Correct Answer :   24th April 2023

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Renowned Pakistan-born Canadian columnist and famous television personality Tarek Fatah died on Monday (24th April 2023) at the age of 73.

* The author, based in Canada, died after a long-drawn battle with cancer.

* Tarek Fatah was born on November 20, 1949, in Karachi, Pakistan.

* He migrated to Canada in the early 1980s and worked as a political activist, journalist, and television host. He also authored several books including, 'Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State' and 'The Jew is Not My Enemy: Unveiling the Myths that Fuel Muslim Anti-Smitism.'

* Mr. Fatah was known for his progressive views on Islam and his fiery stance on Pakistan. He called himself an 'Indian born in Pakistan' and a 'Punjabi born into Islam'.

* Soon after his death, tributes poured in on social media. One user wrote, ''Too hard to process, Tarek Fatah is gone. Rest in power, my friend, guide and family. We shall meet again! Om Shanti"

* Actor Ranvir Shorey commented, "Deeply saddened to know this. He was one of the bravest & wisest people I have known. May his noble soul rest with the Almighty in heaven. He did more than his share of good in this world. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family, and his countless admirers across the world."..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   20

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Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has declared the last week of April as “Swagat Saptah” in commemoration of the completion of 20 years of the “State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology” (SWAGAT) initiative, which was launched by Narendra Modi during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 24th April 2003.

As part of this initiative, a technology-based system was developed to address grievances, and on the last Thursday of each month, the Chief Minister personally listens to the complaints of citizens in the presence of relevant officials.

To mark the occasion, the Chief Minister’s office trained village panchayat sarpanches, talatis, newly-appointed mamlatdars, and taluka development officers. On April 27, the last day of the celebration, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will conduct an online Swagat event, which will be attended by Narendra Modi virtually.

Significance of the Swagat initiative :
Over the past twenty years, the Swagat initiative has successfully resolved the grievances of numerous citizens in Gujarat and has received recognition at both national and international levels. Notably, it was honored with the United Nations’ Public Service Award in 2010...

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   Bengaluru

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On Tuesday, April 25, Bengaluru, India’s technological hub, is poised to witness a unique celestial event known as “Zero Shadow Day,” according to the Astronomical Society of India (ASI).

During this event, any vertical objects in the city will not cast any shadows, due to the sun’s position directly overhead. The phenomenon is expected to occur at around 12:17 PM and will last for a brief period.

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Koramangala, Bengaluru, has made arrangements to observe the event, while citizens across the city are also geared up to witness it.


What is Zero Shadow Day :

Zero Shadow Day is a rare and unique phenomenon that occurs at different times in different locations on Earth. During this brief period, the sun is precisely overhead at noon without any tilt. Normally, the sun’s position is slightly tilted to the north or south and not directly overhead.

The Astronomical Society of India (ASI) explains that on Zero Shadow Day, “the Sun’s declination will be equal to the latitude twice – once during Uttarayan and once during Dakshinayan. On these two days, the Sun will be exactly overhead at noon and will not cast a shadow of an object on the ground.”

Zero Shadow Day occurs twice a year in locations between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, such as Bengaluru. In Bengaluru, it will take place on April 25th and August 18th.

Correct Answer :   April 24

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India celebrates National Panchayati Raj Day every year on April 24 to commemorate the constitutional change that established the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

PRIs are considered the third tier of the government. It manages the local-level administration in rural areas. The first Panchayati Raj system was initiated in the year 1993 on this day.

National Panchayati Raj Day History : In India, the Panchayati Raj system has existed since the ancient era. The Sanskrit term "panch" means five and "ayat" means assembly. In India, the panchayat system was widely used throughout the Mauryan era, which began in approximately 300 BCE. Local self-government was the standard practice and the administration was decentralised throughout that time.

The Panchayati Raj system was initially implemented in contemporary India in 1959 under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru. The 73rd Amendment Act of the Indian Constitution provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj system. The three-tiered PRI system includes villages, blocks, and districts.

National Panchayati Raj Day Significance : The significance of National Panchayati Raj Day lies in the value of local democracy and self-government in India. The PRIs are in charge of carrying out government policies and projects at a local level to ensure rural development. They play a crucial role in securing women and other marginalised groups to help them participate in various decision-making processes in society.

The day serves as an opportunity to recognise the role that Panchayati Raj institutions in the advancement of rural communities. It offers a chance to evaluate the Panchayati Raj system's implementation status and pinpoint areas that need improvement.

National Panchayati Raj Day 2023 Theme : "Sustainable Panchayat: Building Healthy, Water Sufficient, Clean & Green Villages" is the theme for National Panchayati Raj Day in 2023.

Observing this day guarantees the availability of clean water, encourages healthy lifestyle choices, and fosters a clean and green environment. It also throws light on supporting sustainable development in rural regions..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   21st April 2023

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Noted economist and veteran BJD leader "Trilochan Kanungo" died due to old age-related ailments on friday (21st April 2023).

* The three-term MLA and one-time MP was undergoing treatment at a private hospital here since March 30.

* His younger brother Panchanan Kanungo is a Congress politician.

* Trilochan Kanungo was a former chairman of Cuttack Municipality and ex-chairperson of the state finance commission.

* Born on November 24, 1940 at Badamulei village in Cuttack district, Mr Kanungo was residing in Sheikh Bazaar area of Cuttack city for the last few years.

* Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and others expressed grief over Mr Kanungo's demise.

* Patnaik said his funeral will be held with full state honours during the day..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

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The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has successfully completed the Bihar portion of the Barauni Guwahati pipeline (BGPL) under the ambitious Pradhanmantri Urja Ganga project.

The completion of the pipeline will connect six districts in Bihar to the National Gas Grid, transforming the energy landscape of India.

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has applauded the MoPNG for the successful completion of the Bihar portion of the pipeline, stating that it will significantly contribute to the progress of Bihar.

Pradhanmantri Urja Ganga project Aim : To provide uninterrupted supply of environment-friendly and affordable natural gas across the country. With the completion of the Bihar portion of the BGPL, households, industries, and transportation sectors in the six districts of Bihar will have access to clean and affordable natural gas.

The project is not only expected to boost economic growth but also improve the quality of life for the people in the region. The successful completion of the Bihar portion of the pipeline is a significant milestone in the project, and it is expected to further accelerate the pace of development in Bihar.

The MoPNG has been working tirelessly to ensure the timely completion of the project, and the successful completion of the Bihar portion of the pipeline is a testament to their hard work and dedication.

The Pradhanmantri Urja Ganga project is set to transform the energy landscape of India and provide a major boost to the country's economic growth..

Source : PSU Connect

Correct Answer :   Mongolia

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Mongolia will have its first oil refinery up and running by 2025. The first phase of the $1.2 billion Indian soft loan-funded Mongol Oil Refinery will be finished by the end of the year.

Given that Russia is the only source of energy imports for Mongolia, the development has strategic ramifications.

Mongolia refinery to be built by India by 2025 :

* The refinery will enable Mongolia to satisfy 70% of its domestic demand.

* According to the nation’s ambassador, Dambajav Ganbold, the first oil refinery in Mongolia, which is being constructed on the outskirts of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar with funding from India, would be finished by 2025.

* Mongolia also intends to entice investment from India in its mining and metals industries with intentions to start shipping coking coal to India by 2024.


What all Mongolia have to offer?

* Important rare earth metals are also found in Mongolia, which may be essential to India’s plans to develop cutting-edge technical capabilities in semiconductors and sustainable transportation.

* Indian businesses have already travelled to Mongolia to investigate these possibilities. It is anticipated that regular direct flights between Mongolia and India will be established in order to enable these exchanges.

* India is Mongolia’s significant “third neighbour” in this area. This is one of the foreign policy’s key ideas, and it first came up because of Mongolia’s two large neighbours, Russia and China.

* So, in order for Mongolia to be an independent state, it is needed to establish contact with a third neighbour.

* This provides Mongolia the chance to expand and strengthen collaboration both locally and globally.

* Since Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Mongolia in 2015, the governments have agreed to build the country’s first oil refinery.

* This refinery project, which comprises four packages, is currently in full swing.

* Right now, the first package, or EPC 1, is more than 70% finished, and it will be finished this year.

* Following the tender procedure for the final three packages, Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited was chosen.

* Mongolia’s Independence and energy security will increase thanks to the refinery...

Correct Answer :   100

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The Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has asked States and Union Territories to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country.

Aim : The aim of this project is to encourage safe and healthy practices to reduce food-borne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes, said the Health Ministry.

* The initiative is being taken up as a pilot project to create an example for best practices for food businesses.

* In a letter to States, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi said that easy access to safe and hygienic food is vital for the good health of citizens.

* The communication further said that safe food practices would not only boost the “eat right campaign” and food safety but also improve the hygiene credibility of local food businesses. Other benefits would include local employment opportunities, improvement in tourism potential and a boost to the economy.

* The initiative will be implemented through the National Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and with technical support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

* Financial assistance of ₹1 crore per food street/district will be given to States and Union Territories.

* The project envisages 100 such food streets in 100 districts across the country.

* Assistance will be provided under the NHM in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10, with the condition that standard branding of these food streets will be done as per FSSAI guidelines..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Sarbananda Sonowal

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Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts, IIT - Discovery Campus at Chennai in Tamil Nadu on 24th April 2023.

* Under the Sagarmala Programme, the centre has been established in IIT Chennai at a cost of 77 Crore rupees.

* The institute acts as a technological arm of the Ministry and develops cutting-edge technologies and application products to provide solutions to various challenges faced by the Ports and Shipping Sector.

* The Institute has world-class capabilities for undertaking 2D and 3D investigations of research and consultancy nature for the Port, Coastal, and Waterway sector across all disciplines.

* It also empowers Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of the country...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Government is working ceaselessly to bridge the gap between villages and cities.

* On the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations, addressing all the Gram Sabhas and Panchayati Raj Institutions of the country 24th April 2023 from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Panchayats are being made smart in this age of the digital revolution. Technology is being harnessed in the projects being undertaken by the Panchayats, he added.
 
* Highlighting the importance of developing the social system, economy, and Panchayati Raj system in the villages of India to create a developed nation, the Prime Minister pointed out that the present Government is working tirelessly to create a robust system in place and expanding its scope, unlike the previous governments that discriminated with the Panchayats.
 
* Throwing light on the lack of efforts made by the previous governments before 2014, the Prime Minister informed that the Finance Commission granted less than 70,000 crore rupees which was a paltry amount when one considers the scale of the country, but after 2014, this grant was increased to more than two lakh crore rupees.
 
* He also mentioned that merely 6,000 Panchayat Bhawans were constructed before 2014, whereas the present Government constructed more than 30,000 Panchayat Bhawans in the last eight years.
 
* He also informed that less than 70 Gram Panchayats were connected with optical fiber compared to more than two lakh Gram Panchayats that got optical fibre connectivity after the present Government came to power.
 
* In this function, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated projects worth more than 17 thousand crores.

* He has also inaugurated the integrated e-Gram Swaraj and GeM portal for public procurement at the Panchayat level.

* Objective : To enable Panchayats to market their goods and services through GeM

* With the handing over of around 35 lakh Swamitva Property Cards, about 1 crore 25 lakh property cards have been distributed under this scheme in the country.

Source : AIR