Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2020

Notes:
Leading stock exchange, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) announced that it has signed a pact with private sector bank Yes Bank to empower the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
As per the BSE, the agreement aims to empower SMEs listed on the platform, through awareness and knowledge-sharing programmes, for export promotion and banking and financial solutions. The bank will also offer customised services and products to the listed SMEs.

Notes:
India’s first multi-wavelength astronomical observatory named ‘Astrosat’ has recently completed five years of imaging objects in space.
The satellite was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2015. It has successfully carried out over 1000 observations of 800 unique celestial sources. A discovery of a galaxy located at a distance of about 10 billion light-years from Earth has been made using it.

Notes:
Google India has recently announced the launch of its nationwide campaign named ‘Make Small Strong’.
It aims to help support small businesses and enhance demand through customer support. It encourages people to buy locally and promote their favourite retailers by posting reviews. This new programme is based on feedback from Small and Medium Businesses.

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:
As per a report titled “Annual Crime in India 2019” published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crime against Scheduled Castes (SCs) has increased over 7% and crimes against Scheduled Tribes (STs) has increased over 26% in 2019.
As per the report, Uttar Pradesh has recorded the highest number of crimes against SCs in 2019 followed by Rajasthan and Bihar.

Notes:
Indian Meteorological Department was established in 1875. As per a recent a recent release by the IMD, India received above normal monsoon during the 4-month long rainfall season of this year.
This year has recorded the second highest rainfall in the last 30 years. IMD has stated that the country received 109% rainfall during the Long Period Average, with 3 out of the 4 months receiving above normal precipitation.

Notes:
The National Statistical Office (NSO) conducted the first of its kind “Time Use Survey in India” during the period from January to December 2019. The result of the survey has been released recently in the form of a report.
The survey measures the time spent on paid activities, care activities, unpaid activities, etc. NSO conducted the survey covering 1,38,799 households in both urban and rural areas.

Notes:
The all-weather “Atal Tunnel” which was constructed by the Boarder Roads Organisation (BRO) has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It is the longest highway tunnel in the world that is 9.02 km long. It connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year. The tunnel reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km.

Notes:
The Election Commission has recently issued a set of new instructions regarding the postal ballot facilities for those above 80 years of age and people with disabilities.
The booth level officer would deliver the form required to opt for the postal ballot, under his polling station. The fresh guidelines would be applicable to all elections and by-elections, including the by-polls announced last week.

Notes:
The Wildlife Day celebration started in 1955 in India and it was later expanded to Wildlife week celebration in 1957. It aims to spread awareness on conservation and protection of wildlife.
This year the 66th Wildlife Week was celebrated with the theme RoaR (Roar and Revive) – Exploring Human-Animal Relationships. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar presented the Prani Mitra awards to encourage the zoo officers and staff.