DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 11 October 2024

Ans. c

Explanation
Why in News: An 89-year-old individual living in the UK passed away as a result of an excessive intake of vitamin D.

• Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Sources of Vitamin D:

• Sunlight exposure initiates vitamin D synthesis in the skin, serving as the primary natural source.
• Foods high in vitamin D include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, along with fortified dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Additional sources comprise eggs, sunlight-exposed mushrooms, and fortified plant-based milk alternatives.

Role of Vitamin D:

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health by regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, supporting bone health, and modulating immune function.
• It promotes strong bones and teeth, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and aids in muscle function.
• With purported anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin D may help mitigate the risk of certain chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and certain cancers.

Vitamin D Toxicity:

• Excessive intake of vitamin D supplements can lead to vitamin D toxicity or hypervitaminosis.
• Hypercalcemia, characterized by elevated levels of calcium, is a direct consequence of excessive vitamin D levels.
• Symptoms of hypercalcemia may include confusion, disorientation, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and kidney damage.

Symptoms and Treatment:

• Initial symptoms of vitamin D toxicity may involve nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss.
• Treatment typically involves discontinuing vitamin D supplementation and reducing dietary sources.
• In severe cases of hypercalcemia, medical interventions such as intravenous fluids, diuretics, or medications to lower calcium levels may be required.

Ideal Intake:

• The recommended daily amount of vitamin D for adults is around 10 micrograms.
• The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for most adults ranges from 600 to 800 IU per day, with an upper limit of 4,000 IU per day to prevent toxicity.

Ans.  b

Explanation

Why in News: A program named the Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Programme (FARM) has been launched by seven nations: Ecuador, India, Kenya, Laos, Philippines, Uruguay, and Vietnam. Its aim is to tackle agricultural pollution stemming from pesticides and plastics. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Ans. d

Explanation:

Causes for English Success:

Private Enterprise and Autonomy:

• The English company operated as a private enterprise, fostering enthusiasm and self-confidence.
• With minimal governmental control, the company could make instant decisions without waiting for government approval.

Naval Superiority: The English navy surpassed the French navy, enabling the disruption of crucial sea links between French possessions in India and France.

Strategic Holdings: The English controlled three key locations—Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras—compared to the French, who held only Pondicherry.

Balanced Priorities: Despite imperialistic goals, the British consistently prioritized commercial interests, maintaining a sound financial condition and ample funds for wars.

Effective Leadership: The English benefited from a multitude of skilled commanders, including Sir Eyre Coote, Major Stringer Lawrence, and Robert Clive, contributing to their success.

Causes for French Failure:

Government Control and Constraints:

• The French company, a State concern, faced control and regulation by the French government.
• This governmental oversight led to policy constraints and delays in decision-making.

Limited Geographical Holdings:The French were limited to Pondicherry, lacking the strategic advantage of holding key locations like Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.

Territorial Ambition Over Commercial Interest: The French subordinated commercial interests to territorial ambition, resulting in financial shortages for the French company.

Neglect of Commercial Interests: In contrast to the British, the French neglected commercial interests, exacerbating their financial challenges.

Lack of Diverse Leadership: The French side lacked a diverse set of leaders, with Dupleix being a singular prominent figure compared to the varied leadership on the English side.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

• The saintly Ramakrishna Parmahamsa (1834–86) pursued religious redemption by the customary practices of abstinence, concentration, and devotion (Bhakti). He shared his life with mystics of different faiths, including Muslims and Christians, in his pursuit of religious truth or the realization of God.
• He again and again emphasised that there were many roads to God and salvation, and that the service of man was the service of God, for man was the embodiment of God.
• Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902), a great student of his, popularized his religious message and attempted to adapt it to the needs of modern Indian culture.
• Above all, Vivekananda stressed social action. Knowledge, unaccompanied by action in the actual world in which we live, was useless‘, he said.
• Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to continue social service and humanitarian aid. The Mission continued its humanitarian work by establishing schools, hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages, libraries, etc. and had numerous branches around the nation.
• It, thus, laid emphasis not on personal salvation, but on social good or social service.

Ans. a

Explanation:

Ramabai Ranade, an Indian social worker and an early advocate for women’s rights in the 19th century, was inspired by her husband to initiate the ‘Hindu Ladies Social Club’ in Bombay, aiming to cultivate public speaking skills among women. Additionally, she held the position of founder and President of the ‘Seva Sadan Society’ in Pune, both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct.

Devoting her life to the betterment of women, Ramabai, along with her husband and colleagues, established the first girls’ high school in Pune in 1886. She also founded a branch of Arya Mahila Samaj in Bombay. At the encouragement of Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar and Mr. Bhajekar, Ramabai chaired the inaugural session of the India Women Conference in Bombay in 1904.

Statement 3 is incorrect, ‘Stree Purush Tulana’ (or ‘Comparison of Men and Women’) was authored by Tarabai Shinde as a protest against the double standards prevalent in a male-dominated society.