ANSWER: C

 ANSWER: A

 ANSWER: C

 ANSWER: A

 ANSWER: B

• Recent Rehabilitation efforts have caused significant cultural Trauma for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in the region.
• Many PVTG’s like Konda Reddis have their life intertwined with the river. Rehabilitation of such groups far away from the river causes unbearable harm to their Tribal culture.

About the project

• Polavaram is a National multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.
• It will facilitate an inter-basin water transfer from the Godavari River to the Krishna river.
• Its reservoir spreads in parts of Chhattisgarh and Orissa
• The project is a multipurpose major terminal reservoir project for the development of irrigation, hydropower and drinking water facilities.
• The project was started in 2008, accorded national status in 2014 in the Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation Act.
• Although The Andhra Pradesh government extended the completion date to the 2022 Kharif season, work is still pending on the project.

 ANSWER: B

• Poothan and Thira’ is an ancient folk dance was performed during celebration of Thiramahotsavam in Thrissur district, Kerala.
• Poothan and Thira are usually performed every year during the Pooram festival.
• According to mythology, Thira and Poothan are the lieutenants of Lord Siva who were sent along with Goddess Kali to kill the demon king Darika.
  • After slaying the demon, Thira and Poothan danced along with Kali to celebrate their victory.
• This dance form is usually performed by people belonging to Mannan and Perumannan
• Artistes clad in vibrant costumes, simple makeup and huge semi-circular headgear that is made of intricately carved wooden pieces perform the Thira, and this dance is a true delight to watch.
• The main musical instrument used is Para (a percussion instrument).

 ANSWER: B

• Nagri Dubraj rice variety from Chhattisgarh recently got a geographical indication tag.
• After Jeeraphool rice in 2019, Dubraj is the second brand to get the GI tag.
• A women’s self-help group “Maa Durga Swasahayata Samuh” of Nagri in Dhamtari district has been harvesting Dubraj and had applied for the GI tag.
• The Nagri Dubraj is known as the Basmati of Chhattisgarh because of its fragrance.
• The rice is of an indigenous variety and has small grains.
• The grain finds reference in Valmiki Ramayana.

 ANSWER: C

• Recently, the Punjab government has issued a “hue and cry notice” against the fugitive pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh.
• Its origins lie in England’s 13th and 14th-century policing system.
• The ‘Statute of Winchester’ signed by King Edward I in 1285 mandated that anyone who witnessed a crime not only had to report it but take up a cry to alert the police.
• These notices are governed by specific rules and procedures and are used sparingly to stress the seriousness of the matter and create panic among the public.
• A ‘hue and cry’ notice is issued by the state or central authorities when it comes to any fugitive. A hue and cry notice is the process of seeking the help of the public in nabbing a criminal. This means that the public can tip off the police to help them catch a fugitive.
• A ‘hue and cry’ notice against a fugitive contains a description of the criminal and the last known location, as well as a tip line number that the public might call regarding the information on the fugitive or if they have seen him somewhere.
• While the term ‘hue and cry’ may have diminished in usage in contemporary times, it remains a legal procedure that must be followed to alert other states about fugitives.

 ANSWER: C

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has announced that it will return 15 Indian sculptures that were trafficked and sold.
  • All the works were sold by Subhash Kapoor, a convicted Indian-American antiquities smuggler. Kapoor was arrested by Interpol in Germany in 2011 and is currently imprisoned in India.
• The works date from the 1^st century BCE to the 11th century CE .
• These include terracotta, copper, and stone artifacts such as a Celestial Dancer (Apsara) valued at over $1 million and a stone bust of Kamadeva, the God of Love from the 8th century CE and a Svetambara enthroned Jina from the 8th century CE.
• Before Independence, the Antiquities (Export Control) Act was passed in 1947 to ensure that no antiquity could be exported without a license.
• Antiquities in India are governed by the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 which falls within the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Union Ministry of Culture.

 ANSWER: A

• Norwegian company Norled has successfully launched the world’s first ferry that runs on liquid hydrogen.
• The vessel, called MF Hydra, is a hybrid that uses both batteries and liquid hydrogen fuel cells.
  • It underwent sea trials for two weeks after initial testing at Hjelmeland quay earlier this year.
• The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has given final approval for the ferry to operate.

 ANSWER: D

• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has claimed his first Australian Grand Prix 2023.
• Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who drove superbly in his Mercedes, finished second, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso filled third spot on the podium.

 ANSWER: C

• Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev claimed his fourth title of the year by defeating Jannik Sinner in a closely-contested final match in Miami Opens 2023.

 ANSWER: A

• Salim Durani, a former Indian cricketer known for his striking looks, humor, and ability to hit powerful sixes, passed away at the age of 88.
• Salim Durani, who was originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, was a talented cricketer known for his explosive batting and left-arm orthodox bowling.

ANSWER: B

• Even as the state has been witnessing steady rainfall since around March 20, the last month ended with 41 per cent rain deficit.
• As against the normal rainfall of 113.4 mm, the state received 66.8 mm rainfall from March 1 to March 31.
• While Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Solan received excess rainfall, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Una and Shimla recorded normal rainfall. However, Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur recorded less rain than normal.
• The current precipitation, has, however, dragged down the maximum temperature even as minimum temperatures are normal. The average maximum temperature has slipped 6.9 degree below normal, with Una, Sundernagar, Chamba, Solan and Mandi recording a deviation of around 10 degree Celsius.