Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 23rd October 2020

Correct Answer: B. ₹5,011 cr

Explanation: The National Highways Authority of India has received upfront consideration of ₹5,011 cr from Cube Highways. This has been received under the third bundle of the toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model. TOT is part of the govt’s initiative to monetize public infrastructure and build new assets. Under this model, the highest bidder wins the right to operate and maintain highway assets for 30 yrs.

Correct Answer – C. SEBI

Explanation: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has formed a committee with a view to ensure that market data is made more freely accessible to all. The committee will recommend policy measures to ensure access to data, segment-wise data perimeters identification, data needs and gaps. It will also consider the data privacy issues and data access regulations applicable to market data.

Correct Answer – B. 6

Explanation: The US has imposed sanctions on 6 Chinese companies for their dealings with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). IRISL is used by Iran to transport proliferation-sensitive items intended for Iran’s ballistic missile and military programs. The State Department had designated IRISL and its Shanghai-based subsidiary E-Sail Shipping Company Ltd. for their proliferation-related conduct.

Correct Answer – C. Himachal Pradesh

Explanation:  Heeng cultivation has started in India for the 1st time. First-plantation of Heeng was done in Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. Heeng (asafoetida) is one of the widely used spices in Indian cuisine. There is no production of heeng in India and currently about 1,200 tons of raw heeng worth Rs 600 crore is being imported annually from Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan.

Correct Answer – C. Vietnam

Explanation: Japan and Vietnam signed agreements to ensure “free and open Indo-Pacific”. Also, the agreement will allow Japan to export its defence equipment to Vietnam. Recently, the QUAD grouping held in Tokyo, reaffirmed the significance of “free and open Indo-Pacific” and raised concerns over increasing Chinese influence in the region. The agreement between Japan and Vietnam will add to QUAD decisions in the region. The United States has invited the ASEAN countries to join QUAD grouping. The current members of QUAD are India, Japan, US and Australia.

Correct Answer – B. SANT

Explanation: India successfully test fired the Stand-Off Anti-Tank Missile called SANT. It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization for the Indian Air Force. The missile was test fired at the Chandipur test range. The missile has both lock-on before launch and lock-on after launch capabilities. SANT missile is a variant of Nag missile. The other variants of Nag missile are Helina (or Dhruvastra) and MP-ATGM. SANT is an upgraded version of HELINA. It was successfully tested in Pokhran in November 2018. This upgraded version of the Nag Missile has a nose-mounted active radar homing seeker with an extended range of 15 to 20 km. HELINA is usually referred to as upgraded SANT.

Correct Answer – C. Rs 10,000 crores

Explanation: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme. The scheme has been launched to assist the cooperatives in the country. The scheme will assist the cooperatives to play a crucial role in creating health care infrastructure in the country. The scheme was formulated by the National Cooperative Development Corporation. The NCDC will provide loans of Rs 10,000 crores to the cooperatives under the scheme.

This includes financial assistance and working capital to meet operational requirements in health sector. The scheme also provides 1% interest subvention to the cooperatives where women are in majority. The scheme is aligned with that of the National Health Policy, 2017. The scheme will use the funds to assist cooperative hospitals. It will also cover health insurance, medical, nursing education and paramedical education. Also, the scheme includes health systems such as AYUSH.

Correct Answer – D. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Explanation: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the NITI Aayog have set up a Frontier Technologies Cloud Innovation Center (CIC) that will work on addressing societal challenges around areas like agriculture and healthcare through digital innovation. The NITI Aayog Frontier Technologies Cloud Innovation Center is the first AWS CIC in India, and the first such centre that has been set up at a national level. It has such centres across countries like Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, and the US, including one in partnership with the University of British Columbia.

Correct Answer – B. 23rd October

Explanation:  World Snow Leopard Day is observed globally on 23rd October. The main purpose of this day is to show the importance of snow leopard conservation and raise awareness about this incredible animal. The day also emphasizes the importance of taking measures to stop poaching, as well as consolidating efforts in terms of environmental organization in the countries of the snow leopard range. The first Snow Leopard Day occurred on the 23rd of October in 2014. The day was initiated by the countries that encompass the snow leopard’s range. They include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, India, China, Bhutan, and Afganistan.

Correct Answer – A. Assam

Explanation: The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari virtually laid the foundation stone for the first-ever multi-modal logistic park of India, at Jogighopa, in Bongaigaon district of Assam. The logistic park will provide direct connectivity to air, road, rail and waterways to the people of Assam and other parts of North East. The fund for the multi-modal logistics park would be spent in three components – road and railway connectivity as well as building and infrastructure work. It will also give employment to 20 lakh people. The overall cost of this project is around Rs 693.97 Crore and is being developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana of the Central Government.

Correct Answer – C. Maharashtra

Explanation: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a loan agreement worth USD 177 million, to upgrade 450 km of state highways and major district roads in Maharashtra. The project aims to improve connectivity between rural areas and urban centres in the state to enable rural communities to have better access to markets, employment opportunities and services, which in turn will expand development and livelihood opportunities outside of the state’s major urban centres to second-tier cities and towns thus reducing income disparities.

Correct Answer – C. Shooting

Explanation: In Shooting, the world number one Elavenil Valarivan of India won the gold medal in women’s event of the 2020 Sheikh Russel International Air Rifle Championship. The event was organised by Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation (BSSF). Japan’s Naoya Okada won the gold in the men’s event, while India’s Shahu Tushar Mane bagged a silver. The event was a 60-shots competition in which shooters from six nations participated which included Bangladesh, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Bhutan.

Correct Answer – A. 21st October

Explanation:  In India, the National Police Commemoration Day is observed on 21st October every year. The day is marked to remember and honour the brave policemen who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

On 21 October 1959, twenty Indian soldiers were attacked by Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Hot Spring area, in which, ten Indian policemen lost their lives and seven were imprisoned. Since that day, 21 October has been observed as Police Commemoration Day in honour of the martyrs.

Correct Answer – A. Assam

Explanation: The renowned economist from Assam, Dr Jayanta Madhab passed away. He worked as a financial adviser to Calcutta Metropolitan Development Corp and has served as a director at the ADB. He was the founder chairman of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. He was also the financial advisor of the Chief Minister from 2003-2009.