Current Affairs Questions & Answers - Oct 19, 2015

ANSWER: Quebec

Explanation:
Standing in solidarity with Indian authors protesting against rising intolerance in the nation, PEN International has urged the government to provide better protection to persons and safeguard free speech. A statement to this effect was issued by delegates of 73 nations participating in the 81st Congress of Pen International in Quebec City, Canada. PEN International president John Ralston Saul has also composed a letter to the Indian PM, President and Sahitya Akademi to protect the rights of everyone including artists and authors.

ANSWER: Suman Sharma

Explanation:
CM Vasundhara Raje has appointed loyalist Suman Sharma as chairperson of Rajasthan State Commission for Women apart from selecting Pilani MLA Sunder Lal Kaka as chairman of Rajasthan State Commission for Scheduled Castes and ex MP Gopal Pan cherwal as chairman of Rajasthan State Safai Karmchari Aayog. All three leaders have been given the status of minister of state. Commissions and boards awaiting political appointments in the state include Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission, Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Rajasthan State Commission for Minorities and Rajasthan Information Commission, among others.

ANSWER: Scott Kelly

Explanation:
US astronaut Scott Kelly broke the record for most time spent in space for a United States national at 383 days. He is more than halfway through a yearly mission at ISS and has set the record for the longest single US space mission. His 500 plus days in total in orbit will be one of the longest durations for which an astronaut has stayed in space. Currently, the longest duration of space travel is held by Russian Gennady Padalka at 879 days in space.

ANSWER: Kashinath Singh and Katyayani Vidmahe

Explanation:
Well known author Kashinath Singh has protested against “irresponsible” comments by numerous Union Ministers against fellow Sahitya Akademi award winning writers who have decided to return their honours by returning the award too. Telugu writer Katyayani Vidmake has also decided to return her 2013 Kendriya Sahitya Akademi translation award in solidarity with the authors. Singh will had over his 2011 award won for fiction Rehan Par Raghu on 19th October 2015. The writers are protesting against the killing of rationalists Murugan, Kalburgi and Pansare and the Dadri lynching incident. Vidmahe received her award for Sahityakashamlo Sagam - Streela Astitwa Sahityam - Kavitwam - Katha, a compilation of essays about literature on gender identity published in 2010. Close to 33 authors have now returned their awards to the Sahitya Akademi and 5 writers have stepped down from official positions so far.

ANSWER: Munawwar Rana

Explanation:
Celebrated Hindi and Urdu poet Munawwar Rana has decided to return the Sahitya Akademi award. He has also refused to accept any awards from the government after this. Rana had won the Sahitya Akademi award in 2014 for massive contribution to Urdu literature and poetry. Before him, writers such as Katyayani Vidmahe and Ghulab Nabi Khayal as well as Nand Bhardwaj have returned their awards.

ANSWER: K. Katyayani

Explanation:
The writer will be returning her award in solidarity with other writers against state supported violence. She received the Sahitya Akademi award in 2013 for her work`Saahityakasham Lo Sagam', a critique of literature.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Black rice is grown in Manipur where it is called Chakhao amubi. It is also known as purple or forbidden rice. Its botanical name is Oryza Sativa L. This little known rice variety has entered world markets through China which cultivates it for consumption and export. IARI has promoted black rice because it has medicinal value and is rich in disease fighting antioxidants apart from being anti-cancerous. It is also much in dietary fibre and is said to have anti-inflammatory properties, apart from providing relief from diabetes and heart disease. Government of India promotes 7 other lesser known rice varieties namely Kalanamak, Palakkadan Matta, Navara, Pokkali, Wayanad Jeerakasala, Kaipad and Wahanad Gandhankasala.

ANSWER: Li Xuereui

Explanation:
PV SIndhu beat Carolina Marin to reach the final of the Denmark Open Super series in Odense on 17th October 2015. After beating Tai Tau Ying and Wang Yihan of China, she suffered a straight game defeat against Olympic champion Li Xuerui who notched up a 21-19, 21-12 win.

ANSWER: Pradeep Gandhe

Explanation:
After close to 10 years as the Maharashtra Badminton Association President, Pradeep Gandhe has taken the decision to step down from his post. He has been replaced by Arun Lakhani as the new president. Gandhe stepped down after 11 years of active service. Lakhani has been a member of the Executive Committee of MBA and has been associated with the sport since college days.

ANSWER: Arkha Sahan

Explanation:
India aims to promote a new variety of custard apple called Arka Sahan which was developed by IIHR Bengaluru in a span of 17 years. Said to be unbeatable in terms of nutritional value, size and shelf life, this is not pure Sitaphal but a new fruit comprising 75% of the former and 25% cherimoya. Fruit gets its name from Arkavati river flowing close to IIHR Bengaluru. From the nutritional point of view, the new variety of custard apple contains 87% more crude protein, 249% greater phosphorous and 42% more calcium compared to custard apple. It can be cultivated in hot dry regions such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka. It has few seeds and ripe fruit is firm along with longer shelf life. This is 25% larger than the typical custard apple.

ANSWER: Enceladus

Explanation:
Scientists have confirmed that Enceladus, one of Saturn’s many moons comprises an ocean beneath its icy exterior meaning it has the capacity to support life. Cassini orbiter obtained pictures of the moon confirming this fact on 14th October 2015. While one side of the top has cracks and crater marks, the other is smoother and the moon which is the sixth largest has an ocean which could help to produce life. Enceladus is one tenth the size of Titan. Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system and the sixth from the Sun. Its orbital period is 29 years. It has 53 named moons.

ANSWER: Barkha Shukla Singh

Explanation:
Former Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Barkha Shukla Singh has taken charge as president of the women’s wing of Delhi Congress on 17th October 2015. She took charge in the presence of All India Mahila Congress President Shobhaa Oza and DPCC president Ajay Maken.Currently, the DCW chairperson is AAP leader Swati Malliwal.

ANSWER: Smita Patil

Explanation:
Well known film critic Maithili Rao’s new book “Smita Patil- A Brief Incandescence” has finally been released on 18th October 2015. This book was launched to coincide with the actress’s 60th birth anniversary. Amitabh Bachchan was the chief guest at the book launch ceremony.

ANSWER: Rail Neer

Explanation:
CBI has unearthed a major scam pertaining to supply of packaged drinking water Rail Neer within the railways. CBI registered a case against two Northern Railway senior officials and 7 private companies namely RK Associates Pvt Ltd, Satyam Caterers Pvt Ltd, Ambuj Hotel and Real Estate, PK Associates Pvt Ltd, Sunshine Pvt Ltd, Brandavan Food Product and Food World under Prevention of Corruption Act.

ANSWER: Crab Nebula

Explanation:
ASTROSAT is the first Indian space observatory which has spotted Crab Nebula using the CZTI or Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager. This is the brightest hard X-ray or highest energy X-ray source in the sky used to calibrate hard X-ray detectors. This proves ASTROSAT can sight X-ray sources. ASTRONAUT also spotted Cygnus X-1, a black hole source.