[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 22 January 2024

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Depending on the period and geography, there is a large variation when it comes to what a shikhara looks like, or how it is used in a temple’s design. On this basis, Hardy identifies five modes of Nagara temple architecture — Valabhi, Phamsana, Latina, Shekhari, and Bhumija.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/ayodhyas-ram-temple-nagara-style-of-temple-architecture/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S1: Nagara temples are built on a raised plinth, with the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) — where the idol of the deity rests — the most sacred part of the temple. Towering over the garbha griha is the shikhara (literally ‘mountain peak’), the most distinguishable aspect of Nagara style temples.
• S2: The Dravida counterpart to the shikhara is the vimana. There exists, however, a fundamental difference.
• S3: In the Dravida style temples, vimanas are typically smaller than the great gatehouses or gopurams, which are the most immediately striking architectural elements in a temple complex. Moreover, while shikharas are mentioned in southern Indian architectural sources, they refer to only the dome-shaped crowning cap atop the vimana.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/ayodhyas-ram-temple-nagara-style-of-temple-architecture/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Key features of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya:

• Constructed in the traditional Nagara style with a length of 380 feet, width of 250 feet, and height of 161 feet.
• Houses the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (Shri Ram Lalla) in the main sanctum sanctorum and a Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor.
• Includes five mandaps (halls): Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap, and Kirtan Mandap.
• The compound has four Mandirs dedicated to Surya Dev, Devi Bhagwati, Ganesh Bhagwan, and Bhagwan Shiv, along with Mandirs for Maa Annapurna and Hanuman ji.
• The foundation of the Mandir has been constructed with a 14-meter- thick layer of roller-compacted concrete (RCC), giving it the appearance of artificial rock. No iron is used anywhere in the Mandir. For protection against ground moisture, a 21-foot-high plinth has been constructed using granite. The Mandir complex has a sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, water supply for fire safety and an independent power station. The Mandir has been constructed employing the country’s traditional and indigenous technology.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/ayodhyas-ram-temple-nagara-style-of-temple-architecture/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Some of the features of Nagara style are:
  • The temples generally followed the Panchayatan style of temple making, which consisted of subsidiary shrines laid out in a crucified ground plan with respect to the principal shrine.
  • There were no water tanks or reservoirs present in the temple premises.
  • The temples were generally built on upraised platforms.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/ayodhyas-ram-temple-nagara-style-of-temple-architecture/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
• The Vesara style contains elements of both Dravida and Nagara styles.
• The Vesara style is also described in some texts as the ‘Central Indian temple architecture style’ or ‘Deccan architecture’.
• The trend was started by the Chalukyas of Badami (500-753AD) who built temples in a style that was essentially a mixture of the nagara and the dravida styles, further refined by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (750-983AD) in Ellora, Chalukyas of Kalyani (983-1195 AD) in Lakkundi, Dambal, Gadag etc. and epitomized by the Hoysala empire.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/ayodhyas-ram-temple-nagara-style-of-temple-architecture/

Ans: (b )

Explanation:

• About Soligas:
  • The Soligas are an indigenous community residing in the Cauvery Basin and surrounding hills of peninsular India.
  • The Soligas speak Sholaga, belong to the Dravidian family, and practice a blend of naturism, animism, and Hinduism, with Madeshwara as their primary deity.
  • Notably, they are the first tribal community within an Indian tiger reserve to have their forest rights formally acknowledged by a court of law.
• About Yeravas:
  • The Yeravas, another indigenous community in the same region, migrated from Wayanad district in Kerala and settled in Kodagu district.
  • They speak the Revula language, practice Hinduism, and believe in spirits residing in natural elements.
  • Yeravas, often agricultural labourers in coffee and tea plantations, include a higher quantity of tubers in their diet compared to Soligas.
  • They consume mushrooms during the monsoon season, and their settlements are called ‘Kunju.’

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/soligas-and-yeravas/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: India launched the “Alliance for Global Good- Gender Equity and Equality” at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos.
• More about the initiative:
  • Led by the Union Minister of Women & Child Development, the alliance aims to promote women-led development globally. The alliance focuses on global best practices, knowledge sharing, and investments in women’s health, education, and enterprise. Aligned with G20 Leaders’ Declaration, it reflects India’s commitment to women-led development. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership, WEF acts as a ‘Network Partner,’ and Invest India as an ‘Institutional Partner.’
  • The initiative reinforces India’s commitment to global cooperation and the overarching WEF theme, ‘Rebuilding Trust.’ The launch was complemented by a women’s leadership lounge (We Lead lounge) at WEF, featuring discussions and showcasing products by women entrepreneurs.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/alliance-for-global-good-gender-equity-and-equality/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:  About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):

• It is a specialized UN agency established on October 16, 1945, headquartered in Rome, Italy. It aims to lead global efforts to eliminate hunger and ensure food security for all. With 195 members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO’s goal is to provide regular access to high-quality food for active, healthy lives. World Food Day is celebrated annually on October 16th. FAO’s sister bodies include the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/faos-committee-on-fisheries-cofi/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and a leading biopharmaceutical company in India, has launched India’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine called ‘Havisure’.
  • The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.
• Hepatitis B has a vaccine that is recommended for all infants at birth and for children up to 18 years. It is also recommended that adults in high-risk groups be vaccinated.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/havisure/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 2 is incorrect.
• CORAL REEFS
  • Coral has a symbiotic relationship with ‘zooxanthellae’ microscopic algae which live on coral
• Types of reefs :-
  • Fringing reef / Patch reefs are isolated and discontinuous patches, lying shoreward of offshore reef structures as seen in the Palk bay, Gulf of Mannar and Gulf of Kutch.
  • Barrier reefs are linear offshore reef structures that run parallel to coastlines and arise from submerged shelf platforms. Barrier reefs are seen in Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
  • Atolls are circular or semicircular reefs that arise from subsiding sea floor platforms as coral reef building keeps ahead of subsidence. The examples are the atolls of Lakshadweep and Nicobar.
• Functions of Coral Reefs
  • Coral reefs are natural protective barriers against erosion and storm surge.
  • The coral animals are highly adapted for capturing plankton from the water, thereby capturing nutrients
  • Largest biogenic calcium carbonate producer
  • They provide substrate for mangroves.
• Causes of coral bleaching:–
  • Temperature (Major Cause):- Coral species live within a relatively narrow temperature margin, and anomalously low and high sea temperatures can induce coral bleaching. Bleaching is much more frequently reported from elevated sea water temperature.

Refer; https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/01/22/coral-reef/