Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2019

Notes:
Badri Narain Sharma, a Rajasthan cadre IAS officer of 1985 batch, has been re-appointed as chairman of the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) for next two years. The NAA ensures that consumers get benefit of reduced prices under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The NAA has been constituted under Section 171 of the Central GST Act of 2017 to ensure that the reduction in rate of tax or the benefit of input tax credit is passed on to the recipient by way of commensurate reduction in prices. The NAA has the power to cancel registration of any entity or business if it fails to pass on to consumers the benefit of lower taxes under the GST regime, but it would probably be the last step against any violator.

Notes:
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has launched a customised video interface – CISFTube – on the lines of YouTube and an on-line encyclopedia “Securitypedia” on the lines of Wikipedia to update its personnel about security related issues, best practices in forces and latest technologies available across the world. Securitypedia is an on-line encyclopedia which incorporates a wide gamut of security related practices across the globe. It is not just a static website containing data archives but is more of a dynamic platform where a force member can contribute by writing blogs on relevant security related professional issues. CISF Tube is an online video database of all videos relevant to CISF. The videos available on CISF Tube enable CISF personnel to learn on various subjects related to their functioning.

Notes:
Attoor Ravi Varma (88), the well-known poet and translator, has passed away in Thrissur, Kerala on July 26, 2019. He was considered as one of the pioneers of modern Malayalam poetry. He was recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Ashan Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, and Kendra Sahitya Academy Award. His poems ignored metre and used free verse. His major works include Kavitha; Attur Ravi Varmayude Kavithakal (1957-1994); Attur Ravi Varmayude Kavithakal (1995-2003); J.J. Chila Kurippukal; Oru Pulimarathinte Katha; Nale Mattoru Nal Matram; Randam Yamangalude Katha; and Puthunaanooru: Thamizh Kavithakalude Mozhimattam.

Notes:
Veteran star Meryl Streep will become the first-ever recipient of the TIFF Tribute Actor award at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF-2019). She will receive the award in person on 9th September for her tremendous contribution to cinema, television and the stage spans five decades. Streep is a 3-time Oscar winner for ‘The Iron Lady’, ‘Sophie’s Choice and Kramer vs. Kramer. She previously scored an Emmy win for her leading role in HBO’s miniseries adaptation of ‘Angels in America’. The actor’s next film “The Laundromat”, about the Panama Papers scandal, is among the films that will be screened at the famed festival.

Notes:
Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani has launched an account aggregator model – Sahamati – via which, individuals and small businesses can share their digital financial data with third-parties in a safe and secure manner. For example, a user seeking a loan will be able to quickly share bank statements and other details required by lending institutions digitally through their choice of preferred Account Aggregator (AA). So far, six AAs have received in-principle approval from the RBI. These include NESL Asset Data, CAMS Finserv Financial Services, Cookiejar Technologies Pvt Ltd, FinSec AA Solutions Pvt Ltd, Yodlee Finsoft Pvt Ltd, and Jio Information Solutions. In order to support the ecosystem, Sahamati has been formed as a Section 8 non-profit. It will be headed by BG Mahesh who founded OneIndia.com. Sahamati will apply for the SRO (self-regulatory organisation) licence with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which will give it a self-governing body status, allowing it to work on a code of conduct and best practices for member organizations. The technology framework was developed by non-profit iSpirt.

Notes:
The researchers at the IIT Kanpur and the Lucknow-based Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) have designed a novel molecular framework to destroy superbugs, which are becoming increasingly resistant to most known antibiotics. It would help drugs latch on to the germs and prevent them from multiplying. For the study, the scientists used bacteria – Staphylococcus Aureus – which are frequently found in the nostrils, upper respiratory tract and on the skin of nearly 30% of people. According to researchers, a substance called gyrase is essential for bacteria’s survival and multiplication. In most organisms, there are two types of gyrases — gyrase A and gyrase B. The new molecule targets gyrase B, which is more conserved in organisms and hence difficult to mutate. The strategy is very attractive because it makes it possible to destroy these bacteria with the same class of drugs to which they have developed resistance.

Notes:
Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, who has vast experience in counter-terror operations, will be the next Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. He will succeed Lt Gen Anil Chauhan on October 15. Currently, he is serving as General Officer Commanding of the Army’s Nagrota-based XVI Corps. As DGMO, Lt Gen Singh will oversee various operations of the Indian Army including along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. He has vast experience in high-altitude warfare, including a tenure at the Siachen Glacier. He spent most of his career conducting counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, besides taking part in operations against the LTTE in Sri Lanka. He was also involved in the planning of the 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Notes:
The 5th International Dharma-Dhamma conference was held in Rajgir, Bihar from 27-28 July 2019. Approx 200 delegates from 15 countries participated in the conference. The main purpose of this conference was to address people about the terror, violence and global warming prevalent in the world. This two-day conference addressed the subjects of Sat-Chit-Ananda and Nirvana which are the pivotal topics of Buddhism. The Dharma-Dhamma conference will act as a platform for the Hindu and Buddhist thinkers to express their views.

Notes:
Pakistan has opened a 1,000-year-old Hindu temple in eastern city Sialkot for worship for the first time since partition on the demand of the local Hindu community. The step was taken on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Shawala Teja Singh Temple in Dhaarowal was built by Sardar Teja Singh and closed during partition. The Hindus of Sialkot stopped visiting the temple after a mob damaged it in 1992 while protesting the demolition of the Babri Masjid in India. According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu girl Jerlin Anika has won gold at the 2019 World Deaf Youth Badminton Championships in Taipei, Taiwan. She has also bagged two silver and one bronze medal in the championship in the Under-18 category. She is just 15 years old and a student of class 10 in a government school in Madurai.