Correct Answer :   Shantanu Gupta

Noted author Shantanu Gupta has launched his new graphic novel for young readers titled 'Ajay to Yogi Adityanath' based on the life journey of Yogi Adityanath on the Chief Minister's 51st birthday on Monday (5th June 2023).

More than 5,000 children from over 51 schools across different districts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the launch ceremony.

Collectively launching a children's book simultaneously in multiple locations with such a significant number of participants has earned a place in the Asia Book of Records, as claimed by the organisers.

Sharing details about this novel, Gupta said that 'Ajay to Yogi Adityanath' depicts the journey of Ajay Singh Bisht, a young boy born in the hinterlands of Uttarakhand along with six other siblings. Ajay's father, Anand Singh Bisht, served as a junior forest officer, while his mother, Savitri Devi, was a homemaker. Growing up, Ajay developed a fondness for taking care of the family's cows, listening to stories of freedom fighters, and participating in school debates.

The Adityanath's family resided in a small one-and-a-half-room house in the remote village of Panchur in present-day Uttarakhand. It was from this modest background that Ajay embarked on a remarkable journey. He eventually became the Mahant (chief priest) of the Gorakhnath Math, a prominent temple in Uttar Pradesh. This position served as a stepping stone for him to pursue a career in politics. He became the youngest member of the Indian Parliament and became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India.

The author further added that 'Ajay to Yogi Adityanath' will pave the way for the students to emerge victorious in their future by inculcating the qualities of patience, determination and hard work in them. It is a compilation of inspiring memoirs told by Adityanath Yogi's father, the late Anand Singh Bisht, his mother Savitri Devi, his friends from Panchur village, classmates and teachers from his colleges in Kotdwar and Rishikesh, and comrades..

Source : ANI

Correct Answer :   Shashi Tharoor

A book titled, “RINGSIDE – Up, Close and Personal on India and Beyond” will be released by renowned author Dr Shashi Tharoor on May 30, 2023.

* This book was written by Chairman of the Editorial Board of Lokmat Media Group and former MP Dr Vijay Darda.

* It is a captivating compilation of Darda’s weekly articles, which were published in the Lokmat Media Group newspapers and other prominent national and regional dailies of the country between 2011 and 2016.

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Gulab Chand Kataria

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday (21st May 2023) released a book titled ‘Partitioned Freedom’ written by Ram Madhav at an event in Guwahati and said that India has always been looked upon as a land of wealth and wisdom.

* Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kataria said, “India is the most ancient civilization of the world and has always been looked upon as a land of wealth and wisdom.

* India has been credited to have developed philosophy, mathematics, science, and technology of a very high order, which had attracted scholars from all over the world. India’s contribution to the march of civilization goes back several thousand years.”

* “Before the advent of Britishers, Indian goods were internationally recognized for their quality and craftsmanship. India had a much bigger presence in industry and manufacturing than any nation in Europe or Asia. Historical records establish the level of progress and prosperity attained by India before the advent of the Europeans,” the governor added.

* On the occasion, the Governor mentioned that the country achieved independence at the cost of many human lives.

* “However, the consequent independence achieved was a result of losing several human lives and dividing India into two nations. As a result, when India became independent, the atmosphere was not of merriment and jubilation,” the Governor said.

* The Governor further said that the people of the nation are working very hard to mitigate the problems stemming from partition and take the country forward by making use of the ancient glories and past heritage.

* The Assam Governor said that the government has been working relentlessly on the roadmap to use the opportunity that democracy has given this country.

* “Government is working on mission mode to rediscover the lost vitality that existed in the country before independence.”..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Ruskin Bond

Indian author Ruskin Bond wrote a book titled "The Golden Years: The Many Joys of Living a Good Long Life".

* The Golden Years book is published by HarperCollins India and released on 19 May 2023, Bond's 89th birthday.

* "The Golden Years" focuses on Bond's experiences during the 60s, 70s and 80s.

About Ruskin Bond :

* He was born on 19 May 1934 in Kasauli, Punjab States Agency, British India.

* His first book, "The Room on the Roof", was written when he was 17 and featured the semi-autobiographical character Rusty.

* In 1992, Bond received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his work "Our Tree Still Grows in Dehra".

* He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014 for his contribution to literature and education..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Pushkar Singh Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami released a book titled "Cyber Encounters" at St Joseph's Academy, Rajpur Road here on Sunday (7th May 2023). This book has been written by DGP Uttarakhand Ashok Kumar and former DRDO scientist OP Manocha.

* CM Dhami said that this book has been written on a very important subject. For this, he appreciated the efforts of both the writers and Prabhat Prakashan.

* He said that Ashok Kumar and O.P. Manocha have written this book analyzing cyber crimes and based on true incidents, it will help readers a lot to avoid cyber crimes.

* He said that in this book where on the one hand an attempt has been made to make people aware by mentioning true incidents, on the other hand, the book is also entertaining. Each page of the book will serve to inspire people to protect themselves from cybercrime.

* The CM said that Anil Raturi and Prof. Surekha Dangwal reviewed this book. They understand police, administration and society well. On this occasion, the CM also mentioned some important parts of the book..

Source : Devdiscourse

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

At the end of the ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam’ event, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, revealed a book called ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam Prashasti,’ written by Somnath Sanskrit University.

The Sangam celebrates the cultural and historical ties between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, as many people migrated from the Saurashtra region to Tamil Nadu centuries ago.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam event allows Saurashtrian Tamils ​​to reconnect with their ancestral roots.

The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam which started on April 17 is scheduled to end on April 26 (Wednesday) at Somnath. The 10-day gathering witnessed more than 3000 Saurashtrain Tamils ​​attend the event in Gujarat. The event was mainly held to celebrate the links between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

The book is a compilation of compositions by noted poets on the feelings and sentiments of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam, a government initiative emphasizing cultural link.

The best verses from these compositions have been compiled in the Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamprashastih. The book will offer a unique experience for the readers to experience the emotions and feelings of artists and scholar poets and keep alive the memories of the very important Saurashtra Tamil Sangam.

Correct Answer :   Amitav Ghosh

* A new book 'Smoke and Ashes: A Writer’s Journey Through Opium’s Hidden Histories' is all set to be released in India in July 2023.

* It was authored by Amitav Ghosh.

* This book explores the opium trade's effect on world history and how it continues to hugely impact our lives today.

* The book will be published by HarperCollins India's Fourth Estate imprint.

* Other Notable works : The Shadow Lines, The Glass Palace, The Hungry Tide, Gun Island, and The Great Derangement.

Source : Harper Collins

Correct Answer :   Ashish Kundra

Author, IAS officer, and senior bureaucrat Ashish Kundra's new book on the history of Northeast India and its people, ‘A Resurgent Northeast: Narratives of Change’, was released on April 21, 2023, at an event in New Delhi.

* The book was launched in the presence of Kiren Rijiju - Union Minister of Law and Justice; Hardeep Singh Puri- Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and of Housing and Urban Affairs; Pema Khandu- Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh; Amitabh Kant- G20 Sherpa, Government of India; Puneet Chattwal- MD and CEO, IHCL; and Navika Kumar- Group Editor, Times Network, along with the author and his wife Ambreen Khan, who is the Corporate Communications head at The Indian Express.

* The event was embraced with the colours of Northeast as it began with an entertaining performance by the famous vocal quartet of Tetseo sisters, who traveled all the way from Nagaland for their performance.

* Senior bureaucrat-author Ashish Kundra served in the Northeast for eight years, which inspired him to write this book. In ‘A Resurgent Northeast: Narratives of Change’, he writes about the transformational changes that are happening in the remotest parts of the Northeast and about the stories of the people of the hills.

* The book launch was followed by a panel discussion between the author, the ministers, and G20 Sherpa, as they shared insights into the hills of Northeast, the region’s development, its people and culture, political history and development, and its resurgence. The discussion was moderated by Navika Kumar...

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   Rachna Bisht Rawat

* Journalist and author Rachna Biswat Rawat recently published and wrote a book called "Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform".

* This book focuses on the life, personality and principles of the late General Bipin Rawat.

* India's first Chief of Defense Staff died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in the year 2021.

* This book was presented by the author Rachna to the Defense Minister of India, Rajnath Singh. It is a tribute to the life and achievements of General Rawat.

Correct Answer :   Rao Inderjit Singh

Mos (IC) for MoSPI, Rao Inderjit Singh released the Women and Men in India 2022 report.

Highlights :

* India’s sex ratio is expected to improve from 943 in 2011 to 952 by 2036.

* The Labor Force Participation Rate (above 15 years) has been increasing since 2017-2018.

* However, the rate was 77.2% for males and only 32.8% for females in 2021-22.

* It has also highlighted the gender disparity in wages, with men in rural areas earning more than women in urban areas..

Source : Times of India