Today in History (October 25th, 1951)
The first general election in India began on this day.
Let’s Revise
1. What are corals?
a) Plants
b) Invertebrates
c) Mammals
d) Birds
Answer: b)
Explanation: Corals are invertebrates belonging to a group called Cnidaria.
2. What is the primary building block of coral reefs?
a) Sand
b) Polyps
c) Rocks
d) Fish
Answer: b)
Explanation: Coral reefs are formed by small organisms called polyps that secrete calcium carbonate exoskeletons.
3. What substance do polyps secrete to form coral reefs?
a) Sodium chloride
b) Calcium carbonate
c) Silica
d) Magnesium oxide
Answer: b)
Explanation: Polyps secrete calcium carbonate to form their exoskeletons, creating coral reefs.
4. What type of symbiotic algae gives corals their color?
a) Zooxanthellae
b) Phytoplankton
c) Diatoms
d) Cyanobacteria
Answer: a)
Explanation: Zooxanthellae are microscopic algae that live within coral tissues and give them their vibrant colors.
5. Which type of coral reef forms along shorelines?
a) Barrier reefs
b) Atolls
c) Fringing reefs
d) Patch reefs
Answer: c)
Explanation: Fringing reefs form along shorelines and are directly attached to a landmass.
6. Which ocean is home to the Great Barrier Reef?
a) Atlantic Ocean
b) Pacific Ocean
c) Indian Ocean
d) Arctic Ocean
Answer: b)
Explanation: The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
7. What causes coral bleaching?
a) High salt concentration
b) Low oxygen levels
c) Expulsion of symbiotic algae
d) Overfishing
Answer: c)
Explanation: Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues due to stress.
8. What is the main cause of coral bleaching?
a) Climate change
b) Overfishing
c) Sedimentation
d) Tourism
Answer: a)
Explanation: Climate change leads to rising ocean temperatures, which cause corals to expel the algae living in their tissues, resulting in bleaching.
9. What is a direct consequence of coral bleaching?
a) Corals become more colorful
b) Corals become vulnerable to starvation and disease
c) Increase in fish population
d) Decrease in water temperature
Answer: b)
Explanation: When corals bleach, they lose their main food source (algae), making them vulnerable to starvation and disease.
10. Which event exacerbates coral bleaching by temporarily warming the oceans?
a) La Nina
b) El Nino
c) Monsoon
d) Cyclone
Answer: b)
Explanation: El Nino is a natural climate pattern that temporarily warms ocean temperatures, worsening coral bleaching.
11. What percentage of the world’s coral reefs are affected by bleaching-level heat stress as of 2024?
a) 50%
b) 77%
c) 25%
d) 100%
Answer: b)
Explanation: According to NOAA, 77% of the world’s coral reefs are affected by bleaching-level heat stress as of 2024.
12. Which factor is NOT a cause of coral bleaching?
a) Pollution
b) Overfishing
c) High water temperatures
d) Extremely low tides
Answer: b)
Explanation: Overfishing impacts coral reefs indirectly but does not directly cause coral bleaching.
13. What happens to coral reefs during a mass bleaching event?
a) They multiply rapidly
b) They lose their color and turn white
c) They grow larger
d) They sink into the ocean
Answer: b)
Explanation: During mass bleaching events, corals expel their symbiotic algae, losing their color and turning white.
14. Which method helps corals recover from bleaching?
a) Increasing water salinity
b) Restoring normal water temperatures
c) Reducing sunlight exposure
d) Increasing fishing activities
Answer: b)
Explanation: Corals can recover from bleaching if water temperatures return to normal.
15. What are the benefits of coral reefs to humans?
a) Natural barriers against storms
b) Providing goods and services worth trillions
c) Supporting fisheries and tourism
d) All of the above
Answer: d)
Explanation: Coral reefs act as natural barriers against storms, provide significant economic value, and support fisheries and tourism.
Summary of Today’s News
Commemoration of Sardar Patel’s 150th Birth Anniversary
The government has announced a two-year celebration to honor Sardar Patel’s 150th birthday, starting this year on October 31. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, and is known as the “Iron Man of India.” He played a key role in India’s fight for independence and helped unite the country afterward.
Since 2014, October 31 has been celebrated as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ or National Unity Day. This day is meant to encourage national unity and reflects the values that Patel believed in throughout his life.
Contributions of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
• Early involvement in politics and leadership: Patel’s major entry into the freedom struggle began with the Kheda Satyagraha in 1917, where he helped farmers fight against the British government’s tax collection during a severe famine.
• Non-cooperation movement (1920–1922): He successfully organized around 300,000 people and raised significant funds for the movement, encouraging the use of Khadi and the boycott of British goods.
• Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Patel gained fame for his leadership during the Bardoli Satyagraha, where he opposed an unfair increase in land taxes. The success of this peaceful protest earned him the title “Sardar,” meaning leader.
• Salt march and Civil Disobedience Movement (1930): His involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement, along with his call for protests against British salt laws, led to his imprisonment, showing his strong commitment to non-violent resistance.
• Indian National Congress Leadership: Patel was a key figure in the Indian National Congress (INC), serving as its President in 1931. His leadership during the Karachi session was crucial for approving the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and passing important resolutions on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy.
• Quit India Movement (1942): He played a vital role in rallying support for the Quit India Movement, even as he faced imprisonment for his involvement in civil disobedience.
Post-independence contributions:
1. Integration of Princely States (1947-1950): After India gained independence in 1947, one of Patel’s most significant achievements was bringing together over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
2. Creation of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS): Understanding the need for a strong and efficient administration in independent India, Patel was key in establishing the IAS as a unified civil service. He famously called the IAS the “steel frame” of India, essential for effective governance and development.
3. Rehabilitation of refugees: After the partition, Patel took important steps to help refugees who came from Pakistan to India. His efforts provided stability and ensured that those displaced received relief and resettlement support.
4. Reform of police and judicial system: As India’s first Home Minister, Patel managed the reorganization of the police forces and laid the groundwork for reforms in the judicial system.
5. Formation of a unified India: In addition to integrating princely states, Patel played a crucial role in shaping the country’s internal governance, ensuring that all regions were unified under a common administrative system.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s role in the integration of India:
1. Integration of 565 Princely States: After independence, Sardar Patel, serving as India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, was crucial in merging over 565 princely states into the Indian Union. His leadership was vital in convincing these states to join India, helping to avoid fragmentation.
2. Diplomatic negotiation: Patel mainly relied on diplomacy and persuasion to encourage the princely states to accede to India. He offered them incentives like privy purses while ensuring they would be protected under the new Indian government.
3. Use of force in Junagadh and Hyderabad: When persuasion didn’t work, as seen in Junagadh and Hyderabad, Patel was willing to use military force. The Nawab of Junagadh wanted to join Pakistan, but Patel’s strong actions led to its integration into India. Similarly, the Nizam of Hyderabad’s reluctance was overcome through Operation Polo, which resulted in Hyderabad joining India in 1948.
4. Kashmir accession: Although Patel wasn’t directly involved in Kashmir’s accession due to Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership, his overall approach to integrating princely states set a precedent for addressing complex issues like Kashmir.
5. Preventing fragmentation: Patel’s vision and strategy were crucial in maintaining India’s territorial integrity at a time when the country could have split into smaller, independent nations. His efforts were instrumental in shaping the map of modern India.
