Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 23rd February 2021

Correct Answer: C. Naomi Osaka

Explanation: In tennis, Japan’s Naomi Osaka won her fourth Grand Slam title on February 20, 2021, after she beat American Jennifer Brady in the women’s singles game of the Australian Open final 2021. The four Grand Slam title for Osaka comes two Australian Open titles (2021 and 2019) and two US Open title (2018 and 2020).

Correct Answer – B. SEBI

Explanation: India and Ethiopia signed two agreements related to visa facilitation and leather technology. The Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen is on a 4-day visit to India to hold useful and productive discussions on a range of bilateral and regional issues. During the course of meetings, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Ethiopian minister Hassen agreed to expand India and Ethiopia bilateral agenda especially defence, economic, S&T, digital and cultural cooperation.

Important Points:

• Ethiopia Capital: Addis Ababa
• Ethiopia Currency: Ethiopian Birr
• Ethiopia President: Sahle-Work Zewde
• Ethiopia Prime minister: Abiy Ahmed

Correct Answer – B. 2015

Explanation: The United States has officially rejoined the Paris Agreement, under the Presidency of US President Joe Biden. Earlier, in November 2020, the US had officially exited the agreement on the order of then-President Donald Trump. The landmark Paris climate agreement was signed in 2015, as per which countries are expected to enhance their commitments to curb greenhouse gas emissions every five years. The goals of the global pact are to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C

Correct Answer – E. Both B & C

Explanation:  Army Chief Gen Manoj Naravane has flagged off the 100th K9 Vajra tracked self-propelled howitzer built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its armoured system complex at Hazira in Gujarat. L&T had completed the delivery of all the howitzers under the contract awarded in May 2017 ahead of schedule.

About the K9 Vajra programme:

The K9 Vajra programme involved the delivery of 100 howitzers with associated engineering support package covering spares, system documentation and training. It also involves the maintenance transfer of technology to an army base workshop to support the howitzers throughout their operational life cycle.

Important Points:

• L&T CEO: S. N. Subrahmanyan.
• L&T Founded: 7 February 1938.
• L&T Headquarters: Mumbai.
• L&T Chairman: Anil Manibhai Naik.

Correct Answer – C. 22 February

Explanation: World Thinking Day, originally known as Thinking Day, is celebrated annually on 22 February by all Girl Scouts, Girl Guides and other girl groups worldwide. The day is observed to think about fellow brothers and sisters around the world, address their concerns and understand the true meaning of guiding. The theme for World Thinking Day 2021 is peacebuilding. Peacebuilding is at the heart of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and is as vital and relevant today as for the last 100 years. By completing the steps in the Stand Together For Peace activity pack, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts will; Stand Strong, Stand up and Stand Together for peacebuilding.

Correct Answer – C. V Narayanaswamy

Explanation:  Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy today tendered his resignation after failing to win the trust motion moved by him.Speaker V.P. Sivakolunthu declared that V. Narayanasamy lost the trust motion.Earlier Narayanasamy was asked to prove his strength in the assembly by the Lt. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.

Correct Answer – C. 56,368

Explanation: Construction of 56,368 houses have been approved under PMAY-U at 53rd Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee Meeting held here last evening.These houses are proposed to be constructed under various verticals of PMAY-U Mission.A total of 11 States/UTs attended the meeting.The participating States/UTs were also directed to use the online mechanism (MIS) for proper implementation and monitoring of the Mission.

Correct Answer – D. Viruss

Explanation: As cyber frauds continue to increase, the Reserve Bank of India, has undertaken an unusual measure to spread awareness.The RBI has roped in Punjabi singer-rapper Viruss in its public awareness campaign.The campaign also includes Viruss’ popular 2017 Indie hit ‘Bam Bhole’ that was recreated for Akshay Kumar-Kiara Advani starrer Laxmii.RBI’s latest public directives on how one can and should protect themselves from cyber crimes and identity theft comes along with peppy rap music. Moreover, Viruss has done the video pro bono for the central bank.

Correct Answer – B. 8

Explanation:  The Central Government has approved 8 toy manufacturing clusters at a cost of Rs 2,300 crore viz. three clusters in Madhya Pradesh, two in Rajasthan, and one each in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.This decision has been taken on the lines of “National Action Plan for Indian Toy Story” that seeks to reduce import dependence of toys which was around $1.5 billion in FY2020 of which 90% of imports was from China and Taiwan.In this regard, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will develop toy clusters under existing schemes such as the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (Sfurti) which is currently being implemented in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Correct Answer – C. Karanataka

Explanation:Karnataka is set to host the 2nd Edition of Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in 2021. The games will be hosted in Jain University, Bengaluru and other venues in Karnataka in collaboration with Association of Indian Universities (AIU). KIUG is the largest University level sports competition in India.The KIUG 2021 will see the addition of 2 new native sports namely ‘Yogasana’ & ‘Mallakhamb’ in the medal events. The total number of medal events/sports will be 19.The games will be conducted in the U-25 age category in accordance with the World University Games norms.The Main Objective of KIUG is to identify & train athletes in the age group of 18-25 years for Olympics & Asian Games.

Correct Answer – D. K.P. Krishnan

Explanation: Shriram Capital Ltd (SCL) has appointed K.P. Krishnan as the new chairman on the board of the company.SCL is the holding company for financial services and insurance entities of the Shriram Group.Krishnan has served as special and Additional Secretary with the Department of Land Resources and also in the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (2010-2012).

Correct Answer – B. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

Explanation: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has initiated the process with the Drugs Controller General of India for emergency use authorization of vaccine candidate Sputnik V.Dr. Reddy’s partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund in September 2020 to conduct the clinical trials of the Sputnik V and for its distribution rights in India.The efficacy of Sputnik V was reported to be 91.6 percent by the Lancet.

Correct Answer – C. 15.91

Explanation:  In the current Kharif marketing season, the paddy procurement has registered a jump of 15.91 percent in comparison to the corresponding period in 2020.Till 20 February 2021, over 651 lakh Metric Tonnes of paddy have been purchased against 2020’s corresponding purchase of over 561 lakh Metric Tonnes.Out of the total purchase, Punjab alone has contributed over 202 lakh Metric Tonnes.

Correct Answer – C. West Bengal

Explanation: Railways will be fully electrified in three years in West Bengal.Railway Minister Piyush Goyal informed this while dedicating various infrastructure development and passenger amenity-related works in the North Bengal area.The newly electrified section from New Jalpaiguri to New Coochbehar of 126 Route Kilometers was dedicated on 21 February 2021.

West Bengal:

• Chief Minister – Mamata Banerjee.
• Governor – Jagdeep Dhankhar.
• Lok Sabha seats – 42.
• Rajya Sabha seats – 16.