Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2021
31. Which bank has received approval from the GIFT SEZ Authority to set up its IFSC banking unit at India’s first global financial centre in Gujarat?
[A] Citibank
[B] IndusInd Bank
[C] Deutsche Bank
[D] Standard Chartered Bank
[B] IndusInd Bank
[C] Deutsche Bank
[D] Standard Chartered Bank
Correct Answer: C [Deutsche Bank]
Notes:
Deutsche Bank will set up its IFSC banking unit at India’s first global financial centre in Gujarat. The bank has received approval from the GIFT SEZ Authority to set up an IFSC banking unit at India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, Gujarat, a release said on Thursday. The leading German bank with strong European roots has a global network across 59 countries. This will serve as a primer for renowned banks from other geographies to consider GIFT City a viable destination for international financial services. Deutsche Bank is among the largest international banks in India. It had set up its first branch in the country in Mumbai more than 40 years ago. Deutsche Bank has deployed capital over Rs 19,000 crore in its India branch operations. The foreign lender currently employs more than 18,000 people across its various entities in the country.
Deutsche Bank will set up its IFSC banking unit at India’s first global financial centre in Gujarat. The bank has received approval from the GIFT SEZ Authority to set up an IFSC banking unit at India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, Gujarat, a release said on Thursday. The leading German bank with strong European roots has a global network across 59 countries. This will serve as a primer for renowned banks from other geographies to consider GIFT City a viable destination for international financial services. Deutsche Bank is among the largest international banks in India. It had set up its first branch in the country in Mumbai more than 40 years ago. Deutsche Bank has deployed capital over Rs 19,000 crore in its India branch operations. The foreign lender currently employs more than 18,000 people across its various entities in the country.
32. With which bank, Indian Navy has partnered with to initiate ‘Honour FIRST’, a premium banking solution for serving personnel and veterans of the Indian Navy?
[A] IDFC FIRST Bank
[B] HDFC Bank
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] Citibank
[B] HDFC Bank
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] Citibank
Correct Answer: A [IDFC FIRST Bank]
Notes:
- The Indian Navy has partnered with the Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) FIRST Bank to initiate ‘Honour FIRST’, a premium banking solution for serving personnel and veterans of the Indian Navy.
- With zero – balance salary account feature, Honour FIRST account holders will receive up to 5% interest per annum and a net banking and customised mobile app that offers a superior user interface and experience
- Honour FIRST Defence account comes with a free enhanced Personal Accident Insurance Cover of Rs. 46 lakhs for both on-duty and off-duty incidents. Additionally, the insurance not only covers accidental death but also total and partial permanent disability. The Personal Accident Insurance Cover also includes a child education grant of Rs. 4 lakhs and a marriage cover of Rs 2 lakh.
33. What amount will be invested in Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti initiative?
[A] Rs 150 lakh crore
[B] Rs 300 lakh crore
[C] Rs 200 lakh crore
[D] Rs 100 lakh crore
[B] Rs 300 lakh crore
[C] Rs 200 lakh crore
[D] Rs 100 lakh crore
Correct Answer: D [Rs 100 lakh crore]
Notes:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 100 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti initiative on August 15, 2021.
- This initiative will create employment opportunities for youth in India.
- It will also lead to growth and development of infrastructure.
- In his address, Prime Minister highlighted that Gatishakti-National Master Plan will be announced soon.
- Prime Minister also noted that, India needs to increase both manufacturing and exports.
- Gati Shakti plan will help in raising global profile of local manufacturers. It will also help manufacturers to compete with their counterparts cross the world. It also increases the possibilities of new future economic zones.
34. Ashraf Ghani has resigned from presidency. He was the president of which country?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Iraq
[C] Iran
[D] Saudi Arabia
[B] Iraq
[C] Iran
[D] Saudi Arabia
Correct Answer: A [Afghanistan]
Notes:
- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had left the country to avoid bloodshed as the Taliban entered the capital Kabul.
- Diplomats from the various countries have already evacuated their embassies.
- The Taliban has captured nearly a dozen key cities in Afghanistan. With the departure of US forces, it is poised to take over the country from the embattled Afghan government.
35. Recently, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has resigned. He was the prime minister of which country?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Philippines
[C] Cambodia
[D] Malaysia
[B] Philippines
[C] Cambodia
[D] Malaysia
Correct Answer: D [Malaysia]
Notes:
- Malaysian Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, resigned on August 16, 2021 following the months of political turmoil in the country.
- He and his cabinet resigned after losing his majority. His resignation is going to open another chapter of instability as there is absence of any obvious successor currently.
- He resigned after the tenure of 17 months in office. Thus, it is the shortest stint of Malaysian leader.
- His resignation also impacts the efforts towards rebooting economy and controlling resurgence of Covid infections.
- Ringgit, the currency of Malaysia has fallen down to one-year low and its stock market also slipped.
- Political turmoil in Malaysia was triggered by a power grab within the then-ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition. It led to the resignation of former PM Mahathir Mohamad.
36. How many gold medals did India win at the World Archery Youth Championships?
[A] 3
[B] 5
[C] 7
[D] 6
[B] 5
[C] 7
[D] 6
Correct Answer: A [3]
Notes:
- India has won 3 gold medals in Archery Championships.
- The Indian contingent won 15 medals at the World Archery Youth Championships.
- The 2021 World Archery Youth Championships was held in Wroclaw in Poland.
- Out of the 15 medals, India has won three gold medals in the compound cadet women’s and men’s and mixed team events.
- The women’s team defeated Turkey 228-216 in the final match to win a gold medal.
37. What is India’s rank in the global coronavirus innovation rankings for countries?
[A] 32
[B] 26
[C] 30
[D] 25
[B] 26
[C] 30
[D] 25
Correct Answer: A [32]
Notes:
- India fell six spots to the 32nd place in the global coronavirus innovation rankings for countries, as per a report prepared by StartupBlink in association with Health Innovation Exchange, UNAIDS.
- The report features the top-ranked 40 countries and 100 cities in the world based on innovative solutions developed to face the pandemic.
- These rankings are for innovations made specific to the Covid-19 pandemic, and also take into consideration the population of the country.
- The innovations are segmented into different categories – prevention (vaccine, protective and sanitation, automation, etc), diagnostics (telehealth diagnostics, big data and profiling, test kits, etc), treatment (telehealth treatment, ventilator and medical devices, medication, etc), grants and support initiatives (grants, relief funds, hackathons and targeted challenges, etc), information (databases, crisis communication, etc), life and business adaptation (community and mental health, education, work, shopping, etc).
38. By which year, the government is going to provide fortified rice to the poor under various schemes?
[A] 2023
[B] 2024
[C] 2025
[D] 2022
[B] 2024
[C] 2025
[D] 2022
Correct Answer: B [2024]
Notes:
- While addressing the nation on 75th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to provide fortified rice to poor under various schemes by the year 2024.
- This decision was taken in order to address the problem of malnutrition in India.
- Providing nutrition to every poor person India is a priority of the government. This decision was taken in the view that, malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients among poor women and poor children is a major hurdle in their development.
- Government will provide fortified rice with nutrition them.
- Child Malnutrition is a major threat to the growth and development of children.
- Micronutrient deficiencies or ‘hidden hunger’ also continue to pose significant public health problems in Indian populations.
- Food fortification is the simplest and sustainable public health strategies that address the challenge of micronutrient deficiencies. It is a cost-effective, scientifically proven, and globally recognised approach. It also helps in easily reaching to wider & vulnerable populations by means of existing food delivery systems.
39. Which ministry has launched Operation Blue Freedom?
[A] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]
Notes:
- Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar flagged off ‘Operation Blue Freedom’ on 16 August 2021.
- It is an expedition by the people with disabilities from across India to the world’s highest battlefield – Siachen Glacier.
- Selected people with disabilities will undertake an expedition to Kumar Post to create a new world record to scale the world’s highest battlefield.
- The team of people with disabilities has been trained by ‘Team CLAW’, an elite team of Former Special Forces Veterans working towards creating ecosystems for people with disabilities to thrive.
- The team will drive via Manali to Leh and will prepare for the Siachen Glacier world record expedition. The team will subsequently undergo three stages of acclimatisation and training at Leh (Stage 1), Siachen base camp (Stage 2) and North Pullu (Stage 3) before being inducted into the Siachen Base Camp for the final expedition.
40. In which State/UT, Ministry of Textiles has inaugurated an international exhibition on Folk & Tribal Art Paintings “Reetiyon se Kalakritiyon ka Safar?”
[A] Maharashtra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Odisha
[D] Goa
[B] New Delhi
[C] Odisha
[D] Goa
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
- International Exhibition on Folk & Tribal Art Paintings begins in New Delhi.
- Upendra Prasad Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles has inaugurated an international exhibition on Folk & Tribal Art Paintings “Reetiyon se Kalakritiyon ka Safar” at National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, organised by Office of Development Commissioner, Handicrafts in collaboration with Odi Art Centre.
- Folk and Tribal Paintings of 7 countries- India, South Korea, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal are on display.
- This special exhibition (from 18th August to 3rd September) has been curated by the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi, in collaboration with Odi Art Centre.