Correct Answer :   India

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India has been identified as the country with the highest percentage of doping offenders, according to the 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report. Out of 4,064 samples collected from Indian athletes, 127 individuals tested positive for banned substances, constituting 3.26% of the sample size. This highlights a concerning trend in Indian sports and underscores the need for comprehensive measures to address doping.

Increase in Testing and Adverse Findings :

The report also reveals a 6.4% increase in the total number of samples analyzed compared to the previous year. Additionally, the percentage of Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) rose to 0.77% in 2022 from 0.65% in 2021, indicating a growing issue worldwide.

Comparative Analysis :

India’s doping violations surpassed those of major sporting nations such as Russia, the United States, Italy, and France. China conducted the highest number of samples testing but had a lower percentage of adverse findings compared to India.

Need for Remedial Action :

These findings underscore the urgent need for India to tackle doping through enhanced scientific research infrastructure, improved education about banned substances, and better coaching practices. The involvement of coaches, doctors, and physiotherapists associated with sports teams is crucial in this regard.

Director General’s Statement :

Olivier Niggli, WADA’s director general, emphasized the importance of intelligence-led testing alongside values-based education, investigations, and other strategies to combat doping effectively. This multi-faceted approach aims to protect athletes and maintain the integrity of sports.

Correct Answer :   SIDBI

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The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has forged a partnership with fintech platform KarmaLife to extend micro loans to gig workers. This collaboration aims to enhance financial inclusion for gig workers by leveraging KarmaLife’s mobile app technology to streamline loan access without the need for extensive paperwork.

Streamlined Loan Access for Gig Workers :

KarmaLife’s mobile app eliminates the traditional hurdles associated with obtaining micro loans, enabling gig workers to access financial assistance conveniently. This streamlined process is designed to cater to the liquidity needs of gig workers engaged in various enterprise activities.

Facilitating Financial Inclusion :

The partnership between SIDBI and Onion Life Private Limited, through its technology platform KarmaLife, seeks to support the financial inclusion of gig workers by providing them with formal institutional credit. By simplifying the loan application process, the initiative aims to empower gig workers economically and foster their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Commitment to Digital Innovation :

SIDBI’s Chairman and Managing Director, S Ramann, emphasizes the institution’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to offer affordable credit solutions to micro-enterprises. This pilot program is envisioned to not only assist gig workers but also to establish an institutional framework for assessing credit risks within this segment.

Addressing the Growing Gig Economy :

In response to the rapid expansion of the gig economy in India, there is a growing demand to provide accessible and affordable financial support to non-salaried gig workers. This partnership underscores the importance of adapting financial services to meet the evolving needs of this dynamic workforce.

Empowering Gig Workers :

Rohit Rathi, Co-founder and CEO of KarmaLife, expresses enthusiasm about empowering gig workers with the necessary financial resources to thrive in the gig economy. By facilitating efficient liquidity management, KarmaLife aims to enable gig workers to maximize their entrepreneurial potential and achieve financial stability.

Correct Answer :   Early warning weather systems

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India's collaboration with Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Mauritius involves assisting them in setting up early warning weather systems.

These systems are crucial for providing timely alerts and forecasts regarding natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and storms, helping these countries improve their disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

Correct Answer :   Uttarakhand

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Uttarakhand's government is proactively addressing Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks by monitoring high-risk glacial lakes and employing advanced early warning systems. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of potential GLOFs and prevent disasters in the region.

Correct Answer :   April 7th

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World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7th. Since its inception at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and coming into effect in 1950, the day has aimed to spread awareness about various health issues and highlight areas of concern such as mental health, maternal and child care, and climate change.

History of World Health Day :

World Health Day marks the long-lasting legacy of the International Health Initiative. Announced first by the World Health Organization in 1950 after the conclusion of World War II, there was a need for a body to oversee health issues.

The WHO was established to address important health issues and work independently without the interference of any government. April 7th was announced as the World Health Day, to honour the founding of the global health body.

Know the significance of the World Health Day :

The day underscores the importance of primary health care facilities, proper sanitation habits, and availability of clean water. It also highlights the health challenges and focuses on the health facilities that should be provided to a human being.

Earlier, the WHO addressed and worked towards eradicating major health concerns such as smallpox, TB, and malaria to commemorate the day. Initiatives and campaigns were launched to fight these diseases.

The theme of World Health Day 2024 :

The themes of World Health Day have changed several times to highlight new priorities and major health issues. From addressing the importance of mental health using the theme in 2017 to highlighting the link between climate change and health in 2022, the day has been a standing platform to address all health-related issues in this changing world. The theme for the World Health Day 2024 is ‘My Health, My Right.’

Correct Answer :   Lakshadweep

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A two-day coastal security exercise called Sagar Kavach 01/24 was conducted off the Lakshadweep Islands from April 1-2, 2024. The exercise involved the participation of all maritime security agencies, including the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, and other security agencies.

Objectives and Outcomes :

The primary objective of the exercise was to validate the effectiveness of the coastal security mechanism in dealing with asymmetric threats emanating from the sea. The exercise witnessed enhanced preparedness, response mechanisms, surveillance capabilities, and coordination among the various coastal security stakeholders.

Participation and Assets Engaged :

During the exercise, a wide range of assets from the participating agencies were engaged. This included assets from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, and other security agencies. The exercise provided an opportunity to test and validate the effectiveness of the coastal security framework in the Lakshadweep region.

Significance of the Exercise :

The Sagar Kavach 01/24 exercise is crucial for strengthening the country’s coastal security. It helps to identify any gaps or areas for improvement in the existing mechanisms and ensures that the maritime security agencies are well-prepared to address any potential threats. The enhanced coordination and cooperation among the stakeholders during the exercise also contribute to the overall effectiveness of the coastal security framework.

The successful conduct of the Sagar Kavach 2024 exercise in the Lakshadweep Islands is a testament to the Indian government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests and ensuring the security of its coastal regions.

Correct Answer :   Maharashtra

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The sitars and tanpuras of Miraj, a small town in Maharashtra’s Sangli district known for its craftsmanship in making musical instruments, have been awarded the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tags.

These instruments made in Miraj are much in demand among some of the prominent artistes, including those renowned in the field of classical music as well as film industry, the makers claim..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   New Zealand

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New Zealand tightened its visa regulations citing high “unsustainable net migration” levels and introducing additional criteria like skills and language requirements as well as shortening the lengths of work permits issued to international citizens.

Country's Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said on Sunday (7th April 2024) that the changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV) scheme were effective immediately and New Zealand will be “better testing the local labor market and reducing the risks of putting New Zealanders out of work”.

A statement by Stanford added, “The Government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage. At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages.”

Why is New Zealand tightening its visa regulations?

* As per the statement, 173,000 non-New Zealanders migrated to the country in 2023. With a population of 5.3 million, New Zealand has been seeing a surge in migration since 2022.

* The government is concerned that several New Zealand citizens would be put out of work. It wants to ensure that “New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages.”

* Through these rules, the New Zealand government is planning to develop a “smarter immigration system” which would eventually lead to managing net migration.

* The statement read, “These changes are the start of a more comprehensive work programme to create a smarter immigration system that manages net migration, responds to our changing economic context, attracts top talent, revitalises international education, is self-funding and sustainable, and better manages risk.”

Correct Answer :   HP

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The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, has joined hands with HP India to introduce ‘HP Future Impact Leaders - IICA Certified Environmental – Social - Governance (ESG) Professional Programme’. This initiative aims to promote sustainability and empower corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals to emerge as leaders in navigating the intricacies of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks.

Under this programme, HP India in collaboration with IICA, will offer 100 percent scholarships to 75 candidates, enabling them to pursue advanced education in ESG without financial barriers. The initiative underscores a shared commitment to fostering sustainable business practices and driving positive societal impact. Applications for the first batch of the ‘HP Future Impact Leaders- IICA Certified Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) Professional Programme’ for 75 scholars is now open and nominations could be submitted online on IICA website.

HP Future Impact Leaders initiative is designed as a comprehensive course on ESG, giving a holistic understanding of the philosophy of ESG, its principles, its relevance, and its implications in the current scenario. The six-month course comprising of self-paced learning modules will be delivered online. Renowned ESG professionals of international & national repute are involved in delivering the live interactive master classes. There will be one in-person session where participants will get the chance to meet their fellow participants.

The programme is designed to cater to professionals either working in business and human rights (BHR), ESG, environmental health and safety (EHS), sustainability, and CSR. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in any discipline and a minimum of five years of experience in relevant fields to be eligible for the programme..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   60

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The Geographical Indication (GI) Tag was awarded to 60 traditional products from various parts of India, marking a significant recognition of their unique origin, quality, and cultural significance. This extensive list includes items like Banaras Tabla, Banaras Thandai, Tripura's Pachra-Rignai, and Meghalaya Garo Textile, among others, showcasing the diverse heritage of India.