• Minister for Tribal Affairs laid the foundation stone of 'Centre for Preservation and promotion of Tribal Culture & Heritage' in Jharkhand.
  • It would be showcasing physical and intangible tribal culture, and would be a knowledge and information centre for assisting tribal development. 
  • It will be developed as a live centre, with space for artisans to demonstrate their skills. 
• Minister also inaugurated renovated National Unique Tribal Museum and e-Library at BAJSS, New Delhi.
  • BAJSS was established in 1948 by Shri Amritlal Vithaldas Thakkar (Thakkar Bapa), for upliftment of tribal community. 

• RB-IOS saw a significant 68.2% increase in complaints in FY23 compared to FY22.
• RB-IOS was launched in 2021 by integrating three ombudsman schemes: Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006; Ombudsman Scheme for NBFCs, 2018; and Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019.
  • It adopts “One Nation One Ombudsman” principle.
  • Itprovides single window for resolution of complaints against RBI regulated entities viz. Banks, NBFCs, Payment System Participants and Credit Information Companies. 
  • Redressal/adjudication of complaints is handled by 24 Offices of RBI Ombudsman (ORBIOs) and Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre (CRPC).

• Government released a new Kalpa Suvarna and VTL CH I and VTL CH II developed by Central Plantation Crops Research Institute.

• About Kalpa Suvarna
  • Suitable for copra and tender coconut production. It starts flowering 30-36 months after planting. 
  • Recommended for cultivation in Karnataka and Kerala.

• About VTL CH I and VTL CH II
  • VTL CH I: Cultivated as an inter-crop both in arecanut coconut plantations and suitable for Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
  • VTL CH II: Tolerant to black pod rot which is high in high rainfall region and suitable for Karnataka and Kerala.

• It is a Joint Military Exercise between Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces.

• Delhi-based Akmus Drugs and Pharmaceutical Limited developed India’s first indigenous, room temperature stable drug for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
• SCD is a group of inherited Red Blood Cell (RBC) disorders or haemoglobin disorders. 
  • It changes the shapes of RBCs from round to a C-shaped farm tool called sickle.
  • Sickle cells clog the blood flow and die early, causing a constant shortage of RBCs. 
  • It results in chronic anaemia, organ infarction and chronic organ damage.
• India has launched National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, aiming to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by 2047.

• Delhi's Biomining project is likely to miss the 2024 deadline to clear landfill sites.

• About Biomining
  • As per Central Pollution Control Board, scientific process of excavation, treatment, segregation and gainful utilisation of aged municipal solid waste or legacy waste is called Biomining.
  • It is an environmentally friendly technique to separate soil and recyclables like plastic, metal, paper, textiles, etc.
  • Biomining operations target valuable metals like copper, uranium, nickel, and gold that are commonly found in sulfur-bearing minerals.

• Odisha police traces illegal poppy farms deep within STR.

• About STR
  • It is a National Park and Tiger Reserve located within Mayurbhanj District, Odisha.
  • It comes under Deccan Peninsular Bio-geographic Zone, Chhotanagpur Province and Mahanadian Region.
  • Flora: Moist mixed deciduous forest, Tropical semi-evergreen forest, sporadic patches of dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
  • Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, King Cobra, Common Cobra etc.
  • UNESCO added it to its list of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.

• Performance audit by CAG stated that Kshipra River continues to remain polluted despite interventions of government agencies. 

• About Kshipra (Shipra) River
  • It originates in Vindhya Range (Kokri Bardi hill) and flows in a northerly direction.
  • It flows across the Malwa Plateau to join Chambal River.
  • Ujjain is situated on its bank, where Kumbh Mela takes place once every 12 years. 
  • Main tributaries: Kahn and Gambhir.

Somalia

• Indian Navy foils further attempts of Somali pirates using hijacked MV Ruen.

• Political Boundaries
  • Easternmost country of Africa, on Horn of Africa.
  • Land border: Kenya and Ethiopia (west), and Djibouti (northwest).
  • Water border: Gulf of Aden (north), Indian Ocean (east).

• Geographical features
  • Highest peak: Mount Shimbiris (Mount Surud Cad).
  • Major rivers: Juba and Scebeli.