DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 6 December 2024

Ans. c
Explanation:
Why in News: The Supreme Court established a panel of experts to assess the potential, range, and viability of electric lines in critical areas for the Great Indian Bustard.
Scientific Name – Ardeotis nigric: Known Locally as Godawan, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) belongs to the bustard family (Otididae) and ranks among the world’s heaviest flying birds.
Flight Capability: Although not adept fliers, GIBs possess expansive sideways vision to enhance predator detection.
State Bird: Recognized as the state bird of Rajasthan.
Mascot: “Gibi – The Great Indian Bustard” served as the mascot for CMS COP13 held in Gandhinagar, India in 2020.
Preferred Environment: GIBs thrive in dry grasslands and scrublands across the Indian subcontinent.
Population Centers: Major populations inhabit Rajasthan, particularly in the arid grasslands of Thar Desert National Park and Pokhran Field Firing Range.
Indicator Species: Regarded as an indicator of the grassland ecosystem’s overall health.
Omnivorous Nature: GIBs consume a variety of foods.
Reproduction: GIBs exhibit slow reproductive rates, laying few eggs and providing nearly year-long parental care to their chicks.
Challenges: Habitat loss, hunting, and poaching pose significant threats to GIB populations.
Project Bustard: Launched in 2012, Project Bustard is a national conservation initiative aimed at safeguarding the GIB, alongside the Bengal florican and lesser florican.
Recovery Programme: GIB is identified as a species for the recovery program under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
CMS Convention: Appendix I
CITES: Appendix I

Ans.d
Explanation:
While there was consensus among Congress members regarding their stance on World War II and the resignation of ministries, significant disagreements arose concerning the immediate commencement of a mass Satyagraha. Gandhiji and the predominant leadership presented three primary reasons for delaying the initiation of an immediate movement.

They believed that since the cause of the Allies (Britain and France) was just, opposing the Nazi forces, they should not impede their efforts in prosecuting the war. (Thus, Statement 1 is correct.)

The absence of Hindu-Muslim unity posed a substantial obstacle to launching a struggle. In the prevailing atmosphere, any civil disobedience movement could easily descend into communal conflicts or even civil war. (Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.)

They contended that the country lacked the necessary conditions for an immediate struggle. Neither were the masses prepared, nor was the Congress organizationally equipped to launch a movement. The Congress organization had weakened and become corrupt during 1938-39, characterized by indiscipline and a lack of cohesion within its ranks. Given these circumstances, a mass movement would not be resilient against the severe repressive measures the government could employ. (Hence, Statement 3 is correct.)

Ans.a
Explanation:

Subhas Chandra Bose played a crucial role and held a prominent position within the Indian National Congress. He actively participated in the anti-colonial movement under Gandhi’s guidance starting in 1921, eventually ascending to the presidency of the Congress in 1938 and 1939.

In contrast, Nehru returned to India in 1912, initially pursuing a career as an advocate but finding little satisfaction in practicing law. In 1916, he joined Annie Besant’s Home Rule League and later, in 1920, entered the national-level freedom struggle during the Non-Cooperation Movement after meeting Mahatma Gandhi.

Statement 1 is correct: In February 1922, Gandhi unilaterally terminated the non-cooperation movement due to violence at Chauri Chaura. Both Bose and Nehru were in prison at that time and expressed disappointment and frustration upon learning that the movement they had dedicated themselves to had been compelled to conclude.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Bose, during his presidency of the Congress, experienced his first disagreement with Gandhi (not Nehru) in December 1938. Bose was enthusiastic about forming a coalition government in Bengal with the Krishak Praja Party. Gandhi’s letter to Bose, instructing him to refrain from including Congress in the Bengal ministry, came as a surprising disappointment to Bose. He had believed that Gandhi shared his perspective on the Bengal ministry.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Bose sought an alternative leadership to that of the Congress. In March 1940, he organized the All-India Anti-Compromise Conference in Ramgarh to oppose the Second World War. Urging his audience to take action before it was too late, he concluded his speech with ‘Inquilab zindabad.’ This conference was unrelated to the opposition of the Hunter Commission or Nehru.

Ans. b
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. Bose anticipated a transformed India through a socialist revolution that would dismantle the traditional social hierarchy and caste system, paving the way for an egalitarian society without caste distinctions. Subhas Bose strongly opposed social inequality and advocated for inter-caste marriages. In contrast, Gandhi supported the varna system, considering its laws eternal and foundational for social harmony.

Statement 2 is correct. Gandhi advocated for a decentralized economy, while Bose favored industrialization. Gandhi’s vision of Swaraj included a decentralized economy without state control, rejecting both capitalism for its exploitative nature and Western socialism for its association with industrialization. Bose believed that economic freedom was crucial for social and political freedom, endorsing modernization through industrialization.

Statement 3 is correct. Gandhi aimed to make Indian villages self-sufficient and stressed vocational education, advocating for vernacular language instruction. He also supported free and compulsory education for all children aged 7 to 14. On the other hand, Bose emphasized higher education, particularly in technical and scientific fields, aligning with his vision of an industrialized India. He asserted, “National Reconstruction will be possible only with the aid of science and our scientists.”

Ans. d
Explanation:
Assertion is incorrect: In the course of the non-cooperation movement, on February 5, 1922, at Chauri-Chaura village in the Gorakhpur district of United Provinces, twenty-two policemen lost their lives in a violent episode. Disturbed by the escalating violence associated with the movement, Mahatma Gandhi promptly declared the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement. The Congress Working Committee, convened at Bardoli in February 1922, endorsed Gandhi’s decision. The committee resolved to cease all activities leading to legal violations and instead focus on constructive endeavors, such as promoting khadi, establishing national schools, and advocating for temperance, Hindu-Muslim unity, and against untouchability.

Reason is correct: The withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement can be attributed to several reasons:

Mahatma Gandhi perceived that people had not fully grasped or internalized the principles of non-violence. Incidents like Chauri-Chaura had the potential to transform the movement into a generally violent one. A violent uprising could easily be quelled by the colonial regime, using the occurrences of violence as a pretext to deploy the armed might of the State against the protesters.
The movement was displaying signs of weariness, a natural occurrence as sustaining a movement at an intense level for an extended period is challenging. Additionally, the government showed no inclination for negotiations, contributing to the decision to withdraw.