Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 18 January 2024 | Download PDF

• India and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a bilateral international cadet exchange programme and a Letter of Arrangement (LoA) on defence collaboration in research and development.
• The LoA on R&D was signed between the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the U.K.’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

 Scientists at Stanford University are researching the use of sisal leaves to create a highly absorbent material that could replace cotton, wood pulp, and chemical absorbents in sanitary napkins.

Key points

• The absorption capacity of the sisal-based material is reported to be higher than that in commercial menstrual pads.
• The method developed by the researchers involves using a decorticator to mechanically separate the fibres from sisal leaves and employing a process inspired by termite guts to delignify the fibres.
• The study claims that the process uses no polluting or toxic chemicals and can be conducted on a small scale, making it environmentally sustainable.

• Chhattisgarh has approved its Ram Lala Darshan (Ayodhya Dham) Yojana.
• Under the scheme, 20,000 eligible residents of the State would be taken to the holy city for pilgrimage every year.

• As per International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s ‘World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024’ report 
• Global unemployment rate is set to increase in 2024 while growing social inequalities remain a concern.
• Joblessness and the jobs gap have both fallen below pre-pandemic levels but global unemployment will rise in 2024.

The Supreme Court observed that the right given to religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer their own educational institutions under Article 30(1) of the Constitution was not intended to “ghettoize” them.

Key points

• The minority character of an educational institution is not lost if its founders, who belong to a particular minority community, chose administrators from other communities, including the majority group, to run the institution
• Article 30 does not mandate that the administration of a minority educational institution should be only by members of that community
• The provision confers on the minority the discretion to choose the administrators of the institution.

The state government is planning to introduce Sambar and Gaur (bison) in the Chandaka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary.

About

• It is an Elephant Sanctuary located in Khurdha and Cuttack districts. 
• It is bounded on the north by Mahanadi River. 
• The Mahanadi River separates it from Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary.

A total of 102.78 lakh people in Odisha moved out of multidimensional poverty bracket in the last nine years, according to a discussion paper released by NITI Aayog.

Key points

• Odisha was among five states that recorded the sharpest decline in the number of people classified as poor based on Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
• MPI considers twelve different indicators of poverty included under three broad dimensions, namely health, education, and standard of living.
• The other states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Odisha saw a significant decline from 34.28 per cent share of MPI poor in 2013-14 to 11.07 per cent in 2022-23

• Sulia Jatra, one of the major tribal festivals of western Odisha, began in Khairguda and Kumuria villages of Odisha’s Balangir district with mass sacrifice of animals.
• This 500-year-old tradition is held on the second Tuesday of Pousa month every year. 
• Predominantly a festival of animal sacrifice, the villagers believe that spilling of blood of animals and birds at the alter of Goddess Sulia brings good harvest and prosperity.

• Artist Arun Kumar Sahu from Odisha’s Ganjam district has made a book on Hanuman Chalisa and a portrait of Lord Ram on carved wood for “Pran Pratistha” in Ram temple at Ayodhya.
• The book measuring 8×12 inches contains seven pages along with a portrait of Lord Ram of 12×15 inches. 
• He has also made a board of 5 feet and 7 inches in height, 30 inches in width containing the Hanuman Chalisa.

• Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) signed an agreement with the state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina CATAMARCA MINERA Y ENERGÉTICA SOCIEDAD DEL ESTADO (CAMYEN SE) for mining and exploration of Lithium.
• This is a step which will not only play a crucial role in driving the energy transition for sustainable future, but also ensure a resilient and diversified supply chain for critical and strategic minerals essential for various industries in India

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