Current Affairs One - Liner : 7th & 8th April 2024

• National:
• On April 6, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) approved a 32-member campaign committee for the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan. This committee includes prominent Congress leaders and candidates for various seats. The same day, the Congress party held two mega rallies in Jaipur and Hyderabad.

• The Ladakh administration imposed Section 144 in the Leh district on April 5. This was done ahead of a proposed ‘Pashmina March’ by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to the Changthang region. The march was planned to highlight the issue of shrinking grazing lands in the Union Territory.
• Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi, in his address at the 76th foundation day of Gauhati High Court, differentiated between ‘judicial activism’ and ‘judicial overreach’. He defined ‘judicial activism’ as a peacemaker and ‘judicial overreach’ as a trespasser. He cautioned that ‘adventurous’ judicial activism can lead to unintended consequences.
• International:
• On April 6, 2024, Mexico suspended its diplomatic relations with Ecuador in response to the forceful entry of Ecuadorian police into the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest former Vice President of Ecuador, Jorge Glas.
• Peter Pellegrini, a member of the Hlas-SD party, won the presidential elections in Slovakia. The elections took place on April 6, 2024. His victory marks a significant shift in Slovakia’s political landscape.
• Banking:
• The RBI has cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of four Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) on April 5, 2024. The NBFCs affected are Kundles Motor Finance Pvt Ltd, Nithya Finance Ltd, Bhatia Hire Purchase Pvt Ltd, and Jiwanjyoti Deposits and Advances Limited.
• Union Bank of India (UBI) has raised USD 500 million (about Rs 4,200 crore) from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to fund its overseas business. This is UBI’s first syndicated term loan from an overseas centre. The loan will be drawn in two tranches with tenures of 3 and 5 years.
• Mous:
• SJVN Limited and the Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT Patna) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 2, 2024, in New Delhi. The MoU aims to use advanced geological models in SJVN’s tunnelling projects. The collaboration will develop predictive analytics algorithms to forecast potential risks and provide early warning systems for tunnelling projects.
• On April 5, 2024, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at BEML headquarters in Bengaluru to jointly develop an Indigenous Train Control Management System (i-TCMS). This collaboration aims to reduce dependency on imported technology by developing TCMS indigenously, in line with the “Make in India” initiative.
• Science & Technology:
• On Sunday, April 7, 2024, South Korea successfully launched its second military spy satellite from the John F Kennedy Space Center. The satellite is now in orbit and has established communication with an overseas ground station. This launch is part of an ongoing effort by South Korea to enhance its surveillance capabilities amid rising tensions with North Korea.
• Sports:
• On Sunday, April 7, 2024, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing dominated the Japanese Grand Prix held at the Suzuka International Racing Course in Japan. He led the race for 48 out of the 53 laps, showcasing his exceptional driving skills. Additionally, he set the fastest lap of the race, further demonstrating his dominance in the event.
• Defence:
• The Indian Army received the first batch of Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) from Russia on April 8, 2024. These systems will enhance the Army’s air defence capabilities.
• Important Days:
• The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is commemorated every year on 7th April. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. The day marks the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government.
• Appointments:
• The Ministry of Finance appointed Justice PS Dinesh Kumar, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) on April 5, 2024. Alongside him, Dheeraj Bhatnagar, retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi, was appointed as the Technical Member.
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has appointed two part-time members to the Governing Board of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). The two part-time members are M.P. Ram Mohan, a Professor at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, and Dinabandhu Mohapatra, a Non-Executive Independent Director at Indiabulls Housing Limited.
• Dame Valerie Adams, a renowned shot putter from New Zealand, has been appointed as the International Event Ambassador for the 16th edition of the Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bengaluru, scheduled for 28th April 2024. Adams, a four-time World Champion and two-time Olympic medallist.
• Srini Pallia was appointed as the CEO and Managing Director of Wipro Limited on April 7, 2024. He succeeded Thierry Delaporte and has been with Wipro for over three decades.
• Love Kumar, an IPS officer of the 2004 batch from Uttar Pradesh, was appointed as the Inspector General (IG) in the Special Protection Group (SPG) on April 5, 2024. Before this, he served as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the same group.
• Awards & Honours:
• On February 2, 2024, INS Sharda conducted a successful anti-piracy operation, leading to the safe release of all 19 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Omari, which was held hostage by pirates off the East coast of Somalia. In recognition of this achievement, Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, awarded the ‘On the Spot Unit Citation’ to INS Sharda during his visit to the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on April 6, 2024
• Books:
• “The Idea of Democracy” is a book by Sam Pitroda. In it, Pitroda discusses the current state of global democracy, the paradox of democratic success coupled with its liberal decline, and the role of technology in shaping contemporary democracies. The book aims to stimulate conversation on the meaning of democracy and the role individuals can play in its preservation and growth.
• Obituaries:
• Veteran cinematographer Gangu Ramsay, known for his work on cult horror films, passed away at the age of 83. He had been battling health issues and passed away on April 7, 2024, in Mumbai. His contributions spanned over 50 films and several TV shows. He is survived by his daughter Geeta Ramsay and son Chander Ramsay.

Questions:

Q.1 Who is the author of “The Idea of Democracy”?
a. Sam Pitroda
b. John Locke
c. Thomas Hobbes
d. Alexis de Tocqueville
Q.2 Who was appointed as the CEO and Managing Director of Wipro Limited on April 7, 2024?
a. Thierry Delaporte
b. Rishad Premji
c. Azim Premji
d. Srini Pallia