DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Oct. 5, 2023

India's first solar cycle track inaugurated in Hyderabad

Tags: Popular State News

Taking inspiration from a similar solar panel-covered cycle track in South Korea, Hyderabad inaugurated India's first solar cycle track.

An Overview of the News

• This innovative project in Hyderabad is now the world's second solar roof-covered cycle track, after similar initiatives in Dubai and Switzerland.

Features of Hyderabad Solar Cycle Track:

• The solar cycle track has been constructed along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) of Hyderabad and has a total length of 23 kilometres, consisting of two lines.

• The Pink Line extends from Nanakramguda to Telangana State Police Academy (TSPA), covering a distance of 8.5 kilometres, while the Blue Line runs from Narsingi Hub to Kollur, covering a distance of 14.5 kilometres.

• The track is designed with the safety of cyclists in mind, featuring three dedicated lanes with protective barriers.

• It comprises five access points equipped with various facilities such as parking, food stalls, repair and rental stations, first aid facilities, rest areas and advanced signaling systems.

• A notable feature of the track is its solar roof, capable of generating 16 megawatts of power, which not only illuminates several streetlights but also provides extensive coverage.

Implementation and Cost Savings:

• Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL), a division of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), is responsible for implementing the project, taking inspiration from similar facilities in South Korea.

• The project is expected to provide cost savings to HMDA, with an estimated recovery period of six years for the solar panels and an estimated period of 15 years for the entire project.

Importance of Solar Cycle Track:

• In addition to its environmental impact, the cycling track aims to reduce carbon emissions and establish itself as the world's most eco-friendly cycling track.

• The strategic lighting system enables year-round, 24x7 use, with additional security provided by CCTV surveillance.

• Future plans include the installation of bicycle rental agencies, health food shops, and retail kiosks to enhance the overall cycling experience.

• Using rooftops for solar panels not only saves land, but also generates clean energy in line with sustainable practices. Additionally, the roof provides protection from sunlight, rain and pollution, contributing to accident prevention.

Nobel Prize in Literature 2023: Awarded to author Jon Olav Fosse

Tags: Awards

Norwegian author John Olav Fosse awarded 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature

An Overview of the News

• The Swedish Academy has selected John Olav Fosse for the Nobel Prize in Literature 2023 for his innovative literary contributions.

John Olav Fosse: a brief biography

• He was born on September 29, 1959 in Haugesund, Norway.

• He is a prolific writer with a diverse body of work including plays, novels, short stories, poetry, children's books and essays.

• Fosse's first novel, "Raud Svart", was published in 1983.

• Notable novels such as "Stengd Gitar" and "Skuggar" (2007), as well as the short novel "Morgon og Kveld."

• Recognition as a finalist for the International Booker Prize in 2022 for "A New Name: Septology VI-VII".

Norwegian Nobel Prize winners in literature

• John Olav Fosse has become the fourth Norwegian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

• Previous Norwegian laureates: Björnstjern Björnsson (1903), Knut Hamsson (1920), Sigrid Undset (1928).

About Nobel Prize

• The Nobel Prize was established in 1900 in honor of Alfred Nobel, and the first Nobel Prize was awarded in 1901.

• The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded 116 times to 120 recipients from 1901 to 2023.

• The first Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Sully Prudhomme of France in 1901.

• The Nobel Prize for Literature in 2022 was awarded to France's Anne Ernaux.

• Rabindranath Tagore is the only Indian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he achieved in 1913, making him the first Asian to receive the prestigious award.

World Teachers Day - 5 October

Tags: Important Days

World Teachers' Day is celebrated globally on 5 October.

An Overview of the News

• World Teachers' Day is a day to honor and recognize the important role of teachers in transforming education and society. It calls for support and appreciation for teachers around the world.

• World Teachers' Day is organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Education International (EI).

• In India, Teacher's Day is celebrated on 5 September.

Theme 2023:

• The theme of World Teachers' Day 2023 is "The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage"

• UNESCO emphasizes the importance of addressing the decline in the number of teachers worldwide.

Background of World Teachers Day:

• In 1994, UNESCO's General Assembly passed a resolution designating October 5 as World Teachers' Day.

• On October 5, 1966, UNESCO held a special conference in Paris, where the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation Relating to the Status of Teachers was adopted, which established rights and responsibilities for teachers and established international standards for education. Went.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization):

• Establishment - 16 November 1945

• Membership - 195 member countries and 8 associate members

• Areas of focus - UNESCO works in the fields of education, science, culture, communication and information to achieve its mission.

• Headquarters - Paris, France

• Director General - Audrey Azoulay

National Dolphin Day - 5 October

Tags: Important Days

National Dolphin Day is celebrated every year on 5 October.

An Overview of the News

• National Dolphin Day aims to raise awareness for dolphin conservation.

• Dolphins are valuable ecological indicators of a healthy aquatic ecosystem, contributing to the overall health of the Earth.

History of National Dolphin Day

• On 5 October 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the Ganges dolphin as the 'National Aquatic Animal' during the inaugural meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority.

• Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav announced the celebration of National Dolphin Day on March 25, 2022, during the 67th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Wildlife Board.

• The second National Dolphin Day was observed on October 5, 2023.

About Ganga Dolphin:

• Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica.

• The Ganges dolphin is one of the five main species of river dolphins worldwide.

• They are found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, especially in river systems such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Indus-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu.

• According to the Ganges Dolphin Conservation Action Plan 2010-2020, adult male dolphins are approximately 2 to 2.2 meters in length, while females are approximately 2.4 to 2.6 meters in length.

• Adult Ganges dolphins usually weigh between 70 and 90 kg.

• They are found in various Indian states including Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

• The Ganges dolphin is classified as 'Endangered' on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Reasons for decreasing dolphin population:

• Dams built on rivers obstruct the water flow.

• Pollution, including industrial and plastic waste.

• fishing net.

• Accumulation of silt in rivers.

• The historical hunt for oil.

Government Conservation Efforts:

• The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 included the Ganges dolphin in its First Schedule in 1986, with the aim of promoting their conservation and establishing wildlife sanctuaries.

• Vikramshila Ganga Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar was established under this Act.

• The government prepared the 'Ganga Dolphin Conservation Action Plan 2010-2020' to assess the threats to the Ganges dolphin, including the impacts of river traffic and irrigation canals on their population.

Union Cabinet approves Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana

Tags: State News National News

The Union Cabinet on October 4, 2023 approved the establishment of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu district of Telangana.

An Overview of the News

• Amendments to the Central Universities Act 2009 were approved to facilitate the establishment of the university.

• The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill-2023 will be introduced in Parliament for legislative action.

Legal Mandate and Delayed Establishment:

• The University has been established under the provisions of the 13th Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act-2014.

• This Act mandated the establishment of a tribal university in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

• A tribal university was established in Andhra Pradesh in 2019, after delays in land allocation had prevented the establishment of the university in Telangana.

Financial Provisions and Educational Objectives:

• Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University will receive funding provision of Rs 889.07 crore.

• The university aims to increase access to higher education in Telangana and improve the overall quality of education in the state.

• It will also focus on promoting tribal art, culture and traditional knowledge systems through instructional and research facilities.

• The establishment of the university seeks to address regional educational imbalances and create additional educational capacity.

Central Tribal Universities in India:

• Earlier, the Central Government had established two Central Tribal Universities in India:

  • Indira Gandhi National Tribal University is located in Amarkantak.

  • Andhra Pradesh Central Tribal University is located in Vizianagaram.

• Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana will be the third such university established with the aim of providing higher education and research facilities to the tribal population of the country.

• At present there are a total of 45 central universities in India.