GK & Current Affairs – December 25, 26, 2015

1. Which of the following companies has launched contactless digital payment wallet – MoboMoney?
[A]Vodafone
[B]Paytm
[C]Tech Mahindra
[D]Airtel
Answer: Tech Mahindra
Tech Mahindra has launched the ‘MoboMoney’, a first of its kind ‘Tap N Pay’ contactless digital payment solution for the Indian masses. MoboMoney is a prepaid wallet issued in the form of a NFC (Near Field Communication) contactless tag that could be used to ‘Tap N Pay’ for goods and services. Termed as India’s first commercial NFC ecosystem rollout, MoboMoney allows consumers to load their wallet by paying cash at its 1000+ retail network, helping convert cash into e-cash.
2. On which date, National Good Governance day is observed in India?
[A]September 15
[B]October 21
[C]December 16
[D]December 25
Answer: December 25
India observed its second National Good governance day on December 25, 2015 to create awareness among the Indian people of accountability in government. On this occasion, the Union Health ministry has launched four information technology driven initiatives to mark good governance day. The initiatives include IT-based programmes focused on maternal and child care, tobacco control and tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment. National Good governance day was established in 2014 to observe the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
3. Korada Ramana is related to which of the following sports?
[A]Chess
[B]Badminton
[C]Weightlifting
[D]Cricket
Answer: Weightlifting
Recently, Korada Ramana bagged gold medals in the men’s 56kg categories in the Senior National Weightlifting Championships at the SAI centre in Patiala. Apart from him, Sanjita Chanu has also won gold in the women’s 48 kg in the championship.
4. Rosneft oil company is from which of the following countries?
[A]Australia
[B]Russia
[C]Canada
[D]USA
Answer: Russia
Recently, the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russian National Oil company Rosneft for cooperation in geologic survey, exploration and production of hydrocarbons in select onshore areas in Russia. As per the MoU, all three oil companies are agreed to examine the possibility of cooperation in respect of the Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha LLC assets in East Serbia. ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL)is in talks to raise its stake in Russia’s second biggest oilfield of Vankor.
5. Which of the following has declared ‘Cow’ as Personality of the Year 2015?
[A]Facebook
[B]Google
[C]Yahoo India
[D]Microsoft
Answer: Yahoo India
Search engine Yahoo said that ‘Cow’ has emerged as the ‘Personality of the Year 2015’ on the back of online buzz around beef ban and associated discussions on intolerance. The trend is a part of Yahoo’s 2015 Year in Review (YIR) for India. It is a look at the year’s top trends, happenings and events.
6. Sadhana Shivdasani, who passed away recently, was related to which of the following fields?
[A]Politician
[B]Journalist
[C]Scholar
[D]Actress
Answer: Actress
Veteran Bollywood actress and style icon, Sadhana Shivdasani (74) passed away on December 25, 2015 at Mumbai, Maharashtra. The legendary actress introduced the fringe hairstyle in the Indian film industry, which was famously known as Sadhana cut. She was known for films like Mera Saaya,, Love in Simla, Parakh, Hum Dono, Waqt, Geeta Mera Naam, Who Kaun Thi, Ek Phool Do Mali, Intaquam, etc.
7. Who of the following Indian-American doctor has been named the first Poet Laureate by the U.S state of Ohio?
[A]Sneha Chetty
[B]Nandita Kothari
[C]Amit Majmudar
[D]Seema Jain
Answer: Amit Majmudar
Recently, US state of Ohio has named a 36-year-old Indian American doctor Amit Majmudar, as the first Poet Laureate for showcasing a variety of styles in his poetry. Majmudar who serves as a diagnostic and nuclear radiologist, is also a medical doctor in Columbus. The legislation creating the position of the State’s official poet was passed in 2014.
8. Which of the following organisations has released the report – Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016?
[A]IMF
[B]World Bank
[C]OECD
[D]Asian Development Bank
Answer: World Bank
The Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016 is released by the World Bank. According to the report, total remittance flows to India are expected to touch a staggering $72.2 billion in 2015, making it the highest recipient worldwide. China is ranked second, with remittance flows expected to reach $63.9 billion, followed by the Philippines ($29.7 billion), Mexico ($25.7 billion) and France ($24.6 billion). Total global remittances are estimated to exceed $600 billion in 2015.
9. Sri Venkateswara Veda Patasala is located in which of the following states?
[A]Kerala
[B]Andhra Pradesh
[C]Karnataka
[D]Tamil Nadu
Answer: Andhra Pradesh
Recently, the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated the Sri Venkateswara Veda Patasala at Ai Bhimavaram village in Akiveedu mandal of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Mukherjee stated that Vedic texts enshrine the message of world peace, prosperity and sustainable development. The Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams (TTD) has constructed the Pathshala at a cost of about 5 crore rupees.
10. Which of the following countries allowed India to construct its Naval Base in Assumption Island?
[A]Tanzania
[B]Indonesia
[C]Seychelles
[D]Maldives
Answer: Seychelles
India is building its first Naval Base on the Assumption Island of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a joint project between both countries. India’s first Naval Base project has acquired significance following China acquiring its first African naval base in Djibouti (near Horn of Africa) in November 2014. From March 2016, India is also set to acquire a fully operational coastal radar system (CRS) in Seychelles. It would further enhance India’s ability to gather intelligence and assist in surveillance operations in IOR especially vital energy lanes near Seychelles.

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