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#1. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Indian Pangolin’:
#2. With reference to COVAXIN vaccines, consider the following statements:
#3. Consider the following statements:
#4. With reference to RailTel, consider the following statements:
#5. Consider the following statements about the LightHouse Projects (LHPs):
Current affairs quiz today – 05th Jan. 2021.
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Results
#1. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Indian Pangolin’:
1. It is protected under the Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
2. The species is found at an elevation above 2500 m in the Eastern Himalayas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
ANS: (A) 1 ONLY
Explanation
- Pangolins are scaly anteater mammals and they have large, protective keratin scales covering their skin. They are the only known mammals with this feature.
- Pangolins are nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites, which they capture using their long tongues.
- Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.
- Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
- The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
- Chinese Pangolin is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China.
- Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
- Conservation Status of Indian Pangolin:
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Hence, statement 1 is correct.
#2. With reference to COVAXIN vaccines, consider the following statements:
1. It is an inactivated vaccine that destroys the ability of the pathogen to replicate.
2. It aims to develop an immune response to the nucleocapsid protein.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
ANS: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
- Recently, the Drugs Controller General of India’s (DCGI) approved COVISHIELD and COVAXIN vaccines for restricted use against Covid-19 in the country.
- COVAXIN is India’s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine.
- It is an inactivated vaccine which is developed by inactivating (killing) the live microorganisms that cause the disease.
- This destroys the ability of the pathogen to replicate, but keeps it intact so that the immune system can still recognise it and produce an immune response. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- It is expected to target more than just the spike protein.
- It also aims to develop an immune response to the nucleocapsid protein (the shell of the virus that encloses its genetic material). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
#3. Consider the following statements:
1. Nendran Bananas are cultivated in Thrissur district of Kerala.
2. The Nendran Bananas got their Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2014.
3. IIT-Madras has developed a new product called Banana Grit from the raw Nendran Bananas.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
ANS: (C) 3 ONLY
Explanation
- Chengazhikodan Nendran Banana, also known as Chengazhikode Banana, is among the most popular traditional fruits cultivated in Thrissur district, Kerala. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- This variety of Nendran Banana is famed for its characteristic taste, bunch shape and fruit colour.
- The crop is mainly cultivated in organic mode and the crop duration is 13-14 months.
- The Chengalikodan Nendran banana grown in Kerala got Geographical indication (GI) Tag in 2014. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- Recently, scientists at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) at Pappanamcode in Kerala have come up with a new product, Banana Grit or Granules, developed from raw Nendran bananas. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
- CSIR is the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India.
#4. With reference to RailTel, consider the following statements:
1. RailTel is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise.
2. It has been selected for implementation of Bharat Net project.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
ANS: (B) 2 only
Explanation
- Recently, RailTel has proposed to the Ministry of Education its plan for equipping rural schools, run by the central government, with the ability to hold ‘smart classes’.
- RailTel is a “Mini Ratna (Category-I)” Central Public Sector Enterprise. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- It is an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) provider and one of the largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers in the country owning a Pan-India optic fiber network on exclusive Right of Way (ROW – for laying telecom cables) along Railway track.
- RailTel has been selected for implementation of various mission-mode projects for the Government of India including rolling out the National Knowledge Network, Bharat Net and USOF (Universal Service Obligation Fund) funded optical fiber based connectivity project in North East India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
#5. Consider the following statements about the LightHouse Projects (LHPs):
1. The LightHouse Project has been launched in India as a part of the United Nations Human Settlement Programme.
2. Under the project, the houses will be constructed in the capital cities of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
ANS: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
- The Prime Minister has laid the foundation of LightHouse Projects (LHPs), as part of the Global Housing Technology Challenge-India (GHTC-India) initiative, at six sites across six states via videoconference. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- Six LHPs consisting of about 1,000 houses each with physical & social infrastructure facilities are being constructed at six places across the country namely Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Rajkot (Gujarat), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Agartala (Tripura) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
- These projects will showcase the use of the six distinct shortlisted innovative technologies for field level application, learning and replication.
- LHPs will demonstrate and deliver ready to live mass housing at an expedited pace as compared to conventional brick and mortar construction and will be more economical, sustainable, of high quality and durability.
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