MLC Daily Current Affairs – 09 September 2024

Today in History (September 9^th, 1905)

The Indian National Congress adopted the policy of non-cooperation with the British government as part of the Swadeshi movement. This was a major step in India’s struggle for independence.

Let’s Revise

A) Which countries are members of the QUAD?

1. United States, China, India, Japan
2. United States, Australia, India, Japan
3. United States, Australia, China, Japan
4. United States, Australia, India, South Korea

Answer: B)
Explanation: The QUAD, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is a strategic forum consisting of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan1.

B) When was the QUAD first established?

1. 2000
2. 2004
3. 2007
4. 2010

Answer: C)
Explanation: The QUAD was first established in 2007, initiated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with the support of leaders from Australia, India, and the United States2.

C) What is the primary objective of the QUAD?

1. To promote economic cooperation
2. To ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region
3. To establish a military alliance
4. To counter terrorism globally

Answer: B)
Explanation: The main objective of the QUAD is to ensure and maintain a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region through cooperation on security, economic, and health issues3.

D) What is the full name of INTERPOL?

1. International Police Organization
2. International Criminal Police Organization
3. International Crime Prevention Organization
4. International Criminal Prevention Organization

Answer: B)
Explanation: INTERPOL stands for the International Criminal Police Organization, which facilitates international police cooperation against cross-border crime.

E) How many member countries does INTERPOL have?

1. 150
2. 175
3. 195
4. 200

Answer: C)
Explanation: INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, representing 195 member countries.

F) Where is the headquarters of INTERPOL located?

1. Geneva, Switzerland
2. New York, USA
3. Lyon, France
4. London, UK

Answer: C)
Explanation: INTERPOL is headquartered in Lyon, France.

G) Which of the following is NOT an official language of INTERPOL?

1. Arabic
2. Chinese
3. English
4. Spanish

Answer: B)
Explanation: The official languages of INTERPOL are Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.

H) What is the status of INTERPOL in relation to the United Nations?

1. It is a part of the United Nations system
2. It is an independent international organization
3. It is a subsidiary of the United Nations
4. It is a department within the United Nations

Answer: B)
Explanation: INTERPOL is not a unit or part of the United Nations system; it is an independent international organization.

I) What is the primary role of INTERPOL?

1. Actively investigating crimes
2. Facilitating international police cooperation
3. Prosecuting international criminals
4. Providing legal representation

Answer: B)
Explanation: INTERPOL facilitates international police cooperation against cross-border terrorism, trafficking, and other crimes but does not actively investigate crimes.

J) Who manages the day-to-day operations of INTERPOL?

1. The General Assembly
2. The Executive Committee
3. The General Secretariat
4. The National Central Bureau

Answer: C)
Explanation: INTERPOL’s day-to-day operations are managed by the General Secretariat under the direction of a Secretary General.

K) How long is the term for the Secretary General of INTERPOL?

1. 3 years
2. 4 years
3. 5 years
4. 6 years

Answer: C)
Explanation: The Secretary General of INTERPOL is appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly.

L) What is the role of the Executive Committee in INTERPOL?

1. Investigating crimes
2. Overseeing the implementation of decisions made by the General Assembly
3. Managing day-to-day operations
4. Representing INTERPOL in international courts

Answer: B)
Explanation: The Executive Committee oversees the implementation of decisions made by the General Assembly and supervises the work of the Secretary General.

M) What is the National Central Bureau (NCB) in INTERPOL?

1. The main office of INTERPOL
2. The central point of contact for the General Secretariat and other NCBs
3. The headquarters of INTERPOL
4. The investigative unit of INTERPOL

Answer: B)
Explanation: Each member country has an NCB, which is the central point of contact for both the General Secretariat and the other NCBs around the world.

N) Which organization represents INTERPOL in India?

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs
2. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
3. The National Investigation Agency (NIA)
4. The Indian Police Service (IPS)

Answer: B)
Explanation: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) represents INTERPOL in India as the country’s NCB.

O) What is the supreme decision-making body of INTERPOL?

1. The General Secretariat
2. The Executive Committee
3. The General Assembly
4. The National Central Bureau

Answer: C)
Explanation: The General Assembly, consisting of one delegate from each member country, is INTERPOL’s supreme decision-making body.

P) How many members are there in the Executive Committee of INTERPOL?

1. 10
2. 12
3. 13
4. 15

Answer: C)
Explanation:The Executive Committee of INTERPOL consists of 13 members, each representing a different region of the world.

Q) Which ministry usually runs the NCB in each member country?

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. Ministry of Defense
3. Ministry of Justice
4. Ministry responsible for policing

Answer: D)
Explanation: Each NCB is run by police officials of that country and usually sits in the government ministry responsible for policing.

R) What significant achievement did INTERPOL accomplish last year on India’s request?

1. Issued a record number of Red Notices
2. Conducted the largest international investigation
3. Established a new headquarters
4. Launched a global anti-terrorism initiative

Answer: A)
Explanation: INTERPOL issued a record number of 100 Red Notices last year, the highest ever, on India’s request.

Summary of Today’s News

Galathea Bay

Recently, the central government of India has notified the international trans-shipment hub at Galathea Bay in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a ‘Major Port’.
Key points about Galathea Bay:
• Location: It is located in the Great Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.
• It is being developed as an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP).
• It is also eligible for central funding and will be developed under the public-private partnership model.
• The proposed facility is envisaged to be developed in four phases with Phase 1 is proposed to be commissioned in the year 2028
• Once operational, the Galathea Bay project will help capture a large share of transshipped cargo which is handled at ports outside India.
Ports in India
• India currently has 12 operational Major Ports controlled by the central government and another 200 non-major ones governed by the states.
• The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 provides for regulation, operation and planning of Major Ports in India and vests the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards of Major Port Authorities.

INDIAsize Initiative

Overview:
The government will soon roll out the much-awaited ‘INDIAsize’ initiative, the Union Textiles Minister said recently.

About INDIAsize Initiative:
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Textiles which aims to establish standardized measurements designed to better suit Indian body types.
Need:
• Presently, international and domestic brands available in India use measurements from the US or the UK for garments, having ‘small’, ‘medium’ and ‘large’ sizes.
• However, Western body types differ from Indians in terms of height, weight, or specific measurements of body parts.
• It fails to account for the diversity in Indian body types, leading to frequent fitting issues and consumer dissatisfaction.
• The Ministry of Textiles sanctioned the INDIAsize project to develop standard body sizes for the Indian apparel sector to address the prevailing disparities and inconsistencies in provided fits.
• The project entails gathering anthropometric data pan India from more than 25000 (Twenty-Five Thousand) male and female persons between the age group of 15 years and 65 years using human safe 3D whole body scanning technology.
• The created body size chart will help national and international retailers and manufacturers to produce goods which are best suited for Indian body types and create a balance between demand and supply of well fitted garments.
• Once rolled out, INDIAsize will serve as a benchmark for Indian and international fashion brands selling in the country.