Current Affairs Questions and Answers - Sept 19, 2015

ANSWER: Director Mahesh Rangrajan

Explanation:
Director Mahesh Rangrajan has submitted his resignation to the executive council of NMML. Joint Secretary in cultural ministry in charge of NMML will be made into the officiating director. Rangarajan was appointed Director of NMML in June 2014 by the UPA government headed by PM Manmohan Singh. He is a teacher and author with special interest in environment and colonial history. NMML is a memorial to Jawaharlal Nehru and it is located in the Teen Murti House campus at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Teen Murti house was designed by R. T. Russel and building during 1929-1930 as part of Edwin Lutyen’s imperial capital.

ANSWER: Francis Newton Souza

Explanation:
Goan artist Francis Newton Souza’s epic work titled Birth sold for an astounding $4 million (Rs 28 crore approx) at a Christie's sale. The previous record for the country's priciest piece of art was held by V S Gaitonde who sold for $3.7 million at Christie's debut auction in Mumbai in 2013. Birth was painted in 1955 and the painting has many subjects found in his early practice.

ANSWER: From 7 to 18

Explanation:
Proposed bill for disability has expanded the list of disabilities from 7 to 19. Centre has established a committee of experts to measure mechanisms for 19 disabilities included in the bill. The 30 member panel includes technical experts and reworked law will create more awareness amidst the target group.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Indian monk, Gyalwang Drukpa has helped to restore Lord Buddha relics sent by Emperor Ashoka. Gyalwang, spiritual head of the Drukpa lineage in Ladakh consecrated the stupa along with an Ashokan pillar and massive golden statue of Lord Buddha on 18th September 2015. Nangchen stupa was first discovered in the Tibetan region. It is one of 19 stupas containing Lord Buddha relics and sent by Emperor Ashoka to China. Of the 19 stupas, 4 stupas including Nangchen have been discovered. The other three are located in Xian, Nanjing and close to Ayuwang in Zhejiang Province. As per legend , close to 2500 years ago, Buddhist disciples recovered a skull bone, 2 scapulas, 4 teeth and 84,000 Sariras or relics. Legend has it that Emperor Ashoka collected the sariras of the Sankhyamuni , stored then in shines and send them to different parts of the world.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
The VRP and NSA awards for 2013 were bestowed on persons chosen for this honour. For the VRP, of a total of 193 applications, 28 awards were given to 132 individuals. NSA award winners were 53 in number with 42 runners up selected from 199 applications under various schemes. VRP is awarded to workers/groups of workers in 3 categories: Class A- 5 of 75000 rupees each, Class B- 8 of 50000 rupees each and Class C- 15 of 25000 rupees each. NSA was given under 12 schemes from which 10 are for Factories/Construction Sites/Installations under AERB and two are for Ports. The awards have been conferred since 1965 and are operated by the technical wing of the Union Minister of Labour and Employment, the Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Mumbai.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
30,000 year old Mollivirus Sibericum discovered in soil sample around 98 feet below in the Siberian permafrost is a member of a new viral family. This virus which is the fourth family of virus ever found has a diameter wider than other giant viruses. It has a diameter of 600 nanometres as against 500 in other giant viruses. The virus also has a genome of 600,000 base pairs with genetic instructions to generate 500 proteins. This 30,000 year old giant virus has the capacity to infect its host single celled amoebas only.

ANSWER: Kallistem

Explanation:
French start up Kallistem has collaborated with the government to create in vitro human sperm through breakthrough in infertility treatment. The sperm has been developed from immature spermatogonial cells which are prevalent in males and develop into sperm cells with the insect of puberty. Technology has to be clinically tested and genesis of research stems from declining male fertility. The researchers developed a bioreactor using a viscous fluid made partly of substances found in the walls of mushrooms or in crustacean shells to reproduce the conditions within the body . The main issue was reproducing in the lab a complex physiological development process that usually lasts 72 days in a human, from immature cell to sperm. In all cases, the entire path taken in the testicle were also taken in the in vitro system.

ANSWER: Dhar district in MP

Explanation:
Researchers have found 2 nesting sites of 6.5 crore old fossilised dinosaur eggs in Dhar District, MP, around 125 km from Indore. Nests formed got buried under rocks during turbulence that occurred 6.5 crore years ago. Nesting sites are located at Baag, Dhar district 8 km from each other. There are a total of 15 fossils in each site, according to researchers. The rare sites of fossils in the district has now reached 4 with this fresh discovery. The Mangal Panchayatan Parishad discovered 25 nests of dinosaurs way back in 2007. State government is also working for developing 108 ha in Dhar District as National Dinosaur Fossil Park. The eggs of dinosaurs belong to the Sauropod family in the most recent discovery. The dinosaurs were around 20 to 30 feet tall.

ANSWER: Burkina Faso

Explanation:
Burkina Faso’s military announced through the airwaves that it now controls the nation, confirming a coup weeks before the election. Statement said transitional government was dissolved and interim president had lost his powers. Coup leaders identified themselves as National Council for Democract and communique read by Lt Col Mamadou Bamba Bamba on 17th September announced the beginning of a “coherent, fair and equitable process'' that would lead to inclusive elections. This coup is in violation of the constitution of the West African nation.

ANSWER: Croatia

Explanation:
Balkan nation of Croatia on 18th September 2015 has become the latest hotspot in the 1000 m plus exodus towards West Europe. This follows the sealing off of the borders of Hungary with a razor fence and arrangements to keep illegal migrants out. Croatia has clarified that it meant a corridor from Tovarnik to Zagreb when it indicated corridors are prepared for migrants. Croatia has announced it will not led refugees head north to Slovenia, part of the EU schengen zone of border free travelling.

ANSWER: Laos

Explanation:
Vice President H. Ansari signed two MoUs including on on quick impact projects and the other on air services agreement in a visit which is the first by an Indian vice president to the nation of Laos. Indian firm WAPCOS was also handed over certificate of completion of Champassak irrigation project during this visit. The That Luang Stupa was brought from India in 2 BC, and this sacred stupa was visited by the vice president. India is attempting to strengthen economic engagement with ASEAN nations following this visit.

ANSWER: India and United States

Explanation:
India and the US have created a joint challenge coin for unique partnership in the field of naval armament. One side of the coin is inscribed with the message Forward Together We Go and Chale Saath Saath in Hindi on the other side . This reflects the vision statements of the US president and the Indian PM respectively. One side of the coin that is golden in colour has India and US flags and the other shows an aircraft carrier floating on blue waters. The coin was created by JWG at the first meeting in August 2015 to symbolise partnership between naval forces which in turn was announced in January 2015 during president Obama’s visit to India.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Market regulatory authority SEBI has notified new norms to dilute chairman powers regarding conduct during search and seizure of defaulter’s properties. Permission for such operations will be required from the special court by SEBI, as against earlier regulations that left the chief of SEBI directly authorise these actions. Regulations are referred to as Securities and Exchange Board of India(Procedure for Search and Seizure) Repeal Regulations 2015. Search and seizure operations will now have to be authorised by Magistrate or Judge of the designated court. Securities Law AA 2014 is an attempt to curb ponzi schemes.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Under new norms, prior intimation of a board meeting must be forwarded to stock exchanges 2 days prior. Move aims to create transparency in business affairs of listed firms. For financial results, at least 5 days advance notice is required prior to consideration of such a proposal of the company. As regards alteration in date pf payment of interest or nomenclature of securities listed in stock exchange, listed firms will have to tell the bourses at least 11 working days prior about board meetings of such proposals. New norms are part of listing regulations of SEBI which have been aligned with the Companies Act 2013.

ANSWER: Interest rates in the US were kept the same

Explanation:
US Fed Reserve Chief Janet Yellen decided to keep the interest rates in the US economy unchanged. Indian fund managers and economists see this decision as another enabling factor for RBI to cut rates, which could give some more boost to the Indian economy that is again showing signs of stagnation.For the equity market, the immediate trend decider would be how the global markets react to the US rate decision. With Yellen not hiking the rates, FIIs are expected to be part of the Indian growth story.

ANSWER: Firefox Bikes

Explanation:
The world’s largest bicycle manufacturer by volume, Hero Cycles has acquired Firefox Bikes for an undisclosed sum in all cash deal. As part of the deal, Firefox Bikes will continue to have its distinct brand identity and remain a separate business entity post the acquisition. Promoters of this Delhi based firm have divested their entire equity in the deal. Deal involves Firefox brand of cycles, accessories and spares along with exclusive distribution rights of `Trek' and other international brands.

ANSWER: CureJoy

Explanation:
Bengaluru based healthcare startup CureJoy has raised USD 1.15 million in funding led by Accel Partners India while other investors are Venk Krishnan, founder of Nuware Technologies, and Larry Braitman, the founder of Flycast and Adify. Funds will be used by the Bengaluru startup to expand services globally. This firm is a creation of Dikshant Dave and Shrinivasa Sharma, CureJoy, a content publishing and aggregation platform, commenced operations in October 2013 to address the common concerns of people in the existing healthcare system. It provides curated content through its backend algorithms and technology on natural health and wellness by experts usually associated with large universities like Stanford or UCLA and merges it with the global trends and patterns. Currently, it is headquartered in California, USA and manages the entire operations and development from Bengaluru. Others in the healthcare segment include HealthifyMe, Truweight, and Flexipass.

ANSWER: Cablevision

Explanation:
European telecom group Altice looks to become a massive force in the US cable market after agreeing to purchase 4th largest US cable operator Cablevision in a cash and shares deal worth USD 17.7 billion including debt. Altice was by French Israeli billionaire Patrick Drahi who entered the US market in May through the purchase of regional cable group Suddenlink for USD 9.1 billion.
The company will pay $34.90 in cash per share, a 22 per cent premium on 16th September closing price of $28.54. Cablevision currently has 3.1 million customers in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey area.Together both operators represent the fourth-largest cable operation in the U.S. market.

ANSWER: Zein Abdalla

Explanation:
IT major Cognizant has named former PepsiCo exec Zein Abdalla to its BoD on 17th September 2015. He was president of PepsiCo from September 2012 to retirement in December recently.
Mr. Abdalla, 57, will serve as a board member until the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting in 2016, as per the release.

ANSWER: Metro Man E. Sreedharan

Explanation:
Sreedharan, the Principal Advisor to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, has been invited by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to serve on his HLAG-ST as per a DMRC release on 18th September 2015. Service is for period of 3 years. Sreedharan has accepted the offer.

ANSWER: 3.5%

Explanation:
GoI has increased total debt by 3.5% in April-June period of fiscal 2015-2016 as against the previous quarter. The public debt (excluding liabilities under the `Public Account') of the central government provisionally increased by 3.5% in the first quarter of FY2016 on quarter-on-quarter basis,“ as per a finance ministry statement. Internal debt constituted 92.3% of public debt at end of June 2015, while marketable securities accounted for 84.2%, the statement said. Close to 29.5% of outstanding stock has a residual maturity of up to five years, which implies that over the next five years, on an average, around 5.9% of outstanding stock needs to be rolled over every year, the statement added.

ANSWER: Effective Innovation Policies for Development

Explanation:
GII 2015 was recently released showing emerging economy policymakers can boost innovation with Switzerland being the most innovative nation. Countries like China, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Jordan, Kenya and Uganda are among a group of countries outperforming their economic peers, according to GII 2015. India was ranked 81 and remained the top of regional ranking in C and S Asia, followed by Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka. Numerous low-income economies are innovation achievers with Sub-Saharan Africa standing out- Rwanda at 94th place, Mozambique at 95th and Malawi at 98th. Additionally, Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso and Uganda are generally outperforming other economies at their level of development. The top 10 ranked countries were as follows:

1. Switzerland
2. United Kingdom
3. Sweden
4. Netherlands
5. United States of America
6. Finland
7. Singapore
8. Ireland
9. Luxembourg