Current Affairs Quiz- September, 2019

Notes:
The report titled, ‘Keeladi-An Urban Settlement of Sangam Age on the Banks of River Vaigai’ has recently published by the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department (TNAD). The report is the major turning point in the cultural historiography of the ancient Sangam Age, which is generally considered between 300 BC and 300AD. In it, TNAD stated that the cultural deposits unearthed during excavations at Keeladi in Sivaganga district could be safely dated to a period between 6th century BCE and 1st century CE. Hence, the recent scientific dates obtained for Keeladi findings push back the date of Tamil-Brahmi script to another century, i.e. 6th century BCE.

Notes:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently constituted a committee on Social Stock Exchanges (SSE) under the chairmanship of Ishaat Hussain, Director of SBI Foundation. The committee shall examine and make recommendations with respect to possible structures and mechanisms, within the securities market domain, to facilitate the raising of funds by social enterprises and voluntary organizations.

Notes:
Veteran cricketer Madhavrao Laxmanrao Apte (86) has passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra on 23rd September 2019. He made his Test debut against Pakistan at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai in November 1952 and played his last test against West Indies at Kingston in April 1953. Apte was the Indian opener for 7 Test matches in the early 1950s  in which he scored 542 runs that included an unbeaten 163 against the likes of Frank King, Gerry Gomez, Frank Worrell, Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadin in the Queens Park Oval Test of 1953. 

Notes:
At Dubai, the world’s first camel hospital is all set to expand its facilities by an additional 50% in response to the increase in demand for its services. It is a unique hospital catering specifically to the needs of the burgeoning camel industry that has been flourishing and growing by leaps and bounds over the past few years. The aim of the hospital is to contribute significantly to the Research and Development (R&D) of camel medicine as part of increasing the global body of therapeutic knowledge related to the desert animal. Camels are an integral part of the United Arab Emirate (UAE)’s heritage. Historically, camels, known as the ‘Ship of the Desert’ were a source of transport as well as food and milk in the region.

Notes:
The Union Science and Technology (S&T) and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has recently launched ‘UMMID (Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders)’ initiative to tackle inherited genetic diseases of newborn babies. The aim of the new initiative is to create awareness about genetic disorders amongst clinicians and establish molecular diagnostics in hospitals so that the benefits of developments in medical genetics could reach patients. 

Notes:
India and the United States are set to hold their first trilateral-service military exercise  codenamed ‘Tiger Triumph’ at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada in November 2019. The exercise is being organized under the aegis of the headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS).

Notes:
Vasai-based Catholic priest Father Francis D’Britto, who is writer and environmentalist, has been elected president of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (ABMSS) 2020. He is the first Christian to be elected president of the ABMSS.  Fr. D’Britto is known for serving people beyond the four walls of the Catholic Church & attributed his success to the people who have stood by him for several decades.

Notes:
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has become the first state in India to issue highest number of golden cards under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Over 11 lakh golden cards have been generated within first 90 days of the launch of the scheme with 60% families having at least one golden card which is highest in the country.   

Notes:
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has inked an agreement with IIT-Delhi for cooperation in research, education and technology developments in science and other disciplines. This collaboration will also facilitate access to each other’s libraries and central research facilities to intensify joint research projects and other related academic activities.

Notes:
The 4th edition of Indo-Kazakhstan joint military exercise “KAZIND – 2019” will be conducted at Pithoragarh from 2nd to 15th October 2019. The aim of the exercise is to conduct company level joint training with emphasis on counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.