Correct Answer :   Narayan Rane

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Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, Narayan Rane, inaugurated the ‘Khadi Mahotsav’ organized by Khadi and Village Industry (KVIC) in Mumbai on Monday (2nd Oct 2023).

Addressing the gathering, Narayan Rane applauded the commendable work being done by Khadi and village industries, highlighting their substantial growth in recent years. He noted that in 2014-15, KVIC had a business turnover of 30 thousand crore rupees, which has since surged to an impressive one hundred and thirty-four thousand crore rupees.

He added that this remarkable growth can be attributed to innovative methodologies implemented over the past nine years.
 
The ‘Khadi Mahotsav’ will be held till October 31st. It will not only showcase Khadi products but also feature 'Vocal for Local' exhibitions to promote indigenous products. During this period, customers can avail themselves of a 20 to 25 percent discount on Khadi products. The festival is also hosting a jingle competition for the youth and a video game competition centered around Khadi and village industry themes..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   USA

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Outside India, The largest statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar will be unveiled in the United States on October 14, 2023. The 19-foot statue, named ‘Statue of Equality,’ is part of the Ambedkar International Centre (AIC) being built on 13-acre land in Accokeek city of Maryland, approximately 35 kms south of Washington.

“This is the largest statue of Babasaheb outside India and has been installed as a part of the Ambedkar Memorial being constructed at this centre,” said the AIC.

Born on April 14, 1891, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar – popular among his followers as Babasaheb – was the chairman of the Constituent Assembly’s most crucial Drafting Committee that earned him the moniker Architect of the Indian Constitution.

Post-Independence, he was also the Minister of Law and Justice in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s first Cabinet. Ambedkar played a key role in social movements that fought for the rights of Dalits and untouchables.

Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956, months after he embraced Buddhism on October 14 that year, the date coinciding with the unveiling of the statue in Maryland. October 14 is celebrated as Dhamma Chakra Parivartan Din by Ambedkarites.

The statue has been made by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also built the statue of Sardar Patel, called as Statue of Unity, and installed on an island in Narmada, metres downstream of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.

“Large number of representatives of the Ambedkarite movement and his followers are expected to attend the event from across the USA and other parts of the world,” it said.

According to the AIC, this memorial will serve to spread Babasaheb’s messages and teachings and showcase a symbol of equality and human rights.

Representatives from various countries are expected to attend the statue’s unveiling ceremony on October 14..

Source : OutLook

Correct Answer :   Nitin Gupta

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The Union government has extended the tenure of Nitin Gupta, the incumbent chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), till June 30, 2024.  A notification in this regard was issued 30th Sep 2023.

The nine-month extension for Gupta came on the day when he was scheduled to retire and demit office. As per the Centre's notification, his service period has been extended “on a contract basis".

The government order said the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the reappointment of Gupta as the CBDT Chairman..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Hyderabad

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The solar-roofed cycling track around Hyderabad's Outer Ring Road (ORR) was officially inaugurated on Sunday (1 October 2023).

This 23-kilometre track is first-of-its-kind and is designed to be environmentally friendly. The newly opened Healthway Cycling Track is a unique facility with a global design.

It is divided into two distinct stretches. The first section covers a distance of 8.5 kilometres, running from TSPA to Nanakramguda. The second stretch spans 14.5 kilometres, extending from Narsingi to Kollur.

It is a three-lane track which is 4.5 meters wide, with a strip of green grass of one meter on either side.

Additionally, there will be five strategically located access points along the track, allowing entry from Narsingi, Kollur, TSPA, Vattinagulapalli, and Nanakramguda.

One remarkable feature that sets the Hyderabad track apart is the installation of an impressive 16,000 solar panels on its roof. Previously, only South Korea could boast such an achievement.

KT Rama Rao, the Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, who officiated the track's inauguration, described it as India's first-of-its-kind solar-covered cycle track.

These solar roof panels have the potential to generate an impressive 16 megawatts of electricity, equivalent to powering 32,000 streetlights or illuminating 800 kilometres of city streets.

The path is guarded by V-shaped columns made of SS steel. The roofing sheets, sourced from a factory in Ahmedabad and fabricated on-site, are made of GI with anodised coating.

The design of the panels was customised in collaboration with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, and Osmania University's College of Engineering. The project aims to create modular pieces for easy installation and maintenance.

The financial benefits of this sustainable energy source are significant. The investment in the solar panels is expected to be fully recouped in just six years, with the entire project becoming financially self-sustaining within 15 years..

Source : Swarajyamag

Correct Answer :   Indonesia

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President of Indonesia Joko Widodo inaugurated the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia on Monday (2nd Oct 2023). It is a key project under the Belt and Road Infrastructure initiative of China.

The project has been beset with pauses and rising costs. Some observers question its commercial benefits. However, Widodo has championed the 142-kilometre (88-mile) railway. On Sunday (1st Oct 2023), the project got an official operating license from the Transportation Ministry.

Largely funded by China, the USD 7.3 billion project was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as PT KCIC. It is a collaborative venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd..

Source : Financial Express

Correct Answer :   Tripura

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Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha launched an e-cabinet system at Agartala on Wednesday (27th Sep 2023) to promote digital infrastructure development and digitisation of government services and information.

Tripura has thus become the fourth state—and second in the Northeast—after Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh, to have introduced an e-cabinet system. All future cabinet meetings in the state will be paperless, reducing the carbon footprint and environmental degradation in the process, with ministers and bureaucrats using tablets.

All ministers attended the event at the new Secretariat complex, where the chief minister launched the app to be used for the e-cabinet.

In the debut e-cabinet meeting, the government approved a proposal to procure a loan of Rs 160 crore from the Asian Development Bank, which has earlier provided soft loans with low interest rates to the government and partnered with it in several developmental projects.

In Tripura, various departments have worked on mission mode & implemented e-Office initiative, ensuring smooth governance.

Today felicitated such departments having 100 percent e-Office facility during a programme at the Secretariat.

I congratulate all the officials concerned… pic.twitter.com/zGBa7PvC5R

— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) September 27, 2023

The new ADB fund will be used by the tourism and urban development department for boosting infrastructure and fostering an ecology of sustainable livelihood generation, Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said.

Chief Minister Saha said the e-cabinet would follow a similar model introduced in Uttarakhand. The e-cabinet system was launched by executives of the National Informatics Centre as well as the state’s information and cultural affairs department..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Jitendra Singh

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Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, today launched the IGMS 2.0 Public Grievance portal and Automated Analysis in Tree Dashboard portal of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

The Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0 Dashboard has been implemented by IIT Kanpur following an MoU with DARPG on December 14, 2021 for upgrading DARPG Information Systems (CPGRAMS) with Artificial Intelligence capabilities. The Dashboard provides instant tabular analysis of Grievances Filed & Disposed, State-wise & District-wise Grievances Filed & Ministry-wise data. Besides, the Dashboard will also help the officials identify the root cause of the grievance.

With a ballooning caseload of problems being raised by the common man and their trust in the timebound redressal of their grievances, close to 20 lakh grievances are received annually on the CPGRAMS portal. In view of the large number of grievances, the classification and monitoring of grievances cannot be done manually. Thus, the IGMS portal will help the DARPG with creation of draft letter for selected scheme/ministry and expedite the grievance redressal process by the concerned ministry/department.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh, said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has flagged again and again that Grievance Redressal is important for accountability of the Government and also for the Citizen-centric Governance. A more robust human interface mechanism including Counselling post-resolution of the grievance has also been introduced.

The Minister commended the DARPG for making the CPGRAMS portal available in 22 Scheduled languages along with English so that the common man could avail of its benefits. He also underlined the need to integrate State PG portals and other government portals with CPGRAMS.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that for the first time, the average disposal time of public grievances by Central Ministries & Departments has reduced due to reforms undertaken by DARPG in the CPGRAMS. He noted with satisfaction that there has been a decline of almost 50% in the average disposal time for Central Ministries/Departments from 32 days in 2021 to 18 days in 2023..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Mohamed Muizzu

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Pro-China leader Mohamed Muizzu has won the Presidential election in Maldives. PM Narendra Modi also congratulated Muizzu on being elected as president of the Maldives.

Muizzu defeated incumbent Mohamed Solih to become president of the island nation.

This was the second round of polling after no candidate emerged clear winner in the first round.

Muizzu, 45, helms a party that presided over an influx of Chinese loans when it last held power in the atoll nation, better known for its luxury beach resorts and celebrity tourists.

He won 54.06 percent of the vote in the run-off contest, prompting incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to concede defeat shortly before midnight.

The outcome also marks a stark reversal of fortune for Solih, who won the last election in 2018 by a landslide, amid widespread anger over human rights abuses and corruption under his predecessor.

About Mohamed Muizzu :

Mohamed Muizzu, 45, is a British-educated civil engineer. He was an unlikely candidate for the presidency after serving as construction minister in the government of his mentor Abdulla Yameen.

But Yameen's jailing for corruption saw Muizzu tapped to lead the party as his proxy in an election fought on whether the strategically placed atoll aligns itself with China or India.

Muizzu oversaw several Chinese-funded infrastructure projects including a $200-million bridge linking the capital with the archipelago's main airport.

Muizzu's election success hinged on a sustained campaign against India's outsized political and economic clout in the Maldives.

Muizzu has also vowed to pardon Yameen, the architect of their party's eager embrace of Beijing's financial largesse through the Belt and Road Initiative.

Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail term on the same remote prison island he had imprisoned opponents during his autocratic presidency..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   154th

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Gandhi Jayanti, celebrated on October 2nd every year, is a day of profound significance in India and around the world.

It marks the 154th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2nd October 2023, fondly known as Mahatma Gandhi, Bapu or the Father of the Nation.

This day is a tribute to the life and principles of a man who dedicated his existence to India’s struggle for independence and left an indelible mark on the world with his unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence.


Theme of Gandhi Jayanti 2023 : “Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath” is the theme for 2 October Gandhi Jayanti, A national call to action for 1 Hour of citizen-led shramdaan for swachhata on 1st Oct, 2023 at 10 am.

A Historical Overview of Mahatma Gandhi : Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. His early life was marked by a modest upbringing and a strong sense of ethics instilled by his parents.


Pillars of Mahatma Gandhi’s Philosophy: Satyagraha and Ahimsa

Gandhi initiated two pivotal movements- Satyagraha (truth force) and Ahimsa (non-violence), which became the cornerstone of his philosophy and tools for resistance.

Role of Mahatma Gandhi in India’s Freedom Struggle :

Under British colonial rule, Gandhi’s non-violent approach and his ability to win people over with love and tolerance had a profound impact on India’s civil rights movements.


Assassination and Legacy :

Tragically, on January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, but his legacy continued to shine as a guiding light for those who believed in the power of non-violence.


Significance of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti 2023 :

Mahatma Gandhi’s life and work left an indelible mark on India’s history. His dedication to the principles of truth, non-violence and social justice inspired millions of people not only in India but around the world. Gandhi Jayanti provides an opportunity for people to pay their respects to this great leader, who made immense sacrifices for the betterment of his country.


Commemorative Activities on Gandhi Jayanti 2023 :

On Gandhi Jayanti a wide array of activities takes place across the nation to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s memory. These includes:

* Prayer Meetings : People gather in various places, including Gandhi Ashrams, to participate in prayer meetings. These meetings reflect the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Gandhi’s life.

* Devotional Songs : One of Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite bhajans, “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,” is sung with great devotion during these gatherings. The song carriers a message of unity and harmony.

* Award Presentations : To acknowledge individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to society in line with Gandhi’s principles, awards are presented on this day.

* Rallies : Peaceful rallies and processions are organized to promote the ideals of non-violence and social justice that Gandhi stood for.

Gandhi Jayanti 2023 Celebrations Across India :

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday observed in all Indian states and union territories. The day sees beautiful celebrations at schools and colleges, where students participate in various competitions to commemorate Gandhi’s legacy. Prizes are awarded to the best performers, fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership among the youth.


Symbols :

Several places hold significance in the commemoration of Gandhi Jayanti:

* The Martyr’s Column : This is the site where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948.
* The Raj Ghat : This is the location where Mahatma Gandhi’s body was cremated on January 31, 1948.
* The Triveni Sangam : This is where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati converge. It symbolizes the unity and diversity that Gandhi sough to promote throughout his life.

Correct Answer :   119th

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2nd October 2023 marks the 119th birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second Prime Minister.

October 2 is special for many reasons. The country celebrates Gandhi Jayanti on this day with a lot of pomp and grandeur. The father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi is remembered on this day for his contributions, teachings and the journey of life which was full of teachings for others. He devoted his life to serving the nation and for the freedom movement of the country. For another reason, October 2 is special. It is also the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri. The leader served as the second Prime Minister of the country post the independence in 1947. On this day, we remember Lal Bahadur Shastri's life and his legacy.

Date : Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti is celebrated on October 2 every year. Lal Bahadur Shastri was born in 1904 on this date in Uttar Pradesh. Every year, we celebrate this day to remember and commemorate his birth anniversary.

History : Born to Sharda Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi in Mugharsarai, Uttar Pradesh, Lal Bahadur Shrivastava earned the title of Shastri for his academic excellence. His commitment to education later went on to make him a great leader with vision. His dedication for the Indian National Congress soon made him the second Prime Minister of the country in 1964. He served the nation until his untimely death in 1966.

Significance : Lal Bahadur Shastri's vision in improving the education system and empowerment of women is remembered and respected on this day. He brought a lot of necessary changes to society and helped in developing the nation for the better. On this day, Lal Bahadur Shastri is remembered and his contributions for the nation are celebrated..

Source : Hindustan Times