Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 17 August 2024 | Download PDF

• American researchers have achieved a major breakthrough by discovering a method to trace the origin and destination of forever chemicals.

• Researchers used a technique involving magnetic fields and radio waves to track the spread of “forever chemicals” in global ecosystems.

About Forever chemicals:

• Scientifically known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
• Common applications: water-proofing, heat resistance, detergents, food packaging, and non-stick technologies.
• Environmental impact: Persist in the environment indefinitely, leading to environmental degradation.
• Health Risks of PFAS:
  • Testicular, kidney, liver, and pancreatic cancer.
  • Reproductive issues.
  • Weakened childhood immunity.
  • Low birth weight.
  • Endocrine disruption.
  • Increased cholesterol levels.
  • Weight gain in children and dieting adults.

• Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change announced that three additional wetlands from India have been added to the Ramsar sites list.

New Ramsar sites in India:

• Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary:
  • Location: Tamil Nadu
  • Historical Significance: Named after King Nanjarayan, who repaired and restored the lake centuries ago.
• Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary:
  • Status: Declared the 16th bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu in 2021.
  • Location: Tamil Nadu
  • Significance: One of the largest wetlands in peninsular India, rich in biodiversity.
  • Migratory Path: Lies in the Central Asian Flyway, serving as a crucial stopover for migratory birds.
• Tawa Reservoir:
  • Location: Largest protected area in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Construction: Built at the confluence of Tawa and Denwa rivers.
  • Significance: Located within the Satpura Tiger Reserve, forming the western boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.

• The Union Minister of Education recently engaged with students, teachers, parents from PM SHRI Schools, and alumni of the Prerana Programmes.

About Prerana Programme:

• Launch Date: January 2024.
• Launched By: Union Education Ministry.
• Objective: Integration of Indian education system principles and value-based education as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Target Audience: Selected students of Class IX to XII.
• Program Features:
  • Experiential Learning: Best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation.
  • Student Selection: 20 students (10 boys and 10 girls) from various parts of India attend the program weekly.
• Value-Based Themes: The curriculum is rooted in 9 themes:
  • Swabhiman and Vinay
  • Shaurya and Sahas
  • Parishram and Samarpan
  • Karuna and Sewa
  • Vividhta and Ekta
  • Satyanishtha and Shuchita
  • Navachar and Jigyasa
  • Shraddha aur Vishwas
  • Swatantrata and Kartavya
• Program Aim: To inspire youth and foster respect for Bharat’s unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

• A unique orchid species, Gastrodia indica, was recently discovered in Sikkim’s Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Gastrodia indica:

• First Orchid from India that Never Opens Its Flower: The first cleistogamous species of the genus Gastrodia discovered from India, named Gastrodia indica.
• Habitat: Thrives in dense, rotten leaf litter associated with trees like Magnolia doltsopa, Acer campbelli, and Quercus lamellose.
• Contribution to Botanical Diversity: The discovery of Gastrodia indica increases the total number of Gastrodia species in India to 10.
• Conservation Concerns: Faces potential threats due to its limited population and specific habitat requirements.

• Scientists have discovered that prokaryotes are highly resilient to climate change, which may lead to their increased dominance in marine environments.

About Prokaryotes:

• Single-Celled Organisms: Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack a distinct nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
• Cell Organisation:
  • Basic structural components include a cell wall (absent in mycoplasma), cytoplasm, and a plasma membrane.
  • They lack a well-defined nucleus.
• Historical Significance: Prokaryotes are considered to be the oldest cell-based lifeforms on Earth.
• Habitat:
  • They thrive across the entire planet, both on land and in water.
  • They are found in environments ranging from the tropics to the poles.
• Ecological Significance: Prokaryotes play a crucial role in the world’s food chains, supporting the nutrient needs of fish consumed by humans.

• IIT-Bhubaneswar has developed a groundbreaking hybrid technology that combines the strengths of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with deep learning (DL) techniques.

Key points: 

• This innovative approach aims to significantly improve the accuracy of predicting heavy rainfall events, especially in complex terrains.
• The hybrid technology was rigorously tested during severe flooding in Assam and Odisha in June 2023. 
• The results were impressive, demonstrating nearly double the prediction accuracy compared to traditional ensemble models, particularly at the district level with a lead time of up to 96 hours.  
• This advancement holds immense potential for disaster management, enabling authorities to prepare and respond more effectively to heavy rainfall events and their associated risks.

• The National Child Rights Commission (NCRC) has issued a strong appeal to all Indian states to completely abolish corporal punishment in schools and other educational institutions. 
• This plea is rooted in the commission’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring a safe and nurturing learning environment.

Key Points:

• Corporal punishment, often involving physical or psychological harm, is a harmful practice that can have long-lasting negative effects on children’s mental and emotional well-being. 
• The NCRC emphasizes that such practices violate children’s fundamental rights and hinder their overall development.
• The commission has called for the implementation of alternative disciplinary measures that promote positive behavior and respect for human rights. 
• These measures might include counseling, conflict resolution techniques, and restorative justice approaches.

About:

• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body in India responsible for protecting and promoting child rights.
• It was established in 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

• Odisha has announced one day of menstrual leave for all state government and private sector employees. 
• This policy aims to address the challenges faced by women during their menstrual cycle, allowing them to take time off without any penalty. 
• The initiative is a positive move towards promoting gender equality and recognizing the physical and emotional needs of women in the workplace.

• Khallikote University in Odisha has received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) as a state university. 
• This recognition comes after years of uncertainty and struggle for the institution, which was established in 1856 as a zilla school and gained autonomous status in 1990. 
• Now,  Khallikote University will be included in the list of state public universities under section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. 
• This will allow the university to receive funds from the UGC and offer its students degrees that are recognized by the central government.

Refer to Addapedia notes for detailed info on UGC

• Odia film “Daman” created history by winning the prestigious Best Odia Film award at the 70th National Film Awards. 
• The film, starring Babushaan Mohanty, impressed the jury with its powerful portrayal of a doctor’s fight against superstitions in Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
• Directed by Vishal Mourya and Debi Prasad Lenka, Daman not only garnered critical acclaim but also emerged as a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Odia film till date.
• The award comprises a Rajat Kamal and cash prize of  Rs 2 lakh.

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Adda247.