28.01.25

Recognition at Republic Day Parade: Etikoppaka toys, Andhra Pradesh’s eco-friendly wooden toys, received accolades at the Republic Day parade.

400-Year-Old Tradition: These toys, also known as Etikoppaka Bommalu, are rooted in a 400-year-old craft tradition.

Origin in Andhra Pradesh: They originate from Etikoppaka village, Andhra Pradesh.

Natural Materials: Made using ‘ankudu’ wood and colored with natural dyes from seeds, bark, roots, and leaves.

Safe for Children: The toys have no sharp edges, making them safe for children.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: Received a GI tag in 2017, signifying their authenticity and cultural importance. This tag protects the unique origin and qualities of the product.

International Recognition: The toys have gained international recognition for their vibrant colors and timeless designs.

GI Tag Definition: A GI tag is used on products with a specific geographical origin and qualities/reputation linked to that origin. In India, it’s governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Darjeeling tea was the first product to receive a GI tag in India (2004-05).

Lacquer Properties: Lacquer used in the toys is fast drying, waterproof, and transparent.

Assured Pension for Government Employees: The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) guarantees a pension equivalent to 50% of the average basic pay drawn in the last 12 months before retirement, a significant shift from the National Pension System (NPS). This is a restoration of a benefit previously available.

Option for NPS Participants: Current and future central government employees under the NPS have the choice to switch to UPS. This gives employees a more secure financial future.

Irreversible Decision: The decision to switch to UPS is final, creating a clear choice for employees and impacting long-term planning.

Minimum Pension & Family Benefits: UPS includes a minimum pension of Rs. 10,000 per month after 10 years of service and family pension (60% of the pension upon the employee’s death), providing additional financial safety nets.

Inflation Protection and Retirement Benefits: Dearness relief will ensure the pension is adjusted for inflation. A lump sum payout and gratuity are also included, aiding with retirement.

Voluntary Retirement Provisions: Employees opting for voluntary retirement after 25 years of service are also eligible for the pension benefits. This extends financial security to more employees.

Effective Date: The scheme will be effective from April 1, 2025.

Sweden Seizes Ship: A ship is suspected of damaging a fibre-optic cable under the Baltic Sea linking Sweden and Latvia. This is important as it highlights concerns about infrastructure security in the region.

Baltic Sea Region: Located in Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea is bordered by Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, and Russia, making it strategically important.

Young Sea: Formed 10,000-15,000 years ago, the Baltic Sea’s relatively recent formation impacts its unique characteristics, like being brackish.

Brackish Water: The Baltic Sea is the world’s largest brackish inland water body due to freshwater inflow and shallowness which affects its ecosystem.

Gulfs: The Baltic Sea features three major gulfs: Bothnia, Finland and Riga, influencing maritime activities and regional geography.

Islands: Over 20 islands and archipelagos are present, with Gotland being the largest, creating diverse marine habitats and affecting shipping routes.

Why in News: Assam’s Dima Hasao rat-hole mining tragedy (9 miners trapped) highlights unregulated mining dangers despite bans.

What is Rat-Hole Mining: Primitive, labor-intensive, dangerous coal mining method with small tunnels (3-4 ft deep, 2-3 ft wide). Common in Northeast India.

Methods:

• Side-Cutting: Tunnels into hill slopes.
• Box-Cutting: Vertical pit followed by horizontal “rat holes”.

Reasons for Rat-Hole Mining:

• Poverty and limited livelihood options.
• Land ownership ambiguities and weak regulation.
• Coal demand (legal and illegal).

Challenges:

• Safety Hazards: Tunnel collapses, suffocation, accidents (e.g., Wokha mine explosion, Ksan mine flooding).
• Environmental Impact: Deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination (Acid Mine Drainage).
• Social Issues: Child labor (70,000 estimated), worker exploitation, displacement.

Regulation:

• Illegal in India.
• NGT ban (2014) upheld by Supreme Court (2019) under MMDR Act, 1957.
• Nagaland Coal Policy (2006): SPDLs with strict conditions.
• Article 371A (Nagaland) and Sixth Schedule (ADCs) create legal complexities.

International Context: No direct international law, but emphasis on sustainable mining and worker safety.

Biomining:

• Extracts metals using microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi, plants).
• Eco-friendly method for ore extraction and site remediation.
• Processes: Bioleaching and Biooxidation.
• Metals extracted: copper, uranium, nickel, gold.
• Advantages: Sustainable, energy-efficient, reduced water usage.
• Challenges: Slower extraction, limited scope, technical complexities.

• Significance: The open eyes signify the law sees everyone equally, and the Constitution’s presence emphasizes its supremacy over a sword.

• Elements: Features the Ashok Chakra, the SC building, and the Book of Constitution.
• Motto: Inscribed with “Yato Dharmastato Jayah,” meaning “Where there is Dharma, there is victory.”

Elephant Reappearance: An elephant was camera-trapped after 12 years, sparking conservation hope. This highlights potential success in habitat restoration and improved protection efforts.

Location and Significance: Situated in Arunachal Pradesh, near the India-Myanmar-China tri-junction, within the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. This strategic location underscores its importance for regional biodiversity.

Size and Ecosystem Diversity: Third-largest national park in India (1,985 sq km) with an altitude range of 200-4,571 meters, supporting diverse ecosystems. The size and varied topography lead to high biodiversity.

Unique Fauna: The only park globally with four big cat species (tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard). This fact alone emphasizes Namdapha’s significance for big cat conservation. Includes other key species such as the critically endangered Namdapha flying squirrel.

Flora and Biodiversity: Rich flora with orchids, ferns, bamboos, and medicinal plants, contributing to overall biodiversity.

Tiger Reserve: Designated a tiger reserve in 1983. Challenges exist in tiger population estimation due to difficult terrain.

Tribal Communities: Inhabited by indigenous tribes (Lisu, Singpho, Tangsa) who are now engaged in conservation, indicating a shift toward sustainable practices.

DeepSeek’s AI Models Challenge US Dominance: Chinese startup DeepSeek has launched AI models (DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1) claimed to rival or surpass leading US models from companies like OpenAI and Meta. This disrupts the existing tech world order.

Cost-Effectiveness Advantage: DeepSeek’s models offer comparable performance at a significantly lower cost. DeepSeek-V3 was trained on just $5 million, unlike the hundreds of millions spent by US tech giants.

Open-Source Nature: DeepSeek models are open-sourced with open weights. This allows anyone to build upon them, potentially fostering broader innovation.

Mixture-of-Experts (MOE) Architecture: DeepSeek-V3 utilizes MOE, a specialized architecture where multiple smaller models collaborate, which can enhance efficiency.

Overcoming US Sanctions: DeepSeek developed these AI models despite US sanctions restricting China’s access to advanced Nvidia chips, showcasing resilience and innovation.

Shift in AI Narrative: DeepSeek’s success reverses the previous narrative of Chinese AI lagging behind US capabilities, as initial Chinese AI products disappointed in comparison.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid: Roughly 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin as a pain reliever. This extreme potency makes it particularly dangerous.

Approved for medical use: The FDA has approved fentanyl as an analgesic (pain reliever) and anesthetic. However, its misuse is a major concern.

Overdose risks: Fentanyl overdoses can cause severe symptoms including stupor, changes in pupil size, clammy skin, blue skin (cyanosis), coma, respiratory failure and death. This is due to its effect on the brain’s respiratory control center.

Opioid Class: Fentanyl belongs to the opioid class of drugs, which are derived from or mimic substances found in opium poppies.

Mechanism of Action: Opioids activate opioid receptors, blocking pain signals and causing euphoria, making them highly addictive.

Overdose Identification: An opioid overdose can be identified by pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and breathing difficulties.

Potential Trade Implications: The US government was discussing a potential punitive duty on Chinese imports due to fentanyl being allegedly trafficked from China to the US through Mexico and Canada.

Common side effects: Stomach pain, feeling dizzy, headaches.

Loudspeakers Not Essential: The Bombay High Court ruled that using loudspeakers is not an essential religious practice (ERP) protected by the Constitution.

ERP Defined: ERP refers to practices integral to a religion’s doctrine, protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. The judiciary determines what constitutes an ERP based on religious tenets.

Santhara/Sallekhana: The Rajasthan High Court initially ruled Santhara (a Jain practice of fasting to death) as non-essential, but the Supreme Court stayed the order.

Triple Talaq: The Supreme Court invalidated instant triple talaq, stating it was not an essential Islamic practice and violated women’s rights.

Bombay HC Loudspeaker Ruling: In Dr Mahesh Vijay Bedekar v Maharashtra (2016), the Bombay HC enforced noise pollution rules, clarifying loudspeakers are not essential to religion. Use is restricted between 10 pm and 6 am, and in silence zones, with limited exceptions.

Noise as Pollution: Noise is considered an “air pollutant” under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, with mandated noise level limits.

Tamil Nadu Iron Use Antiquity: Recent report suggests iron use in Tamil Nadu dates back to the 4th millennium BCE, pushing back the established Iron Age timeline in India.

Iron Age Definition: A period following the Bronze Age, characterized by the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons.

Iron Age Timeline Discrepancies: The generally accepted Iron Age in India emerged between 1500-2000 BCE, but new evidence challenges this.

Lack of Iron in Rigveda: The Rigveda shows no knowledge of iron.

Iron Mentions in Later Texts: Early Buddhist literature and Kautilya’s Arthashastra reference iron smithing.

Key Excavation Sites & Evidence:

• Raja Nal Ka Tila: Iron tools and slag (1400–800 BCE).
• Malhar: Iron tools, furnaces, and slag, indicating a metallurgy center.

Cultural Associations with Iron: Black-and-Red Ware (BRW), Painted Grey Ware (PGW), and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) cultures are linked to the Iron Age.

Urbanization Definition: Shift from agriculture to industries/services/trade, reliant on surplus production, social stratification, and ruling classes.

Iron’s Role in 2nd Urbanization: Iron technology facilitated the 2nd Urbanization in the Ganga Valley (6th century BCE) by:

• Clearing forests for agriculture.
• Boosting agricultural productivity with iron plows.
• Creating agricultural surpluses.

Impact of Iron on Urbanization:

• Supported population growth.
• Led to the development of settlements and 16 Mahajanapadas.
• Enabled social stratification and state formation.
• Facilitated trade and craft specialization.

Conclusion: Iron technology significantly contributed to urbanization in ancient India, especially in the Ganga Valley, fostering population growth, social hierarchies, and state formation during the second urbanization phase.

Supersonic Winds Discovered: Scientists have detected extremely fast winds, reaching speeds of 33,000 km/hour, on the exoplanet WASP-127b. This makes them the fastest winds of their kind observed on any planet.

Hot Jupiter: WASP-127b is classified as a “hot Jupiter,” a gas giant exoplanet orbiting very close to its host star.

Proximity to Star: It orbits its star every four days at approximately 5% of the Earth-Sun distance, resulting in intense stellar radiation and high atmospheric temperatures.

Tidally Locked: Similar to our moon’s relationship with Earth, one side of WASP-127b always faces its star (day side), while the other always faces away (night side).

Puffy Planet: WASP-127b is significantly larger than Jupiter in diameter (30% larger) but has only about 16% of Jupiter’s mass, classifying it as a “puffy” planet.

Atmospheric Composition: Primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, its atmosphere also contains traces of carbon monoxide and water.

No Solid Surface: As a gas giant, WASP-127b lacks a solid surface; the atmosphere transitions into denser, highly pressurized gas at greater depths.

Discovered in 2016: WASP-127b was discovered in 2016, contributing to the ongoing exploration and characterization of exoplanets.

WASP Designation: Planets named “WASP” are identified by the SuperWASP project, a ground-based effort to discover exoplanets.