General Awareness Test (August - 15) - Set 6

ANSWER: Babasaheb Purandre

Explanation:
Babasaheb Purandare is a well-known writer and theatre personality from Maharashtra, known for his ballads and writing on Maratha warrior Shivaji.

ANSWER: Pacific Island Nations

Explanation:
In his opening remarks in the 2nd India -Pacific Islands Cooperation, FIPIC Summit in Jaipur on 21st Aug’15, the Prime Minister said that the member countries must together press for reform in the UN Security Council to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in the 21st century. The island nations participated in the FIPIC summit included Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Micronesia, Solomon Islands and Tonga.

ANSWER: Alexis Tsipras

Explanation:
Mr Tsipras, who was only elected in January this year, said that he is stepping down and calling early elections after suffering a rebellion within his left-wing Syriza party over the country' new bailout programme. He said that Greece got the best deal possible for its three-year, a 86 billion euro bailout package. Mr Tsipras said that he will shortly meet with the President of the Republic and present his resignation and that of his Government.

ANSWER: Gujarat High Court

Explanation:
A bench headed by acting Chief Justice Jayant Patel admitted the case and stayed operation of notification of compulsory voting till final disposal of the case. Gujarat became the first state to make voting compulsory in local-municipal as well as panchayat polls after governor OP Kohli approved the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009, which had been rejected by earlier governor, Kamla Beniwal.

ANSWER: Arunachal Pradesh

Explanation:
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki violated norms to allot construction works to his family members during his tenure as PWD minister of the state. On 21st Aug’15 acting Chief Justice of Gauhati High court K Sreedhar Rao and Justice P K Saikia passed this order.

ANSWER: IOC

Explanation:
It can fetch about 9,500 crore rupees to the exchequer. The floor price for the share will be announced on 22nd Aug’15 and the Offer for Sale will take place on 24th Aug’15. Presently, the government holds 68.57 percent shares in IOC, the biggest oil refining and marketing company in the country. The stake sale in IOC will be the fourth disinvestment this fiscal. The earlier 3 stake sales had raised over 3,000 crore rupees. The government is targeting to raise 69,500 crore rupees from disinvestment in the current fiscal.

ANSWER: Iran

Explanation:
With this India has also indicated that it wants to reach out to Iran. The order means that Iranians can easily apply for visas at Indian consulate in Iran. The decision also comes in backdrop of the P5 + 1 countries ie; U.K, China, France, Russia, U.S. and Germany nations clinching a nuclear agreement with Iran during July 2015.

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
India is the fourth country to have a hotline after Russia, Great Britain and China.

ANSWER: Twinkle Khanna

Explanation:
Mrs. Funnybones is about how a modern woman looks at India and how India looks back at her.

ANSWER: Chetan Bhagat

Explanation:
This is the second non-fiction book written by the country’s biggest-selling writer Chetan Bhagat. His first non-fiction book was What Young India Wants which was well received by the readers.

ANSWER: Vidya Lakshmi

Explanation:
The portal is a first of its kind provides single window for students to access information and make application for educational loans provided by banks as well as for government scholarships.

ANSWER: Bangladesh

Explanation:
The UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) issued 395286 carbon credits worth 3.56 million US Dollar to two Bangladeshi organisations.

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
With this, Cochin airport became the first airport in India to run on solar power. The project is reportedly the single largest solar project which has been constructed in an airport in India.

ANSWER: Phantom

Explanation:
The order to ban the release of the Saif Ali Khan-starrer film in the theaters in Pakistan was issued by Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan of the Lahore High Court. The petitioner in his plea argued that the film set on post-26/11 attacks contains filthy propaganda against him and his outfit.

ANSWER: R Gandhi

Explanation:
A report of the High Powered Committee on UCBs headed by RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi however clarified that the conversion will not be compulsory for large UCBs and they can continue the way they operate currently in terms of balance sheet or asset size. In order to minimise the systemic risk, the committee has recommended that large UCBs convert themselves into commercial banks. The panel further said smaller UCBs with business size of less than 20,000 crore rupees willing to convert to Small Finance Banks can apply to the Reserve Bank for conversion. It has also suggested that licenses may be issued to financially sound and well-managed cooperative credit societies having a minimum track record of 5-years to operate as UCBs. RBI has invited suggestions and comments from public on this report by 18th of next month.

ANSWER: Patel

Explanation:
This was indicated by the state Government in a full page advertisement published in the leading news papers of the state. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has also issued similar audio visual message on the electronic media ahead of rally called by Patidar community on next Tuesday to press their demand for reservation. In a bullet point advertisement, Government says that the 1992 Supreme Court verdict limits reservation provision only up to 50 percent in any state. According to advertisement, Gujarat has 27 percent reservation for OBCs and 15 percent and 7 percent for STs and SCs respectively.

ANSWER: Argentina

Explanation:
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said the pieces had been stolen and should be returned to their rightful owners. Ms Fernandez urged other countries to follow the example. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Buenos Aires, in the presence of the Ecuadorean and Peruvian ambassadors.

ANSWER: Four

Explanation:
The UK embassy was closed in 2011 after it was stormed by protesters during a demonstration against sanctions. Mr Hammond is the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit Iran since 2003. The visit comes weeks after Iran reached a deal with six world powers aimed at curbing its nuclear programme.

ANSWER: Gujarat

Explanation:
According to Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute -GERMI, the farmers and power generation companies will be in a win-win situation with generation of solar energy in agricultural fields. Farmers can use the solar energy for their own purpose and sell the surplus energy to the state run power generation companies. Director of GERMI Mr. T. Harinarayana has said that power generation companies will set up solar photo voltaic SPV -plants in different farms fields for this purpose.

These SPV plants were already tested in different agricultural universities in the State. The solar photo-voltaic plant will be set up on poles so that farmers can also grow their crops. Farmers are likely to get 30 to 40 percent share from the profit of power generation companies.

ANSWER: Delhi Jal Board

Explanation:
The power plant has been set up at Chilla, which will be run through the Hydraulic Turbine propelled by treated effluents coming out of a Sewerage Treatment Plant. An official release said, the treated effluents fall through the height of 4.8m which, due to created pressure and velocity, leads to the rotation of the turbine thereby generating power.

It is a Pilot Project which has been set up free of cost and will produce 20,000 KWH of electricity per year. It said, no fossil fuel is being used in the generation of the power, therefore this technology is termed as pollution free technology.

ANSWER: Usain Bolt

Explanation:
This was his ninth world championship title, more than any athlete in history. He completed the race in 9.79 seconds.

ANSWER: U Mumba (Mumbai)

Explanation:
U Mumba won the STAR Sports ProKabaddi League’s second season as they defeated Bengaluru Bulls team in the final match.

ANSWER: 6 years

Explanation:
The price of oil in the U.S. slipped below $40 a barrel for the first time since 2009 amid a growing consensus that cheap crude is here to stay.

ANSWER: Saudi Arabia

Explanation:
According to a Saudi government website Official voter registration began on 22nd Aug’15, and candidate registration begins on August 30. Both days will mark firsts for women in Saudi Arabia gearing up to participate in elections in December. Women will only participate in elections at the municipal level.

ANSWER: Vijay Singh Thakur

Explanation:
Vijay Singh Thakur is India’s high Commissioner to Singapore. Mr Modi was given the award in December 2014 for putting focus on India's development and getting the world "excited" about the prospects of the country again.

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
Geographical Indication is an insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries. Darjeeling tea was the first agricultural product in India to be accorded with GI tag. At present there are 200 products registered as GI.

ANSWER: Bandhan Bank

Explanation:
Bandhan is the first micro-finance company to transform into a bank. Reserve Bank of India has turned liberal in doling out banking licenses to entities of different capabilities. It has just issued 11 in-principle licenses to set up payments banks. Bandhan Bank will primarily cater to the unorganized sector like daily wage earners and women running small businesses -- the segments that had been its borrowers for a decade. As a bank, it will also offer savings, remittance and insurance services and try to raise its stake in the bottom of the pyramid customers.

ANSWER: Both B,C and D

Explanation:
Salaried tax payers and pensioners with annual income upto five lakh rupees and with no refund claim can file their returns at these counters upto 31st Aug’15. However, the income limit of 5 lakh rupees and no claim refund provision will not apply to tax payers over the age of 80 years deriving salary or pension income. There will be special facilitation counters for senior citizens and differently-abled persons. An official release said similar facilitation counters are being set up in other metro cities based on the local requirements.

ANSWER: AP Shah Committee

Explanation:
The AP Shah committee on minimum alternate tax (MAT) has recommended to the finance ministry that the levy shouldn't be imposed for the period preceding April 1, 2015. The panel, headed by Law Commission Chairman A P Shah, was set up to resolve the dispute between FIIs and the government after notices were served to 68 FIIs by the Income Tax Department demanding Rs 602 crore as MAT dues.

ANSWER: Yamuna

Explanation:
The tribunal came down heavily on the Delhi government for permitting sand mining in the name of dredging and directed the concerned authorities to stop illegal mining on the Yamuna river bed and its surrounding areas.

ANSWER: James Alix Michel

Explanation:
Mr. Michel's visit comes five months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Seychelles during which a number of agreements were signed to boost cooperation in a range of areas. It was first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 34 years. Mr. Michel had earlier paid state visits to India in 2005 and 2010, apart from participating in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summits in 2011 and 2012.

ANSWER: UN Court

Explanation:
The 21-member UN-mandated court located in the German city Hamburg issued the order with 15 in favour and six against. Unhappy over India's handling of the marine's issue, Italy took the matter to the ITLOS challenging Indian jurisdiction in the case. It has pleaded that India must cease to exercise any form of jurisdiction over the Enrica Lexie Incident and the Italian Marines, including any measure of restraint with respect to Sergeant Latorre and Sergeant Girone.

The two marines, who were on board ship 'Enrica Lexie', are accused of killing two Indian fishermen on February 15, 2012 off the Kerala coast.

ANSWER: Nepal

Explanation:
The proposed 41-km Amlekhgunj-Raxaul pipeline is expected to ease transportation of fuel and eliminate the country’s dependence on oil tankers. Under the first phase of the project, a pipeline will be laid from Raxaul to Amlekhgunj, and under the second phase, it will be extended to Kathmandu. Re-engineering of the Amlekhgunj depot and allied facilities are among the packages of the project.

Following the agreement, two separate agreements, business-to-business and modus operandi (operation modality), will also be signed between sole supplier Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).

ANSWER: Australia

Explanation:
Tony Abbott has become the first Australian Prime Minister to visit the resting place of Indigenous land rights campaigner Eddie Koiki Mabo. The Prime Minister is in the Torres Strait as part of an election promise to spend one week each year in a remote Australian Indigenous community. During his stay, Mr Abbott said he would be focussing on education, health and border security in the Strait. He laid a wreath on Mr Mabo's grave on Mer Island. Mr Mabo died in 1992 just months before his 10-year legal battle for native title rights proved successful.

ANSWER: France

Explanation:
In France, 3 Americans and a Briton who foiled a suspected terror attack on a train have received France's top honour from President Francois Hollande. Mr Hollande presented Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler and Briton Chris Norman with the Legion d'honneur at the Elysee Palace on 24th Aug’15.

ANSWER: Jain

Explanation:
Santhara, also known as sallekhana, is a Jain ritual of giving up food and water until one's last breath to attain moksha. The Rajasthan High Court, has labelled the practice as suicide while hearing a public interest litigation early this month.

ANSWER: Jodhpur

Explanation:
In Rajasthan, Indian Army has established ‘Jaisalmer War Museum’ at Military Station of Jaisalmer to showcase the traditional bravery of the Indian Army and also to commemorate the sacrifice of its heroes displaying valour and courage of exceptional order during India’s wars.

ANSWER: Tata Trust

Explanation:
On 24th Aug’15 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu released the micro planning development project details prepared by Tata Trust aimed at developing 264 villages in the Vijayawada Lok Sabha Constituency which it has adopted under Corporate Social Responsibility.

ANSWER: 1.22 Lakh Crore

Explanation:
A Finance Ministry statement said that the banking sector has been allocated an overall disbursement target of Rs 1,22,188 crore during 2015-16 for MUDRA loans and the banks have already disbursed Rs 15,566 crore as on August 17 to more than 20 lakh borrowers under PMMY. The statement said, while lending, priority will be given to SCs/STs enterprises.

The PMMY provide loans between Rs 50,000-Rs 10 lakh to small entrepreneurs. The Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd , MUDRA, launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April this year, focuses on the over 5 crore self-employed who use funds of Rs 11 lakh crore and provide jobs to 12 crore people.

ANSWER: England

Explanation:
In the Ashes, Australia defeated hosts England by an innings and 46 runs to win the final Test of the 5-match series at the Oval. England had already clinched the series with victories in three of the first four games.