1. KAKORI TRAIN ROBBERY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)
Context: A century ago, the Kakori train robbery rattled the British Empire, marking a pivotal moment in India's fight for independence.
Kakori Train Robbery
- About: The Kakori Train Robbery, also known as the Kakori Conspiracy, took place on August 9, 1925, in the village of Kakori near Lucknow.
oThe robbery was part of the Indian Independence Movement, which aimed to challenge the British Raj's control over India.
- Key Planners: The robbery was planned by Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan, both members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), which later evolved into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
- Objective: To obtain funds for purchasing weapons to further the revolutionary activities of the HRA against the British Empire.
- Execution: The robbery was executed by a group of 10 revolutionaries, including prominent figures like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Keshav Chakraborty, Mukundi Lal, and Banwari Lal.
- Consequences: As a result of their involvement in the Kakori Conspiracy, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Roshan Singh were hanged on December 19, 1927.
Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HRA)
- About: It was a prominent revolutionary organization in India.
- Former Names: It was previously known as the Hindustan Republican Army and the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).
- Founding Members: The HRA was founded by figures like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, with later members including Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh.
- HRA’s Revolutionary Manifesto: On January 1, 1925, the HRA released its manifesto titled Krantikari (Revolutionary), advocating for an armed revolution to establish a federal Republic of United States of India.
- HRA’s Vision for a Socialist Republic: The envisioned republic was based on universal suffrage, socialist principles, and the abolition of all systems enabling exploitation.
2. EXERCISE UDARA SHAKTI (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – IR)
Context: Recently, the Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force participated in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024.
Exercise Udara Shakti
- About: The joint air exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) at Kuantan, Malaysia.
- IAF participated with: Su-30MKI fighter jets.
- RMAF participated with: Su-30MKM fighters.
- Background: The first bilateral Air Force exercise featuring frontline Sukhoi-30 combat aircraft was conducted in 2018.
- Previous Training Deployment: From 2008 to 2010, the Indian Air Force Training Team was deployed in Malaysia to train Malaysian pilots on the Su-30MKM aircraft.
- Significance of the Exercise
o The exercises strengthen long-standing friendships and enhance defense cooperation between the two air forces.
o IAF will have the opportunity to share and learn best practices with the Royal Malaysian Air Force and discuss mutual combat capabilities.
Su-30MKI fighter
- About: It is a multirole combat fighter aircraft jointly developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Based on: Su-30 fighter aircraft, Su-30MKI is equipped with thrust vectoring control and canards.
- Sukhoi built two prototypes of the Su-30MKI between 1995 and 1998.
3. FRUIT ROT DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)
Context: The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in Kasaragod has issued an advisory to farmers on controlling ‘kole roga’ (fruit rot disease) affecting arecanut plantations.
Fruit Rot Disease
- About: It is a plant disease that can lead to substantial losses for farmers by decreasing crop quality.
- Also Known as: ‘Kole roga’ and ‘mahali’ in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka.
- Causes: The disease is caused by various fungi, bacteria, and viruses, making prevention and treatment challenging.
- Favorable Conditions: Heavy rainfall, low temperatures (20 to 23 °C), high humidity (>90%), and fluctuating rain and sunshine favor fruit rot.
- Symptoms: Brown or Black Spots, Softening of the Fruit, Shrivelling, and Mould Growth.
- Disease Spread: Spread through heavy wind, rain splashes, and flies.
- Common Fungal Causes
o Botrytis cinerea: The most common fungus responsible for fruit rot.
o Affected Fruits: This fungus impacts a variety of fruits including grapes, strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers.
o Entry and Spread: Enters through wounds or lesions and spreads rapidly in humid conditions.
o Toxin Production: Some fungi produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.
4. CLEAN PLANT PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)
Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, has approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) with an outlay of Rs 1,766 crore. This initiative aims to revolutionize India's horticulture sector.
Clean Plant Programme (CPP)
- About: It is integrated into the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
- Proposed by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Earlier announced: Budget 2023
- Aim: To enhance the quality and productivity of fruit crops across the nation.
- Components of the Clean Plant Programme
o Clean Plant Centres (CPCs): Establishment of nine advanced CPCs across India to provide virus-free planting materials and conduct advanced diagnostics.
o Certification and Legal Framework: Implementation of a comprehensive certification system under the Seeds Act 1966 to ensure quality, accountability, and traceability.
o Enhanced Infrastructure: Development of infrastructure support for large-scale nurseries to efficiently multiply clean planting material.
- Benefits of the Programme
o The programme aims to improve the quality and productivity of fruit crops in India, leading to better crop yields.
o Farmers will have access to high-quality, virus-free planting materials, which is expected to boost yields and incomes.
o The initiative will help strengthen India’s position as a global exporter, expanding market opportunities and increasing international trade share.
5. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)
Context: Opposition parties are considering submitting a notice to move an impeachment resolution to remove Vice President of India over his ‘conduct’ as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
No-Confidence Motion Against the Vice President of India
- About: It is a parliamentary motion which is moved in the Lok Sabha against the entire council of ministers, stating that they are no longer deemed fit to hold positions of responsibility due to their inadequacy in some respect or their failure to carry out their obligations.
- Provision: Article 67(b) of the Indian Constitution.
- Initiate: The motion can only be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, not the Lok Sabha.
- Notice Requirement: A minimum of 14 days’ advance notice must be given before moving the resolution.
- Voting in Rajya Sabha: Requires an effective majority, which is a majority of all members present and voting.
- Voting in Lok Sabha: Requires a simple majority, meaning more than 50% of members present and voting.
- Grounds for Removal: The Constitution does not specify any grounds or justifications for the removal of the Vice President.
- Temporary Vacancy: If the Vice President is removed, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha assumes the role of Chairman.
- Historical Context: No Vice President has ever been removed under this Article in Indian parliamentary history.
- Previous Incident: In 2020, however, 12 Opposition parties moved a no-confidence resolution against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh after a showdown in the House.
o But then Chairman Venkaiah Naidu rejected the notice, saying it needed a 14-day notice and that the resolution was not in the proper format.
6. CEROPEGIA SHIVRAYIANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)
Context: A new flowering plant species from the 'ceropegia' genus, named Ceropegia Shivrayiana, has been recently discovered within the Vishalgad premises in Maharashtra. This discovery adds to the region's rich botanical diversity.
Ceropegia Shivrayiana
- About: It is a flowering plant species named in a nod to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- Discovery: The plant was discovered in one of his renowned forts, Vishalgad.
- Unique Floral Structure: It consists of unique, tubular flowers, which are specially adapted to attract moths for pollination.
- Habitat: This plant thrives in rocky terrains and is capable of growing in less nutrient-or poor soils.
- Family: It belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family, which includes many medicinal plants, with significant ecological importance.
- Conservation Status: Its conservation is essential due to the ongoing threat of habitat loss.
Vishalgad Fort
- Location: It is situated in Vishalgad village, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, also known locally as Khelna or Khilna.
- Historical Significance: It was established in 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh, originally named Khilgil. Over the centuries, it saw control by various dynasties including the Seuna Yadavas, Khiljis, Vijayanagar Empire, and finally the Marathas.
- Under Maratha Rule: Shivaji captured Vishalgad in 1659 from the Adilshahi rulers, renaming it to Vishalgad, meaning grand fort.
o It became a strategic stronghold during the Maratha Empire, serving as the capital of a substantial region.
7. NANKAI TROUGH (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 - Geography)
Context: Following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in southern Japan, the country’s meteorological agency issued its first-ever "megaquake advisory," warning of increased likelihood of strong shaking and large tsunamis on the Nankai Trough.
Nankai Trough
- About: It is an underwater subduction zone, approximately 900 km long, where the Eurasian Plate collides with the Philippine Sea Plate.
- Tectonic Stress: The collision causes the Philippine Sea Plate to be pushed under the Eurasian Plate and into the Earth’s mantle, leading to the accumulation of tectonic stress.
- Megaquakes: This tectonic stress can result in a megaquake, which is an earthquake with a magnitude larger than 8.
- Historical Frequency: The Nankai Trough has historically produced large earthquakes approximately every 100 to 150 years.
- Twin Earthquakes: Earthquakes in this region often occur in pairs, with the second earthquake usually happening within two years of the first. The last pair occurred in 1944 and 1946.
- Risk Assessment: Japan’s Earthquake Research Committee stated in January 2022 that there is a 70% probability of a magnitude 8-9 megaquake occurring along the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years.
8. GOTIPUA DANCE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)
Context: Gotipua child artistes, who experience the world as their stage and applause as a constant companion, face an uncertain future when they hit puberty, leaving them without skills required for a job.
Gotipua Dance
- About: It is performed in Orissa by young boys dressed as females to honor Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna.
- Meaning: Gotipua, which translates to ‘one boy,’ has children trained in singing, dancing, yoga, and acrobatics within gurukuls or akhadas .
- Dance Form: The dance features acrobatic figures inspired by Radha and Krishna, with boys starting to learn at a young age and continuing until adolescence.
- Costume and Make-Up:
o Boys do not cut their hair but style it in elaborate knots with flower garlands.
o They wear traditional attire, which has evolved over time but still includes elements like the "Kanchula" blouse and "nibibandha" frill.
- Ancient Tradition: Female dancers called “Devadasi” or “Mahari” served Lord Jagannath in ancient Orissa, as depicted in temple sculptures.
- Evolution of Gotipua: It emerged in the 16th century, replacing the Mahari tradition, during the reign of King Rama Chandra Dev.
- Connection to Odissi: Gotipua is a precursor to Odissi dance, influencing its current form. Many prominent Odissi Gurus were Gotipua dancers.
- Odissi Style: Odissi dance incorporates tandava (vigorous) and lasya (graceful) elements, with key postures like "Tribhangi" and "Chouka."
o The dance’s fluid upper torso movement is compared to the gentle waves of Orissa's beaches.
9. HOVERFLIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)
Context: Three Kashmiri scientists have discovered a new species of hoverfly that mimics the wasp in the high-altitude alpine forests.
Hoverflies
- About: It also known as 'flower flies' or 'syrphid flies', belong to a family with about 6,000 species in the Diptera order.
- Behavioral Traits: They are commonly named for their behavior of hovering around flowers.
- Geographical Distribution: Hoverflies are found worldwide, thriving in both temperate and tropical environments.
- Appearance: With their yellow markings, hoverflies resemble wasps or bees but lack the ability to bite or sting.
- Wing Structure: They are easily distinguished from wasps and bees by their single pair of wings.
- Identification Features: Hoverflies are recognized from other flies by a false (spurious) vein that parallels the fourth longitudinal wing vein.
- Physical Variation: They come in various sizes and shapes, from small and slender to large, hairy, and yellow and black.
Beneficial Insect
- Pollination Role: Adult hoverflies feed on nectar and pollen, serving as important pollinators across diverse habitats.
- Pest Control: The larvae of many species consume aphids, mites, and small insects, helping control pest populations.
- Nutrient Recycling: Some hoverfly species contribute to nutrient recycling in their ecosystems.
10. TIMOR LESTE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)
Context: The President of India praised the small yet active Indian community in Timor-Leste for strengthening bilateral ties and announced plans to open an Indian embassy there, with Timor-Leste also set to establish a resident mission in New Delhi.
Timor-Leste
- About: East Timor is an island country located in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands at the southern extreme of the Malay Archipelago.
- Also known as: Timor Leste
- Territorial Composition: The country occupies the eastern half of the island of Timor, along with the small nearby islands of Atauro (Kambing) and Jaco, and the enclave of Ambeno, including the town of Pante Makasar.
- Capital: Dili
- Bordered by: Timor Sea to the southeast, the Wetar Strait to the north, the Ombai Strait to the northwest, and western Timor (part of Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province) to the southwest.
- Topography: The eastern part of Timor island is rugged, featuring mountains that rise to 9,721 feet (2,963 metres) at Mount Tatamailau, located in the center of a high plateau.
- Climate: Dry tropical climate with moderate rainfall.
- Vegetation: The hilly areas are covered with sandalwood, while scrub and grass, along with coconut palms and eucalyptus trees, grow in the lowlands.
theIASHub | 12 Aug, 2024 | 5
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