UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 18th July 2024

Symptoms

·       The CHPV infection presents initially with flu-like symptoms such as acute onset of fever, body ache, and headache.

·       It may then progress to altered sensorium or seizures and encephalitis.

·       Respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, or anaemia.

·       The infection often progresses rapidly after encephalitis, which may then lead to mortality within 24-48 hours of hospitalization.

·       Disease progression can be as rapid as a patient reporting high fever in the morning, and their kidneys or liver being affected by the evening.

·       Treatment: The infection can only be symptomatically managed as currently there is no specific antiretroviral therapy or vaccine available for treatment.

·       The virus resides in the salivary gland of these insects, and can be transmitted to humans or other vertebrates like domestic animals through bites.

·       Scientific Name: Rhinoptilus bitorquatus

·       It was considered to be extinct from the beginning of the 20th century until its rediscovery in 1986.

·       Distribution: It is found only in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

·       It is a delicate lapwing-like bird with a large eye and a short, bicolored bill.

·       The call is a short series of two-noted whistles “tuick-tuoo.”

·       They are insectivorous, hunting invertebrates by sight.

·       ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing) is an initiative to develop 22,000 books in Indian languages in the next five years.

·       It is a collaborative effort of the UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, a high-powered committee under the Ministry of Education.

·       The primary objective of this initiative is to promote and integrate Indian languages more deeply into the education system, thereby enriching the learning experience and making it more inclusive.

·       This project is seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance the accessibility and quality of educational materials across various Indian languages.

·       Thirteen nodal universities have been identified to lead the project, along with member universities from various regions.

·       The UGC has also created a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the book-writing process in each assigned language.

·       The SOP includes the identification of nodal officers, authors, allocation of title, subject, and programme, writing and editing, submission of the manuscript, review and plagiarism check, finalisation, designing, proofreading and e-publication.

·       It seeks to standardize gold price across the country.

·       This initiative has been advocated by the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC).

·       Reasons for fluctuations in gold price – As India imports most of its gold requirement, the currency exchange rate and various duties further influence the gold price in India.

·       If the US dollar strengthens against the rupee, domestic gold prices go up and vice versa.

·       Gold prices vary from State to State due to differences in logistical costs, differing demand and supply dynamics.

These factors create disparities in pricing.

·       Benefits of ONOR – A single gold rate will guarantee that all customers are treated equally and receive jewellery at the same price regardless of their location.

·       Having a single rate across the country will make the gold market more efficient.

·       It will create a more transparent and uniform pricing structure.

·       Eliminating price disparities could lead to a reduction in gold price.

·       It will also help in eliminating opportunities for arbitrage and ensure a fair competitive atmosphere for all jewellers in India.

·       All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council – Is a self-regulated trade body that serve as a bridge between the Government and the trade as well as undertaking various initiatives on behalf of and for the industry.

·       It represents the interests of over 6 lakh gem and jewellery businesses from across the country.

·       It represents various industry segments such as Manufacturers, Retailers, Wholesalers, Allied, gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, Gem stones, and machinery and so on.

·       It undertakes various CSR activities on behalf of the industry workers to promote and ensure safe and secure working environment for its large workforce.

·       The term ‘lac’ originates from the Sanskrit word ‘lakh’, meaning one hundred thousand.

·       The resin forms a cocoon around the insect, serving to incubate its eggs.

·       Raw shellac, known as ‘sticklac’, is refined to produce the commercially available product.

·       Historical context of shellac – Mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Atharva Veda (1500 – 1200 BC).

·       Panini (550 B.C) mentioned the medicinal properties of lac in his book, the Ashtdhyayi.

·       Detailed in Buddhist Vinaya Pitaka texts.

·       In 1563, the Portuguese traveller, Garcia de Orta, described the uses of lac resin and lac dye in India.

·       The Ain-i-Akbari of Abu Fazal (1590) gives detailed procedures for the use of lac varnishes on door screens of public buildings during the Mughal rule in India.

·       In April 2005, SEPC’s role was enhanced as the Nodal EPC for India’s Non Timber Forest Produce, to facilitate exports of Veg Saps & Extracts, Guar Gum, Sesame seeds, Herbs, Niger.

·       Seeds, Other Vegetable materials, Fixed Vegetable Oil, Cakes and more.

·       Subsequently, SEPC was renamed as SHEFEXIL (Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council) and now supports 860 individual products.

·       In October 2007, SHEFEXIL was declared as the nodal EPC for the North Eastern Region of India, to facilitate all exports from all North Eastern States.