Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 21-10-2022

Q1. Consider the following statements

1. The region that encompasses the Andes mountain range is widely known as the Third Pole
2. The Third Pole is the source of the 10 major river systems that provide irrigation, power and drinking water to over 9 billion people in Asia

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (b)

Explanation:

The region that encompasses the Hindu Kush Himalayas mountain range and the Tibetan Plateau is widely known as the Third Pole because its ice fields contain the largest reserve of freshwater outside the polar regions. This region is the source of the 10 major river systems that provide irrigation, power and drinking water to over 1.9 billion people in Asia – over 24% of the world’s population.

Q2. Which of the following are the Social and cultural contributions of the Bhakti Movement?

1. Development of regional language
2. Both Bhakti and Sufi Movements influenced Classical Dance
3. It promoted the tradition of pilgrimage

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (d)

Explanation:

Social and cultural contribution 

Social: towards a more egalitarian society

It opposed the class and caste distinction, and male and female distinction. It taught the Hindu-Muslim communities to live in harmony, by removing the conflicts between them.

Regional language

In the cultural sphere, a profound impact is felt in the development of local languages. Braja Basha was developed by Vallabha and Meera, Bhojpuri by Kabir Das, Awadhi by Tulsidas, Mythili by Vidhyapathi and Chandidas, Bengali by Chaitnya Prabhu, Assami by Shankar Dev, Maratha reformers for Marathi, Tamil Shaiva saints called Nayanars and Vaishnava saints Alvars were all responsible for the development of Tamil language.

Literature

Several Sufi saints composed literary works in vernacular languages. Amir Khusro, a disciple of Nizam-ud-Din Aulia, was a noted ‘guzzle’ writer. The poetry of Khusro was so full of sweetness that he was called ‘Tutiy-i-Hind. He is credited with more than 90 works on different subjects i.e. historical and romantic as well. Devotional works of Surdas, and Tulsidas, and devotional songs of the poet-saints of Maharashtra and Gujarat are valuable contributions of the Bhakti Movement to literature.

Music

The Hindustani and Carnatic music traditions were influenced by and perfected. Meera Bai introduced Bhajans, Chaitanya Prabhu Kirthans and great Amir Khusro under the influence of Sufism introduced Sama (congregational music) and devotional music Qawali. The Carnatic music in its form and content is devotional, the essence of the Bhakti Movement.

Dance

Both Bhakti and Sufi Movements influenced Classical Dance with the idea of Devotion. Both the movements left behind them a permanent legacy in the form of a composite culture which is still followed in India.

Pilgrimage

For example, devotion to Lord Vitthala gave rise to the Varkari sect which laid emphasis on an annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur.

Q3. Gita Govinda of Jayadeva is written in

1. Sanskrit
2. Bengali
3. Awadi
4. Braj

Answer (a)

Explanation:

An important contribution of Bhakti saints was towards the development of music. Jayadeva of Bengal composed the Gita Govinda in Sanskrit, each song composed in a particular raga and tala. A significant impact that these saints had on music was the use of Bhajan, Kirtan and Abhang. These songs which emphasised Emotional experience had a tremendous appeal to the common people.

Q4. The popular Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan tells the story of

1. Rajaraja Chola I
2. Rajendra Chola I
3. Krishna Deva Raya
4. Karikala Chola

Answer (a)

Explanation:

PONNIYAN SELVAN

The enduring popularity of the Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan, now adapted for the big screen by Mani Ratnam. Ponniyan Selvan means the son of Ponni (the Cauvery River). The novel was penned by author and freedom fighter Kalki Krishnamurthy, and serialized from 1950-54 on a weekly basis in Tamil magazine ‘Kalki’. It tells the story of the early days of Rajaraja I, born Arunmozhi Varman and considered the greatest of all Chola rulers.

About Rajaraja I (985 – 1014 A.D.) Rajaraja I engaged in naval expeditions and emerged victorious on the West Coast, Sri Lanka and conquered the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. He was a devout follower of Saivism. He completed the construction of the famous Rajarajeswara temple or Brihadeeswara temple at Tanjore in 1010 A.D.

Q5. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is headed by

1. Prime Minister
2. Cabinet Secretary
3. Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change
4. Home Minister

Answer (a)

Explanation:

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is India’s apex statutory body for disaster management. The Prime Minister is its chairperson and it has nine other members. The primary responsibility for the management of disaster rests with the State Government concerned. However, the National Policy on Disaster Management puts in place an enabling environment for all i.e., the Centre, state and district. India is also a signatory to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) which sets targets for disaster management.

Q6. Consider the following statements

1. National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) comes under the Disaster Management Act of 2005 and is audited by CAG
2. PM CARES (PM Citizens’ Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund) gets budgetary support from the government
3. PM National Relief Fund was established with public contributions to assist displaced persons from Pakistan

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (c)

Explanation:

Ratan Tata, KT Thomas (former SC judge) and Kariya Munda (former deputy speaker) have been appointed as trustees of the PM CARES Fund

PM CARES (PM Citizens’ Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation Fund) was launched in 2020, following COVID-19 to combat, and containment and relief efforts against the coronavirus outbreak and similar pandemic-like situations in the future.

• Contribution is voluntary (no budget support)
• PM is ex-officio Chairman
• Contribution to it qualifies under tax benefits
• It has been created not by law, not by notification
• The minimum donation accepted is Rs 10

Other such funds

• National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) (at the National Level) under the DM Act of 2005 and audited by CAG

• PM National Relief Fund: It was established with public contributions to assist displaced persons from Pakistan. It has the President of India and the Leader of the Opposition also as trustees.