Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 07 May 2024 | Download PDF

• Geologists at MIT and Oxford University discovered ancient rocks in Greenland that contain the oldest traces of Earth’s early magnetic field, dating back approximately 3.7 billion years.
• These rocks retain imprints of a magnetic field with a strength of at least 15 microtesla, comparable to Earth’s current magnetic field.
• The researchers aimed to find rocks that still bore signs of Earth’s magnetic field when they first formed, leading them to sample from rock formations in Greenland’s Isua Supracrustal Belt.

Earth’s Magnetic Field:

• • The Earth’s magnetic field, or geomagnetic field, emanates from the core and interacts with the solar wind in space.
  • It resembles a tilted bar magnet, with north and south magnetic poles having opposite polarities.
  • The field’s lines form a loop, entering at the north magnetic pole and exiting at the south magnetic pole.
  • Generated by convection currents of molten iron and nickel in the core, the field is compressed by the solar wind on the Sun-facing side and stretched into a tail on the night-facing side.
  • Additional sources of the magnetic field include the Earth’s crust, ionosphere, and magnetosphere.
• NASA states that the Earth’s magnetic poles reverse every 200,000 to 300,000 years, with the last reversal occurring about 790,000 years ago. The process can take hundreds or thousands of years.

• The Bhavanisagar dam in Erode has revealed inscriptions from a submerged temple, indicating the presence of a trade route.
• Due to low water levels (less than 46 feet), the dilapidated temple has become visible. The dam’s full reservoir level is 105 feet.
• Construction of the Bhavanisagar dam, Tamil Nadu’s first major post-Independence irrigation project, began in 1948 and was completed in 1955.

Historical Insights from Inscriptions:

• • 10 to 15 inscriptions found in the temple date back to different periods, revealing the existence of Thuravalur village over 1,000 years ago.
  • Thuravalur had a temple for Lord Shiva called Thondreeshwaramudiayar. 
• The area served as a peruvali (a trunk road) for traders crossing River Bhavani and River Moyar to reach Wayanad in Kerala and various places in Karnataka.
• Traders dealt in oil, clothes, cattle, and handicrafts, likely traveling on foot or using donkeys or horses for transport.

Under Hoysala Rule:

• • The area was under the rule of the Hoysala rulers, with King Veera Ballala III (1292-1342) ruling.
  • Madhava Perumal Dhandanayaka, the general of the army, was appointed by the king to rule the region and constructed the Dhandanayaka Fort along the river.
  • The fort, constructed 680 years ago, was destroyed, leaving only the damaged temple visible. 
  • Madhava Perumal Dhandanayaka’s son, Veera Siddha Keththaya Dhandanayaka, built the Sri Madhava Perumal Temple inside the fort.
• The fort was later called Danaikan Fort, with villages along it known as “Oduvanganadu.”

• • The area was ruled by the Vijayanagara Empire, Ummattur chiefs, and Tipu Sultan. 
• The Battle of Sathyamangalam during the Third Anglo-Mysore War in 1790 was fought near the fort, guarded by Tipu Sultan.

• The British later controlled the area, merging the Nilgiris (part of the Mysore Province) with the Madras Province.

• On 7th May 2024, Groww Mutual Fund introduced India’s first Nifty Non-Cyclical Consumer Index Fund, a significant milestone in the country’s investment landscape.

Key points:

Non-Cyclical Stocks:

• Resilient stocks that perform well regardless of economic instability.
• Cater to daily necessities like food, LPG, power, etc., prioritizing consumer needs and essential services.

Difference between Cyclical Stocks vs. Non-Cyclical Stocks:

Cyclical Stocks:

• Impacted by economic changes, dependent on business cycle fluctuations.
• Season-specific demand influences stock prices.
• Profit maximization through buying during off-seasons and selling during high-demand periods.

Non-Cyclical Stocks:

• Products in continuous demand, irrespective of economic cycles.
• Daily necessities like food and water.
• Less affected by economic instability, offering stability and consistent returns.

Objective and Strategy:

• The fund mirrors the performance of the Non-Cyclical Consumer Index–TRI, aiming for long-term capital growth.
• Investing in securities of the Nifty Non-Cyclical Consumer Index, maintaining proportional weightage.

Investment Options:

• Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) with a minimum investment of Rs 100, with subsequent increments in multiples of Re 1.
• Lump sum investments accepted with a minimum of Rs 500, followed by increments in Re 1 units.

Index Composition and Rationale:

• Leading stocks from consumer sectors like Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Textiles.
• Selection criteria prioritize companies with substantial market capitalization, reflecting established consumer brands.

• The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) found severe coral bleaching in Lakshadweep Sea due to prolonged marine heatwaves since October 2023.

Measurement of Heat Stress in Corals:

• Corals experience thermal stress when sea surface temperatures exceed 1 degree Celsius above the maximum mean temperature. This stress worsens with prolonged high temperatures.
• Scientists use the Degree Heating Week (DHW) indicator to measure accumulated heat stress in an area over the past 12 weeks. 
• DHW is calculated by adding any temperature exceeding the bleaching threshold during this period, in celsius-weeks.

Current Situation in Lakshadweep:

• DHW values above 4 degrees Celsius weeks cause significant coral bleaching. 
• Lakshadweep has now crossed this threshold.

• Lakshadweep Sea has been consistently experiencing temperatures 1 degree Celsius above the norm since October 27, 2023.

Marine Heatwaves and Coral Bleaching in the Indian Ocean:

• • A 2022 study by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, revealed increasing marine heatwaves in the Indian Ocean, attributed to rapid warming and strong El Niños.
  • Previously rare, these heatwaves have become an annual event in the tropical Indian Ocean. 
• The western Indian Ocean region saw the largest increase in marine heatwaves at a rate of about 1.5 events per decade, followed by the north Bay of Bengal at 0.5 events per decade.

• Between 1982–2018, the western Indian Ocean had 66 events, while the Bay of Bengal had 94. 
• An underwater survey showed that 85% of the corals in the Gulf of Mannar near the Tamil Nadu coast bleached after the marine heatwave in May 2020.

Impacts on Lakshadweep:

• Heatwaves endanger coastal communities, tourism, fisheries, and critical marine habitats, including seagrass meadows. 
  • Seagrass meadows and kelp forests are experiencing detrimental impacts like impaired photosynthesis, reduced growth, and hindered reproductive functions.
  • As Lakshadweep is formed by coral reefs, their health is crucial for the islands’ structure. 
  • Coral death may lead to organic matter accumulation, hindering future coral formation.
• Besides excessive atmospheric heat due to global warming, shifts in ocean currents also contribute to unusually high water temperatures.

• The construction of two 6-lane flyovers and other civil works in Sambalpur district, Odisha, is set to begin soon, despite the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force. 
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has cleared the deck for these projects, allowing civil works to commence after certain procedures are completed.

About Project:

• The civil works entail the construction of a 6-lane flyover on the Angul-Sambalpur section of NH-42 (NH-55) and another 6-lane flyover at Ainthapali junction, along with a 2-lane railway over-bridge (ROB) on NH-53 in Sambalpur district. 
• These projects will be executed in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, with the cost estimated at approximately Rs 576.17 Crore.
• Recently, The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the upgradation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of three projects worth Rs 488 crore in the state.
• The approved projects included a bypass on NH-59 for Berhampur city, railway over bridge (RoB) on Puri-Konark road and five submersible bridges on Malkangiri-Motu NH-326.

About IDCO:

• Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) was set up by the Government of Odisha as a statutory Corporation in 1981. IDCO has been acting as the Nodal Agency for providing industrial infrastructure and land for industrial and infrastructure projects in the State.
• About 116 industrial estates/areas are present in strategic locations of Odisha with an area of Ac.10900.529 land

Also Know about IDCO ongoing and Upcoming projects along with its functions

• The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) is gearing up for a special event dedicated to honoring the life and achievements of Nandini Satpathy, Odisha’s first woman Chief Minister.
• The event, organized by KLF, will mark the official release of the much-awaited biography titled “Nandini Satpathy: The Iron Lady of Orissa,” authored by Pallavi Rebbapragada.

About Nandini Satpathy: The Iron Lady of Orissa

• “Nandini Satpathy: The Iron Lady of Orissa,” published by Simon & Schuster, offers an insightful portrayal of the remarkable journey of Nandini Satpathy. Born into a family of intellectuals and freedom fighters, she emerged as a trailblazing leader known for her unwavering spirit and principled stand.

• Starting from her courageous acts during the freedom struggle, including the symbolic act of pulling down the Union Jack, Nandini Satpathy’s journey saw her rise to prominence as the youngest member of the Rajya Sabha at the age of 31. Her tenure as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting under Indira Gandhi’s cabinet witnessed pivotal moments in India’s history, notably her role in the Free Bangla Radio during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

Recent Awardees in Literature from Odisha

• Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award: This is the highest literary award in Odia language, given by the Odisha Sahitya Akademi.  

• Srinibas Udgata (2023)

• Sahitya Akademi Award for Odia: This award is given by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters.

• Gayatribala Panda (for her poetry collection “Daya Nadi”) (2022)

• Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award 2023: Ashutosh Parida to receive Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 for his poetry book ‘Aprastuta Mrutyu

Also Read About famous personalities from Odisha

• Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, a leading producer of smelter-grade alumina and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, has launched an advanced Energy Management System across its power plant. This initiative aims to enhance energy efficiency levels and optimize refinery operations through digitization efforts.

About the Project

• The Energy Management System monitors the energy performance parameters of 120 critical electrical assets, facilitating systematic monitoring, analysis, control, and optimization.  
• Vedanta’s commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050 or sooner is reinforced through this initiative, aligning with its ESG goals. The company’s alumina refinery has received several recognitions for its energy efficiency initiatives, showcasing its dedication to sustainability.

Key Achievements and Milestones

Vedanta Aluminium Notable achievements include:

• An ~8% reduction in GHG emissions intensity in FY23 while increasing production by ~16%
• Recycling over 15 billion liters of water and achieving a noteworthy 11% reduction in water withdrawal from freshwater sources
• Doubling waste utilization and collaborating on over 60 rural community water bodies restoration projects

Odisha’s Mining Corporation:

• Odisha Mining Corporation Limited (OMC) founded in 1956.
• OMC recorded about ₹14,449.70 crores in FY 2022-23, compared to ₹17,035.25 crores in the previous financial year.

Know more about Odisha Mining Corporation and minerals available in state

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed affidavits submitted by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) regarding alleged illegal sand mining beyond the authorized lease area in the Kusei riverbed area at Deogaon under Ghasipura tehsil of Keonjhar district.

Powers of NGT:

The NGT’s East Zone Bench in Kolkata, comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Dr. Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member), reviewed a petition filed by Tapas Kumar Bal, a Deogaon resident, accusing the lessee of unrestricted mechanical sand extraction.

• The NGT resolves environmental disputes like a specialized court.
• It enforces environmental regulations by issuing binding orders.
• The NGT can grant compensation to those harmed by environmental damage.
• It acts as an appellate body for environmental orders from lower authorities.
• The Tribunal uses flexible procedures for quicker environmental resolutions.
• NGT might have the power to initiate environmental cases based on public interest (under debate).

OSPCB:

• Shri Pradeep Kumar Jena, IAS is the current Chief Secretary and Chairman, SPCB, Odisha

Also Check Annual Report of 2022-23  of E-Waste Management by OSPCB

The Orissa High Court’s recent decision to grant interim bail to accused individuals in three separate cases under unique conditions has sparked attention and debate.

Cases and Judgement:

• In one instance, the petitioner, Pintu Mahalik, and three others were accused of raping a minor girl. Pintu’s advocate argued that prolonged detention without trial violated his fundamental rights, leading the court to grant him interim bail for three months. The condition: Planting 125 saplings in his village and maintaining them.
• Similarly, in a murder case, another accused was granted bail under the condition of planting 200 saplings. The judge extended this condition to an accused involved in abetting the suicide of a minor girl in a separate case.
• These unconventional bail conditions, emphasizing environmental responsibility, have stirred both praise and criticism within legal circles and society at large.

Also Check out Latest programmes like Online RTI Portal from HC

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