Daily Current Affairs – Nov 16, 2023
< Daily Current Affairs & Important Editorials
Tribal Pride Day
GS- I >> History >> Tribal Movement
Context: India celebrates Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) to honour tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
About Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day):
- Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated on 15th November (since 2021) to recognize the efforts of the tribal freedom fighters.
- India’s freedom struggle was strengthened by tribal movements by Santhals, Tamars, Kols, Bhils, Khasis and Mizos etc.
- The date is the birth anniversary of Sri Birsa Munda who is revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities across the country.
About Birsa Munda (1875-1900):
- Early life: Birsa Munda also known as Dharti Aaba, was born in Munda tribe at Ulihatu, Khunti district of Chotanagpur Plateau region (Jharkhand).
- Social reforms: He stressed on the importance of prayer, staying away from alcohol, having faith in God and observing a code of conduct.
- Based on these, he started the faith of Birsait.
- Ulgulan movement: Birsa started a movement called ‘Ulgulan’, or ‘The Great Tumult’ against the exploitation and discrimination against tribals.
- Led to Chotanagpur Tenancy Act being passed in 1908 which restricted the passing on of land from the tribal people to non-tribals.
- Ethical Values: Perseverance, courage, and resilience.
Source: www.livemint.com
National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)
GS- II >> Social Justice >> Health
Context: The National Health Authority (NHA) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) collaborated to operationalize the NHCX, a digital health claims platform.
About NHCX:
- It is a digital health claims platform that serves as a gateway for exchanging claims-related information among various stakeholders in the healthcare and health insurance ecosystem, enhancing efficiency and transparency in health claims processing.
About NHA:
- It is an autonomous entity established under the Society Registration Act, 1860, responsible for implementing Pradhan Mantri-Jan Aaroya Yojana (PM-JAY).
- It oversees the design, technological infrastructure, and implementation of the ‘National Digital Health Mission’ to create a National Digital Health Eco-system.
- It replaced the National Health Agency and operates as an attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Source: pib.gov.in
Igla-S Air Defence System
GS- III >> Science & Technology>> Defence
Context: Russia recently signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India and has allowed the production of the Igla under license.
About Igla-S Air Defence System:
- Igla-S is a Russian-manufactured MANPADS (man-portable air defence system), also known as SA-24 Grinch.
- Its capabilities extend to identifying and neutralizing various air threats, including cruise missiles and drones.
- With a range of up to 6 km, the system can effectively destroy targets up to an altitude of 3.5 km.
- The 2.5 kg warhead is classified as high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG).
- Guidance is facilitated through homing via infrared technology.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission (NISAR) Mission
GS- III >> Science & Technology >> Space
Context: ISRO has successfully conducted a 21-day-long thermal vacuum test for the upcoming launch of the NISAR satellite in 2024.
- A thermal vacuum test is tested in a facility that mimics expected flight conditions.
About NISAR:
- It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory being jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
- NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days and provide consistent data for understanding changes in Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, etc.
- It 2,800 kilograms satellite consists of both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments, which makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
- L-band radars are used for clear air turbulence studies and S-band radars are useful for weather observation.
- It has a 39-foot gold mesh antenna reflector that focuses radar signals from the upward-facing instrument.
Significance of NISAR:
- Large imaging area (>240km) allows full earth imaging in 12 days.
- High precision and resolution (<1cm) due to dual-band radars.
- Monitors Indian coasts, Antarctica, and deltaic region bathymetry changes.
- Observe ecosystem disturbances, ice sheet collapses, and natural hazards.
Applications:
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- Ecosystem and resource tracking: Measurement of forest cover and land usage, Oil and Gas exploration, water resources, etc.
- Disaster management: tracking the source of earthquakes, landslides, and oil spills and mapping the after effects of the disaster.
- Cryosphere tracking: changes in the permafrost, ice sheets glaciers, etc.
Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com
Tuvalu (Capital: Funafuti)
GS- III >> Environment >> Climate Change
Context: Australia inked an agreement with Tuvalu to offer residency to its citizens displaced by climate change.
About Tuvalu:
Political features:
- It is a nation of nine coral islands and is not landlocked.
- Bordering nations: Kiribati and Nauru, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Tokelau and Fiji, Samoa, Wallis and Futuna, and Tonga.
- Bordering water bodies: Located midway between Hawaii and Australia in South Pacific Ocean.
- It is believed to be first nation to face climate change-induced complete submersion.
Geographical features:
- Archipelago is volcanic in origin and includes both atolls and reef islands.
- Largest atoll: Funafuti.
Source: www.downtoearth.org.in