UPSC Prelims Bits: October 18, 2022

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)

The Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has become part of the world’s largest and most diverse genomic study covering 54 lakh individuals.
It identified 12 thousand 222 places in the human genome that are associated with human height.

The study by name ‘A saturated map of common genetic variants associated with human height’ was published in Nature science journal recently.
They analysed existing genetic data of over 53 individuals drawn from various parts of the world.
In the course of the genomic study, the researchers identified over 1,200 spots in the human genome that literally dictate the height of humans.
The study paves the way for similar investigations on the impact of genes on other human traits and diseases.
The findings from the path-breaking study have the potential to help researchers worldwide understand how the human body grows.
They also enable researchers to understand the increased risk of several diseases such as irregular heartbeat, varicose veins, nerve damage in arms and legs, and bone infections among taller people.
The findings also support earlier studies which predicted that 40-50 percent of height variation among people could be explained by common genetic variants.

The 12th edition of the biennial DefExpo will begin in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat today.

The theme of the 12th DefExpo is ‘Path to Pride’ which is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India into a strong and self-reliant nation by supporting, showcasing and forging partnerships for the Indian Aerospace and Defence manufacturing sectors with Indian as well as global customers.

At DefExpo-2022, the participants will get an opportunity to showcase their equipment and platforms and be able to explore the strengths and capabilities of the expanse of Indian Defence industry for forging business partnerships.
As part of the DefExpo, live demonstrations by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and DRDO, showcasing land, naval and air procedures, and systems in action will be held.
The India Pavilion – a marque pavilion of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence – will showcase the maturity of indigenous defence products, start-ups, latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence in defence, and will present India’s vision for 2047. It has been named ‘Path to Pride’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the site work progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat

NMHC is developed as a world-class international tourist destination, the first of its kind in the country, comprising of maritime museum, lighthouse museum, maritime theme parks, amusement parks centres, etc.
It would showcase maritime heritage of the country from ancient to modern times by adopting an edutainment approach using the latest technology to spread awareness about India’s maritime heritage.
It is proposed to have a pavilion for each coastal State and Union Territory (UT) of India at NMHC to showcase the artefacts/maritime heritage of the specific States and Union Territories.

Lothal was one of the prominent cities of the Harappan civilization and is known for the discovery of the oldest man-made dockyard.
A maritime heritage complex in Lothal is fitting tribute to the city’s historical legacy and heritage.
The complex, whose construction started in March this year, is being developed at a cost of around three thousand 500 crore rupees.
It is being developed as a one-of-its-kind project to not only display India’s rich and diverse maritime heritage and also help Lothal to emerge as a world class international tourist destination.

132nd death anniversary of Fakir Lalon Shah was observed on October 17 in Bangladesh.

Lalon Shah is considered the most prominent figure of the Baul tradition of Bangladesh and India.
Born in 1774 at Horishpur in Jhenaidah district of modern Bangladesh, he is revered as a great mystic saint, philosopher and social reformer of his time.
He composed thousands of songs which were compiled later by his disciples.
His songs celebrate the spirit of humanism blending elements of Islam, Vaisnavism, Shahajiya Buddhism and Jainism.
He inspired and influenced people like Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and the American poet Allen Ginsberg among others.
He is believed to have died on the first day of the Bangla month of Kartik in 1890.