This is the current affairs of 3 & 4 October 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Name the winner of Nobel Prize 2023 in the field of Medicine/Physiology?
a. Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman
b. Erdem Patapoutian
c. Swante Pabo
d. Ferenc Crouse and Anne Hullier
Answer: a. Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman
Katalin Kariko:
– She was born in 1955 in Szolnok, Hungary.
She has been a professor at the University of – Pennsylvania and an assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine.
Drew Weissman:
– He was born in 1959 in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA.
– He is the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research and the Director of the Penn Institute for Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania.
What will they receive in the Nobel Prize:
– They will receive a prestigious award consisting of a gold medal and approximately 9.02 million Swedish Kronor (approximately 7.5 crore Indian Rupees).
– The announcement of the Nobel Prize usually begins with the field of Medicine.
The Nobel Prize is awarded in 6 fields:
– Physiology or Medicine
– Physics
– Chemistry
– Literature
– Peace
– Economics
About the Nobel Prize:
– This award is named after the scientist and inventor Alfred Nobel, based on his will.
– The Nobel Prizes were first awarded in 1901.
– Alfred Nobel has 355 patents to his name today, but people know him more for inventing dynamite.
– The Nobel Peace Prize is presented in Norway.
– Whereas all other category prizes are awarded in the capital of Sweden, Stockholm.
– The first Indian to win the Nobel Prize – Rabindranath Tagore.
Note: 2022 Nobel Laureate (Medicine / Physiology) – Svante Pääbo for his research related to extinct hominins and human evolution genomics.
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2. For which achievement (research) in the field of medicine, scientists Caitlin Carico and Drew Weissman were selected for the Nobel Prize 2023?
a. Vector Vaccine
b. mRNA Vaccine
c. Malaria Vaccine
d. DNA Vaccine
Answer: b. mRNA Vaccine
– Scientists Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman enabled the development of mRNA vaccines, which allowed for the rapid creation of the COVID-19 vaccine.
– This technology had been known since the 1980s, but it had not been sufficiently developed for practical vaccine production.
– These two scientists accomplished this task.
What are mRNA vaccines, and why were they crucial during COVID?
– Traditionally, vaccine development has relied on introducing dead or weakened viruses into the human body to stimulate the development of antibodies against them (e.g., viral vector vaccines).
– In this approach, when the actual virus infects someone, their body is prepared to fight it.
– As technology advanced, instead of using the entire virus, only a part of the viral genetic code began to be delivered through vaccines.
– However, the large-scale development of such vaccines required cell culture (the growth of cells under controlled conditions), which was time-consuming.
– During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an urgent need to rapidly create vaccines against a highly contagious and deadly virus. In such a scenario, mRNA technology proved to be crucial.
– The companies Moderna and Pfizer utilized this technology in their vaccines.
What is mRNA technology?
– mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) is a small part of the genetic code that is responsible for producing proteins in our cells.
– In simpler terms, you can think of it as a message that instructs our cells to create proteins when our body is attacked by a virus or bacteria.
– When our body is exposed to a virus or bacteria, mRNA technology sends a message to our cells to produce proteins to fight against that virus or bacteria.
– This helps our immune system get the necessary proteins and develop antibodies in our body.
– The biggest advantage of this technology is that it allows for the rapid development of vaccines compared to conventional vaccines. Additionally, it strengthens the body’s immunity.
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3. Name the winner of Nobel Prize 2023 in the field of Chemistry?
a. Moungi Bawendi
b. Louis Bruce
c. Alexei Ekimov
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Moungi Bawendi, Louis Bruce, Alexei Ekimov)
– All three are chemists of American origin.
Note:
– Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022 – Carolyn Bertozzi, Karl Barry Sharpless and Morten Meldal for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry
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4. For which achievement (research) in the field of Chemistry, three chemists (Moungi Bawendi, Louis Bruce, Alexei Ekimov) were selected for the Nobel Prize 2023?
a. Discovery of Distance of Light
b. Solar Panel Discovery
c. Discovery and Synthesis of Quantum Dots
d. All of the above
Answer: c. Discovery and Synthesis of Quantum Dots
– The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2023 has been awarded to Moungi Bawendi, Louis Bruce, Alexei Ekimov.
– They have been awarded the prize for the discovery and development of quantum dots.
– Quantum dots are nano-sized particles that have properties determined by their size.
Where is the use of quantum dots?
– Quantum dots are used today to illuminate computer monitors and television screens.
– QLED technology is used in this.
– Researchers have also used quantum dots to create colored light.
– The light from quantum dots is so bright that when it is applied to tumors, surgeons have no trouble seeing the tissues.
– Quantum dots are incorporated into the light of many LED lamps, making fine work easier.
– Nobel Prize-winning chemists believe that in the future, quantum dots may contribute to flexible electronics, small sensors, thin solar cells, and possibly encrypted quantum communication.
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5. Name the winner of Nobel Prize 2023 in the field of Physics?
a. Pierre Agostini
b. Ferenc Krausz
c. Anne L’Huillier
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier)
– Anne L’Huillier was born in 1958 in Paris, France. She is currently a professor at Lund University in Sweden. She became the fifth woman to win the Nobel Prize in the field of physics.
– Pierre Agostini is a professor at Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.
– Ferenc Krausz was born in 1962 in Mór, Hungary. – He is now the director of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching, Germany, and a professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
Note: – In 2022, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger for their research in quantum information science and photons.
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6. For which achievement (research) in the field of Physics, three scientists (Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier) were selected for the Nobel Prize 2023?
a. Discovery of Electrons in Matter
b. Solar Panel Discovery
c. discovery of distance of light
d. For an experimental method of generating attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron mobility in matter.
Answer: d. For an experimental method of generating attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron mobility in matter
– The Nobel Committee has recognized that their experiments will greatly contribute to understanding the world of electrons present in atoms and molecules.
Creating Ultrashort Pulses for Electron Study:
– The entire world is made of matter, which consists of countless atoms.
– Each atom has multiple electrons distributed in different orbits.
– These electrons constantly move.
– When an electron moves from one orbit to another, there is a change in its energy level.
– To understand this change, researchers use attosecond laser pulses.
– These physicists invented ways to generate similar ultrashort waves of light, which will help in studying the movement of electrons and the energy changes within them.
What have scientists really done?
– An atom, the smallest unit into which matter can be divided, is made up of protons and neutrons at its core, with electrons orbiting around it.
– Electrons move so fast that observing them in real time is impossible.
– The work of Huijber, Agostini, and Krausz has brought electron motion and energy changes, which last only attoseconds, closer to study. An attosecond is one quintillionth (1×10−18) of a second.
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7. Who was elected the new President of Maldives?
a. Mohammed Sharif Mundu
b. Ibrahim Mohammed Solih
c. Mohammad Muizzu
d. Abdulli Yameen
Answer: c. Mohammad Muizzu
– Mohammad Muizzu won the presidential election held on September 30, 2023. He is the leader of the opposition Progressive Alliance.
– The results of the election were not only closely watched by the people of the Maldives but also by India and China.
– This is because two prominent leaders who participated in the race for the presidency, Ibrahim Mohammad Solih, are seen as supporters of India, while the leader of the opposition Progressive – Alliance, Mohammad Muizzu, is known to support China.
Muizzu’s Victory Will Strengthen China’s Influence in India’s Neighborhood:
– Mohammad Muizzu’s victory is expected to increase China’s influence in India’s neighborhood.
– In fact, Muizzu’s party, the People’s National Congress, was already part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during the previous term of the Maldivian government.
– Mohammad Muizzu, who won the presidential election, was the Mayor of Male, the capital of the Maldives. During his tenure in this position, he strengthened his relationship with China.
Controversy over two helicopters gifted to India
– India had gifted two helicopters to the Maldives in 2010 and 2013, and a small aircraft in 2020 as part of its gifts.
– This has stirred controversy in the Maldives, with the opposition accusing President Solih of adopting an ‘India First’ policy.
The Location Makes Maldives Strategically Important:
– The location of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean is of strategic importance for both China and India.
– The Maldives consists of over 1100 small and large islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, extending southwestward. It provides a crucial route connecting eastern and western countries.
– It is believed that China has leased 16 of these islands. If China gains control of these islands, it could potentially monitor not only India’s commercial ships but also its naval convoys.
– In times of conflict, China could deploy its vessels on these islands, further complicating the situation.
Maldives:
– The Maldives, officially known as the Maldives Republic, is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean.
– Capital: Male
– President: Mohammad Muizzu
– Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa
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8. For how long did the Central Government ban the rebel groups ‘National Liberation Front of Tripura’ (NLFT) and ‘All India Tripura Tagar Force’ (ATTF)?
a. 5 Year
b. 8 Year
c. 10 Year
d. 18 Year
Answer: a. 5 Year
Rebel Groups:
– National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT)
– All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)
Why Did the Central Government Impose Bans?
– These groups have been accused of engaging in activities against the unity and sovereignty of the country.
– According to the government’s notification, NLFT and ATTF aim to create a separate independent state for Tripura.
– These groups have been involved in armed rebellion for years with the support of several other armed separatist organizations.
– On October 3, 2023, these organizations associated with both groups were also banned for a period of 5 years.
Tripura:
– Capital – Agartala
– Chief Minister – Manik Sarkar
– Governor – Satyadev Narayan Arya
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9. Taking a tough step, the Indian government asked which country to recall its 40 diplomats by October 10, 2023?
a. China
b. Pakistan
c. Canada
d. Bangladesh
Answer: c. Canada
– According to media reports, 62 Canadian diplomats are stationed in India, and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has asked Canada to recall 40 of them.
– India has also stated that if Canada does not comply, these diplomats will not receive diplomatic immunity in India.
– Currently, there are fewer Indian diplomats in Canada, and the Indian government has asked Canada to maintain an equivalent number of diplomats.
– India has taken strong steps against Canada after Justin Trudeau’s statements on the Khalistani terrorist’s death case and the return of an Indian officer.
– This move by India is expected to have a significant impact on Canada.
– Meanwhile, despite Justin Trudeau repeatedly demanding concrete evidence in the Nijjar murder case, he has not yet provided any substantial proof.
– Earlier, Trudeau had claimed that Indian agents were involved in Nijjar’s murder.
What did Canada say after India’s steps?
– Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau has once again said that he does not want to escalate tension with India.
– Trudeau said, “It is essential for Canada that our diplomats remain in India. We will continue to take steps that can build better relations with India even in difficult times.”
– On the other hand, Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has expressed her desire to have private discussions with India to resolve the diplomatic crisis. Joly said, “We are in contact with the Indian government. The security of our diplomats in Canada is of utmost importance to us.”
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10. Who became the new Director General of Border Roads Organization (BRO)?
a. Lieutenant General Amarjeet Singh
b. Lieutenant General Srinivasan
c. Lieutenant General Rajeev Chaudhary
d. Lieutenant General Suresh Sharma
Answer: b. Lieutenant General Srinivasan
– According to the Ministry of Defence, they assumed the position of Director General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on September 30, 2023.
BRO (Border Roads Organisation):
– The Border Roads Organisation is an executive engineering force responsible for road construction and management in India.
– It undertakes the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and tunnels in India’s border regions, even in challenging conditions.
– It is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
– BRO Establishment Day: May 7
– Headquarters: New Delhi
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11. International Day of Non-Violence is celebrated on the birth anniversary of which great man?
a. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
b. Nelson Mandela
c. Mahatma Gandhi
d. Albert Einstein
Answer: c. Mahatma Gandhi
– This day was declared by the United Nations in the year 2007.
– Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday is celebrated on October 2nd.
– He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat.
– He passed away on January 30, 1948, when he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, the first terrorist of independent India, who shot him.
– There is a memorial for him at Raj Ghat in Delhi.
Mahatma Gandhi is an icon not only for India but for people all over the world.
– India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and UNESCO jointly organize the ‘Ahinsa Lecture Series’ on Gandhi Jayanti.
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12. When is the birth anniversary of the country’s second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri celebrated?
a. 1 October
b. 2 October
c. 3 October
d. 4th October
Answer: b. 2 October
– After Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of the country.
– He was born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh.
– He passed away mysteriously on January 11, 1966, in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
– Just 12 hours before his death, Shastri Ji had signed a peace agreement between India and Pakistan.
– He coined the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer).
– His memorial is named Vijay Ghat.
