Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 11 October 2024 | Download PDF

• The Union Cabinet has recently approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat.

About NMHC:

• Sagarmala Programme: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, as part of this initiative.
• Purpose: The NMHC is designed to become an international tourist destination, showcasing India’s maritime heritage from ancient to modern times using an edutainment approach and modern technology.
• Governance:
  • A separate society will be formed under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, to manage future phases of the project.
  • The society will be governed by a Governing Council headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

• The Gujarat government has announced the establishment of a Caracal (Henotaro) Breeding and Conservation Center in the Chadva Rakhal region of Kutch. 

About Caracal:

• Species: Caracal (Elusive, primarily nocturnal animal)
• Unique Traits: Valued for litheness and ability to catch birds in flight
• Dens: Use abandoned porcupine burrows, rock crevices, and dense vegetation for maternal dens
• Habitat: Woodlands, savannahs, scrub forests
• Distribution in India:
  • Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
  • Key regions: Kutch, Malwa Plateau, Aravalli hill range, Bundelkhand region
  • Global Distribution: Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia
• Threats: Large-scale hunting, illegal trading, loss of natural habitats
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Least Concern
  • The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

• The Union Cabinet has extended the universal supply of fortified rice in all central government schemes providing free food grain under the National Food Security Act, 2021. 
• This extension will remain in effect until December 2028.

About Rice Fortification:

• Fortification Process:
  • Involves adding Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) containing micronutrients to regular rice.
  • Micronutrients include Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12, as prescribed by FSSAI.
  • The ratio for mixing is 1:100 (1 kg FRK with 100 kg regular rice).
• Purpose:
  • Aims to address micronutrient deficiencies.
  • It is cost-effective and culturally appropriate for countries with high rice consumption.
• FSSAI Norms for 1 kg of Fortified Rice:
  • Iron: 28 mg to 42.5 mg.
  • Folic Acid: 75 to 125 micrograms.
  • Vitamin B12: 0.75 to 1.25 micrograms.

• India’s foreign exchange reserves crossed $700 billion for the first time on record.
• India becomes the fourth economy globally to cross $700 billion in reserves, after China, Japan, and Switzerland.

About Forex reserves:

• The reserves increased for seven consecutive weeks due to valuation gains and the central bank’s dollar purchases.
• Forex reserves stood at $704.89 billion as of September 27, 2023.
• India’s forex reserves have been steadily increasing since 2013, when foreign investors withdrew due to weak macroeconomic fundamentals.
• Foreign exchange reserves (forex reserves) are assets held by a country’s central bank in foreign currencies. 
• Purpose:
  • Currency Stability: Reserves help stabilize the country’s currency by managing the exchange rate fluctuations.
  • Foreign Trade: They ensure that a country can meet its international payment obligations, such as imports and external debt.
  • Crisis Buffer: Act as a buffer in times of economic crises or balance of payment deficits.
• Components of Forex reserves:
  • Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): The largest component of the reserves, which includes major currencies like USD, Euro, Pound Sterling, and Yen.
  • Gold Reserves: India’s gold holdings form part of the reserves, providing stability.
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): Allocations from the IMF.
  • Reserve Tranche Position (RTP): India’s quota in the IMF.

• Minister of Road Transport and Highways launches ‘Humsafar Policy’ to Improve National Highway Travel and Boost Wayside Amenities.

About Humsafar Policy:

• The Humsafar Policy is a comprehensive initiative designed to transform India’s highway network by offering a range of essential services and facilities. 
• Key objective: To make road travel more comfortable, convenient, and inclusive, ensuring that facilities are available to meet the needs of travellers across all regions. 
  • Hygienic Toilets
  • Baby Care Facilities
  • Accessibility
  • EV Charging Stations
  • Parking Facilities
  • Increased Fuel Station
  • Food Courts and Restaurants
  • Dormitories for Rest

• Astronomers from National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, by using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), have observed a young stellar system where planets are beginning to form.   
• The team, led by Liton Majumdar, focused on the GG Tau A system, a triple-star system with a swirling disk of dust and gas. 
• They identified key molecules that indicate the presence of a cold, dense region within the disk, a prime location for exoplanet formation.

About:

• The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) is a premier autonomous research institute located in Jatani, Odisha, India. 
• Established in 2006 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, NISER aims to foster scientific education and research in basic sciences.

• The Odisha government has introduced the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana to provide financial assistance to tribal students studying in government and government-aided schools. 
• The scheme aims to reduce dropout rates and encourage tribal students to pursue higher education.   

Key features of the scheme:

• Eligible students: ST students passing out of Class VIII and joining Class IX and those transitioning from Class X to Class XI Amount: One-time incentive of Rs. 5,000 per student.
• Purpose: To meet incidental expenses related to education.   
• Eligibility criteria: Students must have a family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh. 

• The International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated on October 11th each year, is a global day dedicated to promoting girls’ rights and empowering them. 
• It aims to highlight the challenges faced by girls in developing countries and to advocate for their education, health, and protection.
• The day was established by the United Nations in 2011.

Theme: The 2024 International Day of the Girl theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’.

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