Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 16th March 2021

Correct Answer: C. 3 years

Explanation: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a new scheme for tourist vehicle operators, under which any tourist vehicle operator may apply for an “All India tourist authorization and permit” through online mode. The new set of rules will be known as “All India Tourist Vehicles Authorization and Permit Rules, 2021”. This will come into effect from April 01, 2021.

About the rules:

• The new rules for permits are aimed at promoting tourism across the states in our country, while simultaneously, helping to grow the revenue of state Governments.
• The permits will be issued, after relevant documents are submitted and fees deposited, within 30 days of submission of such applications.
• The authorization/permit will be granted, for a period of three months or its multiples thereof, not exceeding three years at a time.

Important Points:

• Minister of Road Transport and Highways: Nitin Gadkari.

Correct Answer – C. March 16

Explanation: The National Vaccination Day, (also called the National Immunization Day), is celebrated every year on March 16 in India, to convey the importance of vaccination to the entire nation. The prime purpose behind the celebration of National Vaccination Day is to make all people aware of arming against polio and eradicating it completely from the world. In 2021, the National Vaccination Day is important as the country has started its biggest Covid-19 immunization programme.

History of the day:

The day was first observed in the year 1995. It was in 1995 that India started the Pulse Polio Programme and the first dose of Oral Polio Vaccine was given. According to the World Health Organization, immunization is a process through which an individual’s immune system becomes fortified against foreign harm causing agent.

What is Vaccination?

Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing highly infectious diseases. Extensive immunity due to vaccination is mostly responsible for the worldwide eradication of smallpox and the restraint of diseases such as polio, measles, and tetanus from a large amount of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) informs that licensed vaccines are currently available to prevent or add to the prevention and control of twenty-five preventable infections.

Correct Answer – E. Mumbai City FC

Explanation: Mumbai City FC has defeated ATK Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the ISL 2020-21 final to lift yet another trophy this year. Mumbai had earlier secured the ISL Shield along with a spot in the AFC Champions League group stage by finishing first in the standings in the regular season.

Related Awards

• Golden Ball Award (Best Player of ISL 2020-21): ATK Mohun Bagan forward Roy Krishna.
• Emerging Indian Player of the Year: NorthEast United midfielder Lalengmawia.
• Golden Boot Award (Top goal-scorer): FC Goa striker Igor Angulo for 14 goals.
• Golden Glove Award (Best Goalkeeper): ATK Mohun Bagan custodian Arindam Bhattacharya for ten clean sheets.

Correct Answer – C. Gowsalya Shankar

Explanation: The U.S. Consulate honoured Tamil Nadu-based anti-caste activist and human rights defender Gowsalya Shankar with a nomination for the International Woman of Courage (IWOC) Award. The IWOC Award Certificate of Nomination was handed over to her by U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin at an event ‘Courageous Women Inspire a Better World’ held in the city.

Ms Gowsalya was U.S. Mission India’s nominee for the 2021 U.S. Secretary of State’s IWOC Award, which honours women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others.  Ms Gowsalya launched the Shankar Social Justice Trust in March 2017 to fight atrocities against caste-based violence. The trust provides psychological, legal and moral support to victims and builds awareness against social discrimination and injustice.

Correct Answer – B. Deepak Mishra

Explanation: Deepak Mishra, Practice Manager in the World Bank’s Macroeconomics, Trade, and Investment Global Practice, has been appointed as the next director and chief executive of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). He will take the charge of Rajat Kathuria who has been the director and chief executive of ICRIER since 1st September 2012.

Mishra has held various positions at the World Bank, including co-director of the World Development Report 2016 (Digital Dividends), country economist for Ethiopia, Pakistan, Sudan, and Vietnam.

Important Points:

• ICRIER Established: August 1981.
• ICRIER Headquaters: New Delhi

Correct Answer – D. Kozhikode

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the fourth Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) in Kozhikode, Kerala.It has been organized from 12 to 19 March 2021.GAF is the largest Ayurvedic event ever held anywhere across the world and witness the largest gathering of experts, stakeholders, and business explorers from Ayurveda.Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) is the festival and industry partner.

Correct Answer – B. RH-560

Explanation: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched indigenously made sounding rocket, RH-560 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota Range, Andhra Pradesh.RH-560 will study attitudinal variations in neutral winds and plasma dynamics.ISRO has developed series of sounding rockets known as ‘Rohini series’. Among them RH-200, RH-300 and RH-560 are the important ones.The number in the name of rocket series denotes the diameter of the rocket in mm.

Correct Answer – A. Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a three-day-long ‘Kalanamak rice festival’ in Siddharth Nagar under one district – one product scheme of the state government.To promote the production, processing, packaging, and branding of Kalanamak Rice, the UP Government has declared the rice as the One District One Product (ODOP) of Siddharth Nagar in 2018.It is one of the finest varieties of aromatic rice that are grown in India, Kalanamak is also called Buddha Rice.Nutritional benefits: It is rich in antioxidants, omega-3, and omega-6, 12% iron, 21.5%zinc and helps in regulating blood-related problems, and is suitable for diabetic patients.It is a rice variety that has been cultivated since 600 BC under 22,000 hectares of land in Siddharthnagar and surrounding areas, currently, it is being grown on 5000 hectares.

Correct Answer – A. Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan

Explanation: The children’s book, titled Prince with a Paintbrush: The Story of Raja Ravi Varma, is written by author-poet Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan.Published under Westland’s ‘Red Panda’ imprint, it aims to inspire young readers to learn about the famed artist and how he made his entry and mark in the art world.Srinivasan has earlier authored children’s books like “Indi-Alphabet” and “How Many Lines in a Limerick?”

Correct Answer – A. Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru

Explanation:  Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has launched India’s first dedicated Express Cargo Terminal exclusively for export and import of international couriers.The 2 lakh square feet built to suit facility terminal will be operated by Express Industry Council of India.It has a dedicated space for customs offices with direct access to both Landside and Airside wing.It will enable ease of doing business and reduce transaction time and cost for the shipper.

Correct Answer – B. Deb Haaland

Explanation: US Senate has confirmed Deb Haaland as the Secretary of the Interior.She becomes the first Native American to lead a cabinet agency and securing a central role in President Joe Biden’s plans to fight climate change.She became one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress in 2018. She will oversee policies guiding the use of 500 million acres of federal and tribal land.

Correct Answer – D. G. Kishan Reddy

Explanation: The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15 March 2021.Minister of State for Home, G. Kishan Reddy introduced the Bill which amends the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act 1991.The bill aims at promoting harmonious relations between the legislature and the executive.

Correct Answer – B. 5 lakh

Explanation: The Government has approved financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees each in respect of death cases of journalists due to Covid-19.Information and Broadcasting Ministry has carried out a special drive for financial assistance under the Journalist Welfare Scheme.It had issued an advisory on 22nd April 2020 advising all media persons to take due health-related precautions.

Correct Answer: A. Britain

Explanation: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India at the end of April 2021.It will be his first major international trip after Britain’s exit from the European Union.He had planned an Indian visit in January 2021 as part of efforts to speed up trade talks between the two nations but was forced to cancel amid a surge of COVID-19 infections back in his country.

Britain:

• Capital – London.
• Currency – Pound sterling.
• Prime Minister – Boris Johnson.
• National Sport – Cricket.