Daily Current affairs Quiz: 15th May 2024

Answer: C) 15 May.

Notes:

The International Day of Families is observed every year on May 15. This day highlights the importance of family units and celebrates the love, support, and bond shared among family members. The United Nations established this day in 1994 to raise awareness about the challenges families face and promote policies that support strong family structures. Families come in diverse shapes and sizes, and they play a crucial role in building strong societies. Let’s appreciate the special bond we share with our families on this significant day.

Answer: B) China.

Notes:

China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner with a two-way commerce of $118.4 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. This slightly edges past the United States, whose bilateral trade with India stood at $118.3 billion during the same period. India’s exports to China saw healthy growth, rising by 8.7% to $16.67 billion, while imports from China increased by 3.24% to $101.7 billion. In contrast, exports to the US dipped slightly, and imports decreased by about 20% to $40.8 billion.

Answer: C) Gulf of Oman.

Notes:

The Chabahar Port is a seaport located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman. It serves as Iran’s only oceanic port and consists of two separate ports: Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, each with five berths. The port is strategically positioned, being only about 170 kilometres west of the Pakistani port of Gwadar. India and Iran signed a bilateral agreement to further develop Shahid Beheshti port, aiming to facilitate expanded trade with Central Asia. It provides an alternative trade route between India and Afghanistan, being closer to Afghanistan’s border than Pakistan’s Karachi port. In 2015, the port handled 2.1 million tons of cargo, with plans for significant expansion in the future.

Answer: D) Aman Sehrawat.

Notes:

Aman Sehrawat has made history as the first Indian male wrestler to clinch a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing in the 57 kg freestyle category, he secured the Paris quota during the World Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Istanbul by defeating Chongsong Han of Korea 12-2 in the semifinal. Aman’s rise in this challenging Olympic cycle, where Indian wrestling has faced difficulties, has been nothing short of meteoric. His journey began with a Cadet World Championship gold medal in 2021, followed by the under-23 world title a year later.

Answer: A) England.

Notes:

James Anderson, the highest wicket-taker among pace bowlers in Test cricket, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The veteran England fast bowler will play his final red-ball game during the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s in July. Anderson, who reached the milestone of 700 Test wickets, has had an illustrious career spanning over two decades. His contribution to English cricket is immeasurable, and he leaves behind a legacy of excellence on the field.

Answer: C) Maldives.

Notes:

In a goodwill gesture, the Indian government has once again extended its support to the Maldives by providing a budgetary aid package worth USD 50 million. This support comes in the form of a rollover of a Treasury Bill for an additional year, facilitated by the State Bank of India (SBI). The continuation of this subscription has been made at the special request of the Maldivian government to secure budgetary support from India.

Answer: D) Indonesia.

Notes:

Mount Ibu is a stratovolcano located on Halmahera Island, in the province of Maluku, East Indonesia. Its recent eruption, which blanketed the sky in thick grey ash and dark clouds, highlights its active nature. The summit of Mount Ibu contains nested craters, with an inner crater 1 km wide and 400 m deep. It’s essential to monitor volcanic activity in this region due to its potential impact on local communities and air travel.

Answer: C) Jaya Tripathi.

Jaya Tripathi, with her diverse background in general insurance, fashion retail, and tourism, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She has held senior leadership roles at renowned organizations such as Mahindra Holidays, ICICI Lombard, Forevermark Diamonds (De Beers Group), and Aditya Birla Group. In her new role, she will lead the expansion of new business opportunities and partnerships, drive sales team growth, and deepen partner relationships to enhance profitability.

Answer: A) Bihar.

Notes:

Sushil Kumar Modi, the eminent politician who recently passed away at the age of 72, served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. His political career spanned over three decades, during which he held various positions, including MLA, MLC, and member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Sushil Modi made significant contributions to Bihar’s governance, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to the state and the nation.

Answer: C) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Notes:

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced the creation of a Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence in Paris, France. This centre, based at the upcoming TCS PacePort™, will focus on human-centric AI, including areas like brain-computer interface, empathy in machines, and AI in arts and culture. It aligns with France’s 2030 National Strategy for AI and aims to deepen AI adoption in the French economy. TCS joins France’s growing AI ecosystem, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Answer: C) 55 Cancri e.

Notes:

Astronomers have finally detected a rocky planet with an atmosphere beyond our solar system. This planet, known as 55 Cancri e or Janssen, is a super-Earth—larger than our planet but smaller than Neptune. It orbits perilously close to a star, completing an orbit every 18 hours. The planet’s surface is molten rock, and its atmosphere, likely rich in carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, remains inhospitable. The James Webb Space Telescope observations indicate this thick atmosphere, possibly replenished by gases from a vast ocean of magma. Despite its intriguing nature, 55 Cancri e isn’t a vacation spot—it’s one of the hottest-known rocky exoplanets.

Answer: C) ISRO.

Notes:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone by developing a 2,000kN thrust semi-cryogenic engine powered by a combination of Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Kerosene. This engine aims to enhance the payload capability of the LVM3 rocket and future launch vehicles. The successful ignition of the semi-cryo pre-burner marks a crucial step in its development. ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) leads this effort, with assembly and testing conducted at the Isro propulsion complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri. The ignition process, using a novel fuel combination, is critical for liquid rocket engine systems.

Answer: B) Chandrakant Satija.

Notes:

Chandrakant Satija, the Founder and CEO of Chandra Admission Consultants, received the Global Excellence Award 2024 for being the “Most Trusted Admission Consultant in Vidarbha Region”. With over 21 years of experience in education, he has dedicated himself to providing quality education, career counseling, and admission guidance to students. His firm assists students in securing admissions in prestigious institutions in India and abroad. The award was presented by Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra at a grand event in Mumbai.

Answer: C) Urwashi Joshi and Suraj Kumar Chad.

Notes:

Indian squash players Urwashi Joshi and Suraj Kumar Chand secured the women’s and men’s titles, respectively, at the Poona Club Open 2024 in Pune, India. Urwashi Joshi, the top-seeded squash player, defeated USA’s promising 16-year-old Diya Yadav in a thrilling match. Suraj Kumar Chand, the second seed, triumphed over top-seeded Ravindu Laksiri of Sri Lanka. This inaugural edition of the Poona Club Open squash tournament showcased exceptional talent and competitive spirit.

Answer: A) Meghalaya.

Notes:

Idashisha Nongrang, a 1992 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has been appointed as the first woman Director General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya. Meghalaya is a hill state in India dominated by three matrilineal ethnic communities—the Khasis, Garos, and Jaintias. Ms. Nongrang, currently serving as the Director General of Meghalaya Civil Defence, will replace Lajja Ram Bishnoi upon his retirement on May 19, 2024. Her appointment marks a historic moment, breaking barriers in the state’s matrilineal society.