10-11 JAN 2016
1) What
was the important feature associated with the 14th Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas that was observed on 9 January 2016? – It was the
first limited or shortened edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Explanation: The
first limited edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was observed on 9
January 2016. Last year, the government had decided to hold larger version
of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) after every two years and that limited
version of the event will be organised in the intervening year. 13th
edition of PBD was held in Gandhinagar (Gujarat) last year.
It
was also the first time that the event was organised by the External
Affairs Ministry (MEA
) in the wake of government’s decision to merge
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) with it.
PBD
2016 was addressed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her
address was webcast by almost all Indian missions and posts abroad. This
was followed by video-conferencing with select Indian Missions.
9
January was chosen as the day for PBD as it was on this day in 1915 that
Mahatma Gandhi, the “greatest Pravasi”, returned to India from South
Africa and led India’s freedom struggle. The event has been held annually
since 2003.
2) The
proposal to merge the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with the Ministry of
External Affairs (MEA) was approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently.
What was the main objective of creating the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
(MOIA)? – To improve engagement with the Indian diaspora
Explanation: Established
in May 2004 as the Ministry of Non-Resident Indians’ Affairs, it was renamed as
the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) in September 2004. The primary
task of the MOIA was to connect the Indian diaspora with its motherland.
The
MOIA initiated various programmes focusing on developing networks with and
amongst the overseas Indians with the intent of building partnership with the
diaspora.
But
it was merged with MEA in sync with Union Government’s broad principle of
minimum government, maximum governance. IT was also realised that substantial
work of MOIA is done through Indian missions abroad.
3) The
Ganga Sagar Mela started from 10 January 2016. The annual event, that features
bathing rituals with Hindu devotes taking holy dips in sacred waters
of Ganges River, is held annually at – Sagar Island or
Sagardwip (West Bengal)
Explanation: Ganga
Sagar Mela, also known as Ganga Sagar Yatra or Ganga Snan, is the annual
gathering of Hindu pilgrims to take holy dip in River Ganges at Sagar Island or
Sagardwip in West Bengal. This year’s Mela is being held from 10 January to 15
January 2016. Pilgrims attending the annual fair at the Sagar Island, one among
the cluster of islands at South 24 Parganas district, have been provided with
various facilities such as toilets by the district administration.
4) The
43rd edition of New Delhi World Book Fair commenced from 9
January 2016 at New Delhi’s sprawling Pragati Maidan. Which country is
participating in this fair as the guest of honour country? – China
Sagar
Island is the place where the Ganges merges in the Bay of Bengal Sea. This Mela
is one of the biggest religious events of the country that witnesses the
gathering of lakhs of pilgrims. During this Mela, Hindu pilgrims
from India and around the world arrive at Sagar Island to
take a holy dip in sacred waters of Ganges.
Explanation: The
nine-day fair, touted as the largest in Asia, is hosting about 30 countries in
the fair. While China is the guest of honour country, ‘Cultural Heritage of
India’ is the theme presentation of the fair. This Book Fair was inaugurated on
9 January by Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani.
China
was invited to be the guest country after the visit of Chinese President Xi
Jinping here last year where he signed a memorandum of understanding with Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
5) What
is the name of the founder of the scam ridden non-banking finance company PACL
Limited who was arrested by sleuths of the CBI on 8 January 2016 for cheating
investors for over Rs. 45,000 crore? – Nirmal Singh Bhangoo
Explanation: The
arrest of Nirmal Singh Bhangoo came 17 months after markets regulator the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) ordered PACL to return money to
millions of investors, saying the company was running an illegal investment
scheme. The scheme promised depositors returns on investments in agricultural
land.
The
case involves alleged collection of about Rs. 45,000 crore from roughly 55
million investors across the country, making it the biggest financial scandal.
6) Which
private sector bank has recently partnered FINO PayTech to foray into the
payments bank space, as announced on 8 January 2016? – ICICI Bank
Explanation: By
tying up with FINO PayTech, ICICI Bank has joined some of the leading lenders
of the country which have partnered with payments banks that have received
licence from the banking regulator RBI. For example, State Bank of India and
Kotak Mahindra Bank have picked up stake in the payments banks that will be
floated by Reliance Industries and the Bharti Group, respectively.
FINO
Paytech had received ‘in principle’ licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
to start a payment bank. RBI regulations allow universal banks to invest up 30
per cent in payments bank.
12 JAN 2016
1) What
is the name of the Syrian Foreign Minister who arrived in New Delhi on 11
January 2016 to holds talks with his Indian counterpart before peace talks in
Syria? – Walid Muallem
Explanation: Syrian
Foreign Minister Walid Muallem came to New Delhi on 11 January 2016 on his
3-day visit to India. He held discussions with Indian Foreign Minister Sushma
Swaraj and a few other government functionaries.
The
discussions were held so as to build international support for President Bashar
Assad’s government before peace talks in Geneva. Peace talks between Assad’s
government and the Syrian opposition are due to begin on 25 January 2016 as part
of an ambitious 18-month plan endorsed by the UN Security Council.
The
UN-backed plan foresees a rapid ceasefire, and calls for talks that would lead
to the establishment of an inclusive transitional governing body with full
executive powers within six months.
2) India’s
leading online marketplace Flipkart on 11 January 2016 announced that Sachin
Bansal, CEO and Co-founder of Flipkart will now hand over his current
responsibilities to his co-founder Binny Bansal. What will be the new
designation for Sachin Bansal? – Executive Chairman
Explanation: Sachin
Bansal will become the company’s Executive Chairman and will provide mentoring
to the Flipkart leadership team. On the other hand, Binny as CEO will now be
responsible for operationally driving the company and will be accountable for
Flipkart’s overall performance.
Flipkart
is the leading online marketplace in India with US$ 1 billion in gross
merchandise value in 2013-14. It was founded in 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny
Bansal, two ex-employees of Amazon.com.
3) Ravindra
Kalia, who passed away on 8 January 2016, was a noted personality associated
with which field? – Hindi Literature
Explanation: Noted
Hindi writer Ravindra Kalia passed away on 8 January 2016. He was 78. He was
noted for his short stories and novels. He also served as a journalist and was
Director of the Bharatiya Jnanpith, one of the most prestigious literary
institutions in the country. He was suffering from liver cirrhosis.
His
important works were ‘Nau Saal Chotti Patni’, ‘Kaala Register’, ‘Gareebi Hatao’
(story collections), ‘Ghalib Chuti Sharaab’, ‘Comrade Monalisa’ (memoirs),
‘Khuda Sahi Salaamat Hai’, ‘ABCD’ and ’17 Ranade Road (novels).
4) Stan
Wawrinka of Switzerland won the men’s singles title of Chennai Open 2016 to win
his fourth title at the championships on 10 January 2016. Whom he defeated in
the finals? – Borna Coric (Croatia)
Explanation: World
No. 4 and top seed Stan Wawrinka defeated Borna Coric of Croatia by 6-3, 7-5 in
the final of 2016 Chennai Open played at the SDAT Tennis Stadium on 10 January
2016.
This
was fourth Chennai Open men’s title for Wawarinka, having won in 2011, 2014 and
2015. He is the most successful player at Chennai Open, which is the highest
ranked ATP tournament in India.
5) Which
American movie won the top honours including Best Movie, Best Director and Best
Actor at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony held on 10 January 2015? – ‘The
Revenant’
Explanation: The
Revenant is an American biographical movie set in 1823 Montana and South
Dakota. It earned Globes for best motion picture, best actor (Leonardo
DiCaprio) and Best Director (Alejandro Inarritu). DiCaprio beat out Bryan
Cranston of ‘Trumbo’, Michael Fassbender of ‘Steve Jobs’,
Eddie Redmayne of ‘The Danish Girl’, and Will Smith of ‘Concussion’.
Actors
Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Sylvester Stallone and Jon Hamm were the other
winners at the 2016 Globe Awards. Winslet walked away with the golden trophy in
the supporting actress category for her role in biopic ‘Steve Jobs’.
Brie Larson won the Golden Globe in best actress award in a motion
picture-drama category for her role in ‘Room’. Stallone won the
best supporting actor in a motion picture trophy for his role in ‘Creed’.
Damon won the best actor trophy in a musical or comedy category for his role
in ‘The Martian’.
Globe
Awards are often seen as the precursor to the Academy Awards (Oscars) and the
winners are seen as the major contenders for the Oscars.
6) British
artist David Bowie who passed away on 10 January 2016 at the age of 69, was
associated with which field? –Singing
Explanation: 69-year
old David Bowie was primarily a singer but was also known as an accomplished
songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer, arranger, painter and actor. He
was a figure in popular music for over four decades, and was known as an
innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s.
Throughout
his career, he has sold an estimated 140 million records worldwide. Bowie’s
breakthrough came with 1972’s ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust’ and
the ‘Spiders From Mars’. His last live performance was at a New York
charity concert in 2006.
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