Short News

Polity and Governance  (GS II)

Two villages on LOC get electricity for the first time

Kundiyan and Patroo – two remote villages in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, along the Line of Control have got electricity for the first time.

• They have now been connected to the grid by the Two sub-stations of 250 KV were completed under the SamirdhSeemaYojana by the KPDCL Electric Division Kupwara to electrify the villages.

SamirdhSeemaYojana

• SSY scheme was launched in 2022-23 in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as a special initiative with an allocation of Rs 50 crore for inclusive development of border areas, in convergence with other schemes, especially in the seven Thematic Areas
• Including Roads and Buildings, Health, Education, Agriculture, Power, Drinking Water Supply, Social Sector and Sports Infrastructures. The aim is to ensure the provision of essential infrastructure facilities and opportunities for sustainable living which would help integrate these areas with the mainstream by providing basic facilities

Miscellaneous

Karnapex 2024

The 13th state-level philatelic exhibition, Karnapex 2024 -Festival of Stamps.

About-

• Stamps dating back to 1832 and a half-anna piece in red, was the oldest on display.
• Collection of postage stamps is philately. The Government launches stamps commemorating special events like centenary birth anniversaries of great leaders, achievements of schemes, sports persons, honouring military officials and their sacrifices, promoting tourist spots and heritages, etc. 
• Stamps are reflections of the heritage and achievements of a country. National Philately Day is celebrated on October 13 to encourage philately as a hobby.
• India Post organised AMRITPEX 2023 in New Delhi. It was a National Philatelic Exhibition.

Art & Culture (GS I)

Digital tools set to save Kashmiri script

Microsoft India’s MS Translator software has now included the Kashmiri language.

About –

• The Kashmiri language has survived only through oral traditions; by 2013, those who could write the script fell to just 5%.
• These moves are likely to benefit 70 lakh Kashmiri speakers living in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, including those in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Kashmiri — which is influenced significantly by Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic — had fallen into the category of endangered languages.

Kashmiri Language

• Is a Dardic language of Indo-Aryan language family spoken by around 7 million Kashmiris of the Kashmir region (majority in Kashmir Valley) primarily in the Indian-Administrated union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Kashmiri has split ergativity and the unusual verb-second word order.
• Since 2020, it has been made an official language of Jammu and Kashmir along with Dogri, Hindi, Urdu and English. Kashmiri is also among the 22 scheduled languages of India.

Science and Technology (GS III)

WHO lanuches ICD-11, Traditional Medicine Module 2

The data and terminology relating to diseases based on Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Medicine have been included in the WHO ICD-11 classification.

About ICD-11 Classification-

• ICD serves a broad range of uses globally and provides critical knowledge on the extent, causes and consequences of human disease and death worldwide via data that is reported and coded with the ICD.
• Clinical terms coded with ICD are the main basis for health recording and statistics on disease in primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as on cause of death certificates.
• The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) has been the basis for comparable statistics on causes of mortality and morbidity between places and over time.

About ASU:

• Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drugs, which are mainly poly-herbal/herbo-mineral preparations, are very different from synthetic molecules of the allopathic system which are produced under controlled laboratory conditions.
• It depends on the quality and availability of raw materials of botanical origin.
• Keeping this in view, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) was established in the year 2000 with the objective of in-situ conservation and ex-situ cultivation of quality medicinal plant raw materials.
• In view of environmental pollution the NMPB is examining how best to adopt Good Agricultural and Collection Practices for collection and cultivation of medicinal plants for ensuring quality raw material for ASU medicines.
• As a large number of our forest dwellers and small landholders are engaged in collection and cultivation, these norms have to be adopted in a way that livelihood is not affected.
• Both traditional and modern parameters are used for quality testing and standardization of raw materials as well as finished products. 

Science and Technology(GS III)

Warm vaccine

IISc Bengaluru comes up with warm vaccine against current strains of SARS-CoV-2.

About the warm vaccine –

• It is a vaccine that can maintain its chemical structure even in room temperature. This will help to manage the logistical challenge.

Vaccine Candidate by IISc Bengaluru –

• It is effective against all current strains of SARS-CoV-2 and can be quickly adapted for future variants as well.

Location in News

Lakshadweep

• PM Modi was in Lakshadweep to inaugurate the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection and lay foundation stone for the renovation of primary healthcare facility and five model Anganwadi centres.
• In addition to creating futuristic infrastructure, it is also about creating opportunities for better healthcare, faster internet and drinking water, while protecting as well celebrating the vibrant local culture.
• The islands of Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti were visited.
• Location: Lakshadweep is a group of islands located in the Laccadive Sea, which is part of the northeastern part of the Arabian Sea.
• Latitude and Longitude: The approximate geographical coordinates of the Lakshadweep Islands are between 8° and 12° N latitude and 71° and 74° E longitude.
• Distance from the Indian Mainland: The islands are situated about 200 to 400 kilometers off the southwestern coast of India. The closest mainland state is Kerala.
• Neighboring Regions: Lakshadweep is to the northwest of the Maldives and is the northern extension of the Maldives archipelago.
• Total Area: The total land area of all the islands combined is relatively small, covering about 32 square kilometers.
• Coral Atolls: The islands are coral atolls, meaning they are formed from coral reefs surrounding a lagoon. The atolls are made up of coral and other organic material.
• Island Distribution: The Lakshadweep archipelago is composed of 36 islands and islets, and they are grouped into three main geographical units: Amindivi Islands, Laccadive Islands, and the uninhabited Pitti Bank.
• The geographical location of Lakshadweep contributes to its unique ecosystem, characterized by coral reefs, marine life, and tropical climate.

Kepulauan Talaud

An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Indonesia's Kepulauan Talaud.

About Kepulauan Talaud –

• Talaud Islands, island group of northern Indonesia, situated about 225 miles (360 km) northeast of Celebes (Sulawesi).
• The Talaud Islands form an archipelago situated to the north-east of the Minahasa Peninsula.
• Along with the Sangihe Islands to the west and south, the Talaud Islands are administered from Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi provinsi (province).
• The region is regularly rocked by large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as the Molucca Sea Plate is being consumed in both directions.