PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24/08/24

01. Consider the following statements with respect to Vittala Temple Complex

1. It is built in the Hoysala style of architecture. 
2. It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:  (b) 2 only

In News: Keeping an empire alive: What goes into the conservation of Hampi 

Explanation: 

• Hampi; Traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi is located in central Karnataka on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is renowned for its historical and archaeological significance, as it was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the greatest Hindu empires in South India, which thrived from the 14th to the 16th century.
• Some of the prominent landmarks include the Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal, Queen’s Bath, and Elephant Stables. 
• Vittala Temple Complex: It is an iconic structure within Hampi, known for its extraordinary architecture and the famous stone chariot.
• It dates back to the 15th century. It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422 – 1446 A.D.), one of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hence statement 2 is correct. 
• Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 – 1529 A.D.), the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
• It is also known as Shri Vijaya Vitthala Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Vitthala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• Architecture:

• It is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. It has traits and features that are characteristic of typical south Indian temple architecture. Hence statement 1 is incorrect. 
• It is believed that the main shrine of the temple originally had one enclosed Mantapa. An open Mantapa was added to it in the year 1554 A.D.
• The temple complex is a sprawling area that is surrounded by high compound walls and three towering gateways.
• The temple complex has many halls, shrines and pavilions located inside it. Each of these structures is made of stone.

Source:

Keeping an empire alive: What goes into the conservation of Hampi (indianexpress.com) 

02. Consider the following statements with respect to BHISHM Cubes recently seen in news:

1. It is a state-of-the-art indigenous mobile hospital deployed in times of emergency
2. It was an indigenous development under Project Aarogya maitri.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:  (c) Both 1 and 2 

In News: New Delhi’s gift to Kyiv: 4 BHISHM cubes for emergency medical care

Explanation:

• BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube of Project Arogya Maitri, a state-of-the-art indigenous mobile hospital emerged as a crucial lifesaver during a medical emergency. Hence statement 2 is correct. 
• The Aarogya Maitri project involves India supplying vital medical resources to any developing nation facing the impact of natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
• BHISHM cube is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care. The Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies.
• It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
• The success of BHISHM Cube underscores the importance of mobile hospital units in delivering immediate and effective medical assistance during emergencies. Hence statement 1 is correct

Source:

PM Modi presents BHISHM Cubes to Ukraine during first visit to Kyiv (indianexpress.com) 

03. Consider the following statements:

Statement -I: 

Policy rate cut of the US Fed will impact both inflation and unemployment.

Statement -II: 

The policy rate cut will make loans cheaper both Internal as well as ECB’s

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
2. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
3. Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
4. Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct

Answer:  (a) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I

In News: What US Fed Chief’s speech in Jackson Hole symposium signals 

Explanation:

• The main responsibility of all central banks is to maintain price stability in the economy. This means ensuring that money maintains its value over time — or the same quantity of money buys roughly the same amount of goods and services tomorrow as it does today.
• Often, like in the US, there is a dual mandate — the central bank has to ensure price stability while maintaining low levels of unemployment. Hence statement 1 is correct
• A central bank is judged for the timing of its policy actions — both in containing rising inflation as well as preventing a sharp rise in unemployment or a sharp fall in economic growth. 
• The policy rate is the base rate at which central banks lend to the commercial banks which in turn lends to the consumers. Hike as well as cut in the policy rate has a deep impact on the economy as a whole. 
• Implications of a policy cut in the economy

• Loans become cheaper
• Boost the  economic growth
• Controls unemployment and maintains aggregate demand and supply in the market
• May leads to inflation if not monitored. Hence statement 2 is correct
• A vigilant and responsive monetary policy of the centtral bank that keeps the situations under check and esponding according to the need of the market is the need of the hour because its not only about US market in the ear of interlinkaged global market it shall have a deep cutting impact on rest of the world. 

Source:

Were Bangladesh floods caused by India releasing water from dam? GoI says no (indianexpress.com) 

04. Consider the following statements with respect to Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) Initiative:

1. It is a tripartite initiative between India and Netherland
2. The initiative features a hybrid lab model at the IIT-BHU and an on-field living lab at the Varuna River to test and scale solutions in real-world settings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:  (b) 2 only

In News: Strategic Alliance between NMCG, IIT (BHU) and Denmark unveils innovative Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) Project in Varanasi 

Explanation:

• The Green Strategic Partnership between the Governments of India and Denmark has fostered significant collaboration leading to the establishment of the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi.
• The alliance is a unique tripartite initiative between Government of India (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation), the Indian Institute of Technology – Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), and Government of Denmark, to bring excellence in small river rejuvenation and management. 
• The SLCR aims to leverage the expertise of both nations to rejuvenate the river Varuna using sustainable approaches.
• Its objectives include creating a collaborative platform for government bodies, knowledge institutions and local communities to share insights and develop solutions for clean river water. 
• The initiative features a hybrid lab model at the IIT-BHU and an on-field living lab at the Varuna River to test and scale solutions in real-world settings. 
• The SLCR has a robust institutional and appraisal mechanism built into it to ensure the necessary due diligence, rigor in its functioning and for ensuring excellence in river management.
• The Indo-Danish Joint Steering Committee (JSC) is the highest forum for SLCR which provides strategic guidance and reviews progress. 
• The Project Review Committee (PRC), with members from National Mission on Clean Ganga (NMCG), Central Water Commission (CWC), Central Ground Water Borad (CGWB), IIT-BHU and Denmark’s Urban Sector Counsellor, will oversee quality control at project level.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2047505

05. Tanager-1 recently seen in the news is launched by NASA for detection of which of the gases? 

1. Methane and nitrogen
2. CO2 and Nitrogen 
3. Xenon and CO2 
4. Methane and CO2 

Answer:  (d) Methane and CO2  

In News: Tanager-1: Why NASA has launched a satellite to track methane emissions 

Explanation:

• Last week, a satellite developed by a coalition of companies and organisations, including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Known as Tanager-1, the satellite can detect major emitters of carbon dioxide and methane. Hence option d is correct
• The satellite will use imaging spectrometer technology developed at Jet Propulsion Laboratory to track methane and carbon dioxide emissions. It will do so by measuring hundreds of wavelengths of light that are reflected by Earth’s surface. 
• “Different compounds in the planet’s atmosphere — including methane and carbon dioxide — absorb different wavelengths of light, leaving spectral “fingerprints” that the imaging spectrometer can identify. 
• These infrared fingerprints can enable researchers to pinpoint and quantify strong greenhouse gas emissions, potentially accelerating mitigation efforts,” 
• Tanager-1 will be able to measure point-source emission, down to the level of individual facilities and equipment, on a global scale. It will scan 130,000 square kilometres of Earth’s surface per day.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/tanager-satellite-methane-emissions-9529992/