Correct Answer :   Sandes App

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In a strategic move aimed at bolstering data security and prioritizing indigenous technology, paramilitary forces are set to transition to the ‘Sandes App’ for all official communication and document sharing in the new year. This shift underscores the growing importance of safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring secure messaging platforms within security organizations.


Background :

The decision to adopt the ‘Sandes App’ stems from the prevalent use of WhatsApp for internal communication within paramilitary forces. While WhatsApp has been a popular choice, the paramount emphasis on data safety necessitated a transition to a platform designed and developed in India. The ‘Sandes App,’ developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), emerges as a robust alternative.


What is ‘Sandes App’ and Its Features?

The ‘Sandes’ application is an open source-based indigenous instant messaging platform tailored to meet the stringent security requirements of government organizations. Its key features include:

* End-to-End Encryption : Ensuring secure and private messaging communication.

* Encrypted Backup : Safeguarding data with an additional layer of encryption during backup processes.

* Encrypted OTP Service : Providing secure one-time password services for authentication.

* Data Privacy : The app does not share data with third parties and adheres to the privacy and data policies governed by the Government of India.

Integration with Government Services :

To enhance functionality and efficiency, the ‘Sandes App’ has been seamlessly integrated with NIC email, DigiLocker, and e-office. However, full access to these features is currently available only to government-verified users. Employees of government organizations are required to undergo verification by contacting the Nodal officer of their respective Ministry/Department.


Trial Run and App Readiness :

A trial run of the ‘Sandes App’ identified and rectified several glitches, ensuring a smooth user experience. The updated version of the application is now deemed ready for use, meeting the stringent requirements of paramilitary forces.


Implementation Timeline :

Starting from the first week of January, all paramilitary forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), are advised to transition to the ‘Sandes App’ for all official communication and document sharing.


Government’s Commitment to Secure Technology :

This shift towards the ‘Sandes App’ exemplifies the government’s commitment to utilizing secure and indigenous technology for communication within its organizations. As the focus on data security continues to intensify, this move sets a precedent for other government agencies to prioritize secure messaging platforms and reinforce national cybersecurity measures.

Correct Answer :   Nina Singh

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The Centre on Thursday (28th Dec 2023) appointed Nina Singh as the first woman Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). She will hold the top post till July 31, 2024.

"Nina Singh, IPS (RJ: 89) assumed the charge of DG #CISF engraving a historic milestone as the first woman to helm this esteemed position. Her visionary leadership will usher this multi-skilled and multi-dimensional force to greater heights," CISF wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Smt Nina Singh, IPS (RJ: 89) assumed the charge of DG #CISF engraving a historic milestone as the first woman to helm this esteemed position. Her visionary leadership will usher this multi-skilled and multi -dimensional force to greater heights.@PMOIndia@HMOIndia pic.twitter.com/gQVfoYo0So

— CISF (@CISFHQrs) December 29, 2023

Who is Nina Singh?

* Singh, a 1989-batch IPS officer of Rajasthan cadre, is currently the Special Director General of CISF, which mans airports, Delhi Metro, government buildings and strategic installations throughout the country.

* Nina Singh was inducted into the Indian Police Service (IPS) as a Manipur-cadre officer. However, she later moved to Rajasthan cadre.

All you need to know about Nina Singh, the first woman appointed as CISF chief

* The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Nina Singh's appointment to the post of DG, CISF till July 31, 2024, i.e. the date of her superannuation or till further orders, a Personnel Ministry order stated.

* Nina Singh, who hails from Bihar, studied at the Patna Women’s College and the Jawaharlal Nehru University. She also holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.

* Singh has been a part of CISF since 2021. Her husband Rohit Kumar Singh is also an IAS officer and is currently posted as the Secretary of Union consumer affairs ministry.

* Nina Singh has also served as the Joint Director of CBI previously. At that time, she oversaw high-profile cases including the Sheena Bora murder case and the Jiah Khan suicide case.

* She has been holding the additional charge of CISF DG since the superannuation of Sheel Vardhan Singh on August 31, 2023.

Correct Answer :   27th Dec 2023

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Jacques Delors, former European Commission chief and a founding father of the European Union’s (EU) historic single currency project, has died. He was 98.

* The French socialist and ardent advocate of post-war European integration died in his sleep at his Paris home on Wednesday (27th Dec 2023), his family said.

* Delors served as president of the European Commission for three terms – longer than any other holder of the office – from January 1985 until the end of 1994.

* During Delors’s decade as the European Commission chief, the EU completed its integrated single market and agreed to introduce a single currency, the euro, and built a common foreign and security policy.

* The then-12-nation bloc also set the conditions on his watch for eventually admitting the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

* Delors also served as finance minister under French President Francois Mitterrand from 1981 to 1984.

* But he declined to run for the presidency in 1995 despite being overwhelmingly ahead in the polls, a decision he put down to “a desire for independence that was too great”.

* “I have no regrets,” he said about that decision later. “But I am not saying I was right.”

* The current French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the former EU leader as an “inexhaustible architect of our Europe” and a fighter for human justice..


Source : Aljazeera

Correct Answer :   South Korea

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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed a free trade agreement with South Korea on Thursday (28th Dec 2023), its second trade deal this year, as the six-member bloc intensifies efforts to boost investment ties with major economic partners in Asia.

South Korea will remove tariffs on almost 90% of all items, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other petroleum products, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, while the Gulf states will scrap tariffs on 76.4% of traded products and 4% of traded goods.

The FTA will also cover trade in goods, services, government procurement, as well as cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), customs procedures, intellectual property, among others, a GCC statement said.

The GCC has signed few FTAs due to the complications of navigating competing priorities within the bloc, and talks such as those with China, which began in 2004, can take years.

Trade talks have, however, gathered momentum as Gulf states - largely dependent on oil and gas for revenue - seek to diversify their economies and develop new sources of income.

Trade between the Gulf and South Korea jumped to $78 billion from $50 billion between 2021 and 2022, according to data from London-based think tank Asia House, while the bloc's trade with emerging Asia, which includes China, surged to $516 billion last year from $383 billion in 2021.

The GCC-South Korea talks, which began in 2007, were put on hold for almost 13 years before being revived last year.

GCC Secretary General Jasem al-Budaiwi, in the statement, called the agreement "a historic step towards achieving Gulf economic integration and towards strengthening economic and trade relations between the two sides".

South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun also welcomed the deal, saying it would "maximise synergy effects between trade, industry and energy".

Earlier this year, the GCC - comprising Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain - signed a free trade agreement with Pakistan, advanced negotiations with China, and restarted talks with Japan. FTA talks with Britain are also underway.

The UAE has also initiated a raft of bilateral trade deals since 2021, part of a strategy to advance its economic and political priorities amid growing regional competition, particularly with Saudi Arabia. In October, the UAE and South Korea concluded negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement...

Source : Reuters

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Limited recently witnessed a significant surge in its shares, rising by 9.98 per cent, following the company’s collaboration with the government of Gujarat. The strategic move was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by DH Shah, Managing Director of Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Limited, and Sheetal Bhalerao, Chairperson and Managing Director of Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Limited.


Expanding Horizons: The Framework of the MoU :

The MoU serves as a blueprint for Wardwizard’s ambitious plans to expand its operations within the state of Gujarat. The company is set to focus on the production of a diverse range of products, including ready-to-eat foods, mayonnaise sauce, frozen foods, and more. This expansion initiative is backed by a substantial investment of Rs 500 crore, signaling a significant commitment to the growth and development of the region’s food industry.


Visionary Leadership: Sheetal Bhalerao’s Perspective :

Sheetal Bhalerao, the visionary leader steering Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Limited, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with the government of Gujarat. According to Bhalerao, this partnership goes beyond mere food manufacturing; it’s a strategic effort aimed at reshaping Gujarat’s economic landscape. Bhalerao is confident that this collaboration will not only foster sustained economic growth but also create substantial employment opportunities.

Economic Impact: Paving the Way for Growth :

The partnership between Wardwizard and the government of Gujarat is expected to have a lasting impact on the economic trajectory of the region. The infusion of Rs 500 crore into the state’s economy is set to stimulate various sectors, contributing to job creation and fostering entrepreneurship. Bhalerao anticipates that this collaboration will generate 750 employment opportunities in the foreseeable future, underscoring the socio-economic benefits of the initiative.


Diversification of Product Portfolio: A Strategic Move :

Wardwizard’s decision to focus on the production of ready-to-eat foods, mayonnaise sauce, frozen foods, and other products aligns with the evolving consumer preferences and market trends. By diversifying its product portfolio, the company aims to cater to a broader audience, ensuring sustained growth and competitiveness in the dynamic food industry.

Correct Answer :   Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

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Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is set to spearhead a fundraising round worth Rs 2,500 crore for the Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) supported by the Mahindra Group. In this initiative, various domestic institutional investors (DIIs) will also be actively participating, according to sources familiar with the matter.


Key Players in the Funding Round :

AIIB’s Leadership : The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is positioned as the lead investor in this substantial funding effort, emphasizing its commitment to supporting sustainable energy infrastructure projects.

Strategic Global Participation : Alongside AIIB, Dutch pension fund APG Asset Management and the International Finance Corp (IFC) of the World Bank are engaged in separate discussions to contribute capital to this initiative.

Mahindra Susten and Canadian Pension Collaboration : The funding will specifically benefit Mahindra Susten, the renewable energy arm of the Mahindra Group, and collaborate with the Canadian pension fund (OTPP) to bolster their green infrastructure investment trust.

Correct Answer :   Telangana

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Telangana's Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu inaugurated the Praja Palana program, a significant initiative by the Telangana government focused on understanding and addressing the needs of citizens at the grassroots level.

* Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday (27th Dec 2023) kickstarted “Abhaya Hastam”, a programme to implement the six guarantees as promised by the Congress before the elections, and said his government was committed to implementing all the promises within 100 days.

* As part of the programme, the state government will take up a week-long exercise – “Praja Palana” (People’s governance) – starting Thursday (28 December 2023). The programme, aimed at receiving applications from the eligible beneficiaries of various schemes promised under Abhaya Hastam, will conclude on January 6, 2024.

* The chief minister along with deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other senior cabinet colleagues and officials launched the format of the “Praja Palana” applications, the programme logo and other materials at the Secretariat on Wednesday (27th Dec 2023).

* Speaking to reporters, Revanth Reddy said the entire exercise of the Praja Palana was to take the government to the door steps of the people. “Instead of people going to the government to represent their grievances, the government itself will go to the people to find out their needs and resolve their issues,” he said.

* He said the programme would be held in all the villages and wards across the state to receive grievances and applications from the people. “There would be counters in all the villages to collect applications. Separate counters would be set up for women,” he said.

* The chief minister said every mandal (revenue block) would be divided into two parts, one headed by a mandal revenue officer (MRO) and the other by a mandal parishad development officer (MPDO). “Each officer would visit two villages in one day. In villages where there are more people, more counters will be opened. Those who can’t apply at grama sabha can apply at gram panchayats also. This will be a continuous process and won’t stop on January 6,” he said...


Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Bengaluru

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Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh laid the foundation stone for the new Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research (ICER) building at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru on 28th Dec 2023. The event marks a crucial step towards shaping the future of energy research and sustainable technologies.

* ICER's research initiatives focus on a spectrum of renewable energy domains, including Net Zero Technology development for Green Hydrogen, sCo2, Power and Turbine, Clean Coal technology, pioneering research and development activities on green energy technologies such as the generation of hydrogen and other bio fuels from biomass, advance batteries and energy storage systems & sustainable technologies.

* This new chapter at ICER, driven by knowledge, curiosity, and collective endeavour, serves as an epicentre for scientific breakthroughs and transformative change, resonating with the Hon'ble PM's vision of a technologically empowered and self-reliant India.

* The project is supported by the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.  The proposed new building aims to replace the aging infrastructure currently housing ICER, providing a modern, technologically advanced facility spanning ground plus three floors. It will encompass laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, meeting spaces, a library and computational facilities.

* The PFC has sanctioned assistance of Rs. 60.74 crores for the project. The CPWD is scheduled to complete its construction by March, 2026.

* Shri K.J. George, Minister of Energy, Government of Karnataka, Shri P.C. Mohan, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha Central constituency, Bengaluru, Shri Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha South constituency, Indian Institute of Science Director Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Bengaluru, Shri Gaurav Gupta, Addl. Chief Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka, Shri Manoj Sharma, Director (Commercial), PFC & Shri Ali Shah, Executive Director, CSR, PFC were among those present on the occasion..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Palna

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The Union Women and Child Development Ministry aims to establish 17,000 creches in Anganwadi centres across the country out of which 5,222 have been approved to date.

* The Ministry also plans to depute two additional creche workers in Anganwadis along with the existing staff.

* These initiatives are being taken under the ‘Palna’ scheme. The objective of the scheme is to address the urgent need for quality day-care facilities/creches for the children of working women by providing a safe and secure environment for the nutritional, health and cognitive development of the children, thereby enabling more women to take up gainful employment amongst all socio-economic groups both in the organized and unorganized sector, irrespective of their employment status.

* On Thursday (28th Dec 2023), Union Minister for Women and Child Development "Smriti Irani" released new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Anganwadi-Cum-Creche centres being set up under the ‘Palna’ scheme.

* They outline a comprehensive framework for the administration and implementation of the scheme, including administrative hierarchy, roles, and responsibilities of the workers and monitoring checklist.

Initial priority :

* “Our priority is to reach out to the woman who earns her livelihood, by leaving her own house to work in another, a woman who works as an agricultural labourer, a woman who works as a construction worker, under Palna and provide an opportunity to participate in economic activity, so that along with her livelihood she can provide a safe and secure environment for her children,” Ms. Irani said.

* Indivar Pandey, Secretary Ministry of Women and Child Development said two additional Creche workers and helpers will be deputed along with the existing Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers under the Palna scheme.

* Highlighting the various efforts made by the government in facilitating women’s economic empowerment, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai said the government aims to establish 17,000 Creches out of which 5,222 have been approved to date.

* According to government data, participation of women in the workforce has increased to 37% in 2022. As of March 31, 2021, 13.87 lakh Anganwadi and mini-Anganwadi centres are operational across the country..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Russia

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* In a major boost to their time-tested partnership, India and Russia on Tuesday (26th Dec 2023) signed some "very important" agreements related to the construction of the future power-generating units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

* External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is on a five-day visit to Russia, made the announcement after his "comprehensive and productive" meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on the bilateral economic cooperation during which they witnessed signing of agreements on nuclear power and in areas of medicines, pharmaceutical substances and medical devices.

* "Today, in my presence and that of Deputy Prime Minister Manturov, we signed some very important agreements pertaining to the future units of the Kudankulam nuclear project," he said addressing the Indian diaspora here.

* The Kudankulam nuclear power plant, India's largest, is being built in Tamil Nadu with the technical assistance of Russia. The construction began in March 2002. Since February 2016, the first power unit of the Kudankulam NPP has been steadily operating at its design capacity of 1,000 MW. The plant is expected to start operating at full capacity in 2027, according to Russian state media.

* During the meeting, Mr. Jaishankar noted the significant progress in trade, finance, connectivity, energy, civil aviation and nuclear domains...

Source : The Hindu