INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS (4 January 2020) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Zonal councils:

• Statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act 1956 and not constitutional bodies. They are only deliberative and advisory bodies.
• Aim: to promote interstate cooperation and coordination.
• The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these Councils.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/04/zonal-councils-2/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
• The Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music.
• As of November, 2019, there are five Indian cities in UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as follows:
  • Jaipur-Crafts and Folk Arts (2015).
  • Varanasi-Creative city of Music (2015).
  • Chennai-Creative city of Music (2017).
  • Mumbai – Film (2019).
  • Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/04/unesco-creative-cities-network-uccn/

Ans: (a)

Explanation: FAME-II Scheme (Department of Heavy Industries)

• The main objective of the scheme is to encourage Faster adoption of Electric and hybrid vehicle by way of offering upfront Incentive on purchase of Electric vehicles and also by way of establishing a necessary charging Infrastructure for electric vehicles. The scheme will help in addressing the issue of environmental pollution and fuel security.
• Total fund requirement for this scheme is 10,000 crores over three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22.
• Emphasis is on electrification of the public transportation that includes shared transport.
• Establishment of Charging stations are also proposed on major highways connecting major city clusters.
• On such highways, charging stations will be established on both sides of the road at an interval of about 25 km each.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/04/fame-ii-scheme-3/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• MEA Sets Up New And Emerging Strategic Technologies Division To Deal With Security Implications Of 5G, AI.
• In a bid to deal with emerging security implications arising due to emergence of new technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence, the Ministry of External Affairs has announced the setting up of a new division on New and Emerging Strategic Technologies (NEST).
• The development comes as the government has allowed all telecom equipment makers, including Chinese Huawei, to participate in the 5G trials.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/04/new-and-emerging-strategic-technologies-nest/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Some individuals have the ability to “read” or to detect colors in the dark with their fingertips. This phenomenon is called extraocular vision.
• The ability to see without eyes is known as extraocular vision. Previous researchers have defined it as the ability to resolve scenes without discrete eyes.
• In sea urchins and brittle stars, researchers suspect that extraocular vision is facilitated by the photoreceptor cells found on their bodies.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/04/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-04-january-2020/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Maharashtra government has launched a ‘cyber safe women’ campaign across the state, on the birth anniversary of Indian social reformer, Savitribai Phule.
• The cyber safe women initiative aims to spread awareness regarding the atrocities committed against women and children as well as the laws regarding cybercrime.
• It will educate women about how the web is used by anti-social elements to commit various types of crimes.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/04/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-04-january-2020/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The products — the Dindigul lock and the Kandangi saree — were given the GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai, 2019
  • The famous Dindigul locks are known throughout the world for their superior quality and durability, so much so that even the city is called Lock City.
  • The abundance of iron in this region is the reason for the growth of the lock-making industry.
  • The original Kandangi saree is manually made using a winding machine, loom, shuttle and bobbin. It is a team effort of the families who live in the town of Karaikudi and it forms part of their livelihood. These sarees are characterised by the large contrast borders, and some of them are known to have borders covering as much as two-thirds of the saree.
• Patola, the trademark saree of Gujarat, is considered to be very costly and worn only by royals or aristocrats.
  • It is a double ikat woven sari, usually made from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat, India.
  • It has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2013.
• Kanchipuram Silk is a type of silk saree made in the Kanchipuram region in Tamil Nadu.
  • It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2005-06
• Gamosa: Assam
  • It is generally a white rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth (in addition to red, other colors are also used).
  • Although cotton yarn is the most common material for making/weaving gamosas, there are special occasion ones made from Pat silk.
  • There are efforts underway to have the Gamosa registered with the Geographical Indication.

Refer: Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/01/04/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-04-january-2020/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• ‘Mrichchhakatika’ or ‘The little clay art’ is an ancient Sanskrit play written by king Sudraka (Ujjayini) in 3rd century A.D.
• This Sanskrit drama attributed to Sudraka, an ancient playwright whose is possibly from the 5th century AD, and who is identified by the prologue as a Kshatriya king as well as a devotee of Siva who lived for 100 years.
• The play is set in the ancient city of Ujjayini during the reign of the King Palaka, near the end of the Pradyota dynasty that made up the first quarter of the fifth century BC.
• The central story is that of a noble but impoverished young Brahmin, who falls in love with a wealthy courtesan or nagarvadhu.
• Despite their mutual affection, however, the couple’s lives and love are threatened when a vulgar courtier, Samsthanaka, also known as Shakara, begins to aggressively pursue Vasantasena.

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The commission was headed by the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Meher Chand Mahajan. The commission, upon review of Maharashtra’s claims, recommended the exchange of several villages in Belgaum district between the two states, but rejected Maharashtra’s claim on Belgaum city.
• The following are the summary of Mahajan committee report.
  • Belgaum to continue in Karnataka
  • Around 247 villages/places including Jatta, Akkalakote, Sholapur to be part of Karnataka
  • Around 264 villages/places including Nandagad, Nippani Khanapur to be part of Maharashtra
  • Kasaragod (of Kerala) to be part of Karnataka

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Elephanta anciently known as Gharapuri, the island capital of Konkan Mauryas, is celebrated for its colossal image of Mahesa murti with three heads each representing a different form.
• The Elephanta Caves serve as a great tourist attraction in the vicinity of the large Mumbai metropolis.
• The cave temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was excavated sometime in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta kings, who ruled the area between A.D (757-973).
• The Elephanta caves is a conglomeration of seven caves, out of which the most important is the Mahesa-murti cave.
• There are sculptured compartments in this cave with remarkable images of Ardhanarisvara, Kalyana-sundara Shiva, Ravana lifting Kailasa, Andhakari-Murti (slaying of Andhaka demon) and Nataraja Shiva.
• The cave complex has been given the status of world heritage by UNESCO.