Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

1.Expunction Powers in Parliament

Context: Leader of Opposition challenged Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to expunge remarks during Motion of Thanks debate.

Expunction: Removal of words/phrases from Parliament’s official record to maintain decorum and respectful discussions.

Who Can Order Expunction?

• Rajya Sabha Chairman (Rule 261)
• Lok Sabha Speaker (Rules 380 & 381)

Process:

• Parliament records everything spoken during sessions.
• MPs have freedom of speech (Article 105) with limitations.
• Presiding Officer can expunge remarks violating etiquette.
• Lok Sabha Secretariat maintains a list of “unparliamentary” words.

 

2.Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)

• Launched in July 2024 by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to improve rural telecom connectivity (Source: DoT press release)
• Replaces Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) established in 2003 (Source: Telecommunications Act, 2023)
• Reason for change: Underutilization of USOF funds. Only 72% of Rs 41,740 crore collected between 2017-2022 was used (Source: Government reports)
• Funding: 5% Universal Service Levy on telecom operators’ Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) deposited first to Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and then allocated to DBN (Source: Telecommunications Act, 2023)
• Goal: Fund expansion of telecom networks in remote and rural areas.

 

3.Project PARI (Public Art of India)

• Launched by the Ministry of Culture for the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting (Date not mentioned)
• Goal: Showcase public art inspired by India’s artistic heritage with modern elements
• Collaboration: Artists from across India creating wall paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations
• Artistic Inspiration: Diverse traditional art forms like
  • Phad, Thangka, Gond, Tanjore paintings
  • Kalamkari, Alpona, Cheriyal, Pichhwai
  • Lanjia Saura, Pattachitra, Bani Thani, Warli
  • Pithora, Aipan, Kerala Murals (and more)

 

4.Gallantry Awards

Awarded on: July 5, 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu

Purpose: Recognize exceptional courage and devotion to duty in defense personnel.

Frequency: Twice a year – Republic Day & Independence Day

Categories:

• Wartime:
  • Param Vir Chakra (PVC): Highest military decoration for wartime valor (against enemy). Awarded posthumously in most cases. Bronze medal with purple ribbon.
  • Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): Second-highest military award for wartime valor (exceptional courage in combat).
  • Vir Chakra (VrC): Awarded for wartime bravery in the face of the enemy (for both officers and other ranks).
• Peacetime:
  • Ashoka Chakra: Highest peacetime gallantry award (valor, self-sacrifice outside battlefield).
  • Shaurya Chakra: Awarded for acts of bravery not in direct combat (exceptional courage and selflessness).
  • Kirti Chakra: Peacetime gallantry award for bravery and courage in non-combat situations.

Order of Precedence (Highest to Lowest):

1. Param Vir Chakra
2. Ashoka Chakra
3. Maha Vir Chakra
4. Kirti Chakra
5. Vir Chakra
6. Shaurya Chakra

 

5.Zorawar Light Tank

• Project By: India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) (2022-2024)
• Current Stage: Prototype stage with ongoing testing and development.
• Designed For: High-altitude warfare in mountainous terrains like Ladakh and the Himalayas.
• Weight: 25 tons (compared to 44 tons of the T-90 MBT)
• Engine (Current): Cummins Diesel; 750 hp (New domestic engine under development by DRDO)
• Crew: 3
• Main Armament: Expected to be equipped with a 105mm or higher caliber main gun
• Protection: Modular explosive reactive armor (ERA) and an active protection system (APS)
• Special Features:
  • Integration with drone technology for enhanced situational awareness
  • Advanced communication systems
  • Possibility of incorporating artificial intelligence for improved target acquisition and fire control

 

6.Pangong Tso Lake

Context: Satellite images reveal China’s military build-up near Pangong Lake, India’s western border.

• Location: Ladakh-China border, over 14,000 feet altitude
• Sharing: Split roughly one-third India, two-thirds China
• Line of Actual Control (LAC) passes through the lake
• Characteristics:
  • World’s highest brackish water lake (4,350 meters)
  • Freezes completely in winter
  • Changes color (blue, green, red) based on sunlight and weather
  • Karakoram mountain range (over 6,000 meters) borders the north shore
• Wildlife:
  • Scrub and perennial herbs in marshes
  • Breeding ground for migratory birds (Bar-headed Geese, Brahmini ducks)
  • Freshwater snails (Radix species)
• Other:
  • Potential Ramsar Convention wetland of international importance (first trans-boundary in South Asia)

 

7.Japan’s New Banknotes: Secured with 3D Holograms

Context: Japan issued its first new banknotes in 20 years, featuring 3D hologram technology for anti-counterfeiting.

3D Hologram Technology

• Creates a 3D image using lasers and interference of light beams.
• History:
  • 1947: Concept by Dennis Gabor (Nobel Prize in Physics 1971).
  • 1960s: Lasers enabled practical holography.
  • 1990s: Advancements in computers led to digital holography.
• Principles:
  • Relies on interference pattern created by two light beams (object and reference beam).
  • Recording the pattern on a special material allows reconstruction of the 3D image using the reference beam.
• Types:
  • Transmission holograms (light shines through) – used in art and security features.
  • Reflection holograms (light reflects off) – used in holographic displays and credit cards.
  • Hybrid holograms – combine elements of both.

Applications of 3D Hologram Technology

 

Field	Application	Description
Medical Field	Medical Imaging	Detailed visualization of organs for diagnosis and surgery
	Telemedicine	Remote consultation using holographic displays
Education & Training	Virtual Classrooms	Interactive learning experiences
	Technical Training	Realistic simulations for skill development
Entertainment & Media	Concerts & Performances	Holographic projections of artists
	Movies & Gaming	Immersive visual experiences
Communication	Holographic Telepresence	Real-time 3D communication for enhanced virtual meetings
Security & Authentication	Holographic Seals	Anti-counterfeiting measures in currencies and documents

 

 

 

 

Advantages of 3D Hologram Technology

• Realism: Highly realistic visual experience.
• Interactivity: Potential for interactive features.
• Remote Accessibility: Facilitates remote interactions.
• Data Visualization: Effective for complex data representation.

Challenges of 3D Hologram Technology

• High Costs: Expensive equipment and technology.
• Technical Complexity: Requires advanced skills for creation and maintenance.
• Bandwidth Requirements: High data transmission rates for real-time applications.
• Environmental Sensitivity: Susceptible to factors like lighting and vibrations.

Comparison with Other Technologies

Feature	3D Hologram	AR	VR	MR
Definition	Freestanding 3D images	Digital overlays on real world	Fully virtual environment	Combines AR & VR
Key Components	Lasers, holographic plates, light interference	Cameras, sensors, AR devices/software	VR headsets, sensors, software	MR headsets, sensors, cameras, software
Visualization	Freestanding 3D images viewable from different angles	Digital overlays viewed through a device	Complete immersion viewed through a headset	Combines digital & physical worlds viewed through a device
User Interaction	Passive viewing, limited interaction	Interactive with digital content	Fully interactive with virtual objects	Interactive with both real and virtual objects
Applications	Advertising, entertainment, education, medical imaging	Gaming, navigation, maintenance, retail	Gaming, training, virtual tours	Design, prototyping, complex simulations
Hardware Requirements	Holographic displays, specialized projection systems	AR devices like smartphones, tablets	VR headsets, powerful computing hardware	Advanced headsets with high computational capabilities
Development Complexity	High (precise holographic imaging)	Moderate (integration with physical world data)	High (realistic and immersive environments)	Very high (seamless blending of real and virtual worlds)
Market Availability	Limited, emerging technology	Widespread (consumer and industrial applications)	Growing (gaming and professional fields)	Emerging (specialized applications)
Cost	High (advanced technology and equipment)	Moderate to high (varies on device and application)	High (VR headsets and supporting hardware)	Very high (advanced hardware and software)
User Experience	Visually impressive but limited interaction	Enhances real-world experiences	Fully immersive (may isolate user from real world)	Blends real and virtual experiences