Correct Answer :   24th Oct 2023

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Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several Shaft films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.

Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday (24th Oct 2023).

He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.

“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men,” McMinn said".

The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.” Roundtree, who was born in New Rochelle, New York, was considered as the first Black action hero and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971.

At age 28, it was Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Japan

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The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on developing a semiconductor supply chain partnership, which will focus on research and development (R&D), manufacturing, design, and talent development for the industry.

The MoC was initially signed in July 2023 between the IT Ministry and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The MoC intends to strengthen cooperation between India and Japan towards enhancement of the semiconductor supply chain, recognising the importance of semiconductors for the advancement of industries and digital technologies, a statement released by the Union Cabinet said.

India is looking to establish itself as a reliable presence in the semiconductor supply chain, especially at a time when companies are looking to diversify from China, which has been the hub of electronics manufacturing for several decades now.

New Delhi has rolled out a $10 billion plan to boost local chip manufacturing. US memory maker Micron Technology is constructing an assembly and packaging plant in Gujarat under the plan.

India is also working with the United States on chip supply chains. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held a bilateral meeting last month ahead of the G20 Summit, they reiterated their stance on building resilient global semiconductor supply chains.

US chip company Microchip Technology had earlier announced an investment of $300 million for the next few years to expand its operations in India, which would include opening a new research and development (R&D) facility in Hyderabad. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) will invest up to $400 million in India over the next five years and will set up its biggest design facility in Bengaluru.

Lam Research had announced a proposal to train 60,000 Indian engineers through its Semiverse Solution virtual fabrication platform. And Applied Materials announced a proposed investment of $400 million to establish a collaborative engineering centre in India..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Iran

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Cyclonic storm 'Hamoon' that arose in the Bay of Bengal hit the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh on 25 October 2023.

Tropical cyclones that form in the Indian Ocean are ranked by the 13 member countries. Cyclonic storm 'Hamoon' has been named by Iran.

'Hamun' is a Persian word that refers to temporary desert lakes and marshlands..

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   Amit Shah

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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, presided over the launch of the National Cooperative for Exports Limited (NCEL), a venture that marks the union of cooperative sectors in India's export efforts. The event, held 23rd Oct 2023 in Delhi, saw the unveiling of the NCEL logo, website, and brochure, along with the distribution of membership certificates to NCEL members.

NCEL, established as an umbrella organization for cooperative sector exports, was registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, on January 25 of 2023.

Minister Piyush Goyal was also present at the event, underscoring the government's commitment to bolstering the cooperative sector's role in India's export landscape.

In his address, Piyush Goyal emphasized the collaboration between NCEL and the Commerce Department, highlighting the comprehensive efforts by the Trade and Cooperative Ministries, along with the Foreign Ministry, to ensure the venture's success.

After the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Modi government has adopted several measures to strengthen the rural economy.

The National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL) has been set up to transform local products into global ones and to extend the reach of… pic.twitter.com/erb0SDGKLU

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 23, 2023

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said nanotechnology will be the game changer in agriculture in the days ahead.  Addressing a large number of farmers after inaugurating the Country’s first Nano DAP plant by IFFCO near Kalol in Gandhinagar, the Minister said it is the need of the hour to adopt natural farming and reduce the use of fertilizers in agriculture without compromising the scale of the production.

The Minister lauded IFFCO’s contribution in developing nano variants and coming up with successful alternatives to chemical fertilizers. 

Mr. Shah said that besides the increase in budget and loan assistance to the farmers, the government has also increased the fertilizer subsidies following the rise in fertilizers’ prices globally.

The Minister said unlike the solid DAP and Urea, the liquid nano DAP will not affect the nutrients in the soil and will have zero harmful metal particles. He said the DAP plant will largely benefit the farmers of the region. 

The Nano liquid dap plant in Kalol has been set up by IFFCO at the cost of 300 crore rupees. The plant has been developed in tune with the Aatmnirbhar Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IFCCO chairman Dilip Sanghani said while one bag of conventional DAP costs around 1300 rupees, the farmers can get one bottle of nano liquid DAP for just 600 rupees which can be carried by farmers in their pockets.

The plant will lead to a significant reduction in imports of DAP and also will bring down the logistics and warehousing costs. The plant will produce 5 crore bottles of Nano dap liquid equivalent to 25 tons of DAP.
 
Later, the Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development works in the Sanand assembly area in Ahmedabad 24th Oct 2023. He also laid the foundation stone of the sports complex at SD Arts and BR Commerce College, in his native place Mansa near Gandhinagar..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   23 October 2023

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Eminent Assamese scholar, linguist, singer, and Padma Shri, Birendra Nath Datta, breathed his last at a private hospital in Guwahati on 23 October 2023, leaving behind a rich legacy of contributions to literature and education. Born in 1935 in Nagaon, Assam, Datta began his illustrious academic career as a lecturer at B Borooah College in 1957.

His passion for education led him to serve as the Principal of various esteemed institutions, including Pramathesh Barua College in Gauripur, Goalpara College, and Pandu College.

Having obtained his Ph.D. in folklore from Gauhati University in 1974, Datta established himself as a prolific writer, authoring several scholarly books on folklore, culture, and literature.

His noteworthy achievements were further recognized with the prestigious Padma Shri award in the field of ‘Literature and Education’ in 2009, and the Jagaddhatri Harmohan Das Sahitya Puraskar in 2010. Datta also made significant contributions to the Assam Sahitya Sabha, serving as its President in 2003 and 2004.

In addition to his academic prowess, Datta was a gifted vocalist and songwriter, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Assam with his popular Assamese songs. His remarkable contributions to literature, education, and the arts have left an enduring impact, solidifying his position as a revered figure in Assamese cultural history..

Source : The Guwahati

Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

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The Rajasthan government recently (on October 6, 2023) launched the ‘iStart Talent Connect Portal’ at Jaipur’s Techno Hub. The portal, which has been unveiled under the state government’s flagship initiative, iStart Rajasthan, in collaboration with Jaipur-based startup Hyrefox, has been developed to serve as a user-friendly platform for both job providers and job seekers.

The platform not only allows companies to discover potential talent but also lets them post job openings and connect with their future employees.

Prateek Jain, the CEO and cofounder of HyreFox said, “The website aims at catalysing the synergy between emerging businesses and skilled professionals, ultimately fostering a thriving work environment.”

Founded in 2018, HyreFox is a job hiring aggregator startup that connects startups and corporates with recruitment firms across India via its website.

At the event, Navaldeep Singh, director, HyreFox, highlighted how the Talent Connect Portal can address the challenges faced by corporates and startups in finding the right candidates.

Chiming in, Jain said that the portal aims to bridge the divide between companies and job seekers while fostering connections between corporations, academic institutions, the government and students.

The primary value proposition lies in efficient talent discovery and the absence of portal usage costs makes hiring cost-effective for businesses. The platform will also maintain a user database, facilitating the search for the right employees or companies.

The Talent Connect Portal is just one of the many initiatives taken by iStart to empower its startup ecosystem. Since its launch in 2017, iStart has played a pivotal role in nurturing local talent and supporting diverse new-age sectors and ventures.

The state government’s iStart initiative provides a plethora of opportunities, including incubation centres, mentorship, networking and essential business support services, to regional startups.

The initiative has resulted in the creation of more than 29,000 jobs in the state since 2017. While these efforts continue to nurture startups in the state, iStart has also attracted investor attention.

Notably, Rajasthan-based startups have collectively raised more than $307 Mn between 2014 and H1 2023 from Indian and global investors like Peak XV Partners, Y Combinator, LetsVenture, Marwari Catalysts and Avaana Capital..

Source : Inc42

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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The Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh has established the Urban Road Infrastructure Development Agency (URIDA). This decision reflects the government's commitment to enhancing urban road infrastructure.

Additionally, the Yogi government recently granted approval for the implementation of the Chief Minister Green Road Infrastructure Development Scheme (Urban), which boasts a substantial budget of Rs 500 crore. This scheme, known as the 'CM Grids Scheme,' underscores the government's dedication to promoting sustainable and green urban infrastructure development in the state.

In response to the increasing urbanization within the state and the pressing need to alleviate the burden of rising vehicular traffic while facilitating smoother traffic flow, the Uttar Pradesh government, as per an official statement, has initiated a significant undertaking.

This scheme, named the 'Chief Minister Green Road Infrastructure Development Scheme (Urban),' has been launched by the Urban Development Department in alignment with the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It is aimed at enhancing the visual and functional aspects of urban roadways while also shouldering the responsibility of overseeing, financing, and supervising road development within municipalities.

With a focus on aligning cities' road networks with international standards, the scheme's implementation is the result of Chief Minister Yogi's instructions to advance urban road infrastructure. To execute this vision, the Urban Development Department has instituted the Urban Road Infrastructure Development Agency (URIDA) and delineated its duties on the ground.

Beyond the development and maintenance of urban roads, URIDA is tasked with establishing an Urban Road Management System. The agency is dedicated to resource generation, financial improvement for urban local bodies, and the integration of innovative technologies into road infrastructure.

The operations of URIDA will be based in the Directorate of Local Bodies building in Lucknow. A General Body and an Executive Committee have been constituted to oversee the activities of the 'CM Grids (Urban)' project, ensuring its efficient and comprehensive execution.

A chartered accountant will conduct an annual audit of the CM-Grids (Urban) bank accounts within six months after the conclusion of each financial year. The chartered accountants will also provide the agency with an accuracy certificate for the reconciliation statement of urban local bodies and CM-Grids (Urban) bank accounts..

Source : Myind

Correct Answer :   Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka on Tuesday (24th Oct 2023) waived the visa fees for Indians and tourists from six other countries, as part of its efforts to boost tourist arrivals and help rebuild the island nation’s battered economy following last year’s financial crash.   

India has remained Sri Lanka’s top source market for many years. This year (2023), over 2 lakh Indian tourists — constituting 20% of the total tourist arrivals — have visited the island nation until September.

As part of its decisions this week, the Cabinet announced implementation of a pilot project to issue free tourist visas to tourists from China, India, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan until March 31, 2024.

According to a statement on the weekly Cabinet decisions, published by the Department of Government Information, the move is part of “several new programmes” planned for the promotion of the Sri Lankan tourism industry, one of the chief foreign exchange earning sectors for the country, apart from exports and worker remittances.


Struggling to revive :

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is struggling to bounce back after three major setbacks in the last few years — the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021, and the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022.

Until now, Indian tourists were charged $20 with their visa application online. The decision to issue free tourist visas is likely to boost tourist arrivals including from India, officials said..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Mumbai

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Mumbai's run with bad air continued on Monday (23rd Oct 2023).

It was the second most polluted city among 109 places tracked by IQAir, a Swiss technology company measuring air quality in real-time. Delhi was the sixth most polluted city. Beijing was at the top.

The AQI score is based on the US system where a score of between 0-50 is good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy and greater than 301 is hazardous.

The concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Mumbai was 14.7 times the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline of five micrograms per cubic metre. In Delhi, it was 9.8 times the guideline value.

The air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai was 160 on October 23 as of 5 p.m. Ahmedabad recorded the same index value. Delhi was further behind with an index value of 135.

Around 1.6 million deaths in the country in 2019 were due to air pollution, according to a study 'Health and economic impact of air pollution in the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019,' published in The Lancet in December 2020.

India incurred billions in losses due to air pollution in 2019. Out of this $28.8 billion was from premature deaths and $8 billion from morbidity.

"The economic loss due to lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution was 1.36 per cent of India's GDP in 2019."

Among the states, economic loss was the maximum in Uttar Pradesh at $5.1 billion. Next was Maharashtra incurring a loss of $4 billion, followed by Gujarat ($2.9 billion), Karnataka ($2.7 billion) and Tamil Nadu ($2.5 billion).

"Delhi had the highest per-capita economic loss due to air pollution, followed by Haryana in 2019, with 5.4 times variation across all states," noted the study.

Among the South Asian countries, the increase in particulate matter between 2000 and 2021 was the highest in India at 54.8 per cent, followed by Bangladesh (44.1 per cent), Afghanistan (42.3 per cent) and Pakistan (39.9 per cent), according to Air Quality Life Index 2023 report by University of Chicago authors Michael Greenstone and Christa Hasenkopf. 

The top 5 Cities in the world are :

1. Beijing
2. Mumbai
3. Karachi
4. Jerusalem
5. Shenyang.

Source : Business Standard