10 PM Current Affairs Quiz #93 February 20, 2020

Explanation: Scientists have discovered the world’s largest known subterranean fish in a cave in Meghalaya. It is nearly five times the mean length (8.5 cm) for all known subterranean fish to date. It is closely related to a surface-dwelling fish known as the golden mahseer. The cavefish lack pigmentation and their eyes are poorly developed or even non-existent.

Explanation: The Ministry of Human Resource Development will celebrate Matribhasha Diwas on 21st February. The objectives of Matribhasha Diwas are to highlight the linguistic diversity of India; encourage usage, not only of the respective mother tongue but other Indian languages as well. To understand and draw attention to the diversity of cultures in India and the consequent forums of literature, craft, performing arts, scripts and other forms of creative expression. To encourage the learning of languages other than one’s own mother tongue.

Explanation: India jumped five ranks in the Worldwide Educating for the Future Index (WEFFI) 2019, as per a report published by The Economist Intelligence Unit. The index ranks countries based on their abilities to equip students with skill-based education. The report analyses education system from the perspective of skill-based education “in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurship, as well as digital and technical skills.” India ranked 35th on the overall index in 2019 with a total score of 53, based on three categories – policy environment, teaching environment and overall socio-economic environment. The country ranked 40th with an overall score of 41.2 across categories in 2018.

Explanation: Tamil Nadu government are constructing fire lines’ or ‘fire breaks’, in the Mukurthi National Park(MNP) ahead of summer and peak fire season. It is located in the northwest corner of Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats mountain range.It is also a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is characterized by montane grasslands and shrub-lands interspersed with sholas in a high altitude area of high rainfall, near-freezing temperatures and high winds. The main reason behind establishing a national park in the place was to protect the Nilgiri Tahr which is a Keystone species.

Explanation: The Minister for Minority Affairs said that India has become the first country in the entire world which has made the entire Haj 2020 process 100 per cent digital. Online application, E-Visa, Haj mobile app, “E-MASIHA” health facility, “E-luggage pre-tagging” providing all information in India itself regarding accommodation/transportation in Makkah-Madinah have been provided to Indian Muslims going for Haj. While on one hand health card is being provided to Indian Haj pilgrims in the country, on the other hand “E-MASIHA” (E-Medical Assistance System for Indian Pilgrims Abroad), an online system to create and maintain the complete health database of Indian pilgrims along with doctors’ prescriptions, medical treatment as well as medicine disbursals, has been developed to deal any emergency in Makkah-Madinah.