Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2019
1. Who has been appointed as the new Chairman of National Book Trust (NBT)?
[A] Govind Prasad Sharma
[B] Mrinal Mitra
[C] Jagdish Joshi
[D] Suddhasattwa Basu
[B] Mrinal Mitra
[C] Jagdish Joshi
[D] Suddhasattwa Basu
Correct Answer: A [Govind Prasad Sharma]
Notes:
The National Book Trust (NBT) has appointed educationist and author Govind Prasad Sharma as its new Chairman. Born in 1939, Sharma has served as the Principal of Government P.G. College, Madhya Pradesh. Later, he was appointed as the Additional Director of Higher Education (Gwalior Chambal Division) and has also been the Director of Madhya Pradesh Hindi Granth Akademi. He is the author of more than six academic books and several research papers, and has edited a few collected works. NBT is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Higher Education of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD). The activities of the Trust include publishing, promotion of books and reading, promotion of Indian books abroad, assistance to authors and publishers, and promotion of children’s literature.
The National Book Trust (NBT) has appointed educationist and author Govind Prasad Sharma as its new Chairman. Born in 1939, Sharma has served as the Principal of Government P.G. College, Madhya Pradesh. Later, he was appointed as the Additional Director of Higher Education (Gwalior Chambal Division) and has also been the Director of Madhya Pradesh Hindi Granth Akademi. He is the author of more than six academic books and several research papers, and has edited a few collected works. NBT is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Higher Education of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD). The activities of the Trust include publishing, promotion of books and reading, promotion of Indian books abroad, assistance to authors and publishers, and promotion of children’s literature.
2. Who has become the first Indian cricketer to cross 8,000 runs in T20s?
[A] Rohit Sharma
[B] Virat Kohli
[C] Suresh Raina
[D] MS Dhoni
[B] Virat Kohli
[C] Suresh Raina
[D] MS Dhoni
Correct Answer: C [Suresh Raina]
Notes:
Suresh Raina has become the first Indian batsman to cross 8000 runs in T20 cricket. He achieved this feat when he scored 12 runs against Puducherry in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at Delhi on Feb 25. With those 12 runs, Raina has now scored 8,001 from 300 T20s which consisted of 284 innings. It was incidentally his 300th T20. Beside this, Raina is the second Indian after MS Dhoni to have played 300 T20 matches. Apart from Raina, Virat Kohli (7833) and Rohit Sharma (7795) are the only other batsmen in the top 10 list of the highest run-getters in T20 cricket. Overall, Raina is the sixth highest with David Warner (8111 runs), Shoaib Malik (8603), Kieron Pollard (8839), Brendon McCullum (9922) and Chris Gayle (12,298).
Suresh Raina has become the first Indian batsman to cross 8000 runs in T20 cricket. He achieved this feat when he scored 12 runs against Puducherry in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at Delhi on Feb 25. With those 12 runs, Raina has now scored 8,001 from 300 T20s which consisted of 284 innings. It was incidentally his 300th T20. Beside this, Raina is the second Indian after MS Dhoni to have played 300 T20 matches. Apart from Raina, Virat Kohli (7833) and Rohit Sharma (7795) are the only other batsmen in the top 10 list of the highest run-getters in T20 cricket. Overall, Raina is the sixth highest with David Warner (8111 runs), Shoaib Malik (8603), Kieron Pollard (8839), Brendon McCullum (9922) and Chris Gayle (12,298).
3. The National Institutes of Design (NID) has recently inaugurated in which of the following cities?
[A] Lucknow & Bhubaneshwar
[B] Bhopal & Jorhat
[C] Jaipur & Shimla
[D] Raipur & Hyderabad
[B] Bhopal & Jorhat
[C] Jaipur & Shimla
[D] Raipur & Hyderabad
Correct Answer: B [Bhopal & Jorhat]
Notes:
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu inaugurated National Institutes of Design (NID) at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam through video conference from New Delhi on 22nd February 2019. Both institutes are autonomous institutions under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The establishment of new NIDs will help produce highly skilled manpower in design which, in turn, will create job opportunities, both direct and indirect, by providing sustainable design interventions for crafts, handloom, rural technology, small, medium and large-scale enterprises and outreach programs for capacity, capability and institution building. The National Design Policy 2007 had recommended setting up design institutes on the lines of NID Ahmedabad in other parts of India to promote design programs. Four new NIDs have been set up in Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati), Assam (Jorhat), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) and Haryana (Kurukshetra) with a total outlay of Rs. 434 crore.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu inaugurated National Institutes of Design (NID) at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam through video conference from New Delhi on 22nd February 2019. Both institutes are autonomous institutions under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The establishment of new NIDs will help produce highly skilled manpower in design which, in turn, will create job opportunities, both direct and indirect, by providing sustainable design interventions for crafts, handloom, rural technology, small, medium and large-scale enterprises and outreach programs for capacity, capability and institution building. The National Design Policy 2007 had recommended setting up design institutes on the lines of NID Ahmedabad in other parts of India to promote design programs. Four new NIDs have been set up in Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati), Assam (Jorhat), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) and Haryana (Kurukshetra) with a total outlay of Rs. 434 crore.
4. Which state government has launched ‘Banglar Shiksha’ portal to provide real-time data on schools?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Karnataka
[C] Tripura
[D] Nagaland
[B] Karnataka
[C] Tripura
[D] Nagaland
Correct Answer: A [West Bengal]
Notes:
The West Bengal government has launched ‘Banglar Shiksha’ portal to provide real-time data on state-run and aided schools. The portal, ”Banglar Shiksha” (banglarshiksha.gov.in), will store real-time data of 1.5 crore students, 5 lakh teachers and 1 lakh schools. It will be operated on a trial basis for two months to remove glitches, if any and will be fully functional by 1st May 2019. The system will enable the headmaster and class teacher to access the academic performance of a student. Parents, too, can access the information by downloading the Banglar Shiksha app.
The West Bengal government has launched ‘Banglar Shiksha’ portal to provide real-time data on state-run and aided schools. The portal, ”Banglar Shiksha” (banglarshiksha.gov.in), will store real-time data of 1.5 crore students, 5 lakh teachers and 1 lakh schools. It will be operated on a trial basis for two months to remove glitches, if any and will be fully functional by 1st May 2019. The system will enable the headmaster and class teacher to access the academic performance of a student. Parents, too, can access the information by downloading the Banglar Shiksha app.
5. Which state government has declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Water’?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Haryana
[D] Maharashtra
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Haryana
[D] Maharashtra
Correct Answer: A [Karnataka]
Notes:
In Bangaluru, the Government of Karnataka has declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Water (or Jalavarsha)’ to emphasise the importance of water becoming a scarce commodity and the need to conserve it. The declaration will apply to all government departments. This initiative is expected to spread water literacy, focus on conservation, promotion of smart water usage and encourage green initiatives. A sum of Rs 500 crore and an additional `100 crore has been granted to implement the initiative, under which, over 14,000 water bodies across the state will be rejuvenated over the next two years. Under this movement, various activities and campaigns related to water conservation, protection and rejuvenation of waterbodies will be taken up through government departments; educational institutions and NGOs.
In Bangaluru, the Government of Karnataka has declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Water (or Jalavarsha)’ to emphasise the importance of water becoming a scarce commodity and the need to conserve it. The declaration will apply to all government departments. This initiative is expected to spread water literacy, focus on conservation, promotion of smart water usage and encourage green initiatives. A sum of Rs 500 crore and an additional `100 crore has been granted to implement the initiative, under which, over 14,000 water bodies across the state will be rejuvenated over the next two years. Under this movement, various activities and campaigns related to water conservation, protection and rejuvenation of waterbodies will be taken up through government departments; educational institutions and NGOs.
6. Which country is the venue of the 7th RCEP Inter-Sessional Ministerial Meeting?
[A] India
[B] Singapore
[C] Cambodia
[D] Indonesia
[B] Singapore
[C] Cambodia
[D] Indonesia
Correct Answer: C [Cambodia ]
Notes:
The 7th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Intersessional Ministerial Meeting (7th RCEP ISSL MM) will be held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 2nd March 2019. The aim of the 16-member RCEP is to cover issues related to goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. From India, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu will attend the meeting. The RCEP is a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between 16 countries namely 10 countries of ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners (also known as AFP’s or ASEAN FTA Partners) namely Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.
The 7th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Intersessional Ministerial Meeting (7th RCEP ISSL MM) will be held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 2nd March 2019. The aim of the 16-member RCEP is to cover issues related to goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. From India, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu will attend the meeting. The RCEP is a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between 16 countries namely 10 countries of ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners (also known as AFP’s or ASEAN FTA Partners) namely Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.
7. Which Indian sprinter has won the 10 km race of Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Open Marathon and Run for Fun held in Kathmandu?
[A] Shashank Shekhar
[B] Anand Shetty
[C] Dharambir Singh
[D] RD Murgan
[B] Anand Shetty
[C] Dharambir Singh
[D] RD Murgan
Correct Answer: A [Shashank Shekhar]
Notes:
India’s Shashank Shekhar has won the 10 kilometre race of Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Open Marathon and Run for Fun held in Kathmandu. Shekhar of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Contingent at Embassy of India in Kathmandu secured first position. RD Murgan also from CISF got third place. A total nine CISF personnel participated in 10 KM race category. The remaining seven personnel also successfully completed run and received Certificate of Achievement. COAS Open Marathon and Run for Fun is an annual event organised by the Nepal Army.
India’s Shashank Shekhar has won the 10 kilometre race of Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Open Marathon and Run for Fun held in Kathmandu. Shekhar of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Contingent at Embassy of India in Kathmandu secured first position. RD Murgan also from CISF got third place. A total nine CISF personnel participated in 10 KM race category. The remaining seven personnel also successfully completed run and received Certificate of Achievement. COAS Open Marathon and Run for Fun is an annual event organised by the Nepal Army.
8. What is the theme of the 2019 Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD)?
[A] Live Up
[B] Speak loud for justice
[C] Act to change laws that Discriminate
[D] A society free of discrimination
[B] Speak loud for justice
[C] Act to change laws that Discriminate
[D] A society free of discrimination
Correct Answer: C [Act to change laws that Discriminate]
Notes:
The Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) is observed every year on 1st of March to promote equality before the law and in practice throughout all of the member countries of the UN. The days aims to tell people that nobody should be differentiated based on their HIV status, age, sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, language, geographical location or migrant status. The 2019 campaign ‘Act to change laws that Discriminate’ challenges people to act against laws that discriminate in their country. The campaign encourages people to ask themselves “What if …” and to think about their own actions. For example: ‘What if your neighbour had tuberculosis? Would you stop to chat?’
The Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) is observed every year on 1st of March to promote equality before the law and in practice throughout all of the member countries of the UN. The days aims to tell people that nobody should be differentiated based on their HIV status, age, sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, language, geographical location or migrant status. The 2019 campaign ‘Act to change laws that Discriminate’ challenges people to act against laws that discriminate in their country. The campaign encourages people to ask themselves “What if …” and to think about their own actions. For example: ‘What if your neighbour had tuberculosis? Would you stop to chat?’
9. The Ministry of Textile has launched a programme for developing knitwear sector under which scheme?
[A] PowerJet India
[B] PowerMax India
[C] PowerTex India
[D] PowerMat India
[B] PowerMax India
[C] PowerTex India
[D] PowerMat India
Correct Answer: C [PowerTex India]
Notes:
On Feb 28, Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani launched a comprehensive programme for the development of knitting and knitwear sector in the country under the PowerTex India scheme in New Delhi. The total outlay for the knitwear scheme is Rs. 47.72 crore & would be in operation till March 31, 2020.The programme for knitting and knitwear units, catering to domestic and exports markets, has 8 components where the industries would get support to install machinery under group work shed scheme, buy yarn, go in for solar energy, have common facilities and create new service centres under public private partnership mode. The scheme envisages creation of new service centres on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by industry and association in the knitting and knitwear clusters. Some of the major knitwear clusters in the country are Tiruppur, Ludhiana, Kanpur, and Kolkata.
On Feb 28, Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani launched a comprehensive programme for the development of knitting and knitwear sector in the country under the PowerTex India scheme in New Delhi. The total outlay for the knitwear scheme is Rs. 47.72 crore & would be in operation till March 31, 2020.The programme for knitting and knitwear units, catering to domestic and exports markets, has 8 components where the industries would get support to install machinery under group work shed scheme, buy yarn, go in for solar energy, have common facilities and create new service centres under public private partnership mode. The scheme envisages creation of new service centres on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by industry and association in the knitting and knitwear clusters. Some of the major knitwear clusters in the country are Tiruppur, Ludhiana, Kanpur, and Kolkata.
10. Which Indian cricketer has been appointed as the new Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee?
[A] Rahul Dravid
[B] Anil Kumble
[C] Saurav Ganguly
[D] VVS Laxman
[B] Anil Kumble
[C] Saurav Ganguly
[D] VVS Laxman
Correct Answer: B [Anil Kumble]
Notes:
Anil Kumble, a former Indian captain of Tests and ODIs, has been reappointed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Committee for the third consecutive time. This 3-year stint will end in 2021 and be his final term as the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee. He was appointed as the head of the panel in the year 2012 for his first term. Kumble was reappointed for his second term in the year 2016 which would keep him in office till 2018. The ICC Cricket Committee is representative of all stakeholders in the game, including players and umpires. It is empowered to make recommendations on cricket playing issues.
Anil Kumble, a former Indian captain of Tests and ODIs, has been reappointed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Committee for the third consecutive time. This 3-year stint will end in 2021 and be his final term as the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee. He was appointed as the head of the panel in the year 2012 for his first term. Kumble was reappointed for his second term in the year 2016 which would keep him in office till 2018. The ICC Cricket Committee is representative of all stakeholders in the game, including players and umpires. It is empowered to make recommendations on cricket playing issues.