Current Affairs Questions & Answers - June 29, 2017

ANSWER: Rajesh Shah

Explanation:
The government appointed Rajesh V Shah as Chairperson on the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, in place of former cricketer Chetan Chauhan who resigned from the post after being made the Sports Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

The Union Government (Ministry of Textiles) has appointed Rajesh V Shah as Chairperson on the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Fashion Technology up to March 31, 2019 in place of Chetan Chauhan as per the provisions of the National Institute of Fashion Technology Act, 2006.

A controversy had erupted last year over the appointment of Chauhan, an ex-cricketer and former BJP MP, as the Chairman of NIFT, with political parties and fashion designers questioning the move.

Shah is related to the textiles industry.

As per the NIFT Act 2006, the Chairperson of its Board of Governors shall be an eminent academician, scientist or technologist or professional, who is to be nominated by the Visitor, in this case the President of India.

Set up in 1986, the institute, which has centres across the country, comes under the Union Ministry of Textiles.

ANSWER: Jewar

Explanation:
The government has cleared a proposal for setting up a greenfield airport in Jewar in Greater Noida, which is likely to be operational in the next five to six years.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju announced at a press briefing that “in-principle clearance has been granted” for the airport.

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority has notified 3,000 hectares of land for a world-class international airport.

Noida International Airport will cater to 30-50 million passengers per year over the next 10-15 years. The airport will help reduce congestion at the Delhi international airport.

In Delhi, authorities are expecting 91 million passengers by 2020 and 109 million passengers by 2024.

ANSWER: NN Vohra

Explanation:
Jammu and Kashmir governor N N Vohra became the president of the India International Centre (IIC) - a prestigious cultural hub in the national capital - replacing eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee, who stepped down after an intense power struggle.

Sorabjee whose recent re-election as the IIC president was questioned by many life trustees and members of the IIC announced his decision to relinquish the coveted post at the annual general meeting.

One of the early proponents of jazz in the city, Sorabjee said he would now spend time organising jazz yatras and festivals as his pastime.

He is the president of Capital Jazz. Some life trustees and members had earlier termed his re-election as president invalid during the AGM in March as it was held despite a vacancy in the IIC Board of Life Trustees following the resignation and subsequent demise of MGK Menon.

Former diplomat Shyam Saran was inducted as the fifth Life Trustee of IIC on April 29.

IIC: Know More

• The India International Centre is a well known non-official organisation situated in New Delhi, India.
• Its foundation stone was laid in 1960 by Japanese prince Akihito, future Emperor, who had come for his honeymoon.
• It was inaugurated in 1962

ANSWER: Mihai Tudose

Explanation:
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on 26 June 2017 appointed Social Democrat Mihai Tudose as the Prime Minister and mandated him to form a new government.

Tudose was officially validated as proposal for the Prime Minister office by the National Executive Committee convention of the main ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD).

Tudose now has 10 days to win over Romania’s parliament with a vote of confidence in his proposed cabinet and policy programme.

Tudose was one of the potential candidates for Prime Minister brought forward by the majority coalition led by the Social Democratic Party to succeed Sorin Grindeanu after the latter was dismissed by a motion of no confidence adopted in Parliament by his own party.

Mihai Tudose: Know More

• Born on 6 March 1967, Mihai Tudose is a Romanian politician, deputy in the Parliament of Romania, Minister of Economy in the ousted Grindeanu Cabinet and the Prime Minister-designate of Romania.
• On 26 June 2017, the majority coalition nominated him for the position and President Iohannis designated him as the PM of the country.
• He is expected to take office on 29 June 2017.

ANSWER: Dhanraj Pillay

Explanation:
Former Indian hockey captain, Dhanraj Pillay would be conferred East Bengal football club’s highest honour - Bharat Gaurav - at its foundation day ceremony on 1 August 2017.

Pillay’s contribution to Indian hockey is immense and that the club is honoured and humbled that he has accepted their request and will be present for the Foundation Day.

Born on 16 July 1968, Pillay currently serves as the manager of the Indian national hockey team.

He is also a member of the ad hoc committee of Indian Hockey Federation, formed after the suspension of Kanwar Pal Singh Gill.

He is regarded as one of India’s best hockey players ever.

He has the distinction of representing India at four Olympics, World Cups, Champions Trophy and Asian Games in his career spanning over 15 years.

After his debut in 1989, he has made 339 appearances for the national team and scored 170 goals. He also played for clubs in countries such as Malaysia, France, England and Germany.

In an attempt to recognise his achievements, the government of India had awarded him the Padma Shri in 2000.

Besides Pillay, the East Bengal club has chosen former India footballers, Syed Nayeemuddin and Subhas Bhowmick, as well for the Lifetime Achievement Awards at the function.

ANSWER: United States and India: Prosperity Through Partnership

Explanation:
India and the United States on 26 June 2017 released a Joint Statement (JS) titled - United States and India: Prosperity through Partnership.

The Joint Statement was released after bilateral talks were held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald J. Trump. Prime Minister was in the United States from 25 to 26 June 2017.

During this visit, President Donald J. Trump hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on June 26 for an official visit to Washington, D.C.

This was Modi’s first US visit since Donald became the President of the nation.

The visit that marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and the United States was planned to expand and deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations.

It also aims to advance common objectives.

Common objectives include combatting terrorist threats, promoting stability across the Indo-Pacific region, increasing free and fair trade, and strengthening energy linkages.

Agreeing for a close partnership for peace and stability in the region the two countries agreed to take further measures to strengthen their partnership.

In accordance with the tenets outlined in the U.N. Charter, they committed to a set of common principles for the region, according to which sovereignty and international law are respected and every country can prosper.

On this line, the two leaders reiterated the importance of respecting freedom of navigation, over flight and commerce throughout the region. The duo also called on all nations to resolve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with the international law.

India and US strengthened cooperation against terrorist threat from groups like Al-Qa’ida, ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, D-Company, and their affiliates.

In addition, the US also designated Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leader as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

ANSWER: Dr. Manoj Soni

Explanation:
Dr. Manoj Soni, former Vice Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, took the Oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The Oath was administered by the UPSC Chairman Prof. David R. Syiemlieh.

Born on 17th February, 1965, Dr. Soni, a scholar of Political Science with specialization in International Relation Studies, earned his doctorate in "Post-Cold War International Systemic Transition and Indo-US Relations" from Sardar Patel University.

Dr. Manoj Soni has been the youngest-ever Vice Chancellor in independent (India).

Dr. Soni is the recipient of several awards and recognitions including the rare honour of "Honorary Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge" by Mayor-President of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA and World Education Congress Global Award for Distance Learning Leadership.

ANSWER: Fuxing

Explanation:
China launched its first self-developed ‘next-generation’ bullet train Fuxing with a maximum speed of 400 kmh on 26 June 2017.

The train was launched on one of the country’s busiest lines -Beijing-Shanghai line.

With the launch, Beijing aims to capture global high-speed rail market.

The first run happened simultaneously from two stations-Beijing and Shanghai. While a CR400AF model train was flagged off from Beijing South Railway Station towards Shanghai, a CR400BF model left Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station for Beijing.

The model train on the way to Shanghai took about five hours and 45 minutes to reach its destination.

On the way, the train stopped at 10 stations, including Jinan, Shandong province and Tianjin.

The Beijing-Shanghai line sees a footfall of around 50 5000 passengers daily.

Also, China has the world’s longest railway network with 22,000 kilometres by the end of last year, about 60 percent of the world’s total.

The new bullet trains, also known as electric multiple units (EMU), boast a top speed of 400 kilometres per hour and a consistent speed of 350 kilometres an hour.

Fuxing: Know More

• The train was self-designed and manufactured by China.
• It includes a sophisticated monitoring system that constantly checks its performance and automatically slows the train in case of emergencies or abnormal conditions.
• The train is also fitted in with a remote data-transmission system, a control centre that will be able to monitor the train in real time.
• ‘Fuxing’, underpins the unique role that high-speed railway has played in China’s economic and social development.

ANSWER: GSAT 17

Explanation:
India's latest communication satellite, GSAT-17 was inducted into the INSAT/GSAT system on June 29, 2017 from Kourou, French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-238.

Weighing 3477 kg at lift-off, GSAT-17 carries Payloads in Normal C-band, Extended C-band and S-band to provide various communication services. GSAT-17 also carries equipment for metereological data relay and satellite based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites.

GSAT-17 is designed to provide continuity of services on operational satellites in C-band, Extended C-band and S-bands.

GSAT-17 was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by Ariane-5 VA-238 launch vehicle.

After its injection into GTO, ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan takes control of GSAT-17 and performs the initial orbit raising manouvers using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in circular Geostationary Orbit.

The designed in-orbit operational life of GSAT-17 is about 15 years. It was the 21st satellite that Arianespace launched for Isro since 1981

Besides GSAT-17, Ariance-5 also put into space Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat SEAN

India added GSAT-17 to its existing fleet of 17 communication satellites with French rocket Ariane-5 successfully launching the 3,477-kg satellite from French Guiana.

The satellite has been inducted into the Indian National Satellite (INSAT)/GSAT system. It carried payloads in the normal C, extended C and S bands, providing various communication services.

GSAT-17 also had equipment for meteorological data relay and satellite-based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites.

Since the launch of the experimental Apple satellite in 1981, Arianespace have bagged 87% of the geostationary orbit launch contracts that India has opened to non-Indian launch systems.

Besides GSAT-17, Ariance-5 also put into space Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN, a "condosat" for Inmarsat and Hellas Sat.
The Hellas Sat 3 payload, the second Hellas Sat satellite, will deliver DTH (direct-to-home) and telecom services maintaining and expanding Hellas Sat business reach.

Hellas Sat (member of the Arabsat Group) is a premium satellite operator, offering services in Europe, the Middle East and South Africa from the orbital position of 39 East, Arianespace said.

GSAT 17: Know More

• Launch Mass: 3477 kg
• Mission Life: 15 years
• Ariane-5 VA-238
• Type of Satellite: Communication
• Manufacturer: ISRO
• Owner: ISRO
• Application: Communication
• Orbit Type: GTO

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
China has launched its most powerful naval destroyer, the Type 055, at the Shanghai port.

The naval destroyer is one among the largest warships in the world.

The Type055 vessels will weigh more than 12,000 tonnes when fully armed.

The Type055 vessels are larger and more powerful than India’s latest Project- 15B “Visakhapatnam” class destroyers.

India is yet to commission Project- 15B “Visakhapatnam” class destroyers. India’s destroyers when fully armed will displace only 8,200 tonnes and are capable of carrying only a mix of nearly 50 surface-to-air, anti-ship and land attack missiles.

On the other hand, the Type055 vessels will combine nearly 120 missiles, making it one of the most heavily-armed ships in the world.

Chinese vessels are fitted with powerful phased array radars that are capable of focusing on targets at sea, on land and in the air.

The vessel is more modern and has more sophisticated control and battle management system. Chinese vessels are fitted with powerful phased array radars that are capable of focusing on targets at sea, on land and in the air.

The vessel is more modern and has more sophisticated control and battle management system than India’s vessels under construction.

In the last five years, China has launched several naval vessels. From March 2014, China has commissioned five Type 52D destroyers which have similar capability to that of India’s Visakhapatnam’ class warships. In addition, China has planned to build a fleet of at least 18 such naval ships.

India, on the other hand, has planned to build only seven ships belonging to the Vishakhapatnam class. Earlier this year,

China's naval technology: Know More

• China had also launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier whose construction began only in 2013. India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, the Vikrant whose construction is carried out since 2009 is unlikely to be completed before 2023.
• Growing Chinese naval prowess is a cause of worry to India.
• In the last five years, China has increasingly begun to deploy its nuclear submarines, warships and other support vessels in the Indian Ocean.
• India’s important maritime ally, the United States has also expressed its deep concerns about the expansion of the Chinese Navy, particularly in the Indian Ocean.

ANSWER: Petya

Explanation:
Petya ransomware, (called Goldeneye in Romania) is part of a new wave of cyber-attacks and has infected computer servers across the world.

In India, the ransomware has crippled the operations at one of the terminals of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. The affected terminal was being operated by AP Moller-Maersk.

The company operates the Gateway Terminals India (GTI) which has a capacity to handle 1.8 million standard container units.

The attack has impacted the external trade by affecting the systems dealing with the cargo and ships at the country’s largest port.

The Petya ransomware has hit computer servers all across Europe. Ukraine and Russia are the worst affected countries.

The ransomware has also impacted some companies in the US and other Western European countries. In the severely affected Ukraine, government offices, energy companies, banks, cash machines, gas stations, and supermarkets,

Ukrainian Railways, Ukrtelecom, and the Chernobyl power plant has been worst affected.

Petya ransomware: Know More

• Petya is a ransomware, similar to the Wannacry ransomware.
• However, it is a variation of the WannaCry cyber-attack.
• It follows the WannaCry’s pattern and locks up the computer data and cripples the Enterprise services in the corporate sector.
• Researchers are yet to find who authored this malware for this attack.
• The ransomware demands $300 Bitcoins as ransom to unlock computer’s files.
• The attack is believed to have originated against an update used on a third-party Ukrainian software called MeDoc. This explains why Ukraine is the worst affected.

ANSWER: Desh Bandhu Gupta

Explanation:
Desh Bandhu Gupta, founder and Chairman of Lupin, India’s second-largest pharmaceutical company passed away on 26 June 2017 in Mumbai. He was 79.

Gupta had not been keeping well for some time and was not actively involved in the business for a few years. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Born in Rajgarh, Rajasthan, Gupta earned a master’s degree in chemistry. He started his career as an associate professor at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani in Rajasthan.

He had a vision to fight life-threatening diseases of highest national priority by delivering good quality medicines at an affordable price.

With that objective he founded Lupin in the 1968 with a start-up capital of just INR 5000.

Under his leadership, Lupin grew from being a domestic Indian pharmaceutical company to a global pharmaceutical major worth a US$ 1.83 billion, spanning 100 countries.

Lupin is one of the largest producers of tuberculosis medicines in the world. Gupta set up the Lupin Human Welfare & Research Foundation (LHWRF), one of the largest non-governmental organizations funded by a corporation in Southeast Asia, in October 1988.

The main objective behind setting up of the foundation was to eradicate poverty by encouraging sustainable development at the grass root level in rural India.