Daily Quiz 24 January 2024

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Sri Parthasarathy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu “Parthasarathy”. The deity is 9 feet tall. This is one of the 108 Divyadesams. The word Partha in Sanskrit means “Arjuna” [son of Pritha] and the word Sarathy means “Charioteer”.  The presiding deity appears with a moustache and doesn’t hold any weapon.
• Statement 2 is not correct: It is located in the State of Tamil Nadu.
• Statement 3 is not correct: It is built in the Dravidian style of architecture.
  • The temple complex also houses shrines of Lord Narasimha, Sri Yogi Narasimhar, Lord GajendraVaradar, Lord ChakravarthyThirumagan, Lord Ranganatha, Goddess Vedavalli and Goddess Andal.  Deities like Hanuman, Swami ManavalaMamunigal and Vedanthachariar are also worshipped here.
  • There is a sacred tank consisting of five holy wells and it is said the water is more sacred than that of river Ganges.
  • The temple complex houses different forms of Lord Vishnu – as Narasimha, Rama, GajendraVardaraja, Ranganatha and Krishna. Vivid and striking rajagopurams and intricately-carved pillars are a sight to behold. Mythological stories are depicted on the mandapams.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Option B is correct: The Miyawaki method of plantation was pioneered in the 70s by Japanese botanist and expert in plant ecology Mr. Akira Miyawaki. This technique of plantation involves planting native trees, shrubs and groundcover plants within every square metre. This method is ideal for small parcels of land and creates a dense canopy layer of tall trees.
• It helps forests grow quickly. It involves planting different types of native trees in close proximity. Typically, the vegetation is grouped as shrub, sub-tree, tree and canopy. The expected result is that plants grow 10 times faster and the forest becomes 30 times denser than usual. 

The method is known for regulating surface temperature, sequestering carbon, increasing green cover, and offering a zero-maintenance mechanism after three years.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Option A is correct: Ancharlake receives major lease of its waters from Dal lake through Nallah Amir Khan via Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes. A network of channels from the cold water nallah Sindh enters the lake on its western shore forming a delta. The lake is also fed by springs within the basin and along the periphery. It finally merges with Jhelum at Sangam.
• Anchar is also a semi-urban wetland that forms part of habitat for native and migratory birds. Large chunks of peripheral areas, especially on its eastern banks have been encroached upon by land mafia by filling it and conversion into agricultural fields.

Extensive cultivation of Salix (willow) in the lake for fabrication of wooden baskets, has led to reduction of open water surface at an alarming rate. Production of Nadru (Lotus stem) for which Anchar was known, has drastically reduced. Due to high pollution load, farmers in Anchar have developed health complications including skin diseases.

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Sympathetic nervous system is part of your autonomic nervous system. It could be called “automatic” nervous system, as it is responsible for many functions that a person doesn’t have to think about to control. This can include control of heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, urination and sweating, among other functions.
• During vigorous physical activity, there is a substantial increase in sympathetic nervous system activity. In predisposed individuals, this surge can trigger arrhythmias and potentially lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
• Sympathetic nervous system controls your “fight-or-flight” response. Danger or stress activates your sympathetic nervous system, which can cause several things to happen in your body. In response to danger or stress, your sympathetic nervous system may affect your:
  • Point 1 is correct: Enlarge pupils to let more light in and improve vision.
  • Point 2 is correct: Heart. Increase heart rate to improve the delivery of oxygen to other parts of the body.
  • Point 3 is correct: Lungs. Relax airway muscles to improve oxygen delivery to lungs.
  • Point 4 is not correct: Digestive tract. Slow down digestion so its energy is diverted to other areas of the body.

Liver. Activate energy stores in the liver to an energy that can be used quickly.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The CAG conducts three kinds of audits: compliance audit, or an assessment of whether the provisions of the applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and various orders and instructions issued by the competent authority are being followed; performance audit, or an assessment of the implementation of schemes or programmes; and financial audit, or certification of government’s accounts and the accounts of Public Sector Undertakings.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Article 151 of the Constitution of India provides for laying CAG reports in Parliament or state legislatures but no time limit is specified. This is why governments often do not lay CAG audit reports on time. For instance, the Delhi government has not tabled about a dozen CAG reports in the Assembly even though some of them were presented to the Lieutenant Governor four years ago. In the past, West Bengal also delayed the laying of CAG reports in the Assembly.

Statement 3 is correct: A CAG report becomes public only after it is laid in the House. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines the selected reports and seeks a response from the government. The PAC also asks the government to take action on the recommendations and submit an Action Taken Report. Since 2019, the PAC has submitted 152 reports to Lok Sabha till July last year. These include scrutiny of CAG audit reports and action taken by the government on them.