Punjab Quiz

Notes:
The correct answer is [B] Only two pairs. This question tests your knowledge of Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance) in India.

• Hokera Wetland (Pair 1 – Incorrect): It is located in Jammu and Kashmir, not Punjab. It is a natural perennial wetland contiguous to the Jhelum basin and serves as a critical wintering ground for migratory birds.
• Renuka Wetland (Pair 2 – Correct): Located in Himachal Pradesh, it is a natural wetland with freshwater springs and inland subterranean karst formations. It is also the largest lake in Himachal Pradesh.
• Rudrasagar Lake (Pair 3 – Correct): Located in Tripura, it is a lowland reservoir fed by three perennial streams discharging into the River Meghna. It is famous for the Neermahal summer palace situated in the middle of the lake.
• Sasthamkotta Lake (Pair 4 – Incorrect): It is located in Kerala, not Tamil Nadu. It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala and is designated as a Ramsar site due to its unique ecosystem and importance as a drinking water source.

Notes:
The correct answer is [B] 2 only. This question pertains to Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), which has been a significant topic in Indian agricultural biotechnology and regulatory discourse.Detailed Analysis of the Statements:

• Statement 1 (Incorrect): DMH-11 is not designed for pest resistance. Unlike Bt Cotton (which contains Cry genes for pest resistance), GM mustard uses a system of three genes (barnase, barstar, and bar) derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. These genes are used to create a hybrid seed production system by inducing male sterility and then restoring fertility, rather than killing pests.
• Statement 2 (Correct): Mustard is normally a self-pollinating plant, which makes creating hybrids difficult. The “barnase” gene induces male sterility in one parent line (preventing self-pollination), while the “barstar” gene in the other parent line restores fertility in the resulting hybrid. This allows for effective cross-pollination and hybridization, leading to “heterosis” (hybrid vigor) and higher yields.
• Statement 3 (Incorrect): DMH-11 was developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University, led by former Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental. It was not a joint venture between IARI and Punjab Agricultural University. It was funded largely by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Key Facts about DMH-11:

• The “Bar” Gene: It also contains the bar gene, which makes the plant tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium. This is used as a marker in the breeding process, though it has led to debates regarding herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops.
• Regulatory Body: The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that approved the environmental release of DMH-11 in 2022.
• Significance: It is the first transgenic food crop to approach commercial cultivation in India, aimed at reducing the country’s massive edible oil import bill.

Notes:
The Punjab Government has launched the second phase of school education reforms, ‘Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0’, to modernize and strengthen the state’s education system. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, aiming to make Punjab’s education system globally competitive. The initiative involves a total investment of ₹3,500 crore over the next six years, making it one of the largest education reform investments in the state’s history.

Notes:
Statement 1 is correct. The Governor of Punjab serves as the concurrent Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the Chandigarh Administration Act, reflecting joint administration by Punjab and Haryana. Statement 2 is correct. The Governor of Kerala concurrently serves as the Administrator of Lakshadweep, a Union Territory, consistent with constitutional provisions delegating administration of certain Union Territories to state governors.

Notes:
Punjab National Bank was founded in Lahore in 1894 by Indian nationalists. It was the first bank in India managed entirely by Indians. Notable founders included Lala Lajpat Rai. PNB was later nationalised in 1969 and played a significant role in indigenous banking during the colonial period.

Notes:
Punjab has opened its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana as a pilot project. The initiative will be replicated across the state. The sanctuary aims to reduce dog bite cases in the city. It will operate according to Supreme Court guidelines.

Notes:
The Doon region, mainly around Dehradun, is Uttarakhand’s administrative center. It attracts diverse migrant populations including Punjabis, Bengalis, Sindhis, and Haryanvis. Dehradun houses about 706,124 people from varied ethnic backgrounds. This contrasts with other regions where Kumaoni and Garhwali communities predominate.

Notes:
Punjab Assembly unanimously declared Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, and walled city of Amritsar as holy cities. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a world-class university in the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib. The university will focus on high-quality education, research, interfaith dialogue, and studies on human rights, peace, and sacrifice. The initiative aims to develop Anandpur Sahib as a spiritual and academic centre.

Notes:
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was titled ‘Mahamana’ by Mahatma Gandhi. The other pairs are incorrect: ‘Punjab Kesari’ refers to Lala Lajpat Rai, ‘Frontier Gandhi’ was Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, and ‘Lokmanya’ was a title of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Hence, only Pair 1 is correctly matched.

Notes:
The Ghaggar River, known as the “River of Sorrow” due to frequent floods, is located in the Malwa region of Punjab, particularly affecting districts like Patiala, Sangrur, and Mansa. The river is seasonal and originates in the Shivalik foothills of Himachal Pradesh, flowing into Punjab near Dera Bassi, where its sudden surges during the monsoon can cause significant damage. Its unpredictable flooding, worsened by embankment issues and encroachments, has triggered disasters in 1988, 1993, 2008, 2019, and 2023.