Correct Answer :   Purushottam Rupala

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Union Minister for fisheries, animal husbandry Purushottam Rupala has launched phase 2 of the National Surveillance programme for aquatic animal diseases and genetic improvement programme in Chennai, 27th February 2023.

Purushottam Rupala said that the Pradhan Mantri Sampada Yojana was launched with the aim to increase fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonnes and increase fish export earnings to One lakh Crore rupees in 2024 -25.

The Minister said that to maintain a sustained level of fish production, it was important to identify and provide solutions to the industry.

Aim : With an aim to provide an impetus to the industry, he said that the National Surveillance programme for aquatic animal diseases was launched.

* He told that 33 Crore rupees were allocated for a period of three years for the implementation of the programme.

* The diversification of Brackish water aquaculture with different species of Shellfish and Fin fish is important. The surveillance programme will help the farmers to identify and report the disease and also offer solutions. A separate app has been developed for the timely reporting of fish diseases.

* The production from shrimp aquaculture increased from about one lakh ton in 1990 to more than nine lakh tonnes in 2022. To avoid over-dependence on a single species and also to develop native shrimps by selective breeding. Scientists will develop an improved variety of Indian white shrimp in the next three to five years.

* The Minister also launched a crop insurance scheme for shrimp-growing farmers. The India Council for Agricultural Research and CIBA in association with the insurance company has evolved the insurance Scheme.

* This will facilitate and popularise shrimp farming in the country in future and also provide a new direction in realising the dream of the Blue Revolution..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   8th

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The 8th Edition of the Raisina Dialogue will be held from 2nd March to 4th March in New Delhi.

* Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dialogue. Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest.

* Theme : The theme of the 2023 Edition of Dialogue is "Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest".

* The Raisina Dialogue 2023 will witness the participation of representatives from over 100 countries including Ministers, Military Commanders, Captains of the Industry, Technology Leaders, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks and Youth.

* This year’s(2023) edition assumes special significance coming against the backdrop of India’s G20 Presidency.

* The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy.

* It is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with Observer Research Foundation. During the past eight years, the Raisina Dialogue has consistently grown in stature and profile to establish itself as one of the leading global conferences on international affairs...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Gurugram

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The First Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting (ACWG) of G-20, is set to take place in Gurugram, Haryana from 1st to 3rd March, 2023.

* During the three-day event at Gurugram, over 90 delegates from 20 members countries, 10 Invitee countries and 9 International Organizations will engage in detailed deliberations on strengthening International Anti-corruption mechanisms.

* G 20 ACWG meetings have one Chair (Presidency country) and one co-chair country. The co-chair for the G20 ACWG 2023 is Italy.

* Under India’s chairpersonship, G-20 Nations will deliberate on areas of future action like bringing in processes, where fugitive economic offenders can be traced and extradited faster, and their properties situated abroad brought within the reach of the law of the land from which such offenders escape.

* India’s chairpersonship will support G20 countries in prioritising recovery and return of stolen assets in their broad strategy against corruption.  Enhancing the effectiveness of asset-tracing and identification mechanisms, developing mechanisms for rapid restrain of illicit assets, and promoting effective use of open-source information and asset recovery networks will be key focal areas.

* In a Statement issued ahead of the First Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh referred to the theme of India's G20 Presidency - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family. One Future”.

* India’s G-20 Presidency under the guidance of the Prime Minister, DoPT is organizing the First Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting...

Source : G20

Correct Answer :   Hyderabad

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Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the ‘Grand start-up Conclave’ in Animal Husbandry and Diary at a Convention Centre in  Hyderabad on 28th Feb 2023.

* Ministers of State for I&B, Dr L Murugan and MoS Animal Husbandry Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan along with State Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries T Srinivas Yadav were present at the event.
 
* Mr Rupala said, technology intervention is necessary for development of Animal Husbandry in the country. The Minister said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken initiative for startups for every sector. He also stressed the need for a startup for farmers of Animal Husbandry.

* Dr L Murugan said, animal husbandry is a sunrise sector. He said, in the Amrit Kaal budget enough allocation has been made for the infrastructure development of the Animal Husbandry unit. He said latest technology is being used in Animal Husbandry and fisheries to improve production.

* The Grand Start up Conclave is aimed at promoting existing and emerging startups in the livestock, dairy, and animal husbandry sectors in the country. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to share their ideas.
 
* The conclave also includes Showcasing of Selected startups, Pitch fest, a Buyer-seller meet, and a workshop for startups to train the early-stage startups operating in the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sectors...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   February 28

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India observed National Science Day Every Year on February 28 to honor the Indian scientist and physician, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman as C.V. Raman for discovering the Raman Effect.

* Sir C V Raman received the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his discovery.

* National Science Day Theme 2023 : Global Science for Global Wellness

* Theme highlights : India’s emerging role on the global stage and its increasing visibility in the international community.

* This day was first celebrated in India in 1986..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   Kerala

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The ‘nadayiruthal’ (ritualistic offering) of a robotic elephant was performed at the Irinjadapilli Sree Krishna Temple at Kallettumkara near Irinjalakkuda on Sunday (26th Feb 2023), in Kerala‘s Thrissur district has become the first in the country to use a mechanical, lifelike elephant for temple rituals.

* The animal-like model, which is 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters) tall, is called Irinjadappilly Raman.

* Irinjadappilly Raman has been gifted to the temple by animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India with the support of award-winning Indian film actor Parvathy Thiruvothu. ‘Irinjadappilly Raman’ will help conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner and thereby support real elephants’ rehabilitation and life in forests, ending the horror of captivity for them.

* Most elephants in captivity in the country, including in Kerala, are being held illegally or have been transported to a different state without permission. Because elephants are wild animals who would not willingly obey human commands, when used for rides, ceremonies, tricks, and other purposes, they are trained and controlled through severe punishments, beatings, and the use of weapons with a metal-tipped hook.

* Many have extremely painful foot ailments and leg wounds from being chained to concrete for hours on end, and most do not get adequate food, water, or veterinary care, let alone any semblance of a natural life.

* The frustration of captivity leads elephants to develop and display abnormal behaviour. At their wit’s end, frustrated elephants often snap and try to break free, running amok and so harming humans, other animals, and property.

* According to figures compiled by the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala in a 15-year-long period.

* The chikkattukavu Ramachandran, who has been in captivity for about 40 years and is one of the most often used elephants in Kerala’s festival circuit, has reportedly killed 13 beings – six mahouts, four women, and three elephants...

Source : CNN

Correct Answer :   Shailesh Pathak

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Industry chamber Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Monday (27th Feb 2023) announced the appointment of former bureaucrat Shailesh Pathak as its secretary general from 1 March 2023.

FICCI also announced that director general, Arun Chawla will be superannuated on June 30, 2023, and transition to an advisory role.

In a career spanning 37 years, Pathak has worked with the government as an IAS officer as well as helmed large companies in the private sector.

Pathak has an MBA degree from IIM Calcutta in 1986 after graduation. He has completed an LLB and a Diploma in Ornithology. He has scaled a 6831 metre peak in the Himalayas and has trekked extensively...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Italy

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Prime Minister of Italy "Giorgia Meloni" will be on a two day vist to India from Thursday (2nd March 2023). She will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and a high powered business delegation.

* The Italian Prime Minister will be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, 2023.

* The visiting Prime Minister will call on President Droupadi Murmu in the afternoon on 2nd March 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart will hold discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues.

* External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will also call on her. During the visit, a business roundtable will be organised which will be co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

* India and Italy are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year (2023).

* Prime Minister Meloni's visit is expected to further strengthen and deepen the long-standing relationship between India and Italy. Both sides will take stock of the progress on the key outcomes of the November 2020 Summit, strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in Science and Technology..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Ranveer Singh

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Beverage maker PepsiCo has appointed actor Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador and also unveiled a new campaign targeting younger consumers as it gears up for a prolonged summer that could help lift sales of cold drinks.

* Singh joins Pepsi's growing league of celebrity endorsers. In 2019, the brand roped in actor Salman Khan.

* It also announced popular Kannada actor Yash, of KGF-fame, as the brand’s new face. A leading female actor could soon join the brand’s summer campaign that Pepsi is running under the “Rise up Baby" theme.

* India is expected to see intense summers, the season is also a covid-free one prompting brands to leverage demand for cold drinks and cooling appliances.

* “Rise up Baby is a youth movement, and we are bringing it alive in different flavors. So, one flavor is this whole Ranveer explosion, and there’s going to be another burst from a Yash perspective, which is slated for a March-end release," said Saumya Rathor, category lead, Pepsi Cola, PepsiCo India.

* Singh, whose brand rankings improved in 2021, had a brand value of $158.3 million according to a Duff & Phelps report. Singh was the second-most valued brand in the rankings after cricketer Virat Kohli. Singh endorses 45 brands.

* The company is also using the “Rise up Baby" campaign as a peek into the lifestyles of the young—this generation continues to break age-old societal norms and redefines what success and happiness means to them, the cola maker said. Be it their nonchalant attitude towards societal judgements, carving out a path to follow their passions, or even their audacious thumkas on reels, this generation lives life on their own terms, it added..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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Uttar Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Association (MoA) of over Rs 5,000 crore with Tata Technologies to upgrade 150 ITIs in the state on Sunday (26th Feb 2023).

* Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said UP's Skill Development department is ushering in a new era where the youth will not only be skilled but also will be made fit for modern-day industry demands.

* With the MoA, a new platform will be available to enhance the skills of the youth of the state, the statement said. Adityanath said that this MoA will not only help in skill development of the youth of the state but will also prove to be helpful in taking forward the programs of Tata Technologies.

* Must upgrade their skills with time. In the rapidly changing world, there have been extensive changes at the technical level, but the ITIs of the state were not upgraded.

* If we do not keep up with the new technology, we will definitely fall behind. Moving with the times, we also have to join training programmes related to new technology, so the state government is signing an MoA amounting to Rs 5,472 crore with Tata Technologies today, he emphasised.

* The chief minister said that the laboratories and equipment of our ITIs will be upgraded, as well as good trainers from Tata Technologies will also be available to the ITIs of the state. With this, along with training 35,000 youths every year, they will be able to get jobs in prestigious institutions of Tata and abroad.

* Warren Harris, CEO of Tata Technologies said, "Being an engineering and technology company, the focus of our company is to make the youth here better in this field," he said. He added that under the MoA signed, 150 ITIs will be upgraded in UP.

* Along with this, we will run 11 new age long term trades and 23 new short term courses on behalf of our company in these ITIs. Our aim is to develop the skills of the youth here and connect them with employment..

Source : Outlookindia