top of page
Search

15 January 2024- Daily current Affairs Updates

Writer's picture: Avijeet KumarAvijeet Kumar
  1. Thiruvalluvar Day ; GS1(History and Culture) ▪️ Why in the News: PM Modi recently remembered the great Tamil philosopher, poet and thinker Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day.

    > About Thiruvalluvar Day:

    • Initially celebrated on May 17 and 18 in 1935

    o. Currently observed on either January 15 or 16 in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal festivities.

    o. The day is dedicated to and commemorates the poet Thiruvalluvar.

    • Who was Thiruvalluvar?

    o. Thiruvalluvar was a revered poet and philosopher who holds a significant cultural status among Tamils.

    • He is affectionately known as Valluvar by the Tamil community.

    Notable Work - Thirukkural:

    o. Thirukkural is Thiruvalluvar's most celebrated work, consisting of couplets focusing on. ethics, politics, economy, and love.

    o. The text comprises 1,330 couplets (kurals) organized into 133 sections, with each section containing 10 couplets.

    • The content is divided into three main themes:

    • Dharma (virtue)

    • Artha (wealth)

    • Kama (love)


  2. Rat Hole Mining; GS-1(Geography) Why in the news: The rat-hole mining tragedy in Assam's Dima Hasao district in

    which a number of workers have lost their lives is not the first of its kind.

    > Definition:

    • The term "rat hole" refers to narrow pits excavated into the ground, just large enough for one person to descend and extract coal

    o. This method involves digging small tunnels, typically 3-4 feet in diameter, where workers, often children, extract coal.

    • Prevalence in Northeastern India:

    • Geographical and Geological Constraints:

    • The terrain and coal deposits in the Northeast are unsuitable for large-scale commercial mining.

    • The coal seams are extremely thin, making methods like open-cast mining economically impractical

    o. Coal Quality:

    • Coal in the region contains high levels of sulfur and is considered low-grade; discouraging significant private investment.

    • Tribal Land Ownership:

    • Under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, land in tribal states like Meghalaya is privately owned.

    • Coal mining is carried out by private parties who lack the capacity for large-scale investment.

    • Economic Dependence:

    • Locals view these mines as a source of livelihood, offering employment opportunities and financial benefits in underdeveloped areas with minimal investment.


    • Types of Rat-Hole Mining:

    o. Side-cutting mining: Conducted on hill slopes by following coal seams. Narrow tunnels are excavated horizontally until coal is located.

    o. Box-Cutting Mining: Involves digging a circular or square pit, about 5 square meters wide, up to a depth of 400 feet. Once the coal seam is discovered, horizontal tunnels are created for extraction.

    > Health and Safety Concerns:

    • Poor ventilation increases the risk of asphyxiation for workers.


  3. Esterase Enzyme; GS-3 (Economy) ▪️Why in the news: A team of researchers has successfully used an enzyme esterase enzyme to break down diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) plasticizer.

    • Source of Production: The esterase enzyme is produced by soil bacteria

    Sulfobacillus acidophilus.

    > Structural Characterization: The enzyme's structure was determined through X-ray crystallography.

    • Activity and Efficiency:

    • It remains active for approximately one month.

    • The enzyme efficiently catalyzes the degradation of diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer.

    • Mechanism of Action: The enzyme breaks down DEHP into two products:

    • Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP).

    • 2-ethyl hexanol.

    • Complete Degradation Process:

    When combined with other enzymes identified by researchers, this enzyme can convert high molecular-weight phthalate plasticizers into water and carbon dioxide.

    • Additional Enzymes:

    • Researchers utilized three other enzymes in sequence from Comamonas testosteroni bacteria to enhance degradation.

    • These enzymes, when combined with esterase, can accelerate the breakdown process.

  4. Nag Mak 2 ; GS-3 (Defence) ▪️Why in the news: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted field evaluation trials of India's indigenous Anti-Tank Missile - Nag Mark 2 at the Pokhran Field Range in Rajasthan.


    > Definition:

    • Nag Mark 2 is an indigenously developed third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile:

    • The missile represents India's increasing self-reliance in advanced defence technology.

    • It has been developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

    • Capabilities:

    • The missile system has proven its operational range by successfully striking targets at both maximum and minimum distances.

    • Its expected range is between 7 and 10 kilometers.

    > Fire-and-Forget Technology:

    • This technology allows operators to lock onto a target before launch, ensuring high precision and accuracy during strikes.



Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page