Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
The International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) – ‘Bharat Mandapam’ was inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Modi.  The IECC project is a national initiative aimed at modernizing and upgrading the obsolete facilities at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Anubhava Mantapa was an academy of saints and philosophers of the ‘Lingayath’s’ faith in the 12th century. It was founded by Basava, also called Basaveshwara. This is the inspiration behind the name ‘Bharat Mandapam’

Notes:
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is one of the four bills introduced by the Centre in the Lok Sabha recently.
The bill grants authority to the Lieutenant Governor to appoint two members, with one being a woman, from the Kashmiri migrant community, and one member from the displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.

Notes:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has decided to enable listed and unlisted domestic companies to directly list their equity shares on the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at Ahmedabad.
The decision will facilitate access to global capital and result in a better valuation of the Indian companies. The Finance Minister also launched Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) and AMC Repo Clearing Ltd (ARCL).

Notes:
The Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Mela is a scheme pertaining to the state of Uttar Pradesh, was started in the year 2020. It has benefited over 12 crore patients in the state.
The Union Health Ministry has planned to adopt Uttar Pradesh’s successful healthcare model, including the concept of Jan Arogya Mela, which provide medical attention to attendees and refer critical patients to specialized hospitals.

Notes:
Recently, the Indian government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have entered into an agreement, securing a USD 200 million loan as extra funding for the existing Rajasthan Secondary Towns Development Sector Project.
The loan aims to extend water supply and sanitation systems, boost urban resilience, and preserve the heritage in chosen towns.

Notes:
The Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) released BARI Chinabadam-12 (ICGV 07219), an improved groundnut variety in Bangladesh.
The variety is available for cultivation for the upcoming season post rains. It has resistance to foliar fungal diseases and matures four days earlier than its counterpart.

Notes:
Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) has recently facilitated market linkages of over 1.3 tonnes of Pineapples to the Middle East.
The pineapples from Meghalaya are being sold across malls in Dubai, Kuwait and Sharjah.

Notes:
The United States has announced USD 345 million in military aid for Taiwan. This is Biden administration’s first major package drawing on America’s own stockpiles to help Taiwan counter China.
The package would include defense, education and training for the Taiwanese. Washington will send man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS, intelligence and surveillance capabilities, firearms and missiles, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

Notes:
The Government of Telangana is planning to launch a scheme named Labour Bima on the lines of the existing scheme Rythu Bima.
It is an insurance scheme and the insurance coverage for the beneficiaries will be raised from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh. It is also proposed that the renewal period will be extended from five years to ten years.

Notes:
The Central African Republic, a land locked country in African continent, has conducted a voting in a referendum for a new constitution. This comes after the country witnessing multiple coups.
In 2020, Mr. Touadera secured a second term as President of the country until 2025. If the referendum is passed, it would allow the existing President for a third term.