Current Affairs – 14/08/2020

National

1. The Katra to Delhi express road corridor is expected to be completed by which year?

a) 2021

b) 2022

c) 2023

d) 2024

Explanation: First-of-its-kind Katra (Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir)-Delhi Express Road corridor works have
begun and it is expected to be completed by 2023.It was announced by Union Minister for Development of North
Eastern Region (M-DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh. The express Corridor is expected to reduce the travel time between
Katra and Delhi to around six and half hours, the total outlay of the project is Rs. 35, 000 crores.

2. Who heads the three-judge bench of Supreme Court which passed judgement that daughters have equal
birthright to inherit property with retrospective effect?

a) Justice Arun Mishra

b) Justice Deepak Mishra

c) Justice Bobde

d) Justice RK Dhawan

Explanation: GorumaraNPIn accordance with the landmark judgment passed by three-judge Bench of Supreme Court
(SC) headed by Justice Arun Mishra and comprised of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and MukeshkumarRasikbhai Shah, as
per the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, the daughters will have equal inheritance rights as of sons in the
properties of fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers right from the codification of the law in 1956 i.e. it would
have retrospective effect.

3. The Moira bananas, Harmal Chillies & Khaje of which state has got GI tag recently?

a) Maharashtra

b) Goa

c) Karnataka

d) Kerala

Explanation: The Geographical Indications Registry headquartered in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) granted Geographical
Indications(GI) to Goa’s HarmalChillies which are grown only in Harmal village and adjacent areas of Pernem
taluka(specifically in the coastal village of Arambol), Moira bananas, a unique banana grown in Moira village of Bardez
taluka &Bicholim Taluka and Khaje, the traditional state sweet. Khaje got a GI tag under foodstuffs falling in Class-
30 and Moira Banana under Class-31.

4. Name the app which has won “AtmaNirbhar App Innovation Challenge” in social category.

a) Chingari

b) Teen Patti

c) Quikr

d) Goibibo

Explanation: Centre has announced 24 winners in the eight categories of “AatmaNirbhar App Innovation
Challenge”,under this Challenge, Chingari emerged as a winner of ‘social’ category and Koo, MaymyIndiamove,
Asksarkar, myitreturn are some of the other apps that won the challenge, across eight categories.
International
1. What rank does India hold globally in Organic Farming Out?
a. 7th
b. 8th
c. 9th
d. 10th

Explanation: According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Moment (IFOAM), India stands 9 th
with Australia on top (22.7 million hectares of land used in Organic Farming).

India: India is home to 30% of the total organic producers in the world, but accounts for just 2.59 per cent (1.5 million
hectares) of the total organic cultivation area of 57.8 million hectares, according to the World of Organic Agriculture
2018 report. At the same time, most organic farmers are struggling due to poor policy measures, rising input costs and
limited market, says a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and global
consultancy firm Ernst & Young.

Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

2. Which nation along with India is sharing view on protecting critical infra, including 5G network?
a. USA
b. Israel
c. Italy
d. Australia

Explanation: The mobile telecommunications sector in Australia is currently preparing for a generational shift that
will see significant advances in technology. Although the benefits this transformation will have on industry and
innovation in Australia are largely yet to be realised, what is apparent is that the future of 5G promises to provide high
data speeds, high reliability and low latency.

As India weighs the pros and cons of involving Chinese telecom major Huawei in 5G trials, Australia has exchanged
with New Delhi a range of “experiences” on cyber “infrastructure and assets”.
3. What rank does Mukesh Ambani’s oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries hold according to 2020
Fortune Global 500 list?
a. 94th
b. 95th
c. 96th
d. 97th

Explanation: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries has been ranked 96th in
2020 Fortune Global 500 list released today. The Indian firm jumped 10 places to break into the world's top 100
companies on the list. This is the highest any Indian company has been ranked on the Fortune Global 500 list.

Other Indian companies: (a). Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)- rank 151, (b) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)-
Rank 190, (c) State Bank of India- Rank 221, (d) Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) rank 309, (e) Tata Motors –
Rank 337, and Rajesh Exports- Rank 462.

4. Which nation successfully tested advanced missile defence system Arrow-2 interceptor?
a. China
b. Israel
c. Japan
d. France

Explanation: Israel conducted a successful test of the country's advanced missile defence system against long-range
ballistic attacks. Defence Minister Benny Gantz said the successful flight test of the Arrow-2 interceptor was part of
Israel's technological effort that ensures that we will always be one step ahead of our enemies. The test was conducted
overnight in central Israel, jointly with the U.S. Missile Defence Agency.

About Arrow-2: Arrow-2 is part of the multi-layered system Israel has developed to defend against both short- and
mid-range rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon, as well as Iran's long-range missiles. It includes Iron Dome, David's
Sling and the Arrow-3 system - capable of defending against threats from outside the atmosphere.

5. Israel and ____ have reached a deal to normalise relations with Israel agreeing to suspend its controversial
plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank?
a. Palestine
b. UAE
c. Iraq
d. Egypt

Explanation: Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a historic peace deal that will normalise diplomatic
relations between the Jewish state and the Gulf nation. A joint agreement by Israel, UAE and US said that
breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region. As a part of the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend
the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.

Science and Technology

1. The 40 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) which was handed over to BSF recently is designed
and manufactured by which company?
1) Opto Electronics Factory, Dehradun
2) Ammunition Factory Khadki, Pune
3) Gun and Shell Factory, Kolkata
4) Grey Iron Foundry, Jabalpur
Explanation: The first consignment of 40 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) was handed over to Border
Security Force (BSF) which is designed and manufactured indigenously by the Ammunition Factory Khadki (AFK)
in Pune, Maharashtra on the lines of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India). This ammunition is used to be
imported by the Army and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) units.

2. Which country has tested a ballistic missile interceptor named ‘Arrow-2’?

1) Kuwait
2) Iran
3) UAE
4) Israel
Explanation: Israel Defence Minister Benny Gantz, announced that Israel has successfully tested their advanced
missile defence system, Arrow-2, a ballistic missile interceptor, which serves as the top tier integrated Israeli shield
built to withstand various missile salvoes, was built with the support of the United States of America. Arrow 2 is a
multi-layered system designed and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing, US based industry.
3. Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has found 66 new exoplanets recently. The TESS belongs to
which space agency?
1) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
2) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
3) Centre national d’étudesspatiales (CNES)
4) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Explanation: Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite(TESS) of National Aeronautics and Space
Administration(NASA) completed its primary mission of imaging 75% of the starry sky during the two-year survey
and found 66 new exoplanets beyond the solar system, and around 2100 candidates on which the astronomers are
working on to confirm among others.

4. Name the country which shares AI based technology and high-end equipment with AIIMS Delhi.
1) Jordon
2) Egypt
3) Syria
4) Israel
Explanation: As part of Israel-India cooperation to fight the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, Israel has shared Artificial
Intelligence (AI) based technology and high-end equipment with All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS),
Delhi, India. Ambassador of Israel to India Dr Ron Malka handed over the ‘state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-
based technologies and high-end equipment’ to Director of AIIMS Dr. Randeep Guleria in the presence of Sanjay
Bhattacharya, Secretary, (Consular and Diaspora) Ministry of External Affairs at an event held on August 12, 2020.

5. The Telangana government has launched Artificial Intelligence for Agricultural Innovation Programme
(AI4AI) in collaboration with Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and which organization?
1) International Labour Organisation- India
2) United Nations – India
3) International Monetary Fund – India
4) World Economic Forum – India
5) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development – India
Explanation: The Government of Telangana has launched Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Agricultural Innovation
Programme (AI4AI) in collaboration with Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) & World Economic
Forum (WEF) – India. Telangana Industries and IT Minister KT Rama Rao launched the AI4AI program virtually on
12th August, 2020.
6. Name the organization which has developed a microwave device named ‘Atulya’ that can disinfect any
premises in just 30 seconds.
1) Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE)
2) Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR)
3) Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT)
4) Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL)
Explanation: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin
Gadkari has unveiled a microwave device named ‘Atulya’ that can disinfect any premises in just 30 seconds,
disintegrating COVID-19 virus in Nagpur, Maharashtra and is developed by the Defence Institute of Advanced
Technology, Pune.

Persons in News
1. The books authored by PS Sreedharan Pillai named ‘Corona Kavithakal’, ‘Republic Day 2020’ and ‘Thus
Speaks the Governor’ were released recently. The PS Sreedharan Pillai is the Governor of which state?
1) Manipur
2) Mizoram
3) Arunachal Pradesh
4) Meghalaya

Explanation: Books authored by Mizoram Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai titled ‘Corona Kavithakal’ was released by
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. Meanwhile ‘Republic Day 2020’ and ‘Thus Speaks the Governor’ were
released by Gauhati High Court Chief Justice AjaiLamba through a video message. These books are part of his
recently penned books (at least 13), which include collections of poems in English and Malayalam in English and
Malayalam since March i.e., during the lockdown.

Important Days

1. Which day is observed Pakistan Independence Day (also known as Youm-e-Azadi)?

a. August 13
b. August 14
c. August 15
d. August 16

Explanation: Independence Day is Pakistan's national day and is celebrated annually on 14th August. On this day in
1947, Pakistan became the world's first Islamic republic when it gained independence from British rule.

History: Muslims ruled the subcontinent before the British incursion and suffered due to the 1857 uprising against
the British East India Company. Leaders such as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Syed Ameer Ali worked diligently for
the Muslim people’s political advancement.

The All India Muslim League was founded on December 30, 1906. There was growing demand for an independent
Muslim state in India. In 1930 Muhammad Iqbal presented the idea of a separate Muslim state that would
geographically consist of the Muslim majority areas in the subcontinent.

Strong Hindu nationalism gave birth to the Two Nation Theory, an ideology that is accredited as being the basis for
Pakistan’s creation. In 1940 the Pakistan Resolution was passed in Lahore demanding greater Muslim autonomy in
British India.

After World War II, it was expected that the British colonies would soon disintegrate. The Pakistan Movement,
spearheaded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, resulted in creating a Muslim state. Pakistan gained independence from the
British rule on August 14, 1947. At its birth, Pakistan had two parts commonly referred to as East and West Pakistan.
In 1971 East Pakistan parted from West Pakistan and became Bangladesh.

2. When is National Handloom Day observed in India?

a. 5 August
b. 6 August
c. 7 August
d. 14 August

Explanation: The Union Government had declared 7th of August as the National Handloom Day in July 2015 with the
objective of generating awareness about the importance of the handloom industry to the socio-economic development
of the country. August 7 was chosen as the National Handloom Day to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement which
was launched on this day in 1905 in Calcutta Town Hall to protest against the partition of Bengal by the British
Government. The movement had aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes.
The 6th National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7, 2020 across the country under the coordination of the
Ministry of Textiles through Virtual Platform to avoid public gathering considering Covid-19 pandemic.

Objective: The 6th National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7, 2020 across the country under the coordination
of the Ministry of Textiles through Virtual Platform to avoid public gathering considering Covid-19 pandemic.

Ministry: Ministry of Textile

3. When is International Cat Day observed?

a. 10 August
b. 9 August
c. 8 August
d. 7 August

Explanation: International Cat Day, also known as World Cat Day, is a holiday which was created in 2002 and is
used to not only celebrate the friendship that humans and cats share but also to advocate for the safety and well-being
of cats. This holiday is celebrated annually on August 8th.

History: International Cat Day was originally created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare as a way
for people to honor their feline friends and as a day to advocate for cats. It is also a day when people can go to their
local animal shelter and rescue a cat from being put down.

According to PETA, and as of 2016, there are approximately 3.4 million cats that enter shelters each year – just in the
United States alone. Of those 3.4 million, about 1.4 million of these cats will be euthanized. Of all the felines which
enter U.S shelters each year, around 41% are put down, 37% are adopted and 5% are eventually returned to their
owners.