Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 11 September 2024 | Download PDF

National and International News

• Recent research has shown that tartrazine, a common yellow food dye, can temporarily make the skin of live mice transparent.

About:

• • Tartrazine, also known as FD&C Yellow 5 or E102, is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye commonly used as a food coloring.
  • It is widely used in various food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics due to its vibrant color and stability.
• Appearance: Deep yellow powder
• Solubility: Soluble in water

Key findings:

• This breakthrough allows scientists to observe internal organs without invasive techniques. 
• If the method proves safe for humans, it could significantly enhance medical imaging and diagnostics.

How It Works:

• Refractive Index Matching: Tartrazine adjusts the refractive indices of tissues, reducing light scattering.
• Light Absorption: Absorbs specific wavelengths (e.g., red light), making the skin transparent.
• Reversibility: The effect is temporary and can be reversed by washing off the dye.

• The government has initiated a road construction project aimed at connecting 54 settlements of the Pahadi Korwa tribal community in north Chhattisgarh.
• The construction falls under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) scheme.

About:

• The Pahadi Korwa tribe is an indigenous group primarily found in the hilly and forested regions of northeastern Chhattisgarh, India. 
• They are part of the larger Korwa ethnic group, which includes various subgroups such as Agaria, Dandh, Dil, and Pahadi Korwas.
• The Pahadi Korwa people primarily speak the Korwa language, which belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic language family.

Do you know?

• PM JANMAN is an ambitious government initiative launched on November 15, 2023, on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, aimed at uplifting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and bringing them into the mainstream.

• The Quality Council of India (QCI) has provisionally approved the National Test House (NTH), Ghaziabad, as a Certification Body for the type certification of drones.
• This approval is part of the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and is aligned with the Indian Government’s initiative to build a strong and competitive drone ecosystem under the Drone Rules 2021.

Role of National Test House in Drone Certification:

• NTH, Ghaziabad, has been given the responsibility to certify drones to ensure they comply with national and international standards.
• The approval aligns with the government’s goal of positioning India as a global hub for drone technology.
• Sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and infrastructure are expected to benefit from safe and certified drone solutions.

National Test House’s Legacy and Role in Industrial Growth:

• Established in 1912, NTH operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• It has been instrumental in providing testing, calibration, and quality assurance services across multiple sectors.
• With its new role in drone certification, NTH is further contributing to the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives by ensuring homegrown drones meet international standards.

• Researchers from Dodamarg, near the Goa-Maharashtra border, have discovered a sacred grove containing a Myristica swamp forest in Kumbral.
• This sacred grove is protected by the local community, emphasizing its cultural and ecological significance.

Myristica magnifica Species:

• Myristica magnifica, an endangered species, is native to Karnataka and Kerala.
• The Kumbral discovery marks the second instance of this species being found in Maharashtra, after an earlier discovery in Hewale-Bambarde, Sindhudurg district.
• Biodiversity and Cultural Importance
• The grove, preserved in the name of Lord Shiva, locally known as Bhalandeshwar, harbors myriad biodiversity.
• The villagers have been protecting this ecosystem for generations, contributing to its conservation.

Ecological Significance:

• The Myristica swamp forest provides essential ecosystem services:
  • Groundwater recharge and carbon sequestration
  • Natural flood barriers
  • Habitat for species like the threatened hornbills and vulnerable Asian short-clawed otter
  • Sacred Grove and Swamp Forest Details
• The sacred grove of Bhalandeshwar spans 8,200 sqm, with the swamp forest occupying 770 sqm.
• The forest contains 39 documented plant species, with 70 individuals of Myristica magnifica being dominant.

• On September 9, 2024, the Indian Navy launched two Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) shallow water crafts, Malpe and Mulki.
• The vessels were launched at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL) in Kochi.
• These vessels are part of India’s effort to strengthen its coastal defense capabilities.

About:

• Primary Role: These vessels are designed for anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal waters.
• These vessels mark the fourth and fifth in the series of such watercrafts being built for the Indian Navy. 

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative:

• The project aligns with India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative, aimed at reducing dependency on foreign defense imports.
• Over 80% of the materials and components used in constructing these ships are indigenous.
• This move highlights India’s increasing self-reliance in defense manufacturing and technology development.

Note:

• The Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative is a comprehensive economic stimulus package launched by the Government of India in May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Focuses on five pillars: economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography, and demand.

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