Correct Answer :   Jindal Steel

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Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) on Sunday (19th March 2023) said it will manufacture India's first fire-resistant steel structures at its unit in Raigarh, Chhatisgarh.

* With the production of a special steel item for the first time in India, the company will target segments like refineries, bridges, metro projects, industrial structures, steel, power plants, hospitals, commercial and residential buildings.

* "JSPL has received BIS certification to manufacture India's first fire-resistant steel structures at its rail mill in Chhattisgarh. The BIS 15103 grade steel structural steels are designed to withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees celsius for 3 hours," it said. The grade is being imported at present.

* The new grade steel structures will help the nation to reduce dependence on imports, the company said. "The license provided to the company will be a game-changer in strengthening India's infrastructure & its safety standards.

* Fire-resistant steel will provide much-needed assurance to the end users for fire safety, building a safer Atma Nirbhar Bharat," JSPL MD Bimlendra Jha said. Part of OP Jindal Group, JSPL is an industrial powerhouse with a dominant presence in the steel, mining and infrastructure sectors with investments worth $12 billion across the globe..

Source : Outlook India

Correct Answer :   Sri Lanka

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approved (21st Mar 2023) a 48-month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of SDR 2.286 billion (about US$3 billion) to support Sri Lanka’s economic policies and reforms.

Sri Lanka has been facing a severe economic crisis as a result of past policy missteps and economic shocks. We have been deeply concerned about the impact of the crisis on the Sri Lankan people, particularly the poor and vulnerable groups, and about the economic costs of the delay in the country’s access to external financing.

21st Mar 2023 Board approval marks an important step towards the resolution of the crisis — Sri Lanka will immediately receive an initial disbursement of about US$330 million from the EFF arrangement, which is expected to catalyze new external financing including from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

The reform program supported under the EFF arrangement is built on strong policy measures and prioritizes :

(i) an ambitious revenue-based fiscal consolidation, accompanied by stronger social safety nets, fiscal institutional reforms, and cost-recovery based energy pricing to ensure the state’s ability to support all its essential expenditures;

(ii) restoration of public debt sustainability, including through a debt restructuring to ensure stable financing of the government’s operations;

(iii) a multi-pronged strategy to restore price stability and rebuild reserves under greater exchange rate flexibility in order to alleviate the burden of inflation, particularly on the poor, to foster an environment of investment and growth, and to ensure Sri Lanka's ability to purchase essential goods from abroad;

(iv) policies to safeguard financial sector stability to ensure that the financial sector can play its key role in supporting economic growth;

(v) structural reforms to address corruption vulnerabilities and enhance growth..

Source : IMF

Correct Answer :   Mansukh Mandaviya

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Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare during his address at the concluding day of the “Global Conference on Digital Health – Taking Universal Health Coverage to the Last Citizen” a co-branded event under India’s G20 Presidency organized by WHO – South-East Asia Region in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

Digital Health interventions are not just limited to individual healthcare delivery programs, but are spread across multiple health outcomes, catering to both communicable and non-communicable diseases across the health and disease burden spectrum.

He was joined by Mr Joe Bejang, Minister of Health and Human Services, Republic of Marshall Islands and Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region. Other dignitaries who were present at the High-Level Plenary included Ms. Nina Bergstedt, Senior Adviser, Office for Data Infrastructure and Cyber Security, Ministry of Interior and Health of Denmark; Mrs. Bernardina De Sousa, National Deputy Director for Health Training, Ministry of Health, Mozambique; Mr Bader Awladthani, Director-General of Information Technology, Sultanate of Oman and Dr Preetha Rajaraman, Health Attache and South Asia Regional Representative, US Dept of Health and Human Services..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   NGEL

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NGEL, (a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited), has signed a Joint Venture Agreement with IOCL for setting up of renewable energy projects to meet Round the Clock power requirement of IOCL Refineries.

* The JV Agreement was signed by Mr. Kausik Basu, ED (M&I), IOCL and Mr. V. V. Sivakumar, GM, NGEL in the presence of Mr. Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC Limited and Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, IOCL.

* NTPC Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary, NGEL, has set an ambitious target of building a renewable generation portfolio of 60 GW over the next decade to aggressively pursue its green energy business.

* The signing of this Joint Venture Agreement between the two Maharatna behemoths will enable NTPC Limited and Indian Oil to meet the Government of India's Clean Energy Targets in their respective core businesses.

* Mr. D. K. Patel, Director (HR), NTPC Limited, Mr. U.K. Bhattacharya, Director (Projects), NTPC Limited, Mr. Jaikumar Srinivasan, Director (Finance), NTPC Limited, Ms. Sukla Mistry, Director (R), IOCL and other senior officials from NGEL, NTPC REL, and IOCL were present on the occasion..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   2050

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* According to the report, published GCEW, revealed that India will face a reduction of over 16% in food supply due to water and heat stress in 2050.

* However, the report placed China at the top, where food supply would be reduced by 22.4%, followed by South America by 19.4%.

* The water supply availability in India is between 1100-1197 billion cubic meters (bcm).

* In contrast, the demand is expected to grow from 550-710 bcm in 2010 to 900-1,400 bcm in 2050..

Source : New Indian Express

Correct Answer :   March 20

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World Oral Health Day is observed globally on March 20 every year with the primary aim of creating awareness about the importance of oral health.

* The day is celebrated to promote good oral hygiene habits, encourage people to take care of their teeth, and educate them on how to prevent dental problems.

World Oral Health Day 2023 Theme :

* Each year, World Oral Health Day is given a specific theme. The theme for 2023 is “Be Proud of Your Mouth".

* It was chosen for three years as part of a campaign launched by the World Dental Federation (FDI) in 2021. The last two World Oral Health Days also had the same theme.

* The first year of the campaign was focused on highlighting the effects of oral health on overall health and the second year underlined the importance of a healthy mouth for happiness and well-being. The 2023 World Oral Health Day emphasises the importance of ensuring oral health at every stage of life.

World Oral Health Day History : The idea to celebrate World Oral Health Day was first proposed in 2007 and the day was first celebrated on September 12 that year. It is the birth date of Dr Charles Godon, the founder of FDI. The campaign got activated in 2013 and the date for the celebration of World Oral Health Day was changed to March 20.

World Oral Health Day Significance : Oral health is an essential part of overall health and well-being and it is important to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent dental problems. Neglecting oral health can lead to various problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. World Health Day is geared towards inspiring people to unite and reduce the burden of oral diseases..

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav

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Ram Sahai Prasad Yadav has been elected as the third Vice-President of Nepal. According to the Election Commission of Nepal, Ram Sahai got 30,328 out of 52,628 votes.

Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav started his political journey in 1990 with the Nepal Sadbhavna Party. Like the President, the Vice President is also elected by an electoral college consisting of members of the federal parliament (House of Representatives and the National Assembly) and provincial assemblies. The term of the Vice-President is of five years.

Correct Answer :   Virat Kohli

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Luxor Writing Instruments Private Limited, a company that makes stationery, has signed cricketer Virat Kohli as its new brand ambassador.

* Kohli, the company said in a statement, is recognised as one of the all-time cricket greats and known for his record-breaking performances. He will be the face of its products across its stationery range.

* The association is expected to strengthen its appeal among young writers and fortify its position as the provider of writing instruments in the country, it added.

* Pooja Jain Gupta, managing director of Luxor, said the company has also partnered with Schneider Pens for its upcoming portfolio of products.

* This is a significant milestone in our growth journey and in line with our continued endeavor to bring world-class products to Indian consumers. Our association with cricket legend Virat Kohli as the new face of Luxor epitomizes our shared commitment to the highest standards of performance and excellence.

* Christian Schneider, managing director, Schneider Pen, said, “We see India as an emerging market with immense potential and are excited to partner with Luxor, an established leader of the Indian writing industry. We look forward to leveraging our exclusive partnership with Luxor to bring the best of German engineering and design to India through multiple products that we aim to launch together in the coming future."..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   March 20

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The International Day of Happiness, also known as World Happiness Day or Happiness Day, is celebrated every year on March 20.

Aim :  To create a kinder and happier world by urging people to adopt simple, daily practices to be happy.

World Happiness Day Theme 2023 : This year 2023, the theme for International Day of Happiness is ‘Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind.’

World Happiness Day History :

* The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 20 as the International Day of Happiness in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012.

* The assembly recognised the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.

* The first celebration was held in 2013 and since then it has been used as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Manoj Sinha

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Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday (19th March 2023) laid the foundation stone for a ₹250-crore mega shopping mall at Srinagar’s Sempora area to be constructed by Dubai-based Emaar Group, calling it the first “foreign direct investment” in the Union territory.

* Later in the day, Sinha also participated in the India-UAE investor meet at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar.

* This is a new dawn of limitless possibilities. We are taking forward (Prime Minister) PM Narendra Modi ji’s vision for development of J&K, Sinha said.

* Mall of Srinagar will have transformative impact on UT and boost infrastructure, employment generation and ease of living.

* Sinha also performed the bhoomi pujan of the mall, which will which will be constructed over an area of 10 lakh (1 million) square feet and is expected to be completed by 2026. Set to be one of the largest malls in the region, the complex will have more than 500 shops.

* For the first time, foreign direct investment (FDI) has happened in J&K by Emaar Group,” he said. “This mall will be constructed at a cost of ₹250 crore.

* The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Emaar Properties, an integrated real estate development company, will invest ₹500 crore in J&K, the LG said.

* Land has been given adjacently for an IT tower, which will be inaugurated next month,” he said. “An IT tower will also be constructed at a cost of ₹150 crore in Jammu..

Source : Hindustan Times