Correct Answer :   Cambodia

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Angkor Wat, one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture in Cambodia, is now the 8th Wonder of The World.

The Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London shared a post on Facebook, congratulating Cambodia on becoming the world’s 8th wonder, surpassing Italy’s Pompeii to attain this esteemed title.

From ancient glory to modern wonder : The intriguing history of Angkor Wat

Located in the northern part of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is an integral part of Angkor Archaeological Park, housing the ruins of the Khmer Empire dating from the ninth to the 15th century. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the complex includes not only Angkor Wat but also Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, known for their intricate carvings and magnificent sculptures.

Constructed under the rule of King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat stands as the largest religious structure in the world. The city of Angkor once thrived as one of the most sophisticated and prosperous kingdoms of Southeast Asia.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, the temple has five major towers symbolising the peaks of Mount Meru, believed to be the abode of the gods in Hindu mythology. The temple’s sculptures vividly depict scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, adding layers of cultural richness to this architectural marvel..

Source : Travel and leisureasia

Correct Answer :   27th November 2023

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On 27th November 2023, the banking community and shareholders of Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank mourned the sudden demise of Mr. C.K. Gopinathan, a director on the bank’s board and a significant shareholder. The loss was attributed to a major heart attack, marking the end of a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years in the banking and finance sectors.


Early Life and Career : C.K. Gopinathan’s journey in the world of finance began over two decades ago. With a wealth of experience, he made a mark in various capacities within the industry. Notably, he served as a Director at the Catholic Syrian Bank for nearly eight years, from September 26, 2008, to July 20, 2016, leaving an indelible impact on the institution.


Contributions to Dhanlaxmi Bank : Appointed to the board of Dhanlaxmi Bank in August 2016, Gopinathan brought his extensive knowledge and insights to the table. As one of the major shareholders, holding a 7.5 percent stake as of September 2023, he played a crucial role in the bank’s strategic decisions. Remarkably, he had the authorization to hold up to 9.99 percent of the bank’s shares, underlining his commitment to its growth.


Corporate Ventures : Beyond his role in the banking sector, Gopinathan wore multiple hats. He served as a Director of C.K.G Supermarket Limited and held the position of Managing Director at C.K.G Securities and Investments Limited. His diverse involvement showcased his versatile approach to business and finance.

Major Investments : Gopinathan’s influence extended beyond the boardrooms. He was a significant investor in various leading companies across the State, reflecting his confidence in the economic landscape and his commitment to fostering growth.


Board of Dhanlaxmi Bank : Apart from Gopinathan, the board of Dhanlaxmi Bank boasted a dynamic lineup of directors. This included Managing Director and CEO Shivan JK, RBI-appointed Additional Directors DK Kashyap and Nageswara Rao, and other directors like KN Madhusoodanan, Sreesankar Radhakrishnan, Nirmala Padmanabhan, G Rajagopalan, and Vardhini Kalyanaraman. Gopinathan’s contribution to this esteemed group was unparalleled.


Legacy and Impact : The sudden departure of C.K. Gopinathan leaves a void not only in Dhanlaxmi Bank but also in the broader financial community. His legacy as a seasoned professional, astute investor, and dedicated board member will be remembered for years to come. The impact of his strategic decisions and financial acumen will continue to shape the direction of the institutions he was associated with.

Correct Answer :   Smriti Irani

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Union Minister for Women and Child Development "Smriti Irani" launched (28th Nov 2023) the National Outreach Programme on Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children.

The Protocol embraces a Social Model for Divyangjan Inclusive Nutrition Care. It includes screening for early disability signs, inclusion in community events, and referral support through ASHA and ANM teams.

Aim : The aim of this protocol is to ensure overall improvement in children's wellbeing through early intervention, specialized support and services for infants and young children with disability, and educating and supporting families and communities to improve divyang children's participation.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Minister said, for the first time, the Anganwadi workers will help in the screening of children for identifying any kind of disabilities.

She informed that at least one lakh such children will be benefitted annually through this programme. She said, the government will make the child care socially acceptable and affordable..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Odisha

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Asia’s largest open-air annual trade fair the Bali Jatra, commemorating the glorious ancient maritime legacy of Odisha, was inaugurated on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Cuttack on 27th Nov 2023 evening.

This year the festival started on the occasion of Kartika Purnima and will continue till December 4, 2023.

Cultural troupes from across Odisha and other states will perform Odissi, Chhau, Bihu, Mahari, Gotipua, Sambalpuri, Santali folk dance, and other dances in the evenings on the fairgrounds.

About two thousand stalls displaying various handicrafts, household goods, and foods are expected to come up on the fairground this year. Elaborate security arrangements have been made by police keeping in mind an expected huge gathering..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   IndiGo

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InterGlobe Aviation Limited, the parent company of IndiGo, Monday (27th Nov 2023) said the airline has introduced an AI chatbot 6Eskai to elevate its customer service experience.

The Gurgaon based low-cost airline said the internally developed AI chatbot has shown promising early results by making booking process simpler with the use of natural language conversations resulting in a 75% reduction in customer service agent workload.

The AI bot boasts an impressive 1.7 trillion parameters, allowing it to answer a diverse range of commonly asked questions with ease.

"Early results from the soft launch indicate a remarkable 75 per cent reduction in customer service agent workload, showcasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the bot," the Gurgaon based low-cost airline said in a release.

Furthermore, 6Eskai, makes the booking process extremely simple, using natural language conversations to guide our customers seamlessly through the end to end booking journey.

The airline further said the data scientists of IndiGo did research on Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT) and programmed the bot using extensive prompt engineering to mimic human behaviour, respond to emotions and even infuse humour into interactions.


Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

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Researchers have discovered a new plant species in the genus 'Impatiens' (Balsaminaceae) in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tirunelveli. The plant is found only in the Agasthyamalai region in the southern Western Ghats.

The plant which belongs to the scapigerous group (stemless group) is seen only during the monsoon season for a few weeks.

“Impatiens has only restricted distribution in that area. There is a high possibility that it could become extinct due to climate change. We need to maintain ecological balance to save this rare plant,” said Ravichandran V, a researcher from the Botanical Survey of India in Coimbatore. He is also one of the authors of the research paper.

The species is named ‘Impatiens Karuppusamyi’ after S Karuppusamy for his contributions to the taxonomy of South Indian angiosperms.

Impatiens is a genus of more than 1,000 species of flowering plants widely distributed throughout tropical Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, and China.

Researchers collected specimens of a lithophytic Impatiens during a botanical exploration in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Examinations revealed that plants were quite distinct from all known species of Impatiens.

The discovery was published in Finnish journal “Annales Botanici Fennici” recently by researchers from Madras Christian College and the Botanical Survey of India.

“Africa, China have herbaceous and shrubby balsam with up to 1.5metre height. But balsam without stem is endemic to southern Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Mostly occur in moist habitats particularly on the wet rocky slopes with roots, leaves and flowers,” said P Selva Singh Richard, associate professor of botany, Madras Christian College. He is one of the authors of the research paper..

Source : Times of india

Correct Answer :   November 26

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Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day, is celebrated every year on November 26 in India.

November 26 marks the day when India adopted its constitution in the year 1949. The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.

Recognising the significance of this day, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, on November 19, 2015, declared the 26th of November as Constitution Day to foster an understanding of constitutional values among citizens.

BR Ambedkar, known for championing the cause of the downtrodden, was the head of the committee that finalised the draft of the Indian Constitution. The completion of the draft had taken 2 years, 11 months and 17 days.  

Meanwhile, BR Ambedkar's statue will be installed on the Supreme Court premises. It is reported that President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the statue at 10.30 am on Sunday (26th Nov 2023) and the occasion will be telecast live.

In most places across the country, small or big cities, towns and villages, statues of BR Ambedkar are seen with raised hands, inspiring people to move forward.

The statue is being installed on the Supreme Court premises following an initiative by Chief Justice Chandrachud, people familiar with the matter said.

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The statue of BR Ambedkar, in a lawyer's dress, stands 7 feet tall on a 3-foot base stand. A copy of the Constitution is seen on his hand..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   Fino Payment Bank

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Mumbai-based Fino Payments Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the appointment of Rajat Kumar Jain as Part-time Chairman of the Bank, the bank said in its regulatory filing on November 24, 2023.

The payment bank said that it has got approval with effect from November 24. 2023 till November 01, 2025.

Rishi Gupta, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Fino Payments Bank said, “Jain's experience and expertise across sectors, especially in technology will have a strong bearing on our business model. We are fortunate to have his guidance as Fino Bank strengthens its digital ecosystem to realize its growth potential.”

Rajat Kumar Jain studied at IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad and serves as a non-executive director on various boards including group companies of Aditya Birla and Mahindra conglomerates.

Jain has over three decades of strategic leadership experience across the consumer, telecom, media, and technology sectors.

Jain said, “As the Bank aims to expand its horizons, I look forward to working with my colleagues at the Board and senior management team at Fino Bank towards creating a differentiated digital Bank.”

In Q2FY24, the Fino Payment bank did transactions worth Rs 86,568 crore of which more than Rs 23,051 crore were processed digitally. The bank registered a PAT (Profit after tax) of Rs 19.5 crore in the second quarter of FY24...

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   75th

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The National Cadet Corps (NCC) will celebrate its 75th anniversary on November 27, 2023. Serving as the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces, it operates from its headquarters in New Delhi, India. Open to school and college students voluntarily, the NCC functions as a Tri-Services Organisation, encompassing the Army, Navy and Air Force. Cadets undergo fundamental military training, including small arms handling and drill exercises.


Why is NCC Day Observed?

NCC Day is observed annually to commemorate the founding principles and objectives of this vital youth organisation. The motto of the NCC, Unity and Discipline, encapsulates the values of duty, loyalty, dedication, and self-sacrifice. Beyond these principles, the Government of India recognizes the NCC as a significant platform for international engagement. For over four decades, NCC cadets have served as ambassadors of peace and unity, participating in Youth Exchange Programmes with over 25 nations, a feat worth celebrating.


How is NCC Day Celebrated?

Across India, various NCC units come together to celebrate NCC Day. In cities such as Delhi and Kolkata, spirited rallies are conducted, featuring cadets showcasing their discipline, marching skills and dedication. The celebrations represent the collective commitment of NCC towards nurturing responsible and disciplined youth.

The goal of the National Cadet Corps :

The NCC’s core objective is to develop the physical, intellectual and moral dimensions of society. It aspires to mould individuals into well-rounded personalities with a strong sense of civic responsibility and commitment to community service. The organisation actively promotes national integration, unity and social harmony among the youth of the nation.


What Do NCC Cadets Do?

NCC is the premier training ground for the youth of India, focusing on instilling the spirit of selfless service. It stands as the largest youth organisation in the country, with a mission to build character, and leadership qualities and foster national integration. NCC cadets engage in a range of activities, including:

Drills and Parades : Organising and conducting drills on weekends to inculcate a sense of discipline.

Educational Programs : Conducting classes on diverse subjects such as first aid, environmental awareness, personal hygiene, and cleanliness.

Community Service : Actively participating in blood donation drives to contribute to the welfare of society.

Recreational Activities : Organising military parades, picnics and seminars on social issues to enhance camaraderie and awareness..


Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Hardeep Singh Puri

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Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday (26th Nov 2023) inaugurated the city’s second floating compressed natural gas (CNG) mobile refueling unit (MRU) station at Ravidas Ghat, Varanasi and said it was a significant step towards viable sustainable energy solutions.

Earlier, Namo Ghat had a floating station for filling CNG in boats.

The decision to set-up this floating CNG stationis a testament to our belief in the transformative power of clean energy.

This will provide great convenience to boatmen as they will not have to go all the way to NaMo Ghat for refueling, thus saving time and money. On an average, it is estimated that each boatman can potentially save over Rs 36,000 per year by using CNG as fuel,” said the minister. Puri said CNG boats not only reduces pollution but also leads to savings as it is more efficient.

The boatmen are getting 35-40% more mileage due to replacement of old engines with efficient CNG engines (1 kg of CNG is energy equivalent to 1.39 litres of petrol and 1.18 litres of diesel), he said. Both the stations have been developed by GAIL (India) Limited.

With this, floating CNG stations are now operational on both sides of the main ghats of Varanasi. According to GAIL officials, the floating stations have been developed at a cost of Rs 17.5 crore.

The CNG mother station at Namo Ghat has been operational since December 2021. The new station is CNG MRU. CNG will be filled in cascades from Namo Ghat and transported by water ways to Ravidas Ghat for fueling boats. It has a capacity of 4,000 kg/day and can cater to 300 to 400 boats a day.

GAIL chairman and managing director, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, director (human resources), Ayush Gupta, director (marketing), Sanjay Kumar and a host of dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Later, Puri also interacted with students at the Varanasi centre of GAIL Utkarsh, a CSR initiative of the company that provides all-expenses paid residential coaching to 60 girls from economically weaker sections to compete for engineering and medical entrance examinations..

Source : Times of India