Correct Answer :   South Africa

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The Republic of South Africa from 22-24 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, to attend the 15th BRICS Summit being held in Johannesburg under the South African Chairmanship.

BRICS has been pursuing a strong cooperation agenda across various sectors. We value that BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of concern for the entire Global South, including development imperatives and reform of the multilateral system. This Summit will provide a useful opportunity for BRICS to identify future areas of cooperation and review institutional development.

During my stay in Johannesburg, I will also participate in BRICS–Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue event that will be held as part of the BRICS Summit activities. I look forward to interacting with a number of guest countries that have been invited to participate in this event.

I also look forward to holding bilateral meetings with some of the Leaders present in Johannesburg.

From South Africa, I will travel to Athens, Greece on 25 August 2023 at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece. This will be my first visit to this ancient land. I have the honour to be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after 40 years.

Contacts between our two civilizations stretch back over two millennia. In modern times, our ties have been strengthened by shared values of democracy, rule of law and pluralism. Cooperation in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defence, and cultural and people-to-people contacts have been bringing our two countries closer.

I look forward to my visit to Greece opening a new chapter in our multifacted relationship..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Saudi Arabia

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The Saudi Environment Ministry has launched a program to combat desertification using artificial intelligence (AI).

The program, which is a collaboration between the ministry, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Aim : To study the status of vegetative cover in the Kingdom and contribute to the goals of afforestation projects and the "Green Saudi" initiative.

Desertification is a major challenge facing Saudi Arabia, an arid country that is already experiencing the effects of climate change. The program will use AI to analyze satellite imagery and other data to identify areas that are most vulnerable to desertification. Remote sensing technologies will be used to monitor vegetation cover, Rainfall, plant health and track its changes over time.

The program will also develop strategies to mitigate the effects of desertification, such as planting trees and shrubs, improving water management, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The launch of the program is a significant step in Saudi Arabia's efforts to combat desertification and achieve its sustainability goals. The program will use cutting-edge technologies to help the Kingdom protect its natural resources and build a more sustainable future.

In addition to the AI-powered program, Saudi Arabia is also implementing a number of other initiatives to combat desertification. These include the "Green Saudi" initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees across the country, and the "National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification", which is working to develop drought-resistant plants and improve water management practices.

Saudi Arabia has activated 77 initiatives to help reach the three targets under the Saudi Green Initiative and achieve long-lasting positive change. The initiatives range from afforestation and biodiversity protection to emissions reduction and establishing new protected areas. Under SGI, Saudi Arabia is delivering against its aspirations to create a greener future for all, and is putting action and investment behind the country's commitment to sustainable development.

The forthcoming Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum, to be held in Riyadh on 23-24 October 2023, is set to be a milestone in the historic effort to transform the oil-based economy of Saudi Arabia into a cleaner and more sustainable one.

In addition to planting 10 billion trees (covering 30 percent of total land area), the SGI aims to create vast protected zones, conserve marine life around the coasts and encourage alternative forms of agriculture. One key aspect of this sea change will be the contribution of technology to the greening of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is around 2 million square kilometers in area, with multiple terrain types and a diverse mixture of vegetation, including forests, pastures, coastlines, and islands. Now, the government is deploying AI and remote sensing to make studying and monitoring these environments more efficient...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Shivraj Singh Chouhan

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In Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated, on the Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao yojna means 'Chief Minister's Learn-Earn' scheme is starting 22nd August 2023.

The scheme has facilitated on-the-job training on the lines of 'learn and earn along with skill development,

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the scheme 22nd Aug 2023 by distributing contract letters to the youth.

The state government is targeted to include one lakh youth in the first phase of the 'Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao' scheme.

However, more than 8 lakh 69 thousand youths have already registered themselves so far. A total of 16 thousand 450 establishments have also been registered.

These establishments have published around 69 thousand posts for the registered youth. Out of them, contracts have also been signed for more than 14 thousand posts.

The 'Mukhyamantri Sikho-Kamao' scheme has been started for the youth in the age group of 18 to 29 years. Under the scheme, the selected youth will be given training according to the requirements of the industries and also get an 8 to 10 thousand rupees stipend..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport

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Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport became the first airport in the northeast to get ‘Digi Yatra’ facility.

The Digi Yatra service will be available in three major areas of the airport, namely - first entrance, check-in and boarding areas.

Assam Industries & Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary while speaking on the occasion said (as quoted by PTI), "Earlier, people needed to wait in long queues at Guwahati airport. This will be a thing of the past from now,"

Meanwhile, Union Civil Aviation Secretary Rajeev Bansal while noting that Digi Yatra is a new initiative and more progress will be made in the future said, “Passengers will be able to register their documents on the ‘Digi Yatra’ app and enter the airport by scanning their faces. The gate will open as soon as the face will be recognised on the camera,"

Utpal Baruah, Chief Airport Officer, LBBI, noted that the facility will make air travel hassle-free and hoped that a majority of passengers in the North East will use this facility in future.

He added that the Digi Yatra facility is currently available only for Indigo and Akasa passengers at Guwahati airport, but added that it will soon be offered by other airlines as well.

What is Digi Yatra initiative?

According to a release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Digi Yatra uses facial recognition technology to provide a seamless and hassle-free experience to passengers at airports. The aim of Digi Yatra facility is to eliminate the need for verification of tickets and IDs at various touch points.

The ministry noted that no personally identifiable information (PII) of passengers is stored during the Digi Yatra process and all passenger data is encrypted and stored in their smartphone wallet..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Kiran Mani

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In a strategic move to bolster its digital business operations, Viacom18 has welcomed Kiran Mani, a seasoned executive from Google, as the new CEO.

Mani’s impressive track record and extensive experience position him well to lead Viacom18’s digital endeavors.

Currently serving as the General Manager and MD for Android and Google Play in the Asia Pacific region, Mani’s 13-year tenure at Google underscores his deep understanding of digital markets.


A Proven Leader with Digital Expertise :

Kiran Mani’s longstanding association with Google speaks volumes about his ability to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital platforms. His role as the head of Android and Google Play in the Asia Pacific region has equipped him with valuable insights into user behaviors, content consumption patterns, and market trends. This expertise will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in his new role as CEO of Viacom18’s digital business.

Pioneering Expansion of JioCinema :

One of the significant responsibilities that Mani will shoulder is spearheading the expansion of JioCinema. This task aligns with Viacom18’s strategic vision to enhance its digital offerings and tap into the burgeoning digital content market. JioCinema, under Mani’s guidance, is poised to reach new heights, benefiting from his strategic acumen and digital industry insights.


Building on a Legacy of Industry Experts :

Viacom18’s recruitment of Kiran Mani follows a trend of industry experts joining the company’s ranks. Previously, Viacom18 welcomed Kevin Vaz, an accomplished professional from Disney Star, as CEO of TV and digital (regional entertainment). Alok Jain, another former Disney Star executive, has also become a part of Viacom18 as President and Head of Colors Hindi and Regional. These strategic hires underline Viacom18’s commitment to assembling a leadership team that brings diverse expertise and a deep understanding of the media and entertainment landscape.

Correct Answer :   Raja Anirudh Sriram

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Raja Anirudh Sriram, a fourth-standard student of Tirupati, has bagged a silver medal at the Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC).

The eight-year-old was the lone participant from Andhra Pradesh among the 23 Indians who attended the event. More than 2000 students from 32 countries participated in the prestigious event, where Raja Anirudh came up with flying colours.

The little boy’s inclination towards mathematics is quite evident from the way he won national and international awards, including the International Maths Olympiad (IMO) and ABACUS mental mathematics.

At the age of four, he got a place in the India Book of Records for identifying 100 cars in 160 seconds. At six, he became the youngest Indian to get the ‘Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate’. At the age of seven and eight years, he won bronze medals for consecutive years in the first level of the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO).

On Monday (21st August 2023), Tirupati district Collector K. Venkataramana Reddy appreciated the boy for his accomplishment and also congratulated his parents, Saket Ram and Anjana Sravani, for nurturing the young talent..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   India and Samoa

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The 1st Foreign Office Consultations FOC between India and Samoa was held in Apia 21st August 2023. Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Samoa Ms. Peseta Noumea Simi co-chaired the meeting.

Both sides discussed their wide-ranging bilateral relations including their development partnership covering areas such as health, Information and Communications Technology ICT, Education, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises SME, and capacity building.

They also discussed follow-up on Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation FIPIC III Summit, as well as regional and global issues, and cooperation in the framework of the Pacific Islands Forum PIF, Commonwealth, and United Nations. Samoa will host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM on 21st of October 2024.

Secretary (East) called on Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. He also visited Indian developemental project sites in areas of health and ICT, and interacted with a group of ITEC alumni. Both sides also agreed to hold FOC on a regular basis..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Jitendra Singh

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The Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh launched (21st August 2023) the CSIR Prima ET11, the first indigenous e-Tractor developed by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur.

The role of Agri StartUps in India’s economy and called for the adoption of new and AI driven technologies in Agriculture.

The Minister said, an increasing number of new Startups are venturing into the Agriculture sector, focussing on niche technologies including e-Tractor, recycling garbage, drip irrigation, Genome sequenced farming such as Mango and Lotus, he said.

“This is one sector in which India has rather not taken up the pace that was required,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding, “This is a huge unexplored resource, which is only exclusive to India. Those countries which had been promoting IT, have been promoting from their point of view because they have their assets; they don’t have the agri asset that we have. So we don’t have to ape them. If I have plenty of agriculture resource, why not I make use of it… Therefore, this route would be a very important component in India’s future economy in the next 25 years.”

Dr Jitendra Singh gave the mantra of 5 S’s, - Showcasing, Stakeholders, Startups, Synergizing and Strategizing Industry linkage, for the success of R&D conducted at Government run scientific laboratories.

“Unless we are able to engage all these five components, we will not be able to achieve the optimum results,” he said.

Calling for an integrated approach, Dr Jitendra Singh advocated close interaction with all stakeholders including the concerned Ministries and wider linkages between the CSIR labs and the Industry. The S&T Minister proposed the creation of a separate cell for encouraging investment.

“In order to sustain yourself, you have to have the involvement of Industry right from Day One,” he said. “We have an Industry which is ready to invest, but they don’t know where and how to invest,” he added.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has created in the last nine years new means of livelihood by opening Ease of Doing Business in the Agriculture sector..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Arunachal Pradesh

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State-owned hydro power giant NHPC has inked an initial pact with Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) to construct railway siding for a 2,880 MW Dibang multipurpose project in Arunachal Pradesh.

"NHPC signed an MoU with RITES for Construction of Railway Siding at Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh) for NHPC's 2,880 MW Dibang Multi Purpose Project at NHPC Corporate Office on 21st August 2023," a company statement said.

According to the statement, the agreement was signed by General Manager (Civil) Dibang and Executive Director, RITES, in the presence of Biswajit Basu, Director (Projects) NHPC at corporate office of NHPC.

NHPC's total installed capacity is 7,097.2 MW of renewable power (including wind and solar) through its 25 power stations, including 1,520 MW through its subsidiary.

RITES Ltd is a leading player in the transport consultancy and engineering sector in India, having diversified services across sectors and geographical reach.

The strategic partnership between NHPC and RITES complements the expertise of both organisations..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   IREDA

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Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), a Mini Ratna (Category – I) Government of India enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has signed a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

The MoU, in alignment with guidelines issued by Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, outlines strategic targets that IREDA aims to achieve during the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25.

As per the MoU, the Government of India has set a Revenue from Operations target for IREDA, of ₹ 4,350 crores for the financial year 2023-24 and ₹ 5,220 crores for 2024-25.

Notably, the company had achieved a Revenue from Operations figure of ₹ 3,482 crores in the preceding fiscal year, against a target of ₹ 3,361 crores.

The government has also specified other key performance parameters in the MoU, including Return on Net Worth, Return on Capital Employed, NPA to Total Loans Ratio, Asset Turnover Ratio, and Earnings per Share.

The MoU was signed by Secretary, MNRE, Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla and Chairperson & Managing Director (CMD), IREDA, Shri Pradip Kumar Das at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi on August 21, 2023. Other senior officials of MNRE and IREDA were also present on the occasion.

CMD, IREDA emphasized the company’s outstanding track record of performance over the past three financial years, positioning the company well to achieve these ambitious targets. The CMD recalled that the company marked an impressive 272% jump in Loan Disbursements and a 30% growth in Profit After Tax (PAT) during the first quarter of FY 2023-24, compared to the corresponding period in FY 2022-23.

Demonstrating sensible financial management, IREDA also achieved a remarkable reduction in Net Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), lowering the figure to 1.61% in Q1, FY 2023-24 from 2.92% in Q1, FY 2022-23. These achievements underscore IREDA's dedication to maintaining financial stability while promoting the Renewable Energy sector, said the CMD.

The CMD informed that IREDA’s track record of consistent excellence is evident by its 'Excellent' rating and over 96 marks secured for the MoU in the preceding three financial years. The company, as on 21st August 2023, has financed 3,137 Renewable Energy projects with cumulative loan sanction of ₹ 1,55,694 crores and loan disbursement of ₹ 1,05,245 crores and has supported Renewable Energy capacity addition of 22,061 MW in the country..

Source : PIB