Correct Answer :   Ministry of Defense

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Interim Budget 2024 on February 1, in which the Ministry of Defence has received the lion's share in the with an allocation of ?6.2 lakh crore. On the other hand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has received the lowest allocation out of all the sectors at ?1.27 lakh crore.

Followed by the defence ministry, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has received the second-highest allocation at ?2.78 lakh crore and the Railway Ministry has been allocated ?2.55 lakh crore.

Sitharaman revealed the government's ambitious plan to create a corpus of ?1 lakh crore to propel private investment in sunrise technologies. This corpus will herald what the Finance Minister described as a "golden era for our tech-savvy youth."

The corpus will be established through a fifty-year interest-free loan, providing a substantial financial boost to foster innovation and research in emerging technology sectors, according to the minister.

Sitharaman emphasized that the long-term financing or refinancing with extended tenors and low or nil interest rates will encourage the private sector to significantly upscale their efforts in research and innovation across sunrise domains.

This was the sixth budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman and the last one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's second term. The budget focused on fiscal consolidation, infra, agri, green growth, and railways. However, no changes were made in the tax rates, which was a disappointment to salaried individuals.

Since 2024 is an election year, with Lok Sabha Elections expected in April-May, the finance minister unveiled an Interim Budget or a Vote on Account in February, rather than a comprehensive annual budget. After the formation of the new government, the new full Budget is expected in July this year (2024)..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Mangalore

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The inaugural Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest will be held from February 16th to 18th, marking an important milestone in the region's entrepreneurial landscape. This event, which focuses on nurturing and promoting new ventures, promises to serve as a catalyst for Mangalore's burgeoning startup ecosystem.

Drawing Inspiration From Success :

* Designed After The South Summit : The festival's organizers hope to replicate the success of Spain's renowned South Summit in Mangalore. They hope to bring new energy and enthusiasm to the local startup scene by implementing tried-and-true strategies and best practices.

Tapasya Beach Festival :

* The Platform Of Innovation :  The Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest, organized by Tapasya Beach Festival (TBF), is poised to become a hub of creativity and innovation. Beyond just showcasing startups, it aims to foster meaningful connections, spark innovation, and instill an entrepreneurial spirit in participants.

Vishwas YUS Shares Insights On How To Strengthen The Startup Ecosystem :

Vishwas YUS, the regional director of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) in India, underscores the fest’s broader mission of consolidating the startup ecosystem. By bringing together key stakeholders, the event aims to foster startup growth and success.

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Expert Insights And Skill Development :

The fest's agenda includes sessions led by industry experts who provide invaluable insights into critical topics such as skill development, intellectual property rights (IPR), and the complexities of starting a business. This knowledge-sharing platform provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to navigate the startup landscape successfully.

Showcasing Innovation Through Student Participation And Startup Presentations :

One of the festival's highlights is the opportunity for students to present their innovative ideas. With approximately 20 startups expected to present their concepts, the event promises a wide range of ground-breaking innovations across multiple domains.

Explore Emerging Technologies-  AI, IPR, And Beyond :

In keeping with the changing technological landscape, the festival will include dedicated sessions on cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence (AI), intellectual property rights (IPR), and technology transfer. These sessions provide an opportunity for participants to stay up to date on the latest developments and trends affecting their respective industries.

Doctor Vishal Rao's Endorsement And Support :

Doctor Vishal Rao, a prominent scientific advisor to the central government and the state's vision group, has supported the festival. His endorsement, combined with IFIA and the International Startup Foundation's collaboration, emphasizes the event's importance and potential to inspire and empower emerging startups.

The Effects Of The Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest :

The Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest holds enormous potential as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and growth in the local startup ecosystem. With its ambitious agenda and robust support system, it is poised to make a long-term impact on Mangalore's entrepreneurial landscape and elsewhere.

Correct Answer :   3

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3 Young Indian-Origin Scientists To Be Honored With Prestigious Blavatnik Award 2024 In London on 27 February 2024. This award will be given to them for their excellent work in chemistry, physics and life sciences.

Indian scientist honoured with 'Blavatnik Award':

Out of the total nine scientists honoured with the Blavatnik Award, three are young scientists of Indian origin. Mainly among them :

By whom are these awards given?

* This award is given by ‘Blavatnik Family Foundation’ and ‘The New York Academy of Sciences’. This award is mainly given to young scientists for their research work. These selected young scientists will be honoured in a ceremony organised on 27 February 2024 for their research work in various fields of science.

* He will be honoured at a ceremony at the Banquet House in London. They will be awarded a total of £480,000 as prizes.

* The day after the awards ceremony in London, the honorees will present their research with a series of short, interactive lectures at a public symposium at RSA House in London.

Research grants to Professor Rahul Nair :

* Professor Rahul R. Nair is a material physicist at the University of Manchester. Professor Nair has been named the winner for developing new membranes based on 2D materials.

* The membranes developed by Nair will pioneer energy-efficient separation and filtration technologies.

* Professor Nair will be provided a grant of one lakh pounds to continue his research.

Malik honoured for quantum communication :

* Malik, a physics professor, has been named as the laureate for advancing quantum communications through his groundbreaking techniques.

Tanmay Bharat honoured for state-of-the-art technology in Cryo-ET :

* Dr. Tanmay Bharat is a young biologist in Britain. Dr. Tanmay has created atomic-level pictures of cell-surface molecules produced by microscopic bacteria and archaea.

* Dr. Tanmay was honoured for developing state-of-the-art technology in electron cryotomography (Cryo-ET) for this work.

* Both Professor Mehul Malik and Dr. Tanmay Bharat will be provided 30 thousand pounds for their research work.

About the Blavatnik Award :

* The Blavatnik Awards recognise the most innovative young faculty-rank scientists and engineers.

* These awards are given for work in the three disciplinary categories of Life Sciences, Physics and Engineering and Chemistry.

* This award is mainly given to young scientists for their past achievements and future prospects.

* In the United States, the Blavatnik National Award honours the most innovative young faculty-rank scientists and engineers.

Correct Answer :   Tamil Nadu

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Tamil Nadu has set a new benchmark in environmental conservation and biodiversity protection by securing two more Ramsar sites, thus achieving the highest number of such designated areas in the country. The recent addition of the Longwood Shola Reserve Forest in The Nilgiris and the Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary in Ariyalur has propelled the state to the forefront of ecological conservation efforts in India. With these new designations, Tamil Nadu now boasts 16 Ramsar sites, a testament to its rich biodiversity and the state government’s commitment to preserving it.

Understanding Ramsar Sites :

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. These sites are recognized for their ecological significance, biodiversity richness, and the role they play in supporting human life and environmental health.

New Additions to Tamil Nadu’s Conservation Legacy :

* Longwood Shola Reserve Forest: A Biodiversity Haven : The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest spans 116.07 hectares in The Nilgiris and is celebrated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. This verdant reserve is home to over 700 species of flora and fauna, including 177 bird species, 14 of which are endemic to the Western Ghats. The reserve’s diverse herpetofauna, several species of which are endemic and considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), underscores its ecological importance. Longwood Shola not only contributes to the biodiversity of the fragile Nilgiris ecosystem but also serves as a critical water source for Kotagiri and 18 downstream villages.

* Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary: A Crucial Stopover for Migratory Birds : Covering 453.7 hectares, the Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is nestled in Ariyalur and stands as another Important Bird and Biodiversity Area in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is a sanctuary for over 500 species of flora and fauna and plays a pivotal role in the Central Asian Flyway, acting as a vital breeding and foraging ground for waterbirds. Its designation as a Ramsar site acknowledges its significance in avian conservation and the protection of migratory pathways.

A Commitment to Sustainable Management :

Following these designations, the Tamil Nadu government, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, has embarked on preparing integrated management plans for its Ramsar sites. This initiative aims to ensure the sustainable conservation of these wetlands, safeguarding their biodiversity and ecological functions for future generations.

Tamil Nadu’s Leading Role in Wetland Conservation :

The recognition of Longwood Shola and Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary as Ramsar sites is a significant achievement for Tamil Nadu. It highlights the state’s dedication to environmental stewardship and its role as a leader in the conservation of India’s natural heritage. These designations not only contribute to global biodiversity conservation efforts but also enhance the state’s ecological resilience and the well-being of its communities.

As Tamil Nadu continues to prioritize the protection of its unique ecosystems, the addition of these Ramsar sites serves as a beacon of hope for conservationists worldwide. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in preserving our planet’s invaluable wetlands and the myriad life forms they support.