Correct Answer :   Punya Salila Srivastava

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The Centre has appointed Punya Salila Srivastava as the new Health Secretary, replacing Apurva Chandra upon his superannuation.

In a reshuffle, Rajesh Kumar Singh is set to be the new Defence Secretary, while Katikithala Srinivas takes over as Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary.

Deepti Umashankar has been appointed as Secretary to the President, and Vivek Joshi transitions to the Department of Personnel and Training.

This appointment comes amidst ongoing discussions on the National Health Mission, including the implementation of a national electronic medical records system.

Correct Answer :   Karnataka

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The Union Cabinet approved three metro rail projects worth Rs 30,765 crore on Friday (16 Aug 2024), including two corridors of Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-3 (BMRP) worth Rs 15,611 crore, set to be operational by 2029, and the Swargate-to-Katraj Underground Line Extension of the existing PCMC-Swargate Metro Line of the Pune Metro Phase-I project worth Rs 12,200 crore operational by 2029.

Additionally, the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project Corridor was approved with an estimated cost of Rs 12,200 crore to be funded by various sources, including the Government of India, Maharashtra, and private investments.

This development aims to enhance urban connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and promote economic growth in Karnataka and Maharashtra, addressing the need for efficient and reliable public transportation systems in these regions.

Correct Answer :   Sweden

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Sweden reported its first case outside Africa of a more dangerous variant of mpox, known as the Clade 1b subclade, which has been causing a severe global outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023.

The Swedish public health agency confirmed the case in Stockholm, which was contracted during a visit to Africa where the outbreak is concentrated.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently considers the risk of transmission in Sweden to be very low due to the country’s high vaccination rate against mpox.

Correct Answer :   Bangladesh

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A UN fact-finding team, led by Volker Turk, is set to be deployed to Bangladesh to investigate alleged human rights abuses during the political turmoil that led to former Prime Minister Hasina’s ousting.

This move follows discussions with the interim government, which agreed to cooperate.

The probe aims to scrutinize atrocities reported during the student-led protests, including the detention and alleged torture of hundreds in police custody.

The UN's involvement underscores the international community's concern over human rights violations in Bangladesh during this period of political instability.

Correct Answer :   Delhi

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The Delhi Metro celebrated a significant milestone on 13 August 2024 by recording its highest-ever passenger count, with 72.38 lakh passengers travelling through its extensive network of over 393 km and more than 2888 stations.

This achievement surpasses previous records set in February and throughout August 2023. The Delhi Metro has become the most visited public transport system globally, underscoring its importance as a vital mode of travel in India's bustling capital city.

Correct Answer :   BSA

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BSA Motorcycles, the UK company, has launched its first model in India, the Classic Legends-owned Gold Star 650.

The bike represents a significant milestone for BSA's presence in the Indian motorcycle market. It is available for pre-order with a starting price of Rs 2.99 lakh and a top model at Rs 3.34 lakh.

The Gold Star 650 features a 652cc engine, Brembo brakes, Pirelli tyres, and digital-analogue instrumentation, offering a blend of traditional design with modern performance.

This launch signifies a major entry for BSA into the Indian motorcycle market, offering a piece of motorcycling history with a modern twist.

Correct Answer :   Kolkata

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The Kolkata Police have arrested 25 individuals for vandalizing the RG Kar Hospital amid protests by women in West Bengal.

Investigators have noted the emergency ward, intensive care unit, and other areas were damaged.

The police are examining evidence, including the sequence of events captured on camera and the profiles of arrestees, to determine if there was a pre-arranged attack or if the protests evolved spontaneously.

The investigation continues to assess if the protests were coordinated or if they evolved spontaneously, with a focus on whether there was a deliberate act of vandalism by the individuals involved.

Correct Answer :   Mumbai

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The Rajabai Clock Tower, resembling London’s Big Ben, stands tall in Mumbai.

Built in 1878 by the wealthy broker Premchand Roychand Jain for £5,000, its construction was a testament to his commitment to his blind mother’s needs.

Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the tower, now a World Heritage Site, was originally intended to help Jain’s mother, Rajabai, time her meals with the bell's chimes.

Over the years, it has become a symbol of Mumbai's architectural and historical legacy, featuring only a single chime to mark time.

Correct Answer :   Matrix Cellular

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Matrix Cellular has launched India’s first eSIM services, offering a seamless travel experience with no need for physical SIM cards.

This eSIM, a software-based system embedded in devices, allows for easy activation of various cellular plans, reducing costs and simplifying connectivity for travellers.

The global eSIM market is expected to reach 268 million users by 2028, driven by cost-effective international travel plans.

Matrix Cellular aims to lead this market with its extensive global coverage and customer-focused plans, including unlimited data and 1GB of free international data on select plans.

Correct Answer :   SAMEER

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The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an R&D institute under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), transferred its Microwave-Based Brix Measurement System technology to Toshniwal Hyvac Pvt. Ltd. and Sir Automation Industries.

This technology enables precise, real-time measurement of sugar concentration during production, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in sugar mills.

The transfer agreement will facilitate large-scale manufacturing of this innovative system, which also has potential applications in other industries like dairy, brewery, and fruit juices.