Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2020

Notes:
Senior IPS Officer A.P. Maheshwari has been appointed as the new Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. The previous DG of CRPF, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar retired last month and ITBP Director General S.S. Deswal was given the additional charge in CRPF.
Maheshwari is a 1984-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, who is the Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Home Ministry at present, has been appointed as the new Director General up to 28 February, 2021.

Notes:
Kaifi Azmi was a famous Indian Urdu poet and song writer and was the pioneer in using Urdu literature in Indian movies. His 101st birth anniversary was recently observed and Google dedicated a doodle on the day as a tribute.
He had won several awards including the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award. He was also presented with the Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian award in India. Kaifi Azmi had won the renowned Sakitya Akademi fellowship.

Notes:
Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15, across the country to honour the contributions made by the soldiers to the country. The 72nd Army day was recently observed on January 15, 2020.
On January 15, 1949, General KM Carriappa became the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army after Independence. This day is being commemorated every year as Army Day. The Indian Army holds Army Parade every year in the Parade ground, New Delhi. Captain Tania Shergill becomes the first female to lead an all-men contingent at the Army Day Parade.

Notes:
Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano of Phillipnes, and is located on the Luzan island of the country.Recently, the Taal volcano emitted lava and ash clouds up to nine miles into the air. Several lakhs of people are being evacuated from the capital city of Philippines Manila, fearing a major and explosive volcanic eruption.
Ash falls, volcanic lightning and volcanic thunderstorms were observed in the island. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has made the alert level to four, the highest being five.

Notes:
The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) is an autonomous Institute established by the Government of Delhi. It is super-speciality hospital for liver and biliary diseases located at New Delhi. It has also been given the status of University by the University Grants Commission.
Recently, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, attended and addressed the tenth foundation day of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi. He suggested to establish liver transplant programs in more public hospitals across the country and to spread awareness about organ donation.

Notes:
The ‘National Highway Excellence Awards’ was instituted by the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway, in the year 2018. It was then changed to an annual version and the second edition of the awards was presented by the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi recently.
The awards are presented to motivate the companies that perform well in the construction, operation, maintenance, tolling phase and road safety. There are seven categories in the award and 12 winners were selected from several shortlisted applicants.

Notes:
The biggest airborne exercise called the “Winged Raider” was conducted by the Indian Army in North Eastern Theatre recently. This exercise witnessed the participation of more than 500 special force troops, who parachuted from C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster transporter Air-crafts of Indian Air Force.
During the exercise, the newly inducted aerial equipments were tested with acute precision and seamless integration between the Indian Army and Indian Air Force in some of the most difficult terrains. This exercise demonstrated the operational readiness of Paratroopers and Air Warriors to undertake airborne missions.

Notes:
The highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India is named after the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The award is named as ‘Sardar Patel National Unity Award’. The award recognises the contributions made towards the national unity and integrity.
Recently the Home Ministry announced that the on-line nomination process for the award is open and the last date for the nominations is 30th April. The award will be announced on the National Unity Day on 31st October, which is the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.

Notes:
The Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), the scheme of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was recently renamed as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare recently intimated the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories about the change of name. In 2018, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced 2025 as the target year for eliminating Tuberculosis form India, 5 years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal. On account of the target, the programme was renamed to NTEP.

Notes:
Former Indian cricketer Bapu Nadkarni passed away recently in Mumbai. He was a left-arm spinner and an all-rounder, who played for India in international cricket matches. He had created the record of bowling 21 successive maiden overs, when he achieved it in the test match against England.
Known for his bowling skills, Nadkarni had a bowling economy of just 1.64 after playing in 191 first-class matches. Nadkarni represented India in 41 Test matches and subsequently served as a member of the National Selection Committee and the joint secretary of Mumbai Cricket Association.