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- A team of scientists has recently uncovered the largest coral colony in the world, located in the Solomon Islands.
- About the Solomon Islands:
- The Solomon Islands consists of two parallel chains of volcanic islands and numerous small coral atolls situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is made up of nearly 1,000 islands—6 large islands and over 900 smaller ones—with 147 of them being inhabited.
- The Solomon Islands' closest neighbors are Vanuatu to the southeast and Papua New Guinea to the west. The total area of the archipelago is approximately 461,000 square kilometers, with 28,446 square kilometers being landmass.
- The country is primarily mountainous and forest-covered, though it also features some expansive plains. Once a British protectorate, the Solomon Islands gained independence as a republic in 1978.
- Capital: The capital city, Honiara, is located on Guadalcanal, the largest island in the archipelago.
- Ethnic Composition: The population is predominantly Melanesian (93%), with smaller groups of Polynesians (4%), Micronesians (1.5%), and others (1.5%).
- Languages: English is the official language, but there are about 120 local languages spoken, including Solomon Islands Pidgin.
- Government: The Solomon Islands operates as a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth, with a unicameral Parliament and a ministerial system. The British monarch is represented by a governor-general, who is selected by Parliament for a five-year term.
- Ahuna, the traditional post-harvest festival of the Sumi Naga tribe, was recently celebrated with a strong sense of unity and community.
- About the Sumi Naga Tribe:
- The Sumi, also known as the Sema Naga, is one of the prominent tribes of Nagaland, located in the northeastern part of India. They predominantly reside in the central and southern regions of Nagaland and are the most widely spread tribe among the Naga people in terms of settlement.
- A key feature of the Sumi tribe is their emphasis on village settlements. The Sumi are known for their longstanding tradition of establishing villages, a practice that continues in modern times. Historically, like other Naga tribes, the Sumis practiced headhunting before the arrival of Christian missionaries, which led to the tribe’s eventual conversion to Christianity.
- The Sumi language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family.
- The two major festivals celebrated by the Sumi Nagas are Tuluni and Ahuna.
- Ahuna is a traditional post-harvest festival that marks the end of the harvest season. It is a time for thanksgiving, where the community comes together to celebrate the season's bounty and invoke blessings for prosperity in the coming year.
- Tuluni, on the other hand, is a festival that heralds the arrival of the new crop or fruit from the fields. It is a time of prayer and thanksgiving for the abundant harvest in the previous year. Both festivals are vital expressions of the tribe’s deep connection to their land, culture, and spiritual beliefs.
- World Diabetes Day was recently observed to promote awareness about diabetes, its prevention, and effective management.
- About World Diabetes Day:
- World Diabetes Day is observed every year on November 14, a date chosen to honor the birth of Sir Frederick Banting, who, alongside Charles Best, co-discovered insulin in 1922—an innovation that revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and improved the lives of millions worldwide.
- The theme for World Diabetes Day 2024 is "Access to Diabetes Care: Empowering Better Health for All."
- History:
- World Diabetes Day was first established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the rising global concerns about the diabetes epidemic. In 2006, the United Nations officially recognized the day, making it a global observance.
- The day serves to highlight the challenges posed by diabetes, particularly the need for greater access to healthcare and treatment, while also raising awareness about lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risks associated with the condition.
- World Diabetes Day is marked by various events, including awareness campaigns, educational seminars, health check-ups, and fundraising activities. As a symbol of global unity in the fight against diabetes, Blue Circle Monuments are illuminated across the world, and individuals are encouraged to wear blue to show their support.