DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS
1 – Details of Telangana poet Gaddar dies at 77: GS I – Indian Culture
Telangana poet Gaddar, a balladeer and ‘people’s singer,’ has died at the age of 77.
- Gaddar died on Sunday in Hyderabad, a balladeer and poet who was a prominent face of the Telangana statehood movement and a campaigner for the rights of Dalits and disadvantaged people. He was 77.
Gummadi Vithal Rao aka Gaddar:
- Gummadi Vittal Rao, often known as Gaddar, is a revolutionary balladeer who was a Naxalite before joining the Telangana cause and advocating for statehood.
- Gaddar, a former bank employee, was an active Naxalite until 2010 and was known for producing loud songs that stirred people’s consciences in condemning the government’s policies, particularly those harming the poor and downtrodden.
- He asked people to speak out against the government’s failure to implement welfare programmes to assist the poor.
- Later, after joining the Telangana movement, which was gathering pace in the late 2010s, he and other movement leaders endorsed the demand for a separate state. After achieving independence, Gaddar stayed out of politics for a while.
Source The Hindu
2 – About the Zoological Survey of India publication: GS III – Environmental Conservation
Context:
- According to a recent study conducted by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), around 5% of the birds found in the country are indigenous and have never been documented anywhere in the globe. The publication, titled 75 Endangered Birds of India, was just released to commemorate the ZSI’s 108th anniversary.
Birds of India:
- India contains 1,353 bird species, which accounts for around 12.40% of global bird diversity. The country is home to 78 (5%) of the 1,353 bird species.
Report Outcomes:
- The publication’s objective is to disseminate information about the country’s endemic birds and to highlight conservation efforts for species found only in specific areas.
- Three of the 78 species had not been recorded in recent decades, according to one of the publication’s authors.
- The Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis) is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, with the most recent observation in 1907.
- With the last sighting in 1876, the Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa) is critically endangered.
- The Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) was designated as ‘Critically Endangered’ in 2009, with the final confirmed sighting occurring in that year.
- The 75 bird species belong to 11 different orders, 31 families, and 55 genera, and exhibit exceptional distribution patterns across India’s diverse regions, according to the research.
- With 28 bird species, the Western Ghats have the most indigenous species.
The following species have been discovered in the country’s bio-geographic hotspot:
- Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus);
- Malabar Parakeet (Psittacula columboides);
- Ashambu Laughing Thrush (Montecincla meridionalis);
- White-bellied Sholakili (Sholicola albiventris).
- There are 25 indigenous bird species on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Endemism must have developed in the Andaman group of islands due to the region’s geographical isolation.
- The book includes information about endemic bird species such as etymology (scientific name meanings) and historical significance, as well as critical details such as subspecies differences, differentiating traits, preferred habitats, breeding habits, and food preferences.
What exactly is an Endangered Species?
- Endemism is the state of being endemic, or geographically restricted to a certain location or region.
- The area or region’s size varies, and it is described or categorised in a variety of ways. Endemism is an ecological categorization that describes the range or distribution of a species or group of organisms.
- Endemic species are ones that can only be found in one location and nowhere else on the world.
- They were introduced by humans while the animal was in captivity, which is why they have been spotted outside of their natural environment.
Source The Hindu
3 – Details about PM to launch revamp of 508 railway stations: GS III – Infrastructure related issues
Context:
- The Prime Minister will set the stage for the renovation of 508 railway stations across the country.
- 24 Amrit Bharat Stations are now under construction in eleven states: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
Project Amrit Bharat Station:
- The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) aims to reinvigorate the nation’s 1,309 railway stations by improving the entire passenger experience and upgrading them into world-class transit hubs.
- As part of this project, work on 508 stations in various states has commenced, with a 25,000-crore investment.
- With a long-term perspective, it predicts the continued growth of stations.
- All previous redevelopment projects that have yet to commence construction will be incorporated into the design.
- The plan calls for developing Master Plans for Railway Stations and implementing them in stages to improve facilities that include and go above and beyond the Minimum Essential Amenities.
Source The Hindu
4 – About the 18th Century Tamil manuscripts found in a monastery in Italy: GS I – Indian Culture
About:
- This significant discovery gives light on the tremendous historical and cultural exchange that existed between numerous locales during the time period.
- Michele Bertoldi, also known as Gnanaprakasasamy in Tamil, is most likely responsible for this translation. This is a prose text from the early 18th century (possibly the 1720s) that was printed several times in the 19th century by the Mission Press in Puducherry.
- These palm manuscripts are essential for preserving historical and cultural knowledge. They offer unique insights into the time period in which they were written, including firsthand accounts of social, literary, and religious practises at the time. The texts are in Tamil, illustrating the language’s influence and spread beyond its native area.
- It serves as a reminder of the diverse historical interactions and intellectual exchanges that occurred across different locales and cultures.
Source The Hindu
5 – National Handloom Day: GS I – Indian Culture
Context:
- Every August 7, India observes National Handloom Day. The primary goal of Handloom Day is to promote handloom and recognise the efforts and abilities of the weavers who work in the industry.
The Origins of National Handloom Day 2023:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first National Handloom Day in 2015. The day was established to increase awareness of the importance of the handloom industry.
- The date of August 7 was chosen to commemorate the start of the Swadeshi Movement in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on the same day in 1905. The movement was led at the time by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.
- The Swadeshi Movement was established to promote the use of Indian-made goods, particularly handlooms. During British rule, this movement was also instrumental in the country’s freedom.
The Importance of National Handloom Day in 2023:
- It is vital that everyone recognises the significance of the day because it not only protects but also fosters our country’s rich past. According to studies, the handloom sector in our country is the second most significant economic pillar after agriculture.
- This industry, which is also becoming the main source of employment, employs a considerable number of women as weavers and other artistic employees.
- By ensuring a regular flow of revenue, these artisans and craftspeople have aided the country’s soft power.
Source The Hindu
6 – Launch of Bhu-Vision (Krishi-RASTAA) Scheme: GS III – Indian Culture
Context:
- Bhu-Vision (also known as the KRISHI-RASTAA Soil Testing System) is a revolutionary IoT-based automated soil testing and agronomy advice platform developed by the AICRP (ICAR-IIRR).
Information on Bhu-Vision:
- The KRISHI-RASTAA Soil Testing System heralds a new era in precision agriculture. The approach, which was developed together by ICAR-IIRR and KrishiTantra, shows the importance of collaboration.
- This system, developed by HiMedia Laboratories and distributed by BhoomiSeva (HCF Tech Services Pvt. Ltd.), runs 12 important soil parameter tests in less than 30 minutes, providing farmers and stakeholders with quick, accurate results via a soil health card on their mobile devices.
- Bhu-Vision (Krishi-RASTAA) ushers in a bright future for the country’s agricultural technological scene.
- This platform will be crucial in completing the country’s soil health map and gaining a more complete understanding of our agricultural situation.
Source The Hindu
