UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 28th May 2024

·       The Charter comes after ESA Member States encouraged the Agency to implement “a Zero Debris approach for its missions and to encourage partners and other actors to pursue similar paths”.

·       It aims to combine far-reaching guiding principles and highly ambitious yet realistic technical targets on which to build an ambitious Zero Debris roadmap, driving global space debris mitigation and remediation efforts.

·       To implement the Charter, the ESA will focus on developing ground-breaking technologies for satellite end-of-life disposal, in-orbit servicing, and active debris removal.

·       The charter is a non-legally binding agreement, but it fosters a community of proactive actors working collectively towards jointly defined targets for 2030.

·       The charter sets out a number of targets, including that a mission’s probability of generating space debrisshould remain below 1 in 1,000 per object.

·       It also sets a target of 99% success for post-mission disposal, including through external means when necessary.

·       It encourages transparent information sharing and space traffic coordination.

·       It includes the eastern half of New Guinea (the world’s second largest island) and many small offshore islands.

·       Neighbours: Indonesia to the west, Australia to the south, and the Solomon Islands to the south-east.

·       Capital: Port Moresby

·       Terrain: It is mainly mountainous but has low-lying plains in southern New Guinea.

·       The islands that constitute Papua New Guinea were settled over a period of 40,000 years by a mixture of peoples who are generally referred to as Melanesians.

Language:

·       English is the main language of government and commerce. In most everyday contexts, the most widely spoken language is Tok Pisin.

·       Linguistically, it is the world’s most diverse country, with more than 800 languages.

·       Religion: The majority of Papua New Guinea’s people are at least nominally Christian.

Government:

·       Papua New Guinea became self-governing on December 1, 1973, and achieved independence on September 16, 1975.

·       The country is a constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth.

·       The British monarch, represented by a governor-general, is head of state, and the Prime Minister is head of government.

·       It gained prominence and underwent extensive expansion in the form of the present temple complex during  14th century under the patronage of  Vijayanagara Empire (1336 to 1646).

·       Presiding Deity: Lord Shiva.

·       Built by: This temple complex was constructed by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) of the ruler, Paruda Deva Raya II during the Vijayanagara rule.

·       UNESCO Recognition: It belongs to the Group of Monuments at Hampi, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

·       It is also known as the Pampapathi temple and is the oldest temple in Hampi. The main temple is east facing and has two large courtyards, one leading to the other.

·       Mathematical Construction: The Temple’s construction and decoration shows repeated patterns which depict the concept of fractals. The temple is triangular in shape.

·       Ranga Mandapa: Krishnadevaraya was instrumental in building the central pillared hall (Ranga Mandapa) in 1510 AD  and the gateway tower, which provides access to the inner courtyard of the temple.

·       Annual Chariot Festival: The month of December witness the betrothal and marriage ceremonies of Lord Virupaksha and Goddess Pampa with the annual Chariot festival held.

·       Architecture Style: Dravidian temple architecture

These will act as information hubs for farmers, delivering updates on subjects like

·       Cutting-edge advancements in agricultural research.

·       Price fluctuations and trends in agricultural markets (mandis).

·       Weather forecasts that could impact crops.

·       Details of government schemes supporting agriculture.

·       The initiative aims to serve the agricultural and rural community, with a focus on educating and promoting holistic development.

·       DD Kisan is an Indian state-owned agriculture television channel, founded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

·       It is the flagship channel of Doordarshan, launched on 26th May 2015.

·       It aims to cater to the farming and rural community, to strengthen the three-dimensional concept of agriculture, including balanced farming, animal husbandry, and plantation.

·       The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA) mandates in-person voting at assigned polling stations using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), with exceptions for certain voters to ensure universal suffrage.

·       Postal Ballot: ‘Postal ballot’ allows voters who cannot be physically present in polling stations to vote remotely, as specified in Section 60 of the RPA.

Eligibility: As per Rule 18 of The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, the following classes of persons are entitled to vote by postal ballot:

·       Special Voters: Individuals holding declared office under Section 20(4) of RPA, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Cabinet Ministers, other high-ranking dignitaries, etc. and their spouses.

·       Service Voters: Members of the Indian armed forces, paramilitary forces, an armed state police member serving outside their state, or a government employee stationed abroad and their spouses residing with them.

·       Voters on Election Duty: All individuals from Commission officials to private personnel involved in polling duties are included.

·       Absentee Voters under Section 60(c) of RPA 1951: In 2019, the Election Commission established the ‘Absentee Voters’ category encompassing senior citizens aged 85+, persons with disabilities with at least 40% disability, Covid-19 suspect or affected individuals, and essential services workers such as railways, telecom, electricity, health, traffic, aviation, fire services, and authorised media personnel.

·       Under Preventive Detention: Electors subjected to preventive detention.

Home Voting:

·       Criterion: Over 81 lakh 85+ aged voters and 90 lakh PwD voters are registered in the electoral roll nationwide.

·       Process: For absentee voters in the category of senior citizens (AVSC) and PWDs over 85, and Covid-19 Suspect/positive, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) deliver Form 12D and compulsorily obtain acknowledgments from them.

Proxy Voting – Service voters appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf at their designated polling station – Armed and paramilitary forces (Classified Service Voters).