Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2019

Notes:
In a bid to evaluate the environmental performance of existing schools across India, the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Council has recently released a rating tool ‘GRIHA for Existing Day Schools’. The rating tool will work as an integrated tool to evaluate performance and provide solutions for enhanced energy and water efficiencies, increased thermal and visual comfort, and decreased operational and maintenance costs. The purpose of the rating is to familiarize the students with the concepts of sustainability by involving them, under the guidance of their teachers, on evaluating the environmental impact of schools on the environment. Through the rating process, students and teachers will get an opportunity to establish contact with nature and with each other using the approach of co-creation and understanding.

Notes:
The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) has recently appointed Dragan Mihailovic (from Serbia) as head coach of the men’s national team in a move linked to the long term goal of Olympic Games qualification. The VFI also announced the appointment of Pryemyslaw Gaszyoski and Valadimir Radosevic as the team’s physio trainer and physiotherapist respectively. Besides the men’s national team, the trio will also look after the men’s U-23 team and other junior teams representing India. All the three have been appointed for 5 months and will work with the team for the Asian Championships scheduled to be held in Iran during September.

Notes:
A Japanese aerospace startup Interstellar Technology Inc. has become the first private firm in Japan to launch a rocket into space. It has successfully launched a small rocket ‘Momo-3’ from its test site in Hokkaido, which reached about 110 kilometers (68 miles) in altitude before falling into the Pacific Ocean after 10 minutes of flight time. With this feat, Momo-3 has become the Japan’s first privately developed model to reach outer space. The rocket is about 10 meters (32 feet) long & 50 centimeters (1.5 feet) in diameter, and weighs about 1 ton. The rocket is capable of putting payloads into orbit. The Interstellar Technology, founded in 2013 by former Livedoor Co. President Takafumi Horie, aims to develop low-cost commercial rockets to carry satellites into space.

Notes:
For the first time, researchers have recently sighted nests of the grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura) at Pakkamalai Reserve Forests near Gingee (Tamil Nadu) in the Eastern Ghats. It is an endangered species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The grizzled giant squirrel is usually known to nest in the Western Ghats in Southern India ranging from Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary in Kerala to Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Palani hills in Tamil Nadu. Owing to habitat loss and poaching, the species has been categorized as near threatened by the Red List and listed under Schedule II of CITES. The grizzled giant squirrel has a body length of 25-45 cms, with an equally long or slightly longer tail. It can weigh anything between 1.5-3 kg.

Notes:
The meeting of the Regional Heads of Customs Administration of Asia Pacific Region of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) is being organized by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in Kochi from 08th to 10th May, 2019. India is hosting this meeting in its capacity as Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific region that it assumed on 1st July, 2018 for a two-year period. The meeting will take stock of the progress being made in carrying forward the programmes and initiatives of WCO to promote, facilitate and secure the cross-border trade in the region and the capacity building and technical assistance required to achieve this goal. This meeting is being chaired by Mr. Pranab Kumar Das, CBIC Chairman.

Notes:
Samsung Electronics Co has recently launched the world’s highest-resolution image sensor for smartphones at 64-Megapixels to meet the growing demand for mobile devices with better image quality. The company expands its 0.8μm image sensor lineup with 64Mp ISOCELL Bright GW1 and 48Mp ISOCELL Bright GM2 that allow vibrant ultra-high resolution mobile photography. With the addition, Samsung expanded its 0.8μm image sensor lineup, the smallest pixel size currently available in the market, from existing 20Mp to ultra-high 64Mp resolutions.

Notes:
The National Technology Day (NTD) is held every year on May 11 to celebrate India’s achievements in science and technology and to mark the historic feat of test-firing its very first nuclear-capable missile back in 1998 at Pokhran. The day also highlights the importance of science in daily life and encourages youngsters to embrace it as a career option. On this day in 1998, India successfully tested Shakti-I nuclear missile at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. The tests were conducted under the leadership of Former President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who was then DRDO Chief, and Dr R Chidambaran, then Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). A team of more than 100 scientists, technicians and soldiers were involved in the successfully conducted tests.

Notes:
Prof. Kirpal Singh (95), the renowned Sikh historian and chronicler, has passed away in Chandigarh on May 7, 2019. He was the first chronicler of India’s partition. The historian had retired as professor and head of the department of Punjab Historical Studies in Punjabi University, Patiala. Before joining Punjabi University, he was lecturer at the Khalsa College in Amritsar and worked on the Sikh historical research. With over 40 books on history to his credit, the Akal Takht had in 2014 conferred the title of National Professor of Sikhism on him. To compile the history of Partition, he even visited UK in early 1960s and interviewed many bigwigs who associated with it, including then Prime Minister Clement Attlee. Kirpal had established the Oral History Cell at Punjabi University in 1973 having over 400 statements of eminent persons in several fields.

Notes:
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who made a mark for India and IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, has been adjudged as International Bowler of the Year during the CEAT Cricket Rating (CCR) International awards 2019. The ceremony was held in Mumbai in presence of a galaxy of past and present cricketers on May 13. Indian captain Virat Kohli bagged the International Cricketer and Batsman of the Year award. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was awarded for outstanding bowling and Australian batsman Aaron Finch for his exceptional performance in T20. Young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal, who performed exceptionally over the year was awarded Junior Cricketer of the Year, while chinaman Kuldeep Yadav took the home outstanding performance of the year award. Ashutosh Aman was awarded Domestic Cricketer of the Year. Legendary Mohinder Amarnath, who played a key role in India’s 1983 World Cup triumph, was bestowed with the ‘CCR International Lifetime Achievement Award’.

Notes:
Kiki Bertens has won women’s singles title at the 2019 Madrid Open tennis tournament. In the final, she defeated Simona Halep 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets to win the coveted title. Earlier, in the ongoing tournament, Top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia beat Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-3, 6-4 to win his third Madrid Open Tennis title.