Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 12 August 2024 | Download PDF

• The Indian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force recently participated in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024.

About Exercise Udara Shakti:

• A joint air exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) at Kuantan, Malaysia.
• The exercise aimed to bolster operational efficiency between the two air forces.
• The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30MKI fighter jets participated in air combat missions alongside the RMAF’s Su-30MKM fighters.
• The focus was on enhancing interoperability, commonality, and overall effectiveness in Su-30 aircraft operations.

• The Neelakurinji has recently been included on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) official Red List of threatened species.

About Neelakurinji:

• Plant Description:
  • Purplish flowering shrubs that bloom once every 12 years.
  • Endemic shrub, approximately three meters in height.
• Habitat:
  • Found only in high-altitude shola grassland ecosystems.
  • Grows at an elevation of 1,340–2,600 meters.
• Distribution:
  • 34 subpopulations within 14 ecoregions of high-altitude mountain ranges in southwest India.
  • 33 subpopulations in the Western Ghats and 1 in the Eastern Ghats (Yercaud, Shevaroy Hills).
• Cultural Significance:
  • Nilgiri Hills, meaning “blue mountains,” are named after the blue flowers of Neelakurinji.
  • The Paliyan tribes of Tamil Nadu use the blooming cycle to calculate their age.
• Threats: Habitat threatened by conversion for tea and softwood plantations, as well as urbanization.
• Conservation Status: First-ever Global Red List assessment confirms the species is categorized as Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) by the IUCN.

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

About Clean Plant Programme:

• • Objectives:
    • Affordable Access: Prioritize affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of landholding size or socioeconomic status.
    • Women Farmers’ Involvement: Actively engage women farmers in planning and implementation, ensuring their access to resources, training, and decision-making opportunities.
    • Region-Specific Solutions: Address diverse agro-climatic conditions by developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies.
• Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Establish nine world-class CPCs with advanced diagnostic, therapeutic, and tissue culture labs across India.

• Purpose: Produce and maintain virus-free planting material for large-scale propagation.
• Implementation: National Horticulture Board and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently been reviewing the investment limits for foreign investors in the Overnight Index Swap (OIS) market.

About Overnight Index Swap:

• An Overnight Index Swap (OIS) is a derivative instrument where returns under a fixed-rate asset are swapped against a pre-determined published index of a daily overnight reference rate for an agreed period of time.
• Purpose: The primary purpose of an OIS is to manage interest rate risk, particularly the risk associated with fluctuations in the overnight lending rate.
• Calculation: The interest rate for the OIS is calculated each day.

• The District Level Committee of Keonjhar in Odisha recently approved the habitat rights claim for the Juanga, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).

About Juanga Tribe:

• Community Name: Juanga or Juang
• Location: Concentrated in Keonjhar district, Odisha.
• Traditional Name: Originally known as Patuas due to their traditional attire of leaf skirts.
• Language: Juang (Mundari), belonging to the Austroasiatic language family.
• Occupation:
  • Traditionally engaged in shifting cultivation.
  • Occasionally engage in hunting.
  • Juangs of Pallahara are skilled in basket weaving.

• Odisha is taking a groundbreaking step by establishing India’s first university exclusively dedicated to blind students.
• This university aims to provide comprehensive education and technical courses, catering to the specific needs of the visually impaired community.

Key features of this initiative include:

• Specialized Education
• Technical Excellence
• Accessibility
• International Collaboration

• Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore have for development of railway infrastructure in Odisha as part of PM Modi’s Purvodaya vision for development of the eastern region.
• Projects estimated at Rs 70,000 crore have already been sanctioned and 40 projects of 4,017 km in length costing around Rs 54,434 crore, falling fully or partly in the state, are at various stages of implementation.

Purvodaya Vision:

• Odisha Purvodaya Vision is a comprehensive development initiative aimed at harnessing the full potential of Odisha, a resource-rich and naturally endowed state in eastern India.

The vision focuses on three key areas:

• Human Resource Development: Investing in education, healthcare, and skill development to empower the state’s population.
• Infrastructure Development: Improving transportation, energy, and communication infrastructure to facilitate economic growth and connectivity.
• Economic Opportunity Generation: Promoting industries, tourism, and agriculture to create jobs and boost the state’s economy.
• By addressing these areas, Odisha Purvodaya Vision seeks to uplift the living standards of the people of Odisha and contribute to the overall development of the eastern region of India.

• Two deaths and subsequent health concerns have arisen in Kendrapara district, Odisha, following the discovery of E. coli bacteria in local water sources. 

E. Coli:

• E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. 
• Its presence in drinking water is a strong indicator of fecal contamination, often from sewage or animal waste. 
• This contamination can lead to various waterborne diseases, including gastroenteritis.

• Odisha is renowned for its exquisite handloom textiles. 
• Many of these unique fabrics have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, recognizing their distinct origin and quality.

Key points:

These six yards of Odisha’s GI treasures showcase the state’s artistic finesse and tradition:

• Sambalpuri Ikat (Ikat or tie and dye): Known for its intricate double ikat weaving technique, Sambalpuri Ikat sarees feature vibrant colors and geometric designs.
• Berhampuri Silk: This lightweight and lustrous silk fabric is produced in Berhampur and is often adorned with traditional motifs.
• Bomkai Saree: Originating from the Sonepur district, Bomkai sarees are characterized by their distinctive warp and weft ikat patterns.
• Pasapalli Saree: Produced in the Ganjam district, Pasapalli sarees are known for their elegant pallus and intricate zari work.

• Khandua Saree: Hailing from the Nuapada district, Khandua sarees feature bold geometric patterns and are often used in religious ceremonies.
• Kotpad Saree: This eco-friendly fabric is made from naturally dyed cotton and is known for its unique texture and earthy tones.

• India has made a significant stride towards enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience by releasing 109 new crop varieties. 
• These varieties, developed by Indian agricultural scientists, are designed to be high-yielding and climate-resilient.

Key Features of the New Varieties:

• High Yield: The new varieties are expected to produce significantly higher yields per unit area, increasing farmers’ incomes.
• Climate Resilience: They are engineered to withstand various adverse climatic conditions, including drought, heat stress, and pests. This is crucial in the face of climate change.
• Biofortification: Many of these varieties are biofortified, meaning they are enriched with essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. This can help address nutritional deficiencies in the population.
• Diverse Crops: The 109 varieties cover a wide range of crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops. This ensures a balanced and sustainable agricultural system.

Benefits for Farmers and Consumers:

• Increased Income: Higher yields and better crop resilience can lead to increased income for farmers.
• Improved Food Security: The new varieties can contribute to food security by ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food.
• Reduced Environmental Impact: Climate-resilient crops can help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture.

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