Monthly Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2017

Notes:
Mathunny Mathews (81), popularly known as ‘Toyota Sunny’, has recently passed away on May 20, 2017 in Qadisiya in Kuwait. The funeral was held at his native Podippara, Eraviperoor in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. He was an Indian & a resident in Kuwait, who played a key role in the safe evacuation of 1.7 lakh Indian nationals from the Emirate after Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait in 1990. Mathews was one of the founding members of the Indian Arts Circle which brought the expats together. He was the inspiration for ‘Airlift’, a Bollywood movie in which Akshay Kumar depicted Ranjit Katyal.

Notes:
The philosophical novel for God titled “Confessions of a dying mind: the blind faith of atheism” has been authored by IAS officer Haulianlal Guite, which is recently unveiled by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in august gathering at Civil Services Officers’ Institute in New Delhi. The book billed as “the world’s first philosophical novel for God”, whose author is arguably the first Indian civil servant to write on philosophy since John Stuart Mill published On Liberty way back in 1858. The book explores the nature of science, religion, evidence and even love in light of leading developments. It makes use of the latest findings of modern science and the most solid theories in philosophy. It also presents some interesting arguments against atheism by using the theories and findings of atheists themselves.

Notes:
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from Ethiopia has been elected as the new Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO). He will be the first African to head up the UN agency, after winning the most votes from 186 member States. He will succeed Dr. Margaret Chan, who will step down from her 10-year post at the end of June.

Notes:
The 2017 World Street Food Congress (WSFC) will be held in Manila, Philippines from May 31 to June 4, 2017 with theme “Re-Imagine Possibilities”. In the fest industry’s global movers and shakers, leaders and innovators, entrepreneurs, chefs, street vendors, and food aficionados come together to share ideas, development and opportunities in a collaborative environment. The Bihari delicacy litti choka will represent India in the international food festival. Litti Choka is a two-dish combination which is wheat baked balls stuffed with roasted spices and Chokha a mixture of roasted potato tomatoes onions with garlic chillies among others.

Notes:
Anurag Tripathy, a 1998 batch officer of Indian Railway personnel Service (IRPS), has been appointed the new secretary of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for a period of five years.

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The Pune city police have won the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) Smart Police Award for the year 2017 for their initiatives on women and cyber security. Pune Police Commissioner Rashmi Shukla received the award from BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi during a programme organised by FICCI and Vivekanand International Foundation on Homeland Security in Delhi on May 25. The initiatives like “BuddyCop”, “Damini squad”, “Lost & Found” portal, Beat Marshal Monitoring Sapience App, etc., were launched by Pune city police to tackle security issues in the city that paved the way to win the FICCI award.

Notes:
South Korea has won the 15th edition of the Sudirman Cup-2017 by defeating China in the final with a 3-2 win Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre in Australia on May 28, 2017. It is S.Korea’s fourth title, with the last one coming in 2003. It was the first time that Australia had hosted the tournament and the first time this event is hosted outside Asia and Europe since its establishment in 1989.

Notes:
Satyabrata Rout, a professor from the Department of Theatre Arts, S N School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad (UoH), has been bestowed with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar for the year 2016 for developing a unique method of teaching and practicing direction and design achieved from his experience working with eminent theatre practitioners and scholars. He is one of the pioneers of ‘visual theatre’ in India, and has ‘Scenography: An Indian Perspective’. He has directed a number of plays, participated in national and international theatre festivals and conducted numerous theatre workshops across the globe. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practising artists.

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Sebastian Vettel, a German racing driver for Scuderia Ferrari, has won the 2017 Formula One Monaco Grand Prix World Championship at Circuit de Monaco La Condamine and Monte Carlo in Monaco.

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The 2017 India Mobile Congress (IMC) will be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from September 27-29 to attract investments from global players in the telecom and mobile phone manufacturing sectors. The event will provide an in-depth insight into the mobile industry, highlighting specific areas of growth as well as the latest technological developments, next generation services and future trends. The global event will be organised by telecom industry body Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) with support from the department of telecommunications and ministries of electronics and information technology, and skill development. IMC 2017 will make India a global destination for leaders & key players to discuss, deliberate and dialogue; unveil excellence and lead policy for a vibrant eco-system.