrice Martin and Ugo Humbert
(c)  Andreas Mies and Jan-Lennard Struff
(d) Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten

• Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti won the Swiss Open 2024 doubles event.
• They defeated the French pair of Fabrice Martin and Ugo Humbert in the final.
• This victory marks their second ATP Tour title of the year, having previously won the Bavarian International Tennis Championships in Munich.
• The match was held at the Roy Emerson Arena in Gstaad, and Bhambri and Olivetti won 3-6, 6-3, 10-6.
• Fabrice Martin and Ugo Humbert: This French pair was the runner-up in the Swiss Open 2024 doubles event.
• Andreas Mies and Jan-Lennard Struff: They were the opponents Bhambri and Olivetti defeated in the Bavarian International Tennis Championships in Munich.
• Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten: They defeated Bhambri and Olivetti in the Lyon Open final in May.
• Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti also competed in the French Open and Wimbledon Grand Slams this year but did not advance past the early rounds.
• Yuki Bhambri’s ATP Tour career now includes three ATP titles, with the first one won in 2023 alongside Lloyd Harris at the Mallorca Championships.

05. Who has assumed charge as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL)?
(a) Cmde DK Murali
(b) Cmde Ramesh Kumar
(c) Cmde Arun Sharma
(d) Cmde Rajesh Verma

• Cmde D.K. Murali, IN (Retd.) has taken over as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), a Mini Ratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
• Cmde Murali served in the Indian Navy for nearly 35 years, with extensive experience in strategic planning, operations, large organizational leadership, and technology management. His naval career included roles on warships, in training, ship repair yards, and various command and naval headquarters assignments.
• He holds a B. Tech in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Engineering in Electronics & Telecommunication, a PG Diploma in Management Studies, and an M.Phil in Defence & Strategic Studies.
• As CMD of BECIL, Cmde Murali will be responsible for ensuring the efficient functioning of the organization, meeting its corporate objectives and performance goals. He will be accountable to the Board of Directors and the Government of India.
• Cmde Murali expressed his honor in joining BECIL and his commitment to driving innovation, excellence, and growth within the organization.

06. How much did PM Modi announce as a grant to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre?
(a) ₹5 crore
(b) ₹7 crore
(c) ₹8 crore
(d) ₹10 crore

• Modi announced a $1 million grant from India to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. This funding will support capacity building, technical assistance, and conservation efforts, with a focus on aiding countries in the Global South.
• Modi highlighted India’s commitment to heritage conservation, noting that the government has successfully repatriated over 350 ancient heritage items. He emphasized that heritage is integral to both history and science.
• The historic Moidam in Northeast India is proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which would make it India’s 43rd World Heritage site and the first from Northeast India, recognized as a Cultural World Heritage site.
• Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat mentioned that the event will showcase India’s rich culture, heritage, and efforts in historical preservation to international and national delegates.
• The World Heritage Committee meets annually to manage World Heritage matters, review proposals for new site nominations, assess the state of existing World Heritage sites, and discuss international assistance and fund utilization.
• The meeting will host over 2,000 delegates from more than 150 countries, discussing nominations for new sites, conservation reports, and other World Heritage-related issues.

07. What is the name of the CSR initiative launched by IndusInd Bank to empower female wrestlers?
(a) Wrestle for Success
(b) Wrestle for Glory
(c) Wrestle for Dreams
(d) Wrestle for Future

• IndusInd Bank launched ‘Wrestle for Glory’ initiative to empower female wrestlers.

• Wrestle for Glory is a CSR initiative by IndusInd Bank.
• It aims to empower 50 talented female wrestlers across the country.
• The program provides scholarships for coaching at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Vijayanagar, Bellary.
• The initiative is part of the ‘IndusInd For Sports’ program, focusing on inclusivity and excellence in sports.

08. Who became the first female racer ever to win a race at the Rotax Challenge International Trophy?
(a) Alfie Mair
(b) Atiqa Mir
(c) Austin Oman
(d)  Joshua Cooke

• Atiqa Mir, a nine-year-old racing sensation from Srinagar, became the first female racer to win a race at the Rotax Challenge International Trophy.
• She achieved this historic feat at the Le Mans Kart International Circuit by winning race two in the heats of the Micro Max category.
• Atiqa was driving for the championship-winning Dan Holland Racing Team in the Lando Norris kart.
• Despite it being her first visit to the Le Mans circuit, she adapted quickly and consistently topped the practice sessions.
• Alfie Mair: Finished second in the final race of the Micro Max category at the Rotax Challenge International Trophy.
• Austin Oman: Secured third place in the final race of the Micro Max category at the Rotax Challenge International Trophy.
• Joshua Cooke: Finished first in the final race of the Micro Max category at the Rotax Challenge International Trophy.
• Atiqa Mir’s victory places her among an elite list of drivers who have previously succeeded in the Rotax Max series, including current F1 champion Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Lando Norris.

09. Name the second state-owned audio-visual platform after Kerala, recently unveiled by the state government of Meghalaya.
(a) Hello Meghalaya
(b) Megha OTT
(c) Meghalaya Stream
(d) Shillong Screen

• Hello Meghalaya is the second State-owned audio-visual platform after Kerala.
• The platform aims to promote content in regional languages with a limited reach or small market.
• It offers viewership-based fiscal guarantees for content creators, ensuring they receive payments based on the viewership of their content.
• The platform supports filmmakers, musicians, social media influencers, and other content creators from Meghalaya.
• Hello Meghalaya was launched on July 11, 2024, by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
• The platform offers up to ₹5 lakh per film, with additional funding for nationally or internationally acclaimed films, and ₹18,000 monthly for those with maximum uploads.

10. With which organisation has the Indian Navy signed an MoU to promote hydrogen e-mobility?
(a) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
(b) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
(c) Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL)
(d) Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)

• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) handed over a state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Navy.
• The MoU aims to promote hydrogen and fuel cell technology for heavy-duty e-mobility.
• The collaboration was marked by a ceremony in the presence of Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, and S M Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil.
• This initiative positions the Indian Navy as a pioneer in evaluating green hydrogen and fuel cell technology in collaboration with IOCL.
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL): Another major state-owned energy entity in India, recognized alongside IOCL by Moody’s for a stable outlook.
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL): A state-owned oil and natural gas company in India, but not part of this specific collaboration with the Indian Navy.
• Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL): Specializes in natural gas processing and distribution, not directly involved in this MoU with the Indian Navy.
• Indian Oil is currently operating 15 fuel cell buses in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, accumulating a total mileage of 300,000 kilometres, with each bus expected to run at least 20,000 km.