Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has started a special cleanliness campaign ‘Swachch Tyohar, Swasth Tyohar’ (Clean Festival, Healthy Festival), especially in and around temples, an official statement issued here said.

The urban development and energy departments have called for celebrating Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali festivals as ‘Swachch Tyohar, Swasth Tyohar’ by giving the mantra ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ for maintaining cleanliness in all municipal bodies of the state.

The ‘Swachch Tyohar, Swasth Tyohar’ campaign initiated by the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh emphasizes the importance of cleanliness during the festive season.

By ensuring clean and hygienic surroundings at religious places and actively addressing infrastructure concerns, the government aims to provide a spiritually enriching and enjoyable festival experience for all.

This initiative aligns with the age-old adage that ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness,’ promoting a harmonious blend of spirituality and hygiene during the upcoming Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali celebrations.

Cleanliness Around Religious Places :

Instructions have been issued to all municipal officials and employees to ensure the cleanliness of the following areas:

1. Roads and Streets :

Thorough cleaning of roads and streets to create a clean and welcoming environment for festival-goers.
Regular sweeping and garbage collection to maintain cleanliness.


2. Areas Around Religious Places :

Focus on cleanliness in the vicinity of temples, monasteries, and other religious sites.
Special attention to maintaining a clean and serene atmosphere for devotees.


3. Durga Puja Pandals :

Ensuring that Durga Puja pandals are kept clean and free from litter.
Regular checks to maintain a hygienic and attractive setup for the celebrations.

Street Light Repairs : The urban development and energy departments have directed the repair and maintenance of street lights to ensure the convenience and safety of festival-goers.


Uninterrupted Drinking Water Supply : To guarantee a hassle-free experience for devotees, municipal bodies are instructed to ensure the continuous supply of clean drinking water.


Proper Disposal of Offerings : Efforts will be made to manage the proper disposal of offerings made by devotees, such as flowers and prasad, in an eco-friendly and responsible manner.


Garbage Management : Efficient garbage disposal and management will be a key focus to prevent littering and maintain cleanliness throughout the festival season.


Immediate Complaint Resolution : Municipal officials are mandated to ensure that the toll-free number 1533 remains operational for the immediate resolution of complaints related to cleanliness and infrastructure issues during the festivals..


Source : Swachh India

Correct Answer :   13th Oct 2023

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P V Gangadharan, noted film producer and director of Mathrubhumi, died in Kozhikode on Friday (13th Oct 2023) morning. He was 80.

Gangadharan was an active presence in the cultural and political space as a leader of Congress and in the capacity of chairman of various organisations. Gangadharan who entered politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU), was a member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

He unsuccessfully contested as UDF candidate from Kozhikode North Assembly constituency in 2011.


Personal Life and Legacy :

He was born in 1943 to P.V. Sami, founder of the KTC group of companies, and Madhavi Sami. P.V. Chandran, managing editor of Mathrubhumi is his elder brother. He is survived by wife, Sherin, and daughters Shenuga, Shegna and Sherga. The funeral will be held on October 14 evening.

Mr. Gangadharan, through his Grihalakshmi productions, has been instrumental in the making of several historic movies in Malayalam, including some that bagged State and national awards. He began with the movie Sujatha in 1977 and several hits followed, including Manassa Vacha Karmana, Angadi, Ahimsa, Chiriyo Chiri, Kattathe Kilikkodu, Vartha, Adwaitham and Ekalavyan, besides award winners such as Kanakkinavu (Nargis Dutt Award for National Integration, 1997), Santham (national award for best film, 2000), Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, Veendum Chila Veettu Karyanagal, Achuvinte Amma and Notebook (State awards in various categories).

He partnered with S Cube films, a production company floated by his daughters for Janaki Jaane, his latest venture. He had been the vice-president of Paris-based International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF), chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, president of the Kerala Film Chamber and the president of the Film Federation of India.

Thrice president of the Malabar Chamber of Commerce, he was also involved with the P.V. Sami Foundation, PVS Hospital and several other ventures of the KTC group.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Gangadharan was a notable presence in different fields including films, media and industry. Speaker A N Shamseer, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and others condoled Gangadharan’s death..

Source : New Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Droupadi Murmu

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On 17 October 2023, President Droupadi Murmu will confer the 69th National Film Awards 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. These awards, initially delayed due to the pandemic, are finally set to honor outstanding achievements in Indian cinema.

August Announcement of Winners :  In August of this year, the names of the award winners were officially revealed, building excitement within the film industry and among movie enthusiasts.


Best Actor : Allu Arjun

* Allu Arjun secured the Best Actor award for his role in the film “Pushpa: The Rise,” showcasing his exceptional talent and performance.


Best Actresses : Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon

* Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the spotlight as they were jointly awarded the Best Actress title for their outstanding performances in “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and “Mimi,” respectively.

Best Feature Film: “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect”

The film “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” received the prestigious award for Best Feature Film, recognizing its excellence in storytelling and production.


Best Film on National Integration: “The Kashmir Files”

* A significant win went to “The Kashmir Files,” which was honored with the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration, highlighting its contribution to the cinematic portrayal of India’s social fabric.

Victory for “Sardar Udham”

Shoojit Sircar’s historical drama “Sardar Udham” had a remarkable presence at the awards, securing multiple accolades :

* Best Hindi Film : “Sardar Udham” was named the Best Hindi Film, recognizing its exceptional contribution to Indian cinema.

* Best Cinematography : Avik Mukhopadhyay’s exceptional cinematography in the film earned him the Best Cinematography award.

* Best Audiography : Sinoy Joseph was acknowledged for his remarkable work in sound design and awarded the Best Audiography title.

* Best Production Design : The creative team behind “Sardar Udham” was recognized, with Dmitrii Malich and Mansi Dhruv Mehta receiving the Best Production Design award.

* Best Costume Design : Veera Kapur Ee’s contribution to the film’s visual aesthetics was celebrated, and she was presented with the Best Costume Design award..

Correct Answer :   October 16

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World Food Day is an annual observance that takes place on October 16. It is a global initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issues of hunger, food security, and access to proper nutrition.

History of World Food Day :

The roots of World Food Day trace back to the establishment of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. However, it wasn’t until 1979, during the FAO Conference, that World Food Day was officially recognized as a global holiday. Over 150 countries came together to celebrate and promote the importance of food and nutrition.

World Food Day 2023 Theme :

The theme for World Food Day 2023 is “Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind.” This theme emphasizes the critical role of water in food production, nutrition, and livelihoods. Water is essential for life on Earth and plays a fundamental role in agriculture, which is the primary source of food.

It raises awareness about the finite nature of this precious resource and the need for responsible water use in food production. The theme urges collective action to ensure equal access to food and water for all.

Correct Answer :   Amit Shah

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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated Samau Shaheed Memorial and Library in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 15th Oct 2023.

Shri Amit Shah wished all the countrymen a happy Navratri festival. He said that he had come to Samau during the last Navratri and performed Bhoomi Pujan of Shaheed Memorial and 15th Oct 2023, on the first day of Navratri, this Shaheed Memorial has been inaugurated.

Shri Shah said that during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji started initiatives to build memorials of countless unsung martyrs across the country who sacrificed their lives in the 90 years of freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947 and revive their history so that the youth and the new generation could draw inspiration from them.

He said that 12 valiant heroes had sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle in Samau in November, 1857, but there was no memorial for them till 2022-23.

The memorial inaugurated today will serve to immortalize their stories of bravery. He said that he wrote a letter to the Chief Minister of Gujarat at that time that the Youth and Cultural Activities Department of the Gujarat Government should build a beautiful memorial with 12 pillars in the memory of those martyrs, so that when the national flag hoisting takes place on 15 August and 26 January every year, these martyrs are also respected.

Along with this, a library should also be built to connect the youth with the history, language and culture of the country..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Mansukh Mandaviya

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Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday (14th Oct 2023) as he inaugurated the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, the first medical college in the northeastern state.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said it was a historic day for the people of Nagaland as a long-cherished dream of theirs was fulfilled.

Mandaviya highlighted that the NIMSR is not just a medical college, but also a research institute.

Highlighting the Centre's commitment towards improving medical education in the country, Mandaviya said, "In a span of just nine years, the (number of) MBBS seats in India has increased from 64,000 to 1.6 lakh. Similarly, PG seats have also doubled in the last nine years".

In a word of encouragement for the students and other stakeholders, the Union Health Minister said they should not limit their scope of research within the national borders. "We must encash on opportunities abroad as well," he said.

Mandaviya informed that the Centre has started foreign language courses in many medical education institutes, so that students can have an edge in getting jobs abroad.

He said strengthening medical, nursing and pharmacy education in the country is an endeavour of the BJP-led Centre for the holistic development and expansion of the country's health sector.

"The aim is to ensure that each citizen of India is able to get access to affordable and accessible healthcare across the country," the minister said. He also highlighted the expansion of the 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras' all over the country to improve access to quality and affordable medicines for all.

NIMSR Kohima is affiliated to Nagaland University. It received the letter of permission for the admission of 100 MBBS students from the academic year 2023-2024 from the National Medical Commission (NMC) in April, paving the way to start the first medical college in Nagaland after 60 years of statehood, the health ministry said in a statement.

It said 85 MBBS students from Nagaland and six from the all-India seats got admitted to the NIMSR and joined the MBBS classes after their induction programme on September 1, 2023.

"This is a historic day for the people of Nagaland as we inaugurated the first medical college in the state," Rio said.

Highlighting that it was a long-cherished dream of the people of Nagaland to have a medical college in their state, the Chief Minister thanked the central government for steadfastly taking up the project.

Rio also said the NIMSR would help the state strengthen its secondary and tertiary healthcare and hoped that it would become a centre of excellence in the future..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Coca-Cola India

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To empower the retailer community in the states of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), working under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), announced a partnership with Coca-Cola India (15th Oct 023) to launch the Super Power Retailer Program under the Skill India Mission. The program is being piloted in the state of Odisha.

* The partnership was formally announced in the presence of the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan; Ved Mani Tiwari, COO, NSDC; and Sanket Ray, President, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia.

* Under the partnership, NSDC will support Coca-Cola India in expanding the program's outreach on SID. This involves creating and refining training content that aligns with industry-specific skill requirements. Additionally, NSDC will facilitate the recruitment of trainers for program implementation and ensure a seamless learning experience by providing the requisite training infrastructure.

* Reflecting on this milestone, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, COO, NSDC highlighted that a transformative revolution is underway within India's skill development ecosystem, driven by an unwavering commitment to empowering the country's youth and its ambitious workforce through skill acquisition, enhancement, and adaptation.

* He also mentioned that under the guidance and leadership of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, with the introduction of the Academic Bank of Credit, a digital repository of prior learning experiences will further empower the nation's youth.

* Sanket Ray, President of Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, highlighted his company’s effort to create value for the retailer ecosystem which is an integral part of the business value chain.

* In the evolving consumer landscape, equipping retailers with key entrepreneurial and digital skills enhances their relevance for today’s consumers and enables them to be future-ready, he added. He applauded the efforts of the Skill India Mission that fosters innovation and provides industry-specific skills which are accessible to all..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Christopher Luxon

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New Zealand's prime minister-elect, Christopher Luxon, said on Monday (16th Oct 2023) while his party was waiting for special votes to be counted, they were working on building relationships with both ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First.

Christopher Luxon will be the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Luxon's centre-right National Party and preferred coalition partner ACT won a razor-thin electoral victory on Saturday (14th Oct 2023), together securing 61 seats in 121 seat parliament.

While National and libertarian party ACT have the numbers to form a government on the current count, roughly 567,000 special votes, around 20% of the total, must still be counted. The official result is due on Nov. 3, and conservative parties have historically lost at least a seat with the final count.

Luxon, 53, a relative newcomer to politics and former airline executive, told a press conference on Monday (16th Oct 2023) National would be waiting for the special votes to be counted before officially forming a government.

"We are working very strongly to build relationships and also to work through arrangements with respective parties. We are going to do that confidentially," he said.

He added he would ideally like to have a government formed before the Pacific Island Forum and APEC meetings in early November but that this will depend on the special votes and how negotiations have progressed.

New Zealand is currently being governed by a transitional government run by Labour.

Luxon, a protege of former prime minister John Key, said the process of transition between the two governments was under  way but would not comment on current issues such as New Zealand's response to the Israel's intense bombardment of Gaza as they was the responsibility of the Labour government.

Newly elected members of parliament are also in Wellington on Monday to begin their induction to parliament..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   October 16

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World Anaesthesia Day, celebrated on October 16 each year, is a significant occasion that highlights the critical role of anaesthesia in modern medical treatments.

* This day not only recognizes the birth of anaesthesia but also serves as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of this field in healthcare.

* World Anaesthesia Day stands as a tribute to the birth of anaesthesia, a groundbreaking development in the history of medicine. It serves to raise awareness about the importance of this field in healthcare and recognizes the ongoing need to ensure safe anaesthesia practices worldwide.


World Anaesthesia Day Theme for 2023 :

The theme for World Anaesthesia Day in 2023 is ‘Anaesthesia and Cancer Care.’ This theme sheds light on the indispensable role of anaesthesia in cancer treatments. Anaesthesiologists play a vital part in ensuring the comfort and safety of cancer patients during surgical interventions and other medical procedures. The theme also highlights efforts to strengthen anaesthesia services, ultimately enhancing cancer treatment.

World Anaesthesia Day History :

World Anaesthesia Day commemorates the birth of anaesthesia as a medical practice. The pivotal moment occurred on October 16, 1846, when William Thomas Green Morton conducted the first successful demonstration of ether anaesthesia at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. This breakthrough revolutionized surgical procedures by allowing patients to undergo operations without feeling pain.


World Anaesthesia Day Significance :

Advocacy for Safe Anaesthesia Practices

Today, World Anaesthesia Day serves as a crucial advocacy tool to address the global shortage of safe anaesthesia practices. Nearly 5 billion people worldwide lack access to safe anaesthesia services. This day emphasizes the importance of anaesthesia in patient well-being and aims to educate the general public, medical professionals, and society about its significance.

Correct Answer :   ₹30,000 Crore

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The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) continues to elicit an enthusiastic response even after crossing the milestone of over 50 crore beneficiaries.

The total balance in the basic bank accounts of the Centre’s flagship financial inclusion grew by about ₹30,000 crore in the first half of the current financial year to reach ₹2.05 lakh crore as of October 4, 2023, as against ₹1.75 lakh crore in the comparable period of FY23, as per the latest government data.

The total number of beneficiaries increased by over 3.5 crore in the last one year, from 47 crore to 50.63 crore.


Growth Trajectory :

“The growth trend has almost been similar in the last three years in terms of new enrolments for the scheme. This is driven by increasing realisation of benefits of having a bank account and relentless efforts by the public sector banks,’‘ a senior official of the State Bank of India told businessline.

Public sector banks operate 40 crore of the total number of accounts with a balance of ₹1.60-lakh crore, while the rest is pooled in by regional rural banks, co-operative banks, and private sector banks.

According to a senior economist with a private sector bank, the trajectory of growth is interesting, especially immediately after Covid-19. “As against a steady increase of about 2.5 crore to 3 crore beneficiaries, there was a record increase during 2021-22,’‘ he said.

If H1 of these years is taken as a parameter, over a crore new accounts have been added between September 2021 and September 2022 as the government implemented some benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana through PMJDY accounts, especially for women.

According to bankers, interest in Jan Dhan enrolments is being driven by the linking of all government schemes and DBTs to bank accounts under PMJDY and also by the ease of opening and maintaining the accounts with no cost. The large fleet of 8.50 lakh Bank Mitras is also adding to its popularity.

However, there is a huge lag in the issue of RuPay ATM debit cards to the beneficiaries. Out of a total of 50.63 crore account holders, the cards have been issued only to 35 crore..

Source : The Hindu Businessline