Answer: (A)

Explanation:

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. AMR occurs naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. Antimicrobial-resistant organisms are found in people, animals, food, plants and the environment (in water, soil and air). They can spread from person to person or between people and animals, including from food of animal origin. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• A recent study published in Lancet has found that Anti microbial resistance kills around 3.9 lakh people per year in South Asia alone. Multi-drug resistant typhoid is originating from South Asia has affected Africa, Europe, and other parts of Asia. In India, over 56,000 new-born deaths occur annually due to sepsis caused by organisms resistant to first-line antibiotics. Hospitals have reported a mortality rate of 50-60% for COVID-19 patients who acquire drug-resistant infections. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• The Union health ministry's antimicrobial resistance awareness campaign urges people not to use medicines marked with a red vertical line, including antibiotics, without a doctor's prescription. The medicines with Red Line include antibiotics as well as other medicines. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Van Dhan Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. It was launched on 14th April, 2018 and seeks to improve tribal incomes through value addition of tribal products. The initiative aims to promote MFPs-centric livelihood development of tribal gatherers and artisans. It mainstreams the tribal community by promoting primary level value addition to MFP at grassroots level. Around 120 tribal women from Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in Odisha's Kandhamal district prepare laddus, cakes, jam, toffees, pickles, squash, pakodas, and biscuits using Mahua flowers. It includes Minor Forest Produce like mahua flower, honey, sal leaves. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Answer: (C)

Explanation: It is a group of viruses that leads to gastrointestinal illness. It causes inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, in addition to severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is also sometimes referred to as the ‘stomach flu’ or the ‘winter vomiting bug’. The virus is capable of surviving low temperatures, and outbreaks tend to be more common during the winter and in colder countries — that is why it is sometimes referred to as “winter vomiting disease”. Norovirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can heat up to 60°C. Therefore, merely steaming food or chlorinating water does not kill the virus. The virus can also survive many common hand sanitisers. As of now, there is no specific medication to treat people infected with norovirus. The disease is self-limiting. The infection, even though it takes a lot out of the patient, normally lasts only two or three days, and most individuals who are not very young, very old, or malnourished can ride it out with sufficient rest and hydration. Hence, statement (c) is correct.

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

• The Varunastra is an anti-submarine torpedo that has undergone extensive trials and is now being inducted into the naval fleet. This marks its official entry into active service. Varunastra is a ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo having low drift navigational systems, acoustic homing, advanced acoustic counter measure features, autonomous guidance algorithms, insensitive munitions warhead and a GPS-based recovery aid for practice torpedo, according to the Defence Ministry. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Varunastra was designed and developed by Vizag-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL). Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: World Food Safety Day was indeed observed for the first time on June 7, 2019, following the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018. Hence, the statement – I is correct.

World Food Safety Day aims to raise awareness and promote action to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks. It focuses on the importance of food safety for public health and emphasizes the role of various stakeholders, including governments, producers, and consumers, in ensuring safe food. Hence, statement – II is correct.

Statement - II provides information about the purpose of World Food Safety Day, it does not explain the specific theme of the first observance in 2019, which was "Food Safety, Everyone's Business." The theme of the first observance highlights the collective responsibility of all individuals and organizations in ensuring food safety, whereas Statement - II focuses on the broader goals of World Food Safety Day without mentioning the specific theme of the first observance.

Hence, Statement - II is not the correct explanation for Statement - I.

The observance is jointly facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). This year’s (2023) World Food Safety Day theme is – ‘Food standards save lives’.