Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2019

Notes:
On the occasion of Dhanteras, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana to empower the girl child. As per the scheme, an amount of Rs 15,000 will be provided to every family in which a girl child takes birth. The state government will direct transfer funds in the account of the registered girls in a phased manner when a girl child will complete various achievements, like vaccination, admission in class 1, 5 and 9, graduation. 

Notes:
The major part of the famous Mahastupa of the 2,000-year-old Buddhist heritage site of Thotlakonda has recently damaged due to heavy rains in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The dome of the Mahastupa is belonged to Heena Yana stream of Buddhism. The site is a prominent tourist spot with remnants of stupas, chaitya grihas and viharas atop Thotlakonda. It was the epi-centre for spreading Buddhism in other countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, etc.

Notes:
On October 24, 2019, the Indian Railways launched the “one touch ATVM” at 42 suburban stations. The purpose of the service is to render fast ticketing to millions of commuters, especially in the Mumbai Suburban Network. ATVM are Automatic Ticket Vending Machines. They work on Linux software.

Notes:
Last week of October is observed as Vigilance Awareness Week under the aegis of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). This year, the week falls from 28th October, 2019 to 2nd November, 2019. This year, the theme is Integrity-a way of life. The week is to be launched with an Integrity-pledge of the staff and officers of the ministry to fight against corruption.

Notes:
In October 2019, Ayushmann Khurrana has joined hands with UNICEF and Ministry of Women and Child Development to raise awareness and speak up against sexual abuse of children.

Notes:
Belgian Paralympic champion Marieke Vervoort ended her life through euthanasia at the age of 40. She had announced her intentions after the Rio Games in 2016 to follow that path if her degenerative condition worsened her suffering. Vervoort suffered a degenerative muscle disease that caused constant pain, paralysis in her legs and left her barely able to sleep, and gradually her life became torture. Euthanasia is legal in Belgium.

Notes:
Veteran actress TP Radhamani who was predominantly active in Malayalam cinema passed away in Chennai. The 67-year old actor was under treatment for cancer.

Notes:
BharatPe, India’s largest merchant fintech company, has won the DigiDhan Mission Fintech Award 2018-2019 for ‘Innovation in Digital Payments through Emerging Technology’ at the MeitY Startup Summit 2019 held in Delhi. The award was presented by Chief Guest, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communication, Electronics & IT and Law & Justice.

Notes:
On October 26, 2019, in the city of Ayodhya 4 lakh earthen lamps were lit along the banks of Sarayu river. The event was organized by the Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. It was the third and largest Deepotsav in Ayodhya after he came to power. Last year around 3 lakh lamps were lit. The lamp lighting festival comes ahead of SC judgment on Ram Jan Bhoomi.

Notes:
Government of India has accorded ‘Maharatna’ status to public sector undertaking’s (PSU’s) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Power Grid Corporation. Two separate orders to this effect were issued by Department of Public Enterprises, under Union Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises.