Interstellar Dust Grain
Researchers have found evidence that interstellar dust grains align with magnetic fields in the milky way.
About Interstellar Dust Grain
- Interstellar dust grains are formed in the cool outer layers of stars like red giants.
- They are released into space through radiation pressure, stellar winds, or stellar explosions.
- Composition: Amorphous silicate grains and carbonaceous materials.
- Role in Star Formation: In star formation, interstellar dust cools and shields the molecular cloud, making it cold and dense enough for gravity to collapse it into stars.
- Tags :
- Interstellar Dust Grain
- Star Formation
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Operation Black Forest
'Operation Black Forest' is the biggest anti-Naxal operation ever conducted on Karregutta hill situated along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
Other anti-Naxal mission
- Mission Sankalp': launched on sprawling hills of Karregutta and adjoining hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border
- Operation Green Hunt: Began in late 2009. It takes place across five states - West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
- Tags :
- Operation Black Forest
- Naxal mission
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Nalanda University
Bhutan’s PM pays visits to Nalanda University
Ancient Nalanda
- Founded: In 5th century by Emperor Kumaragupta of Gupta dynasty
- Nature: Ancient centre of higher learning in (Rajgir) Bihar, along with Taxila and Vikramashila.
- First residential university in the world.
- Now, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Patrons: It was patronized by various rulers including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE), Pala rulers (8th – 12th century CE).
- Scholars: Attracted from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka & SE Asia.
- Chinese scholar Xuan Zang documented Nalanda’s architecture, ambience, and scholarly traditions.
- Decline
- Gradual decline from the 9th century onward due to Tantric developments in Buddhism under the Pala Empire.
- Ultimately destroyed around 1200 CE by Bakhityar Khilji.
- Tags :
- Nalanda
- Gupta dynasty
Equity Derivatives
SEBI has introduced a new framework to monitor intraday positions in equity index derivatives.
- Effective from October 1, the net intraday position is capped at 5,000 crore rupees per entity in index options to curb risks.
About Equity Derivatives
- A Derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from the value of an underlying asset.
- The underlying asset can be equity shares or index, precious metals, commodities, currencies, interest rates etc.
- Equity Derivatives are instruments whose values are partly derived from one or more underlying equity asset class.
- Futures and Options are the most commonly-traded equity derivatives products.
- Tags :
- SEBI
- Equity Derivatives
Indian Rosewood (or Dalbergia latifolia)
A study found Tamil Nadu has the lowest density of rosewood tree population in south India.
About Indian Rosewood
- It is predominantly a single-stemmed deciduous tree with a dome shaped crown of lush green foliage, which on wet sites are not shed.
- The bark is gray, thin with irregular short cracks, exfoliating in fibrous longitudinal flakes.
- Mean annual rainfall: 750-5 000 mm
- Soil type: Laterite, alluvial, black cotton soils etc.
- Native: India, Indonesia.
- Exotic: Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
- Uses: Apiculture, Timber, Medicines(diarrhoea, worms, indigestion, and leprosy)
- Tags :
- Indian Rosewood
- Deciduous Tree
Coffee
Karnataka’s coffee belt (Chikmagaluru, Coorg, and Hassan) has been hit by prolonged rains and cold, damaging plantations.
About Coffee Cultivation
- Coffee was introduced in India by Baba Budan (17th century, Chikmagalur, Karnataka).
- Crop Requirements – Grows in a tropical climate, temperature 15–28°C, rainfall 150–250 cm, well-drained loamy soil, requires shade.
- Other conditions: Hill slopes are more suitable for growth.
- World leading producer: Brazil. India is now the seventh-largest coffee producer globally
- India: Major Arabica & Robusta coffee producer/exporter.
- Cultivation Areas: Mainly Nilgiri region covering Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.
- Production – Top producing states are Karnataka (70%), Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and North-East.
- Tags :
- Coffee
- Arabica
Vultures
Assam-based foundation launched India’s first vulture conservation portal.
About Vultures
- India is the home to 9 species of vultures: Slender-billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Cinereous vulture, Indian Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Eurasian Griffon Vulture.
- Significance: Scavenging on animal carcasses of animals and thereby helping keep the environment clean.
- Threats: Ingestion of toxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac(used to treat livestock), habitat loss, electrocution, food scarcity and human disturbances.
- Conservation Initiatives: Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC)- at Rani(Assam), Pinjore(Haryana), Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India, 2020‐2025 etc.
- Tags :
- Vultures
- Vulture Conservation