Recently, the Prime Minister has set up a 53-member committee to mark the 150th birth anniversary of spiritual leader Sri Aurobindo on 15th August 2022. Important points: Aurobindo Ghose was born in Calcutta on 15th August 1872. He was a yogi, seer, philosopher, poet, and Indian nationalist who propounded a …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha that 22 people had died while Manual Scavenging in 2021 so far. According to the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan, 472 manual scavenging deaths across the country were recorded between 2016 and 2020. Safai Karmachari Andolan …

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for drone application in Agriculture. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) commonly known as drones have great potential to revolutionize Indian agriculture and ensure the country’s food security. The drones were used for the first …

A recent study has provided evidence of the effect of environmental conditions on the longevity of relationships — among a population of albatrosses According to the researchers, climate change and warming waters are pushing black-browed albatross break-up rates higher. Important points: They are a member of the albatross family Diomedeidae, …

Recently, a flight demonstration of the Controlled Aerial Delivery System of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500) was conducted by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE). The flight demonstration is part of a series of activities organised towards celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years of Independence. Important points: The …

Recently, as many as 43 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested and six boats seized by Sri Lankan Naval personnel. A total of 284 Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lanka in 2019 (210) and 2020 (74). Earlier in 2020, the Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group …

The Union Government is set to launch a nationwide ‘Good Governance Week’ from 20th December to 26th December, with the motto to redress and dispose of public grievances and improvise service delivery down to the village level Various events will be convened during the week under the campaign titled “Prashasan …

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned the derivative trade of seven agricultural commodities on the future’s platform of National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) for a year. The regulator has banned derivative contracts trade in chana, wheat, paddy (non-basmati), soyabean and its derivatives, mustard seed …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India has been conferred by Bhutan’s highest civilian award, ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ also known as “Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo”. Important points: The announcement of the award coincided with the occasion of the 114th National Day of Bhutan. This is the highest decoration of …

Recently, an Indian Desert Cat has been spotted for the first time in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR). The Indian Desert Cat is also known as the Asiatic Wildcat or the Asian Steppe Wildcat. Important points: It is usually a creature of the Thar desert in Rajasthan, and inhabits …