National Anthem of India : Recent Supreme Court's Verdict

The National Anthem of India with an underlying message of pluralism was written and composed by the Nobel Laureate and an internationally acclaimed poet Shri Rabindranath Tagore during the Indian struggle for independence. The anthem forms the core of the ethos of Indian society and it is a civic duty of every citizen of the country to show due respect to the anthem while it is been sung, recited or played.

Keeping this into consideration, the Supreme Court of India has recently announced a verdict on National Anthem. The verdict was based on a writ petition filed before the court.

Let's attempt few questions on this topic.

Question 1 : Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to the National Anthem of India ?

a) It was adopted by the constituent assembly on 24th January, 1950.
b) It was first sung on 27th December, 1911 at the Calcutta session of Indian National Congress.
c) Both a and b 
d) Neither a nor b

Question 2 Which of the following statements is not the part of Supreme Court's verdict?

a) Cinema halls to play National Anthem before the beginning of a feature film and during the interval.
b) Commercial exploitation of National Anthem and its dramatization is prohibited.
c) Doors of cinema hall shall be closed while National Anthem is been played.
d) No printing of National Anthem that amounts to its disrespect.

Question 3 Which of the following laws or cases or code is/are related to the National Anthem of India?

a) Flag code of India
b) Uphaar Case
c) The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act,1971
d) All of the above

Question 4 Which of the following is not the 'fundamental duty' enshrined in the constitution of India?

a) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions.
b) To respect the National Song of India.
c)  To respect the National Anthem of India.
d) To respect the National Flag of India.

Answers

1) c
2) a . Cinema halls are required to play National Anthem before the beginning of a feature film only.
3) d
4) b 

National Anthem of India : YouTube Link

GDP of India

The gross domestic product (GDP) is the measure of national income and output for a given country's economy. India with its robust economic growth stands at 9th position in terms of its value of GDP. The growth of GDP in 2015-16 has been estimated to be 7.6%.

Let's attempt a question on this area.

Question 1: Which of the following statements is incorrect with respect to GDP of India?

a) The GDP is close to $ 2 trillion.
b) The GDP of India stands at 3.34% of the world economy.
c) The base year for calculation of GDP is 2011-12.
d) The GDP in India is measured at the factor cost.

Answer

1) d. The GDP in India is measured by the gross value added method at base price.

The New Secretary of State of United States of America

Question 1: The business tycoon, Rex Tillerson, has been offered the job of Secretary of State by President - elect Donald Trump. Mr. Tillerson has been associated with which of the following organisations?

a) Shell Corporation
b) ExxonMobil
c) Alibaba
d) Samsung

Answers

1) b

Innovations for Human Development

Question 1 : What is a 'Solar Dome'?

a) A solar powered telescope .
b) A device to light up homes without electricity.
c) China's space mission to study sun spot cycle.
d) A space tourism project by United States based organisation.

Question 2 : What is the primary function of an 'Ice Stupa' ?

a) Conservation of water
b) Propagation of teachings of Buddha.
c) Promotion of tourism.
d) Temporary shelters during natural calamity.

Question 3: Which of the following is/are the applications of a 'Solar Pond'?

a) Water desalination
b) Refrigeration
c) Power generation
d) All of the above

Answers

1) b. Reference : PIB Link
2) a. Reference:  YouTube Link
3) d. Reference:  Solar Pond

India's Nuclear Liability Act, 2010

Question 1 :  Which of the following provisions is incorrect with respect to the India's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 ?

a) Operator has the right to seek recourse from suppliers and vendors in case of an accident.
b) Absolute liability of an operator.
c) Operator is mandated to take an insurance policy or such other financial security.
d) Non discrimination of victims on the grounds of nationality, domicile or residence .

Answer

1) b . Operator has the right to seek recourse from suppliers and vendors if the accident was the result of a patent or latent defect in equipment or substandard services.

Quote Decode # 1 : An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind

In simple words, the essence of the above quote is - hate begets hate and violence is perpetuated by violence. When Mahatama Gandhi propounded this quote during the Indian struggle for freedom movement, he simultaneosly asserted that 'ahimsa' or non violence is a weapon of strong. By this he meant that, only an individual  with a strong mental aptitude and a strong moral strength can practice the tenets of non violence.

It often happens that one gets hurt by someone's words or something visible disturbs one. In that scenario it would not be ideal to seek revenge for the same. In words of Gandhiji, it would be rather ideal to conquer one's opponent with love. The feeling of revenge, extreme competition, quest for power and other such negative thoughts make one vulnerable to the situation and make one morally weak. The most visible manifestation of which is rise in terrorism, fundamentalism and intolerance in today's world.

Case Study

A soldier died during a cross border attack. His younger son , being closest to his father took pledge on his father's death pyre that he will give justice to his father by killing all those terrorists. Though the intention of that kid was to seek justice for his father but the way justice was thought to be achieved was not moral. Ideally the kid should be made to understand the ethos of 'service of the nation' that his father has practiced in the real sense. His father has become a martyr, the place which few can achieve in their life.

The boy should rather take the pledge to follow his father's footsteps and get himself inducted into defence forces.

Air Pollution : Paris and Delhi

Question 1 How much micrograms per cubic meter of Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10) is considered safe for environment?

a) 80
b) 91
c) 93
d) 100

Question 2 Which of the following measures have been taken by the government of Paris to check the high level of Particulate Matter 10 in the city?

i)  Odd - even number scheme for vehicles
ii) Free public transport
iii) Only hybrid, electric and vehicles carrying 3 or more than 3 passengers are allowed on the roads.
iv) Regulation on speed of vehicles

a) i and ii only
b) All of the above
c) i,  ii and iii only
d) ii and iv only

Question 3 Which of the following factors is/are responsible for the high level of pollution in Delhi?

a) Vehicular pollution.
b) Post harvest burning of stalk in neighbouring state.
c) Both a and b
d) Neither a nor b

Question 4: Recently, the Supreme Court of India while emphasising the problem of poor air quality in Delhi has termed the city's atmosphere as 'gas chamber'. Which of the following constraints is/are responsible for ineffective pollution control in the city?

a) Weak state capacity.
b) Corruption in construction business.
c) Toothless pollution control boards.
d) All of the above

Answers

1) a
2) b
3) c
4) d