31 Dec | UPSC Current Affairs: Srisailam Temple, PM-ABHIM, Norovirus, Bayraktar Akinci, and More

UPSC GS 1

Srisailam Temple 

• News: The Srisailam Devasthanam is publishing a book about the recently discovered copper plate charters found in Ghanta Mandapam at the Srisailam temple in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, with the help of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

• Location:
  • Situated atop the Nallamala Hills in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Lies along the banks of the Krishna River.
  • Surrounded by the lush forests of the Nallamala Hills, providing a serene environment.
• Historical Background:
  • Inscriptional evidence dates the temple back to the 2nd century BCE, during the reign of the Satavahana dynasty.
  • Received royal patronage from various dynasties, including the Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empire, and Qutb Shahis.
  • Renowned spiritual leader Adi Shankaracharya visited the shrine and composed the Sivananda Lahiri at this site.
• Religious Significance:
  • Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Mallikarjuna Swamy, represented by a lingam.
  • Goddess Parvati is revered here as Bhramaramba Devi, with a shrine dedicated to her.
  • The temple is a sacred site for followers of Shaivism and Shaktism.
  • Houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, representing divine manifestations of Lord Shiva.
  • Also recognized as one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, adding to its spiritual significance.
• Architectural Highlights:
  • Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, featuring lofty towers and expansive courtyards.
  • Known for its intricate carvings and remarkable craftsmanship, showcasing Vijayanagara architecture.
  • Houses several halls, with the Mukha Mandapa, built during the Vijayanagara period, being the most notable.
  • Unique for combining a Jyotirlingam and Mahashakti shrine (Bhramarambika) within the same temple complex, a rarity in India.
• Mythological and Cultural Importance:
  • According to Hindu mythology, the temple holds immense significance as a divine center for both Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti.
  • The site has been an enduring place of worship for centuries, drawing devotees and pilgrims from across the country.

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Denmark Strait Cataract

• News:  The Denmark Strait cataract, the largest waterfall on Earth, is underwater and plays a key role in global ocean circulation and impacts climate and marine ecosystems.
• Definition:
• • The Denmark Strait Cataract is recognized as the largest waterfall on Earth.
  • It is located in an underwater channel between Iceland and Greenland.
  • The cataract plunges an incredible 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) from its peak to the ocean floor.
  • Its vertical drop of 6,600 feet (2,000 meters) is more than three times the height of Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall on land, which measures just over 3,200 feet (979 meters).
  • The cataract spans approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers) across the width of the Denmark Strait.
  • Despite its massive size, the waterfall remains hidden beneath the ocean’s surface and is invisible from above.

• Formation:
• • The Denmark Strait Cataract was formed during the last Ice Age, approximately 17,500 to 11,500 years ago.
  • Glacial activity in the region sculpted the sloping seabed, which now channels cold water from the Nordic Seas into the Irminger Sea, a marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • This flow contributes significantly to the thermohaline circulation, a global network of ocean currents that regulates Earth’s climate.

UPSC GS 2

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

• News:  The Delhi High Court has directed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital needed to sign an MoU with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare before January 5 for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
• Overview:
  • PM-ABHIM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with select Central Sector (CS) components.
  • The scheme has a total outlay of ₹64,180 crore and is implemented over the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
  • It is the largest nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure in India.
• Objectives:
  • Address critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure, surveillance, and research.
  • Develop the capacities of health systems and institutions at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
  • Prepare health systems to respond effectively to pandemics and disasters, both current and future.
• Central Sector (CS) Components:
  • Establish 12 central institutions as training and mentoring sites, each with 150-bed Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs).
  • Strengthen the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and establish:
  • 5 new Regional NCDCs.
  • 20 metropolitan health surveillance units.
  • Expand the Integrated Health Information Portal across all States/UTs to connect public health laboratories.
  • Operationalize 17 new Public Health Units and enhance 33 existing units at Points of Entry (Airports, Seaports, and Land Crossings).
• Set up:
  • 15 Health Emergency Operation Centres.
  • 2 container-based mobile hospitals.
  • A national institution for One Health.
  • 4 new National Institutes for Virology.
  • A Regional Research Platform for WHO South-East Asia Region.
  • 9 Biosafety Level III laboratories.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Support for States/UTs:
  • Establish 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in:
  • Plain areas with populations of 5,000.
  • Difficult areas (hilly, tribal, desert) with populations of 3,000.
  • Set up 11,024 urban HWCs focused on slum-like areas, serving populations of 15,000–20,000, particularly vulnerable groups.
  • Develop 3,382 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) at block levels.
  • Establish 730 Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs) at the district level.
  • Build 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) in districts with populations exceeding 5 lakh, with referral linkages to neighboring districts

UPSC GS 3

Sanjay Gandhi National Park 

• News: In what comes as a cause of concern, a fire broke out just outside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai recently.
• About Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP)
  • Sanjay Gandhi National Park, formerly known as Borivali National Park, is a significant protected area in the northern part of Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • It spans 103 square kilometers, making it one of the largest national parks located within city limits.
  • The park lies partly in Thane District and partly in Mumbai Suburban District.
• Key Features:
  • Known for its dense forests, diverse birdlife, numerous butterflies, and a small population of tigers.
  • Features the Kanheri Caves, a historic Buddhist center for learning and pilgrimage.
  • These caves, carved by Buddhist monks between the 9th and 1st centuries BCE, were sculpted from a massive basaltic rock formation.
  • Includes two artificial lakes, Tulsi Lake and Vihar Lake, along with attractions like the deer park, lion safari, and Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi.
• Flora: The park is home to a variety of plant species, including:
  • Kadamba, Teak, Karanj, and Shisham.
  • Acacia, Ziziphus, and Euphorbias are also found here.
• Fauna: A diverse range of wildlife inhabits the park, such as:
• • Mongoose, Four-horned antelope, Sambar, Wild boar, and Langur.
  • Monkeys, Magars (crocodiles), and Panthers.
  • It is a haven for 251 species of birds and a remarkable variety of butterflies, including the Atlas Moth.

Bayraktar Akinci

• News:  Turkey has successfully tested the firing of supersonic missile UAV-122 from the Bayraktar Akinci drone.
• Definition:
  • Bayraktar Akinci is a long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar.
  • It is designed to support fighter jets in various operations, including air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions.

• Key Features:
  • Length: 12.2 meters.
  • Height: 4.1 meters.
  • Wingspan: 20 meters.
• Payload Capacity:
  • Can carry up to 1,500 kilograms of payload.
• Performance:
  • Endurance of up to 25 hours.
  • Operational range of 7,500 kilometers.
• Systems and Technology:
  • Equipped with dual satellite communication systems and air-to-air radar.
  • Features collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar.
  • Incorporates a triple redundant flight control system.
  • Integrated with a dual AI-powered avionics system for enhanced signal processing, sensor fusion, and situational awareness in real time.
• Weapon Capabilities:
• • Designed to carry a variety of weapon payloads, including:
  • Laser-guided smart munitions.
  • Long-range stand-off weapons.
  • It is the first drone capable of launching an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM).

INS Sarvekshak 

• News:   India and Mauritius held a joint coordination meeting onboard INS Sarvekshak to commence the Joint Hydrographic Survey aimed at enhancing navigational safety in Mauritian waters.
• Definition:
• • INS Sarvekshak is a hydrographic survey ship in the Indian Navy.
  • It operates under the Southern Naval Command and is based in Kochi.
  • The ship is the second vessel of the Darshak class and accommodates 15 officers and 175 sailors.

• Features and Capabilities: 
  • Equipped with advanced survey equipment, including: Deep Sea Multi-Beam Echo Sounder and Side Scan Sonars.
    • A fully automated digital surveying and processing system.
    • Carries an integral Chetak helicopter, which is extensively used during survey operations.
• Missions and Contributions:
  • INS Sarvekshak has conducted foreign cooperation surveys in multiple countries, such as:
  • Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Kenya.
• Hydrography: Understanding the Science
• Definition:
  • Hydrography is the scientific discipline concerned with measuring and describing:
  • The physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes, and rivers.
  • The changes in these features over time.
• Methods and Tools:
  • Primarily conducted using specialized ships and boats equipped with Echo sounders and Sonars. Additional techniques include:
  • Survey aircraft fitted with laser-based equipment.
  • Satellite observations to gather relevant data.
• Scope of Hydrography:
  • Involves measuring tides and currents to predict changes.
  • Covers both natural and man-made shore features, such as lights and towers, aiding navigation. 
  • Unlike oceanography, it includes: Shoreline structures; Physical aspects of the sea and seabed that help determine a ship’s position.

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Norovirus

• News:  The most recent numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show there were 91 outbreaks of norovirus reported during the week of Dec. 5.
• What is Norovirus?
  • Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, leading to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
  • It is often called the ‘stomach flu’ or the ‘winter vomiting bug’.
  • People of all age groups are susceptible to this virus, which spreads rapidly and easily.
  • Norovirus accounts for approximately 90% of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks and nearly 50% of cases worldwide.
  • Due to the existence of multiple strains, individuals can contract norovirus multiple times throughout their lives.

• Transmission: The virus is primarily spread through:
  • Contaminated food or water, often during preparation.
  • Touching infected surfaces or objects.
  • Close contact with an infected individual.
• Symptoms: Symptoms typically appear 1–2 days after exposure and include:
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea as the most common initial signs.
  • Nausea, abdominal pain, and fever.
  • Other signs like headaches, body aches, and in severe cases, dehydration.
• Treatment:
• • Currently, there are no vaccines available for norovirus prevention.
  • Treatment focuses on symptom management, including:
  • Ensuring adequate hydration, especially during the acute phase.
  • Administering intravenous rehydration fluids in severe cases to combat dehydration.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant

• News:  An anti-graft panel in Bangladesh has launched an investigation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling $5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant.
• Location and Significance:
  • The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is situated in Iswardi, Pabna District, in the Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh.
  • It marks Bangladesh’s first venture into nuclear power generation.

• Ownership and Design:
  • The project is owned by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
  • The plant will house two VVER-1200 reactors, designed and developed by the Russian company Rosatom.
  • Both reactors are water-cooled, and their construction commenced in November 2017.
• Power Generation and Impact:
  • Upon completion, the two reactors will collectively produce 2,400 megawatts of electricity.
  • This will account for approximately 9% of Bangladesh’s total electricity requirements.
• Project Cost and Funding:
• • The estimated total cost of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is $12.65 billion USD.
  • The project is primarily financed through a Russian loan, which Bangladesh will repay over a 20-year period.