Facts in News

Facts in News

Bao Dhaan (Geography)

Recently, the first consignment of ‘Bao Dhaan or Red Rice‘ was sent to the USA from Assam.

Key Points

• The red rice is iron-rich and is grown in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. 
  • The rice variety is referred to as ‘Bao-dhaan‘, and it is red due to the presence of anthocyanin. 
  • It is an integral part of Assamese food.
  • It has a nutty flavor.
• The red rice is usually eaten unhulled or partially hulled.
• Compared to brown and white rice, it has the highest nutritional value.
• Varieties: Thai Red Cargo rice, Bhutanese red rice, Camargue red rice, and Kerala Matta rice.
• Geographical Conditions:
  • Climate: Warm and humid
  • Temperature: 20°C to 35°C
  • Rainfall: 100 cm 
  • Soil: Fertile soil. Delta and valley soils are the most suitable.

Image Courtesy: New Indian Express

Jalyukta Shivar Yojana Project (Government Schemes)

Recently, the Mounda tehsil in Maharashtra was turned into a water-surplus tehsil under Jalyukta Shivar Yojana Project.

Jalyukta Shivar Yojana Project

• Launched in: 2014
• Launched by: Government of Maharashtra.
• Aim: To make Maharashtra a drought-free state by 2019. 
  • To make 5000 villages free of water scarcity every year in regions including Marathwada and adjoining areas of Madhya Maharashtra and large parts of Vidarbha.
• The recent state government has ended this scheme in 2020. 

UV Disinfection Technology (S&T)

Recently, CSIR- CSIO has transferred UV Disinfection technology to combat SARS-CoV-2 to some indigenous manufacturers.

• There has been increasing evidence for the airborne route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols.
• Airborne transmission is a major risk in indoor settings.

UV Disinfection Technology

• The UV-C air duct disinfection system can be used in Air Handling Units (AHUs) like auditoriums, large conference rooms, classrooms, malls, etc. for disinfection
• Purpose: To deactivate the SARS COV-2 virus contained in an aerosol with necessary ventilation measures, necessary safety and user guidelines, and tested Bio-safety standards, etc.
  • An aerosol is a suspension of small liquid droplets or solid particles in the air. 
  • The aerosol material exists in the liquid or solid state and is carried by air into the respiratory tract.
• Utility: 
  • UV-C deactivates over 99 % of viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other bioaerosols, etc., and ameliorating fungal infections.
  • The UV-C is energy efficient system, improves airflow through coils, enhances indoor air quality, requires less maintenance, easy to retrofit with any existing system having AHU ducts, and has a low initial setup cost.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

• It is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds.
• UV radiation is classified into three primary types: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). 
  • These groups are based on the measure of their wavelength, which is measured in nanometers.
  • UVA: 
    • Wavelength: 315- 399 nm
    • Absorption Level: Not absorbed by the ozone layer.
  • UVB: 
    • Wavelength: 280-314 nm
    • Absorption Level: Mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but some do reach the Earth’s surface.

Image Courtesy: Contracting Business

Mount Nyiragongo (Geography)

Recently, Mount Nyiragongo in Congo sees a volcanic eruption.

Mount Nyiragongo

• It is an active stratovolcano. 
  • Also known as composite cones and their lower slopes are gentle.
  • Most deadly volcanoes. 
  • The largest percentage (60%) of the Earth’s individual volcanoes
  • Other examples: Mt. Fuji in Japan, Mt. Mayon in the Philippines, and Mt. Agua in Guatemala.
• Location: Inside Virunga National Park, Congo.
  • Location: Albertine Rift Valley of Great Rift Valley.
  • It is listed in the List of World Heritage in Danger and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Apart from Mount Nyiragongo, another active volcano Mount Nyamuragira is located here.
  • Here around 1/3 of the world’s wild mountain gorillas are present.

Image Courtesy: IRIS

Bonda Tribe (Social Issues)

The Bonda Tribes is a native tribe in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.

Bonda tribe

• They belong to the Munda ethnic group.
  • Origin: Migrated from Africa about 60,000 years ago. 
  • They are the first forest settlers in India.
• They are included among the 75 Primitive Tribal Groups identified by the Government of India.
• Language: Remo (belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic language family).
  • It is similar to the Gutob language.
• Social Structure:
  • They follow the unfree labor or Goti system, which is known as Gufam by the Bonda people.
  • The dowry system is followed during marriages.
  • Clothing: 
    • The Bondas are generally semi-clothed, the women wear thick silver neck bands.
    • Bonda women have their heads shaved and adorned with two types of headbands, called turuba and lobeda.
    • Both men and women wear earrings called limbi.
  • Status of Women: 
    • The women enjoy a privileged position. 
    • They are the primary workers and providers of food for the community.

Image Courtesy: Journals of India

“17+1” Initiative (IR)

Recently, Lithuania opted for China’s 17+1 Project.

17+1 Project

• Launched in: 2012 as a 16+1 initiative.
  • Become 17+ 1 with the addition of Greece.
• Launched by: China
• Objective: China launched this initiative in the Central and Eastern European Region (CEE), to inject capital, revamp old infrastructure and invest in locals.
  • China considered CEE as its ‘Gateway to Europe’.

Image Courtesy: EUCNC Albania

Viper Rover (S&T) 

NASA Rover ‘VIPER’ will search for ice, evaluate the environment on the moon in 2023.

Viper Rover

• VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover.
• This rover is part of the Artemis programme.
  • It is NASA’s human spaceflight program launched in 2017 to return humans to the Moon, specifically at the lunar south pole region.
• Aim: NASA will explore the dark side of the moon in search of critical water molecules and other sustaining minerals and resources.
• Instruments Onboard: Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrains (TRIDENT) hammer drill, the Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo) instrument, the Near-Infrared Volatiles Spectrometer System (NIRVSS), and the Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS).

Image Courtesy: NASA