Current Affairs - 2019-20

Notes:
Previously, two seats in the Lok Sabha were reserved for members of the Anglo-Indian community, nominated by the President of India. However, these nominated seats were discontinued by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.

Notes:
In the given figure ‘A’ is Baramula, Baramulla is a city and a municipality in the Baramulla district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is on the bank of the Jhelum River downstream from Srinagar, the state capital. The city was earlier known as Varahamula which is Sanskrit for “boar’s molar”.
‘B’ is Srinagar, Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes. The city is known for its natural environment, gardens, waterfronts and houseboats.
‘C’ is Anantnag, Anantnag from the state’s capital Srinagar. It is the third largest city in Jammu and Kashmir after Srinagar and Jammu with an urban agglomerate population of more than 200,000 and municipal limit population over 100,000.
‘D’ is Kargil, Kargil is a town in the Kargil district in the Ladakh region of northern India. It is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. It is located 60 km and 204 km from Drass and Srinagar to the west respectively, 234 km from Leh to the east, 240 km from Padum to the southeast and 1,047 km from Delhi to the south.
 

Notes:
India has recently approached the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) after Pakistan denied Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special flight the use of its airspace. This is the 3rd time in recent weeks that Islamabad has refused to allow Indian leaders to use its airspace after turning down last month requests by President Ram Nath Kovind and Mr. Modi. According to official sources, such overflight clearances for VVIP special flights were granted routinely by “any normal country” as per prescribed ICAO guidelines. ICAO’s headquarters is located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Notes:
Taro Chatung (57), the veteran journalist of Arunachal Pradesh, has passed away in Itanagar on 26th October 2019. He was one of the first persons in the state to direct and produce a full-length feature film in Hindi as it is spoken in the state. With his “News & Views” programme breaking all records of viewership, Chatung is often referred to as the “Father of the electronic media” in the state.

Notes:
Columbia is situated in North-Western part of South America whose president was Andres Pstrana from 1998-2002. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became President of Philippines on 20th January 2001. Mexico is situated in North America whose president was Vincent Fox whereas the president of Venezuela was Huga Chavez.

Notes:
The Nagaland Government has recently launched the Nagaland Ex-gratia Scheme for Students Studying outside Nagaland (NGESSO) belonging to any recognized Scheduled Tribes (STs) and indigenous inhabitants of the state. The scheme is targeted for students who die outside the state while pursuing secular, technical, professional, diploma and theology courses. The state government will provide a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs as one-time payment to the parents / families of the students in case of unfortunate death of any student while studying outside the state.

Notes:
Zia Mody – founder partner of AZB & Partners
Anuradha J. Desai – Chairperson of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited
Villoo Morawala Patel – Chairperson of Avesthagen
Meena Kaushik – Chairman of Quantum mechanics research
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Chairman of Biocon India
 

Notes:
Karnataka government has directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to install GPS devices in all garbage trucks in Bengaluru city. There has been rampant corruption in garbage disposal. On record 100 trucks are operated but in reality only 50 are run. There move will check these irregularities. Measures are being taken for more scientific disposal of waste.Everyday 4,500 tonnes of waste are collected out of which only 2,500 tonnes gets processed scientifically.

Notes:
Drupad maestro and Padma Shri awardee Ramakant Gundecha passed away in Bhopal on November 8, 2019. He was the younger one among the Gundecha brothers. The Gundecha brothers, founders of Bhopal’s Gurukul Drupad Sansthan, are known for reviving and performing the dhrupad, one of the oldest forms of Hindustani music. The brothers were awarded the Padma Shri together in 2012. The duo has performed at countless festivals and concerts across national and international platforms and was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2017.

Notes:
The Government of India appointed Justice Ravi Ranjan as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. His approval comes after the recommendation made by the Collegium on 15 October 2019. Justice Ranjan will take over the position from the Jharkhand High Court from Acting Chief Justice, Harish Chandra Mishra. Mr. Mishra was appointed after the sudden demise of Acting Chief Justice Prashant Kumar.