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- The government recently introduced an updated version of its e-auction portal, ‘Baanknet,’ in Delhi.
- About the Baanknet Portal:
- Baanknet is an e-auction platform designed to centralize information on properties available for online bidding by Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
- It serves as a comprehensive hub for both buyers and investors, offering a wide selection of properties.
- The portal features various listings, including residential properties like flats, independent homes, and open plots, as well as commercial real estate, industrial land and buildings, shops, vehicles, plant and machinery, along with agricultural and non-agricultural land.
- Key Features:
- The upgraded platform boasts a range of enhanced features, including a seamless user experience where the entire process—from pre-auction to auction and post-auction—can be navigated through a single application.
- It also integrates an automated payment gateway and KYC verification tools, built on a microservices architecture that allows easy third-party integration via an open API.
- Users can access a convenient dashboard for detailed 'Spend Analytics' and various 'Management Information System (MIS) Reports' with just one click.
- Moreover, the portal includes a dedicated helpdesk and call center with a callback request option to assist users with any queries.
- By bringing all auction-related information into one platform, Baanknet simplifies the process for buyers and investors, enabling them to discover and participate in property auctions more efficiently.
- The platform plays a crucial role in supporting the asset recovery efforts of PSBs, thus enhancing their financial health and improving credit flow to businesses and individuals.
- To date, over 122,500 properties have been successfully migrated to the new portal for auction.
- Tripura achieved a significant milestone in biodiversity documentation with the first-ever sighting of the Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra), a rare species, in the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary.
- About the Banded Royal Butterfly:
- The Banded Royal butterfly is a species of lycaenid, or blue butterfly, native to parts of South and Southeast Asia.
- Scientific Name: Rachana jalindra
- Habitat:
- This butterfly is typically found in forested areas, particularly in regions near the Western Ghats, Northeast India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. It prefers dense vegetation and is often spotted resting on leaves.
- In India, there are three recognized subspecies of Rachana jalindra: macantia, found from southwest India to Goa; R. j. tarpina, located in the Andaman Islands; and R. j. indra, which is distributed across regions from Orissa to lower West Bengal and Bangladesh. Currently, the subspecies R. j. indra has also been recorded in Assam, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.
- Appearance:
- Upper Side: The males exhibit a deep purple or bluish sheen with dark brown borders, while the females are more brownish with white markings.
- Under Side: The wings are pale brown with prominent white bands, which give the butterfly its distinctive "banded" appearance.
- This species is legally protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- High nitrate concentrations have been detected in the groundwater of 440 districts across India, posing potential health risks such as blue baby syndrome in infants, and making the water unsafe for consumption.
- About Blue Baby Syndrome:
- Blue baby syndrome, also known as cyanosis, is a condition in which an infant’s skin takes on a blue or purple hue.
- What causes blue baby syndrome?
- The bluish color of the skin occurs when the blood is poorly oxygenated. Normally, blood flows from the heart to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen, and then circulates back through the heart to the rest of the body. If there is an issue with the heart, lungs, or blood, the blood may not receive enough oxygen, causing the skin to appear blue.
- This oxygen deprivation can be caused by several factors, including congenital heart defects or certain environmental or genetic factors.
- Acquired methemoglobinemia, a more common form, can result from exposure to various substances or certain health conditions.
- One of the primary causes of blue baby syndrome is drinking water contaminated with high levels of nitrates.
- Symptoms:
- The most noticeable symptom of blue baby syndrome is a bluish discoloration of the skin, especially around the mouth, hands, and feet.
- Other symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Increased salivation
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- In severe cases, the condition can be fatal.
- Treatment:
- Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause of the condition.
- If congenital heart defects are the cause, surgery may be needed to address the heart abnormalities.
- For more severe cases, doctors may administer methylene blue through an injection to help restore normal oxygen levels in the blood.