GK & Current Affairs: March 21, 22, 2015

1. Malcolm Fraser, who died recently, was former Prime Minister of which country?
[A]Switzerland
[B]England
[C]Australia
[D]Japan
Answer: Australia
Notes:
Malcolm Fraser was Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister. He began his term as caretaker Prime Minister on 11 November 1975. The Fraser Coalition government was returned with the largest landslide of any federal election a month later, and remained in office until 1983.
2. Which state has launched “Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu Scheme” to increase agriculture production?
[A]Sikkim
[B]Assam
[C]Tripura
[D]Meghalaya
Answer: Assam
Notes:
Assam government launched the Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu Scheme to increase agricultural production by providing facilities and assistance to farmers for double cropping in their lands.
3. As per the latest data by World Steel Association, India’s global position in steel production is ____?
[A]Second
[B]Third
[C]Fourth
[D]Fifth
Answer: Third
Notes:
India replaced US to became the third largest steel producer in the world with production of 14.56 million tonnes (MT) in first two months of the year. India has been the fourth-largest steel producer for the past five years, behind China, Japan and the US. Data by World Steel Association showed that the country’s production growth was the highest during January-February period at 7.6% as compared to the global average of just 0.6% at 127.6 MT.
4. Recently, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has kicked off River for Life campaign to protect ___?
[A]Crocodile
[B]Coral Reef
[C]Gangetic River Dolphins
[D]Olive Ridley Turtles
Answer: Gangetic River Dolphins
Notes:
World Wide Fund for Nature flagged off a campaign called River for Life to protect the endangered Gangetic River Dolphins. The campaign was kicked on a cruise from the Millennium Park under which they are conducting a series of conservation action with the local community at different points across the length of nearly 200km from Kolkata to Nabadwip.
5. The proposed plan to construct dams across Cauvery River at Mekedatu is a bone of contention between ___?
[A]Karnataka and Kerala
[B]Tamil Nadu and Kerala
[C]Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
[D]Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Answer: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Notes:
The construction of dam across Cauvery River at Mekedatu, Karnataka has become a matter dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka state has proposed a plan to construct two dams on Cauvery River at Mekedatu but Tamil Nadu has been opposing the plan saying it would severely affect the livelihoods of farmers in 12 districts, who entirely depend on the Cauvery river water for farm activities.
6. Which country leads in the production of hydroelectric power in the world?
[A]USA
[B]China
[C]Brazil
[D]Canada
Answer: China
Notes:
China is the world’s largest producer of the hydroelectric power. The annual production of electricity in China is estimated at 3,450 billion kwh and out of this 22% is contributed by the hydropower. Canada and Brazil are second and third largest hydroelectric power producer, respectively.
7. Currently (March, 2015), how many Indian states are run by women Chief Ministers?
[A]Two
[B]Three
[C]Four
[D]Five
Answer: Three
Notes:
There are three women chief ministers in India viz., Vasundhara Raje (Rajasthan), Mamatha Banerjee (West Bengal) and Anandiben Patel (Gujarat).
8. Which government has launched the “Let Girls Learn” initiative aimed at educating 62 million girls around the world?
[A]United States
[B]Norway
[C]Russia
[D]Netherland
Answer: United States
Notes:
The programme Let Girls Learn was launched by US government in collaboration with the Peace Corps. The international initiative aimed at educating 62 million girls around the globe who do not attend school.
9. Who is the recipient of the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize 2015?
[A]Rajendra Singh
[B]Sunitha Narayan
[C]Preetham Garg
[D]Chandra Mouli
Answer: Rajendra Singh
Notes:
Noted environment activist Rajendra Singh has been chosen for the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize 2015. He was chosen for the award for his innovative water restoration efforts and extraordinary courage to empower communities in Indian villages. Singh is popular as water man won Ramon Magsaysay award in 2001 for his work on community based water harvesting and water management. The Stockholm Water Prize is a global award founded in 1991 and presented annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute to an individual, organisation or institution for outstanding water related achievements.
10. In which state, Tarun Bharat Sangh a NGO working in the areas of water and environment conservation and betterment of villages?
[A]Gujarat
[B]Rajasthan
[C]Madhya Pradesh
[D]Haryana
Answer: Rajasthan
Notes:
Tarun Bharat Sangh is an NGO based in Rajasthan. It was founded by noted environmental activist Rajendra Singh in 1975. The TBS is working in the areas of water harvest, environmental conservation, rural education and health and anti-mining campaigns. TBS has changed the lives of thousands of people for better in the villages of Rajasthan and adjoining states.

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