Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 14th January 2022

Correct Answer: B. Kazakhstan

Explanation: The parliament of Kazakhstan has unanimously approved the appointment of Alikhan Smailov as the new Prime Minister of the country. His name was nominated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on January 11, 2022. Prior to this, the 49-year-old Smailov served as the country’s finance minister from 2018 to 2020. He became the first deputy prime minister in the Cabinet in 2019.

Important Points:

• Kazakhstan Capital: Nur-Sultan;
• Kazakhstan Currency: Kazakhstani tenge.

Correct Answer – D. David Bennett

Explanation: A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig. David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore. The possibility of using animal organs for so-called xenotransplantation to meet the demand has long been considered, and using pig heart valves is already common. Pigs are increasingly becoming popular candidates for organ transplantation. This is because their organs are anatomically similar to those of humans. What’s more, porcine components are more tuned for genetic engineering.

Correct Answer – B. Japan

Explanation: India has improved its position by seven places to rank at 83rd place among 111 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index, released for Q1 of 2022. India ranked at 90th spot among 116 countries in Q4 of 2021 in October. The Indian passport has visa-free access to 60 destinations worldwide in Q1 2022, as compared to 58 destinations in Q4 of 2021. Oman and Armenia are the latest destinations where Indian passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa.

On a global level:

Japan and Singapore have retained the joint top position in the Henley Global Mobility Report 2022 Q1. Their passports holders are allowed to travel visa-free to 192 countries. Afghanistan has the world’s least powerful passports, with a visa-free score of 26.

Correct Answer – D. 35.8%

Explanation:  The Central Government of India is set to become the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea. The company’s board approved the conversion of Rs 16,000 crores in interest into equity. India’s third-largest network Vi or Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) has approved the interest on the spectrum and Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues into government equity.

VIL accepted a four-year moratorium as well as accepted the equity conversion, which means the Indian government will own almost 35.8% of VIL’s stake followed by Vodafone Group which owns 28.5% and 17.8% by Aditya Birla Group.

Correct Answer – E. Rajkummar Rao

Explanation: RenewBuy, an online insurance platform, has appointed Rajkummar Rao as the brand ambassador for its 1st 360-degree consumer advertising campaign that highlights consumers’ insurance needs. The campaign was designed and conceptualised by Havas Worldwide India. “Smart Tech, Right Advice” is the theme of the campaign. This program aims to increase the spread of insurance policies digitally for consumers from any part of the country.

Correct Answer – A. Meenakashi Lekhi

Explanation: Minister of State for Culture, Meenakashi Lekhi has launched ‘North East on Wheels Expedition’ in New Delhi to promote the Culture of Northeastern States.It is scheduled to be held between 8th to 16th April this year to mark the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.75 Bikers participating in this expedition will be selected from all over the country and will cover about 9000 km in the North-East Region in 6 groups.It will also promote the Dekho Apna Desh initiative of the Ministry of Tourism.

Correct Answer – D. Manipur

Explanation: The 18th edition of two days long Kachai Lemon Festival began in Manipur at the Local Ground of Kachai Village in Ukhrul district.Theme: ‘Organic Kachai Lemon for Safe Environment and Rural Transformation’.Kachai Lemon has been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) registration tag and widely grown in Kachai Village of Ukhrul district, Manipur.Unlike other lemon varieties grown in other parts of the world, Kachai Lemon is considered to be unique as it is a rich source of ascorbic acid and famous for its juice content.Kachai Lemon Festival is organized annually to promote this unique kind of lemon fruit and to encourage the lemon farmers.

Correct Answer – B. Paytm Payments Bank

Explanation: Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) becomes the largest and fastest growing UPI beneficiary bank in India.Beneficiary banks are the banks of the account holder who is receiving money.Paytm Payments Bank has also gained rapid traction as a remitter bank for UPI payments.

Correct Answer – A. Adani Group

Explanation:  India’s Adani Group and South Korean steel major POSCO have signed an agreement to explore opportunities, including setting up of an integrated steel mill at the western state of Gujarat.POSCO and Adani intend to utilize renewable energy resources and green hydrogen to make it an environmentally friendly integrated steel mill.The company also runs POSCO-Maharashtra, a 1.8-million-ton cold-rolled and galvanized mill, and four processing centres in Pune, Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad.

Correct Answer – C. 14th January

Explanation: Armed Forces Veterans Day is celebrated every year on January 14.The day is being celebrated since 2017 and the day was initially called Armistice Day.Every year, January 14 is marked as Armed Forces Veteran Day as the Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-chief of Indian Armed Forces retired on the day.The fourth Army Forces Veteran Day, 2020 is to be celebrated at National War Memorial.

Correct Answer – D. United Stated of America

Explanation: The United Stated of America’s doctors have successfully transplanted the world’s first geneticallymodified pig heart into the human body A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a geneticallymodified pig. David Bennett is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center were granted a special dispensation by the US medical regulator to carry out the procedure.

Additional Information

The possibility of using animal organs for xenotransplantation to meet the demand has long been considered, and using pig heart valves is already common. Pig organs are anatomically similar to those of humans. What’s more, porcine components are more tuned for genetic engineering.

Correct Answer – D. Vinisha Umashankar

Explanation: Ms. Vinisha Umashankar, an environmentalist from Tamil Nadu, has been selected as a Batonbearer for the ongoing 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay (12-15 January 2022) in India. The 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay started at the Buckingham Palace in London on 7th October 2021 and is scheduled to conclude on 28th July 2022. She is a recipient of the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards.

Additional Information

Viral Sudhirbhai Desai has been honoured with the Global Environment and Climate Action Citizen Award 2021.  Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), under the Ministry of Steel, has been awarded the prestigious Golden Peacock Environment Management Award 2021 for successive three years.

• Prime minister of United Kingdom: Boris Johnson (As of Jan 2022).
• Capital of the United Kingdom: London.

Correct Answer – B. United Kingdom

Explanation: Britain’s Prince Andrew, the younger son of Queen Elizabeth II, has returned all of his military titles and royal patronages to the monarch. He is facing a civil sex case trial in the US over allegations of sexual assault. The Duke of York is the younger brother of Prince Charles. ”His Royal Highness” has been dropped from his title.

Additional Information

The Armed Forces of India and the United Kingdom (UK) conducted the sea phase of the maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’ off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea from October 24 to 27, 2021. Indian diplomat, Syed Akbaruddin has authored a new book titled “India vs UK: The Story of an Unprecedented Diplomatic Win” in November 2021.Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have decided to diplomatic boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights concerns. The 6th Edition of India–UK joint company level military training Exercise Ajeya Warrior has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand in October 2021. The government of India has hosted the first India-United Kingdom Consular Dialogue in the virtual medium in September 2021.

Correct Answer: B. Bhopal

Explanation: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Bhopal, under the aegis of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) is celebrating “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” from 10-16 January 2022. As a part of it, an exhibition on ”Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle” was inaugurated virtually by Arun Goel, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, on 13 January 2022. A presentation on the “Idea Generation Challenge” on Sanrachna Portal was also organized. A “Picture Gallery of Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle” was unveiled at Pragati Deergha (Progress Gallery). Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

Additional Information

BHEL:

• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited is Indian government-owned engineering and manufacturing enterprise.
• It is under the ownership of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. BHEL is India’s largest power generation equipment manufacturer.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi.
• It was founded in 1964.