SIPVS Knowledge is Power
1) Which Indian architect won the prestigious Pritzker Prize on 7 March 2018, considered architecture’s Nobel equivalent? – Balkrishna Doshi
Explanation: Balkrishna Doshi became the first-ever Indian to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize, widely considered architecture’s Nobel equivalent.
– 90-year old Doshi, a pioneer of low-cost housing design, has distinguished his work by committing to sustainable architecture and inexpensive housing, bringing modernist design to an India rooted in traditionalism.
– He is one of the last living architects to have apprenticed with the Franco-Swiss trailblazer Le Corbusier.
– The international Pritzker prize, established by Chicago’s Pritzker family in 1979, bestows laureates with $100,000 along with a bronze medallion. Doshi is the 45th Pritzker laureate and the first from India.
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2) Who was sworn in as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya on 6 March 2018? – Conrad Sangma
Explanation: National People’s Party (NPP) chief Conrad Kongkal Sangma was sworn-in as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya on 6 March 2018. Governor of Meghalaya Ganga Prasad administered the oath to 11 Cabinet Ministers at the swearing-in ceremony organised at Raj Bhawan in Meghalaya capital Shillong.
– The NPP-led government is supported by 2-member BJP. It is worth mentioning that Congress had emerged as the single largest party in the recently held assembly elections, the results for which were declared on 3 March 2018. NPP had won from 19 seats while Dr. Donkupar Roy-led United Democratic Party (UDP) had won 6 seats. UDP has supported NPP to form the government along with help from the BJP and a few independents. Meghalaya Assembly has 59 members.
– Kongkal Sangma, the Son of the former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, replaced Mukul Sangma.
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3) Who took over as the new Chief Minister of Nagaland on 8 March 2018? – Neiphiu Rio
Explanation: Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader Neiphiu Rio was on 8 March 2018 sworn in as the chief minister of Nagaland. Rio’s NDPP is allied with the BJP, and has the support of the JD(U) and an Independent – giving it the backing of 32 of the 60 MLAs in the state. This is the fourth CM term for Neiphiu Rio, his earlier three terms being in 2003-08, 2008-13 and 2013-14.
– The results for Nagaland Assembly elections were declared on 3 March 2018. Rio has replaced T.R. Zeliang, who was state Chief Minister since July 2017.
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4) The Union Government on 5 March 2018 set up a committee to find ways to make it easier for financial technology (fintech) firms to do business. Who is heading this 8-member committee? – Subhash Chandra Garg (Economic Affairs Secretary)
Explanation: Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg is heading the 8-member committee that was constituted by the Union Government on 5 March 2018 with the objective of finding ways to make it easier for financial technology firms to do business and for authorities to deploy their services to further the goals of financial inclusion.
– The committee will look into the regulatory regime for the fintech industry and explore the creation of a regulatory ‘sandbox model’ to foster new ideas. It will also examine means of using data available with Goods and Services Tax (GST) Network, the company that processes indirect tax returns, and information utilities such as credit information companies to make applications for financing of MSMEs
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5) What is the name of the Lokayukta of Karnataka who was stabbed in his office on 7 March 2018? – Vishwanath Shetty
Explanation: In what is being termed as a massive security breach, Karnataka Lokayukta P. Vishwanath Shetty was on 7 March 2018 stabbed with a knife at least four times in his office by a youth apparently unhappy over a request being turned down.
– Shetty, who was immediately rushed to a private hospital, was out of danger.
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Source: nirdeshak.com
