CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• At least 14 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and 16 more have been injured after an Indian tourist bus veered off course and plummeted 150 meters into the swiftly flowing Marsyangdi River in central Nepal.
• About the Marsyangdi River:
  • The Marsyangdi is a mountain river in Nepal, stretching over 150 kilometers.
  • It serves as a major tributary of the Gandaki River, which eventually merges with the Ganges River in India.
  • Originating from the northern slopes of the Annapurna massif, the Marsyangdi is fed by glaciers from the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Larkya Himalayan ranges.
  • This river is renowned for its fast-moving and vigorous currents as it traverses the rugged terrain of the Himalayas.
  • It carves through deep gorges and cascades down waterfalls, offering breathtaking views of surrounding peaks such as Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna.
  • The Marsyangdi and its tributaries, including Nyagdi and Dorti, are noted for their fresh snow trout.
  • The river is popular among adventure seekers for white water rafting and kayaking.
  • Various hydropower projects have been developed along its route.

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• According to India’s startup sector, the first half of this calendar year has begun to show signs of recovery, with specialized areas starting to attract investor interest.
• About Green Shoots:
  • The term "green shoots" refers to early signs of economic recovery or positive developments amidst a downturn.
  • It draws a parallel to the initial signs of plant growth and renewal, symbolizing a recovering economy.
  • The term was first used by UK Chancellor Norman Lamont in 1991 to describe signs of economic growth during a period of recession in the UK.
  • After a recession, these "green shoots" are seen as encouraging indicators of economic stabilization and improvement.
  • Although there is no universally accepted definition, signs of green shoots often include improvements in industrial output, increased car sales, progress in infrastructure projects, and stabilization of prices for materials like cement and steel.

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• The Supreme Court recently stated that reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) are subject to review by Parliament, and the Government has the opportunity to present its views on these reports.
• About the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG):
  • The CAG is an independent constitutional authority established under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution.
  • It is the chief body responsible for auditing and inspecting the expenditures and receipts of both Central and State Governments, as well as organizations substantially funded by the government.
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 148 outlines the CAG’s appointment, oath, and terms of service.
  • Article 149 details the CAG’s duties and powers.
  • Article 150 mandates that the accounts of the Union and States be maintained in a form prescribed by the President on the advice of the CAG.
  • Article 151 requires that the CAG’s reports on Union accounts be submitted to the President, who then presents them to Parliament.
  • Article 279 stipulates that the calculation of "net proceeds" is certified by the CAG, whose certification is final.
• Appointment and Terms of Service:
  • As per Article 148, the CAG is appointed by the President and can be removed only under the same conditions as a Supreme Court Judge.
  • The CAG serves a term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first.
  • Upon retirement or resignation, the CAG is ineligible for any employment with Central or State Governments.
• Functions of the CAG:
  • The CAG audits the accounts related to expenditures from the Consolidated Fund of India, each state's Consolidated Fund, and Union Territories with legislative assemblies.
  • It audits expenditures from the Contingency Fund and Public Account of India, as well as those of each state.
  • The CAG reviews trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, and other accounts of Central and State Government departments.
  • It audits receipts and expenditures of government-funded bodies, companies, and corporations, as required by law.
  • The CAG may audit accounts of other authorities if requested by the President or Governor, such as local bodies.
  • The CAG advises the President on how accounts should be maintained for the Centre and States.
• Reports by the CAG:
  • The CAG submits audit reports on the Centre’s accounts to the President, who presents them to both houses of Parliament. These include:
  • Report on appropriation accounts
  • Report on finance accounts
  • Report on public undertakings
  • For State accounts, the CAG submits reports to the Governor, who presents them to the state legislature.
  • The Public Accounts Committees of Parliament and State legislatures review these audits.
  • The CAG oversees the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), ensuring government spending is in line with parliamentary approvals and maintaining financial accountability.

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• Visitors have been imitating the Temple Run video game at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, raising concerns among conservationists about the potential impact on the 900-year-old site.
• About Angkor Wat:
  • Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world, located in Cambodia.
  • It spans an area of 200 acres.
  • Constructed by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, around 1110-1150, Angkor Wat is nearly 900 years old.
  • Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the temple was converted to a Buddhist site by the end of the 12th century.
  • In 1992, Angkor Wat was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Features:
  • Angkor Wat represents the pinnacle of classical Khmer architecture.
  • Built from sandstone blocks, the structure is notable for its precision in carving and the fitting of stones without mortar, a technique whose exact nature is still debated, though some suggest it might involve a wooden paste or lime plaster mix.
  • It is surrounded by a 15-foot-high wall and a broad moat.
  • Access to the temple is via small bridges spanning the moat from the eastern and western sides.
  • The temple features five major towers symbolizing the peaks of Mount Meru, considered the residence of the gods in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
  • The walls are adorned with thousands of bas-reliefs depicting key deities, figures, and events from Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
• Location:
  • Angkor Wat is situated in the northwestern province of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
  • The ancient city of Angkor, which includes Angkor Wat, was the capital of the Khmer Empire and flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries.
  • Angkor itself covered over 400 square kilometers and is now home to an array of impressive temple ruins, including Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm.

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• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, commonly known as the Right to Education Act (RTE), is a landmark legislation enacted by the Parliament of India on August 4, 2009. It establishes the framework for providing free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years, as mandated by Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.
• Background:
  • The RTE Act is rooted in the 1993 Supreme Court judgment in the case of Unnikrishnan vs. State of Andhra Pradesh, which recognized education as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • The introduction of Article 21A through the Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, 2002, formally guarantees free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6 and 14.
• Key Constitutional Amendments:
  • Article 21A: This article establishes the state's obligation to provide free and compulsory education to children in the 6-14 age group.
  • Article 45: It mandates the state to ensure early childhood care and education for children up to the age of six.
  • Article 51A: This article outlines the responsibility of parents and guardians to provide educational opportunities for their children aged 6-14.

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• Recently, a satellite named Tanager-1, developed through a collaboration among various companies and organizations including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
• Tanager-1 is equipped with a NASA-designed greenhouse-gas-tracking instrument. This imaging spectrometer will gather crucial data to assist in the reduction of emissions that contribute to global warming. The satellite will employ advanced imaging spectrometer technology to monitor methane and carbon dioxide emissions from specific sources, such as individual facilities and equipment, on a global scale.