This is the current affairs of 19 & 20 September 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. What is the new name of the old Parliament House?
a. Samvidhan Bhawan
b. Samvidhan Sadan
c. Samvidhan Kendra
d. Samvidhan Sabha
Answer: b. Samvidhan Sadan
– Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that the old Parliament will be known as the ‘Samvidhan Sadan.’
– This proposal was put forth by Prime Minister Modi and has been accepted.
– In fact, on September 19, 2023, the proceedings of the Parliament began in the new Parliament building.
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2. Which Constitutional Amendment Bill providing one-third reservation to women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies was passed in the Lok Sabha?
a. 125
b. 128
c. 129
d. 188
Answer: b. 128
Bill Name:
– The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Eighth) Amendment Bill, 2023
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3. By what name will the Bill for provision of one-third women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies be known if it becomes law?
a. Women’s Empowerment Salutation Act
b. Women’s Victory Salutation Act
c. Women’s Power Act
d. Women’s Rights Salutation Act
Answer: a. Women’s Empowerment Salutation Act
– On the third day of the special session of Parliament, on September 20, 2023, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha.
– The Constitution (One Hundred twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, after receiving the approval of at least 50% of the State Legislatures and the Parliament’s Upper House, will become a law as the Women’s Reservation Act, following the President’s signature Assemblies.
– To enact women’s reservation, this is the 11th attempt by the current government and four previous governments in the last 27 years.
– After the bill is passed, there will be 181 female Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.
– After the bill is passed in both houses of Parliament, there will be 181 female Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.
– Currently, there are 82 female Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, and after the passage of this bill, there will be 181 female Members of Parliament.
– This reservation will be applicable directly to elected representatives of the people.
– That is, it will not be applicable to the Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils.
Three Questions and Their Answers Related to Women’s Reservation:
1. Why can’t it be implemented immediately?
– This law will only come into effect after the census and delimitation. The census itself will take at least 2 years. Delimitation can only be carried out after that, but under the current law, the next delimitation cannot take place before 2026. Therefore, it will be implemented only after the elections in 8 states in 2027 and the general elections in 2029.
2. Is the consent of the states necessary?
– Yes. According to Article 368, a constitutional amendment bill requires the consent of at least 50% of the states. Currently, there is an NDA government in 16 states, India Alliance in 11 states, and other parties in 3 states. However, most parties are supportive of this.
3. How will reserved seats for women be determined?
– In the 2026 delimitation, it will be decided which seats will be reserved for women. After that, whenever delimitation takes place, seats will change accordingly. For this, a lottery system similar to the one used in panchayats can be used to allocate seats. However, there is no clarity on this in the current draft.
– Although most opposition parties, including Congress, have demanded the inclusion of SC, ST, and OBC in women’s reservation from the government.
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4. India and which country expelled each other’s diplomats in September 2023?
a. USA (United States of America)
b. Japan
c. Canada
d. Pakistan
Answer: c. Canada
– Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Indian government of the murder of a Sikh leader. However, India has denied it.
– On September 18, 2023, Trudeau stated in Parliament that agents of the Indian government had murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh community leader in British Columbia, Canada, in June.
– The Canadian government is making this accusation based on the confidential information they have received.
– In fact, on June 18, Hardeep Nijjar, one of India’s most-wanted Khalistani terrorists, was assassinated in Canada.
A Indian diplomat expelled
– Subsequently, Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie stated that her government had expelled an Indian diplomat.
– In response to this, India has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave the country within five days.
– After this, Canada issued an advisory regarding travel to India for its citizens. Shortly thereafter, India also issued an advisory for Indians residing in Canada, advising them to avoid areas where anti-India activities have occurred.
Canada Stands Alone
– The Washington Post has reported that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wanted to raise the issue of the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar during the G20 Summit in India.
– For this purpose, he had also held discussions with the heads of government of the United States, Britain, and Australia, but none of them supported Trudeau.
Trudeau Speaks Against India in the Canadian Parliament
– Justin Trudeau, in the Canadian Parliament, stated, “The involvement of a foreign government in ordering the assassination of a citizen on Canadian soil is a violation of our country’s sovereignty. We will pressure the Indian government to cooperate in the investigation of this murder.”
– Trudeau added, “The large population of Indian-origin Sikhs living in Canada is deeply angered by this assassination. Many Sikhs are concerned about their safety. There are between 1.4 to 1.8 million Indian-origin citizens in the country, and many of them are Sikhs.”
India Responds: Canada’s Accusations Baseless
– The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed all allegations made by Canada.
– The Ministry stated, “All of Canada’s accusations are baseless.”
– Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister in front of our PM Modi, and they were completely rejected.
– Such unsubstantiated allegations aim to divert attention from Khalistani terrorists and extremists who have been given refuge in Canada, posing a threat to India’s sovereignty and regional integrity.
How These Allegations Can Impact India-Canada Relations
– India-Canada relations were already strained before these allegations. Canadian PM’s accusations have raised concerns of further deterioration in the relationship between the two countries.
– PM Trudeau attended the G20 Summit in India, during which he expressed a desire for a bilateral meeting, but PM Modi declined. However, both leaders had a sideline meeting.
– According to the Ministry of External Affairs, even in this meeting, Trudeau had accused India of being involved in Nijjar’s assassination, which PM Modi had rejected.
– Just six days after this meeting on September 10, Canada postponed talks on the Free Trade Deal with India.
– There were some political activities happening in Canada that India had raised objections to. Until these issues are resolved, negotiations on the trade agreement with Canada have been halted.
Nijjar was murdered near a Gurudwara in British Columbia
– Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was the chief of the terrorist organization Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
– He had been promoting the Khalistani movement in Punjab while residing in Canada for a long time.
– On June 18, near the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara located in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, Nijjar was shot and killed by two unidentified gunmen.
Killing of a Fugitive Gangster in Canada
– In the midst of tensions between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Hardeep Nijjar, a category A gangster from India, Sukhdev Singh Gill alias Sukha Duneke, was murdered in Canada.
– He had fled to Canada in 2017 after arranging a fake passport in Punjab, India.
Canada:
PM – Justin Trudeau
Capital – Ottawa
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5. UNCESO gave the status of World Heritage Site to which group of temples in Karnataka ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas’?
a. Chennakeshava Temple and Hoysaleshwara Temple
b. Kesava Temple
c. Durga Temple and Vitthal Temple
d. Both a and b
Answer: d. Both a and b
1- Chennakeshava Temple (Belur)
2- Hoysaleshwara Temple (Halebidu)
3- Kesava Temple (Somanathapura)
What is Hoysala?
– The Hoysala group of temples includes the temples built in Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapura in the 12th-13th centuries.
– The Hoysalas were regarded as patrons of art and literature.
– It was the capital of the Hoysala dynasty.
Note: The “Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala” (the group of three temples) is included in the list of World Heritage Sites. These three temples are not considered separately.
– The construction of the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur was completed in 1117 CE.
– The construction of the Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebidu was completed in 1121 CE.
– The construction of the Kesava Temple in Somanathapura was completed in 1268 CE.
– UNESCO declared these three temples as World Heritage Sites on September 18, 2023.
– Prior to that, they were listed on UNESCO’s tentative list.
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6. UNCESO included Santiniketan of which state in the list of World Heritage Sites?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Bihar
c. West Bengal
d. Maharashtra
Answer: c. West Bengal
“Shantiniketan’s meaning – A house filled with peace
– The announcement was made by the World Heritage Committee on September 17, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
About Shantiniketan:
– It is a town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.
– In the year 1901, Rabindranath Tagore established a school with five students, which later became Visva-Bharati University.
– Rabindranath Tagore spent most of his time here.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 42
– Agra Fort
– Ajanta Caves
– Ellora Caves
– Taj Mahal
– Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
– Sun Temple, Konark
– Kaziranga National Park
– Keoladeo National Park
– Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
– Churches and Convents of Goa
– Fatehpur Sikri
– Group of Monuments at Hampi
– Group of Monuments at Khajuraho
– Elephanta Caves
– Great Living Chola Temples
– Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
– Sundarbans National Park
– Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
– Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
– Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi
– Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
– Mountain Railways of India
– Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
– Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
– Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
– Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)
– Red Fort Complex
– Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
– Western Ghats
– Hill Forts of Rajasthan
– Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
– Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat
– Nalanda, Bihar
– Khangchendzonga National Park
– The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement *
– Historic City of Ahmadabad
– Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
– Jaipur City, Rajasthan
– Archaeological Site of Dholavira: A Harappan City
– Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana
– Shantiniketan, West Bengal
– The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala
UNESCO
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – Year 1945
Director-General – Audrey Azoulay”
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7. Where was the Mahakumbh of Divyangjan organized for the first time?
a. Delhi
b. Mathura
c. Varanasi
d. Mumbai
Answer: c. Varanasi
– In Varanasi, a Hindi conference was organized at the ten-day-long Divine Art Fair currently underway at Ke Town Hall Park.
Divine Art Fair
– Event Dates: September 15 to 24, 2023
– Venue: Varanasi
– During the years 2023-2024, this program will be held in 12 cities across the country.
Started from the year 2022
– Beginning from the year 2022, the Divine Art Fair in Varanasi is the seventh event in this series.
(i) Delhi, December 2022
(ii) Mumbai, February 2023
(iii) Bhopal, March 2023
(iv) Guwahati, May 2023
(v) Indore, June 2023
(vi) Jaipur, June 29 to July 5, 2023
(vii) Varanasi, September 15 to 24, 2023
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8. Geeta Mehta, sister of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, passed away on 16 September 2023, who was she?
a. Scientist
b. Actress
c. Author
d. Cricketer
Answer: c. Author
– She used to live in New York.
– She has written several books.
– She has produced and directed at least 14 television documentaries for UK, European, and American networks.
– She was also a television journalist for the American television network ABC.
Geeta Mehta
– Geeta Mehta is an Indian author. She was born in 1943 into a prominent Odia family in Delhi.
– She was 80 years old.
– She was the elder sister of Odisha’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik.
– In 2019, she was honored with India’s fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri, in the field of literature and education, but she did not accept it.
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9. Which new marine tardigrade species discovered by researchers has been named after late former President APJ Abdul Kalam?
a. Batillipes APJ
b. Batillipes Abdul
c. Batillipes kalami
d. None of these
Answer: c. Batillipes kalami
– This is related to the genus Batillipes, which is named Batillipes calami.
– Batillipes Kalami is the second marine tardigrade found from the Indian aquatic region and the first to be discovered from the eastern coast.
– It was found from Mandapam in southeast Tamil Nadu.
– Tardigrades are extremely tiny creatures, measured in micrometers.
Note – In the year 2021, the discovery of India’s first marine tardigrade species was made in Vadakara, Kerala.
– It was named Stiagarctus keralensis.
Batillipes calami
– The average length of Batillipes Kalami is about 170 micrometers (0.17 mm).
– The width is approximately 50 micrometers (0.05 mm).
– It has a trapezoidal-shaped head with filamentous appendages resembling antennae.
– All four pairs of legs have distinctively different-sized sensitive spines.
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10. Name the winner of Singapore Grand Prix 2023?
a. Max Verstappen
b. Carlos Sainz
c. Sergio Perez
d. Charles Leclerc
Answer: b. Carlos Sainz
– Carlos Sainz is the driver for the Singapore Grand Prix.
About the Singapore Grand Prix:
– The Singapore Grand Prix is a motor racing event that is part of the Formula One World Championship.
– Date: September 15 to 17, 2023
– Venue: Marina Bay Street Circuit, Marina Bay
Some other Formula One races in 2023:
– Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023: Sergio Perez
– Australian Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Sergio Perez
– Miami Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Monaco Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Spanish Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Canadian Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Austrian Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– British Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Hungarian Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Belgian Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Italian Grand Prix 2023: Max Verstappen
– Singapore Grand Prix 2023: Carlos Sainz
– Japanese Grand Prix 2023: ——— (September 22 to 24, 2023)
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11. Who was appointed Chairman of Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA)?
a. Anand Sharma
b. Dhananjay Joshi
c. Deepchand Tripathi
d. Rajendra Kumar
Answer: b. Dhananjay Joshi
DIPA Full Form : Digital Infrastructure Providers Association
– Dhananjay Joshi is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Summit Digital.
– He will take the position previously held by Akhil Gupta.
– The Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) represents India’s digital infrastructure industry, which is responsible for the development, construction, ownership, and operation of the country’s wireless infrastructure.
– It was established in the year 2010.
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12. At which place did Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurate ‘Udaan Bhawan’?
a. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Mumbai)
b. Kempegowda International Airport (Bangalore)
c. Safdarjung Airport (New Delhi)
d. Indira Gandhi International Airport (New Delhi)
Answer: c. Safdarjung Airport (New Delhi)
– In addition, he also inaugurated the BharatKosh portal, which will function as a prepaid wallet.
– The inauguration took place on September 18, 2023.
About ‘Udan Bhavan’:
– The total constructed area of this building is 71,257 square meters.
– This project was completed at a cost of INR 374.98 crores.
– ‘Udan Bhavan’ is equipped with modern conference rooms, AV systems, IT infrastructure, parking management systems, yoga rooms, childcare facilities, EV charging, and more.
– This portal will enable fast and more secure payments through our Ministry of Civil Aviation.
