Daily Current Affairs Quiz: April 22, 2023

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: D

• NASA is developing a snake-like robot – EELS – which can boost space exploration through its diverse adaptability to various terrains.
• EELS is capable of exploring internal and enclosed dynamic terrain structures to assess evidence for life.
• The EELS architecture is a snake-like, self-propelled robot and made of multiple, identical, segments containing both the actuation and propulsion mechanisms as well as the power and communication electronics to drive them.
• EELS uses first-of-a-kind rotating propulsion units that act as tracks, gripping mechanisms and propeller units underwater, enabling the robot to access a plume vent exit and follow it to its ocean source.
• It’s special focus is on Encaladus, the sixth largest moon of Saturn.
• Besides Enceladus, EELS system can explore Martian polar caps and descending crevasses in Earth’s ice sheets.

ANSWER: C

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti recently released the report of its first-ever census of water bodies, revealing crucial insights into the country’s water resources.
• Objective– to develop a national database for all water bodies by collecting information on subject including their size, condition, status of encroachments, use, storage capacity, status of filling up of storage etc.
• Census was launched in convergence with 6th Minor Irrigation Census under Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Irrigation Census”.
• Water bodies include all natural or man-made units bounded on all sides with some or no masonry work used for storing water for irrigation or other purposes.
• Findings
  • 24 lakh water bodies have been enumerated, out of which 97.1% are in rural areas and only 2.9% are in urban areas.
  • West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh are top 3 states with most water bodies.
  • West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district has highest number of waterbodies.
  • States/UTs with least water bodies: Sikkim, Chandigarh, Delhi.
  • Maharashtra leads in water conservation schemes.
  • 78% are man-made water bodies whereas 22% are natural water bodies.
  • 2% are owned by private entities whereas rest are under public ownership.
  • Water User Associations (WUA) has helped in preventing encroachments.

ANSWER: A

• Ministry of Health and Family welfare, in partnership with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, (MoHUA) has proposed the development of 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country.
• To be implemented as a pilot scheme, it aims to promote safe and healthy practices in the food industry, reduce food-borne illnesses, and improve overall health outcomes.
• This initiative will support the “eat right campaign” and food safety and enhance the credibility of local food businesses.
• The initiative will be implemented through the National Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the MoHUA and with technical support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• States and Union Territories will receive financial assistance of ₹1 crore per food street/district, with assistance under the NHM provided in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10, subject to standard branding according to FSSAI guidelines.

ANSWER: C

• Members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community from Karnataka are stuck in violence-hit Sudan and the government is making efforts to bring them back.

About Hakki Pikki Tribe

• Hakki in Kannada means ‘bird’ and Pikki means ‘catchers’, they are a semi-nomadic tribe, traditionally of bird catchers and hunters.
• They live in several states in west and south India, especially near forest areas.
• According to the 2011 census, the Hakki Pikki population in Karnataka is 11,892.
• They are believed to hail originally from the bordering districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• In different regions, they are known by different names, such as Mel-Shikari in northern Karnataka and Maharashtra.

ANSWER: A

• Zombie firms/companies survive on borrowing as they do not have enough profits to cover debt-servicing costs.
• Zombie Bank is a bank that is practically insolvent but continues to exist through hiding bad loans on their balance sheet.
  • These are kept afloat to prevent panic from spreading to healthier banks.
• Zombie banks resort to forbearance lendinge. allows a borrower to temporarily stop or suspend payments of the loan.

ANSWER: D

• PRAYAG stands for Platform for Real-time Analysis of Yamuna, Ganga and their Tributaries
• Prayag is a real time monitoring centre for planning and monitoring of projects, river water quality, etc. through various online dashboards such as Ganga Tarang Portal, Ganga Districts Performance Monitoring System, etc.
• It was launched by Ministry of Jal Shakti, under the ambit of Namami Gange Programme.

ANSWER: B

• Indian Air Force will participate in Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the Greece Air Force.

ANSWER: C

• The much-awaited work to construct the Shimla bypass and widening of the Kaithlighat-Shakral section of National Highway-5 kick-started today from Kaithlighat.
• The work involves construction of four tunnels whose total length is 3.7 km.
• Besides, 18 big bridges and 53 box culverts would be constructed.
• An expenditure of Rs 1,850 crore would be incurred.
• The bypass, when completed, will rid the city of accidents, pollution and traffic jams.
• Deadline- project is supposed to be completed by April 20, 2026.