Jagannath’s Shrine
- Cricketers visit Jagannath Temple: Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel visited the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri before the India vs England ODI.
- Temple Significance: Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the four Chaar Dhaams.
- Historical Context: Built in the 12th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the temple’s completion and deity installation occurred in 1230 AD.
- Architectural Style: A striking example of Kalinga architecture, the temple’s main structure features a raised platform, no shadow on the ground, and a 20-foot chakra (wheel) at its pinnacle.
- Religious Significance: The temple complex includes shrines, gardens, and sacred tanks, creating a serene atmosphere for devotion, housing deities like Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra.
- Security Measures: Extensive security measures were in place for the cricketers’ visit and transport.
- Traffic Advisory: Traffic advisories were issued due to the team’s practice session at Barabati Stadium.
- Nabakalebara: The 12-year ritual, Nabakalebara, is a significant religious event in the temple’s calendar.
- White Pagoda: The temple is known as the White Pagoda due to its distinctive white color and architectural style.
Satkosia Tigers
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha will undertake the first captive breeding program for sambar deer.
- The goal is to increase sambar populations for release into other areas with low prey densities, boosting the tiger and leopard food source.
- Six sambar pairs will be housed in an enclosure at Tulka. Males will come from captivity; females likely from the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The reserve’s prey density has increased from 23 to 39 animals per sq km.
- A detailed project report for the conservation breeding program is sent to the chief wildlife warden.
- The program is seen as a prerequisite to resume tiger translocation, after a previous attempt failed.
- The reserve has the space and plans to expand its translocation area.
- The Mahanadi River flows through the reserve, located in Angul, Cuttack, Boudh, and Nayagarh districts.
- The reserve is at the confluence of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats biogeographic regions, known for biodiversity.
- The reserve encompasses Baisipalli and Satkosia Gorge Sanctuaries.
- The area has a low population of tigers, leopards, elephants, spotted deer, sambar, and other wildlife.
- Freshwater crocodile and gharial are also found there.
Algo Trading
- SEBI mandates stock exchanges to empanel algorithmic trading providers and defines rules for APIs.
- Algorithmic trading uses pre-defined rules for automated order execution, faster than human traders.
- Algo trading is prevalent among both institutional and retail investors in India.
- SEBI created a regulatory framework for stakeholders (investors, brokers, algo providers, MIIs) to safeguard retail investors.
- Retail investors will access approved algos through registered brokers only.
- Stock brokers need exchange permission for each algo.
- Algo orders get unique identifiers for audit trails.
- Brokers are responsible for investor grievances and API monitoring.
- Algorithmic trading logic categorized into white box (disclosed, replicable) and black box (undisclosed).
- SEBI aims to facilitate safer participation of retail investors in algo trading and improve liquidity.
- Algo providers must be empanelled with exchanges.
- Retail investor-developed algos must meet exchange criteria to be registered.
- Exchanges supervise algo trading, monitor orders, and have “kill switch” capability.
- Exchanges set turnaround times for algo registration (fast track vs normal).
- This new framework is applicable from August 1st.
Salamander
- Wandering salamanders use blood pressure in their toes for optimal arboreal locomotion.
- They rapidly fill, trap, and drain blood in their toe tips to control attachment and detachment.
- Fine control of blood flow to each toe tip allows for asymmetrical pressure adjustments, improving grip.
- Blood rushing in before “toe off” aids detachment, reducing surface area and energy expenditure.
- This unique mechanism in salamanders could inspire new adhesives, prosthetics, and robotic appendages.
- Salamanders are amphibians with slender bodies, long tails, and moist skin, varying in size from 2.5 cm to 5 feet.
- They live near water or moist ground, are found in various locations, and are mainly in North America, Europe, Asia, parts of South America, and North Africa.
- Salamanders can regenerate lost limbs, are nocturnal, cold-blooded, and some species are poisonous or have teeth.
- Salamanders control pests, are food for larger animals, and are vulnerable to drought and toxins due to their moist skin.
- They play an ecological role, regulating food webs and contributing to ecosystem stability.
Bombay Blood
- A 30-year-old with the rare Bombay blood group (hh) received a successful kidney transplant.
- The Bombay blood group lacks the H antigen, a crucial component for forming A and B antigens.
- This makes them incompatible with standard blood types (including O-negative), requiring a donor with the same rare blood group.
- The donor was the patient’s mother, who did not have the Bombay blood group.
- Doctors used a cross-blood matching technique (double filtration plasmapheresis – DFPP) previously used for ABO blood types.
- The procedure involved reducing the recipient’s anti-H antibodies to prevent organ rejection.
- This transplant is a first in this rare blood group.
- The patient is now doing well and recovering post transplant.
- The transplant showcases a new potential approach for those with Bombay blood type in need of organ transplantation.
- This procedure may open up possibilities for others with this rare blood type in the future.
Cook Islands
- The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation with a free association pact with New Zealand, is preparing to sign a cooperation deal with China.
- New Zealand’s Foreign Minister expressed “significant concern” over the deal, citing a lack of consultation.
- The Cook Islands Prime Minister will visit Beijing next week to finalize a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China.
- The visit occurs during heightened geopolitical tension in the Pacific region as China seeks to increase its influence.
- New Zealand is worried the deal could pose a risk to its national interests and wants to verify this.
- The Cook Islands government maintains the agreement will prioritize sovereignty and national interests.
- The Cook Islands consists of 15 islands, with a population primarily on Rarotonga.
- The nation is located in the South Pacific Ocean, between Tonga and French Polynesia.
- The Cook Islands has a free association agreement with New Zealand, who provide support on foreign affairs and defense.
- Rarotonga is home to the capital, Avarua.
- The islands are known for their beautiful beaches and hospitality.
Kashmir Carpets
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New Logo for Kashmir Hand-Knotted Carpets: The Geographical Indications Registry Chennai has granted a new logo to protect the exclusivity of Kashmir hand-knotted carpets (“Kal baffi”). This logo signifies the carpet’s unique geographical origin and quality.
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Historical Significance: Kashmir carpets have a history dating back to the 15th century, with weavers from Persia and Central Asia introduced to the region to train locals.
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Weaving Technique: The unique loom, with two horizontal wooden beams, is a defining feature. The specific knotting method (“Farsi baff” and “Sehna/Sinneh”) and tools used (combing, scissors) distinguish them.
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GI Registration: This new logo and the QR code-based GI tagging (February 2022) are crucial for authenticating the carpets. This helps prevent counterfeiting and informs buyers about the origin, weaver, and materials.
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Authenticity and Quality: The QR code provides instant verification of the carpet’s origin, manufacturer, artisan, knots per square inch, and materials.
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Export and Recognition: Kashmir carpets are exported to over 25 countries worldwide, and the GI tag helps maintain the region’s reputation for high-quality craftsmanship.
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Additional GI Registrations: Besides carpets, six other Kashmiri crafts (Papier-mâché, Pashmina, Kani, Sozni, Khatamband, Walnut Wood Carving) have received GI registration.
Graphene
- Graphene is a two-dimensional material, a single layer of carbon atoms in a honeycomb structure.
- It’s an allotrope of carbon, like diamond and graphite.
- Graphene was isolated in 2004.
- It’s incredibly thin (one atom thick), strong (200x stronger than steel), flexible, and an excellent electrical and thermal conductor.
- Graphene is almost perfectly transparent, absorbing only 2% of light.
- It’s impermeable to gases like hydrogen and helium.
- Researchers recently discovered a new state of matter in graphene’s current dynamics.
- Graphene has diverse applications, including sensors, electronics, energy storage, and healthcare.
- Applications are also in energy, construction, health, and electronics sectors.
- Graphene is stronger than diamond.
- Graphene doesn’t pose a significant skin risk.
- Stacked graphene is graphite.
Nuclear Liability Act
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The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act (CLNDA) 2010 is India’s legal framework for nuclear incidents. It’s based on international conventions (Vienna, Paris, Brussels).
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The CLNDA mandates strict liability on nuclear plant operators, holding them responsible for damages regardless of fault. Liability is capped at ₹1,500 crore.
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Beyond ₹1,500 crore, the Indian government is liable up to ₹2,100-₹2,300 crore (300 million SDRs).
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The act sets a 15-day incident reporting timeframe for the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
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A Nuclear Damage Claims Commission is established for compensation and dispute resolution.
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The CLNDA amendment aims to ease legal concerns for foreign nuclear power companies, potentially encouraging new projects in India.
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The CLNDA is similar to international conventions like the Vienna, Paris, and Brussels conventions.