Practice Questions

• The total disbursal of loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the first quarter (Q1) of the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24 reached ₹81,597 crore.

• This represents a significant increase compared to the same period in the previous financial year, FY 2022-23, when the disbursal stood at ₹62,650 crore.

• On January 28, 2024, a significant political development occurred in Bihar with the appointment of two new Deputy Chief Ministers.

• Samrat Choudhary: He assumed the office of Deputy Chief Minister.

• Vijay Kumar Sinha: He also took charge as Deputy Chief Minister alongside Samrat Choudhary.

• The Valabhi style is a distinct sub-type within the broader Nagara school of North Indian temple architecture.

• Temples in this style are predominantly rectangular in plan.

• A key feature is the vaulted roof or wagon-vaulted roof that rises above the sanctum (garbhagriha). This is reminiscent of a barrel vault or a ship's hull.

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Awards and Sponsorships in India</h3>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Understanding Government-Sponsored Awards</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>Many Indian states offer awards to recognize achievements in various fields like art, literature, sports, and social service.</li>
<li>These awards are often sponsored by the respective state governments to promote culture and excellence within their boundaries.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Madhya Pradesh Government Awards</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>The Madhya Pradesh government sponsors several prestigious awards. Prominent among these include:<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li><b>Kalidas Samman:</b> Awarded for outstanding contribution in classical music, classical dance, theatre, and visual arts.</li>
<li><b>Tansen Samman:</b> Recognizes exceptional talent in Hindustani classical music.</li>
<li><b>Rani Lakshmibai Award:</b> Honors distinguished sportspersons from the state.</li>
<li><b>Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration:</b> Acknowledges efforts towards promoting national unity and integration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Awards NOT Sponsored by Madhya Pradesh</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li><b>Tagore Ratna:</b> This award is not directly sponsored by the Madhya Pradesh government. It is often associated with literary and cultural activities, and its sponsorship varies, sometimes involving national-level cultural organizations or private bodies, distinct from state-specific government initiatives like those in Madhya Pradesh. It's important to differentiate state-sponsored awards from national or private awards that may bear the name of national figures.</li>
<li>Other awards sponsored by different state governments or national bodies include the Sahitya Akademi Awards (sponsored by the Government of India), National Film Awards (organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India), and state-specific awards from states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, or West Bengal.</li>
</ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Norman Pritchard: The First Indian Olympian</h3>

<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
  <li><b>Norman Pritchard</b> is widely recognized as the <b>first Indian representative</b> to compete in the modern Olympic Games.</li>
  <li>He represented <b>India</b> at the <b>1900 Paris Olympics</b>.</li>
  <li>Pritchard participated in several track and field events, including the <b>200 meters sprint</b> and the <b>200 meters hurdles</b>.</li>
  <li>Remarkably, he won <b>two silver medals</b> in these events, although the IOC (International Olympic Committee) currently does not officially recognize these medals as being won for India, as the IOC's historical records are incomplete regarding his representation.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Background and Context:</h4>

<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
  <li>Born in <b>Calcutta (now Kolkata)</b>, British India, in 1877, Pritchard was of British descent but was an Indian national.</li>
  <li>He was a prominent athlete and actor during his time in India.</li>
  <li>His participation in the 1900 Olympics marked a significant, albeit sometimes overlooked, milestone for India's presence in international sports.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Olympic Significance:</h4>

<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
  <li>The 1900 Paris Games were the second modern Olympic Games.</li>
  <li>Pritchard's achievement, even if not officially attributed to India by the IOC today, highlights India's early engagement with the Olympic movement.</li>
  <li>Subsequent Indian Olympians and medalists have brought greater official recognition to the nation's sporting prowess on the global stage.</li>
</ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Bhu-Neer Portal Launch</h3><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>The <b>Bhu-Neer portal</b> was launched in September 2024.</li><li>This portal was introduced by Union Minister <b>CR Patil</b>.</li><li>This initiative falls under the purview of the <b>Ministry of Jal Shakti</b>.</li></ul><h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Significance and Functionality</h4><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>Bhu-Neer stands for <b>'Bhoomi Neer',</b> which translates to 'Land Water' in Hindi.</li><li>The portal aims to provide a centralized platform for managing and disseminating information related to water resources and land use planning in India.</li><li>It is expected to integrate data from various government departments and agencies to facilitate informed decision-making for sustainable water management and agricultural practices.</li><li>This is particularly crucial for India, a nation heavily reliant on agriculture and facing increasing water scarcity challenges.</li></ul><h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">About the Minister</h4><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>CR Patil is a prominent leader from Gujarat.</li><li>He holds the portfolio of Minister of Jal Shakti at the time of the portal's launch.</li><li>His ministry plays a vital role in the country's water conservation and management efforts.</li></ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Annpurna Devi Yadav: Union Minister of Women and Child Development</h3>

<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
  <li>In June 2024, <b>Annpurna Devi Yadav</b> was appointed as the Union Minister of Women and Child Development in the Government of India.</li>
  <li>This appointment comes after the general elections held in India.</li>
  <li>She represents the Koderma constituency in Jharkhand in the Lok Sabha.</li>
  <li>Prior to this, she served as the Minister of State for Education in the previous government.</li>
  <li>The Ministry of Women and Child Development is a branch of the Government of India responsible for formulating and implementing policies and programs related to women and children.</li>
  <li>Key areas of focus for the ministry include child protection, women's empowerment, nutrition, and overall development of women and children.</li>
  <li>Annpurna Devi Yadav's role involves overseeing these critical aspects of social development in India.</li>
</ul>

<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Background and Political Career</h4>

<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
  <li>Annpurna Devi has a long-standing career in politics, having been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Bihar prior to her national political career.</li>
  <li>She has been associated with various political parties, eventually joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</li>
  <li>Her political journey reflects a significant presence in both state and national politics, focusing on issues pertinent to her constituents and the nation.</li>
</ul>

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