Correct Answer :   9

---

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2023 flagged off Nine (9) Vande Bharat Express trains across 11 states via video conferencing.

The launch of these nine trains will connect religious and tourist destinations across 11 states. As per the PMO statement, the introduction of these nine Vande Bharat trains will herald a new standard of rail service in the country and will be equipped with world-class amenities and advanced safety features, including Kavach technology.

Check Route, timings, stoppages, other details here :

1. Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express : The Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express run six days a week, except for Tuesday. The train number 20979 will depart from Udaipur city at 7:50 am and reach Jaipur at 14:05 pm while the return train 20980 from Jaipur will depart at 15:45 pm and reach Udaipur at 22:00 pm. The train will have seven stops including Ranapratapnagar, Mavli Junction, Chittaugarh, Bhilwara, Bijainagar, Ajmer JN, Kishangarh. The fare for Udaipur – Jaipur route is ₹1330 for Chair Car and ₹2350 for Executive Chair Car. The fare for Jaipur-Udaipur is ₹1275 for Chair Car and ₹2300 for Executive Chair Car.

2. Hyderabad –Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express : The Kacheguda- Yesvantpur JN will run six days a week expect for Wednesday. The train will depart from Kacheguda at 5:30 am and reach Yesvantpur JN at 14:00 and from Yesvantpur JN, the train will depart at 14:45 and reach Kacheguda at 23:15. The train will stop at Kacheguda, Mahbubnagar, Kurnool City, Anatapur, Dharmavaram Jn. The fare for Kacheguda- Yesvantpur JN is ₹1600 for Chair Car and ₹2915 for Executive Chair Car. The fare for Yesvantpur JN-Kacheguda is ₹1540 for Chair Car and ₹2865 for Executive Chair Car.

3. Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express : The Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express will depart from Jamnagar at 5:30 am and reach Ahmedabad at 10:10 am while from Ahmedabad the train will depart at The train will halt at Rajkot, Wankaner Jn, Surenndranagr, Viramgam Jn, Sanand, Sabarmati Jn. The fare for Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express is ₹955 Chair car and for Executive Chair Car it is ₹1790. The train will run for for six days except for Wednesday.

4. Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express : The 20678 Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express will depart at 15:20 and reach at Chennai at 22:00. Price for Vijayawada – Chennai: ₹1420 for chair Car and ₹2630 for Executive Chair car. The train will run six days a week except Tuesday. Halts: Tenali Jn, Ongole, Nellore, Reninguta Jn.

5. Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express : Train Number 22348 from Patna to Howrah will depart at 8 am and reach Howrah at 14:35 while from Howrah the train will depart at 15:50 and reach Patna at 22:40. Fare for Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express: ₹1505 for Chair car and ₹2725 for Executive Chair Car. Halts: Patna Saheb, Mokameh Jn, Luckeesarai Jn, Jasidih JN, Jamtara, Asandol Jn, Durgapur. The Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will start its regular run on September 26, ECR's Chief Public Relations Officer Birendra Kumar told PTI.

6. Kasaragod - Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express : Train number 20633 from Kasaragod will depart at 14:30 and reach Thiruvananthapuram at 22:35. Train number 20634 will depart from Thiruvananthapuram CNTL at 5:20 am and reach Kasargod at 13:20. The train will run six days except for Thursday. Halts: Kannur, Kozhikkode, Shoranur Jn, Thrisur, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Kollam Jn/

7. Rourkela-Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express : Train number 20835 from Rourkela will depart at 14:10 and reach at 21:40 while train number 20836 will depart from Puri at 5:00 and reach Rourkela at 12:45. Fare for Rourkela-Puri is ₹1410 for Chair car and ₹2595 for Executive while. Fare for Puri-Rourkela is 1245 for chair car and ₹2400 for Executive chair car. Halts: Jharsuguda Jn, Sambalpur City, Rairakhol, Angul, Talcher road, Dhenkanal, Cuttak, Bhubaneshwar, Khurda Road Jn.

8. Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express : Train number 20898 will depart from Ranchi at 5:15 and reach Howrah at 12:20 while train number 20897 will depart from Howrah at 15:45 and reach Ranchi at 22:50. Fare for Ranchi Howrah: ₹1155 for chair car and Rs2200 for Executive chair car. Fare for Howrah-Ranchi train: ₹1320 for chair car and ₹2395 for Executive chair car. The train will run six days a week except for Tuesday. Halts: Muri, Kotshila, Purulia Jn, Chandil Jn, Tatanagar Jn, Kharagpur Jn.

9. Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express : Train Number 20666 will depart from Tirunelveli at 6:00 and reach Chennai at 13:50 while train number 20665 will leave Chennai at 14:50 and reach Tirunelveli at 22:40. Fare for Tirunelveli- Chennai Vande Bharat Express: ₹1665 for chair car and ₹3055 for Executive chair car. Fare for Chennai-Tirunelveli train: ₹1610 for chair car and ₹3005 for Executive chair car. The train will run six days a week except for Tuesday. Halts: Virudunagar Jn, Madurai Jn, Dindigul Jn, Tiruchchirapali, Villupuram Jn, Tambaram..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   75%

---

About 4.4 lakh or 75 per cent of India's villages have achieved the open defecation free-plus status, Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Saturday (23rd Sep 2023).

An 'ODF Plus' village is one which has sustained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status along with implementing either solid or liquid waste management systems.

Addressing media persons, Shekhawat said over 4.43 lakh villages so far have declared themselves ODF Plus, which is a significant step towards achieving the goals of  the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin by 2024-25.

He added that all villages in 14 states and Union Territories (UT) have achieved ODF Plus Status, of which four have been declared 'ODF Plus Model'.

The top performing states and UTs which have 100 per cent ODF Plus villages are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura.

Of these, Andaman and Nicobar, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim have have achieved the 'ODF Plus Model' status.

Out of the 4,43,964 ODF Plus villages so far, 2,92,497 villages are 'ODF Plus Aspiring' with arrangements for solid waste or liquid waste management systems, 55,549 are 'ODF Plus Rising' with arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management and 96,018 are 'ODF Plus model'.

Overall, 2,31,080 villages so far have arrangements for solid waste management, while 3,76,353 have arrangements for handling liquid waste, he said.

"The achievement of 75% ODF Plus villages is a significant milestone for India, as the country has moved from ODF to ODF Plus in Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin Phase II," Shekhawat said..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Delhi

---

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri flagged off India’s first green hydrogen fuel cell bus in Delhi on 25 September 2023.

Puri said 15 green hydrogen buses will be operational by the end of 2023. “The success of this project can catapult India from being a net importer of fossil energy to becoming a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy; provide global leadership to other countries in terms of technology transfer, while becoming a large green hydrogen producer and supplier of manufacturing parts,” the minister said.

Puri added that the hydrogen fuel-powered vehicle can be refilled in a few minutes, nearly as fast as fossil fuel can fill an internal combustion engine.

The project for green hydrogen fuel cell bus has been undertaken by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) in collaboration with Tata Motors.

Indian Oil has initiated a scientifically designed program to undertake operational trials of 15 fuel cell buses powered by green hydrogen on the identified routes in Delhi, Haryana and U.P.

Indian Oil has also established a state-of-the-art dispensing facility at our R&D Faridabad campus that can refuel green hydrogen produced from electrolysis using solar PV panels.

Puri said India would be a global champion in production and exports of hydrogen and is set to emerge as the hub for green hydrogen. The global demand for hydrogen is expected to increase by four to seven times to 500-800 MT by 2050, while domestic demand is expected to increase by four times, from current 6MT at present to 25-28 MT by 2050, he added.

Puri said the petroleum ministry has taken pioneering initiatives in the sphere of green hydrogen and is accelerating its efforts to produce and utilize green hydrogen in the refineries..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Varanasi

---

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (23rd Sep 2023) laid the foundation stone of the first international cricket stadium in Varanasi’s Ganjari in Uttar Pradesh.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath and a galaxy of cricket legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Gundappa Viswanath, Gopal Sharma and Ravi Shastri, attended the foundation laying ceremony of the first stadium of eastern UP.

BCCI president Roger Binny, vice-president Rajiv Shukla and secretary Jay Shah were also present on the occasion.

The stadium will be built in a 30-acre area at a cost of Rs.450 crore. The Uttar Pradesh government said that it has spent Rs.121 crore to acquire the land for the stadium, while the BCCI will spend Rs.330 crore on its construction. The stadium is likely to be completed by December 2025.

The architecture of the cricket stadium proposed at Ganjari in Varanasi will be reminiscent of the holy city’s rich heritage and things related to Lord Shiva, said Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) chief executive officer Ankit Chatterjee. The roofs will be in the form of a crescent that crowns Lord Shiva, while the floodlights will be trident-shaped, he added..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Singapore

---

Singapore has dethroned Hong Kong to become the world’s freest economy in 2023, according to a report released by Canadian think tank Fraser Institute.

For the first time since the Economic Freedom of the World Index started in 1970, Hong Kong slipped to second place from the number one spot — and its score is about to drop even further.

Some of the tenets used to gauge economic freedom index are measured based on ease of international trade, freedom to enter and compete in markets, as well as business regulations, amongst other yardsticks.

The findings in the 2023 report are based on data from 2021, the most recent year with available comparable statistics across the 165 jurisdictions. It measures the economic freedom of individuals — or their ability to make economic decisions on their own.

“Hong Kong’s recent turn is an example of how economic freedom is intimately connected with civil and political freedom,” said Fraser Institute’s senior fellow, Matthew Mitchell, in a press release.

New regulatory barriers to entry, increasing cost of business, and limits on employing foreign labor dented Hong Kong’s ranking, the report stated.

“These repressions, combined with the government’s efforts to control the private sector, inevitably led to diminished economic freedom. Hong Kong’s prosperity will likely suffer as a result,” Mitchell said.


World's freest economy :

1. Singapore : 8.56
2. Hong Kong : 8.55
3. Switzerland : 8.47
4. New Zealand     : 8.43
5. United States : 8.14
6. Ireland : 8.11
7. Denmark : 8.10
8. Australia : 8.05
9. United Kingdom : 8.01
10. Canada : 7.98.

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   ₹1.18 Trillion

---

Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with state-owned hydro power firm SJVN Ltd, committing to finance the latter's renewable energy and thermal power projects. The deal is valued at Rs 1.18 trillion and aims to set up 12 gigawatt (Gw) of power generation capacity, predominantly from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and pumped hydro, along with a 660 megawatt thermal power project.

The financial backing from PFC is expected to range between Rs 80,000 crore and Rs 90,000 crore, displaying a significant commitment to these crucial projects. According to a PFC statement, this funding could be augmented to meet the specific needs of the renewable projects, highlighting the flexibility of the partnership.

Nand Lal Sharma, chairman and managing director of SJVN, said the agreement would contribute to the company’s new mission of reaching 12 Gw capacity by 2026 and a long-term vision of 50 Gw by 2040.

Recently, SJVN has also entered into several MoUs with other central public sector utilities to develop renewable energy ventures. Both PFC and SJVN aim to make a considerable impact on India’s energy security and environmental sustainability through large-scale renewable and thermal generation projects, according to the PFC statement..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   India

---

After their 5-wicket win against Australia on Friday (22nd Sep 2023), India became the number 1 ranked team in all three formats i.e. Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

India displaced Pakistan from the top of the ODI rankings while they lead England in the T20I rankings. In the longest format, they are in the first place while Australia are right behind them.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted, “Numero Uno in Test, ODI, and T20I cricket. Heartiest congratulations to #TeamIndia for achieving this historic milestone. The rankings reflect the hard work put in by this team as they chase excellence on the field. This is fantastic achievement just ahead of the World Cup. Also 1-0 up against Australia with a win in Mohali. Let’s keep the momentum going.”

🇮🇳 Numero Uno in Test, ODI, and T20I cricket.

Heartiest congratulations to #TeamIndia for achieving this historic milestone. The rankings reflect the hard work put in by this team as they chase excellence on the field. This is fantastic achievement just ahead of the World Cup.… pic.twitter.com/wR4JDlqBJy

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) September 22, 2023

On Friday, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad hit fine half-centuries to guide India to a five-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series.

Chasing a target of 277, Gill slammed 74 off 63 balls, while Gaikwad made 71 off 77 as India overhauled the target with eight balls to spare, reaching 281 for five.

Skipper KL Rahul (58 not out) and Suryakumar Yadav (50) also struck fifties each. Earlier sent into bat, Australia were all out for 276 in 50 overs.

No. 1 Test team ☑️
No. 1 ODI team ☑️
No. 1 T20I team ☑️#TeamIndia reigns supreme across all formats 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/rB5rUqK8iH

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2023

David Warner made 52, while Steve Smith contributed 41 and lower down the batting order, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis chipped in with 45..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Arunachal Pradesh

---

* The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently recognized the Mithun as a ‘food animal,’ opening doors for its commercial use found in Arunachal Pradesh.



* Aim : To promote its meat as a commercial product can indeed have significant economic and cultural implications for the region.

* It is a captivating and culturally significant bovine species found in Northeast India.

* Its role in the livelihoods of indigenous communities, ecological balance..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Third

---

India has become the third largest startup ecosystem in the world

Startup India initiative has witnessed remarkable growth from four fifty startups in 2016 to over one lakh currently 2023.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the crucial role of the country's youth as the foundation for India's development in the Amrit Kaal.

He expressed confidence that by 2047, India's economy would experience exponential growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (12th Sep 2023) said the policies of the government are providing support to the youth of the country and their strength has helped India become the third largest startup ecosystem in the world.

Addressing the nation on the 77th Independence Day, he said the country's exports are growing and experts world over believe India's economy would continue its growth trajectory.

"I believe in youth power, youth power is my strength... Our policies are giving more power to youth Strength The youth of the world are getting amazed by seeing the strength of Indian youth," he said from the ramparts of the Red Fort..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   September 22nd

---

World Rhino Day, observed annually on September 22nd, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the critical plight of the rhinoceros species and advocating for their protection. This special day serves as a platform to highlight the challenges these magnificent creatures face and the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent their extinction.

World Rhino Day History :

* The crisis of rhinoceros started in Africa back in 1990. By 2010, it became a nationwide hazard, and people started to express their concerns over the crisis.

* In 2011, a woman called Lisa Jane Campbell wrote a mail to a fellow rhino lover, Rhishja stating the desire of seeing at least five species of rhinos thriving in the world.

* Hence, World Rhino Day became a worldwide phenomenon and continues to be celebrated throughout the world on September 22.

World Rhino Day Significance :

* Rhinoceros need saving. On this day, the organisations focused on saving wildlife get together to create awareness about the plight of rhinos in the forest and the steps that can be taken by humans to save these animals from going extinct.

Poaching Rhinos Statistics :

The Poaching Rate of Rhinos Is 1 per 24 Hours (Save the Rhino) : All for an erection–that’s why we kill rhinos. The rhino crisis took off in 2008 and lasted well into 2015. Numbers have slightly decreased in Africa, but one rhino still becomes a poaching victim daily. South Africa has the most rhinos and has the highest incidents of poached rhinos, reaching 1000 per year between 2013 and 2017.

The Whole World Has Just 27,431 Rhinos (rhinos.org) :

* The recent population number of five surviving rhino species, distributed across Africa and Asia, collectively totals 27,431 individuals, with Africa being home to 23,290 rhinos and Asia accounting for 4,137 of these majestic animals.

* In one century, we killed 471,000 rhinos and thousands more that might have been born. Although, according to the chart, rhino poaching tapered off, 2021 saw an increase in poaching since 2015. Some blame the pandemic, and as curfews lifted, criminal syndicates began trafficking in rhinos again.

According to Rhino Poaching Statistics 2020, the Rate of Rhino Poaching in Early 2020 Decreased by 50% Due to COVID-19 (Rhino Review)

* Rhinos got a short reprieve from being hunted to extinction in 2020 when curfews made it difficult for syndicates to move rhino goods. Statistics suggest that Africa’s poaching rates dropped from 5.3% to 2.3% in 2021.

* However, 2707 rhinos died from poaching between 2018 and 2021. This number includes white rhinos and critically endangered black rhinos.

The Number of Black Rhinos Worldwide Is More Than 6,487 (rhinos.org)

* And you thought that 6,487 black rhinos were a lousy number. It’s a number to celebrate thanks to the dedication of African conservationists who doubled this number from a 20-year low.

Source :  World Animal Foundation