Waterspout
Syllabus: GS1/Geography
Context
- Recently, a luxury yacht that sank was hit by a violent storm off the coast of Sicily, Italy, the storm could have been a waterspout.
About
- A waterspout is a large column of air and mist rotating over a water body.
- It is a weaker cousin of tornadoes and typically lasts for around five minutes — occasionally it can last up to 10 minutes.
- The average waterspout can be around 165 feet in diameter, with wind speeds of 100 kilometres per hour.
- Although waterspouts are more common in tropical waters, they can appear anywhere.
- They occur when there are high levels of humidity and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air.
- There are two types of waterspouts: tornadic waterspouts and fair-weather waterspouts.
- Tornadic waterspouts are actual tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water.
- Fair-weather waterspouts, which are much more common, form over only water. As their name suggests, they are formed during fair weather.
- They are less dangerous and usually small.
- Experts believe that as ocean temperatures are soaring, the frequency of waterspouts is increasing.
Source: IE
Dhangars of Maharashtra
Syllabus: GS1/Social Issues; Caste
Context
- Recently, a large group of Dhangars demanded a ‘grazing corridor’ for their sheep and goats in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district.
About the Dhangars
- The Dhangars are a community of shepherds with a rich cultural heritage.
- They reside not only in Maharashtra but also in other states like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Grazing Corridors and Their Struggle: Historically, Dhangars have followed specific routes for grazing their animals. These routes are deeply ingrained in their way of life, and they’ve herded their flocks along them since time immemorial.
- These paths are not just about sustenance; they’re part of their cultural identity.
- Quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: The Dhangars are currently listed under Maharashtra’s Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category.
- However, they’ve been persistently seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for decades.
- Interestingly, in other parts of the country, they are recognized as “Dhangad” and enjoy reservation benefits as an ST community.
Jan Poshan Kendras
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance
Context
- The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched a pilot project to transform 60 ration shops in 4 States as “Jan Poshan Kendras”
- On the occasion, he also launched FPS Sahay application, and Mera Ration app 2.0.
About
- Jan Poshan Kendra provides solutions to the demand of Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers across India to raise their income level.
- The Kendras will offer a diverse range of nutrition-rich food items to consumers as well as provide an additional source of income to the FPS dealers.
- The Jan Poshan Kendra will have provision for storing 50% products under the category of nutrition while the rest for keeping other household items.
FPS-Sahay and Mera Ration app 2.0
- FPS-Sahay, is an on-demand Invoice Based Financing (IBF) application designed to offer completely paperless, presence-less, collateral-free, cash flow-based financing to FPS dealers.
- Mera Ration App 2.0 mobile app is launched with more value added features for the beneficiaries across the nation.
Source: TH
BPaLM Regimen for Drug-resistant Tuberculosis
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
Context
- India is set to roll out training of healthcare professionals in administering the BPalM regimen.
What is the BPalM regimen?
- It is composed of bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid and moxifloxacin (BPaLM) for treating multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB).
- Recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2022, currently, TB patients in nearly 40 countries have access to this new regimen.
Significance
- The BPalM protocol is more effective, has a shorter duration of treatment (six months versus the prevailing 18-24 months), fewer side effects and, most importantly, prevents transmission, making it a pivotal tool in containing and managing TB.
- India, which accounts for around 27 per cent of global TB cases, stands to benefit significantly. For example, this move is expected to boost the country’s National TB Elimination Programme, which aims to eliminate the disease by 2025.
Source: IE
Measures for Promoting Handloom Sector
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- The Union Textile Ministry recently stated that it has undertaken various measures for promoting the handloom sector.
- Handloom refers to the process of weaving cloth using a manually operated loom.
Schemes to Promote Handloom Sector
- National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): NHDP has been formulated for its implementation during the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26.
- The scheme follows a need-based approach for integrated and holistic development of handlooms and welfare of handloom weavers.
- The Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS): The Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS) with partial modification and renamed as Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) has been approved for implementation during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
- To make available quality yarn & their blends to the eligible Handloom weavers at subsidized rates.
- Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme: It is providing Life, accidental and disability insurance coverage to handloom weavers/workers under the components Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana(PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana(PMSBY) and Converged Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana(MGBBY).
- Weaver MUDRA Scheme: Under the Scheme, credit at concessional interest rate of 6% is provided to the handloom weavers.
- Urban Haat: These are set up in the big towns/metropolitan cities to provide adequate direct marketing facilities to the craft persons/weavers and eliminate middle agencies.
- Design & Technology upgradation (DTU): The Scheme aims to upgrade artisan’s skills through development of innovative designs and prototyping products for overseas markets, revival of endangered crafts and preservation of heritage etc.
Source: TH
Inflation Targeting
Syllabus: GS 3/ Economy
In News
- The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) inflation targeting regime has worked well and need not be abandoned in favour of a more discretionary regime that could be risky and counterproductive.
About Inflation targeting
- It involves a central bank committing to meet a publicly announced numerical inflation target within a specific timeframe.
- Types of Targets:Point Targets: A specific numerical target.
- Band Targets: Inflation is targeted within a range.
- Purpose:Provides a clear medium-term inflation outlook.
- Reduces inflationary shocks and their costs.
- Leads to more stable and lower long-term interest rates.
- Important Considerations:Focus on numerical targets may reduce policy flexibility.
- Monetary policy actions affect inflation with a lag; reliance on forecasts can be problematic.
- Targets should allow for flexibility and adjustments for volatile components.
- Excessive flexibility can undermine central bank credibility.
- Scope in Developing Countries:Higher inflation rates and uncertain future inflation predictions make meeting targets challenging.
- Central bank autonomy may be limited by fiscal needs.
- Central banks might be reluctant to raise interest rates due to fiscal concerns
Source: TH
Liquid Water on Mars
Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology
Context
- Scientists have discovered a reservoir of liquid water on Mars – deep in the rocky outer crust of the planet.
What are the findings?
- The findings come from a new analysis of data from Nasa’s Mars Insight Lander, which touched down on the planet back in 2018.
- That layer is located at depths of about 10 to 20 km in the Martian crust.
- The study suggests that the water could have seeped from the surface billions of years ago when Mars harbored rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans.
Planet Mars
- It is the fourth planet from the Sun and is a cold desert world. It is half the size of Earth.
- It is sometimes called the Red Planet. It’s red because of rusty iron in the ground.
- It is also a dynamic planet with seasons, polar ice caps, canyons, extinct volcanoes, and evidence that it was even more active in the past.
- It has a very thin atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon.
Source: IE
Passive Euthanasia
Syllabus: GS2/Governance/ GS4/ Ethics
Context
- Recently, the Supreme Court refused to grant an aged couple’s plea to allow “passive euthanasia” for their 30-year-old son.
About the Passive Euthanasia
- It refers to the intentional act of allowing a patient to die by withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.
- Unlike active euthanasia (where a specific action is taken to end a patient’s life), passive euthanasia involves refraining from interventions that would prolong life artificially.
- Common scenarios include discontinuing mechanical ventilation, stopping artificial nutrition and hydration, or withholding aggressive medical treatments.
Legal Developments in India
- The Supreme Court of India (in 2018) recognised passive euthanasia and upheld the right of individuals, including the terminally ill, to create advance directives (commonly known as “living wills”).
- Advance directives allow individuals to express their wishes regarding medical treatment in case they become incapacitated and unable to communicate.
- These directives can include instructions to withhold life support under specific conditions.
- The court emphasised stringent safeguards to prevent misuse and ensure that decisions align with the patient’s genuine intent.
Purandar Figs
Context
- The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the export of India’s first ready-to-drink fig juice, made from GI-tagged Purandar Figs, to Poland.
Purandar Figs
- It is grown in the Purandar taluka of Maharashtra’s Pune district and is known to be one of India’s finest figs.
- It has high pulp content and a rich source of vitamins & minerals. Also, it has an excellent sweet taste and an attractive violet colour.
- These specialties are attributed to the climatic factors, red-black soil & salt-free well irrigation technique followed in the Region.
- In 2016, it was given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
| Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) – It was set up in 1986 through an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. – Headquarters: New Delhi – APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the products like Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, Poultry and their Products,etc. |
Source: PIB
National Geoscience Awards
GS: Miscellaneous
In News
- The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, conferred the prestigious National Geoscience Awards (NGA) for the year 2023.
About the National Geoscience Award (NGA)
- It is one of the oldest and most prestigious national awards in the field of geosciences, instituted by the Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India in the year 1966.
- Before the year 2009, these awards were called National Mineral Awards.
- The objective of these Awards is to honour individuals and teams for extraordinary achievements and outstanding contributions in various fields of geosciences i.e. mineral discovery & exploration, Mining Technology & Mineral Beneficiation, fundamental/ applied geosciences.
- Any citizen of India with significant contribution in any field of geosciences is eligible for the award.
- The Ministry of Mines confers National Geoscience Awards every year in three categories:
- National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement
- National Geoscience Award
- National Young Geoscientist Award
Source :PIB