UPSC QUIZ 23.01.2024

Explanation:

• Government of India told the Supreme Court that Genetically Modified (GM) crops such as mustard will make quality edible oil cheaper for the common man and benefit national interest by reducing foreign dependency.
• The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has approved the environmental release of Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), a genetically-engineered variant of mustard.
• If approved for commercial cultivation it would be the first genetically modified food crop available to Indian farmers.

India's Demand for Edible oil

• The total edible oil demand of India was 24.6 million tonnes (2020-21) with domestic availability of 11.1 million tonnes (2020-21).
• In 2020-21, 13.45 million tonnes (54%) of the total edible oil demand was met through import worth about ₹1,15,000 crore, which included palm oil (57%), soybean oil (22%), sunflower oil (15%) and small quantity of canola quality mustard oil.
• In 2022-23, 155.33 lakh tonnes (55.76%) of the total edible oil demand was met through import.
• India is the biggest importer of palm oil, which makes up 40% of its vegetable oil consumption.
• India meets half of its annual need for 8.3 MT of palm oil from Indonesia.
• In 2021, India unveiled the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm to boost India’s domestic palm oil production.

Explanation:

• West Bengal’s Chief Minister made headlines with two distinct pursuits: advocating for classical language status for Bangla, which is the world's 7th most spoken language and seeking national fair status for the Gangasagar Mela.

Gangasagar Mela

• Gangasagar Mela, which takes place during Makar Sankrati (mid-January), is said to be India's second largest pilgrimage gathering after the Kumbh Mela.
• This annual pilgrimage draws millions to Sagar Island at the confluence of the Ganges and Bay of Bengal and commemorates the legendary King Bhagirath's descent of the Ganges to Earth.

Benefits of National Status

• Elevating the Mela to national status would bring increased central funding and infrastructure development, potentially boosting tourism and economic activity in West Bengal.

Explanation:

• Indian Army launched Operation Sarvashakti.
• Indian Army has launched this operation to thwart Pakistan’s attempts to revive terrorism in Kashmir.
• The goal of this operation is to combat the terrorist resurgence that Pakistani proxy groups are facilitating along the Pir Panjal mountain ranges.
• Terrorist groups aided by Pakistan have been making concerted efforts to resurrect violence in the Rajouri Poonch area.
• This has resulted in the deaths of almost 20 soldiers in recent strikes.
• Four troops lost their life in the most recent incident, which happened on December 21 in the Dera ki Gali area.
• Operation Sarvashakti will involve joint counterterrorism operations from both sides of the Pir Panjal ranges.
• Chinar Corps, stationed in Srinagar, and the White Knight Corps, headquartered in Nagrota, will conduct concurrent operations.
• This initiative is similar to Operation Sarpvinash, which was initiated in 2003 with the goal of eliminating terrorists in the regions south of the Pir Panjal range.

Explanation:

• India announced a new alliance for global good, gender equity and equality.
• India announced this alliance on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Meeting.
• WEF founder and Chairman Klaus Schwab offered to partner this initiative with full support.
• India announced the initiative at an Indian reception on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting.
• It was hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• It was attended by union ministers Smriti Irani and Hardeep Singh Puri along with WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
• The concept of this alliance emerged from the G20 Leaders’ Declaration.
• The aim of this alliance is to take forward the commitments of the G20 leaders for the good of the larger global community.
• The alliance has received support from Mastercard, Uber, Tata, TVS, Bayer, Godrej, Serum Institute of India, Novartis, IMD Laussane and more than 10,000 partners from industry through CII.
• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a supporter of the alliance.
• The alliance will be housed and anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership.
• The World Economic Forum is a Network Partner. Invest India is an Institutional Partner.

Explanation:

• 19 children have been selected for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024.
• Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) are given to children in the age group of 5 – 18 years in seven categories.
• PMRBP is given in Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports categories.
• Each awardee will be presented a medal, certificate and a citation booklet.
• The awards will be presented by the President of India at Vigyan Bhawan on 22nd January 2024.
• The children will also participate in the Republic Day parade on 26th January 2024.
• One child in the categories of Bravery, Science & Technology, and Innovation has been selected for the PMRBP.
• Four children have been selected for the Social Service category while five children in the category of Sports and seven children have been selected in the category of Art and Culture.
• Out of the total 19 children, 9 are boys and 10 are girls and they belong to 18 States and UTs.