IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 17 & 18, 2016

ANSWER: Outsource maintenance of equipment

Explanation:
Under BMMP, support is being provided to the State governments to outsource medical equipment maintenance comprehensively for all the equipment across all the facilities.

On the instructions of the Health Ministry, a massive exercise to map the inventory of all bio-medical equipment was undertaken, including their functionality status.

The mapping was successfully completed in 29 States resulting in 7,56,750 numbers of equipment in 29,115 health facilities costing approximately Rs 4564 Crores being identified.

It was also noted that equipment in range of 13% to 34% was found to be dysfunctional across states.

The implementation of Biomedical Equipment Management and Maintenance Program (BMMP) has helped in improving diagnostics services in health facilities, thereby reducing cost of care and improving the quality of care in public health facilities.

ANSWER: Anupam Mishra

Explanation:
Noted Gandhian, journalist, environmentalist, and water conservationist Anupam Mishra passed away.

He had been awarded the 1996 Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (IGPP) award instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

He travelled to villages across India describing the value of time-tested systems of water harvesting.

He advocated conservation of traditional water structures in India as well as abroad.

He wrote books, like, “Aaj Bhi Khare Hain Talaab” (Lakes are still Standing, 1993) and “Rajasthan Ki Rajat Boondein” (Radiant Raindrops of Rajasthan, 1995), - landmark works in the field of water conservation.

ANSWER: A News Paper

Explanation:
'Saanjhi Saanjh' is National Newspaper dedicated to Senior Citizens.

This Newspaper for Senior Citizen is edited by Ms. J.V Manisha Bajaj, Secretary, Harikrit, an NGO for elderly people.

This bilingual newspaper has got 8 pages which will be published from Delhi by Harikrit publishers.

This newspaper will carry important and useful news pertaining to elderly persons besides inspirational stories.

It will serve as a bridge between old and new generations.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has notified “Adopt a Home” program whereby under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) the corporate sector & business houses along with individual philanthropists are invited to support the children staying in the Children Homes run by the State Governments/UT Administrations and their NGO partners under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act [JJ Act], 2015.

The Adopt a Home is a program to support the Child Care Institutions (CCIs) as defined under the JJ Act, 2015 which house children either in need of care and protection or children in conflict with law.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India is partnering in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI), a new global alliance between governments, industries, academia, philanthropy, inter-governmental institutions, the World Health Organization, and civil society.

The DBT hosted the Second Meeting of the Interim Board of CEPI at New Delhi. The meeting focused on identifying disease priorities, future strategy and setting of Permanent Secretariat for CEPI.

The CEPI aim to finance and coordinate the development of new vaccines to prevent and contain infectious disease epidemics.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
CEPI, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, is a "public-private coalition that aims to derail epidemics by speeding development of vaccines"

The concept is to develop early phases of vaccines without knowing the details for the form in which the infection will appear, but will still cut down the time to tailor the eventual vaccine to be effective to the epidemic.

CEPI's plan includes preparations for possible outbreaks of Lassa fever, Marburg fever, MERS, SARS, Nipah virus, Rift Valley fever, chikungunya, and others.

It is being funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Economic Forum, the government of Norway and the Dept of Biotechnology, Ministry of S&T, Government of India.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
The Second Meeting of the Interim Board of CEPI at New Delhi was attended by Board members from countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, South and North America as well as civil society organizations including Medecins Sans Frontiers as well as the World Health Organization.

The structure of CEPI was laid on August 31, 2016 in London and there is an interim Board currently chaired by Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary DBT.

It is the highest decision making body of CEPI, and has supreme decision-making authority for all funding, policy, and product development aspects of CEPI’s operations.

The scientific input to the Board is provided by a Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) where Indian scientists are members and the joint coordinating group (JCG) is the co-ordination mechanism between CEPI and stakeholders including the vaccine companies.

CEPI is currently being steered by five founding partners. They are: Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, GOI; Government of Norway; Wellcome Trust; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and World Economic Forum.

India’s participation in CEPI would provide the opportunity to leverage vaccine development capacities in India, access to vaccines as and when needed, and protection of our population and boost our ability to have a competitive vaccine industry.

ANSWER: Kanpur

Explanation:

• In line with the vision of making India the Skill Capital of the World by empowering its youth to be more employable and self-sustainable, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the first ever “Indian Institute of Skills” in the country at Kanpur.
• The Institute has been conceptualized by the Prime Minister during his visit to Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education.
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore decided to open an institute first ever of its kind in the country.
• The institute is inspired by the Singapore model of training and would adopt various best practices from the country. The Ministry has decided to have six such institutes all across.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has plans to open one Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) each, in each district of the country creating opportunities of growth for the youth locally.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras are iconic state-of-the-art skill development centres with modern infrastructure to facilitate skill trainings in the country.

PM launched an array of skill development initiatives for the youth of the country, including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) and Drivers’ Training Institutes.

Ministry has decided to open up 100 Driver Training Institutes all across India soon. NSDC has signed a MoU with OLA cabs. OLA cabs need 1 lakh drivers and the ministry I planning to ensure that they provide trained drivers.

ANSWER: Mahabharata

Explanation:
For the first time in the history of radio, one of the longest epics of India, 'Mahabharata' is being broadcasted on All India Radio.

'Mahabharata' produced by B. R. Chopra in late 80s will be broadcast from Monday to Friday on 70 primary channels of Hindi Zone.

The famed teleserial 'Mahabharata has been divided into 140 episodes and duration has been kept at 30 minutes for radio broadcast. The program will continue till 30th June 2017.

It will also be live streamed on allindiaradio.gov.in through FM Gold, Delhi.