Correct Answer :   January 15

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Every year, India celebrates Army Day on January 15 to commemorate the achievements of the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa. Later, he went on to become the Field Marshal. For the Indian Army, January 15 is no less than a festival, and they leave no stone unturned to celebrate the day.

Why is Army Day celebrated on January 15 in India?

* The Indian Army, established in 1895, did not have its first Army chief until 1949. On this day, back in 1949, Field Marshal KM Cariappa became the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army after India received independence.

* The country witnessed communal rights after the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, prompting soldiers to come forward to maintain peace in the country. It was the right time to take over command of the Indian Army from the Britishers. Thus, Field Marshal Cariappa took over charges from General Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief.

* Every year on January 15, soldiers mark the highlights and achievements of Field Marshal Cariappa and the Indian Army.

76th Army Day Celebrations :

* As India celebrates its 76th Army Day in 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a post on X, saying, "On Army Day, we honour the extraordinary courage, unwavering commitment and sacrifices of our Army personnel. Their relentless dedication in protecting our nation and upholding our sovereignty is a testament to their bravery. They are pillars of strength and resilience."

* This year, the grand celebrations will happen not in customary locations like Delhi or Bengaluru, but in Lucknow.

* Army Day honours the selflessness, bravery, and steadfast dedication of the Indian Army that protects the nation from external dangers. Indian Army is the guardian and saviour of India and its citizens. Soldiers on the frontline risk their lives without giving it a second thought and guard the country from unprecedented threats.

* Indian Army soldiers celebrate the day with rhythmic foot march, well-coordinated hand swings and loud chanting of war cries.

* Indian Army Chief, General Manoj Pande, conveyed his warm wishes to the Indian Army in an official message. He said, "The Indian Army enjoys a distinct stature in the national mind space. I am sanguine that we shall forever remain steadfast in our resolve to uphold the trust reposed in us by the nation. Let us re-dedicate ourselves to the service of the nation, in the true spirit of our core ethos of 'Naam,' 'Namak' aur 'Nishaan.'"..


Source : WIO News

Correct Answer :   William Lai Ching-te

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* Ruling-party candidate William Lai Ching-te has emerged victorious in Taiwan's presidential election, and his opponents have conceded after ballots were cast at thousands of polling stations in a tight three-way race.

* Lai secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), defeating his conservative rival, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), by over 900,000 votes.

* The result in Taiwan's presidential and parliamentary election will chart the trajectory of relations with China over the next four years. At stake is the peace and stability of the 110-mile-wide strip of water between the Chinese mainland and the self-governed island, which is claimed by China as its own. China had previously called the election a choice between peace and war.

* President Biden said Saturday that the United States does not support Taiwan's independence after being asked by reporters about his reaction to the elections as he was leaving the White House.

* "We do not support independence," Mr. Biden said.

* Lai is the vice president of the island's governing Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP.

* Lai, who also goes by the name William Lai, and incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen reject China's sovereignty claims over Taiwan, a former Japanese colony that split from the mainland amid civil war in 1949. They have, however, offered to speak with Beijing, which has repeatedly refused to hold talks and called them separatists. Beijing has strongly opposed Lai's election.

* "Every election in Taiwan is significant because of the potential for Beijing reacting in a way that could contribute to further instability in the region," Taipei-based political analyst Michael Cole told CBS News ahead of the election.

* U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai on his election win, and congratulated the "Taiwan people for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system and electoral process."

* "The United States is committed to maintaining cross-Strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure. The partnership between the American people and the people on Taiwan, rooted in democratic values, continues to broaden and deepen across economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties," Blinken said.

* Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, congratulated Lai in a statement released Saturday morning. Johnson had met with Taiwan's ambassador to the U.S., Alexander Yui, and conveyed his support for security and democracy in the region.

* Johnson added that he would ask the chairs of relevant House Committees to lead a delegation to Taipei after Lai is inaugurated in May.

* Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took to X on Saturday to offer congratulations..

Congratulations to President-elect Lai Ching-te & the Taiwanese people on this historic victory which demonstrates the strength of their free & fair elections.

Taiwan's unwavering commitment to peace, freedom & the vibrancy of their democracy remains an inspiration to the world.

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 13, 2024

Source : CBS News

Correct Answer :   Bikaner

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The Department of Tourism organised the three-day International Camel Festival, which started with a Heritage Walk in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan.

Events in Camel Festival

* On the first day of the festival, both domestic and foreign tourists were seen enjoying the celebration of traditional folk culture.

* The festivities commence at Rampuriya Haveli with beautifully decorated camels, women dressed in colourful traditional costumes and folk artists participating in the Heritage Walk.

* Local artists entertained the crowd with folk songs, Rammats and dances, showcasing the local culture.

* During the heritage walk, city residents extended a warm welcome to the guests by showering flowers and creating rangolis at various places along the way.

* A festive atmosphere filled the city park as a large number of tourists and locals alike arrived early in the morning to witness the heritage walk.

* The procession started from Rampuriya Haveli, passed through the main roads of the city and concluded at Rao Bikaji ki Tekri.

* The Tourism Department organised Rangoli, Mehndi and drawing competitions for the participants at Bikaji ki Tekri, with the winners receiving mementoes in recognition of their skills and talents.

History of Camel Festival

* The Bikaner region is famous for its camels, which are known for their strength, endurance and beauty.

* Camels have always been an integral part of Bikaner's culture and history. The Bikaner army had a Camel corps called "Ganga Risala", which played a vital role in both the World Wars and conflicts in Somaliland, Egypt, and China.

* "Ganga Risala" was the predecessor of the Indian Army's camel unit "Ganga JaisalmerRisala," which saw action in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 before disbanding in 1975.

* Today, the Border Security Force's Bikaner Camel Corp still uses camels for patrolling the long international border that Rajasthan shares with Pakistan. Camels also remain a star attraction at the Republic Day Parade.

Correct Answer :   Kirana Gharana

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Legendary classical singer and Padma Vibhushan recipient Prabha Atre, considered the doyenne of the Kirana gharana, passed away on13  January 2024 in Pune, aged 92.

Related to Kirana Gharana :

Famous singer Prabha Atre was associated with the Kirana Gharana of Hindustani classical music. She was honoured with all three prestigious Padma Awards by the Government of India for her contribution to the field of music.

About Prabha Atre :

* Prabha Atre was born on 13 September 1932 in Pune. She was rich in versatile talent. Apart from being a classical singer, she has done notable work in many other fields.
* Prabha Atre also did brilliant work as an educationist, researcher, musician and writer. Prabha Atre, a graduate of science and law, earned a doctorate in music.

Awards received by Prabha Atre :

* Singer Prabha Atre was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian honour, in January 2022.
* Earlier she received the Padma Shri award in 1990.
* She was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2002.
* In the year 1991, she was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
* National Kalidas Award
* Tagore Academy Ratna Award
* Dinanath Mangeshkar Award
* also honored with awards like Hafiz Ali Khan.

Contribution of Prabha Atre to classical singing:

* Prabha Atre made a special contribution to popularizing Indian classical vocal music worldwide.
* She was competent in many musical styles like Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Geet, Natyasangeet and Bhajan. Prabha Atre took musical training in the guru-shishya style.
* Prabha Atre learned classical music from Sureshbabu Mane and Hirabai Barodekar of Kirana Gharana.

Correct Answer :   Indian Army

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SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version) is an end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem developed by the Indian Army.

It operates on 5G technology and aims to provide secure communication and instant connectivity. Command Cyber Operations Support Wings enhance cyber capabilities at operational and tactical levels.

SAMBHAV addresses the vulnerability of mobile networks to eavesdropping, offering end-to-end security.

In the context of the SAMBHAV ecosystem, "35,000 sets are to be configured in two phases, with initial 2,500 sets to be configured by 15th January 2024, and the remaining by May 31, 2024" they added.

The indigenously developed secure applications and operating system mark a"significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat", the official said.

SAMBHAV will have multi-layered encryption with a pan-India secure ecosystem. It will ride on a commercial network with inherent security, he added..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   January 12

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National Youth Day or Yuva Divas is observed on January 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of India's greatest philosophers and spiritual leaders. The day is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in the country.

Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, into an affluent Bengali family in Calcutta (now Kolkata). He was one of the eight children of Vishwanath Dutta and Bhuvaneshwari Devi.

Also, he played a key role in introducing the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.

The National Youth Day celebrates his ideas on how the youth in India should work hard and contribute to the country’s overall development.

National Youth Day 2024 Theme :

National Youth Day 2024 is marked every year on January 12th. It is an occasion that celebrates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. “Arise, Awake, and Realise the Power You Hold” is the theme for National Youth Day 2024.

National Youth Day - History and Significance :

In 1984, the Government of India decided to celebrate Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary as the National Youth Day.

Since then, the day has been celebrated every year to inspire the youth with Swami Vivekananda's teachings, way of life, and thoughts.

On this occasion, several programmes are organised in different parts of the country, including at the centres of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

At schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, events like debates, competitions, and seminars are held on this day.

Correct Answer :   Pench Tiger Reserve

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Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has earned the title of the first Dark Sky Park in India and fifth in Asia for protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution, making the facility ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.

Recognising the intrinsic value of the night sky as a natural, cultural, and historical resource, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) emphasises the importance of preserving natural darkness for the sake of nature conservation, ecological integrity in protected areas, and the well-being of communities in healthy cities, said Prabhu Nath Shukla, deputy director of PTR Maharashtra.

The escalating global threat of light pollution poses a substantial risk to this invaluable resource, he stated in a release.

The Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society Working Group, led by the International Astronomical Union, has recommended the establishment of ’Dark Sky Oases’ by national and local governments, Shukla said.

He said the Dark Sky Place certification focuses on lighting policy, dark sky-friendly retrofits, outreach and education, and monitoring the night sky.

The reserve has inaugurated a night observatory with the district planning committee (DPC) fund, the official said, adding that the area near Bagholi has been earmarked for stargazing.

As part of the measures, more than 100 street and community lights in Wagholi, Sillari, Pipariya and Khapa villages of the Paoni UC Range buffer area have been replaced with lights facing the ground to mitigate light pollution, he said..


Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal Setu, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), on Friday. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu is built at a cost of about ₹17,840 crore. It is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in the country.

Later on Friday (12th Jan 2024) evening, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects of over ₹30,500 crore during his visit to Maharashtra. Just a few hours back, PM Modi addressed a gathering after inaugurating the 27th National Youth Festival on Friday(12th Jan 2024).

In his speech, he urged the youth to participate in the electoral process to "reduce" the influence of dynastic politics.

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Varanasi and Prayagraj

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The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

13 awardees received felicitations under categories of Clean Cities, Cleanest Cantonment, SafaiMitra Suraksha, Ganga Towns and Best Performing State were given away.

This year (2024) the cleanest city award showcased joint winners. Port city Surat bagged the top honours, alongside Indore, who had conquered the top spot alone for 6 consecutive years. In the category of cities with a population of less than 1 lakh, Sasvad, Patan and Lonavala secured the top three spots. Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh was adjudged the Cleanest Cantonment Board.

Varanasi and Prayagraj won the top two awards amongst the Cleanest Ganga Towns. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh won the top three awards for Best Performing State.  Chandigarh walked away with the award for the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher. 110 awards were bestowed during the ceremony.

President of India launched the Swachh Survekshan 2023 dashboard. Speaking at the event, the President said, “When everyone contributes to and participates in Swachh Survekshan, it’s an important step forward. Praising the States and ULBs for their performance in Swachh Survekshan, she said, “The theme for the year 2023 “Waste to Wealth” is an important topic to ponder upon. I would like to say that wealth should be created out of waste as that will help the overall cleanliness. Cleanliness has to be made divine process.

The G20 Leaders’ Delhi Declaration has committed to “enhance environmentally sound waste management and substantially reduce waste generation by 2030 and highlight the importance of zero waste initiatives.” The Hon’ble President appreciated that all States, ULBs, citizens are moving ahead on the path of prosperity through cleanliness and are creating self-reliance through the Mission. Highlighting SafaiMitra Suraksha, the President said,” I am immensely happy to know that effective steps are being taken to ensure SafaiMitra safety, dignity and well-being.

“ Emphasizing the importance of circular economy, she added, “It is highly commendable that in the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission, circular waste management is being followed and the circular economy process of recycling and reusing more and more items is proving helpful for sustainable development.” Hon’ble President urged all to be swachhata doots and spread awareness. I am happy to know that all of you have set the theme of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle for Cleanliness Survey 2024.”..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   China

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China on Tuesday (9th Jan 2024) sent a groundbreaking astronomical satellite named Einstein Probe (EP) into space on a mission to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe.

The satellite, shaped like a " Lotus in full bloom", employs innovative X-ray detection technology inspired by the functioning of a lobster eye.

Launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, this mission marks a significant step in unraveling the secrets of the cosmos.

Lotus-Shaped Wonder: Design and Features of Einstein Probe :

The Einstein Probe, weighing approximately 1.45 tonnes and resembling a full-size SUV, boasts a distinctive lotus shape. Its design includes 12 petals and two stamens, with each petal housing wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT) and each stamen containing follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT). This unique structure forms a space observatory geared towards capturing elusive celestial events.

Unveiling the Universe’s Hidden Fireworks: Mission Objectives :

The primary mission objectives of the Einstein Probe focus on shedding light on enigmatic phenomena in the universe. Scientists aim to capture the first light emanating from supernova explosions, locate and identify X-ray signals accompanying gravitational wave events, and discover dormant black holes and other faint transient celestial objects at the outer reaches of the cosmos.

Einstein’s Legacy: A Nod to General Relativity :

The satellite’s nomenclature pays homage to Albert Einstein, the iconic physicist behind the theory of general relativity. Yuan Weimin, the principal investigator of the EP mission and a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), emphasizes the connection between the mission’s objectives and Einstein’s groundbreaking predictions.

The Universe’s Explosive Side: Studying Transient Celestial Bodies :

While the starry sky appears serene to the human eye, the universe harbors intense celestial activities. Explosions triggered by the demise of supermassive stars, black holes consuming stars, and collisions involving neutron stars and black holes are part of this cosmic drama. The EP mission aims to deepen our understanding of these phenomena, answering fundamental questions about the composition of the universe and the governing laws of extreme celestial environments.

X-ray Vision: Capturing the Unseen with WXT and FXT :

The wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT) on the satellite act as colossal nets, allowing scientists to monitor one-twelfth of the entire sky at once. These instruments are crucial for capturing sudden and unpredictable explosive celestial bodies beyond our galaxy, often emitting X-rays. Additionally, follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT) boast high sensitivity, facilitating rapid observation and independent discovery of transient sources..

Innovative Technology: CMOS Sensors for X-ray Observation :

The EP mission incorporates innovative X-ray astronomical detectors, including CMOS sensors developed by the international team involved in the project. These sensors enhance the satellite’s ability to observe X-ray signals in space, providing valuable data for scientific analysis.

Global Collaboration: The European Space Agency and Max Planck Institute

The mission is a collaborative effort, with participation from The European Space Agency and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany. Together, these international entities aim to conduct a high-cadence survey and monitoring of high-energy transient sources, search for cloaked black holes, and study their formation and evolution.

The Quest for New Discoveries: Anticipating Unseen Phenomena :

As the EP mission unfolds, scientists express anticipation about discovering new celestial phenomena and bodies never seen before. Yuan Weimin expresses eagerness in exploring the uncharted realms of the universe, emphasizing the potential for groundbreaking revelations in the realm of astronomy.


Source : Times of India