UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 16th November 2021

Solution (b)

Rice blast, a fungal disease affecting paddy, is haunting farmers who had raised “Manuvarna”, a new rice variety released by the Kerala Agricultural University recently, on more than 250 acres in Wayanad district.

The blast disease is caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae which is non-systemic in action. The spores of the fungus could have been released from hosts like Purple nutsedge and Echinochloa crusgalli (Muthanga and Kavada respectively in local parlance) which are abundantly present in the paddy fields, bunds, and on sides of irrigation channel of the affected area. This would have resulted in an increased concentration of spores in the air. Relative humidity of more than 93% and rainfall below 5 mm per day are the major predisposing factors especially during the mid tillering stage of the crop for the incidence of the blast. 

The ‘Manuvarna’ variety of paddy was released for the low lands of Kerala, especially for the kole lands, wetland ecosystem

Adoption of prophylactic measures of management would have substantially reduced the severity of blast disease incidence. However, such measures were not taken properly in the affected area which led to severe damage due to the incidence of neck blast.

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/rice-blast-disease-haunts-wayanad-farmers/article37467267.ece

Solution (c)

Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that causes a range of symptoms, 

Norovirus, an animal-borne disease transmitted through contaminated water and food 

Norovirus causes gastrointestinal illness, including inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

Norovirus does not significantly affect healthy people but it can be serious in young children, the elderly and people with comorbidities.

Norovirus is easily transmitted through close contact with people who have been infected, or by touching contaminated surfaces. It can also be spread by eating food that has been prepared or handled by someone with the stomach bug. The virus is spread through the excrement and vomit of an infected person.

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, a high temperature, headache and body aches are some of the common symptoms of norovirus.

Experts say acute vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and further complications.

Article Link:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/norovirus-confirmed-in-kerala-s-wayanad-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-101636717225374.html

Solution (d)

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the Constitutional Authority in India, established under Article 148 of the Constitution of India. He is empowered to Audit all receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and the State Governments, including those of autonomous bodies and corporations substantially financed by the Government.

Articles 148 – 151 of the Constitution of India deal with the institution of the CAG of India.

The CAG is ranked 9th and enjoys the same status as a sitting judge of Supreme Court of India in order of precedence.

The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India is appointed by the President of India

CAG is defined as the “most important officer in the Constitution of India” by Dr B.R. Ambedkar. CAG is an independent jurisdiction authorised under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution. CAG of India, or also the “Guardian of the Public Purse”, is vested with the responsibility of inspecting and auditing all the expenditure of both the Central and the State Governments as well as of those organizations or the bodies which the government significantly funds.

Article Link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comptroller_and_Auditor_General_of_India

Solution (d)

The delta region is called as the “Granary of South India” and once the farmers here used to cultivate paddy in three seasons – Kuruvai (June-July), Samba (August) and Thaladi (September-November). Kuruvai, which means short-term, takes 90 to 120 days of cultivation. Samba and Thaladi take approximately 120 to 180 days.

“But now the days of the cropping seasons are getting reduced. For example, in the past, the Samba season was 180 days. It was gradually reduced to 160 and now it has become 130 to 150 days. So, when the days are decreasing, farmers are going for modern variety short-term crops instead of cultivating traditional paddy varieties which will take 190 days

The short-term paddy varieties which are sown in Kuruvai and Samba seasons

The short-term crops can be cultivated within 90 days. In order to make more profit, farmers sow immediately with whatever paddy variety is available in the market so that they won’t miss a season.

“But that should not be the case. A farmer must know what kind of paddy variety must be sown in which season. For example, in Kuruvai, short-term paddy variety can be sown. Likewise, in Samba and Thaladi, they can sow medium and long term varieties so that the crops can withstand floods. On the contrary, most of the farmers now sow short-term variety in all seasons.

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-seeks-time-for-farmers-to-insure-samba-thaladi-crop/article37464528.ece

https://thefederal.com/field-report/why-tn-delta-farmers-continue-to-struggle-with-short-term-cropping/

Solution (b)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor project on December 13 in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, alongside families of those who had been displaced due to the project.

At least 400 families were asked to vacate the area, many of the encroachments around the historic temple cleared to make way for the project that encapsulates the vision of the Holkar queen of Indore, Ahalya Bai Holkar who created a series of temples and vistas leading up to the Ganga ghat.

Ahilyabai Holkar was the hereditary noble Queen of the Maratha Empire, India. 

Ahilyabai was a great pioneer and builder of Hindu temples and built hundreds of temples and Dharmashalas throughout India. Her greatest achievement was to rebuild the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1776, which was dedicated to Shiva; the presiding deity of the city of Varanasi,

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-to-inaugurate-kashi-temple-corridor-on-dec-13/article37453921.ece

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahilyabai_Holkar