29 August 2022 – Current Affairs

Khadi Utsav

Paper 3 – Economy

Why Should You Know?

On august 27, 2022 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in Khadi Utsav at the Sabarmati River Front, Ahmedabad.

In details –

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in Khadi Utsav at the Sabarmati River Front, Ahmedabad. Several dignitaries including Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, MP Shri CR Patil were present in the event.
• Highlighting the benefits of Khadi, the Prime Minister said that it is an example of sustainable clothing, eco-friendly clothing and it has the least carbon footprint. There are many countries where the temperature is high, Khadi is also very important from the point of view of health. Hence, Khadi can play a huge role at the global level. He said this in sync with the growing trend of back to basic and sustainable living at the global level.
• The Prime Minister appealed to the people of the country to gift only the products made in Khadi Village Industries in the upcoming festive period. “You can have clothes made of different types of fabrics. But if you give place to Khadi in that, then the Vocal for Local campaign will gain momentum”, the Prime Minister said.

About Khadi Utsav –

• It has been a constant endeavour of the Indian government to popularise Khadi, generate awareness about Khadi products and promote the use of Khadi amongst youth.
• As a result of the efforts of this, since 2014, the sale of Khadi in India has witnessed a four-fold increase, whereas, in Gujarat, the sale of Khadi has witnessed a massive eightfold increase.
• In a one of its kind event being held as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Khadi Utsav is being organized to pay tribute to khadi and its importance during the freedom struggle.
• The Utsav will be organised at Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad and will witness 7500 women khadi artisans from various districts of Gujarat spinning charkha live at the same time and at the same place.
• The event will also feature an exhibition showcasing the “Evolution of Charkhas” by displaying 22 Charkhas from different generations used since the 1920s.
• It will include charkhas like “Yerwada Charkha” which symbolises the charkhas used during the freedom struggle, to the charkhas with the latest innovations and technology used today.
• A live demonstration of the production of Ponduru Khadi was also done.
• During the event, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the new office building of the Gujarat Rajya Khadi Gramodyog Board and ‘Atal Bridge’, a foot-over bridge at Sabarmati.

What is Ponduru Khadi –

• This Khadi is produced from Ponduru, a village in Srikakulum district in North Andhra Pradesh.
• The uniqueness about this fabric is the fiber. It is produced from a special variety of cotton called Punas cotton, hill white cotton and red cotton. The cotton is of very short staple length produced in Srikakulum area.
• The second uniqueness about this fabric is the method of spinning.
• The raw seeded cotton is ginned with the help of Valuga fish jawbone. This fish is only found in that area. Then it is fluffed and smoothed with the help of fine sticks which also remove the waste.
• Slivering is done with a bow and carding is done with the help of a wooden machine. The slivers are handmade and kept in a dried banana stem.
• This is one of the only places where still single spindle charkha is used for spinning. Yarn upto 120s count can be spun in white cotton while upto 60s can be spun with red cotton.

INS SUMEDHA

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

Recently INS Sumedha visited port klang, Malaysia on 27 August 2022.

In details –

• As part of the Indian Navy’s long-range operational deployment, INS Sumedha deployed to South East Asia, visited Port Klang, Malaysia on 27 August 2022.
• The ship is on her return passage from Perth, Australia where she participated in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
• INS Sumedha’s visit to Port Klang is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between Indian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
• Both navies have been collaborating on various fronts and are playing a critical role in ensuring Maritime Security and Safety of global commons.
• The bilateral engagements between both navies are on an upswing with the participation of KD Lekiu in MILAN 2022 at Visakhapatnam followed by the conduct of the IN-RMN bilateral maritime exercise Samudra Lakshmana at Kota Kinabalu in May 2022.
• During the port call at Port Klang, the crew of INS Sumedha would engage in professional interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), cross deck visits and sports fixtures with personnel from the Royal Malaysian Navy.
• The ship will also be open for the visit of school children. INS Sumedha is also scheduled to participate in a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with RMN Ships.
• INS Sumedha is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of Fleet Operations.
• She is part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

About INS Sumedha –

• INS Sumedha (P58) is the third Saryu class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, designed and constructed indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited.
• It is designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of sea lines of communications and offshore assets and escort duties
• The Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sumedha was launched at Goa Shipyard on 21 May 2011, and was handed over to the Indian Navy on 11 March 2014.
• The ship is equipped with an SRGM 76.2 mm cannon, close-range weapon systems, the newest navigational and early warning radar, chaff-launching for self-defence, and an integrated ESM system to carry out all assigned missions. These are included in the ship’s weapon and sensor gear.
• She is also capable of carrying a helicopter onboard for aerial support and carrying two rigid inflatable fast motor boats along with itself for additional support.
• A remote control system, which also incorporates the ‘Automatic Power Management System’, is used to handle the entire propulsion and power management of the ship.

“Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar/Clean Coast, Safe Sea” Campaign

Paper 3- Environment

Why Should You Know?

Recently the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Participated in Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar Campaign at Puducherry, lets know about it

In details –

• Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav inspected the beach infrastructure facilities at the Eden Beach, Puducherry early morningon august 27, 2022.
• A one-day beach clean-up campaign has also been organised at Promenade Beach , Puducherry.
• Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav inspected the Beach infrastructure facilities, the safety and risk measures taken for the safety of the beach users and interacted with the Officials of the Government of Puducherry, the beach maintenance team, and the tourists at the Eden Blue Flag Beach,
• Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav led the Beach Cleaning and Awareness Campaign along with Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Dr.Tamilisai Soundararajan and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Puducherry Thiru. N. Rangaswamy.
• The  Campaign at the Promenade beach was marked by taking a Pledge on “I Am Saving My Beach”by school children and beach users in English and Tamil.
• This was followed by a prize distribution for the painting competition held on the occasion. The dignitaries flagged off a walkathon by 100 school students, cyclists and a float on “Connecting with the Ocean”. 
• A large beach cleaning campaign involving over 200 children from various schools at Puducherry, NCC Cadets, Scouts and Guides was held at the Promenade Beach, along with officials of the Government of Puducherry and the general beach users. 
• The primary objective of the campaign is to create an awareness among the public who live along the beaches and coast for a “clean coast and safe seas”.
• It is noteworthy that “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of it’s people, culture and achievements.

Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar –

• “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar/Clean Coast, Safe Sea” Campaign, is a 75-day citizen-led initiative, aimed at improving the coastal and ocean health via community action.
• The campaign began on July 5, 2022, and will culminate on 17Th September 2022 – International Coastal Clean-up Day.
• The three strategic underlying objective of the Campaign is to alter and save the environment through behaviour change. The campaign’s three overarching goals are:
• Consume Responsibly,
• Separate waste at home, and
• Dispose of waste responsibly.
• The campaign is spearheaded by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in partnership of Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Indian Coast Guard, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), other central ministries/organisation and other social organizations and educational institutions.
• The coastal clean-up campaign is being taken at 75 beaches along the coast line of with average 75 volunteers for every kilometre of coastline. National conference and workshop on conservation of Coastal Ecosystem, marine environment, safe beach, waste management, are being conducted.
• Awareness through community participation involving school children, Scouts, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, NGOs and beach users are also being organised at various beaches and coastal area during the campaign period.
• The objective is to target lifestyle and behavioural changes that promote environmental sustainability, in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Global initiative on ‘Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Movement; calling for human centric and collective efforts to strengthen sustainable development.

‘Blue Flag’ –

• Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, has launched a scheme to certify Indian beaches in the country as ‘Blue Flag’.
• This certification is given by an international organisation “Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark” and is based on 33 stringent criteria divided into four major categories:
• environmental education and information,
• bathing water quality,
• environment management and conservation, and
• beach safety and services.
• The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an Eco-tourism model that aims to give tourists and beach-goers with clean and sanitary bathing water, facilities and amenities, a safe and healthy environment, and long-term eco-development of the area.
• Among the first set of 8 beaches, the EDEN BEACH at Puducherry is a certified Blue Flag Beach, since September 2020.

‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’

Paper 1 – Art & Culture

Why Should You Know?

Receclty Ministry of Culture celebrated the successful inscription of ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of ICH of Humanity in 2021 in the presence of senior representatives of UNESCO.

In details –

• The Ministry of Culture along Sangeet Natak Akademi, the designated nodal agency for ICH, in collaboration with the National Museum and National Museum Institute,organized the celebration of the successful inscription of ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of ICH of Humanity in 2021.
• Notebly ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 16th session  held in Paris, France from 13th to 18th December 2021.
• On this occasion, a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on ICH was also inaugurated at National Museum.
• The 2-day capacity-building workshop envisioned by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India aims to launch a special series of workshops throughout India, to identify modalities of collaboration between the professionals and community stakeholders, to bring forth methodologies and principles in formulating community-based inventory, and to discuss safeguarding practices, the responsibility of the government and the community in the promotion, preservation, and safeguarding of the ICH elements.
• The workshop on 28th August includes a presentation and theoretical session by Dr. B. Venugopal, Convenor, India Heritage and Museum field school, Kochi along with a session on traditional craftsmanship.
• The venue also exhibited some ICH-related stalls showcasing traditional craftsmanship from West Bengal like Pattachitra, and Kantha along with PuruliyaChhau masks and Nayagram wooden toys from other regions. This was accompanied by a display and presentation of Dhak and DhunuchiNritya to give a glimpse and context of the traditional way of celebration.
• The eventconcluded with some insightful words by Tim Curtis on the successful inscription of ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ into the ICH list of Humanity as well as on the global perspective of ICH and its significance. He was felicitated with a ‘dokra’ idol of goddess Durga.

Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s –

• Recently, on 7th July 2022, India was elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 cycle.
• The elections for the Intergovernmental Committee were held during the 9th General Assembly of the 2003 Convention held at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, from 5th to 7th July 2022.
• Against the four seats falling vacant within the Asia-Pacific group, eight countries, namely, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Iran, had presented their candidature.
• India won the elections by a comfortable majority of 110 votes out of the 155 State Parties present and voting.
• With India getting elected to this body it aims to strengthen the scope and impact of the Convention and mobilize the capacity of different actors worldwide in order to effectively safeguard intangible heritage across the globe. For its current term, India has formulated a clear vision for the protection and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
• Some of the priority areas that India will focus upon include fostering community participation, strengthening international cooperation through intangible heritage, promoting academic research on intangible cultural heritage, and aligning the work of the Convention with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ –

• ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 16th session held in Paris, France from 13th to 18th December 2021.
• The Committee commended the inclusive nature of Durga Puja celebrations and for related initiatives involving marginalized groups, as well as women in their participation in safeguarding the element.
• It not only is a celebration of feminine divinity but is a consummate expression of dance, music, crafts, rituals, practices culinary and cultural aspects.
• The festival transcends the boundaries of caste, creed, and economic classes and joins the people together in its celebration.
• During the Durga Puja Festival, Kolkata explodes with more than thousand thematic and colorful pandals and reveals several forms of goddess Durga idols, thus pulling in a huge number of crowds and making it one of the biggest autumn festivals in the world.
• India now has 14 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity.

Projects Inauguration in Bhuj

Paper 3- Infrastructure

Why Should You Know?

On august 28, 2022 The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 4400 crore in Bhuj.

In details –

• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 4400 crore in Bhuj. Earlier, he also inaugurated Smriti Van Memorial in Bhuj district.
• Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, Member of Parliament, Shri C R Patil and Shri Vinod L Chavda, Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Dr Nimaben Acharya, State Ministers Kiritsinh Vaghela and Jitubhai Chaudhary were among those present on the occasion.

Smriti Van Memorial –

• The Prime Minister inaugurated the Smriti Van Memorial in Bhuj district. Envisioned by the Prime Minister, Smriti Van is a one of its kind initiative.
• It has been built in an area of around 470 acre to celebrate the spirit of resilience shown by the people after the death of around 13,000 people who had lost their lives during the 2001 earthquake which had its epicentre in Bhuj. The Memorial carries names of the people who had lost their lives during the earthquake.
• The state of the art Smriti Van Earthquake Museum is segregated in seven blocks based on seven themes: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive and Renew.
• The first block is based on the theme Rebirth depicting Earth’s evolution and ability of the earth to overcome every time.
• The second block showcases Gujarat’s topography and various natural disasters that the state is vulnerable to.
• The third block  takes one back to the immediate aftermath  after the 2001 earthquake. Galleries in this block address the massive relief effort undertaken by individuals as well as organisations.
• The fourth block showcases Gujarat’s rebuilding initiatives and success stories post 2001 earthquake.
• The fifth block prompts the visitor to think and learn about different types of  disasters and future readiness for any type of disaster at any time.
• The sixth block helps us to relive the experience of an earthquake with the help of a simulator. The experience is designed in a 5D simulator and is meant to give the visitor the ground reality of an event at this scale.
• The seventh block provides people with a space for remembrance where they can pay homage to the lost souls.

Kachchh Branch Canal –

• The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Kachchh Branch Canal of Sardar Sarovar Project. The total length of the Canal is around 357 km.
• A part of the canal was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2017 and the remaining part is being inaugurated now.
• Canal would help in providing irrigation facilities in Kachchh and drinking water in all 948 villages and 10  towns of the Kachchh district.

Other Projects –

• The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 4400 crore in Bhuj.
• Prime Minister will inaugurate various other projects as well including New Automatic Milk Processing and Packing Plant of Sarhad Dairy; Regional Science Centre, Bhuj; Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Convention Centre at Gandhidham; Veer Bal Smarak at Anjar; Bhuj 2 Substation at Nakhatrana etc.
• The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of various projects worth over Rs. 1500 crores as well, including the Bhuj- Bhimasar Road.

VAJRA PRAHAR 2022

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

Recently Indo – US special forces joint exercise culminates at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

In details –

• The 13th Edition of India – USA Joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022 culminated at Bakloh (HP) on 28 August 2022.
• This annual exercise is hosted alternatively between India and the United States.
• The 12th edition was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington (USA) in October 2021.
• The 21-day joint training provided an opportunity for the Special Forces from both nations to train in Air Borne Operations, Special Operations and Counter Terrorism operations in a joint environment under United Nations Charter.
• The exercise was conducted in two phases; the first phase involved combat conditioning and tactical level special missions training exercises and the second phase included 48 hours of validation of training received by both contingents in the first phase.
• Both contingents expressed immense satisfaction on the outcomes of the exercise, in terms of the standards achieved and sharing of best practices, when both contingents undertook joint training, planning and execution of a series of mock operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain.
• Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR with the US Special Forces is significant in terms of security challenges faced by both Nations in the backdrop of the current global situation.
• The joint military exercise has further strengthened the traditional bond of friendship between the special forces of both Nations as well as improved bilateral defence cooperation between India and the USA.

National Sports Day

Paper 2 – Games

Why Should You Know?

Every year 29 August is celebrated as National Sports Day in India.

In details –

• National Sports Day is celebrated every year on August 29  to promote sports in India. Major Dhyan Chand, who is called the wizard of hockey, was born on this day and sports day is celebrated in his memory.
• It is noteworthy that Dhyan Chand had waved India’s flag in the Olympic Games and won the country’s gold medal in these games three times in hockey.
• On the occasion of Sports Day, the President of the country honors the players with Dronacharya, Major Dhyan Chand and Arjuna Awards. All sportspersons and coaches are awarded at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Background –

• National Sports Day was first celebrated in the year 2012. Since then, it is celebrated every year on August 29.
• However, the celebration of National Sports Day had remained low-key for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the Khel Ratna award will now be known as Major Dhyan Chand instead of Rajiv Gandhi.
• The National Sports Day aims to create awareness about the importance of sports and the benefits of being physically active in life. Various events with the theme of promoting sports among people are organised around the country.

About Major Dhyan Chand –

• Major Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad. The Indian team, led by Dhyan Chand, was always at the top of the game of hockey.
• Dhyan Chand was a former player and captain of Indian field hockey. He is counted among the best players in India and world hockey.
• Dhyan Chand’s stature is considered as big in hockey as Sir Don Bradman in cricket and Pele in football.
• Dhyan Chand had brought glory to the country by winning gold medals in three consecutive  Olympics. These Olympics  were played in Amsterdam in 1928, Los Angeles in 1932 and Berlin in 1936  . Major Dhyan Chand was awarded the  Padma Bhushan in 1965 for dedicating his entire life to hockey.
• It was said about this great player of India that when he used to go on the field with a hockey stick,  the ball was stuck in his stick as if someone had put a magnet on it. On such suspicion, once his stick was broken and examined.

Major Dhyan Chandra Khel Ratna Award

• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the name of the ‘Khel Ratna Award’ to ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ after receiving countless requests from citizens across the country to name it after Major Dhyan Chand.
• This award is India’s highest sporting honour. The award is presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• This award  is  given for outstanding performance for a period of 4 years. The award carries a  cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh.

Anang Tal lake

Paper 1 – Art & Culture

Why Should You Know?

Recently Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance.

In details –

• The Anang Tal lake in South Delhi, believed to have been built a thousand years ago, has been declared a monument of national importance through a gazette notification by the Ministry of Culture.
• The notification, issued on August 22, stated: “The central government is of the opinion that the ancient mound including Anang Tal, Tehsil Mehrauli, district South Delhi, National Capital Territory Delhi… is an ancient site and remains of national importance; Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (24 of 1958), the central government hereby gives notice of its intention to declare the said ancient site and remains to be of national importance…”
• The notification also invites objections or suggestions over the next two months.

About the lake –

• Notebly Anang Tal is situated “to the north of Jog Maya temple and approximately 500 metres to the northwest of Qutub Complex”, and dates back to 1,060 AD. “Tradition ascribes this tank to a Tomar King, Anangpal II, the builder of Lal Kot. It is said to have been a place of a general resort but now it is dried up and used for cultivation.
• It is also said that Alauddin Khalji A.D 1296-1316 utilized the water of this tank when he built minar and extended the Qutub-ul-Islam mosque.

Who was AnangPal Tomar?

• Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, was a ruler from the Tomar Rajput dyansty. He is known to have established and populated Delhi in the 11th century.
• He is often confused with Anangpal I, the founder of Tomar Dynasty of Delhi, who had reigned during the 8th century.
• He traced the lineage to Chandravanshi Kshatriya kings, namely Arjuna from the epic Mahabharata (nowadays commonly referred to as Tomar/Tanwar).
• The territory ruled by the Tomars was called Hariyana. This Hariyana was many folds in size compared to the current state of Haryana.
• The Tomar Empire during the reign of Anangpal II extended over various parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• The capital of Tomars changed a few times during the course of 457 years they ruled in the northern India. The first capital of the Tomar empire was Anangpur while the last one was Dhillikapuri (Delhi, Lal Kot).
• Other parts of the Kingdom of political importance were as follows: Pathankot – Nurpur, Patan – Tanwarawati, Nagarkot (Kangra), Asigarh (Hansi), Sthaneshwar (Thanesar), Mathura, Taragarh, Gopachal (Gwalior), Tanwarhinda (Bhatinda), Tanwarghaar.

Mysterious Paddy dwarfing

Paper 3 – Agriculture

Why Should You Know?

Recently, a mysterious disease affected the paddy crop, causing “dwarfing” of paddy plants in Punjab and Haryana.

In details –

• Recently, a mysterious disease affected the paddy crop, causing “dwarfing” of paddy plants in Punjab and Haryana. Scientists consider ‘Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus’ (SRBSDV) to be the dominant virus affecting southern China, where it was first reported in 2001.
• Typical symptoms of rice dwarf disease are dwarfing of the plant and appearance of white chlorotic spots on the foliage. The height of dwarf plants is reduced by 1/2-1/3 of the height of normal plants.
• These plants had shallow roots and were easily uprooted. Such plants were observed in farmers’ fields in almost all cultivated varieties.
• Plant dwarfism is commonly reported to be 10% to 25% and in some cases to more than 40%.
• The incidence of dwarfism was more pronounced in early sown paddy crops, irrespective of the variety.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Report –

• An IARI team surveyed a total of 24 areas in Haryana’s Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts. In the fields where the disease was reported, infected plants ranged from 2 to 10 percent. In Panipat, the effect of this virus was seen in 20 percent of the plants in the severely affected area.
• The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has confirmed that the mysterious disease called Southern Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Virus (SRBSDV) is the reason behind the ‘dwarfing’ of paddy plants reported mainly from Punjab and Haryana.
• Southern rice black streaked dwarf virus is a double standard RNA virus, first reported from southern China in 2001. Characteristics originating on rice as well as the genome structure of this virus is similar to that of rice black streaked dwarf virus.
• Apart from rice, SRBSDV also infects various weed species. Since this virus was first found in southern China, it was named Southern Rice Black. Streaked Dwarf Virus.
• The virus specifically affects plant phloem (plant tissue that carries sugar and organic nutrients from leaves to other parts) and is not transmitted through seeds or grains.
• In its report submitted to the Union Agriculture Ministry, IARI said that the affected plants showed a severely stunted appearance. Their roots developed poorly and turned brown. Virus-infected plants are easily uprooted from the ground.
• The institute undertook a comprehensive investigation into the causes and diagnosis of the ‘mysterious dwarfing disease’ of paddy plants using three independent methods: transmission electron microscopy, RT-PCR and real-time quantitative PCR.

Suggestion –

• “In general, non-basmati varieties were more affected than Basmati,” the report said. Also, late sown paddy had less infection than early sown paddy. It is advised to monitor the fields.
• It has also said that the pest can be managed by spraying disciplined doses of ‘Buprofezin’, ‘Acetamiprid’, ‘Dinotfuran’ or ‘Flonicamid’ insecticides at an interval of 15 days.

Full court meeting

Paper 2 – Polity

Why Should You Know?

After Joining, The new Chief Justice of India U U Lalit called a meeting of the ‘full court’, lets know about it

In details –

• Within hours of taking over, the new Chief Justice of India U U Lalit called a meeting of the ‘full court’ On august 27, 2022.
• where the judges discussed how to deal with issues relating to listing and backlog of cases.

What is a full court meeting?

• A full court meeting literally means one which is attended by all the judges of the court.

When is it held?

• There are no written rules dealing with this. As per convention, full-court meetings are called by the Chief Justice of India to discuss issues of importance to the judiciary.
• The senior designations of practising advocates in the Supreme Court and high courts are also decided during the full court meetings.

What is the significance of a full court meeting?

• The basic idea is to take everyone along. Full court meetings are an ideal occasion to arrive at common solutions to deal with problems that beset the country’s legal system and to make any amends, if necessary, in the administrative practices of the court.

How frequently is it held?

• As a full court meeting is convened at the discretion of the Chief Justice of India, it does not follow any particular calendar.
• Full court meetings have been held many times in the past. In March 2020, it was convened to discuss demands by associations of lawyers to close the court till further notice following the Covid-19 outbreak and its subsequent spread among court staff, and to decide the further steps to be taken.
• Also, a full court meeting held on May 7, 1997 decided that “every Judge should make a declaration of all his/her assets in the form of real estate or investment” held in own name or in the name of spouse or any person dependent within a reasonable time and thereafter make a disclosure “whenever any acquisition of a substantial nature is made”.
• The meeting resolved that an in-house procedure should be devised by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India to take suitable remedial action against judges who by their acts of omission or commission do not follow the universally accepted values of judicial life, including those indicated in the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” that lays down certain judicial standards and principles to be observed and followed by SC and HC judges.