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

National and International News

• In the World Happiness Report 2024,Finland ranked first for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel in the top five.

Key points:

• India ranked 126th, while China, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh secured 60th, 93rd, 108th, 118th, 128th, and 129th spots, respectively.
• The World Happiness Report considers six variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and corruption.

Age, Education, and Gender: Factors Affecting Happiness

• • Older people in India were found to have higher life satisfaction than younger individuals. 
• However, women reported lower life satisfaction than men, with the gender gap widening with age.

• Education and caste played crucial roles, as older individuals with secondary or higher education and those from higher social castes experienced higher life satisfaction compared to those without formal education or from scheduled castes and tribes.

Happiness Across Age Groups: Global Insights

• The report found that Lithuania, Israel, Serbia, Iceland, and Denmark were the top five countries for happiness in young people (aged 30 and below), while Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland led the rankings for happiness in older individuals (aged 60 and above).

• In a significant boost to its combat capabilities, the Indian Army Aviation Corps inaugurated its first unit of AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters at Jodhpur Air Base. 
• The AH-64E Apache Guardian, known as the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter, is set to enhance the aerial prowess of the Indian Army.

Key points:

• Manufactured by Boeing in the United States, the AH-64E Apache Guardian has been acquired by several countries, including India, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, and the UK.
• In February 2020, India inked a deal with Boeing for six AH-64E helicopters for the Army, with an additional six contracted later. 
• Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL), manufactures fuselages for the AH-64 Apache at its Hyderabad facility since 2018. 
• TBAL aims to become the sole producer of AH-64 fuselages globally, sourcing 90% of parts from Indian suppliers.

Significance:

• The AH-64E Apache boasts an open systems architecture for seamless integration of advanced communications, navigation, sensor, and weapon systems. 
• Its enhanced thrust, lift capabilities, joint digital interoperability, improved survivability, and cognitive decision-aiding features make it a formidable asset in combat scenarios.

India’s ‘protected’ basmati varieties have been renamed and cultivated in Pakistan, leading to a demand for legal action by IARI.

Key points:

• Basmati is a long, slender-grained aromatic rice grown in the Indian subcontinent.
• It is mainly cultivated in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
• The term ‘basmati’ comes from the Hindi word bāsmatī, meaning ‘fragrant.’
• As of 2019, India dominated the international basmati rice trade, accounting for 65%.
• Pakistan accounted for the remaining 35%.

Geographical Indication in India:

• Basmati rice production in India is geographically indicated in several states.
• These states include Uttarakhand, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, and Jammu and Kashmir.

IARI:

• The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), also known as the Pusa Institute, is India’s national institute for agricultural research, education, and extension. 
• It was established in 1905 in Pusa, Bihar by the Government of India with financial assistance from American philanthropist Henry Phipps, Jr.. After an earthquake in 1934, the institute moved to New Delhi in 1936. 
• The IARI conducts basic and strategic research to understand processes and develop technologies for conservation agriculture, precision farming, and soil testing. 
• The IARI also provides national leadership in agricultural research, technology assessment, and transfer.

• INS Tir and INS Sujata are set to join the second edition of the India Mozambique Tanzania (IMT) Tri Lateral (TRILAT) Exercise, a joint maritime exercise scheduled from 21-29 Mar 24. 
• The first edition of the IMT TRILAT exercise, held in Oct 22, saw INS Tarkash participating with the Tanzanian and Mozambique Navies.

Key points:

• • The exercise’s current edition is divided into two phases. 
  • The harbour phase, scheduled from 21-24 Mar 24, will see Naval ships Tir and Sujata engaging with the respective Navies at the ports of Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Maputo (Mozambique). 
  • This phase will start with a Planning Conference, followed by joint harbour training activities such as Damage Control, Fire Fighting, Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures, Medical Lectures, Casualty Evacuation, and Diving operations. 
  • The sea phase is scheduled from 24-27 Mar 24, focusing on countering asymmetric threats, Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures, boat handling, manoeuvres, and firing exercises. 
• A joint EEZ surveillance is also planned during the sea phase. The exercise will conclude with a joint debrief scheduled at Nacala (Mozambique).

• Odisha has seen a notable increase in its forest and tree cover, gaining 893 square kilometers over the past two years (2019-2021), according to the Forest Survey of India Report 2021. 

Key points:

• Satyabrata Sahu, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change department, revealed this achievement during a state-level event held in Bhubaneswar on World Forestry Day-2024.
• A book titled “Highlights of Odisha Forestry Sector-2024” was launched during the event.

• Efforts by animal enthusiasts in Odisha’s Ganjam district have significantly increased the house sparrow population.
• The Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee (RSTPC) shifted focus to house sparrows, locally known as “Ghara Chatia,” upon noticing their declining numbers.

• In India, March 23rd is commemorated as Martyrs’ Day, also known as Shaheed Diwas. 
• This day specifically honors the sacrifices of three legendary freedom fighters: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru.

About:

• These three revolutionaries were hanged by the British Raj in 1931 for their role in resisting British rule. 
• Martyrs’ Day serves as a day to remember all those who fought and died for India’s freedom. 
• It’s a time to express gratitude for their sacrifices and reflect on the importance of freedom.

Note:

• January 30th is also celebrated as Martyr;s day.
• It commemorates the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the “Father of the Nation,” in 1948. 

• Twenty-two hikers from 12 states participated in a 3-day expedition at Odisha’s Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary. 
• Organized by Hirakud Wildlife Division and India Hikes, the expedition focused on nature and wildlife.

About:

• • Established in 1985, the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bargarh district of Odisha, India. 
  • Spanning an area of 346.91 km², the sanctuary plays a vital role in conserving various local wildlife and their habitats.
• The Indian Gaur or Bison is one of the prominent animals in the protected area. 

• World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated annually on March 21st 
• It is a day to raise awareness about Down syndrome and celebrate the contributions of people with Down syndrome.
• The date, 3/21, reflects the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.  
• This day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2012.

About:

• Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21 (trisomy 21).
• This extra copy changes how a baby’s body and brain develop. 
• It can cause both mental and physical challenges during their lifetime.

Theme:

• This year’s theme is ‘End The Stereotypes’.

• World Meteorological Day is celebrated on March 23rd every year. 
• It marks the anniversary of the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950.
• The day highlights the importance of weather and climate information for society’s safety and well-being. 

Theme:

• This year’s theme is “At the Frontline of Climate Action.”
•  It emphasizes the crucial role of weather observation, forecasting, and climate science in understanding and addressing climate change.

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