News in Shorts: 26 December 2024

‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’

Context: The Centre launched the ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative on Good Governance Day to mark the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

About Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’

• This initiative is a part of the broader ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ campaign.
• Purpose: Strengthen grassroots governance by enhancing the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs and promote equitable rural development.
• Focus: Equip elected representatives and officials with tools for effective governance and participatory planning.
• Implementation: Piloted in Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Features:
• • Utilizes e-learning platforms, AI-powered chatbots, and mobile apps.
  • Aims to bridge knowledge gaps and improve service delivery.

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Greenland and the Panama Canal

Context: The USA President elect Donald Trump over the years has desired to include the Territory of Canada, Greenland and Panama Canal as a part of the USA State for its trade and national security interests.

About Panama Canal

• The Panama Canal is an artificial 82-kilometer waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, cutting across the Isthmus of Panama.
• Built: 
  • France began work on the canal in 1881 first but had to stop  in 1889 because of various problems.
  • The US took over the project in 1904 and opened the canal in 1914.
• Control: Panama Canal is now managed and operated by the Panamanian government-owned Panama Canal Authority.
• The USA Link: USA used to control the canal and surrounding Panama Canal Zone until 1977, until the Torrijos–Carter Treaties determined handover to Panama
  • After a period of joint American–Panamanian control, the Panamanian government took control in 1999.
• The American Society of Civil Engineers has ranked the Panama Canal one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World

About Greenland

• It is officially the world’s largest island that is not a continent and lies  in the North Atlantic Ocean.
• Political Authority: Greenland is part of the Realm of Denmark but has its own extensive local government.
  • Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953, when it was redefined as a district of Denmark.
• Population: Greenland has around 56,000 inhabitants.
  • It is divided into 3 subcultures based on regions,  Kalaallit (West Greenlanders), Inugguit (from Thule district), or Iit (East Greenlanders).
• Capital: Nuuk

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano

Context: Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began erupting again in December 2024.

About Kilauea Volcano

• Location: Kilauea is situated on the southeastern shore of Hawaii’s Big Island, within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• Type of Volcano: An active shield volcano.
• Significance: The lavas of Kilauea, one of five volcanoes forming the island of Hawaii, contribute to building the Earth’s loftiest mountain.
• Summit Caldera: Kilauea’s summit caldera is a large depression formed by the partial collapse of the volcano after most of its magma chamber was released.
• Proximity to Mauna Loa:
  • Kilauea’s slopes merge seamlessly with Mauna Loa, another massive shield volcano.

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About Shield Volcano

• Shield Volcano is a type of volcano with broad, gentle slopes formed by highly fluid basalt lava.
• Features:
• • Unlike the conical peaks of composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes have elongated, dome-shaped profiles.
  • Eruptions are typically low in explosivity, often forming cinder cones and spatter cones at vents.
  • Explosions occur only if water enters the volcanic vent.
• Examples: Hawaiian shield volcanoes such as Kilauea and Mauna Loa.