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- Mount Ibu, located in eastern Indonesia, has experienced over a thousand eruptions this month, according to official reports.
- About Mount Ibu:
- Mount Ibu is an active stratovolcano situated along the northwest coast of Halmahera Island in Indonesia. Standing at 1,325 meters (4,347 feet), it features a truncated summit with several large nested craters. The volcano is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Mount Ibu has a long history of eruptions, with its eruptions typically producing lava flows, ash clouds, and pyroclastic activity.
- What are Stratovolcanoes?
- Stratovolcanoes, or composite volcanoes, are steep-sided, symmetrical cones made up of alternating layers of lava, volcanic ash, and other eruptive materials. Unlike the flatter shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes have taller, steeper peaks. They are commonly found in subduction zones and are typically located in volcanically active regions, such as the Ring of Fire surrounding the Pacific Ocean.
- Stratovolcanoes account for about 60% of the world's volcanoes. They form from thick, sticky lava that struggles to flow easily, resulting in the lava building up around the vent to create the steep-sided shape. These volcanoes are more likely to have explosive eruptions, as the magma’s viscosity allows gas to accumulate within, leading to pressure buildup. Their eruptions often involve both lava and pyroclastic material, which contributes to their characteristic layered appearance, giving them the "composite" name.
- Andesite, a rock type named after the Andes Mountains, is common in stratovolcanoes, though they can also erupt a variety of different rocks depending on the tectonic environment. Stratovolcanoes typically have a summit crater with a central vent or a cluster of smaller vents.
- Raman Rajamannan, the monarch of the Mannan community and the sole tribal king in Kerala, is set to participate in the Republic Day parade in Delhi.
- About the Mannan Community:
- The Mannan community is a scheduled tribe (ST) in Kerala and holds the distinction of being the only surviving tribal dynasty in South India. Their way of life is deeply intertwined with Tamil culture. They speak a dialect similar to Tamil, though it does not have a written script.
- It is believed that the Mannans originally hailed from Tamil Nadu and migrated to Idukki during the reign of the Poonjar Rajavamsham dynasty. Today, nearly 97% of the Mannan population resides in Idukki District. While the community once lived in isolated forest regions, government policies, including a ban on deforestation in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, led them to relocate to government-allocated land on the reserve’s outskirts several decades ago.
- The Mannan community follows a matrilineal system of descent, with the Raja Mannan (king) being chosen by community elders from eligible individuals with a hereditary claim to the position. Agriculture is the primary livelihood of the Mannans, with activities like coconut harvesting and herbal cultivation being central to their economy. They practice Hinduism, and their key festivals include the Kalavoot, Meenoot, and Mutthiamman Festival.
- Mannankoothu, a distinctive ritualistic art form, is performed during religious ceremonies, harvest periods, and weddings. This art form holds a special place in the community’s cultural expressions.
- This year marks a decade of the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), a scheme designed to empower families to secure the future of their daughters, fostering a culture of inclusivity and progress.
- About Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY):
- Launched in 2015 as part of the government’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana encourages families to invest in the education and well-being of their daughters by opening savings accounts for them in authorized commercial banks or India Post branches.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- The account can be opened by a parent or legal guardian of the girl child.
- The girl must be under 10 years of age at the time of account opening.
- Only one account can be opened for a girl child.
- A family can open a maximum of two SSY accounts.
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible.
- Key Features:
- Minimum & Maximum Deposit:
- The minimum annual deposit is Rs. 250, while the maximum is Rs. 1.5 lakh. Additional deposits can be made in multiples of Rs. 100.
- There’s no limit on the number of deposits that can be made in a month or a financial year.
- Minimum & Maximum Deposit:
- Tenure:
- The maturity period is 21 years from the account opening. Contributions need to be made for the first 15 years only, after which the account will continue to earn interest until maturity.
- The account must be operated by the girl once she turns 18.
- Interest:
- The interest rate is set by the Government of India each quarter and is compounded annually.
- Partial Withdrawal:
- Withdrawals are allowed once the account holder reaches 18 years of age or completes the 10th standard, whichever comes first.
- For higher education, 50% of the balance as of the previous financial year can be withdrawn.
- For marriage, 100% withdrawals are permitted after the account holder turns 18.
- Premature Closure:
- Premature closure is allowed in cases such as the death of the account holder or in certain compassionate grounds, like medical treatment for life-threatening diseases, authorized by the Central Government.
- Tax Benefits:
- Contributions to SSY are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The interest earned and maturity amount are also tax-free.
- The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana continues to be a vital financial tool, helping secure the future of girls across India and promoting gender equality and empowerment.