News In Short-04-10-2024

Raja Ravi Varma

Syllabus: GS1/ Personalities, Art & Culture

In Context

• Renowned modern Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma was commemorated on the occasion of his death anniversary on October 2.

Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906)

• About:
  • Ravi Varma (1848–1906) was one of the first Indian painters to successfully adopt Western painting techniques and adapt academic realism to the visual interpretation of Indian mythology. 
• Background and History:
  • He was born into aristocracy at Kilimanoor in the erstwhile Travancore state of present-day Kerala.
  • At the age of 14, Varma was patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal, the then ruler of Travancore.
  • Later, Varma studied oil painting from British painter Theodore Jensen. 
• His work:
  • Raja Ravi Varma, also known as ‘The Father of Modern Indian Art’ was an Indian painter of the 18th century who attained fame and recognition for portraying scenes from the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
  • He painted the picture of God and Goddess that helped Dalits, who were prohibited from entering temples to know about the Gods.
  • He used oil paint colours rather than watercolours.
  • His works are the best examples for the fusion of European techniques with Indian sensibility.
  • As a prolific artist, Raja Ravi Varma is believed to have made around 7,000 paintings before his death at the age of 58. His most famous works include Damayanti Talking to a Swan, Shakuntala Looking for Dushyanta, Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair, and Shantanu and Matsyagandha.
• Awards and honours:
  • His 1873 painting, Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair, won Varma prestigious awards including the Governor’s Gold Medal when it was presented in the Madras Presidency.
  • He won the first prize in the Vienna Art Exhibition in 1873.
  • In 1904, the British colonial government awarded Varma with the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal. In 2013, a crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honour.
  • According to the Guinness World Records, the most expensive saree named ‘Vivah Patu’ in the world is an 8-kg sari priced at Rs 40 lakh and pays tribute to his paintings.

Source: IE

Little Prespa Lake

Syllabus :GS 1/Places in news 

In News

• Little Prespa Lake is facing severe ecological decline with approximately 430 out of 450 hectares transformed into swamps or dried up.

About Little Prespa Lake

• It is  also known as Small Lake Prespa.
• The majority of Little Prespa Lake sits in Greek territory, with just its southern tip crossing into Albania.
• Importance : The region is home to over 2,000 species of fish, birds, mammals, and plants, many of which are unique.
• Threats :Originally 450 hectares, with 430 hectares now transformed into swamps or dried up.
  • The decline began in the 1970s when communist authorities diverted the Devoll River for irrigation purposes around the city of Korca.
• Impact on Inhabitants: This diversion has led to significant environmental changes affecting local communities.

Source :TH

Union Cabinet approved PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Krishonnati Yojana

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

In News

• The Union Cabinet merged all Central schemes in the agriculture sector into two new schemes, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).
  • PM-RKVY will promote sustainable agriculture, while KY will address food security and agricultural self-sufficiency.

The rationalisation of Various Schemes has been undertaken to:

• To avoid duplication, ensure convergence and provide flexibility to States.
• Focus on emergent challenges of Agriculture – Nutrition security, Sustainability, Climate resilience, value chain development & private sector participation.
• State governments will be able to draw a comprehensive strategic plan suiting their requirements for the agriculture sector.
• Annual Action Plan (AAP) of States can be approved in one go rather than approving individual scheme-wise AAPs.

Source: TH

Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme

Syllabus: GS2/ Welfare Scheme

In News

• The Union government has launched the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme.

About

• Objective: To provide internship opportunities to youth in leading companies, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills.
• Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• Duration: The internship lasts for 12 months.
• Stipend: Interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for the entire year.
• Eligibility Criteria: Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Must be aged between 21-24 years.
  • Should not be employed full-time or engaged in full-time education.

Source: PIB

Italy and Switzerland Redrawing Their Alpine Border

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• Switzerland and Italy have agreed to redraw a part of their national boundary, as melting Alpine glaciers shift the historically defined frontier.

About

• Switzerland and Italy have agreed to changes along the landmarks of Plateau Rosa, the Carrel refuge, and the Gobba di Rollin.
  • In this area the Zermatt region of Switzerland meets the Aosta valley of Italy. 
• The region is home to several ski resorts that fuel the economy of both countries.

Alps Mountains – The Alps Mountains are one of the most significant mountain ranges in Europe, Stretching across eight countries—France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. – The Alps were formed millions of years ago as a result of the collision between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. – Highest Peak: Mont Blanc – Rivers like Rhine, Rhone, and Po originate in the Alps.

Source: IE

Products Used by Assam Tribe Granted GI tag

Syllabus :GS 3/Intellectual property rights (IPRs)

In News

The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has granted GI tags to eight products from Assam, including traditional food items and rice beer varieties.

Products granted GI tag

• Rice Beer Varieties:
  • Bodo Jou Gwran: Highest alcohol content (about 16.11%); unique to the Bodo community.
  • Maibra Jou Bidwi: Known as a welcome drink, made from half-cooked rice and yeast (amao).
  • Bodo Jou Gishi: Another traditionally fermented rice beer with historical significance.
• Traditional Food Products:
  • Bodo Napham: Fermented fish dish prepared anaerobically over two to three months; includes preservation techniques like smoking and drying.
  • Bodo Ondla: Rice powder curry flavored with garlic, ginger, salt, and alkali.
  • Bodo Gwkha: Dish prepared during the Bwisagu festival, known locally as ‘Gwka Gwkhi’.
  • Bodo Narzi: Semi-fermented food made with jute leaves, rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and essential minerals.
• Bodo Aronai: A traditional cloth (1.5-2.5 meters long and 0.5 meter wide) receives a GI tag through the Association of Traditional Bodo Weavers.

Do you know ? – A GI is a name or sign for products linked to a specific geographical location, indicating traditional methods, specific qualities, or reputation tied to that origin. 1. It is used for various products, including spirit drinks, foodstuffs, agricultural products, handicrafts, and industrial products. – Regulatory Framework : It is governed by the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. 1. In India,it is administered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, effective from September 15, 2003. 2. First GI Tag in India  awarded to Darjeeling tea in 2004-05. Benefits of GI Tags :  1. It provides legal rights to products with GI tags. 2. It guards against misuse of the GI tag by others. 3. It helps consumers access quality products with guaranteed authenticity. 4. It enhances demand for GI-tagged goods in national and international markets, benefiting producers.

Source: TH

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

Syllabus :GS 3/Economy 

In News

• The Union government appointed new monetary policy committee members with immediate effect.

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was established after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) concerning the implementation of the new inflation-targeting monetary policy framework. 
• The framework focuses on keeping inflation within a specified target range.
• The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 was amended by the Finance Act, 2016 to provide a statutory and institutional framework for the constitution of the MPC.

Key Provisions:

• Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934 empowers the central government to constitute a six-member MPC.
• Function: The MPC is tasked with fixing the benchmark policy rate (i.e., the repo rate) to ensure that inflation is contained within the target level.
  • The decisions made by the MPC are binding on the RBI.
• The MPC replaced the previous arrangement of the Technical Advisory Committee.

Composition:

• The MPC consists of six members:
  • RBI Governor (Chairperson)
  • RBI Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy
  • One official nominated by the RBI Board
  • Three external members representing the Government of India
• Tenure: The external members serve for a term of four years.

Source: TH

EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 7th consecutive issue of the publication “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts”.

About

• EnviStats includes information on the country’s natural resources, environmental degradation, and government efforts to manage these issues.
• It is prepared in accordance with the SEEA (System of Environmental- Economic Accounting) Framework which is an agreed international framework for the compilation of the Environment Economic accounts.

Key Highlights

• The coverage of Mangroves, which is an important sub ecosystem of the ocean ecosystem, has increased around 8% over the years 2013 to 2021.
• There has been around 72% increase in the number and around 16% increase in area for the Total Protected Area during the period 2000 to 2023.
• Ocean Accounts: This edition introduces Ocean Accounts, marking a new area of environmental reporting.
  • The framework for Ocean Accounts has been developed with technical assistance from the Expert Group on Ocean Ecosystem Accounts.
• Soil Nutrient Index: The report provides updated values of the Soil Nutrient Index, compiled using data from the Soil Health Card initiative for 2023-24.

Source: PIB

New Study Mapping the Fruit Fly’s Brain

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• Scientists have successfully mapped the brain of a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) after a decade-long effort, revealing how 140,000 neurons are connected.

About

• The fruit fly brain is tiny, less than 1 mm wide. Using this brain map, called a “connectome,” researchers traced different types of neurons to understand their functions. 
• They also created a virtual fly brain based on this map.

Significance of the Study

• This study helps us understand how sensory information travels through the brain to trigger actions, like movement. 
• The research also provides insight into how healthy brains work and could lead to similar mappings of other species’ brains.

Source: TH

Akashteer Systems

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

In News

• In response to escalating global security concerns, the Indian Army has significantly boosted its air defence capabilities by acquiring 100 Akashteer Air Defence Control and Reporting Systems (ADCRS).

About

• Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• These systems will play a vital role in protecting India from aerial threats, including missile and rocket attacks.
• Akashteer integrates radars, sensors, and communication technologies to provide a real-time battlefield view, allowing the military to swiftly detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats. 

Source: FE

Iron Dome Anti-missile System

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system has intercepted rockets after Iran fired a series of ballistic missiles.

Iron Dome

• Iron Dome was developed with Israel Aerospace Industries and was deployed in 2011.
• It is a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system that includes a radar and interceptor missiles, which track and neutralise rockets or missiles aimed at Israeli targets.
  • It is used for countering rockets, artillery & mortars (C-RAM) as well as aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
  • The defense system has a range of 70 kilometers.

Air defense systems Around the Globe

• United States: Patriot: A long-range, all-weather system designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft.
  • Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD): A system designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase.
• Russia:S-400: A long-range air defense system capable of engaging various aerial threats, including aircraft and ballistic missiles.
  • S-500: An advanced system designed to target hypersonic missiles and aircraft.
• India: S-400: Recently acquired from Russia, providing long-range air defense capabilities.
• France: SAMP/T: A medium-range air defense system that integrates with various radar and missile systems.
• South Korea: KAMD (Korea Air and Missile Defense): A comprehensive system incorporating various layers of air defense, including the THAAD and PAC-3 systems.

Source: IE

Chagos Island

Syllabus : Miscellaneous 

Context

• The United Kingdom (UK) announced that an agreement has been reached to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending decades of dispute and negotiation over Britain’s last African colony.

Chagos Archipelago

• The Chagos archipelago, comprising 58 islands, lies roughly 500 km to the south of the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean. 
• These islands were uninhabited until the late 18th century, when the French brought in slave labour from Africa and India to work in newly-established coconut plantations. In 1814, France ceded the islands to the British.
• In 1965, the UK constituted the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), of which the Chagos Islands were a central part. A few other BIOT islands were later ceded to the Seychelles in 1976 after it gained independence from Britain.
• Chagos was attached to Mauritius, another British colony in the Indian Ocean, for administrative purposes. But when Mauritius gained independence in 1968, Chagos remained with Britain. 

Source: IE