Correct Answer :   27th April 2023

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Dr N Gopalakrishnan was a noted orator and retired scientist who passed away on Thursday (27th April 2023) evening at the age of 68.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the demise of a renowned scientist Dr N Gopalakrishnan.

Gopalakrishnan was a renowned scientist at the Advanced Seismic Testing and Research Laboratory (ASTaR) of CSIR- Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC) and assumed charge as director at CSIR- Central Building Research Institute (CBRI)..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Hari Hara Mishra

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Hari Hara Mishra has taken charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARC).

The Association, which is the voice of all Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs), has been active for more than eight years. Currently, there are 28 ARCs registered with Reserve Bank of India.

Mishra, who worked with State Bank of India from 1982 to 2004, Officer, has been associated with Asset Reconstruction Sector since those formative days (2004) till date, in various ARCs in executive and director level roles.

“ARCs are passing through a difficult phase in terms of trust deficit with various stakeholders. My primary goal will be to restore the confidence in the functioning of ARCs by focussing on win-win strategy and value unlocking for all players in the broader ecosystem,” he said..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   May 2023

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* India’s first cable-stayed bridge, the Anji Khad bridge will be completed by May 2023.

* It connects Katra and Reasi via tunnels T2 and T3 on the Katra-Banihal section.

* Aim : To connect J&K to the rest of the country with all-weather rail connectivity

* The cables weigh 848.7 MT and the total length of cable strands involved is 653km,” an official said, describing the Anji Khad bridge as “an engineering marvel built in extreme geographical conditions”.

* The asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge crosses the deep gorges of Anji river, a tributary of river Chenab.

* The total length of the bridge is 725m which includes a 473m long asymmetric cable stay bridge balanced on the axis of a central pylon from the top of foundation, standing above the river bed..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Fourth Thursday

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International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of April to encourage and empower girls and young women to explore and pursue careers in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

* In 2023, it is being observed on April 27.

* International Girls in ICT Day 2023 theme : Digital Skills for Life

* It raised awareness about the gender gap in the tech industry and inspires women to consider careers in ICT.

* This day was declared by ITU on April 8, 2011..

Source : Itu

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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The Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this while virtually inaugurating the sixth edition of One Earth One Health - Advantage Healthcare India 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi 26th April 2023.

* Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that India’s goal is wellness and welfare for everyone and making healthcare accessible and affordable. He said that reducing disparity is the country's priority.

* He said, true progress is people-centric and healthcare access must be assured to the last person at the last mile.

* Highlighting the importance of a resilient global healthcare system, the Prime Minister said, the global response to healthcare challenges cannot be isolated. He said, it is time for an integrated, inclusive, and institutional response and this is one of the country's focus areas during the G20 presidency.

* Lauding the country’s affordable and accessible healthcare ecosystem, Mr. Modi said, country has the world's largest government-funded health insurance coverage scheme. He said, the Ayushman Bharat initiative covers over 500 million people with free medical treatments serving over 40 million people.

One Earth One Health - Advantage Healthcare India 2023 is a two-day event wherein emphasis will be laid on building an ecosystem and forging global collaboration and partnership between the various stakeholders of the healthcare industry.

* The primary focus is on patient and healthcare workforce mobility so that value-based healthcare services can be provided to patients in different countries in a hassle-free manner.

* The event aims to showcase India as the new hub for providing quality and world-class healthcare and wellness services at affordable prices. More than 470 foreign delegates including ten Health Ministers from foreign countries are participating in the event.

* Foreign Health Ministers and delegates will visit more than 15 tertiary hospitals including Ayush Hospital after the event.

* India is continuously striving for equitable access to healthcare for all and to reduce disparities in healthcare availability across the globe during its G20 presidency under the vision of One Earth-One Health. The country has emerged as a preferred destination for medical tourism in recent years...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Belgium

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Nine European countries are holding a summit Monday (24th April 2023) aimed at scaling up wind power generation in the North Sea, spurred by the fall-out of the Ukraine war and the push for renewables.

* Hosted by Belgium in the coastal town of Ostend, the meeting will gather the leaders of EU members France, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also attending.

* Norway and Britain will participate, too, though French officials said the UK's energy minister would lead the delegation and not Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who could not make it.

* Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said ahead of the summit that the goal was for enough North Sea wind farms to be built to produce 130 gigawatts (GW) of electricity by the end of this decade.

* That capacity should more than double, to nearly 300 GW, by 2050, he said.

* The North Sea summit is the second one to be held, after the four countries in the inaugural gathering last year -- Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands -- decided it was necessary to broaden cooperation...

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   UK

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India and the United Kingdom have agreed to create India-UK NET zero innovation virtual centre. This centre will provide a platform for stakeholders of both countries to work together in areas like the decarbonization of manufacturing processes, transport systems, and green hydrogen as a renewable source.
 
* Announcing this while chairing the India-UK Science and Innovation Council meeting in the presence of United Kingdom Minister George Freeman, Science, and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.

* India is fast moving to become an economic powerhouse, driven by its extraordinary technological and innovative capabilities. He said, the country is determined to achieve its climate change and environmental targets within a stipulated time period.

* Pointing towards the country's net zero journey, Dr Singh said, energy efficiency and renewable energy are central pillars, where India has already taken the lead through various initiatives like India Solar Alliance and Clean Energy Mission. Dr Jitendra Singh is leading a high-level official Indian delegation of the Ministry of Science and Technology on a six-day visit to the United Kingdom..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Pankaj Singh

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Pankaj Singh, son of Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, has been elected unopposed as the president of the Cycling Federation of India at its annual meeting in Nainital.

Pankaj Singh is BJP MLA from Noida. Maninder Pal Singh was elected general secretary for the 2nd consecutive term while Sudesh Kumar was elected from Kerala.

The Cycling Federation of India, established in 1946, is the national governing body of cycle racing in India..

Correct Answer :   USA & South Korea

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US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol have secured a landmark deal which includes plans to periodically deploy US nuclear-armed submarines in South Korea.

* Washington has also agreed to involve Seoul in its planning for the use of nuclear weapons in any conflict with North Korea. In return, South Korea has agreed to not develop its own nuclear weapons.

* Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Yoon in Washington 26th April 2023, US President said, the deal, called the Washington Declaration, will strengthen the allies' co-operation in deterring a North Korean attack.

* Meanwhile, the South Korean President said, the Washington Declaration marked an unprecedented step to enhance extended deterrence, a commitment from the US to deter attacks and protect US allies using its military power, including nuclear weapons.

* The declaration comes amid rising concerns about nuclear threats from North Korea as the country carries out a record number of ballistic missile tests...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   IIT Bombay

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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay’s SHUNYA (Sustainable Housing for Urbanizing Nation by its Young Aspirants) team secured second place in Solar Decathlon Build Challenge in the United States for their innovative zero-energy house designed to address air quality challenges in Mumbai's hot and humid climate.
 
* SHUNYA is a student-driven technical team of IIT Bombay working to build a sustainable future. It was the only team representing India in this competition out of 32 teams from across the world.
 
* The house developed by the team has a 14-kW solar PV Plant with an advanced in-house automation system. The Automation system controls the in-house developed dehumidifier system designed especially for the climatic conditions of coastal regions. 

* This house consumes nearly 80% less water than the regular house with its water efficiency fixtures, recycling system, and rainwater harvesting system.
 
* The team includes more than 50 students with engineering, architectural, and management backgrounds from more than 16 departments of IIT Bombay..

Source : AIR