Correct Answer :   Australian

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* Australian National University's researchers are trying to reveal the fifth layer of the Earth.

* Seismic waves generated by earthquakes have revealed new insights about the deepest parts of Earth’s inner core.

* The team believes that presented evidence of a distinct layer inside Earth known as the innermost inner core.

* This layer is a solid ‘metallic ball’ that sits within the center of the inner core.

* So far, scientists believed that there are only four layers on the Earth.

Source : Times now News

Correct Answer :   Bibek Debroy

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The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy report was released by Dr Bibek Debroy, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).

* The IndiaDialog organised by Institute for Competitiveness and US-Asia Technology Management Center, Stanford University, on February 23 & 24, 2023.

* The second edition of the State of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy highlights the focus on language as a critical foundational skill and its importance in acquiring early literacy.

* A special section in the report covers insights into states/UTs to assess children's learning outcomes on the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and Foundational Learning Study (FLS) 2022.

* State profiles and their performance on Distance from the Frontier are covered, enabling states/Union Territories to track progress on foundational learning.

* The second edition of the foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) report captures the role of language in education and focuses on improving the learning outcomes using appropriate assessments and medium of instruction. It captures the fundamental concepts children require to become skilled readers and highlights distinct challenges faced in a multilingual environment.

* In this context, it is crucial to understand the need to integrate the medium of instruction and teaching in languages familiar to children. A section of the report explicitly focuses on the numerous initiatives currently implemented at the national and state level in collaboration with public-private organizations, demonstrating their efforts in achieving foundational learning goals as outlined in NIPUN.

* The report continues to be a benchmark for states and union territories to track their performance relative to their peers in achieving universal foundational learning by 2026-27.

* The report has been authored by Amit Kapoor, Chair, Institute for Competitiveness, Natalia Chakma, Researcher, Institute for Competitiveness, and Sheen Zutshi, Research Manager, Institute for Competitiveness.

* Punjab has emerged as the top-performing state on education and health-related indicators.

* Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, J&K, Kerala, Rajasthan, Sikkim, TN, and Puducherry were ranked as high-performing states and UTs.

* Meghalaya, D&N Haveli, Nagaland, Telangana, UP, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh were among underperformed..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Bangladesh

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The government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to increase the use of solar energy in the country.

The agreement was signed on Thursday (23rd February 2023) between the ISA Director General Ajay Mathur and the Bangladesh Power Division Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman. The agreement is to be implemented by December 2026.

Signing the agreement, State Minister for Power "Nasrul Hamid" said that the government has set up a target of generating 40 percent of its total energy through renewable sources by 2041.

Aim :  Bangladesh aims to produce 4000 MW of solar power by the end of 2030 for which various projects have been taken up.

The Minister said that use of renewable energy sources like wind power, energy from trash, and hydropower is also being promoted in the country to achieve this goal. Net Metering guidelines for rooftop solar installations have also been implemented. In agriculture also, usage of solar power is being encouraged, said the Minister.

Several projects will be taken up under the agreement signed between the government of Bangladesh and ISA. These include 12 trolley mounted solar irrigation systems of 2 kw each for Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), 12 portable solar paddy threshers of 2 kw each, 1.5 kw solar drinking water plant, installation of two rooftop solar of 22 KW capacity and any one railway installation of rooftop solar projects on platforms among others.

The ISA is a coalition of 123 countries formed to promote use of solar energy and deployment of solar technology to ensure energy security and move towards sustainable energy use among participating countries. It was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilise efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Maharashtra

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The Ajanta Ellora International Festival 2023 was held from 25th February to 27th February in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

The Ajanta Ellora International Festival 2023 festival is a celebration of the cultural heritage and diversity of the region and promises to be a feast for the senses.

The festival showcases the Ellora and Ajanta caves‘ artwork and architecture, as well as performances by local and international artists.

Key Points :

* The Ajanta Ellora International Festival 2023 featured a range of events, including live music performances, dance shows, art exhibitions, and food festivals.

* Visitors will be able to explore the rich history and culture of the region through a series of guided tours, workshops, and talks.

* One of the major attractions of the festival was the nightly light and sound show that was at the Ajanta and Ellora caves.

* The festival also featured a range of traditional arts and crafts, including pottery, weaving, and embroidery. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about these traditional techniques from skilled artisans, and even take home some unique souvenirs.

* The Ajanta Ellora International Festival attracted visitors from around the world and was a great opportunity for people to experience the rich culture and history of the region.

* The festival was organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and supported by the state government.

* Chief Minister of Maharashtra informed that the Ajanta Ellora International Festival is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage, and an opportunity to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of the region..

Correct Answer :   Madhya Pradesh

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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addressed the 'Kol Janjati Mahakumbh' organized on the occasion of Shabri Mata Janm Jayanti at Satna, Madhya Pradesh, 24th Feb 2023.

Shri Amit Shah offered prayer at Maa Sharda Shaktipeeth. Many dignitaries including Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh "Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan" were present on the occasion.

* Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the foundation stone of 70 development works worth Rs 507 crore and many other works of Rs 26 crore inaugurated here 24th February 2023, under the leadership of Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Government of Madhya Pradesh has done many works for the welfare of Kol community and tribal brothers and sisters.

* The Union Home minister noted that Antyodaya means to pave the way to live with dignity for the poor of the society.

* He noted that after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, his government is the government of Tribals, Dalits, and backward and poor people.

* Fulfilling every promise, PM Modi has worked to implement poor welfare schemes at the grassroots level.

* Amit Shah also informed that the Kol community significantly contributed to the freedom movement.

* The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is establishing tribal freedom fighters’ museums across the country for 200 crores, the bravery of 1831’s Kol rebel is engraved in all the museums.

* Whether it is the bravery of Gond Maharani Durgavati, the sacrifice of Rani Kamalapati, or freedom Fighters Buddha Bhagat and Jova Bhagat, all of them have been revered and commemorated by the government of Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan.

* The union home minister and Minister of Cooperation informed that during the previous government, Rs 24,000 crore were given to the Tribal community in the budget, which was increased to around Rs. 90,000 crores by PM Modi...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka's Board of Investment on Wednesday (22nd Feb 2023) approved two wind power plants by India's Adani Green Energy Ltd with a total investment of $442 million.

* The two wind power plants of 350 MW are scheduled to be commissioned in two years and accordingly, they will be added to the national grid by 2025.

* Adani Green Energy is the renewable energy unit of the embattled Adani Group, whse seven listed companies have lost some $125 billion in market value after a US short seller last month alleged improper use of tax havens and stock manipulation by the apples-to-airports conglomerate.

* The island nation hiked power prices by a hefty 66% last week, part of effortsto nail down a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as it struggles to find a way out of its worst financial crisis in more than seven decades.

* A group of Adani officials are in Colombo to evaluate multiple projects with Sri Lanka. The conglomerate is also involved in building a $700 million terminal project at Sri Lanka's largest port.

* The Sri Lankan Board of Investment statement said the Adani wind power project will generate 1,500 to 2,000 new job opportunities..

Source : India Times

Correct Answer :   Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv

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* The Centre on 24 February 2023 approved the renaming of two Maharashtra cities - Aurangabad and Osmanabad.

* Aurangabad will now be renamed as `Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar' while Osmanabad will be called `Dharashiv'.

* On Friday(24 February 2023), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the proposal and said the central government had "no objection" to changing the names of both districts of Maharashtra.

* Aurangabad derives its name from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, while Osmanabad was named for a 20th century ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad.

* Chhatrapati Sambhaji who was the eldest son of warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the second ruler of the Maratha state founded by his father. Sambhaji Maharaj was executed on Aurangzeb's orders in 1689.

* Dharashiv, the name of a cave complex near Osmanabad, dates back to the 8th century as per some scholars.

* The Hindu right-wing organisations had been demanding renaming of the two cities since a long time. As per the letters, the Centre had no objection to the change in the names of these two central Maharashtra cities.

* Notably, to rename Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv was the last cabinet decision of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government which collapsed last June 2022 following Shinde's rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   DY Chandrachud

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Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud on Thursday (23rd Feb 2023) announced launch of ‘neutral citations’ which would ensure a uniform pattern of citing the decisions of the Supreme Court.

* The apex court had earlier said that steps have been taken for introduction and implementation of a uniform, reliable and secure methodology for identifying and citing decisions in the apex court, namely the ‘neutral citations system’, to ensure a uniform pattern of citing all the decisions of the top court.

* As soon as a bench headed by the CJI assembled on Thursday(23rd February 2023) to hear mentioning of matters for urgent listing, Justice Chandrachud announced that all judgements of the apex court will have neutral citations.

* “We have launched neutral citations. All judgements of this court will have neutral citations,” the CJI said, adding around 30,000 verdicts of the apex court will have neutral citations.

* Justice Chandrachud said the apex court is also employing machine learning tools which would translate its verdicts from English to Indian languages..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on 25th February 2023.

* He also took a walkthrough of the exhibition. The festival is held under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and celebrates Karnataka's culture, traditions and history.

* Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the Delhi-Karnataka Sangh is taking forward the glorious heritage. He remarked that the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Delhi Karnataka Sangh are taking place at a time when the country is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of 75 years of independence.

* The Prime Minister said that one can witness the immortal soul of India when we analyse the circumstances from 75 years ago.

* Establishment of Karnataka Sangh is proof of people’s determination to strengthen the nation during its first few years and today, at the start of Amrit Kaal that dedication and energy are visible in the same measure.

* He complimented everyone who was part of this 75-year journey of Karnataka Sangh.

* The Prime Minister lauded the people of Karnataka for living the mantra of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He talked about ‘Naada Geethe’ by the Poet Kuvempu and praised the national feelings beautifully expressed in the revered song.

* In this song, the civilization of India is depicted and the roles and importance of Karnataka are described. When we understand the spirit of this song, we also get the crux of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat..

* The key aim of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is to promote the Indian ideology of “Unity in Diversity” India.

* It aims to build the interest of people in their neighboring states and UTs, and also encourages them to promote their culture. It also aims to foster a sense of common identity among the people of the country, the rich heritage, culture, customs, and traditions of the states must be encouraged..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Kerala

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The Kerala government on Friday (24th Feb 2023) launched robotic scavenger, Bandicoot, to clean sewages in this temple town, becoming the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes.

* Water Resources Minister, Roshi Augustine, launched Bandicoot under the Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.

* The robotic Tron Unit, which is the major component of Bandicoot, enters the manhole and removes sewage using robotic hands, similar to a man's limbs, the release, adding that the machine has waterproof, HD vision cameras and sensors that can detect harmful gases inside the manholes.

* Bandicoot, developed by Kerala-based Genrobotics, had recently bagged 'Kerala Pride' award at the Huddle Global 2022 conclave organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).

* Inaugurating the robotic scavenger in Guruvayur Municipality, Augustine said it was a major step towards use of technology-driven solutions for manhole cleaning across the state.

* Bandicoot robots are currently deployed in few towns across 17 states in India and three Union Territories. In 2018, KWA started using Bandicoot to clean the manholes in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, it was introduced in Ernakulam also, the release said.

* Genrobotics, a Technopark-based company, have developed "the world's first robotic scavenger" Bandicoot in an effort to eliminate manual scavenging providing respite for workers engaged in manhole cleaning..

Source : Business Standard