Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 12 January 2024 | Download PDF

• National Youth Day, observed on January 12th in India, celebrates the vibrant energy and immense potential of the nation’s young people. 
• This day coincides with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a renowned philosopher and spiritual leader whose teachings emphasized character building, social responsibility, and the power of the youth to shape the future.
• The day acknowledges the significant role young people play in driving social progress, innovation, and development.
• It serves as a platform to inspire young people to embrace their potential, engage in their communities, and strive for positive change.

• The theme for National Youth Day 2024 is “Arise, Awake, and Realize the Power You Hold.” 

• Humboldt’s enigma refers to the puzzling observation that mountain regions, particularly in the tropics, harbor a disproportionately high level of biodiversity compared to other, seemingly more suitable habitats like tropical rainforests. 

Significance for India:

• Unique biodiversity hotspots: The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka harbor exceptional plant and animal species not found elsewhere, making them globally significant biodiversity hotspots.
• Climate change vulnerability: Elucidating the factors behind the enigma aids in predicting how plant communities might respond to changing climate patterns, crucial for conservation efforts.

• Scientists at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, have found that phytocannabinoids, a class of compounds found in the cannabis plant, possess some hitherto unexplored antibiotic properties.
• Cannabis has the potential to make a dent in India’s fight against the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance.

• The Red Sea, a crucial artery for global trade, has become turbulent due to recent attacks by Yemeni rebels. 
• This “trouble” has sent ripples through India’s trade, impacting various sectors and raising concerns.

Impact:

1. Increased Shipping Costs
2. Disruptions in Trade Flows
3. Potential Price Hike
4. Impact on Crude Oil Imports.

• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has made groundbreaking strides in disaster preparedness by crafting the first-ever high-resolution landslide susceptibility map for the entire country. 
• This map, aptly named the ‘Indian Landslide Susceptibility Map,’ is a crucial tool for identifying areas prone to landslides, allowing for proactive mitigation strategies and saving lives.

• I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map) is launching the Samavesha project at IISc., Bengaluru to enhance research collaboration in India by enhancing accessibility to facilities and labs.
• The project targets connecting researchers with scientific institutes through an online portal.

• The Indian rupee has depreciated 4 paise to close at 83.05 against the US dollar. 
• A key factor behind the rupee’s decline is the renewed selling pressure from foreign investors.
• Concerns about rising global crude oil prices and potential interest rate hikes in the US prompted portfolio withdrawals, draining the Indian market and putting downward pressure on the rupee.

• Audible, the online audiobook and podcast service owned by Amazon, is laying off 5% of its workforce, marking the latest round of job cuts in the tech industry.
• This is the third round of job cuts at Amazon businesses this week, following layoffs in streaming and studio divisions.

• National Youth Day, observed on January 12th in India, celebrates the vibrant energy and immense potential of the nation’s young people. 
• This day coincides with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a renowned philosopher and spiritual leader whose teachings emphasized character building, social responsibility, and the power of the youth to shape the future.
• The day acknowledges the significant role young people play in driving social progress, innovation, and development.
• It serves as a platform to inspire young people to embrace their potential, engage in their communities, and strive for positive change.

• The theme for National Youth Day 2024 is “Arise, Awake, and Realize the Power You Hold.” 

• Odisha has consolidated  fourth rank in Swachh Survekshan 2023 ranking
• It is the fourth best state in terms of cleanliness
• The focus on rural sanitation, with many villages achieving Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF+) status, played a crucial role in the uplift.

• The Coal India Limited (CIL) aims to produce 780 million tonne (MT) of coal in the current financial year 
• Out of this, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) shares 204 MT.
• Increased coal production translates to a steady supply of electricity, essential for powering industries and driving economic activity.

• The Odisha government has approved 14 industrial projects that would involve investments of Rs 1,713.65 crore
• It will also create employment opportunities for more than 5,000 people
• The projects include metal downstream and ancillaries, power, pharmaceuticals, plastics, food processing and tourism.

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