Correct Answer :   Dharmendra Pradhan

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Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme on 6th February 2024 in New Delhi. Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy; Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Executive Director, EdCIL, Dr. Chandrashekhar; and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

While speaking at the event Shri Pradhan said that, as envisioned in the NEP 2020, the Vidyanjali Scholarship Program symbolises a whole-of-society approach to empowerment through access and opportunities of education, particularly to students belonging to economically disadvantaged sections.

He commended the efforts of students of NVS and mentioned that nearly 14,000 students have succeeded in getting admission to reputed institutes including IITs, NITs, etc. without joining any coaching centres. Many students come from marginalised families. He also added that 70 students are being bestowed upon the scholarship amounting to Rs. 5 crore.

He mentioned that nation-building is a collective effort of all citizens and it was heartwarming to see the corporates enthusiastically coming forward to support and sponsor academically gifted and meritorious students lacking the financial means to pursue education. The philanthropic gesture of our donor organisations will inspire many more of our corporates to empower needy students as well as ignite the flame of education, Shri Pradhan said.

While speaking at the event Shri K. Sanjay Murthy informed how the initiative has started with the implementation of NEP2020 recommending policies to channel philanthropy towards the education sector. He commended the efforts of the JNV students who have succeeded in entering premier institutes like IITs and NITs and also acknowledged the contribution of the sponsors who have helped in realise their dreams. He also hoped that more such sponsors would come forward to support students in their endeavours.

Shri Sanjay Kumar in his address emphasized that students of Navodaya Vidyalaya consistently perform well in Board exams, every year. Nearly 85% of the students studying in these schools come from economically weaker families from the rural areas, he added. Acknowledging the able leadership of the Union Education Minister, he emphasized that these schools are testimony to the fact that academic achievements are agnostic of the background one may come from. Good pedagogy and opportunities can help the students outshine anyone, he highlighted. He also informed that following the suggestions of the Minister, this year Summer Camps will be organized for the students to inspire them in skilling activities and invited sponsors to come forward to extend their support.

The Minister interacted with six JNV students and five corporate CSR sponsors. A short film on the Vidyanjali scholarship scheme was shown during the event. Five significant MoUs were exchanged between CSR sponsors/impact founders including Fiat India, HDFC Bank Limited, ClearMedi Healthcare, Bharat Forge, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation showcasing the joining of forces between the Government and private sector towards a shared vision of nation-building and empowering the future workforce of this country. The innovative Vidyanjali Fintech Platform/portal was launched during the event. The Minister also presented scholarship letters to six meritorious NVS students.

The EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme, in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, is a powerful force aimed at revolutionizing opportunities for quality education and access to higher education institutions. Going beyond mere enrolment, this initiative guarantees access to high-quality learning systems by facilitating a seamless transition from secondary to higher education and extending financial support for the meritorious Navodaya Vidyalaya students who lack means. In addition to extending financial assistance to economically marginalised and meritorious students of Navodaya Vidyalayas, this endeavour by the Government of India also encourages involvement from the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, thereby making way of joining forces between the Government and corporates towards an educated India, ensuring no child is left behind. The Minister presented scholarship letters to six NVS students.

The event will strengthen the Government’s efforts in fostering educational inclusivity and socio-economic upliftment in the country..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Kazakhstan

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Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree appointing Olzhas Bektenov as the new Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.

Bektenov, formerly the head of the President’s Executive Office since April of the previous year, assumed his new role following his relief from the executive office position.

During the plenary meeting of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, Bektenov’s candidacy, nominated by the Amanat party, received significant support from the majority of deputies. In accordance with Article 44 of the Constitution, President Tokayev held consultations on Bektenov’s candidacy with the leaders of party factions, including Yelnur Beisenbayev of the Amanat Party, Maharram Maharramov of the People’s Party of Kazakhstan, Azat Peruashev of the Aq Jol Democratic Party, Askhat Rakhimzhanov of the National Social Democratic Party, Serik Yegizbayev of the Auyl party, and Aidarbek Khojanazarov of the Respublica party, as reported by The Astana Times.

President Tokayev emphasised the need for the government to play a crucial role in making prompt and effective decisions. Alikhan Smailov, who had been serving as Prime Minister since January 2022, resigned, and Tokayev accepted his resignation, acknowledging the stability achieved across various sectors under Smailov’s leadership.

Bektenov outlined the priority tasks for his government, emphasizing the necessity of providing a new economic impetus and implementing decisive measures. The focus will be on economic development, with special attention to the industry and oil sectors. The government under Bektenov’s leadership aims to stimulate domestic production, increase the share of locally-made products through the full launch of offtake contracts, and support domestic businesses.

In addition, Bektenov pledged to explore the potential of agriculture, water resources, energy saving, and the transport and logistics network. He expressed a commitment to expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies while ensuring the rule of law for the benefit of the country.

President Tokayev signed a decree on February 5 for the dismissal of the government, marking the end of Alikhan Smailov’s term as Prime Minister, The Astana Times reported. (ANI)

© ANI

Correct Answer :   Australia

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is set to attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Australia, scheduled to take place from February 9-10 in Perth. The theme of the conference is "Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean."

Dr. Jaishankar will speak at the inaugural session of the conference alongside Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka; Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; and Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore.

The 7th Indian Ocean Conference will host delegations led by ministers from over 22 countries and senior officials from 16 countries and 6 multilateral organizations. Moreover, more than 400 social and corporate leaders, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals, and media personnel from about 40 countries are expected to participate.

Organized annually by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the India Foundation, the Indian Ocean Conference serves as a consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean region. Since its inception in 2016 in Singapore, the conference has been instrumental in bringing together regional countries and maritime partners to discuss opportunities for regional cooperation under the theme of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)..

Source : DD News

Correct Answer :   6.5%

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Reserve Bank of India has kept repo rate unchanged at 6.5 percent for the sixth time in a row. The six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by 5:1 majority to keep the repo rate unchanged in its last meeting of the current financial year as retail inflation continues to be above its target of 4 percent.

The repo rate is the interest rate at which banks draw funds from RBI to overcome short-term liquidity mismatches. Announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy today, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, the Standing Deposit Facility rate remains at 6.25 percent and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.75 percent. He has projected the retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index at 5.4 percent in the current fiscal and 4.5 percent during the next financial year.

 
The RBI Governor highlighted that domestic economic activity remains strong and real GDP growth is 7.3 % for the year 2023-24. This will be the third successful year for the GDP to grow above 7 percent. RBI has pegged real GDP growth for the next financial year at 7 percent.
 
The RBI Governor highlighted that agriculture activity is also holding up well, despite lower inflation, lower reservoir level and delayed sowing. The Governor also informed that global growth is expected to remain steady in 2024 with heterogeneity across the region. The global trade momentum remains week. It is showing signs of recovery and is likely to grow faster in 2024, Mr Das said.  

The government has mandated the central bank to ensure the retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remains at 4 percent with a margin of 2 percent on either side..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Somalia

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Corruption is a cancer that gnaws at the very core of societal integrity, obstructing progress, undermining trust in institutions, and impeding economic development. While corruption exists in varying degrees across the globe, some nations grapple with it more profoundly than others. Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organization, annually assesses and ranks countries based on perceived levels of corruption within their public sectors. Here, we delve into the top 10 most corrupt countries in the world.

What Is Corruptions Perception Index?

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is a tool used to rank countries based on their perceived levels of corruption within the public sector. Corruption, as defined by the CPI, involves the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain. This index, published annually since 1995 by the non-governmental organization Transparency International, relies on expert assessments and opinion surveys to gauge corruption levels.

Most and Least Corrupt Countries in the World 2024 :

In the latest 2023 CPI, released in January 2024, 180 countries are ranked on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), reflecting the situation between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023. Countries such as Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and Sweden consistently emerge as the least corrupt nations, enjoying high scores in international financial transparency.

On the other end of the spectrum, Syria, South Sudan, and Venezuela have the lowest scores, each receiving 13 points, indicating significant corruption within their public sectors. Somalia, with a score of 11, also ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world according to the CPI.

These rankings provide crucial insights into the global landscape of corruption, highlighting both progress and challenges in combating unethical practices within governance and public administration.

India’s Position in Corruption Perception Index 2024 :

According to the latest Transparency International report, India has been placed 93rd in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), with a score of 39. This represents a slight change from its 2022 position, where it secured the 85th spot with a score of 40. Notably, India’s overall score has remained relatively stable.

Ranking of India’s Neighboring Counties in CPI 2024 :

In the same vein, the report highlights that Pakistan, scoring 29, and Sri Lanka, with a score of 34, struggled with the burden of their respective debt levels, compounded by political instability. Looking at India’s neighboring countries, Afghanistan and Myanmar received scores of 20, China obtained a score of 42, Japan achieved a score of 73, and Bangladesh received a score of 24 in the CPI.

The rankings are based on the Corruption Perceptions Index, which assesses 180 countries and territories worldwide regarding perceptions of corruption within their public sectors. The scores are derived from data provided by 13 external sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, private risk and consulting firms, think tanks, and others. These scores reflect the viewpoints of experts and business professionals rather than the general public.

Top-10 Most Corrupt Countries in the World 2024

Correct Answer :   Tata Steel

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Private steel major Tata Steel on Wednesday (7th Feb 2024) said it will jointly work with South Eastern Railway (SER) to develop sustainable rail infrastructure by utilising its slag-based aggregates.

A deliberation on the project execution was held between officials of the SER and Tata Steel, the company said in a statement.

Utilisation of sustainable alternatives is the need of the hour, and it will also help in conserving the ecology, SER General Manager Anil Kumar Mishra said at the event on Tuesday (6th Feb 2024).

Tata Aggreto, a greener substitute of natural aggregates used in road construction, and Tata Nirman, used as a raw material in manufacturing of fly ash bricks and cement making, will be used in construction of blanketing layers in railway tracks.

During the deliberation, Rajeev Shrivastava, Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) apprised participants of the plan chalked out to strengthen the rail infrastructure by the Ministry of Railways.

In the endeavour to transform steel slag into sustainable aggregates, Tata Steel has set-up a an accelerated weathering facility for processing LD slag through steam ageing.

The use of slag-based manufactured aggregates helps in the preservation of biodiversity by reducing the need for mining of natural aggregates and eliminates the requirement of transportation of aggregates across large distances, the statement said..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Haryana

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Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant is located at Yamuna Nagar in Haryana. The power plant is one of the coal based power plants of HPGCL. It was jointly constructed by Reliance Energy Limited and Shanghai Electric (China) in a collaboration. This plant is named after Sir Chhotu Ram.

Haryana State Government has approved the construction of 800 MW Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamuna Nagar. State Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has given the responsibility of its construction to BHEL. Rs 6,900 crore will be spent in its construction. Also, a target has been set to complete this project in 57 months.   

Correct Answer :   Goa

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (6th Feb 2024) took part in the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Goa 2047’ programme, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects totaling over Rs 1330 crore.

NIT Goa Campus :

The Prime Minister inaugurated the permanent campus of the National Institute of Technology in Goa. The newly inaugurated NIT Goa campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a tutorial complex, departmental complex, seminar complex, administrative complex, hostels, health center, staff quarters, amenity center, sports ground, and other utilities.

This development is aimed at catering to the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff of the institute.

National Institute of Watersports Campus :

During the event, the Prime Minister also dedicated the new campus of the National Institute of Watersports. This institute is set to introduce 28 tailor-made courses focused on fostering the development of watersports and water rescue activities, catering to both the public and the armed forces.

Integrated Waste Management Facility :

As part of the developmental initiatives, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a 100 TPD Integrated Waste Management Facility in South Goa. This facility is designed for the scientific treatment of 60 TPD wet waste and 40 TPD dry waste.

Notably, it features a 500 KW solar power plant that generates surplus electricity.

Infrastructure Boost :

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a Passenger Ropeway, along with associated tourism activities, connecting Panaji and Reis Magos.

Additionally, the PM laid the foundation stone for the construction of a 100 MLD Water Treatment Plant in South Goa.

Rozgar Mela & Welfare Schemes :

In a move to boost employment, Prime Minister Modi distributed appointment orders to 1930 new government recruits across various departments under Rozgar Mela.

Furthermore, the PM handed over sanction letters to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, emphasizing the government’s commitment to holistic development in the region..

Source : DD News

Correct Answer :   Iran

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Iran on Tuesday (6th Feb 2024) announced visa-free travel for Indians and citizens of several other nations for a maximum stay of 15 days. Iran's decision follows a similar visa waiver implemented by Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Announcing the latest development, Iranian embassy said, “The visa-free entry has been rolled out for Indian citizens from February 4 subject to four conditions"

Here's all you need to know about the new rules :

Individuals holding ordinary passports will be allowed to enter the country without a visa once every six months, with a maximum stay of 15 days, the statement from the ministry said.

"It is important to note that the 15 days cannot be extended."

"The visa abolition only applies to individuals entering the Islamic Republic of Iran territory for tourism purposes," it said.

Hence, Indians wanting to stay longer, make multiple entries within six months, or require other types of visas must obtain necessary visas from Iranian missions in India.

"The visa abolition outlined in this approval specifically applies to Indian nationals who enter the country just through the air border," it said.

In December, Iran approved a new visa-free programme for India and 32 other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Here's all you need about visa-free travel in these countries :

Kenya :

From January 1, Kenya will remove visa requirements for international visitors. The move is likely to boost the country's crucial tourism sector, offering visitors hassle-free travel to experience wildlife safaris and beach holidays.

President William Ruto said, “It is no longer necessary for anyone from any corner of the globe to bear the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya."

Malaysia :

Tourists from India and China can now enter Malaysia without a visa and stay there is up to 30 days. The new rule has been levied from December 1, 2023.

While announcing the development, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the exemption was subject to top security screening

"Initial screenings will be conducted for all tourists and visitors to Malaysia. Security is a different matter. If there are criminal records or the risk of terrorism, they will not be allowed to enter," the prime minister said.

Sri Lanka :

Sri Lanka has introduced a visa-free entry initiative for visitors from India and six other countries, including China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand. This initiative will remain effective until March 31, 2024

Thailand :

Thailand has also started granting 30-day visa-free entry for visitors from India and Taiwan from November 1. The initiative will remain applicable till May 10, 2024.

Vietnam :

Earlier this year, Vietnam also announced that it is contemplating visa-free entry for Indians and Chinese to enhance tourism. Presently, citizens of certain European countries enjoy visa-free access, while others can obtain e-visas with a 90-day validity and multiple entry options..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Agartala

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The Divya Kala Mela, an initiative by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), is set to grace the vibrant city of Agartala, Tripura. This event, inaugurated on 6th February 2024, aims to celebrate the talents and skills of Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs from across the country. Led by Shri Ratan Lal Nath, Cabinet Minister of Power, Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, and Election Department, Govt. of Tripura, the inauguration marked the beginning of a six-day extravaganza.

Inauguration and Participants of Divya Kala Mela 2024 :

Shri Ratan Lal Nath, along with other dignitaries including Shri Tinku Roy, Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Social Welfare & Social Education and Labour, Govt. of Tripura, inaugurated the event. The presence of Shri Naveen Shah, IFS, CMD, NDFDC, and other prominent figures added to the grandeur of the occasion. Over 60 Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs from 18 states/UTs are showcasing their products, ranging from home décor to packaged food, toys, and personal accessories.

Divya Kala Mela 2024, Categories and Activities :

The Divya Kala Mela offers a diverse range of products, including home décor, clothing, stationery, organic products, and more. Visitors can immerse themselves in cultural activities and enjoy performances by Divyangjan artists alongside renowned professionals. The event also provides a culinary delight, with regional cuisines available for indulgence.

Economic Empowerment and Platform Divya Kala Mela 2024 :

This initiative underscores the economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD/Divyangjan) by providing them with a larger platform to market and showcase their products and skills. The Divya Kala Mela in Tripura is the 14th edition in the series initiated by DEPwD, starting from Delhi in 2022. Through events like these, the department aims to promote the concept of ‘Shashaktikaran’ (empowerment) of Divyang individuals across the nation.