GK & Current Affairs Quiz: April 14, 2017

Notes:
The World Bank (WB) has approved a $375 million loan to India’s first waterway project “National Waterway (NW) 1”. The waterway project is to create a water transport fairway on a 1,360-km stretch of the Ganga River between Varanasi and Haldia. The project will help build the infrastructure needed to develop water transportation in the area. It will finance the construction of six multi-modal terminals, 10 RORO jetties, ship-repair facilities as well as passenger jetties along the river. It will also help modernise the ageing Farakka lock and add a new lock to allow for smoother passage of boats. The project will also help the Inland Waterways Authority of India acquire a state-of-the-art River Information System as well as navigation aids to make travel on the river safer and more reliable. The US$375 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a 7-year grace period and a maturity of 17 years.

Notes:
Haldia Port of West Bengal has topped the list in the first-ever ranking of the ports on Sanitation Parameters under the Union Ministry of Shipping. The ranking was based on the efforts undertaken by ports to counter waste generating sources with respect to port operation, office area, township area and the response to incoming ships. The ranking of all 13 Indian ports was conducted by the Quality Council of India (QCI) during the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ observed from March 16-31, 2017.

Notes:
India has recently signed sport partnership agreement with Australia to increase cooperation in sports. The India-Australia Sports Partnership would facilitate exchange of athletes, coaches, technical officials, sports scientists between the two countries. It will advance India-Australia cooperation in four areas, athlete and coach training and development, sport science, sport governance and integrity and grassroots participation. Under the new partnership, Victoria University and the University of Canberra would work with India to assist in the establishment of a National Sports University (NSU) similar to the Australian Institute of Sport.

Notes:
India’s first industrial-articulated robot “TAL Brabo” has been launched by TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. It is the first industrial robot to be fully conceptualized, designed & made in India for Micro, Small and Medium Industries (MSME). The indigenously built robot is available in two variants of payloads of 2 kg and 10 kg, priced at Rs. 5 lakh and Rs.7 lakh. It can be used for tasks such as picking and placement of materials, welding, sealant application and vision-based inspection. The robot can be programmed to operate 24/7 and can perform complex operations cost effectively. Apart from the MSME sector, the robot can also be used by large-scale manufacturers.

Notes:
Dr. Mark Wainberg (71), the renowned Canadian AIDS researcher and social activist, has recently passed away in Bal Harbour, Florida, USA. He was a leader in the fight against AIDS and was a major force in HIV Science. Wainberg was the founder and Director of the McGill University AIDS Centre and the Lady Davis Institute at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital at the Montreal Jewish General Hospital and Professor of Medicine and of Microbiology at McGill University.

Notes:
Munshi Venu (63), a prominent Malayalam actor, has passed away at Chalakudy in Thrissur, Kerala. He acted in over 75 Malayalam films and will be remembered for his comical characters. He was best known for his roles in Chotta Mumbai, Salt ‘n’ Pepper, Kanyaka Talkies, Oru Muthassi Gadha, Immanuel and Daddy Cool.

Notes:
The Haryana government has recently launched ‘Operation Durga’ campaign to ensure women safety in the state. Under this campaign, 24 teams have been formed by the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad. The teams comprise woman personnel, including nine Sub-inspectors of Police, 14 Assistant Sub-inspectors, six Head Constables and 13 constables, besides other police officers from each district. The teams will visit public places such as schools, colleges, bus stands and railway stations and will nab anti-social elements indulging in crimes against women, including eve teasing, vulgar comments, stalking and other similar activities.

Notes:
The Sangken festival has started in Arunachal Pradesh from April 14, 2017 that marks the start of Theravada Buddhist New Year. It is celebrated by the Theravada Buddhist community. On the occasion the images of Buddha are taken out and are given ceremonial bath. The holy bath of lord Buddha is an auspicious event in the 3-day fest. Later people celebrate the festival by splashing water on each others, which symbolizes the spiritual cleansing in order to begin the New Year free from impurities. The water also symbolizes fortune and purity that is said to clear all diseases, sins and bad luck.

Notes:
Justice Gita Mittal has become the acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court (DHC). She has authored many significant judgments and was also instrumental in the establishment of vulnerable witness deposition complexes in Delhi. Her judicial pronouncements include judgments on compensation to riot victims, right to shelter for displaced persons, right to marriage of a woman member of the armed forces, among others. She has also been part of various court committees. She succeeded Chief Justice G. Rohini , who retires on April 13, 2017.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh has bagged Krishi Karman Award 2015-16 for commendable increase in food grains production. The state Agriculture Department has been selected for this award for the 3rd time due to their dedicated efforts in extending technological inputs and services to the farmers which resulted in increase in food grains production. The award would carries a trophy, citation and cash prize. Apart from this, the department has also done considerable work in promoting poly-house cultivation, crop diversification, micro irrigation, organic farming and soil health management. The state was also conferred the Krishi Karman Award for 2011-12 for increase in wheat production and in 2014-15 for increasing food grains production.