Correct Answer :   Rs 20,000

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (2 Jan 2023) inaugurated, and laid foundation stones of several development projects worth over ₹20,000 crore related to the aviation, rail, road, oil and gas, shipping and higher education sectors in Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirappalli.

* He also inaugurated the new terminal building of the Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

* The two-level terminal building has been developed at a cost of over ₹1100 crore. It has the capacity to serve more than 44 lakh passengers annually and about 3,500 during peak hours, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) informed earlier through an official release.

* While addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, " "I wish that the year 2024 is peaceful and prosperous for everyone. It is a privilege that my first public programme in 2024 is happening in Tamil Nadu. Today development projects worth nearly ₹20,000 Cr will strengthen Tamil Nadu's progress. I congratulate you for these projects..."

* Expressing his pain over the loss of lives in Tamil Nadu due to recent rains and floods, he said, “The last few weeks of 2023 were difficult for many people in Tamil Nadu. We lost many of our fellow citizens due to heavy rainfall. There has also been a significant loss of property... The central government stands with the people of Tamil Nadu in this time of crisis. We are providing every possible support to the state government.”

* PM Modi reached Tiruchirappalli where he was received by state chief minister MK Stalin and Governor RN Ravi. He participated in the 38th Convocation Ceremony of the Bharathidasan University.

* While addressing the event, he quoted the 'Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom' Tamil verses of poet Bharathidasan, after whom the university had been named, and said it meant creating a brave new world which is also the university's motto.

* He also said the Indian youth were already creating such a world. The Indian scientists are on the world map through missions like Chandrayaan-3 and 'our innovators took the number of patents from around 4,000 in 2014 to almost 50,000 now.'

* The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Lakshadweep from January 2-3, 2024..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Geetika Mehta

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Leading skincare brand Nivea India on 2nd January 2024 said it has appointed Geetika Mehta as its new Managing Director. Mehta, who has an experience of over two decades in the FMCG sector, will steer the brand in the country, Nivea India said in a statement.

Earlier, Mohan was the managing director of Hershey India for 2.5 years and worked with FMCG major HUL for almost two decades, as per the statement. Commenting on her new role, Mehta said, "As we navigate the ever-evolving skincare landscape, my focus will be on driving innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and further solidifying Nivea's position as the skincare brand of choice for millions of Indians."

Nivea is owned by German multinational company Beiersdorf AG, which is a leader in skincare products..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Hamid Karzai

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* Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been nominated by the United Nations Security Council as the special envoy for peace in Afghanistan.

* China and Russia abstained from voting on this resolution brought in the Security Council, while 13 countries supported this resolution.

* It is noteworthy that in the year 2021, Taliban had captured power in Afghanistan.

Correct Answer :   Rashmi Govil

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Rashmi Govil, a senior HR executive at Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), is set to be next Director (Human Resources) of the state-owned firm.

Her name for the job was recommended by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), according to a notification by the government headhunter.

PESB interviewed 11 candidates, including five from IOC, before recommending Govil for the job, the notification showed.

She is presently Executive Director (HRD & ER) in IOC..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   66th

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India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) commemorated its 66th Foundation Day on January 1, 2024, marking a significant journey of innovation and self-reliance in the country’s defence sector. The day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to bolstering India’s defence capabilities.


Key Highlights of the Celebration :

DRDO’s Journey and Achievements :

Over the past 66 years, DRDO has played a pivotal role in developing and deploying cutting-edge defence technologies. Some of its key achievements include:

DRDO Future Vision and Challenges :

DRDO remains focused on developing future-ready technologies to address emerging threats. Some of its key focus areas include:

DRDO’s 66th Foundation Day was a celebration of its remarkable achievements and a strong commitment to securing India’s future. The organization continues to strive for technological excellence, self-reliance, and a stronger India.

Correct Answer :   Vivek Srivastava

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Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Vivek Srivastava (IPS) as Director General of Fire Service, Civil Defence & Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday (29th Dec 2023). He is a 1989-batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre.

According to an order issued from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) on 28 December 2023, Srivastava has been appointed to the post for a period with effect from the date of joining the post and up to June 30, 2025 i.e. date of his superannuation or till further orders whichever takes place earlier. Presently, he is posted as Special Director in Intelligence Bureau..

Source : PSU Watch

Correct Answer :   Mathura

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According to the defence ministry, Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School, the first all-girls sainik school with a strength of about 870 students, has been inaugurated under the initiative of establishing 100 new sainik schools in partnership with NGOs/private/state government schools in all states/Union territories.

* These are in addition to the existing 33 sainik schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern, the ministry said in a statement.

* "Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School is a beacon of light for girls who aspire to join the Armed Forces and serve the motherland. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has given women their rightful place in the Armed Forces, which was neglected for years," the defence minister said on the occasion.

मथुरा-वृंदावन में स्थित वात्सल्य ग्राम में आयोजित दीदी माँ साध्वी ऋतंभरा के षष्ठिपूर्ति महोत्सव में सम्मिलित हुआ। इस अवसर पर छात्राओं के लिए बने 'संविद गुरुकुलम, सैनिक स्कूल' का उद्घाटन किया।

पूज्य दीदी माँ ऋतम्भरा जी का, समाज को ही अपना परिवार मान लेना, इस राष्ट्र के प्रति… pic.twitter.com/XoxIJ0Orfy

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 1, 2024

* "They (girls) have the right to protect the nation just like their male counterparts. It was a golden moment in the history of women empowerment when we approved the admission of girls to sainik schools. Today, our women are not only flying fighter jets, they are also securing the borders," he said.

* Speaking about the importance of Mathura, he said that the sages of India have considered the global society as one family. "There is happiness in the name of Lord Krishna. Therefore, my mind is pleased in this city of Krishna," he stated.

* Singh said that in Vrindavan, even foreigners feel the divine presence and many of them settle down here.

* "They find peace in Vrindavan by worshipping Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. Even rickshaw pullers here greet with 'Radhe-Radhe'. 'Radhe-Radhe' is ingrained in the people's lives here. The military school here is not opened by me but on the orders of Radha-Krishna," the defence minister said.

* Singh had, in 2019, approved admission of girl children to sainik schools from academic session 2021-22 in a phased manner. The decision was taken following the success of the pilot project started by the defence ministry in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram..


Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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Drawing inspiration from the submersible expedition to the Titanic shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gujarat government plans to dive into deep underwater tourism by signing an MoU with Mazgaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) to acquire a submarine.

* The initiative aims to provide unique underwater experiences in the untouched waters around Bet Dwarka, a small island near the existing Dwarka, and to the sunken lost city of Dwarka in the Arabian Sea.

* Dwaraka city holds tremendous significance for Hindus, as it is believed to be established by Lord Krishna.

* The forthcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, slated for 10 January 2024 in Gandhinagar, is likely to be the platform for the official declaration about the submarine tourism project.

* This will be the first underwater tourism facility in India through a submarine. As per the current plan, the government aims to operationalise the project before Diwali in October 2024.

* The Gujarat government and MDL will collaboratively work to construct a submarine estimated to weigh approximately 35 tonnes, with the ability to carry 30 passengers.

* This submarine will feature seating for 24 passengers in two rows, each seat equipped with a window view, enabling passengers to enjoy the oceanic beauty at 300 feet deep with ease.

* Sanjeev Singhal, the Chairman and Managing Director of MDL, stated that even though the MoU is already signed, the commencement of the submarine's construction will only take place following the final decision from the state government.

* “We have entered into an MoU with the government of Gujarat. We are still at the MoU level and until something is finalised, we cannot go ahead with the construction of the said submarine,” Singhal was quoted as saying by Times of India.

* The mystery surrounding the existence of Dwarka, its prosperity as a city, and its eventual sinking, has fuelled many archaeological investigations along the Indian shoreline.

* These explorations have revealed submerged walls that were once components of a fortified city, as well as pottery, sculptures, and other artifacts.

* Dwarka remains a well-known destination for spiritual journeys. The renowned Dwarkadhish Temple of present-day Dwarka, also referred to as Jagat Mandir, serves as a significant place for devotion and a notable landmark.

* The initiative of the state government to launch a submarine tourism project in Gujarat has the potential to change the state's tourism industry.

* Apart from reshaping the tourism landscape, it also holds the promise of generating employment prospects and luring investments to the region..

Source : Swarajyamag

Correct Answer :   Dong Jun

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China has announced the appointment of a new defence minister, two months after the previous office holder, Li Shangfu, was stripped from his position without explanation.

* The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress – China’s de facto legislature – announced on Friday (29th Dec 2023) that Dong Jun, 62, would be the new defence minister. Dong was most recently the chief of China’s navy.

* The announcement comes days after three senior executives from the aerospace defence industry were removed from a top advisory body to the Chinese Communist party (CCP) as part of a shake-up of the military that is thought to be linked to an anti-graft campaign that may have ensnared Li.

* Li was formally removed as defence minister in late October, but he has not been seen in public since 25 August. He is thought to be under investigation for corruption related to the procurement of military equipment. He was head of the military equipment procurement department of the central military commission between 2017 and 2022.

* Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at Australian National University, wrote on X that the appointment of a navy chief as defence minister “is a sign of China seeing South China Sea as a new priority area of geopolitical contestation between China and the US”.

* In August, two senior rocket force commanders were replaced in a shake-up of what is considered to be one of the People’s Liberation Army’s most important divisions. The new rocket force commander is Wang Houbin, who came from the navy.

* Li also lost his position as state councillor in October. Dong has not been appointed to fill that role, nor will he fill the vacancy left by Li on the central military commission. As defence minister, Dong’s job is to be a public representative of the military and engage in diplomacy, but he does not have control over the armed forces. That power is held by China’s president, Xi Jinping, who is the chairperson of the central military commission, as well as the general secretary of the CCP.

* Unlike Li, Dong is not thought to be subject to US sanctions, which may ease his ability to engage in military diplomacy with the US. During his seven months as defence minister, Li did not meet his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in protest at the sanctions from Washington.

* Dialogue between Washington and Beijing is seen as important in lowering the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. When Xi Jinping and Joe Biden met in San Francisco in November, they agreed to resume senior-level military talks..

Source : The Guardian

Correct Answer :   Arvind Panagariya

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* The government on Sunday (31st Dec 2023) appointed former Niti Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagariya as the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission.

* Joint Secretary in the finance ministry Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey will be the secretary to the commission, the government said in a notification.

* "The President is pleased to constitute a Finance Commission with Dr Arvind Panagariya, former Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog and Professor, Columbia University, as the Chairman. Members of the Commission will be notified separately," it said.

* The commission will submit its report for the five-year period (2026-27 to 2030-31) to the President by October 31, 2025.

* The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last month approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 16th Finance Commission.

* Besides suggesting tax devolution between the Centre and states and revenue augmentation measures, the commission would review the present arrangements for financing disaster management initiatives with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

* The Finance Commission is a constitutional body that gives suggestions on centre-state financial relations.

* The erstwhile 15th Finance Commission under NK Singh had recommended that states be given 41 per cent of the divisible tax pool of the Centre during the five-year period 2021 22 to 2025 26, which is at the same level as was recommended by the 14th Finance Commission..


Source : India Today