Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Dec 15, 2016

ANSWER: Justice Bobde

Explanation:
Book entitled “Courts of India-Past to Present” was in news on 12th Dec 2016.

This coffee table book introduces the complexities of the Indian judiciary to common public in technical and non-technical manner.

The primary focus of the book is on the evolution of higher judiciary in India in the colonial period.

The book remarks that the establishment of HC in Bengal, Madras and Bombay provinces in the 19th century is the real beginning of functional higher judiciary in India.

It covers important events such as the establishment of the Federal Court under the GoI Act 1935 and the historic trial of last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

It also covers important judgements of the SC like Keshavananda Bharati Case (1973), Indira Sawhney Case (1992), SR Bommai Case (1994).

To maintain the simplicity, several photographs are included in the book that better illustrates the narrative in the book.

It was compiled by the Supreme Court Editorial Committee headed by Justice SA Bobde

It was published by the Publication Division of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The foreword of the 512 page book was written by CJI TS Thakur.

ANSWER: IBRD

Explanation:
India on 13th Dec 2016 signed a grant agreement of USD 5.19 million with International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for Additional Financing for Financing Energy Efficiency at MSMEs Project- Programmatic Framework for Energy Efficiency.

IBRD is acting as an implementing agency of the global environment facility.
The additional financing will be used to scale up initiatives taken under parent project.

It will bridge the gap in understanding among different stakeholders mainly energy professionals or technology suppliers, banks and financial institutions.

It will be implemented by a three pronged approach- capacity building, direct involvement to augment EE investments at MSME level and escalation of the EE Knowledge base to scale up and replicate the project initiatives such as by establishing KPIs.

FEEMP- Financing Energy Efficiency at MSME Project

• Initiated in: Sept 2010.
• Grant amount: USD 11.3 million
• Objective: Increase energy efficiency investments in MSME clusters.
• Attained satisfactory rating of Project Development Objective and implementation performance.

ANSWER: Walter Swinburn

Explanation:
Walter Swinburn, one of the most renowned jockeys of his generation and rider of Shergar, passed away on 12th Dec 2016 following a prolonged illness at the age of 55.

He won the Epsom Derby horserace three times in his career as a jockey.

He was nicknamed Choirboy

He was just 19 when he rode Shergar, a British-trained racehorse, to a 10-length victory in the 1981 Derby at Epsom.

Later, he also won the Derby on Shahrastani in 1986 and Lammtarra in 1995.

He also worked as a trainer and enjoyed international success by winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1983.

ANSWER: Indus Water Treaty

Explanation:
The World Bank Group on 13th Dec 2016 halted the two concurrent processes initiated by India and Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty.

The bank initiated this move to protect the treaty.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim informed the finance ministries of both countries to this effect.

India planned to construct the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants on Indus River System in J&K.

Pakistan raised objections against these projects claiming they would affect Pakistan by impacting the river flow adversely.

To resolve the differences between India and Pakistan, the two countries asked the World Bank to appoint a neutral expert and a court of arbitration respectively.

Bank in its earlier communication to both countries said that necessary processes will be put in place by Dec 12, 2016.

Bank withdrew this communication and made the announcement that the concurrent process would make the treaty unworkable over time.

These processes were therefore stopped.

Indus Water Treaty

• Water distribution treaty between India and Pakistan.
• Brokered by the World Bank.
• Signed on: 19th Sept 1960.
• Signatories: PM Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ayub Khan.
• Control over three western flowing rivers Indus, Chenab and Jhelum vests with Pakistan.
• Three eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej are controlled by India
• Treaty provides for dispute resolution mechanism at three levels:

a. Questions
b. Differences
c. Disputes
• In Sept 2016, following the Pathankot and Uri attacks, PM Modi stopped the Permanent Indus Commission meeting.

ANSWER: Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995

Explanation:
RS on 14th December 2016 passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 by voice vote.

It will replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 after its passage by the Lok Sabha and approval of the President.

It meets the government’s responsibilities under the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

It will benefit 2.8 crore disabled in India.

The bill deals with a range of issues - rights, social protection, reservations, welfare schemes - for the all round development of disabled.

Provisions of Rights of Persons With Disabilities Bill 2014

• Identifies 19 conditions as disabilities.
• Persons with 40% of a disability entitled to education, employment and scheme based reservation.
• Disabled friendly environment in public places.

Two types of guardianship in district court:


• Limited Guardianship
• Plenary Guardianship

Specifies punishment for violators:


• 6 months imprisonment
• Fine up to INR 10,000

ANSWER: Both a and c

Explanation:
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated in its annual report that the planet’s poorest countries are falling further behind in comparison to the rest of the world and would require more aid and favourable trade deals.

The report further held that only four countries have graduated from the United Nation’s list of least developed countries (LDC), which was developed almost 45 years ago.

The 4 nations are Botswana, Maldives, Cape Verde and Samoa.
Economic development in remaining 48 countries is extremely slow.
Close to half the total poor globally reside in these poor nations.

Poor nations are defined as those where people live on less than USD 1.90 per day.

Poverty is the main factor hampering the growth of these countries.

Only three countries so far look to be on the path of lifting themselves up from the LDC list, two of which are Angola and Equatorial Guinea that have witnessed a rise in their Gross national income due to oil wealth.

The third country is Vanuatu, an island nation lying on the south of Pacific Ocean.

Current list of LDC includes 24 African countries, 9 Asian countries, 4 from the Pacific region and Haiti.

UNCTAD

• Abbreviation: UNCTAD
• Formation: 1964
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Website: unctad.org
• Full Form: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
• Principal organ of the UNGA.
• Deals with trade, investment and development issues.

ANSWER: Saina Nehwal

Explanation:
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) highlighted 5 top players as the first Integrity Ambassadors to promote clean, fair and honourable sport.

India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal is one of them.

Denmark’s Christinna Pedersen and Viktor Axelsen, Saina and Japan’s Women’s Doubles pair, Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi were the others.

She became the only female player from India and the overall second Indian player after Prakash Padukone to attain this feat of being World Number 1 in BWF rankings.

She has represented India three times in Olympics, winning bronze in the second appearance.

Know About Saina Nehwal:

• BornL 17 March 1990
• She is a professional badminton singles player from India.
• Nehwal, the former world no. 1, has maintained her world ranking in the top ten since 2009.
• Won over twenty international titles, which include ten Superseries titles.
• In 2015 she was able to attain the world no. 1 ranking.

ANSWER: Most Improved Player of the year Award

Explanation:
Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu won Badminton World Federation (BWF) Most Improved Player of the Year award at the Players’ Reception and Gala Dinner in Dubai .

Sindhu, who lost to Carolina Marin in the finals of the womens’ singles in the summer games, won her first Superseries title in China in November.

The shuttler also reached the final of Hong Kong open and qualified for her maiden Superseries Finals.

Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei won the BWF Male Player of the Year award.

Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi won the BWF Female Player of the Year award.

About PV Sindhu:

• Full name: Pusarla Venkata Sindhu
• Born 5 July 1995
• First Indian woman to win Olympic Silver medal and second to win a medal after Saina Nehwal in badminton
• Broke into top 20 of the BWF World Ranking in September 2012 at the age of 17.
• In 2013, she became the first ever Indian women’s singles player to win a medal at the Badminton World Championships.
• In March 2015, she became the youngest recipient of India’s fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri.

ANSWER: Spanish

Explanation:
Max Verstappen rounded off a remarkable 2016 by breaking the Formula 1 record for the most successful overtaking manoeuvres in a single season.

The Dutch driver, who became the youngest ever F1 winner when he won the Spanish Grand Prix on his first appearance for Red Bull, made 78 passing moves during 2016, as per the data calculated by Pirelli.

The Italian tyre company clarified that this was the highest number since records were first collated back in 1983 and explained how the overtaking moves were calculated.

Verstappen was Voted 2016 Personality of the Year at the FIA end of season awards.

He had also made the most overtakes during 2015, his rookie year in F1, with 49 successful moves for Toro Rosso.

Know About Max Verstappen:

• Full name: Max Emilian Verstappen
• Born 30 September 1997
• Nationality: Belgian-Dutch. racing driver who competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One
• Team: Red Bull Racing.
• Aged 17 years, 166 days
• Youngest driver to compete in Formula 1 at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix for Scuderia Toro Rosso.
• Youngest driver to lead a lap during a Formula One Grand Prix.
• Youngest driver to set the fastest lap during a Formula One Grand Prix.
• Youngest driver to secure a podium.
• Youngest Formula One Grand Prix winner.

ANSWER: Glass coated manja

Explanation:
The National Green Tribunal on Dec 14, 2016 imposed an interim nationwide ban on use of glass-coated 'manja' for flying kites as the sharp string poses a danger to humans, animals and birds.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar passed the order after noting that 'manja', string coated with glass and metal powder and used for flying kites, is harmful to the ecology.

The green panel said that the ban order would apply on nylon, Chinese and cotton manja coated with glass.

It directed Manja Association of India to submit report to Central Pollution Control Board on harmful effects of kite strings.

Makar Sankranti festival was approaching and manja would be used for flying kites.

In its petition, PETA has contended that 'manja' posed a grave threat to humans and animals as every year a number of deaths are caused by it.

ANSWER: Talk to each other using short range wireless technology

Explanation:
The US Transportation Department on 13th Dec 2016 proposed requiring all new cars and trucks to be able to "talk" to one another using short-range wireless technology to potentially avoid crashes.

Regulators, which first announced plans to pursue requiring the technology in early 2014, are proposing to give automakers at least four years to comply from the time it is finalised.

They would require automakers to ensure all vehicles "speak the same language through a standard technology.”

The administration of President-elect Donald Trump will decide whether to finalise the proposal, which does not apply to larger vehicles like buses and tractor trailers.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that talking vehicles could eliminate or reduce the severity of up to 80 percent of crashes where alcohol is not a factor, especially crashes at intersections or while changing lanes.

Last year, there were 6.3 million US vehicle crashes.

Talking cars and trucks would use dedicated short range communications to transmit data up to 300 meters, such as location, direction and speed, to nearby vehicles.

That data would be updated and broadcast up to 10 times per second to nearby vehicles, which can identify risks and provide warnings to drivers to avoid imminent crashes.

The rule would not require vehicles currently on U.S. roads to be retrofitted with the technology.

Federal Highway Administration plans to issue guidance for vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, which will help planners allow vehicles to "talk" to roadway infrastructure such as traffic lights.

ANSWER: Data Security Council of India

Explanation:
In an effort to make India a global hub for cyber security-related requirements, the IT industry's representative body Nasscom and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) on 14th Dec launched a comprehensive roadmap for the next decade.

Entitled "Growing Cyber Security Industry, Roadmap for India," the report identifies Managed Security Service (MSS), Security and Vulnerability Management (SVM) and network security emerging as important opportunities globally.

MSS emerges the most attractive opportunity, with the highest growth of (more than 12 per cent) and largest market size ($18 billion).

16 initiatives has been formulated by Nasscom-DSCI. Effective programme roll-out and strategic vision realisation will require disciplined management of the 16 key initiatives suggested by the report,”


Indian IT Industry & Cybersecurity

• Indian IT industry is set to reach a size of $350-$400 billion by 2025 (NASSCOM).
• The cyber security product and services industry of $35 billion by 2025 will generate a skilled workforce of one million in the security sector with cyber security products constituting a $38 billion market in 2015.
• In 2015, Nasscom-DSCI established the Cyber Security Task Force (CSTF) initiative.
• This aims to create by 2025:

a. One million cyber security jobs and
b. 1,000 cyber security startups

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Scientists have developed a new method that can trap potentially harmful gases emitted by coal factories, cars and trucks within honeycomb-like microscopic organo-metallic structures.

These Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), comprise different building blocks composed of metal ion centres and organic linker molecules.

Altogether they form a honeycomb-like structure that can trap gases within each comb, or pore.

The small nano-scale structures also have the potential to trap various emissions from things as immense as coal factories and as small as cars and trucks.

Scientists decided to use a molecule that can cap the outer surface of each of Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) crystal in the same way bees seal their honeycombs with wax to prevent honey from spilling out and it worked.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Indira Nooyi has just joined Trump’s advisory council.

The group, which includes numerous other top business leaders, aims to give industry input on the private sector to Mr. Trump, who takes office on January 20, 2017.

Indian-American PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has joined Donald Trump's Strategic and Policy Forum that aims to assist the president-elect in implementing his economic agenda, the presidential transition team said on Wednesday.

Chennai-born Nooyi, 61, is the only Indian-origin executive in the 19-member President's Strategic and Policy Forum, which was first announced early this week.

The other corporate bigwigs to join the forum are Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, and SpaceX and Tesla chairman Elon Musk.

Indra Nooyi & Pepsico

• Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo.
• PepsiCo has $63 billion in annual net revenue, and more than $35 billion in the US alone.
• PepsiCo is the largest US food and beverage company.
• It has 1,10,000 employees and 100 plants across the country.
• Nooyi was a known supporter of Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry was voted out as director in Tata Consultancy Services.

He had skipped TCS’ Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), even as shareholders cast votes to remove him from the post.

Holders of 86.71 per cent share of the company voted. Of this, about 93.11 per cent voted in favour of the resolution to remove Mr. Mistry. The total number of votes for the resolution stood at 2,450, while those against numbered 1,222.

Tata Sons, which holds more than 73 per cent stake in TCS, had moved the resolution to oust Mr. Mistry.

Acting chairman Ishaat Hussain had recused himself to avoid conflict of interest as he is a nominee of Tata Sons.

Out of 40 speakers, at the shareholder’s meet only four spoke in his support.

ANSWER: Sushma Swaraj

Explanation:
"For fashioning a novel brand of Twitter diplomacy+ ", Foreign Affairs magazine has named external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj one of 15 'Global Thinkers' of the year.

This placed Swaraj, who's in the august company of 14 other notable thinkers including Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel and Justin Trudeau.
The external affairs minister has helped both Indians and non-Indians.
She tweeted to roughly 6 million followers.

Swaraj, whom the Washington Post called "Supermom of the State", underwent a kidney transplant four days ago.

She is recovering well.

ANSWER: 14th Dec

Explanation:
Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal, exhorted people to spread awareness about energy conservation and help improve environmental equilibrium at a function celebrate the 26th National Energy Conservation Day 2016 organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

During the function, the Minister gave away National Energy Conservation Awards - 2016 to industrial units and other establishments, and National Energy Conservation Painting Competition Prizes to students.

NTPC has already given the in-principle clearance to replace around 11,000 MW of its old, inefficient thermal power plants. The plants would be replaced in about five years, with an investment of around Rs. 50,000 crores, he added.

Over 16,000 households in about 800 inaccessible villages in India which lack grid connectivity. The Ministry would be providing, to each such household, a 300 KW Solar panel, 8-hour battery backup, 5 LED bulbs, an energy efficient ceiling fan and a solar power based mobile phone charging socket, all free of cost under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.

Informing about the progress of the UJALA LED scheme, the Shri Goyal said that according to the latest figures from UJALA dashboard, over 18.38 crore
LED bulbs have been distributed by EESL and another 25 crore by private sector companies.

This drive has witnessed a massive reduction of around 88% in LED prices in just 20 months, which led to an annual saving of around Rs. 10,000 crores for the consumers. The savings would scale up to Rs. 40,000 crores in the next 3 years.

Gujarat has become the first state in the country to replace all street lights with LED bulbs and this has been.