SH- English Reading Comprehension: Quiz

Dear Aspirants,

Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions:

The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in batttle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”

The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.

The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.

That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why ?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

SH- Current Affairs Update 03rd, march 2018

Dear Aspirants,

Paper £10 notes go out of circulation in UK

Old paper £10 notes, featuring British naturalist Charles Darwin, went out of circulation across the UK on March 1.

• They have been replaced by the new polymer version featuring British author Jane Austen introduced last year.
• Anyone with the old banknote will need to deposit it at a bank as shops will refuse to accept them as they cease to be legal tender.

World's largest solar park launched in Karnataka

The world's largest solar park set up at an investment of Rs.16,500 crore at Pavagada in Karnataka's Tumakuru district was launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

• The 2,000 MW park, named as 'Shakti  Sthala', spans across 13,000 acres spread over five villages.
• The park’s development is anchored by the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corp. Ltd (KSPDCL).
• The project has been executed within a record time of two years.

Telangana launches integrated app for all government services

The Telangana government has launched an m-Governance mobile application called ‘T App Folio’ to help citizens with one point access to government services.

• The Telangana government plans to bring on-board all mobile apps of its various departments to T App Folio over next 12 months.
• Telangana has become the second state government in India to set up a mobile service delivery gateway in place for the provision of government to citizen (G2C) services.

Odisha Launches Scheme To Provide Free Sanitary Pads

As part of its initiatives to empower women, the Odisha government has launched Khushi scheme to provide free sanitary napkins to school girls across the state.

• The scheme will be implemented by the health and family welfare department of the state at a cost of 70 crore per year.
• Under the scheme, the state will provide free sanitary napkins to 17 lakh girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools.

SH- Current Affairs Update 02nd, march 2018

Dear Aspirants,

First Mega Food Park in Maharashtra at Satara Inaugurated

The first Mega Food Park in the state of Maharashtra, M/s Satara Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. at Village Degaon, District Satarawas inaugurated on 1stMarch, 2018 by Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing Industries in the presence of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, of Maharashtra.

• This is the 12th Mega Food Park operationalized in the country so far and the 10th operationalized during the tenure of present government.
• Under the Scheme, Government of India provides financial assistance upto Rs. 50 Crore per Mega Food Park project.

List of MoUs signed during the Visit of the King of Jordan to India

• MoU on Defence Cooperation
• Visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders
• Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)
• Manpower Cooperation Agreement
• MoU for cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine between India and Jordan
• MoU for setting up of the next generation Centre of Excellence (COE) in Jordan
• MoU for long term supply of Rock Phosphate and Fertilizer/NPK
• Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement
• Twining Agreement between Agra and Petra (Jordan)
• Cooperation between Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and Jordan Media Institute (JMI)
• MoU between PrasarBharati and Jordan TV
• MoU between University of Jordan (UJ) and ICCR regarding setting up of a Hindi Chair at the University

Dr Bhamre inaugurates Annual Army Seminar 2017-18

Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre inaugurated one-day Annual Army Seminar for 2017-18 on ‘Contribution of the Army Towards Nation Building’ at Manekshaw Centre New Delhi.

• Objective of the seminar is to highlight the contributions of the Indian Army towards Nation building and identify new spheres and areas for future participation.

SH- Current Affairs Update 01st, march 2018

Dear Aspirants,

 Conference inaugurated to mark 'World Rare Disease Day'

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, in the presence of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the one-day Conference to mark "World Rare Disease Day".

• A newsletter published by the "Indian Organization of Rare diseases" was also released on the occasion.

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahtsav ends on a grand note in Indore

‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) -2018’ a diversified cultural carnival organized by Ministry of Culture in Madhya Pradesh ended in Indore with a dazzling closing ceremony graced by the esteemed presence of the Loksabha Speaker, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan as the Chief Guest.

• Braving showers, people participated in the valedictory of the cultural extravaganza in large numbers. Starting its journey from the Gwalior’s Maan Mandir Fort the event showcased an amalgamation of Crafts & Art Forms, Cuisine Fest and Magnificent Performances.
• The festival received continuous gratitude for playing a major role to effectively connect the audience to the rich, diverse and undiscovered culture of India under the umbrella of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Cabinet approves continuation of PMEGP beyond 12th Plan

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) beyond 12th Plan for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a total outlay of Rs.5,500 crore.

• Scheme will create sustainable estimated employment opportunities for 15 lakh persons in three financial years.
• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal implementation agency at the national level.
• At the State/district level, State offices of KVIC, Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) and District Industry Centres (DIC) are the implementing agencies. Applications are invited and processed on-line on PMEGP-e-portal.

SH- Current Affairs Update 28th, Feb 2018

Dear Aspirants,

India Ranks 47th on Inclusive Internet Index

India is ranked 47th out of 86 countries when it comes to inclusive Internet and connectivity for all, a Facebook report said.

• Facebook, which commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) to create a comprehensive “Inclusive Internet Index,” found India in the middle of Asian countries (12th out of 23) when it comes to connectivity.”
• Sweden took the first place, followed by Singapore and the US.

Saudi Arabia allows women to join military

Saudi Arabia has for the very first time opened applications for women to enlist in the military as the kingdom continues to enact reforms granting females more access to a wide range of previously forbidden careers.

• Interested candidates can apply for positions with the rank of soldier in the provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim and Medina.
• A list of requirements says applicants must be Saudi citizens and aged between 25 and 35 with a high school diploma.

Govt. sanctions Rs. 1200 cr to clear pollution in Delhi

In a move to provide Delhi residents relief from the burgeoning air pollution crisis in the city, the central government has sanctioned schemes worth Rs 1,200 crore to keep a check on alarming pollution levels in the capital.

• According to NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, on account of the air quality worsening in Delhi due to burning crop residue from October to December months, the schemes will help curb pollution.

SH- Current Affairs Update 26th, Feb 2018

Dear Aspirants,

 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers held in Fiji

Dr. Satya Pal Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of Human Resource Development; and Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India led the Indian delegation to the 20th Conference of the Commonwealth Education Ministers (20CCEM) held in Nadi, Fiji during 19-23 February 2018.

• The theme of the Conference was “Sustainability and Resilience: Can Education Deliver?”
• Dr. Singh made  a `response statement` to the presentation “20CCEM Thematic Issues” made by Dr. Rajesh Chandra, Vice Chancellor of University of South Pacific, Fiji on 21 February 2018.

Andaman & Nicobar Command to Host Milan 2018

The second week of March will witness Andaman & Nicobar Command hosting a multinational mega event MILAN 2018.

• MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted biennially by Indian Navy at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
• Besides fostering co-operation through naval exercises and professional interactions, MILAN also provides an excellent opportunity to the participating navies to come together in a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding to nurture stronger ties.

DRDO Successfully Test Flight Rustom 2

DRDO  successfully flew its Rustom 2  at its Aeronautical Test Range(ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga.

• This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine.
• Secretary Deptt. of Defence (R&D) & Chairman DRDO Dr. S. Christopher along with  senior scientists witnessed  the flight and congratulated Rustom team.