Daily Current affairs Quiz: 20th May 2024

Answer: B) India

Notes:

India tops major APAC countries with the highest data centre capacity of around 950 MW in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China), overtaking major countries like Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and Korea, according to CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd’s report titled ‘Asia Pacific Data Center Trends Q1 2024’. After India, Japan recorded the second-highest data centre capacity with 892 MW, followed by Australia at 773 MW, Singapore at 718 MW, Hong Kong at 613 MW, and Korea at 531 MW. The data centre industry in India has experienced significant growth, attracting investments from global operators, real estate developers, and private equity funds. By the end of 2023, India’s total data centre stock reached approximately 1,030 MW, with Mumbai holding a 50% share. India is poised to record the highest capacity addition of around 850 MW during the 2024-2026 period, reinforcing its position as a key player in the data centre market.

Answer: C) Oman

Notes:

The ‘Remal’ Cyclone is a potential cyclonic system brewing in the Bay of Bengal. The name ‘Remal’, meaning ‘sand’ in Arabic, was proposed by Oman. The naming of cyclones is coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and its regional cyclone agency ESCAP. The system could potentially develop into a depression by May 24, 2024. The cyclone’s landfall is uncertain, but possibilities include the Indian coast or Bangladesh.

Answer: A) Uttarakhand

Notes:

Uttarakhand Tourism, in collaboration with Starscapes, launched India’s first astro-tourism campaign, ‘Nakshatra Sabha’. This initiative aims to offer a comprehensive Astro Tourism experience¹. It’s not just about observing the stars, but also includes activities like stargazing, special solar observations, astrophotography contests, and camping under the stars. The goal is to create an engaging platform that brings together astronomy enthusiasts, adventurers, and travellers. The project aims to preserve night skies.

Answer: B) Ruskin Bond

Notes:

Ruskin Bond, a renowned British-Indian author, was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, India’s highest literary honour. This honour was given to him at his home in Mussoorie. Bond is well-known for supporting children’s literature in India². His work is mostly about nature, nostalgia, and the human spirit. Some of his most famous works include “The Blue Umbrella,” “Rusty, the Boy from the Hills,” and “The Room on the Roof,” which won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize². Bond has also won many awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

Answer: C) Iran

Notes:

On May 19, 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash¹³. The crash occurred in the mountains on the border with Azerbaijan. The helicopter was carrying Raisi and other officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who also died in the crash. The aircraft vanished in the mountains of northwestern Iran while traversing mountainous terrain in heavy fog. This tragic incident has left Iran and the world in shock.

Answer: D) Lai Ching-te

Notes:

Notes: Lai Ching-te, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, was elected as Taiwan’s president in January 2024. He was sworn in on May 20, 2024. In his inauguration speech, Lai urged China to stop its military intimidation. His election represents the continuation of Taiwan’s policy of de facto independence from China. Lai’s presidency is expected to bolster Taiwan’s defences against Beijing.

Answer: C) 2018

Notes:

Malti Joshi (4 June 1934 – 15 May 2024) was a renowned Indian novelist, essayist, and writer who wrote primarily in Hindi and Marathi. She was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, by the then President Ram Nath Kovind in 2018. Known as “Malwa ki Meera”, Joshi authored more than 60 books. Her significant contributions to literature and education have been widely recognized.

Answer: D) AITMC Venture Ltd.

Notes:

AITMC Ventures Ltd., a Gurugram-headquartered integrated agri-drone company, announced that its Agriculture Drone VIRAJ has received type certification from the DGCA. This significant milestone enhances the company’s credibility and opens new opportunities in the burgeoning drone market in India. The drone, named VIRAJ, is a small class hexacopter RPAS UAS with a proper design, material, specification, construction, and performance for safe operation.

Answer: B) Korwa

Notes:

The AK-203 assault rifle, designed by Russia, will be produced by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture of India and Russia. The manufacturing facility is located in Korwa, Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh. The venture targets 100% production of AK-203 rifles in India. This significant development is part of a $671 million deal to produce over 700,000 rifles for the Indian armed forces.

Answer: A) Ed Dwight

Notes:

Ed Dwight, a 90-year-old sculptor and former U.S. Air Force captain became the first black astronaut to fly into space with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. This historic event took place more than six decades after Dwight was initially recommended for the NASA Astronaut Corps. The mission, known as NS-25, marked Dwight’s long-awaited journey to space, fulfilling a dream that was denied to him in the 1960s. His flight has been celebrated as a significant milestone in space travel history.

Answer: B) Dubai

Notes:

Dubai has launched the long-term ‘Dubai Gaming Visa‘ to support talented individuals, creators, and pioneers in the e-gaming sector. This initiative is part of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, initiated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The visa aims to position Dubai among the top 10 cities in the global gaming industry and significantly boost the sector’s contribution to the growth of Dubai’s digital economy. This move is expected to create 30,000 new jobs linked to the e-gaming sector by 2033.

Answer: C) IN-SPACe

Notes:

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), under the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India, has been honoured with the Geospatial World Forum (GWF) Leadership Award. This award was presented at the 2024 Geospatial World Forum in Rotterdam⁵. The award recognises IN-SPACe’s significant contributions to the global geospatial industry through its groundbreaking work in fostering the growth and development of India’s space sector and support to non-government entities working in the space economy.

Answer: B) Vietnam

Notes:

Vietnam’s National Assembly elected To Lam, the country’s top security official, as its new president. This followed the resignation of his predecessor, Vo Van Thuong, amid an ongoing anti-corruption campaign. To Lam, who has been a key figure in the anti-corruption crackdown known as “blazing furnace”, has reportedly weaponised its investigations to take down his political rivals. His election is seen as a significant political event in Vietnam.

Answer: D) Kobe, Japan

Notes:

The World Para Athletics Championship 2024 is being held in Kobe, Japan. The event is taking place at the Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium, one of Japan’s leading multi-purpose stadiums. This is the 11th edition of the championship and it’s scheduled from 17 to 25 May 2024. Over 1,000 athletes from more than one hundred nations are set to compete in 168 medal events. This is the first time the Para Athletics World Championships is being held in East Asia.

Answer: A) Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi

Notes:

Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi clinched gold medals at the Elorda Cup 2024 held in Astana, Kazakhstan. Nikhat outperformed Zhazira Urakbayeva from Kazakhstan in the 52 kg category with a 5-0 scoreline. Minakshi defeated Uzbekistan’s Rahmonova Saidahon 4-1 in the women’s 48 kg category. The Indian contingent ended the competition with a total of 12 medals, bettering their last year’s record. This achievement is a testament to the growing prowess of Indian boxers on the global stage.