UPSC Daily Quiz | 20 August 2024

Explanation:

Relevance: The second phase of the Bi-annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination has been launched.

• Lymphatic filariasis (LF) commonly known as elephantiasis (Haatipaon), is a serious debilitating disease transmitted through the bite of a Culex mosquito that breeds in dirty/polluted water. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)
• It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)

• Mosquito-transmitted larvae are deposited on the skin from where they can enter the body. The larvae then migrate to the lymphatic vessels where they develop into adult worms, thus continuing the cycle of transmission. 

• Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system with visible manifestations (lymphoedema, elephantiasis, and scrotal swelling/hydrocele) which occur later in life and can lead to permanent disability.
• Lymphatic Filariasis (Haatipaon) is a priority disease that is targeted for elimination by 2027. Currently, LF has been reported in 345 districts across 20 states and union territories, with 90% of LF burden contributed by 8 states - Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (Hence, statement 3 is not correct)
• India's efforts to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) have seen significant progress with the launch of the Enhanced Strategy for LF Elimination by 2027. This strategy includes the mission mode Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, conducted biannually on 10th February and 10th August alongside National Deworming Day (NDD). 

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Sources:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2044057

Explanation:

Relevance: Gotipua child artistes face an uncertain future when they hit puberty, leaving them without skills required for a job.

• Gotipua, a captivating folk dance from Odisha, India, features young boys who dress as females to honor Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna. The name "Gotipua" derives from the Oriya words "goti" (single) and "pua" (boy).
• For centuries, these boys have performed intricate acrobatic movements inspired by the love story of Radha and Krishna. They begin training at a young age, maintaining their androgynous appearance until adolescence. To enhance their feminine appearance, they avoid cutting their hair, allowing for elaborate hairstyles.
• Originating in the 16th century, Gotipua is considered a precursor to the classical Odissi dance form. However, few Gotipua dancers transition to Odissi, which is primarily centered in urban areas and performed by women.
• A unique aspect of Gotipua is that each dancer sings while performing, requiring exceptional breath control. Unfortunately, this tradition is gradually diminishing as modern Gotipua performances often rely on pre-recorded or live songs, with dancers simply lip-syncing.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Art and Culture

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/the-dancers-who-stumble-from-boyhood-stardom-to-adulthood-anonymity/article68512086.ece

Explanation:

Relevance: Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, recently revealed plans to pour billions into creating a general artificial intelligence.

• Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to a type of AI that possesses the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a wide range of tasks at a level comparable to human intelligence. AGI can adapt to new situations, solve unfamiliar problems, and exhibit cognitive flexibility similar to that of humans.
• The correct understanding of AGI is essential as it represents a major leap in AI development, beyond the currently prevalent Narrow AI, to a level where AI could potentially match or exceed human intellectual capabilities across multiple domains.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Sources:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/artificial-general-intelligence-agi-9307895/

Explanation:

Relevance: Efforts are underway to revitalize the Paraguay River for use as an industrial shipping route known as the Hidrovia Paraguay-Paraná waterway.

• The Pantanal, often called the “kingdom of water”, is made up of more than 1,200 rivers and streams, and its vast biodiversity relies on the seasonal flood pattern. (Hence, statement 2 is not correct)
• The Pantanal lies in south-central Brazil and extends into northeast Paraguay and southeast Bolivia. It is one of the world’s largest freshwater wetlands. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct) 

• The wetlands extend for about 600 km north-to-south along the banks of the upper Paraguay River and several of its tributaries. (Hence, statement 3 is not correct)
• The Pantanal is a gigantic seasonal floodplain. During the summer rainy season (November–March), the rivers overflow their banks and flood the adjacent lowlands, forming shallow lakes and innumerable swamps and marshes and leaving island-like areas of higher ground. (Hence, statement 4 is correct)
• During the drier winter season (April–September), the rivers withdraw into their banks, but the lowlands are only partially drained.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/12/hidrovia-brazil-pantanal-biodiversity-carbon-wetland-dredging-ports-paraguay-river-industrial-waterway-aoe#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Pantanal%20is%20like%20Noah%27s,could%20soon%20cease%20to%20exist.%E2%80%9D

Explanation:

Relevance: The Science and Technology Ministry has withdrawn its contribution to the prestigious UNESCO Kalinga Prize for Popularisation of Science, UNESCO’s oldest award, instituted through a donation by Odisha’s former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik way back in 1951.

• The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an international award to reward exceptional contributions made by individuals in communicating science to society and promoting the popularization of science. This science popularization can include all forms of media communication. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)
• It is awarded to persons who have had a distinguished career as writer, editor, lecturer, radio, television, or web programme director, or film producer in helping interpret science, research and technology to the public. 
• The Prize is funded by the Kalinga Foundation Trust, the Government of the State of Orissa, and the Government of India (Department of Science and Technology).
• UNESCO Kalinga Prize is the only international award from India in the field of popularisation of science. The winner of this award is selected by the Director-General of UNESCO upon the recommendation of a jury of five members. It is the Science Analysis and Policies Division of the UNESCO which administers this award. (Hence, statement 4 is correct)

• Past awardees include seven Nobel Prize winners and such luminaries as Bertrand Russel, Louis de Broglie, George Gamow, Arthur Clarke, Fred Hoyle, David Attenborough, Jayant Narlikar, Prof Yash Pal, and Pakistan’s Pervez Hoodbhoy.

Other features of the Award

• The Prize may be conferred upon individuals, institutions, other entities or non-governmental organizations; (Hence, statement 2 is correct)
• The applicants does not need to have a science degree; (Hence, statement 3 is not correct)
• This prize does not reward research;
• This prize does not reward formal teaching (at school/university), nor curriculum development for the formal learning sector;
• If a work being rewarded has been produced by two or three persons, the prize shall be awarded to them jointly. The prize may not be shared by more than three persons.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | S&T

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Sources:

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ex-odisha-cm-patnaik-science-minister-unesco-kalinga-prize-9509929/