GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 09, 2017

Which Insurance Company has won the “2017 General Insurance Company of the Year” at the 21st Asia Insurance Industry Awards?

[A] New India Assurance Company Ltd
[B] Apollo Munich Health Insurance Company
[C] Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
[D] United India Insurance Company Ltd

Correct Answer: B [Apollo Munich Health Insurance Company]

Answer Explanation: Apollo Munich Health Insurance Company has won the ” 2017 General Insurance Company of the Year” award at the 21st Asia Insurance Industry Awards. The Health Insurance Company is a joint venture between Apollo Hospitals Group and the Munich Re Group The award recognises Apollo Munich’s contribution in demonstrating market leadership during the qualifying period via innovation in products, services, practices, responsiveness to end-users and intermediaries, initiatives in boosting the image of insurance in society, narrowing the protection gap, and showcasing exceptional business growth through professionalism and sound management.

Which is the official mascot of the 2017 AIBA Youth Women’s World Boxing Championship?

[A] Guppy
[B] Pan Pan
[C] Orry
[D] Bhin Bhin

Correct Answer: A [Guppy]

Answer Explanation: Assam’s female one-horned rhino “Guppy” has been unveiled as the official mascot of the 2017 AIBA Youth Women’s World Boxing Championship in Guwahati, Assam on November 7, 2017. Guppy has been chosen as it is a symbol of strength and endurance, something that Indian women are known for, traits that are also synonymous with the game of boxing. Apart from this, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh has also released the championship’s official logo and anthem ‘Make Some Noise’. Approx 200 participants (16-17 years) from 38 countries will take part in the event, which is scheduled to be held from November 19 to 26.

Which committee has been constituted by the Union Government to continuously monitor the solutions to air pollution?

[A] Bhure Lal committee
[B] Sunita Narain committee
[C] C.K Mishra committee
[D] Harsh Vardhan committee

Correct Answer: C [C.K Mishra committee]

Answer Explanation: The Union Environment ministry has constituted a 7-member committee to continuously monitor the short-term and long-term solutions to air pollution. It will be headed by C.K Mishra, the Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The committee will meet at regular, short intervals to draw up a plan and ensure enforcement.

Which IIT institute to host the Blockchain summit and hackathon, which will be organised by NITI Aayog?

[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIT Indore
[D] IIT Madras

Correct Answer: B [IIT Delhi]

Answer Explanation: The think tank NITI Aayog in collaboration with Proffer, a blockchain startup founded by graduates of MIT and Harvard, will organise a ‘Blockchain Summit’ and hackathon at IIT Delhi from Nov 10-13, 2017. The objective of the event is to explore how blockchain architectures can enable a new digital infrastructure for India, improving efficiency, transparency, privacy, and cost across all sectors. 1,500+ students from IITs, MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, and top engineering institutions around the world will be participating in the event, with 500 attending in-person on IIT Delhi’s campus. Multinational majors that include Microsoft, IBM, Accel, Coinbase, and Amazon AWS are sponsoring $17,000+ in prizes to reward the top 5 blockchain-based applications addressing problems in government/enterprise infrastructure, finance, energy markets, supply chain, decentralized Aadhar identities, information exchange, and more.

Shahzar Rizvi is associated with which sports?

[A] Boxing
[B] Shooting
[C] Chess
[D] Table Tennis

Correct Answer: B [Shooting]

Answer Explanation: Air Force Sportsmen Sergeant Shahzar Rizvi has won a gold medal in 10 mtrs Pistol for India at recently conducted Commonwealth Shooting Championship held at Gold Coast, Australia. Sergeant Deepak Kumar won Bronze medal in 10 mtrs Air Rifle at the same event. Both are outstanding Sportsman in shooting and they have performed consistently well in their career as well. Sergeant Rizvi had also won Gold and Silver medal in 2014 & 2015 in the Senior National Shooting Championship respectively.

Which state government will set up village climate resilient committees for adopting different agricultural practices?

[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra

Correct Answer: D [Maharashtra ]

Answer Explanation: The Maharashtra government will soon set up village climate resilient committees for adopting different agricultural practices in over 5,000 villages of 15 districts in the state. A 13-member committee will be set up in all these villages to stress on adopting new agricultural practices, judicious use of water and soil testing to keep a check on its health. As per a Government Resolution (GR) issued on November 7, 2017, under the Nanaji Deshmukh Krushi Sanjivanee Project, Village Climate Resilient Agriculture Management Committees (VCRMCs) would be set up at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore. The project would be funded by the World Bank. The project recommends use of seed technology, precision farming along with diversification of agriculture to coarse grains.

Who has won the 2017 Women’s singles National Badminton Championships?

[A] Shriyanshi Pardeshi
[B] Prajakta Sawant
[C] Saina Nehwal
[D] PV Sindhu

Correct Answer: C [Saina Nehwal]

Answer Explanation: Saina Nehwal has won the women’s singles title at the 82nd Senior National Badminton Championships in Nagpur, Maharashtra on November 8, 2017. She defeated PV Sindhu in the final by 21-17, 27-25. It is her third singles title in the national championships.

The Mathikettan Shola National Park (MSNS) is located in which state?

[A] Karnataka
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Kerala

Correct Answer: D [Kerala ]

Answer Explanation: The Mathikettan Shola National Park (MSNS) is located in Poopara village of Udumbanchola taluk in Idukki district of Kerala and covers an area of 12.82 square kilometres. It is notified as a national park to protect the wildlife and rich biodiversity of the area. It is home to beautiful and rare animals like panthers, wild elephants, spotted deer, Nilgiri tahrs and giant grizzled squirrels, etc. Among reptiles, species like rat snakes, crocodiles, vipers, cobras, turtles, lizards and pythons inhabit the park.

Which state government has launched She Pad scheme for school girls?

[A] Kerala
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Rajasthan

Correct Answer: A [Kerala]

Answer Explanation: Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, has launched the She Pad scheme for school girls on November 8, 2017, which will be implemented in 300 government schools across 114 panchayats in Kerala. The scheme will facilitate free sanitary napkins, storage spaces for napkins and environment-friendly incinerators at all government & aided schools in the state. It is a first-of-its-kind scheme in India, which aims to raise awareness about the need for menstrual hygiene and break the taboo around the subject. The financial cost for the project, about Rs30 crore, is provided by local panchayats and Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation.

The 5th meeting of Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was held in which city?

[A] New Delhi
[B] Kolkata
[C] Kathmandu
[D] Lucknow

Correct Answer: C [Kathmandu ]

Answer Explanation: The 5th meeting of Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was held at Kathmandu on November 8, 2017. A comprehensive review of the progress achieved in the implementation of bilateral projects in last 4 months was made in the meeting. Both sides reiterated their commitment to the early completion of all bilateral economic and development cooperation projects within specified time frame by providing required facilities and resolving difficulties in an expeditious manner. Foreign Secretary of Nepal Shanker Das Bairagi and Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri jointly chaired the meeting. The Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was set up as agreed during then Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal India visit in September 2016. The next meeting of the mechanism will be held at Kathmandu on a mutually convenient date.

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GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 08, 2017

The 2nd edition of India International Cherry Blossom festival has started in which state?

[A] Odisha
[B] Mizoram
[C] Jammu & Kashmir
[D] Meghalaya

Correct Answer: D [Meghalaya]

Answer Explanation: The 2nd edition of India International Cherry Blossom festival, which is the World’s only autumn cherry blossom festival, has started on November 8, 2017 in Shillong, Meghalaya. The 4-day festival is being organized by Government of Meghalaya, Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development with support from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. According to Meghalaya government, such festivals will not only boost tourism but also protect and preserve the forest and wildlife biodiversity. The festival has successfully attracted a large number of tourists from different parts of the country and abroad. The festival will also have guided night walks under illuminated cherry blossoms, live music, and stalls showcasing the cuisine, wine, arts and craft of the region. In it, the state government has also released the special cover of the 2nd India International Cherry Blossom Festival Postage Stamp.

Who has won the 2017 men’s singles National Badminton Championships?

[A] Kidambi Srikanth
[B] Pranaav Jerry Chopra
[C] H S Prannoy
[D] Kashyap Parupalli

Correct Answer: C [H S Prannoy]

Answer Explanation: H S Prannoy has won the men’s singles title at the 82nd Senior National Championship Senior National Badminton Championships in Nagpur, Maharashtra on November 8, 2017. He defeated higher ranked Kidambi Srikanth in the final by 21- 15, 16- 21, 21-7.

Which country to host the Organic World Congress (OWC) – 2017?

[A] Turkey
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Israel

Correct Answer: B [India]

Answer Explanation: The 19th edition of Organic World Congress (OWC- 2017) will be held at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida from Nov 9-11. The International Federation of Organic Farming Movements (IFOAM) and OAFI are organizing the event where 55 seeds group from 15 Indian states will showcase 4,000 varieties of seeds. It will see the participation of 1,400 representatives from 110 countries, and 2000 delegates from India. The Organic World Congress (OWC) is organized once every three years in a different country and this time it is being organised in India. The last edition of the OWC took place in Istanbul, Turkey in 2014.

The Indo-Bangladesh joint military exercise “Sampriti-7” has started in which of the following states?

[A] Meghalaya and Mizoram
[B] Tripura and West Bengal
[C] Assam and Odisha
[D] Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh

Correct Answer: A [Meghalaya and Mizoram]

Answer Explanation: The Indo-Bangladesh joint military exercise “Sampriti-7” has started in its northeastern states of Meghalaya and Mizoram from November 6, 2017. This is the 7th edition of the joint training exercise, which will end on November 18. The 13-day exercise will be conducted at India’s Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte in Mizoram and at the Joint Training Node at Umroi in Meghalaya. The purpose of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between the two nations and enrich from each other’s experience while carrying out counter-insurgency or counter-terrorism operations.

Which state will be the first state to use EVMs with VVPAT machines on all booths during assembly elections?

[A] Gujarat
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan

Correct Answer: B [Himachal Pradesh]

Answer Explanation: Himachal Pradesh will be the first state to use EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines on all booths during assembly elections. The state will go to polls on November 9, 2017 in a single phase. Over 37 thousand polling personnel’s have set up 7,525 polling stations for more than fifty lakh voters in different parts of the state. The election department has identified 983 as vulnerable while 399 as critical polling stations. The polling parties have also arrived in far flung areas of Pangi in Bharmour, Bara Bhangal in Baijnath and Dodra Kawar in Rohru assembly constituencies. The Kaa polling station Kinnaur tribal assembly constituency has only six voters. In Dharmashala segment of Kangra district two polling stations will be fully handled by divyang officials.

Which Indian organization has developed sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’, which is successfully test fired recently?

[A] BARC
[B] Bharat Earth Movers
[C] ISRO
[D] DRDO

Correct Answer: D [DRDO]

Answer Explanation: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight test of its indigenously designed and developed long-range sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’, which can carry warheads of up to 300 kg. The state-of-the-art missile was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The missile has the capability to cruise at the speed of 0.7 Mach and loiter at altitudes as low as 100 m. Powered by a solid rocket motor booster, Nirbhay missile with a turbo-fan engine is guided by a highly advanced inertial navigation system. The missile is capable of carrying 24 kinds of war weapons, the missile is able to target multiple places simultaneously. Nirbhay is very manoeuvrable and can fly at tree-top level, making it difficult to detect on radar, and strikes targets of 1,000 km away carrying nuclear warheads, giving India the capability to strike deep into enemy territory.

The Nokrek National Park (NNS) is located in which state?

[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Jammu & Kashmir
[D] Sikkim

Correct Answer: B [Meghalaya ]

Answer Explanation: The Nokrek National Park (NNS) is located in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya and covers an area of 47.48 square kilometres. It is an important habitat of the Asian elephants and is also an important bird area. In 2009, UNESCO added this National park to its list of Biosphere Reserves. It is noted for its wild varieties of citrus fruits that provide a gene-pool for commercially produced citrus.

Which city is hosting the 20th International Children’s Film Festival of India (ICFFI)?

[A] Hyderabad
[B] New Delhi
[C] Lucknow
[D] Chennai

Correct Answer: A [Hyderabad ]

Answer Explanation: The 20th International Children’s Film Festival of India (ICFFI) has started in Hyderabad on November 8, 2017 with New India- as the main theme this time. The Telangana government and Children’s Film Society, India (CFSI) are jointly organizing the biennial children’s event. 317 films from over hundred countries will be screened in about 40 theatres in Hyderabad and also at the district head quarters across the state. Of them, over hundred films will be screened in competition sections. Some of the popular international award-winning children’s films are also brought for the festival this time. They include – Sweeden film ‘SIV Sleeps Astray’ Russian film Pitch’, Netherlands film ‘Sky’, film from Germany Nelly’s Adventure, Canada film ‘Anthems: A Journey Around The World’, film from Egypt-Wintry Spring.

Mary Kom has won gold medal in which category at 2017 Asian women’s Boxing Championships?

[A] 52kg category
[B] 57kg category
[C] 48kg category
[D] 42kg category

Correct Answer: C [48kg category ]

Answer Explanation: Indian boxer M C Mary Kom won gold medal in 48kg category at Asian women’s Boxing Championships by defeating North Korea’s Kim Hyang Mi in Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam on November 8, 2017. It is her first Asian gold medal in this category.

Who has been awarded with the Israel’s 2018 Genesis Prize?

[A] Michael Bloomberg
[B] Itzhak Perlman
[C] Anish Kapoor
[D] Natalie Portman

Correct Answer: D [Natalie Portman]

Answer Explanation: Natalie Portman, an acclaimed Israeli-born actress and director, has been awarded Israel’s 2018 Genesis Prize in recognition of her commitment to social causes and deep connection to her Jewish and Israeli roots. It is announced by the Genesis Prize Foundation on November 7, 2017. The $1 million award, known as “the Jewish Nobel Prize,” is granted each year to a person recognised as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through professional achievement and commitment to Jewish values. Ms. Portman is the fifth winner and first woman to receive the prize.

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