Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Sept 21, 2015

ANSWER: Bandhavgarh, Pench and Kanha

Explanation:
Tiger Safari will be launched in 3 reserves in MP for promoting tourism namely Bandhavgarh, Pench and Kanha. Safaris will operate in buffer area, reducing pressure from the core. MP Eco Tourism Board will come out with a tender for the same. MP has six tiger reserves and 308 big cats as per government’s 2014 report on tiger population. The six reserves are Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri and Pench. Activists claim NTCA had ordered deferment of government proposal to create tiger safari in Pench.

ANSWER: Section 84A

Explanation:
Draft National Encryption policy has been introduced under Section 84A of the IT Act and rules for encryption of electronic information and communication will be introduced under it. Policy aims to ensure confidentiality of information in cyberspace for persons, protection of sensitive or proprietary information for persons and groups and ensuring reliability of critical information systems and networks. VPNs and secure messaging apps are examples of encryption technologies. Sensitive departments of the government are exempt from the policy.

ANSWER: Follistatin-like 1

Explanation:
A global team of scientists have identified a protein which aids heart muscles cells to regenerate after an attack. Patches using this protein could prevent heart attacks. Researchers identified the protein called Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1), which can stimulate cultured heart muscle cells to divide. The protein embedded in the path caused heart muscle cells already present within the heart to multiply and re-build the damaged heart and reduce scarring.Heart muscle regeneration and scarring are two major issues that current treatments for heart attacks do not resolve.
After a heart attack, the organ is damaged and scarred, making it harder to pump blood. Sustained pressure causes scarring to spread and ultimately causes heart failure.The researchers therefore developed a therapeutic patch made out of collagen, which was cast with FSTL1 at its core.

ANSWER: Jackie Collins

Explanation:
Jackie Collins the author of bestselling novels has passed away at the age of 77 from breast cancer. Collins published novels in 1960s and 1970s. Her breakthrough came when she wrote the 1983 Hollywood Wives which sold 15 million copies and became a TV miniseries.

ANSWER: H. S. Phoolka

Explanation:
Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson and its 2014 LS Ludhiana candidate H. S. Phoolka has resigned from party posts to provide attention to 1984 anti Sikh riot cases. He resigned from all party posts and dedicated his withdrawal to his dedication for the cause. Modi government has recently given clean chit to Jagadish Tytler and not filed a missing charge sheet against Sajjan Kumar. Phoolka has said he will work for the cause and ensure justice is delivered. The lawyer was holding three key posts as AAP's national spokesperson, legal affairs incharge and executive member of the party's Punjab unit from which he resigned.

ANSWER: Sadhan Gupta

Explanation:
Independent India’s first visually challenged MP has passed away at the age of 98. The veteran leader was born in Dhaka and became India’s first visually challenged Parliamentarian when he won from Kolkata SE constituency. Gupta held a degree in law from University of Calcutta and he was the first visually challenged Advocate General of WB. He was also the founder-president of the National Federation of the Blind and the first president of the Indian chapter of Disabled Peoples’ International.

ANSWER: Lastin Infrastructure Project

Explanation:
Gammon Infrastructure Projects Ltd has taken the option to divest shareholding in VSPL and it has transferred 50 per cent stake to Lastin Infrastructure Projects Ltd. VSPL is the first bulk cargo BOT (build–operate–transfer) terminal of Visakhapatnam Port Trust. It is operating since 2004. Lastin Infrastructure will hold 50 per cent and Lastin Holdings Ltd., the current foreign equity investor, will continue to hold 26.2 per cent. GIPL will remain to hold the balance 23.8 per cent. Lastin Group comprising Lastin Infrastructure and Lastin Holdings (existing shareholder) will now have management control of VSPL. Lastin Holdings is a leading international player in Haldia and Paradip Ports in the field of bulk cargo handling.

ANSWER: Leela Hotel, Goa acquired by Raj Bagri

Explanation:
India origin London based businessman Raj Bagri is purchasing the Leela Hotel, Goa for INR 725 crore in the single biggest property deal in the Indian hospitality sector. This is also the latest acquisition by Bagri, promoter of Metdist Group who owns metal assets in Malaysia and other parts of the world. He acquired denim brand Spykar in 2014. The hotel will now change hands from Nairs owned Hotel Leela Venture to Metdist while former will continue to manage the hotel that will retain the name Leela. Ceres Hotels, a local unit of Metdist Group will acquire Leela Goa marketing the entry into the hospitality sector in the third largest economy in Asia. The Leela Goa was built in 1991 and is one of the top performing hotels in the hospitality sector.

ANSWER: Start Up Connect

Explanation:
Start up connect will facilitate a start-up exchange and collaboration programme to encourage and scale innovation in India. It will also see IIM-Ahmedabad's Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship signing MoUs with corporates and academic partners for development of `disruptive innovations' that change the ground rules of existing businesses. Some 30 odd start ups in fields like agriculture, healthcare, energy, biotechnology , technology business biotechnology , technol and finance to attract partnerships and support from US investors and organisations like TiE Silicon Valley that seek to spur mentoring, networking, funding and incubating activities.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
CredR, Mumbai marketplace for second hand bikes founded by N. Jain, S Chazzed and N Mittal acquired USD 15 million from Growth Story and Eight Roads. Industrybuying, Delhi an online industrial goods store founded by Swati and Rahul Gupta garnered USD 9 million from SAIF Partners, Kallari Capital. Shadowfax, a Gurgaon on demand B2B delivery service founded by Eabhisehk Bansal and Vaibhav Khandelwal raised USD 8.5 million from Eight Roads. Others who raised funds include MoEngage, Zapyle, OnlineTyari, Uber Diagnostics, Room on Call, FitMein, Bag your Job . Mubble, Adurcup, Coverfox, Shipsy, Yatra Genie and Insta Cab. Ola itself has acquired USD 225 million in funding and its founders are Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati.

ANSWER: Best Airport Award-National Tourism Awards

Explanation:
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) won the best airport award for the year 2013-14 at the National Tourism Awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan on 18th September 2015 .The awards were presented under different categories of travel, tourism and hospitality. All the participating airports were judged on 7 parameters--tourist-friendly infrastructure, maintenance and upkeep, adaptation of eco-friendly practices, availability of transport facility from the airport to the nearest city centre, display of proper signage at important locations, facilities for the disabled, and other relevant features. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)is a JV between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and GMR Group-led consortium. IGIA is the largest airport in south Asia, serving over 115 destinations, with 56 international and 8 domestic airlines.