UPSC GS 1
Reang Community
- News: The Reang community, also known as the Bru, has requested that the Tripura government declare a holiday on Hojagiri Day.
- Hojagiri Day: Hojagiri Day is a celebration of the Reang community’s traditional Hojagiri dance.
- About the Reang Tribe:
- Identity and Population:
- The Reang tribe, locally called “Bru,” is the second-largest tribal group in Tripura, following the Tripuri clan.
- They are recognized as the only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tripura.
- In addition to Tripura, members of the Reang community are also found in Mizoram and parts of Assam.
- According to the 2011 Census of India, their total population stands at approximately 1,88,080.
- Historical Origins:
- The Reangs are believed to have migrated from the Shan State in present-day Myanmar, moving through the Chittagong Hill Tracts to southern Tripura in multiple waves.
- Another group is said to have entered Tripura via Assam and Mizoram during the 18th century.
- Racial and Linguistic Characteristics:
- The Reang people belong to the Indo-Mongoloid racial stock.
- Their language, known as “Kaubru,” has tonal influences from the Kuki language and is broadly classified under the Kok-Borok dialect.
- It belongs to the Tibeto-Burmese linguistic family.
- Clan Structure and Governance:
- Ethnically, the Reang community is divided into two primary clans: Meska and Molsoi.
- They have a tightly-knit social structure with a well-defined and organized self-governing system.
- Economic Practices:
- Traditionally, the Reangs were agriculturists, practicing “Huk” or Jhum cultivation, a form of shifting agriculture.
- Over time, they have transitioned to modern agricultural practices.
- Religious Beliefs:
- Currently, most Reangs in Tripura follow Hinduism, and their deities align closely with Hindu gods and goddesses.
- Their pantheon includes deities such as Buraha, Bonirao, Songragma, Jampira, and Lampra.
- Cultural Significance:
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- The Hojagiri folk dance, performed by the Reang community, has earned widespread acclaim internationally, showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
UPSC GS 2
Nayi Chetna Campaign
- News: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently launched the third edition of Nayi Chetna – Pahal Badlaav Ki, a one month long national campaign against gender-based violence.
- Organizer: The campaign is spearheaded by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
- Duration: It is a month-long initiative running from 25th November to 23rd December 2024, covering all States and Union Territories in India.
- Leadership: The campaign is driven by the extensive Self-Help Group (SHG) network under DAY-NRLM.
- Objective: The primary aim is to raise awareness and promote grassroots-level action to combat gender-based violence.
- Theme and Approach:
- The campaign emphasizes a collective spirit through the slogan, “Ek Saath, Ek Awaaz, Hinsa Ke Khilaaf” (United Voice Against Violence).
- It adopts a whole-of-government approach, fostering collaboration among nine key Ministries and Departments, such as the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Department of School Education and Literacy.
- Key Objectives:
- Spreading awareness about various forms of gender-based violence.
- Encouraging communities to speak out and demand accountability.
- Facilitating access to support systems for timely assistance.
- Empowering local institutions to address violence decisively.
- Goals for Nayi Chetna 3.0:
- Building on the achievements of earlier campaigns, the third edition focuses on:
- Generating widespread awareness about gender-based violence.
- Mobilizing grassroots communities to take collective action.
- Promoting collaboration among government agencies and community stakeholders.
- Establishing a sustainable movement for gender equality and the empowerment of women.
- Achievements from Previous Editions:
- First Edition: Reached 3.5 crore individuals nationwide, with active involvement from multiple government ministries.
- Second Edition: Engaged 5.5 crore participants across 31 States and Union Territories. Conducted over 9 lakh awareness activities to address gender-based violence.
Single Girl Child Scholarship 2024 Scheme
- News: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in an official notification has invited ‘online applications’ from eligible students for the single girl child merit scholarship scheme.
- About CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child: This scheme provides financial assistance to academically outstanding female students who are the sole child of their parents. It supports their education after Class X, helping them pursue studies in Class XI and XII in CBSE-affiliated schools.
- Objectives:
- To acknowledge and encourage the efforts of parents in promoting girl child education.
- To motivate meritorious single girl students to pursue higher education by offering monthly financial support.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be the only girl child of her parents and an Indian national.
- A minimum of 60% marks in the CBSE Class X examination is required to qualify.
- The student must be enrolled in Class XI or XII in a CBSE-affiliated school.
- The tuition fee for eligible students must not exceed ₹1,500 per month, while for NRI students, it should not exceed ₹6,000 per month.
- Students with gross parental or family income up to ₹8 lakh per annum are eligible.
- Scholarship Amount:
- Selected students will receive ₹500 per month for a maximum duration of two years.
- Payments are made directly to the student through ECS or NEFT.
- Renewal Options:
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- Scholarship holders from Class XI can renew their scholarship for Class XII.
- Renewal is subject to securing at least 50% marks in the Class XI examinations.
Haj Suvidha App 2.0
- News: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju recently launched the Haj Suvidha App 2.0.
- Launch of Haj Suvidha App 2.0: Shri Kiren Rijiju introduced the Haj Suvidha App 2.0 during a recent event to enhance the convenience and safety of Indian pilgrims.
| Haj Committee of India is a Statutory body constituted under the Act of Parliament No. 35 of 2002. |
- Features of Haj Suvidha App 2.0:
- Improved Pilgrim Services: Includes features for the selection process of pilgrims.
- Air Travel Integration: Provides details about air travel, including boarding passes.
- Navigation Support: Offers a navigation system with Mina maps for easier movement during the pilgrimage.
- Health Information: Grants access to medical history and health advisories for pilgrims.
- Focus Areas for Haj 2025:
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Modern buildings with lifts will be arranged in Aziziya and other locations close to the Haram for better accommodation.
- Enhanced Transportation: The latest model buses will be deployed for travel between Makkah, Madinah, and the Mashaer region, ensuring improved comfort and efficiency.
- Strengthened Medical Support: A comprehensive medical support system will be established to cater to the health needs of the pilgrims.
- Personalized Assistance:
- Increased Khadim-ul-Hujjaj Ratio: The ratio of Khadim-ul-Hujjaj has been improved from one Khadim per 200 pilgrims to one per 150 pilgrims, ensuring quicker assistance and issue resolution.
- Role of State Haj Inspectors: State Haj Inspectors will play a crucial role in providing timely support and assistance to pilgrims.
#AbKoiBahanaNahi”
- News: The Union Minister, Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, has recently launched a national campaign “#AbKoiBahanaNahi”. This campaign complements the ongoing Nayi Chetna 3.0 initiative led by the Ministry of Rural Development, amplifying efforts to end gender-based violence and ensuring inclusive participation.
- About the Campaign:
- Objective: To mobilize citizens, government bodies, and stakeholders to take concrete steps toward eradicating gender-based violence.
- Collaborative Effort: A joint initiative led by the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Rural Development, with support from UN Women.
- Duration: The campaign aligns with the global 16 Days of Activism, running from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day).
- UN Global Campaign: It builds upon the United Nations’ #NoExcuse initiative, emphasizing the need to tackle the growing violence against women and ensure accountability.
- Broader Goals:
- Raising Awareness: Reaffirm national and international commitments to addressing gender-based violence.
- Encouraging Accountability: Promote shared responsibility among governments, organizations, and individuals to combat violence.
- Highlighting Urgency: Stress the critical need to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
- Key Highlights of the Campaign:
- Zero Tolerance: Advocates for a nationwide stance of zero tolerance toward any form of gender-based violence.
- Film Launch: A special film under the #AbKoiBahanaNahi banner highlights the importance of accountability and motivates citizens to take a stand against violence.
- Call to Action: Appeals to individuals and stakeholders to actively participate in ending violence against women and girls, fostering a culture of safety and equality.
UPSC GS 3
Antlions
- News: Researchers spotted a large-sized adultantlion, palpares contrarius, that resembles a dragonfly for the first time in Tamil Nadu on Madras Christian College (MCC) campus.
- About Antlions: Antlions are insects belonging to the order Neuroptera and classified under the family Myrmeliontidae. They derive their name from the predatory behavior of their larvae, which are known for trapping ants and small insects in self-dug pits.
- Habitat and Distribution:
- Found worldwide, antlions primarily inhabit dry, sandy regions.
- They are elusive during the day and are typically spotted at night near illuminated areas.
- Physical Features:
- Resemble damselflies but differ with softer bodies, intricate lace-like wing patterns, and long, clubbed antennae.
- Their bodies are slender, elongated, and usually gray in color.
- Wings are mostly clear, though some species have distinct wing spots.
- Antlions are weak fliers and are commonly seen near light sources at night.
- Larvae:
- Possess rounded bodies and distinct, long, sickle-shaped jaws.
- Found at the base of funnel-shaped pits in sandy soil, which they dig to trap prey.
- Lifecycle:
- Larvae remain in this stage for one to two years, depending on the species.
- After pupation, they take about a month to fully develop into adults.
- Adult antlions have a lifespan of one to two months.
- Behavior:
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- Antlions are harmless and do not pose any threat to plants, humans, or structures.
- They are ecologically beneficial, preying on ants and other insects that fall into their traps.
Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)
- News: The district health officials are on high alert to prevent Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, in the district.
- Definition: Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as Monkey Fever, is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic illness predominantly found in southern India.
- Discovery and Causative Agent:
- First identified in 1957 in the Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka, India, which lends the disease its name.
- Caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV), which belongs to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus.
- KFDV is part of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex of viruses.
- Transmission:
- Transmitted primarily through tick bites, with Haemaphysalis spinigera identified as the main vector.
- Small rodents, monkeys, and some bird species serve as reservoirs for the virus and contribute to its transmission cycle.
- Humans may contract KFD through tick bites or by handling infected animals, especially sick or recently deceased monkeys.
- There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
- The disease typically peaks between January and April, with the epidemic period beginning in October or November and declining by May or June.
- Symptoms:
- Abrupt onset of high-grade fever, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- In some cases, it may also cause neurological symptoms and hemorrhagic manifestations.
- Fatality rates range between 5% and 10% among those infected.
- Treatment:
- There is no specific antiviral cure for KFD.
- Supportive care is essential and includes:
- Maintaining fluid balance.
- Providing oxygen therapy.
- Controlling blood pressure.
- Managing any secondary infections.
- Vaccination: A vaccine is available and is recommended in regions of India where KFD is prevalent. It provides protection against the disease and is part of public health interventions in endemic areas.
DF-100
- News: Recently, China increased the range of its supersonic cruise missile DF-100 i.e. Dongfeng-100.
- About Dongfeng-100 (DF-100):
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- The Dongfeng-100, also referred to as Changjian-100 (CJ-100), is a Chinese-made supersonic cruise missile.
- It was publicly unveiled during China’s 70th National Day parade on October 1, 2019.
- The missile is designed for precise strikes and is capable of targeting a wide array of objectives, including land-based infrastructure, fortified facilities, underground bunkers, and large naval vessels.
- Key Features:
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- Launch Platform: The DF-100 is primarily a land-based missile system, but it can also be launched from bombers. It uses 10×10 transporter erector launchers for deployment.
- Range: The missile is reported to have a range between 3,000 and 4,000 kilometers, allowing it to strike distant targets.
- Dimensions: The DF-100 is over 9 meters in length and has a diameter ranging from 0.7 to 1 meter. It carries a payload of over 500 kilograms.
- Engine and Speed: Powered by a ramjet engine, the DF-100 can reach speeds of Mach 5 during its terminal phase, maintaining supersonic speeds throughout most of its flight.
- Flight Altitude and Guidance: The missile can ascend to an altitude of 30 kilometers after launch before descending toward its target. Its guidance system includes a combination of inertial navigation, terrain matching, scene matching, and satellite positioning, ensuring high precision and accuracy.
- Survivability: The missile’s ability to maintain supersonic speeds makes it more resilient against interception, enhancing its capacity to penetrate air defense systems.
Read also: UPSC Current Affairs: Rani Channamma, Sambhar Lake, Sohrai Painting, Coral Triangle, DF-26, and More
Narasapuram Lace
- News: The famous Narasapuram lace has bagged the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It becomes the eighth Indian product to do so at the national level.
- About Narsapur Lace Craft:
- Narsapur is a town located on the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh, India.
- The craft of lace-making in this region has a rich history, with its origins tracing back about 150 years.
- It is believed that women from the farming community of Narsapur began creating intricate lace artefacts during this period.
- Historical Significance:
- Origin: The lace-making tradition in Narsapur is said to have started when women from the local farming community began crafting beautiful lace products.
- Resilience Through Adversity: This craft has withstood significant challenges, including the Indian famine of 1899 and the global Great Depression of 1929.
- Growth in the Early 1900s: By the early 20th century, over 2,000 women were engaged in this craft in the Godavari region.
- Crafting Process and Products:
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- Materials and Technique: Narsapur lace work involves using thin threads, which are intricately woven together using crochet needles of varying sizes.
- Products: The town’s lace industry is known for producing a variety of hand-made items such as doilies, pillow covers, cushion covers, bedspreads, table runners, and tablecloths.
- Exports: Many of these lace products are exported to international markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Phytoplankton Bloom
- News: Recent studies have uncovered compelling evidence connecting desertification with significant phytoplankton blooms in the Indian Ocean, particularly south-east of Madagascar.
- About Phytoplankton Bloom: Phytoplankton are tiny, microscopic plants that play a significant role in marine ecosystems. They are critical to the marine food web and contribute significantly to the planet’s oxygen supply.
- What is a Phytoplankton Bloom?
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- Phytoplankton Growth: A phytoplankton bloom refers to the rapid population increase of these microscopic plants. Blooms typically occur when environmental conditions such as sunlight, nutrients, and temperature are ideal for their growth.
- Causes of Blooms: When abundant light and nutrients are available, phytoplankton multiply rapidly. This leads to a dense concentration of phytoplankton, which can alter the color of the surrounding water.
- Duration: Phytoplankton blooms can be short-lived, lasting just a few days, or extend over several weeks depending on the conditions.
- Ecological Importance of Phytoplankton:
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- Oxygen Production: Phytoplankton are responsible for producing about 50% of the Earth’s oxygen, playing a crucial role in sustaining life on the planet.
- Carbon Cycle: These microscopic plants are also integral to the global carbon cycle, helping to regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
- Food Source: Phytoplankton serve as a vital food source for marine organisms such as zooplankton, which are in turn consumed by larger creatures in the ocean.
- Seasonal Growth: Similar to terrestrial plants, phytoplankton exhibit seasonal growth patterns, thriving in certain times of the year when conditions are most favorable.
