[Mission 2023] Current Affairs Quiz , 3 September 2022

Solution: d)

India’s foreign exchange (Forex) reserves stand at around $570 billion. It is acquired by the RBI for the following reasons:

1. To defend the rupee when needed
2. To gain external account security
3. To enable country to globalise further
4. To import essentials for economic and social security
5. To deter speculations
6. To enjoy favourable rating by sovereign credit rating agencies.

Solution: c)

Umngot is India’s clearest river located in Meghalaya.

Solution: d)

The world’s largest, fully habituated river island Majuli is situated in the middle of Brahamputra, with the Kaziranga National Park touching Jorhat and Nagaon.

Mājuli is the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture.

In 2016 it became the first island to be made a district in India.

Solution: b)

Article 14 says that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. This provision confers rights on all persons whether citizens or foreigners.

The Supreme Court held that where equals and unequals are treated differently, Article 14 does not apply. While Article 14 forbids class legislation, it permits reasonable classification of persons, subjects and transactions by the law.

For e.g. a special law can be made for differently abled as this classification is reasonable and just.

The concept of “equal protection of laws (EPL)” comes from the United States Constitution. It means that the law should be applied equally and fairly to all people.

• UNICEF and WHO released this report to see progress on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and linkages between WASH and infection prevention and control (IPC).
• Key findings:
• Nearly 4 bn people are at risk since over 50% of health facilities in the world lack basic hygiene services.
• Achieving universal access to WASHin health care facilities requires political will and strong leadership at both national and facility levels
• Achieving it is highly cost-effectiveand would yield substantial health benefits.
• Universal basic WASH servicescould be achieved in 46 least developed countries (LDCs) by 2030 for less than US$10 billion.
• The WHO and UNICEFrelease progress updates on WASH in households, WASH in schools and WASH in health care facilities every two years.
• WHO’s WASH Strategy has been developed in response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 3:Good Health and Well Being, SDG 6: Clean Water And Sanitation).

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2022/09/01/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-1-september-2022/

Solution: c)

Pneumonia:

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies pneumonia is the single largest cause of death in children worldwide.
• Every year, it kills an estimated 1.4 million children under the age of five years, according to the WHO. This, despite pneumonia being preventable and treatable.

How is it spread?

• Infectious agents may include bacteria, viruses and fungi.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common viral cause of pneumonia.
• Air sacs in an infected individual’s lungs (alveoli) become inflamed due to deposits of fluid and pus, making it painful and difficult for them to breathe.
• Children and the elderly above the age of 65 years are especially vulnerable.

How can it be prevented and treated?

• Preventive measures include maintaining hygiene and getting vaccinations against certain pneumonia causing bacteria.