Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Apr 13, 2017

ANSWER: Akhilesh Das Gupta

Explanation:
Akhilesh Das Gupta, the president of Badminton Association of India, has died after a massive heart attack. He was 56.

A prominent politician, the former Mayor of Lucknow, was a prominent figure in Indian badminton.

Akhilesh Das Gupta was also a Rajya Sabha MP for 18 years. A former badminton player, Das Gupta was the son of freedom fighter Babu Banarasi Das.

He changed Indian badminton for good ever since he took over from the then BAI chief VK Verma.

During Das Gupta’s tenure, Saina Nehwal earned a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, whereas PV Sindhu raised the profile of India badminton further, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Besides this, Indian shuttlers too won many laurels during his regime.

His tenure as president of the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association and the chairman of the UP Badminton Association in the recent past allegedly remained controversial.

He also had stakes in real estate, media and several educational institutions aside from an active interest in politics and sports.

Das, who is a former badminton player, was also the chairman of Badminton Association of India.

The educational institutions he had a stake in include engineering, management, medical and even a university named after his father in Lucknow.

BAI: Know More

• Badminton Association of India (BAI) is the governing body of badminton in India.
• BAI is an association registered under the societies act.
• It was formed in 1934, and has been holding national-level tournaments in India since 1936.
• BAI has 28 state members that conduct badminton tournaments and have a 2x voting power compared to the 8 affiliate members, who do not conduct tournaments and have a single vote each in the association.
• It is headquartered in Lucknow, India.

ANSWER: Montenegro

Explanation:
President Donald Trump has signed off on the U.S. agreement of Montenegro joining the NATO military alliance.

Trump signed off on the instrument of ratification approved by the Senate last month in support of Montenegro joining the alliance.

This must be ratified by its 28 members.

The Balkan nation will attend the NATO leaders’ summit in Brussels next month, signalling to other NATO aspirants that the door to membership in the Euro-Atlantic community of nations remains open.

The U.S. would work to strengthen relations with the small Balkan nation, which would be the 29th NATO member.

The eastward expansion of the alliance has been a point of contention for Russia.

Two of the 28 NATO members, Spain and the Netherlands, have yet to ratify Montenegro’s membership.

NATO countries have pledged to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defence. Only five, including the United States, currently meet that goal.

Trump during his presidential campaign called for member nations to increase defence spending to support the organization.

The treaty signing comes after the Senate on Mach 28 voted overwhelmingly to back Montenegro joining NATO.

Republican Senators Rand Paul (Ky.) and Mike Lee (Utah) were the only two Senate lawmakers to oppose the treaty.

Paul also blocked a vote on the treaty earlier in March, setting off Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.).

All current NATO members will also have to approve Montenegro's membership.

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
The United Nations (UN) celebrates the International Day of Human Space Flight on April 12 each year.

The International Day of Human Space Flight celebrates the start of the space era for humankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in today’s world.

The day also aims to promote aspirations to explore and maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.

The General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/65/271 of 7 April 2011, declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight “to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for mankind.”

12 April 1961 was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen.

This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.

ANSWER: Khelo India

Explanation:
India and Australia on April 12, 2017 started a partnership aimed at increasing cooperation in sports, in the presence of visiting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

It will advance India-Australia cooperation in four areas — athlete and coach training and development, sport science, sport governance and integrity, and grassroots participation.

The India-Australia Sports Partnership would facilitate exchange of athletes, coaches, technical officials, sports scientists between the two countries.

India has launched a major grassroots programme - Khelo India for developing a sporting culture at grass-roots level.

The GoI is planning to introduce sports as a compulsory subject in schools,” he said.

A National Sports Talent Identification and Development Portal would be launched shortly.

As per the new partnership, Victoria University and the University of Canberra would work with India to assist in the establishment of a National Sports University similar to the Australian Institute of Sport.

ANSWER: India-Canada Centre for Innovation Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability

Explanation:
The Department of Biotechnology and Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology are collaborating with The India-Canada Centre for Innovation Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS).

The agreement is to promote multidisciplinary research partnerships.

Five projects addressing the issue of Clean Water Technologies are being implemented by the Departments at the total cost of INR. 572 lakhs with matched funding from Canada.

The following technologies are being developed and envisaged as outcomes

• Biosensors for detection of toxins:- impedance-based handheld biosensors for assessment of the water quality and a nanoparticle based water treatment system to eliminate toxins and microorganisms in water.
• Toxins which will be detected are cyanotoxin (microcystins, anatoxins) and microorganisms (Enterococcus, Salmonella, Staphylococcus).
• Heavy metal detection and removal :Plastic cartridges for colour based test monitoring kit for detection of multiplex heavy metal. Developing fixed bed biochar columns to remove heavy metals from waste water
• Biorecovery from waste water ( waste to wealth) :- Integrated pilot-scale 915 MHz MW-AOP for advanced anaerobic digestion system for resource recovery
• Survey to identify and explore alternatives in domestic water management:- technology and financial appropriateness of water and wastewater infrastructure in selected cities of India

These technologies will be implemented in India following feasibility studies.

ANSWER: Amazon India

Explanation:
Amazon India has received approval from the Reserve Bank (RBI) to operate a prepaid instrument or digital wallet.

Amazon Online Distribution Services (AODS), a subsidiary of Amazon Asia Pacific Resources, was awarded the license on March 22.

The license is valid till the end of fiscal year 2022.

The development comes at a time when the digital payments space is witnessing a high level of engagement by leading internet-based startups in the country.

Amazon invested INR 150 crore in AODS last year with the objective of participating in this space. The Seattle-based e-commerce major had applied for a wallet license.

Amazon's top rival, Flipkart, also has ambitious plans for its payments business under the PhonePe brand.

The RBI approval for Amazon sets the stage for a fierce competition between the company and Flipkart in the payments business too.

At present, Alibaba-backed Paytm is the largest wallet player in India. Other smaller players include Mobikwik and Freecharge.

Amazon Products and Services: Know More

• Industry : Internet
• Products: Appstore, AWS, The Book Depository, comiXology, Game Studios, Video, Instant Video UK, Instant Video German, Audible, Kindle, Fire, Lab126, Studios, Twitch.tv, Woot, Echo, Shopbop, Askville
• Services: Online shopping, Cloud computing, content distribution

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)(Prevention and Control) Bill, 2017 has finally been passed in the Lok Sabha on 11th April, 2017.

The bill was introduced to help strengthen the rights of the people who have been suffering from HIV or AIDS.

India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world.

In 2015, there were about 2.1 million people infected and living with this disease which has not found a potential cure or preventive measure yet.

Despite the change in time and advancement, HIV and AIDS are still considered as a taboo in India and therefore, this new bill brings a fresh lease of hope and respite.

The Bill makes antiretroviral treatment a legal right of HIV/AIDS patients.

It also mentions all the several grounds on which discrimination against HIV and AIDS patients is prohibited and the rights that they can enjoy.

Anyone who does not adhere to these may have to face civil as well as criminal proceedings.

Features of the HIV-AIDS Prevention and Control Bill

• The legislation prohibits discrimination against people living with, and affected by, HIV in terms of employment, admission in educational institutions education and renting a property as well as with holding of public or private office, access to insurance and the freedom of movement.
• It strictly bans unfair treatment given to people living with and affected by HIV when it comes to accessing public facilities, such as shops, restaurants, hotels, public entertainment venues, public facilities and burial grounds.
• Most importantly, the bill ensures that equal rights are given to the people affected by HIV and AIDS in getting treatment and access to good health care.
• The Bill prohibits individuals from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against those who are HIV positive and even those who are living with them.
• The Bill has made adequate provisions to help people living with HIV or AIDS to safeguard their property rights. Every person above the age of 18 has the right to reside in a shared household and enjoy all the facilities.
• Further, no HIV test, medical treatment or research can be conducted on a person without his informed consent and no person shall be compelled to disclose his or her HIV status without their informed consent, and if required, by a court order.
• Every person in the care and custody of the State has the right to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and counselling services. The State and Central government will also facilitate access to welfare schemes especially for women and children.
• The Bill indicates that all cases related to HIV positive persons should be given priority and resolved duly ensuring confidentiality of all matters.

This bill is the first of its kind to be passed in South Asia. According to UN SDG, the aim is to end the epidemic by 2030.

This is the first ever law of such kind to have been passed in South Asia. According to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, the aim is to end the epidemic by 2030.

In 2015, estimated 2.1 million people living with HIV in India. The rate of new HIV infections have dropped by 67 per cent from 2.5 lakhs to 85,000.

AIDS related deaths have declined to 54 per cent, which is more than the global average.

India runs the second largest Antiretroviral Therapy programme

There are 22,000 HIV testing centres in the country, which have conducted over 2.9 crore HIV tests, including 1.3 crore for pregnant women.

Previously, the HIV/AIDS Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on March 21.

SDGs: Know More

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• This is a set of 17 "Global Goals" with 169 targets between them.
• Led by the United Nations through a deliberative process involving its 193 Member State.
• It is also led as well as global civil society, the goals are contained in paragraph 54 United Nations Resolution A/RES/70/1 of 25 September 2015.
• The Resolution is a broader intergovernmental agreement that acts as the Post 2015 Development Agenda (successor to the Millennium Development Goals).
• The SDGs build on the Principles agreed upon under Resolution A/RES/66/288, popularly known as The Future We Want.

ANSWER: Vizag

Explanation:
The Union Cabinet on April 12, 2017 approved setting up of an Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

This is at a cost of over INR 655 crore, fulfilling the commitment made to the state when Telangana was separated from it.

The Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved setting IIPE as ‘an Institute of National Importance’ through an Act of Parliament.

The Institute will have the governance structure as well as legal mandate to grant degrees in a manner similar to that enjoyed by IITs.

A separate Act will also impart the required status to the institute to become a ‘CoE in petroleum and energy studies.

The Cabinet also approved INR 655.46 crore as capital expenditure to set up IIPE and contribution of INR 200 crore towards its Endowment Fund.

This will be in addition to a contribution of INR 200 crore from oil companies towards the Endowment Fund.

The Centre had promised a petroleum university as part of the package to Andhra Pradesh after Telangana was split from it.

Andhra Pradesh has allocated 200 acres of land, free of cost, for setting up of IIPE at Sabbavaram Mandal in Visakhapatnam district.

A temporary campus of IIPE has been set up from academic session 2016-17 at the Andhra University campus with two undergraduate programmes in petroleum engineering and chemical engineering (with capacity of 50 students each).

IIT-Kharagpur has taken up the responsibility of mentoring the institute.

The decision to set up the institute has been taken in line with the commitment made under 13th Schedule of A.P. Reorganisation Act.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
The Cabinet gave its nod for setting up of a special purpose vehicle for providing procurement of goods and services required by Central & State Government organisations on April 12, 2017.

This Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV) will been registered as the National Public Procurement Portal as a Section 8 company registered under the Companies Act.

GeM SPV shall provide an end-to-end online marketplace for Central and State Government Ministries/Departments, Central & State Public Sector Undertakings, autonomous institutions and local bodies, for procurement of common use goods & services.

Effectively, this portal will replace the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposal. DGS&D shall be wound up and cease its functions by October 31.

In case it is not possible to wind up DGS&D by October 31, the Department of Commerce may extend the date of closure with proper justification, latest up to March 31, 2018.

The Cabinet started a not for profit company, to operate government e-marketplace (GeM) portal to procure goods and services by all government departments and PSUs.

The move is aimed at making GeM an autonomous body, which would help in taking all the decisions including those related to finance at a faster pace.

In 2016, GoI launched GeM for online purchase of goods and services to bring in more transparency and streamlining government procurement, estimated at INR 10,000 crore a year.

Currently, over 9,000 products from 250 categories, including computers, stationery and several services, are registered by different vendors on the portal.

ANSWER: 1989

Explanation:
Central Hindi Institute Director N.K. Pandey on 11th April 2017 announced the names of 26 writers from different categories for the prestigious Hindi Sevi Samman Awards.

The awardees will receive Rs 5 lakh each, a citation and a shawl from President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in May 2017.

The Ganesh Shankar Vidhyarthi Award for Hindi journalism will be awarded to Rahul Dev and Baldev Bhai Sharma.

Professor S. Shesharatnam (Andhra Pradesh), M. Govind Rajan (Tamil Nadu), Harmahendra Singh Bedi (Punjab) and H. Subadani Devi (Manipur) have been selected from non-Hindi speaking states for their contribution to the Hindi language.

International Hindi writers selected for the award are Professor Fujii Takeshi (Japan) and Professor Gabriela Nik Ilieva (New York).

Non-Resident Indians (NRI) who get the awards are Pushpita Avasthi (Netherlands) and Padmesh Gupt (London).

The Union Human Resource Development Ministry instituted the Hindi Sevi Samman in 1989.

More than a hundred Hindi writers have received the prestigious awards till now.

Central Hindi Institute: Know More

• Kendriya Hindi Sansthan is an autonomous apex organization.
• It was set up by the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare of the Government of India on 19th March, 1960.
• It is being run by the Shikshan Mandal under the overall control of Ministry of Human Resource Development.
• The head office of the organisation is located in the historical city of Agra.
• The regional offices are spread in five different parts of the country- Delhi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Shillong and Mysore.
• The extension centre of the organization is in Bhubaneswar.
• The organisation is entrusted with the responsibility of teaching Hindi language to the non-Hindi speaking population of our country in order to propagate it as their second language.