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- The waters of Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose or the Pink Lake, are on the brink of disappearance due to pollution and mining, resulting in a scarcity of life within its depths. Situated north of the Cap Vert peninsula of Senegal and to the northeast of Dakar, this lake is a unique natural wonder. It's nestled amidst sand dunes, cut off from the sea, with its freshwater primarily sourced from the seasonal water table within these dunes, which stand taller than the lake itself.
- Tourists flock to the Pink Lake, fascinated by its striking pink hue, a spectacle caused by the proliferation of halophilic green algae called Dunaliella salina. These algae, rich in red pigments, tint the waters with their presence. They are accompanied by halophilic bacteria of the genus Halobacterium, contributing to the lake's unique ecosystem.
- Dunaliella salina's ability to thrive in a saline environment is attributed to its high concentration of carotenoid pigments and glycerol content, which protect it from light and enhance its resistance to salt. This microscopic alga not only adds a mesmerizing color to the lake but also provides essential nutrients, as it is rich in vitamins and trace elements. The color of the lake varies depending on the salinity levels; high salinity fosters the growth of algae with red pigments, while low salinity encourages the dominance of algae with green pigments.
- A groundbreaking discovery has captured attention on the Central Coast, approximately 80 km north of Sydney, where a colossal male funnel web spider, dubbed "Hercules," has emerged as a sensational find.
- Hercules holds the title of the largest male funnel web spider ever documented, boasting an impressive size measuring 3.1 inches from foot to foot. Equipped with fangs capable of piercing human nails, this arachnid claims the crown as the world's most venomous creature of its kind, marking a historic milestone as the first male of such remarkable dimensions.
- Male funnel web spiders, renowned for their lethal potency, surpass even their female counterparts in venomous prowess. These creatures find their habitat in forested areas and gardens spanning from Sydney to the coastal city of Newcastle in the north, extending westward to the Blue Mountains.
- The warm and humid climate along Australia's east coast provides an ideal breeding ground for funnel web spiders, showcasing their resilience and adaptability in thriving within their environment.
- Funnel-web spiders rank among the most perilous arachnids globally, with 36 described species inhabiting Australia and categorized into three genera: Hadronyche, Atrax, and Illawarra. The venom of these spiders contains a potent concoction of 40 different toxic proteins, making it a vital ingredient in the production of life-saving antivenom.
- Recently, an Indian politician faced obstruction while attempting to visit Batadrava Than, a revered site nestled in the Nagaon district of Assam.
- Batadrava Than, also known as Bordowa Than, holds profound significance for Assamese Vaishnavites, serving as a sanctuary of spirituality at the birthplace of the esteemed Vaishnavite reformer-saint, Srimanta Sankardeva. Sankardeva's legacy is deeply intertwined with this sacred complex, as he established the inaugural Kirtan Ghar in 1494 AD to propagate the neo-Vaishnavite faith during the fifteenth century in Assam, advocating the Ek Saran Naam Dharma.
- Enclosed within a brick wall with two entrances, Batadrava Than boasts various structures including the expansive Kirtan Ghar, initially constructed by Sankardeva himself using temporary materials. The campus encompasses the Manikut, dedicated to housing sacred texts and manuscripts, along with diverse facilities such as Natghar (Drama hall), Alohighar (Guest room), Sabhaghar (Assembly hall), Rabhaghar (Music room), Hatipukhuri, Aakashi Ganga, and the festive temple, Doul mandir. Additionally, a mini-museum showcases historical artifacts, attracting devotees annually during the grand festival of Doul Mohotsava (Holi).
- Sankardeva's teachings emphasized societal equality, transcending caste differences and orthodox rituals, while promoting devotion to Lord Krishna through congregational singing and listening of His name and deeds. His philosophy, centered on prayer and chanting, rejected idol worship in favor of a spiritual practice grounded in devotion, with a focus on the four components of deva (god), naam (prayers), bhakats (devotees), and guru (teacher).
- Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) organized a virtual training program to introduce the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) to concerned officers from Andhra Pradesh.
- ESMS is a dedicated technological platform meticulously designed to digitize data pertaining to intercepted or seized items such as cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, freebies, and other items, directly from the field through a mobile application. It facilitates banks in generating QR code-based receipts for the movement of cases.
- Key features of ESMS include the automation of reports in various formats tailored to the needs of stakeholders, dashboard analytics for data received from multiple agencies, and the prevention of duplicate data entry by agencies. Moreover, banks can produce QR code-based receipts in PDF format for legal cash transfers.
- This platform fosters real-time information sharing among enforcement agencies including police, transportation authorities, central tax agencies, and others. It serves as a hub for instantaneous updates on seizures from the field, ensuring seamless coordination and intelligence sharing among all enforcement agencies at both central and state levels. Each participating agency is mandated to upload details of every recorded movement and seizure of illicit cash, liquor, drugs, and other contraband items onto the platform.