Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 3rd December 2024

Archaeological Site Of Lothal : In News

An IIT Delhi student died and three others were injured after soil collapsed on them when they entered a pit near the archaeological site of Lothal in Gujarat for research recently.

• Lothal is an excavated site situated in the Bhal region in Dholka, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• It is one of the prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley civilization (IVC). The origin and history of Lothal can be dated back to 2400 BC.
• Lothal was one of the southern cities of the IVC, located in the Gulf of Khambat region.
• It is the only port town of the IVC.
• Lothal was discovered by SR Rao, an Indian archaeologist, in 1954.
• Literally called ‘Mound of the Dead’, this ancient and desolate ruined city of Lothal provides insight into the life of the Harappan culture and the IVC.
• Like other cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, Lothal too had excellent architecture and town planning.
• The upper part, or acropolis, was where the ruler and other important people of the city lived, while the lower part was meant for the common people.
• The entire city had a scientific drainage system, well-laid paved roads, and a bath for every house, some of which were double-storied and built on mud platforms.
• The most architecturally sophisticated part of Lothal was its dockyard, which provided berthing facilities for the ships.

Notre-Dame Cathedral:

The French President recently praised the more than 1,000 craftspeople who helped rebuild Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral in what he called “the project of the century”, five and a-half years after fire gutted the Gothic masterpiece.

• Notre-Dame Cathedral is a cathedral church located in Paris, France.
• It is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages and is distinguished for its size, antiquity, and architectural interest.
• The Notre Dame Cathedral with its sculptures and stained-glass windows show the heavy influence of naturalism, unlike that of earlier Romanesque architecture.
• It was one of the very first Gothic cathedrals, and its construction took place throughout the Gothic period. It features all the Gothic styles, from early to rayonnant.
• The cathedral was initiated by Maurice de Sully, bishop of Paris.
• The foundation stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163, and the high altar was consecrated in 1189.
• The choir, the western facade, and the nave were completed by 1250, and porches, chapels, and other embellishments were added over the next 100 years.
• It has been the setting for many historical events, notably, the coronation of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804, the marriages of several Kings of France, including Francis II in 1558 and Henry IV of France in 1572.
• On April 15, 2019, a devastating fire engulfed Notre-Dame, destroying the roof and the iconic spire.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bromalites:

New research using fossilized feces and vomit, known as bromalites, highlights how dinosaurs rose to dominance during the Triassic Period.

• Bromalites are fossil traces of organisms, consisting of material from their digestive system.
• They are the group of ichnofossils that record the consumption, processing, and elimination of material through digestive systems.
• Each main stage of processing has been ascribed to distinct bromalite subgroups, with little evidence for transitions between these stages.
• The most famous bromalites are fossilized feces, also known as coprolites.
• However, other types are recognised, including: regurgitalites (fossilised remains of vomit or other regurgitated objects such as owl pellets); cololites (intestinal contents); and gastrolites (stomach contents).
• Bromalites provide behavioural data including predation, scavenging, and vomiting.
• They are important indicators of dietary habits and potential predator-prey relationships; therefore, they largely enhance our comprehension of trophic interactions.
• Bromalites are often studied alongside other trace fossils to reconstruct ancient ecosystems.

WOH G64 Star:

For the first time, scientists have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in picture of the WOH G64 star which is located in another galaxy.

• WOH G64 Star is the massive star that has been imaged with remarkable sharpness by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO’s VLTI).
• It dwells in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf or satellite galaxy that orbits our Milky Way, which also happens to be one of the closest galaxies to us.
• It was discovered in the 1970s by Bengt Westerlunds, Olander, and Hedin.
• Incidentally, the WOH in its name is the acronym for the names of its three discoverers.
• The star is believed to be around 1,60,000 light years away from Earth.
• It is classified as a red supergiant owing to its size, which is roughly 2,000 times that of the Sun.
• The new photo has revealed that WOH G64 is entering the last stages of its life. In recent years, the star has blown off its outer layer, and it is now surrounded by wreaths and arcs of gas and dust.

Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme:

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials which aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme.

• Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme is designed to address critical issues in horticulture by providing access to high-quality, virus-free planting material.
• The Program will aim to:
  • Enhance the yield of horticulture crops,
  • Disseminate and adopt climate resilient varieties,
  • Protect the ecosystem through proactive virus and disease control measures.
• Under this programme 9 world class state-of-the-art Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs.
• A robust certification system will be implemented to ensure thorough accountability and traceability in planting material production and sale.
• It also prioritizes affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, actively engages women farmers, and addresses the diverse agro-climatic conditions across India by developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies.
• Implemented by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
• The programme is poised to deliver numerous benefits across various stakeholders, from farmers to consumers, and bolster India’s position in the global fruit market.

Exercise AGNI WARRIOR:

The 13th edition of Exercise AGNI WARRIOR (XAW-2024) concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra).

• Exercise AGNI WARRIOR is a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and Singapore Armed Forces.
• It witnessed participation by the Singapore Armed Forces contingent comprising personnel from the Singapore Artillery and the Indian Army contingent personnel from the Regiment of Artillery.
• The aim of XAW-2024 was to maximise mutual understanding of drills and procedures to achieve jointness as a multinational force under the United Nations Charter.
• The exercise showcased joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery of both Armies.
• The exercise involved extensive joint preparation, coordination, understanding of each other’s capabilities, procedures and evolution of common interface between Indian and Singapore Artillery procedures.
• It marked the culmination of successful training by Singapore Armed Forces troops exposing them to intricacies of Fire Power planning.
• Both sides utilised niche technologies during the exercise and exchanged best practices as part of the joint training.

Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale:

The Union Government has allocated Rs 3,295 crore for the development of 40 tourism projects across 23 states under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale.While SASCI has been active since 2020-21, this is the first time funds have been specifically earmarked for tourism. The Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale component under the SASCI scheme focuses on developing tourism infrastructure in India, promoting less-visited sites like Bateshwar (Uttar Pradesh), Ponda (Goa), and Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh) to diversify tourism.

Surge in the deletion of workers from job cards:

The recent surge in the deletion of workers from job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) has raised serious concerns about the right to work and transparency in implementation.In 2022-23 alone, over 5.53 crore workers were removed, marking a 247% increase from 2021-22.

Miniature Paintings:

New Delhi exhibition showcased the evolving relevance and global interpretations of South Asian miniature painting, featuring 20 diverse artists and emphasizing its dynamic cultural significance.The term ‘miniature’ comes from the Latin ‘Minium,’ meaning red lead paint, used in Renaissance illuminated manuscripts.These small, detailed paintings are typically no larger than 25 square inches, with subjects painted at 1/6th of their actual size. Common features include bulging eyes, pointed noses, and slim waists.

Eklavya Platform:

The Ministry of Defence launched Eklavya, an online learning platform for the Indian Army. Aim is to improve the professional education and training of Indian Army officers under the Decade of Transformation (2023-2032) initiative and the 2024 theme, Year of Technology Absorption. Developed By: Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), Gandhinagar. A total of 96 courses by 17 Category ‘A’ Training Establishments of the Indian Army have been hosted on the platform.

CAG Report on Bihar’s Healthcare:

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services (2016-22) highlights critical gaps in Bihar’s healthcare system, including a shortage of doctors, paramedical staff, and issues with blood banks and drug supplies.Findings:  53% fewer doctors than WHO norms; only 58,144 doctors available against the required 1,24,919. Vacancies in Healthcare 61% (primary), 56% (secondary), 49% (tertiary), and 82% (AYUSH) positions vacant. Overall, 60% shortage. Blood Banks Many operating without valid licenses due to critical equipment shortages. Drug Supply Issues 35%-74% shelf life remaining for medicines supplied; cases of near-expiry drugs not withdrawn. Ambulance Shortfalls None of the 25 inspected ambulances had the required equipment, medicine, or consumables.

Uganda : In News

Heavy rains in eastern Uganda triggered devastating landslides in the Bulambuli district, claiming 20 lives, displacing 750 people, and destroying 125 homes.It Landlocked country in East Africa, located in the African Great Lakes region. Lies within the Nile basin, with fertile lands and significant water bodies.

Birth Anniversary of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh:

Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar recently paid tributes on the 138th birth anniversary of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh(1886-1979), a visionary nationalist. Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh was born on 1st December 1886, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.
He was a freedom fighter, revolutionary, writer, social reformer, and internationalist

60th Raising Day of BSF:

On 1st December, 2024, Prime Minister extended his greetings to the Border Security Force (BSF) on their 60th Raising Day, emphasizing the importance of the force in safeguarding India’s borders.BSF was established in 1965 following the India-Pakistan war to enhance border security.The BSF has an air wing, marine wing, an artillery regiment, and commando units.It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

World AIDS Day 2024:

World AIDS Day, observed on 1st December every year, serves as a platform to raise awareness about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), reflect on the progress made, and highlight ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease. 2024 Theme: “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”. AIDS: It is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by HIV, which attacks the immune system, targeting CD4 cells (white blood cells, vital for the immune system). It spreads through unprotected sex, infected blood, and sharing needles.

BRICS Tariff:

As Donald Trump gears up for a potential second term as US President, his protectionist trade policies have already started causing ripples in the global economy. A major part of his strategy involves imposing 100% tariffs on BRICS countries, including India, if they reduce their reliance on the US dollar for international transactions. With the BRICS nations, including India, discussing the possibility of de-dollarisation, Trump’s comments present a serious challenge for India’s export sectors, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT services.

Director of FBI:

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), succeeding Christopher Wray. Patel, a long-time Trump loyalist known for his confrontational stance against the “deep state” and criticism of federal agencies, brings a history of staunch support for Trump’s policies