Monthly Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2018

Notes:
In the 6th Bi-monthly Monetary policy statement for 2017-18, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the key interest rate “repo rate” unchanged at 6% and reverse repo at 5.75%. Also, the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate kept at 6.25%. The decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is consistent with the neutral stance of monetary policy in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 4% within a band of +/- 2%, while supporting growth.

Notes:
Shubhankar Sharma from Chandigarh has become the highest ranked Indian golfer after grabbing 72nd position in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). He has won the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sharma now also has the rare distinction of leading both the European Tour Race to Dubai and the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Shubhankar’s latest success also helped him join the exclusive club of Indians who have achieved two wins in the same European Tour season, the others being Jeev Milkha Singh (2006) and Anirban Lahiri (2015).

Notes:
Madavoor Vasudevan Nair (89), the Kathakali maestro, has passed away while performing at Agasthyacodu Mahadeva Temple in Anchal, Kerala on February 6, 2018. A recipient of several awards, including Padma Bhushan, he was the follower of the Kaplingattu School, the particular style of south Kerala. Madvoor had also worked as a faculty in the Thekkan Kalari (Southern school of Kathakali) of Kerala Kalamandalam and was the principal of Kalabharathi performing art institute.

Notes:
Justice Abhilasha Kumari has been sworn-in as new Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur on February 9, 2018. Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla administered her the oath of office at Raj Bhavan in Imphal. Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh, former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Ministers, MLAs and Judges attended the swearing-in ceremony. Earlier, Justice Abhilasha was a judge of the Gujarat High Court.

Notes:
Chandrasekhar Rath (89), the doyen of Odia literature, has passed away in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on February 10, 2018. Rath was conferred with several awards, including Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award and Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman for his contribution in the field of literature. The writer was nominated for the prestigious Padma Shri award this year.

Notes:
The National Unani Day (NUD) is celebrated every year on 11th February to mark the birth anniversary of great Unani researcher Haqim Ajmal Khan. He was an eminent Indian Unani physician who was versatile genius, freedom fighter, educationist and founder of scientific research in Unani Medicine. This year (2018) is special for Unani fraternity as it is the 150th Birth Anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan. To mark this day, the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), under the Ministry of AYUSH is organizing the 2018 International Conference on Unani Medicine in New Delhi on February 10 as part of Unani Day Celebration. The theme of the 2-day conference is “Integration of Unani System of Medicine in main stream healthcare”.

Notes:
The Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari has released India’s first-ever Highway Capacity Manual (Indo-HCM) in New Delhi on February 12, 2018. The manual has been developed by CSIR – CRRI on the basis of an extensive, country-wide study of the traffic characteristics on different categories of roads like single lane, two-lane, multi-lane urban roads, inter-urban highways and expressways and the associated intersections on these roads. The manual lays down guidelines for when and how to expand or manage different types of roads and their intersections and the level of services to be put in place. It is designed to be a useful tool for guiding road engineers and policy makers in the country. It has been developed based on the unique nature and diversity of traffic on Indian roads.

Notes:
The 12th edition of International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR-2018) was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 9, 2018. The 2018 theme was ” Responsible CSR: a New Agenda Beyond Governance”. The 2-day conference was attended by over 400 experts and delegates from all over India and abroad. In the conference, the prestigious Golden Peacock Award 2017 was presented. The leadership award for philanthropy and social change was presented to Vineet Nayar, the chairman of Sampark Foundation.

Notes:
The 3-day International Conference on Operations and Maintenance “Indian Power Stations 2018” has inaugurated by R.K. Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New and Renewable Energy, in New Delhi on February 13. The Minister exhorted the NTPC to become India’s power sector multinational by setting up power plants in other Nations and become world’s largest power producer. He also added that there was huge opportunity to export cheap power to neighbouring countries which will be beneficial for the entire region.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu has lifted their maiden title in the 23rd edition of the Senior Women’s National Football Championship 2018 by defeating Manipur in the final by 2-1 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on February 14. Indumathi has also adjudged the player of the final as well as the tournament for her superlative performances.