Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 23 August 2024 | Download PDF

• India’s recent Chandrayaan-3 mission findings have reignited interest in the Lunar Magma Ocean (LMO) theory, a key concept in planetary science that explains the moon’s early formation.

About Lunar Magma Ocean:

• Chandrayaan-3 Discovery:
  • Pragyan rover identified ferroan anorthosite in the lunar south pole region.
  • This aligns with Apollo and Luna mission observations, confirming the theory of remnants from an ancient magma ocean.
• Lunar Magma Ocean (LMO):
  • Hypothesized early stage in the moon’s history with a fully molten surface.
  • Believed to have formed after a catastrophic impact between early Earth and a Mars-sized body.
• Ferroan Anorthosite:
  • Crucial evidence of the LMO.
  • Formed as the magma cooled and solidified, with calcium and aluminium-rich minerals floating to the surface to form the moon’s initial crust.

• The Department of Posts and KVIC have collaborated to enhance the implementation of the PMEGP across India.

About PMEGP:

• Administering Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• Objectives:
  • Generate employment opportunities in rural and urban areas through self-employment ventures, projects, and micro-enterprises.
  • Provide self-employment opportunities to traditional artisans, rural and urban unemployed youth, helping them remain in their local areas.
  • Increase the wage-earning capacity of workers and artisans, contributing to the growth of rural and urban employment.
• Eligibility:
  • Individuals aged 18 and above.
  • No income ceiling for assistance under PMEGP.
  • Educational qualification: For projects costing above ₹10 lakh (Manufacturing) and above ₹5 lakh (Business/Service), beneficiaries must have at least a pass in the VIII standard.
• Implementing Agency: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

• India to celebrate the first National Space Day on 23 August 2024.

About National Space Day 2024:

• Celebrates the successful soft landing of the Vikram Lander from Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023.
• India became the fourth country to land a rover on the moon and the first to land near the southern polar region.
• The day commemorates India’s growing prowess in space exploration, officially declared by the government.
• Theme for National Space Day 2024: Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.
• Future Space Missions:
  • Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 as follow-up missions to Chandrayaan-3.
  • The Gaganyaan Mission, aiming to send the first Indian into space, is scheduled for 2025.
  • India plans to establish the Bhartiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and an Indian landing on the moon by 2045.

• Countries like Yemen, Afghanistan, and Sudan are among the most dangerous due to ongoing conflicts that have severely impacted their populations and infrastructure.

Key points:

• Global Peace Index (GPI):
  • The GPI is compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, a non-profit organization.
  • It provides a critical measure of the safety and stability of 163 countries, focusing on those most affected by war, violence, and unrest.
• Evaluation Criteria:
  • The GPI assesses countries across 23 indicators, including internal conflicts, societal safety, and levels of militarization.
  • This index offers a comprehensive assessment of global peace and security, highlighting the most dangerous countries in the world.

• A recent breakthrough in plant genome editing was achieved through a collaborative effort between ICAR-National Rice Research Institute in Cuttack, India, and Pennsylvania State University, USA.

About Genome Editing- ISDra2TnpB:

• A new genome-editing tool derived from the bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans.
• Key Features of ISDra2TnpB:
  • Size Advantage: Less than half the size of Cas9 and Cas12, allowing for more efficient delivery and function within plant cells.
  • High Editing Efficiency: Demonstrates a 33.58% editing efficiency in average plant genomes, making it promising for various crops.
  • Versatility: Effective in editing both monocot plants (e.g., rice) and dicot plants (e.g., Arabidopsis).
• Potential Applications in Agriculture:
  • Pest Resistance
  • Nutritional Enhancement
  • Resilience to Environmental Stress

• Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a leading coal producer, has been recognized for its outstanding business performance by winning two prestigious Dun & Bradstreet PSU Excellence Awards. 
• MCL was honored as the Best Mini-Ratna Category-1 company and the best in Coal (Central PSU).
• This marks the second consecutive year that MCL has received accolades from Dun & Bradstreet, highlighting its consistent excellence in various business aspects.

Dun & Bradstreet PSU Excellence Awards:

• The Dun & Bradstreet PSU Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate the top-performing Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India. 
• These prestigious awards are given annually to PSUs that demonstrate exceptional business performance, innovation, and contributions to the Indian economy.   

• The LAccMI Bus Scheme in Odisha has been experiencing significant financial losses, according to the state’s transport minister. 
• This scheme, aimed at providing affordable transportation to rural areas, has faced challenges in generating sufficient revenue to offset its operational costs.

LAccMI Bus Scheme:

• LAccMI (Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative) is a comprehensive bus transportation scheme launched by the Odisha government. 
• The primary objective of this scheme is to enhance connectivity between rural areas and urban centers within the state.   

Key Features of LAccMI:

• Affordable Transportation: The scheme offers affordable bus services to rural residents, making it easier for them to access healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.   
• Extensive Network: LAccMI aims to create a vast network of bus routes, connecting various villages and towns to the state’s major cities.   
• Rural Development: By improving connectivity, the scheme is expected to contribute to the economic development of rural areas.   
• Public-Private Partnership: The government is partnering with private operators to ensure efficient and sustainable bus services.

• Odia space scientist Dr. Digendranath Swain was conferred Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar for the year 2024 in Space Science and Technology.
• President Droupadi Murmu presented him the covetous award which comprises a Medallion and Sanad at Rastrapati Bhavan.
• In the first edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, 33 awards were presented to distinguished scientists in four categories – Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team. 
• Swain was awarded in Vigyan Yuva category i.e Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar.

About:

• The Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award is a prestigious scientific honor in India, named after the distinguished Indian scientist Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar. 
• It recognizes outstanding contributions made by young scientists in various fields of science and technology. 
• This award is considered one of the highest honors for scientists in India

• Gajapati district in Odisha is the only district identified as landslide-prone. 
• According to the Revenue & Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, 129 such areas have been pinpointed.
• To mitigate landslide risks, the state is collaborating with various departments, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala. 
• A survey is underway in Gajapati district under a partnership between the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
• Additionally, the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) plays a crucial role in disaster management and providing early weather forecasts.

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered a significant gold deposit in the Deogarh district of Odisha. 
• The Odisha Mines Minister made the revelation during the Question Hour period of the second phase of the Budget session of the Odisha Assembly 
• He also highlighted the potential economic impact of this discovery. 
• The exact location and size of the deposit have not been disclosed yet, but the finding is expected to boost the state’s mining industry and attract investments.

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