[Mission 2023] QUED ( Questions from Editorials ) 17 September 2022

Solurion: d)

Native to Africa and Asia, the lion is the most social cat, and lives in groups called prides. They prefer open forests such as scrubland, and adult males have a prominent mane. The lion is arguably the most widely recognised animal symbol in human culture — be it the Ashoka pillar in Sarnath, the main entrance to Buckingham Palace, or the 20th Century Fox and MGM logo.

The State Emblem of India is the national emblem of the Republic of India and is used by the union government, many state governments, and other government agencies. The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, an ancient sculpture dating back to 280 BCE during the Maurya Empire. The statue is a three-dimensional emblem showing four lions.

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Solution: c)

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology on September 13 confirmed the occurrence of La Niña phenomenon for the third consecutive year in the Pacific Ocean.

It is exceptional to have three consecutive years with a la Niña event. Its cooling influence is temporarily slowing the rise in global temperatures – but it will not halt or reverse the long-term warming trend.

The current La Ninã phase has been prevailing since September 2020. Since the 1950s, La Ninã lasting for more than two years has been recorded only on six instances, data by the India Meteorological Department shows.

El Nino and La Nina, which mean ‘the boy’ and ‘the girl’ in Spanish, are mutually opposite phenomena, during which an abnormal warming or cooling of sea surface temperatures is observed in the Pacific Ocean along the equator, off the coast of South America. Together they constitute what is known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation system, or ENSO for short.

ENSO conditions can alter both temperatures and rainfall globally, due to their strong interference on global atmospheric circulations.

It is a recurring phenomenon and the change in temperature is accompanied by changes in the patterns of upper and lower level winds, sea level pressure, and tropical rainfall across the Pacific Basin.

Normally, El Nino and La Nina occur every four to five years. El Nino is more frequent than La Nina.

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Solution: d)

Over the North Indian Ocean as well, the chances of an increased number of cyclones are due to multiple contributing factors, including high relative moisture and relatively low wind shear over the Bay of Bengal.

The post-monsoon months, from October to December, are the most active months for cyclonic developments over the North Indian Ocean, with November as the peak for cyclonic activity.

Source

Solution: d)

Graphene is one-atom thick carbon-based material that is known to have high electrical and heat conductivity, high strength, flexible, optical properties etc.

Graphene has a unique property of conducting electrons very fast and hence, are used in manufacture of ultrafast transistors. Thus, it can be used in wearable devices to monitor basic bodily functions.

Given its optical reflectivity with an applied voltage, Graphene is said to be ideal for photonic applications. Thus, it can be used in solar cells, LEDs, touch screens, lasers etc., which work on the principle of photo-electric effect.

An optical fibre coated with graphene is used to detect an anti-body that is found in blood plasma, which is an indicator of presence of cardio-vascular diseases.

Solution: c)

What are starred, unstarred and other categories of questions?

STARRED QUESTION: The member desires an oral answer from the minister. Such a question is distinguished by the MP with an asterisk. The answer can also be followed by supplementary questions from members.

UNSTARRED QUESTION: The MP seeks a written answer, which is deemed to be laid on the table of the House by the concerned minister.

SHORT NOTICE QUESTION: These are on an urgent matter of public importance, and an oral answer is sought. A notice of less than 10 days is prescribed as the minimum period for asking such a question.

QUESTION TO PRIVATE MEMBER: A question can be addressed to a private member under Rule 40 of Lok Sabha’s Rules of Procedure, or under Rule 48 of Rajya Sabha’s Rules, provided that the question deals with a subject relating to some Bill, resolution or other matter for which that member is responsible.

In both Houses, the first hour of every sitting is usually devoted to asking and answering of questions, and this is referred to as the ‘Question Hour’.