theIASHub | 15 Mar, 2025 | 5
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Attukal Pongala 2025: The world's largest women's festival, Attukal Pongala 2025, recently concluded in Trivandrum, Kerala. Women from across the state gathered in large numbers to offer Pongala to Attukal Amma.
o Dedicated to Attukal Bhagavathy, also known as Goddess Kannaki or Bhadrakali.
o Celebrated every year in February or March.
o The term Pongala means 'to boil over'. It is a ritual where women prepare sweet payasam (a pudding made from rice, jaggery, coconut, and plantains) and offer it to the Goddess or 'Bhagavathy' on the 9th day.
o Recognized as one of the largest congregations of women for a festival in the world.
o During the 10-day festivities, a sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam is also included in the religious event.
Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ): Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) Authority to appoint the Forest Research Institute (FRI) to conduct a tree census in the zone.
o Named "Trapezium" due to its trapezoidal shape around the Taj Mahal.
o Contains several monuments, including three World Heritage Sites: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri
o Covers parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, including: Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, and Etah districts of Uttar Pradesh, Bharatpur district of Rajasthan
o Divided into four zones based on industry categories: Red, Green, Orange, and White.
o Only environment-friendly, non-polluting small, tiny, and micro-scale industries are allowed to operate in this zone.
o Conducts research and provides training to forest officers and forest rangers through its various centres across the country.
o Post 1988, after the creation of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), these training and research centres became independent institutions.
o FRI now functions under the ICFRE, which was granted Deemed University status in December 1991.
Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission: ISRO has successfully demonstrated all capabilities required for rendezvous, docking, and undocking operations in a circular orbit.
o Technology Demonstration: Developed and demonstrated technology for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking.
o Future Missions: Critical for sending astronauts to the Moon, sample return missions, and developing the Indian Space Station.
o Other Objectives: Demonstrated the transfer of electric power between docked spacecraft — crucial for applications like in-space robotics, composite spacecraft control, and payload operations post-undocking.
PM-ABHIM: Recently, Delhi government to sign MoU with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
o Building-less Sub-Centres: Construct 17,788 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs).
o Urban Health & Wellness Centres: Set up 11,024 AAMs in urban areas, focusing on slums.
o Block Public Health Units (BPHUs): Establish 3,382 BPHUs at block levels.
o District Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHL): Establish 730 IPHLs, one per district.
o Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs): Create 602 CCBs in districts with population >5 lakhs.
Saffron Mission: The Northeast is poised to become India's next saffron hub, transforming agriculture through NECTAR’s tech-driven approach.
o Large-scale cultivation underway in Menchukha (Arunachal Pradesh) and Yuksom (Sikkim); plans to extend to Nagaland and Manipur.
o NECTAR aims to boost agri-tech innovation and enhance agricultural potential without disrupting existing crops.
o Rainfall: Needs 1000-1500 mm annually.
o Plant: Saffron is extracted from the stigma of Crocus sativus L. flower.
o Local Names: Known as kong (Kashmiri), zaffran (Urdu), and kesar (Hindi).
o Sowing: June-July; in some places, August-September.
o Flowering: Begins in October.
o Soil: Thrives in calcareous, humus-rich, well-drained soil (pH 6-8).
o Climate: Requires distinct summer and winter with temperatures between -20°C to 40°C.
o Crocin Content: Kashmiri kesar contains 8% crocin; other varieties contain 5-6%.
o Medicinal Properties: Lowers blood pressure, treats anemia, migraines, and aids insomnia.
o Cosmetic Uses: Enhances skin quality, reduces pigmentation, and minimizes spots.
o Culinary Uses: Integral in traditional dishes, beverages, confectionery, and food coloring.
o GI Tag: In 2020, Kashmiri saffron received a Geographical Indication (GI) certification.
o GIAHS Status: Recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by FAO.
o National Saffron Mission (2010-11): Supported saffron cultivation in J&K under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
o NECTAR: Autonomous body under Department of Science & Technology. Piloted saffron cultivation in the Northeast to achieve high quality and quantity production.
Javan Rhino: A new study has suggested a taxonomic revision of the Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus), placing it in a new genus Eurhinoceros sondaicus due to its distinct dentition and morphology, indicating a different evolutionary path.
o Size: Height up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft); Weight up to 2,300 kg (5,070 lb).
o Skin: Grey or grey-brown, almost black when wet, with pink colouring in folds.
o Horn: Single horn, less than 20 cm (7.9 in) — smallest among all rhino species.
o Diet: Herbivorous, browsing on leaves, twigs, and woody plants.
o Behaviour: Solitary, except for mating pairs and mothers with young.
o Lifespan: 30 to 45 years in the wild.
o Conservation Status: IUCN Red List (Critically Endangered)
APAAR ID: Concerns raised by parents and activists about the Ministry of Education's Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID for school students, fearing it may become difficult to opt out despite being voluntary.
o Schools: Record and manage students' academic data, achievements, and activities.
o Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Skill Institutes: Access academic history for admission and recruitment.
o Students: Digitally store and retrieve academic records, achievements, and co-curricular accomplishments.
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