Current Affairs - 2019-20

Notes:
A market economy is an economic system where decision regarding investment, production, and distribution are based on supply and demand basis. But China’s economic system is characterized by large number of state-owned companies, with subsidies, with dumping facilities in other states. Since China’s economic system is in contrast to that of economic integration, both EU and USA are reluctant to treat China as a “market economy” under World Trade Organisation rules.

Notes:
Gujarat’s Dahej is all set to get India’s first roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) vessel passenger ferry services around April 2017. The Rs 550 crore projects being executed by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), and is expected to bring down travel time between Saurashtra regions in Gujarat with its Southern parts significantly. From Ghoga in Saurashtra to Dahej in South Gujarat takes around 10-12 hours for trucks and buses, and even by cars it is not less than 6-8 hours. Once the Ro-Ro ferry service commences, this time would be dramatically shortened to one and a half hours. Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter. This is in contrast to lift-on/lift-off (Lolo) vessels, which use a crane to load and unload cargo. Roll-on/Roll-off or ‘Ro-Ro’ services for freight transport have being proposed to be introduced at five places – Kolkata, Sahibganj, Varanasi, Patna and Bhagalpur besides setting up small terminals at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched of Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana (PMYY) to scale up an ecosystem of entrepreneurship for youngsters. PMYY is MSDE’s flagship scheme on entrepreneurship education and training. The scheme spans over five years (2016-17 to 2020-21) with a project cost of 499.94 crore rupees. It will provide entrepreneurship education and training to over 7 lakh students in 5 years through 3,050 institutes. It will provide easy access to information and mentor network, incubator, credit and accelerator and advocacy to create a pathway for the youth. The institutes under the PMYY include 2,200 institutes of higher learning (colleges, universities, and premier institutes), 500 ITIs, 300 schools and 50 entrepreneurship development centres through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

Notes:
Recently, the government launched options trading in guarseed on the commodity bourse NCDEX. NCDEX is the second exchange after MCX to launch options trading in commodities. In October 2017, MCX had launched gold options. Guarseed is the first agri-commodity options.

Notes:
First statement is incorrect because SRESTHA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology & Holistic Advancement) would be headed by an eminent scientist reporting directly to Chairman, Railway Board and would be staffed with scientists and a limited number of Railway experts. RDSO functioning will be made totally transparent with time bound results.

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The National Press Day (NPD) is celebrated every year on 16th of November to commemorate the establishment of Press Council of India (PCI) in 1966. This was the day on which the PCI started functioning as a moral watchdog to ensure that not only did the press maintain the high standards expected from this powerful medium but also that it was not fettered by the influence or threats of any extraneous factors. The day is also celebrated as a symbol of a free and responsible press in India.

Notes:
Uttarakhand has been adjudged the best state at the 38th India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi, which showcased reconstruction work done at Kedarnath in recent months besides steps taken by the state government to boost tourism and promote local products like organic honey. Beside this, Himachal Pradesh pavilion has been awarded silver medal for excellent display in the 2018 IITF. This is for the first time that state pavilion has received an award for showcasing traditional products like Kullu and Kinnauri shawls, Chamba Rumaal, Kangra and Thanka paintings and wooden and metal craft manufactured by the rural entrepreneurs in the trade fair to promote rural enterprise. Besides, processed fruits prepared by the senior citizens of Nerwa in Shimla district and apple chips of Shimla’s startup M/s Draplaz were also exhibited.

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Ali Ashfaq is the Maldivian professional footballer who plays for Maldivian club TC Sports Clu

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Subhash Singh was declared as the Fans Player of the Year in 2017-18 season. He is an Indian Footballer who plays as a defender in IMG Reliance. He is 31. Where are the headquarters of UEFA?

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Muskan Muskan was not in the Indian team which had won a Gold medal at the second 2018 ISSF Junior World Cup in 10m air rifle team event for women.