Correct Answer :   Rs. 4800 Crore

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The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme- “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP) for the Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.

* Comprehensive development of villages of blocks on northern border thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages. 

* This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border.

* The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country which will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the populatiion in the border areas. In the first phase 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme.

* The scheme aids to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on northern border and development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship, leveraging the tourism potential through promotioon of local cultural, traditional knowledge and heritage and development of sustainable eco-agribusinesses on the concept of “One village-One product” through community based organisations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.

* Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district adminstration with the help of Gram Panchayats. 100 % saturation of Central and state schemes will be ensured.

* AIM :  Connectivity with all weather road, drinking water, 24x7 electricty – Solar and wind energy to be given focuseed attention, mobile and internet connectivity. Tourist centers, multi-purpose centers and health and wellness Centers.

* There will not be overlap with Border Area Development Programme. Out of financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore 2500 crore rupees will be used for roads..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Ladakh

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The Union cabinet on Wednesday (15th Feb 2023) gave approval to build a 4.1 Km "Shinku La tunnel" to facilitate all weather connectivity to people of Ladakh who live in the border area.

* The Tunnel will be constructed on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road link.

* Briefing to media on cabinet decision, Union Broadcast Minister Anurah Thakur said “construction of tunnel will be completed by December 2025 at a cost of 1681 crore rupees.” He also informed that the tunnel would be 4.1 Km long. 

* Anurag Thakur informed that The Shikhu la tunnel will provide all weather connectivity to ladakh and it would shorten the distance of border areas of Union Territory. Thakur said “The cabinet committee on security approved this strategic tunnel for Ladakh area, This project is also important for security forces.”..

Source : News24

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that the Jal-Jan Abhiyan is being launched at a time when water scarcity is being seen as a future crisis all over the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Jal Jan Abhiyan in Abu Road in Sirohi district of Rajasthan on Thursday (16th February 2023).

He noted that the 21st-century world is realising the seriousness of limited water resources on earth and pointed out that water security is a huge question for India due to its large population.

He said , “in the Amrit Kaal, India is looking towards water as the future. There will be a tomorrow if there is water”, the Prime Minister remarked and underlined that joint efforts have to be made beginning today.

On this occasion Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and film actor Nana Patekar among others were also present.

It is a public awareness campaign in which Brahmakumaris Sansthan and people associated with the Ministry of Jal Shakti are working on the project.

Aim : This aims at conserving more than five thousand water bodies across the country and creating new water bodies. This awareness campaign will be run for eight months...

Source : AIR 

Correct Answer :   David Malpass

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World Bank Group President "David Malpass" 15th Feb 2023 informed the Board of Executive Directors of his intention to step down from his position by the end of the Bank Group’s fiscal year on June 30 after serving more than four years.

During Malpass’s tenure, he focused on seeking stronger policies to increase economic growth, alleviate poverty, improve living standards, and reduce government debt burdens.

Over the last four years, the Bank Group’s five institutions (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID) responded quickly to global crises, mobilizing a record $440 billion in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, sharp global economic slowdown, unsustainable debt burdens, climate change, and food, fertilizer, and energy shortages.

He took over the Presidential post of the World Bank in 2019. Earlier he served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs in the US Administration.

The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides capital to low- and middle-income countries. Its main aim is to provide loans and grants for the purpose of taking projects forward. Its headquarters are in Washington, located in DC...

Source : World Bank

Correct Answer :   Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh

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Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh Wednesday (15th February 2023) took oath as 36th Chief Justice (CJ) of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh.

* Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to the Chief Justice at a ceremony held in Jammu.

* The oath ceremony comes three days after the President of India appointed Justice Singh as the Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh.

* Registrar General of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Shahzad Azeem read out the warrant of appointment.

* Justice Tashi Rabstan, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Puneet Gupta, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Justice Mohan Lal, Justice Mohammad Akram Chowdhary, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, and Justice Rajesh Sekhri also attended the ceremony.

* Chief Justice Vijayalakshmi Brara and his family also attended the oath ceremony...

Source : Greater Kashmir

Correct Answer :   Mansukh Mandaviya

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Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the IFFCO Nano Urea Liquid Plants at Aonla and Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh on 14th February 2023.

* Addressing the event, Dr Mandaviya stated that today is an important day because Nano urea plants have been dedicated to the nation. He said that Nano Urea, in the coming times will ensure the progress of the farmers, increase their income. In this way it will change the future of our farmer.

* Union Minister highlighted the benefits of Nano urea stating that it is the best green technology and provides solution of pollution.

* It saves the soil and also increases the production and hence is the best for the farmers.

* He further said that Government’s Expert Committee has given approval to Nano DAP and it will also come to replace DAP shortly. 

* He added that Nano-DAP will immensely benefit our farmers and it will be available at half the cost of DAP.

* Dr Mandaviya also underlined the efforts of the government in making Nano urea available to the farmers. He also pointed out the challenges in bringing Nano urea ranging from getting approvals from various departments, convincing the farmers to tackling conventional urea lobby.

* Dr Mandaviya also said that it is an alternate fertiliser. We for the years, used urea and DAP to increase the productivity. When we use urea, only 35% Nitrogen (Urea) gets used by the crop and the unused affects soil. Today, the productivity of the soil is declining and crop production is saturated, it was essential to go to alternate fertilisers.

* The Union Minister appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has always worked towards increasing farmer income and their prosperity. He also insisted on natural farming, Biofertilizers, and alternate fertilizers.

* He also commended PM’s role during COVID, the prices of fertilizers increased, and one Urea bag touched the Rs 4000 mark but PM ensured that the price of fertilizers was not increased.

* The Union Minister congratulated IFFCO for its endeavors. He noted that Commerce, business, and profit are not foremost for Sahakarita but farmers’ welfare is.

* Dileep Sanghani, Chairman IFFCO, Balvir Singh, Vice Chairman IFFCO, Dr. Uday Shankar Awasthi MD, and CEO of IFFCO, Keshari Devi MP Phulpur among those present during the inauguration events....

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Garuda Aerospace

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Drone startup Garuda Aerospace on Wednesday (15th Feb 2023) unveiled its Solar-powered drone "SURAJ", designed specifically for surveillance operations, at Aero India 2023 here.

* Principal Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and former DRDO Chief Dr. Satheesh Reddy unveiled it.

* According to the company, SURAJ is an ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) high-altitude drone designed specifically for surveillance operations, providing "real-time information to the high command and protecting jawans on the ground."

* Recently, Garuda Aerospace had raised USD 22 Million, the "largest ever" Series A funding in the drone sector.

About "SURAJ" Drone : The drone will carry a versatile payload of high-resolution zoom cameras with thermal imagery and foliage-penetrating lidar sensors with a maximum capacity of 10 kg.

This cutting-edge technology will capture, process, and transmit photos and videos in real-time, ensuring that the headquarters and base have access to vital information before planning strategic operations and terms, the start-up said.

It has an endurance of 12 hours and can fly at an altitude of 3000 ft. The drone is all set to support various Indian and global giants namely the Indian Army, Navy, Airforce, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, DRDO, MOD, and MHA..

Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer :   Mumbai

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Mumbai has overtaken Delhi to become the world’s second-most polluted city in terms of the global Air Quality Index (AQI).

* According to Switzerland-based air quality monitoring tech company IqAir, Sarajevo in Bosnia has been ranked as the world's most polluted city for the period between January 29 and February 8, 2023.  

* As per the AQI data on the IqAir website, Mumbai has an AQI of 163, which falls under the unhealthy category.

* Lahore is in the third position. Delhi is in the sixth spot with 155 US AQI, while Kolkata is in the 17th position with a US AQI of 135.

* As per past records of IqAir, Mumbai at the 10th position on the most polluted list on January 29.

* It rose to the top on 2nd February 2023, following which the air quality improved marginally around February 8, 2023.

* But on 13th February 2023, it surpassed Delhi to become the second most polluted city in the world for air quality.

* IQAir has joined hands with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Greenpeace to measure the air quality in India. Its studies are based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).  

Why Mumbai’s air quality is falling :

During the peak winter months of November to January in 2022-23, air quality in India’s financial hub, Mumbai, has noticeably fallen due to various factors.

Experts have blamed the dust due to roads and construction activities and smoke from vehicles for the high pollution levels in Mumbai.

A 2020 study by NEERI and IIT-B has stated that road or construction dust is the main source of air pollution in Mumbai as there is a heavy concentration (about 71 per cent) of the particulate matter in Mumbai's air. The remaining comes from industrial and power units, airports, and garbage dumps..

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   EbixCash

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EbixCash Limited, a subsidiary of US-based Ebix Inc, has become the first company in India to launch and enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions for foreign nationals visiting India.

* On 8th February 2023, the RBI proposed permitting inbound travellers access to UPI for merchant payments (P2M) while they are in the country.

* The facility will initially be extended to travellers from G-20 countries arriving at select international airports and later across all other entry points.

* The central bank had also recently allowed non-resident Indians, who have international mobile numbers linked to their NRE/NRO accounts, to use the UPI network when in India.

* “As a part of that initiative, EbixCash has become the first entity to enable UPI services for foreign delegates attending the G-20 summit. EbixCash will carry out a pilot launch shortly in Bangalore at the G-20 summit, involving dignitaries from across the world”.

* EbixCash World Money is the foreign exchange division of EbixCash and has a network of over 81 retail branches, 250 franchisee partners and duty-free shops, 27 bank clients, 1,200 corporate clients and 5-star hotels.

* It is a leading player in India’s airport and seaport Money Exchange business with retail kiosks in 20 international airports, and 12 seaports. Ebix Inc is a leading international supplier of on-demand software and e-commerce services to the insurance, financial, healthcare and e-learning industries...

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Singapore

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For the first time, the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry has partnered with the Government of Uttar Pradesh for economic cooperation.

* A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two parties. This agreement is in addition to the signed deals at the UP Global Investors Summit.

* Under this, the governments of Singapore and Uttar Pradesh have taken up urban development, and sustainability and will cooperate in areas of mutual interest including the development industry and skill development.

* The agreement also includes a Sustainable Industrial Park, upgradation and digitization of MSMEs, content development, training pedagogy (pedagogy training), training of trainers, certification as well as training of government officials.

* Singaporean companies and 58 delegates participated in the UP Global Investors Summit held in Lucknow from February 10 to February 12 , 2023.

* Countries including Singapore, Japan, Netherlands and Denmark have also joined UP Global Investors Summit as partner countries..

Source : NDTV