Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Nov 02, 2016

ANSWER: Sardar Vallabhai Patel

Explanation:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India and former Deputy PM was in news on Oct 31, 2016.

• The Iron Man of India came into limelight on his 141st birth anniversary.
• His birth anniversary was celebrated as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).
• Theme for the 2016 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was Integration of India.
• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the digital exhibition Uniting India: Sardar Patel at New Delhi.
• PM Modi also launched the Ek Bharat Shtreshtha Bharat initiative to promote greater awareness among people of numerous states about one another, promoting the spirit of Unity in Diversity.
• 6 MoUs were signed between two states on each occasion under the initiative.
• Modi also released a stamp to commemorate the anniversary of Sardar Patel.
• The Digital Exhibition has a total of 29 exhibits where a small film on the life of Sardar Patel has been in preparation for wider awareness about him.
• Exhibition showcased that 565 princely states, some of which were ruled by Maharajas and others by Nawabs started believing they would become independent rulers of their kingdoms as in the pre-British era.
• Exhibition has also showcased the vision of free India which was Sardar Patel’s insight, wisdom and diplomacy that drove sense into monarchs who agreed accession to the Indian republic.
• Exhibition also carries a 3D film that showcases how the leader handled the integration of princely states with his diplomatic skills.
• Born on 31st Oct 1875, he was an Indian barrister and statesman belonging to the INC.
• In India, he is called Sardar which means Chief in Hindi, Urdu and Persian.

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
Indo-Nepal joint military exercise Surya Kiran-X commenced on 31st Oct 2016 at Army Battle School, Saljhandi, Nepal.

• The exercise will conclude on 13th Nov 2016.
• The joint military exercise is the tenth in the series of such exercise between the two nations.
• The Surya Kiran series of exercises are being conducted each year alternatively in Nepal and India.
• In a series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Surya Kiran series with Nepal is the largest in terms of troop participation.
• Indian army is represented by the Kumaon regiment.
• Jabar Jung Battalion of Nepal Army is participating in the 10th edition of the joint exercise on the behalf of the Nepalese army.
• The exercise aims to conduct battalion level joint training with emphasis on Counter terrorism in mountainous terrain.
• Aspects of disaster management have also been made part of this exercise.
• The Joint Battalion level exercise will enhance defence cooperation and relations between the 2 nations.
• It is an ideal platform for the contingent of both nations to share experiences and gain mutuality.
• The exercise will be another step towards taking the friendship between two nations to greater heights.

ANSWER: Both a and c

Explanation:
This seeks to regulate the housing sector besides ensuring transparency and timely completion of projects in the UTs.

• Rules notified by the Housing Ministry will be applicable to Andaman and Nicobar islands, Dadra and Nagra Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshwadeep and Chandigarh.
• Real Estate Regulation and Development Act 2016 is a major reform measure to regulate the vast real estate sector, requiring the registration of all projects with state level Real Estate Regulatory Authorities to ensure protection of buyers and developers.
• The rules will also be framed for the NCR of Delhi while other states and UTs will come out with their own rules.

ANSWER: Swarna Jayanti

Explanation:
The 51st Haryana Day was observed on Nov 1st, 2016 as the Swarna Jayanti - Haryana Golden Jubilee.

• This day marks completion of 50 years of Haryana’s existence as a state of the federal map of India.
• The year will be celebrated as Haryana’s Swarna Jayanti from 1st Nov 2016 to 31st Oct 2017.
• PM Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the year long celebrations.
• State government has also declared Nov 1st as a public holiday in Gurugram district under section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
• To mark the occasion, CM Manohar Lal Khattar announced many incentives for people of the state on 31st Oct 2016 such as social security pension, financial assistance to destitute children, fiscal assistance to ex-servicemen.
• The CM also launched a web portal Saksham called Shikshit Yuva Sammanit Hua.
• Haryana is one of 29 states in India and it was carved out of the former state of Punjab on 1st Nov 1966 on a linguistic basis.

ANSWER: Shared economy

Explanation:
Gig economy is on the rise in India; it is set to become the top freelancing and crowdsourcing hub in the Asian region, even internationally.

• The gig or shared economy has become a global trend and is characterised by temporary positions and on-demand contracts with independent workers.
• India is the top economy in the world and Asia where users have been rising progressively.
• The country has become a potential to become a top freelancing and crowdsourcing hub in the Aisan region even internationally.
• Out of 4 million users from India, more than 3.5 million are registered as freelancers on freelancer.com.
• Most popular project kinds include PHP, graphic design, website design, HTML, wordpress, logo design , SEO and Internet marketing.

ANSWER: AP

Explanation:
Ruling TDP party will launch Jana Chaitanya Yatra in AP to highlight the welfare and development initiatives of the government.

• The yatra will be launched in Koppolu village in Prakasam district.
• The TDP national president will take the party membership first followed by his Cabinet colleagues and senior party leaders and workers.
• AP is one of 29 states located in the SE coast of the nation.
• Hyderabad is set to remain the de sure capital of the southern states of AP and Telangana for 10 months.
• The new river front proposed capital in Guntur district is Amravati under the jurisdiction of APCRDA.
• Vizag is the largest city and commercial hub of the state followed by Vijaywada.

ANSWER: Council of Handicrafts Development Corporations

Explanation:
Minister of Textile Smt. Zubin Irani will inaugurate the exhibition cum sale of handicrafts developed by Artisans of Clusters at Dilli Haat on 2nd Nov 2016.

• The fair is being marketed by Council of Handicrafts Development Corporations with financial assistance from the office of Development Commissioner Handicrafts.
• The event will feature cluster artisans from all over the country.
• It will also showcase the best of Indian handicrafts in quality, design and versatility from all over the country.

ANSWER: Rishi Jaitly

Explanation:
Rishi Jaitly, Twitter’s India head who helped popularise the adoption of the micro-blogging website among government departments to respond to citizen queries, has quit the firm.

• Jaitly was the vice-president for Asia Pacific, which includes India, West Asia and North Africa for Twitter.
• He came from the Knight Foundation in 2012 to Twitter.
• The decision to resign was announced on a Twitter storm.
• Twitter was created by J Dorsey, B. Evans and 2 other founders.

ANSWER: Final

Explanation:
Pope Francis said on 1st Nov he believes the Roman Catholic Church’s ban on women becoming priests is forever and will never be changed, in some of his most definitive remarks on the issue.

• The Pope was referring a 1994 document by Pope John Paul that closed the door on a female priesthood, calling it the "last clear word".
• The Vatican says this teaching is an infallible part of Catholic tradition.
• Pope Francis has previously said that the door to women’s ordination is closed, but proponents of a female priesthood are hoping that a future Pope might overturn the decision, particularly because of the shortage of priests around the world.
• Because Jesus has chosen men as his apostles, women can never be priests in the Christian religion.

ANSWER: Kim Byong-joon

Explanation:
South Korea's presidential office on 2nd Nov named a new prime minister and finance minister in the wake of a scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and a friend who allegedly meddled with state affairs.

• The Blue House said it named Yim Jong-yong, the Financial Services Commission chairman, as the new finance minister and deputy prime minister.
• It also named Kim Byong-joon as the new prime minister. Kim was a former senior presidential secretary during former President Roh Moo-hyun's administration.