Correct Answer :   November 3

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World Jellyfish Day is celebrated every year on November 3 to raise awareness about jellyfish and their role in the ecosystem.


World Jellyfish Day History :

* History World Jellyfish Day stemmed from enthusiastic marine biologists to put a spotlight on these creatures. Jellyfish have been swimming in our oceans for over 500 million years, making them one of the oldest living creatures on Earth.

* Despite this, their understanding among the general populace remained superficial for a long time, often confined to their stinging nature or their beauty. World Jellyfish Day was introduced reportedly in the year 2014 to shed light on the more profound aspects of these creatures.

World Jellyfish Day Significance 2023 : 

* Significance World Jellyfish Day is significant as Jellyfish help maintain ecological balance in marine populations. The day is aimed at promoting knowledge about the various species of jellyfish, their lifecycle, their role in marine food webs and the potential benefits they offer to humans, such as in medical research and even as sustainable food sources.

* Through World Jellyfish Day, enthusiasts, researchers and educators hope to spark curiosity, respect and a deeper understanding of these ancient, mysterious, and fascinating jellyfishes.

Source : BQ Prime

Correct Answer :   Sarbananda Sonowal

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Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal will launch the domestic sailing of the first International Cruise Liner ‘COSTA SERENA’ in India at Mumbai 3rd Nov 2023.

* At the recently concluded Global Maritime India Summit 2023 organised by the Ministry, discussions revolved around reaching the target of 50 million cruise passengers in India by 2047.

* Costa Cruises is expected to carry approximately 45,000 passengers in its next 2 months voyages.

* Such cruise initiatives are part of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, launched on Prime Minister's appeal to the middle class to prefer domestic tourism over international..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Ministry of Education

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The Election Commission of India signed (2nd Nov 2023) a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Ministry of Education to bring electoral literacy into classrooms across the country.

The MoU outlines the development of institutional framework that seeks to embed electoral literacy in schools and colleges. It also includes structured curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that will help prepare new voters for greater electoral participation in democracy.

Key features of the MoU include systematic inclusion of voter education and electoral literacy in the curriculum from classes 6th to 12th in all schools.

* Under the MoU, NCERT will include material on electoral literacy in school textbooks and advise state education boards to follow the same.

* Various activities will be held to promote voter awareness among students, ensuring their registration and participation as voters.

* A robust mechanism will be developed to meet ECI's ambitious target of handing over Voter ID card to every student who attains the age of 18 years.

* The MoU also aims to expand ECI's flagship systematic voter education and electoral participation in schools and colleges.

* Its objective is to encourage universal and enlightened participation of prospective voters in elections..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Italy

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar 2nd Nov 2023 held a comprehensive and productive meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy Antonio Tajani in Rome.

They conversed about deepening India-Italy strategic partnership. They agreed that potential in agro-tech, innovation, space, defence and the digital domain should be explored. The two leaders also spoke about the West Asia situation, Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific landscape in detail.

Dr Jaishankar appreciated Italy’s support for India's initiatives and also for the G20 Presidency. After the talks, they signed Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement and the Cultural Exchange Programme to enable seamless movement of workers, students and professionals and also address the challenges of illegal migration.
 

Dr Jaishankar began his visit to Italy with a Senate interaction on deepening partnership. Senators Giulio Terzi Roberto Menia co-chaired the interaction. The External Affairs Minister appreciated the warm sentiments for India across party lines.

Dr Jaishankar also met Defence Minister of Italy Guido Crosetto. The agenda focused on taking forward the renewed defence and security partnership. The External Affairs Minister appreciated the assessments of Mr Crosetto and valued the suggestions for defence industry cooperation..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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The inauguration of the second edition of the 'World Food India 2023' mega food event took place 3rd Nov 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presiding over the event.

During the inauguration, the Prime Minister provided Seed Capital Assistance to over one lakh Self Help Group (SHG) members, reinforcing the support for these groups. Prime Minister Modi also toured the exhibition displayed on the occasion.

Objective  : The primary objective of the event is to present India as the 'food basket of the world' and commemorate 2023 as the International Year of Millets. In his address, the Prime Minister praised the technology and startup pavilion as well as the food street featured at the event, emphasizing that the fusion of technology and culinary excellence will shape the future economy. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the pressing challenge of food security in today's changing world and underscored the importance of World Food India 2023 in this context.

The Prime Minister emphasized the significant recognition received by India's food processing sector, often referred to as the 'sunrise sector,' owing to the outcomes of World Food India. He said that in the past nine years, the sector has attracted foreign direct investments exceeding Rs 50,000 crores, thanks to the government's industry-friendly and farmer-centric policies.

Prime Minister also mentioned the progress made under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in the food processing sector, which has greatly aided new entrants. He further highlighted the ongoing projects under the Agri-Infra Fund, focusing on post-harvest infrastructure, with an investment exceeding Rs 50,000 crores. Additionally, investments in processing infrastructure in the fisheries and animal husbandry sector, amounting to thousands of crores, were encouraged.

The Prime Minister highlighted India's remarkable progress in the food processing sector, crediting the government's dedicated efforts. He mentioned the creation of the Agri-Export Policy, development of nationwide logistics and infrastructure, establishment of district-level hubs, expansion of Mega Food Parks, and significant increase in India's food processing capacity.

Shri Modi also mentioned unique agricultural products being exported from India, such as black garlic from Himachal Pradesh, dragon fruit from Jammu & Kashmir, soya milk powder from Madhya Pradesh, and others.

Shri Modi emphasized the importance of women-led development in India and highlighted the contributions of women to the food processing industry. He mentioned the promotion of cottage industries and self-help groups for women and the disbursal of seed capital to over 1 lakh women on the occasion.

The Prime Minister discussed India's rich food diversity and cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of sustainable food habits linked with Ayurveda. He stressed the need for the food processing industry to implement ancient knowledge for global food security. Shri Modi acknowledged 2023 as the International Year of Millets and encouraged discussions on increasing the use of millets globally.

Union Ministers, Shri Piyush Goyal, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras, Shri Giriraj Singh, Shri Parshottam Rupala, and Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, were present on the occasion.

On the first day of World Food India 2023, a total of 16 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and various industry entities. These agreements amounted to a total investment of around Rs 17,990 crore. Notable companies participating in these MoUs included Mondelez, Kellog, ITC, Innobev, Nedspice, Ananda, General Mills, and Ab Inbev, among others..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   EESL

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Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings under the Ministry of Power, unveiled two groundbreaking initiatives, the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and the Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) on November 2, 2023, in New Delhi.


Initiatives Spearheaded by Union Minister Shri R. K. Singh :

* These initiatives were launched by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh. These programs aim to revolutionize cooking practices in India and underscore the importance of energy-efficient fans.
* EESL’s commitment to these initiatives includes the distribution of 1 crore efficient BLDC fans and 20 lakh energy-efficient induction cook stoves across the nation.


NECP Revolutionizing Indian Cooking with Cost-Effective and Energy-Saving Induction Stoves :

* The NECP is set to transform cooking practices in India by introducing induction-based cook stoves that offer a cost advantage of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods.
* This initiative promises both energy savings and cost-effective cooking solutions, making it an appealing option for Indian households.

EESL’s Massive Induction Cook Stove Deployment in Collaboration with MECS :

* By deploying 20 lakh induction cook stoves across the country, EESL aims to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, ensuring cleaner air and improved health for citizens.
* To facilitate this large-scale deployment, EESL has partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS), which is expected to accelerate the acceptance and widespread adoption of modern electric cooking devices in Indian kitchens.


Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) :

* The EEFP focuses on deploying energy-efficient BLDC fans with the goal of distributing 1 crore ceiling fans across the country. These initiatives not only reduce energy consumption and environmental impact but also enhance consumer comfort while lowering electricity bills.
* The program was initiated during the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group in Goa in July 2023. As a continuation of this effort, EESL is inviting the first bid of 20 lakh fans under the EEFP.

Contributing to Clean Cooking and Carbon Mitigation :

* The NECP is a subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme and aligns with the Go-electric initiative by the Ministry of Power. EESL is actively promoting clean and safe electric cooking to support India’s Go-electric campaign and contribute to carbon mitigation goals.
* The adoption of induction cooktops is growing rapidly due to their efficiency, technology, and aesthetic appeal. Increased demand is driven by factors like modular kitchens, rising LPG costs, and the versatility of cooking with induction.


Energy Efficient Fans for a Greener Future :

* EESL has a track record of promoting energy-efficient appliances, including LED bulbs, tube lights, and high-performance fans. Beginning on January 1, 2023, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) mandated that ceiling fans must bear star labels.
* Given that ceiling fans account for about 40% of total residential electricity consumption in India, replacing current fans with more efficient models could result in significant energy savings. EESL aims to capitalize on this potential by deploying 1 crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans across India.


Phasing Out Inefficient Fans :

* Minister Shri R. K. Singh made it clear that inefficient fans would be rapidly phased out, emphasizing that the fans provided by EESL are Five-Star-rated. This move aligns with India’s commitment to reducing its dependence on imported energy sources, and it reflects the ongoing shift towards cleaner and more efficient energy solutions..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Rajendra Menon

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* Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Justice Rajendra Menon, has been appointed again as Chairman of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) for four years.

* Justice Menon will serve as Chairman of the Tribunal till June 6, 2027.

* The former judge was first recommended to the post in 2019 and served for four years.

* In April 2002, Justice Menon was elevated as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2002, whereas on May 21, 2003, he was a made permanent judge of that High Court.

* Justice Menon has also served as Welfare Commissioner for the Bhopal Gas Victims Compensation Commission between December 2010 and March 2015.

* Justice Menon was elevated as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on March 15, 2017 and remained at the post till his transfer to the Delhi High Court.

* He retired as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in May 2019, a little under a year after he was appointed to helm the High Court in August 2018..

Source : Indialegallive

Correct Answer :   Bhupender Yadav

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Union Minister for Labour & Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the 71st Foundation Day of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) on 1st November 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The event featured a documentary film titled “Achievements of EPFO,” showcasing the organization’s remarkable journey over seven decades. Additionally, the occasion witnessed the presentation of awards to various offices and establishments for their outstanding contributions and performance.


Honoring Excellence: Awards and Recognitions :

The 71st Foundation Day celebration of EPFO was an opportunity to acknowledge and honor excellence within the organization. Various awards were presented to recognize the dedication and outstanding contributions of different offices and establishments.

Achievements and Recognitions :

* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Regional Office (Large) – Bagged by RO COIMBATORE.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best District Office – Awarded to DO ALIGARH.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Remote Office – Presented to RO GUWAHATI.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Zonal Office – Honored to ZO HUBLI (KARNATAKA-GOA).
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Office in Grievance Management – Recognized as RO AHMEDABAD.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Office in Pro-Active Settlement – Presented to RO KOLLAM.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Performance in Jeevan Pramaan – Acknowledged as RO VATWA.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best NAN 2.0 Campaign – Earned by RO JAMMU.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Swachhata Award 2023 – Conferred to RO BHOPAL.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Innovation – Awarded to RO NOIDA.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Tech Intervention – Recognized Technical Team of NDC.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Regional Office (Small) – Conferred upon RO Rajahmahendravaram.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Achievement in Capacity Building – Presented to PDNASS Induction Training Team.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Best Exempted Trust – M/s ZENSAR TECH LTD (PUPUN000398).
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Outstanding Sports Achievements – Achieved by ZO Chennai & Puducherry.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Sportsperson of the Year – Male – Presented to Shri Clement Augustine, SSSA, RO Kottayam.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Sportsperson of the Year – Male – Awarded to Shri P. Shiva Kumar, SSSA, RO Chennai North.
* Bhavishya Nidhi Award 2023 for Sportsperson of the Year – Female – Conferred upon Ms. Radhika Gupta, SSSA, RO Kandivali East.

Correct Answer :   Rajnath Singh

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the India Manufacturing Show in Bengaluru on Thursday (2nd Nov 2023), highlighted the contributions made by the small industries to the socio-economic development of the country, noting that they ensure more dispersion of wealth in society in comparison to large industries.

"Compared to investments made, small industries create more employment opportunities than large industries. They also ensure a more even dispersion of wealth in society. Many MSMEs are doing well in exports and are becoming a part of the global supply chain of the world's biggest companies. Heavy industries, too, play a big role in the nation's development, but the country cannot fully progress by ignoring small industries," the defence minister said.

Rajnath Singh was speaking after inaugurating the three-day 'India Manufacturing Show' in Bengaluru.

The show has been jointly organised by Laghu Udhyog Bharti and the IMS Foundation and supported by the Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence.

The central theme of the event is 'Make in India, Make for the World'.

The sixth edition of the 'India Manufacturing Show' will provide a platform for the exhibitors to showcase their technologies, equipment and R&D in different sectors, such as aerospace and defence engineering, automation, robotics and drones, to the participants.

Addressing the industry captains and young entrepreneurs present at the inaugural function, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the small-scale industries as the backbone of India's economy that contribute immensely to the development of the nation.

"Small industries are the motor of the Indian economy. The faster the motor runs, the quicker the vehicle of the economy moves," he said, also crediting the small industries for maintaining stability in the economy.

During his address, the Minister remembered the time when India was called the 'golden bird' and a big reason he said was that there were many small industries in villages and towns, which provided employment to the people.

"In ancient times, there were no large-scale industries in India; they were only small industries. Textile, iron and shipbuilding were the three industries for which India was known all over the world. They showcased our industrial capability," Singh noted.

Rajnath Singh also underlined the ability of small industries to adapt to the changes more easily than large industries.

"It is the adaptability of small industries which increases the possibilities of innovation. Many times, small industries bring more innovation than large industries in terms of new products, services and business models," he said..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   India

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India is set to host the prestigious World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) in 2024, marking a significant step towards the advancements of 5G and 6G networks.

Union Communication & IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, made this announcement at the India Mobile Congress 2023, emphasizing the country’s growing importance in the global technology landscape.


Significance of World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly :

The World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) is a quadrennial event and serves as the governing conference of the ITU Standardisation Sector (ITU-T). It is one of the three world conferences organized by the International Telecommunication Union, an entity within the United Nations system. This event plays a pivotal role in setting global telecommunication standards, making India’s hosting of the WTSA a significant milestone.


India’s Technological Advancements :

Minister Vaishnaw underscored India’s significant role in technology adoption. The world is closely watching India’s technological advancements and hosting the WTSA is a testament to the nation’s growing importance in the global tech landscape. As India continues to innovate and make strides in various technology sectors, it is becoming a prominent player in the global tech ecosystem. One of the notable achievements is the development of the 5Gi standard within India, which has gained recognition from the ITU as one of the key technologies for 5G networks.

Addressing Connectivity Challenges :

India, like many countries, faces connectivity challenges, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Minister Vaishnaw acknowledged this issue, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing it. Hosting the WTSA is a step towards addressing these challenges and promoting wider access to technology across the nation.


India’s Transformation in the Telecom Sector :

The minister underlined the transformation of India’s telecom sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He mentioned that a decade ago, India used to import nearly 98% of its mobile phones, but in the past year, the country exported mobile devices worth Rs.90,000 crore. This shift reflects India’s growing prowess in manufacturing and technology, making it a net exporter.

Furthermore, it was noted that the telecom sector has come a long way from the 2G spectrum scams that marred its reputation a decade ago. India has now emerged as a beacon for affordable internet data and technology leadership.


Establishment of ITU Areas Office and Innovative Centre :

In a significant development, Minister Vaishnaw and Houlin Zhao, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) for the establishment of an Area Office and Innovation Centre of ITU in New Delhi on 3 March 2022. This agreement provides the legal and financial framework for the establishment and operation of the area office, further solidifying India’s role in the global telecommunications arena.