Correct Answer :   1st

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will organize the first edition of the Global IndiaAI 2023 in October 2023.

There will be participation from leading AI players, researchers, startups, and investors in India and worldwide.

The conference is poised to cover a wide spectrum of topics, including Next Generation Learning and Foundational AI models, AI’s applications in healthcare, governance, and next-gen electric vehicles, future AI research trends, AI computing systems, investment opportunities, and nurturing AI talent.

Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar chairs the conference’s steering committee which is entrusted with the task of shaping the contours of the Global IndiaAI 2023. It draws members from MeitY’s Digital Economy Advisory group and other prominent leaders in the field of AI.

Speaking about the conference, MoS Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized that the Government’s vision is to gather the world’s best and brightest minds under one roof to deliberate the future of AI and its impact in several sectors.

“The Global IndiaAI 2023 conference is tentatively planned for October 14/15 and it will bring together the best and brightest in AI from India and around the world. This summit is expected to evolve and become a must attend event on the annual calendar of the Global AI industry, startups, practitioners, researchers and students.

The huge success of the past two editions of the SemiconIndia conference by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji firmly put India on the global semicon map. This enabled India to become a catalyst for investments and growth within the sector. The Global IndiaAI summit will also catalyze India’s AI landscape and innovation ecosystem,” the Minister said.

The conference will also serve as a showcase for the vibrant IndiaAI ecosystem that comprises key initiatives such as DI Bhashini, India Datasets Program, IndiaAI Futuredesign program for startups, and IndiaAI FutureSkills program dedicated to nurturing world-class AI talent.

Highlighting the comprehensive groundwork behind IndiaAI, MoS Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar pointed out the pivotal role of the working groups that collaborated closely with industry, Startups & academia partners. These groups have presented a holistic framework for the IndiaAI initiative, which revolves around  pillars: AI in Governance, AI Computing & Systems, Data for AI, AI IP & Innovation and Skilling in AI. These pillars will form an integral part of the upcoming conference’s agenda.

“What makes India so attractive for AI is the diversity of it. Our diversity will be an addition to the quality of data sets for any large language model or any AI learning model. What we want is that AI should be responsible so that user harm is curbed and innovation is encouraged. Our primary aim is to ensure a collaborative and participatory approach, steering AI to enhance governance and transforming lives while building global partnerships and actively shaping the world’s technology landscape.”..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

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A momentous collaboration has been cemented as the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25.

This strategic partnership aims to enhance the socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis, Manual Scavengers, Waste Pickers and their dependants.

NSKFDC is continuously working for empowerment of these most vulnerable and deprived sections of society through its various loan based and non-loan-based schemes like Short Term Skill Development Training Programmes.

It focuses on complete mechanization of Sewer and Septic Tank cleaning operation by providing soft loans at low rates of interest to Sanitation Workers, Urban Local Bodies. Capital subsidy ranging from 50 to 32 percent is provided to sanitation workers taking up mechanized cleaning works under Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY).

Adequate training is provided free of cost to sanitation workers regarding safety precautions, use of PPE kits and operation and maintenance of cleaning machines and equipments.

NSKFDC also provides loans upto Rs.1.00 lacs under its Mahila Samridhi Yojana and Micro Credit Finance Scheme. The overall rate of interest is 4% and 5%, respectively. The other loan schemes are General Term Loan and Green Business Schemes under which loans upto Rs.15.00 lacs and upto Rs.30.00 lacs respectively are provided with rate of interest at 6% and 1% rebate for women beneficiaries.

In FY 2022-23, NSKFDC has disbursed total loans of Rs.261.49 crores covering 43862 beneficiaries. About 80% of the beneficiaries are women.

NSKFDC has set up a target to cover 52634 new beneficiaries in FY 2023-24 and 63161 new beneficiaries in FY 2024-25.

NSKFDC has provided Skill development Training to 20686 sanitation workers and their dependents under SRMS and PM DAKSH Yojana during FY 2022-23.

To strengthen the GOI initiatives for welfare of Safai Karamcharis, NSKFDC as per MoU shall be providing Skill Development Training to 11000 and 12500 beneficiaries in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, respectively under PM DAKSH Yojana..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Indian Oil Corporation

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* The IndianOil has appointed Chef Sanjeev Kapoor as the brand ambassador for its Indane XTRATEJ LPG brand.

* This announcement was made at the prestigious Indane XtraTej Hotelier Harmony Meet in Bengaluru.

* The event witnessed the unveiling of the new XTRATEJ TV commercial featuring Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who commended IndianOil's commitment to culinary innovation and efficiency.

* Indian Oil Chairman : Shrikant Madhav Vaidya

Source : iocl

Correct Answer :   Anurag Singh Thakur

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Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has announced that 1000 Khelo India Centres will be established within a year in the country.

* Launching key initiatives on Indian Sports in New Delhi on the occasion of National Sports Day on 29 Aug 2023, the Minister said that it will not only provide employment opportunities to former athletes but also give budding sportspersons a chance to take guidance from the veterans.

* Mr Thakur also informed that the each player will receive five lakh rupees to procure equipments for their centres and per year another five lakh rupees for operational expenses.

* The Minister informed that to commemorate the National Sports Day, over 3500 events were observed across the nation. Appreciating the athletes of the country, he said that India won more medals at World University Games this time than in the sixty years.

* Mr Thakur also lauded the 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa for his remarkable performance at the recent Chess World Cup.

* The Minister launched the third edition of the Fit India Quiz, among other initiatives. On the occasion, Mr Thakur also launched an Information booklet on Sports Infrastructure Projects sanctioned under the Khelo India Scheme as well as launched a National Sports Federations portal..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Arjun Munda

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Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday (29 August 2023), inaugurated the ‘Awareness Campaign and Training of Trainers’ initiative to educate grassroots workers and enable them to raise awareness about sickle cell anaemia, particularly in tribal regions.

Announced in the 2023-24 budget, the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission targets the eradication of the disease by 2047.

The comprehensive strategy involves public awareness campaigns, the screening of seven crore individuals aged 0-40 in affected tribal areas, and counselling. This collaborative effort will unite central ministries and state governments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally launched the mission on July 1 in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district. Mr Munda said that the training initiative advances Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a sickle cell disease-free India, driven by community involvement.

He acknowledged both challenges and opportunities in realising the initiative’s success and emphasised the need to engage the community at the grassroots and fostering public participation in a movement to eliminate the disease. Countering misconceptions among the masses and building a collaborative ecosystem are crucial steps, he said.

The minister also underscored the importance of establishing a healthcare database for affected populations to support research and sustainable solutions..

Source : Swachh India

Correct Answer :   UNDP

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NITI Aayog and UNDP India have signed today, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a framework of cooperation on a range of areas, including SDG localisation, data-driven monitoring, Aspirational Districts and Blocks, among others.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri B. V. R. Subrahmanyam CEO, NITI Aayog by Dr Yogesh Suri, Senior Adviser (SDGs), NITI Aayog, and Ms Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India.

Welcoming the partnership, Shri B. V. R. Subrahmanyam said, “Over the years, NITI Aayog and UNDP’s collaboration has grown from strength to strength.

With monitoring going beyond districts down to the block level, we see this partnership fostering data-driven policy interventions and programmatic action. Standing at the midpoint of the 2030 agenda, we look forward to working together with the States in the true spirit of cooperative federalism.

We also look forward to partnering with UNDP to showcase and share India’s successes in realizing its development priorities to its peers”

Reaffirming UNDP’s commitment Ms Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India said, “Midway to 2030, India’s leadership is critical for making the SDGs a reality.

India nearly halved multidimensional poverty between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, demonstrating that despite complex challenges, accelerating progress towards the Goals is possible.

Through this MoU with NITI Aayog, UNDP stands ready to enhance its support for localization of the SDGs, data-driven decision-making through various indices, the Aspirational Districts and Blocks programme, and SDG financing. UNDP will also provide support for NITI Aayog’s work on women's livelihoods, innovation, and Mission LiFE."

The MoU was signed for a period of five years. NITI Aayog is the nodal Institution for coordinating the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national levels. UNDP plays the integrator role in coordinating efforts to fast-track progress on the SDGs within the UN system.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   India and New Zealand

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India and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in civil aviation. This will cover the scheduling of new routes, codeshare services, traffic rights, and capacity entitlement.

* The MoU was signed by Civil Aviation Secretary, Rajiv Bansal and the New Zealand High Commissioner  David Pine in New Delhi.
 
* On the occasion, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister for Trade and Export Growth  Damien O’Connor of New Zealand were also present.
 

* According to the MoU, the designated airlines of New Zealand may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft, with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to and from six points in India, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. 

* The designated airlines of India may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to and from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Three more points in New Zealand to be named by the Government of  India.
 
* Speaking on the occasion, Mr Scindia said that today is an important day for Civil Aviation air services between India and New Zealand. He said, both the countries have signed an MoU that has opened the possibilities of furthering of air transport between them. He added that the open sky policy has been put in place and the point of calls has been increased.

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Nitin Gadkari

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In a major move towards reducing carbon dioxide emission and improving fuel efficiency in vehicles, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari  29th August 2023 launched the world's first 100 percent Ethanol-fueled car in New Delhi.

Mr. Gadkari termed this day as historic saying that the world's first BS-VI (Stage-II), electrified flex-fuel vehicle has been launched which can function fully on ethanol-based fuel.

Raising concern over the pollution emitted by vehicles, the Minister said, the country needs to undertake more sustainable and stringent measures to curb pollution.

He stressed that the country has to reduce its dependence on oil imports in order to become self-reliant. Highlighting the importance of ethanol blended fuel, he said, country’s agriculture sector will witness growth with the adoption of this move and it will generate lots of job opportunities.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, with the implementation of 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol, the country will save 35 thousand crore rupees annually as import bill. 

He added that India has achieved 10 percent of ethanol blending five months in advance of the initial target of 2022. He also underlined that the country is aiming to forge a partnership for International Biofuel Alliance.

Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey said with the ethanol blending process the farmers have earned 82 thousand crores rupees so far and the country’s import bill has reduced.

The flex fuel is a technology that allows an engine to utilise ethanol-blended petrol or gasoline beyond 20 percent. The aim is to reduce carbon footprint, improve sustainable mobility and decrease the country's dependency on traditional fuel sources.

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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In Gujarat, the state government 29th August 2023 announced a 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities, and civic corporations.

* Briefing media in Gandhinagar, minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel said the decision was taken based on the basis of the Jhaveri Commission report.

* The announcement, seats in panchayats municipalities and municipal corporations will be kept reserved for OBC candidates in 27 percent proportion when elections are held.

* However, in the PESA-notified areas, the reservation for OBCs will continue to be 10 percent to protect the interest of tribals.

* The minister added that the existing quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will remain unchanged and there has been no breach of the 50 percent reservation ceiling.

* This decision will pave the way for holding of local body polls in the state which were postponed due to the pending OBC quota issue..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Umesh Revankar

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The Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) has appointed Umesh Revankar as its chairman. The managing committee elected Revankar unanimously in a meeting convened in Mumbai.

He currently holds the position of executive vice chairman for Shriram Finance and brings with him decades of experience and expertise in the financial services industry.

“I look forward to partnering with members and the community and contribute to the industry’s growth and development during my tenure. FIDC’s commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation is something I deeply resonate with,” Umesh Revankar, chairman, FIDC, said.

Joining as an executive trainee with Shriram Group in 1987, Revankar has risen through the ranks, assuming responsibilities and leadership roles in business operations. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in making Shriram Transport Finance company the largest commercial vehicle financer in India.

In addition to his contributions to Shriram Finance, Revankar serves as a director for several companies within the Shriram Group, including Shriram Automall India, Shriram General Insurance company, and Shriram Life Insurance company.

Revankar is poised to lead the organisation into an era of growth and innovation. Assuming the chairmanship for a two-year term commencing on August 23, 2023, he brings vision and understanding of the financial services landscape to the role.

Under the dynamic leadership of Revankar, FIDC is poised to spearhead growth and foster innovation within the organization.

Further, to strengthen Revankar’s hands, Kamlesh Gandhi, CMD, MAS Financial Services, and K V Srinivasan, CEO and WTD, Profectus Capital will act as the co-chairmen of FIDC..

Source : Financial Express