Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2020

Notes:
India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India has announced that it has shortlisted five start-ups, as part of its MAIL (Mobility & Automobile Innovation Lab) programme.
With these new companies, Maruti Suzuki is engaged with 14 start-ups under the MAIL programme in the last 18 months. The initiative aims to create innovative business solutions and promote innovation in automobile sector.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the enhanced borrowing facility provided to banks by six more months.
The facility to borrow under MSF scheme to meet liquidity shortage till March 31, 2021. Earlier in the March, the RBI had increased the limit from 2 per cent to 3 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities.

Notes:
Major E-commerce giant Amazon has launched its new Fulfilment Centre in Tamil Nadu. This is aimed to strengthening the firm’s network in the state.
This facility is expected to offer significant employment opportunities in Tamil Nadu and give a boost to the Economy. The facility has a 7 lakh cubic feet of storage space and can accommodate lakhs of products, appliances and furniture.

Notes:
NITI Aayog and the Embassy of the Netherlands, New Delhi recently signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) on ‘Decarbonization and Energy Transition Agenda’.
Under this partnership, NITI Aayog and the Dutch Embassy aim to create innovative technological solutions to accommodate cleaner energy. It also aims to lower the net carbon footprint, to promote bio-energy technologies among others.

Notes:
Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, also known as Sheikh Nawaf has been sworn in as the Emir (Head) of Kuwait.
The previous ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has recently died in the United States at the age of 91. Sheikh Sabah ruled the country for more than 14 years and the new Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf is 83 years old.

Notes:
Mahatma Gandhi founded the organisation named ‘Harijan Sevak Sangh’ in 1932, to work for the upliftment of the Depressed class people.
The Sangh was established to fight untouchability in the country. While establishing the Sangh, Gandhi also started a new weekly paper named ‘the Harijan’. The Sangh is headquartered at New Delhi.

Notes:
Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) has commenced the exploration of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka. MECL is a Mini Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Mines.
This mining activity is expected to help resolve Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) issue over exploration of the gold field, which is pending for past 16 years.

Notes:
The Defence ministry has signed a Rs 400 crore-contract with Economic Explosive Limited (EEL), for the supply of ten lakh hand grenades.
Earlier, similar products were either imported or made by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). The new grenades called multi-mode hand grenades (MMHG), have been designed by the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of DRDO.

Notes:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed highly purified ‘Antisera’ for prevention and treatment of Covid-19.
ICMR along with Hyderabad-based Biological E. Limited have developed highly purified antisera, which was raised in animals, for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19. This was previously used in medical science to treat many viral and bacterial infections.

Notes:
In order to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, “Shramdan” drive was organized by the Department of Justice, Government of India at New Delhi on 2nd October, 2020.
During the event, all the officers and staff members of Department of Justice participated in a cleanliness drive to clean the office premises.