UPSC EXAM QUIZ 21.11.2024

Explanation:

• Harini Amarasuriya has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and she is the third woman leader to reach this position.
• She came into politics 5 years ago and has been the Prime Minister in the interim government 2 months ago. She has studied from Hindu College, Delhi University.
• Recently, a new government has been formed in Sri Lanka after the parliamentary elections, in which she took this important post.

Key Points

• Harini Amarasuriya became the third woman Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
• She has studied from Hindu College, Delhi University.
• Became Prime Minister 5 years after coming into politics.
• NPP alliance won the parliamentary elections held on 14 November.
• The new cabinet has 22 members, including 2 women and 2 Tamil MPs.
• The President kept the cabinet small, with the aim of reducing the cost of the government.

Explanation:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new revised nuclear policy. Under this decision, Russia has set new guidelines regarding the use of nuclear weapons for its security.

Key Points

• If a country attacks Russia with the help of a nuclear-armed country, it will be considered a joint attack on Russia.
• In such a situation, the Russian government will have the right to use nuclear weapons.
• Some conditions have also been added to this policy for the use of nuclear weapons, which have not been clarified yet.
• This decision was taken on the occasion of completion of 1000 days of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has increased its strategic and symbolic importance.

Explanation:

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that Karimganj district will be renamed as 'Sribhumi'. The decision has been taken to honour Rabindranath Tagore and to fulfil the long-standing demand of the public.

Key Points

Reason for renaming

• Rabindranath Tagore had called Karimganj as 'Sribhumi' i.e. 'land of Mother Lakshmi'.
• The move was taken to honour this historical reference.

Assam Cabinet decision

• The state cabinet took the decision on public demand.
• The Chief Minister called it an important step towards strengthening the cultural identity of the state.

Explanation:

• Coal India Ltd (CIL) won Green World Environment Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category.
• The award has been given to CIL for Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna for permanent curative treatment of over 600 Thalassemia patients.
• In 2017, CIL became the first Public Sector Undertakings to take up the CSR project for curative treatment of Thalassemia through Bone Marrow Transplant.
• As part of this scheme, CIL provides financial assistance upto Rs. 10 lakh for Bone Marrow Transplant.
• The award was given by The Green Organization, an independent, non-political, non-profit environment group.
• This organisation is dedicated to recognizing, rewarding and promoting environmental best practices and CSR around the world.
• CIL produces over 80% of India’s overall coal. It contributes to 70% of the total coal-based power generation.

Explanation:

• Multi Agency Disaster Relief Exercise 'Sanyukt Vimochan 2024' successfully conducted by the Indian Army.
• On 18-19 November 2024, the Multilateral Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, 'Sanyukt Vimochan 2024' successfully conducted by the Indian Army.
• Organised by the Konark Corps of Southern Command of the Indian Army, the exercise was conducted over two days in Ahmedabad and Porbandar in Gujarat.
• Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi attended this important event which showcased India's disaster response preparedness.
• The opening ceremony of the exercise at Ahmedabad included a discussion-based session i.e. ta Table Top Exercise on Emergency, Disaster or Crisis Response on the theme 'Cyclone in Coastal Region of Gujarat' on 18 November.
• Representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), Meteorological Department and FICCI as well as officials from the Indian Armed Forces also attended the event.
• On the second day, 19 November 2024, a Multi-Agency Capability demonstration event was held at Chowpatty beach in Porbandar.