Current Affairs Question - 10 February 2021

Explanation :

Context: Prime Minister during Mann Ki Baat address made a mention of the garbage-to-power plant being commissioned inside the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Agriculture Market in Bowenpally. Vegetable and fruit waste is used to generate power to the extent of 500 units a day and 30 kilos of green manure at the plant.

• Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under anaerobic conditions to biogas.
• Three main physiological groups of microorganisms are involved: fermenting bacteria, organic acid oxidizing bacteria, and methanogenic archaea.
• Unlike other kinds of waste treatment processes, this process is completely self-sufficient and doesn’t require an external power source.
• The system is completely sealed and enclosed and collects every bit of the gas for utilization. This includes a whole host of harmful greenhouse gases.

Benefits

• Generation of gaseous fuel;
• Can be done on a small-scale;
• Enclosed system enables all the gas produced to be collected for use. Green house gases emission to the atmosphere is avoided;
• Free from bad odour, rodent and fly menace, visible pollution and social resistance;
• Modular construction of plant and closed treatment needs less land area; and
• Production of biogas and high grade soil conditioner.

Explanation :

Context: On 4th February, 2021, 100th year of Chauri Chaura — event that led to Gandhi calling off Non-Cooperation Movement was commemorated.

• The Non - Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 1,1920 was the first mass movement organized nationwide during India's struggle for freedom.

Causes of Non-Cooperation Movement

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and Resultant Punjab Disturbances
• Dissatisfaction with Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
• Rowlatt Act
• Khilafat Agitation

Features of the Non-Cooperation Movement

• The movement was essentially a peaceful and non-violent protest against the British government in India.
• Indians were asked to relinquish their titles and resign from nominated seats in the local bodies as a mark of protest.
• People were asked to resign from their government jobs.
• People were asked to withdraw their children from government-controlled or aided schools and colleges.
• People were asked to boycott foreign goods and use only Indian-made goods.
• People were asked to boycott the elections to the legislative councils.
• People were asked not to serve in the British army.
• It was also planned that if the above steps did not bring results, people would refuse to pay their taxes.
• The INC also demanded Swarajya or self-government.
• Only completely non-violent means would be employed to get the demands fulfilled.

Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement suspended?

• Gandhiji called off the movement in February 1922 in the wake of the Chauri Chaura incident.
• In Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, a violent mob set fire to a police station killing 22 policemen during a clash between the police and protesters of the movement.
• Gandhiji called off the movement saying people were not ready for revolt against the government through ahimsa.
• Several leaders like Motilal Nehru and C R Das were against the suspension of the movement only due to sporadic incidents of violence.