Indian Panorama (UPSC) Part-III

Total Questions: 50

31. The brothers Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha are - [2009]

Correct Answer: (a) Dhrupad vocalists
Solution:

Umakant Gundecha and Ramakant Gundecha, known as the Gundecha Brothers, are leading Dagarvani dhrupad singers.
• The word Dhrupad is derived from Dhruva, the steadfast evening star that moves through the galaxy, and Pada meaning poetry.
• Traditionally, the dhrupad style of singing was performed with a tanpura and pakhawaj.
• The lyrics sung in Dhrupad are in a medieval form of Hindi and typically heroic in theme, or praise of a particular deity.
• It is a form of devotional music that traces its origin to the ancient text of Samveda.
• One significant characteristic of Dhrupad is the emphasis on maintaining the purity of the Raga.
• Hindustani classical music is primarily vocal-centric. The primary vocal forms associated with Hindustani music are the Khayal, Ghazal, Dhrupad, Dhamar, Tarana and Thumri.

32. Which one of the following is not a drug/pharma company? [2009]

Correct Answer: (a) Chevron
Solution:Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation.

33. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2009]

Famous PersonWell-known as
A. Amrita Sher-Gil1. Dancer
B. Bhimsen Joshi2. Painter
C. Rukmini Devi3. Poet Arundale
D. Suryakant Tripathi Nirala4. Singer

OptionABCD
(a)2143
(b)2413
(c)3412
(d)3412
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:Amrita Sher - Gil Painter

Bhimsen Joshi  - Singer

Rukmini Devi Arundale - Dancer

Suryakant Tripathi Nirala -  Poet

34. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2009]

BookAuthor
A. In Custody1. Amartya Sen
B. Sea of Poppies2. Amitav Ghosh
C. The Argumentative Indian3. Anita Desai
D. Unaccustomed Earth4. Jhumpa Lahiri

OptionABCD
(a)4123
(b)4213
(c)3214
(d)3124
Correct Answer: (c)
Solution:(A) In Custody - Anita Desai

(B) Sea of Poppies - Amitav Ghosh

(C) The Argumentative Indian - Amartya Sen

(D) Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri

35. Who of the following is the author of a collection of poems called "Golden Threshold"? [2009]

Correct Answer: (c) Sarojini Naidu
Solution:

Golden Thresold is a collection of poems by Sarojini Naidu.
Sarojini Naidu was a renowned Indian poet, freedom fighter, and politician, famously known as the "Nightingale of India" for her lyrical poetry. She played a pivotal role in India's independence movement, becoming the first woman to preside over the Indian National Congress in 1925. Sarojini co-founded the Women's Indian Association in 1917, advocating for women's education and rights.
She served as the first female governor of Uttar Pradesh post-independence, promoting social welfare and communal harmony. Her legacy endures through National Women's Day, literary tributes, and memorials honouring her contributions to literature and women's rights.

36. Consider the following pairs: [2009]

1. Ashok Leyland : Hinduja Group

2. Hindalco Industries : A.V. Birla Group

3. Suzlon Energy : Punj Lloyd Group

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Solution:The Hinduja Group is a global conglomerate company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Ashok Leyland is one of its companies. Hindalco Industries Limited, the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, is the world's largest aluminium rolling company and one of the biggest producers of primary aluminium in Asia.

37. Under the administration of which one of the following is the Department of Atomic Energy? [2009]

Correct Answer: (a) Prime Minister's Office
Solution:• The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was set up on August 3, 1954, under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order.
• As per this order, all businesses of the Government of India related to atomic energy and to the actions of the Central Government under the Atomic Energy Act, 1948, were directed to be transacted in the DAE.
• DAE encompasses all the areas related to power and non-power applications of atomic energy.
• The Department has the mandate of development of nuclear power technology which includes exploration, identification and processing of uranium resources and atomic minerals, fabrication of nuclear fuel, production of heavy water, construction and operation of nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel reprocessing and waste management.
• DAE is also responsible for research and development of fast reactors and fusion technologies, accelerator and laser technology, advanced electronics and instrumentation, materials science, biological sciences, etc.
• As part of non-power applications of atomic energy, the Department carries out cutting-edge research and development for the application of isotopes and radiation technologies for health care, food & agriculture, industry, and the environment.

38. Where is the headquarters of Animal Welfare Boards of India located? [2009]

Correct Answer: (b) Chennai
Solution:About Animal Welfare Board of India
• It is a statutory body set up in 1962 in accordance with Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
• It was started under the stewardship of late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, a well-known humanitarian.
• The mandate of the Board is to promote animal welfare in general and to prevent animals from being subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering, in particular.
• Headquarters: Chennai
• It advises state and central governments on the issues related to animal welfare, including cruelty meted out to animals.
• The AWBI periodically addresses the letters to the State Governments and UTs regarding the complaints received and UTs regarding the complaints received and requests them to take necessary action against the offenders as per law.
• The State Authorities are empowered to initiate appropriate action against the offenders meting out cruelty to animals and to take action as per the law.
• AWBI also gives financial assistance and other assistance to Animal Welfare Organisations functioning in any local area, to impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and so on.

39. Consider the following statements: [2009]

1. The National School of Drama was set up by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959.

2. The highest honour conferred by the Sahitya Akademi on a writer is by electing him its Fellow.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:

About Sangeet Natak Akademi
• It is India’s national academy of music, dance and drama.
• It was created by a resolution of the Ministry of Education, with P.V. Rajamannar as its first Chairman.
• It was set up in 1953 for the preservation and promotion of the vast intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and drama.
• Presently, it is an Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture.
• The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.
• It is fully funded by the Government for the implementation of its schemes and programmes.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on practising artists.
• The Akademi also confers Fellowships on eminent artists and scholars of music, dance and drama; and has in 2006 instituted annual awards to young artists – the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar.

40. For outstanding contribution to which one of the following fields is Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize given [2009]

Correct Answer: (c) Science
Solution:The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology (SSB) is a science award in India given annually by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for notable and outstanding research, applied or fundamental, in biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, medicine and Physics.