Draft Rules For Gas Meters Under The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011

Context: The Department of Consumer Affairs has framed draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011.

• The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 prescribe specifications for weighing and measuring instruments.

Key Points

• Aim: To promote consumer protection, fair trade practices, and accurate gas measurement.
• Mandatory Testing Before Use: All gas meters—domestic, commercial, and industrial—must undergo testing, verification, and stamping before being used.
• Regular Re-Verification Required: Gas meters must be re-verified periodically to ensure continued accuracy during usage.
• Global Standard Alignment: The rules are aligned with international Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) standards.

About International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML)

• The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is an intergovernmental organization that develops global standards for legal metrology, i.e., the regulation and accuracy of measurements to facilitate trade.
• Headquarter: Paris, France.
• 70th Anniversary: The OIML will celebrate its 70th Anniversary in 2025, as the Convention was signed on 12 October 1955.
• India and OIML: India has been a member of the OIML since 1956.
  • It is the 13th country worldwide authorized to issue OIML approval certificates.
• Collaboration: It works closely with other international organisations such as the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to ensure compatibility between each organisation’s work.

Kalighat Temple

Context: The Kalighat skywalk will be inaugurated  ahead of Poila Baisakh (Bengali New Year) by the West Bengal Chief Minister.

About the Kalighat Skywalk

• The skywalk is 440m long, 16m high and will be the longest skywalk of Kolkata 
  • A similar skywalk at the Dakshineswar Kali temple, Kolkata, measures 340 metres long and 10 metres wide.
• It is constructed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

About The Kalighat Kali Temple

• Shaktipeeth: The Kalighat Kali Temple of Kolkata is a Shakti Peeth where the toes of the right foot of Shakti or Sati fall.
  • Shakti Peethas are sites where  various parts of Sati’s body fell in the course of Shiva’s Rudra Tandava.
• Presiding Deity: The Kalighat Kali Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali with the image bearing a long protruded tongue made out of gold.
• Constructed BY: The original temple was built by Raja Basanta Roy, who was the uncle of Pratapaditya and the King of Jessore (Bangladesh) 
• River: The temple is situated on the banks of Adi Ganga
• Architecture: 
• • The temple has a sanctum sanctorum dedicated to Goddess Kali.
  • Nakuleshwar Mahadev Temple: This Siva temple is dedicated to the consort of Maa Kali and is situated  north-east of of the sanctum
  • Sosthi Tala: It is a 3 feet high rectangular altar bearing a small cactus plant with three stones placed side by side representing the Goddesses “Sosthi”, “Sitola”, and “Mongol Chandi” considered as part of Maa Kali.
• Snan Yatra: On the day of ‘Snan Yatra’ (Bathing Ceremony), the priests cover their eyes with cloth strips, while giving the ceremonial bath to the Goddess.

Pistol Shrimp

Context: Pistol shrimp (family Alpheidae) are one of the most fascinating creatures in marine ecosystems,  known for their remarkably powerful snapping claws that create one of the loudest sounds in the ocean.

More about pistol shrimp

• The pistol shrimp, also known as the snapping shrimp, is a small but powerful ocean dweller, measuring just 3-5 cm in length. 
• Explosive Claw Mechanism: Their most distinctive feature is a specialized large claw that can snap shut with such speed and force that it creates a cavitation bubble. 
  • When this bubble collapses, it produces a sound reaching 218 decibels, louder than a gunshot.
  • The pistol shrimp primarily uses this powerful weapon to catch prey. 
• Wide Species Diversity: There are over 600 species of pistol shrimp, found primarily in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
• Extreme Heat and Light Generation: The collapsing bubble also briefly generates temperatures nearly as hot as the surface of the sun (around 4,700°C) and produces a small flash of light through sonoluminescence.
• Symbiotic Partnerships with Gobies: Many species form symbiotic relationships with goby fish.

Daripalli Ramaiah

Context: Daripalli Ramaiah, a famous environmentalist from Telangana, passed away on April 12, 2025, at the age of 87.

About Daripalli Ramaiah

• He is a native of Reddipalli village, in Khammam district, Telangana
• Contributions to Environment
  • Known as the “Tree Man of Telangana”
    • Ramaiah was also called ‘Chetla Ramaiah’ and ‘Vanajeevi’ (forest dweller).
  • Message to Society
    • He used to wear a green board with a message on it that read: “Vriksho Rakshati Rakshita” — meaning “Save the tree, it will save you.”
• Awards and Recognition
  • Awarded the Padma Shri in 2017 for his contribution to social forestry and environmental protection.
  • Other awards include:
    • Seva Award in 1995
    • Vanamitra Award in 2005
    • National Innovations and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award in 2015

India Influencer Governing Council (IIGC)

Context: Industry leaders in influencer marketing have formed the India Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) to bring structure and accountability to the sector.

What Is the India Influencer Governing Council (IIGC)?

• IIGC is a self-regulatory body comprising representatives from:
  • Hindustan Unilever
  • Publicis
  • Google
  • Meta
  • Leading influencer
• Goal: Provides guidelines for influencers, brands, platforms, agencies, and consumers.
• Key Features
  • Released a 79-page Code of Standards covering ethical content creation.
  • Launched India Influencer Ratings, a weekly ranking system to track influencer performance.
  • Addresses challenges like AI influencers, payment compliance, and misleading endorsements.

Pink Moon 2025

Context: The Pink Moon of 2025 was visible on April 12.

• Despite its name, the Pink Moon does not appear pink; it  bears  a soft white or golden hue.

About the Pink Moon

• The Pink Moon is the name for April’s full moon, inspired by the early spring bloom of Phlox subulata, a pink wildflower.
• Occurrence: It occurs annually in April, marking the first full moon of spring, which is also a Micromoon.

Micromoon vs. Supermoon

• Micromoon: A micro moon occurs when the full moon is at its farthest point (apogee) from Earth, appearing slightly smaller and dimmer.
• For example:
  • Pink Moon: April full moon, named after blooming moss pink flowers.
  • Cold Moon: December full moon, symbolizing winter’s cold.
  • Flower Moon: May full moon, associated with colorful spring blossoms.
• Supermoon: A supermoon happens when the full moon is near its closest point (perigee), making it look brighter and larger.
  • Blood Moon :A total lunar eclipse when the moon turns a reddish hue.
  • Blue Moon: The second full moon in a calendar month; “blue” refers to rarity, not color.
  • Strawberry Moon: June full moon, named after the strawberry harvest, often with a warm tint.

Expedition at Dwarka

Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is going to undertake a project to determine the antiquity of the recovered objects from Dwarka’s expeditions   through scientific analysis of sediments, archaeological and marine deposits

About The Project

• Conducted by: The study will be conducted by a nine-member team of the Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) of the ASI
• Expedition: The team has undertaken onshore and offshore expeditions at Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka in Gujarat and cover an expanded area in Okhamandal city.

About Dwarka

• Meaning: Dwarka literally means the “gateway to heaven” in Sanskrit, is derived from the famous Dwarkadhish Temple
• Location: Dwarka town is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula in the Indian state of Gujarat.
• River: The city is placed on the right bank of the Gomti river at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch facing the Arabian Sea.
• Antiquity: The city finds mention in the prehistoric epic period drama  of the Mahabharata.
  • It is also one of the seven most ancient religious cities (Sapta Puri) in India.
• Legend: Hindu God Shree Krishna settled in Dwarka after defeating and killing his uncle Kansa at Mathura. 
• Pilgrimage Centre: Dwarka is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus with notable temples, including the Dwarkadhish Temple, Rukmini Devi Temple, Gomti Ghat, and Bet Dwarka. 
• The Dwarkadhish Temple:
  • Chardham: It is one of the four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites called the Chardham founded by Adi Shankaracharya and dedicated to Shree Krishna.
  • Dwaraka Maţha: Also called Sharada Matha/Peeth is one of the four peethas established by Adi Shankaracharya.
• Heritage Tourism:
  • Krishna Pilgrimage Circuit: Dwarka is part of the circuit along with other sites like, Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Kurukshetra and Puri.
  • Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme: It is one of 12 heritage cities across the country selected under the HRIDAY Scheme to develop civic infrastructure.

Typhloperipatus Williamsoni: Velvet Worm

Context: Researchers from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and The Environment (ATREE) rediscovered Typhloperipatus williamsoni, a long-lost species of velvet worm, after 111 years in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang Valley.

• The rediscovery was published in the Journal of Natural History and provides the first molecular data for the species.

About Typhloperipatus williamsoni ( velvet worm)

• T. williamsoni belongs to the phylum Onychophora, a group of “living fossils” that evolved over 350 million years ago.
• Rarity: These worms are naturally rare and have low diversity, with only two known families globally.
• Discovery: Specimens were found under stones during pre-monsoon, while researchers searched for ants.
  • The species was first documented in 1911 by Stanley Kemp during the Abor expedition but remained unrecorded until its rediscovery between 2021 and 2023.

Evolutionary and Biogeographic Significance

• Molecular data suggests South Asian Onychophora split from African and Neotropical relatives around 237 million years ago.
• The species lacks ties to Australian relatives, defying common patterns seen in regional invertebrates.
• The rediscovery may help unravel longstanding biogeographic puzzles.

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