Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 30th September 2024 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

The presence of dead coral skeletons hinders the natural regeneration of coral reefs by creating a complex structure that shelters macroalgae. This situation makes it difficult for herbivores to graze on the algae, allowing it to outcompete juvenile corals for space, light, and nutrients. This competitive disadvantage for young corals significantly impairs the recovery of reef ecosystems. Interestingly, coral reefs are often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea" because of their rich biodiversity, highlighting their crucial role in marine ecosystems.

The "Make in India" initiative was introduced to transform India into a global manufacturing powerhouse by creating a supportive environment for manufacturing and innovation. Launched in 2014, it aimed to boost economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and create jobs across various sectors. One notable aspect of this initiative is the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which have significantly attracted investments and created employment opportunities. The initiative also illustrates India's strategic shift towards self-reliance in key industries, reflecting a broader trend in global manufacturing.

According to recent government statistics, 91.9% of the 38,000 individuals engaged in sewer and septic tank cleaning come from marginalized backgrounds, specifically Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC). This highlights the ongoing caste-based inequality in employment, particularly in hazardous jobs that are often associated with lower social prestige.

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment is primarily aimed at detecting dark matter particles, which are theorized to make up about 85% of the universe's total matter. The experiment utilizes a large tank of liquid xenon to capture interactions that may indicate the presence of dark matter, thereby contributing significantly to our understanding of the universe. An interesting fact about dark matter is that, despite its prevalence, it has yet to be directly observed, making experiments like LZ crucial for advancing our knowledge in this area.

The Arogya Sanjeevani Policy was designed with the primary objective of providing fundamental and affordable health insurance coverage to all citizens. Launched in April 2020, this policy aims to ensure that essential healthcare services are accessible to individuals across various demographics, making health insurance more inclusive and affordable. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for accessible health coverage in the face of rising medical expenses.

Under the Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, there is a requirement for a co-payment of 5% on all claims, meaning that the insured individual is responsible for paying 5% of the claim amount while the insurance covers the remaining 95%. This co-payment is a common practice in health insurance policies to help control costs and encourage policyholders to consider the expense of treatments. Understanding such terms is crucial for policyholders to manage their healthcare expenses effectively.

The Pusa-2090 rice variety can be harvested earlier than Pusa-44, which significantly reduces the need for stubble burning before wheat sowing. This is crucial in addressing the environmental issues related to farm fires in Punjab and Haryana, as stubble burning contributes to severe air pollution. By adopting Pusa-2090, farmers can maintain similar yields while mitigating the need for harmful practices like burning leftover straw.

The primary challenges contributing to food loss in India include a lack of mechanization and inadequate cold chain infrastructure. Many farmers, especially small and marginal ones, do not have access to modern harvesting equipment, leading to significant post-harvest losses. Furthermore, underdeveloped cold chain facilities result in high spoilage rates for perishable goods. Improving these areas can substantially decrease food waste and enhance food security in the country. Interestingly, investing in mechanization not only helps reduce losses but can also increase overall agricultural productivity, benefiting the economy.

The Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 aims to clear approximately 2,400 legacy landfill sites across India by 2025-2026. This initiative focuses on tackling the environmental and health challenges posed by these sites, which have accumulated waste over many years. By remediating these landfills, the mission seeks to improve urban sanitation and reclaim land for beneficial uses.

The Hepatitis E virus primarily transmits through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food and water. This means that individuals can become infected by consuming food or drinking water that has been contaminated with fecal matter containing the virus. Ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation practices are crucial for preventing HEV transmission. Interestingly, while HEV outbreaks are more common in developing countries, they can occur in any region where sanitation is compromised.