Plutus IAS ‘Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 16 to 21 January, 2023

EXPLANATION:

• Sunshine Policy is North Korea’s policy towards the south by encouraging interaction and economic assistance.
• Main aim of the policy: Softening North Korea's attitudes towards the South through mutual interaction and economic assistance.
• Three basic principles of Sunshine Policy: No armed provocation by the North will be tolerated. The South will not attempt to absorb the North in any way.
• Kim implemented a so-called “sunshine” policy toward the North, which led in 2000 to a historic summit between Kim and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and to Kim Dae-Jung’s selection as the recipient of that year’s Nobel Prize for Peace.
• Thus, option (d) is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) tracks countries’ efforts to combat climate change. As an independent monitoring tool, it aims to enhance transparency in international climate politics and enables the comparison of climate protection efforts and progress made by individual countries.
• The Climate Change Performance Index is an independent monitoring tool to track countries' climate protection policies. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• India has been ranked amongst top 5 countries in the world, and the best among the G20 countries, based on its Climate Change performance. India jumps 2 spots higher, and is now ranked 8th as per Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI, 2023) published by German Watch, New Climate Institute and Climate Action Network International based in Germany. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
• Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2023) puts India at best among G-20 countries. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

EXPLANATION:

• Melocanna baccifera is a tropical bamboo species. It is known as ‘Muli’ in northeast India. It is native to the northeast India-Myanmar region (Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, and Thailand) and is the largest fruit-producing bamboo.
• Melocanna baccifera is associated with ‘bamboo death,’ ‘rat floods’ and famines in northeast India.
• Other facts about Melocanna baccifera:
  (a) It is one of two bamboo species belonging to the Melocanna genus.
  (b) It grows up to 10–25 m tall.
  (c) It is an invasive species
  (d) Due to its long and vigorous rhizomes it can occupy large areas.
• Thus, all statements are correct.

EXPLANATION:

• An 11th-century marvel which is known among locals as “love temple” is the Rajarani Temple of Bhubaneswar. The temple is coloured with red and yellow sandstone, which are locally referred to as “Rajarani". It is believed that the temple was once the abode of Lord Shiva and was known as Indreshwar Temple.
• Besides, the erotic carvings of couples and women also have its share as to why this temple is called Rajarani. What is most loved by the travelers is the fine details and the use of Pancharatha style in the form of a raised platform with two intricately carved structures. The absence of images inside the temple makes it tough to describe as to which sect of Hinduism it belongs. However, it is believed to be a part of the Saivite tradition of Hinduism as per the niches. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• Lingaraja Temple - a veritable landmark of Odisha, is known for its religious significance and magnificence architecture. Believed to be built in the 11th-century, this Lord Shiva temple has its description in the Brahma Purana (an ancient scripture) and is esteemed as one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneshwar. The name ‘Lingaraja’ represents the King of Lingas and ‘Linga’ is another form of Lord Shiva. During the month of Phalgun (February-March), the temple receives oodles of devotees, especially on the auspicious day of Shivaratri which is the main festival of Lingaraja Temple. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Konark Sun Temple in Odisha where god Surya showers blessings on its devotees. Having its foundation from the 13th-century CE, the Konark Sun Temple is treasured among the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe. The temple holds a special meaning where ‘Kona’ means corner and ‘Arka’ means the Sun, which denotes that Surya is revered in the Ark Kshetra. This famous temple of Odisha along with the Jagannath Temple was used by the European sailors in the Bay of Bengal as major landmarks.Thus, statement 3 is correct.
• One of the most popular temples of India is Kamakhya Temple. Lakhs of devotees visit the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, every year to pay their respect and offer their devotion to the Goddess Kamakhya. It is one of the oldest temples and is the main one in the complex of 10 temples that are adjoining. The shrine is visited by both Hindu as well as tantric devotees. This widely famous temple is renowned for its legendary tales and also its architecture. It is on the Nilachal Hill and is a very large complex with 6 temples and 6 monuments within. It is also famed as the temple of the bleeding Goddess. Legend has it that during the month of June, the waters of the River Brahmaputra turn red because of her menstruating blood. Thus, statement 4 is incorrect.

EXPLANATION:

• National Rail Plan, Vision 2024 was launched for accelerated implementation of certain critical projects by 2024 such as 100% electrification, multi-tracking of congested routes, up-gradation of speed to 160 kmph on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes, up-gradation of speed to 130 kmph on all other Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal (GQ/GD) routes and elimination of all Level Crossings on all GQ/GD route. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• A long-term strategic plan called the National Rail Plan has been developed to plan infrastructural capacity enhancement along with strategies to increase the modal share of the Railways.
• The National Rail Plan will be a common platform for all future infrastructural, business and financial planning of the Railways. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• It collects and collates a host of information from government databases including- Tax and Bank account details, Credit card transactions, Visa and Immigration records, Itineraries of Rail and Air travel. The combined data from NATGRID will be made available to 10 Central Intelligence Agencies. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• NATGRID is exempted from the Right to Information Act, 2005 under sub-section (2) of Section 24. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
• It was first proposed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008. NATGRID has developed application software for proof of technology (POT) which is yet to be fully rolled out. NATGRID's solution is planned to go live by 31.12.2020. C-DAC is implementing NATGRID in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of a self-reliant India. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The National Health Authority (NHA), which runs the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, would be designing and implementing the NDHM. Thus, statement 1 is not correct.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the National Digital Health Mission on August 15, 2020 during his speech on India's 74th Independence Day. With the launch of the historic mission, every Indian will soon have a digital health account. Under the National Digital Health Mission, every Indian will get a Health ID card that will work as a health account comprising information regarding the person's past medical conditions, treatment and diagnosis.Thus, statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refers to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product.
• Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country.
• Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
• They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. So, statement 1 is correct.
• GI Tags, in India, are regulated under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and given by Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks who is Registrar of Geographical Indications. So, statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana aims for ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially inclusive development of the Fisheries sector of India.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is a scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country. The scheme focuses on beneficiary-oriented activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture. PMSSY aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25, increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs. 1,00,000 crore by 2024-25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%.
• PMMSY is envisioned as a tool of Atma Nirbhar Bharat for the purpose of rural development. It utilizes rural resources and boosts rural economy in a rapid way to augment the livelihood of the rural sector of the nation. The main motto of PMMSY is ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’ in the fisheries sector.
• Reforms and initiatives under PMMSY scheme:
  (a) Core & trunk infrastructure development
  (b) Modernization of Indian fisheries through new fishing harbours/landing centres
  (c) Modernisation and mechanization of traditional fishermen crafts-trawlers-deep sea going vessels
  (d) Provision of post-harvest facilities to reduce post-harvest loss
  (e) cold chains facilities
  (f) clean and hygienic fish markets
  (g) two wheelers with ice boxes. Other provisions available to Fishermen are insurance cover, financial assistance and a facility of Kisan Credit Card. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• The PMSSY scheme primarily focuses on adopting ‘Cluster or Area-based approaches’ and the creation of Fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages. Thus, statement 2 is correct..
• Implementing agency:The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.
• With an estimated investment of Rs. 20, 050 crores for its implementation during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories, it is a part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package.

EXPLANATION:

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7.Thus, option (a) is not correct.
• The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris. Thus, option (b) is correct.
• Initially, it was established to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering. In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat terrorist financing, in addition to money laundering. Thus, option (c) is correct.
• Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist. Thus, option (d) is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Nepal is an important neighbor of India and occupies a special significance in its foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.
• The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal. India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini located in present-day Nepal. The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.
• India and Nepal share multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), Non-Aligned Movement, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), etc.Thus, option (c) is the correct.

EXPLANATION:

• As the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, Shillong celebrates the beautiful natural phenomenon every autumn. India International Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong, Meghalaya, takes place in mid-November during the unique autumn flowering of Himalayan Cherry Blossoms. Thousands of people flock to see cherry blossom trees abundant with white-pink flowers during the day and at night lit up by beautiful illumination., Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• Ambubachi Mela is held in Guwahati, Assam. This mela is rightly called as ‘Mahakumbh of the East’. The festival is celebrated during the month of June in the Kamakhya Temple. It is believed that during this time each year Goddess Kamakhya goes through her annual menstrual cycle. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
• Losar is a major festival in Arunachal Pradesh to mark the Tibetan New Year. Tribes like Monpa, Sherdukpens, Memba, Khamba and Nah following the Mahayana sect of Buddhism celebrate this festival with all pomp. This three-day festival begins on February 11 each year. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.