GI, Kerala - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   Where does the Banaganapalle mango hail from?

a. TN
b. Andhra Pradesh
c. Kerala
d. Karnataka
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:
The famous Banaganapalle mangoes of Andhra Pradesh and Tulaipanji rice of West Bengal are among the seven commodities that have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) this fiscal year by the Indian patent office.

A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.

Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

Darjeeling tea, Tirupati laddu, Kangra paintings, Nagpur orange and Kashmir pashmina are among the registered GIs in India.

The other five products which have received the GI tag this year include Pochampally Ikat of Telangana; Gobindobhog rice of West Bengal; Durgi stone carvings and Etikoppaka toys of Andhra Pradesh; and Chakshesang shawl of Nagaland, according to the Indian patent office website.

In 2016-17, as many as 33 items got GI registration.

Experts said that this tag gave protection to the producer of these genuine products, which commanded premium pricing in the markets, both domestic and international.

Once the GI protection is granted, no other producer can misuse the name to market similar products. It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product.


2)   Where has the Muziris Heritage project been implemented?

a. Kerala
b. Karnataka
c. Tamil Nadu
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
This project was initiated 6 years ago. It is an important project for restoring archeological monuments through Thrissur, Enrakulam, Pattanam and Pallipuram. The project is named after Port Muziris where everything from stones to spices was traded. Large ships of ocean traders from across the world including Arabs, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese once came to this port. It is the largest conservation project in the country and the first green project in Kerala. It involves heritage, conservation and tourism. Apart from Athithi Devo Bhava, the Spice Route Initiative that will explore international linkages and collections across Malabar Coast and many parts of the world will be implemented with the support of UNESCO and United Nations World Tourism Organisation.


3)   Kerala has proposed the Kanivu scheme under which umbrella?

a. Kabivinte Keralam
b. Compassionate Kerala
c. Kind Kerala
d. Both a and b
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Kerala under the umbrella of Compassionate Kerala or Kanivinte Kerala has introduced an initiative called Kanivu for helping the ill and those with acute mental disorders living in isolation. INR 100 crore has been earmarked for this project. Food, medicine and care will be provided to needy people through community participation via this initiative.


4)   Rurban Mission will be launched from

a. Kerala
b. Odisha
c. Maharashtra
d. Uttar Pradesh
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:

  • Launched by Ministry of Rural Development, under Rurban Mission clusters of 15-20 villages having about 30 to 40 lakh population will be developed.
  • Rurban Mission to ransform rural areas to economically, socially and physically sustainable spaces will be launched on 28th Feburary, 2016 will be launched from Kerala.
  • In first year 100 Rurban growth clusters will be developed. The mission aims to create 300 such clusters over the next 3 years, across the country.
  • The funding for Rurban Clusters will be through various schemes of the Government converged into the cluster. To ensure an optimum level of development, fourteen components have been suggested as desirable for the cluster, which would include; Skill development training linked to economic activities.
  • For the selection of clusters, the Ministry of Rural Development is adopting a scientific process of cluster selection which involves an objective analysis at the District, Sub District and Village level, of the demography, economy, tourism and pilgrimage significance and transportation corridor impact.


5)   Which Indian state has attained 100% primary education status?

a. Kerala
b. Karnataka
c. MP
d. UP
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
Kerala has become the first state in the nation to attain total primary education. This has been attained through primary education equivalency drive of the state literacy mission-Athulyam. Equivalency programmes have produced great success and ultimate aim is to attain Plus Two education within the state.


6)   Mayyazhi Mahotsavam (Fete de Mahe), a three-day cultural extravaganza, started on 29 November 2015 at Mahe in which state?

a. Kerala
b. Karnataka
c. TN
d. WB
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
The festival is being organised jointly by the Department of Tourism and the Legislative Assembly Secretariat at Mahe, which is Puducherry’s exclave in Kerala. It will conclude on December 1, 2015. National as well as international performers will be part of this festival called Fete de Mahe.


7)   Which noted political leader has recently announced the decision to resign on 10th November 2015?

a. Oomen Chandy
b. KM Mani
c. Thomas Unniyadan
d. Both b and c
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: KM Mani

Explanation:
Finance Minister of Kerala K. M. Mani made the decision to resign. From the ruling United Democratic Front, he resigned from the Oommen Chandy cabinet following adverse remarks from Kerala HC. Government Chief Whip Thomas Unniyadan also resigned from his post in solidarity with Mani.


8)   Organic cash crops are being cultivated through special programmes in which Indian state?

a. Kerala
b. Karnataka
c. Tamil Nadu
d. Punjab
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
Organic cash crops are being cultivated via special programmes in numerous parts of the spice bowl of India, Kerala. The state government is aiming on increasing organic production of pepper and coffee(Wayanad); cardamom, tea and cocoa(Idukki); and vegetables and other products (Kasargod).


9)   As per the UNICEF report which state has all the social development indices in its favour to declare it as the first Child-friendly State in the country?

a. Kerala
b. Gujarat
c. Goa
d. West Bengal
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
UNICEF has made this assessment, based on the remarkable strides Kerala has made in the field of education, health and hygiene, sanitation, cleanliness and safe drinking water supply.


10)   Which state government launched a major campaign Subodham, in a bid to wean people away from addiction to liquor?

a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Andhra Pradesh
c. Assam
d. Kerala
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
Liquor consumption has alarmingly increased in Kerala over the years and has spread to all sections of the society. Subodham project aims to free one lakh people each year from alcohol addiction, through comprehensive, systematic awareness campaigns. The aim is to achieve the ambitious target of making the state totally alcohol free over the next ten years.