GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 22, 2017

Which university library has bagged the Highest Profile Registration category award for effective utilisation of the J-Gate@eShodhSindhu platform?

[A] Pondicherry University
[B] University of Madras
[C] Delhi University
[D] Anna University

Correct Answer: A [Pondicherry University]

Answer Explanation: Pondicherry University library has bagged the Highest Profile Registration category award for effective utilisation of the J-Gate@eShodhSindhu platform. University librarian R. Samyuktha received the award at the first J-Gate@eShodhSindhu Forum and Information and Library Network Centers (INFLIBNET) meet jointly organised by INFLIBNET and Informatics Publishing Ltd, held at Gandhi Nagar recently. Pondicherry University is a member of the consortia of leading universities in the country for access to e-resources including electronic journals and electronic databases for major publishers.

Who has been conferred with the 2017 Life Time Achievement (LTA) award by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF)?

[A] RS Jamwal
[B] Ajit Pai
[C] Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay
[D] Manik Banerjee

Correct Answer: D [Manik Banerjee]

Answer Explanation: Veteran journalist Manik Banerjee, who is also an acclaimed mountaineer, has been conferred with the 2017 Nain Singh-Kishen Singh Life Time Achievement (LTA) award by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) on November 19 for his achievements in mountaineering over a period of four decades and invaluable contribution in promotion of mountaineering. Beside him, Lt col RS Jamwal was presented the IMF Gold Medal. Lt. Col Jamwal has the distinction of reaching the top of Mt. Everest thrice (in 2013, 2016 and 2017) besides climbing many other peaks in Indian Himalaya.

Sudip Datta Bhowmik, the noted journalist was shot dead. He hailed from which state?

[A] Karnataka
[B] West Bengal
[C] Tripura
[D] Odisha

Correct Answer: C [Tripura ]

Answer Explanation: Sudip Datta Bhowmik (49), the noted journalist was shot dead under mysterious circumstances at a battalion headquarters of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) near Agartala on November 21, 2017. He was working for a vernacular daily ‘Syandan Patrikaand’ and was also contributing to local television channel ‘News Vanguard’.

What is the theme of the 2017 Universal Children’s Day (UCD)?

[A] Stop Violence Against Children!
[B] Protect Child Protect World
[C] Invest in Education
[D] Kids Take Over

Correct Answer: D [Kids Take Over]

Answer Explanation: The Universal Children’s Day (UCD) is observed every year on November 20 throughout the world to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide and improving children’s welfare. The 2017 theme is ‘Kids Take Over’. The day was established in 1954, offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for Children

Which Indian-origin researcher has been appointed as new UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV?

[A] Thomas Kailath
[B] Quarraisha Abdool Karim
[C] Shwetak Patel
[D] Ajay Agrawal

Correct Answer: B [Quarraisha Abdool Karim]

Answer Explanation: Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, an acclaimed South African Indian-origin AIDS researcher, has been appointed as a UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV. Professor Abdool Karim is one of the world’s leading AIDS researchers and has made pioneering contributions to understanding the HIV epidemic among young people, especially among young women. She is a strong advocate for the rights of people living with and affected by HIV. In her new role as a UNAIDS Special Ambassador, Abdool Karim will focus on adolescents and HIV, while also championing the involvement of young women in science.

The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) is located in which district of Rajasthan?

[A] Rajsamand
[B] Barmer
[C] Bhilwara
[D] Jaisalmer

Correct Answer: A [Rajsamand ]

Answer Explanation: The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) is located in the Rajsamand District of Maharashtra and covers an area of 578 km2. It is home to Indian wolf, Indian leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena, Golden jackal, jungle cat, sambhar, nilgai, chausingha, etc.

India has signed how much amount of loan agreement with World Bank for “Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks Project (SISPP)”?

[A] $200 million
[B] $111million
[C] $100 million
[D] $123 million

Correct Answer: C [$100 million]

Answer Explanation: The Government of India (GoI) has signed a $98 million loan agreement and $2 million grant agreement with World Bank (WB) for “Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks Project (SISPP)”. The project will finance the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), to provide sub-loans to select states to invest in various solar parks, mostly under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Solar Park Scheme. The purpose of the project is to increase solar generation capacity through establishment of large-scale parks in the country. The project will help establish large-scale solar parks and support the government’s plan to install 100 Gigawatts (GW) of solar power out of a total renewable-energy target of 175 GW by 2022.

Which union ministry is observing Vasectomy Fortnight in India?

[A] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[B] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development

Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]

Answer Explanation: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is observing ‘Vasectomy Fortnight’ from November 21 to raise awareness about male sterilisation and to promote the participation of men in family planning. Under this awareness campaign, all states and union territories will observe Vasectomy Fortnight till December 4, 2017 by providing quality of male sterilization services at public health facilities. The theme for this campaign is “Zimmedar Purush ki yehi hai Pehchan, Parivar Niyojan mein jo de Yogdaan”. The Vasectomy fortnight will be observed up to block level with a focus on family planning service delivery along with information, education, communication, and advocacy.

Which bank has launched Pattabhi Sitaramayya — Self Business Group (PS-SBG) scheme to encourage entrepreneurship?

[A] State Bank of India
[B] Andhra Bank
[C] Punjab National Bank
[D] Bank of India

Correct Answer: B [Andhra Bank]

Answer Explanation: Andhra Bank has launched a new scheme “Pattabhi Sitaramayya — Self Business Group (PS-SBG)” on November 21, 2017 to encourage entrepreneurship. The scheme was launched to commemorate the 138th birth anniversary of its founder Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya, and the Silver Jubilee of the SHG-Bank linkage programme in the country. Under the scheme, maximum financial assistance will be Rs. 25 lakh without collateral security. The Self Help Groups (SHGs), which have had five years of association with Andhra Bank, will be eligible for the scheme. The SHGs should also have completed three credit rotations with good repayment record to be considered eligible. The bank aims to encourage SHGs to Self Business Group model by helping these collectives take up substantial economic activity. Bank will also facilitate capacity building workshops for SHG members.

Which union minister has launched 1st World Conference on Access to Medical Products in New Delhi?

[A] Harsh Vardhan
[B] Harsimrat Kaur Badal
[C] J P Nadda
[D] Radha Mohan Singh

Correct Answer: C [J P Nadda]

Answer Explanation: J P Nadda, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, has inaugurated the 1st World Conference on Access to Medical Products and International Laws for Trade and Health in New Delhi. The Conference is organized by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare with the support of WHO Country Office for India and in partnership with Indian Society of International Law. The purpose of the conference is to exchange knowledge and expand understanding on contemporary issues in international trade laws and research and innovation for access to medical products to achieve SDG 2030 agenda.