Correct Answer :   Raghubar Das

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President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Raghubar Das as Governor of Odisha, and Indra Sena Reddy Nallu as Governor of Tripura.

An official statement from the President's Secretariat issued on Wednesday, said, "The President of India is pleased to make the following appointments:- Shri Indra Sena Reddy Nallu as Governor of Tripura and Shri Raghubar Das as Governor of Odisha."
 
Key Points :

* Raghubar Das has been appointed as the 26th governor of Odisha.

* Das is a former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

* He has also served as the president of the Jharkhand BJP twice.

* At present, Ganeshi Lal is serving as the 25th Governor of Odisha.

* He was sworn in as the Odisha governor in 2018.

* Indra Sena Reddy Nallu is a national secretary of the BJP and has thrice served as an MLA in Andhra Pradesh.

* Currently, Satyadev Narayan Arya is serving as the 19th governor of Tripura.

* He is a BJP leader from Bihar and has previously served as a Governor of Haryana..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Kolkata

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Under the initiative of the Union Textiles Ministry, the National Handicraft Exhibition- Gandhi Bunkar Mela started in Kolkata.

Its main objective is to increase the marketing of Khadi clothes across the country and to generate people's interest in Khadi products.

This fair will be organized till October.  

Correct Answer :   Rajeev Chandrasekhar

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Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar will inaugurate project “Heartland Tripura,” a skill development initiative in collaboration with Deloitte and the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) in Agartala 19th Oct 2023.

The project will be launched at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan in Agartala and will aim to provide skill development and employment opportunities to undergraduate students in engineering and non-engineering disciplines.

“Heartland Tripura” is being implemented by Deloitte in association with NIELIT, Agartala, with the support of the Government of India and the Government of Tripura.

The inauguration will also be attended by Km. Pratima Bhoumik, Minister of State, Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, as the guest of honor, and Smt  Santana Chakma, Minister of Industries & Commerce, Jail (Home), and Welfare of OBCs, Government of Tripura, as a special guest.

The "Heartland Tripura" project will deliver a specific set of skill development certification courses through NIELIT-Agartala for the state. Select professionals will also have the opportunity to be selected in internships, which could lead to promising job prospects after they successfully complete the certification and internship requirements.

The certification courses offered under “Heartland Tripura” will cover a wide range of new-age technical and professional development skills, such as cybersecurity, internal audit, and analytics, as well as softer skills such as business communication and executive presence.

Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar last visited Agartala in June to review the progress of the International Railway Station at Charipara..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Arindam Bagchi

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 16 October 2023 announced the appointment of career diplomat Arindam Bagchi as India's next permanent representative to the United Nations and related global bodies in Geneva. The exact date when he would assume the charge was not disclosed, but the ministry noted that he would take over the assignment "shortly".

Bagchi would be succeeding Indra Mani Pandey, the incumbent Indian envoy to the UN in Geneva. He was given the key charge in July 2020, and is now set to return to New Delhi after a three-year stint.

"Arindam Bagchi (IFS:1995), presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva," the MEA said.

“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," the brief official statement further added.

Bagchi, notably, is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1955-batch. He was given the key charge of MEA spokesperson in March 2020, at a time when the world was facing the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, Bagchi was known for deftly handling media discussion around crucial topics such as the Sino-Indian border row in eastern Ladakh, Indian government's COVID-19 strategy and New Delhi's G20 presidency.

Before serving as the MEA spokesperson, Bagchi had also discharged duties as the Indian envoy in eastern Europe's Croatia and deputy high commissioner in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Bagchi had also served as a director in the Prime Minister's Office, and also at India's permanent mission at the UN in New York.

While his replacement as MEA spokesperson has not been named yet, news agency PTI learnt from sources that four senior diplomats, including Mauritius high commissioner K Nandini Singla and joint secretary (G20) Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur are being considered for the post..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   64th

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India has been ranked 64th out of 108 countries for remote work, marking a significant drop of 15 places compared to the previous year, according to a report released on Wednesday (18th Oct 2023). This decline can be attributed primarily to India's subpar digital and physical infrastructure and social safety.

The Global Remote Work Index (GRWI), published by cybersecurity firm NordLayer, assessed countries based on four key criteria: cyber safety, economic safety, digital and physical infrastructure, and social safety.

Donatas Tamelis, the managing director at NordLayer said, “Even though some of the big tech companies recently brought their employees back to the office or introduced a hybrid work model, remote work is here to stay. It’s not just a trend -- it is a fundamental shift in how we approach productivity and work-life balance.”

India's low ranking is a consequence of poor performance across all four dimensions, particularly in the realms of digital and physical infrastructure (77) and social safety (74).

The report highlighted that India's e-infrastructure is among the least developed in the world, earning it the 95th position. Furthermore, India's internet connection is both expensive (78th) and lacking in quality (70th).

In the context of social safety, India appears to be one of the most isolating countries globally, with a low personal rights index (88) and an environment that lacks inclusiveness (65). As for cyber and economic safety, India's performance is considered average, with rankings of 56 and 55, respectively.

While India is recognised as one of the most cost-effective destinations with the third-lowest cost of living, its healthcare system is rated poorly at 93. However, the country boasts a reasonably robust cyber infrastructure (13) and a decent response capacity (19).

Meanwhile, The top 10 countries which scored the highest on the Global Remote Work Index (GRWI) are Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Estonia, Lithuania, Ireland, and Slovakia..

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   45

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India dropped from the 41st position out of 44 countries in the 2022 Global Pension Index to the 45th spot out of 47 countries in 2023.

The index was released by the United States-based consulting company Mercer and not-for-profit organisation CFA Institute on Tuesday (17th Oct 2023). It comprises three sub-indices – adequacy, sustainability and integrity – to measure retirement income systems in 47 countries across over 50 indicators.

The first sub-index shows the adequacy of the benefits being provided and the sustainability sub-index represents the likelihood that the current pension system would be able to provide benefits in the future. The integrity sub-index includes legislative requirements that influence the overall governance and operations of the pension system, and shows the level of confidence of citizens in it.

India’s score improved marginally from 44.4 last year to 45.9 now. The report primarily attributed this to an improvement in the adequacy sub-index.

“India’s retirement income system comprises an earnings-related employee pension scheme, a DC [defined contribution] employee provident fund [EPFO] and supplementary employer-managed pension schemes that are largely DC in nature,” the report noted. “Government schemes have been launched as part of the universal social security program aimed at benefiting the unorganised sector.”

India can perform better by improving minimum support, expanding coverage of pension arrangements to workers in the unorganised sector and enhancing regulatory requirements for the private pension system, the report said.

The Netherlands, topping the ranking with a score of 85, was followed by Iceland at 83.5 and Denmark at 81.3.

In 2021, the Union government told Parliament that the Global Pension Index that had ranked India’s pension system low that year too, was “not based on reliable comparable international data”. India’s pension system was ranked 40th among 43 countries that year.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment had also said that the report did not recognise “every aspects of pension system prevailing in a country”..

Source : Scroll

Correct Answer :   V. Muraleedharan

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Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan will pay his third official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 18-19 October 2023.

* During the visit, MoS will hold high-level discussions with the Omani leadership and dignitaries. He will also inaugurate the painting exhibition, "India on Canvas: Masterpieces of Modern Indian Painting” which is a collection of specially curated 20 works of art from the collection of National Gallery of Modern Art, exhibited in the National Museum of Oman.

* MoS will also inaugurate a lecture series titled "From Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman”, organized by the Embassy of India shedding light on the history of Indian community in Oman and its contribution to India-Oman relations.

* During his visit, MoS will also interact with various Indian community organizations and a wide cross section of Indian community residing in Oman, including professionals, blue collar workers, health care workers, social workers, and school students.

* India and Oman share warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages and strong people-to-people ties. The forthcoming visit offers an opportunity to comprehensively review the bilateral relations between India and Oman and chart pathways to further deepen our multifaceted ties..

Source : MEA

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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A priority section of RAPIDX, which is India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), is all set to  be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi  on October 20, 2023.

The priority section of RRTS or RAPIDX will be thrown open between Duhai and Sahibabad, covering 17 kilometers. The priority section includes 5 stations; Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot. PM Modi is expected to flag off the first RAPIDX RRTS train in Ghaziabad.

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS, which is a first-of-its-kind regional connectivity project, will cover 82 kilometers in just an hour’s time once it is completed in 2025.

The Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System project is being executed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). According to NCRTC, the RAPIDX services will be the nation's "first railway system" with a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph along its entire length. The average speed of RAPIDX trains on the RRTS will be 100 kmph, surpassing both metro trains and Indian Railways' passenger trains.

In June this year (2023), the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), Government of India had given its clearance for the RRTS operations.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Railways had sanctioned the RRTS rolling stock train sets, which have been designed for a speed of 180 kmph but will operate at 160 kmph, marking a significant development. The country’s first RAPIDX train sets have been manufactured by Alstom in Gujarat.

RAPIDX trains will feature six coaches, including one Premium coach with separate entry and exit points on the platform. You can watch the video above to know the salient features and passenger-friendly amenities of India's first RRTS train.

Although the fares for RAPIDX have yet to be disclosed, their announcement is expected soon, especially with the opening of the priority section on the horizon later this week..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   7%

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The Indian government has announced its plans to divest 7% equity in Housing and Urban Development Corp. Ltd (Hudco) via an offer for sale (OFS) scheduled for 18 October - 19 October 2023. This strategic move is expected to generate approximately ₹1,100 crore in revenue.


OFS Details :

Investor Participation : The offer for sale will commence on October 18 for non-retail investors, with retail investors being able to bid on the following day.

Green Shoe Option : The government intends to divest 7% equity, including a green shoe option of 3.5%.

Floor Price : The floor price for the offer is set at ₹79 per share, which is 12% lower than the closing price of ₹89 on the BSE as of the previous Tuesday.

Number of Shares : Approximately 140 million shares will be put up for sale, with a total value of around ₹1,106 crore.

Retail Discount : Notably, there will be no retail discount offered for the OFS, as confirmed by Hudco in a filing with the BSE.

Compliance with SEBI Norms :

One of the primary reasons for the OFS is to ensure compliance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) minimum public shareholding norms. Currently, the government holds an 81.8% stake in Hudco. By divesting 7% of its shares, the government’s ownership will decrease to 74.8%, which is below the maximum permissible limit of 75%.


Government’s Divestment Strategy :

This stake sale aligns with the government’s broader divestment strategy, which aims to reduce its holdings in listed companies in order to meet SEBI norms. The government’s objective is to raise revenue through such divestments.


Brokers for the Sale :

Elara Securities (India), IDBI Capital Markets & Securities, and SBICAP Securities have been selected as brokers for the sale, facilitating the transaction between the government and potential investors.


Utilization of Proceeds :

The revenue generated from this stake sale will be channeled to the government’s treasury, contributing to its goal of raising ₹51,000 crore from disinvestment in the fiscal year 2024.

As of October 17, the government had already raised ₹6,950 crore from disinvestment activities. This amount primarily resulted from selling a 3% stake in Coal India Ltd, a 5.36% stake in Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd, and a 4.92% share sale in SJVN Ltd.

Correct Answer :   India and Sri Lanka

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated a ferry service connecting India and Sri Lanka on Saturday (14th Oct 2023), nearly four decades after the last such service was cancelled amid civil war in the island nation.

Aim : This initiative aims to bolster bilateral ties, boost tourism, and increase people-to-people relations while benefiting local traders on both shores.


The New Service :

The passenger ferry service, named ‘Cheriyapani,’ was officially launched on a Saturday. The one-way ticket for this high-speed craft costs approximately Rs 7,670, with a generous baggage allowance of up to 40 kg per passenger. The journey commences at Nagapattinam at 7 am, reaching Kankesanthurai by 11 am, and the return trip starts at 1.30 pm, arriving in Nagapattinam by 5.30 pm.


The Previous Route :

While the recent ferry service inauguration is a new development, maritime linkage between India and Sri Lanka has a long history. The Indo-Ceylon Express or Boat Mail operated between Chennai and Colombo via the Thoothukudi port from the early 1900s until 1982. However, the civil war in Sri Lanka led to the suspension of these services.

Pre-Civil War: Dhanushkodi to Talaimannar :

Before the civil war, one of the most popular routes was from Dhanushkodi to Talaimannar. Passengers from Chennai would board the Boat Mail Express, a train from Chennai’s Egmore railway station, and then transfer to a coal-powered steam ferry in Dhanushkodi, which would take them to Talaimannar in approximately two hours.


Attempts to Restart :

The idea of resuming ferry services between India and Sri Lanka has been under consideration for years, especially after the end of the civil war in 2009. In 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning passenger transportation by sea was signed, and a similar service was launched. However, it did not last for more than six months due to a poor response.

Efforts were also made to establish services from Rameswaram to Talaimannar and Karaikal to Kankesanthurai, but various challenges prevented these proposals from materializing.


Infrastructure Enhancement at Nagapattinam Port :

The Nagapattinam port, under the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board, was recently upgraded with funds worth Rs 8 crore from the Union Ministry of External Affairs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the service’s launch, emphasized that connectivity is not just about bringing two cities closer but also about bringing countries, people, and hearts closer.

Potential Impact of the New Service :

The reestablishment of the passenger ferry service has the potential to have a profound impact on the region. By providing an additional transportation option, it can amplify religious tourism in the coastal regions of both India and Sri Lanka. Indian pilgrim centers and temple towns are expected to see an influx of Lankan tourists, which would stimulate the local economies in these regions.


Tamil Nadu’s Commitment to the New Ferry Service :

Recognizing the significance of this new service, the state government of Tamil Nadu is actively working on infrastructure development. E V Velu, the Minister for Public Works, has noted that the state is coordinating with various departments of the Union government to ensure a smooth experience for passengers..


Source : Indian Express