Correct Answer :   Jitendra Singh

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Addressing the 10th "India-Sweden Innovation Day" meet in New Delhi on 9th Oct 2023, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh called for strengthening India-Sweden collaboration to effectively address pressing global challenges while remaining steadfast in the pursuit of immediate objectives on the path to achieving a net-zero future.

Speaking on behalf of the Govt of India, Dr Jitendra Singh said, companies from both sides must be encouraged to engage in collaborative research and the exchange of human resources.

* Theme “Accelerating Green Growth” on October 9, 2023

* Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that this year, nine Swedish companies made a visit to India under the India-Sweden Innovations Accelerator with the aim of enhancing export and investment prospects in the field of green technology, thereby fostering stronger ties between Sweden and India in this sector.

* The Minister noted that in 2023, both the countries are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations and Fifth anniversary of the Sweden-India Joint Declaration on Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future. He described it as a momentous occasion that serves as the guiding theme for the 10th India Sweden Innovation Day.

* Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that this milestone event is centered on harnessing our respective areas of expertise and spearheading environmentally sustainable growth, all with the aim of realizing a net-zero future.

* Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that in May 2022, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Ms Magdalena Andersson of Sweden reiterated their dedication to fostering collaborative research and innovation across multiple domains, including polar and space research.

* The Minister said, the partnership covers several areas, including smart cities, transportation and eMobility, energy, clean technologies, new materials, space, circular and bio-based economy, and health and life sciences. He also added that the India-Sweden Innovation Partnership bridges institutions, R&D intensive industries and creative entrepreneurs to address global challenges in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

* Dr Jitendra Singh said, recently, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA), has announced the INDIA–SWEDEN Collaborative Industrial Research & Development call. He said, this initiative forms an integral part of the broader Sweden-India Innovation Partnership, which collectively enhance competitiveness and tackle pressing global issues such as climate change and sustainable development through innovative solutions.

* Dr Jitendra Singh noted that only last year, India and Sweden announced the India-Sweden Joint call for proposals within Circular Economy. The Joint programme is co-funded by 09 Indian and Swedish funding agencies and a total of 03 major projects were supported under this call.

* A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was formally endorsed on March 13, 2023, forging a partnership between the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology and the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT). This collaboration is geared towards enhancing cooperation and fostering research connections among academic institutions in India and Sweden and also to promote knowledge exchange and research advancement by facilitating seminars, workshops, and conferences..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Vivek Ram Chaudhari

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Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari on Sunday (8th Oct 2023) unveiled the new Indian Air Force ensign on its 91st anniversary at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh.

The new feature is the addition of the Air Force crest in the top right corner of the ensign, towards the fly side.

The occasion was also the first Air Force Day Parade to be commanded by a woman officer, Gp Capt. Shaliza Dhami, who is also the first woman officer of the IAF to command a combat unit.

In another first, the parade had an all-women contingent comprising the newly-inducted Agniveer Vayu women, who marched shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts. The parade also included a flight of Garud Commandos of the IAF for the first time. The Garuds recently completed 20 years of service to the nation.

The air display on the banks of the Triveni Sangam featured 108 aircraft of the IAF, along with ALH Dhruv helicopters of the Indian Army and a P-8l aircraft of the Indian Navy. The display featured the lAF's celebrated display teams, the Surya Kiran and the Sarang.

The newly inducted C-295 transport aircraft marked its first appearance in an air display in India. The legendary MiG-21 Bison made, probably, its last appearance in an air display, before the planned phase-out by 2025.

In his address, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari exhorted his personnel to understand the nuances of evolving air power, to preserve peace and if and when necessary, to fight and win wars.

 "We must reform, or become a relic. We must innovate, else become mundane and we must transform, else become irrelevant," he said.  "The force structure that we need to develop must be future-ready."

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said that from multi-domain operations to hybrid warfare, the Air Force needs to recognise that modern warfare transcends traditional boundaries. "We must seamlessly integrate air, space, cyber and ground capabilities to dominate the battlespace," he said.

He said if India is on the path to becoming a developed nation by 2047, then IAF must be one of the best by the time IAF completes 100 years in 2032. "The vision, as laid down in our doctrine, is to be an agile and adaptable air force that provides decisive aerospace power in furtherance of our national interests," he said. Innovation must become a part of IAF's DNA.

 "Developing unique tactics, carrying out realistic training and incorporating relevant lessons learnt will go a long way," he added.

On Agniveers, the Chief of Air Staff said, "We have successfully inducted the first batch of Agniveers and subsequent batches, including women Agniveers, are undergoing basic training. The rigour of training has been increased across the board for all training curriculums with more emphasis on self-learning and self-education."..

Source : Deccan Chronicle

Correct Answer :   Houston

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A long-awaited dream of having the first free-standing Gandhi Museum in North America, dedicated to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace, is finally a reality and open for the public in the US city of Houston in Texas.

The Eternal Gandhi Museum is the only Gandhi-related Museum in the United States, dedicated to Gandhi, to preserve and promote his ever-lasting legacy of nonviolent conflict resolution.

The museum officially opened its doors to the public on August 15, but the Grand ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on October 2, the 154th birth anniversary of Gandhi.

The outer walls of the semi-circle-shaped museum depict various peace activists including Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Betty Williams, and more. A statue of Gandhi stands in front of the museum.

Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi and Martin Luther King’s nephew, Isaac Newton Farris Jr., CGI Houston D Manjunath, were the special guests amongst several invited guests Monday afternoon, to celebrate the grand opening of the Museum.

"EGMH will encourage humanity to get beyond hate, violence, and supremacy," Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, said.

"For a great many in the world, Gandhi and King are symbols of dignity, of peace, of equality."

The 13,000 square-foot museum's architecture is based on Gandhi's twenty-four-spoke Chakra spinning wheel which he used to seek independence from colonial rule.

EGMH offers insights into different chapters of Gandhi’s life, including his childhood in India, early adulthood as a lawyer in Africa and followed by the Satyagraha movement and nonviolent fight for independence.

The interactive and engaging exhibits tell the story of Gandhi’s life and visitors experience it in three parts: “His Journey,” “Our Journey” and “My Journey.”

Isaac Newton Farris Jr., who flew in from Atlanta for the event, said "This museum and the great Mahatma's philosophy is desperately needed in America today, and so I certainly had to be part of this," Farris said..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Kochi

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Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying "Parshottam Rupala" will inaugurate the 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC) at Hotel Le Meridien, Kochi on 10th October 2023.

Renowned agricultural economists, scientists, policymakers, academicians, farmers and entrepreneurs are set to converge in Kochi for four days from 10th October 2023 to attend the 16th Agricultural Science Congress.

The primary aim of the ASC is to generate a scientific discourse around transforming India’s agri-food systems into sustainable enterprises to facilitate its benefit for generations to come. Organised by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), the Agricultural Science Congress is being held for the first time in Kerala, hosted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

The Congress will discuss 10 thematic areas, including all issues related to agriculture and allied areas and sustainability issues on land and water, agricultural production systems, products, agricultural machinery, climate action, economics, renewable or alternative energy, precision farming, alternative farming systems, coastal agriculture, next-generation technologies, etc..

Source : DD News

Correct Answer :   9th October

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World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9th October. The event was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo as a means to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) creation in 1874.

Post offices play a crucial role in fostering cohesive, inclusive, connected communities. Presently, over five million postal employees are entrusted with a variety of essential and personal items, from messages, gifts and goods, to money and medicines.


World Post Day 2023 Theme :  Theme for World Post Day 2023 is "Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future."

This year's theme urges governments and their postal services to support the development of a digital single postal territory that complements the extensive physical network developed over centuries.

It also extends an invitation to all of us to collaborate with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to ensure that people everywhere need look no further than their local post office to find access to the digital economy.

World Post Day History :  

The history of post is older than its written history. It is said that the first postal service was organized in the time of Augustus Caesar (62 BCE - 14 CE) in Rome. According to British Postal Museum, the oldest functioning post office is in the High Street in Sanquhar, Scotland. This post office has functioned since 1712 AD.

World Post Day is celebrated to remember the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in Switzerland’s capital, Bern. Celebrated across 151 countries, it was first declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. India too acknowledges the date with the beginning of National Postal week, celebrated from October 9 to October 15.


World Post Day Significance :

The purpose of World Post Day is to bring awareness to the Post's role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its invaluable contribution to global social and economic development.

Postal operators provide some 1.5 billion people worldwide with access to basic financial services (payments, money transfers, and savings).

With a network comprising more than 650,000 offices and 5.3 million staff globally, and a public service mandate from many governments, the Post is unparalleled in its ability to deliver services to anyone, anywhere..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared the Gangetic Dolphin as the state aquatic animal.

CM Yogi emphasised the need to maintain the purity of ponds and rivers. These dolphins are found in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghra, Rapti, and Gerua. The estimated population of Gangetic dolphins in Uttar Pradesh is estimated at around 2000.

Teams of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Forest Department have been recently counting dolphins with the help of GPS in Garh Ganga at Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Regarding the ongoing dolphin census in Garh Ganga, DFO Sanjay Kumar Mall said, "This is a campaign named Meri Ganga Meri Dolphin 2023 campaign.

Under this, counting of dolphins is being done in river Ganga from near Muzaffarpur Barrage to the entire Narora Barrage. In this, counting is being done through joint action by both WWF and Forest Department teams.

There is a method of counting in it, such that there are two teams, each of which runs at a speed of 10 kilometres per hour, and there is a gap of 10 minutes between them. The entire team from Muzaffarpur to Narora Barrage will see how many dolphins dip in this interval."

"That team watches the dolphin diving and notes down its GPS location, and then another team comes and notes down its GPS location. It shows that if it comes after an interval of 10 minutes then it is the same dolphin, if it does not come then it is another dolphin then the counting is done in the same way," DFO Sanjay Kumar added.

The DFO also said that in the old data, there were 22 dolphins counted in 2015, 30 dolphins in 2016, 32 dolphins in 2017, 33 dolphins in 2018, 35 dolphins in 2019 and 41 dolphins in 2020..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   Ramaswamy N

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General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) on Wednesday (4th October 2023), announced the appointment of Ramaswamy N as its new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), effective from October 1, 2023.

This appointment follows the decision by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Ramaswamy, a veteran in the insurance industry, has diverse experience of over three decades at GIC Re.

He began his journey with GIC Re in 1988 as a direct recruit officer. Over the years, he managed a wide spectrum of non-life insurance classes, including Fire, Engineering, Miscellaneous, Motor, Liability, Aviation, Marine, and Agriculture.

Ramaswamy said, "GIC Re has a rich legacy of serving the insurance and reinsurance needs of our nation and beyond. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to achieve our vision and contribute to the growth and resilience of the insurance sector."..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Bengaluru

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Nokia launches first-of-its-kind 6G Lab in India; research areas will include foundational 6G technologies like Network as a Sensor, Network Exposure and Automation.

The 6G Lab is milestone for Nokia in contributing to the ‘Bharat 6G Vision,’ which aims to position India as a key global contributor to the design, development and implementation of 6G technology; the project also highlights Nokia’s commitment to the Indian market.

Nokia’s lab will be a platform for future collaboration for industry and academic stakeholders on 6G and facilitate the testing of new solutions while establishing their potential for commercialization.

Bengaluru, India – Nokia (5 October 2023) announced that it has established a 6G Lab at its Global R&D center in Bangalore, India. The first-of-its-kind project aims to accelerate the development of fundamental technologies and innovative use cases underpinned by 6G technology that will address the future needs of both industry and society. The Lab was inaugurated virtually by the Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics & IT, Government of India, Mr Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Nokia’s 6G lab supports the Government of India’s ‘Bharat 6G Vision,’ introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that envisions a key global role for India in the standardization, development, and implementation of 6G technology. The Lab will function as a platform for collaboration for industry stakeholders and facilitate the testing of innovative solutions while establishing their potential for commercialization.

The Lab includes a setup to research ‘Network as a Sensor’ technology that enables the network to sense objects, people and movement without the need for on-board sensors.

In the 6G era, ’Network as a Sensor’ has been identified as a key enabling technology that supports the vision of bringing the digital and physical worlds together. Sensing will be fully integrated into the wireless network and operate simultaneously with communication services.

This has the potential to enable people to see around corners, gather information about their surroundings and even interact with objects at a distance. The Lab will also provide an experimental platform for researching algorithms, privacy, and sustainable system design.

Nokia is a pioneer in 6G work and is engaged in several global projects and regional initiatives with industry peers, customers, academia, and research institutions.

This work aims to form a common view and direction for 6G, including 6G Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II, the first and second phase of the European 6G Flagship. Nokia is also a founding member of the Next G Alliance which is helping to drive the 6G ecosystem in North America and coordinating the German Lighthouse project 6G ANNA..

Source : Nokia

Correct Answer :   October 8th

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World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, celebrated annually on October 8th, the Government of India held a half-day event to explore and leverage the boundless possibilities of hydrogen as a source of green and sustainable energy.

The event, organized in New Delhi on October 7, 2023, by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, in association with Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited, brought together hydrogen experts from the industry, academia and government.

On the occasion, the R&D Roadmap for the National Green Hydrogen Mission was unveiled by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. The roadmap, which provides for a budget of Rs. 400 crores, seeks to provide guidance for developing a vibrant research and development ecosystem which can help commercialize Green Hydrogen and contribute to India’s ambitious climate and energy goals.

It focuses on developing new materials, technologies, and infrastructure to improve the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of green hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. The R&D program will also prioritize safety and address technical barriers and challenges in developing a hydrogen economy.


“Let us reiterate our commitment to research, development and deployment of hydrogen solutions” :

In a video message, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh, said, that World Hydrogen and Cell Day is a day when we celebrate a transformative element in the universe which holds the promise for a brighter and more sustainable future. “Hydrogen is the most abundant element and it has the potential to revolutionize our energy landscape, mitigate climate change, and power our economies with clean energy. On this World Hydrogen Day, let us reiterate our commitment to research, development and deployment of hydrogen solutions. Let us inspire our industries and communities to embrace hydrogen as a key player in the energy transition. Together, we can ensure that hydrogen becomes a cornerstone of a sustainable and prosperous future for our Planet Earth.”

“First priority is mission-mode projects which will yield results in 2–3 years” :

Delivering the keynote speech, renowned scientist and Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood opined that green hydrogen is the Swiss knife for decarbonization. Speaking about the R&D Roadmap, the PSA said that the goal in the first phase is to focus on mission mode projects which can yield results in 2 – 3 years. “The R&D budget announced in this Mission is Rs. 400 crores in just 2 – 3 years. If we are able to demonstrate that this R&D can make a difference at the ground level, then I am confident that more will come. Our first priority should be mission-mode projects which will yield results in 2 – 3 years; then, we can address grand challenges which will be rather long-term and also blue sky projects which will take disruptive pathways.”

The PSA underscored the need for augmenting domestic capacity for production of electrolyzers in a very short time scale. He said that this is one goal the SIGHT programme addresses. Prof. Sood emphasized the immediate need for coming out with standards for Type IV cylinders for storing hydrogen. “Our standards are for Type III cylinders. Around the world, it is Type IV cylinders. So India has to come out with standards for Type IV cylinders; with these cylinders, we can triple mileage and filling time is also one tenth or so.”

“Research awarded under R&D Roadmap will allow India to be absolutely at the cutting edge in the field” :

Addressing the stakeholders, New and Renewable Energy Secretary, Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, said that India has entered the green hydrogen space at the right time and that the country is poised to become one of the leaders in the green hydrogen sector. The Secretary said that the R&D Roadmap aims to leverage research to ensure that India is at the cutting edge of the sector in the world. “If you really want to succeed, we need to produce green hydrogen at the least cost, in the best possible way. For this, we want to be the leader in technology as well, at par or ahead of the rest of the world. The R&D Roadmap for National Green Hydrogen Mission aims for all of this. It covers all aspects of production, transportation, storage and safety. We will issue call for proposals based on this roadmap and we will start awarding specific projects under the Mission. The research awarded will allow India to be absolutely on par with the cutting edge in the field.”


Launch of National Single Window System page for Approvals under National Green Hydrogen Mission :

Besides the R&D roadmap, the Green Hydrogen page on The National Single Window System (NSWS) of Government of India was unveiled, which will provide a single window to industry for obtaining all approvals related to projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The page can be accessed here: https://www.nsws.gov.in/portal/scheme/greenhydrogenpolicy..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   8th October

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Indian Airforce Day Will be celebrated every year on 8 October. Officially the Indian Air Force was established on 8 October, 1932. On the location of this day every year the Air Force Day is celebrated.

This year (2023) the 91st anniversary of Indian Air Force Day will be celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour at various air stations all over the country. Let us know more about Air Force day 2023.

The Indian Air Force which is also the fourth largest airforce in all over the world after the United States, China and Russia. Indian Air Force Day is celebrated every year on eight October and this year marks its 91st anniversary of this day. Last year the parade and the AirPower was shown in the air base in Ghaziabad.

The theme of 2023 is  'IAF - Airpower Beyond Boundaries'.

91st Air Force Day : 

The 91st Air Force Day will be celebrated in the holiest place of the Hindu religion in Prayagraj. On the location of Air Force day the Indian Air Force would be flying its aircraft in the Sugreev, luv- Kush and Bharat formation along with others. On the 91st Air Force day There will be a total number of 120 aircraft taking part.


Air Force Day 2023 Significance : 

The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 and this is why the day is celebrated every year as an anniversary of the Indian Air Force. Air force bases in India hold parades and air shows to mark the holiday. The Indian Air Force is also known as Bharathiya Vayu Sena and is the air arm of the Indian defence. The day is celebrated for the inception of Indian airports in India to aid The army that is fighting on the land.

Indian Airforce Day 2023 History :

As we have already told you, the establishment of the Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 and the first AC flight came into being on 1 April 1933. The day is officially started as the anniversary in order to increase the awareness of the Indian Air Force in any organisation. The Indian defence system is respected by all the citizens and the day is celebrated in the air force bases all across the nation with air shows and parades conducted by the Indian Air Force cadets.


Indian Air Force Day 2023 Motto :

The Air Force day 2023 Motto is Nabham Sparsham Deeptham which means touch the sky with glory. According to some data, the Indian Air Force employs over 1400 aircraft and 1,70,000 personnel. The Indian Air Force has been engaged in four wars with Pakistan and one with the People’s Republic of China after the independence of India. So this is all about Airforce Day 2023..

Source : Northmcd