Important G.K. & Current Affairs Questions – 23rd January 2019

Correct Answer – A. JNPT

Explanation: The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), India’s premiere container port got listed amongst the top 30 container ports globally, as per the latest Lloyds Report. JNPT notched up five spots, to be 28th on the list, compared to its previous ranking.This is a validation of all the efforts and strategic initiatives being implemented at JNPT in order to enhance overall port efficiency. Various new processes activated under the ‘ease of doing business’ initiative have not only helped in overall growth of the port business, but also allowed the EXIM trade to save time and cost which in turn have accentuated the growth story. Gaining operational efficiency is an on-going process and looking for solutions to better services so that the EXIM trade community benefits from it.

Correct Answer – B. Sea Vigil

Explanation: Ten years after “26/11”, the Indian Navy commenced the largest coastal defence exercise off the Indian coast. Exercise SEA VIGIL, a first of its kind, is being undertaken along the entire 7516.6 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India and is involving all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories along with all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.

Correct Answer – C. Varanasi

Explanation: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today inaugurated Centers of Excellence at Deen Dayal Hastkala Sankul in Varanasi. Arriving at the venue directly from the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations, the Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of 55 outlets which would serve as Centers of Excellence at the Hastkala Sankul, which is a complex dedicated to the handicrafts of the region. He walked through the various galleries of the Textiles Museum, before arriving at the Amphitheatre at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul.

Correct Answer – D. 15th

Explanation: The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the plenary session of the 15th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul in Varanasi. In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is the love and affection of the diaspora for the land of their forefathers which has brought them to India. He called upon the NRI community to join hands for building a new India.

Correct Answer – C. January 24

Explanation: To celebrate the role of education for peace and development, the United Nations General Assembly on December 3 adopted a resolution declaring January 24 as ‘International Day of Education.’ In India, National Education Day is observed on November 11 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first education minister of independent India — Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The proclamation of January 24 as the International Day of Education is an important step to promote education as a critical aspect of sustainable development. The UN resolution also mentioned every member states, organisations of the UN system, and civil society, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, the private sector, individuals and other relevant stakeholders to observe the International Day of Education.

Correct Answer – B. China

Explanation: India will surpass China to become the second largest oil demand growth centre globally in 2019 on back of buoyant auto fuel and LPG consumption, research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie said. In a report, Wood Mackenzie said India’s oil demand growth recovered strongly in 2018, overcoming the aftermath of the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation, and contributed 14 per cent of the global demand growth or 2,45,000 barrels per day. “We forecast oil demand to grow at the same level in 2019. This will result in India becoming the second largest demand growth centre globally in 2019, behind the US but ahead of China. Transport fuels – gasoline and diesel – and residential LPG will continue to be the two main drivers of oil demand growth,” it said.

Correct Answer – D. 100 crore

Explanation: The Maharashtra Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore for the construction of a memorial for late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. The Sena, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, has been often critical of the two governments. Last year, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party had announced to go solo in future elections. Mungantiwar expressed confidence that both the parties will be able to forge an alliance ahead of the polls.

Correct Answer – B. Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Tamil Nadu has released a Startup and Innovation Policy 2018-23 to provide an ‘innovative’ system for startups registered in the state. It also plans to make Tamil Nadu a ‘Global Innovation Hub’ for startups by 2023. The state government said that its core objectives are to support infrastructure in areas like Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence & machine learning, and software-as-a-service (SaaS).

Correct Answer – A. Delhi

Explanation: India’s first multiregional culture festival ARTH is about to start. The three-day festival that celebrates India’s heritage and culture will take place from February 8 and will continue till February 10. To be held at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in Delhi, it will witness the participation of more than 250 writers, scholars, artisans and artists from India and abroad. The cultural festival will not only celebrate India and the philosophy it harbours but also its essence. The presence of different philosophers, thinkers, scholars, authors will not only make it an extremely enriching experience for the audience but will also present them with varied perspectives.

Correct Answer  – B. Virat Kohli

Explanation: Indian captain Virat Kohli dominated the ICC Awards that were declared on Tuesday. He was elected Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year and also won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. In addition to these, he was also named captain of the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year for 2018.