06 January 2025 : Daily Current Affairs Updates

Jallikattu ; GS-1 Agriculture ▪️Why in the News: The first jallikattu of 2025 was recently held at Thatchankurichi village in the Gandharvakottai taluk of Pudukottai district with traditional fervor.

‣ Overview:

• Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport originating from Tamil Nadu. It is also known by other names such as Sallikkattu, Eru Taluvutal, and Manju-virattu.

o. In this event, a zebu bull, particularly breeds like Pulikulam or Kangayam, is released into a crowd.

o. Participants attempt to grab the bull's hump with both arms and hold on as long as possible while the bull tries to escape. In some cases, participants must also remove flags from the bull's horns.

‣ Etymology:

o. The term "sallikattu" is derived from two Tamil words: "salli," meaning coins, and "kattu," meaning package.

o. This refers to a prize of coins tied to the bull's horns that participants attempt to retrieve during the event.

• Location and Duration:

• Jallikattu is practiced primarily in Tamil Nadu.

> Season:

The event is traditionally held in January, coinciding with the Pongal festival.

Baanknet Portal; GS-2 Governance ▪️Why in the news: Secretary for the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Mr. M. Nagaraju launched the revamped e-auction portal 'Baanknet' in Delhi recently.

‣ Purpose and Overview:

• Baanknet is an e-auction platform that centralizes information on all properties listed for e-auction by public sector banks (PSBs).

• The portal serves as a comprehensive resource for buyers and investors, providing access to a wide variety of properties.

‣ Property Listings:

• The portal features listings of residential properties such as flats, independent houses, and open plots.

• It also includes commercial properties, industrial lands and buildings, shops, vehicles, plant and machinery, and agricultural as well as non-agricultural lands.

‣ Features of Baanknet Portal:

• Integrated User Journey: The portal offers seamless navigation, covering the entire pre-auction, auction, and post-auction processes within a single application.

• Advanced Tools and Architecture: It is equipped with an automated and integrated payment gateway and KYC tools. Built on a microservices-based architecture, the portal allows third-party integration through an open application programming interface (API).

• Dashboard and Analytics: Users benefit from a dashboard feature that provides easy access to 'Spend Analytics' and various Management Information System

(MIS) reports at the click of a button.

‣ Benefits of Baanknet Portal:

• Enhanced Efficiency for PSBs: The portal aids public sector banks in recovering outstanding dues by streamlining the auction process, thereby improving their balance sheets.

• Credit Availability: By boosting the financial health of banks, the portal enhances their ability to extend credit to businesses and individuals.

• Extensive Property Database: Over 122,500 properties have already been migrated to the platform, providing a vast selection for prospective buyers and investors.

Banded Royal Butterfly; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news: In a remarkable biodiversity discovery, Tripura has recorded its first-ever sighting of the rare Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra) in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary.

‣ About Banded Royal Butterfly:

• Scientific Name: Rachana jalindra

o. Family: Belongs to the Lycaenidae (blue butterfly) family.

• Habitat:

• Found in forests, particularly those in South and Southeast Asia, including the Western Ghats, Northeast India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.

• Prefers dense vegetation and is often seen resting on leaves.

‣ Distribution and Subspecies: India is home to three subspecies:

• R. j. macantia - Found in southwest India to Goa.

• R. j. tarpina - Found in the Andaman Islands.

• R. j. indra - Found from Odisha to lower West Bengal and Bangladesh, with current records in Assam, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.

‣ Appearance:

• Males exhibit a deep purple or bluish sheen with dark brown borders.

• Females are primarily brownish with white markings.

• Features a pale brown color with distinct white bands across the wings, lending it the

"banded" appearance.

‣ Conservation Status: The species is legally protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV); GS3 (Science) ▪️Why in the news: China is experiencing a surge in respiratory illnesses, particularly Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). This virus has several similarities to the Covid-19 virus.

‣ Nature of the Virus:

• HMPV is a respiratory virus responsible for mild infections resembling the common cold

• It was first discovered by scientists in 2001 and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles, and mumps.

‣ Characteristics:

• Capable of causing infections in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

• Predominantly occurs during winter and early spring.

• Children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems are more prone to infection and associated complications.

‣ Signs and Symptoms: Resembles common cold symptoms, including cough, runny or blocked nose, sore throat, fever, and wheezing.

> Incubation Period:

Typically ranges from 3 to 6 days.

‣ Recovery:

• Most individuals recover on their own within a few days with adequate rest and supportive care.

• In some cases, complications like bronchitis or pneumonia may develop, necessitating medical intervention.

‣ Transmission:

• Direct contact with an infected individual.

• Touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, such as doorknobs, phones, or keyboards, and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

• Virus spreads through secretions from coughs or sneezes.

• Includes activities like shaking hands or hugging someone with the infection.

• Treatment:

‣ Current Status:

• No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment exists for HMPV.

• Antibiotics are ineffective as the infection is caused by a virus, not bacteria.