Daily Current Affairs MCQ / UPSC / IAS / 16-10-19 | Free PDF

MCQ 1

1. Hindutva term was originally coined by VD Savarkar.
2. He actively participated in Quit India Movement and sent to Cellular jail for that

Choose correct

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both
 (D) None

• Chandranath Basu was a Bengali essayist, journalist, and researcher. He is credited for coining the term Hindutva
• Savarkar began his revolutionary activities as a high school student and continued to do so at Fergusson College in Pune. He and his brother founded a secret society called Abhinav Bharat Society. When he went to the United Kingdom for his law studies, he involved himself with radical organizations such India House and the Free India Society. He also published books advocating complete Indian independence by revolutionary means.
• One of the books he published called The Indian War of Independence about the Indian rebellion of 1857 was banned by the British authorities. In 1910, Savarkar was arrested and ordered to be extradited to India for his connections with the revolutionary group India House.
• On the voyage back to India, Savarkar staged an attempt to escape and seek asylum in France while the ship was docked in the port of Marseilles. The French port officials however handed him back to the British in contravention of international law. On return to India, Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment totalling fifty years and was moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Savarkar served ten years of his prison sentence before being released in 1921 after signing a plea for clemency that required him to renounce revolutionary activities. After release? he was eventually moved to Ratnagiri in the present day state of Maharashtra, where he stayed until 1937.
• While in prison, Savarkar wrote the work describing Hindutva, espousing what it means to be a Hindu, and Hindu pride, in which he defined as all the people descended of Hindu culture as being part of Hindutva, including Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.
• After 1937, he started travelling widely, becoming a forceful orator and writer, advocating Hindu political and social unity. Serving as the president of the [[Hindu Mahasabha] political party, Savarkar endorsed the idea of India as a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation) and opposed to the Quit India struggle in 1942, calling it a “Quit India but keep your army” movement.
• He became a fierce critic of the Indian National Congress and its acceptance of India’s partition.
• In 1948 Savarkar was charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, however he was acquitted by the court for lack of evidence.

Opposition to Quit India Movement

• Under Savarkar, the Hindu Mahasabha openly opposed the call for the Quit India Movement and boycotted it officially. Savarkar even went to the extent of writing a letter titled “Stick to your Posts”, in which he instructed Hindu Sabhaites who happened to be “members of municipalities, local bodies, legislatures or those serving in the army … to stick to their posts” across the country, and not to join the Quit India Movement at any cost.

Alliance with Muslim League and others

• The Indian National Congress won a massive victory in the 1937 Indian provincial elections, decimating the Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha. However, in 1939, the Congress ministries resigned in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s action of declaring India to be a belligerent in the Second World War without consulting the Indian people. This led to the Hindu Mahasabha, under Savarkar’s presidency, joining hands with the Muslim League and other parties to form governments, in certain provinces. Such coalition governments were formed in Sindh, NWFP, and Bengal.
• In Sindh, Hindu Mahasabha members joined Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah’s Muslim League government. In Savarkar’s own words, “Witness the fact that only recently in Sind, the Sind-Hindu-Sabha on invitation had taken the responsibility of joining hands with the League itself in running coalition government
• In the North West Frontier Province, Hindu Mahasabha members joined hands with Sardar Aurangzeb Khan of the Muslim League to form a government in 1943. The Mahasabha member of the cabinet was Finance Minister Mehar Chand Khanna.
• In Bengal, Hindu Mahasabha joined the Krishak Praja Party led Progressive Coalition ministry of Fazlul Haq in December 1941. Savarkar appreciated the successful functioning of the coalition government

Mercy petitions

• Savarkar applied to the Bombay Government for certain concessions in connection with his sentences. However, by Government letter No. 2022, dated 4 April 1911, his Application was rejected and he was informed that the question of remitting the second sentence of transportation for life would be considered in due course on the expiry of the first sentence of transportation for life.:pg.467
• A month after arriving in the Cellular Jail, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Savarkar submitted his first mercy petition on 30 August 1911. This petition was rejected on 3 September 1911.:pg.478
• Savarkar submitted his next mercy petition on 14 November 1913, and presented it personally to the Home Member of the Governor General’s council, Sir Reginald Craddock. In his letter, asking for forgiveness, he described himself as a “prodigal son” longing to return to the “parental doors of the government”. He wrote that his release from the jail will recast the faith of many Indians in the British rule.
• Also, he said “Moreover, my conversion to the constitutional line would bring back all those misled young men in India and abroad who were once looking up to me as their guide. I am ready to serve the government in any capacity they like, for as my conversion is conscientious so I hope my future conduct would be. By keeping me in jail, nothing can be got in comparison to what would be otherwise.”
• In 1917, Savarkar submitted another mercy petition, this time for a general amnesty of all political prisoners. Savarkar was informed on 1 February 1918 that the mercy petition was placed before the British Indian Government. :pg.480
• In December 1919, there was a Royal proclamation by King-Emperor George V. The summary of this proclamation is as follows:pg.469
• Paragraph 1: Reference to Acts of 1773, 1784, 1833, 1858, 1861 and 1909—The Act of 1919 entrusts the elected representatives of the people with a definite share in Government and points the way to full responsible Government hereafter.
• Paragraph 2: Mention of what Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and he himself declared between 1858 and 1910.
• Paragraph 3: Britain’s desire to make it possible for India to take control of her domestic affairs on her own shoulders.
• Paragraph 4: Recognition of the political awakening and political aspirations of the people of the country.
• Paragraph 5: Hope that the new legislatures shall succeed.
• Paragraph 6: An appeal to forgive and forget for removing all bitterness and creating an atmosphere of goodwill for the success of the reforms. Declaration of Royal clemency to political offenders.
• Paragraph 7: Reference to Chamber of Princes.
• Paragraph 8: Intention of sending Prince of Wales to visit India to further cordiality of relations between the King and his subjects.
• In the view of Royal proclamation, Savarkar submitted his fourth mercy petition to the British Government on 30 March 1920.:pg.472–476
• In which he stated that “So far from believing in the militant school of the Bukanin type, I do not contribute even to the peaceful and philosophical anarchism of a Kuropatkin [sic.] or a Tolstoy. And as to my revolutionary tendencies in the past:- it is not only now for the object of sharing the clemency but years before this have I informed of and written to the Government in my petitions (1918, 1914) about my firm intention to abide by the constitution and stand by it as soon as a beginning was made to frame it by Mr Montagu. Since that the Reforms and then the Proclamation have only confirmed me in my views and recently I have publicly avowed my faith in and readiness to stand by the side of orderly and constitutional development.”
• This petition was rejected on 12 July 1920 by the British government.:pg.477 After considering the petition, the British government contemplated releasing Ganesh Savarkar but not Vinayak Savarkar. The rationale for doing so was stated as follows:pg.472 • It may be observed that if Ganesh is released and Vinayak retained in custody, the latter will become in some measure a hostage for the former, who will see that his own misconduct does not jeopardize his brother’s chances of release at some future date.
• In 1920, the Indian National Congress and leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Vithalbhai Patel and Bal Gangadhar Tilak demanded his unconditional release.
• Savarkar signed a statement endorsing his trial, verdict and British law, and renouncing violence, a bargain for freedom.

MCQ 2

1. LOTUS HR is a project between India & UK
2. It’s a project regarding military modernization

Choose correct

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both
(D) None

• “LOcal Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for Healthy Reuse) (LOTUS HR)
• The project LOcal Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for Healthy Reuse (LOTUS HR) is an Indo-Netherlands joint project funded by Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Govt of india and NWO/STW, The Govt of Netherlands.
• The project has stakeholders from both Academia and Industry from India and Netherlands. It is coordinated by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi with participation of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi and National Environment Research Institute, Nagpur from India while Technical University Delft is coordinating it from The Netherlands, with participation of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology Department, UNESCO, Wageningen University and its Aquatic Ecology Department. There is also commitment from industry, especially from The Netherlands, in terms of both cash and kind towards the project.
• The project aims to demonstrate a novel holistic (waste-) water management approach, that will produce clean water that can be reused for various proposes (e.g. industry, agriculture, construction etc.), while simultaneously recovering nutrients and energy from the urban waste water, thus converting drain into profitable mines. Special attention will be paid to pathogen removal and removing conventional and emerging pollutants.
• The project will develop an innovative pilot scale plant, suitable to cope with Indian conditions in a location specific manner. The final design of the pilot plant will be scalable and modular, to fit into the highly populated urban terrain.
• The participation of end-users in the project will ensure that the demonstration site becomes a self-sustaining initiative that will not finish at the end of the project and will be taken up by the end-users. From the early start of the project, end-users (municipality, DDA, DJB, NGO’s, and companies like Shell, Hydrorock, Nijhuis, Berson, etc.) will be engaged in design at the pilot location as well as in formulation of specific research sub-questions. This will facilitate rapid adoption of the Water Reuse safety plan and the newly developed products.
• Dutch and Indian companies will contribute to the project by sharing their existing technologies, which may need adjustments for becoming functional in the pilot plant. Architects like Schulte Holding will advise on incorporating these water treatment units in urban mega cities. Engineers from DDA will help in site preparation and civil construction of the pilot plant.
• 2 nd phase was launched recently
• The pilot scale plant upon commissioning will treat 10,000 L sewage water per day.
• Special attention is paid to pathogen removal and removing conventional and emerging pollutants. • The project was launched in India-Netherlands water laboratory at the Barapullah drainin Delhi.
• Wetlab – A design challenge competition for Indian and Dutch young professionals to provide innovative ideas to solve India’s urban water challenges.
• It is jointly supported by Department of Biotechnology and Netherlands Enterprise Agency.

MCQ 3

1. 10th edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was recently organized by the Ministry of Culture in the State of Madhya Pradesh
2. It was launched under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative

 Choose correct

(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
 (C) Both
(D) None

• Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav
• The 10th edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was recently organised by the Ministry of Culture in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
• It was conceived in 2015 to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the country in varied dimensions in one place – Handicrafts, Cuisine, Painting, Sculpture and Performing Arts-Folk, Tribal, Classical and Contemporary.
• It will cover a profusion of folk-artforms from 22 States.
• It was launched under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative under Ministry of Human Resource and Development.
• Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat – It was launched in 2016 to promote bonding amongst the people of different States/UTs and diverse cultures, thereby securing unity and integrity of India.
• Each year, every State/UT would be paired with another State/UT in India for reciprocal interaction between the people.
• “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” was announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Subsequently, the Finance Minister announced the initiative in his Budget Speech for 2016-17. Through this innovative measure, the knowledge of the culture, traditions and practices of different States & UTs will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between the States, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India.
• All States and UTs will be covered under the programme. There will be pairing of States/UTs at national level and these pairings will be in effect for one year, or till the next round of pairings. The State/UT level pairings would be utilized for state level activities. District level pairings would be independent of the State level pairings. The activity will be very useful to link various States and Districts in annual programmes that will connect people through exchanges in areas of culture, tourism, language, education trade etc. and citizens will be able to experience the cultural diversity of a much larger number of States/UTs while realising that India is one.

MCQ 4

Clean Air Cities Declaration was related to

1. UN Habitat
2. UNFCCC
3. UNEP
4. C40 Mayor’s Summit

Clean Air Cities Declaration

• The declaration was signed in at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen.
• It commits cities to set ambitious pollution reduction targets and implement substantive clean air policies by 2025.
• Totally 35 cities signed this declaration in which Delhi is also a part.
• Through the declaration, mayors commit to using their power and influence to reduce air pollution and work towards meeting the WHO guidelines.
• C40 cities is a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change.
• It connects 94 of the world’s greatest cities to take bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

MCQ 5

UK Sinha Committee is related to

1. NPA crisis
2. RBI reserves transfer
3. Insolvency resolution
4. None

UK Sinha Committee

• Former SEBI chairman UK Sinha led committee recommended comprehensive framework for Insolvency resolution and liquidation of companies.
• Its recommendations are,
• Single insolvency professional and single adjudicating authority
• Creation of a group creditors committed
• Implementation of group insolvency framework should be in a phased manner
• Cross-border group insolvency to be taken up at a later stage
• Single application to commence insolvency proceedings against multiple companies of a group.

 Group insolvency resolution: UK Sinha-led panel recommends phased implementation of framework

• The UK Sinha-led Working Group on Group Insolvency has called for a legal framework to facilitate insolvency resolution and liquidation of companies belonging to a group.
• The framework may be enabling, and may be voluntarily used by relevant stakeholders of the company, the Working Group recommended in its 100- page report submitted to insolvency regulator IBBI recently.
• Indications are that the recommendations of the working group report will be considered at the upcoming meeting of the Insolvency Law Committee.
• Meanwhile, only provisions relating to communication, cooperation and information sharing may be made mandatory for insolvency professionals, Adjudicating Authorities and Committee of Creditors (CoC) of the companies which belong to a group and have been admitted into CIRP, the report said.
• However, the Working Group has suggested that the law may enable phased implementation of the framework.

Phased implementation

• The first phase may facilitate the introduction of procedural coordination of only domestic companies in groups and rules against perverse behaviour, it has suggested..
• Cross border group insolvency and substantive consolidation could be considered at a later stage, depending on the experience of implementing the earlier phases of the framework, and the felt need at the relevant time, the Working Group has said.
• For the purposes of the framework, a ‘corporate group’ may include holding, subsidiary and associate companies, as defined under the Companies Act, 2013.
• However, companies that are so intrinsically linked as to form part of a ‘group’ in commercial understanding, but are not covered by the definition of corporate group above, could also be included based on an application to the Adjudicating Authority, the report has suggested.
• It may be recalled that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) had in Januaryset up an 11-member Working Group under the Chairmanship of Singh, a former SEBI Chairman, to suggest a comprehensive framework for resolving insolvency of a group of companies.

Complete framework

• The Working Group was tasked by IBBI to recommend a complete framework to facilitate insolvency resolution and liquidation of companies in a group.
• Currently, the IBC provides for the resolution or liquidation of only individual stressed companies. So a framework within the IBC is sought to be created for the resolution/liquidation of an entire stressed corporate group having several entities in multiple NCLT jurisdictions.
• The idea is to have a framework that allows insolvency proceedings over companies within a corporate group to be concentrated under a single insolvency court and/or administered by one insolvency administrator.
• A group insolvency framework will help prevent corporate groups from uncontrollably falling apart in insolvency, thwarting the chances of their restructuring.

MCQ 6

‘MAXI J1820+070’ is a

1. Asteroid
2. Space Telescope
3. Star
4. Black Hole

Black Hole System

• Indian, British astronomers have recently discovered new details of black hole 10,000 light years away.
• The black hole system ‘MAXI J1820+070’ was first discovered in 2018.
• Its mass is the equivalent of seven Suns compressed into a region smaller than the city of London. • The effect of the black hole’s strong gravity and the material’s own magnetic field can cause rapidly changing levels of radiation, which are emitted from the system as a whole.
• This radiation was detected in visible light by the HiPERCAM instrument on the Gran Telescopio Canarias, Spain and in NASA’s NICER observatory aboard the International Space Station.
• This kind of observations are not possible even by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) as the distance make them too faint and too small.

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