Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 17,2021

ANSWER: C

WHY IN NEWS?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an Rs 100 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti initiative

About:

• This initiative will create employment opportunities for youth in India. It will also lead to growth and development of infrastructure.
• In his address, Prime Minister highlighted that; Gatishakti-National Master Plan will be announced soon.
• Prime Minister also noted that, India needs to increase both manufacturing and exports. Each of the products that are sold globally from India is attached to India. Thus, every product of yours is a brand ambassador for India.

Focus areas of the initiative

• Gati Shakti plan will help in raising global profile of local manufacturers.
• It will also help manufacturers to compete with their counterparts cross the world.
• It also increases the possibilities of new future economic zones.

ANSWER: C

WHY IN NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched National Hydrogen Mission on August 15, 2021 from Lal Quila on the occasion of celebration of 75^th Independence Day. This mission was launched to push for energy security of India.

About:

• This mission was announced in the backdrop of India spending Rs 12 trillion annually to meet its energy needs.
• The mission seeks to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports.
• India currently imports 85% of its oil and 53% of its gas demand.
• On the occasion, pm stressed that, for India to progress and become self-reliant, it becomes important to become energy independent.
• In the line, India is considering to make it mandatory for fertilizer plants and oil refineries to buy green hydrogen under its plans to cut dependence on fossil fuels.

How Green Hydrogen is produced?

Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with the help of electrolyzer which is powered by electricity from renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Green Hydrogen Consumption Obligation (GHCO)

Government of India has also planned to implement Green Hydrogen Consumption Obligation (GHCO) in fertilizer production and petroleum refining. It is similar to renewable purchase obligations (RPO) that require electricity distribution companies to buy a fixed amount of renewable energy. It helps to cut reliance on fossil fuels.

Hydrogen Demand in India

Total hydrogen demand in India is 6.7 million tonnes currently. It is expected to increase to 11.7 million tonnes (mt) by 2029-30.

About Hydrogen

It is a colourless, odourless gas found in Earth’s atmosphere. It is used for industrial uses like petroleum refining, manufacturing of chemicals, steel, & ammonia fertilisers and aerospace applications.

How it is extracted?

Hydrogen is extracted through two methods for Industrial purposes, namely, gasification of coal or through steam methane reformation (SMR). In SMR, methane from natural gas is heated with steam to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which is used as fuel. However, these methods aren’t carbon-friendly and cause vast emissions of greenhouse gasses. Hydrogen produced from this method is called as brown hydrogen. While the Green hydrogen is extracted without releasing any emissions at all.

ANSWER: C

WHY IN NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on August 15, highlighted India’s target to become ‘energy independent’ by 2047, when India will be celebrating 100^th year of Independence.

About:

• India targets to become energy independent through a mix of electric mobility, gas-based economy and mixing ethanol in petrol.
• Prime Minister highlighted his target of making India a hub for hydrogen production.
• Currently, India spends more Rs 12 lakh crore on energy imports per year.

Roadmap to become energy independent

Roadmap for India to become energy independent include:

1. Increasing usage of natural gas in the economy
2. Setting up a network of CNG and piped natural gas network throughout India
3. Blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol and electric mobility.

India’s current achievement

Presently, India has achieved the target of 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity much before the set the target.

Energy policy of India

Energy Policy of India is defined by expanding energy deficit and increased focus of India on developing alternative sources of energy like nuclear, solar and wind energy. As of 2017, India has attained 63% overall energy self-sufficiency.

Primary Energy Consumption in India

Primary energy consumption in India has increased by 2.3% in 2019. It has become the third biggest consumer after China and USA, with global share of 5.8%.

India’s net import

As of 2018, India’s net imports were about 205.3 million tons of crude oil and its products, 26.3 Mtoe of LNG and 141.7 Mtoe coal. They totalled to 46.13% of total primary energy consumption. India is largely dependent on fossil fuel imports to meet its domestic energy demands. As per reports, India’s dependence on energy imports is expected to exceed 53% by 2030.

ANSWER: D

WHY IN NEWS?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address on 75^th Independence Day celebration, announced that Sainik Schools across India will now be open for female students as well.

About:

• This decision was taken following the messages from lakhs of female students that they also want to study in Sainik School.
• Girls were first allowed in Sainik schools of Mizoram about 2.5 years ago.

Sainik Schools

Sainik Schools are system of schools that was established and managed by Sainik Schools Society. It comes under Ministry of Defence (MoD). Establishment of sainik schools was led by V. K. Krishna Menon in 1961, who was the then Defence Minister of India.

Why Sainik Schools were established?

Sainik Schools were established in order to rectify regional and class imbalance amongst Officer cadre of Indian Military. Schools were opened to prepare students mentally and physically to enter into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA).

How many such schools are there?

As of now, there were 33 Sainik Schools. Now, MoD is set to establish 100 more boarding Sainik Schools in public–private partnership (PPP) mode.

Who run Sainik Schools?

MoD run Sainik Schools in association with the respective state governments. MoD provides funding and serving officers for the post of Principal while, State governments provide land, infrastructure and teaching & administrative employees.

Curriculum of Sainik Schools

Sainik Schools follow “CBSE Plus” curriculum by using CBSE curriculum with the additional aim of preparing children for entry into NDA and INA.

ANSWER: A

WHY IN NEWS?

Kaziranga National Park of Assam has become the first national park of India to be equipped with satellite phones.

About:

• About 10 satellites phones were handed over to forest personnel of Kaziranga National Park by Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua.
• This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma May 27, 2021.

Significance of the move

According to an official of Kaziranga National Park, this move will boost anti-poaching measures in the park. These satellite phones will be used in the six ranges of park having no wireless or poor mobile connectivity. Thus, it will help in taking timely measures.

Who is the service provider?

Satellite Phones were procured for the park by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) at an estimated cost of Rs 16 lakh. Service will be provided by BSNL while monthly expenses will be fulfilled by park authorities. BSNL also trained the forest personnel to operate satellite phones in the areas where satellite phones do not work like in in shadow areas and grooves.

Kaziranga National Park

This national park of India is spread to the district of Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon in state of Assam. It hosts two-thirds of world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses. Park has also been listed as a World Heritage Site. According to the census of 2018, there are 2413 rhino population in Kaziranga National Park. It includes 1,641 adult rhinos, 387 sub-adults and 385 calves. Kaziranga was known for the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. Presently, highest tiger density is in Orang National Park of Assam. Birdlife international for conservation of avifaunal species also recognises Kaziranga park as an Important Bird Area

ANSWER: C

WHY IN NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on August 14, 2021 that, August 14 would now be observed as “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”

About:

• The day would be observed every year to commemorate the “struggles and sacrifices” of millions of people who were displaced and lost their lives during Partition.
• On August 14, Pakistan emerged as a political entity after Partition and is observed as Independence Day of Pakistan.

Significance

This move by Prime Minister becomes significant in the backdrop of situation in Afghanistan and advance of the Taliban raising old spectres in the region.

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day

This day is a national Memorial Day in India, that was announced to be observed on August 14. The day commemorates the victims and sufferings of people during Partition of India. It remembers the sufferings of Indians during partition. The day was announced with the aim of reminding Indians the need of removing social divisions and disharmony. It seeks to further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment

ANSWER: B

WHY IN NEWS?

While addressing the nation on 75^th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to provide fortified rice to poor under various schemes.

About:

• This decision was taken in order to address the problem of malnutrition in India.
• Providing nutrition to every poor person India is a priority of the government.
• This decision was taken in the view that, malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients among poor women and poor children is a major hurdle in their development. This, government will provide fortified rice with nutrition them.
• Child Malnutrition is a major threat to the growth and development of children.
• Micronutrient deficiencies or ‘hidden hunger’ also continue to pose significant public health problems in Indian populations.

Significance of the announcement

This announcement is significant because, government distributes more than 300 lakh tonnes of rice under schemes covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.

What is food fortification?

Food fortification is the simplest and sustainable public health strategies that address the challenge of micronutrient deficiencies. It is a cost-effective, scientifically proven, and globally recognised approach. It also helps in easily reaching to wider & vulnerable populations by means of existing food delivery systems.

Why Rice will be fortified?

Because, rice has highest uptake in government food safety net programmes like public distribution system, integrated child development services, mid-day meal schemes etc. Further, rice has potential to reach more than a million people, especially women and children.

NFHS 4 report

According to National Family Health Survey report, India has the largest burden of iron-deficiency and anaemia worldwide. About 59% of children and 50% of pregnant women are anaemic in India. Child and maternal malnutrition accounts for 15% of India’s total disease burden.

ANSWER: D

WHY IN NEWS?

Indian researchers have developed a non-invasive, easy to administer, cost-effective, and patient compliant potential therapeutic strategy against Visceral Leishmaniasis.

About Leishmaniasis:

1. The leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites. These parasites are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sandfly, a tiny – 2–3 mm long – insect vector.
2. Types: There are three main forms of this disease:
   • Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)
   • Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, and
   • Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL)
3. CL is the most common form, VL is the most severe form and MCL is the most disabling form of the disease.

About Visceral Leishmaniasis(VL):

1. Visceral Leishmaniasis(VL) is also known as kala-azar. The disease is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, substantial weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and anaemia.
2. It is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions annually, making it the second most common parasitic killer after malaria.
3. If the disease is not treated, the fatality rate in developing countries can be as high as 100% within 2 years.

Treatment of VL:

1. The conventional treatment therapy of VL mainly involves painful intravenous administration. This imposes many treatment complications, including prolonged hospitalization, high cost, and high risk of infection.
2. On the other hand, Oral drug delivery brings forth massive advantages that can help overcome these barriers. But with oral routes have potential high renal toxic side effects.
   • To overcome this, scientists have developed a method based on nano carrier-based oral drugs coated with Vitamin B12. This method can mitigate challenges and drug-associated toxicity.

ANSWER: B

WHY IN NEWS?

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has inaugurated the world’s second-largest refurbished state-of-the-art National Gene Bank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Pusa, New Delhi.

About National Gene Bank:

1. National Gene Bank was established in 1996. It aims to preserve the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations in the form of seeds, genomic resources, pollen etc.
2. Hosted By: National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi.
3. Capacity: Presently, the Gene Bank is protecting 4.52 lakh accessions, of which 2.7 lakh are Indian germplasm and the rest have been imported from other countries.
   • Germplasm is a live information source for all the genes present in the respective plant. It can be conserved for long periods and regenerated whenever it is required in the future.

About National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources(NBPGR):

1. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources(NBPGR) was established in 1977 by renaming the National Bureau of Plant Introduction as NBPGR.
2. Parent Institute: It is one of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes.
3. Mandate: To act as the nodal institute at the national level for acquisition, management and genomics-based profiling of indigenous and exotic plant genetic resources (PGR). The PGR is collected for food and agriculture and to carry out related research and human resources development for sustainable growth of agriculture.
4. Headquarters: New Delhi.
5. Significance: NBPGR is meeting the need of in-situ and ex-situ germplasm conservation through Delhi Headquarters and 10 regional stations in the country.

ANSWER: C

WHY IN NEWS?

In order to boost domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS).

About Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS):

1. Launched by:Ministry of Defence in 2020.
2. Aim:To create a state-of-the-art testing infrastructure in partnership with the private industry.

Key Features of the Scheme:

1. Target: The scheme aims to set up 6-8 Greenfield Defence Testing Infrastructure facilities that are required for defence and aerospace-related production.
   • A greenfield project is one that is not constrained by prior work. It is constructed on unused land where there is no need to remodel or demolish an existing structure.
2. Funding:The projects under the scheme will be provided with up to 75% Government funding in the form of ‘Grant-in-Aid’.
   • The remaining 25%of the project cost will have to be borne by the Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV). The SPV constituents will be the Indian private entities and state governments.
3. Duration of the Scheme:Five Years.