Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Apr 14, 2016

1)   India will be joining the SAWEN to work with 7 other South Asian countries to fight trans-border wildlife crime. What does SAWEN stand for?

a. South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network
b. South Asian Wildlife Enforcing Network
c. South American Wildlife Enforcement Network
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network

Explanation:
This network works with 7 other South Asian countries to fight against trans-border wildlife crime through communication as well as coordination, capacity building and collaboration in the region.

  • Other members of the network include Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This group aims at strong inter governmental regional approach for combating wildlife crime.
  • India will adopt the statue of the network and become the formal member to strengthen ties with remaining member countries.
  • Adopting the SAWEN statue will give India regional participation in combating wildlife crime. Common goals and approaches for combating illegal trade in the region is a must.


2)   Who has resigned from ride hailing app Ola?

a. Pradeep Dodle
b. Harsha Kumar
c. Sangita Sinha
d. Only a and b
e. All of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Only a and b

Explanation:
2 senior executives from ride hailing app Ola have resigned- Pradeep Dodle, head of cabs category management has quit the company while Harsha Kumar, associate vice president of products is serving her notice period.


3)   Scientists have discovered fresh technology to locate gravitational waves through the “observable universe”- what devices does this technology use?

a. Cat flap switches
b. Cat flap boxes
c. Cat flap chests
d. Cat flap pendulums
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Cat flap pendulums

Explanation:
Scientists from the University of Western Australia have identified gravitational waves through the observable universe instead of detecting the same a billion light years away. This could lead to numerous gravity wave events being recorded every day.

  • This cutting-edge technology involved tiny new devices known as "cat-flap" pendulums less than a millimetre in size which would be fitted to existing gravitational wave detectors.
  • Scientists announced in February 2015 that they had observed ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves, arriving at Earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe.
  • The finding confirmed Albert Einstein’s 1915 general theory of relativity and opened a new window to the cosmos.


4)   UCG has decided to relax criteria for which category of students for MPhil and PhD degrees?

a. Women
b. Disabled
c. SC
d. Only a and b
e. All of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Only a and b

Explanation:
University Grants Commission (UGC) on 14th April decided to relax criteria for women and disabled candidates pursuing MPhil and PhD degrees.

  • Women and those with more than 40% disability will now get a year extra to complete their MPhil papers and two years more to submit PhD theses.
  • All women candidates will also be provided maternity leave and child care leave for up to 240 days once while they pursue these two degrees.


5)   Which famous author and poet was selected for the Saraswati Samman for 2015?

a. Padma Sachdev
b. Shobhaa De
c. Eunice De Souza
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Padma Sachdev

Explanation:
Author and poet Padma Sachdev on 12 April 2016 was selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman for 2015 for her autobiography titled Chitt-Chete, written in Dogri language.

  • The book, published in 2007, links the personal trials and tribulations of the author with issues concerning society.
  • The Jammu born poet is the first lady poet of modern orientation in the Dogri language.
  • Some of the poetry collections she has published include “Meri Kavita Mere Geet” which has won the 1971 Sahitya Akademi Award.


6)   Which sports person was conferred with the Hridaynath Mangeshkar award on 12th April 2016?

a. Vishwanathan Anand
b. Sania Mirza
c. Mahesh Bhupathi
d. Sachin Tendulkar
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Vishwanathan Anand

Explanation:
Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on 12th April 2016 conferred the Hridaynath Award on Chess wizard Viswanathan Anand in Mumbai.

  • He was conferred the award during the celebrations of 25th anniversary of the Hridayesh Arts which gives the awards.
  • He was chosen for the award for his contributions to the game of Chess in India by becoming 5-time world chess champion.
  • Others who have received the award include Asha Bhosle, AR Rahman and Hariprasad Chaurasia.


7)   Which programme below is for Ganga Rejuvenation?

a. Namami Gange Programme
b. Swacch Bharat
c. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
d. Swaccha Ganga Programme
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Namami Gange Programme

Explanation:
Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and German International Cooperation (GIZ) on 13th April 2016 signed an Implementation agreement for Ganga Rejuvenation under the Namami Gange Programme.

  • The agreement was signed in New Delhi.
  • Project will collaborate with National and international initiatives including Indo-German bilateral projects like Support to National Urban Sanitation Policy (SNUSP) and Sustainable Environment-friendly Industrial Production (SEIP).
  • The project duration is three years that is from 2016 to 2018 and the German contribution in the project will be to the tune of 22.5 crore rupees.