QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 12 DECEMBER 2017

Solution: a.

1. Subramaniya Bharathiyar was a poet, freedom fighter and social reformer from Tamil Nadu. He was known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar and the laudatory epithet Mahakavi means a great poet.

• A new age in Tamil literature began with Subramaniya Bharathi. Most part of his compositions are classifiable as short lyrical outpourings on patriotic, devotional and mystic themes.
• Many years of Bharathi’s life were spent in the field of journalism, Bharathi, as a young man began his career as a journalist and as a sub-editor in “Swadesamitran” in November 1904. “India” saw the light of the day in May, 1906. It declared as its motto the three slogans of the French Revolution, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. It blazed a new trail in Tamil Journalism. In order to proclaim its revolutionary ardour, Bharathi had the weekly printed in red paper. “India” was the first paper in Tamil Nadu to publish political cartoons.
• Bharathi was also against caste system. He declared that there were only two castes-men and women and nothing more than that. Above all, he himself had removed his sacred thread.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=148927;

Improvisation: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=174229;

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Solution: a.

China is a participant only of the NSG and not the other three multilateral export control regimes.

List of participants: http://mtcr.info/partners/; http://www.wassenaar.org/about-us/; http://www.australiagroup.net/en/participants.html; http://www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org/en/participants1;

Source/improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/in-an-elite-club/article21419773.ece;

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Solution: c.

From 2008 (https://mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/19149_Frequently_Asked_Questions_01-11-2008.pdf):

Why is the India-US Agreement for Cooperation concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy called the ‘123 Agreement’? The bilateral “Agreement for Co-operation between the Government of India and the Government of the United States of America concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy” has been done in view of the requirement for the US side under Section 123 of its Atomic Energy Act 1954. Hence it is also popularly known as the 123 Agreement.

What are its benefits to India?

The Agreement would end technology denial regimes against India that have been in place for three decades and end India’s nuclear isolation. It will open the doors for India to have civil nuclear cooperation as an equal partner with the USA and the rest of the world. It will enable us to meet the twin challenges of energy security and environmental sustainability. It will also have major spin-offs for the development of our industries, both public and private. At the same time, it will bring India the recognition it deserves thanks to the outstanding achievements of our scientists.

Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/in-an-elite-club/article21419773.ece;

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Solution: b.

The UN Charter gives the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Council can establish a UN peacekeeping operation. UN peacekeeping operations are deployed on the basis of mandates from the United Nations Security Council.

The Charter of the United Nations is the foundation document for all the UN work. The UN was established to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and one of its main purposes is to maintain international peace and security. Peacekeeping, although not explicitly provided for in the Charter, has evolved into one of the main tools used by the United Nations to achieve this purpose.

Additional Information:

• While not normally directly involved in political decisions on establishing or terminating UN Peacekeeping operations, the General Assembly does play a key role in peacekeeping financing.
• Today’s multidimensional peacekeeping operations are called upon not only to maintain peace and security, but also to facilitate the political process, protect civilians, assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support the organization of elections, protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law.
• “Success is never guaranteed, because UN Peacekeeping almost by definition goes to the most physically and politically difficult environments. However, we have built up a demonstrable record of success over our 60 years of existence, including winning the Nobel Peace Prize.”

http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/operations/pkmandates.shtml

Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-power-play-in-peacekeeping/article21420388.ece;

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Solution: c.

There are 24 DSCs.

• Their main objective is to secure more accountability of the Executive (i.e., the Council of Ministers) to the Parliament, particularly financial accountability.
• They also assist the Parliament in debating the budget more effectively.
• The 24  standing committees cover under their jurisdiction all the ministries/departments of  the Central Government. Each standing committee consists of 31 members (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha).
• The term of office of each standing committee is one year from the date of its constitution.
• Out of the 24 standing committees, 8 work under the Rajya Sabha and 16 under the Lok Sabha.

Parliamentary Committees, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth;

Improvisation: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=174253;

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