[Mission 2023] Current Affairs Quiz , 2 November 2022

Solution: c)

Why does the Yamuna froth every year around Chhath Pooja?

The reason behind the foaming is usually the presence of phosphates from detergents, and anaerobic bacteria in the water that falls from a height at the Okhla barrage

The foam is a year-round phenomenon in the river. It sees an upward trend around this time because winter sets in and the oxygenation of river water is reduced. 

At this time of the year, the river is in a lean phase and the water flow is less. Pollutants, therefore, are not diluted, causing foaming. The defoamer neutralizes the phosphates.

How does the defoaming work?

The defoamer is a solution which can suppress the foam. The spraying of the defoamer has been approved by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

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Solution: b)

What would a Uniform Civil Code mean in India?

A UCC would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, etc. Article 44 of the Indian constitution says, “The state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.”

Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy, described in Part IV of the Constitution. According to Article 37, “The provisions contained in this Part shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.”

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Solution: b)

What is the ‘Pusa Decomposer’?

It is essentially a fungi-based liquid solution that can soften hard stubble to the extent that it can be easily mixed with soil in the field to act as compost.

This would then rule out the need to burn the stubble, and also help in retaining the essential microbes and nutrients in soil that are otherwise damaged when the residue is burned.

The Pusa Decomposer is developed by The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The decomposer takes time to work, around 20-25 days.

Solution: a)

A small river which stopped flowing 70 years ago in Odisha’s Cuttack district is set to be rejuvenated as the State government has started working on its revival plan following a recent direction from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). This is probably the first serious attempt being made to restore a river to its original shape in Odisha.

The Sukapaika River originated from another river, the Mahanadi, near Ayatpur village. It flowed 27.50 km before meeting the Mahanadi again at Bankala.

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Solution: b)

Currently, six languages enjoy the ‘Classical’ status: Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).

Guidelines for declaring a language as ‘Classical’ are:

• High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years.
• A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
• The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.

The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.