Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 07 December 2024 | Download PDF

• The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution declaring December 21 as World Meditation Day.
• It is co-sponsored by India and other nations including Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. 
• This initiative, emphasizing meditation’s role in enhancing mental well-being and promoting peace, aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 
• The date coincides with the winter solstice, symbolizing reflection and renewal. 
• The first observance is set for December 21, 2024, aiming to unite people globally in meditation practices to foster inner transformation and collective wellness.

• Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross and the world’s oldest known wild bird, has laid her first egg in four years at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii. 
• This egg, estimated to be her 60th, marks a significant moment as she has returned to the refuge after several years.
• Wisdom, who was first banned in 1956, previously mated with Akeakamai, who has been absent for some time.
• She is now bonding with a new male partner, and wildlife officials express optimism about the egg hatching

About:

• The Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is a large seabird primarily found in the North Pacific, notably in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, which host 99.7% of its population. 
• Known for their incredible soaring ability, these birds can glide vast distances with minimal wing flapping.
• The Laysan Albatross has an average lifespan of 12 to 40 years

• OpenAI has partnered with Anduril Industries to develop AI-driven solutions for national security, focusing on enhancing counter-unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS) to address aerial threats like drones. 
• This collaboration aims to integrate OpenAI’s advanced AI models with Anduril’s defense technologies, improving real-time detection and response capabilities. 
• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the partnership’s goal of ensuring technology protects military personnel while upholding democratic values. 
• The move comes amid increasing competition in military AI technology, particularly between the U.S. and China.

About:

• OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence research organization founded in December 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco. 
• Its mission is to develop safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI) that can outperform humans in economically valuable tasks.

• PM Modi paid tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on his martyrdom day, commemorating the ninth Sikh Guru’s sacrifice for religious freedom. 
• Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed in 1675 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for opposing forced conversions to Islam, standing as a symbol of resistance against oppression. 
• His martyrdom is observed annually, with significant gatherings at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, the site of his execution. 

About:

• Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675), the ninth Sikh Guru, was born in Amritsar, Punjab, and is revered for his teachings and martyrdom. 
• He was succeeded by Guru Har Krishan.
• His extensive travels across India established preaching centers, including Anandpur Sahib. 
• Tegh Bahadur authored 116 hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib, emphasizing spirituality and social justice. 

• Union minister for culture and tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed that there is currently no proposal to include the Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Langudi, and Lalitgiri in Unesco’s world heritage list.
• The sites in Jajpur district are under the protection of the ASI.
• Known collectively as the ‘diamond triangle’, these Buddhist sites bear testimony to the region’s rich heritage. 
• Historical records indicate that Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited these centres of learning, which rivalled the renowned institutions of Nalanda and Taxila.

About:

• The Diamond Triangle in Odisha comprises three significant Buddhist archaeological sites: Ratnagiri, Udaygiri, and Lalitgiri. 
• This region is known for its historical importance in the spread of Vajrayana Buddhism, often referred to as the “Diamond Vehicle” due to its esoteric practices aimed at achieving enlightenment.
• Ratnagiri: The most excavated site, featuring monasteries and stupas from the 8th to 12th centuries. It showcases intricate carvings and a large central stupa surrounded by smaller ones.
• Udaygiri: Known as the “Hill of Rising Sun,” it is the largest site but least excavated, with ongoing archaeological work revealing its significance.
• Lalitgiri: This site contains ancient relics and stupas that further illustrate the Buddhist heritage of the region.

• President  Murmu laid the foundation stone for three new railway line projects in Odisha recently. 

The lines include:

• Bangiriposi-Gorumahisani (86 km, ₹2,549 crore): Enhances connectivity with Jharkhand.
• Buramara-Chakulia (60 km, ₹1,639 crore): Connects to the Howrah-Mumbai main line.
• Badampahar-Kendujhargarh (82 km, ₹2,107 crore): Links Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.
• These projects, costing a total of ₹6,295 crore, aim to improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth in tribal areas of Odisha.

• The Odisha government is preparing to integrate the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) with its own Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY), but the finalisation of modalities for integration with the GJAY remains the key challenge.

Key Points:

• It is in view that the integration will provide health coverage to approximately 3.5 crore residents, allowing access to treatment in over 27,000 hospitals nationwide. 
• The state has allocated Rs 3,056 crore for G-JAY and Rs 500 crore for AB-PMJAY, with the central government contributing Rs 750 crore. 

About:

• The Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY) is a health insurance initiative launched by the Odisha government to provide free healthcare services to economically disadvantaged citizens. 
• It was previously known as Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
• It offers coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for rural residents and ₹6 lakh for urban residents, facilitating access to treatment for serious illnesses without financial burden. 
• G-JAY aims to benefit over 1 crore families in Odisha, ensuring cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals.

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