CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• A disease once prevalent in the 15th century, scurvy, is surprisingly reemerging in the 21st century.
• About Scurvy:
  • Scurvy is a condition resulting from a severe deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the diet. It has been recognized since the times of ancient Greece and Egypt.
• Causes:
  • Humans are unable to produce vitamin C on their own, requiring it to be obtained from external sources such as fruits, vegetables, or fortified foods. Therefore, scurvy arises from insufficient consumption of fresh produce. Additionally, cooking can reduce the vitamin C content in food.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms of scurvy can include anemia, fatigue, spontaneous bleeding, joint pain, swelling, and in severe cases, gum ulcers and tooth loss. If not treated, it can be life-threatening.
• Treatment:
  • Fortunately, scurvy is treatable with oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements.

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• The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) recently convened a conference of Buddhist monks and scholars in Colombo to advocate for the recognition of Pali as a classical language by the Indian government.
• About the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR):
  • ICCR is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, dedicated to promoting India’s cultural relations with other countries through cultural exchanges.
  • It works to disseminate Indian culture globally through its network of cultural centers. Founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was the first Education Minister of independent India, ICCR plays a vital role in international cultural diplomacy.
• Objectives:
  • To actively engage in the development and execution of policies and programs related to India’s external cultural relations.
  • To enhance and deepen cultural ties and mutual understanding between India and other nations.
  • To facilitate cultural exchanges with various countries and communities.
  • ICCR also manages numerous scholarship programs, offering over 3,000 scholarships annually across 21 different schemes for international students from around 180 countries. Among these, six schemes are directly funded by ICCR, while the others are administered on behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Ayush. These scholarships provide opportunities for studies in a wide range of courses, from undergraduate to postdoctoral levels, at leading universities and educational institutions across India.

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• The Caspian Sea has been experiencing a decline since the mid-1990s, with the rate of shrinkage accelerating since 2005.
• About the Caspian Sea:
  • The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water in the world, spanning approximately 386,400 square kilometers. Situated between Asia and Europe, it lies east of the Caucasus Mountains and west of the expansive Central Asian steppe.
• Bordering Countries:
  • It is bordered by Russia and Azerbaijan to the west, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to the north and east, and Iran to the south. The sea derives its name from the ancient Kaspi people who inhabited its western shores.
• Formation:
  • Technically speaking, the Caspian Sea is classified as a lake rather than a sea, as it is a landlocked body of water without any direct connection to the ocean. Approximately 5.5 million years ago, it was part of the ancient Parathethys Sea within the Tethys Ocean, becoming landlocked due to tectonic uplift and a decrease in sea level. Consequently, the seabed is composed of oceanic basalt instead of continental granite.
  • The salinity of the Caspian Sea varies, being nearly fresh in the northern regions and progressively saltier toward the south, with an average salinity around one-third that of the world's oceans. Major rivers, including the Volga, Ural, and Terek, flow into the Caspian from the north.
  • Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the largest city along its shores, with Iran’s Nowshahr also being a significant city nearby. The Caspian Sea is rich in energy resources, featuring substantial reserves of oil and natural gas both offshore and along its coast. Additionally, it is renowned as the primary source of the world’s caviar.

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• At Lower Manair Dam, approximately 150 to 200 rare Indian Skimmer birds were recently observed, marking a significant first for Telangana.
• About the Indian Skimmer:
  • The Indian Skimmer is one of three species within the skimmer genus Rynchops, part of the Laridae family. It is native to South Asia and derives its name from its unique feeding behavior, which involves flying low over water and "skimming" the surface for fish.
  • Scientific Name: Rynchops albicollis
• Distribution:
  • This species is predominantly found in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, with some populations reaching Nepal and Myanmar. One of the best places to see Indian Skimmers is along the Chambal River in northern India. The total population is estimated to be between 2,450 and 2,900 mature individuals.
• Habitat:
  • Indian Skimmers are typically found in larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes and marshes, and during the non-breeding season, they can be spotted in estuaries and coastal areas.
• Features:
  • They measure about 40 to 43 cm in length and have a striking appearance, with a black upper body and a white underbelly. Their most distinctive feature is their orange beak, which has a lower mandible significantly longer than the upper one. This specialized beak enables the bird to skim the water’s surface to catch small fish and aquatic organisms. The wings are long and angular, adapted for swift and accurate flight.
• Conservation Status:
  • According to the IUCN, the Indian Skimmer is classified as Endangered.