Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 06 2023

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: C

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recently approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding the BIND scheme at a cost of ₹2,539.61 crore up to 2025-26.

About Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme:

• It is a Central Sector Schemewhich provides financial support for the infrastructure development of Prasar Bharati i.e. All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD).
• This scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border and strategic areas and provide high-quality content to the viewers.
• Another major priority area of the scheme is the development of high-quality content for both domestic and international audiences and ensuring the availability of diverse content to the viewers by upgradation of the capacity of the DTH platform to accommodate more channels.
• Purchase of OB vans and digital upgradation of DD and AIR Studios to make them HD-ready will also be done as part of the project.
• The Project for modernization and augmentation of broadcast infrastructure also has the potential to generate indirect employment by way of manufacturing and services related to the supply and installation of broadcast equipment.
• The Scheme will increase coverage of AIR FM transmitters in the country to 66% by geographical area and 80% by population up from 59% and 68% respectively.
• It also envisages free distribution of over 8 lakh DD Free Dish STBs to people living in remote, tribal, LWE and border areas.

ANSWER: D

• Recently, a microbiologist from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States found the first known organism that eats viruses.

About Virovore:

• The organisms which eat virusesare called virovore.
• It has been identified as an actual species of protist that feasts on viruses.
• These virus-eating species of protists which are their kingdom on the tree of life and are not an animal, plants, or fungi are now classified as Virovores.
• It is a species of Halteria; microscopic ciliates that populate freshwater worldwide.
• The microbe Halteria is a common genus of protists known to flit about as its hair-like cilia propel it through the water.
• They’re made up of nucleic acids, nitrogen, and phosphorus. It can eat huge numbers of infectious chloroviruses that share their aquatic habitat.
• These organisms can sustain themselves with viruses,consuming many and growing in size.
• The new findings may change our understanding of the role viruses play in the food chain at a microscopic level.

ANSWER: A

• The Assam government has recently announced the recipients of three prestigious awards: “Asom Baibhav,” “Asom Sourav,” and “Asom Gourav” for the year 2022-2023. These awards recognize and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the state and its people.

Asom Baibhav

• Asom Baibhav is the highest civilian award given by the Assam government and this year’s recipient is Tapan Saikia. A resident of Naharkatia, Dibrugarh in Assam, Dr. Saikia is a patron of the Deesikha Foundation and has made significant contributions towards generating awareness and early detection of cancer in Assam and Northeast States.
• Saikia currently serves as the Head of Medical Oncology and Research Director at Prince Aly Khan Hospital and the Director of Oncology Sciences at the Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre in Mumbai. In addition, he has worked as an MD and external examiner at AIIMS Delhi and Allahabad University.
• The Asom Baibav award comes with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs and the recipient is entitled to medical treatment at government expense for the rest of their life.

Asom Sourav

• The Asom Sourav award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields. This year’s recipients are Krishna Roy, Gilbert Sangma, Dr. Binoy Kumar Saikia, and Dr. Sashidhar Phukan.
• The award carries a reward of Rs 4 lakhs and recipients are entitled to medical treatment at government expense up to Rs 3 lakhs each year.

Asom Gourav

• The Asom Gourav award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional achievements in their respective fields. This year’s recipients are Debajit Barman, Rustom Basumatary, Manje La, Binanda Hatibaruah, Atul Ch Baruah, Shila Gowala, Dr. Jogesh Deuri, Dr. Pankaj Lal Gogoi, Sarbeswar Basumatary, Manthang Hmar, Dayal Goswami, Dr. Syed Ifthikar Ahmed, and Dr. Dhrubajyoti Sharma.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs and the recipient is entitled to medical treatment at government expense up to Rs 3 lakhs each year.

ANSWER: C

• The 36th India-France Strategic Dialogue has taken place on January 5, with a focus on addressing China’s militarization of the Indo-Pacific region and ways in which the two nations can work together to counter it.
• In addition to the strategic talks, Diplomatic Advisor Bonne will also meet with India’s Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister.
• Though the Indian government has not disclosed further details about the content of the dialogue, it is clear that India is seeking to strengthen its self-reliance in weapons and hardware with the help of key allies like France due to Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine.

Aircraft Engines and Submarines

• One area where India is seeking French assistance is in the manufacturing of aircraft engines. India is looking for a transfer of technology to enable it to make engines for its indigenous twin-engine fighter, as well as the design and development of next-generation military and civilian engines for future fighter and transport platforms. The Tata group has already teamed up with Airbus to manufacture C295 tactical transport aircraft in Gujarat, and this partnership is set to be expanded to include the production of other civilian and military aircraft through a joint venture with France.
• In addition to aircraft engines, India is also interested in continued French assistance with the production of submarines. The Kalvari (French Scorpene) class submarine line is set to deliver its final submarine this year, and India is hoping that France will help to continue the manufacturing line at Mumbai Dockyards. The plan is to retrofit diesel attack submarines with indigenous air independent propulsion (AIP) systems for long endurance. It is expected that progress will be made on both aircraft engines and long-range submarines during this year’s strategic dialogue with France.

Indo-Pacific Security and Space Cooperation

• Another key topic of discussion during the strategic dialogue will be the Indo-Pacific region, where France is ready to help India with ocean bed mapping and the development of underwater drones and sensors. With the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China becoming increasingly aggressive in the Indo-Pacific, and rapidly expanding its warship and nuclear submarine force, India and its allies must be prepared for any eventualities in the Indian Ocean, which is fast becoming a new frontier. In order to ensure maritime domain awareness and security from the east coast of Africa to the far Pacific, India and France have formed a trilateral group with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• In addition to security in the Indo-Pacific, India and France are also working together in the field of space technology, sharing knowledge in an effort to counter China’s rapid strides in this area.

Terrorism and Regional Stability

• During the strategic dialogue, Bonne will also be briefed by Doval on the posture of the PLA along the 3488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC) between China and India, and the two leaders will discuss ways to bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table to end the conflict that began in February 2022. Another topic of discussion will be the issue of radicalization in the region, particularly in the Af-Pak region, in the wake of the rise of the Taliban, as well as terrorism emanating from Pakistan and targeting India, as seen in the recent terrorist attacks in Rajouri by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayebba (LeT) group.

ANSWER: D

• In Ladakh, Tourism Department is adding another feather to its cap with plans to start Hydro tourism. Ladakh Tourism department in collaboration with National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, NHPC, is planning aquatic sports to begin Hydro tourism at the world’s highest hydropower project on the Indus river, near Alchi in Leh.
• The UT Tourism Secretary Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan directed the official to prepare DPRs and safety guidelines to start the execution of related works in the coming season.
• Aquatic sports like Kayaking, Jet Skiing, Motorboating, Ice Skating during winter, and boating during the summer season will be rolled out in a phased manner.
• Similarly, the tourism department is also introducing border tourism in cooperation with Indian Army.

ANSWER: B

• Kuldeep Singh Pathania, five-time Congress MLA from the Bhattiyat Assembly constituency in Chamba district, was unanimously elected Speaker of the 14th Vidhan Sabha of Himachal Pradesh.
• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur had moved the proposal for Pathania’s election as Speaker.
• The BJP had decided not to field a candidate for the Speaker’s post and hence Pathania was elected unanimously with a voice vote.
• He is the 16th Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha.

ANSWER: C

• The wildlife wing of the state Forest Department has started using drones to stop farmers from cultivating land in and around the wildlife sanctuary in the Pong wetland in Kangra district.
• A large number of local farmers are cultivating the fertile land for the past several years despite a ban on human activities in the sanctuary area.
• Inquiries reveal that farmers of over 30 gram panchayats are cultivating the land on the banks of the Pong wetland for the past several years. The wildlife authorities, which are the custodian of the wetland, have been unable to check illegal cultivation.
• However, to curb the illegal activity, Raginald Royston, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Wildlife, Hamirpur, had recently convened a meeting with panchayat representatives and local farmers and conveyed to them that the cultivation of land in the sanctuary area violated Sections 29 and 31 of the Wildlife Protection Act. He said legal action would be taken against the offenders, who were still cultivating the land.
• According to the DFO Wildlife Department had put a stop on illegal cultivation around the sanctuary during the current rabi season. It had been able to check illegal cultivation through drones, frequent patrolling, organising awareness camps and by making public announcements.
• Meanwhile, farmers submitted a memorandum to the DFO, requesting him to allow them to cultivate the land, which is the source of their livelihood. The DFO assured them of exploring a long-term solution to the issue.
• The farmers had cultivated the land in and around the sanctuary, ploughed fields with tractors and were preparing to sow wheat crop but were stopped by the wildlife authorities.
• The Union Government had in 1999 notified the wetland area as a wildlife sanctuary under the Indian Wildlife Act, 1972. Farmers use tractors to sow crops, spray pesticides on them and use combine machines for harvesting. All these activities are considered dangerous and inimical to foreign migratory birds, which throng the wetland in a large number with the onset of winter.

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C