Facts In News 25-11-2024

Raja Raja Chola I 

Syllabus: GS1/ History and Personalities in news

Context

• The birth anniversary of the legendary Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I is celebrated with unparalleled fervour and devotion every year during the Sadhaya Vizha in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

About: Raja Raja Chola I

• Birth: Born as Arulmozhi Varman in 947 CE, he rose to become one of history’s most illustrious and visionary rulers.
  • Rajaraja is regarded as Ulakalanda Perumel (the great one who measured the earth like Trivikrama) and as Shiva who established control over the land of Bhargava Rama.
• Reign: Raja Raja’s reign, from 985 to 1014 CE, encompassed the whole of southern India, part of Ceylon and the Maldive and Laccadive archipelagos.
  • The Cholas undertook military expeditions to Sri Lanka (during the time of Rajaraja I) and SriVijaya (during the time of Rajendra I).
• Titles: He decorated himself with high-sounding titles of Jayangonda, Pandya-kulasani, Singalantaka, Colamartanda, and Telingakulakala.
• Stone records:  He started prefacing stone records (official prasasti) with a set description of the major events of his reign.
• Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple) also called Rajarajesvaram was built during his reign, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Great Living Chola Temples.

Do you know? – The Sadhaya Vizha is a festival typically observed in the Tamil month of Aippasi (mid-October to mid-November) to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great Chola King Raja Raja Cholan. – The Brihadeeswarar Temple hosts this celebration every year.

Source: TH

Kurram

Syllabus: Places in News

Context

• The Kurram district of Pakistan is witnessing a surge in sectarian violence between Shia vs Sunni sects.

About Kurram

• It is a district located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
• Kurram is adjacent to the Afghan provinces of Logar and Nangarhar.
• Its strategic location includes border crossings along the Durand Line, including the historic Peiwar Kotal Pass, a critical route to Kabul.

Durand Line 

• It is the international boundary line between Pakistan and Afghanistan. 
• The Durand Line was drawn up by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, to safeguard the interests of the British Empire from Tsarist Russia.

Source: IE

India-EU Energy Panel 10th Meeting in Brussels

Syllabus :GS 2/ir

In News

The 10th meeting of the India-EU Energy Panel was held in Brussels

About India-EU Energy Panel Meeting 

• It focused on energy transition priorities and reviewed the progress of the 2nd Phase of the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (2021-2024), which included 51 joint initiatives across nine sectors.
• Key outcomes included the development of a framework for cooperation on green hydrogen, with both India and the EU collaborating on green hydrogen policies. 
• India participated as an exclusive partner at the European Hydrogen Week 2024, while EU and member states joined the International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2024 in India. 
• Additionally, the two sides committed to long-term research collaborations in clean energy through the India-EU Trade and Technology Council’s Working Group on Clean and Green Technologies.

Source :Air 

Minke whales

Syllabus :GS 3/Species 

In News

Scientists have for the first time directly measured the hearing range of minke whales, revealing that they can detect high-frequency sounds up to 90 kilohertz (kHz), much higher than previously believed. 

About Minke whales

• This discovery suggests that baleen whales, the planet’s largest mammals, may be more affected by anthropogenic ocean noise than previously recognized, as their hearing sensitivity has been underestimated.

Minke whales

• Minke whales are the smallest baleen whales and members of the rorqual family.
• They are abundant and have a stable population worldwide, though commercial whaling has impacted some populations.
• Minke whales received their name from a Norwegian whaling spotter, Meincke, who mistakenly identified them as blue whales.
• Appearance: Small, sleek bodies: Up to 35 feet long and 20,000 pounds.
  • Black, dark grayish/brown with a pale chevron and white underside.
• Behavior and Diet: Minke whales are often seen alone or in small groups; larger groups can occur at feeding grounds.
  • They feed on plankton, small fish, and crustaceans.
  • Minke whales can live up to 50 years.
• Habitat and Distribution: Found in polar, temperate, and tropical waters worldwide.
  • Minke whales migrate seasonally, moving to colder regions in summer and warmer waters in winter.
• Threats: Historically exploited, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Currently still hunted by countries like Greenland, Japan, and Norway.
  • Fishing Gear Entanglement
  • Ocean Noise
  • Vessel Strikes
  • Climate Change
• IUCN Status  : 

Source: TH

International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• PM Modi inaugurated the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in New Delhi.

International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

• History: It was founded in London, England in 1895 during the 1st Cooperative Congress.
  • Delegates from countries like Argentina, India, the USA, and others convened to promote cooperative principles and encourage international trade.
• The ICA provides a platform for cooperatives to collaborate, exchange ideas, and foster global trade while safeguarding cooperative principles.
• Membership :  It unites over 1 billion cooperative members through 3 million cooperatives in various sectors, including agriculture, banking, health, and housing. With 306 member organizations across 105 countries, ICA serves as the leading voice for cooperatives, advocating for their interests and facilitating global collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Expansion : The ICA expanded into the Asia-Pacific region in 1960 with the establishment of a Regional Office & Education Centre for South-East Asia, aiming to connect developing countries to the global cooperative network.

Global Cooperative Conference 2024

• It is a historic event as India hosts the ICA General Assembly for the first time.
• The Conference will also mark the official launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives – 2025.
• Theme: “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All.”

What are Cooperatives? – Cooperatives are people-centered enterprises jointly owned and democratically controlled by and for their members to realize their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.  – They are run according to the ‘one member, one vote’ rule, allowing people to create sustainable enterprises that generate long-term jobs and prosperity.

Source: PIB

Lachit Borphukan

Syllabus: GS1/ History and Personalities in news

Context

• The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal paid obeisance to the great Ahom military commander Lachit Borphukan on his 402nd Birth anniversary.

About: Lachit Borphukan

• Born on 24 November 1622 in Charaideo, Assam, he excelled in the art of Guerrilla Warfare.
• He is known for his exemplary leadership in the Battle of Saraighat (1671), where the Ahoms defeated the Mughal forces led by Raja Ramsingh under Aurangzeb.
  • The battle was fought on the Brahmaputra river near Saraighat and was the last major attempt by the Mughals to extend their empire into Assam.
• He died on 25th April 1672 at the age of 49 in Jorhat, Assam.
• He was the inspiration behind strengthening India’s naval force and revitalizing inland water transport and creating infrastructure associated with it due to his great naval strategies.

Award and Honour

• Since 1999 the Lachit Barphukan Gold Medal has been given to the best cadet at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
• On November 24 each year, Lachit Divas (Lachit Day) is celebrated state-wide in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at the Battle of Saraighat.

The Ahom Kingdom – It was established by Chaolung Sukapha in the 13th century. – It endured for six centuries as the ruling power in Assam.  – The Ahoms governed the region until it was annexed to British India in 1826 through the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo.

Source: PIB

Proba-3 mission

Syllabus: GS3/Space

Context

• India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is set to launch world’s first parallel satellite to study the solar corona under the Proba-3 mission.

About

• Proba-3 is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) mission to study the Sun’s corona –  the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
• It will see two satellites in a formation parallel to each other for long durations creating an artificial eclipse in space.
• Significance:
  • The mission’s success could pave the way for future multi-satellite missions, enhancing understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth.
  • The mission exemplifies international cooperation, with contributions from ESA member states including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, alongside ISRO.
  • The data collected will enhance solar research and improve forecasting models for space weather events, crucial for protecting both civilian and military satellite operations.

Launch Vehicles

• Launchers or Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. 
• India has three active operational launch vehicles: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III (LVM3).
• PSLV: PSLV has been a versatile launch vehicle deployed for launching all the three types of payloads viz. Earth Observation, Geo-stationary and Navigation.
• GSLV with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has enabled the launching up to 2 tonne class of communication satellites.
• The LVM3 is the next generation launch vehicle capable of launching 4 tonne class of communication satellites and 10 tonne class of payloads to LEOs.
  • The vehicle was developed with completely indigenized technologies. 
  • The Human rated LVM3 is identified as the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan mission, which is named as HRLV.
• The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is being developed with complete indigenous technologies to meet the small satellite launch market on a demand driven basis.

Source: IE

House Committee to Examine Lateral Entry in Civil Services

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice has decided to examine “lateral entry in civil services”.

About

• Lateral entry is when executives from the private sector, public sector undertakings and academia are appointed to senior and middle management positions in the government.
• This mechanism allows skilled individuals to bypass the traditional Civil Services Examination (CSE) process.
• Aim: To enhance efficiency and bring innovation into the functioning of the government by leveraging the skills of professionals from various sectors.
• There have been technocrats being appointed at secretary level posts since independence.
  • Notable examples include former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia, agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan etc. 
• So far, over 60 appointments have been made through lateral entry, nearly half from the private sector. 

Source: IE