Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – March 23, 2023 [Mock Test]
April 7, 2023 April 7, 2023
1. Consider the following statements:
- Antimicrobial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism.
- AMR has been recognised as a silent pandemic and microorganism that develop it are referred to as superbugs.
- Ethnoveterinary medicine are used to treat AMR.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:- Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) involves the use of traditional / herbal preparations in treating diseases of cattle.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been recognised as a ‘silent pandemic’. It accelerates due to the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human health, animal health, food-animal production, aquaculture and crop production.
- It is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.
- As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.
- Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.
- It is spread due to the misuse of antimicrobials in medicine and inappropriate use in agriculture. Contamination around pharmaceutical manufacturing sites where untreated waste releases large amounts of active antimicrobials into the environment.
2. Consider the following statements with respect to Dr. Verghese Kurien:
- He was behind the launch of Operation flood.
- He was awarded with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
- He founded the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) in 1979.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:- Verghese Kurien was born on November 26, 1921, in present-day- Kozhikode, Kerala.
- He played an instrumental role in making India the largest milk producer in the world.
- He was the man behind Operation Flood which led to dairy farming becoming the country’s largest self-sustaining industry, as well as the largest rural employment sector.
- He also helped set up the Amul cooperative society in 1946, in Gujarat’s Anand.
- In 1965, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri assigned Dr. Kurien to create the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
- Dr Kurien also founded the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) in 1979 and managed the Delhi Milk Scheme by correcting the prices.
- He was awarded with: Padma Vibhushan (1999), the World Food Prize (1989), Krishi Ratna (1986), Padma Bhushan (1966), Padma Shri (1965), Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963), etc.
3. Consider the following statements:
- Shisham is a deciduous tree.
- It is native to Indian subcontinent and Iraq.
- It is a hardwood tree.
- Hardwood trees grow at a faster rate than softwood trees.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 3
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:- Dalbergia sissoo, also known as North Indian rosewood or shisham, is a deciduous rosewood tree native to the Indian subcontinent and southern Iran.
- Sheesham is also classified as a hardwood, which is an interesting feature. The term “hardwood” refers to wood that comes from dicot trees.
- Hardwood trees grow at a slower rate and are much larger in size than softwood trees. Because of the lignin lining in their xylem vessels, hardwood trees are much stronger than softwood trees. Hardwood trees are not only strong, but they are also long-lasting.
- Hardwood trees have additional characteristics such as fire resistance, resistance to splitting, and so on. Hardwoods such as sheesham are a great example.
