Today in History (Apr 24^th, 1993)

The Panchayati Raj Day, recognized annually by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on 24th April, commemorates the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 of the Constitution coming into effect in the year 1993. This day celebrates the national local self-governance and democratic decentralization.

Let’s revise

A) Recently, Aadharshila was in news it is _____

1. Foundation stone for new railway project in Kashmir
2. National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education
3. Developmental project for girl education in rural India
4. Developmental project for rural roads

Ans. (b)

B) National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education 2024 will be applicable for the

1. Age group from 3 years to 6 years
2. Age group from 6 to 14 years
3. Age group from 10 to 14 years
4. Age group from 9 years to 16 years

Ans. (a)

C) The IIT Roorkee researchers have reported the discovery of fossils of one of the largest snakes that ever existed on Earth “Vasuki” in _____

1. Kutch
2. Bhimbetka
3. Mathura
4. Jammu

Ans. (a)

D) Who is the Director-General of the National Security Guard?

1. Nalin Prabhat
2. Sudhanshu Trivedi
3. Shaktikant Das
4. Nilam Singh

Ans. (a)

E) What is the main domain of responsibilities of National Security Guard (NSG)?

1. Investigation of Money Laundering
2. Investigation of Drug smuggling
3. Fighting against corruption in government departments
4. Fighting against the terrorist attacks in India

Ans. (d)

F) National Security Guard operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of ____

1. 1. Home Affairs
   2. Defence
   3. External Affairs
   4. Prime Minister Office

Ans. (a)

G) What is the full form of NCC?

1. National Commission for Cadets
2. National Cadet Corporation
3. National Cadet Corps
4. National Corps for Cadets

Ans. (c)
H) What is the motto of the NSG?

1. Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha
2. Shanti Seva Nyay
3. National Security First
4. Crush the Terrorists

Ans. (a)

I) Operation Blue Star was done in ____

1. 1980
2. 1984
3. 1990
4. 1955

Ans. (b)

J) Operation Blue Star was associated with which place?

1. Somnath Temple
2. Golden Temple
3. Delhi University
4. Jawaharlal Nehru University

Ans. (b)

Summary of Today’s News

NATIONAL PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY

The Panchayati Raj Day, recognized annually by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj
on 24th April, commemorates the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 of the Constitution coming into effect in the year 1993. This day celebrates the national local self-governance and democratic decentralization.

Supreme Court asks government to act against misleading ads by FMCG Firms

The Supreme Court said the Centre should “activate itself” against Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies as these are using “misleading advertisements” for their products. They do so to target credulous consumers, particularly the families with babies and schoolchildren.
“The misleading advertisements of FMCGs take the public for a ride and affecting the health of the families. This is serious concerns due to the health of babies and schoolchildren.
The court voiced its concern amid recent reports alleging higher sugar content in Nestle’s baby food products sold in India as well as in African and Latin American countries.
In this matter the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to investigate the allegations against the leading FMCG.
The top court widened the scope of the case by impleading the Ministries of Consumer Affairs and Information and Broadcasting as parties in the case. The AYUSH Ministry is already represented in the case.
The Advertising Standards Council of India had flagged 948 objectionable advertisements to the AYUSH Ministry in the past two years.

What are FMCG Products?

These goods include essential everyday items such as food and beverages, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other low-cost household items. FMCGs have a short shelf life because of high consumer demand (e.g., soft drinks and confections) or because they are perishable (e.g., meat, dairy products, and baked goods).

Election Boycott by Villagers near Jewar Airport Uttar Pradesh

As the whole country is going through elections in every corner but campaigns are missing in Ranhera village, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. Local peoples gathered at a choupal (community space). One person Neeraj Kumar turns wistful and said “We have grown up playing around this tree, so have our fathers and grandfathers,” says the 35-year-old as children scamper around it.
Ranhera village will soon be subsumed by the Noida International Airport, and its residents have threatened to boycott the Lok Sabha poll. “Humara poora gav uthega… (Our entire village will be uprooted),” says Mr. Kumar, pointing to a concrete wall that separates their village from the under-construction airport that is scheduled to start operations from September this year.
The authorities intend to move the population of approximately 4,700 to two areas close to the planned International Film City and the Jewar airport. The villagers have two main concerns: the potential loss of their livelihoods once their land is acquired, and the fact that the plots promised to them after relocation will be only half the size of their current ones.
We’re sacrificing our homes, our farmland. We deserve better. They claim that since the area where they want to move us is already developed, we’ll receive smaller plots. At the very least, we should be guaranteed employment and larger plots,” remarks Hinder Singh, a 45-year-old farmer. His disillusionment arises from discussions with former neighbors from six nearby villages who have already been relocated to a new settlement. “Many of them are struggling to secure employment.”
“Residents from other villages were assured permanent jobs. Now, they stand in line at labor centers every day,” adds Kalu Singh, who previously worked as a farmhand.

NABARD unveils strategy to mobilise green financing

On Earth Day (April 22), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) introduced its ‘Climate Strategy 2030’ blueprint, aimed at addressing India’s demand for sustainable financing.
NABARD highlighted the pressing need for approximately $170 billion annually to propel India’s economy beyond $2.5 trillion by 2030. However, the current inflow of green finance falls significantly short of this target.
“In the fiscal year 2019-20, India received roughly $49 billion in green financing, a mere fraction of the required amount. While most funds were designated for mitigation efforts, only $5 billion went towards adaptation and resilience, underscoring the limited involvement of the private sector due to challenges in financial viability,” stated NABARD.
The ‘Climate Strategy 2030’ of NABARD revolves around four main pillars: boosting green lending across various sectors, assuming a broader role in market development, implementing internal green initiatives, and mobilizing strategic resources.
Green Finance is a term which refers to financial investments for those projects that support sustainable development. Green investments include investments in biodiversity protection, water sanitation, industrial pollution control, energy efficiency, climate change adaptation, renewable energies, etc.

NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

NABARD is a regulatory body mandated with the regulation of regional rural banks and apex cooperative banks in India. It operates under the Ministry of Finance.
• Objective: It has been constituted for “matters concerning policy, planning, and operations in the field of credit for agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas in India“.
• Setting Up: It came into existence to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act 1981.
• Based on the recommendations of the B. Sivaramman Committee, NABARD replaced the Agricultural Credit Department (ACD) and Rural Planning and Credit Cell (RPCC) of the Reserve Bank of India, and the Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC).

Hamas brass will stay in Doha if useful for truce talks

Qatar stated on Tuesday that Hamas’s political leadership would remain in Doha as long as their presence continued to benefit mediation efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari emphasized, “As long as their presence is useful and positive in this mediation effort, they will remain here.”
Qatar has dismissed criticism of its mediation efforts from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Al-Ansari explained on Tuesday that the decision to reassess those efforts was driven by frustration with political attacks, particularly from “ministers in Netanyahu’s government, who spoke negatively about the Qatari mediation.” He further asserted, “They all know what the Qatari role is, its nature, and its details during the previous stage, and they lied.”