Important G.K. & Current Affairs Questions – 14th January 2019

Correct Answer – D. West Bengal

Explanation: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced that her state will withdraw from the Ayushman Bharat health scheme. After announcing the state government’s decision to pull out of the scheme, Mamata Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making “tall claims” under the health coverage programme and duping people. Mamata Banerjee alleged that PM Modi took undue credit for a project, 40 per cent of which, the West Bengal government was funding in the state. Touted as the world’s largest public healthcare scheme, the Ayushman Bharat project was announced by PM Modi in September 2018. The scheme aims to provide a basic health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for 10 crore economically backward families.

Correct Answer – D. 190.46 crore

Explanation: The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned four new projects for Rs. 190.46 Crores under the tourism infrastructure development schemes, Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD in the states of Meghalaya, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh recently. The Ministry of Tourism has launched the schemes of Swadesh Darshan – Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and PRASHAD- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive in the year 2014-15 for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country.

Correct Answer – B. Norway

Explanation: The 11th edition of EIU Democracy Index 2018was released by the Economist Intelligent Unit compiling the state of democracies in 167 countries in the world. In the list, Norway topped and India has ranked at 41st place on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual Global Democracy Index.

Correct Answer – B. Netherlands

Explanation: The World Economic Forum announced that Tata Steel’s plant at IJmuiden in the Netherlands has been inducted into its prestigious community, a distinction awarded to manufacturing facilities which are seen as leaders in technologies of the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. Assessing more than 1,000 factories in 2018, the WEF recognised Tata Steel’s IJmuiden plant and six others as ‘Manufacturing Lighthouses’ – state-of-the-art production facilities which successfully adopt and integrate the cutting-edge technologies of the future and drive financial and operational impact.

Correct Answer – C. Adi Godrej

Explanation: Industrialist and Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej was conferred the ICSIs Lifetime Achievement Award for ‘Translating Excellence in Corporate Governance into Reality’. The awards were instituted by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), which is celebrating its golden jubilee.

Correct Answer – B. Ravi Shastri

Explanation: India skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri on Friday received the honorary membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for their contribution to the sport of cricket. The Indian team defeated Australia 2-1 in the four-match Test series, ending the country’s 71-year-old wait for a rare series win Down Under.

Correct Answer – A. Nicolás Maduro

Explanation: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been sworn in for a second term amid international calls for him to step down and a devastating economic crisis, but with some long-time friends in attendance both from abroad and at home. A dozen Latin American governments, U.S. and Canada have rejected the legitimacy of Maduro’s next term, and Washington has sanctioned top officials in his government, and there were fresh condemnations.

Correct Answer – E. None of these

Explanation: Taiwan President has appointed Su Tseng-chang as Prime Minister on Thursday, during a Cabinet reshuffle following the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s heavy losses in local elections. Su is a former premier appointed in 2006 by then-President Chen Shui-bian and was a chairman of Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party for two terms.

Correct Answer – A. Birendra Prasad

Explanation: Birendra Prasad Baishya, president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) was on Thursday named Chef de Mission for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Baishya is also one of the IOA vice presidents besides holding several other positions like executive board member – International Weightlifting Federation, vice president of Asian Weightlifting Federation and vice president of Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation.

Correct Answer  – B. January 10

Explanation: Indian Army’s Air Defence Corps celebrated the Silver Jubilee of its raising on January 10. To mark the occasion, a Wreath Laying Ceremony was held at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, New Delhi. Lieutenant General Ashwani Kumar, Adjutant General and Lieutenant General AP Singh Director General and Colonel Commandant Army Air Defence laid ceremonial wreaths. A host of serving officers, soldiers and veterans attended the ceremony. The Corps of Army Air Defence is the youngest arm of Indian Army. The Corps has proved its mettle in various wars, counter insurgency operations and nation building tasks.