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Recently the government launched a major policy called ‘Jalvahak’ to promote cargo movement via inland waterways on National Waterways (NW) along the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers.
About Inland Waterways Authority of India
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National Waterway | Route | River System | Key Locations | Length |
NW 1 | Allahabad (Prayagraj) to Haldia | Ganges, Bhagirathi, Hooghly | Fixed terminals: Haldia, Farrakka, Patna.
Floating terminals: Kolkata, Bhagalpur, Varanasi, Allahabad |
Longest waterway in India (1,620 km) |
NW 2 | Sadiya to Dhubri (Assam) | Brahmaputra River | Major towns along the stretch include Sadiya, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, and Dhubri. | 891 km |
NW 16 | Lakhipur to Bhanga (Assam) | Barak River | Major locations include Lakhipur, Silchar, and Bhanga. WAI has two permanent terminals on NW-16, one each at Badarpur (on NW-14) & Karimganj. |
121 km |
Global Examples of Successful Inland Waterways
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Inland waterways hold immense potential to transform India’s logistics landscape by offering a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to road and rail transport. Strategic investments, policy reforms, and private sector participation are essential to fully harness this mode’s benefits and drive sustainable economic growth.
To address the alarming decline in short neck clam (Paphia malabarica) populations, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has initiated a stock enhancement programme in Ashtamudi Lake.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification
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Recently 1 Kerala Naval Unit NCC (1K NU NCC) launched the Miyawaki urban forest project on its premises as part of the One Tree, One Cadet campaign in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF).
Parameter | Details OF Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR-Based Pledge Financing |
Total Corpus | ₹1,000 Crores |
Coverage | Loans up to ₹75 lakhs for agricultural purposes and up to ₹200 lakhs for non-agricultural purposes. |
Eligible Institutions | All scheduled banks and all cooperative banks. |
Eligible Borrowers | Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF)
Women/SC/ST/PwD Farmers Other farmers, MSMEs, Traders, FPOs, and Farmer Cooperatives. |
Risks Covered | Credit and warehouseman risk |
Guarantee Fee |
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Guarantee Coverage |
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About Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA)
Key Functions OF WDRA:
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Santa Ana winds and climate change are fueling wildfires in Malibu, California.
Recently INS Nirdeshak, the second Survey Vessel Large (SVL), was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam’s Naval Dockyard.
SVL Project
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Arctic tundra, a frozen treeless biome which has stored carbon for thousands of years, has now become a source of heat-trapping greenhouse gases (GHGs) as per the analysis, ‘Arctic Report Card.
India has established its first diabetes-specific biobank in Chennai, a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF).
What is Diabetes?
Types of Diabetes
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Minority Rights Day, celebrated on December 18 annually, emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of minorities.
Minority Rights Day
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Body | Objective |
National Commission for Minorities | To safeguard the interests of minority communities, investigate and monitor matters relating to their social, economic, and educational development. |
National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions | To ensure the protection of the rights of minority educational institutions as enshrined in Article 30 of the Indian Constitution. |
National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) | To provide financial assistance to minority communities for various developmental activities, including education, business, and skill development. |
Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) | To promote and develop education among minority communities, especially in higher education. |
State Minority Commissions | To address the specific needs and grievances of minority communities at the state level. |
Waqf Boards | To manage and administer the Waqf properties, ensuring their proper utilization for the benefit of the Muslim community. |
Category | Scheme/Program | Objective |
Educational Empowerment | Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) | Support for higher studies, particularly in science and technology fields. |
Padho Pardesh | Subsidizing interest on educational loans for overseas studies. | |
Free Coaching and Allied Schemes | Free coaching for competitive exams. | |
Nai Udaan | Financial assistance for students preparing for UPSC, SSC, and state PSC exams. | |
Economic Empowerment | Seekho aur Kamao | Learn-and-earn program focusing on skill development and livelihood opportunities. |
USTTAD (Upgrading Skills and Training) | Upgrading traditional arts and crafts to enhance employability. | |
Nai Manzil | Providing skill development training and placement assistance for minority youth. | |
Concessional Credit through NMDFC | Offering financial assistance to minorities through the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC). | |
Infrastructure Development | Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) | Improving socio-economic conditions and infrastructure in minority-concentrated areas. |
Special Needs | Nai Roshni | Leadership development for minority women. |
Hamari Dharohar | Preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of minority communities. | |
Jiyo Parsi | Supporting the Parsi community to increase its population through advocacy and medical assistance. | |
Waqf Management | Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme | Computerization of waqf records for better transparency and management. |
Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana | Development of urban waqf properties to enhance income for community welfare activities. | |
Research and Support | Corpus Fund to Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) | Supporting educational initiatives for minorities. |
Equity to NMDFC | Strengthening financial institutions that support minority communities. | |
Grant-in-Aid to State Channelizing Agencies | Supporting state-level development programs for minorities. |
A study investigated and compared the tissue tropism of a 2004 H5N1 strain isolated from a fatal human case and the 2024 bovine strain of H5N1 that is currently circulating in mice and found that the two strains displayed significantly different abilities to infect different tissues.
Tissue tropism
Neurotropism
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Context: Recently, some scientists have started creating ‘mirror microbes’. These are synthetic bacteria whose building blocks are mirror-images of their natural counterparts.
Thus the researchers say the cons outweigh the pros in their analysis of mirror life, thereby opposing it.
Context: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd round of the Special Representatives (SR) talks with his Chinese counterpart and Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Context: The Supreme Court in a recent Case Titled, CELIR LLP VERSUS MR. SUMATI PRASAD BAFNA & ORS. explained the Henderson doctrine.
Context: Exercise SLINEX 2024 (Sri Lanka–India Exercise) is being conducted from December 17 to 20, 2024, at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.
Context: Morocco is emerging as a springboard for India’s ambitions to expand its footprint in Africa for defence exports.
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