UPSC QUIZ 21.10.2023

Explanation:

• Zhen Hua 15, a heavy load cargo carrier sailing from the East China sea, made history by unloading at Adani's Vizhinjam port in India. This achievement has put India on the map for the world's biggest container ships.

Vizhinjam International Seaport Project

• The Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is an ambitious project taken up by the Government of Kerala.
• It is designed to primarily cater to the transshipment and gateway container business with provision for a cruise terminal, liquid bulk berth and facilities for additional terminals.
• The port is currently being developed with a Public Private Partnership , with Adani Ports Private Limited with a component structured on a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer ("DBFOT") basis.
• It is strategically situated near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Its location along the southern coast of India provides easy access to international shipping routes.
• It is positioned to compete with global transshipment hubs like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai, reducing the cost of container movement to and from foreign destinations.
• The port boasts a natural depth of more than 18 meters, which can be further scaled up to 20 meters.

Explanation:

• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has inaugurated the 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC) in Kochi, Kerala in order to promote Sustainability in the Agri-Food System.
• Organized by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), the ASC will come out with recommendations that facilitate the agriculture sector for moving towards a path of greater sustainability.

Sustainable Agri Food Systems

• Sustainable agri-food systems encompass a holistic approach to agricultural production, distribution, consumption, and waste management that is environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable.
• These systems aim to meet current food needs while ensuring long-term sustainability, minimizing negative impacts on the environment, improving livelihoods, and promoting social well-being.
• In 2020, global Agrifood systems emissions were 16 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, an increase of 9 % since 2000.

Explanation:

• Center has announced an increase in the minimum support price for wheat and five other Rabi crops for the 2024-25 marketing season.
• Wheat prices have increased by Rs 150 per quintal, the highest level since 2007-2008.
• Wheat is an important Rabi crop and is the second largest crop in terms of area in India and plays an important role in the economy.

Minimum Support Price

• MSP is the guaranteed amount that is given to farmers when the government buys their crops.
• MSP is based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which considers various factors such as cost of production, demand and supply, market price trends, inter-crop price parity, etc.
• CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It came into existence in January 1965.

Explanation:

• Anti-industrial pollution campaign will be started by the Delhi Government.
• On 18 October, a month-long anti-industrial pollution campaign was announced by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai to keep a watch on polluting industrial elements.
• The decision was taken at the joint meeting of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DSIIDC).
• This campaign will run from October 20 to November 20 because pollution in the city is at its peak during this time.
• 66 teams have been formed under this campaign.
• Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav demanded an immediate meeting with the surrounding states on Delhi's pollution, arguing that NCR states account for 69 per cent of the city's pollution.

Explanation:

• A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in Tao Dan Park in Vietnam on 17 October.
• The External Affairs Minister was on a four-day official visit to Vietnam from 15-18 October 2023.
• He said that Mahatma Gandhi has served as an inspiration for diplomacy in today's world plagued by conflict and violence.
• Mahatma Gandhi's contribution to truth, non-violence and the freedom and independence of people has been recognized by the United Nations by declaring his birthday (2 October) as the International Day of Non-Violence.
• Dr. Jaishankar said that his thoughts today are a very powerful inspiration for human dignity, social values, spirituality, environment, sustainability, cleanliness, and many other areas.
• The bust is a symbolic moment of friendship between India and Vietnam and underlines the message of independence, self-reliance, and human dignity.