Correct Answer :   Maharashtra

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In a significant stride towards its ambitious goal of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the signing of 19 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during his visit to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. Accompanied by Industries Minister Uday Samant and senior officials, Shinde expressed his determination to lead the state towards economic prosperity.

Strategic Investments Unveiled :

The state government successfully sealed investment MoUs amounting to Rs 3.53 lakh crore (USD 44 billion) across various sectors, including electronics, IT, data centers, gems and jewelry, agriculture, automobile, and renewable energy. An additional expression of interest for Rs 1 lakh crore investment was also received, catapulting the total potential investment to Rs 4.5 lakh crore (almost USD 57 billion).

Job Creation on the Horizon :

This substantial investment has the potential to generate around two lakh jobs, contributing significantly to employment across diverse industries.

Sectoral Breakdown of Investments :

The signed MoUs encompass a spectrum of industries, ranging from the establishment of a green hydrogen and ammonia plant by Inox Air Product to the expansion of paper production capacity by a global natural resources conglomerate. Noteworthy agreements also include initiatives by BC Jindal for battery separator film manufacturing, Adani Group’s expansion of Dighi Port, and JSW Steel’s foray into renewables.

Global Outreach and Collaboration :

Under the theme “Bringing Confidence during a changing World,” Chief Minister Shinde engaged with a multitude of global political leaders, industry captains, and decision-makers, presenting Maharashtra as the premier investment hub.

Key MoUs and Initiatives :

* Inox Air Product: Green hydrogen and ammonia plant
* BC Jindal: Battery separator film manufacturing facility
* Global Natural Resources Conglomerate: Expansion of paper production capacity
* ABInBev: Brewery business expansion
* Adani Group: Dighi Port expansion
* JSW Steel: Renewable energy ventures
* Godrej Agrovet: Investment in cattle feed expansion and chemical segments
* CtrlS Data Centers: Setting up solar parks
* Web Werks: Investment in IT/ITES Data Center
* Hyundai Motor: Expansion plans

Correct Answer :   Himachal Pradesh

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National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, the state of Himachal Pradesh has unveiled the ambitious ‘My School-My Pride’ campaign under the ‘Apna Vidyalay’ programme. This initiative is set to revolutionize the quality of education in government schools, providing a holistic approach to student growth and development.

Encouraging Stakeholder Participation :

The ‘My School-My Pride’ campaign aims to encourage active participation from individuals and organizations to adopt schools and contribute to various aspects of students’ growth. Stakeholders are urged to play a pivotal role in providing career counseling, offering remedial teaching, coaching students for examinations, and engaging in community support services.

Multi-faceted Contributions :

Under the ‘Apna Vidyalay’ programme, stakeholders are not only encouraged to contribute their time and expertise but also make monetary contributions for infrastructure development, sponsor events, provide scholarships, and support the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) programme. This multi-faceted approach ensures a comprehensive enhancement of the overall educational environment.

‘Giving Back to Society’ Initiative :

A notable aspect of the initiative is the ‘Giving back to society’ initiative, which invites retired teachers, professionals, housewives, and other members of the society to become part of the academic support team. Members of this team will volunteer to teach students without expecting any payment or honorarium. This ensures continuous academic support, particularly during teacher shortages or leaves.

Adoption by Dignitaries and Officers :

Dignitaries, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and government officers are actively encouraged to adopt at least one government school as patrons. This involvement includes suggesting improvements and staying informed about students’ progress. Officers from the education department will act as mentors for specific schools, further enhancing the support system.

Online Portal for Transparency :

To ensure transparency, accountability, and real-time monitoring of activities, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) will launch an online portal dedicated to the ‘Apna Vidyalaya’ programme. This digital platform will streamline communication and facilitate efficient coordination among stakeholders.

SAMVAD: A Holistic Approach :

Adding to the holistic approach, the ‘systematic adolescent management and value addition dialogue’ (SAMVAD) component will educate school-going adolescents on moral values, drug awareness, nutrition, legal knowledge, and empowerment schemes. This comprehensive education is aimed at nurturing responsible citizens.

Chief Minister’s Vision :

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed, “Our government is working with the motto of Vyavastha Parivartan, and Apna Vidyalaya programme aims to foster civic duty, strengthen school vision, and create a sustainable model for educational improvement.” This visionary initiative comes as a beacon of hope for the public education system in Himachal Pradesh, catering to over 55% of students in government schools.

The ‘My School-My Pride’ campaign is expected to bring about a positive transformation, emphasizing community engagement and mentoring for educational enhancement.

Correct Answer :   PepsiCo India

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PepsiCo India, in a strategic realignment, has appointed Jagrut Kotecha as its new CEO, succeeding Ahmed El Sheikh. Kotecha, currently the Chief Commercial Officer for PepsiCo in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia (AMESA), is set to take the helm of PepsiCo India’s operations in March 2024. This move comes as Ahmed El Sheikh transitions to the role of CEO for PepsiCo’s Middle East Business Unit.

Kotecha’s Journey with PepsiCo :

Jagrut Kotecha, with over three decades of experience at PepsiCo, has made significant contributions to the company’s growth. His PepsiCo journey began in 1994 in the Sales and Marketing team in India. Climbing the corporate ladder, Kotecha assumed various roles, including Regional Sales Manager and Marketing Manager for Western Snack.

His international tenure includes positions in Thailand and the Philippines. Most recently, he served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for AMESA since January 2020.

Educational Background : Kotecha holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Mumbai and an MBA in Marketing from SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS).

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (19th Jan 2024) inaugurated US aerospace giant Boeing’s global engineering and technology campus in Bengaluru.

The new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) has been built with an investment of Rs 1,600 crore and is spread across 43 acres.  

Key Features of BIETC Campus

* Strategic Location : The campus, strategically located on the city outskirts, spans 43 acres and is expected to serve as a pivotal hub for collaborations with startups, the private sector, and government entities in India. It is envisioned to play a crucial role in the development of next-generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.

* Catalyst for Innovation : BIETC is poised to be a cornerstone for fostering innovation, bringing together diverse stakeholders from India’s dynamic aerospace ecosystem. The aim is to drive advancements in aerospace technology and contribute to the nation’s standing in the global aerospace sector.

Boeing Sukanya Programme Launch :

In addition to inaugurating the BIETC campus, Prime Minister Modi launched the Boeing Sukanya Programme during the event. This initiative is designed to facilitate the entry of more girls from across India into the burgeoning aviation sector. The Boeing Sukanya Programme comprises several components aimed at supporting and empowering girls and women in STEM fields and aviation careers.

Boeing Sukanya Programme Highlights :

* STEM Learning Opportunities : The programme will establish STEM Labs at 150 planned locations, targeting young girls to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.

* Scholarships for Aspiring Pilots : Boeing will provide scholarships to women undergoing pilot training, covering aspects such as flight training curriculum, obtaining certifications, simulator training, and career development programs.

* Addressing Gender Disparities : By actively promoting the entry of girls and women into the aviation sector, the Boeing Sukanya Programme aims to address gender disparities in STEM-related fields and foster a more inclusive workforce.

Boeing’s Growing Presence in India :

As of December 2023, Boeing India has seen substantial growth, boasting the largest team of engineering and R&D talent outside the United States, with a workforce exceeding 6,000 employees. The establishment of the BIETC campus and the launch of the Sukanya Programme reinforce Boeing’s commitment to India’s aerospace development and its efforts to contribute to a skilled and diverse workforce in the aviation industry.

Correct Answer :   Assam

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Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (18th Jan 2024) announced a financial assistance scheme, the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA), with the aim of empowering rural women entrepreneurs. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to women who aspire to embark on their entrepreneurial journey independently, beyond their association with Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This initiative introduces unique conditions, focusing specifically on the number of eligible children for the beneficiaries.

Objectives of MMUA Scheme :

The MMUA scheme is designed to promote the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups. It aims to transform them into “Rural Micro Entrepreneurs” with an annual income target of ?1 lakh per member.

Eligibility Criteria: Balancing Family Planning and Entrepreneurship :

To qualify for the grant, women from the general and other backward caste (OBC) categories must have no more than three children. However, specific exemptions are made for women from the Moran, Muttock, and tea-tribe communities, who can apply with four or fewer children. For women belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) categories, the eligibility criteria dictate that they should have no more than four children.

Child Limitations :

* General and OBC Women : Eligibility is limited to three children.
* ST and SC : Maximum benefit for up to four children.
* Morans, Motoks, and ‘Tea Tribes’ : Maximum of four children.

Additional Conditions for Beneficiaries

Apart from child limitations, beneficiaries must fulfill two additional conditions:

* Education of Girls : If beneficiaries have daughters, they must be enrolled in school. For girls not attending school, a signed commitment for future enrollment is necessary.

* Tree Plantation Campaign : Beneficiaries need to ensure that the trees planted under the government’s tree plantation campaign, Amrit Brikshya Andolan, are thriving.

Phase One: Seed Funding for Entrepreneurial Dreams

In the inaugural phase of the MMUA, each eligible applicant will receive a grant of ?10,000 in the first year. This seed funding is intended to facilitate the initiation of various business ventures, chosen from a curated list of 145 business plans prepared by the government. The financial allocation for this scheme is unprecedented, with ?3,900 crore earmarked in the state’s annual budget, making it the most substantial initiative of its kind in Assam.

Phase Two: Strengthening Financial Support

In the second year of the MMUA, successful applicants will receive further support in the form of a bank loan amounting to ?12,500, coupled with an equivalent grant from the state government. The disbursement of funds in the second year will be contingent upon a thorough evaluation of the previous year’s utilization of the granted amount. This ensures accountability and responsible use of the financial assistance provided.

Correct Answer :   Daljit Singh Chaudhary

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Senior IPS officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary has been appointed as the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), according to a Personnel Ministry order issued on Friday (19th Jan 2024).

Chaudhary, a 1990 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, currently holds the position of Special Director of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment as the DG, SSB, for a tenure lasting until November 30, 2025, coinciding with the date of his superannuation, as stated in the order.

The Sashastra Seema Bal is responsible for safeguarding India’s frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan. The appointment of Chaudhary comes after the position remained vacant following the repatriation of Rashmi Shukla to her cadre state, Maharashtra, earlier this month. Rashmi Shukla has assumed the role of Director General of Police (DGP) in Maharashtra.

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Established in 1963, the SSB was initially formed to counter the activities of Chinese troops along the Indo-Nepal border following the Sino-Indian War..

Source : Elets Online

Correct Answer :   Mamata Banerjee

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the International Kolkata Book Fair on Thursday (18th Jan 2024) amid a drizzle that marred last-minute preparations for several stall owners.

The 47th edition of the fair, being held at the Boi Mela Prangan in Central Park in Salt Lake, had an early start compared to the last edition when the gates were thrown open on January 30, 2024.

The United Kingdom (UK) is the theme country for this year’s book fair, which will continue till January 31.

“I’ve been visiting the book fair for a long time. In 1995, my book — Upolobdhhi (Realisation) was published. Earlier, the fair used to be held in a small space, fuelling strong criticism because stalls would be cramped,” Mamata said. “Now the fair has a permanent address, Boi Mela Prangan, with a lot of space.”

With nine gates spread across Central Park, the book fair this time has around 1,000 stalls, the biggest so far, with representations from close to 20 countries, including the US, Spain, Italy, Bangladesh, Australia, Argentina and France.

Publishers from Germany will participate after a gap of 12 years, officials of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, the organisers of fair, said.

The Kolkata Literature Festival will be held from January 26 to 28.

“This is not the 47th Kolkata book fair but the international Kolkata book fair and the second biggest in the world. This is bigger than the London book fair,” said Alex Ellis, British high commissioner. “I feel particularly at home this afternoon because the weather brings Charles Dickens to Kolkata,” Ellis said referring to the drizzle outside.

Guild officials said the last edition of the fair witnessed about 26 lakh visitors and sales worth Rs 25 crore. The year before, 22 lakh had visited the fair and Rs 23 crore in sales. This year, the figures would be even bigger, they said.

“On behalf of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild we want a piece of land from you to set up a library, an archive of books and a guesthouse for national and international visitors,” guild president Tridib Kumar Chatterjee urged the chief minister..

Source : Telegraph India

Correct Answer :   Chhattisgarh

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The state of Chhattisgarh, inspired by the successful implementation of the ‘Aarthik Sarkari Ladli Bahna Yojana‘ organized by the Madhya Pradesh government, has recently launched a new scheme known as Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024. Under this initiative, the government aims to provide economic assistance of one thousand rupees to women every month, amounting to a total annual financial aid of 12,000 rupees.

Significance of Mahtari Vandana Yojana: Empowering Women in Chhattisgarh :

The economic support offered by the Mahtari Vandana Yojana holds immense significance for women in Chhattisgarh. The scheme not only aims to provide financial assistance to women but also emphasizes fostering self-reliance and skill development through the utilization of these funds. Women can manage their expenses and even initiate small-scale enterprises with the help of this financial aid.

Key Benefits of Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024 :

* Improving Lives of Women at the State Level: Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024 is a state-level effort to bring positive changes in the lives of women, proving to be beneficial for them.
* Monthly Financial Assistance: Women will receive economic support of one thousand rupees every month under this scheme.
* Direct Transfer to Bank Accounts: The amount received under the scheme will be directly deposited into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
* Diverse Usage of Funds: Women can utilize the funds for their health, personal expenses, and even start small businesses.
* Enhancing Financial Conditions: The initiative will significantly contribute to improving the financial situation of women.

Eligibility Criteria for Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024 :

* To avail the benefits of Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024, the applicant must be a resident of Chhattisgarh.
* Only married women from Chhattisgarh are eligible for this scheme.
* The annual income of the beneficiary’s family should be less than two and a half lakh rupees.
* Women applying for the scheme should be between 23 to 60 years old.
* Widows, orphans, and abandoned women can also benefit from the scheme.

Documents Required for Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024 Application :

To fill out the application form for Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024, women need the following essential documents:

* Aadhar Card
* Age Proof Certificate
* Bank Account Passbook
* Identity Proof
* Passport-sized Photographs
* Residence Proof
* Mobile Number and other necessary documents

Correct Answer :   Solapur

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of several development projects in Maharashtra’s Solapur on 19th January 2024, according to an official release.

* At a public programme scheduled to be held around 10.45 am in the southern Maharashtra city, he will lay the foundation stones of eight AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) projects in the state worth around ?2,000 crore, it said.

* He will also dedicate more than 90,000 houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).

* Further, the PM will dedicate 15,000 houses of the Raynagar Housing Society in Solapur whose beneficiaries include thousands of "handloom workers, vendors, power loom workers, rag pickers, Bidi workers and drivers", it said.

* Modi will also kickstart the distribution of the first and second instalments to 10,000 beneficiaries of PM-SVANIDHI in Maharashtra during the programme, it added..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Rs 302 crore

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Thiruvananthapuram: The installation of artificial reef units off the coasts of fishing villages in Kerala will help enhance the income of traditional fishermen, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala said on Wednesday (17th Jan 2024).

The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying was speaking through videoconferencing while inaugurating the project to deploy 6,300 artificial reef units off the coast of fishing villages in this district.

The innovative project will boost sustainable fishing, enhance marine landscape and foster better livelihood for the fishermen, he noted.

Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan presided over the state-level launch of the project and flagged off the work off the coast of Vizhinjam.

The scheme, initiated by the central government under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and State Fisheries Department, seeks to fortify the fishery productivity of the coastal expanses while ensuring sustainable resource management.

In his online address, Rupala said approval had been granted to Kerala for installation of artificial reef and promotions of sustainable fisheries and livelihood under PMMSY with a total allocation of Rs 302 crore.

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has proposed to sanction artificial reefs in all 3,477 fishing villages across the entire coastline of the country, the minister is quoted as saying in a release issued by Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation Ltd.

Noting that project reflected the nation's commitment to preserve marine biodiversity and enhance fishery resources, the minister said the artificial reefs will not only provide support to the marine ecosystem but will also enhance the income of traditional fishermen..

Source : Mathrubhumi