CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Constructed over sixty years ago, the canal network linked to the Hirakud Dam—one of eastern India’s largest projects—is set for an extensive renovation.
• About Hirakud Dam:
  • Length: It holds the title of the longest dam in India and the longest earthen dam in the world, stretching 25.79 km.
  • Location: Situated across the Mahanadi River, approximately 15 km upstream of Sambalpur in Odisha.
  • Composition: The dam is constructed from earth, concrete, and masonry.
  • Reservoir: It creates the expansive Hirakud Reservoir, also known as Hirakud Lake, which is the largest artificial lake in Asia, covering 746 sq. km.
  • Historical Significance: As one of India’s earliest hydropower projects, it was the first major multipurpose river valley project initiated post-independence, inaugurated in 1957.
• Purpose:
  • The dam irrigates 155,635 hectares during the Kharif season and 108,385 hectares in Rabi.
  • It has an installed power generation capacity of 359.8 MW.
  • The project also supports the irrigation of over 436,000 hectares of land in the Mahanadi delta through water released from the powerhouse.
  • Additionally, it provides flood protection for a delta area of 9,500 sq. km.
• Cattle Island:
  • This small island in the Hirakud Reservoir is home to a significant herd of wild cattle, believed to be descendants of livestock left behind by villagers during the dam's construction in the 1950s.

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• VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
• Developed indigenously by the DRDO's Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, it was created in collaboration with various DRDO laboratories and industry partners.
• The missile and its launcher are engineered for optimal portability, requiring minimal personnel for operation.
• Key features include advanced technologies such as a miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics.
• Powered by a dual-thrust solid motor, it boasts a range of up to 6 km.

As a lightweight and easily deployable system, VSHORADS is particularly suited for rapid deployment in mountainous regions near the Line of Actual Control with China in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh

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• Scientists have recently identified a new species of hammerhead shark, named Sphyrna alleni, found in the Caribbean and Southwest Atlantic.
• About Hammerhead Sharks:
  • Hammerhead sharks, part of the family Sphyrnidae, are named for their distinctive and unusual head shape.
  • These sharks feature a flattened, hammer- or shovel-shaped head, known as a ‘cephalofoil.’ This unique design provides several advantages, including 360-degree vision and enhanced hunting capabilities.
  • There are nine species of hammerhead sharks, varying in size; the great hammerhead is the largest, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet.
• Distribution:
  • Hammerhead sharks are found in tropical and temperate marine waters, typically near coastlines and continental shelves.
  • They may migrate seasonally, moving towards the equator in winter and poleward in summer.
  • During warm El Niño years, these sharks can extend their range significantly, traveling hundreds of kilometers farther than usual.
• Features:
  • The upper bodies of hammerhead sharks are usually greyish-brown or olive-green, complemented by white bellies.
  • They possess impressive triangular, serrated teeth resembling the edge of a saw.
  • Their heads are equipped with specialized sensors that help them detect food in the ocean.
  • Hammerhead sharks are viviparous, meaning they carry fertilized eggs internally and give birth to live young.
  • Their lifespan typically ranges from 20 to 30 years.
  • As exothermic animals, they lack an internal mechanism for regulating body temperature.
  • Unfortunately, hammerhead sharks are among the most threatened shark families, primarily due to overexploitation. All species, except Sphyrna gilberti, are classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

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• At least 78 people have lost their lives after a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized in Lake Kivu, eastern Congo, recently.
• About Lake Kivu:
  • Lake Kivu is one of East Africa's Great Lakes, located between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the west and Rwanda to the east.
  • It is the largest lake in Rwanda and the sixth largest in Africa.
  • Situated in the Albertine Rift, part of the western branch of the East African Rift, it lies at an elevation of 1,460 meters above sea level, covering an area of 1,040 square miles (2,700 sq. km).
  • Approximately 58% of its waters are found in the DRC, while the remaining portion is in Rwanda.
  • The lake measures about 90 km in length and 50 km in width.
  • With a maximum depth of 475 meters and an average depth of 220 meters, Lake Kivu features irregular shores that create numerous inlets and peninsulas, along with several waterfalls.
  • The lake drains into the Rusizi River, which flows southward into Lake Tanganyika.
  • Idjwi Island, located within Lake Kivu, is the tenth largest inland island in the world.

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• The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has recently approved the establishment of a panel to create a memorial and garden dedicated to Gond queen Rani Durgavati, with a budget of Rs 100 crore.
• About Rani Durgavati:
  • Rani Durgavati (1524-2024) was a descendant of the illustrious Chandela dynasty of Mahoba and served as the queen of the Gond kingdom of Garha-Katanga.
  • She was born on October 5, 1524, into the family of the notable Chandela emperor Keerat Rai. The Chandela dynasty is renowned in Indian history for its courageous king Vidyadhar, who successfully defended against the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni, and for its remarkable temples in Khajuraho and Kalanjar Fort, reflecting a rich heritage of sculpture.
  • Born in Kalinjar (Banda, U.P.), a significant medieval fort, Rani Durgavati married Dalpatshah, the eldest son of King Sangramshah of the Gond Dynasty, in 1542, strengthening ties between the Chandela and Gond dynasties.
  • She gave birth to a son, Vir Narayan, in 1545. Following Dalpatshah's death around 1550, and with her son being too young to rule, Durgavati took charge of the Gond kingdom.
  • With the assistance of two ministers, Adhar Kayastha and Man Thakur, she effectively managed the administration and relocated her capital from Singaurgarh to Chauragarh, a strategically important fort in the Satpura hill range.
  • During her reign, trade flourished, and the people experienced prosperity. Emulating her husband’s legacy, she expanded her territory and achieved the political unification of Gondwana, also known as Garha-Katanga, through her bravery, generosity, and diplomacy.
  • As a formidable warrior, Rani Durgavati successfully fought against Baz Bahadur, the Sultan of Malwa. However, in 1562, after Akbar defeated Baz Bahadur and annexed Malwa into the Mughal Empire, Rani Durgavati found her state borders touching the Mughal realm.
  • She is best remembered for her valiant defense of Gondwana against the Mughal Empire, showcasing immense courage and leadership. Although she ultimately faced defeat at the hands of the Mughal forces, her legacy as a warrior remains indelible.

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• Recently, the Assam government introduced a novel concept of "co-districts" within the district administration, replacing the existing civil sub-division system.
• Co-districts are smaller administrative units that fall under districts, managed by officers of the rank of Assistant District Commissioner.
• This pioneering initiative aims to bring governance closer to the people, making it the first of its kind in the country.
• The plan is expected to tackle various administrative challenges currently faced by district administrations.
• Co-district commissioners will be endowed with powers and responsibilities akin to those of district commissioners.
• Their roles will encompass a range of functions, including land revenue management, development and welfare initiatives, excise regulation, and disaster management.
• These offices will hold administrative control over all departments within the co-district and will possess magisterial authority, such as granting permissions for public events.
• They will also handle routine administrative duties, such as issuing ration cards, caste certificates, and land sale permissions.