Correct Answer :   Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stressed that the Government today is willing to walk the talk and its Say-do ratio is very high with readiness to receive feedback and sustain industry efforts for a long period of time.

Inaugurating the SemiconIndia Conference of Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Ecosystem in New Delhi on 18th Feb 2023, he also highlighted the success achieved in telecom manufacturing and Vande Bharat development.

Speaking on the occasion, Electronics and Information Ministry Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma highlighted that Electronics Manufacturing is not sustainable without the development of the semiconductor ecosystem in the country.

He said that only then it will drive overall economic growth in various sectors including automotive, power, telecom and electronics..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Parshottam Rupala

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Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, starts the Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port, Gujarat, and proceeds towards the coastal line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, and Parikrama will end at Sasson Dock, Mumbai.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, and National Fisheries Development Board, along with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat, Commissioner of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India, Gujarat Maritime Board, and fishermen representatives, takes part in the event.

Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Fisheries, Government of India; and senior officials of the Department of Fisheries, Govt of India, National Fisheries Development Board, Fishery Survey of India, and Indian Coast Guard grace the occasion.

The journey is accompanied by the State Fisheries officials, Fishermen representatives, Fish-Farmers, entrepreneurs, stakeholders, professionals, officials, and Scientists from across the nation.

The main objectives of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ are :

(i) to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders so as to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government.

(ii) demonstrating solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

(iii) to promote responsible fisheries with focus on sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities.

(iv) protection of marine ecosystems.

Phase I :  Phase I Programme of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ was organized in Gujarat, started on 5th March, 2022 from Mandvi and ended on 6th March 2022 at Porbandar, Gujarat.

Phase II : The voyage Sagar Parikrama as Phase –II programme started on 22nd September 2022 from Mangrol to Veraval and ended at Mul Dwaraka, on 23rd September 2022 from Mul Dwaraka to Madhwad.

Phase III : Phase III Program of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ starts from today i.e., 19th Feb 2023 from Surat, Gujarat, and ends on 21st Feb 2023 at Sasson Dock, Mumbai..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   February 19

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The birth anniversary of the great Maratha emperor Chhatrapati "Shivaji Maharaj" is celebrated with grand festivities across Maharashtra and other parts of the country every year on February 19.

* The first Chhatrapati and the great Maratha warrior was born in Pune’s Shivneri Fort in 1630. Shivaji Maharaj is not only revered in Maharashtra, but also equally respected across India for his progressive thinking, rich cultural legacy and efforts to free India from foreign invaders to realise his dream of Swarajya.

* On the occasion of 393rd birth anniversary of Chhratrapati Shivaji Maharaj, this year (2023) Shivaji Jayanti will be celebrated on February 19 at the Agra Fort.

Shivaji Jayanti History and Significance :  Social reformer from Maharashtra, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule was the first to initiate the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti in 1870, after he discovered his tomb in Raigad Fort. Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti was first celebrated in Pune, as the Raigad Fort lies 100 kilometres away from the place.

* Jyotirao Phule, great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak continued the tradition of celebrating the day. The freedom fighter is also credited for highlighting the contributions of the Maratha King among the public during the freedom movement.

* One of the biggest advocates of Marathi and Sanskrit languages in his regime, the Maratha King truly stands tall as a hero of the nation and a role model for many for his contribution to India’s history and culture..

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The 49th GST Council Meeting was held on 18th February 2023 in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

This meeting is being conducted within a span of three weeks from the Union Budget 2023. Soon after the 48th  meeting, while addressing the media, Finance Minister mentioned that the next meeting will be held in January 2023.

Key decisions of the 48th GST Council Meeting which required amendments to the GST Act were incorporated in the Finance Bill 2023.

Meeting : 49th GST Council Meeting
Date : 18th February 2023
Chairperson : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Venue : Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi
Attendees : Finance Ministers of all the states

Source : F T L

Correct Answer :   Haryana

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North India’s first nuclear power plant is coming up in Gorakhpur, Haryana, about 150 km north of the national capital, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday (18th Feb 2023).

* Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime, one of the major achievements would be the installation of nuclear/ atomic energy plants in other parts of the country, which were earlier confined mostly to the southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh or in the west in Maharashtra.

* The minister said that this was keeping in line the focus on increasing India’s nuclear capacity. He added that a bulk approval of installation of 10 nuclear reactors came under the Modi government.

* The minister said that the Department of Atomic Energy has also been given permission to set up joint ventures with PSUs for resources to open atomic energy plants, having the potential to fulfill India’s energy needs in times to come.

* According to Department of Atomic Energy, Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana’s(GHAVP) having two units of 700 MWe capacity each of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) indigenous design is under implementation near Gorakhpur village in Fatehabad district in Haryana.

* Till date, an amount of ₹4,906 crore has been spent out of total allocated funds 20,594 crore.

* Construction of other Main Plant buildings/structures viz. Fire Water Pump House (FWPH), Safety Related Pump House (SRPH), Fuel Oil storage area-1&2 (FOSA-1&2), Ventilation stack, overhead tank (OHT), Switchyard Control Building, Safety related & Non-safety related Tunnel & Trenches, Retaining walls and Garland Drain is progressing well. Ground improvement in Turbine Building -1 & 2, 220 kV Switchyard and IDCT-1A is completed..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Odisha

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The National Tiger Conservation Authority of Central Government has approved the Odisha Government’s proposal to declare Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Sambalpur district a tiger reserve.

The proposal was submitted by the Odisha Government to Central Government for approval by National Tiger Conservation Authority during 2018. It got approval this month (February 2023).

The State Government will soon notify Debrigarh as tiger reserve. After Simlipal and Satkosia, Debrigarh will be the third tiger reserve of Odisha.

With this, Debrigarh will find place in entire Country map as a Tiger Reserve which will increase tourist footfall. Adjoining districts will have more hotels, travel agencies and job opportunities will increase..

Source : News Room Odisha

Correct Answer :   Karnataka

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimented the staff of Karnataka’s Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Saturday (18th Feb 2023) for saving an elephant that came in contact with an electric fence.

A 25-year-old female elephant was injured after it came in contact with a barbed-wire fence of a farm near the tiger reserve’s Omkara range on Tuesday (14th feb 2023). The staff and veterinarians of the reserve treated the elephant and saved its life.

In a statement released Saturday (18th Feb 2023), the reserve said the farm’s owner, Puthanapura Raju, had erected a 2-ft-high electrical fence to protect his land.

About Bandipur Tiger Reserve :

* It was established in the 1930s as a wildlife sanctuary, which became a tiger reserve in 1973 under Project tiger.

* It is situated in two contiguous districts (Mysore and Chamarajanagar) of Karnataka and located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Bandipur Tiger Reserve is surrounded by :

* Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two).

* Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South.

* Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the South West.

* This area has the River Kabini in its north and River Moyar in its south. Along with River Nugu, that flows across it.

Flora : It comprises diverse vegetation of dry deciduous to tropical mixed deciduous forests. It include rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, clumping bamboo and giant clumping bamboo etc.

Fauna : It is a shelter for the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia. It comprises other mammals such as Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole and four-horned antelope etc.

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   2 only

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Sanctions-hit Russia, which is going for import substitution in a big way, has proposed to manufacture its Sukhoi Superjet civil aircraft in India and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The plan is to manufacture the Superjet in Russia with Russian components and in India, set up manufacturing of Sukhoi Superjet international with foreign components, said "Yury B. Slyusar", director general of UAC.

About Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) :

* It is a twin-engined regional aircraft with a capacity of maximum 98 passengers.

* It is developed by the Russian manufacturer Sukhoi JSC.

* It had its maiden flight in 2008 and its first commercial service three years later.

* It has maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.81 and maximum altitude of 12,500m.

* The SSJ100 is available in basic (95B) and long range (95LR) variants, serving short to medium range routes between 3,279-4,620 km.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Sanctions-hit Russia pitches manufacture of its civil jet in India.

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Agra Fort

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Correct Answer :   February 19

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India celebrates Soil Health Card Day on February 19 every year to remember the beginning of the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme and to raise awareness of its advantages. The seventh year from the SHC Scheme’s inception is 2022.

Every two years, all farmers are to receive soil health cards as part of the programme. The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19, 2015, at Suratgarh, Rajasthan.

Aim : The scheme aims at issuing soil health cards to farmers every two years so as to provide a basis to address nutritional deficiencies in soil. The scheme ensures additional income to farmers by increase in yields and it also promotes sustainable farming.

Launching the scheme, Prime Minister Modi said, the farmers should know the health status of soil. He said, if soil will not be healthy, the farm production will not increase.
 
Agriculture Secretary "Sanjay Agarwal" termed it a very important scheme and said that in the last five years crop production is continuously increasing due to this initiative.
 
The scheme has been introduced to assist State Governments to issue Soil Health Cards to all farmers in the country. It provides information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on the appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility.

During Cycle-I (2015 to 17), 10.74 crore Soil Health Cards and during Cycle-II (2017 to 19), 11.74 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers. The Government has spent more than 700 crore rupees on the SHC scheme.

Nagaland will be observing Soil Health Card Day ON Wednesday in all the 11 districts of the state in coordination with Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The day is being celebrated to create awareness, importance, values and benefits of the scheme.

Source : DD News