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- The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has recently announced a suspension of in-person inspections of colleges.
- About National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC):
- NAAC was established in 1994 as an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC). Its main goal is to improve and maintain the quality of higher education by implementing a thorough accreditation process. NAAC is responsible for the assessment and accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), such as universities, colleges, and other recognized institutions, to evaluate the ‘Quality Status’ of these institutions. The evaluation process is based on several key parameters, including curriculum design, teaching-learning methods, infrastructure, governance, and innovation. The organization operates under the direction of its General Council (GC) and Executive Committee (EC), which includes academic leaders, policymakers, and senior educators from across India's higher education sector. The Chairperson of the UGC serves as the President of the GC, while an eminent academician, chosen by the GC President, leads the EC. Currently, the accreditation process through NAAC is voluntary. The NAAC's headquarters are located in Bengaluru.
- Approximately 12 families of Bhil community have claimed that the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) is attempting to demolish their homes and forcibly evict them from the land where they have lived for generations.
- About Bhil Tribe:
- The Bhils are regarded as one of the oldest tribes in India. They are among the most widely spread tribal communities across the country. The name ‘Bhil’ is believed to be derived from the Dravidian word villu or billu, which means "bow." The Bhils are considered to be part of the Dravidian racial group of tribes in Western India and belong to the Australoid ethnic category.
- Distribution: The Bhils are primarily divided into two major groups: the central Bhils and the eastern or Rajput Bhils. The central Bhils are predominantly found in the mountainous areas of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Additionally, Bhils are present in the northeastern regions of Tripura.
- Occupation: Agriculture is the main occupation for almost all Bhils. Some use traditional slash-and-burn methods (known as jhum), while the majority rely on plows for cultivation.
- Language: The Bhils speak Bhili, an Indo-Aryan language.
- Beliefs: Most Bhils practice indigenous religions that are significantly influenced by Hinduism. They primarily worship local deities such as Khandoba, Kanhoba, Bahiroba, and Sitalmata, and some even revere a Tiger God called 'Vaghdev.'
- Main Festivals: The Baneshwar Fair is the most significant festival among the Bhils. It is celebrated around the time of Shivratri and is dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev, another form of Lord Shiva.
- India has recently signed an agreement with Russia to acquire the Klub-S missile system, aimed at bolstering the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet.
- About Klub-S Missile System:
- The Klub missile, also known as Kalibr, was developed by the Russian defense company NPO Novator and was introduced into Russia's military arsenal in 1994. The Klub-S variant is equipped with a 400-kilogram warhead and is capable of striking surface vessels, submarines, and land-based targets at distances of up to 300 kilometers. This system consists of a fire control unit, a vertical launch system (VLU), and the missile payload. The Klub-S is highly regarded for its reliability and effectiveness in high-risk combat environments. It is engineered to perform well in scenarios where enemy forces are heavily firing, and electronic warfare is at its peak. The missile is capable of reaching supersonic speeds during its terminal phase, making it difficult for opposing defense systems to intercept. Cruising at an altitude of just 10-15 meters, the missile minimizes reaction time for enemy defense systems. Additionally, it features a modular design, allowing it to share components with other variants within the Kalibr missile family.