Correct Answer : Option (C) - 5 May 2024

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Bernard Hill, a British actor who incarnated a humble style of masculine leadership in three hugely successful Hollywood movies, “Titanic” and two films in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise, died on Sunday (5th May 2024). He was 79.

His death was announced in a family statement sent by a representative of Lou Coulson Associates, a British talent agency. It did not say where he died or provide a cause.

Mr. Hill drew praise from critics for his work in serious TV dramas, small-budget films and theater. But he was best known for playing the ship’s captain in “Titanic” (1997) and the ruler of a horsemen’s kingdom in the second and third installments of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Two Towers” (2002) and “The Return of the King” (2003).

By appearing in “Titanic” and “The Return of the King,” Mr. Hill became the first actor to star in more than one film to gross over $1 billion and the only actor to appear in two of the three films to win a record 11 Oscars (the third is “Ben-Hur”), The Manchester Evening News reported in 2022.

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Uttarakhand

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The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has teamed up with Starscapes, an astro-tourism company, to introduce Nakshatra Sabha, a pioneering initiative aimed at offering a comprehensive astro-tourism experience. This initiative goes beyond mere stargazing, intending to immerse participants in various activities such as special solar observations, astrophotography contests, and camping under the stars. The collaboration seeks to create an engaging platform that brings together astronomy enthusiasts, adventurers, and travellers to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos while enjoying the natural beauty of Uttarakhand.

What is Nakshtra Sabha?

Nakshatra Sabha is an innovative astro-tourism initiative launched by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Starscapes, aimed at providing a comprehensive celestial experience. It goes beyond traditional stargazing, offering activities like special solar observations, astrophotography contests, and camping under the stars. The initiative aims to attract astronomy enthusiasts, adventurers, and travellers to Uttarakhand, fostering engagement with the cosmos while enjoying the state’s natural beauty.

Excitement and Potential :

The Secretary of Tourism for the Government of Uttarakhand expresses enthusiasm for Nakshatra Sabha, recognizing Uttarakhand’s potential as a prime destination for astronomy-focused travel. With its lush forest cover, nature-based tourism offerings, accessibility to major cities, and well-established hospitality sector, including homestays, Uttarakhand is poised to attract astro tourists from around the globe.

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Gurugram

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American Express, a global payments company, has announced the inauguration of its expansive, nearly one-million-square-foot campus in Gurugram, Haryana. According to a release by the company, the new campus will serve as a hub for American Express operations in India and will be the largest campus opened by the company to date.

Situated in sector 74A Gurugram, the new office will be an addition to its existing facilities in Gurugram, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune.

Employees are set to transition to the new facility in phases, with the relocation process slated to commence by the end of May 2024.

Sanjay Khanna, CEO and Country Manager of American Express India emphasised the company's focus on nurturing local talent and leveraging global expertise to drive innovation and enhance customer experiences worldwide.

Khanna said, "The new office building provides a modern, energy efficient workspace that will enable our teams to continue driving innovation and delivering exceptional value to our customers worldwide."