Correct Answer :   10th February

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The National Deworming Day is observed on February 10 every year. It is an initiative taken by the Government of India to deworm all the children across the nation in the age group of 1 to 19. Worms are parasites, which live in human intestines for food and survival. The worms consume nutrients meant for the human body and cause blood loss, poor nutrition and stunt growth.

National Deworming Day 2023 History : In February 2015, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India launched the National Deworming Day as part of National Health Mission in 11 states/Union Territory, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura.

With an aim to intensify efforts towards soil-transmitted helminths (STH)  control among children in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has decided to observe National Deworming Day on February 10, 2016 in all 36 States/ UTs of the country.

The National Deworming Day will be followed by a mop-up day (MUD) on February 15, 2016 with the intent of deworming children who missed the dose on February 10.

National Deworming Day 2023 Significance : National Deworming Day is a day when all children (both enrolled and unenrolled) between the ages of 1 to  19 can receive treatment for intestinal worms from teachers at all government and government-aided schools and from Anganwadi Workers annually.

Worm infections interfere with the health, nutrition and education of children. Worms can cause anemia and malnourishment, which has negative effects on mental and physical development. Malnourished and anemic children are often underweight and have stunted growth. Children with heavy infections are often too sick or too tired to concentrate at school or attend school at all...

Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer :   11th February

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The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed every year on February 11.

* The United Nation to promote the full and equal access and participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Theme : The 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the theme is IDEAS (Innovate, Demonstrate, Elevate, Advance, Sustain).

Aim : To build a bridge between the international community and women in science by linking their knowledge and expertise and its applications in a systematic, critical way for the 2030 agenda and its 17 global goals.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science History : Over the past two decades, women have been more likely to receive an undergraduate degree than their male counterparts.

* Despite this overall accomplishment, women earn degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at half the rate of men.

* This variance caught the attention of the United Nations and, in 2015, they proclaimed February 11 of each year to be observed as International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

* Women’s ability to enter STEM fields offers them a wider variety of employment opportunities with higher pay than what is found in many other fields. The demand for STEM skills around the world continues to grow and it is up to us to ensure women and girls do not miss out.

* This day allows us to recognize the role women and girls already play in science, promote the idea of STEM careers to future generations of women, and educate men on their role in encouraging and mentoring women and girls in schools and the workplace to pursue their technical and scientific passions..

Source : Indian Express, National Today

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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The Uttar Pradesh government has finally launched (9th February 2023) the portal for creation of 'Family ID - One Family One Identity', to identify families as a unit for implementing the 'one job per family' proposal.

* According to a state government spokesman, all such families that are not eligible for the National Food Security Scheme will be able to avail the ID, while the ration card ID of the families having it, will be considered as their family ID.

* A unique identity will be issued to each family under the One Family One Identity scheme, thereby establishing a live comprehensive database of family units of the state.

* The database will be helpful in better management of beneficiary schemes, timely targeting, transparent operation, giving 100 percent benefit of the scheme to eligible people, and simplification of government facilities for the general public.

* Based on the integrated database obtained through Parivar ID, families deprived of employment can be identified, and suitable employment opportunities made available to them on priority.

* At present, about 3.59 crore families and 14.92 crore people living in Uttar Pradesh are getting the benefit of the National Food Security Scheme.

* The ration card number of these families will serve as ‘family ID’. Families not covered by the National Food Security Scheme, who are not eligible for ration cards, will be provided with the Family ID through the Family ID portal.

* This portal was developed to provide a 12-digit unique family ID to those families which were not ration card holders....

Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer :   8 February 2023

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Legendary American pop composer, songwriter, and pianist, Burt Bacharach, passed away in Los Angeles on Wednesday (8 February 2023). He was 94.

* Bacharach died of natural causes, according to his publicist, Tina Brausman.

* The veteran musician was known for creating some unforgettable melodies like 'Walk on By,' 'Do You Know the Way to San Jose,' 'I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,' 'Alfie' and 'I Say a Little Prayer' among many others.

* Bacharach had won several accolades, including eight Grammys and three Oscars. Besides, he had also received two Golden Globes and a lifetime achievement prize. Bacharach penned nine number-one songs and nearly 50 Top 100 singles.

* Over the course of his long career, Bacharach collaborated with several stars, including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, and Tom Jones. He had also collaborated with the White Stripes and gone on tour with Marlene Dietrich.

* The 94-year-old musician is survived by his wife Jane and three children. His fourth child, Nikki, predeceased him.

Born : 12 May 1928, Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Died : 8 February 2023, Los Angeles, California, United States.

Source : The Quint

Correct Answer :   Mumbai

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Mumbai campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy, located in Andheri’s Marol (Mumbai) on Friday (10th February 2023) evening.

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra Community, will be present to welcome the Prime Minister for the programme.

This will be the fourth campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy (also known as Jamea). It is the premier educational institute of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

First established over two centuries ago in Surat, Gujarat, in 1810, Jamea seeks to prepare young Dawoodi Bohra men and women for leadership positions within society, global citizens dedicated to serving others and committed to acting in accordance with the values, principles, and ideals imparted to them over the course of their education.

In 1983, the Karachi campus was inaugurated by Pakistani president Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Jamea’s third campus was inaugurated in Nairobi in 2017 by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta...

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister "Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu" laid the foundation stone of a five-storey building of Himachal Niketan at Dwarka in New Delhi 8th Feb 2023.

* The building, being built at a cost of Rs 57.72 crore, would provide accommodation for students and visitors from the state.
 
* “Besides the existing Himachal Bhawan and Himachal Sadan, the "Himachal Niketan" will be the third alternative for people visiting the National Capital for various purposes”.

* Besides two VIP rooms, there would be 36 rooms for students and 40 general suites.

* There would also be three-room type dormitories for staff.

* It would also have a facility to park around 53 vehicles and 87 two-wheelers in the basement.

* The Himachal Niketan will consist of 81 rooms in total.

Source : Tribune India

Correct Answer :   55th

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India has jumped to the 55th position from 112th place in the ranking of oversight capability of global aviation Safety.

* According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), after the final report India's safety oversight capability ranking has climbed from 112 to 55.

* The ICAO had last month (January 2023) audited the DGCA to check its effective implementation  (EI) of critical safety elements.

* The ICAO undertakes audit of all the contracting states under this programme. “It may be noted that this ranking is dynamic and is contingent upon the outcomes of various Audits undertaken by ICAO",

* Under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach, an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) was undertaken in India from November 9 to 16, 2022.

* According to the statement, as the scope of the mission did not include the areas of AIG and ANS, the updated overall EI of 85.65 per cent is calculated based on the latest USOAP results on record for these two areas.

(AIG) is Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation, and (ANS) is Air Navigation Services..

Source : Dailypioneer

Correct Answer :   Rene Zondag

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Peter Burwash International (PBI) president Rene Zondag inaugurates Tennis center in Pune on 10th Feb 2023.

* One of the leading tennis coaching programme, Peter Burwash International (PBI) has tied up with Ileseum Club in Bavdhan, Pune, to have its second training centre in India.

* The first PBI centre at the Padukone-Dravid Centre in Bengaluru has been successfully guiding some of the prominent players like Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Rishi Reddy, through its Director Cesar Morales. The High performance centre has over 200 players.

* The second centre in Pune, which is set to expand further, including to other cities like Mumbai, Solapur and Chennai, will have Milos Milunovic as its technical director.

* “We are looking at having about 50 courts in different centres, and train about 1000 players in about a year or so”, said Gurpavit Singh, the founder of Ileseum clubs, on Friday (10th Feb 2023).

* Rene Zondag, president of PBI, announced the opening of the new centre, which spans 12.5 acres and offers top-notch amenities.

* Gurpavit, who is pleased to join with PBI, expressed the expectation that the improved infrastructure, workshops, and educational programmes will assist advance India’s tennis industry...

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Jammu & Kashmir

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Lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the country, in Reasi district of Jammu division (Jammu & Kashmir).

* Speaking at the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board meeting in New Delhi on 9th Feb 2023, Union Mines Secretary, Vivek Bharadwaj disclosed that Lithium reserves have been discovered in Jammu and Kashmir.

* Lithium blocks are rare and much in demand gobally for electric batteries. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.

* It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks. Lithium is a metal that is known for its low density, high energy-to-weight ratio and its ability to store large amounts of energy.

* Currently, India is import-dependent for Lithium, nickel and cobalt. After the discovery, Lithium blocks will be explored and eAuctioned, so that J&K figures on the global map so far as availability of Lithium reserves in the world are concerned. .

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Dubai

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The World Government Summit 2023 is set to begin on 13th February 2023 in "Dubai".

Theme : The Summit will be held under the theme of "Shaping Future Governments".

* It will bring together global thought leaders, global experts, and decision makers to share and contribute to the development of tools, policies, and models that will be critical in shaping future governments.

* The Summit will feature 20 presidents, including Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi; President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan; President of Senegal and Chairperson of the African Union, Macky Sall, among others.

* 2023 edition will bring together over 250 ministers from around the world, as well as over 10,000 government officials, thought leaders, and global experts. The sessions and forums will be enriched by over 80 international, regional, and governmental organizations.

* The World Government Summit is a global forum held annually in Dubai, that brings together leaders in government, business, technology, and civil society to discuss pressing issues facing humanity and to shape the future of governments worldwide.

AIM :  To drive positive change and to promote innovation in the public sector by exploring new ideas, technologies, and best practices in governance.

* The World Government Summit features a diverse range of speakers and participants, including heads of state and government, ministers, CEOs, experts, and representatives from international organisations.

* Over the course of the summit, attendees engage in discussions, debates, and interactive sessions on topics such as the future of work, sustainable development, artificial intelligence, and the role of government in shaping a better world..

Source : AIR