QUIZ – 2016: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 16 November 2016

Solution: c.

River Vaigai flows in Tamil Nadu.

“The Madras High Court Bench here on Tuesday asked the Archaeological Survey of India to explain why the artefacts excavated from Pallichanthai Thidal of Keezhadi in the Sivaganga district should not be taken to its Chennai Circle office, instead of the Bengalaru Circle Office, for scientific cleaning, analysis and detailed documentation of the antiquities.”

Primary Source: http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/keezhadi-archaeological-excavation/article7557728.ece

—

Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/why-not-move-keezhadi-artefacts-to-chennai-asks-hc/article9350015.ece

Solution: d.

Question framed with a mains perspective.

• A 1 per cent increase in State GDP (per capita) is associated with a 0.42 per cent reduction in the incidence of serious crimes. It follows that greater affluence is accompanied by a reduction in such crimes.
• A one per cent increase in the sex ratio lowers serious crimes against women by 8 per cent. Indeed, a skewed sex ratio more than undermines the affluence effect. So, if Delhi and Haryana continue to be the worst States despite being affluent.
• Other influential factors include female literacy and labour force participation. Our analysis points to a favourable joint effect of female literacy and labour force participation, though the positive individual effects of female literacy and labour force participation are larger.
• A one per cent decline in the rural/urban population ratio is associated with a reduction of 0.4 per cent in the incidence of such crimes. Even though such crimes in urban areas have greater visibility in the media, the grim reality is that women in rural areas are more vulnerable. Despite likely under-reporting of such crimes, it is revealing that rural women more often seek remedial action against them. This, of course, doesn’t imply that they are more likely to succeed
• Exposure to media — captured through readership of newspapers in English and major Indian languages — has two effects: one is better reporting of crimes and perhaps, more importantly, a crime deterrence effect.

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/crimes-against-women-coordinates-of-safety/article9349828.ece

—

Solution: b.

Pulses have received the highest increase whereas Oilseeds have received the second-highest increase. Being aware of the trends will suffice; you don’t quite have to know which crops received the highest/second-highest increase or their values. You must know that the Government is, by increasing the MSPs for pulses and oilseeds the most, incentivising farmers to grow such crops. That’s all.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-increases-msp-for-rabi-crops/article9350089.ece

—

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=153642

Solution: a.

The approval to increase MSPs is based on the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) which while recommending MSPs takes into account the cost of production, overall demand-supply, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, the likely effect on the rest of the economy, besides ensuring rational utilization of production resources like land and water.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=153642

Solution: b.

On 2 November 2011, The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA) was founded in Istanbul, Turkey. The Istanbul Process provides a platform for regional cooperation in the ‘Heart of Asia’ by placing Afghanistan at its centre. The platform engages the ‘Heart of Asia’ countries in sincere and result‐oriented cooperation for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, as well as a secure and prosperous region as a whole. The regional dialogue (HoA) was established in response to common threats faced by Afghanistan and its neighbours and regional partners.

Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russiapakchina-forum-clouds-afghan-donor-meet/article9349928.ece

Solution: c.

“Birsa’s movement was aimed at reforming rival society. He urged the Mundas to give up drinking liquor, clean their village, and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery… When Birsa was released in 1897 he began touring the villages to gather support. He used traditional symbols and language to rouse people, urging the m to destroy “Ravana” (dikus and the Europeans) and establish a kingdom under his leadership.”

Page 48, Our Pasts III Part 1 – NCERT Class 8;

Improvisation: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=153622

—