Important Current Affairs-21th Nov 2020-ORSP

The correct answer is Rajasthan.

Key Points

• ​​The folk dance known as the Kalbelia dance is essential to the Kalbelia culture.
• Since the Kalbelias are recognized as traditional snake charmers, this dance is also referred to as the Sapera dance.
• Previously, this nomadic tribe would move from location to location bartering snake venom.
• The Kalbelia are a snake-taming tribe from Rajasthan, India's Thar Desert.
• Men play the instruments and give the music, but only women perform it.
• In 2010, it was added to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO).
• Kathputli, Bhavai, Gair, Kachchhi Ghodi, Chang/Dhamal, Ghoomar and Terah Taali are some other folk dances of Rajasthan.

Additional Information

The correct answer is the Official rate of interest charged by the Central bank of the country.

Key Points

• A bank rate is the rate of interest charged by a country's central bank to its domestic banks when they borrow money.
• In India, the Reserve Bank of India determines the bank rate
• The interest rates charged by central banks are designed to keep the economy stable.
• The bank rate is called by a variety of names depending on the country, and it has changed through time in various countries as the rate-setting procedures have evolved.

Additional Information

• The bank rate, also known as the discount rate, is set by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in the United States.
• When a bank runs out of funds, it can typically borrow from the central bank, depending on the monetary policy of the country.
• The interest rate charged by a country's central or federal bank on loans and advances regulates the economy's and banking sector's money supply.
• The Reserve Bank of India also offers clients short-term loans (with collateral) at a rate known as the repo rate.

The correct answer is Babur.

Key Points

Battle of Chanderi: 1528

• The Battle of Chanderi was dated on 20 January 1528.
• This battle was fought between the Mughal Emperor Babur and the Rajput Confederacy.

Additional InformationBattle of Chanderi(1528):

• Babur was firmly established in India and his centre of power shifted from Kabul to Delhi after the battle of Khanwa.
• Chanderi was situated on the border of Malwa and Bundelkhand and therefore, was important both politically and economically.
• Besides, it was now in the hands of a Rajput chief, Medini Rai who had freed himself from the sovereignty of the ruler of Malwa.
• Babur decided to destroy his power and therefore, demanded Chanderi in exchange for Shamsabad.
• It was refused and Babur attacked Chanderi on 29 January 1528 A.D.
• Medini Rai was killed in the battle and the fort of Chanderi was captured by Babur.
• However, it was handed over to Ahmad Shah, a descendant of the ruling dynasty of Malwa.

The Correct Answer is Option 4 i.e. President.

Key Points

• In India, the Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed by President.
• Articles 214-231 deal with the provisions of the High Courts in India.
• Article 217 deals with the appointment of judges.
• According to Article 222, the President may after consultation with the chief justice of India transfer a judge from one High Court to any High Court.
• Hight Court Judge sends his letter of resignation to the President.

The correct answer is Oxygen.

Key Points

•  Oxygen is not an example of a pollutant.
• A pollutant is a substance present in concentrations that may cause harm to organisms (human beings, plants, and animals) or exceed an environmental quality standard.
• Pesticides ​
  • These are widely used to protect food production but are also ubiquitous environmental pollutants.
  • They cause adverse effects on water quality, biodiversity, and human health.
  • Pesticide residues in soil and water are significant environmental threats and have been classified as carcinogen pollutants in many countries.
• Sulphur dioxide
  • ​It is a gaseous air pollutant composed of sulfur and oxygen.
  • It can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles.
  • These particles contribute to particulate matter (PM) pollution.
  • Sulfur dioxide causes a range of harmful effects on the lungs.
• Fertilisers
  • ​They are added to the soil or plants to promote growth and productivity.
  • Fertilization may affect the accumulation of heavy metals in soil and plant system.
  • Plants absorb the fertilizers through the soil, they can enter the food chain.
  • Thus, fertilization leads to water, soil and air pollution.

The correct answer is Kerala.

Key Points

• Silent Valley National Park:
  • Located in the Palakkad district in the Nilgiri Mountains of Kerala.
  • It is at the heart of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and consists of areas of South Western Ghats rain forests and tropical wet evergreen jungle.
  • River Kunthi passes through it.
  • Silent Valley Park is known for many highly endangered species such as lion-tailed macaque, tiger, gaur, leopard, wild boar, panther, Indian Civet, and Sambhar.
  • Silent Valley was declared a National Park in 1984 and formally inaugurated in the year 1985.

Additional Information

• 41 mammals, 211 birds, 49 reptiles, 47 amphibians, 12 fishes, 164 butterflies, and 400 species of moths are found here.
• This park harbours a viable population of Lion-tailed macaques which also is the flagship species of the Park.
• It is at the heart of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and consists of areas of South Western Ghats rain forests and tropical wet evergreen jungle.
• Flora: The major plants of the park are Teak, Amla, Semal, and Rosewood along with bamboo.
• Fauna: Silent Valley Park is known for many highly endangered species such as lion-tailed macaque, tiger, gaur, leopard, wild boar, panther, Indian Civet, and Sambhar.

The correct answer is Panchmarhi.

Key Points

• Mount Dhupgarh is the highest point peak situated in the Mahadeo Hills (Satpura Range), Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Pachmarhi Hill station is situated near the peak.
• Pachmarhi is a hill station located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India.
• It has been the destination of a cantonment since British Raj.
• It is extensively known as Satpura ki Rani ("Queen of Satpura"), situated at a height of 1067 m in a valley of the Satpura Range in the Hoshangabad district.
• Dhupgarh, the highest point (1,352 m) present in Madhya Pradesh, and the Satpura range are situated here.
• It is also popular for Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• India's population, according to India's 2011 census, is 1,210,193,422.
• According to the statistics, Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state, while Sikkim is the least populous.
• The most recent population figures are based on data from India's 2011 census. In 1872, British India conducted its first population census.
• A census has been held every ten years since India's independence in 1947, with the first one taking place in 1951.
• The census in India is handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, and it is one of the largest administrative duties undertaken by a federal government.

 Important Points

• Kerala is the most literate state in India, according to the 2011 census of Indian states, with a literacy rate of 93.91 percent.
• With a literacy rating of 63.82 percent, Bihar is the least literate state in the country.
• Kerala has the highest sex ratio in India, with 1084 females per 1000 males, while Haryana has the lowest, with only 877 women per 1000 males, according to the 2011 Indian census.

The correct answer is 1951.

Key Points

• With the Partition as a backdrop, the country reeling with the influx of refugees, severe food shortage, and mounting inflation, the First Five-Year Plan was introduced in 1951.
• It focused primarily on the development of the primary sector, specifically agriculture and irrigation.

Additional Information

• From 1947 to 2017, the Indian economy was premised on the concept of planning.
• This was carried through the Five-Year Plans, developed, executed, and monitored by the Planning Commission (1951-2014) and the NITI Aayog (2015-2017).
• With the prime minister as the ex-officio chairman, the commission has a nominated deputy chairman, who holds the rank of a cabinet minister. Montek Singh Ahluwalia is the last deputy chairman of the commission (resigned on 26 May 2014).
• The Twelfth Plan completed its term in March 2017. 

The correct answer is Gujarat.

Key Points

• Garba is the dance of the state of Gujarat, India.
  • Garba dancing also takes place during the nine-day Navratri festival, held annually during the Hindu month of Ashvina (September–October).

Additional Information

• Raslila, Mayur, and Khyal dance all are famous folk dance of the U.P. state.
• Dances of Haryana are Phalgun dance Loor dance, Daph dance, Gugga dance, Khoria dance, Holi dance.
• Ghoomar, Kathputli, Gair, and, Kalbelia are the traditional dances of Rajasthan.
• Maharashtra has a number of folk dances like Lavani, Dhangarigaja, Lezim, Koli, Gondhal, Tamasha, Povada, Dindi and Kala, Dashvattra and Muralibagdya.
• Dollu Kunitha is a traditional dance form in Karnataka.
• Theyyam, Thiruvathirakali, Chakyar Koothu Koodiyattam, and Ottamthullal are some of the famous dance forms in Kerala.

The correct answer is Indira Gandhi.

Key Points

• Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was an Indian politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress.
• She was the first and, to date, only female Prime Minister of India.
• Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India.
• She served as prime minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984, making her the second longest-serving Indian prime minister after her father.

Additional Information

• First female Finance Minister of India - Nirmala Sitharaman
• First female Minister of India - Amrit Kaur
• First female Defence Minister of India - Indira Gandhi
• First female Chief Minster - Sucheta Kripalani
• First female Governor - Sarojini Naidu

The correct answer is Qutb-ud-din Aibak.

Key Points

• Qutb-Ud-din Aibak
  • Qutb-Ud-din Aibak​ because of his large sums of donation to charities earned the title of 'Lakh Baksh' or 'Giver of Lakhs'.
  • Qutb-Ud-din Aibak was the first Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate and was the founder of the Slave Dynasty.
  • Qutbuddin Aibak was a slave of Muhammad Ghori.
  • When Ghori was assassinated, Aibak declared himself Sultan of Delhi in 1206, and his dynasty was recognized as Slave Dynasty.
  • Slave dynasty rule from 1206-90 and became the first Muslim dynasty ruled over India.
  • Qutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia Sultan, Balban were eminent kings of this dynasty.
  • Qutbuddin Aibak was succeeded by Aram Shah, and then by his former slave Iltutmish.
  • He began the construction of Qutb Minar in Delhi.
  • He died while playing Polo or Chaugan.
  • He reigned till his death in 1210.
  • Dynasty ended when Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji overthrew the last Mamluk ruler Muiz ud din Qaiqabad in 1290.

Additional Information

• Shamsuddin Eltutmish
  • Regin of Iltumish - 1211-1236 AD.
  • Iltumish was son-in-law of Aibak.
  • He was a Turkic slave.
  • He was the greatest of the Slave rulers of Delhi.
  • The Slave dynasty was established by Qutb-us-din Aibak.
  • Dynasty lasted from 1206 to 1290.
  • It was the first of the dynasties to rule as Sultanate in Delhi.
  • The Iqta System or Iqtadari System was introduced by Shamsuddin Iltutmish of the Delhi Sultanate.​
• ​Mahmud Ghazni
  • Mahmud of Ghazni was a Turkish conqueror who attacked India 17 times between 1000 to 1027 AD.
  • The biggest invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni was in 1025 AD wherein he invaded the Somnath temple in Gujarat.
  • In all his 17 invasions, a number of dynasties were conquered by him.
• Muhammad of Ghori (1149 – 1206 CE)
  • He was the third Muslim ruler who invaded India.
  • His real name was Shahabuddin alias Muizuddin Muhammad Ghori.
  • Muhammad of Ghori was defeated by Prithviraj in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 A.D. and recovered Bhatinda.
  • In the second battle of Tarain (1192 A.D.), the joined forces of the Rajput rulers under Prithviraj were defeated by Muhammad of Ghori. Prithviraj was held as a prisoner and later put to death.

The correct answer is Wular lake.

Key Points

• Wular Lake:-
  • It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia.
  • It is sited in Bandipora district in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River.
  • The lake's size varies seasonally from 12 to 100 square miles (30 to 260 square kilometers).
• Kolleru Lake:-
  • ​Kolleru lake is located between the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Andhra Pradesh.
  • The lake serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for the two rivers.
  • It is an important habitat for an estimated 20 million residents and migratory birds like Grey or Spot-billed pelicans.
• Nalsarovar Lake:-
  • A natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) that is the largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert.
  • An important stopover site within the Central Asian Flyway.
  • State-Gujarat
• Sambhar Lake:-
  • The Sambhar Salt Lake is India's largest inland saltwater lake.
  • It is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos.
  • Receives water from six rivers: Medtha, Samaod, Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari, and Khandela.
  • Surrounded by the Aravali hills on all sides
  • State-Rajasthan

The correct answer is 2 February.

Key Points

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February.
• The day aims to raise awareness of the vital role wetlands to play for humans and our world.
• This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
• Known as Ramsar Convention.
• World Wetlands Day provides helps to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and how the decline of wetlands and biodiversity can be addressed.

Important Points

• For World Wetlands Day 2021,' Wetlands and Water' is the international theme.
• 2021 celebrates 50 years of the Wetlands Convention.

• Wetlands are the small plant life habitats and species contained inside water sources that not only water bodies, but environments as a whole, bring about ecological health in abundance.
• At present, there are 85 Ramsar Sites acknowledged in India.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Ujjain.

Important Points

• Ujjain is a city in Madhya Pradesh state.
  • Ujjain was known as 'Avantika' in ancient times.
  • Ujjayini was the capital of the Avanti kingdom.
  • Ujjain was the seat of the emperor Ashoka during the 2nd century BCE.
  • Ujjain is one of the sites of the famous Hindu festival Kumbh Mela.
  • The famous ancient writer Kalidasa was born in Ujjain.

Additional Information

• Gopagiri is the ancient name of Gwalior.
• Balwantnagar is the ancient name of Jhansi.
• Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh.

The correct answer is Ujjain.

• The only temple dedicated to Mars in the world is the famous Shri Mangalnath Shrine, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India.
• In Indian astrology, Mangal is believed to be blood-red in complexion, agile, a temperament of bile, pure and generous natured planet.

Key Points

• Mangalnath Temple is a greatly respected holy place situated in Ujjain.
• As per the inscriptions in Matsya Purana, Mangalnath is said to be the birthplace of Mars.
• The Puranas refer to Mangaldev as the child of Lord Shiva and Prithvi (Bhumi, earth), thereby acquiring the name, Bhaum.
• In ancient times, the place Mangalnath was famous for a clear view of the planet and hence is a suitable place for astronomical studies.
• The temple is situated at the place where the first meridian is said to pass the earth and so this place was a renowned spot for a clear view of the planet and consequently, it turned to be an apt place for astronomical studies.

Additional Information

• Ujjain is a city in the Ujjain district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the fifth-largest city in Madhya Pradesh by population and is the administrative center of Ujjain district and Ujjain division.
• It is a famous Hindu pilgrimage center with the Kumbh Mela held here every 12 years.
• The famous temple of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is also located in this city.
• An ancient city situated on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River.

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Karnataka.

Key Points

• Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee in the country as of 2016.
• Karnataka accounts for nearly 71 percent (2020).
• Chikmagalur, Kodagu, and Hassan districts of Karnataka are the major coffee producer regions.
• Kerala is the second-largest producer of coffee in India.
• Kerala accounting for 21% of coffee production in India.
• Tamil Nadu accounts for 5% of overall production with 8,200 tonnes.
• Brazil, the top coffee producing country.
• Brazil accounted for 40 percent of the global coffee supply.
• Vietnam was the second-largest coffee producer.

• The CC and BCC fields when sending email work similarly. CC stands for “carbon copy,” while BCC stands for “blind carbon copy.”
• The BCC field in the mail is used when you want to send an email to multiple recipients but do not want any of them to know about the other people you have sent them to.
• This prevents the e-mail addresses from being captured by someone in the list who might use them for spamming purposes.
• CC field means that that person will receive a copy of the email and all other recipients will see their email address.