NATIONAL:
1. Geological Park
Why in news - The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has approved the setting up of India’s first geo park in Madhya Pradesh.
Key Points –
• Location - Lamheta village, Jabalpur (MP) on the banks of the Narmada river.
• Purpose - Protection and use of geological heritage.
• Dinosaur fossils had been found in the Bhedaghat-Lameta Ghat area, Jabalpur (Narmada valley).
• In 1828, the first dinosaur fossil was collected from the Lameta Bed by William Sleeman.
• Bhedaghat (Jabalpur) - Known for white marble rock formations.
2. H3N2 Virus
Why in news - India has recorded two deaths one each in Karnataka and Haryana due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus.
Key Points –
• Influenza viruses are of four different types: A, B, C and D.
• H3N2 caused the 1968 flu pandemic that led to the death of around 10 lakh people globally.
About the H3N2 Virus –
• Symptoms - cough, fever, body ache and headache, sore throat etc.
• Usual prey - Individuals below the age of 15 years or above 50 years of age.
• Oseltamivir - Antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B.
3. Vote Fest 2023
Why in news - Election Commission of India (ECI) inaugurated Vote Fest 2023 in Bengaluru.
Key Points –
• Aim - to create awareness on the election process.
• Also. inaugurated Electhon 2023 - A 30-hour hackathon for securing the electoral future.
• ECI song - Main Bharat Hoon, Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hai.
• Chief Election Commissioner - Rajiv Kumar.
4. Gold Deposits in Odisha
Why in news - Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found gold deposits in 3 districts of Odisha.
Key Points –
• 3 districts - Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
• 3 working gold mines in India –
(a) Hutti mines (Karnataka)
(b) Uti mines (Karnataka)
(c) Hirabuddini mines (Jharkhand).
• India’s gold annual consumption - 774 tonnes. (production - 1.6 tonnes).
• Gold often occurs in free elemental state (native state).
• Gold is found as placer deposits, nuggets or grains in rocks, veins, and alluvial deposits.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme
Why in news - Narayan Rane launched the scheme on March 10, 2023.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Aim – To make handholding and consulting more affordable for MSMEs who intend to reduce wastages in their manufacturing process.
• Subsidy limit increased to 90%. (earlier – 80%) on implementation cost of the consultant fees.
• Lean manufacturing techniques - Minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity.
• It would be done at 3 levels – basic, intermediate, and advanced.
• Completion of each stage will be verified through agencies like the National Productivity Council and Quality Council of India.
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. 5th World Air Quality Report
Why in news - 5th World Air Quality Report prepared by IQAir was released recently.
Key Points –
• It based on the annual average level of pollutant PM2.5 in air.
• The report makes a distinction between New Delhi and Delhi.
• Most polluted city in India – Bhiwadi (PM - 92.7) in Rajasthan.
• Most polluted metropolitan city - Delhi (PM - 92.6).
• Second most polluted capital city - New Delhi (89.1).
• Most polluted –
About IQAir –
• A Swiss air quality technology company.
• Based on PM2.5 data from 7,323 cities and 131 countries.
Air Quality Index (AQI) (2014) –
• By – Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (Central Pollution Control Board).
• Higher the AQI, the worse the air.
• 6 categories of AQI - ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (50-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (100-200), ‘Poor’ (200-300), ‘Very Poor’ (300-400), and ‘Severe’ (400-500).
• Pollutants measured – PM 2.5, PM 10, Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Lead (Pb) and Ammonia (NH3).
• Recommended by - IIT Kanpur.
• Graded Response Action Plan - Specifically instituted for emergency measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Vyas Samman 2022
Why in news – Dr. Gyan Chaturvedi to be honoured with the prestigious 32nd Vyas Samman 2022.
Key Points –
• For his book – Pagalkhana (mental asylum), a satirical novel.
• His first novel, Narak-Yatra (trip to hell) - Based on the education system of India’s medical science.
• The award was instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991.
SPORTS:
1. 38th National Games
Why in news – 38th National Games would be held in Uttarakhand in the year 2024.
Key Points –
• Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President - PT Usha.
BIHAR:
1. Book "Bihar - That Was...and Now”
Why in news – Honourable’ CM Nitish Kumar released the Coffee Table Book 'Bihar- That Was...and Now'.
Key Points –
• It is a collection of photographs showing Bihar in totality.
• By - Photographer and Padma Shri awardee Mr. Raghu Rai and his wife Mrs. Usha Rai.
POINTERS:
• Which Indian-American has been appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force - Ravi Chowdhary.
• Which country has opened its borders for tourists after three years of restrictions – China.
• Which state government has approved a 10% horizontal reservation for statehood activists in state govt jobs - Uttarakhand.
• RBI has tied up with which country's Central Bank to promote innovation in financial products - United Arab Emirates.
• According to the report of Swiss firm IQAir, which is the most polluted country in the world – Chad.
• India and the World Bank have signed loan agreements for the construction of the 'Green National Highway Corridor Project' in how many states – Four.
• Which app has won the prestigious 13 Aegis Graham Bell Award - Hello Ujjivan.
• Who has recently been selected for the Saraswati Samman 2022 – Shivshankari.
• Asia's largest international food and hospitality fair has started in which city – Delhi.
• The bird census at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary identified 161 new species. Where is Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary located – Kerala.