Correct Answer :   Samir Kumar Sinha

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Senior IAS officer Samir Kumar Sinha has been appointed as Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defence Ministry, as part of a bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre.

Sinha, a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, is currently working in his Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment as Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, a Union Personnel Ministry order said.

Bharat Harbanslal Khera, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Chandra Bhushan Kumar will be Additional Secretary as well as Mission Director for the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation's Jal Jeevan Mission.

Puja Singh Mandol, currently Joint Director General in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the order said.

Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, at present a Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry, will now be Additional Secretary.

Asit Gopal, Commissioner of Eklavya Model Residential School of tge National Educational Society for Tribal Students under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has been named as Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Textiles.

Senior bureaucrat Tripti Gurha will be Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development..


Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka’s Education minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha has said that a new campus of IIT Madras would be started in Kandy in Sri Lanka.

Speaking exclusively to Prasar Bharati Special Correspondent, the minister said that the proposal was part of the Budget 2024 presented by Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremasinghe in his capacity as Finance Minister. He added that he held discussions with Director and Deans of faculties at IIT Madras during his visit last month.

Dr. Premajayantha added that a team of academics would be sent by his ministry to IIT Madras before the team from IIT would visit Sri Lanka for starting the Campus...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Germany

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Franz Beckenbauer – one of Germany’s greatest football players, who captained the country’s team to World Cup victory in 1974 then won the tournament again as manager in 1990 – has died at the age of 78, his family said.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday (7th Jan 2024), surrounded by his family,” his family said in a statement on Monday (8th Jan 2024).

Known in football-obsessed Germany as “the Kaiser” meaning “the Emperor”, Beckenbauer played a central role in some of the country’s greatest sporting achievements.

Born in Munich in 1945, he helped establish Bayern Munich as his country’s strongest club.

He was a classy, dominant presence on the pitch for West Germany and Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 70s, using the calmness on the ball and effortless distribution that marked his midfield performances to virtually invent the central defensive sweeper role where he found most success.

He collected 103 caps for West Germany, winning the 1972 European championship and then the World Cup on home soil.

His Bayern Munich team was the best club side in the world during the mid-1970s, winning three successive European Cups and three successive Bundesliga titles, and Beckenbauer himself was twice named European footballer of the year.

When he was national team manager, his West Germany team lost in the 1986 World Cup final to Argentina but triumphed four years later in Italy as a combined German team.

After coaching, Beckenbauer moved into football administration. But in 2016 he was fined by FIFA’s ethics committee for failing to co-operate with an inquiry into corruption over the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Over the next few years, he was engaged in tending to health issues, and the last time he appeared at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena was in August 2022, when he attended a match of Bayern Munich against Borussia Monchengladbach...


Source : Aljazeera

Correct Answer :   Gabriel Attal

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Gabriel Attal has been named France's next prime minister, as Emmanuel Macron aims to revive his presidency with a new government.

* At 34, he is the youngest PM in modern French history, outranking even Socialist Laurent Fabius who was 37 when he was appointed by François Mitterrand in 1984.

* Mr Attal replaces Élisabeth Borne, who resigned after 20 months in office.

* Throughout that time she struggled with a lack of a majority in parliament.

* Gabriel Attal, who is currently education minister, certainly makes an eye-catching appointment.

* He will now have the task of leading the French government into important European Parliament elections in June.

* His rise has been rapid. Ten years ago he was an obscure adviser in the health ministry, and a card-carrying member of the Socialists.

* He will also be the first openly gay occupant of Hôtel Matignon. He has a civil partnership with another Macron whizz-kid, the MEP Stéphane Sejourné.

* Welcoming him to his new role, President Macron wrote on social media: "I know I can count on your energy and your commitment to implement the project of revitalisation and regeneration that I announced."

* "France will never rhyme with decline, France rhymes with transformation, France rhymes with audacity," Mr Attal declared outside his new residence.

* But given the difficulties of the president's second term - and the growing challenge from the nationalist right - is "eye-catching" alone going to cut it?

* Handsome, youthful, charming, popular, cogent, Mr Attal certainly comes to office trailing clouds of glory - much, let it be said, like his mentor and role-model the president himself.

* But like many go-getters of his generation, he was inspired by Emmanuel Macron's idea of breaking apart the old left-right divide and re-writing the codes of French politics.

* In the wake of Macron's 2017 election, Mr Attal became a member of parliament, and it was there that his brilliance as a debater - easily the best of the neophyte Macronite intake - brought him to the president's attention.

* At 29, he became the youngest ever minister in the Fifth Republic with a junior post at education; from 2020 he was government spokesman and his face began to register with the voters; after President Macron's re-election, he was briefly budget minister and then took over at education last July.

* It was in this post that Mr Attal confirmed to the president that he has what it takes, acting with no-nonsense determination to end September's row over Muslim abaya robes by simply banning them in schools.

* He led a campaign against bullying - he himself was a victim, he says - at the elite École alsacienne in Paris, and took on the education establishment with his proposal to experiment with school uniform..

Source  : BBC

Correct Answer :   10 January

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Vishwa Hindi Diwas 2024 : Hindi is a widely spoken language not just in India but also in several parts of the world. It is Hindi is the third most spoken language worldwide by number of speakers, after English and Mandarin Chinese. Every year, January 10 is celebrated as ‘Vishwa Hindi Diwas’, or World Hindi Day.


World Hindi Day History :

* Hindi, declared the official language of the Union of India in 1950, was first spoken in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on January 10, 1949. As per Article 343 of the Constitution, Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union.

* The Centre hosts the 'World Hindi Conference' to promote Hindi, as promoting the language in foreign countries is a matter of high priority for it. It was organised for the first time in 1975 in Nagpur and was attended by 122 representatives from 30 nations.


Vishwa Hindi Diwas (World Hindi Day) 2024 theme :

* A unique theme is designated to World Hindi Day every year. In 2024, the theme of the World Hindi Day is “Hindi–Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence”.

* World Hindi Day Importance : The World Hindi Day honours the contributions of Hindi speakers, understands the significance of the language, and educates people about its importance.

Why is the World Hindi Day celebrated?

World Hindi Day is celebrated every year to spread awareness about the use of the Indian language and the issues with Hindi usage and promotion. The day also emphasises the importance of valuing the contributions of Hindi speakers.


How is the World Hindi Day celebrated?

* The Ministry of External Affairs organises various events worldwide on this day to spread awareness about the language. Besides, schools, colleges and government offices organise various special programmes on this day.

* The Vishwa Hindi Diwas differs from the Hindi Diwas, which is observed on September 14 every year.


Did you know the Oxford Dictionary has adopted a string of Hindi words?

How many such words can you recall? Some of the words now included in the Oxford Dictionary are ‘jhuggi’, ‘fanda’, ‘nivas’, ‘gulli’, ‘natak’, ‘sevak’, ‘sevika’, ‘desh’, ‘diya’, ‘shadi’, ‘abba’, ‘accha’, ‘chal’, ‘mirch masala’, ‘keema’ and ‘funda’...


Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer :   Nashik

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In celebration of National Youth Day on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, Maharashtra, on the 12th of January 2024. The event, organized by the Department of Youth Affairs, will witness the active participation of more than 88,000 enthusiastic volunteers from across the country.

This year’s (2024) National Youth Day celebrations will extend to every district, with collaboration from various government departments and youth organizations. Under the theme ‘MY Bharat,’ volunteers, including those from NSS units, NYKS, and educational institutions, will engage in diverse activities aimed at fostering a sense of unity and volunteerism.

Volunteers are leveraging the MY Bharat digital platform (https://mybharat.gov.in) for registration and coordination. A key focus of the activities includes road safety awareness events to be held simultaneously in major cities and 750 district headquarters on the 12th of January. Trained Road Safety volunteers will take charge, emphasizing the importance of a safer tomorrow through a comprehensive awareness campaign and traffic management.

In addition to road safety initiatives, volunteers will visit Anganwadi centers for storytelling sessions for children and disseminate information about various government schemes.

The National Youth Day program is not confined to Nashik alone; it will unfold across 763 districts nationwide. Each district will kickstart the day with a floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda, followed by a cultural program showcasing the diverse heritage and talents of the youth.

Partner ministries and their district-level offices will set up stalls with exhibitions, activities, and awareness drives, focusing on key themes such as Traffic Awareness, Nutrition & Diet, Products of KVIC startups, and PMEGP beneficiaries. The events, meticulously planned on the digital MY Bharat platform, aim to connect with the youth at the grassroots level, ensuring the unique characteristics and aspirations of each district are well-reflected in the celebrations.

Furthermore, youth across India are encouraged to express their interest in participating in activities closest to them through the MY Bharat platform. The platform also allows them to share photos and media capturing their active involvement in the National Youth Day celebrations.

As the nation commemorates the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, the 27th National Youth Festival promises to be an inclusive and empowering event, engaging the vibrant energy of India’s youth from every corner of the country..

Source : News Station

Correct Answer :   Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated (10th Jan 2024) the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar, alongside several global leaders. The three-day event is witnessing the participation of 34 partner countries and delegates from over 130 countries. It will also celebrate ‘20 years of Vibrant Gujarat as the Summit of Success’.


About Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit :

The concept of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit was started in 2003 under the leadership of PM Modi when he was the chief minister of the state. The first edition of the Summit was held during the Navratri festival with more than 1,000 delegates and dignitaries spanning 45 countries attending the event.

Being held from January 10 to 12, this year's Summit's theme is ‘Gateway to the Future’. As a part of the Summit, several programmes have been organised at Mahatma Mandir, Sector-17 Exhibition Center, and GIFT City, in the state capital Gandhinagar. United Arab Emirates (UAE) President "Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan" is the chief guest for today's inaugural event, along with other global dignitaries.

What to expect from the 3-day summit?

* According to an official release, the Summit will host various events including seminars and conferences on globally relevant topics including - industry 4.0, technology and innovation, sustainable manufacturing, green hydrogen, electric mobility and renewable energy, and transition towards sustainability.

* The event will see a large number of projects and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the government and global companies, advancing industrial and technological growth in Gujarat.

* This year, the ministry of development of North-Eastern Region is aiming to use the platform to showcase investment prospects in the North-Eastern regions.

* During the Summit, the Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organization (iDEX-DIO) will exhibit futuristic technologies in unmanned solutions, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and advanced materials..


Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   India

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India is set to chair UNESCO's World Heritage Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024, marking a historic milestone for our nation.

Vishal V Sharma, India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, announced this decision on January 9, 2024.

Confirming these details, the official UNESCO statement stated, "During its 19th extraordinary session (UNESCO, 2023), the World Heritage Committee resolved to hold its 46th session in India."

This decision stems from a proposal by Indian authorities, made in consultation with the UNESCO Director-General. UNESCO, a United Nations agency dedicated to fostering global cooperation in education, arts, science, and culture to promote world peace, expressed enthusiasm for India's role in hosting this esteemed event.

The World Heritage Committee, comprising representatives from 21 member states, gathers annually to recognize global cultural and natural heritage. Their work contributes to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Sites list..

Source : DD News

Correct Answer :   France

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French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned, the French presidency said, as President Emmanuel Macron prepared to unveil a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle in an attempt to give a new impetus to his presidency.

* “Ms Elisabeth Borne today (8th Jan 2024) submitted the resignation of the government to the president, who accepted it,” the presidency said in a statement on Monday (8th Jan 2024).

* Macron thanked Borne for “work in the service of our nation that has been exemplary every day”, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

* Borne, appointed in May 2022, was only the second female prime minister in French history. She will act as caretaker until a new government is named.

* The president had fuelled speculation of a government reshuffle in December by promising a new political initiative. This came after the year 2023 was bookended by political crises prompted by highly contested reforms of the pension system and immigration laws.

* The move comes just five months before European Parliament elections, with Eurosceptics expected to make strong gains at a time of widespread public discontent over surging living costs and the difficulties European governments face in curbing migration flows.

* Opinion polls show Macron’s party is trailing that of far-right leader Marine Le Pen by around eight to 10 points ahead of the June vote.

What next?

Among those cited as potential candidates to replace Borne are 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal and 37-year-old Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, either of whom would become France’s youngest-ever prime minister.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie have also been mentioned by pundits as possible options.

The change in prime minister will not necessarily lead to a shift in political tack, but rather signal a desire to move beyond the pension and immigration reforms and focus on new priorities, including hitting full employment.

Macron and his government, led by Borne, have struggled to deal with a more turbulent parliament to pass laws since losing their absolute majority shortly after Macron was re-elected for a second mandate in 2022.

The French president’s advisers say he has managed to pass the most challenging parts of his economic manifesto in the first year and a half of his second mandate, despite the lack of an absolute majority, and that future reforms, on education and euthanasia for instance, would be more consensual.

But Macron’s decision to use executive powers last year to pass a contested increase in the pension age to 64 triggered weeks of protests.

The reshuffle is likely to intensify the race in Macron’s camp to succeed him in the next presidential election in 2027, with Le Maire, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, and current Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin all seen as potential candidates..


Source : Aljazeera

Correct Answer :   Guwahati

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A two-day Regional Conference on the theme “e- Governance” organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in collaboration with Government of Assam began in Guwahati today. Governor of Assam, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria and Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh graced the inaugural event.

Addressing the gathering in the inaugural session, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space said that, PM Modi's governance reforms have helped in mainstreaming the Northeast. Path-breaking decisions were taken by this government for the development of Northeast, that are visible in the quality of life of the people of this region. “Northeast today is being cited as an example of Modi’s development model,” he said.

The Minister further said that the reforms were brought in by the Union government for ease of governance and ease of delivery of services. “The Prime Minister’s Awards were brought in. An objective criteria was made based on flagship schemes. The idea was to let all the districts compete. As a result, now we have participation of more than 750 districts and we have received some of the best excellence awards from NE.”

The Minister said that mainstreaming has to happen on the level of thoughts and the best practices. “We started the Swacchata campaign and 1162 crore rupees was raised by just selling garbage. The initiative brings positive changes across the country,” he informed.

Dr. Singh also spoke on the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). “It is not only a means of involving citizens but also a means of binding the entire country,” he said adding that initiatives such as the Civil Services Day, Good Governance Index, regional conferences have given a massive outreach to NE.

Dr. Singh asserted that the regional conference on e-Governance serves as an important platform to transfer knowledge and practices that can be mutually beneficial. Under the leadership of Prime Minister, the government is taking several strides in the field of IT and new age technologies for better delivery of good governance to citizens, he added.

Dr. Singh said that fulfilment of the objective of self-reliant India that requires working towards Vision 2047, which includes major parts of technological enhancements and drawing optimum solutions, our focus would be developing capabilities of officers during early years of their career, so that they have about 20-25 years to contribute towards building a glorious and self-reliant India during Amrit Kaal of next 25 years, he added.

Shri Paban Kumar Borthakur, Chief Secretary, Government of Assam and Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG also addressed the inaugural session. During the session, a booklet on the Journey of 25 Regional Conferences and e-journal MGMG (July – Dec, 2023 edition) on e-Governance Initiatives was released.

The main objective of the Conference is to bring national and state level public administration organizations on the same platform to share experiences in innovations in public administration, transforming future public solution for improving quality of life, good governance, e-Governance, Digital Governance, etc. The Conference is a two-day event in which representatives/ DM/DC of States are invited to make presentation on PM Awarded initiatives/e-governance Awarded initiatives /select good governance practices of the States for wider dissemination & possible replication..


Source : PIB