CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• At least 46 individuals, including 37 children, tragically drowned while taking holy dips in rivers and ponds across various districts in Bihar during the 'Jivitputrika' festival, officials reported recently.
• About the Jivitputrika Festival:
  • Jivitputrika, also known as Jitiya Vrat, is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in northern and eastern India, particularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal.
  • This festival is observed by mothers who fast to ensure the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of their children. The celebration lasts three days, with the key ritual involving a strict ‘nirjala’ fast, during which no water is consumed.
  • This fast symbolizes a mother’s devotion and love, with the belief that it brings divine blessings upon her children. The festival draws from Hindu mythology, especially the tale of King Jimutavahana, whose selfless sacrifice for the welfare of others is honored during this period.
  • The festivities commence with Nahai-Khai, where mothers take a purifying bath and enjoy a nourishing meal. The second day is dedicated to the rigorous fasting ritual, culminating on the third day with Paaran, when the fast is broken with a meal.

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• NASA's Hubble Space Telescope recently released a breathtaking video of a spiral galaxy known as Caldwell 45, or NGC 5248.
• About Spiral Galaxies:
  • Spiral galaxies are intricate formations of stars and gas, renowned for their stunning shapes and populated by hot, young stars. In these galaxies, stars, gas, and dust are organized into spiral arms that extend outward from the galactic center.
  • Most of the galaxies identified by scientists are spiral galaxies, which represent about 60% of all known galaxy types, contrasting with elliptical and irregular galaxies. The Milky Way, which includes Earth and our solar system, is a prime example of a spiral galaxy.
• Structure:
  • Typically, spiral galaxies feature a central bulge surrounded by a flat, rotating disk of stars. The bulge, composed of older, dimmer stars, is believed to host a supermassive black hole. Many spiral galaxies, including the Milky Way, also exhibit a bar structure running through their centers.
  • The disk of stars encircling the bulge is divided into arms that orbit the galaxy. These spiral arms are rich in gas and dust, housing younger stars that shine brightly before quickly burning out. Most spiral galaxies rotate such that their arms trail in the direction of their spin.
  • It's important to note that the visible part of a spiral galaxy represents only a small fraction of its total mass. Surrounding these galaxies is an extensive halo made mostly of dark matter. As spiral galaxies age, they are thought to evolve into elliptical galaxies.

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• The Chief Minister of Rajasthan recently emphasized that the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is a major initiative, with both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh collaborating to bring it to fruition.
• About the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP):
  • The ERCP is an ambitious undertaking by the Rajasthan government aimed at harnessing surplus water from rivers, particularly in southern Rajasthan, to address drinking and irrigation needs in the water-scarce southeastern region of the state.
  • The project involves the intra-basin transfer of water within the Chambal Basin, utilizing excess monsoon runoff from the Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej, and Chakan sub-basins. This water will be redirected to the deficit sub-basins of Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga, and Parbati, ensuring a reliable supply of drinking and industrial water to 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan.
  • Additionally, the project aims to irrigate approximately 2.82 lakh hectares of land. It will also support the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and help mitigate flooding and drought conditions in the region.

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• The largest known population of one of Australia’s rarest birds, the night parrot, has been discovered in the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia.
• About the Great Sandy Desert:
  • The Great Sandy Desert is an arid expanse located in northern Western Australia. It is Australia’s second-largest desert, covering approximately 284,993 square kilometers, following the Great Victoria Desert.
  • This desert stretches from Eighty Mile Beach on the Indian Ocean, extending eastward into the Northern Territory, and from Kimberley Downs south to the Tropic of Capricorn and the Gibson Desert. The landscape is characterized by longitudinal sand ridges, clusters of large salt lakes, and occasional low rocky hills, interspersed with Triodia (Spinifex) grass.
  • To the south lies the Gibson Desert, while the Tanami Desert is located to the east.
• Climate:
  • The region experiences extremely high daytime temperatures, with warm nights and significantly low humidity levels. It is sparsely populated, primarily by Indigenous Australians, with two main tribes: the Martu in the west and the Pintupi in the east.

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• The Mao Council, the leading tribal organization of the Mao Nagas in Manipur, has officially acknowledged the judgment and order issued by the Tenyimia People's Organisation (TPO) Presidential Council regarding the traditional land dispute along the Nagaland-Manipur border.
• About the Mao Nagas:
  • The Mao Nagas are one of the indigenous tribes of Northeast India, specifically located in Manipur. They speak the Mao language, which is also the name of the region they inhabit. In their own language, the Mao Nagas refer to themselves as Ememei or Memei.
  • Geographically, Mao is situated in the northern part of Manipur, bordering the southern area of Nagaland. According to the 2011 provisional census, the population of Mao stands at 97,195. The Mao Nagas typically reside in compact, well-protected villages located on hilltops and mountain ridges.
  • Their society operates under a patriarchal system, where lineage is traced through the male line. Like other Naga communities, the Mao Nagas are organized into various clans (Opfuta), which are further divided into sub-clans.
• Economy:
  • The economy of the Mao Nagas is primarily agrarian, with rice serving as their staple food. Terraced rice cultivation, both dry and wet, has been a traditional practice for generations. They emphasize cooperative and collective efforts, often utilizing a barter system for trade and mutual exchange.
• Religion:
  • Prior to the arrival of Christianity, the Mao Nagas practiced their traditional religion, known as ‘Opfupe Chüna-Chüno’ (the religion of the ancestors). They believe in a Supreme being referred to as ‘Iyi Koki Chüku Kapi Oramei’ (a benevolent God who protects and nurtures humanity). Today, the majority of the Mao Nagas have converted to Christianity.
• Festivals:
  • The Mao Nagas celebrate four main festivals: Chüthuni, Chüjüni, Saleni, and Onuni.

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• Recently, the Union Minister of Textiles inaugurated a commemorative coin to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Central Silk Board (CSB) in Mysuru.
• About the Central Silk Board (CSB):
  • The Central Silk Board is a statutory body established in 1948 through an act of Parliament. It operates under the administrative oversight of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The Board consists of 39 members, appointed according to the powers granted by Sub-Section 3 of Section 4 of the CSB Act, for a term of three years. The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government.
• Functions:
  • The CSB provides advice to the Central Government on various aspects related to silk production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce concerning silk-worm seed. It also focuses on the development of the silk industry and its products, including both export and import activities. The Board has established six Regional Offices located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, and Guwahati, with its headquarters in Bengaluru.
• Silk Production in India:
  • India uniquely produces all five known commercial types of silk: mulberry, tropical tasar, oak tasar, eri, and muga. As a result, India stands as the second-largest producer of silk in the world.

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• Recently, India was elected to the Steering Committee of the GlobE Network during a plenary session held in Beijing.
• About the GloBE Network:
  • The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GloBE Network) is an initiative of the G-20. It was officially launched on June 3, 2021, during a special event at the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption. The network currently comprises 121 member countries, including India, and 219 member authorities.
  • The GloBE Network serves as a unique platform for agencies worldwide to share best practices and criminal intelligence, develop collaborative strategies, and support efforts to combat corruption. The Steering Committee, which includes one chair, one vice-chair, and 13 members, provides leadership and direction for the organization.
  • In India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are part of the network, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) serving as the central authority. The GloBE Network operates under the governance of its members and receives support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which acts as the secretariat.
  • During India’s G-20 Presidency in 2023, two high-level principles for combating corruption were adopted, emphasizing the role of the GloBE Network.