GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 12-13, 2017

Which union minister has released India Youth Development Index and Report 2017?

[A] Prakash Javadekar
[B] Smriti Irani
[C] Maneka Gandhi
[D] Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

Correct Answer: D [Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore]

Answer Explanation: Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge), has released the India Youth Development Index (YDI) and Report 2017 in New Delhi on November 13, 2017. The Index enables recognizing the high and low performing states, identifies the weak domains and informs the policy makers the priority areas of intervention for youth development in the states. The purpose of constructing the index is to track the trends in youth development across the States. The Index will enable the policy makers track the national and the regional progress as well setbacks in youth development policies, planning, priority identification and implementation strategies. The ministry stated that the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu has come out with Youth Development Index and Report 2017. This is a pioneering attempt made by the Institute in 2010 which it followed up with the India YDI in 2017.

The 2017 traditional Lavi Fair has started in which state?

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

Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]

Answer Explanation: The 4-day traditional Lavi Fair has started at Rampur Bushahr in Himachal Pradesh on November 12, 2017, which was inaugurated by Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat. The 300-year-old Lavi fair is an important trade event between India and Tibet. It is a unique example of the glorious, social, cultural, economic history and legacy of Himachal Pradesh. It provides a good opportunity for people to promote and sale woolens, dry fruits and other traditional crafts and products.

Ashok Khale, the veteran cyclist passed away. He hailed from which state?

[A] Punjab
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Manipur

Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]

Answer Explanation: Veteran cyclist Ashok Khale (64), who was recently injured in the suspected hit-and-run case on the Sion-Panvel highway, has passed away in the Bombay hospital during treatment on November 12, 2017. He won several medals for cycle-riding in state and national-level championships. He had represented India in Giro d’Italia event and was also called as the King of the Ghats. He was also the recipient of the Shiv Chhatrapati award.

Who has won the 2017 IBSF World Billiards Championship?

[A] Pankaj Advani
[B] Geet Sethi
[C] Ashok Shandilya
[D] Subhash Agarwal

Correct Answer: A [Pankaj Advani ]

Answer Explanation: Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani clinched his 17th world title after thrashing his arch-rival Mike Russell of England in the 2017 IBSF World Billiards Championship at Doha on November 12, 2017. In the best-of-11 summit clash, Advani beat Russell 6-2 to defend the 150-up format title he had won in Bengaluru last year. Advani will be eyeing a ‘Grand Double’ as the lengthier format (long-up) of the IBSF World Billiards Championship 2017, which will begin on November 13, 2017 at Doha.

Audrey Azoulay has been appointed as the new chief of UNESCO. She hails from which country?

[A] Germany
[B] Italy
[C] Bulgaria
[D] France

Correct Answer: D [France]

Answer Explanation: Audrey Azoulay, a former Minister of Culture and Communication of France, has been appointed as the new Director-General (DG) of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). She will succeed outgoing DG Irina Bokova on November 15, 2017. The new Director will set priorities for the organization’s World Heritage program that protects cultural sites and traditions. Ms Azoulay is the 11th Director-General of UNESCO and the second woman to occupy this position. She was born in Paris to a Moroccan Jewish family from Essaouira, and is the daughter of Andre Azoulay, who is current adviser to king Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Which Indian department is organisaing the National Conference on utilization models leveraging BharatNet infrastructure?

[A] Department of Bio-Technology (DBT)
[B] Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)
[C] Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
[D] Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

Correct Answer: C [Department of Telecommunications (DoT)]

Answer Explanation: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is organizing a National Conference with the State Governments and Service Providers to brainstorm and showcase various utilization models leveraging BharatNet infrastructure in New Delhi on November 13, 2017. The Conference will be attended by IT Ministers and IT Secretaries from States. In it, DoT will sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with states for the implementation of BharatNet Phase II. Under BharatNet Phase I, Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity has reached in over 1, 00, 000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) across different States in the country. By Dec 2017, all 1, 00, 000 GPs will be operational on the BharatNet infrastructure. As of today, almost 90,000 installations have been completed and Services are expected to commence in 80,000 GPs shortly.

The Ghughuwa Fossil Park (GFP) is located in which state?

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

Correct Answer: A [Madhya Pradesh]

Answer Explanation: The Ghughuwa Fossil Park (GFP) is located near Shahpura in Madhya Pradesh and was declared a National Park in 1983. It was founded during the 1970s by Dr. Dharmendra Prasad, in which plant fossils belonging to 31 genera of 18 families have been identified. A eucalyptus fossil found at Ghughua is the oldest fossil of its type ever discovered and this find supports its origins from Gondwana.

Who is leading the Indian delegation in the 4th India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue -2017?

[A] Smriti Irani
[B] Suresh Prabhu
[C] Thawar Chand Gehlot
[D] Jagat Prakash Nadda

Correct Answer: B [Suresh Prabhu]

Answer Explanation: The 4th India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue has started in New Delhi on November 13, 2017. The Indian delegation is led by the Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and the Canadian International Trade Minister, François-Philippe Champagne is leading the Canadian delegation. As per official release, India and Canada will focus on some of the key commercial drivers to enhance the India-Canada partnership in the current round of the Ministerial Dialogue. The efforts would be made to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement for a progressive, balanced, and mutually beneficial agreement covering both goods and services. The trade ministers of both countries are likely to discuss issues to explore ways of expediting the early conclusion of the CEPA and the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

The 2017 Public Service Broadcasting Day (PSBD) is celebrated on which date in India?

[A] November 11
[B] November 13
[C] November 12
[D] November 14

Correct Answer: C [November 12]

Answer Explanation: The Public Service Broadcasting Day (PSBD) is observed every year on November 12 to commemorate the first and last visit of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi to the studio of All India Radio, Delhi in 1947. He addressed the displaced people, who had temporarily settled at Kurukshetra in Haryana after partition. This year, in 2017, a function was organized at the premises of Broadcasting House, All India Radio in New Delhi to mark the occasion. Artists of All India Radio (AIR) recited favourite bhajans of Gandhiji and students of two Delhi Schools sung couple of songs on National Unity.

Who is leading the Indian delegation in the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2017 (ABIS 2017)?

[A] Nirmala Sitharaman
[B] Narendra Modi
[C] Dharmendra Pradhan
[D] Arun Jaitley

Correct Answer: B [Narendra Modi]

Answer Explanation: The ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2017 (ABIS 2017) has started in Manila, Philippines from November 12 to serve as a platform for conversations among regional and global stakeholders in the ASEAN Economic Community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the Indian delegation in the 3-day summit.

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GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 11, 2017

Which union ministry will celebrate Child Rights Week ‘Hausla 2017’?

[A] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[B] Ministry of Rural Development
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Women and Child Development ]

Answer Explanation: The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) will celebrate the Child Rights Week Hausla 2017 between 16 and 20 November. To mark the occasion various events will be held including Bal Sansad, painting competition, athletics meet, football, chess competition and speech writing. The country celebrates the Children’s Day on 14 November and the International Child Rights Day on 20 November every year. The period between the two important events will be celebrated as Child Rights Week by WCD Ministry by hosting an Inter CCI Festival for the children who reside in Child Care Institutions (CCIs). The fest “Hausala 2017” will provide an occasion to showcase the talents of children from CCIs from various child care institutions across the country and provide them with a space to express their dreams and aspiration.

Which state has become the India’s first state to treat Hepatitis-C patients through oral medicine?

[A] Telangana
[B] Haryana
[C] Punjab
[D] Karnataka

Correct Answer: B [Haryana ]

Answer Explanation: Haryana has become the India’s first state to treat Hepatitis-C patients of all categories through oral medicine. This drug will be provided free of cost for permanent residents of all categories at the district level. The medicine and treatment costs about Rs 28,000 to Rs 30,000 in the market, but the state government would provide this facility free of cost. The disease mostly spreads through infection and the blades used by barbers were also responsible for this.

Which international organisation will get 2017 Mother Teresa Memorial Award Award for social justice?

[A] International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
[B] World Food Programme (WFP)
[C] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
[D] International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Correct Answer: C [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)]

Answer Explanation: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been named as the recipient of the Harmony Foundation’s 2017 Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice as an acknowledgement of its exceptional work worldwide. The award will be presented to the UNHCR on December 10, 2017. The UNHCR provides humanitarian aid to innumerable people internally displaced by conflicts and helping stateless people all over the world.

Which language has been declared as the second official language by the Telangana state government?

[A] Tamil
[B] Hindi
[C] English
[D] Urdu

Correct Answer: D [Urdu ]

Answer Explanation: K Chandrashekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana, has declared Urdu as the state’s second official language. Every office in the state will now have an Urdu speaking officer. As per reports, the state government will appoint Urdu officers in all the offices over the next 60 days to receive petitions from public and reply them in Urdu. Apart from this, all competitive examinations will also be conducted in Urdu.

India’s first cartoon network theme park “Amaazia” will come up in which city?

[A] Surat
[B] Chennai
[C] Kolkata
[D] Jaipur

Correct Answer: A [Surat]

Answer Explanation: Broadcaster Turner International India and Gujarat-based Rajgreen Group have entered into a brand partnership to set up India’s first Cartoon Network branded amusement park “Amaazia” in Surat, Gujarat. The park is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2019 on a budget of Rs 450 crore. It will spread across an area of 61,000 sq m and will have family entertainment destination with 33 theme-based attractions as well as 20 unique water-slides. It will be divided into four major sections – a theme park branded by Cartoon Network, a water park, a family recreational hub and a service apartment and retail shopping area. The park has been conceptualised and designed by the Sanderson Group, Australia. For Turner, this is the third such arrangement globally. It has a similar model in IMG Dubai and CN Amazone Water Park, in Thailand.

The 2017 National Legal Services Day (NLSD) is celebrated on which date in India?

[A] November 11
[B] November 9
[C] November 10
[D] November 12

Correct Answer: B [November 9]

Answer Explanation: The National Legal Services Day (NLSD) is celebrated every year on November 9 to make all people aware about the functions and their activities done by the Legal Services in India. It was first started by Supreme Court of India (SCI) in the year 1995 to provide help and support to poor and weaker sections of the society. On 9th Nov 2017, the 22nd NLSD was celebrated to recognise and honour the admirable endeavours of the legal services authorities and para-legal volunteers operating in districts across the country in successfully bringing justice to the doorstep of the less privileged.

The Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park (MHVNP) is located in which state?

[A] Odisha
[B] Karnataka
[C] Telangana
[D] Chattisgarh

Correct Answer: C [Telangana ]

Answer Explanation: The Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park (MHVNP) is located at Vanasthalipuram in Hyderabad, Telangana and covers an area of 3,758 acres. The park was named after Tirthankar Mahavir Swami, a Jain saint, in commemoration of his 2500th nirvana anniversary in the year 1975. It is home to blackbucks (the state animal of Andhra Pradesh), porcupines, water monitors, short-toed eagles, Indian pond herons, egrets, kingfishers, cormorants and several other bird species.

Who has been appointed the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Telangana State Government?

[A] Anurag Sharma
[B] V.V. Srinivas Rao
[C] M Mahender Reddy
[D] Dharmendra Rao

Correct Answer: C [M Mahender Reddy]

Answer Explanation: Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy has been appointed the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Telangana State. He will be the second DGP of the state after its formation in 2014. He succeeded Anurag Sharma, who has been appointed as advisor to Home Department of Telangana State Government. Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police Additional Commissioner V.V. Srinivas Rao will be in-charge Hyderabad Commissioner of Police.

Kirti Nidhi Bista, who passed away recently, was the former Prime Minister of which country?

[A] Myanmar
[B] Malaysia
[C] Indonesia
[D] Nepal

Correct Answer: D [Nepal]

Answer Explanation: Kirti Nidhi Bista (90), the former Prime Minister and veteran politician of Nepal, has passed away on November 11, 2017 in Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu. He served as Prime Minister of Nepal from 1969 to 1970, 1971 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979 and was also the Vice-chair in the government led by then King Gyanendra Shaha.

Which country to host the 12th edition of East Asia Summit (EAS-2017)?

[A] Philippines
[B] India
[C] Vietnam
[D] Malaysia

Correct Answer: A [Philippines ]

Answer Explanation: The 12th edition of East Asia Summit (EAS) will be held in Angeles, Philippines on November 13–14, 2017. It is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific region formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security and prosperity. The membership of EAS consists of ten ASEAN Member States (i.e. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the USA.

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