Sakthan Thampuran
Syllabus: GS1/History
Context
- Minister of State for Tourism, Kerala pledged to replace a statue of Sakthan Thampuran that was knocked over by a state transport bus.
Sakthan Thampuran
- Raja Rama Varma Kunjipillai or Rama Varma IX, better known today as Sakthan Thampuran, ruled over the Cochin kingdom from 1790 to 1805.
- He was born in 1751 to Ambika Thampuran and Chendose Aniyan Namboodiri of the Cochin royal family, but was raised by an aunt who called him Sakthan, meaning ‘powerful’.
- The word thampuran is believed to be an appropriation of the Sanskrit samrat, meaning emperor.
- The Cochin kingdom, which was part of the Late Chera Empire, covered the regions between Ponnani in Malappuram and Thottappally in Alappuzha in today’s Kerala.
Source: IE
5 Years of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana
Syllabus: GS3/Financial Inclusion
Context
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) has completed 5 years of implementation.
About
- Launched in 2019, the PM-KMY has been providing social security to all land-holding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) across the country.
- It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
- Eligible small and marginal farmers are given a fixed monthly pension of Rs. 3,000 after attaining the age of sixty.
- Farmers aged between 18 and 40 years need to contribute between Rs. 55 to Rs. 200 per month until they turn 60.
- The Central Government, through the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, also contributes an equal amount as contributed by the eligible subscriber, to the pension Fund.
- The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) manages the pension fund, and beneficiary registration is facilitated through Common Service Centres (CSCs) and State Governments.
Source: PIB
District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs)
Syllabus :GS 3/Economy
In News
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans to revive the District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme.
About District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs)
- DAMUs were originally established in 2018 by India Meteorological Department (IMD) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to provide local agricultural advisories using weather data.
- They are located within Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and they use IMD weather data to create and disseminate advisories.
- These advisories, sent in local languages via text messages, WhatsApp, newspapers, and in-person communication, help farmers make informed decisions.
- Importance: They are crucial for India’s small and marginal farmers, who practice rain-fed agriculture and face challenges due to climate change.
- They provide weather-based advisories on sowing, harvesting, irrigation, and pest management, helping farmers plan their activities and prepare for extreme weather events.
- Reasons for Shutdown: DAMUs were shut down in March 2024 following claims by NITI Aayog that agro-met data was automated and the services should be privatized.
- NITI Aayog’s claims undermined the role of DAMU staff, who were essential in creating and communicating the advisories.
- Experts View :closing DAMUs was unwise and that the GKMS scheme should have been strengthened instead.
- They recommended reconsidering the decision to discontinue DAMUs and exploring ways to enhance their impact.
Source:TH
Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations
Syllabus :GS 3/Defense
In News
- Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations during the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting in New Delhi.
About Doctrine
- It is the second Joint Doctrine released in 2024, following the Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations.
- It emphasizes the focus on jointness and integration within the Armed Forces, particularly in the context of Amphibious Operations.
- It serves as a key guide for Commanders on conducting Amphibious Operations in the current complex military environment.
- importance : It enhances the Armed Forces’ ability to execute operations in the Indian Ocean Region, relevant in both wartime and peacetime.
- It highlights the importance of multi-domain operations and demonstrates the integration and cohesion among the Armed Forces.
Source:TH
New GoM to Look at Tax Rates for Health Insurance
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- The Goods and Services Tax Council constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to review 18% GST on life and health insurance and cutting GST on cancer drugs.
About
- The GST Council approved a reduction in the GST rate on three cancer drugs — Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab — from 12% to 5%.
- The council hiked the levy on car seat covers to 28% from 18% to bring them on par with motorcycle seats.
- It also approved a cut in the tax on some extruded savory snacks from 18% to 12%, to do away with their distinction with the likes of Namkeens and Bhujia.
| Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council – The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is a constitutional body established under Article 279A of the Indian Constitution through the 101st Amendment Act of 2016. – The Union Finance Minister is the Chairperson of the GST Council. – The GST Council makes recommendations to the Union and the States on key GST-related issues, including: 1. Taxes, cesses, and surcharges to be subsumed under GST 2. Goods and services to be subject to or exempt from GST 3. Model GST laws, principles of levy, and apportionment of IGST 4. Tax rates, thresholds, special provisions, and any other matter relating to GST. – Dispute resolution: The Council also serves as a platform to resolve disputes between the Centre and the States or among the States themselves on GST-related matters. – The Centre has one-third of the total voting power, while the States collectively have two-thirds. |
Source: TH
Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo Elongata)
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- The elongated tortoise was spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area during a research survey in the Aravallis.
About
- Characteristics: The tortoise is medium-sized with a yellowish brown or olive shell and distinct black blotches at the center of each scute.
- The tortoise has on its nostril a pink ring, which appears in the breeding season.
- Habitat: The species, also referred to as the Sal Forest Tortoise, inhabits open deciduous forest patches, including Sal and evergreen forest habitats, dry thorn forests, and savannah grasslands.
- Distribution: The species is widely distributed across northeast India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia.
- A disjunct tortoise population exists in the Chota Nagpur plateau in eastern India.
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Source: IE
Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts: Malpe and Mulki
Context
- Malpe and Mulki, fourth and fifth ships of the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project, built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Ltd, for the Indian Navy, were launched.
- Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol are the first three ships of the ASW SWC project.
About
- Malpe and Mulki, named after ports of strategic importance along the coast of India, are the Mahe-class of ships and will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy.
- It is designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low intensity maritime operations and mine-laying operations, apart from search and rescue.
- Equipped with light-weight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare rockets, a close-in weapon system, and remote-controlled guns, these ships can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots with endurance of up to 1800 nautical miles.
Source: PIB
India to host International Cooperative Alliance’s General Assembly
Context
- India will host the International Cooperative Alliance’s general assembly and global conference for the first time in November this year, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
About
- The theme for this year’s conference is “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All,” which is in line with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’.
- The Conference will also mark the official launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives – 2025.
- A commemorative stamp celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives – 2025 will be launched during the event.
- The Conference will be used to showcase Indian Cooperatives’ products and services in the ‘Haat’ setup with the theme of Indian Villages.
- India is home to one-fourth of the world’s cooperatives, both in terms of numbers and membership, and this move will further strengthen the cooperative movement in the country.
International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
- It is the premier body for the Global Cooperative movement.
- It was established in 1895 as a non-profit international association to advance the cooperative social enterprise model.
- The ICA’s General Assembly meets every year whereas global conferences happen every two years.
Source: PIB
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