Correct Answer :   Bhupender Yadav

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Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav participated in the International Coastal Clean-up Day drive and the ongoing ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign at Juhu Chowpatty in Mumbai on 21st Sep 2024.

Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Guardian Minister of Mumbai City district Deepak Kesarkar, Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and others were present on the occasion.

CM Shinde administered the cleanliness oath to all attendees. Speaking at the event, Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan stated that every significant endeavour begins with a modest effort.

He emphasised that today is a day to raise awareness about coastal cleanliness, and this initiative will grow into a substantial movement, shaping the vision of ‘Swachh Bharat, Mahan Bharat.’

CM Eknath Shinde remarked that maintaining clean coastal areas is a collective responsibility. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav urged citizens to participate in the cleanliness fortnight and encouraged them to plant at least one tree as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. He also announced that the government will provide assistance to startups working on water reprocessing..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka's leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office as president on Monday (23rd Sep 2024), promising change in the island nation long led by powerful political families which is emerging from its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades.

Millions of Sri Lankans had voted for the opposition parliamentarian, putting faith in his graft-fighting pledge and vow to bolster a fragile economic recovery.

"I pledge ... to demonstrate dedication to protecting and upholding democracy," Dissanayake, 55, said in inauguration remarks at the president's office, saying he was taking office at a challenging time in the Indian Ocean nation.

"Our politics needs to be cleaner, and the people have called for a different political culture," he added. "I am ready to commit to that change."

Dissanayake ran as the candidate for the National People's Power (NPP) alliance, which includes his Janatha Vimukhti Peremuna (JVP) party that traditionally championed Marxist economic policies centred on protectionism and state intervention.

In recent years the party has taken more centrist positions.

Outside, dozens of supporters held up posters carrying his image, with some waving the Sri Lankan flag and chanting "AKD", the initials of the new president, who displaces the incumbent, veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe.

"I’m very happy," said one of them, beautician Iroma Nilanthi Liyanage, adding that Dissanayake inspired supporters with hope. "We worked very hard for this victory. For the first time the poor people have someone who stands for them."..

Source : Reuters

Correct Answer :   Alok Ranjan

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Senior IPS officers Alok Ranjan and Amit Garg were on Saturday (21st Sep 2024) appointed as the chiefs of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and Hyderabad-based Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) respectively, according to an official order.

* Ranjan, a 1991-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director, NCRB for a tenure up to his superannuation on June 30, 2026, it said.

* He succeeds his service and batchmate Vivek Gogia, who has been repatriated to AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre.

* Garg, a 1993-batch IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director, SVPNPA for a term up to his retirement on October 31, 2027, the order said.


* The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointments of four senior IPS officers, all from 1993 batch -- Rithwik Rudra (Himachal Pradesh cadre) , Mahesh Dixit (Andhra Pradesh cadre), Praveen Kumar (West Bengal cadre) and Arvind Kumar (Bihar cadre) as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

* All these officers were working as the Additional Director in the IB.

* Besides them, Praveer Ranjan has been appointed as Special Director General in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for a tenure of two years.

* Praveer Ranjan, a 1993-batch IPS officer of AGMUT cadre, is currently Additional Director General (ADG), CISF.

* Vitul Kumar, currently ADG in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has been appointed as Special DG in the same force, till the date of his superannuation on August 31, 2028.

* R Prasad Meena, at present ADG in the Border Security Force (BSF), has been appointed as Special DG in the force, till the date of his retirement, that is July 31, 2025...

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Jaipur

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Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is set to host the prestigious 25th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards from March 7 to 9, 2025, at the JECC Sitapura.

The announcement was made during a formal agreement signing ceremony at the iconic Albert Hall, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Rajasthan Tourism Commissioner VP Singh and IIFA Vice President Suresh Iyer, marking the beginning of preparations for this grand event.

Government’s Financial Commitment :

The Rajasthan government has allocated a total budget of ?100 crore for the event. This includes ?50 crore from the state government, ?20 crore from the Rajasthan Industrial and Investment Corporation (RIICO), and ?30 crore from the tourism department. Officials believe this large-scale event will significantly benefit the state’s tourism and cultural industries.

A Golden Opportunity for Rajasthan :

Deputy CM Diya Kumari highlighted the importance of the IIFA Awards returning to India, particularly to Rajasthan, known for its rich cultural heritage. She expressed that the event would attract global attention and promote both popular and lesser-known tourist destinations in the state. Additionally, the presence of film directors and producers could encourage future film shootings in Rajasthan, further enhancing its appeal as a filming location.

IIFA Digital Awards: A New Addition :

The 2025 IIFA Awards will introduce the inaugural IIFA Digital Awards, recognizing achievements in digital entertainment, including films and OTT content. This new category reflects the growing impact of digital media in the entertainment industry.

Empowering Rajasthan’s Economy and Tourism :

Diya Kumari emphasized that the IIFA Awards 2025 will boost Rajasthan’s global image and create new employment and investment opportunities. The presence of international film stars is expected to open avenues for economic growth and tourism development, aligning with the government’s goals of increasing tourism revenue and attracting global investors.

IIFA’s Global Legacy :

Since their inception in 2000, the IIFA Awards have become a globally recognized platform for celebrating Indian cinema. With editions hosted in 14 countries and 18 cities, the 2025 edition in Jaipur will mark a significant milestone, celebrating 25 years of IIFA and the accomplishments of Indian cinema in the new millennium. The event will include performances by leading Bollywood celebrities and awards for the industry’s finest.

Correct Answer :   Laapataa Ladies

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Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, the Film Federation of India announced on Monday. According to PTI, the Hindi movie, a humorous take on patriarchy, was chosen from 29 films.

Popular films like Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Malayalam National Award-winning Aattam and Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light were among the contenders.

'Laapataa Ladies' is India's official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Film Category 2025.

Its director Kiran Rao says, "I am deeply honored and delighted that our film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is… pic.twitter.com/m8zgVE6G8b

— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024

A 13-member committee led by Assamese director Jahnu Barua made the decision. The committee unanimously selected Laapataa Ladies for consideration in the Best International Film category at the Academy Awards.

Other notable films on the list included Tamil film Maharaja, Telugu films Kalki 2898 AD and Hanu-Man, as well as Hindi films Swatantraya Veer Savarkar and Article 370. Last year, the Malayalam hit 2018: Everyone is a Hero was sent as India’s entry.

Correct Answer :   Nepal

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The Bharat Gaurav luxury tourist train was launched to promote cultural and spiritual tourism between India and Nepal.

The train, part of the Bharat Nepal Maitri Yatra, covers important religious and cultural sites in both countries, including Ayodhya and Varanasi in India and Janakpur and Kathmandu in Nepal.

This initiative, by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), aims to strengthen cultural ties and enhance the spiritual tourism experience between the two neighbouring countries.

Correct Answer :   Article 324

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Article 324 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Election Commission of India to oversee, direct, and control the electoral process.

This provision ensures that elections are conducted efficiently and are completed before the term of the existing assembly expires.

Article 324 plays a critical role in upholding the democratic process by giving the Election Commission the authority to ensure free and fair elections.

Correct Answer :   Australia

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The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project involves constructing the world's largest radio telescope, with two main components: SKA-Low and SKA-Mid.

SKA-Low will be located in Australia and will operate at low frequencies, ranging from 50 to 350 MHz.

This component comprises a network of 131,072 antennas, forming a highly sensitive radio array.

The location in Australia was chosen for its remote and radio-quiet environment, ideal for sensitive astronomical observations.

This will enable scientists to study the universe in unprecedented detail, addressing fundamental questions about its origins, evolution, and mysteries.

Correct Answer :   2024 PT5

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Asteroid 2024 PT5, detected by NASA, is anticipated to become a temporary mini-moon of Earth in late September 2024.

This capture presents a unique opportunity for scientists to study near-Earth asteroids and enhance our understanding of their behaviour.

By observing 2024 PT5's temporary capture and orbit, researchers can refine models of asteroid dynamics, improve detection methods for future mini-moons, and contribute valuable insights to planetary defence strategies.

The study of this asteroid will significantly advance our knowledge of near-Earth objects and their interactions with our planet.

Correct Answer :   Russia

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India has seen a significant increase in ammonium nitrate (AN) imports from Russia, leading to concerns within its domestic fertiliser industry.

Ammonium nitrate is crucial for both agriculture and industries like mining. Cheaper imports from Russia create competitive pressure on Indian companies, which are investing heavily to expand their production capacity.

As India relies on imports to meet a substantial portion of its fertiliser needs, including potash, disruptions or shifts in trade patterns can significantly impact domestic markets.