Correct Answer :   August 10th

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Every year on August 10, World Lion Day is observed to highlight the importance of these majestic creatures and to garner support for their conservation.

This day is also an opportunity to learn about the importance of lions in the natural world and the potential impacts of their extinction on humanity.

Gujarat state in India is the only place outside of Africa where it is possible to witness lions in their natural habitat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated the Asiatic Lion as an endangered species because of its limited population and constrained habitat.


World Lion Day History :

The history of World Lion Day can be traced back to the decline of lion populations by approximately 80 per cent in the past century. This decline prompted the establishment of World Lion Day in 2013, with conservation enthusiasts Dereck and Beverly Joubert taking the lead. These individuals collaborated with National Geographic and initiated the Big Cat Initiative (BCI) in 2009 to safeguard and preserve the world's remaining lion species.

World Lion Day  Significance :

* World Lion Day is significant because it serves as a reminder of the crucial role lions play in ecology and the environment. These apex predators contribute to the overall ecological balance by regulating herbivore populations.

* The Asiatic Lion, sometimes known as the Persian or Indian Lion, was once common throughout parts of Asia. But over time, the species disappeared from these places. In India, large-scale hunting of animals by local and British authorities caused a drop in their population. This led to their extinction in certain regions of North India by the 1880s. Gujarat is now the sole remaining habitat for Asiatic Lions.


Number of lions in India :

A Guardian report suggests that there are now about 400 lions living in the Gir National Park and another 300 in other locations throughout Gujarat, which represents a considerable rise in the population of these threatened species. Owing to insufficient space, lions in the Gir National Park have ventured into settlements and agricultural areas. Over the years, conservationists have demanded that the government move lions to another part of the country to prevent overcrowding of lions at Gir..


Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Jammu and Kashmir

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The Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft from Rajouri district and Mushqbudji Rice of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir have now received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.

Geographical Indications (GI) is a form of Intellectual Property right that identifies goods originating from a specific geographical location and having distinct nature, quality and characteristics linked to that location.

The process for GI Tagging of nine products was started by NABARD in consultation with and support from the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom and Department of Agriculture in December 2020, during the difficult times of COVID.

The GI tags have now finally been granted to these 02 products after a long legal process. In total, four products have been granted GI tag with NABARD support.

Bhallamudi Sridhar, Chief General Manager, NABARD, thanked the concerned departments of the UT government and congratulated all the GI applicant organizations.

He further informed that earlier this year in March Basohli Painting of Kathua and Ladakh Wood Carving of Ladakh got GI tag through NABARD support.

Further 05 more products of J&K are in the final stages of getting GI Tag.

Chikri is a pale, honey-coloured, fine grained softwood found in hill ranges of Rajouri district of Jammu province. The Chikri woodcraft of Rajouri is characterized by intricate carving and detailing.

Similarly, Mushqbudji Rice is a premium variety of short bold aromatic rice grown in higher reaches of the Kashmir valley especially in Anantnag district.

The cooked Mushqbudji Rice is unique and possesses a harmonious blend of taste, aroma and rich organoleptic properties.

After GI tagging only an authorized user has the exclusive rights to use the Geographical Indication in relation to these products. Due to this, no person can copy it from beyond their geographical areas.

This will prevent unauthorized use of these registered Geographical Indication goods by third parties, will boost exports and promote their brands at international level, thereby promoting economic prosperity of producers and related stakeholders including contribution to GDP of the country..

Source : KNN India

Correct Answer :   Mulyo Handoyo

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Indonesian Mulyo Handoyo has been appointed as the singles head coach at the National Center of Excellence in Guwahati, with the Badminton Association of India (BAI) also roping in two more foreign coaches for the newly-constructed facility.

Former All England champion Russian Ivan Sozonov will be the doubles coach, while Korea’s Park Tae-sang, who guided PV Sindhu to a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will be the third foreign coach.

Besides, there will also be a big pool of Indian coaches who will be working closely with foreign coaches.

The NCoE, a joint venture of the Assam Government and BAI, will be inaugurated on Friday (4th Aug 2023) in Guwahati.

The state-of-the-art facility has a whopping 24 badminton courts with hostel facilities, a seating capacity of around 3000 spectators, a gym, and a yoga centre.

BAI has big plans and this excellence centre and the appointment of these three coaches—Mulyo, Sozonov and Park—are the first step, Sanjay Mishra, general secretary.

Hand-picked talents will be made part of this centre, and they will be given foreign exposure and every other necessary facility. We are grateful to our sponsors and partners for making this happen. I am confident that in a year’s time you will be able to see the impact and changes.

The Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad and the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bangalore have been the main hubs, with most Indian players training in these two centres until now.

The presence of top foreign coaches at the NCoE will be a major boost for Indian badminton, as now the junior camps and some of the senior camps can be organised here.

The legendary Mulyo, who is credited for coaching 2004 Athens Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat, made a huge impact during his one-year stint with the Indian national team..

Source : Sport Star

Correct Answer :   6.5%

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today (10th August 2023) kept the key lending rate unchanged at 6.5% for the third time in a row, but said inflation rates are likely to rise led by vegetable prices.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said Monetary Policy Committee has unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged. This means the loan interest rates too are likely to remain unchanged.

The Indian economy is exuding enhanced strength and stability despite global shocks, said the Governor, adding that it is contributing 15% to global growth. The country is uniquely placed to benefit from the ongoing transformational shifts, he said.

The central bank raised the inflation forecast for the current financial year from 5.1% to 5.4%, citing rising vegetable prices.

The inflation rate shot up from 4.3% in May to 4.8% in June, with the figure expected to rise further in July and August.

"A spike in tomato prices led to accentuating food inflation in July 2023," said the Governor, stating that the price rise was short-term and it will reduce in the coming months.

Mr Das said the cumulative rate hikes taken so far are working their way into the economy.

The developments require heightened vigil on the evolving inflation trajectory, said Mr Das, adding that the domestic economic activity is holding up well and is likely to retain momentum.

The RBI also kept the growth forecast for the current fiscal unchanged at 6.5% and the real GDP growth for the first quarter of the next fiscal at an estimated 6.6%..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   6th

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India, a rapidly developing nation in the realm of technology and connectivity, has achieved an overall score of 43 percent in the Internet Resilience Index (IRI). This achievement positions India as the sixth-ranked country in the South Asian region.

The IRI, developed by the global non-profit organization Internet Society, provides a comprehensive assessment of a country’s internet ecosystem, taking into account factors such as security, performance, infrastructure, and market readiness.


Security Stepping Up: India’s IPv6 Adoption :

The country’s security ranking has been deemed above average, largely attributed to its exceptional adoption of the latest Internet Protocol, IPv6. As the world grapples with the expansion of networks and the depletion of IPv4 addresses, India has taken a leading stance by embracing IPv6, which supports the ever-growing demand for internet-connected devices.

A Glimpse at the South Asian Landscape :

Top 5 countries in the Internet Resilience Index (IRI) :

Deconstructing the Pillars: Infrastructure, Performance, Security, and Market Readiness

Delving deeper into the IRI assessment, India’s scores across the four crucial pillars provide valuable insights into specific areas of strengths and weaknesses.

* Infrastructure (31 percent) : This pillar evaluates the physical infrastructure available for internet connectivity in India. Notably, India’s mobile coverage surpasses its fixed network coverage, indicating the country’s reliance on mobile networks for internet access.

* Performance (40 percent) : Performance assesses the ability of India’s networks to deliver seamless and reliable internet services to end-users. Surprisingly, India’s mobile performance lags significantly behind its fixed network performance, with mobile scoring at 29 percent compared to fixed network’s 55 percent.

* Security (66 percent) : Security measures the resilience of India’s networks against intentional or unintentional disruptions through the adoption of security technologies and best practices. India’s notable adoption of IPv6 likely contributes to its strong security ranking.

* Market Readiness (35 percent) : This pillar evaluates India’s ability to regulate its internet market and provide affordable prices to end-users. The relatively low score here suggests room for improvement in fostering a diverse and competitive market.

Correct Answer :   9th August 2023

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Renowned author and vice-president of Samata Parishad, Mr. Hari Narke, passed away in Mumbai 9th August 2023 after suffering a heart attack. He was 70.

Mr. Narke was the professor of Mahatma Phule chair at Savitribai Phule Pune University and a former member of the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission.

He was also a member of the Rangnath Pathare committee which was formed to collect evidence to prove Marathi as a classical language.
 
In his condolence message, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the State has lost an intellectual who was a pillar for the preservation and promotion of progressive ideology.
 

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the State has lost a great researcher and guide, who was critical to effectively propagating the thoughts and ideals of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Dr. B R Ambedkar.
 
Recalling Mr. Narke as someone who was at the forefront to fight for OBC rights, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said Mr. Narke was not only a scholar but a foot soldier for all those who belonged to the weaker and marginalized sections of the society..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   15

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Coal/Lignite PSUs have established 15 Eco-parks during the last 5 years. No fund has been allocated by the Government for Eco-parks.

* Expenditure on establishment, maintenance and upkeep of Eco-parks are funded by respective Coal/Lignite PSUs.

* The State-wise and year-wise details of Eco-parks, including the details of completion time, initial amount of fund allocated by Coal/Lignite PSUs and the extra funds needed are given at Annexure-I.

 The details of estimated funds for new eco-parks by Coal/Lignite PSUs are given at Annexure-II.

Eco-parks were developed by Coal/Lignite PSUs for recreational purpose of nearby localities and no revenue earned from these Eco-parks is spent on development of the mining areas. However, Kenapara Eco-Park, SECL, Chhattisgarh is run and maintained by local Self-Help Groups to promote mine tourism. These Self-Help Groups are also earning revenues from floating restaurant, pisciculture and boating facilities of the Kenapara Eco-park for their livelihood.

Annexure-I : State-wise and year-wise details of eco parks set up by Coal/Lignite PSUs during the last five years :

Annexure-II : Details of new eco parks to be set up by Coal/Lignite PSUs along with estimated funds :

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Tehmasp Printer

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International Gemological Institute ("IGI"), a Blackstone portfolio company, announced that Roland Lorie, current CEO, will step down after spending nearly five decades building the largest network of gemological laboratories and schools worldwide and playing a pivotal role in cementing its reputation as a pioneer in the certification of natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, colored stones and finished jewelry.

Tehmasp Printer has been appointed as Global CEO of IGI, effective October 1, 2023.

Tehmasp Printer has more than 30 years of experience in managing and leading businesses.

He has been with IGI for 24 years, most recently as Managing Director of IGI India, and was instrumental in introducing IGI's grading and certification practices to India's gemstone and jewelry industries.

Roland Lorie, current CEO, said : "Selecting Tehmasp as the new leader of IGI was effortless – he has been with IGI for more than two decades and knows the business inside and out. He brings a commitment to excellence and innovation that can help propel the company into its new chapter. On behalf of my family, we are incredibly proud of the stellar reputation, teams, and trust that we've built over the last 50 years. I feel it's the perfect time to pass on the baton to new leadership, and my best wishes are with Tehmasp."

Printer said : "I am honored to take on this new role, working closely with IGI's management team and Blackstone to continue to support the growth of IGI's footprint and technological capabilities. Roland and the Lorie family have left a lasting legacy for the business, which today has become a world leader in the certification of natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and colored stones. I am confident that with Blackstone's scale, expertise, and track record of building phenomenal businesses, IGI can continue to pave innovation in the industry and provide confidence to manufacturers, retailers and consumers around the world."

Founded in 1975 in Antwerp by the Lorie family, IGI is a global leader in independent certification of diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry, with a global footprint of 29 laboratories and 18 schools of gemology across 10 countries. IGI is the world's first gemological laboratory to hold ISO accreditation in both natural and lab-grown diamonds. Since 2005, IGI has pioneered the certification of lab-grown diamonds, paving the authentication and standardization of a rapidly growing industry..

Source : PR News Wire

Correct Answer :   33%

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India’s greenhouse emissions rate dropped by a faster-than-expected 33% in 14 years as renewable energy generation rose and forest cover increased, according to two officials privy to latest assessment made for submission to the United Nations.

The report’s findings showed India well on the way to meeting a commitment to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to reduce emissions intensity by 45% from the 2005 level by 2030.

India’s rate of emissions intensity – the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted for every unit increase of gross domestic product (GDP) – fell by 33% from 2005 to 2019, officials privy to the preparations of the Third National Communication (TNC) report said.

Many countries are preparing their TNC reports to update the UNFCCC on their efforts to mitigate emissions.

India’s average rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% annually in the period 2016-2019, from just about 1.5% in the period 2014-2016.

It was the fastest reduction so far, and was largely attributable to the government’s push towards renewables, even as fossil fuel continues to dominate the energy mix.

“There is continuous reduction in the emission intensity of the Indian economy, which shows the country has been able to completely decouple its economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions,” one official, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

The progress made on reducing emissions intensity should help India avert pressure by developed nations to stop using coal, the second official said.

This official said a substantial increase in forest cover and schemes promoting non-fossil generation and targeting emissions in industrial, automotive and energy sectors has led to the sharp reduction in India’s emissions intensity.

As of 2019, forests and trees covered 24.56%, or 80.73 million hectares, of India.

Recently, India has also been trying to promote green hydrogen, manufactured by splitting water molecules using renewable energy.

A third official said the report is yet to be ratified by the federal cabinet.

India’s environment ministry did not respond to queries sent on Monday (7th Aug 2023) by Reuters.

Central Electricity Authority data shows that non-fossil fuel-based power – including hydro, nuclear and renewable energy – accounted for 25.3% of India’s total power generation in the fiscal year that ended in March, up from 24.6% three years earlier.

Thermal power stations still provide 73% of the electricity consumed, down from about 75% in 2019.

The Group of 20 (G20) major economies failed twice last month to agree on phasing out the use of fossil fuels and on setting concrete targets to cut emissions.

Developing countries including India are resisting higher emission reduction targets, arguing that industrialised nations unfettered use of fossil fuels have depleted resources..

--Reuters.

Correct Answer :   India Defence Ministry

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India's Defence Ministry will install an indigenously developed operating system called Maya OS, replacing Microsoft's Windows, on all its computers by the end of this year (2023). By doing this, the ministry expects to protect its computers from cyberattacks. The OS will soon be adopted by Armed Forces.


What is Maya OS?

* Maya OS is a new operating system developed by the Union Ministry of Defence to protect its computer systems from cyberattacks. It is based on the open-source Ubuntu platform, which means it uses free and publicly available software. Maya OS aims to provide a robust defence against cyber threats by offering an interface and functionalities that are similar to that of Windows OS, ensuring a seamless transition for users.

* Maya OS also comes with a feature called Chakravyuh, which is an end-point anti-malware and antivirus software that creates a virtual layer between the user and the internet, preventing hackers from accessing sensitive data. Maya OS is expected to be installed in all the computers of the Defence Ministry by the end of this year.

The development of the OS :

* The development of Maya OS started in 2021 after India faced several cyberattacks from foreign actors that targeted its critical infrastructure and defence systems. The Defence Ministry decided to replace Microsoft Windows with a locally built OS that would be more secure and reliable.

* A team of experts from various government agencies, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), worked on developing Maya OS based on the open-source Ubuntu platform.

* The team also collaborated with Indian software companies and academic institutions to test and improve the OS. The OS was developed in six months, according to people in the know.


What's in a name?

* Maya OS is named after the ancient Indian concept of illusion, which refers to the deceptive appearance of reality. The name reflects the idea that hackers will be faced with maya or illusion when they try to hack into Defence Ministry computer systems.

* Maya OS also draws inspiration from the ancient Indian art of warfare, as it uses a feature called Chakravyuh, which is a multi-layered defensive formation that was used in the epic Mahabharata.

* Chakravyuh is an end-point anti-malware and antivirus software that creates a virtual layer between the user and the internet, blocking any malicious attempts to access or compromise the data.

User interface :

Maya OS is designed to provide a user-friendly and familiar interface for its users, as it mimics the look and feel of Windows. It also supports various applications and software that are commonly used by the Defence Ministry, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD, etc. Maya OS also offers features such as cloud storage, encryption, digital signature, biometric authentication, etc. that would enhance its security and functionality.


Timeline of rollout and adoption :* The Defence Ministry has said that Maya OS will not only improve its cybersecurity but also reduce its dependence on foreign software and promote indigenous innovation.

* The Defence Ministry has also said that Maya OS will soon be adopted by the other branches of the Indian armed forces, such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as they have already vetted and evaluated the OS..


Source : CNBC TV