Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 20th March 2021

Correct Answer: B. India

Explanation: Italy has signed the amended Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with India. The framework agreement was signed by the Italian Ambassador to India Vincenzo De Luca. ISA is an alliance of over 121 nations that have been initiated by India.

The European country signed the ISA framework agreement after an amendment to the Framework Agreement of the ISA entered into force on January 08, 2021, opening its membership to all member states of the UN. The amendments of the ISA framework agreement allows all the member states of the United Nations to join the ISA grouping, including those lying beyond the tropics.

About the International Solar Alliance:

The International Solar Alliance was launched jointly by the Indian Prime Minister and the French President during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP21, in Paris. It aims to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement through rapid and massive deployment of solar energy.

Important Points:

• President of Italy: Sergio Mattarella.
• Capital of Italy: Rome; Currency of Italy: Euro.
• Prime Minister of Italy: Mario Draghi.

Correct Answer – A. 6th

Explanation: The Sixth India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Women’s Forum meeting was held virtually. The Forum discussed key issues that contribute towards the transformation of women’s lives. At the end of the conference, a joint declaration was also issued highlighting the shared IBSA goals and commitments for achieving gender equality in all spheres of life.

About IBSA Women’s Forum :

• The India-Brazil-South Africa Trilateral Cooperation Forum is a unique platform that brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large democracies and major economies from three different continents.
• The meeting was led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
• IBSA is committed to inclusive sustainable development, in pursuit of the well-being of its citizens and those from other developing nations.
• The principles, norms and values underpinning the IBSA Dialogue Forum are participatory democracy, respect for human rights, the Rule of Law and the strengthening of multilateralism. IBSA lays efforts in South-South cooperation beyond the conventional areas of exchange of experts and training.

Important Points:

• Minister of Women and Child Development: Smriti Zubin Irani.

Correct Answer – C. 18 March

Explanation: The Ordnance Factories’ Day is observed on the 18th of March every year. The production of India’s oldest Ordnance Factory, which is at Cossipore of Kolkata, was started on the 18th of March, 1802. OFB is the 37th largest defence equipment manufacturer in the world, 2nd largest in Asia, and the largest in India.

The day is celebrated by displaying the rifles, guns, artillery, ammunition etc in exhibitions all over India. The celebrations start with a parade and the exhibition will also display the photographs of various mountaineering expeditions.

Important facts of Ordnance Factory Board

OFB is referred to as the “Fourth Arm of Defence” and the “Force Behind the Armed Forces” of India.OFB is functioning under the Department of Defence Production of the Ministry of Defence.The Indian Ordnance Factories supplies products to all three Indian Armed Forces. ie the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air force.The Arms and Ammunition, Weapon Spares, Chemicals & Explosives, Parachutes, Leather and Clothing items are being exported to more than 30 countries worldwide.

History of Ordnance Factory Board

OFB was founded in 1775 and its Headquarters is in Ayudh Bhawan, Kolkata. OFB consists of 41 Ordnance Factories, 9 Training Institutes, 3 Regional Marketing Centres and 5 Regional Controllerates of Safety, which is spread all over India.

Important Points:

• Director-General & Chairman of Ordnance Factories: C S Vishwakarma.
• Headquarters of Ordnance Factory Board: Kolkata, West Bengal.

Correct Answer – E. Singapore

Explanation: The largest floating solar farm in the world is being built in Singapore. The country has resorted to set up energy plants off the coasts and reservoirs across it. This floating solar farm is being set up in the light that despite being one of the smallest countries across the world, it is one of the biggest per capita carbon dioxide emitters in India. Thus, to cater to the issue of climate change and to cut the greenhouse gas emission it is building the floating solar farm. This project is being built by Sembcorp Industries.

Renewable Energy in Singapore

Renewable energy is a challenge for Singapore because the country has no rivers for hydro-electricity. The wind is also not that strong to power the turbines. Thus, with the setting up of the floating solar farms, the authorities seek to change that notion. So, this tropical country has turned to solar power. Since, it has little land space, equal to half the size of Los Angeles, the country has decided to set up energy plants off its coasts and on reservoirs.

Important Points:

• Singapore Currency: Singapore dollar.
• Capital of Singapore: Singapore.
• PM of Singapore: Lee Hsien Loong.

Correct Answer – E. Israel

Explanation: The Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS), which is a joint venture between the Kalyani Group of India and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems of Israel, have released the first batch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) kits. The missile was released for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

The release of the MRSAM Missile also marked the KRAS’ commitment to delivering more than 1000 MRSAM missile kits to India in near future. These missile sections will then be sent for further and future integration to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The Kalyani Group has infused the “State-of-the-art technology with engineering excellence in the company.

About KRAS:

It is the private sector MSME of India comprising of advanced manufacturing capabilities and facilities which is specially dedicated to addressing the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of the state-of-the-art weapon systems which are being inducted in India’s defence forces. KRAS also address the Maintenance and Repair Operations (MRO) of the major in-service Air Defence Missile System in the Indian Air Force.

Important Points:

• Israel Prime minister: Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Israel Capital: Jerusalem.
• Israel Currency: Israeli Shekel.

Correct Answer – C. Rajasthan

Explanation: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced to launch much anticipated Universal Health Scheme (UHS) “Mukhya Mantri Chiranjeevi Yojana”.The scheme will be launched on May 1, 2021.In his budget speech Gehlot had announced UHS with Rs 3,500 crore in the upcoming financial year wherein cashless health services up to Rs 5 lakh will be provided to all families in the state.

Correct Answer – C. Seoul

Explanation:  Embassy of India, Seoul launched the ‘Festival of Independence’ India@75 – the 75 weeks celebrations on 19 March 2021.Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India was the Guest of Honour.A dance and musical rendition by the artists from India were also screened during the event.India shares its Independence Day with the people of the Republic of Korea.

Correct Answer – B. Solomon Islands

Explanation:  Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative of the Government of India, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has received the Made in India Covid-19 vaccines on 20 March 2021.On 19 March, Solomon Islands had also received the Made in India Covid-19 vaccines.External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has informed that India has supplied vaccines made in India to 72 nations across geographies.

Correct Answer – C. 373

Explanation:  The government has informed that around 373 Kisan Rail services have operated on 43 routes to date, transporting more than one lakh 20,000 tonnes of commodities.It provides a seamless supply chain of perishable produce.Most of the services have originated from small stations such as Devlali, Sangola, Sangli, Nagarsol, Dhahanu Road and Dhoraji, Mahuva, which lie within agricultural zones.

Correct Answer – B. Guenter Butschek

Explanation: Marc Llistosella won’t be joining as the next Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Motors as previously announced on 12 February 2021.Guenter Butschek will continue as the company’s CEO and Managing Director until June 30, 2021.Llistosella was most recently the President and CEO of Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks in Asia.

Correct Answer – B. 20 March

Explanation: World Sparrow Day is observed on 20 March every year to raise awareness about the bird.The initiative was started by Nature Forever Society (NFS) of India, founded by Mohammed Dilawar, an Indian conservationist.The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated in 2010 in different parts of the world.The number of sparrows has declined sharply in the past few years.

Correct Answer – D. Comoros

Explanation: As part of Mission Sagar-IV, Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa arrived at Port Anjouan, Comoros to deliver 1,000 Metric Tonnes of rice. An official ceremony for handing over the food aid from the Government of India to the Government of Comoros. INS Jalashwa, the largest amphibious ship of the Indian Navy, has been specially sent to Comoros due to its large carrying capacity.This consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice as food assistance was flagged off to Comoros in the light of a promise made by the Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu during his brief visit to Comoros in the month of October 2019. This is the second visit of an Indian Navy ship to the island country within a span of one year. Earlier, as part of Mission Sagar-I, in May-June 2020, the Indian Navy had delivered essential medicines to the nation and had also deployed a specialist medical team to work alongside their counterparts and to render assistance for dengue fever-related emergencies.

About the Mission Sagar:

‘Mission Sagar’, builds on the excellent relations existing between the two countries and deployment also resonates with the vision of our Prime Minister of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with the countries of the IOR. The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministries of External Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.

Important Points:

• Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.
• Indian Navy Founded: 26 January 1950.

Correct Answer – B. NHPC

Explanation:  The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved the incorporation of a joint venture company (JVC) under the name “Ratle Hydro-electric Power Corporation”. To implement the 850 MW Ratle Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) on river Chenab in the Kishtwar district of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). The JV company has been incorporated between the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and J&K State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC).

About the project:

The equity contributions of NHPC will be 51 per cent and for JKSPDC will be 49 per cent.The proposed JVC will have an authorised capital of Rs 1,600 crore with initial paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore.The 850 MW Ratle HEP will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,281.94 crore.

Important Points:

• Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir: Manoj Sinha.

Correct Answer – B. Odisha

Explanation: President Ram Nath Kovind is on a three-day visit to Odisha beginning 20 March 2021.He will grace the 18th annual convocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela on 21 March 2021.He will also inaugurate a Super Specialty Hospital in the Rourkela Steel Plant.He will visit the Indian Oil Foundation Trust Interpretation Centre at Konark before returning to New Delhi.

Odisha:

• Chief Minister – Naveen Patnaik.
• Governor – Ganeshi Lal.
• Number of Districts – 30.
• Lok Sabha seats – 21.
• Rajya Sabha seats – 10.