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By admin: June 3, 2024

World Bicycle Day - 3 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Bicycle Day is an annual event celebrated on 3 June.

An Overview of the News

• The day recognizes the bicycle as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally sustainable means of transportation.

• The theme for World Bicycle Day 2024 is  “Promoting Health, Equity, and Sustainability through Cycling”.

• The theme emphasises the collective efforts needed to promote a sustainable future through the use of bicycles.

History of World Bicycle Day

• The day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of theinvention of the bicycle by Karl von Drais on 3 June 1817.

• World Bicycle Day was established on June 3, 2018, following the adoption of a resolution during the 72nd regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in April.

• The United Nations recognizes the bicycle as a direct, cost-effective, reliable, eco-friendly and sustainable means of transportation.

Scientists Discover Rare Blue Ant Species, Paraparatrechina neela, in Eastern Himalayas After 121 Years

Tags: State News

A new species of ant, Paraparatrechina neela, has been discovered in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. 

An Overview of the News

• This remarkable finding was made by a team of entomologists from the University of Florida, USA, and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, India.

Background of Discovery

• Location: Remote village of Yingku, Eastern Himalayas

• Observation: Ant found in a tree hole, 10 feet above ground

• Previous Record: Last new species from this genus discovered 121 years ago by a British military mission

• Funding: National Geographic Society supported the expedition to document local wildlife and assess environmental changes

Description of Paraparatrechina neela

• Size: Less than 2 mm long

• Color: Predominantly shiny blue body

• Distinct Features:

• Subtriangular head

• Large eyes

• Triangular jaw with five teeth

• Significance: First blue-bodied ant among the 16,724 known ant species, marking a significant addition to the genus Paraparatrechina

Scientific Significance of the Discovery

• Biodiversity: Highlights the rich biodiversity of the Himalayas

• Ecological Insights: Demonstrates the unique ecological niches of ants

• Entomological Impact: Reinforces that well-studied areas can still yield new species, enhancing our understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem complexity

Conservation Concerns

• Ecosystem Diversity: Siang Valley is home to diverse ecosystems

• Threats:

  • Large-scale infrastructure projects

  • Climate change

• Impact: Adverse effects on local wildlife and millions of people dependent on these environments

• Importance of Documentation: Discovering and recording new species like Paraparatrechina neela is crucial for developing informed conservation strategies to protect both human and environmental health

Supreme Court of India Revamps Gender Sensitization Committee

Tags: National News

The Supreme Court of India has restructured its Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) to align with the 2013 regulations on Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment.

An Overview of the News

• This move underscores the judiciary's commitment to addressing gender issues.

Committee Leadership

• Led by the Chief Justice of India.

• Justice Hima Kohli appointed as chairperson.

• Justice BV Nagarathna and Dr. Sukhda Pritam appointed as members.

• Leadership combines legal and academic expertise for enhanced effectiveness.

Membership Composition

• Includes representatives from:

  • Supreme Court Bar Association

  • Supreme Court Advocate-on-Record Association

  • Supreme Court Bar Clerks’ Association

• Notable members appointed by the Chief Justice of India:

  • Shruti Pandey

  • Jaideep Gupta

  • Dr. Leni Chaudhuri

  • Dr. Menaka Guruswamy

• Ensures a multidisciplinary approach.

Continuity and Forward Planning

• Justice Hima Kohli's leadership ensures stability and continuity.

• Her experience is crucial for fair handling of gender sensitization and sexual harassment complaints.

• Structured approach reinforces the committee’s role in promoting gender equality in the judiciary.

Facts about the Supreme Court of India

• Establishment and Structure

  • Established: January 28, 1950.

  • Location: New Delhi, designed by Ganesh Bhikaji Deolalikar, the first Indian chief architect of CPWD.

  • Initial Judges: 8

  • Current Judges: 34

• Significant Aspects and Contributions

  • First Judgment: Delivered in 1950 in State of Bihar v. Kameshwar Singh.

  • Symbol: Features the Scales of Justice superimposed on Ashoka’s Lion Capital.

  • Notable Case: Ayodhya land dispute, the longest hearing lasting 40 days.

  • Emergency Period (1975-1977): Supreme Court’s powers were significantly curtailed.

• Legal and Social Impact

  • Retired judges are prohibited from practicing law in any court or before any authority in India.

  • Enhanced gender sensitivity by permitting women to serve at night in previously restricted professions and spaces.

Gautam Adani Reclaims Title of Asia's Richest Man

Tags: Person in news

Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, has reclaimed the title of Asia's richest person.

An Overview of the News

• Adani's net worth: $111 billion (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

• Adani Group shares rallied up to 14% on 31 May, boosting Adani's net worth.

• Adani overtakes Reliance Industries' Mukesh Ambani.

• Ambani's net worth: $109 billion, ranking 12th globally.

• Ambani had previously overtaken Adani after a share crash due to the Hindenburg report.

2024 Wealth Growth

• Adani's net worth increase in 2024: $26.8 billion.

• Ambani's net worth increase in 2024: $12.7 billion.

Challenges in 2023

• Adani Group faced challenges due to the Supreme Court-ordered probe following the Hindenburg report.

• Adani's ranking dropped rapidly after the report, from the third richest globally.

Global Rankings

• Bernard Arnault: Richest in the world, $207 billion.

• Elon Musk: Second, $203 billion.

• Jeff Bezos: Third, $199 billion.