Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 6,2021

ANSWER: D

WHY IN NEWS?

The Nobel Prize 2021 for physics was awarded to three scientists from Japan, Germany and Italy. Secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Goran Hansson, announced the winners on October 5, 2021

About:

• Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann were awarded for their work in “physical modelling of Earth’s climate, quantifying variability and reliably predicting global warming”.
• Second half of the prize was awarded to Giorgio Parisi for his “discovery of the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems from atomic to planetary scales.”
• As per Nobel Prize Panel, Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann have laid the “foundation of our knowledge of Earth’s climate and how humanity influences it”.

Demonstration by Syukuro Manabe

Since 1960s, he had demonstrated how increases in amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases the global temperatures. This demonstration laid the foundations for current climate models.

Demonstration by Klaus Hasselmann

He had created a model to link weather and climate. This model helped in explaining why climate models can be reliable despite the chaotic nature of weather. He also demonstrated ways to look after specific signs of human influence on the climate.

Model developed by Giorgio Parisi

He built a deep physical and mathematical model. This model made it possible to understand the complex systems in fields of mathematics, machine learning, biology and neuroscience.

Background

In the year 2020, the prize was conferred to  Andrea Ghez from America, Roger Penrose from Britain and Reinhard Genzel from Germany for their research into black holes.

About Nobel Prize

The award comes with a gold medal as well as 10 million Swedish kronor. Money for prize comes from a bequest left by the creator of prize & Swedish inventor, Alfred Nobel.

ANSWER: B

WHY IN NEWS?

Ministry of road, transport & highways launched a scheme for “Good Samaritans”.

About:

• Scheme will be effective from October 15, 2021 and will run till March 31, 2026.
• Under the scheme, a cash award of Rs 5,000 will be provided per accident, to those saving the life of a road accident victim by rushing the person to hospital within the ‘golden hour’ of the accident.
• Cash award will be provided to motivate the general public in order to help the road accident victims in emergency situation.
• Cash award will also be accompanied with a certification of appreciation.

National Level Awards

• Besides award in each case, ministry would also be giving 10 national level awards for the “worthiest Good Samaritans”.
• Most Worthy Good Samaritans will be selected from those who have been awarded during the entire year.
• They will be given an award of Rs 1,00,000 each.
• MoRTH will provide Rs 5 lakh of initial grant to the transport department of states and UTs for awarding the cash prize.
• As per amendment, if Good Samaritan informs about the incident to the police at the first hand, then police will provide an acknowledgement on official letter pad, after verifying details from doctor.
• Individual Good Samaritan will be awarded a maximum five times in a year.

What is golden hour?

‘Golden hour’ is the 1-hour time period after a traumatic injury. During this period, there is the highest possibilities of preventing death by providing prompt medical care.

Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2019

Rules had been notified under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019, on September 29, 2020 by the ministry.

ANSWER: A

WHY IN NEWS?

A team of Indian scientists have developed a non-toxic, environmentally friendly, biodegradable polymer using guar gum and chitosan.

About:

• Guar gum and Chitosan are polysaccharides that are extracted from guar beans and shells of crab & shrimps.
• Fabricated guar gum-chitosan film with high water stability, high mechanical strength, and excellent resistance against harsh environmental conditions can be used in packaging applications.

Polysaccharide

Polysaccharide is one of the biopolymers having high potential for use in synthesis of packaging material. But due to some drawbacks of polysaccharides, like low mechanical properties, low barrier properties and high water-solubility, they are not preferred for packaging materials.

Guar gum-chitosan composite film

To overcome the challenges associated with polysaccharide, the team of scientists fabricated a guar gum-chitosan composite film. It is a cross-linked polysaccharide that do not use any plasticizer with the help “solution casting method”.

Properties of the film

The Fabricated biopolymer composite film had high water stability, high mechanical strength as well as excellent resistance towards harsh environmental conditions. The fabricated cross-linked film is not easily soluble in water. As per scientists, it did not dissolve even after 240 hours. Furthermore, the mechanical strength is higher compared to general biopolymer. It is highly water repellent or hydrophobic because of its high contact angle of 92.8º.  Water vapor permeability is low as compared to the film made only from chitosan.

ANSWER: C

WHY IN NEWS?

Ministry of Textiles has approved the continuation of Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS).

About:

• CHCDS scheme was approved with a total outlay of Rs 160 crore.
• Scheme will continue up to March 2026 now.
• Under the scheme, infrastructural support, design & technology upgradation, market access etc will be provided to handicrafts artisans.

Aim of the scheme

CHCDS schemes was launched to create world-class infrastructure which will caters to the business needs of local artisans & SMEs in order to boost production and export. These clusters have been set with the objective of assisting the artisans & entrepreneurs in setting up world-class units with modern infrastructure, adequate training, latest technology, and human resource development inputs. It is also coupled with market linkages and production diversification.

Provisions under CHCDS

Under CHCDS, interventions such as Baseline Survey & Activity Mapping, Skill Training, Marketing events, Improved Tool Kits, Publicity, Seminars, capacity building, Design workshops, etc will be provided. Scheme will also provide for Emporiums, Common Facility Centres, Raw Material Banks, Trade Common Production Centres, Facilitation Centres, Design & Resource Centres.

Who will undertake the projects?

Integrated projects will be taken up for development with the help of Central or State Handicrafts Corporations, Autonomous body Council Institute, Registered Co- operatives, Registered SPV, Producer company of artisans, that are having good experience in handicrafts sector.

Focus of the projects

These products will focus on integration of scattered artisans, building grass root level enterprises for them and linking them to SMEs in the handicrafts sector in order to ensure economies of scale. Mega handicraft clusters comprising of 10,000 artisans will be selected for overall development under the scheme

ANSWER: D

WHY IN NEWS?

The Ministry of Tourism is organising a “Buddhist Circuit Train FAM Tour and Conference from October 4 to October 8, 2021 in a bid to tap the potential of the Buddhist tourism.

About:

• The FAM tour will comprise of the visit of prominent Buddhist sites as well as conferences at Bodh Gaya and Varanasi.
• This conference is likely to be attended by 125 delegates including tour operators, media, hoteliers, and officials of Ministry of Tourism & State Governments.
• Around 100 local tour operators and other stakeholders of tourism & hospitality sector will attend the event at Bodh Gaya and Varanasi for discussing the key issues with respect to the development and promotion of tourism in the circuit.

Buddhist Tourism in India

India is among world’s largest reservoirs of history, culture, heritage, philosophy, and religion.  With these reservoirs, India is counted amongst the most desired destinations for tourists as well as pilgrims. India has a rich ancient Buddhist Heritage comprising of important sites associated with Lord Buddha. Indian Buddhist heritage is of great interest for the followers of Buddhism across the world. It has remained an inspiration & guide to traditions and customs of India.

Buddhist Conclave

Buddhist Conclave is organised by Ministry of Tourism every alternate year. It is organised with the objective of promoting India as a Buddhist Destination and major markets worldwide. In the year 2021, the International Buddhist Conclave is scheduled from November 17 to 21.

Other initiatives by Ministry of Tourism

• Ministry has showcased the Buddhist Sites on “Incredible India Website” and has developed a dedicated website “www.indiathelandofbuddha.in”. It aims to promote rich Buddhist Heritage across India.
• Ministry is also working on projects for capacity building including Linguistic Tourist Facilitator training in Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese, languages.

ANSWER: A

WHY IN NEWS?

The Indian Navy and The Japan maritime Self-Defence Force is scheduled to start the Fifth edition of India – Japan Maritime Bilateral Exercise called in the Arabian Sea.

About:

• Last edition of the JIMEX exercise was held in September 2020.
• During the three-day exercise, Indian navy will be represented by indigenously built Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer Kochi and Guided Missile Frigate Teg.
• Missiles will be commanded by Ajay Kochhar, who is the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet Rear Admiral.
• Japanese side will be represented by JMSDF ships Kaga, a Guided Missile Destroyer, an Izumo Class Helicopter Carrier and Murasame. It will be commanded by Commander Escort Flotila – 3 Rear Admiral IkeuchiIzuru.
• Apart from these ships, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, integral helicopters, Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and MiG 29K fighter aircraft will also take part in the exercise.

Aim of the JIMEX-21

JIMEX-21 is being conducted with the aim of developing a common understanding of operational procedures and enhancing an inter-operability by conducting a multitude of advanced exercises, in the entire spectrum of maritime operations. These multi-faceted tactical exercises will consolidate the coordination developed by both the navies.

About JIMEX Exercise

JIMEX series of exercises was started in January 2012. It mainly focuses on maritime security cooperation. These exercises are conducted between Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, biennially.

Other Military Exercises between both the countries

Besides JIMEX, India and Japan conduct a joint land military exercise called ‘Dharma Guardian’, annually. They also conduct a Joint Air Force exercise called ‘Shinyuu Maitri’. India and Japan are also involved in a Trilateral Maritime Exercise called Malabar with the USA.

ANSWER: C

WHY IN NEWS?

Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, released a report titled “The State of the World’s Children 2021: On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health” on October 5, 2021 in New Delhi. The state of World’s Children 2021 report is UNICEF’s global flagship publication.

About:

• The report highlights the significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of the children.
• This report is significant because, mental health is an old issue & emerging issue. Furthermore, COVID-19 was a test of mental stress for entire world.
• As per UNICEF report, about 14 percent of 15 to 24-year-olds in India, accounting for 1 in 7, reported feeling depressed or they were having little interest in doing things.

The State of the World’s Children 2021 report

This report examines the mental health of child, adolescent and caregiver. It focuses on risks and protective factors at critical moments if life course. It also digs into the social determinants which ultimately shape mental health and well-being. The report also calls for commitment, communication and action in order to promote good mental health for every child. It also seeks to protect vulnerable children and care for children facing the challenges.

Findings of the report

• UNICEF’s state of the World’s Children Report 2021 has warned that children and young people might feel the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and well-being for several years.
• The report highlights that, how children and young people carried the burden of mental health even before COVID-19.
• As per report, children with mental health disorders in India are mostly undiagnosed and hesitant in asking for help or treatment.
• 50 million children in India were affected by mental health issues, before the pandemic. Out of them, 80 – 90 per cent children have not asked for support.
• As per survey conducted across 21 countries, 14 per cent of respondents aged 15 to 24 years in India reported feeling depressed

ANSWER: B

WHY IN NEWS?

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has proposed an amendment to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, in a bid to liberalise the forest laws.

Status of the amendments

Ministry has sent the proposed amendments to all the state governments, asking for their objections and suggestions within 15 days. The draft proposal will be drawn and placed before Parliament after taking suggestions from states into consideration.

Key facts

• The amendment puts forward stringent norms for the conservation of forest, by hiking the penal provisions for offenses.
• Amendment also provides for maintaining “pristine forests”. Non-forestry activity will not be allowed within the pristine forests, under any circumstances.
• Under the amendment; deemed forests, that have been listed by state governments up to 1996, will continue to be considered as forest land.
• Land acquired by the Railways and the road ministries before 1980, on which forests came up, will not be considered as forests.
• Amendment would also reduce the flow from foreign exchange for importing wood & wood derivatives of approximately Rs 45,000 crore by means of encouraging plantations and afforestation.

Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA)

FCA was promulgated in the year 1980. Before a “1996 Supreme Court judgement” in TN Godavarman Thirumulpad versus Union of India & Others case, forest land was defined by “1927 Forest Act”. But in the 1996 case, Supreme court included all areas under the definition of forest that are recorded as ‘forest’ under any government record.

Why this amendment was put forward?

The definition of forest under the forest act was problematic in case of railways and roads. There is land that both the ministries own, but they cannot use it without getting permission from the MoEFCC. These permissions are granted in about 2-4 years, causing delays in several projects.