Avalanche
BRO workers rescued after being trapped under snow following an avalanche near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
About Avalanche
- Definition: Downward motion of a large mass of snow/ice on a slope with high speed and great force causing widespread destruction on its way downhill.
- Factors contributing to avalanche formation: The three key factors are snow, nature of ground and meteorological or weather conditions.
- Types of Avalanche: There are two basic types of avalanches, loose snow avalanches and slab avalanches. These are further sub-divided according to whether the snow involved is dry, damp or wet etc.
- Loose snow avalanches form in snow masses with little internal cohesion among individual snow crystals and steep slope.
- Slab avalanches originate in snow with sufficient internal cohesion to enable a snow layer, or layers, to react mechanically as a single entity.
- Tags :
- Avalanche:
- Snow
- Loose snow avalanches
Banjara Community
Recently Lok Sabha speaker highlighted Banjara community’s role in protecting nature and tradition of the country.
About Banjara (Bepari, Mukeai, Laban) Community
- Origins: Historically multireligious, multilinguistic nomadic trading caste who may have origins in Mewar region (Rajasthan).
- Role as Trader Nomads:
- They traded between villages, towns, and even across regions.
- Primary trade items included grain, pulses, sugar, salt, wood, and timber.
- Banjaras traveled in large groups called Tandas. Each Tanda was led by a chief known as Nayaka.
- Historical Accounts:
- Sultan Alauddin Khalji used Banjaras to transport grain to city markets.
- Emperor Jahangir mentioned in Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri that they carried grains on bullocks from villages to towns.
- They supplied food grains to Mughal armies during military campaigns also.
- Tags :
- Banjara Community
- Nomads
- Bepari
- Mukeai
Articles Sources
Bilateral Swap Agreement(BSA)
India and Japan have renewed the $75 billion bilateral currencies swap agreement.
About BSA:
- It is an agreement between two central banks to exchange a cash flow in one currency against a cash flow in another currency according to predetermined terms and conditions.
- Purpose of India - Japan BSA: It is a two-way currency swap mechanism, allowing both countries to exchange local currencies for US dollars when needed.
- Significance: Help manage exchange rate volatility and provide liquidity during financial crises.
- Tags :
- Currency Swap
- Bilateral Swap Agreement
Auroville Township
Auroville, the world’s largest and oldest intentional community, celebrated its 57th anniversary recently.
About Auroville Township
- Overview: Located in Tamil Nadu, near Pondicherry, where people from 60+ countries explore alternative, peaceful living.
- Genesis: Founded in 1968, township is based on the dream of Mirra Alfassa (The Mother), to put in practice the teachings of Sri Aurobindo.
- In 1908, Sri Aurobindo was arrested in the Alipore Bomb Case, he also gave the concept of spiritual nationalism viewing India as a divine entity (Mother India).
- Mission: A center for material and spiritual research, aiming to achieve true human unity.
- Recognition: Endorsed by UNESCO in 1966 as a project vital to humanity's future.
- Tags :
- Sri Aurobindo
- Auroville
- Mirra Alfassa
- Mother
- Alipore Bomb Case
Privilege Motion
A privilege motion has been moved against External Affairs Minister for allegedly giving “misleading and incomplete” information.
About privilege motion
- It is raised when a member believes that parliamentary privileges have been breached.
- Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by
- Members of Parliament, individually
- and collectively, so that they can “effectively discharge their functions".
- Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by
- Conditions: It must meet two conditions
- It must be related to a specific, recent occurrence.
- The matter should require the Council’s intervention.
- Speaker/Chairman can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to privileges committee of Parliament.
- Tags :
- Parliamentary privileges
- Privilege Motion
Geological Survey of India (GSI)
GSI, one of the oldest scientific organizations in the country, is set to celebrate its 175th year of geoscientific legacy.
About GSI
- Genesis: Established in 1851 by Sir Thomas Oldham.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines
- Headquarter: Kolkata
- Role: It played a pioneering role in geological mapping, mineral exploration, disaster studies, and geoscientific research, significantly contributing to India’s industrial and economic growth.
- Tags :
- Ministry of Mines
- Geological Survey of India
- Sir Thomas Oldham
Articles Sources
Giloy (Guduchi)
PubMed data shows a 376.5% rise in Giloy research over the past decade, reflecting its growing global interest in medicine.
About Giloy
- Botanical features: It is a climbing shrub that to the Menispermaceae family.
- Habitat: Native to tropical India, Giloy thrives at 25–45°C and up to 500m elevation.
- Key Compounds: Contains terpenoids, alkaloids, lignans, and steroids.
- Benefits: Has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties.
- Tags :
- Giloy
- Guduchi
- Menispermaceae