India and France on 24 April 2015 began 10-day naval exercise that will see 12 Rafale fighter jets in action off the Goa coast along with a host of naval assets of both countries. What is the name of this exercise?: Varuna
Explanation: The Indian Navy and the French Navy have been conducting naval exercises since 1983 and these exercises were christened as 'Varuna' in 2001. The 14th edition of 'Varuna' started on 23 April 2015, the 10-day exercise which will continue till May 3. Four French naval ships - aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, two destroyers Chevalier Paul and Jean de Vienne, replenishment tanker Meuse and a maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2 reached at Goafor exercise. From Indian side, aircraft carrier INS Viraat, destroyer INS Mumbai, stealth frigate INS Tarkash, guided missile frigate INS Gomati, replenishment tanker INS Deepak, submarine INS Shankul and a few Fast Attack Craft are participating in the exercise.
Which stadium in India on 24 April 2015 goes total Solar and Aims to generate 1.3 megawatt power thus remove the dependency on state board electricity to large extent?: Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
Explanation: The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has installed a 400 kilowatt solar power system on the ground's eastern stands as a part of its green drive. he powerful stadium flood lights, which have lit up many exciting cricketing moments, will however continue to operate on generators. The stadium has it's own waste management system and rain water harvesting set up. It has also applied for Sewage Treatment Plant keeping in mind the future requirement of water for sports enthusiasts during the matches.
Rajya Sabha unanimously passes the transgender bill that seeks to formulate a comprehensive national policy to protect their rights as this is the first private member's bill to be passed by the Upper House in how many years?: 45 years
Explanation The "Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014", moved by DMK's Tiruchi Siva was passed with the full strength of the treasury benches, though several opposition members were not present at the time. The Bill was passed by voice vote in the presence of 19 Union Ministers, including eight Cabinet Ministers. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was also present. With the passage of the bill, Rajya Sabha created history as the last private member's bill was passed in 1970.
Union Cabinet on 22 April 2015 cleared amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act for heinous crimes such as murder and rape. What is the most important clause of this proposed Act?: It would allow juveniles aged between 16 and 18 to be tried as adults for heinous crimes such as murder and rape
Explanation: The Juvenile Justice Act of 2000 came under intense scrutiny after the 2012 Delhi Dhula Kuan gang rape in which a juvenile was found to be guilty. Thus, the proposed new law gives the Juvenile Justice Board the power to assess whether the perpetrator of a heinous crime aged between 16 and 18, had acted as a ‘child’ or as an ‘adult.’ The bill associated with this proposed Act will now be presented before the Parliament to get approval.
Unearthing of terracotta figurines of elephant at 2,500-year-old at which location in India is being believed as another indication that complements connection of Chhattisgarh's ancient traders with South Africa on 23 April 2015?: Tarighat site at Durg district
Explanation: Archaeologists believe and claim that Tarighat was one of the richest international trading centres in central India. With Indo-Scythian and Indo-Greek coins excavated, the site is said to be not only one of the richest trading centres of import-export in Chhattisgarh, but also a hotspot of affluent lifestyle. Earlier, figurines of Giraffe-like animal and women with unique-knotted hairstyle excavated from the site supported the idea of traders having some connection with South Africa. Tarighat site resumed excavation recently after getting renewal of licence for excavation by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Chhattisgarh archaeology department director Rakesh Chaturvedi pronounced the site as one of the most important ones in state.
The government on 23 April 2015 notified that it will launch a toll-free helpline for the patients suffering from which disease, whereby even a missed call would suffice to connect them with the health programme against the disease?: Tuberculosis
Explanation: 'TB Free India' initiative was launched on 23 April 2015 by the Health minster mr. Nadda in New Delhi. The aim is to diagnose all TB cases within 2 weeks of symptoms and refer them to the nearest public health centre. For this purpose, extensive use of rapid diagnostic kits and active screening of high-risk population shall be done. The programmed will use the mobile and telecommunication technology and provide platform to suspected patients to call us on a toll-free number seeking help and guidance.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gave its in-principle approval for creation of three new tiger reserves in the country on 21 April 2015. These 3 new tiger reserves will be established at which places?: Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), Sunabeda (Odisha) and Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh)
Explanation: The decision to create 3 (three) new tiger reserves came after the tiger census in January 2015, which has showed an overall rise in numbers. Also apart from this, the NTCA also accorded final approval to a proposal to declare Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka and Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand as tiger reserves.
Which state come to grip with a storm that hit several districts in its North-West on 21 April 2015 night claiming 42 lives and injured more than 80 people?: Bihar
Explanation: The storm hit around 10.30 PM and affected adjoining districts like Araria, Supaul, Katihar, Saharsa and Madhepura. The storm uprooted trees, destroyed crops and disrupted traffic. Standing crop of maize, wheat and pulses have been destroyed in over thousands of hectares while traffic on NH 80, 107 and 57 was blocked due to uprooted trees. Bihar Chief minister announced an ex-gratia of 4 lakh rupees each to kin of those killed in the storm.
Nearly fourteen Indian pilgrims have been killed and 25 others injured in a road mishap in Nepal on 22 April 2015. The accident took at which village?: Naubise village in Dhading district
Explanation: The Naubise village in Dhading district is situated 75-km east of Kathmandu. The bus carrying 45 pilgrims from Gujarat was returning to Gorakhpur in India after a pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. The accident took when bus plunged some 100 metre down from a hilly road. Twelve passengers six men and six women died on the spot. Two others succumbed to their injuries shortly after being taken to hospital.
Former Odisha Chief Minister and ex-Assam Governor Janaki Ballabh Patnaik passed away in at the age of 89 at Tirupati on 21 April 2015. He belongs to which party?: Congress
Explanation: Patnaik, a three-time Odisha chief minister, was in Tirupati to attend the convocation ceremony of the Rashtriya Sanskrit University. A multi-faceted personality known for his rich contribution towards literature and culture, Patnaik was born on 3rd January 1927 and after completing early education at Khurda High School, Patnaik passed BA in Sanskrit from the Utkal University in 1947 and did MA in Political Science from the Banaras Hindu University in 1949. The Congress stalwart became chief minister in 1980 and continued in the high office till 1989. He bounced back to power in 1995 and remained CM till 1999. Patnaik was appointed the Governor of Assam in 2009.
