ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: A

• A fresh round of excavations at the site of Delhi’s Purana Qila or Old Fort has uncovered evidence of the continuous history of the city since the pre-Mauryan era.
• Findings include
  • shards of Painted Gray Ware pottery which are usually dated to around 1200 BC to 600 BC.
  • remains of a 900-year-old Vaikuntha Vishnu from the Rajput period,
  • a terracotta plaque of Goddess Gaja Lakshmi from the Gupta period,
  • the structural remains of a 2,500-year-old terracotta ring well from the Mauryan period, and
  • a well-defined four-room complex from the Sunga-Kushan period dating back to 2,300 years ago, besides beads, seals, copper coins and a bone needle.
• The excavations have revealed nine cultural levels, representing different historical periods, including pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, post-Gupta, Rajput, Sultanate, and Mughal.

About Purana Qila

• It is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and built on the banks of river Yamuna.
• It is believed by many to be the site of Indraprastha, as mentioned in the Mahabharat.
• The present citadel at Purana Qila started its construction in the reign of Humayun and was completed by Sher Shah Suri.
• The Qila was inspired by Jama Masjid, which was established 15 years before the reconstruction of Qila.
• It is rectangular in shape and is spread over an area of 1.5 kilometers.
• Another amazing feature of the Purana Qila are the three gates that are a display of a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture.
  • Bara Darwaza,
  • Humayun Gate, and
  • the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to as the forbidden gate.
  • All of the gates are double-storeyed and comprise of huge semi-circular bastions flanking either of their sides.
• Purana Qila Complex also includes
  • Qila-e-Kuhna mosque– built by Sher Shah, it reflects a transitional stage between architecture of Lodhis and Mughals.
  • Sher Mandal– Built by Sher Shah, an octagonal structure built in red sandstone and decorated with white and black marble inlay.
    • Humayun made it into a library and died after falling from the steps of this structure.

ANSWER: D

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently rolled out its 2023-27 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for India that identifies accelerating structural transformation and job creation, promoting climate-resilient growth, and deepening social and economic inclusiveness as key focus areas.
• ADB projects India to grow at 6.4% in FY24.
• As of December 2022, ADB had committed $52.6 billion in public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance in India, as well as $8 billion in private sector investments.

ABOUT ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) was established in the year 1966.
• This bank was modelled on the lines of the World Bank.
• HQ- Manila , Philippines
• It assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
• Members: 68 members—of which 49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside
• Japan holds the largest share in ADB with 15.677%, followed by U.S.A (15.567%), China (6.473%), and India (5.812%).

ANSWER: C

• A recent research found that flavanol deficiency is a key driver of aging memory loss.
• Researchers have found that flavanols improved memory by acting selectively on dentate gyrus– an area within brain’s hippocampus, which is vital for memory.
• Flavonols are a major class of flavonoids, molecules that have interesting biological activity such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatation effect.
• They have also been considered as potential anticancer agents.
• Foods that contain a high amount of flavonols include apples, blackberries, peaches, tomatoes, onions and dark chocolate.
• Flavonols can also lower the chances of frailty.
  • Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that can lead to a greater risk of hospitalization, disability, falls, fractures, and mortality.

ANSWER: D

• Minister of Finance reviewed activities of National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT).

ABOUT NICDIT

• NICDIT is an apex body under Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)for coordinated and unified development of several industrial corridors including: Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor, Bengaluru Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
• It was constituted in 2016.

ANSWER: A

TURKEY

• The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been relected in the recent election following a tense run-off.
• Erdogan received 52.14% of votes, beating his rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who won 47.86%.
• Erdogan is set to extend his rule by another five years, joining the likes of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who served for 15 years.

NIGERIA

• Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the President of Nigeria recently, amidst mounting pressure to address the country’s persistent economic and security issues.
• The inauguration ceremony was held at Eagles Square in the capital city of Abuja.

ANSWER: C

• Praveen Kumar Srivastava, a retired 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been officially sworn in as the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
• President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Srivastava.
• He had been serving as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner since December, following the completion of Suresh N Patel’s tenure as the chief of the probity watchdog.

ANSWER: D

• With the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) simplifying the process for grant of heliport licence, the Himachal Pradesh Government is planning to set up one in Chandigarh connecting all heliports in the hill state.
• The Chandigarh heliport, said sources, would serve as a base for all heliports in Himachal.
• The move is expected to boost tourism, the mainstay of the state’s economy.
• The government would also set up heliports in all 12 districts and upgrade facilities in the districts that already had one, said an official.
• Currently the state has only three airports at Bhuntar (Kullu), Gaggal (Kangra) and Jubbarhatti (near Shimla).