Week 4 Current Affairs Update

22nd- 30th September 2017

EVENTS

NATIONAL

SOCIAL
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
DATE: - 22nd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To reduce urban traffic congestion, manage parking and improve
road safety & security of passengers
TARGET/APPLICATION: TThe National Institution for Transforming India
(NITI Aayog) and the International Road Federation, Geneva (IRF Geneva) have
signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to contribute to ITS. The objective of the SoI is to
involve all relevant national and international stakeholders, companies and technical
experts for the purpose of developing a National ITS Policy. The policy covers:
Traffic management.
Parking management.
Electronic enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.
Fleet management and monitoring.
Innovation in the field of ITS.
Education in the field of ITS.
The work of this National Platform will provide a coherent and consistent National
ITS Policy covering domains such as traffic & parking management, enforcement
and security. The International Road Federation (IRF) is a nongovernmental, non-
profitable organisation with the mission to encourage and promote development and
maintenance of better, safer and more sustainable road networks. The IRF has a
major role to play in all aspects of road policy and development worldwide. For
governments and financial institutions, the IRF provides a wide base of expertise for
planning road development strategy and policy. It helps put in place technological
solutions and management practices that provide maximum economic and social
returns from national road investments.
Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana
DATE: - 23rd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To promote sustainable development through science &
technology
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The government has launched Pt Deen Dayal
Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana that endeavours to formulate and
implement appropriate science & technology interventions for sustainable
development through cluster approach in Uttarakhand. Under the scheme, DST has
conceived to adopt a few clusters of villages in Uttarakhand and transform them to
become self sustainable in a time bound manner through the tools of science and
technology. Further, the local communities are not compelled to migrate from their
native places in search of jobs and livelihoods. Post harvest processing of Kiwi,
Strawberry, Cherry, Tulsi, Ginger and Badi Elaichi has been made through solar drying
technology, and extraction of apricot oil will be made using cold press technology.
Areas of interventions in these selected clusters would process the addition of milk,
honey, mushroom, herbal tea, forest produce, horticulture and local crops, medicinal
& aromatic plants and traditional craft and handloom of Uttarakhand. Practice of
agriculture, agro-based cottage industries and animal husbandry in an eco-friendly
manner will be emphasized during the implementation of the project. Stringent
product and process control interventions for energy and water conservation would
also be ensured through this project.
Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat
DATE: - 25th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To distribute LPG connections in the rural areas
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The central government has launched a country wide
LPG Panchayat to distribute LPG connections in the rural areas where conventional
fuel is used for domestic purposes. With this, the government aims to reach the
doorsteps of poor and under privileged women to educate them about the safety and
efficiency, health benefits, positive impact on environment, economic development
and empowerment on usage of LPG connections.
The idea of this platform is to trigger a discussion through sharing of personal
experiences on the benefits of use of clean fuel compared to traditional fuels like
cow dung. The agenda would also include safe practices, quality of service provided
by distributors and availability of refill cylinders. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala
Yojana, Rs. 8,000 crore has been earmarked for providing 50 million LPG connections
to poor households. Eligible households will be identified in consultation with state
governments and Union Territories.
Multi-agency exercise Pralay Sahayam
DATE: - 25th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To tackle natural and man-made disasters
TARGET/APPLICATION: - A multi-agency exercise was recently conducted on
the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake as the final event of Pralay Sahayam in Hyderabad.
The event demonstrated efforts of all central and state agencies, National Disaster
Relief Force (NDRF) and the Armed Forces in Hyderabad. Two national calamities
in quick succession in the form of Orissa Super Cyclone (1999) and Gujarat
Earthquake (2001) caused the realization of the need of having a specialist response
mechanism at national level to effectively respond to disasters. This realization led
to the enactment of the DM Act on 26th December 2005. The Disaster Management
Act has made the statutory provisions for constitution of NDRF for the purpose of
specialized response to natural and man-made disasters. The exercise emphasized
the significance of early warning systems of agencies like Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and Indian National
Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). The exercise culminated with a
static display which demonstrated the efficient and functional layout of a relief and
rehabilitation camp for the displaced persons.
PENCIL Portal
DATE: - 25th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To eliminate child labour
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The government has launched a web portal called
PENCIL for effective implementation of the National Child Labour Project (NCLP).
Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL) is an electronic
platform forcontrolling child labour.. The PENCIL portal has five components Child
Tracking System, Complaint Corner, State Government, National Child Labour
Project and Convergence.
The NCLP Scheme was initiated in the year 1988 in order to rehabilitate working
children by eliminating all forms of child labour through identification. NCLP has
been revised expanded and aligned to the new legislative provisions. The legislative
changes have been accompanied by creation of additional institutional mechanisms at
the district, state and national level for identification and rescue, along with revamping
the rehabilitation scheme and a centralized database for case to case monitoring and
accountability.
Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana Saubhagya
DATE: - 26th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To provide electricity in all households in the country
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana
Saubhagya scheme has been launched by government of India. The total outlay
of the project is Rs. 16, 320 crore while the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) is Rs.
12,320 crore. The beneficiaries for free electricity connections would be identified
using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. However, un-electrified
households not covered under the SECC data would also be provided electricity
connections under the scheme on payment of Rs. 500 which shall be recovered by
DISCOMs in 10 instalments through electricity bill. The States and Union Territories
are required to complete the works of household electrification by the 31st of
December 2018. The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) will remain
the nodal agency for the operationalisation of the scheme throughout the country.
Objectives of the scheme are as follows:
Environmental upgradation by substitution of kerosene for lighting purposes.
Improvement in education services.
Better health services.
Enhanced connectivity through radio, television, mobiles, etc.
Improved quality of life especially for women.
Divyang Sarathi portal
DATE: - 27th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To provide information to the people with disabilities
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The government has launched Divyang Sarathi
the accessible and comprehensive mobile application for easy dissemination of
information to Divyangjans. According to the Census 2011, there are over 2.68
crore Divyangjans in India which constitute more than 2.2% of the population. This
mobile application will help empower the Divyangjans by providing easier and
convenient access of information to them as they can now understand all the details
pertaining to the schemes, scholarships, statutes, institutional support systems and
other relevant information. The mobile application Divyang Sarathi is compliant
with the principles of UNCRPD for Universal Access and the provisions of the Rights
of a Person with Disabilities Act, 2016. The Act mandates that all information to be
made available in an accessible form. The application is also an integral part of the
ICT component of the Accessible India Campaign. The unique features of the mobile
application is its audio notes (text to voice conversion software) embedded in the
application which converts the written information into an audio file as well as the
adjustable font size, which can be altered as per the users requirement.
Jan Sampark Programme
DATE: - 28th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To facilitate child adoption
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) of
the Ministry of Women & Child Development has started a monthly Jan Sampark
programme to enable the public to have interaction with its officials and staff for
seeking information related to adoption as well as flagging their concerns. The first
of its kind programme was held recently in New Delhi.
CARA is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government
of India. It functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated
to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. The event also
serves as a platform for counselling and motivating Prospective Adoptive Parents
(PAPs) agency to go for adopting older children. The event will now be a regular
feature every month apart from the quarterly Facebook live chat by CEO CARA.
CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions in
accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption,
1993, ratified by Government of India in 2003. CARA primarily deals with adoption
of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through its associated & recognised
adoption agencies.

HEALTHCARE
Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH)
DATE: - 23rd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To initiate transformation in the education and health sectors
TARGET/APPLICATION : - SATH is a joint initiative of Government of Assam
and NITI Aayog. The SATH programme embodies the philosophy of co-operative
federalism. A consortium of reputed technical consultants is closely working with
NITI Aayog and the states to conceptualize the initiatives and provide support in
the implementation process. NITI Aayog has selected the three states through a
three stage challenge process expression of interest, presentations by the states and
assessment of commitment to health sector reforms. These states are Assam, Uttar
Pradesh and Karnataka.
The vision of the programme is to provide structured support by implementing the
solutions towards transforming the health and improving the well being of the people.
The programme addresses the need expressed by many states for technical support
from NITI. SATH aims to identify and build three future role model states for health
systems. NITI will work in close collaboration with their state machinery to design
a robust roadmap of intervention, develop a programme governance structure, set up
monitoring and tracking mechanisms and provide support on a range of institutional
measures to achieve the end objectives.

ENVIRONMENT
A new snake seen in Western Ghats
DATE: - 28th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To increase animal species diversity of the area
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Scientists have described a new species of non-
venomous endemic snake, Aquatic rhabdops from the northern Western Ghats.
Rhabdops aquaticus is a variant of the Olive Forest Snake and was first described
in 1863. However, the new study confirms that the Aquatic rhabdops is a different
one: they show not only different colours and patterns but also vary in other features
of size, shape, structure and genetic make-up. The adults are mostly associated with
freshwater forest streams and juveniles are seen in water-logged areas, mostly on
rocky plateaus.
The nocturnal snake hunts for prey underwater. While adults of the Aquatic rhabdops
have off white bellies and black spots on their olive brown skin, juveniles are olive
green with yellow undersides. This colour difference in life stages could possibly be
due to the different local habitats. The Aquatic rhabdops is found only in the laterite
plateaus of the northern Western Ghats in Goa, southern Maharashtra and northern
Karnataka and areas facing severe human pressures.

INTERNATIONAL

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Worlds smallest molecular robot
DATE: - 22nd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To discover novel drugs by manipulating chemical reactions
through robots
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Scientists from University of Manchester have
created the worlds first molecular robot which is millionth of a millimetre in size
that can be used to build molecules. The size of the robot is equal to the size of a
single salt grain. Each individual robot is capable of manipulating a single molecule
and is made up of just 150 carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms. The robot
operates by carrying out chemical reactions in a special solution, which can then be
controlled and programmed by scientists in order to perform the basic tasks.
The benefit of having such machinery is: its small size, its ability to massively
reduce demand for materials, accelerate & improve drug discovery, reduce power
requirements and rapidly increase the miniaturisation of other products. Whilst
building and operating such tiny machine is extremely complex, the techniques used
by the team are based on simple chemical processes. This is the science of how
atoms and molecules react with each other and how larger molecules are constructed
from smaller ones.

DEFENCE
Worlds largest aircraft
DATE: - 26th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To carry rockets to low-Earth orbit
TARGET/APPLICATION: - A colossal airplane with the worlds largest wingspan
was developed by the spaceflight company Stratolaunch. The 747 turbofan engines
were loaded with fuel (started one at a time) and then allowed to idle at the Mojave
Air and Space Port in California, U.S. The Stratolaunch plane will make a runway
style take off and the rockets will be detached so as to launch small satellites into low-
Earth orbit, when the aircraft reaches a cruising altitude of 11,000 metres. Stretching
118 metres across, the aircrafts wingspan is longer than a professional football field.
The vehicle weighs nearly 227,000 kilograms when empty and un-fuelled but it is
designed to carry another nearly 250,000 kilograms between the two fuselages.
 PEOPLE

NATIONAL

SOCIAL

Rajiv Mehrishi
Born: - 8th August, 1955
Background: - Rajiv Mehrishi has taken charge as the 13th Comptroller and
Auditor General of India (CAG). He has a three-year tenure till August 2020. He
is married to Mira, a retired IAS Officer. Rajiv Mehrishi holds a degree in business
administration from Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow. His earlier degrees of
BA (History) and MA (History) were from the St. Stephens College.
Career: Rajiv was appointed the Home Secretary of India on 31 August 2015.
Prior to his appointment as the Home Secretary, he was the Finance Secretary.
Prior to his stint as the Finance Secretary, he was the Chief Secretary, Government
of Rajasthan. He also served as the Chairman of Indira Gandhi Nahar Board and
District Magistrate and Collector of Bikaner in Rajasthan Government.

SCIENCE
CNR Rao
Born: - 30th June, 1984
Background: - Eminent Scientist, Professor CNR Rao has become the first Asian
to be honoured with prestigious Von Hippel Award for his immense contribution
in materials research. The award is the US-based Materials Research Societys
(MRS) highest honour.
Career: - Rao is an Indian chemist who has worked mainly in solid state and
structural chemistry. He currently serves as the Head of the Scientific Advisory
Council to the Prime Minister of India. Rao has honorary doctorates from 60
universities from around the world. He has authored around 1,500 research papers
and 45 scientific books.
On 16th November 2013, the Government of India announced his selection for
Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India and making him the third scientist
after C.V. Raman and A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to receive the award. He conferred the
award on 4th February, 2014 by the then President, Pranab Mukherjee in a special
ceremony in the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Rao is one of the worlds
foremost solid state and materials chemists. His work on transition metal oxides
has led to basic understanding of novel phenomena and the relationship between
materials properties and the structural chemistry of these materials.

OBITUARY
Tom Alter
Born: - 22nd June, 1950
Death: - 29th September, 2017
Background: - Thomas Beach Alter was an Indian actor of American descent. He
is best known for his work in Hindi cinema and the Indian theatre. In 2008, he was
awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Career: - Tom Alter was the son of American Christian missionaries of English
and Scottish ancestry and lived for years in Mumbai and the Himalayan hill
station of Landour. His grandparents migrated to India from Ohio, United States
in November 1916, when they arrived in Madras (now Chennai). From there, they
went to Lahore by train, where they settled. His father was born in Sialkot, now in
Pakistan. After the Partition of India, his parents moved to India.
He was educated in Mussoories Woodstock School. His father taught History
and English at the Christian College (E.C.C), Allahabad and thereafter taught at
a seminary in Saharanpur. After graduating from FTII, he headed to Bombay and
soon got his first break in the Dev Anand starrer Saheb Bahadur (1977) directed
by Chetan Anand. However, his first release was Ramanand Sagars Charas. Alter
was fluent in Hindi, Urdu and had immense knowledge about Indian culture. Alter
married Carol Evans in 1977. They have two children together: son Jamie and
daughter Afshaan.
 IDEAS

NATIONAL

ENVIRONMENT
Indias first electric bus
DATE: 22th September
AGENDA/ISSUE: To control environmental pollution by replacing diesel buses
by electric buses
TARGET/APPLICATION: Himachal Road ways has flagged off Goldstones
electric bus that will travel between Kullu-Manalli-Rohtang Pass and Himachal
Pradesh. Goldstone Infratech Limited has developed a 25+1 seater Goldstone eBuzz
K7 zero-emission electric bus and Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation has
begun the commercial services of the same. This electric bus is completely Made
in India by Goldstone Infratech and has been certified by ARAI after extensive
testing at various levels at various facilities. The electric bus can travel for up to
200 kilometres sin a single charge. The company has conducted trials in Delhi,
Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Rajkot. Goldstones
electric buses get front and rear air-suspension to offer comfortable rides to the
commuter.
These Electric Buses are manufactured in tie-up with BYD Auto Industry. The
electric bus can be recharged in less than 4 hours and supports fast charging
technology. These buses use Lithium Iron Phosphate battery which ensure longer
lifetime, better power density and is safe due to Chemical and thermal stability.
The electric buses will help in reducing environmental pollution.

DEFENCE
Interceptor boats
DATE: 24th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To enhance interceptor boats for day and night patrolling and
surveillance, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance
TARGET/APPLICATION: The Coast Guard commissioned two Interceptor
Boats (IBs) C-431 and C-432 to further strengthen the coastal security
mechanism along the Tamil Nadu Coast. The boats will be used for day and night
patrolling and surveillance, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, anti-terror,
anti-smuggling operations and fisheries protection and monitoring.
The boats are equipped with state-of-the-art sensors including sophisticated
navigational and latest communication systems, and are capable of operating
in tropical conditions with expected life span of more than 15 years. These IBs
can achieve speed in excess of 40 Knots. The IBs have been designed and built
indigenously by Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding, Kattupalli. Following extensive
trials on the equipment and machinery, the boats were commissioned into service.
The boats are part of building 36 Interceptor Boats as per a contract signed by the
Ministry of Defence and L&T in 2010, and will be based in Chennai and Karaika.

SOCIAL
First high-power locomotive
DATE: 24th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE:- To increase locomotive speed and improve line capacity in
the rail network
TARGET/APPLICATION:- Indias dream for high horse power locomotive
moved closer to reality with the arrival of the first bodyshell of 12000 HP loco
from Alstom France at Kolkata port. This first-of-its-kind high-power electric
locomotive will be used to haul freight trains at twice the existing speed by next
year. The bodyshell for the fleet of the twin-section electric locomotives which
Alstom is to supply to Indian Railways was unloaded at Haldia, ready for delivery
to the factory at Madhepura where it will be assembled.
The first such locomotive will be assembled with components brought in from
Alstoms factories in France and will have its trial run by February next year. The
contract allows for the first five locomotives to be imported, but the remaining
795 are to be manufactured locally in support of the governments Make in India
campaign. This project includes the set-up of a plant at Madhepura (Bihar state)
and two maintenance depots at Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh state) and Nagpur
(Maharashtra state). The locomotive will run at a speed up to 120 km/h. The
Railways is currently using 6,000HP locomotives for freight services. The increase
in speed would also result in improving line capacity in the rail network, a railway
official said.
 INTERNATIONAL

SOCIAL
Fly Now Pay Later scheme
DATE: - 23rd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To allow families to book flights with convenience as payment
plans have been tailored to meet their requirements.
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The UAEs flag carrier Etihad Airways has launched
a fly now and pay later scheme which provides people an option of paying the
ticket fare in monthly installments.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline said the initiative is designed to allow families to
book flights with convenience as payment plans have been tailored to meet their
requirements. Etihad Airways is the first in the Gulf region to offer fully automated
online installment plans after partnering with PayF, a leading online payment
service provider in the Arab world.
To participate, travellers need to select the Pay by Installment option, choose
their bank they have a credit card with and their payment period while making
an online payment on the airlines website. The installments can be paid within
three to 60 months, with 17 participating banks, it said. Travel can be a significant
expense, especially for families and those on a tight budget, so this new initiative
is a great way for people to book and enjoy their travel without having to worry
about paying in one large sum.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Evaporating water to power our homes
DATE: - 28th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To generate power through evaporation, decreasing
dependence on non-renewable sources of energy
TARGET/APPLICATION: - A new source of vast amounts of renewable energy
the evaporation of water has been discovered by scientists. Researchers at Columbia
University estimated that lakes in the US could generate 325 gigawatts of power,
equivalent to about 70% of the countrys total electricity generation. According
to Professor Ozgur Sahin, a biophysicist involved in the research, despite having
technology to harness energy from wind, water and the sun, generating power
from evaporation will be a unique approach.
A kind of evaporation engine, has been developed which works by using the
movement of bacteria in response to humidity changes. Shutters either opened
or closed to control moisture levels, prompting bacterial spores to expand or
contract. This motion is then transferred to a generator and turned into electricity.
With advances in energy conversion performance, these materials and devices
could potentially contribute toward solving energy and water-related challenges.
However, harnessing this source of energy could affect water quality, recreation on
lakes and other freshwater resources. The machines might reduce the loss of water
in areas prone to drought.
 ISSUES

NATIONAL

SOCIAL

BHU violence
DATE: 24th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: Increasing cases of sexual harassment and eave teasing inside
college campuses
Violence erupted on Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus when students from
boys hostels indulged in hurling stones and petrol bombs, targeting the police and
paramilitary forces on VC Lodge Road on campus. Violence broke out following
reports of some hostel inmates suffering injuries in cane-charge by policemen near
VC lodge.
According to reports, police had to resort to cane-charge after a group of boys
blocked the gate of the Vice-Chancellors lodge in support of girl hostellers
protesting against the menace of harassment on campus. Two motorcycle-borne
miscreants sexually harassed a BFA-III girl student near Bharat Kala Bhawan when
she was returning to her hostel in Triveni complex. Campus violence incidents in
India are increasing alarmingly which affects the focus of students on studies. The
political parties try to give the incidents a different shape for their political gains.
The government needs to strict against the miscreants who break law and order in
university campuses.

Rohingyas as illegal migrants

DATE: 22nd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: Infiltration of Rohingya Muslims in India posing security
threats
Rohingya were not refugees but illegal immigrants, according to Indias Home
Minister Rajnath Singh. India being a sovereign nation was free to take action
against illegal immigrants. The issue of deportation of Rohingya is not a matter of
ego and confrontation for India, but one of principles.
Singh questioned the motive of those opposing the governments move to deport
the Rohingya. Despite Myanmars no objection to call Rohingyas back, some
people (in India) objecting to their deportation. The National Human Rights
Commission approached the Supreme Court opposing the governments stand on
deporting 40,000 Rohingya as they were illegally living in India and were a threat
to national security. No Rohingya has got asylum in India nor have they applied for
it. The non-refoulement principle forbids a country receiving asylum seekers from
returning them to a country in which they would be in likely danger of persecution.
India had not violated any international law since it was neither a signatory to
international laws on refugees nor to the UN Refugee Convention, 1951. India had
provided humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.

Mumbai stampede
DATE: 30 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: Loss of life due to poor infrastructure and weak planning of
the Railway
In the first stampede on the Mumbais Elphinstone Road-Parel station foot
overbridge, 22 commuters were crushed to death and at least 39 were injured.
No other stampede on any suburban city railway network anywhere in India has
claimed so many lives. The stampede was triggered by panic after rumours that the
bridge was collapsing. This was a disaster waiting to happen, the guilty should be
punished and safety given priority. A few politicians immediately used the occasion
to score a couple of debating points on whether the Government was getting its
priorities right in going for a bullet train when such basics as commuter safety still
need to be addressed.
Here are some suggestions that dont require all party-consensus, bipartisanship
or legislative approval. These are administrative measures that can be taken
immediately by the new railway minister to address the issue of commuter safety.
Railways need to have access control at the entry and exit point of all railway
stations. The length the platforms should accommodate all the coaches of trains.
Some new coaches should be introduced with only standing room. This is the only
practical solution to increase capacity for commuters on an emergency basis. The
width of foot overbridge should be decided such that it allows smooth movement
of people in rush hours.
ENVIRONMENT
Waste dumping risking environment and human life
DATE: 22nd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: Dumping of waste at unauthorized sites causing environmental
problem and putting human life at risk
Just 20 days after a mountain of trash collapsed at the Ghazipur landfill, a new spot
next to the main road connecting Vaishali with NH24, is being used for dumping
waste. The site of the disaster, still littered with the garbage that trundled down
from a height of 50 metres, is a daily reminder of the perils of overused landfills.
Paying scant attention to the government of India rule that a landfill has to be
200 metres from any highway or the Delhi lieutenant governors instruction that
garbage should no longer be ferried to Ghazipur, EDMC is transporting trash to a
spot that had been partially stabilised with the planting of drought-resistant green
cover. Residential areas surround the 70-acre spot that emits noxious vapours and
is frequently on fire. The unstable hillock of garbage, vultures flying ominously
overhead, is not an inspiring sight and when portions of it burn in methane fire, it
appears almost malevolent. This new site is being strictly supervised by technical
authorities. Dumped waste is dressed using heavy vehicles so that it is compacted
tightly. It will become a potential hazard only after a year or two, by which time
we will have got an alternative landfill.
 Weekly Multiple Choice Questions
1. Read the following statements regarding Intelligent (a) National Child Labour Project Scheme
Transportation Systems. (b) Human Welfare Project
(I) It aims at traffic and parking management, (c) Child & Development Scheme
enforcement and security. (d) Human Resource Development Project
(II) International Road Federation is a government 6. The Saubhagya scheme launched by the government
organisation dedicated to development and maintenance of India aims
of better, safer and more sustainable road networks. (a) To reduce the rate of carbon emission
(III) It is an initiative of National Institution for (b) To provide electricity to all the households
Transforming India (NITI Aayog). (c) To provide LPG cylinders to all households
Choose the correct option. (d) To provide job opportunities
(a) I and II 7. Indias first electric bus has been launched in which
(b) I and III of the following states?
(c) II and III (a) Himachal Pradesh
(d) I, II and III (b) Madhya Pradesh
2. Consider the following statements? (c) Punjab
(I) The SATH programme is an initiative that (d) Haryana
has been launched by Planning Commission so as to 8. Read the following statements regarding Interceptor
provide support towards developing health care sectors. Boats (IBs)-C-431 and C-432:
(II) SATH aims to identify and build up three (I) They were commissioned along Tamil Nadu
new health care sectors in Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Coast.
Karnataka. (II) They will be used for patrolling and
(III) SATH programme is based on the philosophy surveillance only during day.
of co-operative federalism. (II) They are equipped with state-of-the-art
Which of the following is/are correct? sensors that can detect chemical weapons underwater.
(a) I only Choose the correct option.
(b) II and III (a) I Only
(c) I and II (b) II and III
(d) I, II and III (c) I and II
3. Pt Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul (d) I, II and III
Pariyojana scheme that claimed to endeavour sustainable 9. Read the following statements regarding the fly
development of the society has been recently launched in now and pay later scheme.
which of the following states?
(I) The scheme has been launched by Etihad
(a) Bihar Airways.
(b) Assam (II) The scheme allows air passengers to pay fare
(c) Himachal Pradesh in half-yearly installments.
(d) Uttarakhand (III) The installments can be paid using only debit
4. Consider the following statements? cards.
(I) Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat has been Choose the correct option.
launched by central government to distribute LPG (a) I Only
connection in rural as well as urban areas where fuel (b) II and III
can be used as domestic purposes. (c) I and III
(II) The scheme aims to reach the doorsteps of (d) I, II and III
poor and under privileged women to educate them 10. Read the following statements.
about the safety and efficiency, health benefits, positive (I) Researchers at Columbia University have
impact on environment, economic development. found that power can be generated through evaporation.
(III) The scheme aims to boost the use of clean fuel (II) Movement of bacteria is not affected by
instead of traditional fuels like cow dung. humidity changes.
Which of the following is/are correct? (III) Power generation through evaporation can
(a) I only affect water quality of freshwater resources.
(b) II and III Choose the correct option.
(c) I and III (a) I and II
(d) I, II and III (b) I and III
5. The government of India has launched PENCIL (c) II and III
portal for the effective implementation of which of the (d) III Only
following?
11. Which of the following caused violence inside BHU (c) Sashi Kant Sharma
campus in September? (d) Rajiv Mehrishi
(a) Sexual harassment 16. Who among the following has been conferred with
(b) Student union election Von Hippel Award?
(c) Poor exam results
(a) A.P.J Abdul Kalam
(d) None of these
12. Read the following statements. (b) C. V. Raman
(I) Ghazipur disaster resulted due to fire outbreak (c) CNR Rao
in the waste landfill. (d) G. N. Ramachandran
(II) The government of India has made a waste 17. Read the following statements about CNR Rao.
dumping rule according to which landfill has to be 300
(I) He was nominated for the Bharat Ratna, but
metres from any highway.
did not receive it.
(III) Residential areas around landfills are prone
(II) He was an eminent nuclear scientist who
to hazards as landfills emits noxious vapours and is
worked on nuclear reactor design.
frequently on fire.
(III) He currently serves as the Head of the
Choose the correct option.
Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of
(a) I and II
India.
(b) III Only
Choose the correct option.
(c) I and III
(d) II and III (a) I and III
13. Read the following statements regarding Rohingya (b) II and III
Muslims. (c) III Only
(I) India treats Rohingyas as illegal migrants. (d) I, II and III
(II) Indias stand on Rohingyas is in violation of 18. Read the following statements regarding Tom Alter.
the UN Refugee Convention, 1951.
(III) Myanmar is unwilling to call back Rohingya (I) He was a popular comedian of Hindi cinema.
Muslims due to security reasons. (II) He was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award in
Choose the correct option. 2008.
(a) I Only (III) He was the son of American Christian
(b) I and II missionaries of English and Scottish ancestry.
(c) I and III Choose the correct option.
(d) I, II and III (a) I and II
14. Which of the following caused stampede at (b) III Only
Elphinstone Road-Parel station in Mumbai?
(c) I and III
(a) Bomb blast
(d) None of these
(b) Fire
(c) Rumour that the station foot overbridge was 19. Which of the following Indian actors of English and
collapsing. Scottish ancestry died in September 2017?
(d) None of these (a) Jas Binag
15. Who among the following has been appointed as the (b) Naveen Andrews
13th CAG of India?
(c) Tom Alter
(a) Vinod Rai
(d) None of these
(b) V N Kaul
 ANSWER AND EXPLANATION

1. (b) Intelligent Transportation Systems is an 9. (a) Etihad Airways launched the fly now and pay
initiative of the National Institution for Transforming later scheme. The scheme allows air passengers to pay
India (NITI Aayog). International Road Federation fare in monthly installments. Credit cards can be used
is a non-government al organisation dedicated to to pay installments.
development and maintenance of better, safer and more 10. (b) Researchers at Columbia University have
sustainable road networks. developed a technology to harness power through
2. (b) II and III evaporation. Movement of bacteria is not affected
SATH programme is a joint initiative of Government of by humidity changes. Power generation through
Assam and NITI Aayog. The vision of the programme evaporation may affect water quality of freshwater
is to provide technical support by implementing the resources.
solutions towards transforming the health care sectors 11. (a) Sexual harassment of a girl resulted in the
in three different states of India namely, Assam, Uttar violence inside BHU campus.
Pradesh and Karnataka. SATH programme is based on 12. (b) Ghazipur disaster resulted due to collapse of
the philosophy of co-operative federalism. the waste landfill. The government of India has made
4. (d) Uttarakhand a waste dumping rule according to which landfill has
Pt Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul to be 200 metres from any highway. Residential areas
Pariyojana scheme has been launched in Uttarakhand around landfills are prone to hazards as landfills emits
by Department of Science & Technology in order noxious vapours and is frequently on fire.
to formulate appropriate inventions for sustainable 13. (a) India treats Rohingyas as illegal migrants.
development. Indias stand on Rohingyas is not in violation of the
4. (b) II and III UN Refugee Convention, 1951 because it is neither a
Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat has been launched by signatory to international laws on refugees nor to the
central government so as to distribute LPG connection UN Convention. Mayanmar is willing to call back
especially in rural areas where fuel can be used as Rohingya Muslims.
domestic purposes. The scheme aims to reach the 14. (c) Rumours that the bridge was collapsing caused
doorsteps of poor and under privileged women to the stampede on the foot overbridge at the Elphinstone
educate them about the safety and efficiency, health Road-Parel station in Mumbai.
benefits, positive impact on environment, economic 15. (d) Rajiv Mehrishi
development. Rajiv Mehrishi has taken charge as the 13th Comptroller
5. (a) National Child Labour Project Scheme and Auditor General of India (CAG). He has three year
The government of India has launched PENCIL portal tenure till August 2020.
which is an effective implementation of National Child 16. (c) CNR Rao
Labour Project Scheme so as to eliminate child labour. Eminent Scientist, Professor C.N.R Rao, has become
6. (b) Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar the first Asian to be honoured with prestigious Von
Yojana Saubhagya scheme has been launched by Hippel Award for his immense contribution in materials
government of India. The scheme deals in providing research.
free electricity to all household in urban and rural areas 17. (c) CNR Rao is a material research scientist who
of the country and the project is said to be completed received Bharat Ratna in 2013. He currently serves
by December 2018. as the Head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the
7. (a) Indias first electric bus has been launched by Prime Minister of India.
Himachal Pradesh. 18. (b) He was a popular villain of Hindi cinema,
8. (a) The Interceptor Boats (IBs)-C-431 and who received Padma Shri in 2008. He was the son
C-432 will be used for day and night patrolling and of American Christian missionaries of English and
surveillance. They are equipped with state-of-the-art Scottish ancestry.
sensors that help in communication. 19. (c) Tom Alter, who belonged to English and
Scottish ancestry, died on 29 September 2017.