Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2020

Notes:
The ‘National Girl Child Day’ is celebrated every year in India, on January 24. It was started by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development from 2008 and the day is celebrated on January 24 every year, to create awareness among people about inequalities and exploitation faced by the girls in the society.
Several awareness programmes and campaigns are being organised across the country to spread awareness about the rights of the girl child. Programmes which promote the importance of education, health and nutrition for girls are also held.

Notes:
The President of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro recently arrived India along with his ministers, parliamentarians and top businessmen, to grace the Indian Republic Day celebrations as the Chief guest.
India and Brazil are expected to sign as many as 15 agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of like oil and gas, mining and cyber security. Agreements on social security, on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters on cooperation in bio-energy are also expected to be inked between the countries. Bolsonaro became the President of Brazil in October 2018 and this is his first visit to India.

Notes:
India has recently signed an agreement with Bangladesh to upgrade 50.58 km road between Ashuganj river port and Akhaura in Bangladesh into 4-lane highway. This is the part of $2 billion Line of Credit extended by India to Bangladesh in 2016.
Out of the 50.58 km, a stretch of 39 km would be upgraded by Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bangladesh and an Indian Company – Afcons Infrastructure Limited. The RHD and an India-Bangladesh joint venture firm will take up the work of upgrading the remaining part of the road. The project is expected to improve the road connectivity between the two countries and facilitate regional connectivity between South and South-east Asian countries.

Notes:
Recently the World Archery has conditionally lifted the suspension of the Archery Association of India, ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2020. The Archery Association of India had been suspended since August 5th, 2019, following elections in New Delhi on 18th January.
The Indian archery athletes were only allowed to compete under a neutral flag at events that directly affected their qualification chances for the Olympics. After the ban is lifted, Indian archers are allowed to participate in World Archery events. India currently has three men’s and one women’s quota place at Tokyo 2020.

Notes:
USA’s second seed Fabiano Caruana clinched the title of the ‘Tata Steel Masters chess tournament’ with a record-winning score of 10 points from 13 rounds. He was assured of the title even before the final round. Only Garry Kasparov (1999) and Magnus Carlsen (2013) have won the tournament by scoring 10 points since 1980.
Current World champion Magnus Carlsen finished second in the tournament. Indian Grand master and five-time Viswanathan Anand settled for the sixth place with 6.5 points from 13 rounds.

Notes:
According to the recent bid document released by the Government, it would sell all its 100 per cent of its equity share capital in Air India, which includes the Air India’s 100 per cent stake in AI Express Limited and 50 per cent in Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited.
The government has also announced that it would absorb 30 per cent more in debt and liabilities, than it did in the previous year. March 17 has been set as the dead line for the submission of bids for the sale, which is to be implemented through the open bidding route. The net worth for the interested entities is also reduced to Rs.3500 Cr from the earlier limit of Rs.5000 Cr.

Notes:
The United Kingdom recently released a new 50 pence coin with inscription of “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” and the Brexit date of 31 January 2020.
The bill to implement the exit of Britain from the European Union officially became law recently this week. The coin is minted to mark the leaving of the country from the European Union. Britain Finance Minister Sajid Javid was presented with the first set of coins. Nearly 10 million such coins are to be distributed and the first three million will be available from January 31, in all banks, post offices and shops.

Notes:
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 27 across the world. This year, the day is observed in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, under the theme “75 years after Auschwitz — Holocaust Education and Remembrance for Global Justice”.
The United Nations Department of Global Communications organized several events on 27 January to observe the day, including the 2020 United Nations Holocaust Memorial Ceremony. After the UN passed a resolution for the day in 2005, Holocaust Remembrance weeks were organized by the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme. Recently, the World Holocaust Forum was held in Jerusalem, Israel.

Notes:
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot recently inaugurated the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) in the city of Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar.
The Composite Regional Centre is aimed at providing skill development, rehabilitation and empowerment of persons with disabilities in the local region. The centres are set under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to create infrastructure facilities and resources for persons with disabilities. In India, the CRCs are located in several other cities including Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati and Ahmedabad.

Notes:
Maharashtra-based renowned rights activist and feminist, Vidya Bal recently passed away. She had been undertaking legal battles against social and gender inequalities throughout her life.
She was the founder of the social organisation ‘Nari Samata Manch’ which aimed at discussing and providing solutions to various problems of women. The centre mainly focussed on reclaiming the rights of rural women. She was also the editor of the progressive magazine ‘Miloon Saryajani’ and author of many literary works. She is well-known for demanding the entry of women in all temples.