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CLAT 2025: GK Master Class January to June | Complete Your CLAT GK Backlog | CLAT 2025 Preparation

Law Prep Tutorial - CLAT, AILET & Other Law Exams・141 minutes read

The instructor emphasizes the importance of participating in the General Knowledge class for the CLAT exam, highlighting past successes and focusing on key topics such as India's satellite missions and the Finance Commission's roles and responsibilities. The session encourages active engagement with the material to improve understanding and retention, underscoring the significance of recent developments in Indian space exploration and governance for upcoming exams.

Insights

  • The instructor emphasized the importance of attentiveness in the General Knowledge (GK) class for the CLAT exam, highlighting that previous sessions significantly aided students' success in the last exam.
  • The session will focus on key topics from January to June as part of the preparation for the upcoming CLAT exam on December 1st, with an emphasis on active engagement rather than relying solely on provided materials.
  • The first topic discussed was India's launch of the Expo Set satellite by ISRO on January 1, 2024, which aims to study celestial phenomena and is significant as India's first satellite dedicated to X-ray polarimetry.
  • The Aditya Elev mission, launched to observe the Sun, reached its Lagrange point on January 6, 2024, and highlights the importance of understanding astronomical distances and the concept of Helio Physics in preparation for the exam.
  • The instructor noted that students will have limited time to answer questions during the exam, stressing the importance of time management and readiness to tackle any topic, including specifics about the Aditya Elev mission.
  • The text provided historical context about the Finance Commission of India, detailing its role in revenue distribution and the political implications of special category status for states, which has been a point of contention among various regions.
  • The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, has been awarded to significant figures, with recent controversies surrounding its recipients, showcasing the political dynamics and public interest in such awards.
  • The Indus Water Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan, governs water distribution from the Indus River system and is currently under scrutiny due to ongoing construction projects that affect water flow, highlighting the complexities of resource management between the two nations.
  • The Gaganyaan mission, aimed at sending humans into space by 2025, represents a significant milestone for India's space program, with a focus on indigenous technology and the involvement of selected Indian astronauts in the upcoming mission.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Green Revolution in India?

    The Green Revolution in India refers to a period of significant agricultural transformation that began in the 1960s, primarily aimed at increasing food production to combat hunger and improve food security. Initiated under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it involved the introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds, the use of chemical fertilizers, and the adoption of advanced irrigation techniques. Punjab emerged as a key region for this movement, benefiting from these innovations and becoming a major agricultural hub. The Green Revolution not only enhanced crop productivity but also led to socio-economic changes in rural areas, although it also raised concerns about environmental sustainability and the equitable distribution of resources. M.S. Swaminathan, known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India, played a pivotal role in this transformation, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices alongside increased productivity.

  • How does the Indus Water Treaty work?

    The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, is a crucial agreement that governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system, which includes six rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Under the treaty, India has unrestricted use of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) while Pakistan has rights to the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab). India can utilize the western rivers for specific purposes such as power generation and irrigation but is prohibited from constructing storage reservoirs that would impede the flow of water to Pakistan. The treaty was established to manage water resources following the partition of India in 1947, and it aims to prevent disputes over water access. However, ongoing projects in India, such as the construction of dams, have raised concerns in Pakistan, leading to calls for negotiations and adherence to the treaty's terms.

  • What is the Bharat Ratna award?

    The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, established in 1954, to recognize exceptional service and contributions to the nation in various fields, including arts, literature, science, and public service. The award is conferred by the President of India and has been awarded to numerous distinguished individuals, including political leaders, social reformers, and cultural icons. Notably, the award has sparked political discussions and controversies, particularly regarding the selection of recipients and the omission of other significant figures. The Bharat Ratna is often seen as a symbol of national honor, and its presentation is a significant event in Indian democracy. The award has evolved over the years, with the last recipients announced in 2019, and it is set to be presented again in 2024, generating public interest and anticipation.

  • What is the purpose of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act?

    The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, established in 2013, aims to create an anti-corruption authority in India to address corruption allegations against public officials, including the Prime Minister and Union Ministers. The Lokpal operates at the national level, while each state is required to establish its own Lokayukta. The Act empowers these bodies to conduct independent investigations into corruption cases, promoting transparency and accountability in governance. The Lokpal consists of a chairman and members, including judicial and non-judicial representatives, appointed by the President of India. The establishment of the Lokpal is a significant step towards combating corruption in India, reflecting the public demand for greater integrity in public service and governance.

  • What is the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?

    The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a legal framework in India aimed at creating a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion. The UCC is based on Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution, advocating for equality and justice in civil matters. Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass the UCC bill, which was signed into law after extensive consultations with the public. The UCC seeks to address disparities in family law that currently vary by religion, promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of individuals in personal matters. The introduction of the UCC has been a topic of significant debate in India, reflecting the complexities of balancing cultural diversity with the need for uniform legal standards.

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Summary

00:00

General Knowledge Preparation for CLAT Exam

  • The session begins with the instructor confirming audio and visual clarity for the participants, emphasizing the importance of attentiveness during the class focused on General Knowledge (GK) for the CLAT exam.
  • The instructor highlights the success of previous GK Master Classes, stating that they significantly benefited students in last year's CLAT exam, and encourages participation in the current session.
  • The class will cover important topics from January to June, with a focus on preparing for the CLAT exam scheduled for December 1st, and students are advised to pay close attention to the material presented.
  • A PDF of the lecture will be provided, but it is emphasized that the primary goal of the live session is to engage with the content actively rather than relying solely on the PDF.
  • The first topic discussed is the launch of India's first satellite, Expo Set, by ISRO on January 1, 2024, which is designed for X-ray polarimetry and has a mission duration of five years.
  • Expo Set was launched using the PSLV C58 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, with a launch mass of 480 kg, and it aims to study celestial bodies such as black holes and neutron stars.
  • The instructor explains that Expo Set is significant as it is India's first satellite of its kind, and compares it to NASA's previous mission, Xpay, which was launched on December 9, 2021, to study X-ray polarization.
  • The second mission discussed is Aditya Elv, India's first solar observation satellite, launched to study the Sun, which reached its Lagrange point (A1) on January 6, 2024, after a month of travel.
  • The distance between the Sun and Earth is noted to be approximately 93 million miles (about 150 million kilometers), and the study of the Sun is referred to as Helio Physics.
  • The instructor encourages students to actively participate and answer questions during the session, reinforcing the importance of understanding the material for exam preparation.

17:58

Aditya Elev Mission Exam Preparation Guide

  • The Aditya Elev Satellite exam preparation requires careful attention to potential questions, including those about General Dyer and the specifics of the exam format, emphasizing the need for readiness to tackle any topic without a consortium limit on questions.
  • Students will have approximately 8.16 minutes to answer questions during the exam, with a maximum of 8.20 minutes allowed to view the correct answers, highlighting the importance of time management.
  • The Aditya Elev Mission was launched in September 2023 and is expected to arrive at its destination on January 6, 2024, after a four-month journey, emphasizing the significance of remembering key dates in the study material.
  • The distance from Earth to the Sun is 93 million miles, which translates to approximately 1.5 million kilometers, and the distance from the Earth to the Elev point is also 1 million miles, underscoring the importance of understanding astronomical distances.
  • The Chandrayaan 3 mission utilized gravitational displacement force to minimize fuel consumption, and it successfully landed on the Moon's South Pole in 40 days, demonstrating the efficiency of space travel techniques.
  • The Aditya Elev Mission has a total launch mass of 1,475 kg and was launched using the PSLV rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, with the specific launch vehicle being Expo Set 58.
  • The mission aims to study the Sun, specifically its outermost layer called the corona, due to increasing temperatures and solar storms, which is crucial for understanding solar physics.
  • The study of the Sun is referred to as Helio Physics, while the study of the Moon is called Selenology, both of which are important terminologies to remember for the exam.
  • The Aditya Elev Mission was a collaborative effort involving four institutions: ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), Indian Institute of Astrophysics (Bengaluru), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (Mumbai), and Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (Pune).
  • The first mission to study the Sun was the Soho Mission, launched by NASA in December 1995, with a total mass of 1,850 kg, serving as a historical reference for the Aditya Elev Mission.

34:42

Milestones in Global Space Exploration Efforts

  • NASA launched the world's first Avon satellite from Florida to study the Sun, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
  • There are two types of orbits around Earth: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is approximately 1,000 kilometers from the Earth's surface, and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), which is used for navigation and communication satellites.
  • The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was established on August 15, 1969, following the Indian National Committee for Space Research, which was formed in 1962.
  • ISRO's headquarters is located in Bangalore, and its primary launch site is the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sri Harikota, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The current chairman of ISRO is S. Somnath, who is the 10th chairman, while Vikram Sarabhai, the first chairman, is recognized as the father of the Indian space program.
  • The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) was established in 1958, merging three previous institutions, and operates under the Ministry of Defense, with its headquarters in New Delhi.
  • The first chairman of DRDO was D.S. Kothari, and the organization collaborates with ISRO on projects like Gaganyaan.
  • The Department of Space, which was separated from the Department of Atomic Energy in 1972, is governed directly by the Prime Minister of India, with Jitendra Singh as the current deputy head.
  • The Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, established in 1963, is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and is currently chaired by S. Unni Krishnan Nair.
  • The 16th Finance Commission, established in 2023 and chaired by Arvind Panagariya, will operate from 2025 to 2030, focusing on the distribution of tax revenues between the central and state governments as outlined in Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.

51:43

India's 16th Finance Commission Overview

  • The 16th Finance Commission, established in New Delhi, is chaired by Arvind Panagariya, who previously served as the vice chairman of NITI Aayog, an organization created to replace the Planning Commission in India.
  • The Finance Commission operates under the Ministry of Finance, currently led by Nirmala Sitharaman, who has presented her seventh consecutive budget since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
  • The Finance Commission's headquarters is located in New Delhi, and it is responsible for advising on the distribution of tax revenues between the central and state governments, as well as addressing financial losses.
  • The first Finance Commission was established in 1952, with Shitij Chandra Niyogi as its chairman, and its tenure lasts for five years.
  • The 15th Finance Commission, chaired by NK Singh, was established in 2017, and it recommended a revenue-sharing formula of 41% for the central government and 59% for the states.
  • The Finance Commission also advises the government on which states should receive special category status, a designation that provides certain financial benefits and is based on criteria established by the Gadgil formula.
  • States eligible for special category status must meet specific conditions, including difficult terrain, low population density, and a significant tribal population.
  • The Finance Commission's recommendations are submitted to the President of India and the Parliament, but the government is not obligated to implement them.
  • The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, has formed alliances with regional parties, impacting the distribution of special category status among states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
  • India shares its borders with seven countries, and states located along these borders may also be considered for special category status based on their strategic location.

01:09:49

Memorizing India's Borders and Development Policies

  • The text discusses a mnemonic technique to remember the countries bordering India, emphasizing the sequence based on the length of the borders, starting with Bangladesh, followed by China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.
  • The longest border India shares is with Bangladesh, measuring 4,096 kilometers, while the shortest border is with Afghanistan, which is only 108 kilometers long.
  • The concept of Special Category Status (SCS) for economically backward states in India was introduced in 1969, with the first three states to receive this status being Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, and Nagaland.
  • The Finance Commission, which recommends the allocation of funds to states, was first established in 1948, with KC Niyogi serving as its first chairman.
  • The Planning Commission was formed in 1950 on the recommendation of KC Niyogi, with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as its first chairman and Gulzari Lal Nanda as the vice chairman.
  • The Planning Commission was responsible for drafting various development plans, including Five-Year Plans, but faced challenges in implementation due to lack of state involvement in the planning process.
  • The National Development Council (NDC) was established on August 6, 1952, to facilitate cooperation between the central and state governments in planning and development.
  • The NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015, with the Prime Minister serving as its chairman and Suman Kumar Berry as the current vice chairman.
  • A total of 11 states in India currently hold Special Category Status, including Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Telangana.
  • The text highlights the ongoing discussions and demands from various states for Special Category Status, particularly from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, indicating the political implications of such designations.

01:26:51

Fund Allocation and Bharat Ratna Awards Update

  • A separate store has been established for managing funds allocated to states, with a significant amount of financial resources available for distribution, including grants and loans from the central government.
  • States classified under special category status receive various benefits, including non-repayable grants, with the central government providing 10% assistance, while normal states receive a 30% grant and a 70% loan.
  • Special category states are eligible for specific project assistance and tax concessions, aimed at supporting economically backward regions with inadequate infrastructure.
  • The allocation of funds has shifted from being based on the 1971 population census to the 2011 census, resulting in increased financial support for states as determined by the Finance Commission.
  • The Finance Commission's 15th report allocates funds to states based on the updated population data, impacting the distribution of central government resources.
  • The Bharat Ratna award, India's highest civilian honor, was last awarded in 2019 and is set to be presented again in 2024, with significant public interest and potential exam relevance.
  • The recent Bharat Ratna awards were announced for two prominent figures: Karpuri Thakur, a notable political leader from Bihar, and Lal Krishna Advani, a founding member of the BJP.
  • The award has sparked political controversy, particularly regarding the omission of other significant figures, including Congress leaders and influential politicians from various parties.
  • The Bharat Ratna was established in 1954 and is the highest civilian award in India, followed by the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards, which were also initiated in the same year.
  • The current President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is the first tribal woman to hold the position, and the award's presentation is traditionally made by the President, emphasizing its significance in Indian democracy.

01:42:24

Key Milestones in India's Political and Agricultural History

  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was established 5 years before it formed a government, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee serving as Prime Minister for 13 days during its early years, while Lal Krishna Advani was the Deputy Prime Minister at that time, marking the last instance of this role in India until now.
  • The Green Revolution in India, initiated in 1966-67 under Indira Gandhi, primarily took root in Punjab, which is currently advocating for Minimum Support Price (MSP) from the government, indicating its ongoing agricultural significance.
  • M.S. Swaminathan, known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India, was born in 1925 and passed away on September 28, 2023. He served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2007 to 2013, nominated by the President, and was awarded several honors including the Padma Shri in 1967 and the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971.
  • The World Food Prize, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Agriculture, was awarded to M.S. Swaminathan, making him the first Indian to receive this honor, alongside the Padma Vibhushan in 1989, recognizing his contributions to agriculture globally.
  • Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India, served for one month in 1979 and is celebrated as the "Messiah of Farmers" for his significant land reforms, with his birth anniversary on December 23rd recognized as National Farmers Day.
  • P.V. Narasimha Rao, known as the Father of Liberalization in India, was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and introduced the LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization) policy in 1991, which stabilized and boosted India's economy, making it the fifth largest globally with a GDP of $3.757 trillion.
  • The youngest recipient of the Bharat Ratna award was Sachin Tendulkar, who received it at age 40 in 2014, while Indira Gandhi was the first woman to receive this honor in 1971, and Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister to be awarded in 1955.
  • Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India to receive the Bharat Ratna, and Lal Bahadur Shastri was the first posthumous recipient of this award, which was awarded to his family after his death in 1966.
  • The first foreign recipient of the Bharat Ratna was Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in 1987, followed by Nelson Mandela in 1990, with Nelson Mandela International Day celebrated on July 18th each year.
  • The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, is currently under scrutiny due to the construction of the Shahpur Kandi Dam on the Ravi River, which is part of the five rivers that give Punjab its name, highlighting ongoing water resource management issues between the two nations.

01:59:33

Shahpur Kandi Dam Sparks India Pakistan Water Dispute

  • The Shahpur Kandi Dam is currently under construction on the Ravi River, which is significant for irrigation in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, as it will provide water to farmers in these regions.
  • The construction of the dam has led to disputes with Pakistan, as it restricts the flow of water that previously went from India to Pakistan, impacting the latter's access to this vital resource.
  • The Indus Water Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan, governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system, which includes six rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
  • Under the treaty, India has unrestricted use of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) while Pakistan has rights to the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab), which India can only use for specific purposes like power generation and irrigation, but not for storage.
  • The historical context of the treaty dates back to the partition of India in 1947, when the British divided the subcontinent, leading to territorial disputes and the eventual signing of the treaty to manage water resources.
  • The Radcliffe Line, established during the partition, demarcated the borders between India and Pakistan, leading to further disputes over territories, including the region of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Instrument of Accession, signed by Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir on October 26, 1947, allowed the region to join India, but this was contested by Pakistan, leading to military conflicts and territorial claims.
  • The construction of the Shahpur Kandi Dam has raised concerns in Pakistan, which views it as a violation of the Indus Water Treaty, prompting calls for negotiations and intervention from international bodies like the World Bank.
  • The treaty allows India to use water from the western rivers for transportation, power generation, and irrigation, but prohibits the construction of reservoirs that would impede the flow of water to Pakistan.
  • Ongoing projects in India, such as the Kiru Power Project and others, have been met with objections from Pakistan, which claims that these developments threaten its water supply and violate the terms of the Indus Water Treaty.

02:16:52

India's Ambitious Projects in Energy and Space

  • The Ravi River project involves the construction of a dam on the Ravi River, aimed at enhancing power generation and irrigation in the Punjab region, particularly near the border of Kashmir and Punjab, with an installed capacity of 206 MW.
  • The construction of the dam began in 2014, and while significant funds have been allocated, the project is nearing completion but has not yet fully utilized its budget.
  • The Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight program, is set to launch its crewed mission in 2025, following a successful test flight on October 21, 2023, which was a blank flight.
  • The mission will consist of three phases, with the first phase already completed, and the second phase scheduled for 2024, which will involve a robotic test flight using a humanoid robot named Vyam Mitra.
  • Vyam Mitra, designed by the Indian Institute of Science in collaboration with ISRO, is a half-humanoid robot that will provide data on space weather during the mission.
  • The four Indian astronauts, referred to as "Vyam Nuts," selected for the Gaganyaan mission are Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angat Pratap, and Wing Commander Subhamrabh.
  • The Gaganyaan mission is a fully indigenous project, with a launch mass of 3735 kg, and will utilize the GSLV MK3 rocket developed by ISRO and DRDO.
  • India aims to become the fourth country to send humans into space, following the USA, Russia, and China, with the first human spaceflight occurring in 2025.
  • The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, established in 2013, created an anti-corruption authority in India, with Ajay Manikrao Khanvilkar recently appointed as the chairman, overseeing a nine-member body including judicial and non-judicial members.
  • Transparency International's report indicates India's corruption ranking, and the organization monitors corruption levels globally, with Anti-Corruption Day observed annually to raise awareness about corruption issues.

02:32:53

India's Anti-Corruption and Missile Advancements

  • Anti-Corruption Day is observed on December 9th, while Navy Day is celebrated on December 4th in India.
  • The Anti-Corruption Authority is a multi-member body consisting of a chairman and eight members, including a former Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge.
  • The tenure for the chairman and members of the Anti-Corruption Authority is either five years or until the age of 70, whichever comes first.
  • Members of the Anti-Corruption Authority are appointed by the President of India, with the current chairman being Ajay Manik Rao Khanwalkar, appointed in 2019.
  • The concept of the Ombudsman originated in Sweden in 1809, and India first proposed the Ombudsman system in 1960, leading to the introduction of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill in 1968.
  • The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act was passed in 2013, establishing the Lokpal at the national level and requiring each state to establish a Lokayukta.
  • Maharashtra was the first state to introduce the Lokayukta system in 1971, with the first Lokayukta established on October 25, 1972.
  • The Lokpal and Lokayukta have the authority to conduct independent investigations into corruption allegations against public officials, including the Prime Minister and Union Ministers.
  • Mission Divyastra, launched by DRDO, involves advanced missile technology known as Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV), allowing a single missile to carry multiple warheads.
  • The Agni-5 missile, utilizing MIRV technology, has an operational range of 5,500 to 5,800 kilometers and was tested from Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal, marking India's sixth position globally in MIRV technology development.

02:49:51

India's Missile Development and Uniform Civil Code

  • Trishul is a surface-to-air missile with a range of 9 kilometers, designed for short-range ballistic missile applications.
  • The Nag missile, an Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), has a range of 4 to 7 kilometers and can target enemy tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets.
  • The Aakash Prime missile is a surface-to-air anti-ballistic missile with a range starting from 30 kilometers, developed under India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program initiated in 1983.
  • Abdul Kalam Island, also known as Wheeler Island, and the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, are key locations for missile testing in India.
  • The ITR was established in 1982 and is operated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), located in Balasore, Odisha.
  • The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a significant legal topic in India, aiming to create a common set of laws governing personal matters for all citizens, regardless of religion.
  • Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass the UCC bill, which was signed into law by the governor after being approved by the state assembly.
  • The UCC is based on Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution, advocating for a uniform law for all citizens in civil matters.
  • The UCC aims to address disparities in family law, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance, which currently vary by religion, and it includes provisions for live-in relationships.
  • A high-level committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai drafted the UCC bill, which underwent extensive consultation, receiving feedback from over 60,000 people before its passage in the Uttarakhand assembly.

03:07:28

Audience Enthusiasm and Speaker's Gratitude

  • There was a lot of enthusiasm and a very good response from the audience.
  • The speaker expressed gratitude by saying "thank you everyone."
  • The speaker wished everyone a nice day.
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