Daily Current Affairs Prelims Quiz 21-11-2024 (Online Prelims Test)
1) Consider the following statements with respect to Strengthening Provision of Eye Care Services project, 2030
It aims to address the need to combat refractive errors that affects over 2.2 billion people globally.
It is an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Refractive errors are a common eye condition that occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing on the retina.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Strengthening Provision of Eye Care Services project (SPECS), 2030
SPECS, a global project partnered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat refractive errors will soon be implemented in Assam.
SPECS Project aims to address the need to combat refractive errors, the leading cause of vision impairment affecting over 2.2 billion people globally.
It is the World Health Organization (WHO)’s first at a large scale in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
At least 800 million of such people have conditions that can be corrected with reading glasses.
The project is a collaboration of the WHO, the National Health Mission, the Assam government, and the Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya (SSDN).
Its service delivery model, titled ‘Integrated People-Centred Eye Care’, will be based on the SSDN’s community service framework and is envisioned to serve as a prototype within the WHO’s global initiatives.
According to the WHO, only 36% of individuals with refractive errors currently have access to appropriate spectacles, leaving a significant majority underserved, particularly in low- and middle-income regions.
The initiative included village adoption, enumeration, and screening, aiming to cover 100% of the population in the adopted villages.
Refractive errors are a common eye condition that occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing on the retina.
This can cause blurred vision, headaches, eyestrain, and squinting.
Hyperopia (farsightedness): Difficulty seeing close objects clearly
Astigmatism: Distorted vision caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens
Presbyopia: Difficulty seeing objects at near distance that occurs with age
Refractive errors can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery.
2) Consider the following statements with respect to the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT)
It brings together countries and companies that are committed to action to achieve the Paris Agreement.
It was launched by the governments of France and India.
It is the first global high level initiative aimed at reaching net zero emissions from heavy industry.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT)
The governments of India and Sweden has co-chaired the Annual Summit of the LeadIT, held on the sidelines of COP29 to the UN Climate Change Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) was the first global high level initiative aimed at reaching net zero emissions from heavy industry.
LeadIT was launched by Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
Vision – Align industry with the Paris Agreement by 2030 to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Mission – To drive the development of an inclusive, just and equitable industry transition by:
Fostering public-private partnerships,
Mobilising resources and
Supporting knowledge-sharing.
Three pillars – The work of LeadIT 2.0 is organised according to three pillars:
Pillar 1 – Global forum for just & equitable industry transition.
Pillar 2 – Technology transfer & co-development.
Pillar 3 – Industry transition partnerships.
Annual Summit of LeadIT – It brings together the country and company members to discuss low-carbon industrial transition.
The objective is to support plans that align heavy industry with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
The summit spotlighted the critical role of transforming sectors such as steel and cement.
In this year (2024) the summit was held on the side-lines of COP29 to the UN Climate Change Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
It was co-chaired by the India and Sweden.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Bhu-Neer’ Portal
It is designed to provide comprehensive data regarding the legal framework governing groundwater extraction, regulations at the state and national levels.
It is developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in collaboration with National Informatics Centre.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
‘Bhu-Neer’ Portal
Hon'ble Minister of Jal Shakti recently launched the “Bhu-Neer” portal that aims to provide comprehensive data regarding the legal framework governing groundwater extraction.
‘Bhu-Neer’ Portal is designed to provide comprehensive data regarding the legal framework governing groundwater extraction, regulations at the state and national levels.
This portal will serve as a one-stop platform for managing and regulating groundwater resources, aimed at ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in groundwater usage.
It is an advanced portal developed by Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for improved groundwater regulation.
It is designed to provide comprehensive details regarding the legal framework governing groundwater extraction, regulations at the state and national levels.
Its centralized database will allow users to access critical information on groundwater compliance, policies, and sustainable practices.
4) Nafithromycin, sometimes seen in the news recently, is associated with?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Nafithromycin
Union Minister of Science and Technology has recently launched the first indigenous antibiotic "Nafithromycin" for resistant infections.
Nafithromycin is the country's first indigenously developed antibiotic aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Nafithromycin has been developed with the support of "Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council" (BIRAC) and has been brought to market under the trade name "Miqnaf" by pharma company "Wolkardt".
It is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP), a severe illness caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
CABP affects vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly as well as immune compromised hosts like Patients with Diabetes, Cancers and so on.
It can address the drug-resistant pneumonia, a condition responsible for over two million deaths globally each year.
India bears 23% of the world’s community pneumonia burden, faces challenges with existing treatments, including widespread resistance to drugs like azithromycin.
Signifigance of Nafithromycin – It is ten times more effective than current drugs available for AMR and offers a safer, faster, and more tolerable solution for patients.
Its efficacy stands out as it targets both typical and atypical pathogens, offering a potent solution where no new antibiotic in this class has been developed worldwide for over three decades.
Beyond its efficacy, Nafithromycin boasts superior safety and tolerability.
The antibiotic has minimal gastrointestinal side effects, no significant drug interactions, and remains unaffected by food, making it a versatile option for patients.
It is the first new antibiotic in its class to be developed globally in over 30 years.
5) Agumbe Rainforests, sometimes seen in the news recently, is situated at?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Agumbe Rainforests
Agumbe Rainforests is situated on a mountain pass that connects the plains of Karnataka with the coastal region,
Agumbe is covered with verdant forests, sparkling streams and little cascades, making the region in the Western Ghats virtually a Garden of Eden.
It receives an average rainfall of about 8000 mm and thus called “Cherrapunji of South India”.
The tropical research station called the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS) to study the endangered King Cobra species, which is also a major attraction.
