Current Affairs Questions & Answers -Jan 21, 2016

ANSWER: Maharashtra

Explanation:
Maharashtra government and TATA Trust on 19th January has signed an MoU for skill training programme for youth in the state. Programme has been undertaken under the Kushal Maharashtra, Rojgaryukt Maharashtra initiative.As per the skill training programme for youth, skill development and vocational training centres will be established in 10 districts in Maharashtra.

ANSWER: Aroon Tikekar

Explanation:
Senior journalist and scholar Aroon Tikekar has passed away on 19th January 2016 in Mumbai at the age of 72. He has written over 20 books and passed away on account of breathing related complications. He became the Language and Literature Expert and Acquisitions Specialist at the US Library of Congress Office in New Delhi. He started his career with TOI.

ANSWER: Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project

Explanation:
India has signed a USD 250 million loan agreement with the World Bank for Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project for enhancing resilience to for floods and enhancing agricultural productivity. Objective of the project is for enhancing resilience to floods and enhancing agricultural production and productivity in targeted districts in Kosi River Basin and enhance the capacity of Bihar to respond effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency. FM has indicated this in a statement. Primary beneficiaries will be rural producer and households in the Kosi River Basin who are exposed to floods, it is indicated.

ANSWER: 0.7%

Explanation:
India’s current account deficit may narrow to 0.5% of GDP in 2016 from 0.7% in 2015 on account of lower commodity prices especially oil. Given lower oil prices, one expects CAD to narrow to 0.5% of GDP in 2016 from 0.7% in 2015. As per official figures, exports contracted for the 13th month in the row in December 2015. Outward shipments shrank 14.75% to USD 22.2 billion and global demand slowdown. Imports can plunged 3.88 percent for USD 33.9 billion in December ober the same month in the previous year.

ANSWER: Food security

Explanation:
Cabinet approves India’s stand on food security at WTO clearing the ex post facto stand taken by India for food security during the last WTO meeting at Nairobi. Cabinet has provided x post facto approval for approach adopted by India at Nairobi WTO meeting.

ANSWER: FirstCry

Explanation:
Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of TATA Sons, has invested an undisclosed amount in FirstCry dot com, an e-commerce platform for baby and maternity products. Tata has made the fourth such investment after backing backed pet portal DogSpot.in, data analytic startup Tracxn, and cashback and coupons site CashKaro - in his personal capacity.After being an exclusive online retailer, FirstCry has morphed into a multiple channel retailer with presence across web and mobile as well as offline segments. FirstCry has raised USD 69 million in capital from investors including IDG Ventures India, SAIF partners, Vertex Ventures, NEA and Valiant Capital.

ANSWER: Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research

Explanation:
Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi has approved MoU between Department of Space/ISRO and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research for the cooperation and exploration of outer space for purposes which are peaceful. The MoU will enable pursuing potential interest areas in both cooperative and commercial mode, namely: (1) Use of data from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites by KISR for initiating a few research and application projects; (2) Training; and (3) Building and launching of remote sensing and communication satellites on commercial terms.

ANSWER: Snehil Buxy

Explanation:
IIT Bombay alumnus Buxy has been the creator of Housing dot com’s early vision and design, as per a Mumbai based company according to a statement. Deep understanding of the real estate market has made a difference following her appointment.

ANSWER: Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

Explanation:
ISRO on 20th January 2016 has launched the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System I-E satellite which will provide navigation, tracking and mapping services within the Indian subcontinent. Satellite is the fifth of the IRNSS constellation launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in AP onboard the PSLV-C31. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle was the 32nd consecutively successful mission of the PSLV. XL configuration of the PSLV was used for this mission. This is the 11th time XL configuration was flown earlier ten being PSLV-C11/Chandrayaan-1, PSLV-C17/GSAT-12, PSLV-C19/RISAT-1, PSLV-C22/IRNSS-1A, PSLV-C25/Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, PSLV-C24/IRNSS-1B, PSLV-C26/IRNSS-1C, PSLV-C27/IRNSS-1D, PSLV-C28/DMC-3 and PSLV-C30/ASTROSAT missions.

ANSWER: Laurent Le Moal

Explanation:
PayU is one of the largest payment services platform appointing Laurent Le Moal as the new global CO. It has operations in 16 nations and is part of the leading global media and internet group, Naspers. Lemon will be reported directly to Naspers Group CEO Bob Van Dijk. PayU has its subsidiary PayUIndia based out of Delhi which operates through PayUIndia and PayUMoney and manages small and medium level businesses get access to payments through its platform.

ANSWER: 7

Explanation:
A team of exports have discovered ancient Buddhist caves in Mumbai National park in India. A total of 7 caves were found assumed to be atlas 2000 years old. Caves date between 1st Century BC and 5-6 Century AD. Caves are said to be Buddhist viharas or monk residences, that were used by the monks as a shelter during the monsoons.