Current Affairs (8th July, 2024)

Current Affairs


 08-Jul-2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024

Why in News?

  • The annual Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra began in Odisha's Puri on 8th July 2024.

About Jagannath Rath Yatra

  • It is a prominent celebration in Puri, held annually on Ashad Shukla Dwitiya, typically occurring between June and July.
  • This festival marks the yearly visit of the deities from the Jagannath Puri temple to their aunt’s residence.
  • During Rath Yatra, it is believed that the deities leave their sacred abode to offer Darshana (holy view) to the devotees.

About Rath (Chariot)

  • The chariots on which the deities are taken to the temple are impressive works of art, they are decorated with intricate designs and patterns.
  • Their construction begins with the Chandana Yatra and is carried out by carpenters known as “Maharana,” who possess hereditary rights to this task.
  • Each chariot is distinguished by its unique color scheme:
    • Lord Jagannath’s chariot (Nandighosa) is adorned with red and yellow cloth.
    • Lord Balabhadra’s chariot (Taladhwaja) with red and blue cloth.
    • Devi Subhadra’s chariot (Dwarpadalana) with red and black cloth.

History

  • The Jagannath Rath Yatra festival dates back to somewhere between the 12th and 16th centuries.
  • Some believe it symbolises Lord Krishna's visit to his mother's birthplace, while others attribute its origins to King Indradyumna, who is said to have initiated the rituals.
  • Historical records show that the festival gained prominence during the reign of Odisha's Gajapati kings.

Samayapuram Mariamman temple 

Why in News?

  • Book on Samayapuram Mariamman temple released.

About Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

  • Location:  Tiruchirappalli district in Tamil Nadu, India. 
  • Main Deity: Samayapuram Mariamman, a form of Adi Parashakti and Mariamman, is made of sand and clay with extractions of medicinal herbs unlike many of the traditional stone idols and is considered as most powerful Goddess.
  • There are no abhishekams conducted to the main deity, but instead the "abishekam" is done to the small stone statue in front of it.
  • Devotees offer mavilakku, a sweet dish made of jaggery, rice flour and ghee.
  • Offerings of raw salt and neem leaves are also made to the Goddess by the rural devotees. 

Vadhavan Port Project

Why in News?

  • The Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently authorised the Rs 76,200 crore development of a greenfield deep draft port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra. 

About Vadhavan Port

  • It will be developed via a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and the Maharashtra Maritime Board.
  • This all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port, located in Palghar District, will align with the PM Gati Shakti program.
  • It will be constructed using the landlord model through a public-private partnership (PPP).

Economic Significance

  • Mega Port Status: India’s first true mega port with a capacity 300+ MMTPA.
  • Lower Freight Costs: Economies of scale reduce freight costs per unit due to larger volumes.
  • Diverse Cargo Handling: Capable of handling a variety of cargo types beyond dry and bulk goods.
  • Economies of Agglomeration: Attracts suppliers, industrial complexes, and logistics firms, promoting economic clustering.
  • Reduced Handling Charges: Competition among operators leads to lower handling charges.
  • Hub Functionality: Operates as a hub in a hub-and-spoke model, managing global traffic and distributing cargo to smaller ports.

Key Features

  • Greenfield Infrastructure: Developed from scratch on previously undeveloped land.
  • Construction: Planned in two phases, with a total capacity of 23.2 million TEUs and a 20-meter draft to accommodate mega vessels.
  • Landlord Model: The port authority serves as a regulatory body and landlord, while private companies manage operations.

Genome Editing

Why in News?

  • Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) prepares to launch a genome editing mission.

Aim: To see if the State fish can revolutionise aquaculture as Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) did decades ago.

What is Genome Editing?

  • Genome editing (also called gene editing) is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism's Deoxy-Ribonucleic Acid (DNA).
  • These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.

About GIFT

  • It is a selective breeding project pioneered by CGIAR researchers at WorldFish. 
  • It has played a critical role in boosting fish productivity both in commercial and in small-scale systems, benefiting millions around the world.
  • For small-scale farmers, GIFT has helped provide a sustainable source of income, food and nutrition.
  • It has also helped farmers adapt to climate change.   

FSSAI

Why in News?

  • Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduces bigger font & bold letters for nutrition labels of sugar, salt, & saturated fat.

About FSSAI

  • FSSAI has been established under Food Safety and Standards, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments.
  • FSSAI has been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
  • The Act also aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- departmental control to a single line of command.
  • The Act establishes an independent statutory Authority – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India with head office at Delhi.
  • Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the State Food Safety Authorities shall enforce various provisions of the Act.

General Knowledge

Supreme Court of India

  • It is the highest judicial court and the final court of appeal under the Constitution of India, the highest constitutional court, with the power of judicial review.
  • India is a federal State and has a single and unified judicial system with three tier structure, i.e. Supreme Court, High Courts and Subordinate Courts.

History

  • The promulgation of the Regulating Act of 1773 established the Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta as a Court of Record, with full power & authority.
  • It was established to hear and determine all complaints for any crimes and also to entertain, hear and determine any suits or actions in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
  • The Supreme Courts at Madras and Bombay were established by King George – III in 1800 and 1823 respectively.
  • The India High Courts Act 1861 created High Courts for various provinces and abolished Supreme Courts at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay and the Sadar Adalat in Presidency towns.
  • These High Courts had the distinction of being the highest Courts for all cases till the creation of Federal Court of India under the Government of India Act 1935.
  • The Federal Court had jurisdiction to solve disputes between provinces and federal states and hear appeals against Judgements from High Courts.
  • After India attained independence in 1947, the Constitution of India came into being on 26 January 1950.
  • The Supreme Court of India also came into existence and its first sitting was held on 28 January 1950.
  • The law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all Courts within the territory of India.
  • It has the power of judicial review – to strike down the legislative and executive action contrary to the provisions and the scheme of the Constitution, the distribution of power between Union and States or inimical to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Constitutional Provisions

  • The Indian Constitution provides for a provision of Supreme Court under Part V (The Union) and Chapter 6 (The Union Judiciary).
  • Articles 124 to 147 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organisation, independence, jurisdiction, powers and procedures of the Supreme Court.
  • The Indian constitution under Article 124(1) states that there shall be a Supreme Court of India constituting of a Chief Justice of India (CJI) and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges.
  • The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India can broadly be categorised into original jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction and advisory jurisdiction. However, there are other multiple powers of the Supreme Court.

High Court

About High Court

  • The High Court is the apex court in the judicial administration of a State under the integrated judicial system established by the Constitution of India.
  • The High Courts have been envisaged as:
    • The highest court of appeal in the state
    • The guarantor of Fundamental Rights
    • The guardian of the Constitution of India
    • The interpreter of the Constitution of India.

Constitutional Provisions Related to High Courts

  • Articles 214 to 231 in Part VI of the Indian Constitution deal with the provisions related to the High Courts.
  • These constitutional provisions cover the organization, independence, jurisdiction, powers, and procedures of the High Courts.

Territorial Jurisdiction of High Courts

  • The Constitution of India provides for a High Court for each State.
  • The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 empowered the Parliament to establish a common High Court for two or more States or for States and a Union Territory.
  • Example:
    • The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh share a common High Court.
  • The territorial jurisdiction of a High Court matches the territory of the respective State.
  • The territorial jurisdiction of a common High Court extends to the territories of the concerned States and Union Territories.
  • The Parliament has the power to extend the jurisdiction of a High Court to any Union Territory or exclude a Union Territory from the jurisdiction of a High Court.

Graphene

  • It is an allotrope of carbon, along with diamond and graphite.
  • It consists of a single layer of carbon atoms that are linked to each other in a honeycomb pattern.

Allotropes: When the same element is able to exist in different forms, the forms are called allotropes.

Properties of Graphene

  • Graphene is among the most versatile materials known to humankind.
  • As a nanomaterial, it is stronger than diamond, more conductive than silver, more elastic than rubber, and lighter than aluminium.
  • Due to its unique characteristics, it is also called a “wonder material”.

World Zoonosis Day

  • It is observed on 6th July every year.

Aim: The program aimed to educate people about zoonotic disease risks and national efforts for prevention.

History

  • World Zoonosis Day marks the anniversary of the first vaccination against a zoonotic disease.
  • On July 6, 1885, Louis Pasteur, a French scientist, successfully administered the first vaccine for zoonotic disease.

Significance:

  • World Zoonosis Day educates people about the risks and impacts of zoonotic diseases on human and animal health.
  • 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, according to the World Health Organization(WHO).

About Zoonotic Disease

  • Zoonotic diseases are illnesses that can be transmitted between animals and humans. 
  • These diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.

Causes of Zoonotic Diseases

  • The emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases are influenced by several factors, including environmental changes, wildlife interactions, livestock farming practices, and human behavior.
  • Encroachment into natural habitats, wildlife trade, inadequate food safety measures, and improper sanitation contribute to the transmission of zoonotic diseases.

Prevention Strategies

  • Multisectoral collaboration is essential in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.
  • The "One Health" approach emphasizes the collaboration between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors.
  • Early detection and surveillance systems for zoonotic diseases play a crucial role in preventing outbreaks and epidemics.
  • Promoting hygiene practices, such as proper handwashing, food safety measures, and safe handling of animals, helps reduce the risk of transmission.
  • Vaccination programs for animals, especially those in close contact with humans, can be effective in preventing zoonotic diseases.
  • Improving public awareness and education about zoonotic diseases and their prevention is vital in promoting responsible behavior and reducing the risk of transmission.

Arctic Wildfires

  • Wildfires have been a natural part of the Arctic’s boreal forest or snow forest and tundra (treeless regions) ecosystems. 

Factors Responsible for Arctic Wildfires

  • Frequent Lightning
    • Rapid warming has resulted in more frequent lightning in the Arctic, significantly increasing the risk of wildfires.
    • For instance, since 1975, lightning-induced fires in Alaska and the Northwest Territories have more than doubled.
  • Rising Temperature
    • Escalating temperatures have also decelerated the polar jet stream, which circulates air between mid and northern latitudes.
    • This slowdown is due to a reduced temperature difference between the Arctic and lower latitudes, causing the jet stream to often remain stationary, bringing unseasonably warm weather to the region.
  • Heat Waves
    • This effect blocks low-pressure systems that produce clouds and rainfall, potentially leading to intense heat waves, which in turn can trigger more wildfires.