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Art and Culture

Madhika

Madhika, a language spoken by the Chakaliya community is fast becoming extinct

About -

• Madhika is a language spoken by the Chakaliya community that migrated from Karnataka centuries ago.
• It is on the brink of extinction as the younger generation increasingly chooses to adopt Malayalam.

Madhika Language-

• It is a blend of Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
• Madhika is a language spoken by the Chakaliya community that migrated from Karnataka centuries ago.

Chakaliya community-

• The Chakaliya community migrated from Karnataka several centuries ago, indicating a long and complex history of movement.
• The Chakaliya community has preserved its cultural traditions over the years, reflecting a blend of Karnataka's heritage with influences from their new surroundings.

Art and Culture

PakkePaga Hornbill Festival begins in Arunachal

The 9th edition of the PakkePaga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) began in Seijosa, Arunachal Pradesh, near the Pakke Tiger Reserve.

About-

• The Nyishi people, the largest tribal group in Arunachal Pradesh, play a crucial role in hornbill conservation, transitioning from hunters to conservationists.
• Nyishi Elite Society President TanaShowren emphasized the connection between tribal traditions and conservation, calling for a balanced approach.
• PPHF was declared a 'state festival' in 2019, and 2024 year's theme, "DomutohDomutoh, Paga hum Domutoh," translates to 'Let Our Hornbills Remain' in Nyishi.
• The festival featured a skit on hornbill conservation, millet competition, and cultural presentations from various communities in the region.

Polity and Governance

‘PradhanmantriSuryodayaYojana’

Solar roof-top scheme to electrify one crore households with solar electricity.

About:

• Ministry Concerned:Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Currently, there is no centrally compiled estimate of the number of households in India with rooftop solar installations.
• In spite of increases in installed solar capacity, the growth in the number of rooftop solar installations has been muted.
• As of July 31, 2023, only 2.2 GW (1 GW is 1,000 MW) worth of rooftop installations were reportedly installed in Indian homes.
• So far, about 56 GW has been installed in the utilities (July 2023) and 12 GW in rooftops.
• Rooftop solar installations include panels in offices and homes.
• Of the nearly 12 GW of rooftop solar installations as of July 2023, about 87% are “non-residential”, according to a report by JMK Research.
• The varied sizes of home-installations, which start anywhere from 1 kw, make estimates of the number of households hard to compute.
• India has consistently added around 2 GW annually (rooftop) but most of these are in offices and buildings.
• Currently, the incentive structures are such that it benefits commercial entities more than individual houses (to install solar panels).

Polity and Governance        

ROSHNI – Centre of Women Collectives led Social Action (CWCSA)

Ministry of Rural Development and Lady Irwin College renews MoU for ROSHNI-CWCSA today

About:

• During the five-year term of MoU, MoRD will work with ROSHNI – Centre of Women Collectives led Social Action (CWCSA), to strengthen interventions for better results of Food, Nutrition, Health and WASH (FNHW) for rural communities.
• This partnership will strengthen nutrition, gender equity and livelihoods for women.
• Director of Lady Irwin College is the Chairperson of ROSHNI-CWCSA.
• This initiative will enhance capacity building of community resource persons (CRP) for FNHW and gender interventions.”
• ROSHNI-CWCSA is supported by UNICEF India technically and financially
• ROSHNI assists DAY-NRLM to improve food, nutrition, health, and WASH (FNHW) outcomes for 9.96 crore Self Help Group (SHG) members and their households across the country.
• It envisions breaking the self-perpetuating cycle of malnutrition - illness - out-of-pocket expenditure for addressing poverty.

Polity and Governance

‘Vaibhav’ fellows

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) announced the first batch of ‘Vaibhav’ fellows.

About –

• Scheme is “open-ended” and was meant to facilitate meaningful collaboration, and potentially attract diaspora scientists to work in India.
• Twenty-two scientists, mostly based at North American and European institutes including the California Institute of Technology, the University of Oxford, the University of Michigan, the University of Geneva, the University of Waterloo, Canada, and the University of Oslo, will spend anywhere from a month or two annually, for a maximum of three years, at host Indian institutes.
• Currently, the institutions include the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Institutes of Technology, the Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, among others.
• The Vaibhav fellows are expected to begin a project, technology start-up, within three years along with the host institute, build long-term research connections with the institute, collaborate with the host faculty and bring in new ideas to the field, in Indian university and research settings.

About Scheme

• The Vaibhav fellowship scheme, first set into motion in June 2023, and is involve the Indian diaspora more closely to further India’s development, bears striking similarities to another scheme, called Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty (Vajra) scheme, again of the DST, initiated in 2018.
• Here too, diaspora Indian scientists were incentivised to spend short periods in Indian institutions.
• Both schemes would continue as they had different objectives. “Vajra was open to all foreign scientists, whereas Vaibhav is exclusively for the Indian diaspora,” said Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor.
• While the Vajra scheme did see participation and visits by foreign faculty, the Vaibhav scheme – other than the emphasis on Indian diaspora – expected clear, translational outcomes in areas of science of research that the government had earlier identified as critical to development.

Governance

8th Meeting of National Technical Textiles Mission

Ministry of Textiles approves 11 R&D projects valuing INR 103 Crores across different areas of Technical Textiles

I.   Focus on Collaboration for Indigenous Development

• Union Minister PiyushGoyal chaired the 8th Meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).
• Emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between the Government and industry to enhance indigenous development of technical textiles products.

II.  Strategic Project for High-Strength Carbon Fiber

• One of the projects focuses on the development of high-strength carbon fiber for strategic applications.
• Aiming to make India self-reliant in the field of Technical Textiles.

III. Project Distribution Across Application Areas

• Approved projects cover various application areas of technical textiles:
• 2 Protech
• 2 Meditech
• 2 Mobiltech
• 1 Buildtech
• 2 Smart Textiles
• 1 Sustainable Textiles

IV.  Institute and Research-Led Initiatives

• Research in India:Research projects led by reputed institutes and research bodies, including CSIR-NAL, ATIRA, NITRA, IIT Delhi, ICT-Mumbai, NIT-Jalandhar, and Colorjet India Ltd.

• Technological advancements:Collaboration with esteemed institutions emphasizes the importance of academic and research partnerships in driving technological advancements.

V.    Review of National Technical Textiles Mission Progress

• Review of Mission:Union Minister reviewed the progress of various components of NTTM, including sanctioned R&D projects, academic initiatives, quality control orders, patents guidelines, and outreach activities.

Governance (Health)

AyushDiksha

Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the construction of ‘AyushDiksha - A Human Resource Development Centre of the Government of India’, of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of Ayush, New Delhi, was held at Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bharatpur, Bhubaneshwar.

About-

• Approved budget of Rs.30 crore will promote state-of-the-art facilities.
• The construction will be consists of two Auditoriums with a capacity of 30-40 trainees each, 40 Central Air Conditioned Rooms with attached bathrooms for apprentice accommodation, VIP and VIP suites.
• An area dedicated to a natural library and discussion room, adequate parking space, Modular pantry, dining lounges and other necessary facilities are included.
• The Institute will provide a teaching-training programme to all the stakeholders of Ayush in general and Ayurveda in particular at the national level.
• It will also help in collaborating with other national institutions for capacity development, strengthening human resources in Ayurveda, facilitating research and development, maintaining high quality standards and generating revenue besides achieving self-sufficiency.
• CARI (Central Ayurveda Research Institute),Bhubaneswar is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
• Promoting and furthering research in Ayurveda on a scientific basis.
• The Centre will provide training programmes throughout the calendar year and is part of the initiative towards strengthening quality human resources in the Ayush sector.

International Relations

India elected vice-chair of UN fisheries body

Established in 1965, the COFI is an intergovernmental forum that addresses issues on international fishing and aquaculture, providing policy guidance on fisheries management, recognising global challenges, and promoting collective solutions to ensure the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the fishing industry.

About-

• For the first time in 59 years, India was appointed as the first vice-chair of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management.
• The grouping also makes recommendations to the FAO Council or its Director-General.
• The Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management is a new sub-group formed under the COFI in 2022, during the 35th session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), held in Rome.
• It will work closely with the two other COFI sub-committees, the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture and the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade.
• India is one of the top fishing nations with over 28 million inland and marine fisheries. It is also one of the founding members of the FAO, whose headquarters is in Rome.
• The country’s inclusion as a member of the committee “would give much-needed balance & perspective to the global narratives concerning fisheries governance & management (especially for artisanal & small scale fisheries)”.
• Improving global fisheries management remains crucial to restore ecosystems to a healthy and productive state and to protect the long-term supply of aquatic foods.
• This improvement also includes eliminating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and on addressing the impacts of the climate crisis, and biodiversity degradation that are also heavily impacting aquatic and coastal ecosystems and dependent communities.

Indian Economy

RBI panel proposes framework for State guarantees

Through the framework State governments may publish/ disclose data relating to guarantees, as per the Indian Government Accounting Standard (IGAS). It will lead to better fiscal management by the state governments.

About-The RBI’s working group on state government guarantees has proposed the following:

• The word ‘guarantee’ should include all instruments, which create an obligation, contingent or otherwise, on the part of the state government.
• “The purpose for which Government guarantees are issued should be clearly defined.
• State governments may consider fixing a ceiling for incremental guarantees issued during a year at 5 per cent of Revenue Receipts or 0.5 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product, whichever is less,”
• “State governments may consider charging a minimum guarantee fee for guarantees extended and additional risk premium may be charged based on the risk category and the tenor of the underlying loan.
• State governments may publish/ disclose data relating to guarantees, as per the Indian Government Accounting Standard (IGAS)
• The terms of reference of the Working Group included prescribing a uniform guarantee ceiling for the states, uniform reporting framework for the guarantees given by the State Governments and assessing the adequacy of states’ contribution to the Guarantee Redemption Fund.

Science and Technology

Japan's 'moon sniper' landing mission

Japan becomes the fifth country to put a spacecraft on the moon with its precision landing of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) probe.

Precision Landing Technology:

• The SLIM project, over two decades in development, marks JAXA's second attempt at lunar landing following the setback with the OMOTENASHI lander in 2022.
• The precision landing technology aims to achieve a remarkable feat by landing within 100 meters (328 feet) of the target, a vast improvement over the conventional accuracy of several kilometers for lunar landers.
• "Vision-based navigation" is a key aspect of the technology. As the probe descends, it uses its camera's images to match existing satellite photos of the Moon, enabling it to recognize its position and execute a precise touchdown.
• This innovation is crucial for future exploration of hilly moon poles, identified as potential sources of oxygen, fuel, and water.
• Additionally, the technology aids in selecting optimal locations for solar power generation, enhancing a lunar lander's chances of survival.
• Other Lunar Missions: Various nations and private companies are actively participating in lunar exploration.
• S. startup Intuitive Machines plans to launch its IM-1 lander in mid-February, while China aims to send the Chang'e-6 spacecraft to the far side of the Moon in 2024 for sample retrieval. NASA's lunar polar exploration rover VIPER is scheduled for launch in November, with recent delays announced for the Artemis moon program.

Sports
PM declares open Khelo India Youth Games

About

• Welcoming the participants, the prime minister remarked that they were together "showcasing the true spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'" and said that for Indian sports, "the Youth Games is a great way to start the new year 2024".
• PM underscored the government's commitment to providing international exposure to young athletes and making India a crucial player in the global sports economy.
• Chief Minister MK Stalin outlined Tamil Nadu's vision to become the sports capital of India. He acknowledged TN Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for steering the state in that direction.
• CM Tamil Nadu highlighted the Dravidian model's commitment to inclusivity, mentioning the state's welcome to sportspersons from Manipur, fostering a spirit of brotherhood.
• PM recognized Tamil Nadu's contribution to sports, citing tennis champions like the Amritraj brothers, hockey captain Bhaskaran, chess players VishwanathanAnand and Praggnanandhaa, and Paralympic champion Mariyappan.
• Union Sports Minister praised Tamil Nadu's achievements in sports, highlighting the phenomenal rise of 18-year-old chess player Praggnanandhaa.

Important Days

National Girl Child Day

Every year on January 24th, National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is being celebrated nationwide.

About –

National Girl Child Day is observed annually on January 24th in India.

• The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls in society and to promote their empowerment.
• National Girl Child Day was initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Government of India.
• It was first celebrated in 2008 to address issues related to the girl child and promote gender equality.
• The primary objective is to create awareness about the importance of the girl child and highlight the discrimination and inequalities they face.
• It focuses on promoting education, health, and nutrition for girls and ensuring their overall well-being.
• National Girl Child Day aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality), emphasizing the importance of empowering women and girls.

Defence

Khanjar

The 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR has commenced at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

About-

• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 22nd January to 3rd February 2024.
• It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both the countries.The Indian Army contingent comprising 20 personnel is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Kyrgyzstan contingent comprising 20 personnel is represented by Scorpion Brigade.
• Aim of the exercise is to exchange experiences and best practices in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in Built-up Area and Mountainous Terrain under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
• The exercise will emphasise on developing Special Forces skills, advanced techniques of insertion and extraction.

Miscellaneous- Defence

Ex. Desert Knight

About:

• Countries: India, France, UAE
• Air forces exercise over Arabian Sea, against the backdrop of the rising global concerns over Houthi militants targeting several commercial vessels in the strategic waterways in the region.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) component at the drills consisted of Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguar fighter jets besides AWACS (airborne early warning and control aircraft, C-130-J transport plane and air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
• "The main focus of exercise 'Desert Knight' was on enhancing synergy and interoperability between the three air forces," the Indian Air Force said.
• The exercise took place in the Indian FIR (Flight Information Regions) and with IAF aircraft operated from several bases in India.
• The French participation included the Rafale fighter aircraft and a multi role tanker transport, the UAE Air Force fielded the F-16.
• The aircraft of the French and the UAE air forces operated from the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE.

Species in News

Kumki Elephants

Odisha government seeks urgent deployment of kumki elephants from Tamil Nadu

About:

Kumki elephants can be deployed strategically to help manage and drive wild elephants thereby reducing damage to crops, human habitations.

Kumki Elephants:

• Kumki elephants are trained captive elephants in India, play a crucial role in wildlife conservation efforts.
• Kumkis are used for capturing, calming and herding wild elephants or to lead wild elephants away in conflict situations.
• The training process aims at preserving some of the wild dominant character in them, so that they can control wild elephants by force if necessary.