Current Affairs Exam

• Archaeological Discovery: A significant archaeological find has occurred in Lefkada: the first ancient Greek theater discovered in the Ionian Islands. This is noteworthy as it provides new insight into the history and culture of the region.

• Location and Composition: The Ionian Islands are situated off the western coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea. The island group comprises seven major islands (Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Kythira) and several smaller ones. They are also known as the “Heptanese” or “Seven Islands”.

• Size and Geography: Kefalonia is the largest island. Mount Ainos is the highest point, reaching 1,628 m.

• Historical Context: The islands have a rich history, having been controlled by Venice, Russian and Turkish forces, Britain, before ultimately being ceded to Greece in 1864. This complex history has shaped the islands’ cultural identity.

For Prelims:

• BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, a regional organization.
• Region: Focuses on the Bay of Bengal region, connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia. Relevant to understanding India’s role in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean.
• SAARC Alternative: BIMSTEC is viewed as a viable alternative to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Why in News:
* The 6th BIMSTEC Summit was hosted by Thailand.
* The summit focused on strengthening regional cooperation and addressing key challenges.

For Mains:

• Key Highlights of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit:

  • Bangkok Vision 2030: A roadmap for regional prosperity, economic integration, and resilience.
  • BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence: India to establish centers for Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, Traditional Medicine, and Agriculture.
  • BODHI Program: Skill development and capacity building program for BIMSTEC nations.
  • Cancer Care Capacity Building: Proposed program for cancer care.
  • BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and Business Summit: To promote regional economic integration.
  • People-to-People Linkages: Initiatives like BIMSTEC Athletics Meet (2025), First BIMSTEC Games (2027), and cultural exchange programs to strengthen ties.

• Significance of BIMSTEC for Regional Cooperation:

  • Act East Policy Alignment: Enhances India’s trade and security prominence.
  • Alternative to SAARC: Provides a platform for regional cooperation in South Asia.
  • Platform for Regional Cooperation: Facilitates cooperation among South and Southeast Asian countries, especially in security and HADR.
  • Counterbalancing China: Serves as a platform to balance China’s growing influence in the region.
  • Cultural Preservation: Promotes and preserves the region’s intangible cultural heritage.

• Audible Enclaves (AE) and Parametric Array Loudspeakers (PAL) Focus Sound: These technologies combat sound dispersion in noisy environments by creating focused sound beams. This ensures only the intended listener hears the audio.

• Audible Enclaves (AE): AE creates pockets of sound using two inaudible high-frequency waves. These waves interact non-linearly at a specific location to produce audible sound, offering privacy and personalized audio experiences.

• Parametric Array Loudspeakers (PAL): PAL uses modulated high-frequency ultrasonic waves to generate directional sound beams. These waves self-demodulate in the air, producing focused sound and minimizing unwanted dispersion.

• How PAL Works: PAL emits high-frequency waves modulated with an audio signal. As these waves travel, they self-demodulate, creating a narrow sound beam audible only to those in its path.

• AE’s Unique Approach: AE uses two inaudible high-frequency waves that, when they intersect, create audible sound only at that specific location.

• Applications: PAL and AE are useful in museums, retail, public spaces, entertainment, assistive technology, and security. They provide targeted audio without disturbing others.

• Published Research: A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights researchers’ success in creating audible enclaves using two high-frequency waves.

• GI Tag Awarded: Kannadippaya, a traditional tribal handicraft from Kerala, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• Protection and Global Platform: The GI tag ensures market protection and provides a global platform for this unique product.
• First of its Kind: Kannadippaya is the first tribal handicraft product from Kerala to receive the GI tag.
• Craftsmen and Organizations recognized: GI tag has been awarded to the Unarvu Pattikavargha Vividodesha Sahakarana Sangam and the Vanasree Bamboo Craft & Vanavibhava Shekarana unit.
• Reflective Properties: The name “Kannadippaya” (mirror mat) comes from its unique reflective surface.
• Material: Made from the soft inner layers of reed bamboo (Teinostachyum wightii).
• Temperature Regulation: It stands out for its unique properties – providing warmth during winter and cooling effect in summer.
• Tribal Communities Involved: Primarily preserved by the Urali, Mannan, Muthuvan, Malayan, Kadar, Ulladan, Malayarayan, and Hill Pulaya communities across multiple districts.
• Bamboo Collection Ritual: The bamboo collection is a full-moon ritual, with each expedition to the forest and back extending to a day and night.
• Historical Significance: Historically, kannadippaya was presented to kings as a mark of honor.
• KFRI’s Role: The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) played a crucial role in securing the GI tag.
• Empowering Artisans: The GI tag empowers tribal artisans, opening doors for them to become entrepreneurs.
• Market Challenges: Lack of a structured market is a major challenge for tribal communities.
• Need for Promotion: State and Central governments are urged to promote kannadippaya and expand its reach.
• Reviving Interest: Emphasizing the importance of reviving interest in the craft among younger generations.
• International Markets: The GI tag will attract more artisans and open international markets due to the demand for eco-friendly products.
• KFRI’s Achievement: Securing the GI tag during KFRI’s golden jubilee year is a remarkable achievement.

• Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) Approved: The Union Cabinet approved VVP-II for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29 with a total outlay of ₹6,839 crore.

• Central Sector Scheme: VVP-II is a 100% centrally funded scheme.

• Expanded Coverage: It covers villages along international land borders (ILBs), excluding the northern border areas already covered under VVP-I, across 17 States/UTs which include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

• Objectives: To improve living conditions, create livelihood opportunities, ensure border security, control trans-border crime, and integrate the border population with the nation.

• Focus Areas: Infrastructure development, value chain development, border-specific outreach, education infrastructure (SMART classes), tourism circuits, and sustainable livelihood creation.

• Implementation: Village Action Plans are prepared collaboratively, tailored to specific state and village needs. PMGSY-IV will provide all-weather road connectivity.

• Convergence: Aims to saturate villages with existing individual and household welfare schemes and achieve saturation in all-weather road connectivity, telecom, television connectivity and electrification through convergence under existing scheme norms.

• Vibrancy Enhancement: Activities such as fairs, festivals, awareness camps, and visits by government officials will boost tourism and promote local culture.

• Technology Integration: Leverages technology and information databases like PM Gati Shakti for effective project implementation.

• Transformative Initiative: VVP-II, along with VVP-I, aims to make border villages self-reliant and vibrant.

• Bihar to Host Khelo India Games (Youth & Para) in May 2025: This signifies a major opportunity for the state to showcase its sporting infrastructure and promote youth engagement in sports.

• Khelo India Initiative (Launched 2018): The games are part of a larger national program aiming to revive sports culture and identify future Olympians. The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• Focus on Talent Development: The games serve as a platform to identify and nurture young sporting talent through organized competitions.

• Infrastructure Development: Hosting the games will likely lead to improvements and upgrades in sports facilities within Bihar, creating better training environments.

• Multi-Discipline Approach: Khelo India encompasses various games, including Youth, University, Para, and Winter Games, promoting participation across diverse sports.

• Inclusive Sports Promotion: The initiative prioritizes gender equality, disability inclusion, and the promotion of indigenous sports, ensuring broader participation.

Here are the key points of the “Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024”:

• Passage: Passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in early hours of Thursday, amid opposition claims of it being “anti-Muslim.”
• Objective: Amends the Waqf Act, 1995, to improve Waqf board efficiency, update Waqf definitions, streamline registration, and boost technology use in record management.
• Separation of Trusts: Muslim-created trusts are no longer considered Waqf, ensuring individual control.
• Eligibility: Only practicing Muslims (for 5+ years) can dedicate property to Waqf.
• Women’s Rights: Women must receive inheritance before Waqf dedication; provisions for widows/divorced women/orphans.
• Ending Arbitrary Claims: Removes Section 40 of the 1995 Act, preventing arbitrary property declarations as Waqf.
• Waqf Tribunals: Include a district judge, state government officer, and Muslim law expert; appeals to High Court within 90 days.
• Government Land Disputes: Collector-ranked officer investigates government land claims.
• Reduced Contributions: Waqf institutions’ mandatory contribution to boards reduced from 7% to 5%.
• Annual Audit Reforms: Institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh must undergo audits by state-appointed auditors.
• Centralized Portal: Automates Waqf property management for transparency.
• Diverse Representation: Waqf Boards include non-Muslim members and representation from Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Aghakhani, and OBC Muslim communities; at least two women.
• Limitation Act: The Limitation Act, 1963, applies to Waqf property claims.
• Need: Addresses mismanagement, land encroachments, lack of judicial oversight, and misuse of powers under the 1995 Act.
• Concerns: Increased government control, dilution of Muslim representation, ambiguity in defining “practicing Muslim,” removal of “Waqf by user” principle.
• Benefits to Poor: Digitization, auditing, prevention of misuse, increased revenue for healthcare, education, housing, and livelihood programs.

• India-Thailand Strategic Partnership: Established through a Joint Declaration, strengthening bilateral ties.
• Digital Technology Cooperation: MoU signed between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India. Importance: Advances digital infrastructure and collaboration in technological advancements.
• Maritime Heritage Cooperation: MoU for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, signed between Sagarmala Division and the Fine Arts Department of Thailand. Significance: Promotes cultural exchange and maritime heritage preservation.
• MSME Cooperation: MoU between National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP). Importance: Facilitates growth and development in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector.
• North Eastern Region (India) Development: MoU between the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Significance: Enhances cooperation and development in India’s North Eastern Region.
• Handicrafts and Handlooms Development: MoU between North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC) and Creative Economy Agency (CEA). Importance: Boosts the handicrafts and handlooms sector through creative economic initiatives.
• Thailand’s Strategic Location: Centrally positioned in Mainland Southeast Asia, serving as a bridge between India and ASEAN.
• Key Economic Resources: Leading exporter of rubber, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
• India’s Act East Policy: Thailand is a key pillar.

• Mount Marapi Erupted: Recent eruption sent ash column 1.5km (4,900ft) above the peak. Why: Indicates volcanic activity and potential hazards.

• Location: West Sumatra, Indonesia, in the Padang Highlands. Why: Establishes geographical context and area affected.

• Type of Volcano: Stratovolcano (composed of layers of hardened lava, ash, and rocks). Why: Explains the volcano’s structure and eruption style.

• Part of the Ring of Fire: A seismically active belt around the Pacific Ocean. Why: Highlights the region’s overall volcanic and earthquake susceptibility.

• Summit Features: Bancah caldera with a 1.4 km diameter and overlapping craters. Why: Describes the volcano’s distinctive summit.

• Deadliest Event: 1979 lahar caused 60 deaths. Why: Demonstrates the volcano’s potential for serious disasters.

• Confusion with Mount Merapi: Often mistaken for another volcano in Java. Why: Clarifies potential misunderstandings.

• New Exoplanet Discovery: TESS recently aided in the detection of a new “warm Jupiter” exoplanet located over 1,000 light years away. This highlights TESS’s ongoing contribution to finding new worlds.

• TESS Mission: Launched in March 2018 by NASA, TESS is designed to discover thousands of exoplanets orbiting bright dwarf stars. Its primary goal is exoplanet detection and characterization.

• Successor to Kepler: TESS follows in the footsteps of the Kepler space telescope, building on its legacy of exoplanet discovery. It continues the search for planets beyond our solar system.

• Transit Method: TESS identifies exoplanets by monitoring the brightness of stars for periodic dips caused by planets transiting (passing in front of) the star. This method allows scientists to determine the planet’s diameter and orbital size.

• Habitable Zone: TESS helps identify planets within the “habitable zone,” the region around a star where liquid water could exist, potentially supporting life. This informs the search for potentially habitable planets.

• Extended Mission: While its primary two-year mission ended on July 4, 2020, TESS is now in an extended mission, continuing its exoplanet survey. This allows for further discoveries and a more complete understanding of planetary systems.

• Planet Diversity: TESS is finding a variety of planets, from small, rocky worlds to gas giants, showcasing the diverse range of planetary systems in our galaxy. This contributes to a broader understanding of planet formation and evolution.

• Primary Mission Completion: TESS completed its primary mission by imaging roughly 75% of the starry sky in a two-year survey. This large-scale survey has already yielded significant results.

• 66 New Exoplanets: During its primary mission, TESS discovered 66 new exoplanets. This demonstrates the mission’s success in finding new worlds.