Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2019
1. Who is the author of the book ‘A Prime Minister to Remember- Memories of a Military Chief’?
[A] Vishnu Bhagwat
[B] Sureesh Mehta
[C] Sushil Kumar
[D] Vijai Singh Shekhawat
[B] Sureesh Mehta
[C] Sushil Kumar
[D] Vijai Singh Shekhawat
Correct Answer: C [Sushil Kumar]
Notes:
The book titled “A Prime Minister to Remember- Memories of a Military Chief” has been authored by former Navy Chief Admiral Sushil Kumar. The book is about the huge impact that the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had on the armed forces of India. The author called Kargil as the finest hour of Vajpayee . He credits Vajpayee for turning the strategic tactical loss into a massive victory and for which he gave full credit to the Armed Forces. Admiral Kumar was the Navy Chief between 1998 and 2001 and oversaw the Kargil conflict in 1999.
The book titled “A Prime Minister to Remember- Memories of a Military Chief” has been authored by former Navy Chief Admiral Sushil Kumar. The book is about the huge impact that the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had on the armed forces of India. The author called Kargil as the finest hour of Vajpayee . He credits Vajpayee for turning the strategic tactical loss into a massive victory and for which he gave full credit to the Armed Forces. Admiral Kumar was the Navy Chief between 1998 and 2001 and oversaw the Kargil conflict in 1999.
2. Which Indian scientist has been selected as the Co-Investigator for NASA’s PUNCH mission?
[A] Dipankar Banerjee
[B] Raghunath Anant Mashelkar
[C] Ashoke Sen
[D] Narendra Karmarkar
[B] Raghunath Anant Mashelkar
[C] Ashoke Sen
[D] Narendra Karmarkar
Correct Answer: A [Dipankar Banerjee]
Notes:
NASA has selected Texas-based Southwest Research Institute to lead its PUNCH mission which will image the Sun. This is a landmark mission that will image regions beyond the Sun’s outer corona. Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, solar physicist from Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) is also a Co-Investigator of the PUNCH mission. The acronym ‘PUNCH’ stands for “Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere”. The PUNCH mission is focused on understanding the transition of particles from the Sun’s outer corona to the solar wind that fills interplanetary space. India is also planning to send up its own satellite Aditya-L1, a mission to study the Sun’s corona, and Prof. Banerjee is the co-Chair of the Science Working Group.
NASA has selected Texas-based Southwest Research Institute to lead its PUNCH mission which will image the Sun. This is a landmark mission that will image regions beyond the Sun’s outer corona. Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, solar physicist from Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) is also a Co-Investigator of the PUNCH mission. The acronym ‘PUNCH’ stands for “Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere”. The PUNCH mission is focused on understanding the transition of particles from the Sun’s outer corona to the solar wind that fills interplanetary space. India is also planning to send up its own satellite Aditya-L1, a mission to study the Sun’s corona, and Prof. Banerjee is the co-Chair of the Science Working Group.
3. Which Indian personality has been elected as a member of International Olympic Committee (IOC)?
[A] Pargat Singh
[B] Narinder Batra
[C] Ramandeep Singh
[D] Dilip Tirkey
[B] Narinder Batra
[C] Ramandeep Singh
[D] Dilip Tirkey
Correct Answer: B [Narinder Batra]
Notes:
Dr. Narinder Batra, President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has been elected as a member of International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland. Batra now has a rare distinction of becoming a member of the IOC, while heading a National Olympic Committee (NOC) as well as an international federation. He is the first Indian to have this distinction. He has already become the first Indian to head an international federation of an Olympic sport — that of International Hockey Federation (FIH). With the election of Batra, the number of Indians who are currently active members of IOC will rise to two. Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani was elected as an individual member of the IOC in 2016. She is the first Indian woman to be elected to the prestigious seat.
Dr. Narinder Batra, President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has been elected as a member of International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland. Batra now has a rare distinction of becoming a member of the IOC, while heading a National Olympic Committee (NOC) as well as an international federation. He is the first Indian to have this distinction. He has already become the first Indian to head an international federation of an Olympic sport — that of International Hockey Federation (FIH). With the election of Batra, the number of Indians who are currently active members of IOC will rise to two. Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani was elected as an individual member of the IOC in 2016. She is the first Indian woman to be elected to the prestigious seat.
4. Who is the head of the RBI committee to strengthen Core Investment Companies (CIC) framework?
[A] Lily Vadera
[B] N S Venkatesh
[C] T Ravishankar
[D] Tapan Ray
[B] N S Venkatesh
[C] T Ravishankar
[D] Tapan Ray
Correct Answer: D [Tapan Ray]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a 6-member committee, under the chairmanship of former secretary of MCA Tapan Ray, to strengthen the corporate governance framework of systematically important Core Investment Companies (CICs). These are Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) which have their assets predominantly as investments in shares for holding stake in group companies but not for trading. CICs also do not carry out any other financial activity. The committee report is to be submitted by October 31, 2019. The working group will examine regulatory framework, enhance onsite and offsite surveillance of these companies, suggest changes in registration criteria including the practice of multiple CIC within a group and other such assessment to strengthen the corporate governance framework. The committee report is to be submitted by October 31, 2019.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a 6-member committee, under the chairmanship of former secretary of MCA Tapan Ray, to strengthen the corporate governance framework of systematically important Core Investment Companies (CICs). These are Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) which have their assets predominantly as investments in shares for holding stake in group companies but not for trading. CICs also do not carry out any other financial activity. The committee report is to be submitted by October 31, 2019. The working group will examine regulatory framework, enhance onsite and offsite surveillance of these companies, suggest changes in registration criteria including the practice of multiple CIC within a group and other such assessment to strengthen the corporate governance framework. The committee report is to be submitted by October 31, 2019.
5. Babu Narayanan, who passed away recently, was the popular filmmaker of which regional cinema?
[A] Tamil
[B] Malayalam
[C] Telugu
[D] Kannada
[B] Malayalam
[C] Telugu
[D] Kannada
Correct Answer: B [Malayalam ]
Notes:
Babu Narayanan (59), the popular Malayalam filmmaker, has passed away in Thrissur, Kerala on June 29, 2019. He was part of the famed Anil-Babu duo that had helmed several blockbusters during 1990s. Before pairing up, they had made films separately but hadn’t tasted much success. Together though, they directed several successful films in the 1990s. Movies like Sthreedhanam, Kudumba Vishesham, Welcome to Kodaikanal, Aramanaveedum Anjoorekkarum and Pattabhishekam established themselves as a force to reckon with in the mainstream cinema.
Babu Narayanan (59), the popular Malayalam filmmaker, has passed away in Thrissur, Kerala on June 29, 2019. He was part of the famed Anil-Babu duo that had helmed several blockbusters during 1990s. Before pairing up, they had made films separately but hadn’t tasted much success. Together though, they directed several successful films in the 1990s. Movies like Sthreedhanam, Kudumba Vishesham, Welcome to Kodaikanal, Aramanaveedum Anjoorekkarum and Pattabhishekam established themselves as a force to reckon with in the mainstream cinema.
6. Dragonfly mission, which is in news to explore Saturn’s Moon Titan, is associated to which space agency?
[A] Roscosmos
[B] CNES
[C] ISRO
[D] NASA
[B] CNES
[C] ISRO
[D] NASA
Correct Answer: D [NASA ]
Notes:
NASA has recently announced its New Frontiers program, called Dragonfly mission, to explore Saturn’s largest moon – Titan. It’s the only moon in our solar system that has an atmosphere.The rotorcraft will fly to dozens of promising locations on Titan looking for pre-biotic chemical processes common on both Titan and Earth. The mission will launch in 2026 and will reach Titan by 2034. Titan is the 2nd-largest natural satellite in our Solar System, and is larger than the Moon and the planet Mercury. As it orbits Saturn, Titan is about 886 million miles (1.4 billion km) away from the Sun, about 10 times farther than Earth. Because it is so far from the Sun, its surface temperature is minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 179 degrees Celsius). Its surface pressure is also 50% higher than Earth’s. Titan has a dense, nitrogen-based atmosphere like Earth. Unlike Earth, it has clouds and rain of methane. Other organics are formed in the atmosphere and fall like light snow.
NASA has recently announced its New Frontiers program, called Dragonfly mission, to explore Saturn’s largest moon – Titan. It’s the only moon in our solar system that has an atmosphere.The rotorcraft will fly to dozens of promising locations on Titan looking for pre-biotic chemical processes common on both Titan and Earth. The mission will launch in 2026 and will reach Titan by 2034. Titan is the 2nd-largest natural satellite in our Solar System, and is larger than the Moon and the planet Mercury. As it orbits Saturn, Titan is about 886 million miles (1.4 billion km) away from the Sun, about 10 times farther than Earth. Because it is so far from the Sun, its surface temperature is minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 179 degrees Celsius). Its surface pressure is also 50% higher than Earth’s. Titan has a dense, nitrogen-based atmosphere like Earth. Unlike Earth, it has clouds and rain of methane. Other organics are formed in the atmosphere and fall like light snow.
7. The world’s largest burn and plastic surgery institute Institute has started functioning in which of the following cities?
[A] Yangon
[B] Jakarta
[C] Pune
[D] Dhaka
[B] Jakarta
[C] Pune
[D] Dhaka
Correct Answer: D [Dhaka ]
Notes:
The world’s largest “Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute” has started functioning in Dhaka from 4th July 2019. The 500-bed hospital with 50 ICU and 12 operation theatres will provide advanced treatment to burn patients in Bangladesh. The institute has been built at a cost of over 500 crore Taka.
The world’s largest “Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute” has started functioning in Dhaka from 4th July 2019. The 500-bed hospital with 50 ICU and 12 operation theatres will provide advanced treatment to burn patients in Bangladesh. The institute has been built at a cost of over 500 crore Taka.
8. What is the theme of the 2019 edition of UN MSME Day?
[A] Entrepreneurship: A way of success
[B] Big Money For Small Business: Financing the SDGs
[C] The Youth Dimension
[D] Small business – big impact
[B] Big Money For Small Business: Financing the SDGs
[C] The Youth Dimension
[D] Small business – big impact
Correct Answer: B [Big Money For Small Business: Financing the SDGs]
Notes:
The United Nations’s Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (MSME) Day is observed every year on 27 June to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development. These types of enterprises are responsible for significant employment and income generation opportunities across the world and have been identified as a major driver of poverty alleviation and development. MSMEs tend to employ a larger share of the vulnerable sectors of the workforce, such as women, youth, and people from poorer households. MSMEs can even sometimes be the only source of employment in rural areas. The 2019 theme is ‘Big Money For Small Business: Financing the SDGs’.
The United Nations’s Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (MSME) Day is observed every year on 27 June to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development. These types of enterprises are responsible for significant employment and income generation opportunities across the world and have been identified as a major driver of poverty alleviation and development. MSMEs tend to employ a larger share of the vulnerable sectors of the workforce, such as women, youth, and people from poorer households. MSMEs can even sometimes be the only source of employment in rural areas. The 2019 theme is ‘Big Money For Small Business: Financing the SDGs’.
9. Which of the following railway zones has commissioned the longest electrified tunnel in Indian Railways?
[A] South Central Railway
[B] Northern Railway
[C] Central Railway
[D] Western Railway
[B] Northern Railway
[C] Central Railway
[D] Western Railway
Correct Answer: A [South Central Railway]
Notes:
The South Central Railway (SCR) has recently commissioned the longest electrified tunnel of 6.6 km built at a total cost of Rs 460 crore between Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations. The tunnel is part of the 113-km new railway line completed recently between Obulavaripalli– Venkatachalam – Krishnapatnam Port. The electrified tunnel is constructed in the shape of ‘Horse Shoe’ on New Australian Tunnelling Method. The height of the tunnel (rail level to roof) is 6.5 metres and the minimum height of the contact wire is maintained at 5.2 metres. The new line would facilitate direct and viable connectivity between South Coast and West Coast Railway and improve freight revenue of the zone.
The South Central Railway (SCR) has recently commissioned the longest electrified tunnel of 6.6 km built at a total cost of Rs 460 crore between Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations. The tunnel is part of the 113-km new railway line completed recently between Obulavaripalli– Venkatachalam – Krishnapatnam Port. The electrified tunnel is constructed in the shape of ‘Horse Shoe’ on New Australian Tunnelling Method. The height of the tunnel (rail level to roof) is 6.5 metres and the minimum height of the contact wire is maintained at 5.2 metres. The new line would facilitate direct and viable connectivity between South Coast and West Coast Railway and improve freight revenue of the zone.
10. Which state has topped the NITI Aayog’s 2019 AMFFR Index?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Maharashtra
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Maharashtra
Correct Answer: D [Maharashtra ]
Notes:
The state of Maharashtra achieved first rank in NITI Aayog launched “Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index (AMFFRI). The index ranks states based on the degree of reforms they have undertaken in agricultural marketing. Gujarat ranked second with a score of 71.5 out of 100, closely followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. NITI Aayog launched an index to rank States and UTs based on implementation of seven provisions proposed under model APMC Act like joining e-NAM initiative, special treatment to fruits and vegetables for marketing and level of taxes in mandis. These indicators reveal ease of doing agribusiness as well as opportunities for farmers to benefit from modern trade and commerce and have wider option for sale of her/his produce. These indicators also represent competitiveness, efficiency and transparency in agri markets.
The state of Maharashtra achieved first rank in NITI Aayog launched “Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index (AMFFRI). The index ranks states based on the degree of reforms they have undertaken in agricultural marketing. Gujarat ranked second with a score of 71.5 out of 100, closely followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. NITI Aayog launched an index to rank States and UTs based on implementation of seven provisions proposed under model APMC Act like joining e-NAM initiative, special treatment to fruits and vegetables for marketing and level of taxes in mandis. These indicators reveal ease of doing agribusiness as well as opportunities for farmers to benefit from modern trade and commerce and have wider option for sale of her/his produce. These indicators also represent competitiveness, efficiency and transparency in agri markets.