Former US President Barack Obama is the world's most followed politician with a total following of 182.7 million, as per the report released by digital marketing platform SEMrush on May 7, 2019. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the second most followed politician globally.
2. Name the IPS officer who has been conferred with the 2019 McCain Institute Award for Courage and Leadership.
IPS officer Chhaya Sharma conferred with the 2019 McCain Institute Award for Courage and Leadership. She headed the investigation team of the infamous Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case. She has guided teams in the detection and investigation of sensitive criminal cases and protection of human rights. In 2017, Chhaya performed a crucial role in drafting Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines to Combat Trafficking of Persons in India. The award is granted to those who manifest courage on behalf of human rights, humanitarian compassion, justice, freedom, and human dignity.
3. With whom Joshna Chinappa win Asian Individual Squash Championship Title?
Ace Indian squash players Saurav Ghoshal and Joshna Chinappa won their respective Asian Individual Squash Championship titles in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Saurav Ghoshal defeated Leo Au Chun Ming of Hong Kong. Joshna Chinappa, on the other hand, retained her title as she beat top seed Annie Au of Hong Kong in the women's final event. Ghoshal who had become the first Indian male player to reach the top 10 of the world rankings is the finalist of the previous edition.
4. Name the Indian shooter who attains world number one spot in women's 10 m air rifle event.
Indian shooting ace Apurvi Chandela attained the world number one position in the women's 10 metres air rifle event. Anjum Moudgil attained number two after consistent performances in recent years. The rifle ace from Jaipur is among the five Indian shooters to have already secured 2020 Olympics quotas for the country. Moudgil attained the world number two rank in 10 metres Air Rifle after her mixed team gold at the ISSF World Cup in Beijing. Manu Bhaker is the world number 10 in 25 metres pistol women category.
Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur will soon release his debut novel 'Dopehri', based on a play of the same name which he wrote and directed several years ago. "Dopehri" is the story of Amma Bi, an elderly widow who lives alone in her deserted family haveli in Lucknow. Her only companion is a dishevelled young servant who comes in twice a day. Every afternoon, Amma Bi hears the sound of footsteps on the stairs and her heart fills with panic. She peeks out the door only to find no one there. After considering a move to an old peoples' home, an anxious Amma Bi ends up taking in a lodger, a young woman named Sabiha, with a mysterious occupation and a winsome personality. When Sabiha's secret is revealed, Amma Bi discovers reserves of ingenuity, skill and love she never knew she had, and what started out as the tale of a haunted haveli turns into a heart-warming one about ageing, self-discovery and female bonding. Originally written in Hindi, "Dopehri" will be published simultaneously by HarperCollins in three editions: Hindi (in Devanagari script), Hindi (in Urdu script) and in English translation.
6. Who has been appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the office of Lokpal?
Dilip Kumar, a 1995-batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the office of Lokpal. He has been appointed for a period of six months on additional charge basis or till a new incumbent joins the post. It is perhaps the first official appointment of a bureaucrat in Lokpal. Prior to this post, he was joint secretary at National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Earlier, on 23rd March 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman. According to the rules, there is a provision for a chairperson and a maximum of 8 members in the Lokpal panel. Of these, four need to be judicial members.
7. Name the cricket player who has won the Purple Cap in IPL season 2019?
CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the most successful wicket-keeper in the history of IPL with 132 dismissals, the team's spinner Imran Tahir won the coveted Purple Cap for taking the highest number of wickets.
Lewis Hamilton won Spanish Grand Prix. He celebrated the 76th win of his Formula 1 career, third victory of 2019 and fourth in Spain following victories in 2014, 2017 and 2018. Top spot of the world championship ranking with 112 points, ahead of Valtteri Bottas who is on 105 points.
9. Who is the only female cricketer recommended by BCCI for Arjuna Award 2019?
Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav is the only female cricketer in the list recommended by BCCI. Poonam Yadav is ranked second in women's T20I rankings for bowlers. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also recommended 3 Indian cricketers - Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja for the Arjuna Award 2019. Bumrah is currently the world number one ODI bowler, while Jadeja is the world number three Test all-rounder.
10. Who is the head of the CPWD committee to formulate design policy for building construction?
The Central Works Public Department (CPWD) has constituted an expert committee to formulate a design policy for building construction and infrastructure development. The committee, under the chairmanship of CPWD's Additional Director General M K Sharma, is aimed at reviving building construction and infrastructure development at all levels in the CPWD which comes under the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry. The committee has been asked to submit its report to Director General Prabhakar Singh within 30 days. The CPWD is the largest construction agency of the central government. It constructs most of the government's buildings across the country, erects fences on the country's international borders, among others. The agency also carries out projects in foreign countries under friendship programmes with India.