Correct Answer :   Rene Zondag

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Peter Burwash International (PBI) president Rene Zondag inaugurates Tennis center in Pune on 10th Feb 2023.

* One of the leading tennis coaching programme, Peter Burwash International (PBI) has tied up with Ileseum Club in Bavdhan, Pune, to have its second training centre in India.

* The first PBI centre at the Padukone-Dravid Centre in Bengaluru has been successfully guiding some of the prominent players like Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Rishi Reddy, through its Director Cesar Morales. The High performance centre has over 200 players.

* The second centre in Pune, which is set to expand further, including to other cities like Mumbai, Solapur and Chennai, will have Milos Milunovic as its technical director.

* “We are looking at having about 50 courts in different centres, and train about 1000 players in about a year or so”, said Gurpavit Singh, the founder of Ileseum clubs, on Friday (10th Feb 2023).

* Rene Zondag, president of PBI, announced the opening of the new centre, which spans 12.5 acres and offers top-notch amenities.

* Gurpavit, who is pleased to join with PBI, expressed the expectation that the improved infrastructure, workshops, and educational programmes will assist advance India’s tennis industry...

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Jammu & Kashmir

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Lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the country, in Reasi district of Jammu division (Jammu & Kashmir).

* Speaking at the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board meeting in New Delhi on 9th Feb 2023, Union Mines Secretary, Vivek Bharadwaj disclosed that Lithium reserves have been discovered in Jammu and Kashmir.

* Lithium blocks are rare and much in demand gobally for electric batteries. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.

* It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks. Lithium is a metal that is known for its low density, high energy-to-weight ratio and its ability to store large amounts of energy.

* Currently, India is import-dependent for Lithium, nickel and cobalt. After the discovery, Lithium blocks will be explored and eAuctioned, so that J&K figures on the global map so far as availability of Lithium reserves in the world are concerned. .

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Dubai

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The World Government Summit 2023 is set to begin on 13th February 2023 in "Dubai".

Theme : The Summit will be held under the theme of "Shaping Future Governments".

* It will bring together global thought leaders, global experts, and decision makers to share and contribute to the development of tools, policies, and models that will be critical in shaping future governments.

* The Summit will feature 20 presidents, including Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi; President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan; President of Senegal and Chairperson of the African Union, Macky Sall, among others.

* 2023 edition will bring together over 250 ministers from around the world, as well as over 10,000 government officials, thought leaders, and global experts. The sessions and forums will be enriched by over 80 international, regional, and governmental organizations.

* The World Government Summit is a global forum held annually in Dubai, that brings together leaders in government, business, technology, and civil society to discuss pressing issues facing humanity and to shape the future of governments worldwide.

AIM :  To drive positive change and to promote innovation in the public sector by exploring new ideas, technologies, and best practices in governance.

* The World Government Summit features a diverse range of speakers and participants, including heads of state and government, ministers, CEOs, experts, and representatives from international organisations.

* Over the course of the summit, attendees engage in discussions, debates, and interactive sessions on topics such as the future of work, sustainable development, artificial intelligence, and the role of government in shaping a better world..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   PK Rosy

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Google Doodle marked the 120th birth anniversary of PK Rosy, the first female lead in Malayalam cinema.

Rosy was born Rajamma in Thiruvananthapuram and her passion for acting began at a young age.

According to Google, in an era when performing arts was discouraged in many sections of society, especially for women, Rosy broke barriers with her role in the Malayalam film "Vigathakumaran" ('The Lost Child').

She played the character of Sarojini, a Nair woman, in the film.

A Dalit woman essaying a Nair character enraged members of the Nair community.

As per reports, her home was burnt down by upper castes and she eloped, got married to lorry driver Kesavan Pillai and spent the rest of her life in Tamil Nadu as 'Rajammal'...

Source : New Indian Express

Correct Answer :   February 10

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Every year World Pulses Day is celebrated on February 10 with an aim to spread awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.

Pulses also known as legumes, are considered as global foods, and are produced in almost every country.

World Pulses Day 2023 Theme : 'Pulses for a Sustainable Future'

World Pulses Day history :

* The UN General Assembly recognised the value of pulses in 2013 and adopted the year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN increased public awareness of the nourishing and environmental benefits of pulses.

* In 2019, the UN General Assembly dedicated February 10 as World Pulses Day a day to Pulses to increase awareness and access to pulses globally.

* As the International Year of Pulses concluded, Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, proposed the observance of World Pulses Day.

* Pulses are nutrient-rich and a great source of protein. They are low in fat and rich in fibre and they help in lowering cholesterol and in controlling blood sugar.

World Pulses Day Significance : Pulses hold significant importance for farmers as a crop because they can both sell and consume them.

* Pulses are also easy to grow and require less water to flourish. They can better tolerate drought and climate-related disasters, providing security and economic stability to the farmers.

* The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility and increase the productivity of the farmland. Thus, the celebration of World Pulses Day is important to spread awareness about the importance of pulses and their adoption across the world...

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day-long Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 in Lucknow on 10th February 2023.

He has also inaugurated Global Trade Show and launched Invest UP 2.0.

It is the flagship investment summit of the Uttar Pradesh Government.

Aim : To bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, think tanks, and leaders from across the world to collectively explore business opportunities and forge partnerships..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   South Africa

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday (9th Feb 2023) declared a national “state of disaster” over the country’s power crisis, saying it posted an existential threat to South Africa’s economy and society.

* He also promised to designate a minister in his office who will concentrate on increasing the supply of power.

* Since 2008, the nation has struggled with electricity shortages that have reached historic heights, resulting in rolling blackouts every day of this year.

* Since he assumed office in February 2018, Ramaphosa has promised to overhaul the monopoly state power provider Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. and bring new generation capacity online, but many projects have been hampered by bureaucracy and government apathy.

* The disruptions, colloquially referred to as “loadshedding,” pose a threat to the African National Congress’s ability to maintain power in the upcoming elections by seriously undermining public support.

* Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe claimed that the issues may be resolved in six to twelve months, but Eskom Chairman Mpho Makwana has warned that blackouts won’t end until at least 2025 because the utility must keep shutting down its outdated coal-fired units for maintenance..

Source : Bloomberg

Correct Answer :   2

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The Government on Friday (10th Feb 2023) cleared the appointment  of two new judges of the Supreme Court - "Justices Rajesh Bindal" and "Aravind Kumar".

* With this, the Supreme Court has regained its full strength of 34 judges.

* Rajesh Bindal : He was the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court.

* Aravind Kumar : He was Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court.

* Earlier, the government also appointed five judges - Justices Pankaj Mithal, Sanjay Karol, PV Sanjay Kumar, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Manoj Misra..

Source : Deccan Herald

Correct Answer :   8 February 2023

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Italian skier "Elena Fanchini", whose career was cut short by a tumor, has died. She was 37.

* Fanchini passed away Wednesday (8 February 2023) at her home in Solato, near Brescia, the Italian Winter Sports Federation announced.

* Fanchini last time competed in December 2017 and missed the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 to undergo cancer treatment.

* She was cleared to return to train nearly one year later but the Italian struggled with injuries and officially announced her retirement in 2020 along with her sister Nadia.

* In her career, the Lovere native took two World Cup wins (2005, 2015) and won a silver medal in downhill at her home World Championships in 2005 in Bormio.

* The news of her death cut celebrations short in the Italian camp in Meribel, France, where Fanchini’s former teammates Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino won world titles on Monday and Wednesday.

* Just a few weeks ago, Sofia Goggia dedicated her win in Cortina d'Ampezzo to Fanchini, whose condition had grown worse in the last few months.

Born : 30 April 1985, Lovere, Italy

Died : 8 February 2023.

Source : Olympics

Correct Answer :   Meenakshi Nevatia

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Drugmaker Pfizer Limited has Thursday (9th Feb 2023) announced the appointment of Meenakshi Nevatia as an Additional Director and Managing Director for five years from April 3, 2023.

* She comes in the place of S Sridhar, who announced his early retirement in August 2022.

* Meenakshi has 30 years of experience across companies including Mckinsey & Co, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and more recently with Stryker Corporation.

* Nick Lagunowich, Pfizer Global President (Emerging Markets) said, “India is critical to the healthcare ecosystem in the region and globally. It is a place where we aspire to bring many more breakthrough therapies and health solutions to patients across the economic segments.”

* Sridhar, the current India country President, will step down as Managing Director and board member from March 31, 2023.

Source : Hindu Businessline