02 Dec | UPSC Current Affairs: Notre Dame Cathedral, Ramappa Temple, C-PACE, and More

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UPSC GS 1

Notre Dame Cathedral

  • News: Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen soon, marking a new dawn for the architectural marvel. The French President referred to the restoration as “the project of the century,” taking place five and a half years after a fire severely damaged the iconic Gothic structure.
  • About Notre-Dame Cathedral:
    • Notre-Dame Cathedral is a renowned cathedral church located in Paris, France.
    • It is celebrated as one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals from the Middle Ages, recognized for its grandeur, historical significance, and unique architectural features.
    • The cathedral showcases intricate sculptures and stained-glass windows, reflecting a strong influence of naturalism, distinguishing it from the earlier Romanesque style.
  • Construction:
    • Notre-Dame is among the earliest Gothic cathedrals, with its construction spanning the entire Gothic period.
    • It incorporates a variety of Gothic architectural styles, ranging from the early Gothic to the rayonnant style.
    • The cathedralโ€™s construction was initiated by Maurice de Sully, who was the bishop of Paris.
    • Pope Alexander III laid its foundation stone in 1163, and the high altar was consecrated in 1189.
    • Major parts, including the choir, nave, and western facade, were completed by 1250, while additional elements like chapels and porches were added over the next century.
  • Historical Significance:
    • Notre-Dame has served as the backdrop for numerous historic events, such as:
    • The coronation of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804.
    • The marriages of King Francis II of France in 1558 and King Henry IV of France in 1572.
    • On April 15, 2019, the cathedral was engulfed in a devastating fire, which destroyed its roof and the iconic spire.
  • Recognition:
    • Notre-Dame Cathedral is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its global cultural and historical importance.

Read also: Natural Farming: Key Concepts & Benefits for UPSC Preparation

Cyclone ‘Fengal’

  • News: Cyclone Fengal has resulted in massive disruption on Chennai-Tiruchirapalli rail route.ย 
  • Origin of the Name ‘Fengal’:
    • The name โ€˜Fengalโ€™ was proposed by Saudi Arabia.
    • It derives from Arabic, reflecting the cultural and linguistic heritage of the region.
  • Cyclone Naming Process:
    • Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named by a panel comprising member countries of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
    • This panel includes 13 nations, such as Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, and Pakistan, among others.
    • Each member country provides a list of potential names, which are assigned sequentially to cyclones as they form.
    • Names are used in the prescribed order and are not reused.
    • Following Fengal, the next cyclone will be named Shakhti (contributed by Sri Lanka), followed by Montha (contributed by Thailand).
  • Cyclones in the Arabian Sea vs. Bay of Bengal:
    • Cyclones occur less frequently in the Arabian Sea compared to the Bay of Bengal.
    • This disparity is attributed to differences in factors like sea surface temperature, wind patterns, and geographical conditions.
    • The Bay of Bengal offers more conducive conditions for cyclone formation, such as warmer waters and lower vertical wind shear.

Ramappa Temple

  • News: The Union government has approved loans to the tune of โ‚น141 crore to develop two tourism projects in Telangana:Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit and Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat Nallamala.
  • About Ramappa Temple: The Ramappa Temple, also known as the Rudreshwara Temple, is a Hindu shrine built in the Kakatiya architectural style and dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Telangana.
  • Patronage:
    • This medieval temple, dating back to 1213 AD, was constructed under the patronage of Kakatiya ruler Kakati Ganapathi Deva.
    • The construction was overseen by Chief Commander Rudra Samani.
    • The temple is uniquely named after its chief sculptor, Ramappa, making it one of the few temples in India named after its architect.
  • Architectural Features:
    • Earthquake-Resistant Construction:
    • The gopuram of the temple was built using lightweight bricks made of clay mixed with acacia wood, chaff, and myrobalan fruit (a family of amla).
    • These bricks are so light that they float on water, making the structure less prone to collapse during earthquakes.
    • Sandbox Technique:
    • The foundation was built using the sandbox technique, which involved filling the pit with a mixture of sand, lime, jaggery, and black myrobalan fruit.
    • This combination acts as a cushion to absorb shocks during seismic activities.
    • Unique Carvings:
    • The temple features numerous intricately carved pillars, some of which produce musical notes when gently struck.
    • One of the pillars has a depiction of Lord Krishna carved into it.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Status: In 2021, the Ramappa Temple was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana.”

UPSC GS 2

Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE)

  • News: As per the Central Government, a total of 11,855 companies have been struck off through the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE).ย 
  • About C-PACE (Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit):
    • C-PACE has been established to centralize the process of striking off companies from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Register.
    • It operates through the Registrar of Companies (RoC) and exercises functional jurisdiction over the processing and disposal of related applications.
    • The center functions under the supervision of the Director General of Corporate Affairs (DGCoA).
    • It was created to streamline and expedite the voluntary winding-up process of companies, reducing the time frame to less than six months through process re-engineering.
    • This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ goals to enhance the ease of doing business and simplify the exit process for companies.
  • Significance of C-PACE:
    • The center aims to reduce the burden on the registry, enabling stakeholders to experience a hassle-free filing process.
    • It ensures timely and systematic removal of company names from the register, enhancing efficiency in corporate exits.
  • Rules for Removing a Company from the Registrar of Companies (RoC):
    • Section 248 of the Companies Act specifies the conditions under which a company can be removed from the RoC.
    • A company may be struck off if it has not conducted any business or operations for two consecutive financial years.
    • Additionally, it should not have applied for dormant company status under Section 455 during the same period.
    • Location:ย  Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs in Gurgaon.

UPSC GS 3

Agni Warrior

  • News: ย  The 13thย edition of Joint Military Exercise AGNI WARRIOR (XAW-2024) recently concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra).
  • About Exercise AGNI WARRIOR:
    • Exercise AGNI WARRIOR is a collaborative military exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
  • Participants:
    • The exercise included a contingent from the Singapore Armed Forces comprising personnel from the Singapore Artillery.
    • The Indian Army was represented by personnel from the Regiment of Artillery.
  • Aim:
    • The objective of XAW-2024 was to enhance mutual understanding of operational drills and procedures to foster joint operations as a multinational force under the United Nations Charter.
  • Key Highlights:
    • The exercise demonstrated joint firepower planning, execution, and the deployment of next-generation artillery equipment by both Armies.
    • It involved comprehensive joint preparation, seamless coordination, and an understanding of each otherโ€™s operational capabilities and procedures.
    • Common interfaces were developed between the artillery procedures of the Indian Army and the Singapore Armed Forces.
  • Outcomes:
    • The exercise marked the conclusion of successful training for SAF troops, exposing them to the complexities of firepower planning.
    • Both nations incorporated advanced technologies and exchanged best practices as part of the joint training sessions.
    • The initiative strengthened interoperability and highlighted the evolving capabilities of both forces in handling modern warfare scenarios.

Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

  • News: The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently signed a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmersโ€™ access to certi๏ฌed disease-free planting materials. This project supports the Government of Indiaโ€™sย Atmanirbharย Clean Plant Programme (CPP).ย 
  • ย Definition: This initiative is aimed at tackling key challenges in horticulture by ensuring access to superior, virus-free planting materials for farmers.

 

  • Objectives:
    • Enhance the productivity of horticulture crops.
    • Promote the distribution and adoption of climate-resilient plant varieties.
    • Safeguard the ecosystem by implementing proactive measures for virus and disease control.
  • Key Components:
    • Clean Plant Centers (CPCs):ย 
    • Establishment of nine state-of-the-art CPCs equipped with advanced diagnostic facilities, therapeutic tools, and tissue culture laboratories.
    • Robust Certification System:ย 
    • Introduction of a stringent certification mechanism to maintain accountability and traceability in the production and distribution of planting materials.
    • Access and Inclusion:
    • Focus on making clean planting materials affordable for all farmers.
    • Emphasis on involving women farmers actively in the programme.
    • Development of region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies tailored to Indiaโ€™s diverse agro-climatic zones.
    • Implementation:
    • The programme will be executed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
    • Significance:
    • The initiative is expected to benefit multiple stakeholders, including farmers and consumers.
    • It will enhance Indiaโ€™s competitiveness in the global fruit market while supporting sustainable horticultural practices.

WOH G64

  • News:ย  Scientists have captured a zoom-in image of the WOH G64 star, which is 2000 times more massive than the sun and is located 1,60,000 light-years ahead, in another galaxy.
  • About WOH G64 Star: WOH G64 is a colossal star captured with exceptional clarity by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESOโ€™s VLTI).
  • Location:
    • It resides in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy that orbits the Milky Way.
    • The Large Magellanic Cloud is one of the closest galaxies to Earth, adding significance to the observation of this star.
Large Magellanic Cloud

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a dwarf galaxy that is close to the Milky Way.

The Magellanic Clouds are named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, whose crew documented them during the first circumnavigation of the globe between 1519 and 1522. ย 

Magellanic Clouds are irregular galaxies that share a common gaseous envelope and are located about 22ยฐ apart in the sky, near the south celestial pole.

These comprise two irregular galaxies: the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC).

ย The LMC and SMC orbit the Milky Way approximately once every 1,500 million years and orbit each other every 900 million years.

These galaxies were formed roughly 13 billion years ago, around the same time as the Milky Way Galaxy.

Currently, they are in orbital capture around the Milky Way and have undergone multiple tidal interactions with each other and the Milky Way over time.
  • Discovery:
    • The star was identified in the 1970s by Bengt Westerlunds, Olander, and Hedin.
    • Its name, WOH, is an acronym derived from the surnames of these three discoverers.
  • Characteristics:
    • The star is situated approximately 1,60,000 light years away from Earth.
    • Classified as a red supergiant, it boasts an immense size, nearly 2,000 times larger than the Sun.
    • Recent imaging has revealed that the star is in the final stages of its life.
  • Evolutionary Status:
    • WOH G64 has ejected its outer layers in recent years.
    • It is now surrounded by intricate wreaths and arcs composed of gas and dust, marking its transition towards the end of its stellar lifecycle.
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