DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 9, 2024

New Plant Species 'Ceropegia Shivarayina' Discovered at Vishalgarh Fort

Tags: Science and Technology

A new flowering plant species named Ceropegia Shivarayina has been discovered at Vishalgarh Fort in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.

An Overview of the News

• The species belongs to the Kandil Pushpa class, genus Ceropegia, and family Apocynaceae.

• The plant is similar to Ceropegia lawii Hooker f., but differs in its climbing habit, hairy peduncles, and obovate corolla cage with reflexed corolla lobes.

Significance of the Name:

• The species is named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire.

• This is the first time a plant species has been named in honor of Shivaji Maharaj.

Research Team:

• The research team includes Akshay Jangam, Ratan More, and Nilesh Pawar from the Department of Botany, New College, Kolhapur; Sharad Kamble from Chandwad in Nashik; and S. R. Yadav from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

• Akshay Jangam and Ratan More have been studying the flora of Vishalgarh Fort for the past six years.

Background of the Discovery:

• In 2013, Jangam and More discovered a different plant of the Ceropegia class at the fort.

• Sharad Kamble, an expert in Ceropegia species, suggested the possibility of the newly found plant being a new species.

• S. R. Yadav, who has previously discovered six new species of Ceropegia, confirmed that this is indeed a new species.

Kandil Pushpa Overview:

• Ceropegia species, also known as Kandil Pushpa, are vine-like plants found in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri).

• These rare species are known for their lantern-like flowers and potato-like tubers in the ground.

• So far, six new species have been discovered within this class.

Maharashtra Context:

• Chief Minister: Eknath Sambhaji Shinde

• Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan

• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

• Tiger Reserves: Melghat Tiger Reserve, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Passes Away at 80

Tags: Person in news

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, former Chief Minister of West Bengal and veteran Communist Party leader, passed away at the age of 80 in Ballygunge, Kolkata.

An Overview of the News

• Bhattacharjee was born on March 1, 1944, in Kolkata and served as a significant figure in West Bengal's political landscape.

Political Career

• He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in three terms: from 2000 to 2001, 2001 to 2006, and 2006 to 2011.

• Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) as a primary member in 1966. He was elected to the CPI(M) state committee in 1972 and became a full-time member of CPI(M) in 1985.

• In 1996, he was appointed the Home Minister of West Bengal, and in 1999, he was named the Deputy Chief Minister of West Bengal.

• He first assumed office as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in November 2000, succeeding Jyoti Basu.

• In the 2011 assembly elections, he was defeated by Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.

Later Years and Awards

• Bhattacharjee resigned from the CPI(M) politburo and central committee in 2015, and in 2018, he gave up his membership in the party's state secretariat.

• The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for Public Affairs in 2022, but he refused to accept the award.

82nd Anniversary of Quit India Movement Day

Tags: Important Days

Quit India Movement Day, also known as August Kranti Day, is observed annually on August 8th to commemorate the launch of the Quit India Movement in 1942.

An Overview of the News

• The day highlights the power of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience in achieving social and political change, emphasizing democracy, freedom, and unity.

• August 8, 2024, marks the 82nd anniversary of Quit India Movement Day.

About the Quit India Movement

• The Indian National Congress (INC), led by Mahatma Gandhi, officially launched the Quit India Movement on August 8, 1942, during the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC).

• The movement aimed for the immediate end of British rule in India and began in earnest on August 9, 1942, following the British arrest of key leaders, including Gandhi.

Key Figures and Events

• Aruna Asaf Ali: Known as the Heroine of the 1942 Quit India Movement, she hoisted the Indian National flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay, after the arrest of major leaders. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna (posthumously) in 1997 for her contributions.

• Yusuf Meherally: The phrase 'Quit India' was authored by him. He also coined the iconic slogan "Simon Go Back" during the anti-Simon Commission protests in 1928.

Lok Sabha Passes Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024

Tags: National News

On August 9, the Lok Sabha approved the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, with the objective of simplifying business transactions in the aviation sector.

An Overview of the News

• The Bill aims to replace the outdated Aircraft Act, 1934, which has seen 21 amendments.

• It seeks to modernize regulations and eliminate redundancies to support India's rapidly growing aviation sector.

• The new legislation is designed to provide a coherent regulatory framework with clearly defined chapters and clauses.

Regulatory and Industry Goals

• The Bill intends to streamline regulatory inconsistencies and attract foreign direct investment.

• It aims to enhance travel efficiency, adhere to international standards, and align with industry best practices.

• New regulations for aircraft design and manufacturing support the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, promoting self-reliance and technological advancement in aviation.

Online Grievance Redressal System

• Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced the creation of an online grievance redressal system.

• This system is designed to address passenger complaints and ensure timely resolutions.

• The goal is to balance passenger interests with airline financial viability, preventing excessive ticket prices.

Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) and Infrastructure

• The Bill includes measures to support the RCS, which has established over 500 connections across India.

• Challenges include airlines withdrawing from specific routes, with potential for re-bidding these routes to maintain connectivity.

• Emphasis is placed on the development and resolution of airport infrastructure issues through joint federal and state efforts.

Cabinet Approves ₹24,657 Crore for 8 New Railway Projects

Tags: National News

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved eight railway projects with a total estimated cost of ₹24,657 crore.

An Overview of the News

• The primary aim of these projects is to enhance connectivity, mobility, efficiency, and service reliability within Indian Railways.

• These projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s Vision of a New India and the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated multi-modal connectivity.

Coverage and Network Expansion

• Districts Covered: 14 districts across seven states—Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana, and West Bengal.

• Network Expansion: The projects will extend the Indian Railways network by 900 kilometers.

• New Stations: 64 new stations will be constructed.

Regional Impact

• Aspirational Districts: Enhanced connectivity to six aspirational districts (East Singhbhum, Bhadrachalam, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada), approximately 510 villages, and about 40 lakh people.

• Tourism: Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be connected to the railway network.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

• Freight Traffic: Capacity augmentation will add 143 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) of freight traffic.

• Environmental Impact: Reduction in oil imports (32.20 crore liters) and CO2 emissions (0.87 million tonnes), equivalent to planting 3.5 crore trees.

New Railway Lines

1. Gunupur-Therubali (New Line): 73.62 km, covers Rayagada, Odisha.

2. Junagarh-Nabrangpur: 116.21 km, covers Kalahandi and Nabrangpur, Odisha.

3. Badampahar-Kandujhargarh: 82.06 km, covers Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

4. Bangriposi-Gorumahisani: 85.60 km, covers Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

5. Malkangiri-Pandurangapuram (via Bhadrachalam): 173.61 km, covers Malkangiri, East Godavari, and Bhadradri Kothagudem, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

6. Buramara-Chakulia: 59.96 km, covers East Singhbhum, Jhargram, and Mayurbhanj, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.

7. Jalna-Jalgaon: 174 km, covers Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

8. Bikramshila-Katareah: 26.23 km, covers Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Neeraj Chopra Secures Silver in Men’s Javelin at Paris 2024

Tags: Sports

Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in the men’s javelin at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a season-best throw of 89.45 meters.

An Overview of the News

• Neeraj Chopra achieved this milestone as the first Indian track and field athlete to win two Olympic medals post-independence.

• Despite fouling five of his six attempts in the final, he had a notable qualification throw of 89.34 meters.

Olympic Medalists

• Gold Medal: Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters.

• Bronze Medal: Grenada’s Anderson Peters with a throw of 88.54 meters.

Historical Achievements

• Neeraj Chopra joins Norman Pritchard, Sushil Kumar, PV Sindhu, and Manu Bhaker as one of the five Indians to win multiple individual Olympic medals.

• He is the second male Indian (after Sushil Kumar) and the third overall (including PV Sindhu) to achieve back-to-back Olympic medals.

About Neeraj Chopra

• Neeraj secures second place at Doha Diamond League 2024

• He won the 2023 Doha Diamond League.

• He clinched a gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

• He also claimed a gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

• Neeraj Chopra was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in March 2022.

Major medals won by Neeraj Chopra :

• 2022 Kuortane Games (Gold Medal)

• 2022 Paavo Nurmi Games (Silver)

• 2021 Tokyo Olympics (Gold Medal)

• 2018 Commonwealth Games (Gold Medal)

• 2017 Asian Athletics Championships (Gold Medal)

• 2016 South Asian Games (Gold Medal) 

Harmanpreet Singh Leads India to Bronze with Top Scorer Title at Paris 2024 Olympics

Tags: Sports

India secured the bronze medal by defeating Spain 2-1 on August 8, 2024. This win marked their second consecutive Olympic bronze medal after Tokyo 2020.

An Overview of the News

• Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the scoring charts with 10 goals in eight matches, surpassing Australia’s Blake Govers, who scored 7 goals.

• Harmanpreet Singh scored both goals for India in the bronze medal match, demonstrating his crucial role in the team’s comeback from a goal down.

• Harmanpreet scored in every match except for the group-stage game against Belgium. 

• His goals included seven from penalty corners and three from penalty strokes.

Significance of the Win

• With this bronze medal, India achieved back-to-back Olympic medals for the first time since 1972, highlighting the team’s progress and Harmanpreet's significant contribution.

Indian Medalists at Paris 2024

• Manu Bhaker: Bronze (Women's 10m Air Pistol Shooting)

• Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh: Bronze (Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol Shooting)

• Swapnil Kusale: Bronze (Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Shooting)

• Indian Hockey Team: Bronze (Men's Hockey)

• Neeraj Chopra: Silver (Men's Javelin Throw)

• Aman Sehrawat: Bronze (Men's 57kg Wrestling)