GK & Current Affairs Quiz: September 22, 2017

Notes:
Balraj Joshi has been appointed as the new Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd., the country’s premier hydro power utility. Presently, Joshi is at Director (Technical) in the organisation. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment to the post till December 31, 2019, i.e. the date of his superannuation, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Notes:
The 6th edition of International Textile and Apparel Fair “VASTRA-2017” has started in Jaipur, Rajasthan from September 21 where over 250 exhibitors from 13 states will showcase their products. The 4-day fest was inaugurated by Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. It is the ideal platform to enter JVs, strategic alliances and partnerships worldwide, launch new products, as well as, harness new locations for setting up businesses in India. It is also a place for disseminating technology and interacting with R&D Labs and experts for solution in technology and latest trends. Around 300 overseas buyers from more than 50 countries are participating in the fest.

Notes:
Lillian Ross (99), a pioneer of literary journalism, has passed away in New York, United States. She was a staff writer at The New Yorker from 1945 until she retired. Her close narrative style defined a memorable and influential 70-year career, including a revealing portrait of Ernest Hemingway, a classic Hollywood expose and a confession to an adulterous affair.

Notes:
Amit Masurkar’s acclaimed political satire “Newton” has been selected as India’s official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars 2018. Rajkummar Rao played a role of Newton Kumar, a presiding officer who is determined to hold a free and fair election in a Chhattisgarh village despite the threat of Naxalite violence and all-round cynicism. The movie, produced by Drishyam Films and distributed by Eros Entertainment, also stars Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil and Raghubir Yadav, and was released on September 22, 2017.

Notes:
India’s first electric bus service has launched by Himachal Pradesh Government for Rohtang Pass, a tourist destination near Manali. The electric bus, which is built by Goldstone Infratech, has been certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), after extensive testing at the parts and vehicle level. With this initiative, Himachal has become the first in the world to ply electric buses at an altitude of 13 thousand feet. These buses will ply on 51km eco fragile stretch between Manali and Rohtang. Each electric bus has a capacity to carry 30 passengers and can cover 200 km with the fully charged batteries. The fare is yet to be fixed but it would be marginally higher than diesel buses.

Notes:
India’s first indigenously built Scorpene submarine “ INS Kalvari” has been delivered to the Indian Navy at the Mazagon Dock Ltd shipyard and will soon be commissioned. Kalvari is named after the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean. It can carry 18 torpedoes and travel 1,020km underwater. The 66-metre submarine can dive up to a depth of 300 metres to elude enemy detection. It has superior stealth and the ability to launch crippling attacks on the enemy with precision-guided weapons. The attack can be carried out with torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles underwater or from the surface. This Scorpene submarine is designed to operate in all theatres of war, including the tropics. Kalvari is capable of handling various missions such as anti-surface warfare (attacking surface ships), anti-submarine warfare (destroying submarines), intelligence gathering, mine-laying and area surveillance.

Notes:
Qatar Airways has become the world’s first Airline to launch double beds in its brand new business class suite “Qsuite” from London to Doha in Qatar. Such suites will allow passengers to recline two middle seats into a fully flat bed and features partition panels to create a private bedroom with two entertainment screens inside. This new initiative marks a world-first for the industry and looks to set a precedent for rival carriers. Qatar Airways has launched the feature on a daily Boeing 777 service from London Heathrow.

Notes:
Jake LaMotta (95), the legendary American boxer, has passed away in Aventura, Florida. He was given the nickname “The Raging Bull” for his aggressive style in the ring, and was portrayed by Robert De Niro in the film Raging Bull, which examined his tumultuous life outside of the ring. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, is considered one of the greatest sports movies of all time and one of the best films ever made.

Notes:
P Alli Rani has been appointed the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Ltd. Presently, she is Director (Finance) in Container Corporation of India (CCI) Ltd. According to Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Rani has been appointed to the post for a period of five years.

Notes:
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) is located in Wayanad, Kerala and covers an area of 344 square kilometers. It is home to elephants, tigers, panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, monkeys, wild dogs, bisons, deer, bears, etc. The sanctuary is one of the safest havens for different species of vultures like the White-rumped Vultures and the Red-headed Vultures. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.