Current Affairs Quiz 09 March 2023

Answer: C

About Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) project
• The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a project which is an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The task of promoting open networks developed on open-source methodology has been given to the Quality Council of India (QCI) for ONDC project.
• The expectations for ONDC are to digitise the entire value chain, standardise operations, promote inclusion of suppliers, derive efficiencies in logistics, and enhance value for consumers.

Ans. C
About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Ten Countries in Southeast Asia.
 
Members of ASEAN
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Brunei
• Vietnam
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Cambodia

 
ASEAN’s Objectives:
• To promote intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members and other countries in Asia.
• To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.
• To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
• To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.

A major partner of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN maintains a global network of alliances and dialogue partners and is considered by many as the central union for cooperation in Asia-Pacific.
• The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
• ASEAN is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• 8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
• In 1967 ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.
• ASEAN is the 3rd largest market in the world – larger than EU and North American markets.

Answer: C

About the Real Time Train Information System (RTIS) project:

• The RTIS project involves the installation of satellite-based devices on trains to automatically acquire movement timing data, including arrival and departure times at stations.
• The project is executed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Functionality:

• The RTIS devices use satellite imagery to track the location and speed of trains, providing mid-section updates with a periodicity of 30 seconds.
• The movement timing data is automatically plotted on the control chart of the train in the Control Office Application (COA) system, enabling train controllers to track the location and speed of trains more closely and without any manual intervention.
• Passengers can use the system to get real-time information about a train’s location and running status on their smartphones.

Collaboration with ISRO:

• The RTIS system uses ISRO’s GSAT satellites, which have GAGAN payloads for tracking the movement of trains.

Benefits:

• The RTIS system enables faster decision-making and improved efficiency in train operations.
• It provides passengers with real-time information about train locations and running status, improving their travel experience.
• It enhances the safety and security of train operations by enabling closer monitoring of train movements.

Answer: C

National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR)

The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) was established by the Indian government in 2013 to bring together all segments of the disaster risk community in India. Here are some key facts about the NPDRR:

• Objectives: The NPDRR aims to promote a proactive approach to disaster risk reduction, encourage the exchange of experiences and ideas, and facilitate cooperation among stakeholders.
• Participants: The platform brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, parliamentarians, mayors, the media, international agencies, non-governmental organizations, representatives from local communities, scientific and academic institutions, and corporate businesses.
• Theme: The theme of this year’s session is “Building Local Resilience in a Changing Climate.”
• Functions: The NPDRR facilitates the exchange of experiences, views, and ideas, presents the results of research and action, and explores the possibility of cooperating across continents.
• National Action Plans: The NPDRR provides a strategic direction and an action plan for the National Action Plans on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Organizational Structure:

• The NPDRR is chaired by the Union Home Minister and headed by the Minister of State in charge of Disaster Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The Vice-Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority is also a part of the organizational structure.
• The Special Secretary/Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary responsible for the Disaster Management Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs acts as the convener of the NPDRR

Answer: D

Kaziranga National Park:
It is located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 Hectare (ha). It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
It was declared as a National Park in 1974.
It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. It has a total tiger reserve area of 1,030 sq km with a core area of 430 sq. km.
It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
It is the home of the world’s most one-horned rhinos. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world and second highest number of Rhinos in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.
Kaziranga is crisscrossed by four main rivers — Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri and has numerous small water bodies.