Kerch Strait; GS-1 (Geography: Places in the news) ▪️Why in the News: A Russian oil tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of oil products split apart recently during a heavy storm spilling oil into the Kerch Strait.
> Geographical Location:
• The Kerch Strait is situated in Eastern Europe and serves as the sole waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.
• It separates the Kerch Peninsula (part of the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula) on the west from the Taman Peninsula in Russia, located to the east.
Historical Names:
• The strait was referred to as the Strait of Cimmerian Bosphorus during the Roman era.
• In Greek, it was known as the Cimmerian Strait.
• Physical Features:
• The Kerch Strait is approximately 3 km long, 15 km wide, and has a depth of 18 meters.
• Its narrowest point, located at the northern end of the Chushka Landspit, is only 3 to 5 kilometers wide.
• The city of Kerch, situated on the Crimean side, lies near the midpoint of the strait.
CHARAK; GS-2 (Governance) ▪️Why in the news: Under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal, Singrauli-based Coal India arm Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) has rolled out 'CHARAK'- "Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal, an innovative health-centric CSR Initiative.
‣ About:
• The CHARAK Initiative, which stands for Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal, is an innovative health-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.
• It is dedicated to providing free medical treatment to patients from economically weaker sections in the Singrauli region who are suffering from identified life-threatening diseases.
> Eligibility Criteria:
• Residents of Singrauli and Sonbhadra districts are eligible.
• Families with an annual income of less than Rs. 8 lakhs from all sources can avail of the benefits under this scheme.
First Diabetes Biobank; GS-3 (Science and Technology) ▪️ Why in the news: India has inaugurated its first diabetes biobank in Chennai. It will help advance research on diabetes among the Indian population.
> Key Features of the Biobank:
• The diabetes biobank serves as a repository for biological samples from diverse populations to facilitate scientific research.
• Its primary functions include collecting, processing, storing, and distributing biospecimens to support ongoing and future studies.
• The biobank houses blood samples related to various types of diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
‣ Understanding Diabetes:
• Diabetes is a chronic condition that arises when the pancreas cannot produce insulin or when the body is unable to use insulin effectively.
• Insulin is a vital hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels.
• An inability to produce or utilize insulin properly leads to high blood glucose levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
• Prolonged hyperglycemia can cause severe damage to various organs and tissues, contributing to critical health conditions.
• Diabetes is a major contributor to health complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputations.
INS Nirdeshak; GS-3(Defence) ▪️ Why in the news: The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest survey
ship, Nirdeshak; at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnamsoon.
> About: INS Nirdeshak is the second ship under the Survey Vessel (Large) Project of the Indian Navy. Its primary roles include conducting hydrographic surveys, aiding navigation, and supporting various maritime operations.
‣ Design and Construction:
• The vessel has been constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
(GRSE), Kolkata
• Reflecting the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), over 80% of its components are indigenous.
‣ Legacy:
• INS Nirdeshak is a modern reincarnation of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Nirdeshak, which served the Navy with distinction for 32 years before being decommissioned on December 19, 2014.
• The name 'Nirdeshak', meaning 'Pathfinder', highlights its mission to chart maritime territories with precision.
Download its PDF from here: https://t.me/proxygyan/1776
Comments