General Studies Test – 10

• PM Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
• PM Modi virtually flagged off the first convoy through the tunnel during the inauguration.
• The Sela Tunnel project was initiated in 2019 and is located in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is the world's longest bi-lane tunnel, stretching 13,000 feet, and consists of two tunnels and a link road.
• The tunnel is aimed at providing all-weather connectivity to the Tawang region.

• Elena Norman served as the CEO of Hockey India for almost 13 years. She has now resigned.
• During her tenure, both the Indian men's and women's hockey teams achieved significant success.
• Under her leadership, India hosted several prestigious international hockey events.
• Elena played a crucial role in promoting women's hockey and ensuring equal facilities for both men's and women's teams.
• She spearheaded initiatives like the Hockey India Coaches Education Pathway and supported the development of domestic coaches.
• Hockey India President, Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey, expressed gratitude for Elena's dedication and contributions to Indian hockey.

• Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin.
  • Ascorbic acid is the chemical name of vitamin C.
  • Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant.
  • Vitamin C is essential for the production of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and basic protein in bones.
  • It is essential for the healing of wounds.
  • It is the first artificially synthesized vitamin.
  • It will deteriorate through cooking and canning of food.
  • Scurvy is a vitamin C deficiency disease.
  • Vitamin which excreted through urine.
• Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in lemons and limes.
• Folic acid is the chemical name of vitamin B₉.
• Lactic acid is the acid present in milk and milk products.

• Lysosome is known as the 'Suicide Bag' of a cell.
• It was discovered by Christian Rene de Duve.
• There is a sac-like structure bounded by a single membrane and contains a hydrolytic enzyme.
• The enzyme found in lysosome bursts and digests the dead cells. So it is called the "suicide bag" of the cell.
• These are not found in the Red Blood Corpuscles of mammals.

• The exosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere.
• It is located above the thermosphere and extends into space.
• The air in the exosphere is extremely thin, with atoms and molecules escaping into space.
• This layer is where the Earth's atmosphere merges into the vacuum of space.
• Satellites orbit within this layer.

• Minati Mohapatra: She holds the distinction of being the first Odia to receive the Arjuna Award in 1980.
• At just 15 years old, Minati was equally adept in athletics and cycling, a relatively lesser-known sports discipline at the time.
• Her medal at the 1970 National Games marked the beginning of her illustrious career.

• Aryabhatta was India's first satellite in space, launched in the year 1975 by the Soviet Union.
• It was named after the famous Indian mathematician Aryabhatta who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy.
• The satellite was designed to study X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays and to conduct experiments in solar physics.
• It orbited the Earth for four years before re-entering the atmosphere and burning up.
• Option 1, 1925, is incorrect as India did not have the capability to launch satellites in that year.
• Option 2, 1990, is also incorrect as India launched its first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975.
• Option 4, 1945, is incorrect as India did not have any satellite launch capabilities during that time.

• Jayadeva is the author of the well-known poem, Gita Govind.
• The Sanskrit poet Jayadeva lived in the year 1200 AD.
• The Hindu Brahmins raised Jayadeva.
• It portrays the friendship between Krishna and the Vrindavana gopis particularly Radha.
• Gita Govinda is a well-known collection of Indian love poems written in Sanskrit by a poet named Jayadeva.
• The Gita Govinda delves into Krishna's love life, a well-known god in Hindu mythology.
• The poem is divided into 12 chapters and 24 short songs called Prabhanthas.
• Jayadeva was an Odisha poet who was involved with the Puri temple.

• As per the 2011 Census of India, the literacy rate of Odisha is 73.45%.
• This indicates that a significant portion of the population in Odisha is educated and able to read and write.
• However, there is still a significant gap in literacy rates between males and females, with the female literacy rate being lower than the male literacy rate.
• The government of Odisha has implemented various initiatives to address this issue, including the provision of free education and scholarships for girls, as well as campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of education for women and girls.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent constitutional body charged with overseeing India's Union and State election processes.

• The ECI is in charge of elections to India's Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies, as well as the President and Vice President's posts.
• It was established on the 25th of January 1950 (National Voters' Day).
• Part XV (Article 324-329) of the Indian Constitution deals with elections and establishes a commission. 
• Appointment & Tenure of Commissioners:
  • The President of India appoints CEC and Election Commissioners.
  • They have a fixed term of six years, or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first.
  • They have the same status as judges of India's Supreme Court (SC) and get the same salaries and benefits.

Therefore, the President of India is responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commission in India. 

• Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
• It is the biggest lake in India after Vembanad Lake.
• This lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the largest brackish water lagoon in the world. It is the largest Salt Water lake in India.

• Gopala was the founder of the Pala dynasty.
• He laid the firm foundation of the Pala empire.
• He not only ended the state of political anarchy in Bengal but also extended Pala dominance in Magadha.
• He was Buddhist and he founded the famous Odantapura Vihara, the ancient site of the modern town of Bihar Sharif, and another monastery near Nalanda.
• Gopala appears to have come to the throne in about 750 A.D.
• Gopala was succeeded by his son Dharmapala.

• Mohiniyattam is a solo classical dance form of Kerala state.
• Mohiniyattam is one of India's famous classical dances, developed and still popular in the state of Kerala.
• This dance form derives its name from Mohini, the historical enchanting embodiment of the Hindu god Vishnu, who helps good to prevail over evil by nurturing its feminine energies.
• It is a classical Indian dance that by implication, traces its repertoire to the basic text of Natya Shastra.
• The text of the Natya Shastra is credited to the ancient scholar Bharata Muni.

• UNHRC stands for the United Nations Human Rights Council.
• It is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system.
• The council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.
• It addresses situations of human rights violations and makes recommendations on them.
• The UNHRC holds regular sessions to assess the human rights situations in all UN member states.

• The World Bank Group (WBG) is a specialized agency of the United Nations and its headquartered in Washington D.C.

The World Bank Group include five groups which are:

• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
• International Development Association (IDA)
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
• International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
• To become members of the IDA, IFC, and MIGA, the countries must first become members of IBRD.