Daily Quiz | 18 March 2024

Explanation:

• • Nana Jagannath Shankarseth:
    • He was born on February 10th , 1803 in a wealthy Brahmin family in Murbad in Thane district. 
    • He was a social reformer, educationist, and philanthropist.
    • He is often described as the “architect” of Mumbai (then Bombay).
    • He made extremely valuable contributions in terms of both ideas and money to multiple sectors, to lay a strong foundation for the city.
  • Key Contributions: 
    • Inspired by: He drew inspiration from the renowned merchant and philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.
    • Education: Shankarseth was deeply committed to advancing education in Bombay and donated land owned by his family for educational institutions. 
      • He firmly believed in the transformative power of education and advocated for the education of girls and women.
      • Shankarseth established the Native School of Bombay, later known as the Bombay Native Institution and subsequently as the Board of Education, which eventually evolved into the esteemed Elphinstone College.
      • He played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for medical education in Bombay, proposing the establishment of a medical college named after the late Governor Sir Robert Grant.
      •  This proposal materialized into the renowned Grant Medical College in Mumbai, one of South Asia's oldest medical institutions.
    • Philanthropic Endeavors: A prominent benefactor, Shankarseth contributed to the promotion of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla, collaborating with distinguished architects for its design. 
      • He also commemorated his late mother, Bhawanibai Murkute, by funding the construction of the Bhawani Shankar Temple near Nana Chowk and a Ram temple.

• Contribution to Railways:

• Nana Jagannath Shankarseth played a crucial role as part of the committee that led the pioneering project for the first train journey between Boribunder and Thane on April 16, 1853. 

• This historic endeavor, spanning 34 kilometers, was undertaken by the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company, marking a significant milestone in the development of India's railway network. 

• First Indian in the Legislative Council: Shankarseth achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian to be nominated to the Legislative Council of Bombay.

• His nomination to this influential position marked a pivotal moment in Indian representation in governance during the colonial era.

• Cross-Cultural Goodwill: Shankarseth's efforts to bridge communities and foster cross-cultural understanding earned him widespread goodwill.

• • • His ability to cultivate positive relationships with both Indian and British communities contributed to his effectiveness as a leader and advocate for social change.

Explanation:

• Pandavula Konda (Pandavula Gutta) site was first discovered in the year 1990.
• Pandavula Gutta, located in the Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana, has been officially recognized as the sole Geo-heritage site in the state.
• This ancient geological marvel predates the Himalayas and offers a glimpse into the region's rich history.

• Ancient Rock Paintings:

• • Paleolithic cave paintings have been found at Pandavula Gutta (Regonda mandal).
  • The site is renowned for its ancient rock paintings, which are adorned with a variety of colors including green, red, yellow, and white.
  • These paintings depict a range of symbols such as swastikas, circles, squares, as well as various animals like bison, antelope, tiger, and leopard.

Explanation:

• • The latest NATO expansion includes massive increase in DIANA innovation accelerator sites.
  • The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has greenlit a proposal to establish an accelerator and two test centers in Finland.
  • These facilities are designated to identify and expedite dual-use innovation capacity across the Alliance.

• Objectives:

• • • The initiative aims to equip companies with the necessary resources, networks, and guidance to advance deep technologies.
    • Its primary focus is on addressing critical defense and security challenges, ranging from operating in denied environments to addressing threats impacting collective resilience.[

• Membership and Collaboration:

• • All NATO member nations are participants in the initiative known as DIANA (Dual-use Innovation and Acceleration).
  • Through DIANA, NATO nations collaborate to enhance innovation capabilities and address pressing defense and security concerns.

Explanation:

• • The Central Government has launched National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) in India.
  • Aim: To reduce snakebite deaths by 50% by 2030, employing a 'One Health' Approach.

• Addressing Snakebite Envenoming: Snakebite envenoming is a significant public health concern in India, resulting in approximately 50,000 deaths annually.

• Components of the Plan:

• Awareness Initiatives: The plan encompasses the development and dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials including booklets, posters, and videos to raise awareness about snakebites.

• Implementation of Helplines: In five pilot states, the plan includes the introduction of Snakebite Helplines to provide assistance and guidance in cases of snakebite emergencies.

• Integration with One Health Programme: The NAP-SE will be integrated into the National One Health Programme for Zoonoses, utilizing the Integrated Health Initiative Platform for effective implementation.

• Enhancing Anti-venom Availability: One of the key strategic actions involves strengthening the availability of anti-venom at all health facilities to ensure prompt treatment for snakebite victims.

• Surveillance and Emergency Care: The plan emphasizes the importance of surveillance, emergency care, and inter-sectoral coordination to improve the response to snakebite incidents.

• State-specific Action Plans: States are encouraged to develop tailored action plans suited to their unique needs, with designated nodal officers assigned for coordination and monitoring purposes.

Comprehensive Approach: The NAP-SE aims to mitigate mortality and complications arising from snakebites by adopting a comprehensive approach that involves healthcare, wildlife, tribal, and animal health sectors.

Explanation:

• World Monuments Fund:

• It is a leading independent organization dedicated to safeguarding the world's most cherished places.
• Aims to enrich people's lives and foster mutual understanding across cultures and communities.

• Organization Headquarters and Affiliates: Headquartered in New York City.

• • • Offices and affiliates located in Cambodia, France, India, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and the UK.

• Global Preservation Efforts: Since 1965, WMF's global team of experts has preserved cultural heritage at over 700 sites in 112 countries.

• Addressing Contemporary Challenges:

• • • WMF collaborates with local communities, funders, and governments to address contemporary challenges.
    • Focus areas include climate change, underrepresentation, imbalanced tourism, and post-crisis recovery.

• Partnerships and Community Engagement:

• • Works closely with local communities to ensure sustainable preservation efforts.
  • Collaborates with funders and governments to leverage resources for heritage conservation.
  • Harnessing Heritage for Resilience:
  • WMF recognizes the potential of the past to create a more resilient and inclusive society.
  • Commits to preserving cultural heritage to benefit present and future generations.