Daily G.K Bits:- 07-09-2015

1. Which of the following social website has launched its drone? (3)

1. Twitter
2. Yahoo
3. Face book
4. Monzanto
5. None

Expl:- Facebook Inc (FB.O) announced that it has completed building its first full-scale drone, which has the wingspan of a Boeing 737 and will provide Internet access to the most remote parts of the world. The company said it will test it in the United States later this year.  The plane will weigh about 880 pounds (400 kg), said Yael Maguire, the company’s engineering director of connectivity. It will hover between 60,000 feet and 90,000 feet (20 and 30 km), above the altitude of commercial airplanes, so that it is not affected by problematic weather. The drone, which was built in 14 months, is able to fly in the air for 90 days at a time, Maguire said. Helium balloons will be attached to the plane and float it up into the air. The drones have a wingspan of 42 meters (46 yards). Because the planes must constantly move to stay aloft, they will circle a three-km (two-mile) radius, Parikh said. During the day, they will float up to 90,000 feet (30 km) and at night will drift down to 60,000 feet (20 km) to conserve energy. The drones are part of a programme called Aquila, which is geared towards the 10 percent of the population that does not have any Internet access, executives said.  Separately, Facebook a year ago launched Internet.org, an initiative to provide Internet access to the two-thirds of the world that do not have a reliable connection.

2. in Nepal as per agreement, the parties decided to create how many provinces? (5)

1. 3
2. 9
3. 4
4. 5
5. 6

Expl:- Nepal’s four major parties have reached a landmark deal to divide the country into six provinces, each sharing its border with India. The agreement resolves contentious issues of federalism under the new constitution. Following a marathon meeting, the Constitutional- Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee of the Constituent Assembly finally inked an agreement at midnight to carve out the six federal units. Mr Koirala and top leaders of CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, Unified CPN-Maoist and Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum Democratic, MPRFD, were present during the meeting. However, UCPN-Maoist and MPRFD, have signed the deal with some reservations.Dividing the state was one of the thorny issues of the new constitution. With signing of the agreement among the major parties on the issue of federal model, the constitution drafting has reached its final phase

3. Which of the following organization has voted in favour of decriminalizing the sex trade? (1)

1. Amnesty International
2. Red cross
3. Lions club
4. Watch dog
5. None

Expl:- Amnesty International voted on 11^th August in support of decriminalizing the sex trade. The move comes despite strong opposition from anti-trafficking organizations and Hollywood stars. The human rights organization passed the measure at its decision-making forum, the International Council Meeting, in Dublin, Ireland, involving delegates from around the world.

4. In which of the following Indian states, Asia’s biggest telescope was established? (3)

1. Gujarat
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Rajasthan
4. Asom
5. West Bengal

Expl:- In Rajasthan, Asia’s biggest telescope, the Multi Application Solar Telescope (MAST) was inaugurated at the Udaipur Solar Observatory on 4^th August.  Chairman of Physical Research Laboratory, Professor U.R Rao inaugurated the Telescope. On the occasion Professor Rao informed that MAST will be the biggest ever telescope which can help to study the movements of stars and sun even in the day time. He said with the help of the device the researchers will be able to achieve new heights internationally in the study of sun and the related components. The telescope was installed under the Ministry of Science and Technology and was funded by Department of Space.

5. Name the country which has decided to restart its nuclear reactor? (5)

1. USA
2. India
3. UK
4. Iran
5. Japan

Expl:- Japan has restarted its first nuclear reactor under new safety rules following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. All of Japan’s nuclear plants were gradually shut down after a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima plant sparked by the tsunami and earthquake.  But after passing stringent new safety tests, Kyushu Electric Power restarted the number one reactor at its Sendai plant.

6. Josh Chinappa associated with which game? (1)

1. Squash
2. Chess
3. Shuttle
4. Badminton
5. Hockey

Expl:- Indian champion Joshna Chinappa annexed the squash title in the 15,000 US Dollar Victorian Open WSA Event in Melbourne on 2^nd August. A release from the Squash Racket Federation of India in Chennai said Joshna defeated second seeded Line Hansen of Denmark to bag the title.  It is Joshna’s tenth WSA title, the last being the Richmond Open title win in April last year. The title in the men’s section went to Ryan Cuskelly of Australia who beat Greg Lobban of Scotland

7. Surya Shekhar Ganguly is associated with____ (2)

1. Shuttle
2. Chess
3. Shooting
4. Badminton
5. Billiards

Expl:- Grand Master Surya Shekhar Ganguly brought out his best on the final day to outclass Zhang Zhong of Singapore and secured the silver medal in the Asian Continental Chess Championship on its conclusion  on 11^th August. Out of the six medals at stake, Indians won three with S P Sethuraman winning the bronze in the open while SViajayalakshmi got the bronze in the women’s section that was held simultaneously.  Koneru Humpy failed to have a podium finish. Ganguly was the star of the day with his white pieces as he tormented Zhang Zhong who interestingly started and ended the tournament by losing to Indian counterparts. It may be recalled that K Rathnakaran had beaten the fancied Singapore Grandmaster in the opener. Up against the Benoni, Ganguly was in his elements as he digested a thematic exchange sacrifice quite easily. The extra material did not count for much but the ease at which the Indian launched the king side attack was simply a treat for the chess buffs. Zhong was at sea in the middle game and lost without much ado.

8. In which state, Dahihandi was made as an adventure sport? (3)

1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Kerala
5. Telangana

Expl:- Mumbai’s famous Dahihandi, in which a human pyramid is formed to break an earthen pot filled with curd hanging mid-air to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, is now an adventure sport. On 12^th Augusty, the state government in Maharashtra issued a Government Resolution (GR). From now, Dahihandi will be a sport approved by the government and will be played as per the rules and regulations to be written by a State-level association. It will not be limited to Janmashtami. The decision comes after the Bombay High Court put restrictions on the festival to curb noise pollution and avoid public nuisance. Going by the injuries and the deaths in the past, the court limited the height of the handi to 20 feet and banned minors from the event. An association will be formed to write the rules and regulations. Anyone can participate in the sport now, except those below 12 years. Minors will have to provide letters of approval from their parents, Mr. Tawde said. Groups playing this sport would be trained and registered. The Dahihandi groups approached the government a month ago, seeking a solution. They even threatened to set up human pyramids in south Mumbai on August 15 in protest

9. Who created record by taking maximum number of catches in a test cricket match? (4)

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Shikhar Dhawan
3. Virat KOhli
4. Ajinkya Rahane
5. None

Expl:- Ajinkya Rahane became the first fielder in Test history to take eight catches, achieving the feat in the ongoing first cricket match against Sri Lanka. Rahane caught Rangana Herath at slip off Amit Mishra to enter the record books after going past five international players — Yajurvindra Singh (India), Greg Chappell (Australia), Hashan Tilakaratne (Sri Lanka), Stephen Flemimg (New Zealand) and Mathew Hayden (Australia), all of whom took 7 catches in a match. Incidentally Yujuvindra took 7 catches in a Test after Independence Day in 1977, while Rahane has done it on the eve of August 15. England wicketkeeper Jack Russell — in 1995 — and South African glovesman AB de Villiers — in 2013 — have 11 dismissals each in a Test match.

10. The number of UN member countries celebrated the International Day of Yoga are………(1)

1. 192
2. 200
3. 234
4. 212
5. 266

Expl:- Out of the 193 UN member countries, celebrations were held in 192 countries – the exception is Yemen, because of the conflict there