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By admin: April 20, 2024

Iron Age Megalithic Site and Mesolithic Rock Art Discovered in Telangana

Tags: State News

Archaeologists unearth a unique Iron Age Megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village in SS Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, Telangana.

An Overview of the News

• Additionally, the team uncovers two new rock art sites at Damaratogu Gundala mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana.

• One of these sites, dubbed "Devarlabanda Mula," exclusively features depictions of animals without any human figures. Experts speculate that the paintings date back to the Mesolithic age (between 8000-3000 BCE) due to the absence of weaponry or domesticated animals in the artwork.

Iron Age Megalithic site:

• Newly discovered Iron Age megalithic sites in India boast unprecedented monument types unseen elsewhere.

• At the Ooragutta archaeological site, distinct features defy the conventional 'Dolmenoid Cists' prevalent in the area.

  • The arrangement of side slabs conforms to the cap-stone shape, resulting in a unique configuration for the dolmenoid cist.

• These monuments are estimated to originate around 1,000 BCE.

• Notably, the majority of monuments in this region typically exhibit square or rectangular forms.

Archaeologists Team:

• K.P. Rao: History Professor at the University of Hyderabad

• Ch Praveen Raju: Research Scholar at Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh)

Telangana:

• Chief Minister: Anumula Revanth Reddy

• Governor: C.P. Radhakrishnan

• Zoological Parks:

  • Nehru Zoological Park

  • Vana Vigyan Kendra Mini Zoo (Kakatiya Zoological Park)

• Airports:

  • Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

  • Begumpet Airport

India Sends Inaugural BrahMos Missile Shipment to Philippines in Defense Pact Fulfillment

Tags: Defence Science and Technology

India delivered its first BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines under a $375 million deal signed in January 2022.

An Overview of the News

• The deal involves supplying three export versions of the BrahMos missile system along with integrated logistics support and training for operators and maintainers.

• The first batch of munitions has arrived in the Philippines after two years since the pact was signed.

• Components and Support Package:

• Each system delivered includes two missile launchers, a radar unit, and a command-and-control center.

• Additionally, an integrated logistics support package and training for operators and maintainers were part of the deal.

Arrival of First Batch:

• Two years after the agreement, the first batch of BrahMos missiles reached the Philippines.

• The system enables firing two missiles within 10 seconds, adaptable to various platforms like submarines, ships, aircraft, or land-based installations.

Export Process:

• The BrahMos missiles were transported from India to the Philippines via an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster jet.

• This marks India's inaugural export of BrahMos missiles.

Global Interest and Capabilities:

• Several nations, including Argentina, have shown interest in procuring BrahMos missiles from India.

• BrahMos missiles boast a speed of 2.8 Mach, nearly three times the speed of sound.

CRPF's Nalin Prabhat takes over as NSG Director General

Tags: Person in news

Senior 1992 batch IPS officer Nalin Prabhat of Andhra Pradesh cadre has been appointed as the Director General of the country's counter-terrorism force, National Security Guard (NSG).

An Overview of the News

• Prabhat is currently serving as Additional Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

• The appointment was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for a period up to August 31, 2028, which is the date of his superannuation.

• Before Prabhat's appointment, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) chief Daljit Singh Choudhary held additional charge of NSG.

• The ACC also approved the appointment of Sapna Tiwari, Additional Director, Intelligence Bureau, as Special Director in the agency for a tenure of two years from the date she assumes charge of the post or the date of her superannuation or till April 30, 2026.

National Security Guard (NSG)

• The NSG, often known as the Black Cats, serves as a counter-terrorism unit within India.

• Established on 16 October 1984 in response to Operation Blue Star, the NSG comes under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Its primary function is to counter terrorist activities and protect states from internal disruptions.

• NSG is famous for its specialized training and quick response to security threats.

Ajit Kumar KK appointed as MD and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank

Tags: Person in news

Reserve Bank of India approved Ajit Kumar KK as Managing Director and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank.

An Overview of the News

• The appointment of Ajit Kumar KK is for a tenure of three years, starting from the date he assumes charge.

• The appointment follows the approval of extended tenure for outgoing MD and CEO, JK Shivan, until his successor takes charge.

• Shivan's term was originally scheduled to end in January 2024.

Kumar's background:

• Ajit Kumar KK has 36 years of banking experience primarily from Federal Bank Limited.

• Currently working as President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Federal Bank Limited.

• Awarded the Gold Award for HR Leader of the Year by the Economic Times Human Capital Awards.

• Additionally, Kumar serves as the Director of Federal Operations and Services Limited, a subsidiary of Federal Bank Limited.

Approval Process:

• Kumar's candidature was recommended to the RBI along with other candidates for the post of MD and CEO.

• The board of the bank will meet to confirm the appointment and secure shareholder approval as per the rules.

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• It acts as the central bank of India and the regulatory authority that oversees the Indian banking sector.

• It is operated under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India.

• The primary responsibilities of the RBI include regulating and supervising the Indian financial system to ensure stability and efficiency.

• One of its major functions is to control the issuance and circulation of the national currency, the Indian Rupee.

• RBI is entrusted with the task of managing and maintaining adequate supply of currency in the economy to facilitate smooth transactions and economic activities.

Location: Mumbai, India

Established: 1 April 1935

Governor: Shaktikanta Das

Deepika Soreng Receives Asunta Lakra Award for Outstanding Hockey Achievement

Tags: Awards

Deepika Soreng received the prestigious Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player during the Hockey India 6th Annual Awards 2023.

An Overview of the News

• India women's hockey team forward Deepika Soreng expressed her gratitude to Hockey India on April 16, 2024.

• In 2023, Deepika made her debut for the team in the Women's Junior Asia Cup.

• She contributed significantly to the team's success, scoring 7 goals in 6 matches to help them clinch the gold medal, and emerged as the team's second-highest goalscorer.

International Engagements:

• Deepika participated in various international tournaments including the 2023 4 Nations Junior Women's Invitation Tournament (Dusseldorf) and the 2023 FIH Junior Women's World Cup.

• Her presence and performances played a vital role in the team's achievements on the global stage.

Remarkable Achievement:

• Deepika played a key role in the Indian team's silver medal win at the inaugural FIH Women's Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024.

• She scored 9 goals in the tournament and was awarded the Young Player of the Tournament title.

Selection in the national team core group:

• Recently, Deepika was named in the 33-member national women's team core group to train at the SAI Center in Bengaluru till May 16.

• She was selected from a 60-member evaluation team after rigorous selection tests held on April 6 – April 7.