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Daily Current Affairs Prelims Quiz - 23-10-2020 - (Online Prelims Test)

1) Recently, Ministry of Shipping has e-launched the development of Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS) in New Delhi. VTMS is mandatory under which of the following Conventions?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : a
  • Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya has recently e-launched the development of Indigenous Software solution for Vessel traffic services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS) in New Delhi.
  • VTS and VTMS software will pave the way for ‘Make for the world’ vessel traffic management systems.
  • VTS and VTMS is a software which determines vessel positions, position of other traffic or meteorological hazard warnings and extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway.
  • Ministry of Shipping has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 10 Crore to IIT, Chennai for development of indigenous VTS software.

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

  • It contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.

Vessels Traffic Management Systems (VTMS)

  • They are installed in some of the busiest waters in the world, and are making valuable contribution to safer navigation, more efficient traffic flow, and protection of the environment.
  • Traffic flow in busy approach routes, access channels, and harbours can be coordinated safely, in the best interest of port and its users.
  • VTMS is mandatory under IMO Convention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea)

Background

  • Presently, India has approximately 15 VTS systems operational along the Indian Coast and there is no uniformity of VTS software as each system has its own VTS software.
  • With the indigenous software development in progress the recent positive cooperation with office of Director General of Light and Lighthouses (DGLL) on joint development of the indigenous VTMS software development as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative will strengthen the cooperation in this area.

Accordingly, indigenous development of VTS software will benefit in:

  1. Saving of foreign exchange for various VTSs in India.
  2. VTS Software can be provided to Indian trade friendly nations viz. Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Gulf countries.
  3. Will also minimize the cost for future upgradations of software.
  4. Shall be easier to interconnect with MIS/ERP softwares of ports.
  5. Availability of Indian VTS software shall make Indian companies to be competitive commercially in global bids.
  6. Implementation of National Maritime Domain Awareness programme of Indian Navy and NCVTS by DGLL – a real time, interactive aids to navigation system for coastal shipping shall become feasible with Indian VTS software at low cost.   

2) Consider the following statements with respect to India International Science Festival (IISF)

  1. It is an annual event held every year at New Delhi, India.
  2. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will spearhead the 6th edition of IISF with support from all other Science & Technology related ministries and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : d
  • The 6th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2020 will be held from 22ndto 25th December, 2020.
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will spearhead the IISF 2020 with support of all other concerned ministries this year.

India International Science Festival (IISF) 

  • IISF is an annual event organized jointly by science & technology-related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).
  • It was launched in 2015.
  • It is a festival to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technocrats from India and abroad.
  • The aim is to engage the public with science and celebrate the joy of science and show the ways how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) provide us with the solutions to improve our lives.
  • The first and second IISF were held in New Delhi, the third in Chennai, the fourth in Lucknow, and the fifth IISF was held in Kolkata.

3) Ministry of Science & Technology has recently inaugurated the Aditi Urja Sanch unit. Consider the following statements regarding the unit:

  1. It is a Dimethyl Ether (DME) fired stove which can burn 100% DME as fuel. 
  2. It is suitable for DME, DME -LPG blended mixtures and also for LPG combustion.
  3. It is fully designed and fabricated by CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL).

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : c
  • Union Minister for Science & Technology has recently inaugurated the Di-Methyl Ether (DME) fired ‘Aditi Urja Sanch’ unit along with the DME-LPG blended fuel cylinders and handed them over for common public and CSIR-NCL (National Chemical Laboratory) canteen use on a trial basis at CSIR-NCL premises.
  • CSIR-NCL has also developed nation’s first kind of DME pilot plant with 20-24Kg/day capacity.

Aditi Urja Sanch

  • It is a Dimethyl ether (DME) fired stove.
  • DME is an ultra-clean fuel.
  • The conventional LPG burner is not suitable for DME combustion as DME density is different than LPG.
  • To address this issue, CSIR- NCL’s Aditi Urja Sanch has come up with a helpful, innovative setup.
  • The new Burner is fully designed and fabricated by CSIR-NCL for DME, DME -LPG blended mixtures and LPG combustion.
  • Trial runs have demonstrated an improvement by 10-15%, compared to conventional burners using LPG alone.             
  • A clean cooking fuel combination of DME-LPG also safeguards the well-being of women and children.
  • The newly designed stove can burn with up to 30 % DME blended with LPG or 100% DME as fuel
  • The launch of this burner will also provide a significant boost to the 'Make in India' campaign as all the manufacturers of cylinders, gas stoves, regulators, and gas hose are domestic.

4) Operation Gulmarg in Indian History refers to which of the following?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : b
  • A National Symposium & Exhibition on “Memories of 22 October 1947” is being organized by the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation & Museology(NMI), at SKICC, Srinagar, Kashmir. 
  • On 22 October, 1947, Pakistan invaded Kashmir.
  • The invasion, ‘Operation Gulmarg’ was result of months of planning and involvement of the topmost leaders of Pakistan including Pakistan’s then Prime Minister, Chief Minister of the North West Frontier, Members of Muslim League and Pakistan Army.
  • The Tribal Militia invasion of Kashmir backed by Pakistan army on 22 Oct 1947 unleashed a brutal series of plunder, rape, arson, looting and killing.
  • The invasion marks the beginning of First Indo-Pak war and set in motion a chain of events that are still affecting the country.
  • On 26 Oct 1947 the State of Jammu and Kashmir formally acceded to India and on 27 Oct 1947 Indian troops were airlifted to Kashmir.
  • From 22 Oct 1947 onwards till the intervention of the Indian Defense Forces all days in Kashmir were blackened with the horrifying stories of mass plunder and vandalism where many lives were lost to the insatiable ambition of the invading Tribal Militia.
  • During this need of hour many willing individuals rose up to the occasion and faced adversity with commendable will and bravery.
  • The two-day National Symposium on 22 & 23 Oct 2020 and the Exhibition commencing on 22 Oct 2020 is an attempt to deliberate upon the records and history of this deceitful attack and subsequent victory of India.

5) Recently, a two member Committee, comprising Harish Kumar and Umesh Sinha, was constituted for which of the following purposes?

  • a. 
  • b. 
  • c. 
  • d. 
Answer : d
  • Election Commission has recently constituted a committee headed by Sh. Harish Kumar, Ex. IRS and DG (Investigation) comprising Sh. Umesh Sinha, Secretary General and DG (Expenditure) to examine the issues concerning expenditure limit for a candidate in view of increase in number of electors and rise in Cost Inflation Index and other factors. 

Background

  • Considering the factor of COVID-19, the Ministry of Law & Justice on 19.10.2020 has notified an amendment in Rule 90 of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 enhancing the existing expenditure limit by 10%. 
  • This increase of 10% will be applicable with immediate effect in ongoing elections.
  • Expenditure limit for a candidate was last revised in 2014, while in respect of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana it was revised in 2018. 
  • In last 6 years the limit was not increased despite increase in electorate from 834 million to 910 million in 2019 to 921 million now. 
  • Further, Cost Inflation Index during this period has increased from 220 to 280 in 2019 to 301 now. 

The committee will have following terms of reference:-

  1. To assess the change in number of electors across the States/Union Territories and its bearing on expenditure.
  2. To assess the change in Cost Inflation Index and its bearing on the pattern of expenditure incurred by the candidates in recent elections.
  3. To seek views/inputs of the political parties and other stakeholders.
  4. To examine other factors which may have bearings on expenditure.
  5. To examine any other related issue.
  • The Committee will submit its report within 120 days of its constitution.
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