Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes 18/07/2022 to 23/07/2022

EXPLANATION: 

• The National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) was launched on December 8, 2021 by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in association with the Intellectual Property Office and Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM). Under this programme, awareness and training are provided on Intellectual Property (IP). Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• This scheme has met its goal of training one million students on July 31, 2022, before the deadline of August 15, 2022.
• The National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission targets students in two levels:
• Level A– It includes school students of class 9th to 12th.
• Level B – It includes students from Universities or Colleges.Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• This programme was launched with the aim of raising and stimulating innovation and creativity, and thus contributing to cultural and economic development of society. It seeks to contribute towards creation of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat by increasing awareness on IP among one million students across India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• According to the “Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022” report, the unemployment rate among youth aged 15-24 has reached 15.6% across the world. It is three times the unemployment rate among adults. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• As per report, the number of unemployed young people has decreased from 75 million in 2021 to 73 million in 2022. However, this number is still 6 million more than the number before covid-19 pandemic. Unemployment rate in Africa is 12.7%, below the global average of 14.9%. This figure highlights that young people have withdrawn from labor markets. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• This report has been released by the International Labor Organization (ILO), as a part of Global Call to Action for “human-centered recovery from Covid-19 pandemic”.
• According to the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the Labor Force Participation Rate (LPR) in India had fallen down to 38.8% in June 2022. This highlights that people have dropped off finding employment. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has partnered with the Government of Japan, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Climate Change. They have launched an initiative to hasten climate action across 10 states and Union Territories in India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• This initiative will extend support to Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs), in a bid to achieve net-zero emissions. It will also ensure climate-resilient development. Initiative will be launched in association with IMD at the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE). Its launch is followed by cabinet approval of India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs), that will be forwarded to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• As a part of the initiative, UNDP will work in collaboration with IMD to promote climate resilience and MNRE for promoting climate mitigation. They will promote climate mitigation by placing clean energy infrastructure and low-emission technologies in important sectors like Health; Transport, Micro, Small, & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Agriculture. Initiative will also manifest resilient climate planning at grassroot level via climate information flow systems across 30 Gram Panchayats. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• China and Nepal recently gave their consent to construct the “Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network”. China will also give a grant assistance of USD 118 million to Nepal, to undertake several projects in 2022. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Under the agreement, China will finance the feasibility study of a China-Nepal cross-border railway.Experts from China will visit Nepal to do surveys in 2022.Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity network will be constructed under the Belt & Road Initiative of China. Under it, railways and communication networks will be constructed. India is not in favor of this project and it is an alarming  situation for India’s defense. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The network comprises multiple transportation infrastructure projects, one such project being “China–Nepal railway”. The China-Nepal railway project is in the feasibility study stage. The network also involves internal improvements to Nepalese transport infrastructure like Koshi Economic Corridor, Karnali Economic Corridor and Gandaki Economic Corridor. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Nature Index 2022 was recently released. Survey for the index was conducted based on research articles published in chemistry, life sciences, physical sciences and earth & environment. Rankings were provided on the basis of information secured during April 1, 2021, to march 31, 2022. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• In the index, University of Hyderabad has secured first position among Indian Universities while has been placed at 16th position among all institutions in the academic sector.Hyderabad was ranked first with 72 research papers and a share of 19.46 in the academic sector. Andhra University got 92nd rank. Hence, statement 2 is not  correct.
• The Nature Index is a database of affiliations of authors and relationships of institutions. It records contributions to research articles, published across 82 high-quality natural science journals. These journals are selected by an independent group of researchers. This database is compiled by Nature Research. It provides a real-time proxy of high-quality research output. It is updated monthly. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• Under the Smile-75 initiative, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has marked 75 Municipal Corporations for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons practicing the act of bagging. This initiative has been started as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• SMILE stands for “Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”. 75 Municipal Corporations, experts associated with the field of beggary and NGOs will take part in nationwide launch in online and offline mode. As a part of the initiative, identified Municipal Corporations will cover several comprehensive welfare measures in association with NGOs and other stakeholders, for persons engaged in the act of begging.Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• To implement the scheme till the year 2025-26, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has allocated Rs.100 crores. In India, Begging is a criminal act in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, in accordance with Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, BPBA (1959). Under the act, officials from the Social Welfare Department conduct raids, in association with Police and pick up beggars. Later, they are tried in special courts called ‘beggar courts’. Hence, statement 3 is not  correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• Another zoonotic virus, Langya, was recently discovered in China, after deadly coronavirus was detected in 2019. It is a type of Henipavirus, and is also called Langya Henipavirus or LayV. It was detected in Shandong and Henan provinces in China and has infected 35 people so far. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Langya Virus is a phylogenetically distinct Henipavirus. Henipaviruses are categorized as biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogens. It is responsible for serious illness in animals and humans. Prior to Langya virus, other viruses in Henipavirus category include- Hendra, Cedar, Nipah, Mojiang and Ghanaian bat virus. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Langya virus causes fever. However, deeper investigation of other associated illnesses is underway. Genome sequencing of Langya is similar to that of Henipaviruses. It is also related to “Mojiang Henipavirus, which was discovered in China. Langya virus was first identified while testing patients with fever and recent exposure to animals in eastern China. Virus was identified and isolated from the throat swab sample of the patients. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Ministry of Culture has launched the “India ki Udaan” initiative in association with Google. This initiative seeks to celebrate the unwavering & undying spirit of India and its achievements in the last 75 years. India ki Udaan Initiative was launched as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is the celebration of the unwavering and undying spirit of India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It aims to take citizens to the rich culture & heritage of India, by means of its rich archives and featuring artistic illustrations.This project is launched based on the Theme- ‘Unwavering and undying spirit of India over the past 75 years”. Through this, google will showcase the contribution of Indians in transforming the country, before and after independence. Google will also launch a series of special initiatives on its products and services, in a bid to offer rich content and prime experience to its Indian users. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It is being implemented by Google Arts and Culture, in association with the Ministry of Culture. Under the initiative, users will be provided with a unique view to witness India’s remarkable moments virtually. Users would be able to know more about the iconic personalities of Indian history, leading female personalities, as well as scientific and sports achievements of the country. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The Union Government of India has set the target to eliminate Kala-azar from the country by 2023. According to Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar (Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare), out of 633 Kala-azar endemic blocks, 625 blocks have successfully eliminated the kala-azar in 2021. India’s target is way ahead than the World Health Organization (WHO)’s target of eliminating the disease by 2030. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Kala Azar is also called Leishmaniasis. It is a neglected tropical disease, by which over 100 countries are affected, including India. Neglected tropical diseases are a group of multiple communicable diseases that are prevalent in tropical and subtropical conditions of 149 countries. The disease is caused due to a parasite called Leishmania. This parasite is transmitted via bite of sand flies. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Only drug that is used to treat kala azar is miltefosine. However, this drug is losing its effectiveness rapidly, because of parasite’s resistance to this drug. A protein called ‘P4ATPase-CDC50’, helps in intaking the drug by parasites. But another called ‘P-glycoprotein’, throws this drug out from the parasite's body. Rifampicin is an antibiotic for Tuberculosis (TB). Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Thucydides Trap, or Thucydides' Trap, is a term popularized by American political scientist Graham T. Allison to describe an apparent tendency towards war when an emerging power threatens to displace an existing great power as a regional or international hegemon. Thus, (a) is the correct answer.

EXPLANATION:

• MTP Act 1971:
• It allows a woman to get an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, in case of grave danger to woman’s physical and mental health.
• If the foetus is between 12 and 20 weeks old, then the procedure requires permission from 2 medical practitioners.
• The Act also allows abortion at any time, if the foetus will be born with severe abnormalities.
• The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 and its Rules, 2003, prohibit unmarried women who are between 20 weeks and 24 weeks pregnant to terminate the pregnancy.
• MTP A. Act 2021:
• It proposes to accepts failure of contraception, rape, incest or minor women as valid reasons for abortion not just in married but also in unmarried women but within 20 Weeks. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Raises the legally permissible limit for an abortion to 24 weeks from the current 20 weeks. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• Opinion of 1 registered medical practitioner for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation and 2 for up to 24 weeks. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Why it was necessary:
• India Journal of Medical Ethics points that “10 to 13% of maternal deaths in India are due to unsafe abortions”. Also, there is high incidence of unintended pregnancy.
• Problems with the MTP A Bill:
• The MTP Act also does not address any ethical issues like medical termination of pregnancy results in the death of a living being.
• Only the contraceptive-failure condition is for “any woman”; rest of provisions are for “only married woman”.

EXPLANATION:

• The Ministry of Culture has launched the ‘Badhe Chalo Campaign’, with the aim of connecting with youth of India and infusing a deep sense of patriotism among them. It seeks to ‘create youth centric activation’ for sizable outreach of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Campaign has been designed to involve the youth of India, by encouraging them to come forward and celebrate 75 years of India’s independence. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The Union Government had launched the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative to commemorate and celebrate the 75 years of progressive India as well as the glorious history of Indian culture, achievements and its people. The Ministry of culture is promoting art and cultural heritage in India. It has started several initiatives as a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Through the ‘Jan Bhagidari’ initiative, the ministry also aims to support the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement, to encourage people to hoist a Tiranga in their homes during August 13th– 15th, 2022. The campaign aims to connect and bring the youth and people from all parts of India to one platform. Badhe Chalo Campaign will feature flash dances, where dancers will perform on “Youth Anthem”. This anthem has been written and composed on the theme of ‘Badhe Chalo’. Hence, statement 3 is correct.