Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2023

Notes:
In its report titled Global Economic Prospects, the World Bank said that India will be fastest-growing economy among seven largest emerging markets and developing economies.
As per the report, India’s economic growth will slow to 6.6% in the next fiscal year from an expected 6.9% growth in the current year.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 7th edition of ‘Invest Madhya Pradesh-Global Investors Summit’, in Indore
The theme of the flagship event of the state government is ‘Madhya Pradesh-The Future Ready State’. Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi also addressed the meet.

Notes:
MSME Minister Narayan Rane launched the web portal for the Rs 6,062.45-crore Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) for MSMEs.
The scheme was originally announced back in 2020 by the government and the World Bank to support Covid-hit MSMEs in the country. Out of the total scheme’s limit, Rs 3,750 crore was approved by World Bank in June 2021 while the balance would be funded by the government.

Notes:
Japan continues to top the list of the world’s most powerful passport for the year 2023, according to the Henley Passport Index report 2023.
Japanese citizens can travel to as many as 193 countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival access destinations around the world. The second spot is shared by Singapore and South Korea. Indian passport ranks 85th in the world’s most powerful passport index 2023 and gives visa-free entry to 59 destinations.

Notes:
Odisha’s State Transport Authority (STA) announced severe penalties against vehicles without High Security Registration Plates (HSRP).
In case the vehicle is not affixed with HSRP within the scheduled date mentioned above, e-challan will be issued against the offending vehicle of a fine of Rs 5,000 or Rs 10,000 under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Notes:
The United Arab Emirates announced a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags to take effect next year.
The law would prohibit the import, production and circulation of such bags from January 1, 2024. A similar ban would apply to plastic cups, plates and cutlery from January 1, 2026. The UAE, host of this year’s United Nations climate summit, declared its aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Notes:
The National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed every year in the United States on January 11, to raise awareness about human trafficking.
In 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act addressed modern-day slavery and was the first federal law to do so. In 2010, President Barack Obama dedicated the entire month of January to awareness and prevention of human trafficking.

Notes:
According to an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board data, the national capital region was the most polluted place in India in 2022.
Delhi recorded more than double of the accepted pollution particles limit. Among the cities with worst PM2.5 levels, Delhi (99.71 micrograms per cubic metre) ranked first, Haryana’s Faridabad (95.64 micrograms per cubic metre) ranked second followed by Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad (91.25 micrograms per cubic metre).

Notes:
Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, urging the Centre to immediately implement the Sethusamudram project.
Sethusamudram project was originally conceived in 1890 by Commander Taylor and in 2004, Rs 2,427 crore was allotted by the UPA government. The project aims to link Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka by creating a shipping canal. It started in July 2005 but was stalled after protests by environmentalists and Hindu activists against demolition of Ram Setu.

Notes:
‘Dekho Apna Desh’ campaign was launched by Union Tourism Minister at Konark, Odisha, in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to travel to at least 15 destinations by the year 2022, to promote domestic tourism.
Indian Railways recently launched the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train, in line with the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative.  The train runs on a route connecting pilgrimage sites of Ayodhya in India and Janakpur in Nepal.