General Knowledge

Which state announced to open a Sanskrit University for Schedule Castes (SCs) in Mundri village which will be named after Sanskrit poet Maharishi Valmiki?

        Answer: Haryana
Explanation: State-level functions to commemorate the anniversaries of three great saints – Maharishi Valmiki, Sant Kabir and Sant Ravidas.
• A grant of Rs.5 crore each to three Assembly segments of the district — Kaithal, Kalayat and Guhla — for various development works.

Who launched a scientifically validated anti-diabetes herbal drug named ‘BGR-34’?

Answer: CSIR
Explanation: Launched by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab in Lucknow.
• BGR-34: A combination of natural extracts from plants, the drug is based on Ayurveda and has no side effects. The drug is for management of type-II diabetes mellitus.

Country’s first visually challenged friendly station inaugurated in which state?

Answer: Karnataka
Explanation: Mysuru MP Pratap Simha inaugurated the facility.
• Authorities have put up 400 metal signages in Braille along the railings of the staircases leading various platforms.

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world and is celebrated on each year on which day?

Answer: 14 November
Explanation: It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization.
• Objective: To raise awareness of Diabetes and related causes.
• Theme : Healthy Living starts at Breakfast

India have signed an agreement with which country on the removal of visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders between the two countries?

Answer: Albania
Explanation: The agreement will serve the interests of both countries and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.
• The agreement will enable businesses from both sides to have freer movement, thus allowing more frequent communication and cooperation.

Papikonda National Park is situated in which state?

Answer: Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Papikonda National Park is located in East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh and Khammam district of Telangana.
• Wildlife includes mammals like tigers, leopards, sambar and spotted deer and bison. People of this region used to see wild water buffalo here in the 1980s, but it appears they are now extinct in this region.

Országgyűlés is the parliamentary name of which country?

Answer: Hungary
Explanation: Országgyűlés from 1867 to 1918 was the name of the bicameral parliament of the Kingdom of Hungary (Transleithania) during the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867–1918), replacing the earlier Hungarian Diet.
• The legislative power was vested in this parliament, consisting of two houses: an upper house titled the Főrendiház(House of Magnates), and a lower house titled the Képviselőház(House of Representatives).
• From 1902 the Országgyűlés met at the Hungarian Parliament Building on the Danube in Budapest.

Which Indian-origin author’s novel has been included in the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2015?

Answer: Priya Parmar
Explanation: Novel “Vanessa and Her Sister”
• Described as “A novel of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell, constructed around an invented diary and letters,” the Times calls it a “multilayered, subtly shaded novel”.
• Ms Parmar’s portrait brings noted modernist English writer Virginia Woolf’s sister “Vanessa out of the shadows, into fully realised, shining visibility”, the influential daily said in its book review.

Density of population in India, According to 2011 census__________

Answer: 382 sq. km
Explanation: As per the provisional population totals of Census 2011, the population density of India has gone up to 382 persons per square kilometer from 325 persons per square kilometer in 2011. On an average, 57 more people inhabit every square kilometer in the country as compared to a decade ago.

Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the reconstruction and completion of Salma Dam Project in which country?

Answer: Afghanistan
Explanation: Background:
Situated on the upper reaches of Hari Rud River in Herat province, Salma Dam project involves construction of a 5 meter high earth and rock – fill dam and a 42 MW power House with three units of 14 MW each.