Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Sept 22, 2015

ANSWER: Radhika Thale

Explanation:
Well known Malayalam playback singer Radhika Thilak passed away in Kochi on 20 September 2015 from cancer at the age of 45 years. She sung around 70 songs for Malayalam movies and this includes Guru, Ottayal Pattalam and Deepasthambham Mahashcharyam. She performed on Doordarshan during the 1990s and was also a prominent face in AIR shows. Her notable film performances include Arunakirana deepam, Deva sangeetham, Maya manchalil, Kaithapoo manam, Thiruvathira thira nokkiya, Ente ulludukkum kotti and Ninte kannil.

ANSWER: Jagmohan Dalmiya

Explanation:
BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya passed away at a private hospital in Kolkata on Sunday, 20th September 2015 at the age of 75. He also served as president of the International Cricket Council (1997-2000 and was admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack on 17th September. He was a key figure in bringing the 1987 and 1996 cricket World Cups to the sub-continent and took over as BCCI president for a second time earlier this year. He joined BCCI in 1979 and was the first Asian head of ICC.

ANSWER: Sumit Sen

Explanation:
Sumit Sen, editor of TOI Kolkata passed away on the night of September 20 2015 following a battle with cancer at the age of 60. Sen had earlier worked as a journalist with The Statesman before moving on to The Hindustan Times in 2001 and The Times of India in 2003.

ANSWER: Left wing Syriza party

Explanation:
Alexis Tsipras took oath as the Greek PM following a decisive victory in the Greek early national elections for his left wing Syriza party. Earlier, Tsipras had served as PM between January and August 2015 and at 41, he dominates Greek Politics. He will renew his pro-European coalition with the small, right-wing populist Independent Greeks (ANEL) party, which beat opinion polls to clear the three per cent threshold required for representation in parliament. The new government will have a small majority of just five seats, but, as per Tsipras, is aiming to see out a four-year mandate.

ANSWER: Shamim Hanfi

Explanation:
Well known Urdu scholar Shamim Hanfi was awarded the Jnangarima Manad Alankaran by Bharatiya Jnanpith for his works. He is best known for books like Ghazal Ka Naya Manzarnama, Jadidiyat ki Falsafiyani Asas and Infiradi Shaoor aur Ijtemai Zindagi. Born on 17th November 1938 in Sultanpur, UP, he moved to Allahabadd for higher studies and worked as a freelance contributor for several Hindi and Urdu periodicals and newspapers. Bharatiya Jnanpith instituted the Jnangarima Manad Alankaran award in 2015 to commemorate 70 years of the institution and it identifies the contribution of writers in Indian languages. A Saraswati statue, a silver citation and a shawl is given to the recipient of this literary honour.

ANSWER: Gwalior, MP

Explanation:
Gwalior, gets Best Heritage City award.

President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the National Tourism Awards 2013-2014 to following awardees -

- The state of Gujarat: Best State/UT for Comprehensive Tourism Development

- Heritage City Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh: Best Heritage City

- Municipal Council of Maheshwar (Distt.Khargone) in Madhya Pradesh: Best Civic Management of a Tourist Destination in B Category.

- Gujarat: Best Film Promotion Friendly State/Union territory.

- Department of Tourism of Kerala: Most Innovative use of Information technology.

- The Great backwaters of Kerala by Kerala Tourism: Best Tourism Film.

- The Coffee Table Book Gujarat’s 50 Golden Destinations by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd: Best Tourism Promotion Publicity material.

- M/s Kuoni Travel India Pvt Ltd, Gurgaon: Best Inbound Tour Operators/Travel agents in the category of earning Foreign Exchange of 100 crore rupees or more annually.

- M/s Trail Blazer Tours India Pvt: earning Foreign Exchange of 50-100 crore rupees in a year.

- M/s Eco Mobility and Hospitality Pvt Ltd: Category I of Tourist Transport Operator.

- M/s Snow Leopard Adventure Pvt Ltd, Gurgaon: Best Adventure Tour Operator.

National Tourism Awards are presented each year Union Ministry of Tourism to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. These awards are being given since the early 1990s.

The following are awarded-State Governments, Union Territories, hotels, travel agents, tour operators and individuals in recognition of their performance in their respective fields.

Comprehensive Development of Tourism, Best Rural Tourism Project, Medical Tourism Facilities, Best Heritage City, Best Heritage Walk, Best Hotels, Awards to Inbound Tour Operators and Travel Agents are some of the categories in which the award is given.

ANSWER: Commodity

Explanation:
Commodity Futures Trading Commission has decreed Bitcoin is a commodity meaning regulator can now bring charges against any wrongdoers trading cryptocurrency futures and options. Ring will open up financial innovation in the state. This is consequent to the US based Bitcoin future trading platforms. Bitcoin refers to a kind of digital currency where encryption techniques are used for regulation of generation of units of currency and verification of the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.

ANSWER: 17

Explanation:
UN adopts 17 development goals

UN has adopted 17 development goals to be attained by 2030 instead of 8 MDGs adopted in a 2000 summit which expired in 2015. The new goals are as follows:

- End poverty in all its forms everywhere

- End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

- Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

- Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

- Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

- Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation

- Reduce inequality within and among countries

- Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

- Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

- Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

- Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss

- Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

- Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

ANSWER: Partnership for Peace-Dignity for All

Explanation:
International Day of Peace was observed on 21 September 2015 across the globe to acknowledge and recognize the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. The International Day of Peace is a day of ceasefire and the theme of International Day of Peace for the year 2015 is Partnerships for Peace- Dignity for All. UNGA has devoted this day to the strengthening of ideals of peace within and among nations. International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67 of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which was held each year on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September in the year 1982. During 2001, the UNGA by unanimous vote adopted resolution 55/282, which established 21 September as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire.

ANSWER: Pakistan

Explanation:
China and Pakistan have formed an agreement to keep technology secrets of the PAC JF-17 combat aircraft from India and the US. This jet has been jointly developed by the two countries. JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft is superior to F-16 of the US, it said. Chinese engineers are searching for ways to lighten the weight and streamline the aircraft. One new advancement is pairing an RD-93 engine with a so-called divergent supersonic air intake which is said to be lighter, easier to maintain and minimizes the JF-17's already low radar signature. Minhas No. 2 squadron of the Pakistan Air Force has recently inducted a new and improved configuration of the jet called the Block II variation.

ANSWER: Cow

Explanation:
Cow, an animal which is sacred to Hindus has been declared the national animal of Nepal in the freshly unveiled secular constitution. The new constitution has been adopted following considerable discussions and violence. The cow will now have constitutional protection and cow slaughter has been banned in the nation. The one horned rhino had also been proposed as a national animal for Nepal.

ANSWER: UN Broadband Commission

Explanation:
The United Nations Broadband Commission has announced on 21st September 2015 that Internet access in rich economies is reaching saturation levels but 90 per cent of people in the 48 poorest countries have none. The report also found growth in online access is lowering and the more than 50% of the world’s population is still offline. Commission was set up in 2010 and added the milestone of 4 billion people as online internet users was not likely before 2020. Access growth rate is expected to slow to 8.1% from 8.6% in 2014. Till 2012, growth rates had been in double digits. By the close of this year, 3.2 billion people will have some form of regular access to the Internet, up from 2.9 billion in 2014. That is 43.4 per cent of the world's population, still far short of a U.N. target of 60 per cent by 2020.In the developing world, 25 per cent fewer women than men had Internet access, a number that rises to 50 per cent in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Only about 5 per cent of the world's estimated 7,100 languages were represented on the Internet, as per the report.

ANSWER: Portea Medical

Explanation:
Portea Medical, a Bengaluru based venture founded by entrepreneurs K and Meena Ganesh brings home healthcare to the Indian sector. It has received USD 37.5 million in a funding round led by Accel which also saw participation of the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC), Qualcomm Ventures and Ventureast. IFC is a new investor. Accel, Qualcomm Ventures and Ventureast had previously invested $9 million in December the year before.

ANSWER: HP

Explanation:
Ericsson, HP and Aruba Networks an HP unit are collaborating to drive innovation in the area of mobile networking. Two companies have signed bilateral resale agreements which enable Ericsson to leverage Aruba's enterprise Wi-Fi and connectivity solutions along with its portfolio of mobility solutions and also let HP to resell Ericsson's indoor small cell solutions. The Swedish telecom equipment firm also said it is looking to tap licensed and unlicensed spectrum operation together.

ANSWER: Kunal Marwah

Explanation:
Motilal Oswal Financial Services has appointed Kunal Marwah as head and director of its international business. Previously, Marwah worked with ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company as head of international business and formulated strategic partnerships with asset managers and investors in countries like Europe, Middle East, Hong Kong and Japan. Wealth management, retail broking and distribution, institutional broking, asset management, PE and commodity broking as well as principal strategies are the key areas in which Motilal Oswal has worked.

ANSWER: Vikram Pawah

Explanation:
US bike maker has appointed Vikram Pawah as the new MD of its India operations w.e.f 21st September 2015. Pawah has replaced Anoop Prakash as the new MD of Harley Davidson Canada. Pawah will manage the Harley Davidson India leadership team for in country sales, dealer network management, marketing, services and operation activities. Paw has previously worked with Honda in India and Australia prior to which he worked with Jay Engineering Works Ltd, a market leader in the manufacturing of USHA brand fans, sewing machines and fuel injection equipment, as well as Fun Foods India Ltd.

ANSWER: Ranjit Rae

Explanation:
India has expressed concerns over spillover in violence in districts of Bihar following protests and demonstrations at the newly launched secular constitution in Nepal. Kathmandu has decided to adopt the constitution despite India’s advice to the contrary. India Ambassador Ranjit Raw has been called back for consultations on the constitution associated violence. Following the launch of the secular constitution, there have been clashes between Madhesi protesters and Nepali forces, as well as the impact on Indian transporters who have been stuck at the Biratnagar integrated border checkpost because of the violence. Since 2007, when the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) had first signed on to the Constitution-building process, India has been a key influence, even playing guarantor for many of the parties. Rights of Madhesis however were not protected despite assurances to India.

ANSWER: Avendus Capital

Explanation:
KKR, a US PE group is set to acquire a majority stale in asset and wealth management firm Avengers. Proposed deal will be around USD 100 million and will be a combination of shares and exits. Avenues Capital was founded by Gaurav Deepak, Kaushal Aggarwal and Ranu Vohra. Eastgate Capital, PE arm of NCB Capital Saudi Arabia had earlier picked up a 26% stake in the firm for INR 100 crore.KKR, with over $101 billion is backing local financial services players like Magma and Au Financiers. Avendus was started in 1999 as a catalyst for major VCs.

ANSWER: Saran Chatterjee

Explanation:
Home services firm Housejoy has appointed former Flipkart VP Saran Chatterjee as its first CEO when it will look to expand to other cities in the year. Chatterjee joined Housejoy in December and this Bengaluru based firm provides basic door to door services like computer fixing, laundry services, electric repairing and laundry services. He joined Flipkart in 2012.

ANSWER: Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:
India’s first national investment and manufacturing zone/NIMZ will be housed in AP. The concept has been mooted to boost manufacturing within the nation. DIPP has relaxed the requirement for establishing an NIMZ to 10 square km from 50 square km. NIMZ will constitute a PSV and a developer along with stakes being held by the States and the Centre. In the past 4 years, DIPP has given approval to 12 NIMZs namely Nagpur in Maharashtra; Tumkur, Kolar, Gulbarga and Bidar in Karnataka; Medak in Telangana; Chittor in Rajasthan and Kalinganagar in Odisha, among others. Manufacturing policy has put the onus of the external physical infrastructure construction in NIMZs to provide viability gap funding on the Centre. As per the original plan Andhra Pradesh has estimated that the manufacturing zone will create opportunities for 20,500 direct and 29,200 indirect jobs and attract an investment of over INR 43,500 crore. Andhra Pradesh recently ranked second among Indian states in the WB's recent ease of doing business rankings, second only to Gujarat.

ANSWER: First space shotgun to determine strength of other asteroids and space rocks to check if they are fit for sampling

Explanation:
American space agency NASA is teaming up with Honeybee Robotics as part of its Asteroid Redirect Mission to develop the first space shotgun. This shotgun will test the strength of asteroids and space rocks to assess if they are sturdy for sampling. The Asteroid Redirect Mission focuses on chipping off a massive chunk of the asteroid and shifting it into the Moon orbit. The objective is then to send the manned spacecraft to collect samples for preparing a Mars Mission. Gun will work through dislodging of asteroid chunks out of orbit and bringing them closer to the moon. The strength of a space rock can be measured by the gun by firing a bullet at the surface of the boulder to enable physicists to work out the solidity of the rock by measuring its rebound speed. NASA has identified this as a key step towards human exploration of Mars.