Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 13 August 2024 | Download PDF

• India recently inaugurated its first round-the-clock grain ATM in Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

About Grain ATM:

• Design and Development: Created by the World Food Programme India.
• Universal Access: Accessible to anyone with a valid Public Distribution System (PDS) ration card across India.
• Quick Dispensing: Can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain in five minutes, available 24/7, reducing waiting times by 70%.
• Multi-Commodity Solution: Dispenses rice, wheat, and grains after biometric authentication, ensuring clean, fast, and precise access.

• The Union Finance Minister introduced the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. 
• This bill proposes the transfer of unclaimed dividends, shares, and interest or redemption of bonds to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF).

About Investor Education and Protection Fund:

• Establishment: The fund was established under Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956, through the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1999.
• Unpaid and Unclaimed Amounts: The following amounts, if unpaid and unclaimed for seven years from the due date, are credited to the fund:
  • Amounts in unpaid dividend accounts of companies.
  • Application money received by companies for the allotment of securities and due for refund.
  • Matured deposits with companies.
  • Matured debentures with companies.
• Contributions to the Fund:
  • Grants and donations from the Central Government, State Governments, companies, or other institutions.
  • Interest or other income generated from investments made from the fund.
• Management: The fund is managed by the Investor Education Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA).
• Establishment of IEPFA: The IEPFA was established in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

• Recently, three underwater geographical structures in the Indian Ocean were awarded names by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). 
• These names were originally proposed by India.

About Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission:

• The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to enhance the management of oceans, coasts, and marine resources.
• The IOC has 150 Member States, with India being a member since 1946.
• The IOC coordinates programs in:
  • Capacity development
  • Ocean observations and services
  • Ocean science
  • Tsunami warning
  • Ocean literacy
• The IOC is responsible for coordinating the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), also known as the “Ocean Decade.”

• Madhya Pradesh has commissioned a 90 MW floating solar project at Omkareshwar.

About Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project:

• Location: Omkareshwar, District Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.
• Development: Floating power plant developed on the backwaters of Omkareshwar Dam (a gravity dam on the Narmada River).
• Significance: Largest floating solar project in central and north India, generating 90 MW of energy.
• Ministry: Developed under the Union Ministry of Renewable Energy.
• Execution: Executed by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a subsidiary of SJVN (a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh).
• Contribution: Supports India’s mission of net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
• Water Conservation: Helps in reducing water evaporation.

• The Central Government recently added 24 minerals, including Tantalum, to the list of Critical and Strategic minerals under Part D of the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) of 1957.

About Tantalum:

• • Symbol & Atomic Number: Ta, 73
  • Occurrence: Rarely occurs in nature; typically found in the ore columbite-tantalite (coltan).
  • Major Producers: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Brazil, Nigeria.
• Properties

• • • State: Solid at room temperature.
    • Ductility: Highly ductile, can be drawn into thin wire.
    • Classification: Transition and refractory metal, known for strong resistance to heat and wear.
  • Melting Point: Extremely high, only tungsten and rhenium have higher melting points.
• Applications

• • Electronics: Widely used in capacitors for portable electronic devices (smartphones, laptops, cameras) due to high efficiency and low leakage.
  • Substitute for Platinum: Used in high-temperature applications due to cost-effectiveness.
  • Industrial Use: Components in chemical plants, nuclear power plants, aeroplanes, and missiles.
  • Medical Use: Non-reactive with bodily fluids; used in surgical equipment and implants (e.g., artificial joints).
  • Tooling: Tantalum Carbide (TaC) composite used in high-speed machine tool cutting edges due to its hardness.

• Lily Pushpika Ekka, an Anganwadi worker from Kandhamal district in Odisha, has been honored with an invitation to attend the 78th Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi.
• Her dedication and selfless care for the community, especially pregnant women and young children, have earned her this prestigious recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
• Ekka has transformed her Anganwadi center into a thriving space, providing nutritious meals, healthcare, and a supportive environment for the local population.

• Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has categorically stated that there is no evidence of Bangladeshis entering the state through the sea route. 
• He assured that stringent security measures, including increased patrolling by the Coast Guard and Marine Police, are in place to prevent any such influx.
• He also emphasized that while some Bangladeshis may have been residing in Odisha for a period, the state government is committed to identifying and repatriating those who are staying illegally.

• Odisha is unfortunately among the states with the highest number of lightning-related deaths.

Key points:

• With 1.01 lakh deaths in the last five decades, lightning has emerged as one of the most lethal and challenging disasters among natural hazards in the country. 
• As per a study, four states including Odisha accounted for 55 percent of the deaths.
• The study by researchers of three universities and the Climate Resilient Observing-Systems Promotion Council (CROPC) revealed states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha recorded the highest lightning-related fatalities. 
• The study that investigated human fatalities related to lightning at both state and regional levels from 1967 to 2020 observed a sharp increase in lightning deaths after 2001. 
• Though the highest 13,988 deaths occurred during 2010-2019, the highest 57.49 pc fatalities were recorded from 2000 to 2009.
• The highest increasing trend and magnitude was observed in Odisha with a 4.57 death rate per year. 

Several factors contribute to this:  

• Geographical Location: Odisha’s coastal location and proximity to the Bay of Bengal create a conducive environment for thunderstorms and lightning.
• Climate: The state experiences a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity and frequent thunderstorms, especially during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons.   
• Rural Population: A significant portion of Odisha’s population resides in rural areas, where people often work outdoors in fields or under trees, making them vulnerable to lightning strikes.   
• Lack of Awareness: Limited knowledge about lightning safety measures and early warning systems can contribute to the high fatality rate.

• Former CM and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik urged the Centre not to discontinue UNESCO Kalinga Prize.

Kalinga Price:

• The Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an award given by UNESCO for exceptional skill in presenting scientific ideas to lay people. 
• It was created in 1952, following a donation from Biju Patnaik, Founder President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust in India.
• The Kalinga Literary Award 2024 was presented to writer Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri in recognition of her outstanding contributions to literature.

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