FARZAD-B GAS FIELD CONTEXT Iran gave the FARZAD-B GAS FIELD to Petropars, a domestic gas producer. This is a setback for India’s energy ties with Iran as ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL)had discovered the gas field in 2008 and has been part of the ongoing cooperation on that...
SEDITION Context: The arrest of an MP from Andhra Pradesh, on the grave charge of sedition, is yet another instance of the misuse of the provision relating to exciting “disaffection” against the government. The police in different States have been invoking sedition, an offence defined in Section 124A IPC, against critics of...
Antarctica gives birth to world's largest iceberg Details A giant slab of ice bigger than the Spanish island of Majorca has sheared off from the frozen edge of Antarctica into the Weddell Sea, becoming the largest iceberg currently afloat in the world The newly calved berg,...
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Context 'Teak and the Tiger’,a documentary,is an evocative trek through the evolution of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Details Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is a protected area in Palakkad district of Kerala state. The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1973. It is in the Sungam range of hills between...
Context Indian Ministry of Culture has taken up the project of reprinting 108 volumes of Mongolian Kanjur under the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM). First five re-printed volumes of Mongolian Kanjur Manuscripts released Mangolin Kanjur Buddhist religious text that has 108 volumes (very prominent in Mangolia) ‘Kanjur’ which are...
Context Decision was taken to increase the subsidy for DAP fertiliser from Rs. 500 per bag to Rs. 1200 per bag, which is an increase of 140%. Increase in subsidies The price of fertilizers is undergoing an increase due to the rising prices of phosphoric acid, ammonia...
Cyclone Tauktae Cyclone Tauktae, the cyclonic storm has hit India, intensifying into an extremely severe cyclonic storm Meaning of the name: Tauktae The name has been suggested by Myanmar. The name comes from the Burmese language and it means a ‘gecko’ or a very hitch-pitched lizard. ...
Sulawesi Context Pleistocene-era rock paintings dating back to 45,000-20,000 years ago in cave sites in southern Sulawesi, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, are a concern Details The artwork in the area includes world’s oldest hand stencil (almost 40,000 years ago), created by pressing the hand on a...
KUCHIPUDI DANCE CONTEXT Tribute to guru Kesava Prasad, the icon of Kuchipudi village (Source: The Hindu) Origin Name from Village of Kusselavapuri in Andhra Pradesh Group of Actors going village to Village Revived by: Siddendra Yogi, Balasaraswati, Ragini Devi Theme Stories of Bhagawata Puran Features Foot Movement, predominance of Shringar Ras Dhaaravu...
Arctic fires, thawing permafrost pose growing threat to climate Source (The Hindu) Details The warming Arctic tundra will increase efforts to curb climate change, as thawing permafrost and wildfires release greenhouse gases that are not fully accounted for in global emissions agreements As temperatures rise and permafrost...
