Tharu tribe is mostly live in which of the following in india?
- Uttar Pradesh
- Tamilnadu
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Kerala
Answer: (a) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation:
In NEWS: Explained: Who are the Tharu tribals of the UP terai whose home and land the govt wants to open to tourists?
- The government’s intention is to put Tharu villages on the tourism map, and to create jobs and bring economic independence for the tribal population.
- The Uttar Pradesh government has recently embarked upon a scheme to take the unique culture of its ethnic Tharu tribe across the world. The intention is to put Tharu villages on the tourism map, and to create jobs and bring economic independence to the tribal population.
- The Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation will train the Tharu people to communicate effectively with visitors, and encourage villagers to acquaint them with aspects of safety and cleanliness, and with the rules of the forest.
Who exactly are the Tharu people?
- The community belongs to the Terai lowlands, amid the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas. Most of them are forest dwellers, and some practice agriculture. The word tharu is believed to be derived from sthavir, meaning followers of Theravada Buddhism.
- The Tharus live in both India and In the Indian terai, they live mostly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. According to the 2011 census, the Scheduled Tribe population in Uttar Pradesh was more than 11 lakh; this number is estimated to have crossed 20 lakh now. Hence option (a) is correct
- The biggest chunk of this tribal population is made up of Tharus. Members of the tribe survive on wheat, corn and vegetables grown close to their homes. A majority still lives off the forest.
What is unusual about the Tharu language, food, and culture?
- They speak various dialects of Tharu, a language of the Indo-Aryan subgroup, and variants of Hindi, Urdu, and Awadhi. In central Nepal, they speak a variant of Bhojpuri, while in eastern Nepal, they speak a variant of Maithili.
- Tharus worship Lord Shiva as Mahadev, and call their supreme being “Narayan”, who they believe is the provider of sunshine, rain, and harvests. Tharu women have stronger property rights than is allowed to women in mainstream North Indian Hindu custom.
Consider the following statements regarding the United Nation Conference on Trade and Development
- It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964 and it reports to the UN General Assembly and United Nations Economic and Social Council.
- The conference ordinarily meets once in four years at its permanent secretariat in Geneva.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Invest India wins United Nations Investment Promotion Award for 2020
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has declared ‘Invest India’ as winner of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award.
- The award ceremony took place at UNCTAD Headquarters in Geneva.
- The Award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of the World’s best-practice investment promotion agencies. The evaluation was based on UNCTAD’s assessment of work undertaken by 180 national Investment Promotion Agencies across the world.
About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
- UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. It report to the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It functions as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, supported by discussions with experts and exchanges of experience, aimed at consensus building.
- It is also part of the United Nations Development Group.
- Its membership is 194 countries.
- The highest policy-making body of UNCTAD is the Conference, which meets once every four years to set policy guidelines and to formulate a program of work. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The UNCTAD Secretariat performs policy analysis, monitors and implements the decisions of UNCTAD’s intergovernmental bodies, and provides for technical cooperation and exchanges of information.
- It comprises four divisions—on globalization and development strategies; international trade; investment, technology, and enterprise development; and services infrastructure.
- The Trade and Development Board is the UNCTAD’s executive body and it is responsible for the operations of the organization when the Conference is not in session.
Consider the following statements regarding the Invest India
- It is a non-profit venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- It is the official investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Government of India, mandated to facilitate investments into India under Make in India.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: UN award testimony to govt’s focus on making India world’s preferred investment destination: Modi
- The Prime Miniser greeted Invest India, an investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Union government, for winning the ‘2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award’.
- The award is a testimony to our government’s focus on making India the world’s preferred investment destination and improving ease of doing business, Modi said in a tweet.
About Invest India
- Invest India is the official investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Government of India,mandated to facilitate investments into India under Make in India. Hence statement 2 is correct
- It will act as the first reference point for any investor interested in India.
- It will facilitate in setting up business in the country, by making available sector-wise consultants and coordinating with the state governments.
- It is set up as a nonprofit venture under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is set up as a joint venture company between the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) (35% equity), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) (51% equity), and State Governments of India (0.5% each).
Climate Change Performance Index is released by which of the following environmental organization?
- Germanwatch
- Greenpeace
- Climate Action Network
- United Nations Environment Programme
Answer: (a) Germanwatch
Explanation:
In NEWS: India a top performer on climate mitigation but more needs to be done: Report
- India ranked high along with the European Union and the United Kingdom in the latest edition of the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) released by non-profit Germanwatch. Hence option (a) is correct
- No country was doing enough to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, according to the index. Six G20 countries were ranked among very low performers. The United States, with a rank of 61, was the worst performer.
- India, for the second time in a row, continued to remain in the top 10. The country scored 63.98 points out of 100.
- It received high ratings on all CCPI indicators except ‘renewable energy’, where it was categorised as having a ‘medium’ performance.
- Last year, India had been ranked at the ninth position, with an overall score of 66.02.
- The CCPI is an independent monitoring tool for tracking countries’ climate protection performance. It has been published annually since 2005.
- It helps to access and judge countries’ climate policy, their recent development, current levels and well-below-2 degrees celsius compatibility of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energies, energy use and their targets for 2030.
- The climate change performance is therefore assessed under four categories: GHG emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy.
About CCPI:
- It is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the country’s climate protection performance.
- It has been published annually since 2005 by Germanwatch, a Germany based non-profit organisation.
- It helps to access and judge countries’ climate policy, their recent development, current levels and well-below-2 degrees celsius compatibility of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energies, energy use and their targets for 2030.
Recently, Bangladesh has signed the first Preferential Trade Agreement with which of the following country?
- Bhutan
- India
- China
- Myanmar
Answer: (a) Bhutan
Explanation:
In NEWS: Bangladesh signs first Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) since its independence
- Bangladesh signed its first Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Bhutan allowing duty free access to a range of goods between the two countries. This is the first PTA Bangladesh has signed with any country in the world.
- The agreement was signed on Sunday between Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Bhutan’s Economic Affairs Minister Lyonpo Loknath Sharma in Dhaka. The agreement was signed on the occasion marking the 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
- In 1971, Bhutan was the first country in the world, followed by India as the second, to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country.
- Under the PTA 100 Bangladeshi products will get duty free access to Bhutan. At the same time, 34 items from Bhutan will get duty free access into Bangladesh. Further items can be added in the list later on the basis of discussion between the two countries.
- Goods like Jute and Jute products, baby clothes and accessories, men’s trousers, jackets and blazers are among the 100 items from Bangladesh which will get duty free access to Bhutan. On the other hand fruit juice, natural honey, wheat flour jams, jellies and lime stone, quartzite etc from Bhutan will have duty free access to Bangladesh.
Consider the following statements regarding Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute
- This think tank is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
- It provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
- S. and Chinese companies dominated the global arms market in 2019, while West Asia made its first appearance among the 25 biggest weapons manufacturers, a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: US- china dominates arms market report
- This think tank is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- S. and Chinese companies dominated the global arms market in 2019, while West Asia made its first appearance among the 25 biggest weapons manufacturers, a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- The U.S. arms industry accounted for 61% of sales by the world’s “Top 25” manufacturers last year, ahead of China’s 15.7%, according to the.
- Total sales by the “Top 25” rose by 8.5% to $361 billion, or 50 times the annual budget of the UN’s peacekeeping operations.
- Six U.S companies and three Chinese firms were in the top 10, rounded out by Britain’s BAE Systems in seventh spot.
- companies Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and General Dynamics clinched the top five spots, while China’s AVIC, CETC and Norinco held spots six, eight and nine. U.S. group L3Harris Technologies was in 10th place.
- For the first time, a company from West Asia made it into the “Top 25”: EDGE, of the United Arab Emirates, was formed by the consolidation of some 25 defence entities in 2019.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-china-dominate-arms-market-report/article33272883.ece
Consider the following statements regarding CO-WIn
- It will be a new mobile app as well with the same name that will allow people to register for the vaccine.
- The CO-WIN app is yet to be available for smartphone users and it is expected that it will be publicly available soon.
- The platform will be used for recording vaccine data and will form a database of healthcare workers
- All COVID-19 related data necessary for the delivery of the vaccine is presently being uploaded on the CO-WIN platform.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 4 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
In NEWS: Government announces CO-WIN mobile app for COVID-19 vaccine delivery
- There will be a new mobile app as well with the same name that will allow people to register for the vaccine. The CO-WIN app is yet to be available for smartphone users and it is expected that it will be publicly available soon. Hence statement 1 and statement 2 is correct.
- The platform will be used for recording vaccine data and will form a database of healthcare workers too. All COVID-19 related data necessary for the delivery of the vaccine is presently being uploaded on the CO-WIN platform. Hence statement 3 and statement 4 is correct.
- The app will have separate modules for administrator, registration, vaccination, beneficiary acknowledgement and reports. Once people start to register for the app, the platform will upload bulk data on co-morbidity provided by local authorities.
- The Government of India has introduced a new digital platform called ‘CO-WIN’ for COVID-19 vaccine delivery.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/government-announces-co-win-mobile-app-for-covid-19-vaccine-delivery/articleshow/79628910.cms
Consider the following statements regarding ECO-Ducts
- It aims to enhance wildlife connectivity that can be disrupted because of highways or logging.
- It includes canopy bridges, concrete underpass or over pass tunnels or viaducts and amphibian tunnels
- Usually these bridges are overlaid with planting from the area to give it a contiguous look with the landscape.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: Building bridges in the forest to help wildlife
- Eco-ducts or eco-bridges aim to enhance wildlife connectivity that can be disrupted because of highways or logging. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- These include
- canopy bridges (usually for monkeys, squirrels and other arboreal species);
- concrete underpasses or overpass tunnels or viaducts (usually for larger animals); and
- amphibian tunnels or culverts. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- Usually these bridges are overlaid with planting from the area to give it a contiguous look with the landscape. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- Ramnagar Forest Division in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, recently built its first eco-bridge for reptiles and smaller mammals.
Source https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-building-bridges-in-the-forest-to-help-wildlife-7095731/
Consider the following statements regarding
- A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance.
- The list of World Heritage Sites is maintained by the international ‘World Heritage Programme’, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
- Recently, Gwalior and Orchha included in the list of World Heritage City by UNESCO
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: Gwalior and Orchha included in a list of World Heritage City by UNESCO
- A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance. The list of World Heritage Sites is maintained by the international ‘World Heritage Programme’, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Hence statement 1 and statement 2 is correct.
- Gwalior and Orchha of Madhya Pradesh have been included in the list of World Heritage City by UNESCO. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Source: http://newsonair.com/News?title=MP%3a-Gwalior-%26-Orchha-included-in-list-of-World-Heritage-City-by-UNESCO&id=405664
The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by
- Gopal Baba Walangkar
- Jyotiba Phule
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
Answer: (a) Gopal Baba Walangkar
Explanation:
In 1888, Walangkar began publishing the monthly journal titled Vital-Vidhvansak (Destroyer of Brahmanical or Ceremonial Pollution), which was the first to have the untouchable people as its target audience. Hence option (a) is correct
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