Bangladesh, Pohela Boisakh - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan

Explanation:
Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh & the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, in an historical event on Nov 9, 2017 flagged off Cross Border Train between India & Bangladesh, the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express through video conference from Kolkata station.

The leaders unveiled jointly an e-plaque to inaugurate the following:

(i) Second Bharirab & Titas Railway Bridges in Bangladesh,

(ii) International Rail Passenger Terminus with End-to-End Immigration and Customs Clearance Facilities (for the passengers of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express) at Kolkata station.

The close connection and understanding between two countries requires connectivity between the people across the border and Maitree Express and Bandhan Express trains will further add to connectivity between India and Bangladesh and strengthen and strengthen bonding.

The Bandhan Express train is the second train to be flagged off after the introduction of Maitree Express' between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment stations in April, 2008.

It covers the distance between Kolkata and Khulna through Petrapole & Benapole route to cater to the demands of the people from both the countries to enhance the connectivity.

The Bandhan Express will be a weekly service on every Thursday.

In order to reduce the en-route journey time of the passengers of the existing Kolkata - Dhaka Cantt. Maitree Express and newly introduced Kolkata - Khulna Bandhan Express, Ministry of Railways, with the coordination of Department of Immigration & Customs has opened an International Rail Passenger Terminus at Kolkata station with proper infrastructure and facilities of end-to-end immigration.

With this new facility at Kolkata Terminal, the passengers of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express will be immensely benefitted.

The second Bhairab Bridge and Titas Bridge in Bangladesh built under the assistance of Government of India are two of the most important projects in Bangladesh for infrastructure and rolling stock development.

The one kilometer long second Bhairab Railway Bridge was built over the mighty Meghna river at a cost of around USD 75 millions by Indian contractors and consultants.

Similarly, the Titas bridge over river Titas in Eastern Bangladesh was built with a cost of around USD 25 million. Both these bridges are on the main Chittagong to Dhaka Trunk Rail Line which will help in faster movement of both passenger and freight trains of Bangladesh.

ANSWER: Supreme Court

Explanation:
Supreme Court of Bangladesh on 28th March 2016 upheld the status of Islam as a state religion

Ruling was given out of High Court division of the court while dismissing the petition filed by S.N. Goswami.

The legality of the constitutional provision of Islam as state religion despite secularism as a fundamental state policy under a 2011 amendment to the Constitution was challenged by Goswami.

• Bangladesh was formed in 1971. As per 2011 census, 87% of the population here is Muslim
• In 2010, the Supreme Court restored secularism as one of the basic tenets of the constitution and declared the 5th amendment as illegal. However, the provision relating to Islam as the State religion remains untouched.

ANSWER: Facebook

Explanation:
Bangladesh has lifted the ban on FB 3 weeks after the popular social networking service was blocked after the SC upheld death penalty of 2 opposition leaders convicted for war crimes in independence war against Pakistan in the year 1971. The bans on WhatsApp and VIber will continue for security reasons, the authorities said.

ANSWER: Bangladesh

Explanation:
Bangladesh’s ex premier and key-opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia was on 30th November granted bail after she surrendered before a court here over a nearly USD 2 billion graft case dating back to 2007 when she exhausted all legal options to evade the trial. The ruling was issued after she filed the petition while it was subsequently upheld by the apex court as the statutory Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) challenged the High Court order.

ANSWER: Bangladesh

Explanation:
The MoU was signed during a maiden meeting of the Joint Task Force on Fake Currency Notes (JTFFC) in Dhaka.

ANSWER: Bangladesh

Explanation:
111 Indian enclaves within Bangladesh merged with Bangladesh, and 51 Bangladeshi ones got merged with India. The transfer gave over 50,000 people citizenship of both countries, bringing them access to all legal rights and civic amenities. A joint survey conducted from 6th -16th July gave them choice to decide which country they want to live in. Those who decided to move have been promised safe and secure passage with personal belongings & movable property till November 30th this year. Ban on property sale imposed since 6th July will be lifted to allow those moving, to sell their land.

ANSWER: India and Bangladesh

Explanation:
These Border Haats have been established at Tripura state bordering Bangladesh. The concept of establishing “Border Haat” is to boost bilateral trade and enhance people to people contacts. These markets are set up at the zero line of the international border with one part on the Indian side and the other in Bangladesh.

ANSWER: 2 Billion Dollars

Explanation:
The credit line which carries a 1% interest rate and a payment period of 20 years with 5 years grace, will be used mostly to finance infrastructure so that trade and investment can be increased to the mutual benefit of both countries. The actual projects will be decided by the Bangladesh authorities in consultation with Indian High Commission and EXIM bank which is handling the credit line.

ANSWER: Notun Projonmo - Nayi Disha

Explanation:
Notun Projonmo- Nayi Disha means New Generation- New Direction. In the statement both the Prime Ministers underscored the need to strengthen and reform multilateral financial institutions and enhancing the participation of developing countries in international economic decision making.

ANSWER: LIC

Explanation:
LIC will start business as the joint venture entity called LIC Bangladesh Ltd with a paid-up capital of 1 billion Takas with LIC holding half of it. Bangladesh has over 77 local insurance companies in the market, the only other foreign insurance company is a US-based company which operates as a branch office, and not as a registered company.