Explanation :

‘Papier-mache’ is a French word meaning ‘Mashed paper”. The process begins by soaking the waste paper in water for many days till it disintegrates. That mashed paper is mixed with paddy straw, copper sulphate and clothes to make the object which is called as “Sakhtsazi”. Then painting is done on this object which is called as “Naqashi”. Usually in all the papier-mache products we find the golden color owing its root to Persian origin.

Motifs

The important elements in papier-mache designs are objects of nature mostly flowers and birds, particularly the kingfisher and bulbul, historical figures, animals, hunting and battle scenes, court scenes influenced by miniature paintings, etc.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

• This sanctuary was created in 1967 for conservation of the ‘Near Threatened’ blackbuck antelope, an endemic mammal species of India. So, statement 1 is wrong.
• This wildlife sanctuary is present in Tamil Nadu and is listed as Ramsar Site. So, statement 2 is also wrong.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

Tensiometer is used to measure the soil moisture present in the soil.

What is the benefit of measuring the soil moisture?

• 1.Excessive irrigation leads to soil salinization, which is detrimental to soil productivity.
• 2.In the region of depleted water table, water can be used judiciously (i.e. by measuring the soil moisture irrigation can be done as and when required).

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

About Sharqi Dynasty

The Jaunpur sultanate was ruled by the Sharqi dynasty (1394-1479). The Khwajah-i-Jahan Malik Sarwar, the first ruler of the dynasty was a wazir (minister) under Sultan Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah IV Tughluq (1390–1394). In 1394, he established himself as an independent ruler of Jaunpur and extended his authority over Awadh and a large part of Ganges-Yamuna doab. The last ruler Hussain Shah was overthrown by Bahlul Lodi, and Jaunpur sultanate was permanently annexed to Delhi sultanate by Sikandar Lodi.

Sharqi Architecture

• The main feature of Sharqi Mosques is huge rectangular pylons (gateways) with arches.
• The mosques of Sharqi period have no minarets, unlike the Delhi Mosques of the same period.
• The walls of Mosque were made of stone work and have fine carvings and lattice work.
• The Mosques have cloisters for women to pray.

Some examples of Mosques of this period: Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid and Lal Darwaja of Jaunpur.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

‘Kothin Chibor Dan’ is the greatest religious festival of the Buddhist community where ‘viksus’ are given ‘chibor’ or cloth to wear which the Buddhists believe as the best of all gifts.

Why the question?

On 10th November, this festival was celebrated in Buddhist communities (in Agartala and other regions).

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

Neutrinos are subatomic particles that are produced during Nuclear Fusion, Fission, Supernova explosion, etc. It is assumed that it was produced during Big-Bang explosion too.

Features of Neutrinos

• They don’t have the charge (Mass information of Neutrino is yet to be established by the scientists) hence they are not affected by Electromagnetic Force.
• It is an established fact now that Neutrinos are second most abundant particles after Photons.
• Neutrinos pass seamlessly through all kinds of matter. Hence, are difficult to detect, as we can detect that matter which interacts with someone.
• Rates at which neutrinos pass through human body=100 trillions/second.

Location of this Observatory (INO)

• Bodi Hills of Western Ghats (Theni district of Tamil Nadu).

Why this location was chosen?

• As underground facility has to be created, Deccan region is having Charnockite rock which is very dense, so this can withstand Earthquakes, Tunneling tremors, etc.

Why underground facility is being developed?

• We want to study neutrinos only; we know that neutrinos can pass through every object, so it will reach the tunnel too, but this underground facility will prevent other sources like noise, etc. from reaching the laboratory.

What will be the benefit of this project?

• It will help us to understand the formation of Universe better.
• As Neutrinos can pass through any object, we can use this information to transfer the messages/communications (instead of using satellite).
• It will help to understand the Nuclear physics better.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

“Oumuamua” is the first Interstellar object ever seen in the Solar System.

What is interstellar object?

• It means this object is not a part of our Solar System, this has entered our Solar System form other region of the Universe.

Shape of Oumuamua

• It is Reddish brown, rock shaped like cigar having length of 800m and 80 m wide.

Why is it in news?

• Some experts were of the opinion that it is a “Comet”, some say that it is an “Asteroid”. But, seeing its fast speed some experts now believe that it may be a spacecraft sent by some alien civilization.

Note: It was observed by Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System), Hawaii.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) is an initiative to make the Internet more affordable to people around the world. The World Wide Web Foundation serves as the Secretariat, and major members of coalition include Google, Facebook, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, UN Women and many others from the public, private and civil society sectors. Affordability Driver’s Index (ADI) has been developed by A4AI to assess the country about its rules related to Internet Affordability and India has moved from 23rd rank in 2016 to 8th rank in 2018 as per ADI.

Source Name : IE

Explanation :

CSIR-National Physics Laboratory is the national time keeper of India. This question is very important for our Prelims point of views as CSIR-NPL has released a report describing the necessity of two time zones. So, this whole area falls under the domain of our Geography syllabus.

Note: Refer Q. no-2 of Daily Quiz dated 20th October to know more about the need of two time zones.

Explanation :

RBI Governor has to call the meeting of CBD at least six times in a year and at least once in each quarter. A meeting can be called if a minimum of four Directors ask the Governor to call the meeting. If a Governor is not present, Deputy Governor authorised by him can preside over the meeting. In case of split, RBI Governor has casting vote or deciding vote.

Note: Please refer Q. no 3 of Daily Quiz dated 10th November to read more about CBD.

Source Name : TH