Daily Current Affairs
To the Point Notes
1: Renaming Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram
Context:
- Indian government decides to rename Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.
About Port Blair:
- Capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Originally named after Archibald Blair, a British naval surveyor.
- Historical linkages to East India Company and penal colony.
- Established as a penal colony after the Revolt of 1857.
- Cellular jail built in 1906 housed freedom fighters like Veer Damodar Savarkar.
Chola Expeditions:
- Cholas were a prominent Tamil dynasty from the 9th to 13th centuries.
- Rajendra Chola maintained Nicobar Islands as a naval base to launch attacks on Srivijaya kingdom.
- Naval expedition was a unique event in Indian history.
- Islands used as a strategic naval base by the Chola Dynasty in 1014 AD and 1042 AD.
Importance:
- Islands are crucial for India’s strategic and developmental goals.
- Historical significance due to Chola naval base and events like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s first Tiranga unfurling and imprisonment of freedom fighters in the cellular jail.
2: Jute Production Drop
Context:
- National Jute Board (NJB) forecasts 20% lower jute production due to floods.
About Jute Sector in India:
- Jute crop conditions: Ideal temperature 25-35°C, rainfall 150-250 cm, well-drained alluvial soil.
- Global Production: India is largest producer, followed by Bangladesh and China. Bangladesh leads in acreage and trade.
- Geographical Concentration: Primarily in eastern India, especially Ganga-Brahmaputra delta. Major producing states: West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura.
- Production and Employment: India produces 70% of world’s jute, 90% consumed domestically. Sector employs over 3 lakh workers.
- Uses: Known as “golden fiber,” jute is used for gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets, and other artefacts.
3: Helium: A Crucial Element in Spacecraft and Rocket Operations
Context:
- Frequent helium leaks in space-related systems highlight the need for improved valve designs and tightening mechanisms.
Why Helium is Crucial:
- Properties:
- Inert: Does not react with other substances or combust.
- Lightweight: Second lightest element after hydrogen.
- Low Boiling Point: Remains gaseous in extremely cold conditions.
- Uses in Spacecraft:
- Pressurization of Fuel Tanks: Ensures smooth fuel flow to engines.
- Cooling Systems: Effective in cooling rocket components.
Challenges of Using Helium:
- Prone to Leaks: Small atomic size and low molecular weight make it prone to leaks.
- Detection: Helium’s rarity in Earth’s atmosphere makes leaks easier to detect, helping identify system faults.
Key Points:
- Helium’s inertness, lightweight nature, and low boiling point make it essential for spacecraft and rocket operations.
- Challenges related to helium leaks require improved valve designs and tightening mechanisms.
4: INDUS-X Initiative
Context:
- Third edition of INDUS-X Summit concluded in the USA.
About INDUS-X:
- Launched in June 2023 by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD).
- Aims to expand strategic technology partnership and enhance defense industrial cooperation between India and the USA.
- Fosters collaboration among governments, businesses, and academic institutions.
- Connects defense startups from India and the USA.
- Part of iCET (U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology).
Steering Agencies:
- iDEX (India): Innovation for Defence Excellence, representing India’s Ministry of Defence.
- DIU (USA): Defense Innovation Unit, under the U.S. Department of Defense.
5: Indigenous Light Tank ‘Zorawar’
Context:
- India successfully conducted field firing trials of indigenous light tank ‘Zorawar’.
About Zorawar:
- Developed by Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) (DRDO) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro.
- Named after 19th century Dogra General Zorawar Singh.
- Capable of navigating steep mountains and crossing water bodies more easily than T-72 and T-90 tanks.
6: Tardigrades: The Indestructible Animals
Context:
- Recent research on amber-encased fossils provides insights into when tardigrades developed their ability to enter the tun state.
About Tardigrades:
- Tiny eight-legged animals found in almost every habitat on Earth.
- Can enter a state of extreme inactivity called cryptobiosis or tun state.
- Survive harsh environments like extreme dehydration, high and low temperatures, radiation, and the vacuum of space.
- Likely survived major events like the “Great Dying” (around 250 million years ago).
Key Points:
- Tardigrades are incredibly resilient organisms.
- Their ability to enter the tun state has allowed them to survive extreme conditions and mass extinction events.
- Research on tardigrades can provide insights into developing strategies for preserving biological materials.
7: World Ozone Day
Context:
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held an event in New Delhi to celebrate the 30th World Ozone Day.
About World Ozone Day:
- Celebrated on September 16th each year.
- Commemorates signing of Montreal Protocol (1987) for phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
Theme 2024:
- “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions”
India’s Participation:
- Party to Montreal Protocol since June 1992.
- Successfully implemented phase-out projects and activities for ozone-depleting substances.
- Phased out Chlorofluorocarbons, Carbon tetrachloride, Halons, Methyl Bromide, and Methyl Chloroform by January 1, 2010.
- Currently phasing out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
Do You Know?
- Ozone (O₃) differs from breathable oxygen (O₂).
- Most ozone is found in the stratosphere, absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation.
- Excess ozone at Earth’s surface is “bad” ozone and can be harmful.
- Naturally occurring ozone near the surface helps remove pollutants from the atmosphere.
Key Points:
- World Ozone Day commemorates the Montreal Protocol’s efforts to protect the ozone layer.
- India has successfully implemented phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.
- Ozone plays a crucial role in protecting Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
8: Bio-decomposer: A Solution to Stubble Burning
Context:
- Delhi government plans to spray bio-decomposer on 5,000 acres of farmland to address stubble burning.
About Bio-decomposer:
- Microbial liquid spray that breaks down paddy stubble into soil-absorbable material.
- Developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
- Free of cost since 2020 in outer Delhi.
Benefits:
- Easy to use.
- Turns crop residue into organic manure in 15-20 days.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Maintains soil health.
- Replenishes organic content in soil.
- Easily sprayed.
- Effective and proven results.
- Reduces pollution by solving stubble burning problem.
Key Points:
- Bio-decomposer offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to stubble burning.
- It can help improve soil health and reduce air pollution.
- The Delhi government’s initiative is a significant step towards addressing the issue of stubble burning in the region.
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