1.Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906)

About:

• Raja Ravi Varma was a prominent Indian painter known for successfully blending Western painting techniques with Indian themes.
• He was one of the earliest modern Indian artists to adopt academic realism in his depictions of Indian mythology, giving his work a distinct and influential character.

Background and History:

• Born in Kilimanoor, Travancore (present-day Kerala) into aristocracy.
• Patronized by Ayilyam Thirunal, the ruler of Travancore, at age 14.
• Learned oil painting techniques from British artist Theodore Jensen.

His Work:

• Known as the “Father of Modern Indian Art.”
• Famous for his paintings of mythological scenes, particularly from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
• Helped popularize images of Hindu gods and goddesses, making them accessible to people, including Dalits, who were restricted from entering temples.
• Innovatively used oil paints, blending European techniques with Indian cultural elements.
• Created around 7,000 paintings, including famous works like Damayanti Talking to a Swan, Shakuntala Looking for Dushyanta, Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair, and Shantanu and Matsyagandha.

Awards and Honours:

• Won the Governor’s Gold Medal in 1873 for his painting Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair.
• First prize at the Vienna Art Exhibition in 1873.
• Awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal by the British colonial government in 1904.
• A crater on Mercury was named after him in 2013.
• His art has influenced fashion, with the world’s most expensive saree, Vivah Patu, paying tribute to his work.

 

2.Little Prespa Lake

In News: Little Prespa Lake is undergoing severe ecological degradation, with nearly 430 out of its original 450 hectares turning into swamps or drying up.

About the Lake:

• Also known as Small Lake Prespa.
• Located mostly in Greek territory, with its southern tip extending into Albania.
• The region is home to over 2,000 species of fish, birds, mammals, and plants, many of which are unique to the area.

Threats and Ecological Decline:

• Around 430 hectares of the lake have turned into swamps or dried up due to water mismanagement.
• The ecological decline began in the 1970s when the Devoll River was diverted for irrigation around the city of Korca, Albania, significantly altering the lake’s environment.

Impact:
The diversion and subsequent environmental changes have had a significant impact on the local communities and the lake’s biodiversity.

 

 

3.Agriculture Sector Reforms

Key Points:

• Merger of Schemes: Union Cabinet approved merging all central agriculture schemes into two new ones – PM-RKVY and KY.
• PM-RKVY (Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana): Promotes sustainable agriculture practices.
• KY (Krishonnati Yojana): Focuses on food security and self-sufficiency in agriculture.
• Benefits of Rationalization:
  • Avoids duplication of efforts.
  • Ensures convergence across different initiatives.
  • Provides flexibility for states to tailor plans.
  • Addresses emerging challenges like nutrition, sustainability, climate resilience, value chain development, and private sector participation.
  • Simplifies approval process for state action plans.

 

4.Italy-Switzerland Border Redrawing

Key Points:

• Reason: Melting glaciers in the Alps are shifting the historical border between Italy and Switzerland.
• Agreement: Both countries agreed to adjust the border along landmarks like Plateau Rosa, Carrel refuge, and Gobba di Rollin.
• Affected Region: The Zermatt region of Switzerland and the Aosta Valley of Italy.
  • Home to several ski resorts crucial to both economies.

Alps Mountains (Additional Information)

• Location: Span eight European countries – France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.
• Formation: Result of collision between African and Eurasian tectonic plates millions of years ago.
• Highest Peak: Mont Blanc
• Major Rivers: Source of Rhine, Rhone, and Po rivers.

 

 

5.Geographical Indications (GIs) for Assam Products

Key Points:

• Products Granted GI: 8 products from Assam, including rice beer varieties and traditional food items.
• Rice Beer Varieties: Bodo Jou Gwran, Maibra Jou Bidwi, Bodo Jou Gishi.
• Traditional Food Products: Bodo Napham, Bodo Ondla, Bodo Gwkha, Bodo Narzi, Bodo Aronai.
• GI Tag: Protects products linked to specific geographical locations, indicating traditional methods, quality, or reputation.
• Benefits of GI Tag: Legal rights, prevents misuse, ensures quality, enhances demand, benefits producers.
• Regulatory Framework: Governed by WTO’s TRIPS Agreement and Paris Convention. In India, administered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• First GI Tag in India: Awarded to Darjeeling tea in 2004-05.

 

 

6.Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

Key Points:

• Establishment: Established after a MoU between Government of India and RBI.
• Focus: Keeping inflation within a specified target range.
• Statutory Framework: Provided by the Finance Act, 2016, amending the RBI Act, 1934.
• Composition:
  • RBI Governor (Chairperson)
  • RBI Deputy Governor (monetary policy)
  • One RBI Board nominee
  • Three external members (Government of India)
• Tenure: External members serve for four years.
• Function: Sets the benchmark policy rate (repo rate) to control inflation.
• Decisions: Binding on the RBI.
• Replacement: Replaced the Technical Advisory Committee.

 

 

7.EnviStats India 2024

Key Points:

• Publication: 7th consecutive issue by MoSPI.
• Focus: Country’s natural resources, environmental degradation, government efforts.
• SEEA Framework: Prepared in accordance with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting.
• Key Highlights:
  • 8% increase in mangrove coverage (2013-2021).
  • 72% increase in number and 16% increase in area of total protected areas (2000-2023).
  • Introduction of Ocean Accounts.
  • Updated Soil Nutrient Index values.

 

8.Mapping the Fruit Fly’s Brain

Key Points:

• Decade-Long Effort: Scientists successfully mapped the brain of a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster).
• Connectome: Created a detailed map of the 140,000 neurons in the fruit fly brain.
• Virtual Fly Brain: Developed a virtual model based on the connectome.
• Significance:
  • Understanding how sensory information travels through the brain.
  • Insights into healthy brain function.
  • Potential for mapping other species’ brains.

 

9.Akashteer Systems

In News: The Indian Army has enhanced its air defense by acquiring 100 Akashteer Air Defence Control and Reporting Systems (ADCRS) in response to rising global security threats.

About:

• Developed by: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Function: Akashteer is designed to protect India from aerial threats such as missiles and rockets.
• Technology: Integrates radars, sensors, and communication technologies to provide a real-time battlefield view, enabling quick detection, tracking, and neutralization of threats.

 

10.Iron Dome Anti-Missile System

Context: Israel’s Iron Dome successfully intercepted rockets after Iran launched ballistic missiles, showcasing its defense capabilities.

About:

• Developed by: Israel Aerospace Industries.
• Deployed since: 2011.
• Function: A short-range ground-to-air defense system designed to counter rockets, artillery, and mortars (C-RAM), as well as aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs.
• Range: 70 kilometers.
• Key Features: Uses radar and interceptor missiles to track and neutralize incoming threats aimed at Israeli targets.

Air Defense Systems Around the World:

• United States:
  • Patriot: Long-range system for intercepting tactical ballistic missiles and aircraft.
  • THAAD: Intercepts short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the terminal phase.
• Russia:
  • S-400: Engages a range of aerial threats, including ballistic missiles.
  • S-500: Targets hypersonic missiles and advanced aircraft.
• India:
  • S-400: Recently acquired, providing long-range air defense.
• France:
  • SAMP/T: A medium-range air defense system.
• South Korea:
  • KAMD: Incorporates systems like THAAD and PAC-3 for layered defense.

 

11.Chagos Islands Dispute

Context: The UK has agreed to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, resolving a long-standing colonial dispute.

About the Chagos Archipelago:

• Location: A group of 58 islands situated about 500 km south of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
• Colonial History:
  • Initially uninhabited, the French brought in slaves from Africa and India in the late 18th century for coconut plantations.
  • In 1814, France ceded the islands to Britain.
• British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):
  • Created by the UK in 1965, with Chagos as the central part.
  • Some BIOT islands were ceded to the Seychelles in 1976 after it gained independence.
• Attachment to Mauritius:
  • Chagos was administratively attached to Mauritius, another British colony, but was retained by Britain when Mauritius gained independence in 1968.

This handover marks the end of Britain’s last colonial possession in Africa.