Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Jan 28, 2017

ANSWER: National Film Heritage Mission

Explanation:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is committed to safeguarding the country’s filmic and non-filmic heritage.

It is taking all necessary steps to preserve films and non-filmic material for posterity as per global standards through launch of Film Condition Assessment.

This is the first phase of implementation of National Film Heritage Mission, NFHM at Pune, Maharashtra.

This is a one-of-its-kind project in the world, wherein the Government is spending huge amount of money towards the aspect of film preservation.

A rich filmic heritage will be available for the future generations to come.

The condition of about 1,32,000 film reels at NFAI would be assessed and necessary measures would be taken to prolong their life.

Each film reel will be tracked and monitored through RFID tagging, during the first phase.

NFAI’s initiative of digitization of non-filmic material and ancillary material like posters, photos, song booklets, pamphlets, press clippings, slides / transparencies, glass negatives was undertaken.

NFHM: Know More

NFHM is the prestigious mission of Government of India.

It is for preservation, conservation, digitization and restoration of rich cinematic heritage of the country.

National Film Archive of India (NFAI) is the nodal organization for the implementation of this project.

INR.597.41 crore has been allotted towards implementation of the project, which was kick-started with launch of the first phase of the mission, Film Condition Assessment.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
The North Eastern Council (NEC) and the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)in Shillong.

It aims to to harness the hidden potential of Cane and Bamboo of North Eastern Region.

The MoU provides a push for the integrated and inclusive development of Cane & Bamboo Sector of North East Region.

This is by way of skilled manpower, technology dissemination, marketing support and institutional support required for the holistic development of Bamboo.

This can coordinate a mission to mobilise masses and promote Bamboo sector as a whole throughout the country.

The NEC and the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) will promote Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), Assam and the Bamboo & Cane Development Institute (BCDI), Tripura in South East Asia.

As per the MoU, the CBTC will be transformed into a Regional Centre of Excellence.

BCDI will be converted as a separate entity under the name Indian Institute of Bamboo Technology (IIBT).

CBTC and BCDI will collaborate for Institutional support for bamboo sector.

Both will generate awareness and cultivating knowledge base among the masses about possibilities of sustainable utilisation of the raw materials cultivated by the sector.

ANSWER: Anti Leprosy Day

Explanation:
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi called for a collective effort to completely eliminate the ‘treatable disease’ of leprosy from India.

The Prime Minister recalled that Mahatma Gandhi had an enduring concern for people afflicted with leprosy.

His vision was not just to treat them, but also to mainstream them into our society, he added.

The Prime Minister said that the effort to eliminate leprosy from this country under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme was launched way back in 1955.

He noted that the goal of leprosy elimination as a public health problem i.e., prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at national level was achieved in 2005.

He said that although the case detection rate thereafter has marginally decreased, visible deformity at the time of diagnosis has increased.

A three-pronged strategy for early detection of leprosy cases is under the national health mission in 2016.

A special Leprosy Case Detection Campaign was carried out in 2016.

ANSWER: Year of the Rooster

Explanation:
Chinese are lighting incense sticks and praying at temples to wish for a good start to the Lunar New Year.

28^th Jan 2017 the first day of the Year of the Rooster.

Beijing's sprawling spring festival temple fair opened at Ditan Park.

Other New Year's traditions include the eating of dumplings in northern China and the lighting of fireworks. B

Ethnic Chinese and others around the world also marked the holiday with celebrations and visits to temples.

ANSWER: Pulse Polio programme 2017

Explanation:
To prevent polio from a few countries, President Pranab Mukherjee launched the pulse polio programme for 2017.

He launched it by administering polio drops on Saturday to children below five years at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The programme will cover 17 crore children aged under five years to maintain the country's 'polio-free' status.

Mukherjee launched the countrywide programme on the eve of the National Immunisation Day.

Health Minister J P Nadda and Ministers of State for Health Anupriya Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste were present during the event.

As the risk of importation remains from remaining three countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria) where polio virus is still circulating, the need still persists for the country to maintain the population immunity.

Also needed is sensitive surveillance till global polio eradication happens,.

Polio-free certification of the entire South-East Asia Region of World Health Organisation, including India, on March 27, 2014 is commendable.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), US scientists have created world’s first stable semi-synthetic organism.

This is a single-celled bacterium with an expanded genetic code

The semi-synthetic organism is the modified E.coli bacteria created by introducing DNA molecules.

These are not found in nature in a common bacterium.

Life’s natural genetic code only contains four natural bases- adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), thymine (T).

These bases pair forms two base pairs in the DNA ladder.

The newly created bacterium has two human-created X and Y bases that grow and divide, much like the four natural bases.

This single-celled organism can attach to the synthetic base pair as it divides.

The human-created X and Y base pair was dropped over time in the bacterium that limited the ways the it can use the additional information possessed in their DNA.

For this, researchers had optimised a tool called a nucleotide transporter.

This brings the materials necessary for the unnatural base pair to be copied across the cell membrane.

They discovered that modification to the transporter, made it much easier for the organism to grow and divide.

This is while holding on to X and Y.

Researchers used gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to design the synthetic organism to see a genetic sequence without X and Y as a foreign invader.

Organisms with wholly unnatural attributes and traits that are not found elsewhere in nature can be created.

In future, it can help in creation of microbes capable of manufacturing entirely new proteins.

This is an innovation which can provide leads to new medicines and nanotechnology breakthroughs.

ANSWER: GSLV Mk III

Explanation:
ISRO has successfully tested its indigenously developed cryogenic engine.

This is a major step forward for its landmark 'GSLV Mk III' rocket.

The rocket is scheduled for launch within the first quarter this year.

Cryogenic engines are used in the upper stage of a rocket launch.

They provide the maximum thrust to a launcher vehicle.

The cryogenic upper stage, designated as C25, was tested on January 25.

It was tested for 50 seconds at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.

This was the first test in a series of two tests. The next one was planned for a flight duration of 640 seconds.

The 50 second test is a significant milestone in the development of indigenous cryogenic propulsion technology.

Successful hot test of the stage in the first attempt itself demonstrates the agency's ability to work in new areas like cryogenic technology.

The development of C25 cryogenic stage began with the approval of GSLV MkIII.

This is the next generation launch vehicle of ISRO, capable of launching 4 ton class spacecraft in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The vehicle consists of two solid strap-on motors, one earth storable liquid core stage and the cryogenic upper stage.

The C25 stage is the most powerful upper stage developed by ISRO.

It uses Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Hydrogen propellant combination.

The stage carries 27.8 tons of propellants loaded in two independent tanks.

The first flight stage for 'GSLV MkIII-D1' mission is in an advanced stage of realisation.

It is scheduled to launch GSAT-19 during first quarter of 2017.

The flight engine has been successfully tested in the High Altitude Test facility.

It is integrated with the flight stage, ISRO said.

The C25 stage was conceptualised, designed and realised by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO's lead Centre for Propulsion.

There is support from various System Development Agencies from other three Centres of ISRO -

• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),
• ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) and
• Sathish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).

GSLV MkIII vehicle consists of two solid strap-on motors, one earth storable liquid core stage and the cryogenic upper stage.

The C25 stage is most powerful upper stage developed by ISRO.

It uses Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Hydrogen propellant combination.

This stage carries 27.8 tons of propellants loaded in two independent tanks. Note:

What is a Cryogenic Engine C-25?

• Cryogenic engines are used in the upper stage of the rocket launch.
• They provide the maximum thrust to the launcher vehicle.
• Development of a cryogenic stage has unique design challenges liquid Oxygen stored at -195 deg C and as liquid Hydrogen is stored at -253 deg C in its tanks.
• To store these cryogenic fluids, special multi-layer insulation is provided for the tanks and other structures.
• The successful hot test of the stage in the first attempt itself demonstrates the ISRO’s ability to work in new areas like cryogenic technology.
• The first flight stage for ‘GSLV MkIII-D1’ mission is in an advanced stage of realisation.
• It is scheduled to launch GSAT-19 during first quarter of 2017.

ANSWER: Both a and b are the same

Explanation:
Kerala government has launched an e-health programme Jeevan Rekha to create electronic health records of the population in Thiruvananthapuram.

This is the first-of-its-kind initiative in India, rolled out on Jan 26, 2017.

The aim is to provide a centralised database of healthcare information and efficient health service delivery to the people.

The e-health system will help in creating a good hospital management system and patient-friendly atmosphere in hospitals.

Under the program, 7 out of 14 districts will be covered in the first phase.

Once data of a patient is centralised, it will help the person get continuous treatment at all hospitals in the state.

E-health was a revolutionary step in the health sector in the state.

The government is for bringing in an overall change in the health sector.

Diseases like cholera, malaria and filariasis, which were once eradicated are being reported from the state.

The new system would help in creating a good hospital management system and patient-friendly atmosphere in hospitals.

Once data of a patient is centralised, it would help the person get continuous treatment at all hospitals in the state.

It is one of the biggest achievements in the health sector.

It would be implemented in seven districts in the first phase.

The availability of digital data would provide a huge impetus to disease surveillance.

ANSWER: National Entrepreneurship Awards

Explanation:
The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE) has instituted the “National Entrepreneurship Awards.”

This award is to encourage a culture of entrepreneurship across the nation.

These awards aim to recognise and honour young entrepreneurs.

It also acknowledges their entrepreneurship ecosystem builders for their outstanding efforts in the field of entrepreneurship development.

The awards also seek to highlight models of excellence for youth of India and encourage them to take entrepreneurship as a preferred career option.

The first Award Ceremony will take place on 30th January 2017.

Through it, awards will be given in 11 categories.

ANSWER: Dahod (Gujarat)

Explanation:
Mysuru got India's first Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).

This will offer all passport related services on the lines of PSKs.

The service will soon be expanded to neighbouring districts too.

It has been named as POPSK because the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has tied up with the postal department.

The facility will offer passport related services through a network of post offices.

It is the pilot project of MEA with Mysuru being the first to launch the service.

Authorities have plans to expand the network to facilitate residents in the rest of India.

A similar service was launched at Dahod in Gujarat the same day that is, 25th Jan 2017.

Mysuru is the fifth place in Karnataka to get a passport office.

This follows Bengaluru (two centres), Mangaluru, Hubballi and Kalaburgi.

Regional passport officers will train the postal department employees on processing an application.

Except printing and dispatch of passports, the POPSK will carry out all other operations.

This includes receiving an application, document verification and fee collection from applicants and facilitating further process by sending it to the regional passport office in Bengaluru.

This will cater to the needs of the people in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts having a population of 40 lakhs together.

It is a pilot project and the government has plans to open similar centres in all revenue districts across India using post office network.

This will facilitate in setting up a centre within a short period instead of creating a separate facility for handling passport related services.

As many as 6.5 lakh passports are issued in Karnataka every year, of which 45,000 are alone from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar region.

More than 750 revenue districts in the country, with more than 650 head post offices.

Based on the outcome of the pilot project, government plans to scale up this collaboration.

Passport Services in India

• India ranks third in offering
• China tops the list followed by the US.
• India stands third with every year processing nearly 2 crore passport applications and issuing on an average 60,000 passports daily.
• India has 89 PSKs as extended arms of 38 passport offices providing services.
• Collaboration with India Post is a historic move.

ANSWER: Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise

Explanation:
Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2017 is being conducted off the Western Seaboard.

The month long exercise will see participation of ships and aircraft of both the Western and Eastern Naval Command.

It will also use assets from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard.

TROPEX 17 exercise is aimed at testing combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Indian Navy.

It also tests assets of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard.

Aiming to strengthen inter-operability and joint operations in a complex environment, this is a critical war exercise.

Participating in it are major surface combatants and air assets of the Indian Navy including the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, nuclear submarine Chakra, Landing Platform Dock (LPD) Jalashwa.

It will also see participation of recently commissioned destroyer Chennai, the P-8I long range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

The assets of Indian Navy will operate alongside SU-30 MKI, Jaguars, AWACS, IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft of the Indian Air Force and Infantry units of the Indian Army.

The last edition of TROPEX exercise was conducted in January 2015 and since its launch it has grown in scale and complexity over the years.

Indian Navy: Know More

• Active : Since 1830
• Country: India
• Size: 79,023 active personnel
• 295 ships & 251 aircraft
• Part of Indian Armed Forces,(Ministry of Defence, Government of India)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Motto: शं नो वरुणः (Sanskrit) (May the Lord of the Water be auspicious for us)

ANSWER: April 1, 2017

Explanation:
The Union Finance Ministry has announced that the General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) will be effective from the 1 April, 2017.

In this regard Income Tax (IT) department has issued a slew of clarifications on implementation of GAAR.

It is seeking to address concerns of foreign investors over implementation of the anti-evasion measure.

GAAR seeks to prevent companies from routing transactions through other countries. It prevent attempts to avoid taxes.

The rules are framed mainly to minimize and check avoidance of tax.

India will be the 17th nation in the world to have laws that aim to close tax loopholes.

At present, GAAR is in force in nations like Australia, Singapore, China and the UK.

GAAR seeks to give the IT department powers to scrutinize transactions structured in such a way as to deliberately avoid paying tax in India.

It will not be invoked in cases where investments are routed through tax treaties that have a sufficient limitation of benefit (LOB) clause to address tax avoidance.

LOB clause in tax treaties generally requires investors to meet certain spending and employment criteria to avail the benefits of the treaty.

All transactions or arrangements approved by courts and quasi-judicial authorities for tax

will not be subject to the GAAR test.

GAAR will not be applicable on compulsorily convertible instruments, bonus issuances or split/consolidation of holdings in respect of investments made prior to 1 April 2017 in the hands of the same investor.

Adequate safeguards also have been put in place based on which GAAR will be invoked.

The proposal to apply GAAR first will be vetted by an officer at the level of the principal commissioner.

It can also be vetted by commissioner of income tax.

At the second stage by an approving panel headed by a high court judge. GAAR will not apply on foreign portfolio investor if its jurisdiction is based on non-tax commercial considerations and the main purpose is not to obtain tax benefits.

ANSWER: Banwarilal Purohit

Explanation:
After the resignation of V Shanmuganathan as Governor of Meghalaya and AP, current Assam governor Banwarilal Purohit has been given additional charge of Meghalaya.

Purohit was elected in the Maharashtra Assembly as a member of Congress in 1979 and 1980. After this, the party sent him to the Lok Sabha.

In 1984, he was elected to the 8th Lok Sabha as Congress MP.

He was re-elected in 1989 on the same ticket.

He was expelled from the Congress after he took part in Kar Seva in Ayodhya.

He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1991 after the party launched its movement to build a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and contested Lok Sabha elections in 1991 as the party’s candidate.

The current governor is also the ME of The Hitavada, an English daily founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1911.

He is a known name in the Marwari community in Vidarbha.

He also heads the Shri Ramdeobaba Sarvajanik Samiti which takes care of various social, religious and educational programmes.

Meghalaya Government: Know More

• Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
• Chief Minister: Mukul Sangma (INC)
• Legislature: Unicameral (60 seats)
• Parliamentary constituency: Rajya Sabha (1), Lok Sabha (2)
• High Court: Meghalaya High Court