Correct Answer :   Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

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“It is imperative that patient is administered treatment immediately on suffering a cardiac arrest hence awareness and adequate training for CPR is paramount.” This was stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare as he launched the nation-wide public awareness program organized by National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training, here 6th Dec 2023, in the presence of Prof SP Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State and Family Welfare and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.

More than 20 lakh people have participated in this nation-wide campaign 6th Dec 2023. The Union Ministers also participated in the training session at the launch event, following the prescribed guidelines demonstrating the ease and underscoring the importance of the training.

Commending the initiative for providing training to the public regarding cardiac arrest, Dr Mandaviya stated “it is vital that we maintain good heart health and adopt a holistic approach towards health incorporating balanced diet and exercise however, in proximity of someone suffering from cardiac arrest, if one is trained in CPR technique, it will enable us to save lives. This is a very commendable effort and I congratulate it.”

Lauding the initiative and efforts of NBEMS, the Union Health Minister stated “it is of critical importance as the victim of cardiac arrest needs help administered urgently. In light of this, it is crucial that there is heightened awareness amongst the public with adequate knowledge and training, so that we are able to save someone’s life.” He further added, “today NBEMS has conducted this awareness program on a national level which will serve to magnify awareness and enhance the reach of this initiative to the farthest corners of the nation.”

This is the first CPR awareness program in the country that has been conducted on a national level. During this campaign, participants including students, professionals and paramedical staff were given training in a single sitting through an online medium. Praising the public involvement and participation for the training, Dr. Mandaviya encouraged all for undertaking the training citing that “anyone can suffer from cardiac arrest at any given point in time and enhanced knowledge and training will aid in administering the right procedures and save a life.”

Trained doctor present at venues explained the technique of CPR and answered the queries of the participants. NBEMS also issued a certificate of participation to the participants. A video demonstrating the CPR training technique is provided at the following link.

The conference was attended by Dr. Abhijat Sheth, President, NBEMS, Dr Nikhil Tandon, Vice- President, NBEMS, Dr. S N Basu, Member, Governing, Body, NBEMS, Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Member, Governing Body, NBEMS, senior government officials were also present.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   December 6

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India observes Mahaparinirvan Divas on December 6 in memory of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar or Dr BR Ambedkar. On April 14, 1891, BR Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, was born. Dr BR Ambedkar, fondly known as Baba Saheb was a jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired several social movements later.

* Dr BR Ambedkar, who campaigned against social discrimination against Untouchables (Dalits), was the first law minister of independent India.

* In 1990, Dr Ambedkar was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

* Baba Saheb died on December 6, 1956, after he had converted to Buddhism fulfilling his declaration of "I will not die a Hindu".

Mahaparinirvan Din :

* Mahaparinirvan Din, also known as the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, is observed on December 6th each year. This day marks the death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. "Mahaparinirvan" is a Sanskrit term that means the ultimate nirvana or liberation.

* On Mahaparinirvan Din, people pay homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by organizing various events, including memorial services, discussions, seminars, and cultural programs. Followers and admirers of Ambedkar gather at his memorial sites, such as Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai, to offer floral tributes and remember his contributions to Indian society.

* B.R. Ambedkar was a visionary leader, social reformer, and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He played a pivotal role in the upliftment of the oppressed and marginalized sections of society, particularly the Dalits. Ambedkar's efforts to eradicate social inequalities and discrimination are widely recognized, and his teachings inspire movements for social justice and equality.

* Mahaparinirvan Din is a day of remembrance and a time for reflection on the progress made in pursuing Ambedkar's ideals and the challenges that persist in achieving a more just and equitable society. People must renew their commitment to the principles of equality, social justice, and human rights that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar advocated throughout his life.

* Meanwhile,  President Droupadi Murmu recently unveiled a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in the Supreme Court premises on Constitution Day..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The Indian Army today (5th Dec 2023) held 'Idea and Innovation Competition and Seminar -Inno Yodha 2023' in New Delhi.

* The event aimed at signifying the importance accorded by the Indian Army in embracing modernisation and pursuing technological advancement through indigenization.

* Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande appreciated the creativity and ingenuity of the innovators.

* He encouraged the 'Thinking Warriors' in the Indian Army to continue conceptualising practical and innovative solutions for the nation and Indian Army.

* General Manoj Pande also felicitated twenty-two innovations displayed at the event. .

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Jithesh John

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Jithesh John, a 2001 batch Indian Economic Service Officer, has taken charge as Executive Director of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), according to a release. Earlier, John served as an economic adviser in the Ministry of Power.

"Jithesh John took charge as Executive Director, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)," a release dated December 1 by the IBBI said.

John has a postgraduate degree in Economics. He has completed more than 21 years in Government of India in various capacities. He has worked in various sectors such as financial, energy, infrastructure and small and medium enterprises.

In October, IBBI announced that Sandip Garg has taken charge as a Whole Time Member.

IBBI is a key institution in implementing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Tamil Nadu

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Tamil Nadu is establishing mini non-leather footwear industrial parks in an area of 30-50 acres. An initiative of state owned Sipot and Sidco under public-private partnership mode, the facilities will feature designs on a par with industrial parks.

Announcing this during the inauguration of JR One Footwear factory at Eraiyur in Perambalur through video conferencing from Chennai on Tuesday (28th Nov 2023), chief minister M K Stalin said the government is taking several initiatives to attract global investors in the non-leather footwear sector.

Plans are afoot for setting up a footwear park at Panapakkam in Ranipet district at an investment of Rs 400 crore. It will offer employment opportunities for 20,000 people.

"Tamil Nadu is the most preferred destination due to ease of doing business. There are significant developments in the footwear and leather sector after we launched the Tamil Nadu Footwear & Leather Products Policy in 2022,” he said.

In view of such a pace of growth, days are not far away to realise the ambitious target of making Tamil Nadu a $1 trillion economy by 2030, he added.

He said the Perambalur facility reflects on the state government’s success in wooing investments to backward districts. The factory will provide job opportunities for the youth, particularly women in and around the district.

Established at an investment of Rs 400 crore, the factory will generate 4,000 jobs. The facility, which will make Crocs brand of footwear, has come up in the footwear park developed by Phoenix Kothari Footwear, a joint venture between Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd. (KICL) and Evervan group of Taiwan.

The production unit, a part of the Phoenix Kothari footwear hub, was commissioned exactly a year after the foundation stone was laid. In the first phase, the factory will produce 10 million pairs of Crocs brand footwear annually. Further, facilities will be expanded to manufacture 20 million pairs of footwear every year.

Stalin said the footwear industrial park at Perambalur would attract Rs 2,440 crore investments and generate jobs for 29,500 individuals before 2028..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   Delhi

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Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot Wednesday (29th Dec 2023) said the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi will notify its 'Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023' later  29th Nov 2023.

The scheme introduces the nation's first-ever aggregator scheme exclusively tailored for premium buses and calls for a modal shift in public transportation. The buses that will come to be a part of the initiative will have exceptional quality, comfort, and reliability, and will lead to a reduction in congestion and air pollution, the government said.

The scheme defines a "Premium Bus" as any full-AC luxury public bus having a seating capacity of no less than nine passengers, pre-reserved reclining seats, and equipped with Wifi, GPS, and CCTV, the statement said.

The scheme stipulates that the 'onboarded' bus must not be more than three years old, in case the bus is CNG, and the buses joining the service after January 1, 2025, must be electric.

Here is how the scheme is going to affect commuters:
Under the scheme, only pre-booked digital ticketing will be permissible, with no physical tickets issued. All charges from passengers are to be collected exclusively through electronic or digital payment modes.

In addition to ensuring the safety and security of the passengers, the scheme will encourage aggregators and delivery service providers to adopt electric vehicles for their services to reduce air pollution in the national capital.

The scheme paves the way for the inclusion of bike taxis as service providers and mandates that the aggregators onboard electric two-wheelers for passenger transport service.

The scheme will ensure timely and effective redressal of the riders' grievances on receipt of any complaint concerning the ride or the driver or the condition of the vehicle. The concerns raised by the rider can be reported within 24 hours of the ride being availed.

If the complaint registered with the grievance redressal centre is criminal in nature, then the concerned driver will be off-boarded from the aggregator till the issue is resolved.

The scheme implements a zero-tolerance policy on the use of drugs or alcohol applicable to any driver. The aggregator will immediately off-board such driver and the suspension will last till the investigation by the aggregator.

The scheme ensures that the passenger vehicles are installed with a Certified Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System with panic buttons relevant to a Public Service Vehicle.

Under the scheme placement of a fire extinguisher, disabled child lock mechanism, and enabled manual override for the central locking system are mandatory..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   December 5

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World Soil Day is celebrated every year on December 5. This year (2023), the special day falls on a Tuesday (5th Dec 2023).


World Soil Day History :

In June 2013, the FAO Conference endorsed World Soil Day and later approached the 68th United National General Assembly and requested for its official adoption. Towards the end of 2013, the UN General Assembly designated December 5, 2014, as the first official World Soil Day.

World Soil Day Significance :

"World Soil Day 2023 (WSD) and its campaign aim to raise awareness of the importance and relationship between soil and water in achieving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. WSD is a unique global platform that not only celebrates soils but also empowers and engages citizens around the world to improve soil health," wrote the United Nations on its official website.

The UN further added sustainable soil management practices minimum tillage, crop rotation, organic matter addition, and cover cropping can improve soil health and reduce soil erosion and enhance water infiltration and storage. "These practices also preserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change," added the UN..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Geetika Koul

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Captain Geetika Koul has become the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, the Fire and Fury Corps said on Tuesday (5th Dec 2023).

This achievement follows her successful completion of rigorous induction training at the esteemed Siachen Battle School, which includes high-altitude acclimatization, survival techniques, and specialized medical procedures.

The Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army announced this milestone on social media, highlighting the significance of Captain Koul’s deployment in promoting gender inclusion within the military.

Captain Geetika Koul from Snow Leopard Brigade has become the first Woman Medical officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at the world's highest battlefield, Siachen after successfully completing the induction training at Siachen Battle School: Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps pic.twitter.com/hBeeCfQtf4

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

Correct Answer :   Mamata Banerjee

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee 4th Dec 2023 inaugurated a museum in the basement of the Platinum Jubilee Memorial Building at West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

The Museum depicts the rich history of the Assembly, its origin,  functioning of the legislative council in pre-Independence days and the transfer of power from the British.

The 2000 sq. ft museum displays sculptures of state leaders who have contributed to building the nation as well as members of the legislative Assembly, starting with the late B.C. Roy.

Fiberglass representations of art forms of different states and foreign countries will also be on display. There are papers related to the eve of 1947 when the province was partitioned into West Bengal and East Pakistan, and the Bengal Legislative Assembly was constituted with 90 members representing the constituencies that fell within the area.

A history of the Assembly covering the first meeting after Independence, on November 21, 1947, is compiled. Works of painters like Jamini Roy and Abanindranath Tagore are also on display.

The National council of Science Museums conceptualized and developed the museum..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   8

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Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday (4th Dec 2023) reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons comprising eight members with the presence of 50 per cent women parliamentarians.

The eight-member panel will now have four women members- Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam, and Bharatiya Janata Party's MPs Phangnon Konyak, Darshana Singh and Sonal Mansingh.

Dhankhar made the announcement regarding the reconstituted panel in the Upper House on the first day of the Winter Session of the Parliament.

The vice chairpersons are eligible to preside over the house in the absence of the chairman or the deputy chairman.

Besides, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, YSRCP's V Vijayasai Reddy; TMC's Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Independent legislator Kartikeya Sharma were announced as other members of the panel.

The Winter Session of Parliament is being held from 4th December to 22 December 2023..

Source : Business Standard