Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2020

Notes:
The famous 11-day Dhanu Jatra, the annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance is conducted in and around the city of Bargarh in Western Odisha. It is based on mythological story of Lord Krishna and his Uncle, King Kansa. In November 2014, it was conferred with the National Festival Status.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Home Affairs had recently visited Sashastra Seem Bal Headquarters in New Delhi. He reviewed the functioning of the SSB during this visit. The deployment, operational achievements and concerns were reviewed. SSB, one of the Central Armed Police Forces, was known as Special Service Bureau prior to 2001.

Notes:
The light utility aircraft Dornier was recently inducted into the No.41 “Otters” Squadron during a ceremony at the Palam Air Force Station. the Dornier-228 aircraft is a multi-purpose, fuel efficient, rugged, lightweight twin turboprop aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear.

Notes:
Palau has banned “reef-toxic” sunscreens. The scientific evidence showed that chemicals found in most sunscreens were toxic to corals. Therefore, from New Year’s Day, any reef-toxic sunscreens that are imported or sold in Palau will be confiscated and the owner will be fined.

Notes:
General Mukund Naravane has become the Chief of Army Staff. He has succeeded General Bipin Rawat who was recently appointed as the first ever Chief of Defence Staff. General Mukund Narvane was previously the Vice Chief of Army.

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation is to set up its second launch port in Thoothukodi district of southern Tamilnadu. The Government of Tamilnadu will arrange nearly 2300 acres of land for the construction of the launch centre. The proposed launch port will mainly handle the Small Satellite Launch vehicle (SSLV), which is under development. SSLVs will be used to carry a payload of up to 500 kg and are expected to be deployed in the first half of 2020.

Notes:
As per the recent announcement of the Chairman of ISRO, India will launch GSAT 30, a heavy geo-stationary communication satellite on January 17, 2020.  This mission would be the first satellite of the year 2020 for India. The satellite will be launched using Ariane-5ECA launch vehicle from Kourou space centre in French Guiana. The satellite will be used to provide communication links to government and private service providers.

Notes:
The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹102 lakh crore national infrastructure pipeline. The Ministry of Finance had set up a committee headed by Atanu Chakraborty to prepare a road map for the the ₹100 lakh crore ‘National Infrastructure Pipeline’ (NIP) from 2019-20 to 2024-25. In the plan which involves spending in various sectors, the central government and state governments would have an equal share of 39% each and the private sector would have 22% share.

Notes:
The Professor and Head of the Department of ENT and Head-neck surgery of AIIMS, Dr. Suresh Chandra Sharma has been appointed as the first Chairman of National Medical Commission (NMC). The appointment is approved for a tenure of three years or until the age of 70 years. Rakesh Kumar Vats is appointed as the new Secretary of NMC. The Medical Council of India (MCI) was dissolved and the National Medical Commission (NMC) was formed as the replacing body after the Union Cabinet approval, last year.

Notes:
The ace Indian all-rounder and bowler famous for his swings, Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket recently. Irfan made his debut in 2003 when he was only 19 years old. In his professional cricket career spanning 16 years, he made several records including the hat-trick wicket in the first over of the test match. Irfan was also a part of the winning team of the 2007 T20 World cup.