SSC CGL Tier 1 2020 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Red worms, which are frequently used in vermicomposting, do not possess teeth to chew their food. Instead, they have a specialized muscular organ called a gizzard. During the feeding process, red worms ingest small particles of sand or grit along with organic waste. These abrasive materials accumulate in the gizzard, where powerful muscular contractions use the grit to mechanically grind the food into a fine paste. This grinding process significantly increases the surface area of the food, making it easier for enzymes to break down the nutrients as the material moves further through the digestive tract.

Explanation

Maqbool Fida Husain, a founding member of the Progressive Artists Group, utilized the horse as a central motif throughout his career to represent power, energy, and a liberated spirit. His depiction of horses was characterized by strong, fluid lines and an emphasis on the animal's muscularity and motion, reflecting a sense of raw vitality. Husain's interest in horses was deeply rooted in his early experiences watching the animals in processions and was further developed by his appreciation for the way horses have been portrayed in both Indian mythology and global art history. Through these paintings, he successfully captured the essence of movement and the untamed nature of a free spirit, making his equestrian series some of the most recognized works in modern Indian art.

Explanation

Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said was the ruler of Oman from 1970 until his death on January 10, 2020. Having reigned for nearly 50 years, he was the longest-serving leader in the modern Arab world. He is credited with the modernization of Oman through a period known as the Blessed Renaissance, where he utilized oil revenues to develop infrastructure, education, and healthcare. In international relations, he was renowned for his policy of non-interference and quiet diplomacy, often serving as a key mediator in regional conflicts and facilitating communication between Western nations and Middle Eastern powers.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of the country and is vested with the legislative mandate to conduct monetary policy under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The primary objective of the monetary policy is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth. To achieve this, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI meets at least four times a year to determine the policy interest rates. The Repo Rate is the fixed interest rate at which the RBI provides overnight liquidity to banks against the collateral of government and other approved securities. Conversely, the Reverse Repo Rate is the fixed interest rate at which the RBI absorbs liquidity, on an overnight basis, from banks against the collateral of eligible government securities under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF).

Explanation

Sir Thomas Roe visited the court of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1615 as the official ambassador of King James I of England. He stayed in the court for three years until 1618, successfully securing trading privileges for the East India Company.

Explanation

Solid carbon dioxide is commonly referred to as dry ice. It earns this name because it undergoes sublimation, a process where a substance transitions directly from a solid state to a gaseous state at standard atmospheric pressure without passing through an intermediate liquid phase. At a temperature of approximately -78.5°C (-109.3°F), it is significantly colder than regular water ice. Because it leaves no liquid residue as it warms, it is extensively used as a cooling agent for preserving and transporting perishable items such as frozen foods and biological samples.

Explanation

Bhupesh Baghel assumed office as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh on December 17, 2018, following the Indian National Congress's victory in the state assembly elections. A veteran leader from the Patan constituency, he was chosen to lead the state government after the party secured 68 out of 90 seats. As of January 2020, he continued to serve as the head of the state administration, focusing on rural development and agricultural welfare initiatives across Chhattisgarh.

Explanation

The Walt Disney Company completed its landmark acquisition of 21st Century Fox on March 20, 2019, in a transaction valued at approximately 71.3 billion dollars. Through this deal, Disney acquired the majority of Fox's entertainment assets, including the renowned 20th Century Fox film and television studios, cable networks such as FX and National Geographic, and a controlling interest in the streaming platform Hulu. This acquisition significantly expanded Disney's intellectual property library and global reach within the media and entertainment industry.

Explanation

Vidya Balan portrayed the character of Tara Shinde, a dedicated scientist and Project Director, in the 2019 film Mission Mangal. The movie is inspired by the life of scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation who contributed to India's first interplanetary expedition, the Mars Orbiter Mission. Her character was central to the plot, depicting the leadership and innovative spirit of the women scientists who played a pivotal role in the success of the mission using the indigenous method of fuel-saving orbital maneuvers.

Explanation

Dronavalli Harika is a prominent Indian chess Grandmaster who has achieved significant international success in the sport. She was conferred with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2019 for her exceptional contributions to chess. Her career is marked by several prestigious achievements, including winning three bronze medals at the Women's World Chess Championship in 2012, 2015, and 2017. She became the second Indian woman, after Koneru Humpy, to earn the title of Grandmaster from FIDE. Prior to her Padma Shri, she was also honored with the Arjuna Award in 2007 for her outstanding performance at the national and international levels.

Explanation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Integrated Check Post of the Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, Punjab, on November 9, 2019. This inauguration was timed to coincide with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. During the ceremony, he flagged off the first batch of over 500 Indian pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The corridor facilitates visa-free travel for Indian devotees to visit the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, connecting the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India directly to the historic gurdwara across the border.

Explanation

Virat Kohli became the first batsman in the history of Test cricket to score double centuries in four consecutive series. This remarkable feat was achieved between 2016 and 2017. The streak began with a score of 200 against the West Indies in July 2016, followed by 211 against New Zealand in October 2016. He continued his form with a career-best 235 against England in December 2016 and completed the record with 204 against Bangladesh in February 2017. With this achievement, he surpassed the previous record of scoring double centuries in three consecutive series, which was held by Sir Don Bradman and Rahul Dravid.

Explanation

Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the Ballari district of present-day Karnataka. It served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, which was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara and Bukka. The site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains over 1,600 surviving remains including forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, and pillared halls. The ruins represent the pinnacle of Vijayanagara architecture, showcasing a sophisticated urban layout and grand stone structures like the Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple complex.

Explanation

The archaeological site of Sanchi, located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, was rediscovered by General Henry Taylor in 1818. Taylor, a British officer, encountered the ruins while they were heavily overgrown and largely forgotten by the local population. His documentation of the Great Stupa and the surrounding monastic complex marked the beginning of modern scholarly interest in the site, which had been abandoned since approximately the 14th century following the decline of Buddhism in the region. This rediscovery paved the way for future archaeological excavations and restoration efforts that preserved one of Indias most significant Buddhist monuments.

Explanation

Kolathunadu, Valluvanad, and Thekkumkoor were prominent independent principalities or Swaroopams that existed in the Kerala region during the medieval and early modern periods. Kolathunadu, ruled by the Kolathiri Rajas, was situated in the northernmost part of Malabar and was centered around present-day Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Valluvanad was a significant kingdom in central Kerala, particularly noted for its traditional role as the protector of the Mamankam festival held at Tirunavaya. Thekkumkoor was a small kingdom located in the southern part of the state, covering regions in modern-day Kottayam and parts of Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts, until its annexation by the Kingdom of Travancore in the mid-18th century. These small kingdoms were integral to the fragmented political landscape of Kerala before the unification under larger powers and British colonial influence.

Explanation

The GST Council, during its 38th meeting in December 2019, resolved to establish a uniform Goods and Services Tax rate for the lottery industry. Prior to this decision, a dual-rate structure existed where state-run lotteries were taxed at 12% and state-authorized lotteries were taxed at 28%. To bring parity and simplify the taxation process, the Council approved a single rate of 28% to be levied on the supply of lottery services. This change, which aimed to streamline the revenue collection from actionable claims and prevent tax arbitrage, was officially implemented across the country starting from March 1, 2020.

Explanation

Gotabaya Rajapaksa assumed office as the President of Sri Lanka on November 18, 2019, after winning the presidential election held on November 16, 2019. He secured a decisive victory as the candidate for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). He was still serving in this capacity during February 2020, acting as both the head of state and the head of government.

Explanation

An Area of Darkness is a travelogue written by the Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul and published in 1964. It marks the first installment of Naipaul's influential trilogy about India, documenting his initial journey to the country of his ancestors. The book provides a deeply personal and often critical account of Indian society, poverty, and the psychological impact of colonialism. This work is a hallmark of Naipaul's non-fiction writing and is distinct from the magical realism and postmodern narratives associated with the bibliography of Salman Rushdie.

Explanation

The femur is the primary bone of the thigh and is located in the upper leg of the human skeletal system. It is characterized as the longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the body, serving to support weight and facilitate motion between the hip and the knee. As a major component of the lower limb, it is anatomically distinct from the small auditory ossicles found within the middle ear cavity.

Explanation

Araku Valley is a famous hill station and tourist destination situated in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. It is located approximately 114 kilometers from the coastal city of Visakhapatnam and falls within the Visakhapatnam district. Known for its pleasant climate, lush greenery, and extensive coffee plantations, the valley is a major attraction for travelers visiting the region. It is well-connected to Visakhapatnam via a scenic ghat road and a specialized broad-gauge railway line that passes through numerous tunnels and over high bridges, offering panoramic views of the hills. The valley is also home to the Borra Caves and various indigenous tribal communities, making it a significant cultural and ecological hub in South India.

Explanation

Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in the village of Naigaon located in the Satara district of Maharashtra. Recognized as a pioneer of the feminist movement in India, she worked extensively in the state to promote women's education and social equality. Alongside her husband Jyotirao Phule, she established India's first school for girls at Bhide Wada in Pune in 1848. Her tireless efforts in Maharashtra were directed towards the eradication of untouchability, the advocacy for widow remarriage, and the empowerment of marginalized communities through education and social reform.

Explanation

Shashi Tharoor was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2019 in the English category for his non-fiction book An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India. The book, published in 2016, offers a detailed critique of British colonial rule, arguing that the British Empire was detrimental to India's economy and social fabric. The Sahitya Akademi, India's national academy of letters, annually selects the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages, and Tharoor's work was chosen for its rigorous historical analysis and literary style. This recognition added to his established reputation as a prominent Indian writer and public intellectual.

Explanation

Cynology is the scientific study of domestic dogs, encompassing their genetics, anatomy, behavior, and breed history. The term is derived from the Ancient Greek words kyon, meaning dog, and logos, meaning study or discourse. This field of study covers a wide range of topics, from the biological evolution and domestication of the species Canis lupus familiaris to the specific physiological characteristics and temperament traits associated with different canine breeds. Cynology is often the foundational science used by kennel clubs and international canine federations to establish breed standards and training protocols.

Explanation

James Chadwick is the British physicist who discovered the neutron in 1932. He conducted experiments by bombarding beryllium atoms with alpha particles, observing a neutral radiation that could eject protons from paraffin wax. He concluded that this radiation consisted of particles with a mass approximately equal to that of a proton but carrying no electrical charge. This discovery provided a complete model of the atomic nucleus, consisting of protons and neutrons, and fundamentally changed the understanding of atomic structure. For this landmark achievement, Chadwick was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1935.

Explanation

The World Food Programme (WFP) was established in 1961 as the food-assistance branch of the United Nations to combat global hunger and promote food security. It is headquartered in Rome, Italy, which serves as the central hub for food and agriculture within the United Nations system. This location allows for close coordination with its sister agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), both of which are also based in Rome. As of early 2020, the WFP remains the largest humanitarian organization in the world, providing critical food aid to millions of people annually in over 80 countries facing conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

Explanation

Meghalaya is located in the northeastern part of India and shares its international border exclusively with Bangladesh to the south and west. To its north and east, Meghalaya is bounded by the Indian state of Assam. Bhutan shares its land border with four Indian states: Sikkim to the west, West Bengal and Assam to the south, and Arunachal Pradesh to the east. Because Assam lies between Meghalaya and Bhutan, Meghalaya does not share any boundary with the Himalayan kingdom.

Explanation

Archana Girish Kamath is a professional Indian table tennis player who rose to prominence as a leading talent in the sport. She achieved a significant milestone by winning the women's singles title at the 80th Senior National Table Tennis Championship in 2019, becoming one of the youngest champions in the history of the tournament. On the international stage, she made history at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the semi-finals, ultimately finishing in fourth place. By early 2020, she was a key member of the Indian national team and held a high ranking in the ITTF world rankings for the under-21 category.

Explanation

The Pindar River, also known as the Pindari River, is a major tributary of the Alaknanda River in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It originates from the Pindari Glacier, located in the Bageshwar district of the Kumaon Himalayas. The river flows through a narrow valley and meets the Alaknanda River at Karnaprayag, which is one of the five sacred river confluences known as the Panch Prayag. The Alaknanda is a primary headstream of the Ganges, and the Pindar River contributes a significant volume of water to it before the Alaknanda eventually merges with the Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganga.

Explanation

The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh. This archaeological site consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters, featuring paintings that date back to the Mesolithic period. These paintings provide some of the earliest evidence of human life on the Indian subcontinent and depict various scenes of hunting, dancing, and animal figures, showcasing the continuity of human settlement from the Paleolithic to the medieval periods.

Explanation

The Arid Forest Research Institute is an autonomous institute of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Established in 1988 and situated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, its primary mandate is to conduct scientific research in forestry to enhance vegetative cover and conserve biodiversity in the hot arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The institute focuses on developing technologies for desertification control, sand dune stabilization, and the sustainable management of forest resources in harsh climatic conditions.

Explanation

Anjum Chopra, a former captain of the Indian women's cricket team, was conferred with the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women for the 2018-19 season at the BCCI Annual Awards ceremony held in January 2020. This prestigious honor recognizes her immense contribution to the sport over an international career spanning seventeen years. She was the first Indian woman to play 100 One Day Internationals and represented the country in six World Cups across two formats. In addition to her on-field achievements, she was the first female cricketer from India to receive an honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), cementing her legacy as a pioneer and ambassador for women's cricket in India.

Explanation

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It provides a structured framework that organizations can follow to identify, manage, monitor, and control their environmental impact. The standard is designed to help businesses of all sizes and sectors improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste. By implementing the requirements of ISO 14001, an organization can ensure it is taking proactive measures to minimize its environmental footprint, comply with relevant legal requirements, and achieve its environmental objectives. The current version, ISO 14001:2015, emphasizes the integration of environmental management into an organization's strategic planning processes.

Explanation

Mahasweta Devi, a prolific Bengali writer and social activist, authored the novel Hajar Churashir Maa in 1974. The book, which translates to Mother of 1084, is set against the backdrop of the Naxalite movement in West Bengal during the early 1970s. It explores the emotional and political awakening of a mother, Sujata, who tries to understand the revolutionary ideals that led to the death of her son, identified simply as corpse number 1084 in the police morgue. Mahasweta Devi received numerous accolades for her literature and activism, including the Jnanpith Award and the Sahitya Akademi Award, with this novel serving as a poignant critique of state violence and social inequality.

Explanation

In January 2020, India and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate content exchange between their national radio broadcasters, All India Radio and Bangladesh Betar. The agreement was finalized during the visit of the Bangladesh Information Minister to New Delhi on January 14, 2020. This collaboration focuses on the mutual sharing of programs in areas such as culture, education, science, and technology, while also enabling joint productions and technical cooperation. By leveraging the reach of Bangladesh Betar, which is the state-owned radio service of Bangladesh, the MoU aims to strengthen the historical and cultural bonds between the two neighboring countries and enhance bilateral communication through public service broadcasting.

Explanation

The SASTRA Ramanujan Prize was established in 2005 by the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology | Research Academy (SASTRA) located in Kumbakonam, India. It is awarded annually to young mathematicians who have made outstanding contributions to areas of mathematics influenced by the legendary Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. A unique criterion of the award is the age limit; it is only granted to individuals who are not more than 32 years old, which was the age at which Ramanujan died. The prize carries a cash award of $10,000 and is internationally recognized for identifying exceptional talent in the mathematical sciences.

Explanation

Article 368, located in Part XX of the Constitution of India, vests the power in Parliament to amend the Constitution. It provides the legal framework and specific procedures for the addition, variation, or repeal of any constitutional provision. Amendments under this article can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha and require a special majority of each house. In certain cases, such as those affecting the federal character of the Constitution, ratification by at least half of the state legislatures is also necessary. The scope of this power is subject to the basic structure doctrine, established by the judiciary, which ensures that the fundamental features of the Constitution remain intact despite the Parliament's amending authority.

Explanation

The Government of India Act 1858, also known as the Act for the Better Government of India, was enacted in the immediate aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This legislation formally terminated the rule of the British East India Company and transferred the powers of government, territories, and revenues directly to the British Crown. Under the provisions of this Act, India was to be governed in the name of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. It established the office of the Secretary of State for India, who was a member of the British Cabinet and vested with complete authority and control over the Indian administration. Additionally, the Governor-General was designated as the Viceroy, serving as the direct representative of the British monarch in India.

Explanation

The Border Security Force (BSF) launched Operation Sudarshan in July 2019 to strengthen the anti-infiltration grid along the International Border with Pakistan, specifically covering the sensitive stretches in Jammu and Punjab. This massive exercise involved the fortification of the border through the clearing of undergrowth to improve visibility, repairing damaged fences, and checking for potential tunnel routes. Thousands of BSF personnel were mobilized to plug gaps and deploy advanced technical surveillance gadgets and sensors along the roughly 1,000 km stretch. The operation was named after the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna to symbolize a protective shield and the force's commitment to neutralizing cross-border threats such as terrorism and smuggling.

Explanation

Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were the two primary pillars of the Maratha taxation system, institutionalized during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Chauth was a levy amounting to one-fourth of the total land revenue of a territory, typically collected from non-Maratha lands or frontier provinces in exchange for protection against Maratha raids and external invasions. Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10 percent tax imposed on top of the land revenue, which Shivaji claimed by asserting his hereditary right as the Sardeshmukh, or the supreme head of the landholders, in the Deccan region. These taxes allowed the Maratha state to sustain its massive military expenditure and expand its influence across the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

The Earth completes one full rotation on its axis, covering 360° of longitude, in approximately 24 hours. To find the angular distance the Earth rotates in a single hour, the total degrees of a full circle are divided by the total number of hours in a day:

Degrees per hour = (360°)/(24 hours) = 15°/hour

This calculation shows that the Earth rotates at a rate of 15° per hour. This relationship is the mathematical foundation for the global time zone system, where each 15° interval of longitude corresponds to a one-hour difference in solar time.

Explanation

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was established on July 12, 1982, to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981. It was founded based on the recommendations of the B. Sivaraman Committee, which was set up by the Reserve Bank of India to review the institutional credit arrangements for agriculture and rural development. NABARD replaced the Agricultural Credit Department and the Rural Planning and Credit Cell of the Reserve Bank of India, along with the Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation. It functions as the apex development bank in India, mandated to provide and regulate credit and other facilities for the promotion and development of agriculture, small-scale industries, cottage and village industries, handicrafts, and other rural crafts.

Explanation

The oesophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach, serving as the primary passage for food and liquids during the digestive process. Commonly known as the food pipe, it is approximately 25 centimetres long in adults and is situated behind the trachea. Its primary function is to transport the swallowed bolus of food through the thorax and into the abdominal cavity. This movement is achieved via peristalsis, which consists of rhythmic, wave-like contractions of the smooth and skeletal muscles within its walls. The oesophagus passes through the diaphragm at an opening called the oesophageal hiatus before joining the cardiac region of the stomach, where a sphincter prevents the backflow of gastric contents.

Explanation

Buland Darwaza is located in Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra in Uttar Pradesh, rather than in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. It was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1601 AD to commemorate his military victory over Gujarat. The structure serves as the main southern entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri and is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. Because the Qutub Complex consists of monuments primarily built during the Delhi Sultanate period by the Mamluk and Khalji dynasties, Buland Darwaza is not geographically or chronologically part of that site.

Explanation

The Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress, held in March 1931 under the presidency of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was specifically convened to endorse the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. This agreement, signed earlier that month between Mahatma Gandhi and the Viceroy Lord Irwin, marked a significant truce in the Indian independence movement. By ratifying the pact at this session, the Congress formally agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and authorized Mahatma Gandhi to represent the party at the Second Round Table Conference in London. Beyond the ratification, the session is historically notable for adopting landmark resolutions on Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Programme, which defined the socio-economic goals of the future independent Indian state.

Explanation

Ozone at the higher levels of the atmosphere, specifically the stratosphere, is formed through the process of photodissociation driven by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. High-energy UV rays from the sun strike diatomic oxygen molecules (O₂), splitting them into two free oxygen atoms (O). These individual oxygen atoms are highly reactive and subsequently collide and bond with other O₂ molecules to create triatomic ozone molecules (O₃). This continuous cycle of formation and destruction, known as the Chapman cycle, maintains the ozone layer which serves as a protective shield absorbing the bulk of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation before it reaches the Earth's surface.

Explanation

The Battle of Chausa was fought on June 26, 1539, at Chausa, located near Buxar in present-day Bihar. It was a major conflict between the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the Afghan leader Sher Shah Suri. Sher Shah utilized a surprise attack during the night and superior tactical positioning to overwhelm the Mughal army. The defeat was so severe that Humayun had to jump into the Ganges River to save his life, narrowly escaping with the help of a water-carrier. This victory was a turning point that allowed Sher Shah Suri to assume the royal title of Farid-ud-din Sher Shah and significantly weakened Mughal authority, leading to the establishment of the Sur Empire in North India.

Explanation

The Brahmani is a major seasonal river in the state of Odisha in eastern India. It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela. The river flows in a southeasterly direction through the districts of Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, and Jajpur. Along with the Baitarani river, it forms a large delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Dhamra. Its drainage basin constitutes a significant part of the eastern coastal plains, making it one of the most prominent east-flowing rivers in the Indian peninsula.

Explanation

The 13th South Asian Games were hosted by Nepal from December 1 to December 10, 2019. The event was held across three cities: Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Janakpur, with the opening and closing ceremonies taking place at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. This edition of the multi-sport regional event featured athletes from seven South Asian countries competing in 26 different sports. Nepal had previously hosted the games in 1984 and 1999, making the 2019 event the third time the country served as the host. The official mascot for the 2019 games was a pair of blackbucks, an endangered antelope species found in the Himalayan foothills and the plains of Nepal.

Explanation

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) inaugurated its first Silk Processing Plant at Surendranagar, Gujarat, in January 2020. The facility was established to support the local production of Patola sarees, which are prestigious traditional garments from Gujarat. Previously, weavers in the region had to procure raw silk from Karnataka or West Bengal, which significantly increased production costs and logistical challenges. By processing silk locally, the plant helps reduce the price of raw materials, ensuring a steady supply of yarn for local artisans and promoting the indigenous Khadi industry in the state.

Explanation

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance is a memoir by Barack Obama, first published in 1995. The book explores the early years of his life, beginning in New York and moving through his time as a community organizer in Chicago to his first visit to Kenya. It focuses on his search for identity and a sense of belonging as he investigates the life of his estranged father, a Kenyan student also named Barack Obama. The memoir received significant critical acclaim for its introspective prose and remains one of the most famous literary works written by a U.S. President.