CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has recently issued a warning about illegal payment gateways set up by transnational organized cybercriminals using mule bank accounts to facilitate money laundering as a service.
• About the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C):
  • Established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), I4C aims to address cybercrime in India in a unified and effective manner. The centre prioritizes enhancing coordination among Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and other stakeholders to combat cybercrime issues impacting citizens. Located in New Delhi, I4C serves as a central hub for this initiative.
  • Functions of I4C:
  • Nodal Coordination: Act as the primary point of contact in the battle against cybercrime.
  • Research and Development: Identify the research needs of LEAs and collaborate with academic institutions to develop new technologies and forensic tools.
  • Preventing Misuse of Cyberspace: Combat the use of the internet by extremist and terrorist organizations.
  • Cyber Law Amendments: Propose changes to cyber laws to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and enhance international cooperation.
  • Implementation Coordination: Oversee activities related to Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) concerning cybercrime in collaboration with the relevant authorities in the MHA.
• Components of I4C:
  • National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (TAU): Monitors and reports on emerging cybercrime threats.
  • National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP): Provides a platform for citizens to report cybercrime complaints 24/7 across India.
  • National Cybercrime Training Centre (NCTC): Offers training for government officials, focusing on state law enforcement agencies.
  • National Cybercrime Research and Innovation Centre: Conducts research to create indigenous tools for preventing cybercrime.
  • Joint Cyber Crime Coordination Team: Facilitates coordination and information sharing among LEAs across states and Union Territories.
  • Cybercrime Ecosystem Management Unit: Promotes public awareness on cyber hygiene to prevent cybercrime.
  • National Cybercrime Forensic Laboratory: Assists LEAs in conducting forensic investigations related to cybercrime.
  • I4C aims to unite academia, industry, the public, and government to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute cybercrimes. It has also launched the Cyber Crime Volunteers Program, encouraging citizens passionate about serving the nation to contribute to the fight against cybercrime.

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• Recently, Marapi Volcano, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, erupted, releasing thick clouds of ash on at least three occasions and covering nearby villages with debris. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
• About Marapi Volcano:
  • Marapi Volcano is situated in the Padang Highlands of western Sumatra, Indonesia. It is part of the Ring of Fire, a major area in the Pacific Ocean known for its seismic activity. Standing as the highest peak in the highlands, Mount Marapi reaches an elevation of 9,485 feet (2,891 meters) above sea level. The volcano features steep slopes adorned with dense vegetation on its lower sections.
  • At its summit lies the Bancah caldera, which measures approximately 0.9 miles (1.4 km) in diameter and is marked by a series of overlapping craters. It’s important to note that Mount Marapi is often mistaken for another active volcano, Mount Merapi, located on the island of Java.
  • In the early 21st century, Marapi has erupted 11 times, with its most deadly event occurring in 1979, which resulted in the loss of 60 lives.

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• In a heartbreaking incident, three XI standard students tragically drowned while bathing in the Koel River in the Lohardaga district of Jharkhand.
• About Koel River:
  • The Koel River begins in the Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand and flows through the western part of the Palamu District. It is divided into two branches: the North Koel River and the South Koel River. The North Koel is diverted near Kutku for irrigation purposes before it ultimately merges with the Son River. In contrast, the South Koel flows through Odisha near Rourkela, eventually joining the Brahmani River.
  • Winding through the hilly regions of Jharkhand and Odisha, the Koel River is part of the larger Damodar Valley area, which is rich in minerals. The river is susceptible to seasonal flooding, especially during the monsoon season.
• Hydropower Potential:
  • The North Koel Dam, also known as the Mandal Dam, was built on the North Koel River to generate hydroelectric power and provide irrigation water to the surrounding areas.

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• Japan's Mount Fuji recently experienced a snow-free period, marking the latest date in 130 years that its iconic slopes have remained bare.
• About Mount Fuji:
  • Mount Fuji, known as Fuji-san, is the tallest mountain in Japan, with an elevation of 3,776 meters. Located near the Pacific coast within the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures on the island of Honshu, it lies approximately 100 km southwest of the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area. Unlike many other notable high-altitude mountains worldwide, Mount Fuji is not part of a larger mountain range.
  • As a stratovolcano, it has been dormant since its last eruption in 1707, yet geologists still classify it as active. The mountain features a prominent summit crater and is composed of numerous basaltic lava flows, each several meters thick. Its smooth slopes and broad base create a striking silhouette as it ascends to its majestic peak.
  • The volcanic activity of Mount Fuji is primarily attributed to the Pacific Plate sinking beneath the Philippine Plate. The northern slopes of the mountain are home to the Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji Goko), which include Lake Yamanaka, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Sai, Lake Shōji, and Lake Motosu, all formed by the lava flows that created natural dams.
  • Despite its status as an active volcano, Mount Fuji's summit is typically covered in snow for much of the year. It is a prominent feature of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site designated in 2013.

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• The Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ a platform for engaging with citizens on various topics, recently highlighted the significance of Odissi dance and the Konark temple.
• About Konark Sun Temple:
  • Location: Situated along the coastline of Odisha in the Puri district, the Konark Sun Temple, also known as Surya Devalaya, is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya.
  • Historical records suggest that the temple was constructed in 1250 during the reign of Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, who ruled from 1238 to 1264. In 1984, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Features:
  • The temple is a quintessential example of Odisha or Kalinga architecture.
  • Its design resembles a 100-foot-high solar chariot, complete with 24 intricately carved wheels and pulled by six stone horses.
  • The structure is oriented eastward, allowing the first rays of the sunrise to illuminate the main entrance.
  • The wheels of the temple serve as sundials, enabling accurate timekeeping to the minute.
  • The base of the temple is adorned with carvings of animals, foliage, and warriors on horseback, along with other captivating motifs.
  • Additionally, the temple boasts elaborate stone carvings that depict various scenes from Hindu mythology.
  • Built from Khondalite rocks, it is often referred to as the 'BLACK PAGODA' due to its dark hue.
  • The temple continues to be a place of worship for Hindus, particularly during the annual Chandrabhaga Festival, celebrated around February.

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• Recently, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched the Mobile Application for the FCI Grievance Redressal System (FCI GRS) for rice millers in New Delhi.
• This app is designed to help rice millers efficiently address their grievances with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in a transparent manner. It is part of the government’s ongoing initiative to leverage technology for better governance. The app aims to enhance responsiveness and accountability by providing a user-friendly platform for rice millers to submit complaints, track their status, and receive updates directly on their mobile devices in a fully digitized process.
• Key Features of the App:
  • User-Friendly Grievance Submission: Rice millers can easily file their grievances through an intuitive interface on their mobile devices. They need to register only once, allowing them to submit multiple complaints, each assigned a Unique Grievance ID.
  • Real-Time Tracking: The app provides real-time updates on the status of grievances, ensuring that millers stay informed and promoting transparency in the process.
  • Automatic Assignment & Fast Resolution: Once a grievance is submitted, it is automatically assigned to the relevant Nodal Officers for prompt action. The app allows Nodal Officers to either escalate the grievance to a Quick Response Team (QRT) for investigation or seek feedback from the relevant division.
  • Geo-Fencing for Quick Response Teams (QRTs): For grievances requiring site visits by QRTs, the app utilizes geo-fencing technology to document the physical presence of team members at the location, ensuring accountability in the redressal process.