Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 25th February 2021

Correct Answer: A. Katherine Johnson

Explanation: A space supply ship, Cygnus NG-15 cargo dubbed as ‘S.S. Katherine Johnson has been named in honour of Katherine Johnson, a Black NASA mathematician, who played a critical role in the success of the first U.S. crewed spaceflight, Mercury-Atlas 6 Mission. The S.S. Katherine Johnson arrived on February 22, 2021, and will be at the International Space Station until May 2021.

Cygnus NG-15 cargo:

• A Northrop Grumman-built Cygnus cargo ship, a space supply ship, was launched by NASA on February 20, 2021, from Virginia to carry vital supplies for astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).
• The launch coincided with the 59th anniversary of America’s first orbit around the Earth. On 20 February 1962, astronaut John Glenn, became the first American to orbit Earth.
• The space supply ship carried more than 8,200 lbs. (3,719 kilograms) of cargo including scientific equipment, fresh food and supplies, new hardware and spacewalk equipment for the seven astronauts onboard the International Space Station.

About Katherine Johnson:

Mrs Johnson was a pioneering mathematician known for her hand-written calculations. She helped astronaut John Glenn, to become the first American to orbit Earth, after personally verifying his Mercury missions’ orbital trajectory calculations. Her contributions were also featured in the Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures.

Important Points-

• Acting Administrator of NASA: Steve Jurczyk.
• Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States.
• NASA Founded: 1 October 1958

Correct Answer: B. Karnataka

Explanation: The second edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2021, is scheduled to be held in Karnataka. This announcement was made by the Karnataka Chief Minister, Shri BS Yediyurappa and Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju. The KIUG-2021 will be hosted by JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, in partnership with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). In 2021, Yogasana and Mallakhamb have been added to the University Games, in an effort to preserve and promote the century-old sporting disciplines of the country.

About the Khelo India University Games:

• The games will be conducted in the U-25 age category in accordance with the World University Games norms.
• KIUG is the largest University Games in India and is aimed at tapping sporting talent who can represent India in international events, including the Olympics.
• The first edition of KIUG was held in Bhubaneswar in February 2020, and saw a total participation of 3182 athletes in the U-25 age group, across 158 universities and colleges from all states.

Correct Answer – E. USD 68 million

Explanation: The Government of India, the Government of Nagaland and the World Bank signed a $68 million agreement for “Nagaland: Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources Project”, to enhance the governance of schools across Nagaland.The $68 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a final maturity of 14.5 years including a grace period of 5 (five) years.

About the project:

• The “Nagaland: Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources Project” will improve classroom instruction; create opportunities for the professional development of teachers, and build technology systems to provide students and teachers with more access to blended and online learning as well as allow better monitoring of policies and programmes.
• As many as 1,50,000 students and 20,000 teachers in the government education system in Nagaland will benefit from the statewide reforms in schools.

Important Points:

• Chief Minister of Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio; Governor of Nagaland: R. N. Ravi.
• World Bank Headquarters: Washington DC, United States.
• World Bank President: David Malpass.
• World Bank Founded: July 1944.

Correct Answer – B. Sushant Singh Rajput

Explanation:  The prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival awards 2021 were announced, to honour the best in Indian cinema, television, music, and OTT. Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput was posthumously awarded ‘Critics Best Actor’ for his performance in Dil Bechara.

The winner of the Award for 2021 are as follows:

• Best Actor (Female): Deepika Padukone, Chhapaak
• Best Actor (Male): Akshay Kumar, Laxmii
• Critic’s Best Actress: Kiara Advani, Guilty
• Critic’s Best Actor: Late Sushant Singh Rajput, Dil Bechara
• Best Film: Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
• Best International Feature Film: Parasite Most Versatile Actor – Kay Kay Menon
• Best Director: Anurag Basu, Ludo
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Vikrant Massey, Chhapaak
• Best Actress in Supporting Role: Radhika Madan, Angrezi Medium
• Best Actor in Comic Role: Kunal Kemmu, Lootcase
• Best Actor (Web Series): Bobby Deol, Aashram
• Best Actress (Web Series): Sushmita Sen, Aarya
• Best Web Series: Scam (1992)
• Album of the Year: Titliyaan
• Best Television Series: Kundali Bhagya
• Photographer of the Year: Daboo Ratnani
• Style Diva of the Year: Divya Khosla Kumar
• Best Actress in Television Series: Surbhi Chandna
• Best Actor in Television Series: Dheeraj Dhoopar
• Performer of the Year: Nora Fatehi
• Outstanding Contribution to Film Industry: Dharmendra
• Outstanding Contribution to Literature in Indian Cinema: Chetan Bhagat

About the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival:

The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival is a unique platform to honour and encourage the most creative Artists, Creators, filmmakers, and to infuse life into their career. DPIFF hosts the Most Prestigious Award Function to honour and appreciate the Entertainment & Film Industry and commemorate those deserving storyteller, creative writers, passionate filmmakers, and maverick artists who are part of great Indian cinema.

Correct Answer – E. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior

Explanation: The winner of the Award for 2021 are as follows:

• Best Actor (Female): Deepika Padukone, Chhapaak
• Best Actor (Male): Akshay Kumar, Laxmii
• Critic’s Best Actress: Kiara Advani, Guilty
• Critic’s Best Actor: Late Sushant Singh Rajput, Dil Bechara
• Best Film: Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
• Best International Feature Film: Parasite Most Versatile Actor – Kay Kay Menon
• Best Director: Anurag Basu, Ludo
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Vikrant Massey, Chhapaak
• Best Actress in Supporting Role: Radhika Madan, Angrezi Medium
• Best Actor in Comic Role: Kunal Kemmu, Lootcase
• Best Actor (Web Series): Bobby Deol, Aashram
• Best Actress (Web Series): Sushmita Sen, Aarya
• Best Web Series: Scam (1992)
• Album of the Year: Titliyaan
• Best Television Series: Kundali Bhagya
• Photographer of the Year: Daboo Ratnani
• Style Diva of the Year: Divya Khosla Kumar
• Best Actress in Television Series: Surbhi Chandna
• Best Actor in Television Series: Dheeraj Dhoopar
• Performer of the Year: Nora Fatehi
• Outstanding Contribution to Film Industry: Dharmendra
• Outstanding Contribution to Literature in Indian Cinema: Chetan Bhagat

Correct Answer – B. Delhi

Explanation: The Delhi government has notified its flagship scheme for the doorstep delivery of ration that is likely to be rolled out from March 2021.The ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojna’ (MMGGRY) under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) of the National Food Security Act, 2013, was notified by the government on February 20, 2021.It involves the delivery of packed wheat flour and rice.

Correct Answer – C. Kalpesh Kikani

Explanation: Piramal Enterprises Ltd has appointed Kalpesh Kikani as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its ₹11,000 plus crore Assets Under Management (AUM) Alternatives business managed through its subsidiaries and joint ventures.He served as Managing Director at AION Capital (a JV between Apollo Global Management and ICICI Group) earlier.He also has spent over 15 years at ICICI Bank.

Correct Answer – C. Just Dial Limited

Explanation: Just Dial Limited has launched its business-to-business (B2B) portal, Jd Mart, across various platforms for users.Jd Mart is an exclusive B2B portal for a new wholesale experience.B2B buyers can discover quality vendors offering a wide selection of products to choose from, spread across various categories to suit all their B2B needs.

Correct Answer – D. 60

Explanation:  Government will start administering Covid-19 vaccine to people above 60 years of age from 1st March 2021.Those above 45 years of age with comorbidities will also be vaccinated in this phase.The vaccine will be administered free of cost at ten thousand government hospitals to these groups.The cost of the vaccine at 20 thousand private vaccination centres will be borne by the government.

Correct Answer – B. Kiran Ahuja

Explanation: US President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American lawyer Kiran Ahuja to head the Office of Personnel Management.She will be the first Indian-American to head this department.She had served as Chief of Staff to Director of US Office of Personnel Management from 2015 to 2017.The United States Office of Personnel Management is a federal agency that manages US civilian services.

Correct Answer – C. Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Explanation: The US Senate on February 23, 2021 confirmed Linda Thomas-Greenfield as US ambassador to the United Nations. Greenfield’s name was nominated for the post by US President Joe Biden.The Senate voted 78-20 to confirm Thomas-Greenfield for the Cabinet-level position. Greenfield is the eighth confirmed member of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet.Linda Thomas-Greenfield is a US diplomat with vast experience in Africa. She is a three-decade veteran of the US State Department.

Correct Answer –A. Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

Explanation: President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the newly revamped Motera cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, which has been renamed the Narendra Modi Stadium.The ground, which was earlier named the Sardar Patel Stadium, and more popularly known as the Motera stadium, has been renamed after the Prime Minister, who was also formerly a president of the Gujarat Cricket Association.

Correct Answer – D. Anjali Bharadwaj

Explanation:  Anjali Bharadwaj, an Indian social activist working on issues of transparency and accountability, is one of the 12 “courageous” individuals named by the Biden administration for the newly-instituted International Anti-Corruption Champions Award.The 48-year-old Bhardwaj has served as an active member of the Right to Information Movement in India for over two decades.She is the founder of the Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS), a citizens’ group which promotes transparency and accountability in government and encourage the active participation of citizens.

Correct Answer – B. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research

Explanation: Scientists have developed a small molecule that disrupts the mechanism through which neurons become dysfunctional in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).The molecule could be a potential drug candidate to halt or cure the leading cause of dementia (70-80%) worldwide.A team of scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have designed and synthesized the molecules.