News in Shorts: 26 July 2024

Two halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan get names

• President of India announced the renaming of two of the important halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan – namely, ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ – as ‘Ganatantra Mandap‘ and ‘Ashok Mandap

Ganatantra Mandap:

• About: The ‘Durbar Hall,’ used for significant ceremonies like National Awards, refers to the courts and assemblies of Indian and British rulers. 
  • Post-independence, its relevance diminished, making ‘Ganatantra Mandap‘—reflecting the ancient Indian concept of democracy—a more fitting name for the venue.

Ashok Hall:

• About: Ashok Hall,’ originally a ballroom, is named after ‘Ashok,’ meaning “free from suffering” and referencing Emperor Ashok, a symbol of unity. 
  • The National Emblem features the Ashok lion capital, and the Ashok tree holds cultural significance. 
  • Renaming it ‘Ashok Mandap’ aligns with Indian traditions and removes anglicization.

KRS Dam

• The water release from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) across the river Cauvery will be stepped up to over 1,00,000 cusecs.

Cauvery River:

• Origins: The River Cauvery originates at Talakaveri in the Coorg District of Karnataka, within the Brahmagiri Range of the Western Ghats, at an elevation of 1,341 meters
• Tributaries
  • Left Bank: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, and Arkavati.
  • Right Bank: Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil, and Amaravati.

 Krishna Raja Sagar Dam: 

• About: The Krishna Raja Sagar Dam, commonly known as the KRS Dam, is a prominent dam in South India. 
  • It is built across the Cauvery River, near the confluence of the Cauvery, Hemavathi, and Lakshmana Tirtha rivers.
• History: Named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV of Mysore, the dam was constructed during the Wodeyar rule in 1932.
• Significance: The KRS Dam is a key source of drinking water for Mysore and Bangalore.
  • It also provides essential irrigation water for Mandya and Mysore, and plays a crucial role in supplying power to the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power station.
  • Brindavan Gardens, an ornamental garden, is adjacent to the dam.

Rwanda

• Recently, Rwanda held its fourth presidential election since the 1994 Tutsi genocide. 

Rwanda

• Location: A landlocked country in Central/Eastern Africa, Rwanda is situated in both the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres, just a few degrees south of the Equator.
  • It is located within the Great Rift Valley region of Africa.
• Bordering Countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Notable Lakes: Burera, Cohana, Ruhondo, Muhazi, Rweru, and Ihema.
• Drainage: 80% of Rwanda’s water flows into the Nile via Lake Victoria, while the remaining 20% drains into the Congo River through the Rusizi River.
• Population: Rwanda is among Africa’s most densely populated countries, with roughly 1,000 people per square mile. 
  • The majority of the population consists of Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, with both groups predominantly practicing Christianity.
• Major Mountain Ranges: The Albertine Rift and the Virunga Mountains.

Dementia

• Addressing risk factors could reduce dementia cases by 40%

Dementia:

• About: It is a syndrome, often chronic or progressive, that causes a decline in cognitive function beyond what is typically expected from normal ageing.
• Impact: It impacts memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning ability, language, and judgement, but does not affect consciousness.
• Symptoms: Memory loss, Difficulties with thinking, visual perception, self-management, problem-solving, language, and attention, Personality changes, including depression, agitation, paranoia, and mood swings
• Causes: Dementia may arise when brain cells are damaged, which can result from head injury, stroke, brain tumour, or HIV infection.
• Treatment: Currently, there is no cure for dementia, although many new treatments are being explored in clinical trials.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-Space)

• IN-SPACe invites proposals to build, manage satellite system under PPP model

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe):

• About: It is an independent, single-window agency functioning autonomously within the Department of Space (DOS). 
  • Established as part of space sector reforms, it facilitates and encourages the participation of private entities.
• Objectives: IN-SPACe is responsible for promoting, enabling, authorizing, and overseeing space activities by non-governmental entities. 
  • This includes developing launch vehicles and satellites, providing space-based services, sharing space infrastructure and facilities controlled by DOS/ISRO, and establishing new space infrastructure and facilities.
• Functions: The agency serves as an interface between ISRO and non-governmental entities (NGEs), evaluating how to optimize India’s space resources and expand space-based activities. 
  • It also assesses the needs of private players, including educational and research institutions, and explores ways to meet these needs in collaboration with ISRO.

Listeriosis

• In recent weeks, two separate listeria outbreaks, caused by a bacteria that can contaminate food, have been reported in the United States and Canada.

Listeriosis:

• About: Listeria, or Listeria monocytogenes, is a type of bacteria found in soil, vegetation, water, sewage, and the faeces of animals and humans. Consuming food contaminated with Listeria can cause an infection known as listeriosis.
• Contamination: Certain foods are more prone to listeria contamination, including milk, raw sprouts, deli meats, hot dogs, soft cheeses, and smoked seafood.
• Symptoms: Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation, and fever.
• Vulnerable: Individuals with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and their newborns, and those aged 65 and older are particularly vulnerable. The median age for the US outbreak is 75.
  • Listeria can lead to hospitalization and even death among the immunocompromised and elderly.
  • According to the CDC, pregnant women are 10 times more likely to contract a listeria infection, which can lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth, or severe infections in the newborn.
• Treatment: Treatment varies with the severity of the infection and generally resembles that for a standard stomach infection, often including antibiotics.

Kargil Vijay Diwas

• The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Kargil on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

 Kargil Vijay Diwas:

• About: Kargil Diwas, also referred to as Kargil Vijay Diwas, is observed each year on July 26 to honor India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War. 
  • The day recognizes the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fiercely protected the nation’s sovereignty. 
  • In 2024, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
• Conflict: The conflict occurred between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LOC).
• Operation Vijay: The Indian Army demonstrated remarkable courage under ‘Operation Vijay,’ reclaiming the iconic ‘Tiger Hill’ and other key positions by dislodging Pakistani troops during the 1999 Kargil War.
• High Altitude Warfare: The conflict took place at extreme elevations, with some battle zones exceeding 18,000 feet.
• Duration: The war lasted for about three months.
• The End of Conflict: The war concluded on July 26, 1999, when India successfully expelled Pakistani forces from their occupied positions.
• Casualties: Official reports indicate that approximately 500 Indian soldiers lost their lives, while at least 1,000 Pakistani troops were also killed.
• Final War: This was the last conflict between India and Pakistan.