Correct Answer :   Delhi

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Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot Wednesday (29th Dec 2023) said the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi will notify its 'Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023' later  29th Nov 2023.

The scheme introduces the nation's first-ever aggregator scheme exclusively tailored for premium buses and calls for a modal shift in public transportation. The buses that will come to be a part of the initiative will have exceptional quality, comfort, and reliability, and will lead to a reduction in congestion and air pollution, the government said.

The scheme defines a "Premium Bus" as any full-AC luxury public bus having a seating capacity of no less than nine passengers, pre-reserved reclining seats, and equipped with Wifi, GPS, and CCTV, the statement said.

The scheme stipulates that the 'onboarded' bus must not be more than three years old, in case the bus is CNG, and the buses joining the service after January 1, 2025, must be electric.

Here is how the scheme is going to affect commuters:
Under the scheme, only pre-booked digital ticketing will be permissible, with no physical tickets issued. All charges from passengers are to be collected exclusively through electronic or digital payment modes.

In addition to ensuring the safety and security of the passengers, the scheme will encourage aggregators and delivery service providers to adopt electric vehicles for their services to reduce air pollution in the national capital.

The scheme paves the way for the inclusion of bike taxis as service providers and mandates that the aggregators onboard electric two-wheelers for passenger transport service.

The scheme will ensure timely and effective redressal of the riders' grievances on receipt of any complaint concerning the ride or the driver or the condition of the vehicle. The concerns raised by the rider can be reported within 24 hours of the ride being availed.

If the complaint registered with the grievance redressal centre is criminal in nature, then the concerned driver will be off-boarded from the aggregator till the issue is resolved.

The scheme implements a zero-tolerance policy on the use of drugs or alcohol applicable to any driver. The aggregator will immediately off-board such driver and the suspension will last till the investigation by the aggregator.

The scheme ensures that the passenger vehicles are installed with a Certified Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System with panic buttons relevant to a Public Service Vehicle.

Under the scheme placement of a fire extinguisher, disabled child lock mechanism, and enabled manual override for the central locking system are mandatory..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   December 5

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World Soil Day is celebrated every year on December 5. This year (2023), the special day falls on a Tuesday (5th Dec 2023).


World Soil Day History :

In June 2013, the FAO Conference endorsed World Soil Day and later approached the 68th United National General Assembly and requested for its official adoption. Towards the end of 2013, the UN General Assembly designated December 5, 2014, as the first official World Soil Day.

World Soil Day Significance :

"World Soil Day 2023 (WSD) and its campaign aim to raise awareness of the importance and relationship between soil and water in achieving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. WSD is a unique global platform that not only celebrates soils but also empowers and engages citizens around the world to improve soil health," wrote the United Nations on its official website.

The UN further added sustainable soil management practices minimum tillage, crop rotation, organic matter addition, and cover cropping can improve soil health and reduce soil erosion and enhance water infiltration and storage. "These practices also preserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change," added the UN..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Geetika Koul

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Captain Geetika Koul has become the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, the Fire and Fury Corps said on Tuesday (5th Dec 2023).

This achievement follows her successful completion of rigorous induction training at the esteemed Siachen Battle School, which includes high-altitude acclimatization, survival techniques, and specialized medical procedures.

The Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army announced this milestone on social media, highlighting the significance of Captain Koul’s deployment in promoting gender inclusion within the military.

Captain Geetika Koul from Snow Leopard Brigade has become the first Woman Medical officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at the world's highest battlefield, Siachen after successfully completing the induction training at Siachen Battle School: Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps pic.twitter.com/hBeeCfQtf4

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

Correct Answer :   Mamata Banerjee

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee 4th Dec 2023 inaugurated a museum in the basement of the Platinum Jubilee Memorial Building at West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

The Museum depicts the rich history of the Assembly, its origin,  functioning of the legislative council in pre-Independence days and the transfer of power from the British.

The 2000 sq. ft museum displays sculptures of state leaders who have contributed to building the nation as well as members of the legislative Assembly, starting with the late B.C. Roy.

Fiberglass representations of art forms of different states and foreign countries will also be on display. There are papers related to the eve of 1947 when the province was partitioned into West Bengal and East Pakistan, and the Bengal Legislative Assembly was constituted with 90 members representing the constituencies that fell within the area.

A history of the Assembly covering the first meeting after Independence, on November 21, 1947, is compiled. Works of painters like Jamini Roy and Abanindranath Tagore are also on display.

The National council of Science Museums conceptualized and developed the museum..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   8

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Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday (4th Dec 2023) reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons comprising eight members with the presence of 50 per cent women parliamentarians.

The eight-member panel will now have four women members- Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam, and Bharatiya Janata Party's MPs Phangnon Konyak, Darshana Singh and Sonal Mansingh.

Dhankhar made the announcement regarding the reconstituted panel in the Upper House on the first day of the Winter Session of the Parliament.

The vice chairpersons are eligible to preside over the house in the absence of the chairman or the deputy chairman.

Besides, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, YSRCP's V Vijayasai Reddy; TMC's Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Independent legislator Kartikeya Sharma were announced as other members of the panel.

The Winter Session of Parliament is being held from 4th December to 22 December 2023..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Gurugram

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The World's first portable hospital, 'Aarogya Maitri Aid Cube' was unveiled on Saturday (2nd December 2023) in Gurugram.

Designed indigenously under the Project 'BHISHM', the modular trauma management and aid system is made up of 72 detachable mini-cubes, each being a specialized station for emergency response and humanitarian efforts.

It can handle bullet injuries, burns, head, spinal and chest injuries, minor surgeries, fractures and major bleeding. It can treat as many as 200 patients. These cubes are light and portable, and can be rapidly deployed anywhere, from airdrops to ground transportation.

Talking to Akashwani News, Air Vice Marshal Tanmay Roy said that the mobile hospital is part of India’s message of health for all and assisting other nations during their times of crises..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   IIT Ropar

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The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Shri Banwarilal Purohit, inaugurated a Deeptech Startup Accelerator Program dedicated to catalyzing innovation in agriculture and water technology called SAMRIDHI (Strategic Acceleration for Market, Research, Innovation & Development: a Holistic Initiative for ICPS Startups) hosted by iHub AwaDH, a Technology and Innovation Hubs set up UNDER National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).

The  SAMRIDHI conclave in which five strategic collaborations were formalized, featured five deep-tech innovations. A total of 13 startups shortlisted through rigorous evaluation, presented their ideas while 25 startups showcased their solutions at the exhibition. More than 30 experts spoke on strategic acceleration for market research, innovation, and development.

Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary of the Science and Engineering Research Board; Senior Adviser, DST, GoI, reinforced the efforts taken by the NMICPS to orchestrate the Technology Self-reliant Atmanirbhar Bharat. Mission Director of NM on ICPS Dr Ekta Kapoor, projected the key highlights of the mission leading to CPS technology interventions across sectors such as agriculture infrastructure health, defence, and environment.

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, Prof. Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, Chandigarh, Dr Pushpendra Pal Singh, Project Director, AwaDH and Mr. Amitabh Nag, CEO of Bhashini Digital India were also present on the ocassion.  The event emphasized DST's pivotal role in shaping the future of technology in the region through NMICPS. The Mission has led to the generation of 311 technologies, 549 technology products and created 1613 CPS research bases and contributed to more than 60000 cps skilling.

The conclave organised by IIT Ropar’s Technology and Innovation Hub AwaDH was supported by 46 investment partners, and over 50 jury members evaluated and mentored the startups. Over 110 partners nationwide actively contributed to driving innovation and fostering technological self-reliance. The program is executed with the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM – ICPS), reinforcing DST's commitment to advancing technology and innovation.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   4 December

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Navy Day is celebrated in India each year on December 4. The day has a special place in every Indian's hearts, who celebrate the occasion with pride.


Navy Day History :

* The Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day on December 4, as remembrance for "Operation Trident" that was launched by the navy against Karachi Harbour during the India-Pakistan war in 1971.

* The operation was started in response to Pakistan's operation Chengiz Khan which was a preemptive airstrike against the Indian airbase. The navy replied through "Operation Trident" and later launched "Operation Cactus" and "Python".

* Additionally, the day is also celebrated in memory of the brave soldiers who lost their lives during the 1971 war.

Navy Day 2023 Theme :

The theme for 2023 Navy Day is "Operational Efficiency, Readiness, and Mission Accomplishment in the Maritime Domain".


Navy Day Significance :

Navy Day is a tribute to all the soldiers who have served or continue to serve the country. The day is an occasion to remember those who sacrificed their lives to protect India.

Correct Answer :   London

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In elections held at its assembly on Friday (1st Dec 2023) for the 2024–25 biennium, India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council with the highest tally.

India's re-election falls under the Category of 10 states with "the largest interest in international seaborne trade", alongside Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that regulates shipping, its headquarters is in London.  

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Ministry has made every possible effort under the leadership of PM Modi. We are delighted and humbled by the support of the international community at the International Maritime Organisation for India. The highest votes are indicative of the government's determination to strengthen India's varied contributions to international maritime operations.

India secured the large-scale support of the international community at the International Maritime Organisation for India to continue to serve the global maritime domain. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is the leading authority that regulates the maritime industry, which supports global trade, transportation, and all marine operations.

Indian delegation was led by Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and waterways Shri T.K Ramachandaran, with Members including DG Shipping Shri Shyam Jagannathan, officers of DGS, High Commission of India at London and industry representatives.

The council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the assembly, for supervising the work of the organization. Between sessions of the assembly, the council performs the functions of the assembly, except that of making recommendations to governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.

Under the MIV 2030 to enhance representation at IMO India aims at appointing permanent representatives at IMO London. With a view to enhance and garner maritime expertise for India, it is proposed that India should nominate at least 2 qualified candidates for the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program at the IMO. The JPO Program is an established program within the United Nations with the main objective of providing young professionals an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international cooperation under the supervision of specialists and to contribute to the advancement of their nation’s mandate.

The Amrik Kaal Vision 2047 has also set goals to strengthen India’s global maritime presence. There are 43 initiatives identified as part of Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 Action Plan of which, the key initiatives focus on strengthening our global maritime presence which includes dedicated IMO cell in India, appointment of a permanent representative at IMO headquarters, London, implementation of BIMSTEC Master Plan, creating a robust BIMSTEC institutional structure to ensure implementation of regional projects in a coordinated & timely manner etc..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Kanchan Devi

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Kanchan Devi, an IFS officer from the 1991 batch of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, was appointed as director general of Dehradun-based Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) on Friday (1st Dec 2023).

This marks a historic milestone, with Kanchan becoming the first woman officer to ascend to this esteemed position within the premier council operating under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.


A Trailblazer’s Journey: Kanchan Devi’s 30-Year Odyssey in Forestry :

Kanchan Devi brings to her new role an impressive track record of over 30 years in the realm of forestry. Her extensive expertise spans a myriad of aspects, including forest management, administration, education, human resource development, research, and extension. Having navigated the intricate tapestry of the forestry landscape, Kanchan has not only showcased her proficiency but has also paved the way for future generations of women in forestry.


Educator Extraordinaire: Contributions at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy :

Prior to her recent appointment, Kanchan served as a faculty member at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun. Her contributions to forestry education have been significant, shaping the minds of aspiring foresters. Beyond academia, Kanchan actively engaged in uplifting rural communities by implementing, analyzing, and recommending updates to prevailing forest policies.

ICFRE Stalwart: Kanchan’s Crucial Role as Deputy Director :

During her tenure at ICFRE, where she served as Deputy Director for the past four years, Kanchan played a pivotal role in advancing forestry education. Her responsibilities included accrediting courses, undertaking research studies on forest policies, and enhancing human resource development. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the functioning and progress of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.


The ICFRE: Nurturing India’s Forestry Landscape :

The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) stands as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India. With its headquarters in Dehradun, the ICFRE plays a crucial role in conducting forestry research, transferring developed technologies to states and user agencies, and imparting forestry education. Established in 1986 under the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests, ICFRE is the largest organization responsible for forestry research in India..

Source : Times of India