25-January-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON TO ARRIVE IN JAIPUR TODAY, LIKELY TO USE UPI FOR TRANSACTION AT HAWA MAHAL

SUBJECT: ECONOMY – SOURCE: DD NEWS

French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Jaipur holds significance as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Macron, the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations in Delhi, is set to engage in various activities in Jaipur.

One notable aspect is the potential use of UPI for transactions at Hawa Mahal, showcasing the integration of modern technology in diplomatic interactions.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI):

UPI is an advanced version of Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), providing round-the-clock funds transfer for faster and seamless cashless payments.

Consolidation of Bank Accounts:

• UPI technology consolidates multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application, offering various banking services, seamless fund routing, and merchant payments in one platform.

Operated by NPCI:

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI manages UPI, the largest among its systems, including NACH, IMPS, AePS, BBPS, and RuPay.

Popular UPI Apps:

• Notable UPI applications like PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and BHIM (government-backed) facilitate widespread usage.

Inception and Growth:

• Launched in 2016 by NPCI, UPI began with 21 member banks, demonstrating substantial growth in the digital payments landscape.

OPERATION SARVASHAKTI

SUBJECT: SECURITY – SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

The Indian Army initiates Operation Sarvashakti in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, targeting terrorists responsible for major attacks on security forces.

This operation echoes Operation Sarpvinash from 2003, which successfully eradicated terrorist bases in the Pir Panjal range.

The strategic significance of the region, with its history of terrorist infiltration, necessitates renewed military efforts to ensure peace.

Operation Sarvashakti:

• Security Threats: Three significant attacks on security forces occurred in 2023, resulting in 20 soldier casualties over recent years.
• Foreign Terrorists: The majority of terrorists in the area are believed to be foreigners, escalating security concerns.
• Troop Deployment: Operation Sarvashakti involves deploying additional forces on both sides of the Pir Panjal range to enhance troop density and engagement with terrorists.

Recalling Operation Sarpvinash:

• Background: Launched in 2003, Operation Sarpvinash aimed to eliminate terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border, establishing camps in the Pir Panjal range’s dense forests, specifically in the Hilkaka area in Poonch.
• Achievements: Operation Sarpvinash resulted in the elimination of around 100 terrorists, recovery of various weapons and explosives, and destruction of numerous hideouts.

Circumstances Leading to Sarpvinash:

• Post-Kargil and Parliament Attack: Operation Sarpvinash followed the Kargil war of 1999 and the December 13, 2001, terrorist attack on Parliament.
• Operation Parakram: The mobilization exercise in response to the Parliament attack prompted preparations for Operation Sarpvinash.
• Infiltration Threat: Input suggested over 300 foreign terrorists establishing secure camps in Surankote and Hilkaka, creating a demilitarized zone and dominating the region.

Outcome of Sarpvinash and Subsequent Challenges:

• Peace Restoration: Operation Sarpvinash brought peace to the area until 2017-18, but the region witnessed heightened attacks on security forces since 2021.
• Current Challenges: Despite past successes, the strategic advantages for terrorists in the area persist, necessitating renewed military interventions like Operation Sarvashakti.

UNION GOVT. DID NOT SUPPORT JALLIKATTU AT SC HEARING, SAYS TAMIL NADU CM

SUBJECT: ART AND CULTURE – SOURCE: THE HINDU

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin revealed that the Union government, during the Supreme Court hearing on Jallikattu, expressed non-recognition of traditional sports like rekla race and Jallikattu.

About Jallikattu:

• Etymology: The term “Jallikattu” originates from ‘Calli’ (coins) and ‘Kattu’ (tie), symbolizing the coins tied to the bull’s horns during the event.
• Ancient Tradition: With a rich history of 2,000 years, Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu. Participants vie to tame bulls for prizes, with failure resulting in the bull owner claiming rewards.
• Cattle Breeds: Native breeds like Kangayam, Pulikulam, Umbalachery, Bargur, and Malai Maadu are specifically raised for Jallikattu, showcasing the sport’s diverse participants.
• Historical References: Ancient seals, like one found at Mohenjodaro dating back to 2,500-1,800 BC, and mentions in Tamil epics like Silappadikaram, highlight Jallikattu’s historical roots.

Controversy over Jallikattu:

• High Court Verdict (2006): A Madras High Court ruling in 2006 initially prohibited events like rekla race and Jallikattu, citing safety concerns.
• Tamil Nadu Regulation (2009): The Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act was enacted in 2009, introducing regulations and safety measures for the event.
• Supreme Court Ban (2014): The Supreme Court’s ban on Jallikattu and similar sports involving animals in 2014, based on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, led to mass agitations in Tamil Nadu.

HOTTEST YEAR 2023 IS A SIGN OF MORE NATURAL DISASTERS IN FUTURE

SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

The year 2023 has marked a historic record as the hottest year globally, surpassing the previous benchmark set in 2016. Data from various organizations indicate a significant rise in average temperatures, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change.

Key Points:

Temperature Records:

• Multiple sources, including the Berkeley Earth Institute, Copernicus Service Climate Change, and NASA, report an average temperature increase ranging from 1.34°C to 1.54°C above the pre-industrial period.
• El Nino’s influence on the temperature surge is minimal, highlighting the role of continuous greenhouse gas emissions.

Natural Disasters:

• 2023 witnessed extreme natural disasters globally, with heatwaves scorching regions from the United States to China and Japan.
• Temperature extremes, surpassing 50°C in several areas, led to adverse impacts such as droughts, wildfires, floods, and storms.

Climate Predictions:

• Scientists project 2024 to be even hotter due to the prolonged impact of El Nino, potentially extending until mid-2024.
• Each fractional degree of temperature rise contributes to more frequent and intense natural disasters, posing threats to ecosystems and human settlements.

Global Climate Agreements:

• The Paris Climate Agreement, signed in 2015, aimed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050.
• Despite promises, greenhouse gas emissions have increased since 2015, resulting in a meager 0.02°C reduction in eight years.

COP Conferences and Challenges:

• Annual COP conferences address climate change concerns, but many promises remain unfulfilled.
• COP26 discussed methane reduction and coal phase-out, facing challenges as key countries like China, Russia, and India did not fully commit.

Loss and Damage Fund:

• COP28 in 2023 operationalized the loss and damage fund, addressing compensation for climate-related losses.
• However, the fund’s limited resources, totaling $792 million, fall far short of covering the extensive damages.

Future Imperatives:

• To limit global warming and avert severe consequences, a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is crucial.
• World leaders must prioritize fulfilling climate commitments, especially developed nations supporting developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

COALITION FOR EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS INNOVATIONS (CEPI)

SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: THE ECONOMIC TIMES

Serum Institute of India has joined with CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) to enhance vaccine production capabilities.

 

CEPI Overview:

• Global Partnership: CEPI is a global alliance involving public, private, philanthropic, and civil society entities.
• Foundation: Established in 2017 in Davos, Switzerland, by Norway and India governments, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and World Economic Forum.

CEPI’s Objectives:

• Funding Development: Aims to accelerate vaccine and biologic countermeasure development against epidemic and pandemic threats.
• Universal Accessibility: Ensures accessibility of these countermeasures to all individuals in need.

CEPI-Funded Vaccines:

• Diverse Threats: CEPI supports the development of vaccines for various threats, including Nipah Virus and Lassa fever.
• Global Health Focus: Prioritizes addressing global health challenges through innovative vaccine solutions.

MPEMBA EFFECT

SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: NEWS18

Tanzanian student Erasto Mpemba discovered the Mpemba effect in 1969. The phenomenon is a curious observation that challenges intuition.

Nature of the Effect:

• Hot Water Freezing Faster: Contrary to expectation, hot water freezes faster than cold water under similar conditions.
• Earlier Observations: Aristotle, Bacon, and Descartes noted similar effects centuries ago, but Mpemba’s revelation drew more recent scientific interest.

Varied Experiments Conducted:

• Microbubbles Hypothesis: Microbubbles suspended in boiled water may promote convection, aiding faster heat transfer as the water cools.
• Evaporation Impact: Warmer water evaporates more, enhancing both convection and accelerated heat transfer due to lower density.
• Frost as Insulator: Presence of frost in cold water might act as an insulator, slowing heat loss.
• Compounds in Water: Consideration of substances like calcium carbonate precipitating and dissolving, altering freezing points.

Lack of Consensus:

Despite numerous experiments, a unanimous conclusion regarding the causes of the Mpemba effect is yet to be reached.

AGULHAS LONG-BILLED LARK

SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

The Agulhas long-billed lark, a small passerine bird in South Africa, is resilient despite farming encroaching on its nesting grounds.

    

Habitat and Nesting:

• Typically nests on the ground, favoring Renosterveld fynbos, rich in grasses and wild spring flowers.
• Renosterveld preference is notable, and it adapts to modified habitats, including farmlands.

Endemic Species:

• Exclusive to South Africa, particularly the Agulhas plains.
• Recognized for its inconspicuous appearance, often challenging to identify.

Distribution and Conservation:

Habitat Range:

• Centrally located in Agulhas arable farmlands, stretching from Hottentots-Holland Mountain range to Mossel Bay.
• Displays patchy distribution with an unexplained pattern.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN classification: Near threatened.
• Vulnerable to threats like land use changes, posing risks to both the species and dependent vegetation.

Passerine Birds:

Passerine or passeriform refers to birds in the order Passeriformes, the largest bird order. Often termed perching or songbirds, they are terrestrial and found on all continents except Antarctica.