Correct Answer :   Japan

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Prime Minister of Japan "Kishida Fumio" will be on a two-day visit to India from 20th March 2023. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, both sides will discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. They will also discuss their priorities for their respective Presidencies of the G7 and G20.

* Our correspondent reports that India-Japan relations were elevated to Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2014.

* The India-Japan partnership encompasses a wide range of areas, ranging from defence and security, trade and investment, Science and Technology, Education, and healthcare, among others.

* Defence and security cooperation has emerged as one of the most important pillars of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership and an important factor in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

* Bilateral trade stood at 20.75 billion dollars last year, which was the largest ever. Japan is the fifth largest investor in India..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Nagpur

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In Maharashtra, Nagpur City will host the Civil20 India (C-20) Inception meeting from 20th to 21st of March 2023. C-20 is one of the empowered group, working under the ambit of G-20 Secretariat, which provides a platform for Civil Society Organisations around the world to voice the people’s aspirations to the world leaders in G20. 

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandmayi will be present 20th March 2023 in the inaugural ceremony of the meeting organized at 3.30 pm in Hotel Raddison Blu in Nagpur.  

Dr.Swadesh Singh, Sous Sherpa of C-20, while addressing in the pre-event press conference regarding Inception meeting of C-20 in Nagpur today informed that the two-day Conference will focus on the perspective of the Civil Society Organizations and non-government organisations.

The deliberations of Civil Society Organisation on various issues will be put in the Inception issues like Health, Lifestyle for Environment, Art and Crafts will be discussed which will take the shape of Policy pact.

Dr.Singh also informed that around 250 delegates and 30 speakers will participate in the two-day inception meeting. The delegates will also visit the wildlife in Pench Tiger Reserve of Nagpur along with other tourist places on the 22nd of March 2023..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Jangaon District

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In Telangana, an Agri Legal Aid Clinic has been inaugurated 18th March 2023 in Jangaon District to provide benefits to the farmer community.

* Supreme Court Judge Justice V. Ramasubramanian has virtually inaugurated the clinic in the presence of Judges from Telangana High Court from Hyderabad.

* The Telangana Legal Services Authority with technical support from NALSAR University of Law, and an NGO, Legal Empowerment and Assistance for Farmers Society has launched the first-ever Agri Legal Aid Clinic in the state.

* The Clinic is aimed at educating farmers on various agricultural legislations, Farmer Welfare Schemes, their rights, responsibilities, and the availability of legal remedies for the redressal of their problems. The trained Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of the Legal Services Institutions will be operating the clinics..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   50

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TIME Magazine has recently revealed its annual list of the 50 greatest places in the world for 2023, highlighting destinations that offer unique and sustainable experiences as travel rebounds this year.

* This year 2023 list covers a wide range of locations, from the serene clear blue lagoons and ancient temples to the city where the notorious narco-terrorist Pablo Escobar once resided.

* The chosen destinations reflect changes in the travel landscape, focusing on originality and sustainability as people seek out new experiences. The list provides inspiration for travellers who are looking for an unforgettable adventure.

* Among the chosen destinations are two locations from India : Ladakh and Mayurbhanj.

The list also includes other incredible destinations around the world :

* Willamette Valley, Oregon

* Río Grande, Puerto Rico

* Tucson, Arizona

* Yosemite National Park, California

* Bozeman, Montana

* Washington, DC

* Vancouver, Canada

* Churchill, Canada

* Dijon, France

* Pantelleria, Italy

* Naples, Italy

* Aarhus, Denmark

* St Moritz, Switzerland

* Timisoara, Romania

* Sylt, Germany

* Berat, Albania

* Budapest, Hungary

* Vienna, Austria

* Barcelona, Spain

* Brisbane, Australia

* Kangaroo Island, Australia

* Dominica

* Mexico City, Mexico

* Guadalajara, Mexico

* Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

* Pantanal, Brazil

* Medellín, Colombia

* Ollantaytambo, Peru

* Roatán, Honduras

* Kyoto, Japan

* Nagoya, Japan

* Isan, Thailand

* Phuket, Thailand

* Jeju Island, South Korea

* Luang Prabang, Laos

* Giza and Saqqara, Egypt

* Chyulu Hills, Kenya

* Ruhengeri, Rwanda

* Rabat, Morocco

* Dakar, Senegal

* Loango National Park, Gabon

* Freetown Peninsula, Sierra Leone

* The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

* Aqaba, Jordan

* Jerusalem

* Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

* Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia.

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The 3rd annual edition of the International SME Convention 2023 (ISC) is going to be organized jointly by the Ministry of MSME & Ministry of External Affairs , India SME Forum, along with Govt. of Madhya Pradesh as a Key State Partner and Govt. of Uttar Pradesh as Associate State Partner.

* International Network for SMEs (INSME) and World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (WUSME) are the international partners and TATA AIA is the insurance partner for the ISC 2023 from 19th – 21st March 2023 in New Delhi.

* Shri Narayan Rane, Union Minister for MSME will be the chief guest for the inaugural event with Guests of Honour- Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Minister of State for MSME & Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Om Prakash Saklecha, Minister of MSME & Science & Technology, Govt. of MP and Shri Rakesh Sachan, Minister of MSME, Khadi, Village Industries, Sericulture & Textile, Govt. of UP along with presence of senior officers from Central and State Governments.

* This year ISC, 2023 is expecting the participation of 1500+ SMEs with the main focus areas being India's major four Sunrise Sectors, which are Cleantech & Green Energy, Manufacturing, Services Sector and Agro food Processing & Agri Implements sector.

* There will be several panel discussions that will aim to provide actionable insights and recommendations for building sustainable ecosystems for MSMEs and Plugging SMEs into Global Value Chains, by building strategic partnerships, leveraging digital platforms, focusing on innovation, complying with standards and regulations, and accessing finance.

* This edition will also feature 2 days packed sessions at conference, 3 days power business breakfast & networking with like-minded, successful entrepreneurs and business leaders..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   March 18

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Global Recycling Day is observed every year on March 18 with an aim to spread awareness about the rapid pace at which our natural resources are depleting and the need for recycling to slow it down. The day promotes the concept and practice of recycling and encourages the limited use of natural resources to save the planet.

Global Recycling Day Theme 2023 : The Global Recycling Day 2023 will be celebrated around the theme “Creative Innovation” to encourage people to think out of the box and find new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Global Recycling Day History and significance :

* Global Recycling Day was first announced in 2015 after the president of the Bureau of International Recycling, Ranjit S. Baxi, brought it to the attention of the World Recycling Convention that same year.

* The first celebration of Global Recycling Day took place on March 18, 2018, and the date was chosen as it coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Bureau of International Recycling.

* The celebration marks the importance of recycling in preserving the Earth’s natural resources and educates people on the importance of recycling.
On Global Recycling Day 2023, here are 10 easy ways to start recycling at home..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   March 18

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Ordnance Factory Day is observed in India on March 18 every year to commemorate the founding of the first ordnance factory in colonial India near Kolkata, in 1801.

* The day starts with the hoisting of the national flag and the singing of the national anthem in various events across India in recognition of the service of the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB).


* The Indian ordnance factories, Ministry of Defence, observe the day to highlight the ordnance factories' research, development and production capabilities for guns and ammunition.

History of OFB and significance of the day :

* The Ordnance Factories Board was founded in 1775 and now it has 41 ordnance factories, nine training institutes, three regional marketing centres and five regional controllerates of safety, spread across India.

* The origin of ordnance manufacturers goes back to the colonial era.

* In 1775, the East India Company established a Board of Ordnance in Kolkata, to expand their economic and political might in the country. A gunpowder plant was established in Ishapore in 1787, which began production in 1791.

* Established a Gun Carriage Agency in 1801 in Kolkata, which began production on March 18, 1802. These were the first industrial ordnance factories in India, which are still functioning today.

* Following India’s Independence, 21 more ordnance factories were built.

* Thus, the Ordnance Factory Day was established to commemorate and recognise the OFBs' commitment to the defence sector and the development of the country..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   India-Bangladesh

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (18th March 2023) jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh friendship diesel pipeline.

The pipeline will start a new chapter in India-Bangladesh relations, PM Modi said at the inauguration.

The foundation stone for the construction of this pipeline was laid by both the prime ministers in September 2018.

Numaligarh Refinery Limited has been supplying petroleum products to Bangladesh since 2015. This is the second cross-border energy pipeline between India and its neighbours.

According to the Prime Minister Office, the cooperation in the power and energy sector has become one of the hallmarks of India-Bangladesh relations.

Bangladesh is India’s top-most development partner and its largest trade partner in the region.

The operationalisation of the Friendship Pipeline will enhance ongoing energy cooperation between the two countries and will further growth in Bangladesh, particularly in the agriculture sector..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Punjab

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The Punjab AAP government has cancelled the 813 gun licenses across the state in a bid to clamp down on the “gun culture” in the state, Punjab Urban Housing, and Development Minister Aman Arora said during a press conference on 12th March 2023.

* Rules have to be followed for keeping a gun. Now there is a ban on carrying and displaying weapons in public functions, religious places, marriage ceremonies, or any other events in Punjab. Random checking will be done in different areas in the coming days,” the AAP leader said, hinting at a “complete ban on those glorifying violence and weapons.

* Arora added that as of date there are a total of 3,73,053 arms licenses in Punjab but the government is continuously taking action to end gun culture.


Why is Punjab clamping down on gun culture?

The Punjab government has been under pressure from the opposition over “worsening” law and order after the murders of kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian in March 2022, singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022, the November 2022 killings of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri and Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pardeep Singh.

The state’s recent move to suspend licenses is one in a series of similar measures undertaken by the state previously. On November 13, 2022, the Punjab government ordered a complete ban on the public display of weapons and songs glorifying violence..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Brazil

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The geology of Brazil’s volcanic Trindade Island has fascinated scientists for years, but the discovery of rocks made from plastic debris in this remote turtle refuge is sparking alarm.

Melted plastic has become intertwined with rocks on the island, located 1,140 km (708 miles) from the southeastern state of Espirito Santo, which researchers say is evidence of humans’ growing influence over the earth’s geological cycles.

The pollution on this island comes from fishing nets, which are very common debris on Trinidad Island’s beaches..

Source : Indian Express