INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 27 May 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• On Buddha Jayanti (May 26), India’s largest statue of the Reclining Buddha was to have been installed at the Buddha International Welfare Mission temple in Bodh Gaya. The ceremony has been put off due to Covid-19 restrictions.
• What does the statue of Reclining Buddha represent?
  • A reclining Buddha statue or image represents the Buddha during his last illness, about to enter Parinirvana.
  • In Buddhism, parinirvana (Sanskrit: parinirvāṇa; Pali: parinibbāna) is commonly used to refer to nirvana-after-death, which occurs upon the death of someone who has attained nirvana during his or her lifetime.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/the-reclining-buddha/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: The Reclining Buddha was first depicted in Gandhara art, which began in the period between 50 BC and 75 AD, and peaked during the Kushana period from the first to the fifth centuries AD.
• S2: There exists some difference between Greek and Roman styles and Gandhara School integrates both the styles. The idealistic style of Greeks is reflected in the muscular depictions of Gods and other men showing strength and beauty.
  • On the other hand, Romans used art for ornamentation and decoration and is realistic in nature as opposed to Greek idealism.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/the-reclining-buddha/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Why Bay of Bengal is the hot-bed for cyclonic storms?

• The vast low pressure created by the warm water of the ocean.
• The Bay of Bengal shaped like a trough that makes it more hospitable for storms to gain force.
• The high sea surface temperature makes matters more worse in the Bay triggering the intensity of the storms.
• The Bay of Bengal also gets more rainfall with sluggish winds and warm air currents around it that keep temperatures relatively high all year.
• The constant inflow of fresh warm water from the perineal rivers like Bramhaputra, Ganga makes it further impossible to mix with the cooler water below.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/bay-of-bengal-fomenting-yaas-hotter-than-normal-for-season/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: CBI is the premier investigating agency of India. Derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• S2: CBI is exempted from the provisions of the Right to Information Act.
• S3: Operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (India).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/cji-made-statement-of-law-at-cbi-panel/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Late Morarji Desai in 1966 recommended the setting up of the institution of Lokayukta.
• The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013, commonly known The Lokpal Act was passed by the Parliament of India in December 2013.
• It provides for the appointment of a Lokayukta “to investigate and report on allegations or grievances relating to the conduct of public servants.”
• It also called for establishment of Lokpal at the Centre.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/cji-made-statement-of-law-at-cbi-panel/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: About UNHRC:

• S1: It is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world.
  • The main bodies of the United Nations are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat.
• S2: The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.
• The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva, Switzerland.
• S3: The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in United Nations member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/more-scrutiny-of-israel-rights-record-sought/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: QUAD is an informal strategic dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and India that is maintained by talks between member countries.
• Quad won’t be military alliance but there will be military cooperation among members: read more>>
• S2: The quadrilateral security dialogue includes Japan, India, United States and Australia.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/quad-targeting-china-consul-general/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The International Criminal Police Organisation, or Interpol, is a 194-member intergovernmental organisation.
• headquarteredin Lyon, France.
• Formed in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission, and started calling itself Interpol in 1956.
• India joined the organisation in 1949, and is one of its oldest members.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/interpol-3/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Objectives of the mission:
  • S1: To increase the level of co-firing from present 5% to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon neutral power generation from the thermal power plants.
  • To take up R&D activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.
  • S2: To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants.
  • To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/national-mission-on-use-of-biomass-in-coal-based-thermal-power-plants/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Bangladesh has cleared a $200 million currency swap facility for Sri Lanka, becoming the first South Asian country to extend crucial financial assistance to the island nation this year.
• What is Currency Swap Arrangement?
  • S1: It is an arrangement between two friendly countries to involve in trading in their own local currencies.
    • As per the arrangements, both countries pay for import and export trade at the predetermined rates of exchange, without bringing in third country currency like the US Dollar.
    • In such arrangements no third country currency is involved, thereby eliminating the need to worry about exchange variations.
  • S2: These swap operations carry no exchange rate or other market risks, as transaction terms are set in advance. The absence of an exchange rate risk is the major benefit of such a facility.
  • S3: Currency swap agreement can be bilateral or multilateral.

Refer: Facts for Prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/27/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-27-may-2021/