Correct Answer :   IIT Bombay

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Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has joined hands with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) to develop a robust touchless biometric capture system for easier usage by people anytime, anywhere.

* As part of the memorandum of understanding, UIDAI and IIT Bombay will carry out joint research to build a mobile capture system for fingerprints along with liveness model integrated with the capture system.

* The touchless biometric capture system, once developed and operational, will allow fingerprint authentication from home alike face authentication.

* The new system is expected to capture multiple fingerprints at one go and aid authentication success rate further. The new system once in place will be an addition to the existing facilities available in the Aadhaar ecosystem.

* Such a system will use an intelligent combination of signal/image processing and machine learning/deep learning with a common mobile phone available to most citizens with a good user experience. This will be a step forward in making Universal authenticator a reality.

* The collaboration between UIDAI and IIT Bombay through its National Centre of Excellence in Technology for Internal Security (NCETIS) will lead to joint engagement in Research and Development (R&D) for development of a system for UIDAI.

* The NCETIS is a joint initiative by IIT Bombay and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under its flagship Digital India Programme.

* The NCETIS is aimed at developing indigenous technology solutions for Internal Security forces in broad areas of Electronic System Design and Manufacturing...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

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* The Rajasthan government has declared April 11, the birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, a public holiday.

* With this, the state has 30 public holidays and 20 optional holidays. Till now, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti was an optional holiday in the state.

* According to an official statement, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a proposal in this regard. The decision has been taken keeping in mind the common man's feelings and the demand of people's representatives..

Source : Outlook India

Correct Answer :   10th April

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World Homeopathy Day is celebrated on April 10th every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. This day is marked to celebrate and honour homeopathy and its contributions in treating the patients across the globe.

World Homeopathy Day History :

* Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy was born in Paris on April 10, 1755. While practising, he found that in order to treat a patient's sickness, the ingredients that cause the disease's symptoms must be administered.

* He developed the principle of 'similia similibus curentur', meaning 'let like cure like', in the late 18th century. Thus, homeopathy works on the principle of "like cures like".

* This year will be the 268th birth anniversary of Dr Hahnemann.

World Homeopathy Day significance :

* Homeopathy is a holistic approach to healing that involves substances to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.

* The day aims to create awareness about the effectiveness of homoeopathy in treating various health conditions. It has been used for centuries to treat diseases like allergies, asthma, depression or anxiety. Homoeopathy medicines are made from natural ingredients like minerals, plants, and animals.

* The day seeks to raise awareness of homeopathy as a medical system and work towards increasing it practice.


World Homeopathy Day theme 2023 :

* Every year a particular theme is chosen to celebrate the World Homeopathy Day. This year (2023), the theme is "One Health, One Family." It aims to promote the homoeopathic treatment among the people through the neighbourhood family physicians.

* The Central Council for Research in Homeopathy under AYUSH ministry will conduct an event on Monday to celebrate the occasion. Last year, the theme for World Homeopathy Day was 'Homeopathy: People's Choice for Wellness'.

* Several programs and events based on the themes are conducted across the world to raise awareness about homoeopathy and its medicines..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Women's Safety

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The safety of women has always been a pressing issue in India, and on 7th April 2023, President Droupadi Murmu took a step towards making women feel safer by launching the 'Bhoroxa' mobile app at the Gauhati High Court.

* The app, which includes various helpline numbers across the state and women-related schemes, will help women in distress seek immediate help.

* The week-long platinum jubilee celebrations of the Gauhati High Court began on April 1 with a bicycle rally, followed by a friendly cricket match between the teams of Chief Justice XI and Chief Minister's XI.

* The event was graced by the honourable Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Dr Sandeep Mehta, who welcomed the attendees with a speech emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and harmony for the safety of women and other marginalised sections of society.

* One of the main features of the app is the 181 helpline number for women seeking help. This helpline will ensure that women in distress can immediately reach out to the authorities and seek help. The app also includes details about various schemes aimed at women's empowerment and their safety.

* The 'Bhoroxa' mobile app's launch was a part of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Gauhati High Court, where a commemorative stamp was released on April 5 by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma released the Assamese version of the book "Gauhati High Court: History and Heritage."

* On the same occasion, Chief Justice of India also released two apps on the online e-sewa Kendra for Assam and integrated CIS and e-Prisons applications.

* The 'Bhoroxa' mobile app's launch is a step forward in making women feel safer in India and can be seen as a major initiative towards women's safety and empowerment...

Source : India Todayne

Correct Answer :   Ukraine

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Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova will begin a four-day visit to India on 9th April 2023, the first official visit from the East European country since the Russian invasion began last year.

* Dzhaparova will hold talks with Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

* It is expected that the Ukrainian deputy foreign minister may extend an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ukraine.

* The MEA announced Dzhaparova's visit to India in a statement on Saturday (8th April 2023).

“* The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova will be on an official visit to India from April 9 to April 12, 2023..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Jagdeep Dhankhar

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated the scientific convention on the occasion of World Homoeopathy Day on April 10, 2023, in New Delhi.

* The MoUs will be exchanged between CCRH and various homoeopathic colleges and also between CCRH & Directorate of Homeopathy, Government of Kerala. On this occasion, one documentary, one portal and eight books of CCRH will also be released.
 
* Union Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State for Ayush Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai will grace the occasion.
 
* The AYUSH Ministry said that several delegates from across the country will attend the convention including homeopathic researchers, scientists from interdisciplinary streams, practitioners, students, industrialists as well as representatives of various homoeopathic associations.

* It said that during the convention, various sessions on policy aspects, advancement in Homeopathy, research evidences and clinical experiences in Homeopathy will be conducted.
 
* The Ministry said that this flag-off event will be followed by the zonal World Homeopathy Day events in five locations in India. This scientific convention will give insights into a future roadmap to Homeopathic integration in research, education and integrative care through deliberations of various key stakeholders...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Amit Shah

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India’s Policy is clear and we want peace but no one can encroach an inch of our land. He said there will be no compromise with the respect of our borders and security forces.

* Mr. Shah said this after launching the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ in Kibithoo village in Anjaw district in Arunachal Pradesh today (10th April 2023).

* The Home Minister said that security of the border is the security of the nation and keeping this in view Narendra Modi government has given top priority to develop the infrastructure of the international borders of the country.
 
* Addressing public, Mr. Shah said that after before 2014, whole north-east region was considered as a disturbed and problematic region because of the wrong policies of the then central governments, but in only 9 year with Narendra Modi’s vision, North East is today seen differently as is known as one of the region contribution for the development of the country.
 
* He said that in this short period, over 8000 extremists of the region have surrendered. He said in comparison to 2014, in 2022 there is 66 percent decrease in violence, 60 percent decrease in security forces and 83 percent decrease in civilian casualties. He said today all the problems and insurgency in the region is ending, under PM Modi’s leadership.
 
* Speaking on the Vibrant Village Programme the Home Minister said that the programme will be implemented in 19 districts, 46 blocks and 2963 villages across the country. In the first phase 11 districts, 23 blocks and 1451 villages will be included with a cost of Rs.4800 crore...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   3,167

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India is home to at least 3,167 tigers, the 2022 census by the National Tiger Conservation Authority released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed on Sunday (9th April 2023), an increase of 6.74% from 2,967 in 2018, the previous occasion the big cats were counted in the wild.

* As many as 3,080 tigers were photographed in 2022, compared with 2,461 captured on camera in 2018, according to the Status of Tigers report. India hosts some 75% of the global tiger population living in forests.

* Despite the modest increase of 200 in four years, most tiger reserves in the country are like tiny islands of conservation, with areas outside the protected zones showing unsustainable land use, the report said, which could be responsible for localised extinctions in some parts of central India.

* The Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, showed a significant decline in numbers, from 981 in 2018 to 824 in 2022, the report said. Out of the approximately 400,000 sq km of forests in tiger states, only a third are in relatively healthier condition..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (9th April 2023) launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) in Karnataka.

* PM Modi also inaugurated the 'Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger'.

* During the programme, he released the publication 'Amrit Kaal Ka Vision for Tiger Conservation', a summary report of 5th cycle of Management Effective Evaluation of Tiger Reserves.

* He also released a summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle).

* PM Narendra Modi also released a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger.

* He interacted with field directors of tiger reserves that have scored highest in the recently concluded 5th cycle of the Management Effectiveness Evaluation exercise.

* According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the IBCA will focus on the protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world -- Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and Cheetah.

* In July 2019, Prime Minister Modi called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to firmly curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.

* Speaking on the occasion, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said, "The journey of Tiger conservation, which started in 1973 with nine Tiger Reserves, has reached to 53 reserves in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under the Prime Minister's leadership. 23 Tiger Reserves have received international accreditation."

* Earlier on Sunday (9th April 2023), Prime Minister Modi visited Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka where he interacted with frontline field staff and self-help groups involved in conservation efforts, as part of programmes to mark 50 years of 'Project Tiger'...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   C.R. Rao

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The 2023 International Prize in Statistics, which is regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in statistics, has been awarded to Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao, an Indian-American statistician.

The prize, established in 2016, is presented once every two years to an individual or team that has made significant contributions to science, technology, and human welfare through the use of statistics.

The award is given out by a collaboration of five major international statistics organizations and recognizes major accomplishments by an individual or team. Rao will be honored with the prize, which carries an $80,000 cash award, at the International Statistical Institute World Statistics Congress in Ottawa, Canada, in July.

What was Rao’s 1945 paper about?

* Rao’s groundbreaking paper, ‘Information and accuracy attainable in the estimation of statistical parameters’, was published in 1945 in the Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathematical Society, a journal that is otherwise not well known to the statistics community.

* The paper was subsequently included in the book Breakthroughs in Statistics, 1890-1990. This was an impressive achievement given Rao was only 25 at the time and had just completed his master’s degree in statistics two years prior.

About the C.R. Rao

* Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao, born in Karnataka in 1920, is an Emeritus Eberly professor in the statistics department at Pennsylvania State University. He played a significant role in establishing the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata and has been associated with the institute since 1941. Rao holds PhD and ScD degrees from Cambridge University.

* In addition to being awarded the Padma Bhusan in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001, Rao was the recipient of the SS Bhatnagar Prize in 1963 and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1967. He also received the Wilks Medal of the American Statistical Association in 1979 and the US National Medal of Science in 2002.

* Throughout his career, Rao has held various positions such as Jawaharlal Nehru professor and national professor in India, university professor at the University of Pittsburgh, and Eberly professor and chair of statistics and director of the Center for Multivariate Analysis at the Pennsylvania State University.