1) The nation celebrated its 66th Republic Day on 26 January 2015 with the main programme being held in the form of the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in capital New Delhi. U.S. President Barack Obama made his place in the history books by becoming the first American President to be Chief Guest at this event. Which another distinction was made by Obama by participating in this event? – He broke the U.S. Secret Service’s security protocol by remaining in the open for more than two hours Explanation: The security guidelines of the U.S. Secret Service, the exclusive agency responsible for an American President’s security, mandate that he does not spend more than 45 minutes at any open-air venue. He however, broke this sacred security protocol by remaining in the open for more than two hours when he graced the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath as the Chief Guest of the event. He also departed from the tradition of accompanying the President of India (Pranab Mukherjee) and preferred to be driven to the venue in his own multi-layered bulletproof car ‘The Beast’. 2) Apart from US President Barack Obama being the first ever US President to become the Chief Guest of the Republic Day Parade, this event also became historic due to which reason? – This was the first time that all-women’s contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force took part in this parade Explanation: The Republic Day Parade of 2015 became historic for the women of the country whose empowerment remained the central theme of this event. From the women contingent of the three armed forces who marched in the parade for the first time to state tableaux depicting women at the forefront, the event left the women members in the crowd emotional and proud. Captain Haobam Bella Devi, a second generation army officer from Manipur, unfurled the tricolour at this marquee event, thus becoming the first woman to do so. The women contingent of the Indian Army was led by Captain Divya Ajith. Ajith earlier had created history by becoming the first women in the history of the Indian Army to have won the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’, awarded to the best cadet, in 2010 at the passing-out-parade ceremony at the OfficersTraining Academy (OTA) in Chennai. 3) What are the names of the two army personnel who were posthumously conferred with the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military honour, on 26 January 2015 on the occasion of country’s 66th Republic Day? – Late Major Mukund Varadarajan and late Naik Neeraj Kumar Explanation: Late Major Mukund Varadarajan and late Naik Neeraj Kumar had laid down their lives while battling groups of militants in separate operations in Shopian and Kupwara districts of Kashmir respectively. The wives of the two martyrs were given the Ashok Chakras by the President Pranab Mukherjee just before the commencement of the 66th Republic Day Parade. Alexis-Tsiparis-Greek-PM 4) Who took over as the new Prime Minister of Greece on 26 January 2015 after his party scored a historic win in the landmark elections held in the country? – Alexis Tsipras Explanation: 40-year old Alexis Tsipras took oath as Greece’s youngest Prime Minister on 26 January, a day after his leftwing Syriza party swept to a sensational victory in the snap election held in the country on 25 January. He was administered oath by President Karolos Papoulias in a brief ceremony held at capital Athens. The election was held earlier than scheduled due to the failure of the Greek parliament to elect a new leader by 29 December 2014. Tsipras’ Syriza party secured 149 out of 300 seats in these elections. After this Syriza party had formed a coalition with right-wing independent parties. His win sent shockwaves throughout Europe as this could put the country on a possible collision course with the EU over its massive bailout started in 2010. A majority of voters in Greece have essentially rejected a core policy for dealing with the eurozone crisis as devised by the European Union (EU) and the European Central Bank (ECB). Tsipras thus formed an anti-bailout govt. determined to face down international lenders and end nearly 5 hours of tough economic measures. You-said-it-rk_laxman 5) R.K. Laxman, believed to be the greatest cartoonist India has produced, passed away on 26 January 2015 in a hospital in Mumbai at the age of 93. He was best known for his daily cartoon strip “You said it” that featured the common man, his legendary creation. This iconic carton strip was published in which newspaper? – ‘The Times of India’ Explanation: R.K. Laxman’s daily cartoon strip “You said it” was first published in ‘The Times of India’ in 1951. His “common man” character, featured in his pocket cartoons, was portrayed as a witness to the making of democracy. Laxman was the younger brother of late R.K. Narayan, the legendary English writer and novelist. 6) Who won the Miss Universe for 2015 that concluded on 25 January 2015 at Miami in (United States)? – Paulina Vega of Colombia Explanation: 22-year old Paulina Vega triumphed over first runner-up, Miss USA Nia Sanchez in the final round to win the coveted title. Contestants from the Netherlands, Jamaica and Ukraine rounded out the five finalists at this event. Noyonita Lodh, India’s contender for the Miss Universe title, failed to reach the Top 10 in the contest. This was the 63rd edition of Miss Universe pageant. Vega is the fourth woman from South America to win the pageant in the past seven years, with contestants from Venezuela taking the title last year as well as in 2007 and 2008.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:49:24 +0000
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