Important G.K. & Current Affairs Questions – 26th January 2019

Correct Answer – C. Jharkhand

Explanation: Centre has decided to renovate and develop around 400 abandoned airstrips across the country to strengthen air-connectivity. Disclosing this at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand on Thursday Secretary of Union Civil Aviation department R N Choubey said a drive has been launched to renovate and develop abandoned airstrips to improve air connectivity on the directive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Choubey said, the Airports Authority of India prepared a Memorandum of Understanding in this regard and sent it to all the 29 states and seven Union Territories expressing its willingness to develop those air strips along with the respective state governments. Union Civil Aviation department Secretary said that Jharkhand is the first state in the country where an MOU was signed to develop one such abandoned air strip at Dhalbhumgarh.

Correct Answer – A. 25th January

Explanation: On 25th January, National Tourism Day is observed every year to raise awareness of the importance of tourism for the country’s economy.

Correct Answer – B. Rio de Janeiro

Explanation: The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced that the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will be the World Capital of Architecture for 2020. Having defeated Paris and Melbourne, Rio will be the first city to receive the title under a program launched together by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) in November last year. The city will host the World Congress of UIA, in July 2020, an event that occurs every three years. According to UNESCO, the World Capital of Architecture is intended to become an international forum for debates about pressing global challenges from the perspectives of culture, cultural heritage, urban planning and architecture.

Correct Answer – D. Pranab Mukherjee

Explanation: Social activist Nanaji Deshmukh, Music maestro Bhupen Hazarika and  former President Pranab Mukherjee have been awarded with country’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna. As per a press communique issued by President’s office, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika will be awarded with the honour posthumously. The President also approved conferment of 112 Padma Awards, including 4 Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri Awards. Folk artist Teejan Bai, President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh, Industralist Anil kumar Manibhai Naik and theatre actor Balwant Moreshwar Purandare will be honoured with Padma Vibhushan.

Correct Answer – A. Chennai

Explanation: The objective of the event is to position Tamil Nadu as the investor’s choice besides showcasing its potential business opportunities. Over 250 companies from 10 countries have taken part in the event at Chennai Trade Centre.

Correct Answer – B. January 26

Explanation: Annually held on January 26, International Customs Day (ICD) recognizes the role of custom officials and agencies in maintaining border security. It focuses on the working conditions and challenges that customs officers face in their jobs. Custom agencies hold employee appreciation events where custom officers are recognized for their exemplary service. Workshops, conferences and talks that focus on the year’s theme and the challenges that agencies and officers face are also held. Several agencies also hold public outreach events where they educate the public about their jobs and responsibilities.

Correct Answer – B. 4th

Explanation: Fourth edition of Bharat Parv, showcasing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat has begun at Red Fort in Delhi. It will continue till 31st January. Tourism Ministry said, the five day event is a part of Republic Day Celebrations and the objective of this festival is to generate a patriotic fervour and promote rich cultural diversity of the country. Bharat Parv will be open for public from 12 Noon to 10 PM every day and the entry will be free.

Correct Answer – C. 15

Explanation: NASA’s Opportunity rover has completed 15 years of its touchdown on the surface of Mars. The US space agency said it has travelled 45 kilometres and logged its 5,000th Martian day back in February 2018. John Callas, project manager for Opportunity, however, said that at present the agency does not know the rover’s status.

Correct Answer – D. July 1

Explanation: FSSAI has said food businesses need to comply with new packaging regulations that bar use of recycled plastics and newspapers to wrap food articles by July 1. In a release, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said the new packaging regulations would raise the bar of food safety in India to the next level. The new regulations prohibit packaging material made of recycled plastics including carry bags for packaging, storing, carrying or dispensing articles of food.

Correct Answer  – E. None of these

Explanation: Scientists in China have cloned five monkeys for human disease research. The research team edited genes of monkeys to induce several human diseases like Alzheimer’s claiming that it would help in medical research. This experiment may likely to raise fresh ethical concerns about gene-editing. As per the media reports, this is the first time multiple clones had been made from a gene-edited monkey for biomedical research. The announcement in  National Science Review, a Chinese journal, follows the recent confirmation that the world’s first gene-edited human babies have been born in China,  which caused widespread disquiet in the scientific community.