Correct Answer :   8th September

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The world observes International Literacy Day every year on September 8. The day reminds us of the importance of personal development, literacy, and progress of society.

The day was first time observed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The day is a stark reminder of the fact that literacy is not luxury but a fundamental right important for a person's dignity.

The day is observed across the world to propagate the agenda of literacy across the world. The UNESCO data says that around 76 crore young people and adults globally lacked basic literacy skills in 2020. Know about the significance and history of the day.


International Literacy Day Theme 2023 : Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.'

International Literacy Day History :

* The idea of International Literacy day was first mentioned at the World Conference of Minjsters of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy. The conference was held in Tehran, Iran in 1965. The conference served as a fertile ground for the germination of an idea of a special day dedicated to promoting literacy on a global scale.

* Later, UNESCO officially declared September 8 as International Literacy Day. The day was announced during 14th UNESCO General Conference in 1966. A year later, the world celebrated its first International Literacy Day on September 8, 1966.

International Literacy Day Significance :

* As per the data shared by UNESCO, around 775 million people around the world are deprived of basic literacy skills. The data says that one in five adults remain illiterate. The data also reflects vast gender gap between males and females.

* COVID pandemic further aggravated the situatiion where children were absent from school or attended their classes irregularly.

* Impact of COVID-19 pandemic was severe on education facility. Unfortunately, many children who left school because of pandemic never returned to school for education.

* International Literacy Day serves as an opportunity for international organisations and governments to work for and promote literacy..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Tamil Nadu

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Salem district in the state of Tamil Nadu has gained acclaim for its sago production, which is widely recognized as Sabudana. Salem Sago, locally known as Javvarisi, is derived from the wet starch powder extracted from tapioca roots. Indian tapioca roots are known to contain approximately 30-35% starch content.

Sago production has been a cornerstone of Salem’s economic development since 1967. Currently, over 80% of sago in India is produced in the Salem region, with a significant portion marketed through Sagoserve.


GI Tag Application for Salem Sago by Sagoserve :

The request for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Salem Sago (Javvarisi) was filed by the Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Co-operative Society Limited, commonly known as Sagoserve.

The GI tag can significantly boost business for farmers in the Salem region and the over-400 sago and starch units in areas like Salem, Erode, Nammakal, and Dharmapuri. These regions have a long-standing tradition of sago production.

Salem: The Tapioca Heartland and the Land of Sago

Salem district utilizes nearly 35,000 hectares of land for tapioca cultivation, with yields averaging between 25-30 tonnes per hectare. Sago has a low calorific value (310 kcal/100g) and ranges in size from 2 to 4.5 mm. Remarkably, one kilogram of tapioca sago can be produced from five kilograms of tapioca tubers.

The district’s advantages, such as abundant raw materials, cost-effective labor, and extended sunlight hours, make it an ideal hub for tapioca-based products like sago and starch. This has earned Salem the reputation of being the ‘Land of Sago,’ even on international platforms.


Sago: A Multi-Industry Player with Remarkable Economic Value

Sago finds applications in diverse industries, including food, paper, construction, textiles, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, mining, and alcohol, underscoring its economic significance.

Benefits of GI Tags :

The registration of a Geographical Indication offers several advantages:

* Legal Protection: It provides legal safeguards to protect GI-tagged products from unauthorized use.
* Prevention of Unlawful Use: GI tags prevent others from using the prestigious product name without authorization.
* Quality Assurance: Consumers can be confident in the quality and authenticity of GI-tagged products.
* Economic Prosperity: The demand for GI-tagged goods in national and international markets is enhanced, thereby promoting economic prosperity for the producers.


Significance of GI Tags :

A GI tag grants certain rights to those authorized to use it, allowing them to prohibit its usage by third parties whose products do not meet the specified standards. However, it’s important to note that a protected GI does not restrict someone from producing a similar product using the same methods outlined in the standards for that.

Correct Answer :   Egypt

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INS Sumedha arrived at Port Alexandria, Egypt on 06 September 2023 to participate in ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR- 23’. This edition of the multinational Tri-Services military exercise will see participation from 34 countries. It is the largest ever joint military exercise in Middle East & North Africa region.

Ex Bright Star 23 is scheduled to be conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase involves wide-ranging activities such as cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, sports fixtures and interactions for planning and conduct of the Sea Phase.

The Sea Phase will include complex and high intensity exercises encompassing cross deck flying, anti-surface and anti-air exercises including live weapon firing drills. The exercise provides an opportunity to the Indian Navy to enhance and demonstrate interoperability and also gain from the best practices in maritime security operations from its partner nations.

This is the maiden participation of Indian Navy in Ex Bright Star, which will also see participation of Naval ships from other Friendly Foreign Navies. The exercises will span over two weeks with intense operations and training, aimed at reaffirming the ability of the participating navies to operate together as an integrated force and to highlight their shared commitment to maritime security and global stability through collaborative training and mutual understanding.

INS Sumedha, commanded by Commander MC Chandeep, is the third ship of the indigenously built Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPV) that possess long endurance, are fitted with requisite weapons, sensors, and capable of embarking an integral helicopter.

A highly potent platform that can be deployed for a variety of operational missions, INS Sumedha bears testimony to the capabilities of the Indian shipbuilding industry which underscores the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat’..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Airbus India

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Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara and Airbus, a global aviation giant, have recently embarked on a strategic collaboration aimed at fortifying the Indian aviation sector. This partnership, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, signifies a significant milestone in fostering industry-academia alliances to propel India’s aviation industry to new heights.


A High-Profile Agreement :

The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics, and IT, who also serves as the First Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. Accompanying him were Ms. Jaya Varma Sinha, the Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board, and other senior officials. This collaboration follows Airbus’ recent partnership with Tata to establish a C295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking a renewed commitment to bolstering India’s aerospace sector.
Airbus: A Global Aviation Powerhouse

Airbus stands as the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft and a leading producer of helicopters, defense equipment, and space technology. Over the years, Airbus has developed a symbiotic relationship with India, recognizing it as a pivotal driver of global aviation and a vital source of talent and resources. Airbus is committed to nurturing all the necessary elements for building a fully integrated aerospace ecosystem in India, with “Make in India” at the core of its business strategy.

The Vision of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) :

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara, established through an Act of Parliament in 2022, is dedicated to nurturing top-tier manpower and talent for the transportation and logistics sectors. GSV aims to fulfill the mandates of key national development plans, including the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022.

Focusing exclusively on transport and logistics sectors, GSV is a pioneering institution designed to cater to the diverse needs of railways, shipping, ports, highways, roads, waterways, and aviation. Leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructure and a demand-driven curriculum, GSV offers multidisciplinary programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Additionally, the university provides executive training and conducts cutting-edge research. GSV’s reach extends to Indian Railways probationers and serving officers, further solidifying its impact on the transportation sector.

The Collaborative Framework :

The collaboration between Airbus and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya encompasses several key aspects:

* Co-development of Skilling Courses: The partnership will result in sector-relevant skilling courses and programs tailored for both regular students and working professionals.
* Joint Research and Industry Experiences: Faculty members from both institutions will engage in joint research endeavors and gain valuable industry experience.
* Internships and Placements: GSV students will have the opportunity to undertake internships and secure placements within Airbus and related industries, ensuring they are well-prepared for careers in the aviation sector.
* Scholarship Programs: The collaboration includes initiatives to provide scholarships to deserving students, fostering equal access to quality education.


A Bright Future for Indian Aviation :

This pioneering industry-academic partnership is poised to create abundant job opportunities for students aligned with the ever-evolving demands of the aviation industry. It is projected that around 15,000 students may find placement within Airbus’ Indian operations, further strengthening India’s position in the global aviation landscape..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Jharkhand

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In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the transgender community in Jharkhand have been included in the category of Other Backward Caste (OBC) so that they can also avail the benefits of reservation in government jobs.

The Jharkhand Cabinet gave its approval for the same along with 34 other proposals on Wednesday (6th Sep 2023). In addition to that, the transgender persons will also be provided benefits of the State Social Security Scheme under which they will be given a pension of Rs 1,000 per month.

According to the Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security (WCDSS), the population of transgender persons was around 11,900 in Jharkhand in 2011, which currently would be nearly 14,000.

According to Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dedel, those transgender persons who are not covered under any other category for reservation will be included in the OBC category at number 46 in the list.

“The proposal has two parts, firstly, the transgender persons should be declared as a third gender, and secondly, those transgender persons who are not covered under any other category for reservation, should be included in the OBC category at serial number 46 in the list,” said Dadel.

If they already are covered under any other category like ST/SC, or Extremely Backward Class and are already getting any kind of reservation, then they will not qualify for the same, she added.

“However, if they belong to unreserved category or from any unknown category, then they will get reservation under Other Backward Caste,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

In another proposal approved by the State Cabinet belonging to the Women, Child and Social Welfare Department, transgender persons will also get Rs 1,000 as a pension under the State Social Security Scheme. Dadel further added that the State Government has also decided to give benefits of the cycle scheme to the students in the state, pending for a long time.

“All students belonging to ST/SC, OBC and minority category studying in class 8 during the financial year 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 will be given the cash amount directly to their bank accounts through DBT for purchasing bicycles,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

Whereas the process of purchasing bicycles for the students of the current batch (2023- 2024) and the next batch (2024 – 2025) will be done through tender, she added..

Source : New Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Telangana

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The Telangana government and UAE-based leading cooling utility player Tabreed have decided to collaborate for developing cooling infrastructure in industrial parks, including the proposed Hyderabad Pharma City, as well as a few other places.

Under their partnership, Tabreed, the name by which the National Central Cooling Company PJSC is traded on Dubai Financial Market, will over time develop 1.25 lakh refrigeration tonnes (RT) of district cooling plants and networks with up to $200 million investment in Telangana.

Aim :  To aid 6,800 GWh of power as well as 41,600 megalitres of water savings, and has the potential to reduce over 200 MW of peak electricity demand.

Its cooling-as-a-service model for process cooling and storage requirements of industrial units will pave the way for a more sustainable long-term cooling service.

The potential savings will be about 24 million tonnes (MT) of CO2, something bound to bolster Hyderabad’s position as one of the best cities to live and work in Asia, Industries and IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao’s office said on Wednesday (6th September 2023)..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Amazon

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Amazon India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five State Governments, including Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, to train employable Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and bring them to the mainstream workforce.

The MoU, which extends until 2026, aims to provide skilling and employment opportunities to PwD candidates in these five states, Amazon said in a statement on Thursday (7th Sep 2023).

Liju Thomas, Director – People Experience and Technology (PXT), India Operations, Amazon, said, “At Amazon India, we foster a culture that is conducive to growth and offers people equal opportunities to unlock their full potential.”

Under this initiative, Amazon has a focus on skilling and livelihood for PwD across Amazon India’s Operations network, over a period of three years. PwDs would be offered needed support with on-the-job training, intervention and an environment of acceptance and inclusion. Amazon’s operations network including fulfilment centres, sortation centres and delivery stations, may offer various jobs such as stowing, picking, packing, and sorting among other roles..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Ahmedabad

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The Gujarat government on Tuesday (5th Sep 2023) announced that Ahmedabad has become the second city in the country to implement an emission trading scheme (ETS) for particulate pollution that will help in regulating industrial emissions and reduce the state’s pollution levels.

Live trading involving 118 industries within the scheme commenced on September 1, 2023.

Gujarat’s forest and environment minister Mulubhai Bera inaugurated the first uniform auction for the Ahmedabad ETS market, distributing pollution permits online to all participating industries.

“Gujarat has been a flagbearer of taking innovative initiatives to ensure a balance between economic development and environment preservation. The ETS for particulate matter (PM), the first in the world for PM emissions, is an example of the unique initiatives being taken by the government of Gujarat to contain its emissions,” the minister said in a statement.

The scheme empowers industries in the textile sector within the Narol and Vatva industrial clusters.

* The ETS is implemented by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board with the technical expertise of professors from University of Chicago, University of Yale, University of Warwick along with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and Energy Policy Institute Chicago. The trading platform has been developed by NCDEX e Markets Limited (NeML).

* An ETS, or “cap-and-trade” system, caps the amount of pollution allowed from regulated industries and allots permits to plants.

* Under ETS, industries with low abatement costs can make larger reductions in emissions and thus profit by selling excess permits. Industries with high abatement costs can save money by buying permits instead of installing expensive equipment.

* The “cap-and-trade” system, similar to ETS, was introduced by the United States in the 1980s to reduce emissions of pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

* “GPCB’s collaboration with leading research centers to introduce markets, backed by rigorous scientific research, has the potential to benefit the regulator, regulated and most importantly, the public,” according to Sanjeev Kumar, principal secretary, forests and environment.

* ETS is an innovative market-based system that has the potential to transform the trade-off between environmental quality and growth, improving air quality with lower costs of compliance to industry. In addition, the use of continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) greatly improve the information and ability of regulators to monitor industry..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Bengaluru

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Bengaluru,  india's first underground electric transformer was inaugurated at Malleshwaram on Tuesday (5th Sep 2023) by the city’s civic body and electricity board together.

The idea behind the underground electric transformer is to ensure the safety of people and to maintain the aesthetics of India’s garden city.

Karnataka energy minister KJ George said that the government is planning to install more such underground electric transformers in the city, which are usually seen on the footpath or on the side of a road. He said, “#Bescom will eventually convert all the HT overhead lines to underground cables in Bengaluru city. This will also convert the complete system which includes distribution transformers, ring main units, feeder pillar boxes, etc into an underground system.”

The minister also said that this will help the BBMP and BESCOM to provide better service, as they do not need to dig the road or block the traffic during any maintenance works.

“This adds to the overall safety of the environment, encouraging the citizens to use footpaths without any hassles since they’d be free from interruption during maintenance works of overhead cables and related equipment. This would also keep the electrical equipment insulated from drastic climatic changes such as cold, heat and rains,” the minister added.

The minister also reiterated that there is a need to avoid the visual clutter in Bengaluru, which is visited by the people from all over the globe. He also said, “More than anything else, smart underground distribution infrastructure is not only innovative, it also removes a significant amount of visual clutter and improves the looks of the urban area.”.

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   1164.53 crore

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A Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Rs 1,164.53 crore for the Industrial Development Scheme, 2017, for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

In 2017, an outlay worth Rs 131.90 crore was okayed but it was exhausted during 2021-22. Further, the requirement of additional funds to meet committed liabilities up to 2028-2029 is Rs 1,164.53 crore.

All eligible new and existing industrial units on their substantial expansion in the manufacturing and service sectors located anywhere in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand would be provided the Central Capital Investment Incentive for Access to Credit at 30 per cent of the investment in plant and machinery with an upper limit of Rs 5 crore.

Source : Tribune India