Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 6th & 7th February 2022

Correct Answer: D. Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: The tableau of Uttar Pradesh has been picked as the best tableau among the 12 States/UTs which participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2022. The theme of the tableau of Uttar Pradesh was ‘One District One Product and Kashi Vishwanath Dham’. A total of 12 states and union territories had participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26. The second place went to Karnataka for its tableau based on ‘cradle of traditional handicrafts’ while the third position went to Meghalaya for its tableau based on ‘Meghalaya’s 50 years of Statehood and its tribute to women-led cooperative societies & SHGs’.

Other winners of Republic Day parade 2022:

• Best marching contingent among three Services: Indian Navy
• Best marching contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
• The tableaux of the ministry of education and the ministry of civil aviation have been declared as joint winners in the category of central ministries and departments. The theme of the tableau of the ministry of education and the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship was ‘National Education Policy. The tableau of the ministry of civil aviation was based on the theme ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’.

Popular Choice Awards

The popular choice category award was introduced for the first time in 2022, wherein the general public was invited to vote for the best marching contingents and best tableaux through the MyGov platform. The online poll was conducted between January 25-31, 2022.

List of winners:

• Best state/UTs Tableau: Maharashtra (Theme ‘Biodiversity and State Bio-symbols of Maharashtra’.);
• Best marching contingent among three Services: Indian Air Force;
• Best marching contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF);
• Central Ministry: Ministry of Communication/Department of Posts (Theme ‘India Post: 75 years @ Resolve – Women Empowerment’.)

Correct Answer: A. Haryana

Explanation: The unemployment rate in India in January 2022 fell sharply to 6.57%, according to the data from the economic think-tank, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This is the lowest rate witnessed since March 2021. In December 2021, the unemployment rate rose to a four-month high of 7.91%, compared to 6.97% in November. CMIE is a Mumbai-based independent non-government entity that serves both as an economic think-tank as well as a business information company.

State-wise lowest unemployment rate:

• Telangana recorded the lowest unemployment rate in January at 0.7%.
• This was followed by Gujarat at 1.2%, Meghalaya at 1.5%, Odisha at 1.8% and Karnataka at 2.9%.

State-wise highest unemployment rate:

• Haryana witnessed the highest unemployment rate of 23.4% in January 2022. It was followed by Rajasthan (18.9%), Tripura (17.1%), Jammu & Kashmir (15%) and Delhi (14.1%).

About the Rural Unemployment:

Area wise data showed that the rural unemployment in January 2022 declined to 5.84% as against 7.28% in December 2021. Urban unemployment was recorded at 8.16% compared to 9.30% in December 2021.

Correct Answer: D. 216-feet

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated to the nation 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality in Hyderabad to commemorate the 11th-century Bhakti saint Ramanujacharya. The statue has been conceptualised by Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram. The inauguration of the statue is a part of the 12-day Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham, the ongoing 1000th birth anniversary celebrations of the Bhakti saint. A 3D presentation on the life and teachings of the saint will also be showcased during the event.

Structure of the Statue:

The statue is made of ‘panchaloha’, a combination of five metals- gold, silver, copper, brass, and zinc. It is among one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting positions in the world.The 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality statue is mounted on a 54-feet high base building, called ‘Bhadra Vedi’.The floors of the building are dedicated to a Vedic digital library and research centre, ancient Indian texts, a theatre, an educational gallery detailing works of Sri Ramanujacharya.

Divya Desams

The monument will be surrounded by 108 `Divya Desams’ of Sri Vaishnavism tradition (model temples) like Tirumala, Srirangam, Kanchi, Ahobhilam, Bhadrinath, Muktinath, Ayodhya, Brindavan, Kumbhakonam and others. The idols of deities and structures were constructed in the shape at the existing temples. The idols were also painted.The base building, which was 16.5 mts tall, had a meditationhall where a 54 inch statue of Ramanujacharyulu made of 120 kg gold, representing the years he lived, will be inaugurated by President Ramnath Kovind by performing the first puja on February 13. The inner sanctorum deity was meant for daily worship by people.

About the Ramanujacharya:

Ramanuja or Ramanujacharya was an Indian philosopher, Hindu theologian, social reformer, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement. Ramanujacharya promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of life including faith, caste and creed.

Correct Answer: C. Sonali Singh

Explanation: The Government of India has appointed Sonali Singh to hold the additional charge of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, with effect from February 01, 2022. She has been appointed in place of Dipak Dash, who superannuated on January 31, 2022.Sonali Singh is a 1987 batch officer of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS). She is serving as the Additional Controller General of Accounts since October 2019. Prior to that, she had also served as Additional Secretary at Central Vigilance Commission.

Correct Answer: B. IndiGo

Explanation: The low-cost Indian airline, IndiGo has appointed its co-founder and promoter Rahul Bhatia as the Managing Director (MD) of the company with immediate effect. He is the first-ever MD of Indigo, because before this the company never had a managing director. Ronojoy Dutta is the CEO of the Indigo.The board of directors, during its meeting, unanimously approved the appointment of Bhatia as the managing director with immediate effect, subject to the approval of the shareholders. IndiGo is back in the black with a net profit for the December quarter at Rs 130 crore. The profit comes after the airline posted a loss for a series of straight quarters.

Important Points:

• IndiGo Founded: 2005;
• IndiGo Headquarters: Gurugram.

Correct Answer: B. Ramesh Thamilmani

Explanation: Virzu Studios in association with MIDAS Deals Pvt Ltd has released the motion poster of its upcoming graphic novel, Atharva – The Origin. Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been portrayed as the superhero Atharva in this graphic novel. The motion poster features a rugged looking Dhoni, giving fans a glimpse into the world of Atharva and also a sneak peek into the first look of him as a superhero.

The graphic novel authored by Ramesh Thamilmani features over 150 lifelike illustrations which present the gripping, racy narrative. It is produced by Vincent Adaikalaraj and Ashok Manor. Reportedly, the makers are also planning to make a web-series based on the novel.

Correct Answer: C. Senegal

Explanation: Senegal won its first African Cup of Nations title by beating Egypt in a penalty shootout.Sadio Mané scored the winning spot kick to start the celebrations and make up for missing a penalty in the seventh minute of the game.The final had ended 0-0 after extra time.Senegal had lost two finals previously, including at the last African Cup in Egypt in 2019, when Mané was left inconsolable.

Correct Answer: B. 2001

Explanation: Legendary singer and Bharat Ratna recipient Lata Mangeshkar (92 years) passed away in Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital due to multiple organ failures.Mangeshkar began singing in her teens, and in a career spanning 73 years sang more than an estimated 15,000 songs in 36 languages.She is known as the ‘Nightingale of India’.She was awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in March 2001.

Correct Answer: A. ITC Infotech

Explanation: Sonata Software, a global IT Services and Technology Solutions Company announced its partnership with Microsoft for its launch of ‘Microsoft Cloud for Retail’.The company has been a partner with Microsoft for over three decades.The ‘Microsoft Cloud for Retail’ collaboration is expected to further strengthen the relationship.Sonata Software delivers solutions for retailers world-wide, leveraging world-class IPs, in-house migration and modernisation tools.

Correct Answer: A. Surat

Explanation: Surat to become the first station for India’s upcoming Bullet Train Project.The upcoming station in Surat will become the first station to be ready between Ahmedabad – Mumbai Bullet Train route for India’s first futuristic High Speed Rail project.The MAHSR corridor will cover 12 stations in total- Surat, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Bilimora, Bharuch, Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi stations.Once the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is ready, the journey time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will be 2.07 hours (limited stops), 2.58 hours (halting at stations) vis a vis existing train journey duration of seven-eight hours.The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train will run on Japanese Shinkansen Technology, which is known for its safety as well as reliability and is proven for more than 50 years.The Maximum Design Speed- of the train would be 350 km per hour and the Maximum Operating speed would be 320 km per hour.

Correct Answer: A. Sputnik Light

Explanation: The drug regulator DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) has granted emergency use permission to the Single-dose Sputnik Light COVID-19 vaccine in India. This is the 9th COVID19 vaccine in India. RDIF has earlier said Sputnik Light vaccine could be authorised in India as a standalone jab and as a universal booster.

Additional Information

Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to fully vaccinate 100 percent of its adult population. Himachal Pradesh was also the first state to achieve the 100 percent first dose. Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya released a commemorative postal stamp on the COVID-19 vaccine to mark the first anniversary of India’s National Covid-19 vaccination program, on 16 Jan 2022. On November 29th, 2021, World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 as Omicron. New COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021.

• WHO Established: 7 April 1948;
• WHO Director General: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (As of Feb 2022).
• WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan was appointed as the Covid-vaccine ambassador of Maharashtra in November 2021. In November 2021, Britain has approved the world’s first pill to treat cases of symptomatic COVID19

Correct Answer: A. Odisha

Explanation: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on February 6, 2022, said around 4,000 mobile towers will be installed across Odisha to ensure that villages get access to internet connectivity. An allocation of ₹9,734 crores has been made for Odisha for the 2022-23 fiscal.6,000 villages in the State remain out of mobile network Therefore, it has been decided to install 3,933 mobile towers.

Correct Answer: B. 2001

Explanation: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away on February 6 2022. She crooned songs in over thousand Hindi films and has sung in over thirty-six Indian languages.Nicknamed as ‘The Nightingale of India’, the singer was bestowed with India’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 2001. She was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.

Correct Answer: D. Kiran Bedi

Explanation: Based on the ground-realities of nearly five years of service as the 24th Lt Governor of Puducherry, Kiran Bedi has penned down her journey of governance in the book ‘Fearless Governance’. It was launched by Indra Nooyi (former Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo) and Prof Debashis Chatterjee (director, IIM Kozhikode). It has been published by Diamond Books.

Correct Answer: A. Paytm Money

Explanation: Paytm Money has introduced India’s first intelligent messenger. The company has launched ‘Pops’, with which users can receive specific information related to their stocks, analysis about their portfolio, market news, and important market movements in an easy to consume format, all in one place. Paytm Money has partnered with InvestorAi to offer stock recommendations.

Important Points

The platform will also serve as a marketplace to offer sophisticated stock recommendations, news insights, and other services. Paytm Money is partnering with InvestorAi to offer stock recommendations based on signals generated using artificial intelligence. The company has also partnered with Daily Brief, which simplifies news by parsing through multiple sources and offering key takeaways.

Correct Answer: C. Honduras

Explanation: Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the first woman President of Honduras in January 2022. The oath was sworn before Judge Karla Romero. Her arrival marks the end to the 12-year reign of the right-wing National Party. She will replace Juan Orlando Hernández. Honduras is a Central American country, with Tegucigalpa as its capital. Its currency is Honduran lempira.

Additional Information

Honduras:

• Capital – Tegucigalpa.
• Currency – Honduran Lempira.
• National Sport – Football.

Correct Answer: A. Urjit Patel

Explanation: Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel has resigned from the post of nonexecutive and independent Director of Britannia Industries Limited. His appointment was for a period of five years, which would have ended in 2026. He has been recently appointed Vice President for investment operations in South Asia at the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Additional Information

He had joined Britannia in March 2021 as an additional director of the company in the category of non-executive and independent director. As the 24th governor of RBI, Patel had succeeded Raghuram Rajan and served as the governor of RBI from 2016-2018. Prior to that, he was RBI’s deputy governor in charge of monetary policy. Prior to public service, he had worked in the private sector for about fifteen years. Patel started his professional career at the International Monetary Fund. He has also been a consultant to the center’s finance ministry.

Correct Answer: D. Dubai

Explanation: The Jet, the world’s first clean-energy, hydrogen-powered flying boat, is set to be launched in Dubai. The Swiss based startup THE JET ZeroEmission has signed an agreement with UAE-based Zenith Marine Services and DWYN to manufacture and operate The Jet. The boat will cruise without noise over the waters at a speed of 40 knots and has a capacity of hosting 8-12 passengers.

Important Points  

It is equipped with two fuel cells, an air conditioner and other environmentally friendly technologies that help reduce carbon emissions. ‘The Jet’ has the capability of flying 80cm above the waters. The emirate launched the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 by virtue of which it aims to produce 75 per cent of its energy requirements from clean sources by 2050.

Correct Answer: A. Monpa

Explanation: The 3-day traditional Torgya Festival of the Monpa community in Arunachal Pradesh was held in Jan’22. It was held at the Tawang Monastery. Year 2022 it marks a special occasion as its ‘Dungyur Torgya’ came after 3 years gap. The Monpa community believes that the festival eliminates any external energy from the earth which might harm sentient beings and protect them from natural calamities.

Important Points

The festival comprises oral and dance performances portraying mythical events, which are believed to have taken place in the past.The dances are performed by the monks from the monastery itself that requires training and discipline.

Additional Information

Arunachal Pradesh:

• Number of Districts – 25.
• Registered GI – Arunachal Orange, Idu Mishmi Textiles.
• Dams – Dibang Dam (Dibang River), Ranganadi Dam (Ranganadi River), Subansiri Lower Dam (Subansiri River).
• National Parks – Mouling National Park, Namdapha National Park.
• Dams – Dibang Dam (Dibang River), Ranganadi Dam (Ranganadi River), Subansiri Lower Dam (Subansiri River)..