Daily GK Update - 15 December 2023 Current Affairs

                 Current Affairs

                                               National Affairs

India’s Fastest Solar Powered Boat has been launched.

• India’s Fastest Solar Boat, Barracuda has been launched in Aroor, Alapupuzha.
• This boat has been named after a fast fish Barracuda.

Telangana has launched Mahalakshmi Free Bus Scheme for Women and Transgenders.

• With the aim to provide affordable transportation and women empowerment, the newly formed government of Telangana has launched Mahalakshmi Free Bus Scheme for Women and Transgenders.
• Mahalakshmi Free Bus Scheme for Women and Transgenders.

The Ministry of Defence has cleared Rs 2800 crore to purchase a rocket system.

• The Government has recently cleared the purchase of Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems to boost the firepower of the Indian Army.
• Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• Pinaka MBRL has a maximum range of 90 km.

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft.

• India Navy has added a new ship in its fleet.
• The new ship, INS Tarmugli was commissioned at a grand ceremony in Visakhapatnam.

The ASEAN-India Millet Festival has been inaugurated in New Delhi.

• Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda inaugurated the ASEAN-India Millet Festival in New Delhi.

                                        International Affairs

The International Monetary Fund has approved another tranche of loans.

• To help Sri Lanka recover amid its falling economy, the International Monetary Fund has approved a $337 million loan.
• This loan has been sanctioned to Sri Lanka under Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

                                                 Economy

RBI has authorized Bandhan Bank to disburse the Pension of Retired Railway Employees.

• Bandhan Bank gains RBI approval to disburse pensions via e-PPOs for retired Ministry of Railways employees.
• This mandate extends the bank’s reach to approximately 50,000 average Indian Railways retirees annually, covering all offices, including 17 zonal railways and 8 production units of Indian Railways.

                                         Awards and Honors

Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad have been awarded the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize.

• Argentinian Pianist Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad, a Palestinian activist have been awarded the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.
• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development is a prestigious award presented annually to individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of international peace, disarmament, and development.

Indian Actor Kabir Bedi has been honored with Italy's Order of Merit Award.

• Kabir Bedi who is known for his prolific acting has been honored with the Italy Civilian Honour ‘Officer Order of the Italian Republic’.

                                                   Sports

Antim Panghal has been named UWW Rising Star of the Year.

• Two-time World under-20 champion and senior Worlds bronze medallist Antim Panghal (53kg) has been named United World Wrestling (UWW) Rising Star of the Year 2023 in the women's section.

1. Who was awarded the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in 2023?

a) Malala Yousafzai

b) Greta Thunberg

c) Daniel Barenboim & Ali Abu Awwad

d) Kailash Satyarthi

:-Daniel Barenboim & Ali Abu Awwad

2. Which new ship was commissioned by the Indian Navy at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam?

a) INS Vikrant

b) INS Tarmugli

c) INS Arihant

d) INS Kolkata

:-INS Tarmugli

3. What kind of weapon system did the Indian Army receive a budget of Rs 2800 crore for?

a) Ballistic missiles

b) Pinaka MBRL

c) Fighter jets

d) Submarines

:- Pinaka MBRL

4 Which state recently launched the Mahalakshmi Free Bus Scheme for women and transgenders?

a) Kerala

b) Andhra Pradesh

c) Telangana

d) Tamil Nadu

:- Telangana

5 What is the name of India's fastest solar-powered boat, launched in Aroor, Alapupuzha?

a) Surya

b) Barracuda

c) Jal Tarang

d) Ganga

:- Barracuda

                                            Daily Vocabulary

Word and its meaning

      Synonym

           Antonym

Serene (Adjective)

Calm, peaceful, tranquil.

Placid, still, unruffled, composed.

Turbulent, chaotic, agitated, frenetic

Elusive (Adjective):

Difficult to catch or grasp; slippery.

Evasive, intangible, fleeting, obscure

Apparent, tangible, readily available, fixed

Eloquent (Adjective):

Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing.

Articulate, expressive, persuasive, graceful.

Inarticulate, tongue-tied, awkward, bumbling.

Stoic (Adjective):

Emotionally unaffected; impassive.

Unflappable, unflinching, indifferent, austere.

Emotional, demonstrative, volatile, passionate.

Presumptuous (Adjective):

Overconfident and lacking in proper respect.

Arrogant, audacious, self-important, forward.

Humble, deferential, respectful, considerate.