Important G.K. & Current Affairs Questions – 15th January 2019

Correct Answer – C. Iraq

Explanation: Wadi-us-Salaam is an Islamic cemetery, located in the Shia holy city of Najaf, Iraq. It is the largest cemetery in the world. The cemetery covers 1,485.5 acres. and contains tens of millions of bodies. It also attracts millions of pilgrims annually. Wadi Al-Salaam, which means “valley of peace” in Arabic, holds the remains of some of the most prominent Islamic figures, religious leaders, clerics, political leaders, and ordinary citizens. The holy shrine of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib lies close to the cemetery attracting millions of Muslims, especially the Shi’a Muslims of Iraq. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib was Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law and because of this fact, many Muslims attach much importance to the holy shrine with some believing Wadi Al-Salaam to be part of heaven. Most of the population requests for a burial space there.

Correct Answer – B. Maharashtra

Explanation: Maharashtra tops the medal tally with 37 golds at the Khelo India Youth Games in Pune. It has 111 medals in its kitty with 37 gold, 31 silver and 43 bronze. Delhi continues to follow second with 35 gold and Haryana too maintains its third position with 29 gold.

Correct Answer – D. New Delhi

Explanation: Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and Union Minority Affairs Minister Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi inaugurated “HunarHaat”, here today. This Hunar Haat has been organised at State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi from 12th to 20th January, 2019. Indigenous exquisite pieces of Handicraft & Handloom work like Cane & Bamboo, Jute Products from Assam, Variety of Silks from Jharkhand & Bihar, Varanasi Silk, LucknawiChikankari, Ceramic, Terracotta, glassware, Brassware, Leather, Marble products of Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir Namda, Traditional handicrafts from North Eastern Region, Ajrakh, Bandhej, Mud work, Copper Bells from Gujarat, Silver Filigree products from Odisha and Bamboo Crafts from Chhattisgarh, Scissors from Meerut are available at this “HunarHaat”. The visitors are enjoying traditional food such as Awadhi Khana, RajasthaniPakwan (Dal Bati and Churma), Gujarati Thali, Maharashtrian Cuisine, Jackfruit delicacies from Kerala, delectable and mouth-watering sweets like phirnee, Shahitukda, Halwa, Bengali Sweets, Rajkot famed sweets  anda variety of flavoured Paan.

Correct Answer – B. Netherlands

Correct Answer – C. Sushil Modi

Explanation: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi will head the seven-member committee to look into revenue shortfall being faced by the states after the GST roll-out, and suggest steps for augmenting collections, a GST Council notification said. The GST Council, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state ministers, had on December 22, 2018, decided to set up a group of ministers (GoM) to analyse reasons for shortfall in revenue collections by the states since July 2017.

Correct Answer – B. MS Dhoni

Explanation: The seasoned Mahendra Singh Dhoni today became the fifth player to score ten thousand runs for India in One-day International Cricket, adding another feather to his illustrious cap. Starting the innings at 9999 runs, Dhoni took seven deliveries to reach the landmark on his way to a patient 51. Dhoni thus joined an elite list of Indian cricketers who had previously achieved the feat, which include Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli.

Correct Answer – D. Prayagraj

Explanation: Prayagraj (Allahabad) will host the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019. Millions of people are expected to attend the holy festival. It is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith.The Mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days. Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years.

Correct Answer – B. Iran

Explanation: Lake Urmia is an endorheic salt lake in Iran. The lake is located between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan in Iran, and west of the southern portion of the Caspian Sea. At its greatest extent, it was the largest lake in the Middle East and the sixth-largest saltwater lake on Earth. Iran is witnessing revival of Lake Urmia which is one of the worst ecological disasters of recent decades. It is designated as a site of international importance under the UN Convention on Wetlands.According to the UN Environment Program, the lake has been shrinking since 1995, due to a combination of prolonged drought, over-farming and dams.

Correct Answer – C. Plaza

Explanation: The Sino-Indian Digital Collaboration Plaza (SIDCOP) is  an initiative to bring Indian IT companies and Chinese enterprises closer to each other on a single AI enabled platform was launched recently. This is a partnership by National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) with Municipal Governments of Guiyang and Dalian. A Joint Venture comprising of one Indian and Chinese company has been tasked with the running of the platform.

Correct Answer – C. Kerala

Explanation: Mudiyett or Mudiyettu is a traditional ritual theatre and folk dance drama from Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. The ritual is a part of the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult. The dance is performed in bhadrakali temples, the temples of the Mother Goddess, between February and May after the harvesting season. In 2010 Mudiyettu was inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, becoming the second art form from Kerala after Koodiyattam.

Correct Answer  – C. Assay

Explanation: Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare  released recombinant Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The kits are for Glanders and Equine Infectious Anaemia. Both these diseases are notifiable diseases in India and require special diagnosis for control and eradication in the country.