1. National Centre for Good Governance 

Why in the news?

• The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) has successfully concluded its first Mid-Career Training Programme for civil servants from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) nations. 
• The program was organized in Mussoorie and New Delhi. It aimed to foster regional cooperation and enhance governance capabilities.

About National Centre for Good Governance (NCCG): 

• It is an autonomous institute under the aegis of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India.
• It has been set up to assist in bringing about governance reforms through studies, training, knowledge sharing and promotion of good ideas.
• It seeks to carry out policy relevant research and prepare case studies; curate training courses for civil servants from India and other developing countries.
• It traces its origin to the National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR), which was set up in 1995 by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and was subsequently renamed with an expanded mandate, as National Centre for Good Governance in 2014.
• Objectives:
  • To function as a national repository of information on best practices, initiatives and methodologies that promote Good Governance, e-Governance etc.
  • To advise on key issues in governance and develop synergy across various Ministries/ Departments of GoI, and State Governments.
• Functioning:
• The affairs of the NCGG are managed under the overall superintendence and direction of the Governing Body, which is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
• It has Secretaries of 9 ministries/ departments and 5 eminent persons viz. academicians, eminent administrators, specialists, eminent innovators, heads of reputed institutions as members.
• The Director General, who is the Chief Executive of NCGG acts as the Member–Secretary of the Governing Body.

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC):

• It is an economic bloc that came into being in June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
• Its members include Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.
• Its permanent secretariat is located at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Its aim is to counter the onslaught of globalization by accelerating regional growth through mutual cooperation by utilizing regional resources and geographical advantages.
• Areas of cooperation:
  • It is a sector-driven cooperative organization in which, initially, 6 sectors of Trade, Technology, Energy, Transport, Tourism and Fisheries had been included.
  • As of now, BIMSTEC has 14 priority areas of cooperation. 
    • Climate change was added as the 14th priority area of cooperation in 2008.
    • Among these priority areas, a member country chooses which of the 14 priority areas it is willing to take lead.
  • India is the lead country for Transport & Communication, Tourism, Environment & Disaster Management, Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime.

2. Caracal

Why in the news?

• The caracal, one of, if not India’s rarest wild cat species, has been spotted in Sariska Tiger Reserve 12 years after its last-documented sighting in the Rajasthan sanctuary. A motion-sensor camera snapped the elusive feline on the move.
• The caracal is one of 30 species of small wild cats. The carnivore is distributed over Africa and parts of western, central and southern Asia. In India, there are fewer than 100 caracals, with two populations clustered in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

About Caracal:

• It is an elusive, primarily nocturnal animal which has traditionally been valued for its litheness and extraordinary ability to catch birds in flight.
• In India, it is called siya gosh, a Persian name that translates as ‘black Ear’.
• It typically uses abandoned porcupine burrows and rock crevices for maternal dens, but can be found with its young in dense vegetation.
• It lives in small herds and its shy and elusive nature makes it difficult to spot in the wild.
• It lives in woodlands, savannahs and in scrub forests.
• Distribution:
  • In India, it is mostly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh is located in Kutch, the Malwa Plateau, the Aravalli hill range and the Bundelkhand region, 
  • It is also found in several countries across Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia. 
• Large-scale hunting, illegal trading and loss of natural habitats are considered significant threats to the species.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN: Least concern
  • The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Topic: Protected Areas

3. Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve

Why in the news?

• The Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve is conducting the 7th Butterfly Meet and Nature Camp at Deban in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district.

About Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve:

• It is located in the Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh, surrounded by Myanmar in the southeast.
• It is located at the junction of the Indian subcontinent Biogeographic Region and the Indo-China Biogeographic Region. As a result of this, extensive diversity of flora and fauna is observed in this belt.
• This protected area is wedged between the Dapha Bum ridge of Mishmi Hills, of North Eastern Himalayas and the Patkai Ranges.
• It has a common boundary with Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (Lohit District) and Nampong Forest Division on the south-western side (Changlang District) of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The park spans a wide altitudinal range from 200 m to 4,571 m at Dapha Bum, the highest point in the park.
• Namdapha is the name of a river which originates from Dapha Bum and meets the Noa-Dihing river (a tributary of the Brahmaputra River).
  • This river flows right across in a north-south direction of the park and hence the name Namdapha has been given.
• Vegetation: The Biomes recognized are evergreen Forests, Moist deciduous forests, subtropical forests, Temperate Forests and Alpine. 
• Flora:
  • As many as 150 timber species are found here, with species like Pinus Merkusi and Abies Delavavi being exclusive to the park.
  • Blue Vanda, a rare and endangered orchard, is also found here.
  • Then there are medicinal plants like Mishimi Teeta, which is used by the local tribes to treat different types of diseases.
• Fauna:
  • It is the only park in the entire world to have the four feline species of big cat namely the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard, and numbers of Lesser cats.
  • It is also home to the distinctive Hoolock Gibbons, highly endangered and only ‘ape’ species found in India.
  • Other animals found here include elephants, black bear, Indian Bison, pig-tailed macaque, several species of deers, reptiles and a variety of arboreal animals.

4. Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS)

Why in the news?

• India will have its own Space Station by 2035, which will be known as "Bhartiya Antriksh Station". This was disclosed here today by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology.

About Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS):

• It is India’s own space station, set for a launch date in 2028, with operational plans extending to 2035. 
• Its main goal is to establish a stable platform for advanced scientific research and technological demonstrations in orbit. 
• It aims to foster innovative developments in space technology and science, particularly as the ISS is expected to be decommissioned by 2030.
• It will be primarily an Indian-operated space station, unlike the ISS, which involves multiple countries. This independence allows for tailored research agendas and the flexibility to pursue projects that align directly with national priorities.
  • While it is an Indian initiative, it will serve as a vital resource for global research collaborations, allowing India to forge partnerships under conditions that promote mutual scientific advancement.
• It will likely incorporate advanced technologies for life support, space medicine, and sustainable living in space. It is expected to drive innovations in materials science, telecommunications, and other areas critical for long-term space habitation.
• Specific benefits for research and development:
  • It will enable extensive research in microgravity conditions, which is crucial for advancements in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and material sciences.
  • It will facilitate the development of new space technologies, including robotics and artificial intelligence applications for space exploration.
  • It will provide a unique vantage point to study Earth’s climate and environmental changes, offering valuable data that can inform global climate initiatives.
  • It will offer unprecedented opportunities for Indian researchers and students to engage directly in space research, enhancing educational programs and inspiring future innovations.
  • By hosting international experiments and missions, it will enhance India’s prestige on the global stage, positioning it as a leader in space technology and research.

Topic: Health

5. Chikungunya

Why in the news?

• Hospitals in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, are brimming with chikungunya virus patients. Major government hospitals throughout the city are reporting 500 to 750 suspected cases of the mosquito-borne disease every day, as noted by local media earlier this month, further straining an already struggling public health system.

About Chikungunya:

• It is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bites of mosquitoes infected with the chikungunya virus.
• The word comes from the African Makonde language and means "bent over in pain." 
• It is most commonly transmitted by mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses.
• It was first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952 and has now been identified in nearly 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms usually begin 4 to 8 days after a mosquito bite but can appear anywhere from 2 to 12 days.
  • The most common symptom is an abrupt onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain. 
  • Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. 
  • Serious complications are uncommon, but atypical severe cases can cause long-term symptoms and even death, especially in older people.
• Treatment:
  • There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for chikungunya virus infections.
  • The goal of treatment for the infection is to relieve symptoms with rest, fluids and drugs.

6. Hasanamba Temple

Why in the news?

• Hundreds of people from different parts of the State and outside are visiting Hasanamba Temple in Hassan. 

About Hasanamba Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple located in Hassan, Karnataka, India. 
  • The city of Hassan dates to the 11th century CE and the temples around Hassan signify the various dynasties that have ruled ever since the 11th century CE. 
  • It was originally built by the Hoysala dynasty, reflecting their faith in Jainism. 
  • The temples here are the examples of the Hoysala style of temple architecture.
• Hasanamba Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Shakti or Amba. 
• It was built in the 12th century CE.
• There is an ant-hill representing the presiding deity inside the temple premises.
• There is an unusual image depicting the demon-king Ravana with nine heads, instead of ten, playing the veena.
• Siddeshwara Swamy can be seen inside the temple which is unusual as it is not depicted in the Linga roopa. It appears as Lord Shiva giving.
• It is opened once a year during the Hindu festival Deepavali in October. For the remainder of the year, the goddess is left with a ghee-lit lamp (nandaa deepa), flowers, water and two bags of rice as an offering (naivedya) until the next year. 
  • The lamp burns for the entire duration of the temple closure, with the ghee never depleting. 
  • The rice offering remains warm and unspoiled when the doors are reopened. 

Topic: Hinduism

7. Shankaracharyas

Why in the news?

• The Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati cancelled a scheduled event of his at a Ram temple in Shimla as he was irked over the placement of a Sai Baba idol in the shrine.

About Shankaracharyas:

• Shankaracharya, literally ‘teacher of the way of Shankara’, is a religious title used by the heads of the four Hindu maths (monasteries) that were established by the eighth-century Hindu saint Adi Shankara. 
  • Adi Shankara established these maths to impart knowledge. 
  • These maths consist of religious shrines, temples, libraries, and residences.
  • These maths are located in Dwarka (Gujarat), Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Puri (Odisha), and Sringeri (Karnataka).
  • Each math, called peetha in Sanskrit, was tasked with serving as the custodian of one Veda each and keeping alive Vedic literature.
    • Govardhan Math in Puri is the custodian of the Rig Veda.
    • Dwarka Sharada Peetham in Gujarat is responsible for the Sam Veda.
    • Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka is responsible for the Yajur Veda.
    • Jyotir Math in Uttarakhand's Joshimath for the Atharva Veda.
• The Shankaracharyas also oversee the Dashanami Sampradaya, an order of renunciates (those who have renounced the secular way of life).

Adi Shankaracharya:

• He was an ancient Indian philosopher and theologian who lived in the early 8 CE.
• He was born in Kalady, a village in present-day Kerala.
• Revered as an avatar of Lord Shiva, he is believed to have mastered the Vedas when he was 16.
• Philosophical Contributions:
  • At a very young age, Shankara started criss-crossing the length and breadth of India to spread his commentaries on the Brahama Sutras, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita amid a rise in Jainism and Buddhism.
  • He is best known for his role in the development and propagation of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy.
    • The fundamental philosophy of Advaita Vedanta lies in the unity of atma (soul), or individual consciousness, and brahma or the ultimate reality.
  • According to this philosophy of non-duality, God and humans are not two and the material world is an "illusion".
• His most important work is his efforts to synthesize the six sub-sects, known as ‘Shanmata.’ ‘Shanmata’, which literally translates to ‘six religions,’ is the worship of six supreme deities. 
• He also founded ‘Dashanami Sampradaya,’ which talks about leading a monastic life. 
• While Shankaracharya was a firm believer in ancient Hinduism, he condemned the ‘Mimamsa school of Hinduism’, which was purely based on ritual practices.
• He established four prominent monastic centers (mathas) in India, each associated with one of the cardinal directions: Sringeri in the south, Dwarka in the west, Puri in the east, and Badrinath in the north.
• He attained Samadhi (a state of deep meditation or realization) at the young age of 32 in Kedarnath in the Himalayas.

Topic: Dance forms of India

8. Gussadi dance

Why in the news?

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi condoles the passing of Shri Kanaka Raju Ji, a prolific dancer and cultural icon. Shri Modi hailed his rich contribution to preserve Gussadi dance and his dedication and passion to ensure the important aspects of cultural heritage to flourish in their authentic form.

About Gussadi dance:

• It is performed on the occasion of the Dandari festival.
  • This festival is celebrated by the Raj Gond tribes of Adilabad and Maharashtra.
  • This festival starts 1 week or 10 days before Diwali festival. 
  • The opening day is known as "Bhogi". 
  • The concluding day is known as "Kolabodi". 
  • Gussadi dance is performed along with Chachoi and Rela dances.
• Gussadis wear colorful clothes and adorn themselves with jewellery. They go to neighboring villages singing and dancing in groups. 
• Each team consists of more than forty members. 
• They wear turbans studded with peacock feathers, deer antlers , artificial moustaches, beards and goat skin. 
• Dappu, Tudumu, Vette, Dolki, Pipri, Kolikammu are the musical instruments used in this dance.

Topic: Fisheries

9. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana

Why in the news?

• The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, convened a meeting to discuss role of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Fisheries Extension Network in strengthening of technology transfer in fisheries and implementation of schemes/programmes for development of fisheries and aquaculture including the new sub-scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana. 

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana:

• It is implemented as a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Central Sector Component of the PMMSY.
• It is implemented at an estimated outlay of Rs.6,000 crore consisting of 50% i.e. Rs.3,000 crore public finance including the World Bank and the AFD external financing, and rest 50% i.e.Rs.3,000 crore being the anticipated investment from the beneficiaries/private sector leverage.
• It will be implemented for 4 years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 across all the States and UTs.
• Intended Beneficiaries:
  • Fishers, Fish (Aquaculture) Farmers, Fish workers, Fish Vendors or such other person directly engaged in fisheries value chain.
  • Micro and Small enterprises in the form of Proprietary Firms, Partnership Firms and Companies registered in India, Societies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Cooperatives, Federations, Village Level Organizations like Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Startups engaged in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
  • FFPOs also include Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs).
  • Any other beneficiaries that may be included by the Department of Fisheries, Gol as targeted beneficiaries.
• Objectives:
  • Gradual Formalization of the unorganized fisheries sector through self registration of fishers, fish farmers and supportive workers under a National Fisheries Sector Digital Platform including creation of work based digital identifies of fish workers for improved service delivery.
  • Facilitating access to institutional financing fisheries sector micro and small enterprises.
  • Providing a one-time incentive to beneficiaries for purchasing aquaculture insurance.
  • lncentivising fisheries and aquaculture microenterprises through performance grants for improving fisheries sector value-chain efficiencies including creation and maintenance of jobs.
  • Incentivising micro and small enterprises through performance grants for adoption and expansion of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems including creation and maintenance of jobs.