Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Oct 2, 2015

ANSWER: Yatindra Mishra

Explanation:
Book on “Lata Mangeshkar: A Musical Journey” written by Hindi poet and author Yatindra Mishra with complete cooperation of Lata ji was translated by Sahitya Akademi Award winning writer Ira Pande. It contains facts and anecdotes of the life of the Queen of Hindi Music from 1940s to current times.

ANSWER: 1st October 2015

Explanation:
International Day of Older Persons was celebrated on October 1, 2015 across the globe with the theme Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment. The 2015 IDOP celebration demonstrated that an age inclusive agenda is crucial to promote equity, welfare and prosperity for all. The 2015 celebration marked IDOP’s 25th anniversary. On 14th December 1990, 1st October was declared as IDOP by UNGA following initiatives including Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by UNGA. IDOP was observed for the first time throughout the globe on October 1st, 1991.

ANSWER: 1st

Explanation:
Chinese National Day was celebrated on 1st October 2015. Indian PM Narendra Modi wished the Chinese people on microblogging site Sina Weibo. The latest round of visits include President Xi’s to India in September 2014 and Modi’s visit to China in May 2015. PRC was formed on October 1st, 1949 which is celebrated as the National Day.

ANSWER: Ratan Tata

Explanation:
Coventry on 1st October 2015 honoured Ratan Tata with the highest award - Honorary Freeman of the City of Coventry. Since 1914, only 13 people have been conferred with the award.An Indian origin professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, who founded the the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), also won the title along with Tata at University of Warwick in Coventry. In 2000, Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of TATA Group was awarded the Padma Bhushan. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2008.

ANSWER: 55

Explanation:
WEF released the Global Competitiveness Report on 30th September 2015 assessing the economic competitiveness landscape of 140 nations providing insights into growth of productivity and prosperity. After 5 years of decline, India jumped up to 55th place compared to rank 71 in 2014-2015. Top countries in ranking were Switzerland, Singapore, US, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Hong Kong, Finland, Sweden and UK. The Global Competitiveness Report’s competitiveness ranking is based on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which was introduced by WEF in 2004.

ANSWER: 8.5%

Explanation:
Non-food credit growth of scheduled commercial banks slowed to 8.4 percent in August from 10.2 percent in the same period last year, RBI data proved. Personal loans increased 17.3 percent in August, up from a rise of 13.4 percent in August 2014. Credit to agriculture and allied activities rose by 12.1 percent in August compared with an increase of 18.8 percent in the previous fiscal. Loans to industry grew 5 percent in the month, up from 7.8 percent.

ANSWER: Heena Sindhu

Explanation:
Indian pistol shooter Heena Sindhu won the gold medal at the 10m air pistol event at the 8th Asian Air Gun Championships in New Delhi. She is the first shooter from India to be ranked number 1 in the world. Shweta Singh won the silver medal while Korean shooter Seon. A Kim settled for bronze. Indian shooter Yashaswini Singh Deshwal has finished fourth in the final. India won an impressive haul of 17 medals, including 6 gold, to top the championships. Iran took second place while Taipei was third.

ANSWER: HIV

Explanation:
For the first time, WHO has indicated that everyone with HIV will be offered life saving drugs at the time of diagnosis. WHO has indicated that governments do not have to wait till the disease progresses, which was part of the earlier procedure, to initiate Antiretroviral Therapy/ART. ART is free in India under National Aids Control Programme but treatment is not provided for every HIV patient. ART was earlier initiated depending upon the infection stage. All populations and age groups are now eligible for treatment. Recent findings indicate early use of ART keeps people living with HIV alive and more healthy with less likelihood of transmitting the virus. Based on the initial recommendation, persons eligible for antiretroviral treatment will increase to 37 million from 28 million. Change in global HIV policy could avert close to over 20 million deaths and 28 million new infections by 2030.

ANSWER: Womb Transplant

Explanation:
Britain has approved 10 womb transplant operations following the successful birth of a baby from the transplanted womb in Sweden on September 2014. This is the first baby in the world born to a woman using the same womb from which she was herself born. Operation is perfect for those who do not have the chance of carrying their own baby due to lack of a viable womb.

ANSWER: Electrosmog

Explanation:
Humans are surrounded by electrosmog, which refers to invisible clouds of electromagnetic radiation enabling mobile and Wi-Fi networks and it can also power small devices. Former science minister Paul Drayson has developed an energy harvesting system referred to as Freevolt which employs the use of an antenna to draw power from numerous wavebands of electromagnetic spectrum while fitting into a credit card sized unit. Technology was placed inside a personal air pollution sensor referred to as CleanSpace. This allows individuals to monitor air quality around them. Sensor referred to as Tag pairs with mobile app to monitor CO levels and transport choices selected by each individual. This marks the first time a commercial device powered only by ambient radio frequency energy has been developed. Personal air quality sensor has been developed in view of the problems faced during air pollution.

ANSWER: Nationwide ban on killing of indigenous cattle in view of their falling numbers

Explanation:
NGT issues a notice to the Centre seeking ban on slaughter of indigenous cattle with respect to their falling numbers. NGT’s Justice U. D. Salvi directed the government to respond by October 30,2015. Increasing influx of foreign exotic cows in India are causing indigenous breeds to be led to slaughter houses for meat and leather. Indigenous cattle have more disease resistance and can adapt to weather changes and climatic disturbances in in India. Some of the desi cow breeds include Gir, Red Sindhi and Sahiwal.

ANSWER: Both are the same

Explanation:
Researchers have found a new species of rock dwelling lizard at Chattisgarh’s Kanker. Finding was led by scientists of the ZSI Kozhikode and published in international journal Zootaxa. The new gecko species has been called Kanker Rock Gecko/Hemidactylus yajurvedi. This lizard is large sized and has a snout-vent length of up to 98 mm and is the 27th species belonging to this genre found in India. Discovery was made by ZSI in collaboration with other institutions and research organisations such as TIFR, IISc and Centre for Ecological Sciences. With close to 121 species distributed along the tropics and subtropical region, this is one of the most species rich gekkonid genera. A new species was revealed following morphological and molecular examination. The new species has been located at 5 places in Chattisgarh. The species has been named after Hanumanth Narasimhachar Yajurvedi, professor, department of studies and research in Zoology at Manasagangotri, University of Mysore.

ANSWER: Devas Multimedia

Explanation:
ISRO had aborted the Devas deal in 2011. The commercial arm of ISRO, Antrix had signed a contract for launching two satellites and using spectrum. Devas was asked to lease 70 MHZ of S-band spectrum from the two satellites that were launched by ISRO and to pay USD 300 million for the rights. However, the government scrapped the deal. Antrix, ISRO has been asked to pay USD 672 million in damages.

ANSWER: Sky Muster

Explanation:
Australian communities have taken a step closer to high speed internet following launch of a 0.5 billion dollar satellite named Sky Muster launched from the French Guiana on October 1, 2015. This is one of the largest communication satellites in the world for delivering broadband to Australia. NBN satellite service will provide speeds and new growth in education, social connectivity, health and business.

ANSWER: John Guilliermin

Explanation:
British film-maker John Guillermin known for his 1976 hit movies like “King Kong” and filming of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile” has passed away of a heart attack at the age of 89. He was also known for his action and adventure films such as “Shaft in Africa”, “Skyjacked” and “El Condor”. The London born director completed his education from University of Cambridge.

ANSWER: Stefan Larsson

Explanation:
American designer Ralph Lauren who has constructed a mega fashion brand is stepping down as CEO and has named GAP’s populist President, Old Navy brand to the current position. Ralph Lauren Corp has founded by him in the 1960s. R.L Corp’s new CEO is the global president of GAP’s Old Navy division, Stefan Larsson. Lauren will continue to remain the executive chairperson and head the design team.

ANSWER: Shri. S. Mookerjee

Explanation:
Shri S. Mookerjee has taken over as the new Finance Commissioner and ex officio Secretary to GoI. He has taken charge following the superannuation of Smt. Rajalakshmi Ravi Kumar. He was earlier posted as DG, National Academy of Indian Railways, Vadodara. He is an officer of Indian Railway Accounts Service belonging to the 1978 batch. He completed his BA from DU and BSc (Physics Honours) from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta University. He also holds an MBA from Motilal Nehru Institute of Research and Business Administration, University of Allahabad. His core competence is in IT and Computer Applications as well as Financial Management and Policy.

ANSWER: Vinay Bhatia

Explanation:
Future Group, India’s largest retailer has appointed Vinay Bhatia as CEO, Group Loyalty and Analytics. He was earlier senior vice president, marketing and loyalty at Shopper’s Stop. This saw the loyalty cardholder base rise from 0.9 million to 4 million during the 7 year tenure generating 3/4th of the revenues. Kishore Biyani led Future Group will leverage large base of loyal members to triple sales in the next half decade. Rather than following an omni-channel system, it is trying to create an ecosystem by hiring data analytics personnel.

ANSWER: Amplify

Explanation:
News Corp has sold digital education brand Amplify to management team supported by private investors resulting from slow growth in digital curriculum market. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Strategic options are being reviewed for Amplify and the new company will be led by CEO of Amplify Learning Division, Larry Berger.

ANSWER: SBI and Bank of Baroda

Explanation:
Public lending financial institutions SBI and BoB have indicated on 30th September 2015 that they have approved the issuance of shares on preferential basis to GoI in lieu of capital infusion of INR 5393 crore and INR 1786 crore respectively. SBI has indicated in a BSE filing that Committee of Directors for Capital Raising considered and accorded approval for allotting 19,65,59,390 shares on preferential basis to GoI. Government in August 2015 had made the decision to infuse INR 20,088 crore in 13 PSU banks. This includes PNB, IDBI, BoI, Union Bank of India, Corporation Bank and Canara Bank.

ANSWER: Infrastructure Leasing and Financing Service Ltd

Explanation:
Ajay Piramal, owner of Primal enterprises will become promoter with 35% stake in company created through merger of financial services business with infra firm IL&FS. All stock deal will contribute to a company with revenue of USD 2.5 billion or INR 15,000 crore to be owned 37% by existing institutional shareholders of the infra firm while retail and foreign investors of PEL will own 28%. The combination of IL&FS and the PEL unit will contribute to a financial services conglomerate with a net worth of INR 14,500 crore and debt of INR 65,000 crore. The presence will span infrastructure finance, corporate lending and PE fund with assets under management of USD 3 billion. The firm will also include 10 power firms and India’s largest wind energy assets of 1000 MW30 functional toll road projects and engineering and consultancy company Maytas Infrastructure. IL & FS is owned by SBI, the largest bank by assets , India’s largest private sector mortgage lender HDDFC and LIC, the largest insurer in India. Other shareholders include CBI, Orix and AIDA. Piramal and his family now own 53% stake in PEL which earned 18% of the revenue in the previous fiscal from financial services.

ANSWER: Abbott

Explanation:
Godrej Properties has announced the sale of 4.35 lakh square feet in the new commercial tower, Godrej BKC at the Bandra Kurla complex for more than INR 1479 crore to pharma firm Abbott India Ltd. Market sources indicated this was the biggest transaction for a single end user commercial real estate in the country. The deal was brokered by property consultant Cushman & Wakefield. Abbott has indicated it will occupy more than 400,000 square feet of office space in the Godrej Building. Godrej Properties had collaborated with Jet Airways for developing a 19 storey office building in BKC in 2006.

ANSWER: Ambanis

Explanation:
Mukesh and Anil Ambani have made the decision to launch 4G mobile phone services by the end of the year, which is a virtual consolidation. RCom chairman Anil Ambani said he will be tying up trading and sharing of spectrum with Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio for 4G services. RCom is the 4th biggest mobile phone carrier in terms of subscribers. Talks are on between RCom and Sistema’s Indian unit for a possible merger. RIL shared gained 2.5% to close at INR 860 while RCom shares gained 6% to close at INR 68. Collaboration between the Ambani brothers commenced in 2013 after a mutual split in 2005. RJio has made the decision to share RCom’s extensive inter and within city infrastructure of 520,000 km of optic fibres and close to 45,000 towers. RCom was launched in 2002 at Reliance Infocomm under a consolidated Reliance empire. The Ambani brothers are set to launch 4G bundled voice and data services in the second largest market in the world as per customers.

ANSWER: NFSA

Explanation:
Uttar Pradesh government has made the announcement on 29th September 2015 that it will implement National Food Security Act/NFSA 2013 in 3 phases in the state. In the first phase, scheme will be implemented in 24 districts whereas it will be implemented in 26 districts in the second phase. In the third phase, the scheme will be launched in 25 districts.NFSA also called Right to Food Act is a Parliament legislation to provide subsidised food grains to 2/3rd of India’s 1.2 billion persons. The poor will get the monthly quota of wheat at INR 2 per kg and rice at INR 3 per kg. This act was signed into law on 12th September 2013 with retroactive effect from July 5th, 2013.

ANSWER: Dr. B. R Ambedkar

Explanation:
Union Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 30 September 2015 has announced a release of a commemorative postal stamp on Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar in celebration of his 125th birth anniversary. The ministry will also come out with a coin in memory of Dr. Ambedkar. He was posthumously awarded the highest civilian award of Bharat Ratna in the 1990s. He passed away in 1956. He is credited with framing the Indian constitution.

ANSWER: BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

Explanation:
China on 30th September 2015 launched a 20th new generation satellite to support its global navigation and positioning network launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the south-western province of Sichuan. A Long March-3B carrier rocket carried the satellite.This satellite brings China closer to developing a GPS like the US and it also featured a hydrogen atomic clock, which is another first for China. Some other global navigation satellite systems include IRNSS (India), GPS (United States), GLONASS (Russia), DORIS (France) and QZXX (Japan).

ANSWER: Annie Besant

Explanation:
Google has dedicated the doodle to the first women president of INC, Annie Besant on her 168th birth anniversary. Besant was born on October 1, 1847 in London to Irish immigrant parents. She first came to India in 1888 and stayed in the country till her death on September 20, 1933. She was a staunch supporter of the Indian freedom struggle and launched Home Rule League with Lokmanya Tilak in 1916. She was also actively involved in social work in India and in establishing several educational institutions.

ANSWER: Maharashtra

Explanation:
Maharashtra government on 30th September 2015 made the decision to impose a drought surcharge on numerous items to raise INR 1600 crore for affected farmers. New taxes become operational w.e.f 12:00 am on 30th September 2015. New tax system will be in place till the end of February following which the state government will undertake its rationalisation. Surcharge of INR 2 per litre would be levied on petrol and diesel in the capital city of Mumbai. Local body tax will be scrapped in 27 corporations across the state to reduce the impact in rural areas so prices will rise by close to 50 paise. Sales tax on aerated soft drinks, cigarettes and liquor will be increased by 5% and that on gold, diamond and jewellery would be hiked by 0.2%. Maharashtra has also scrapped local body tax for traders with less than INR 50 crore turnover from August 1st 2015.