Current Affairs Quiz: 16 November 2023

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1. Which organisation has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched an open data platform to streamline scientific data accessibility for decision-makers, Member States, experts, and the public?
   1) United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
   2) United Nations Development Programme
   3) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
   4) World Trade Organization
   5) International Atomic Energy Agency
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-5) International Atomic Energy Agency
   Explanation:
   On November 14, 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched an open data platform namely ‘IAEA Data Platform’ to streamline scientific data accessibility for decision-makers, Member States, experts, and the public.
    It consolidates, organises and standardised IAEA data into a single repository, enhancing transparency, and knowledge.
   i. IAEA Data Platform organizes data into three main topics:
    Nuclear Safety and Security
    Nuclear Technology and Applications
    Safeguards and Verification
   
   
   
2. Which company has recently (in Nov ‘23) announced to award a multi-year Rs.1000-crore purchase order to Finland’s Nokia for the supply of Optical Transport Network (OTN) equipment?
   1) Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited
   2) Bharti Airtel Limited
   3) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
   4) Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
   5) Vodafone Group
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer- 3) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
   Explanation:
   State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to award a multi-year Rs.1000-crore purchase order to Finland’s Nokia for the supply of Optical Transport Network (OTN) equipment and deployment through a local system integrator.
    The contract, part of BSNL’s Phase-4 project on a turnkey basis on the pan-India level, is to supply, install, and commission OTN with a 3-year Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services and comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for 8 years.
    The contenders for this contract include domestic gear vendors United Telecoms Limited (UTL) and Tejas Networks, a Tata Group company.
    Domestic telecom equipment manufacturer Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL) has front-ended the Nokia bid as the systems integrator.
   
   
   
3. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) received the first-ever “Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award”?
   1) Vikram Seth
   2) Salman Rushdie
   3) Kiran Desai
   4) Aravind Adiga
   5) Rohinton Mistry
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-2) Salman Rushdie
   Explanation:
   Indian-born British-American author Salman Rushdie received the first-ever “Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award” presented by the Vaclav Havel Center in Manhattan, New York, United States of America (USA).
   i. He has authored many novels and book of stories including Midnight’s Children which was awarded the Booker Prize in 1981.
   ii. In 2008, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature.
   
   
   
4. As of November 2023, which bank is set to get 7.71% equity from Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and associated trusts as Payment Obligation?
   1) IndusInd Bank
   2) Axis Bank
   3) YES Bank
   4) HDFC Bank
   5) ICICI Bank
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-5) ICICI Bank
   Explanation:
   Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and associated trusts are set to transfer 7.71% equity or over 18.93 crore shares to ICICI Bank as part of a settlement agreement between the JAL and the bank, amid loan repayment default.
   i. The move is part of JAL’s efforts to reduce its debt with the bank. The 7.71% stake is worth Rs 366 crore at the current market price.
   ii. The trust associated with JAL includes: Gujarat Anjan Cement Limited(GACL) Trust, Jaiprakash Enterprises Limited(JEL) Trust, Jaypee Cement Limited(JCL) Trust, and Jaypee Hotels Limited (JHL) Trust.
    JAL failed to repay a loan worth Rs 4,258 crore, comprising a principal sum of Rs 1,733 crore and an interest of Rs 2,525 crore.
    These loans, involving fund-based working capital, non-fund-based working capital, term loans, and FCCB (Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds), were owed to various banks.
   
   
   
5. In November 2023, Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of a minority stake in __________ (company) by the Mirae Group Entities.
   1) Bundl Technologies Private Limited
   2) Gati Limited
   3) Apollo LogiSolutions Limited
   4) Shadowfax Technologies Private Limited
   5) Zinka Logistics Solutions Private Limited
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-4) Shadowfax Technologies Private Limited
   Explanation:
   Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of a minority stake in Shadowfax Technologies Private Limited (Target) by the Mirae Group Entities (Acquirers).
   i. Details of the proposed combination:
    Acquisition of a minority stake in Shadowfax Technologies by Mirae Asset Late Stage Opportunities Fund (Mirae IV).
    Acquisition of a right to appoint a director on the board of Shadowfax Technologies by Mirae Asset Naver New Growth Fund I (Mirae I), Mirae Asset– GS Retail New Growth Fund I (Mirae II), Mirae Asset– Naver Asia Growth Investment Pte. Ltd (Mirae III) and Mirae IV.
   
   
   
6. In November 2023, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications (MoC) granted the requisite licenses to __________ (company) and Eutelsat OneWeb.
   1) Hughes Communications India
   2) Tata Communications
   3) ViaSat Inc
   4) Jio Satellite Communications Limited
   5) Bharti Airtel Limited
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-4) Jio Satellite Communications Limited
   Explanation:
   The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications (MoC) has granted the requisite licenses to Jio Satellite Communications Limited and Bharti Enterprises-owned Eutelsat OneWeb.
    DoT allocated Internet Service Provider (ISP)-A and a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) licence to OneWeb and ISP license to Jio.
   i. It is a type of license that allows companies to provide internet access, bandwidth, and related services to consumers and businesses.
   ii. ISPs typically establish and maintain the network infrastructure, including servers, routers, and cables, essential for transmitting data over the internet.
   iii. They provide a range of services, including broadband internet, email hosting, website hosting, and virtual private networks (VPNs).
   Note- Both Jio and OneWeb possess the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS ) licence.
   
   
   
7. Which Institute of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched “DISHA” – DIagnostic Services in Healthcare : Availability & Geo-mapping of Laboratory services in India portal to assist the public to identify and locate nearest diagnostic health facilities?
   1) National Institute of Pathology
   2) National Institute of Medical Statistics
   3) National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research
   4) Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences
   5) National Institute of Immunohaematology
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-1) National Institute of Pathology
   Explanation:
   The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Pathology (NIP) in New Delhi, Delhi launched “DISHA” – DIagnostic Services in Healthcare : Availability & Geo-mapping of Laboratory services in India portal (www.icmrdisha.in) to assist the public to identify and locate nearest diagnostic health facilities.
    The free and dynamic DISHA portal lists the diagnostic public healthcare facilities across India.
    ICMR-NIP is gathering data on diagnostic public healthcare facilities and creating a user-friendly online map to access suitable laboratory facilities.
   i. The portal also identifies areas with an imbalance between population densities and diagnostic facilities.
   ii. The data from the portal can help public health experts and government policymakers to empower existing labs, and create new facilities where necessary.
   
   
   
8. In November 2023, Subrata Roy, the Founder and Chairman of ___________ (company), passed away.
   1) Essar Group
   2) Jaiprakash Associates Limited
   3) Hinduja Group
   4) Shapoorji Pallonji Group
   5) Sahara India Pariwar
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-5) Sahara India Pariwar
   Explanation:
   Subrata Roy, the Founder and Chairman of Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)-based Sahara India Pariwar, passed away at the age of 75 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was born on June 10, 1948, in Araria, Bihar. He was popularly known as ‘Saharasri‘.
   i. In 1976, Subrata Roy took charge of Sahara Finance, a struggling chit-fund company. In 1978, Sahara Finance was evolved into Sahara India Pariwar.
   ii. In 2004,Time Magazine named Sahara Group as the 2nd largest employer in India after the Indian Railways.
    Under his leadership, Sahara sponsored the Indian cricket and hockey teams and owned a Formula One(F1) racing team.
   iii. Books: Shanti, Sukh: Santushti, Essays on peace of mind and happy living (1994); Life Mantras (2016); Think With Me (2016).
   
   
   
9. Padma Vibhushan Awardee Prithvi Raj Singh (PRS) Oberoi, the doyen of Indian hospitality passed away in November 2023.
   In which field did he receive the Padma Vibhushan award in the year of 2008?
   1) Medicine
   2) Social Work
   3) Trade and Industry
   4) Literature and Education
   5) Public Affairs
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-3) Trade and Industry
   Explanation:
   Padma Vibhushan Awardee Prithvi Raj Singh (PRS) Oberoi, Chairman Emeritus of The Oberoi Group, passed away at the age of 94. He was born in New Delhi, Delhi on 3rd February 1929.
    He was widely known as the ‘doyen of Indian hospitality’.
   i. PRS Oberoi, popularly known as “Biki”, served as the Executive Chairman of EIH Limited, which is the flagship company of the Oberoi Group, one of India’s largest luxury hotel chains. ii.He also served as the Chairman of Oberoi Hotels, the major shareholder of EIH Limited.
   ii. The government of India honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan India’s second highest civilian honour, for Trade and Industry in 2008.
   Note- The Oberoi group was founded in 1934 by Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, father of PRS Oberoi.
   
   
   
10. When was the United Nations (UN) International Week of Science and Peace (IWOSP) 2023 observed across the globe?
    1) 7th to 13th November 2023
    2) 5th to 11th November 2023
    3) 1st to 7th November 2023
    4) 6th to 12th November 2023
    5) 4th to 10th November 2023
    

    Answer & Explanation

    Answer-4) 6th to 12th November 2023
    Explanation:
    The United Nations (UN) International Week of Science and Peace (IWOSP) is annually observed across the globe during the week in which November 11th falls.
    i. IWOSP 2023 is observed from 6th to 12th November 2023.
    ii. The first International Week of Science and Peace was  observed from 10th to 16th November 1986 as part of the observance of the International Year of Peace.
     However, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/43/61 in 1988 and proclaimed that the International Week of Science and Peace will be observed annually during the week in which November 11 falls.
    iii. The first UN’s International Week of Science and Peace was observed in 1989.