Correct Answer :   Sudha Murty

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Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on March 8, 2024.

PM Modi expressed his delight at Murty's nomination to the Upper House, emphasising the significant role it plays in showcasing 'Nari Shakti' or Women Power. Sudha Murty's nomination, disclosed by Prime Minister Modi, coincides with the celebration of International Women's Day.

"I am delighted that the President of India has nominated Sudha Murty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy, and education have been immense and inspiring. Her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to our 'Nari Shakti,' exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping our nation's destiny. Wishing her a fruitful Parliamentary tenure," stated the Prime Minister in his post.

The President of India nominates 12 members to the Upper House of Parliament for their outstanding contributions to arts, literature, sciences, and social services.

Reacting to the news, Murty told CNN-News18, “It’s a big Women’s Day gift to me. It’s a new responsibility to work for the country." Social media was abuzz with the news and Murty was also congratulated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A Glance at Sudha Murty's Profile

At 73, Sudha Murty is a renowned philanthropist, author, and former chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. Her husband, Narayana Murthy, is the founder of the IT giant Infosys, while UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is her son-in-law.

Born in Shiggaon, Haveri District, North Karnataka, Murty graduated in engineering from BVB College of Engineering. Securing the first rank across all branches, she earned a gold medal from the Institute of Engineers. Later, she pursued her ME from the Indian Institute of Science, achieving distinction.

Embarking on her career as an engineer with TELCO (now Tata Motors), Murty today serves as the chairperson of Infosys Foundation.

Murty is also a writer in English and Kannada. With 30 books and over 200 titles, including novels, non-fiction, children's books, travelogues, technical books, and memoirs to her name. Her works have been translated into major Indian languages, selling over 26 lakh copies across the country.

She is known for her advocacy of social causes and has travelled extensively abroad as a prominent voice for social awareness. Murty is actively involved in public healthcare initiatives with the Gates Foundation and has established orphanages contributed to rural development, advocated for computer and library facilities in Karnataka government schools, and founded the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.

Recognised for her social work, Murty was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023 by the Government of India, making her one of the recipients of the highest civilian honours.

For her literary achievements, Murty has received seven honorary doctorates. Awards such as the RK Narayan Award for Literature, the Attimabbe Award for Excellence in Kannada Literature in 2011, and the Lifetime Achievement by Crossword Book Awards in 2018 reflect her significant impact..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Panama

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Panama has officially ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking its entry as the 97th member nation. The information was divulged by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

In a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal @MEAIndia tweets, "Panama becomes the 97th member to ratify the ISA. Panama handed over the Instrument of @isolaralliance Ratification, during the meeting of Ambassador Yasiel Burillo of Panama to India, with Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) @Abhishekifs in New Delhi today."

Panama's commitment to sustainable energy was underscored as Ambassador Yasiel Burillo presented the Instrument of Ratification to Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) Abhishekifs during a meeting in New Delhi today.

This formal act solidifies Panama's pledge to collaborate within the framework of the ISA, joining other nations in the pursuit of harnessing solar energy for a greener future.

Joint Secretary (ED & MER), MEA Abhishek Singh expressed gratitude for Panama's commitment, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in advancing renewable energy solutions.

Moreover, on 5th March 2024, Malta became the 119th country to join the International Solar Alliance, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France. Currently, 116 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.

"The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries," the ISA website reads.

Notably, the sixth assembly of the International Solar Alliance was hosted at 'Bharat Mandapam,' Pragati Maidan in the national capital on October 31.

ISA Director General Ajay Mathur had said that the investment in solar is expected to be 380 billion dollars this year (2024), as last year witnessed an investment of 310 billion.

He also said that the ISA is supporting the growth of 9.5 GW of solar energy in projects across the world..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Rajeev Chandrasekhar

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In a significant event held at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Kerala, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, responsible for Electronics & IT, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti, articulated India’s potential as a global semiconductor hub. Chandrasekhar emphasized the imperative of designing chips and IPs for diverse industries, outlining a roadmap for entrepreneurs in Trivandrum and Kerala to lead the innovation drive.

Pioneering Semiconductor Design Infrastructure :

At the heart of this vision lies ChipIN Centre, a revolutionary facility poised to transform semiconductor design in India. Offering diverse design flows and cutting-edge tools, ChipIN aims to democratize access to chip design infrastructure nationwide. With a focus on advanced node technologies, the center seeks to empower students, researchers, and industry professionals with the necessary resources to drive innovation.

Empowering India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem :

* Centralized Design Facility : ChipIN Centre acts as a centralized hub, offering a wide range of design flows and services for the semiconductor community in India.
* Advanced Tools : It hosts state-of-the-art tools covering the entire chip design cycle, including Front-end design, Back-end design, PCB design & analysis, catering to various design types.
* Accessibility : The center aims to make chip design infrastructure easily accessible to the semiconductor community, fostering inclusivity and collaboration.
* Comprehensive Support : ChipIN Centre provides comprehensive support, offering services for design fabrication and packaging, ensuring a seamless design process.
* Educational Outreach : Engaging with over 10,000 students from 120 academic institutions and 20 start-ups, ChipIN aims to empower the next generation of semiconductor engineers through access to cutting-edge Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Tools.

India’s Journey Towards Global Semiconductor Leadership :

As India charts its path to global semiconductor prominence, initiatives like ChipIN Centre and government-backed support schemes are poised to ignite innovation and entrepreneurship in semiconductor design. With visionary leadership, industry collaboration, and a robust innovation ecosystem, India stands ready to lead in shaping the future of technology.

Correct Answer :   Rs. 10,372

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The Indian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has greenlit the ambitious IndiaAI mission, allocating a substantial budget of Rs. 10,371.92 crore. This initiative aligns with the vision of bolstering AI innovation within India and leveraging AI for the nation’s advancement. The mission aims to establish a robust AI ecosystem through a strategic public-private partnership approach.

Establishment of India AI Innovation Centre (IAIC) :

* IAIC will serve as a premier academic institution, facilitating efficient implementation and retention of top research talent.
* Focus on developing and deploying foundational AI models, particularly emphasizing indigenous Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) and domain-specific models.
* Leveraging edge and distributed computing to optimize efficiency.

Enhancing AI Startup Financing Mechanism :

* Provision of funds to fortify the India AI Startup Financing mechanism, easing access to funding for budding AI startups.
* Catalyzing the journey of startups from product development to commercialization.

National Data Management Office Setup :

* Coordination with government departments and ministries to enhance data quality and availability for AI development and deployment.
* Aims to streamline data management processes to support AI initiatives effectively.

Scaling AI Computing Infrastructure :

* Proposal includes setting up best-in-class AI computing infrastructure at five locations.
* Targeting 3,000 AI Petaflops computing power, significantly surpassing current capacities.
* Inference Farm (2,500 AI PF) and Edge Compute (500 AI PF) systems to be established.

Correct Answer :   March 8th

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International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual global event celebrated on March 8th each year. It serves as a focal point for recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. This year, like every year, the international community comes together to honor women’s contributions and to advocate for gender equality.

International Women’s Day 2024 Date :

International Women’s Day 2024 falls on March 8th, marking a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and empowerment worldwide. This year’s theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,‘ underscores the importance of economic empowerment in achieving gender equality.

International Women’s Day 2024 Theme :

The United Nations has chosen the theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ for International Women’s Day 2024. This theme underscores the critical importance of empowering women economically. By investing in women’s economic empowerment, societies can accelerate progress towards gender equality and foster inclusive growth. Economic empowerment not only benefits individual women but also strengthens families, communities, and economies as a whole.

International Women’s Day 2024 History :

The origins of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th century. In 1909, the United States observed the first National Women’s Day, followed by a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. The push for women’s rights gained momentum, leading to Clara Zetkin’s proposal to establish an annual Women’s Day during the International Conference for Working Women in 1910.

The proposal received unanimous approval, leading to the first International Women’s Day being celebrated in 1911 across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Since then, International Women’s Day has evolved into a global movement for gender equality and women’s rights.

Significance of International Women’s Day 2024 :

International Women’s Day hold immense significance in the fight for gender equality and the advancement of women’s rights. It provides a platform to raise awareness about issues such as gender-based discrimination, violence against women, unequal access to education and healthcare, and the gender pay gap.

International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the progress made towards gender equality while highlighting the work that still needs to be done. It celebrates the achievements of women in various fields and acknowledges their invaluable contributions to society.

Correct Answer :   IISc, Bangalore

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National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Wednesday (6th Mar 2024) announced a long term agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, for conducting joint research on blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

The collaboration will also propel further innovation through the establishment of the 'NPCI-IISc Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Deep Tech Research & Development'.

The partnership will focus on scalable blockchain platforms and multi-modal analytics over fintech data, NPCI said in a statement. Faculty members from five departments at IISc will work with NPCI researchers on practical challenges related to these areas, it added.

IISc is one of the oldest and premier institutes for pioneering advanced technological research in science, engineering, design, and management in India, according to the statement. NPCI's collaboration with the reputed institute is aimed at solving complex technological and engineering problem statements in the areas of scalability, privacy preserving designs, neural networks, Graph AI, Large Language Models (LLM), etc, it added..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Yatin Bhaskar Duggal

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Yatin Bhaskar Duggal from Haryana won the first prize in the National Youth Parliament Festival, 2024, while Vaishna Pitchai from Tamil Nadu won the second prize and Kanishka Sharma from Rajasthan the third prize. Addressing the concluding session of the National Youth Parliament Festival in New Delhi today (6th Mar 2024), Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said youth’s thinking capability, ability to innovate and zeal to work will be instrumental in making India ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. He said that India will not only be a Viksit Bharat but will also show the path to the entire world. He further added that India today is moving towards modernisation and at the same time is keeping its heritage intact.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the determined voice of youth shows the determination of India as a nation. He said that India has seen the positive use of technology and its movement from the fragile five to the top five economies of the world. He also said that India has moved from weak leadership to strong leadership and can today walk shoulder to shoulder with the world leaders. The Minister highlighted that in the last 10 years, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has moved around 250 million poor out of multi-dimensional poverty.

Mr. Singh also highlighted that India is moving from net importer to net exporter, from UPI to Artificial Intelligence and from My Bharat to Viksit Bharat. He further urged the participants to make use of various platforms like YouTube to take the government policies to the people preferably in vernacular language. The Minister also urged youth to focus on team-led leadership and said that the network created today will be your Net Worth in life.

Eighty-seven State-level winners assembled in New Delhi for the finals in the Youth Parliament. .

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Meta

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In an effort to democratize future technologies and empower youth to innovate, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and Meta have announced the launch of Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs).

Atal Innovation Mission and Meta will partner to set up FTLs in schools of strategic importance to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds across India will have equal opportunities to learn and engage with frontier technologies. Till date, AIM has established 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools across 722 districts in India. The objective of ATLs is to foster curiosity, creativity, and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, physical computing etc.

The FTL is an advanced version of Atal Tinkering Lab equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including all components of the Tinkering Lab to empower students to innovate using technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Augmented & Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Robotics, 3D Printing, and Internet of Things. The labs support the Government’s focus on equipping youth with digital skills to succeed in the evolving landscape of technology and the global economy. The FTLs will be funded by Meta and Atal Innovation Mission will be the knowledge partner.

Through engaging workshops, interactive sessions, and project-based learning, students will be trained on using AI tools effectively, understanding generative AI & prompt engineering, exploring scientific concepts interactively using AR & VR, dealing with new age cyber security threats, amongst other things.  Students will also be given access to tools and resources from Meta, like LLaMA and other AI tools, to build innovative solutions.

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, AIM, NITI Aayog said, “The collaboration between AIM, NITI Aayog, and Meta is a testament to harnessing the potential of our youth towards creating a pool of future-ready talent capable of driving technological advancements of India. These Labs will serve as hubs for innovation, providing students with the necessary tools to explore and contribute to the cutting-edge fields that will shape the future.”

“We are thrilled to partner with AIM, NITI Aayog, in setting up Frontier Technology Labs, through which youth will be provided with access to immersive technologies in India. By enabling students to build solutions using generative AI, AR, VR, and other technologies that are reshaping our world, we are fostering an ecosystem of innovation, creativity and problem-solving,” remarked Shivnath Thukral, Director and Head of Public Policy India, Meta.

The FTLs are a part of Meta’s Education to Entrepreneurship initiative, launched in September 2023, to seamlessly connect students, youth, workforce, and micro-entrepreneurs with futuristic technologies, taking digital skilling to the grassroots. The initiative aims to advance the government’s agenda of digital inclusion, skilling and growth.

Establishing these labs aligns with the vision of the Atal Innovation Mission to create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in schools across India, marking a significant step forward in building a skilled workforce to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. Meanwhile, these labs will be managed by Meta’s partner 1M1B (One Million for One Billion)..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, launched (7th Mar 2024) the 'NITI for States' platform, a comprehensive digital initiative designed to empower states and union territories (UTs) in their pursuit of national development goals. Shri  Vaishnaw, also inaugurated the ‘NITI For States - Viksit Bharat Strategy Room’ at NITI Aayog in the presence of Prof. Ramesh Chand, Dr V. K. Saraswat, & Dr. Arvind Virmani, Members of NITI Aayog and Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog.

* Senior officials from ministries and departments of the Government of India, senior officials from State Governments, ABP fellows, development partners and media were present at the event.

* Additionally, Shri Vaishnaw inaugurated the ‘NITI for States’ Exhibition at Rang Bhawan, Akashvani, New Delhi. This Exhibition, that was a result of collaboration of various government organisations, took visitors through some of its salient features such as mobile integration for easy accessibility, Expert Helpdesk, built-in AI and Multilingual Support by Bhashini. PM Gatishakti BISAG-N team, with the support of DPIIT, was also integrated to provide for the geospatial tool for Area-Based Planning.

* NITI for States offers a centralised repository of valuable resources, including best practices, policy documents, datasets, and NITI Aayog publications, spanning various sectors and cross-cutting themes like gender and climate change. Its user-friendly interface ensures inclusivity and empower officials across diverse regions to effectively utilise the platform's extensive knowledge base.

* In his address, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “India’s vision for future growth is based on four important pillars, (i) Physical, Digital and Social Infrastructure, (ii) Inclusive Development, (iii) Manufacturing, and (iv) Focus on Simplification of laws and processes.”

* He further added, “the launch of NITI for States platform will help strengthening cooperative federalism and empower data-driven governance.”

Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, highlighted that the knowledge platform of NITI for States has brought data from across various fields at one location in an interoperable and compatible manner. This makes it very impactful and useful for the administrators

Key Features of the ‘NITI for States’ platform :

* Extensive Knowledge Base : 7,500 curated best practices, 5,000 policy documents, 900+ datasets, 1,400 data profiles, and 350 NITI Aayog publications.
* Multilingual Accessibility : In the near future the platform will be available in 22 major Indian languages and 7 foreign languages, ensuring inclusivity for diverse user groups.
* Capacity Building Initiatives : Tailored digital training modules for officials at various levels (block, district, and state) in collaboration with relevant institutions.
* Expert Help Desk : Specialised guidance through partnerships with leading institutions allows states and UTs to address specific challenges.
* Data Integration : Leverages data from the National Data & Analytics Platform (NDAP) for comprehensive and actionable insights, fostering data-driven decision-making.

Expected Impact of the NITI fir States Platform :

* Accelerate digital transformation of governance by equipping officials with robust knowledge, actionable insights, and user-friendly digital tools.
* Empower frontline functionaries at the district and block levels to replicate successful initiatives and address local challenges effectively.
* Foster cooperative federalism and strengthen good governance practices through knowledge sharing and cross-learning among states and UTs.
* The 'NITI for States' platform is a cornerstone initiative empowering states and UTs to contribute significantly to the collective vision of a developed India. This platform underscores NITI Aayog's commitment to fostering collaborative governance and promoting good governance practices across the nation..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Goa

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FLY91, a Goa-based regional airline, has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, according to government officials.

“This is a significant milestone for FLY91,” said Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of the airline. “We appreciate the Ministry and DGCA’s support throughout the process.”

FLY91 received its first aircraft, an ATR 72-600, last week, leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. The aircraft will join their fleet operating out of Goa’s Manohar International Airport in Mopa.

The airline focuses on connecting tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India. Their goal is to connect over 50 cities within five years, requiring 30 additional aircraft and establishing hubs across the country. Their choice of ATR 72-600 aircraft aligns with this strategy.

FLY91 already secured routes under the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN. These routes will connect cities like Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Nanded, and Agatti with major destinations like Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, and Pune.

With the AOC approval, FLY91 can now start selling tickets and launch commercial operations soon. Their aim is to become a key player in connecting smaller Indian cities and towns..

Source : The Hindu Businessline