Correct Answer :   $500,000

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* India has contributed $500,000 to the UN Women - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

* Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, on Monday (17th April 2023) handed over the cheque towards the Government of India's contribution to the core voluntary budget of UN Women.

* Sima Sami Bahous, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women, received the cheque.

* Ruchira Kamboj reaffirmed the Indian government's steadfast commitment to the goals of gender equality, the empowerment of women and gender mainstreaming, as mentioned in the mandate of UN Women, Permanent Mission of India to the UN...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Karnataka

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For the first time, Karnataka has bagged the national award for the best implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the country.

* According to the authorities, between the kharif season 2021 and 2022, the state recorded a 47.74% increase in the enrolment of farmers under the scheme.

* while the area covered under the scheme increased by 41.80%. The award was given to the state on 14 April 2023.

* According to the data shared by the officials of the department of agriculture, in the kharif season 2021, 16.15 lakh farmers had enroled under the scheme.

* It increased to 23.86 lakh in 2022. The extent of areas covered under the scheme increased from 13.35 lakh hectares to 18.94 lakh hectares.

* According to authorities, for kharif 2022 season, 5.60 lakh farmers whose fields were affected by natural calamities have already been compensated within the same year itself (which was not being done in the previous years) with crop insurance claims being settled to the tune of Rs 298.57 crore under add-on coverages such as prevented sowing, localized calamities, mid-season adversity and post-harvest loss claims.

* Meanwhile, with the idea of ensuring that farmers will come up in more numbers for the enrolment, for kharif 2023, the state has released an advance share of Rs 951 crore for the implementation of the PMFBY scheme.

* The common service centers have also seen an enrolment of 4.66 lakh non-loanee farmers over the last six years...

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   Mangrove Pitta Bird

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The first-ever census of Mangrove Pitta Bird was conducted by the Odisha forest officials in the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary.

* In the first census, 179 mangrove pitta birds were sighted.

* The habitats of these beautiful birds are confined to mangrove forest areas in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and Sundarban in West Bengal.

* Mangrove pitta is a colorful bird that has a black head with a brown crown.

* The census was carried out for the first time in the country to study the population analysis of these birds, said Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Goipnath Sudarshan Yadav..

Source : Outlook

Correct Answer :   Kerala

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Kerala on Monday (17th April 2023) became the first state to adopt a water budget in a bid to come up with a solution to water scarcity in certain regions there. The first phase of the project would cover 94 gram panchayats and 15 block panchayats.

* The Public Water Budget was released by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday(17th April 2023), along with the launch of the third phase of the Ini Njan Ozhukatte (Let me flow now) project, for the rehabilitation of irrigation networks in the Western Ghats.

* The idea of a water budget was first mooted by the state in 2019. The current Budget was prepared based on the availability and consumption of water in the state.

* The budget gives data about the availability of water at a particular place and its consumption based on the population in the region.

* The move is intended to create awareness among people regarding the proper use of water, avoiding its wastage. The budget was prepared by the Centre for Water Resource Development Management and the state water department...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan

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Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as Controller of Personnel Services on 17 Apr 23. The Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 87 and is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare.

* He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

* A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral has held several key operational, staff and training appointments in his naval career including the command of missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash; the missile corvette INS Kulish; the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore; and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

* On promotion to the Flag rank, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters Southern Naval Command, Kochi and played a key role in the conduct of all training in the Indian Navy.

* He was also instrumental in raising the Indian Navy Safety Team that oversees operational safety across all verticals of the Navy. He then went on to head the work up organisation of the Navy as the Flag Officer Sea Training, after which he was privileged to be chosen for the extremely prestigious appointment of Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.

* After commanding the Sword Arm, he tenanted the appointment of Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India. He was later appointed as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, a position he held till assuming his current assignment.

* Admiral Swaminathan's educational qualifications : Include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi; MA in Defence Studies from King's College, London; MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University; and PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Jyotiraditya M. Scindia

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* The Union Ministry of Steel, in association with the Department of Commerce, Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and industry chamber FICCI is organising India Steel 2023, a conference and International Exhibition on the steel industry, from April 19-21, 2023, at the Mumbai Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai.

* The event aims to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the steel industry.

* The inaugural session of India Steel 2023 on April 19th 2023 will be addressed by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Government of India, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Steel & Rural Development, Government of India, Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, senior Government officials and distinguished speakers including, Mr Subhrakant Panda (President, FICCI), and Ms Soma Mondal (Chairperson, SAIL and Chair, FICCI Steel Committee), among others.

* During the event, an exhibition showcasing the latest products and innovations in the steel sector will also be held concurrently.

* Over the course of the three days, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a series of informative sessions covering various topics. During, India Steel 2023 important sessions will be organized, covering topics such as "Augmentation of Enabling Logistics Infrastructure," "Demand Dynamics for Indian Steel Industry," "Sustainability Goals via Green Steel: Challenges and Way Forward," "Conducive Policy Framework & Key Enablers for Indian Steel," and "Technology Solutions for Enhancing Productivity & Efficiency”.

* Each session will facilitate in-depth discussions among industry leaders, government officials, and experts, aiming to address the challenges and opportunities within the Indian steel sector...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Mumbai

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* Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has launched 18th April 2023, the company's first retail store in India in the financial capital Mumbai.

* This retail outlet of Apple (Apple BKC) is located on the ground floor of Reliance Jio World Drive Mall in Bandra Kurla Complex.

* After Mumbai, the company is going to open its retail outlet in Saket, Delhi as well. This store will be opened on 20th April 2023.

* The first Apple Stores opened in 2001 at Tyson's Corner in McLean, Virginia and the Glendale Galleria in California.

Correct Answer :   April 18

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World Heritage Day is celebrated on April 18. It is marked to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and the need to preserve it for future generations.

The day was established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and was approved by the UNESCO General Conference in 1983.

World Heritage Day 2023 Theme : Every year, ICOMOS suggests a subject for its members, partners, and anyone interested in commemorating World Heritage Day to organize activities around. The theme for this year 2023 is "Heritage Changes".

The official website stated, “In keeping with the spirit of open, innovative, constructive intergenerational dialogue, and the strategic focus of ICOMOS Triennial Scientific Plan 2021-2024, as well as the 2020 ICOMOS resolution on Approaches to Cultural Heritage. the IDMS 2023 features the following theme: HERITAGE CHANGES.”


World Heritage Day History : Before the late 19th century, the protection of historic buildings was solely a national concern, and laws related to this matter in Europe were established during this time. Although various associations existed in each country, they were limited to national boundaries.

Cultural internationalism, as we know it today, emerged after the First World War, with the establishment of the League of Nations, and particularly after the Second World War, with the creation of the United Nations and UNESCO.

The Athens Conference, which was held in 1931 and organized by the International Museums Office, along with the Athens Charter, drafted by Le Corbusier during the fourth Assembly of the International Congresses on Modern Architecture in 1933, and later published anonymously in Paris in 1941, are major stepping stones in the development of ideas.

ICOMOS marks the “International Day for Monuments and Sites" annually on April 18, which was officially recognized by the 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983.

World Heritage Day Significance : The aim of this day is to increase awareness of the value of cultural assets, the vulnerability of sites and monuments, and the measures necessary to protect and conserve them. The event highlights culture’s significance while acknowledging the numerous obstacles to achieving this goal. It encourages us to honor and appreciate the diverse cultural expressions around the world. It also seeks to promote the preservation of these cultural expressions.

Finally, World Heritage Day is observed to stay in touch with our cultural heritage and its traditions which have always reflected and shaped values, beliefs, and aspirations, and as such, define a people’s identity. Preserving our cultural history is crucial in maintaining our cultural identity as a people...

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Himachal Pradesh

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Himachal Pradesh has become the "first state" to create a DNA database of unidentified bodies, an official said Monday (17th April 2023).

* The process was started in April last year (2022) and so far records of 150 DNA samples of unidentified bodies have been stored in the database, he said.

* The database would help in identification of bodies which would turn out to be a big relief for the families searching for their loved ones and running from pillar to post with photographs and other details, Assistant Director (DNA), Directorate of Forensics Services, Junga, Vivek Sahajpal told PTI.

* The DNA samples of the relatives would be matched with the data/samples stored in DNA profiling database and accurate details would be available within seconds, he said, adding that besides identification of bodies, the DNA database would go a long way in criminal investigation of heinous crimes, identification of disaster victims, missing persons and repeated offenders.

* According to the police record, more than 100 bodies are recovered in different parts of the state every year which remain unidentified for lack of documents or identifiable articles found with them.

* The identification of bodies would not only help the family members in performing the last rites of the deceased but would also help in nabbing the criminal in cases where crime led to death, officials...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Giriraj Singh

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Rural Development Minister "Giriraj Singh" 18 April 2023 launched ‘Sangathan Se Samriddhi’ campaign. It will empower marginalized rural households by bringing all eligible rural women into the fold of Self Help Groups (SHGs).

* Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the government is targeting to bring 10 crore women under the purview of SHGs from the existing nine crore.
 
* Mr. Singh expressed happiness that the number of members, which was just 2.35 crore in May 2014, has now crossed nine crore. He stated that government has set a target that every woman associated with SHGs should be able to earn one lakh rupees per annum. He urged women to produce millets...

Source : AIR