INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 8 March 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S1: Sattras are monastic institutions created as part of the 16th century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement started by Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1596).
  • These Sattras/Thans were established as centres of religious, social and cultural reforms in the 16th century across Assam.
  • Sattras promulgate Sankardeva’s unique “worship through art” approach with music (borgeet), dance (xattriya) and theatre (bhauna).
  • Each Sattra has a naamghar (worship hall) as its nucleus and is headed by an influential “Sattradhikar”. Monks, known as bhakats, are inducted into Sattras at a young age. They may or may not be celibate, depending on the kind of Sattra they are inducted into.
• S2: Sankardeva propagated a form of Bhakti called eka-sharana-naam-dhrama, and espoused a society based on equality and fraternity, free from caste differences, orthodox Brahmanical rituals and sacrifices.
  • His teaching focused on prayer and chanting (naam) instead of idol worship. His dharma was based on the four components of deva (god), naam (prayers), bhakats (devotees), and guru (teacher).
• S3: Majuli is the centre of Assam’s Vaishnavite culture and Bhaona.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/08/what-are-sattras/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• A rare disease is any disease that affects a small percentage of the population.
• Efforts by India towards this:
  • The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published a national policy for the treatment of 450 ‘rare diseases’.
  • The policy intends to kickstart a registry of rare diseases, which will be maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
  • Under the policy, there are three categories of rare diseases — requiring one-time curative treatment, diseases that require long-term treatment but where the cost is low, and those needing long-term treatments with high cost. Some of the diseases in the first category include osteopetrosis and immune deficiency disorders, among others.
  • Financial assistance: As per the policy, the assistance of Rs 15 lakh will be provided to patients suffering from rare diseases that require a one-time curative treatment under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi scheme. The treatment will be limited to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/08/rare-diseases-2/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: ….. The river originates from the Kailash ranges of Himalayas at an elevation of 5300 M. After flowing through Tibet it enters India through Arunachal Pradesh and flows through Assam and Bangladesh before it joins Bay of Bengal….more>>>
• S2: Tributaries
  • left: Lhasa River, Nyang River, Parlung Zangbo, Lohit River, Dhansiri River, Kolong River, the Dibang
  • right: Kameng River, Manas River, Beki River, Raidak River, Jaldhaka River, Teesta River, Subansiri River
• S3: The Brahmaputra River flows by Kaziranga National Park in a braided course for about 53 km……more>>>

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/08/china-plans-to-build-downstream-dams-on-brahmaputra/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• About the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF):
  • The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW) has been implementing the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) since 2016-17 as part of the recommendation of the National Agroforestry Policy 2014.
  • This sub-mission is under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
  • India was the first country to have such a comprehensive policy which was launched at the World Agroforestry Congress held in Delhi in February 2014.
  • At present, the scheme is being implemented in 20 States and 2 UTs.
• Aim of the mission:
  • SMAF aims to encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with the agriculture crops for climate resilience and an additional source of income to the farmers, as well as enhanced feedstock to inter alia wood-based and herbal industry.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/08/sub-mission-on-agroforestry-smaf-scheme/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Switzerland to ban on face coverings in public:
• In a recently held referendum, Switzerland has narrowly voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women.
• Exceptions: The places where the full facial coverings will be allowed include places of worship and other sacred sites. Besides, it will be allowed for health and safety reasons and also in situations where it is “local custom” such as carnivals.
• Background: Swiss people are given a direct say in their own affairs under the country’s system of direct democracy. They are regularly invited to vote on various issues in national or regional referendums.
• First European Country to ban: France was the first country in Europe to ban burqas and niqabs in public places in 2011.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-march-2021/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Feni is a river in southeastern Bangladesh. It is a trans-boundary river with an ongoing dispute about water rights. The Feni River originates in South Tripura district and flows through Sabroom town and then enters Bangladesh.
• The question of sharing of the waters of the river between India and Pakistan was first discussed in 1958. Through at least 2006 the countries continued to consider possible compromises.

• Maitri Setu inaugurated:
  • The bridge ‘Maitri Setu’ has been built over the Feni river which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura State and Bangladesh.
  • The construction was taken up by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd at a project cost of Rs. 133 Crores.
  • The 1.9 km long bridge joins Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/08/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-8-march-2021/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration of tribal areas in the four northeastern States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram [Not Manipur].
• S2: According to fifth Schedule, Each  state  having  scheduled  areas  has  to establish  a  tribes  advisory  council to  advise  on  welfare  and  advancement of  the  scheduled  tribes.  It  is  to  consist  of  20  members,  three-fourths  of whom  are  to  be  the  representatives  of  the  scheduled  tribes  in  the  state legislative  assembly.
• S3: Under fifth Schedule, The president [Not the Governor] is  empowered  to  declare an  area  to  be  a  scheduled    He can  also  increase  or  decrease  its  area, alter  its  boundary  lines,  rescind  such  designation  or make  fresh  orders  for such  redesignation  on  an  area  in  consultation  with  the  governor  of  the state concerned.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/23/hc-orders-composite-floor-test-in-btc/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Governor  of  Assam  may  likewise  direct  that  an  act  of  Parliament does  not  apply  to  a  tribal  area  (autonomours  district)  in  the  state  or  apply with  specified  modifications  and  The  President  enjoys  the same  power  with  respect  to  tribal  areas  (autonomous  districts)  in Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/23/hc-orders-composite-floor-test-in-btc/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Portulaca laljii:

• It is a new species of the wild sun rose discovered recently from the Eastern Ghats in India.
• Discovered from Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.
• It has unique features such as a tuberous root, no hair in its leaf axils, a reddish-pink flower, prolate-shaped fruits, and copper brown seeds without lustre.
• The succulent nature of tuberous roots allow the plant to survive on rocky crevices.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/28/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-28-december-2020/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has sought the inclusion of tourism in the concurrent list to enable the Centre and States to effectively regulate the sector as well as frame policies for growth.
• Seventh Schedule:
  • The seventh schedule under Article 246 of the constitution deals with the division of powers between the union and the states.
  • It contains three lists- Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
  • The union list details the subjects on which Parliament may make laws while the state list details those under the purview of state legislatures.
  • The concurrent list on the other hand has subjects in which both Parliament and state legislatures have jurisdiction. However the Constitution provides federal supremacy to Parliament on concurrent list items in case of a conflict.
• The commission on Centre-State Relations, headed by Justice M M Punchhi, in 2010 recommended that the Union should only transfer those subjects into the Concurrent List, which are central to achieving demonstrable national interest.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/12/31/seventh-schedule/