ALL EXAM QUIZ 20.02.2024

Explanation:

• Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras inaugurated "SUFALAM: Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors Startup Conclave 2024”.
• "SUFALAM” is a start-up conclave for food processing entrepreneurs.
• More than 250 industry stakeholders, including startups, MSMEs, financial institutions, venture capitalists, and academia, took part in this conclave.
• During this two-day event, four knowledge sessions, two pitching sessions, and an exhibition were organized.

Explanation:

• Electoral bond scheme for political funding declared “unconstitutional” by the Supreme Court.
• In a landmark judgment on February 15, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said the scheme was arbitrary and violated citizens' right to information.
• A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bond scheme, which allowed anonymous donations to political parties.
• On January 2, 2018, the electoral bond scheme launched by the government was seen as a solution to replace cash donations and increase transparency in political funding.

Explanation:

• Every year on 15 February, World Hippo Day is celebrated.
• It is celebrated to raise awareness about the conservation, protection, and appreciation of one of Africa's most iconic and beloved animals- the hippopotamus.
• The day was officially established to commemorate the anniversary of the inauguration of the Turgwe Hippo Trust in Zimbabwe.
• It is a pioneer conservation project dedicated to the protection and study of hippos in their natural habitat.

Explanation:

• Virendra Bansal has been appointed as MD & CEO of SBI Capital Markets.
• Virendra Bansal became the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS).
• He has taken the place of Rajay Kumar Sinha, who has been appointed as the Whole Time Member (Finance and Investment) of the IRDAI.
• Before this appointment, Virendra Bansal was the Country Head for SBI’s US Operations.
• He has also worked as the Chief Executive Officer, SBI New York branch and Vice-Chairman of SBI (California).

Explanation:

• In Kathmandu, the 16th World Social Forum (WSF) 2024 meeting started.
• The "Another World is Possible" is theme of the five-day WSF 2024.
• This theme seeks to foster horizontal communication between social movements, trade unions, civil society organizations, and individuals who are against neoliberal globalization.
• The event began with a solidarity march that started from the main venue at Bhrikutimandap and passed through Bhadrakali, New Road Gate, Ratna Park and back to Bhrikutimandap.

Explanation:

• Reserve Bank of India and Nepal Rastra Bank signed a pact for UPI-NPI linkage.
• For seamless cross-border remittances transfer, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Nepal Rastra Bank signed an agreement to integrate the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and the National Payments Interface (NPI) of Nepal.
• The integration of Indian and Nepalese fast payment systems will enable users of both systems to make instant and low-cost fund transfers.
• The formal commencement of operations would take place at a later date.
• This pact will strengthen financial connectivity between both countries through the UPI-NPI linkage.
• Recently, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and France have enabled the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India for payments.

Explanation:

• ‘Best Technology Bank of the Year award’ has been conferred to South Indian Bank.
• At the 19th IBA Annual Banking Technology Conference, South Indian Bank received the ‘Best Technology Bank of the Year award’.
• South Indian Bank won a total of six prestigious awards for outstanding performance.
• South Indian Bank emerged as the winner in three categories: Best Technology Bank of the Year, Best Tech Talent and Organization and Best Tech Talent and Organization.

Explanation:

• World's largest single-day election concluded in Indonesia.
• Polling has been concluded for the world's largest single-day election in Indonesia.
• The General elections were held in Indonesia on 14 February 2024 to elect the President, Vice President, and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
• The voting took place across three time zones.
• Indonesia is the world's third-largest democracy with around 205 million voters.
• Prabowo Subianto secured victory in the presidential election. He received more than 55 per of the vote.
• The newly elected members of the MPR will be sworn in on 1 October 2024.

Explanation:

• Jnanpith Award will be honoured to Gulzar and Rambhadracharya for 2023.
• On February 17, the Jnanpith selection committee announced, Noted Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named as recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award.
• 89-year-old Sampoorna Singh Kalra, better known as Gulzar, is known for his work in Hindi cinema and is considered one of the finest Urdu poets of this era.
• Previously, Gulzar had received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, the Padma Bhushan in 2004, and at least five National Film Awards for his work.
• Some of his best works include the song "Jai Ho" from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire", which received an Oscar Award in 2009 and a Grammy Award in 2010.
• 74-year-old Rambhadracharya, founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, teacher and author of over 240 books and scriptures, including four epics.
• A polyglot, who speaks 22 languages, Rambhadracharya is one of the current four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramananda sect and has held the post since 1982.
• In 2015, he received the Padma Vibhushan award.
• 57th Jnanpith Award for 2022 was honoured to Goan writer Damodar Mauzo.

Explanation:

• The field of space exploration and technology in India witnessed a momentous occasion when the IEEE Kerala Section announced the recipients of the prestigious KPP Nambiar Award.
• This year, the honor was given to ISRO Chairman S. Awarded to Somnath, who is synonymous with innovation and leadership in space technology.
• Named after KPP Nambiar, electronics industry stalwart and founding president of the IEEE Kerala Section, the award stands as a symbol of excellence in technology.

Explanation:

A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1