IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - May 26, 2016

ANSWER: Bharatavani Portal

Explanation:

• The Union HRD Ministry launched the multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in.
• Bharatavani Becomes the Largest Online Repository of Dictionaries in India on its Very First Day.
• The Government’s mission is to showcase the Indian culture and heritage to the world through the medium of technology.
• The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru is implementing this ambitious project of MHRD.
• Bharatavani is the first knowledge portal of its kind in India which focuses on becoming a single point source for multiple language learning, content and technology.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• Currently the App has 35 multilingual Dictionaries and MHRD aims to extend it to 250 dictionaries in a year’s time. This App, on the day of its launch becomes India’s first and largest multilingual dictionary.
• The portal has been launched in 22 scheduled languages, which eventually will be extended to 100 more languages.
• The Bharatavani Portal would publish the content in the following main sections:

1. Paa Thyapustaka Kosha : Textbooks by various authorities
2. Jnana Kosha : Encyclopedic Knowledge base in all languages
3. Shabda Kosha: Dictionaries, Glossaries, Terminologies
4. Bhasha Kosha: Language learning books
5. Suchanaa Praudyogikii Kosha : It tools ( right now linked to TDIL)
6. Bahumaadhyama Kosha: Multimedia content

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Bharatavani is the first knowledge portal of its kind in India which focuses on becoming a single point source for multiple language learning, content and technology.
• Given India’s diversity, Bharatavani is an attempt to bring the people of India under one portal, its goal being to bridge the Digital and language divide, with the idea to publish as well as involve people in the Open Knowledge movement.
• Government of India with the launch of this multilingual portal reiterates its commitment to the protection, preservation and inclusion of all Indian languages through technological development without discrimination. India’s diversity includes a treasure trove of knowledge and indigenous culture and the Government will take all measures required to develop the spread of Indian languages across communities and cultures.
• By its very nature, Bharatavani aims to foster national integration by emphasizing on multilingual and cross-lingual learning tools and technologies.
• Technology Development for Indian Languages will be made much easier with Bharatavani turnout to be India’s largest language Corpus.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• In an attempt to provide safe and secure transport to women, the Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping dedicated 20 buses of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, with IT enabled safety measures to the public.
• As an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under the NIRBHAYA Scheme, 10 luxury buses, 10 general buses have been provided with Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), CCTV cameras and Panic Buttons on every seat to provide immediate help to women passengers in distress.
• The Panic Buttons will enable the police to know the exact location of the bus and provide prompt assistance.
• The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will issue a notification making it mandatory for public vehicles with seating capacity of 23 or more to have CCTV camera, Vehicle Location Tracking Device and Panic Buttons. Those with seating capacity of less than 23 will be required to have Vehicle Tracking Device and emergency buttons.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Potassium iodate (KIO₃) is a chemical compound.
• Potassium iodate is sometimes used for iodination of table salt to prevent iodine deficiency. In other countries, potassium iodate is used as a source for dietary iodine.
• Potassium iodate may be used to protect against accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid by saturating the body with a stable source of iodine prior to exposure.
• It is also an ingredient in some baby formula milk.
• Like potassium bromate, potassium iodate is occasionally used as a maturing agent in baking.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• Potassium bromate, according to an investigation made public by the Centre for Science and Environment, was ubiquitous in several brands of bread and refined flour products including burgers and pizza, in Delhi.
• A Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study had found nearly 84 per cent of 38 commonly available brands of pre-packaged breads including pav and buns, testing positive for potassium bromate and potassium iodate, banned in many countries as they are listed as "hazardous" for public health.
• It claimed that while one of the chemicals is a category 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans), the other could trigger thyroid disorders but India has not banned their use.
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended removal of potassium bromate from the list of permissible food additives to the health ministry.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permits them up to 50 parts per million.
• Potassium bromate and Potassium iodate can be used as treating agents in flour under the category of food additives. They are used to give the final product a soft, fluffy finish.
• 2A and 2B which include potassium bromate and coffee —differentiates between agents ‘probably’ and ‘possibly’ associated with cancer.
• It is recognised as a category 2B carcinogen since 1999 which means it is believed to be “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Its use had been permitted earlier because it was believed that the chemical was filtered out of the final product. However, once evidence to the contrary emerged in the 1990s many countries banned it, including the EU (1990) and the UK.

ANSWER: Tamil Nadu

Explanation:

• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a programme to promote the installation of Small Wind Energy and Hybrid Systems (SWES) with the objective to provide electricity in un-electrified areas or areas with intermittent electric supply.
• The first- such Pilot-cum- demonstration project of 25 KW capacity will be installed at the wind turbine test station of National Institute of Wind Energy at Kayathar, Tootikudi District, Tamil Nadu.
• The success of programme would lead towards launching of National Programme on Grid connected small wind and solar hybrid system in future.
• The SWES projects have been highly successful in USA and European countries.
• Under the programme, MNRE provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to community users for installation of such systems. The total installed capacity as on 31st March 2016 is 2.69 MW.

ANSWER: Carry trucks in rakes

Explanation:

• While presenting Railway Budget for the year 2016-17, Minister of Railways has announced that a new delivery models e.g., Roll-on Roll-off will be launched.
• Under this scheme, loaded trucks would be moved on the flat rakes (modified BOXN and BRN rakes) to avoid congestion on roads across Ganges. To start with, this service is being introduced from Bihta (Private Freight Terminal) to Turki station, Muzaffarpur district covering a distance of 88 kms. In a rake, approximately 44 loaded/ empty trucks will be moved. A rake will perform 3 trips per day.
• It has been decided to inaugurate 1st train of Roll-on Roll-off service on Bihta to Turki station.
• The service will be extended to cover more commodities and destinations in future. In the long run, this initiative would save a lot of Forex spent on fuel and would indirectly reduce pollution.