The correct answer is Shubman Gill

In News

• Shubman Gill has been appointed as a "state icon" for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab by the Chief Electoral Officer.
• The appointment aims to boost voter awareness and achieve a turnout of 70 percent, referred to as "Is Vaar 70 Paar."
• Gill, a resident of Punjab, is popular among the youth and will engage in campaigns to increase voter participation, especially in areas with historically low turnout.
• Previously, Punjabi singer Tarsem Jassar had been selected as a 'state icon' and was involved in similar campaigns aimed at increasing voter turnout.

The correct answer is Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In News

• Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the Chief Guest at the 9th Raisina Dialogue, 2024.

Key Points

• He is visiting India on a State visit, accompanied by senior officials and a business delegation.
• Mitsotakis will deliver the keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
• This marks the first bilateral Head of State/Government level visit from Greece to India in 15 years.
• The visit aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Greece.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host bilateral discussions and a lunch banquet in honor of Mitsotakis.

Additional Information

• The Raisina Dialogue is an annual multilateral conference held in New Delhi, India, since 2016.
• It serves as India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, organized by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The conference attracts a diverse array of global policymakers, including heads of states, cabinet ministers, local government officials, private sector executives, media, and academia.
• Named after Raisina Hill, an elevation in New Delhi housing the Government of India and the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidential Palace of India.

The correct answer is INDUS-X.

In News

• The much-anticipated INDUS-X Summit is scheduled to be held on February 20-21, 2024 in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts between India and the United States in defence innovation.

Key Points

• The India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was officially launched on 21 June, 2023 at an event held in Washington DC.
• The initiative aims to foster collaboration and innovation between Indian and US defence startups, promoting technological advancements in the sector.
• Co-organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence (DoD), the two-day INDUS X event brought together government representatives, defence industry leaders, think tanks, investors, and start-ups from both countries.
• The event featured a joint showcasing of innovative technologies by 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups, spanning multiple domains such as maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space.

Additional Information

• LEMOA:
  • LEMOA stands for Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.
  • It is an agreement signed between the United States of America and India in 2016.
    LEMOA facilitates logistical support, supplies, and services between the armed forces of both countries during authorized port visits, joint exercises, and humanitarian missions.
• COMCASA:
  • COMCASA stands for Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement.
    It is an agreement signed between the United States of America and India in 2018.
    COMCASA facilitates secure and interoperable communication systems between the armed forces of both countries.

The correct answer is Chandigarh

In News

• The 11th International Puppet Festival hosted, showcasing a blend of cultural heritage and artistic innovation hosted in Chandigarh.

Key Points

• The 11th International Puppet Festival took place in Chandigarh at Tagore Theatre.
• The event was inaugurated by Punjab Governor and Administrator of Union Territory Chandigarh, Banwarilal Purohit, alongside other dignitaries.
• The festival celebrated the rich legacy of puppetry and its enduring appeal across different ages.
• The festival commenced with a performance by the Novosibirsk Regional Puppet Theatre from Russia, presenting the renowned puppet show “Petrushka.”

The correct answer is Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances. In News

• World Day of Social Justice is observed annually on February 20th.

Key Points

• It aims to promote social justice and ensure equal opportunities for all.
• The theme for World Day of Social Justice 2024 is "Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances."
• This theme highlights collaboration and partnerships to address global challenges.
• It emphasizes promoting social inclusion, cohesion, and combating discrimination and inequality.
• It serves as an opportunity to reflect on progress made and identify remaining challenges.
• The history of the day dates back to the Copenhagen Summit for Social Development in 1995.
• The Copenhagen Declaration and Program of Action called for ending poverty, unemployment, and discrimination.
• The United Nations General Assembly declared the World Day of Social Justice in 2007.

The correct answer is 3000m

In News

•  Gulveer Singh Wins 3000m Gold In Asian Indoor Championships.

Key Points

• Gulveer Singh secured India's fourth gold medal in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships by winning the 3000m final race.
• He clocked a time of 8 minutes and 7.48 seconds to clinch the gold medal in the non-Olympic athletics event.
• Keneshbekov Nursultan from Kyrgyzstan and Jalil Naseri from Iran took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
• India ended the championships with a total of four gold medals and one silver medal.
• Ace shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, and Harmilan Bains (1500m) had also secured gold medals on the first day of competitions, with Toor and Yarraji breaking their own national records.
• In the previous edition in Astana, Kazakhstan, India had won one gold, six silver, and one bronze medal.

The correct statements are All of the above.In News

• Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2023 has been unveiled.

Key Points

• The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2023 indicates a global trend of democratic stagnation and regression.
• In 2023, 7.8% of the world's population lived in "full democracies," while 37.6% in 50 countries in a “flawed democracy.”
• 15.2% in 34 countries in a “hybrid regime”, and 39.4% in 59 countries in an “authoritarian regime”.
• Greece moved up to a "full democracy" status, while Chile dropped to a "flawed democracy."
• Western Europe improved its average score, becoming the highest-ranked region, surpassing North America.
• The Middle East and North Africa experienced a decline in democracy, as did Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Latin America and the Caribbean saw the eighth consecutive year of democratic decline.
• Central America faced significant regression, with exceptions like Costa Rica maintaining a high democracy score.
• Asia and Australasia witnessed a decrease in average score, as did Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Additional Information

• The report discusses the relationship between peace and democracy, advocating for the promotion of democracy to achieve global peace.
• It also highlights the destabilizing effects of rising conflicts driven by geopolitical dynamics.
• The report emphasizes the need for reform in the international political system, urging powerful states to relinquish their dominance.
• EIU's Democracy Index evaluates countries based on electoral processes, civil liberties, government functioning, political participation, and political culture.

The correct answer is Odisha. In News

• The Odisha government has initiated the 'Odisha Inclusive Urban Sanitation Policy 2024' to ensure inclusive, equitable, safe, and sustainable sanitation services for all.

Key Points

• The policy aims to integrate the sanitation value chain with modern concepts like circular economy, community partnership, and disaster resilience.
• It was notified by the Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha.
• The policy reflects the state's commitment to increase citizens' access to sanitation infrastructure and services across cities and towns.
• Odisha has undertaken numerous urban sanitation initiatives as part of its Swachh Odisha, Sustha Odisha movement, with a focus on improving infrastructure and enhancing service delivery.
• The policy aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 on sanitation and hygiene and emphasizes the human right to sanitation.