Today’s Current Affairs Update: “ProxyGyan IAS Express”
Date: 03 July 2024.
1. Nouka Baich Boat Race
2. Abhay Mudra
3. SEBEX - 2
4. Malayan Tigers
5. AI Washing
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Nouka Baich Boat Race - Boat race festival in the news:
• News: As the south-west monsoon sets in, the traditional nouka baich boat races will soon begin in various rural areas of West Bengal.
• Traditional Significance: Nouka baich is a celebrated traditional boat. race in West Bengal.
• Timing: These races typically take place in September, during the last weeks of the monsoons when the rivers are swollen. In some areas, the races continue into October and even November.
• Participation: While historically dominated by men, recent years have seen increased participation from women.
• Cultural Connection: In southern West Bengal, these races are often associated with the worship of Manasa, the Hindu goddess of snakes, who is widely revered by agrarian communities.
2. Abhay Mudra :
• News: Rahul Gandhi recently invoked the 'abhayamudra' in Parliament.
• What is the Abhaya Mudra?
• The abhaya mudra, in the Buddhist context, is a significant hand gesture representing
fearlessness, security, and compassion.
• It is one of the earliest and most widely recognized mudras found in the visual depictions of the Buddha.
• Origins of the Abhaya Mudra:
• The term "mudra" in Sanskrit can mean a seal, mark, sign, or currency.
• In Buddhism, it refers specifically to hand and arm gestures made during rituals or depicted in images of buddhas and other Buddhist figures.
• The abhaya mudra emerged around the turn of the first millennium with the earliest physical depictions of the Buddha.
• Symbolism of the Abhaya Mudra:
• The abhaya mudra is typically formed with the right hand raised to shoulder height, palm
facing outward, and fingers pointing up.
• This gesture conveys a sense of fearlessness, protection, and reassurance.
• It is associated with the Buddha immediately after his Enlightenment, symbolizing the security, serenity, and compassion derived from Enlightenment.
3. SEBEX -2 : Explosives in the news:
• News: India has taken a significant stride towards achieving self-reliance in defence with the development of SEBEX 2 which is more potent than Trinitrotoluene (TNT).
• Definition: SEBEX 2 is recognized as one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosives globally, leveraging a high-melting explosive (HMX) composition.
• Composition and Lethality:
• Explosives which are used in conventional or non-nuclear warheads are measured in
TNT equivalence.
• Normally, this ranges from 1.25 to 1.30 times the strength of TNT.
• HEMEX, the explosive used in the warheads of Brahmos missiles, has 1.5 times TNT equivalence.
• SEBEX 2, the formulation developed by Nagpur's Solar Group has 2.01 equivalence, exceeds HEMEX.
• This formulation makes it highly sought after for enhancing the firepower of bombs, artillery shells, and warheads without increasing their weight.
• Manufacture and Certification:
• Manufactured by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), Nagpur, a subsidiary of Solar Industries, SEBEX 2 is a product of India's Make in India initiative.
• It has been rigorously evaluated, tested, and certified by the Indian Navy under its
DefenceExport Promotion Scheme.
4. Malayan Tigers : AAnimal Species in News
• News: There are less than 150 Malayan tigers left in the wild.
• Definition: The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), known as Harimau Malaya in Malay, is native to Peninsular Malaysia.
• Distribution: Found in southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula, as well as southern Thailand
• Cultural Significance: The Malayan tiger is the national symbol of Malaysia.
• Behavior: The Malayan tiger is primarily solitary; except during the mating season from November to March.
• Threats: Major threats include habitat loss, poaching, destruction of biodiversity, deforestation, and urbanization, which continue to endanger the species.
5. AI Washing: Keyword in News:
• News: Tech companies and startups marketing themselves as using Al, but not doing so form the basis of 'Al washing'.
• What is AI Washing?
• Al washing involves companies exaggerating their integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in products or services to appear more advanced than they actually are.
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