Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Nov 22, 2017

ANSWER: Male sterilization and to promote the participation of men in family planning

Explanation:
Under this awareness campaign, all states and union territories observed Vasectomy Fortnight by providing quality of male sterilisation services at public health facilities

UMHFW: Know More

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is an Indian government ministry charged with health policy in India.
• It is also responsible for all government programs relating to family planning in India.
• The Minister of Health and Family Welfare holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers.
• The current minister is Shri. Jagat Prakash Nadda.
• The Ministry regularly publishes the Indian Pharmacopoeia since 1955 through Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) an autonomous body under the ministry for setting standards for drugs, pharmaceuticals and healthcare devices and technologies in India.

ANSWER: 2020

Explanation:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully tested supersonic landing parachute that will be deployed in its Mars rover mission set to launch in 2020.

The mission will rely on special parachute to slow spacecraft down as it enters Martian atmosphere at over 5.4 kilometres per second. It was first of several tests in support of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.

ANSWER: 51

Explanation:
India ranked 51^st among 63 countries on the IMD Talent Rankings in terms of ability to attract, develop and retain talent. In previous rankings, India was ranked 54^th.

The annual IMD World Talent Ranking covers 63 countries and assessed methods countries adopted to attract and retain talent. The rankings of countries are based on their performance in three main categories - investment and development, appeal, and readiness.

ANSWER: via covered rail wagons and trucks

Explanation:
Government to transport coal in trucks, rail wagons

Scurrying for solutions to fight the toxic air pollution, the government has said it plans to transport coal in covered rail wagons and trucks across the country.

Ferrying of coal in uncovered vehicles and rail wagons is said to be one of the key reasons behind high pollution levels along the transportation route from coal mine or importing sea port to user plants like power generation houses.

ANSWER: ASSOCHAM

Explanation:
India's food processing sector has the potential to attract $33 billion investment by 2024, according to a study released here on 20^thNov 2017 by ASSOCHAM.

The country's food and retail market is expected to touch $482 billion by 2020, up from $258 billion in 2015, with recent reforms making the sector more competitive and marke-oriented, it said.

ASSOCHAM: Know More

• The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is one of the apex trade associations of India.
• The organisation represents the interests of trade and commerce in India, and acts as an interface between industry, government and other relevant stakeholders on policy issues and initiatives.
• The goal of this organisation is to promote both domestic and international trade, and reduce trade barriers while fostering conducive environment for the growth of trade and industry of India.

ANSWER: Zimbabwe

Explanation:
Robert Mugabe resigned as Zimbabwe's President on November 21, shortly after Parliament began an impeachment process to end his nearly four decades of rule.

The 93-year old clung on for a week after an Army takeover and expulsion from his own ruling ZANU-PF party, which also told him to leave power.

Wild celebrations broke out at a joint sitting of parliament when Speaker Jacob Mudenda announced Mr. Mugabe’s resignation and suspended the impeachment procedure.

The origin of Mr. Mugabe’s sudden downfall lies in rivalry between members of Zimbabwe’s ruling elite over who will succeed him, rather than popular protest

The Army seized power after Mr. Mugabe sacked ZANU-PF’s favourite to succeed him, Emmerson Mnangagwa, to smooth a path to the presidency for his wife Grace Mugabe, 52, known to her critics as “Gucci Grace” for her reputed fondness for luxury shopping.

Mr. Mnangagwa, a former security chief known as “The Crocodile”, is expected to take over as President.

ANSWER: November, 21

Explanation:
The World Fisheries Day is celebrated every year on November 21 throughout world by fisherfolk communities to highlight critical importance to human lives, of water and lives it sustains, both in and out of water.

Water forms a continuum, whether contained in rivers, lakes, and ocean.

Fish forms an important part of diets of people around world, particularly those living near rivers, coasts and other water bodies.

A number of traditional societies and communities are rallied around occupation of fishing.

World Fisheries Day

• On 21^st November 1997, the working fishermen and women representing World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers from 18 countries met at New Delhi and established the World Fisheries Forum (WFF) advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies.
• To commemorate this occasion, every year 21^st November is celebrated all over the world as World Fisheries Day. In India, it is being celebrated for the fourth consecutive year.
• This year the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is celebrating it on 21^st November 2017 at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, Pusa Road, New Delhi.
• This year’s theme is “2022 Ka Hai Sapna … Kisan Ki Aay Ho Dugna - Sankalp Se Siddhi”.

ANSWER: Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY)

Explanation:
Government has signed four MoUs under Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) Scheme with Nagaland and UTs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu for operational improvements.

With this, 27 States and 4 UTs have joined UDAY till date.

These State/UTs have joined only for operational improvement and shall not undergo financial restructuring and issue of bonds under the scheme.

These MoUs will pave way for improving operational efficiency of Electricity Departments or DISCOM of these State/UT.

ANSWER: Meghalaya

Explanation:
The first India-Myanmar Bilateral Military Exercise 2017 (IMBAX 2017) was held at Joint Warfare Centre at the Umroi Joint Training Node in Meghalaya.

It is first of its kind military training exercise between India and Myanmar on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO). It was conducted by Army’s RED HORNS DIVISION under aegis of GAJRAJ CORPS.

The Indo-Myanmar joint Army Exercise is a positive step in the bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations, the statement said.

The conduct of such exercises in future will not only enable mutual capacity enhancement, but will assist in building strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Myanmar, it added.

Meghalaya: Know More

• Meghalaya is a state in Northeast India. The name means "the abode of clouds" in Sanskrit.
• The population of Meghalaya as of 2016 is estimated to be 3,211,474.
• Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometers, with a length to breadth ratio of about 3:1.
• The state is bounded to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of Rangpur, and to the north and east by India's State of Assam. The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong.
• During the British rule of India, the British imperial authorities nicknamed it the "Scotland of the East".
• Meghalaya was previously part of Assam, but on 21 January 1972, the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became the new state of Meghalaya.
• English is the official language of Meghalaya. The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Pnar, Hajong, Tiwa (lalung), Rabha, Garo and Biate.

ANSWER: Both a and c

Explanation:
The Hyderabad based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in association with Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) has developed Improved Samba Masuri (ISM) variety rice with low Glycemic Index (GI).

Rice with low GI is considered suitable for people with diabetics. Consumption of food with low GI results in slow release of glucose into the bloodstream reducing the ill-effects of diabetes.

Samba Masuri (ISM) rice variety has twin advantages of being resistant to Bacterial Blight (BB) and at the same time also beneficial to the overall health of the body.

According to researchers, at present 40 per cent of the normal Samba Masuri crop is being lost due to Bacterial Blight. However, the new ISM variety of rice will significantly reduce this crop loss, which eventually would lead to reduced prices of rice and increased profit margins for farmers and traders.

The rice has the lowest Glycemic Index (GI) at 50.9 among all major rice varieties, which is an improvement over the 52.9 GI of earlier Samba Masuri variety.

The traditional Samba Masuri rice is commonly called Sona Masuri and Kurnool Masuri and has very low resistance to BB, a pest disease for which there is no chemical solution yet.

The Improved Samba Masuri is not at all Genetically Modified (GM).

According to researchers, farmers have already cultivated ISM in 1,30,000 hectares in 2016 and another 1,00,000 hectares in 2017 Kharif season, across seven States including TS and AP.

The old Samba Masuri rice is estimated to be cultivated over four million hectares across the country, annually.