Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2019

Notes:
On the occasion of nationwide Paryatan Parv 2019, the Union Ministry of Tourism launched the Audio Guide facility App “Audio Odigos” for 12 sites of India (including Iconic Sites) for the benefit of the tourists. It offers Government of India (GoI) verified content with visuals & voice over support. The app contains an inbuilt map of the site for a smooth navigation during the tour. Listeners will be offered various versions of history like Synopsis, Detailed History and Podcasts. The audio can be chosen in their preferred language & version of the history. 

Notes:
The Delhi Cabinet has recently approved a Bill to set up India’s first sports university in Delhi, which will offer graduation, post graduation and doctorate degrees in cricket, football, and hockey among other sports. The Delhi Sports University (DSU) is proposed to be set up as a State university and it will have a full-fledged Delhi Sports School (affiliated to the CBSE) for imparting education with emphasis on sports and to groom the students for a career in sports. The university will come up in 90 acres of land in Mundka and there will also be sports schools.

Notes:
Under the Food Safety Act of 2006, the Rajasthan government has recently announced a ban on paan masala containing magnesium carbonate, nicotine, tobacco, mineral oil and flavoured ‘supari’ in the state to reduce addiction among the youth. With this, Rajasthan has become the third State after Maharashtra and Bihar to announce such a move.

Notes:
As per 4th bi – monthly Monetary Policy Statement for 2019-20, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut  its key lending rate — repo rate – by 25 basis points to 5.15% in an effort to boost a sluggish economy as inflation remains in a comfortable zone.  This is the 5th consecutive rate cut by the apex bank this year.

Notes:
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has launched drive to convert the single use plastic waste into specialized bitumen (CRMB55) that can be used for construction of roads and highways. This initiative was launched to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi and as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. 

Notes:
Surender Singh of India created three world records at the ongoing 2019 World Powerlifting Championship in Berlin, Germany. Surender bagged gold in 110 kg category, Classic Raw and the Best Lifter Award in Classic Raw and Single Ply. While, 3-time World Champion Mukesh Singh went on to add another feather to his cap by winning yet another gold only to be known as 4-time World Champion.

Notes:
The Nobel Prize 2019 for Physics has jointly been awarded to three scientists – James Peebles, Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz – groundbreaking discoveries about the evolution of the universe and the Earth’s place in the cosmos. One half of the award was given to James Peebles for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology and the other half jointly to Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz for the discovery of an exo-planet orbiting a solar-type star. They will share a 9-million kronor cash award, a gold medal and a diploma. The laureates will receive them at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10. 

Notes:
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India have jointly launched Youth Co:Lab that aims to accelerate youth-led social entrepreneurship, innovation in India. Through Youth Co:Lab, young entrepreneurs and innovators will get a chance to connect with governments, mentors, incubators and investors, who will help equip them with entrepreneurial skills. It will invite young people in the age group of 18-29 years and start-ups to showcase their proposed ideas and solutions to tackle some of the region’s biggest social challenges.

Notes:
Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio has been named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples. She made history as the first indigenous performer nominated for a best actress honor at the 2019 Academy Awards for her performance in the film “Roma”, in which she speaks in an indigenous language and in Spanish.

Notes:
Ramesh Pandey, the 1996-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, has been selected for the prestigious UNEP’s Asia Environmental Enforcement Award for his excellent work in combating transboundary environmental crime. He will receive the award on November 13 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok.  Pandey is posted as Chief Conservator Forests (CCF) in Lucknow and Secretary of UP State Bio-diversity Board.  He is known for his investigation and intelligence gathering on poachers. The purpose of the Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards is to publicly recognise outstanding achievements by public organisations and individuals in Asia to combat transboundary environmental crime.