Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

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After Jammu and Kashmir, lithium reserves have been traced in Rajasthan's Degana district , according to officials it is said that lithium reserves are higher than the ones recently found in Jammu and Kashmir.

* Officials have even alleged that the quantity of lithium here can meet around 80% of India's demand. For the first time, lithium reserves were found in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi in February 2023.

* This was the first significant mineral discovery in India, as previously only a small reserve had been discovered in Karnataka. It attributes the discovery to the mines ministry's new focus on rare earth.

* Since lithium is a key component of batteries used in electric vehicles, the government is searching for rare metal reserves both within and outside the country.

* Apart from GSI, a consortium of three Public-sector Undertaking companies – National Aluminium Company, Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration Corp – is working to provide a vehicle for research & development for recycling, acquisition, and also joint manufacturing of Lithium-ion batteries.

* Lithium reserves are concentrated in the lithium triangle in South America – Argentina, Bolivia & Chile, with 50% of the deposits concentrated in these regions. China, meanwhile, has the lead over other countries and China controls 75% of Lithium refining.

* India's plan to increase EV penetration by 30% by 2030 relies heavily on lithium - as of now, only a little more than 1% of all vehicle sales in the country are electric vehicles.

* A lithium battery is the only alternative for electric vehicles since it has a high power-to-weight ratio, enabling it to provide a large charge while keeping the vehicle's curb weight low. It is more energy efficient and performs better at a wide range of temperatures. This makes it a safer, more reliable method than other materials..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   G Kishan Reddy

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* Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy has inaugurated a PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra at Warasiguda in Secunderabad 7th May 2023.

* Mr Reddy said these Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide affordable healthcare and generate self-employment opportunities for youth.

* He said the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi scheme has been launched to make quality generic medicines available to the common man at low cost.

* He said medicines are available at 50-90 percent lower prices in Janausadhi Kendras than the rates found in regular medical shops. The Union Minister said that there is no compromise on the quality of medicines even if they are given at a low price..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Rajnath Singh

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Monday (8th May 2023) inaugurated the nation’s first Indian Air Force Heritage Centre in Chandigarh’s Sector 18.

* Spread across 17,000 sqft at the Government Press Building, the heritage centre highlights the IAF’s role in various wars. It houses five vintage aircraft and will provide visitors with cockpit exposure and an experience with flight simulators.

* It also houses the first IAF-made patent aircraft Air Force ‘Kanpur-1 Vintage Prototype Aircraft’, a single-engine indigenous flying machine designed and built by the late Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh in 1958 at Base Repair Depot Kanpur.

* Singh is accompanied by Chandigarh Union Territory (UT) Administrator Banwarilal Purohit, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, Member of Parliament (MP) Kirron Kher and other officers of the administration.

* A souvenir shop equipped with the IAF’s memorial and scale models has been set up at the centre. A theme-based cafe will also be operational for the public.

* The Defence Minister, who is on a one-day visit to Chandigarh, will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for a few other projects in the city as well.

* A beautiful one-foot wall that has pictures of 58 vintage and retired aircraft will serve as a visual treat to visitors..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Piyush Goyal

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Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal along with Hon'ble Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Government of Canada, will co-chair the discussions for the sixth India- Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) 8th May 2023 in Ottawa.

* MDTI is a bilateral mechanism which provides institutional mechanism to discuss a broad spectrum of trade and investment related issues and cooperation areas.

* The Dialogue will focus on various themes including strengthening the Bilateral Trade Relationship between India and Canada, Investment Promotion and Cooperation, Green Transition – including Critical Minerals discussion and new Areas of Cooperation such as promoting B2B engagements.

* The Ministers will also review India-Canada CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations. At the last MDTI meeting in March 2022, both Ministers launched the CEPA negotiations with a possibility to have an interim agreement or EPTA (Early Progress Trade Agreement). Since then, seven rounds of negotiations have been held.

* The Minister will also be visiting Toronto from 9th to 10th May 2023, where he will have various engagements to promote trade & investment. These engagements will include meetings with CEOs of key Canadian companies, Round Table of Indian and Canadian CEOs, interaction with Canadian and Indian companies based in Canada and Financial Sector Round table etc. The Minister would be accompanied by a delegation of Indian CEOs led by FICCI.

* The Minister will inaugurate the Indian Pavilion at SIAL CANADA-2023, which is the largest food innovation trade show in North America with participation of more than 1000 national & international exhibitors from 50 countries.

* The event will address the needs of the retail, food service & food processing industries. At SIAL Canada, Indian business participation consists of delegation from Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

* There will also be a Trade and Investment Promotion Event for the Agricultural and Food Processing sector with Indian companies and Canadian importers on the sidelines of SIAL-2023. This event is likely to be attended by 200 companies..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Nityanand Rai

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Union Minister Nityanand Rai inaugurated the Dawki Land Port in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district to promote trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh.

* The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs inaugurated the land port on Thursday (4th May 2023) in the presence of Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.

* Rai said the land port is expected to boost the tourism and business sectors.

* "This (port) has been made keeping in mind the two countries' requirements. It has good infrastructure, a slew of facilities such as godown, canteen, cargo for tourists and electric substation. The aim is to bring together all the agencies and stakeholders under a single roof," he said.

* The Dawki Land Port is located in West Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, 55 km from the district headquarters, Jowai, and about 84 km from Meghalaya's capital Shillong. The corresponding Land Port in Bangladesh is Tamabil, located in the Sylhet district.

* The Dawki Land port will serve as a vital trade and transportation hub between India and Bangladesh and will facilitate the movement of goods, people, and vehicles across the border. It will also facilitate passenger movement across the border..

Source : Republic World

Correct Answer :   Neera Tanden

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* United States President Joe Biden on Friday (5th May 2023) named Indian-American "Neera Tanden" as his Domestic Policy Advisor to help him craft and implement his domestic policy agenda.

* Tanden replaces Susan Rice as Biden's Domestic Policy Advisor.

* "Tanden will be the first Asian-American to lead any of the three major White House policy councils in history," Biden said.

* Tanden currently serves as Senior Advisor to President Biden and Staff Secretary.

* She served in both the Obama and Clinton administrations, as well as presidential campaigns and think tanks.

* Tanden previously served as senior advisor for health reform at the Department of Health and Human Services..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   May 7

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World Athletics Day is observed every year on May 7 to mark the importance of athletes and sportspersons globally.

World Athletics Day 2023 Theme : The theme for World Athletics Day 2023 is 'Athletics for All – A New Beginning'.

World Athletics Day History : World Athletics Day was established by the late Primo Nebiolo, the then-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The first World Athletics Day was held on May 15, 1996, with the participation of over 50 countries. The IAAF, founded in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 17, 1912, is known as World Athletics since 2019. Headquartered in Monaco, it is the premier international governing body for athletics and athletes.

World Athletics Day 2023 Significance :  The aim of World Athletics Day 2023 on May 7 is to promote the importance of athletics as a sport and encourage young and school children to take up athletics. World Athletics Day was also established to promote inclusivity in sport. The day celebrates and promotes maximum participation of people in athletics, including school athletics, running, and social responsibility..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   KITS Warangal

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The Centre for Innovation Incubation Research and Entrepreneurship (C-i2 RE) was inaugurated 5th May 2023 by IT Minister K Taraka Ramarao at the Kakatiya Institute of Technology & Science (KITS) Warangal campus in Telangana.

* On the occasion, the Minister said, the Centre will promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the student community to inculcate research and innovative skills among the students, faculty, and young researchers.

* Over five crore rupees have been invested in the necessary infrastructural facilities.  He said, the Centre will be helpful to design live projects for the benefit of society.

* The main objective of the Innovation Centre is to face the latest Engineering, technological and entrepreneurship challenges in the 21st Century and to adopt advanced technologies. KITS Warangal is known for its quality education and the ethical behaviour of students in their place of work..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   BharatPe

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BharatPe Group, has announced that it will be rebranding Payback India, multi-brand loyalty program to Zillion.

* This new brand identity is in line with the company’s vision to make Zillion ubiquitous to loyalty and rewards across the country.

* Aim : The new brand identity aims to target customers across age groups and add a new dimension to their overall shopping experience, across categories and brands.

* Zillion will offer a wide range of options for customers to earn and redeem at a wide range of partners across the country. The customers will be able to earn ‘Zillion coins’ for their routine spends, that will in turn add a moment of delight in their life.

* The Zillion logo incorporates this, signifying experiencing joy of spark and finding ‘aha’ moments everywhere. Customers will be able to earn Zillion coins across the network of offline and online partners, including groceries, fuel, entertainment, travel, apparel and more..

Source : Brand Equity

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized the ‘River-Cities Alliance (RCA) Global Seminar: Partnership for Building International River-Sensitive Cities’ in New Delhi on 4th May 2023.

Aim : The purpose of the RCA Global Seminar was to provide a platform for officials of member cities and international stakeholders to discuss and learn good practices for managing urban rivers.

* The RCA Global Seminar witnessed participation from Embassies/High Commissions of select countries and their respective river cities in order to highlight objectives, achievements, and potential collaborative outcomes of RCA.

* State Missions for Clean Ganga (SMCGs) and funding agencies like World Bank, ADB, JICA & KfW also were part of the discussions.

* The RCA Global Seminar was presided over by Mr. G. Asok Kumar, Director General (NMCG).  

* Addressing the gathering, Mr. G. Asok Kumar expressed happiness on the increase in number of cities joining the RCA and the immense interest NMCG has been able to generate on this issue.

* He noted that the trickle started with the Urban River Management Plan and has been flowing ever since. He emphasized the importance of issues related to climate change and urban water management, and how urban planners have a serious challenge at hand. “Climate change is a reality. We can see it now in Delhi where in the month of May we are needing blankets”..

Source : PIB