1. Asim Basu, who passed away recently, was the renowned theatre actor from which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Asim Basu (81), the renowned theatre artiste and director, art director, painter and playwright, has recently passed away in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was known for his set design work in Ollywood movies and designing Oriya book covers and movie posters. He directed around 200 plays and did stage designing for over 500 plays and was the art director for several Odia films. Some of his major works are Indradhanura Chhai, Dadagiri and apana Banika.
2. Which warship has become the India’s first warship to install solar panels on board?
[A] INS Vindhyagiri
[B] INS Godavari
[C] INS Sarvekshak
[D] INS Sindhudurg
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [INS Sarvekshak]
Notes:
Indian Navy’s survey vessel INS Sarvekshak has become the India’s first warship to install solar power system on board. The solar power system works on sunlight and hence is 100% per cent reliable for power source that can be used for communication equipment, battery charging and general lightings onboard round the clock with battery outputs during night. The system is maintenance free.
3. Who has become the first Indian ever to be promoted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as Technical Delegate (TD)?
[A] Surendra Bhatnagar
[B] Norman Isaac
[C] Mohd. Rizwan
[D] Harikrishna Prasad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Norman Isaac]
Notes:
Norman Isaac has become the first Indian ever to be promoted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as Technical Delegate (TD). As a TD, Isaac will be assigned to any country except his own and will be responsible for conduct of an entire event, ranging from actual competition management to every related aspect from media arrangements to logistics. Prior to this appointment, he was a FIBA Commissioner.
4. Which film has won the Golden Bear Award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival-2017?
[A] Bright Nights
[B] The Other Side of Hope
[C] On Body and Soul
[D] Close Knit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [On Body and Soul]
Notes:
The Hungarian drama film “On Body and Soul” has won the Golden Bear Award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival. At Berlin it also won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESC) Prize and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. The film is directed by Hungarian writer-director Ildiko Enyedi.
5. Who has taken charge as the Whole Time Member (WTM) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)?
[A] Neha Sharma
[B] Suman Saxena
[C] Vasant Kumar
[D] Niranjan Tyagi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Suman Saxena]
Notes:
Suman Saxena, the former Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), has taken charge as the Whole Time Member (WTM) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). She would look after research and regulation wing apart from national insolvency programme, continuing professional programme as well as knowledge management and partnership. Currently, the board of IBBI — set up under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code — has five members including Chairman Dr. M S Sahoo. Others are Ajay Tyagi, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, G S Yadav and A Unnikrishnan.
6. Which union ministry to host Cultural Harmony Conclave under “Hamari Dharohar” Scheme in New Delhi?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Minority Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of Minority Affairs will host Cultural Harmony Conclave under Hamari Dharohar Scheme in New Delhi on April-May 2017. It has been decided recently in the first meeting of high-level committee on Cultural Harmony Conclave under “Hamari Dharohar (Our Heritage)” scheme of Minority Affairs Ministry. The meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in New Delhi. It was attended by several renowned artists, musicians, writers.
7. Punjala Shiva Shankar, who passed away recently, was related to which field?
[A] Film Industry
[B] Sports
[C] Politics
[D] Journalism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Politics]
Notes:
Punjala Shiv Shankar (87), an Indian politician, has recently passed away in Hyderabad. He served as the Minister of External Affairs (MEA), Law and Petroleum. He was a very influential minister in Indira Gandhi’s and Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinets and is one of the most senior politicians in India. He also served as the Governor of Sikkim and Kerala.
8. Who has been conferred with the 2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award?
[A] Aung San Suu Kyi
[B] Robyn Rihanna Fenty
[C] Thorbjorn Jagland
[D] Bishop Desmond Tutu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Robyn Rihanna Fenty]
Notes:
Robyn Rihanna Fenty, a Barbadian singer and songwriter, has been conferred with the 2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award in recognition for her work to improve cancer treatment in her home country of Barbados and for setting up a college scholarship to bring Caribbean students to study in the United States. The annual award by the prestigious university is given to an individual whose works and deeds have served to improve the quality of lives and have inspired people to greater heights.
9. Which city has topped the 2016 Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems (ASICS) Urban Governance ranking?
[A] Thiruvananthapuram
[B] Kolkata
[C] Bhubaneswar
[D] Pune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Thiruvananthapuram]
Notes:
Thiruvananthapuram has topped the list of Indian cities in the urban governance ranking of the 4th edition of Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems (ASICS)-2016. The survey conducted by Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, which evaluated 21 cities across 18 states. Pune stood at 2nd position followed by Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The ASICS highlighted inadequacies in urban governance that could affect public service delivery and quality of life. Janaagraha recommends changes in planning laws to address the issues challenging the efficient planning of the cities.
10. Rene Preval, who passed away recently, was the former President of which country?
[A] Iraq
[B] France
[C] Greece
[D] Haiti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Haiti]
Notes:
Rene Garcia Preval (74), the former President of Haiti, has recently passed away in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He was the agronomist and champion of the poor who served two terms as the country’s leader. Preval was the first elected head of state in Haitian history to peacefully receive power from a predecessor in office. His presidencies were marked by domestic tumult and attempts at economic stabilization.