13 January 2025; Daily Current Affairs Updates

Hatti Tribe; GS-1 (History and Culture) ▪️Why in the News: The vibrant Boda Tyohar festival, the largest annual celebration for the Hatti tribes of the Trans-Giri region in Himachal Pradesh, kicked off recently.

• Definition:

• The Hattis are a close-knit community named after their traditional trade of selling homegrown crops, vegetables, meat, and wool at local markets known as 'haats.'

o. Hatti men wear distinctive white headgear during ceremonial events, symbolizing their cultural identity.

> Geographic Distribution:

o. The Hatti community resides in the region spanning the Himachal-Uttarakhand border, specifically in the basins of the Giri and Tons rivers, both tributaries of the Yamuna.

o. The Tons River serves as the natural boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

o. Two primary Hatti clans exist:

o. One in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh o The other in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand.

• Despite being in different states, the clans share similar traditions, and intermarriages between them are common.

> Demographics:

• As per the 2011 Census, the Hatti population was recorded at 2.5 lakh, with an estimated increase to approximately 3 lakh by 2023.

- Recognition as Scheduled Tribe (ST):

• In 2023, the Indian government granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hattis in Himachal Pradesh

• The Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand was already recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 1967.

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO); GS-2 Org in the news. ▪️Why in the news: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation

(NOTTO) has announced that central government employees who donate organs will receive 42 days of special casual leave.

> About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

> Definition: National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

> Aim: National Network division of NOTTO functions as apex centre for:

• All India activities of coordination and networking for procurement and distribution of Organs and Tissues and

• Registry of Organs and Tissues Donation and Transplantation in the country.

• Divisions: NOTTO has two divisions:

• National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network:

• This has been mandated as per the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011.

o It is the nodal networking agency for Delhi and shall network for Procurement Allocation and Distribution of Organs and Tissues in Delhi

• National Biomaterial Centre:

• The Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011 has included the component of tissue donation and registration of tissue Banks.

•. The main aim of establishing this centre is to fill up the gap between 'Demand' and

'Supply' as well as 'Quality Assurance' in the availability of various tissues.

• Functions of NOTTO :

• Network with similar regional and state level organizations.

• All registry data from States and Regions would be compiled and published.

• Creating awareness, promotion of organ donation and transplantation activities.

• Co-ordination from procurement of organs and tissues to transplantation when organ is allocated outside the region.

• Dissemination of information to all concerned organizations, hospitals and individuals:

• Monitoring of transplantation activities in the Regions and States and maintaining databank in this regard.

Blue Flag certification; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️ Why in the news: Kappad beach in Kozhikode, has once again earned the prestigious Blue Flag certification, marking the fourth consecutive year it has achieved this honour.

• Definition:

• The Blue Flag certification is an internationally acknowledged eco-label granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), based in Denmark

• Launched in France in 1985; the program expanded globally in 2001 to include regions outside Europe.

• It is among the most recognized voluntary accolades awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats.

• Objectives and Mission:

• The Blue Flag program aims to promote sustainable development in marine and freshwater areas.

• Its mission focuses on fostering sustainability within the tourism sector through environmental education, protection, and sustainable development practices.

• Evaluation Criteria: The certification assesses adherence to four main criteria:

• Water Quality: Ensuring clean and safe water.

• Environmental Management: Promoting responsible management of coastal and marine ecosystems.

• Environmental Education: Encouraging awareness and education about ecological preservation.

• Safety: Ensuring visitor safety and well-maintained facilities.

• Indian Beaches with Blue Flag Certification: India is home to several beaches that have achieved Blue Flag certification: • Shivrajpur Beach - Gujarat

・ Ghoghla Beach - Diu

• Kasarkod Beach - Karnataka / Padubidri Beach - Karnataka

• Kappad Beach - Kerala

• Rushikonda Beach - Andhra Pradesh

• Golden Beach - Odisha

Radhanagar Beach - Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Kovalam Beach - Tamil Nadu

• Eden Beach - Puducherry

・ Minicoy Thundi Beach - Lakshadweep

• Kadmat Beach - Lakshadweep

INS VAgsheer; GS-3(Defense) ▪️Why in the news: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)

has delivered the final Scorpene-class submarine, Vaghsheer, to the Indian Navy, completing Project 75.

> Definition:

• INS Vaghsheer is the sixth submarine in the first batch of six Kalvari-class submarines constructed for the Indian Navy.

•. The submarine is named after the sandfish, a lethal deep-sea predator found in the Indian Ocean.

• It was launched in April 2022 and has undergone rigorous trials to test its endurance, stealth capabilities, and combat efficiency.

• The other submarines in the Kalvari-class fleet are Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, and Vagir.

• Features and capabilities:

• Stealth Technologies: Equipped with advanced stealth features, including reduced radiated noise and a highly efficient hydrodynamic design, making it one of the quietest submarines globally.

• Combat Power: Armed with precision-guided weapons, including torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles. Designed to perform a variety of offensive and defensive naval operations.

• Mission Versatility: Capable of undertaking diverse missions such as:

Anti-submarine warfare.

Intelligence gathering.

Operations in varied maritime environments:

• Indigenous Systems:

• Features domestically developed systems such as:

An air-conditioning plant.

• An internal communication network.

• The Ku-Band SATCOM system for enhanced communication capabilities.