Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 03 May 2024 | Download PDF

• India has registered its protest against China’s “illegal attempts” to “alter facts on the ground” in the Shaksgam valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• Recent satellite pictures indicate that China is building a road into the lower Shaksgam valley.

Key points:

• India has never accepted the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963, through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China.
• The Shaksgam Valley is part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and was ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963, a year after the India-China war.

About Shaksgam valley:

• Shaksgam Valley is located in the disputed region near the northern borders of Kashmir. 
• It is part of the broader Trans-Karakoram Tract.
• The valley is characterized by its rugged terrain, high mountains, and is predominantly a high-altitude desert. It is nestled between the Karakoram Range to the south and the Kun Lun Mountains to the north.
• The area is strategically significant due to its location near the Siachen Glacier, another contested area, and its proximity to several important mountain passes.

• A crisis of confidence is affecting the Indian spice export industry.
• At least five countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S., have announced an investigation into possible contamination of spice mixes sold by top Indian brands, MDH and Everest.

Key points:

• The complaints cite the presence of ethylene oxide, a toxic chemical used as a food stabiliser, beyond permissible limits.
• The Spices Board of India has initiated mandatory testing of products shipped abroad.
• The international scrutiny has stirred a demand for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to ensure stringent quality checks on spices and curry powders sold in domestic markets.

• International Labour Day, also known as May Day, is being observed on 1st May to honour the contribution of workers across the world.
• The day aims at paying tribute to workers’ sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights all over the world.

Key points:

• In 1886, a large demonstration of labourers, demanding eight hours of daily work, was held in America. 
• This demonstration went out of hand in Chicago with lots of people getting hurt in an incident known as The Haymarket Affair.
• The Haymarket Affair marked the start of the International Labour Day.
• In 1889, many socialist parties in Europe came together and decided to celebrate May 1 as International Labour Day.
• Since then, this special day has been observed every year on the same day.

• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), based in Bengaluru, filmed the passing of the moon in front of Antares, a bright red star.
• This event was visible only from southern India according to IIA.

About Antares:

• Antares, also known as Alpha Scorpii, is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius and the 15th-brightest star in the night sky.
• It is a massive red supergiant star that is 10,000 times brighter than our sun.
• Antares is one of the largest known stars, with a diameter 700 times that of the sun. 
• Antares is relatively cool for a star, with a surface temperature of about 6,100 degrees F (3,400 degrees C), in contrast to our sun’s surface temperature of about 10,000 degrees F (5,500 degrees C).

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested a next-generation torpedo release system aimed at enhancing the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
• The system, known as the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART), has been designed and developed by the DRDO.

About SMART system:

• This missile-based mechanism can launch lightweight torpedoes that can target submarines hundreds of kilometres away, far beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedoes.
• It is a canister-based missile system that comprises several advanced subsystems, including two-stage solid propulsion and precision inertial navigation.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is setting up 666 theme-based booths in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) areas in Odisha to increase tribal voter representation. 

Key points:

• These booths, designed to showcase the indigenous traditions and culture of PVTGs, aim to raise awareness about electoral participation and voter education in local dialects.
• Odisha is home to 13 PVTGs with a total population of 2,64,974, including groups like Paudi Bhuiya, Juang, Saura, and others. 
• Through registration drives conducted by booth-level officers since December last year, all eligible PVTG voters (1,84,274) have been enrolled.
• Voter education content in local dialects, alongside traditional folk arts and community engagement, has helped achieve 100% PVTG enrolment. 
• Wall paintings, street plays, and cultural forms like Pala and Daskathia have been effective tools for voter education and awareness.

• Sambalpur Zoo authorities implement special initiatives to protect animals from extreme heat.
• Town’s temperature frequently exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, raising concerns for animal welfare.

Key points:

• The Odisha government has renamed the zoo at Motijharan in Sambalpur as “Sambalpur Zoo & Rescue Centre in 2023.” 
• Established in 1980 on a 13-hectare land, the zoo was previously known as the Deer Park & Wild Animal Conservation Centre. 
• It now boasts 27 enclosures and houses 333 animals, including 123 deers, 41 sambars, and four sloth bears. Notably, the zoo also features five Schedule-1 species animals such as leopards, sloth bears, chousinghas, pythons, and peacocks. 
• Last year, the Hirakud Wildlife Division initiated a botanical garden with over 6,000 plants, acting as a greenbelt for the animals and enhancing visitor flow.
• The zoo serves as an educational hub on wildlife for the public and has improved visitor amenities like more toilets, drinking water facilities, a cafeteria, exclusive parking, a children’s park, and complete renovation of drainage and enclosures in the past year.

• Odisha FC(Football Club) women made history on March 24 by winning the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2023-24, defeating Gokulam FC.

Key points:

• FIFA, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, took note of their achievement.
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Odisha FC in a letter to AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey.
• Infantino praised Odisha FC Women’s constant efforts and results throughout the season.
• Odisha FC’s performance in the league was outstanding, with 10 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw.

• Kalahandi district faces significant migration, with thousands leaving annually for job opportunities in other states.
• Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Mumbai, and Pune are preferred destinations due to higher wages and better working conditions.

Key points:

Reasons for Migration Surge:

• Lack of employment opportunities and apathetic administration contribute to the rise in migration.
• Manjhari village in Golamunda block is a stark example, with over 2,000 out of 3,000 registered voters having migrated for work.

Administrative Response:

• The district administration and state Labour department’s lack of proactive measures exacerbates the issue.
• Special awareness programs to discourage migration have been initiated, but compliance remains low.

Migrants’ Perspective:

• Despite challenges, migrants continue to seek opportunities elsewhere to support their families.
• Some returning migrants highlight instances of not being paid properly for work, leading them to seek jobs elsewhere.

Local Impact: Villages like Manjhari show signs of depopulation, with vacant houses and deserted streets due to large-scale migration.

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Adda247.