Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2019
21. The Film Division of India (FDI) has launched a documentary film club “KSHITIJ” in which city?
[A] Pune
[B] Mumbai
[C] Delhi
[D] Jaipur
[B] Mumbai
[C] Delhi
[D] Jaipur
Correct Answer: B [Mumbai]
Notes:
In Mumbai, a documentary film club “KSHITIJ” has been launched by Film Division of India (FDI) in association with Indian Documentary Producer Association (IDPA). The public screenings will be organized on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month during 5:00 pm – 6:30pm at Films Division Complex, followed by a short interaction of audience with the director / curator of the film. The acclaimed documentary film “Secret Life of Frogs” by Ajay & Vijay Bedi will be screened as the inaugural film. Films Division, established in 1948, has been relentlessly striving to maintain a record of the social, political and cultural imaginations and realities of the country on film. It works under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) to produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of Government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.
In Mumbai, a documentary film club “KSHITIJ” has been launched by Film Division of India (FDI) in association with Indian Documentary Producer Association (IDPA). The public screenings will be organized on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month during 5:00 pm – 6:30pm at Films Division Complex, followed by a short interaction of audience with the director / curator of the film. The acclaimed documentary film “Secret Life of Frogs” by Ajay & Vijay Bedi will be screened as the inaugural film. Films Division, established in 1948, has been relentlessly striving to maintain a record of the social, political and cultural imaginations and realities of the country on film. It works under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) to produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of Government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.
22. Who has been appointed as MD & CFO of the World Bank (WB)?
[A] Sunil Mehta
[B] Anshula Kant
[C] Karnam Sekar
[D] R A Sankara Narayanan
[B] Anshula Kant
[C] Karnam Sekar
[D] R A Sankara Narayanan
Correct Answer: B [Anshula Kant]
Notes:
Anshula Kant, Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI), has been appointed as MD and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the World Bank (WB). She will be responsible for financial and risk management of the organisation. Her work will include oversight of financial reporting, risk management, and working closely with the World Bank CEO on the mobilization of the International Development Association (IDA) and other financial resources. IDA is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries.
Anshula Kant, Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI), has been appointed as MD and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the World Bank (WB). She will be responsible for financial and risk management of the organisation. Her work will include oversight of financial reporting, risk management, and working closely with the World Bank CEO on the mobilization of the International Development Association (IDA) and other financial resources. IDA is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries.
23. The rare footage of 1948 film Vande Mataram has become part of NFAI. The film was directed by whom?
[A] Sudhir Phadke
[B] Satish Jakatdar
[C] P L Deshpande
[D] Ram Gabale
[B] Satish Jakatdar
[C] P L Deshpande
[D] Ram Gabale
Correct Answer: D [Ram Gabale]
Notes:
The rare footage of an iconic Marathi film Vande Mataram (1948) has become part of the Pune-based National Film Archives of India (NFAI). A Video Home System (VHS) cassette containing about 35 minute footage of the film is part of the collection that was donated to NFAI by Dinesh Thakur ( nephew of Sunita Deshpande) and film historian Satish Jakatdar, along with U-Matic tapes containing rare footage of Harmonium playing by P.L. Deshpande. The film Vande Mataram is considered a very important as the story was based on India’s freedom movement and struggle. The legendary writer and playwright P L Deshpande played a major role along with his wife Sunita Deshpande. The script, dialogue and lyrics were written by renowned writer G.D. Madgulkar whereas the music was composed by stalwart composer Sudhir Phadke. The iconic film was directed by renowned filmmaker Ram Gabale. The film was released a year after independence and presented narratives woven with patriotism and humanist affection. Songs like “Ved Mantrahun Vandya…” became very popular and are remembered even today. The shooting for the film took place in early 1948 at Shalini Studio in Kolhapur.
The rare footage of an iconic Marathi film Vande Mataram (1948) has become part of the Pune-based National Film Archives of India (NFAI). A Video Home System (VHS) cassette containing about 35 minute footage of the film is part of the collection that was donated to NFAI by Dinesh Thakur ( nephew of Sunita Deshpande) and film historian Satish Jakatdar, along with U-Matic tapes containing rare footage of Harmonium playing by P.L. Deshpande. The film Vande Mataram is considered a very important as the story was based on India’s freedom movement and struggle. The legendary writer and playwright P L Deshpande played a major role along with his wife Sunita Deshpande. The script, dialogue and lyrics were written by renowned writer G.D. Madgulkar whereas the music was composed by stalwart composer Sudhir Phadke. The iconic film was directed by renowned filmmaker Ram Gabale. The film was released a year after independence and presented narratives woven with patriotism and humanist affection. Songs like “Ved Mantrahun Vandya…” became very popular and are remembered even today. The shooting for the film took place in early 1948 at Shalini Studio in Kolhapur.
24. Pardeep Singh, who has created a new Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk category, is from which state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Punjab
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Uttarkhand
[B] Punjab
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Uttarkhand
Correct Answer: B [Punjab ]
Notes:
Pardeep Singh from Punjab has created a new Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk category on the way to gold in the 109kg category by lifting 202 kgs at the 2019 Commonwealth Championships (CWC) in Apia (Samoa). Two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Vikas Thakur clinched the silver in the men’s 96 kg event. Vikas lifted a total of 338 kg (153kg185kg). India ended their campaign with a rich tally of 35 medals in the youth, junior and senior categories, breaking numerous national, Commonwealth, world and Asian records.
Pardeep Singh from Punjab has created a new Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk category on the way to gold in the 109kg category by lifting 202 kgs at the 2019 Commonwealth Championships (CWC) in Apia (Samoa). Two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Vikas Thakur clinched the silver in the men’s 96 kg event. Vikas lifted a total of 338 kg (153kg185kg). India ended their campaign with a rich tally of 35 medals in the youth, junior and senior categories, breaking numerous national, Commonwealth, world and Asian records.
25. Which state has become the first Indian state to have water policy?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Meghalaya ]
Notes:
Meghalaya has become the first state in India to approve a draft water policy to address water issues, conservation, and protection of water sources in the state. The draft policy was approved by the State Cabinet in a meeting chaired by state Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. The purpose of the policy is to recognize water resources as a common pool resource, to provide safe and hygienic water for drinking, domestic and sanitation and livelihood development to all residents of the state. It seeks to protect and improve management of water resources while actively involving the community. It also aims at ensuring protection and conservation of catchment areas of all water sources to prevent degradation of the quantity and quality of water sources.
Meghalaya has become the first state in India to approve a draft water policy to address water issues, conservation, and protection of water sources in the state. The draft policy was approved by the State Cabinet in a meeting chaired by state Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. The purpose of the policy is to recognize water resources as a common pool resource, to provide safe and hygienic water for drinking, domestic and sanitation and livelihood development to all residents of the state. It seeks to protect and improve management of water resources while actively involving the community. It also aims at ensuring protection and conservation of catchment areas of all water sources to prevent degradation of the quantity and quality of water sources.
26. Which former SC Judge of India has been appointed as an International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC)?
[A] Arjan Kumar Sikr
[B] Adarsh Kumar Goel
[C] Sanjay Kishan Kaul
[D] Surinder Singh Nijjar
[B] Adarsh Kumar Goel
[C] Sanjay Kishan Kaul
[D] Surinder Singh Nijjar
Correct Answer: A [Arjan Kumar Sikr]
Notes:
Justice Arjan Kumar Sikr, an eminent jurist and a former judge of the Supreme Court of India (SCI), has been appointed as an International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). He will assume charge as an international judge with effect from August 1 & his term will expire on January 4, 2021. . The SICC is a division of the Singapore High Court and part of the Supreme Court of Singapore. It is designed to deal with transnational commercial disputes. It currently has 16 international judges as part of its panel. Justice AK Sikri was recently appointed as the Chairperson of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA).
Justice Arjan Kumar Sikr, an eminent jurist and a former judge of the Supreme Court of India (SCI), has been appointed as an International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). He will assume charge as an international judge with effect from August 1 & his term will expire on January 4, 2021. . The SICC is a division of the Singapore High Court and part of the Supreme Court of Singapore. It is designed to deal with transnational commercial disputes. It currently has 16 international judges as part of its panel. Justice AK Sikri was recently appointed as the Chairperson of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA).
27. The researchers at which Indian institute have developed technology to pack microbial strains in tiny capsules?
[A] Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneshwar
[B] Indian Institute of Seed Research, Mau
[C] Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod
[D] Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode
[B] Indian Institute of Seed Research, Mau
[C] Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod
[D] Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode
Correct Answer: D [Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode]
Notes:
The researchers at the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) in Kozhikode have developed a technology to pack microbial strains beneficial to farmers in tiny capsules. It will eliminate the need for lugging around sacks of bio-fertilisers as farmers do currently. The bio-capsules made with the technology weigh just one gram. But the microbial population they contain is equivalent to what is present in a one-kg pack of powder-based biofertliser or a one-litre bottle. The beauty of the technology is that it can be used for packing any kind of farm-friendly microbes, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, solubolise phosphates, micronutrients and fungi that help control pathogens. The achievement by the IISR scientists led by Dinesh Raghavan is remarkable because no such technology is commercially available world over. The IISR is a subsidiary of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, under the Ministry of Agriculture.
The researchers at the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) in Kozhikode have developed a technology to pack microbial strains beneficial to farmers in tiny capsules. It will eliminate the need for lugging around sacks of bio-fertilisers as farmers do currently. The bio-capsules made with the technology weigh just one gram. But the microbial population they contain is equivalent to what is present in a one-kg pack of powder-based biofertliser or a one-litre bottle. The beauty of the technology is that it can be used for packing any kind of farm-friendly microbes, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, solubolise phosphates, micronutrients and fungi that help control pathogens. The achievement by the IISR scientists led by Dinesh Raghavan is remarkable because no such technology is commercially available world over. The IISR is a subsidiary of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, under the Ministry of Agriculture.
28. What is the theme of 2019 edition of World Youth Skills Day (WYSD)?
[A] Skills Development to Improve Youth Employment
[B] Skills for All
[C] World Skills for peace and prosperity
[D] Learning to learn for life and work
[B] Skills for All
[C] World Skills for peace and prosperity
[D] Learning to learn for life and work
Correct Answer: D [Learning to learn for life and work]
Notes:
The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) is observed every year on 15th of July to generate awareness and discussion about skill development for the youths to have a better livelihood. The 2019 theme is “Learning to learn for life and work”. This year, the world’s leading short video platform ‘TikTok’ and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have collaborated to support Skill Development in India and to celebrate World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) 2019. The partnership aims to leverage TikTok’s 200 million user community to build awareness around NSDC’s mission to educate India’s youth. The aim of NSDC is to promote skill development by catalysing creation of large, quality and for-profit vocational institutions.
The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) is observed every year on 15th of July to generate awareness and discussion about skill development for the youths to have a better livelihood. The 2019 theme is “Learning to learn for life and work”. This year, the world’s leading short video platform ‘TikTok’ and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have collaborated to support Skill Development in India and to celebrate World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) 2019. The partnership aims to leverage TikTok’s 200 million user community to build awareness around NSDC’s mission to educate India’s youth. The aim of NSDC is to promote skill development by catalysing creation of large, quality and for-profit vocational institutions.
29. The researchers at which University have developed a low-cost filter to remove arsenic from water?
[A] Delhi University
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] Tezpur University
[D] IISC Bangalore
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] Tezpur University
[D] IISC Bangalore
Correct Answer: C [Tezpur University]
Notes:
Researchers at Assam’s Tezpur University have developed a simple and cost-effective filtration system – Arsiron Nilogon – that may help reduce the health burden caused by arsenic and iron contaminated groundwater. The system filters out 99.9% of the arsenic contamination from the groundwater to make it suitable for drinking. The chemicals used in the filtration process are cooking soda for pH conditioning, potassium permanganate for supplying oxygen and ferric chloride for providing solid iron oxide adsorbents of arsenic. The method can remove arsenic even to below 2 ppb (parts per billion) level while the World Health Organization (WHO) has set 10 ppb as the standard level. According to theWHO, arsenic is a natural component of the Earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment — in air, water and land. However, it is highly toxic in its inorganic form. The long term exposure to inorganic arsenic, mainly by drinking contaminated water, eating food grown or even prepared with this water, can cause skin lesions and cancer. The filtration process also removes other toxic metal ions like manganese, lead, nickel, chromium, copper, etc, very well along with arsenic and iron.
Researchers at Assam’s Tezpur University have developed a simple and cost-effective filtration system – Arsiron Nilogon – that may help reduce the health burden caused by arsenic and iron contaminated groundwater. The system filters out 99.9% of the arsenic contamination from the groundwater to make it suitable for drinking. The chemicals used in the filtration process are cooking soda for pH conditioning, potassium permanganate for supplying oxygen and ferric chloride for providing solid iron oxide adsorbents of arsenic. The method can remove arsenic even to below 2 ppb (parts per billion) level while the World Health Organization (WHO) has set 10 ppb as the standard level. According to theWHO, arsenic is a natural component of the Earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment — in air, water and land. However, it is highly toxic in its inorganic form. The long term exposure to inorganic arsenic, mainly by drinking contaminated water, eating food grown or even prepared with this water, can cause skin lesions and cancer. The filtration process also removes other toxic metal ions like manganese, lead, nickel, chromium, copper, etc, very well along with arsenic and iron.
30. The International Shark Awareness Day (ISAD) is observed on which date?
[A] July 17
[B] July 14
[C] July 16
[D] July 15
[B] July 14
[C] July 16
[D] July 15
Correct Answer: B [July 14]
Notes:
The International Shark Awareness Day (ISAD) is observed every year on 14th of July to recognize the importance of sharks play in the ecosystem. The 2019 theme “The sharks in crisis: a call to action for the Mediterranean” . According to the latest report issued by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Tunisia has become the 2nd largest fishing country for sharks in the Mediterranean after Libya. The WWF report calls on fishermen and fishery managers on both sides of the Mediterranean to avoid fishing in critical areas such as nurseries and to use adapted gear to eliminate by catch. It also underlines the need to improve knowledge of shark populations and commercialized species in order to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure transparency and legality in the fishing sector.
The International Shark Awareness Day (ISAD) is observed every year on 14th of July to recognize the importance of sharks play in the ecosystem. The 2019 theme “The sharks in crisis: a call to action for the Mediterranean” . According to the latest report issued by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Tunisia has become the 2nd largest fishing country for sharks in the Mediterranean after Libya. The WWF report calls on fishermen and fishery managers on both sides of the Mediterranean to avoid fishing in critical areas such as nurseries and to use adapted gear to eliminate by catch. It also underlines the need to improve knowledge of shark populations and commercialized species in order to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure transparency and legality in the fishing sector.