Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 21st October 2020

Correct Answer: C. Maharashtra

Explanation: Schistura hiranyakeshi, a freshwater loach has been discovered from Maharashtra’s western Ghat, the meaning of Hiranykeshi in Sanskrit is golden hair. The fish was named as “Schistura hiranyakeshi” after the river Hiranyakeshi which originates in the Sindhudurg Maharashtra. Tejas Thackery, Jayasimhan Praveenraj and Shankar Balasubramanian discovered the species.

Correct Answer – A. Manoj Sinha

Explanation: J&K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has reviewed the preparedness for the upcoming “My Town My Pride” initiative for the Municipal areas. The two-day long programme will be held in Urban Local Bodies on 19th – 20th October 2020, during which camps for public service delivery would be set up. “My Town My Pride” is on the lines of successfully concluded ‘Back to Village’ programme.

Correct Answer – B. J&K

Explanation: J&K has won the bid to host the 50th annual Skal International Asia Area (SIAA) Congress in 2021. Skål International is an organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. The Congress is likely to be held between April 8 and 11, 2021 at Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).

Correct Answer – D. New Zealand

Explanation:  New Zealand has knocked off Japan for the strongest passport in the world according to the latest Global Passport Index. The index has been compiled by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital. The US passport ranked 21 and India, 58. The passport index lists the power of passports in terms of real-time, visa restrictions, factoring in legislative changes, and entry requirements.

Correct Answer – D. Netherlands

Explanation: India and the Netherlands have discussed a joint thrust in the e-health sector with the purpose of providing digital health facilities and security to Indians. It will also help the Netherlands accelerate the digital transformation of health. Part of National Digital Health Mission, this collaboration will see the two countries work closely to put in place the requisite technology backbone.

Correct Answer – D. Uttarakhand

Explanation: Asan Conservation Reserve has become Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site. The Reserve is located on the banks of Yamuna river near Dehradun district in Garhwal region of the Himalayan state. Ramsar declares Asan Conservation Reserve as a site of international importance. With this, the number of Ramsar sites in India goes up to 38, the highest in South Asia. Asan is home to many rare and endangered species like the Ruddy Shelduck, Red Crested Pochard, among others.

Correct Answer – B. Rajkiran Rai G

Explanation: Managing Director and CEO, Union Bank of India, Rajkiran Rai G has been elected as the Chairman of the Indian Bank Association (IBA) for the term 2020-21. Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman, State Bank of India, was elected as Deputy Chairman of the Association. IBA is an association of banks and other entities in the banking ecosystem in India catering to its members. The decision was taken during a meeting of the managing committee of IBA.

Correct Answer – D. 94th

Explanation: The Global Hunger Index 2020 was released, it is jointly prepared by Welhunger life and Concern Worldwide. As per the report, India ranked 94th among 107countries. According to the report India has the highest prevalence of wasted children under five years in the world, which reflects acute undernutrition. India’s rank is lower than it neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka (64), Nepal (73), Bangladesh (75), Myanmar (78) and Pakistan (88).

Correct Answer – A. IIT Delhi

Explanation: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to create a pool of officials who will work to find technology solutions for its operational challenges. The about 3.25 lakh-strong force has about 500 officers and sub-officers who hold professional degrees in engineering and technology. The Memorandum of Understanding will enable these officers to undertake short-term specialised courses at these institutions and also pursue research work.

Correct Answer – B. Jacinda Ardern

Explanation: The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, won a landslide victory in the country’s general election, to be elected as the PM for the second consecutive three-year term. In the battle against Covid, Ardern was alone among her western peers in pursuing an explicit elimination strategy and imposed one of the strictest nationwide lockdowns in the world. Ardern’s centre-left Labour Party won 49.2% of the total 83.7% votes counted in the 120-member parliament. The 40-year-old is serving as the 40th Prime Minister of the country since 26 October 2017.

Correct Answer – A. Nozomi Okuhara

Explanation: In Badminton, former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan clinched the Denmark Open 2020 title beating three-time world champion Carolina Marin in women’s singles. In the men’s singles final, world number seven Anders Antonsen of Denmark defeated his compatriot Rasmus Gemke. Winners List:

• Women’s Single – Nozomi Okuhara (Japan)
• Men’s Single – Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
• Men’s Double – Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge (England)
• Women’s Double – Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota (Japan)
• Mixed Double – Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich (Germany)

Correct Answer – C. 4th

Explanation: India has been ranked at 4th position, with a score of 39.7 out of 100, in the Asia Power Index 2020, released by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute. The Asia Power Index 2020 ranks 26 countries and territories to assess the relative power of states in Asia. The United States has retained its position as the most powerful country influencing the Asia-Pacific with a score of 81.6. It is followed by China (76.1) and Japan (41) at second and third spot respectively. The annual Asia Power Index is an analytical tool that ranks countries in terms of what they have, and what they do with what they have (resources and influence) to have dominant power in Asia.

Correct Answer – B. Japan

Explanation:  For the first time, since the inception of the framework agreement of ISA, the Solar Awards were presented during the third Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to the countries of the region as well as institutions working for solar. List of Winners:

• Visvesvaraya award: Japan for the Asia Pacific region and the Netherlands for Europe and Others region.
• Kalpana Chawla awards: Dr Bhim Singh from IIT Delhi (India) and Dr Aaesha Alnuaimi from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (United Arab Emirates).
• Diwakar award: Arpan Institute (Haryana) and Arushi Society.

Correct Answer – B. Gujarat

Explanation: The “Nightingale of Gujarat”, Kaumudi Munshi passed away due to COVID-19. During the early stage of her career, Munshi sang mostly in Gujarati, gaining fame with songs like ‘Sachi re maari satre bhavani maa’. The singer also sang Bhojpuri songs, for the 1963 movie Bidesiya she sang ‘Neek Saiyan bin’ with renowned singer Geeta Dutt.