Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor project in Varanasi on December 13, 2021.
This project connects Kashi Vishwanath temple with the ghats of Holy Ganga. It comprises of a paved walkway of about 320 metres long and 20 metres wide. It also has facilities for a museum, library, a Mumuksha Bhawan (salvation house) and a facilitation centre for pilgrims.
This project has been pegged at Rs 600 crore. It was launched in March 2018. Around Rs 300 crore was spent to purchase land and buildings around temple complex, as well as to resettle compensation alone.
It is among most famous Hindu temples located in Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It stands on western bank of the river Ganga. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams. Main deity of the temple is known by names like Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara, which means ‘Lord of the Universe’. This temple is called as Kashi Vishwanath temple because, Varanasi city was called as Kashi in ancient times.
A fungal infection affecting paddy called Rice blast, is affecting farmers who had grown “Manuvarna rice”.
The blast illness is caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae. It is non-systemic in motion. The spores of the fungus is expected to have been launched from hosts such as Echinochloa crusgalli and Purple nutsedge, which are abundantly current in paddy fields, bunds, as well as on sides of irrigation channel of affected space. It was probably resulted in an elevated focus of spores in the air.
Relative humidity of more than 93% and rainfall of around 5 mm per day are the favourable predisposing elements through mid tillering stage of the crop for blast illness.
Rice Blast Fungus is also known as Magnaporthe grisea, rice rotten neck, blast of rice, rice seedling blight etc. It is a plant-pathogenic fungus and model organism, causing serious disease in rice. M. grisea comprises of a cryptic species complex containing two biological species which have clear genetic differences. Members of M. grisea complex can also infect other cereals like rye, wheat, barley, and pearl millet. The disease caused by the fungus is called blast disease or blight disease.
Internet Service project, Starlink unveiled a new smaller and rectangular dish, which interested customers can buy to understand SpaceX’s growing satellite constellation in low Earth orbit.
As per The Verge, the dish is a thinner and lighter-weight option as compared to the circular dish, which is being tested by Starlink beta users over the 2020.
Starlink is the satellite internet project of SpaceX. It was launched with the aim of launching some 12,000 satellites into low Earth orbit to provide broadband internet coverage to people on ground. It will provide services notably in remote and rural areas that lacks traditional internet infrastructure.
Users are required to mount a dish near to their home, like on roof, in order to tap into the system. Dish should be mounted in a way that, uses can get a clear view of the sky (free of trees or other obstructions) at all times.
SpaceX had launched the beta version of Starlink in October 2020. It allowed users in some geographical areas of the United States (US), to purchase company’s starter kit. The kit included a 23-inch-wide circular user terminal or dish, a Wi-Fi router, mounting equipment, and all the cables required for installation.
The purchase cost of the kit was $499. Users were required to pay $99 a month for coverage. Now, users have the option to buy new rectangular dish, which is 19-inches long and 12-inches wide.
52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held from November 20 to November 28, 2021.
The golden peacock award will be earmarked for best film at the IFFI. It comprises of a cash prize of Rs 40 lakh. Award will be shared equally by producer and director of the best film.
Silver Peacock award will be given to Best director. It carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh.
IFFI jury comprises of renowned Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Banietemad, Sri Lankan filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara, British film producer Stephen Woolley, Indian producer-director Nila Madhab Panda and Colombian filmmaker Ciro Guerra.
IFFI was founded in 1952. It is one of the most significant film festivals of Asia. The festival is held annually with the aim of providing a common platform for cinemas across the world to project excellence of film art. It contributes towards understanding & appreciation of film cultures of different nations with respect to their social and cultural ethos. It promotes friendship and cooperation among people worldwide.
IFFI is conducted jointly by the state government of Goa and Directorate of Film Festivals, working under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
First case of Norovirus was confirmed in Wayanad district of Kerala.
Norovirus are a group of viruses, causing gastrointestinal illness. Virus causes inflammation in lining of the stomach & intestines, severe vomiting and diarrhoea. The virus does not significantly affect healthy people. However, it can seriously affect elderly, young children, and people with other comorbidities.
The virus spreads very easily and quickly. It spread from infected people to others when direct contacts occur, as well as through contaminated foods & surfaces. It also spread through excrement and vomit of an infected individual. It can be spread for up to two days, after the onset of this disease. Such outbreaks occur often between November to April.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) programme was launched in the state of Karnataka, on November 12, 2021.
Pneumococcal is the name of group of diseases which are caused by bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main cause of bacterial pneumonia in children aged under five years. Young children, elderly, and those with suppressed immune system or those who are malnourished are at the increased risk of getting infected to pneumococcal disease.
In India, there are an estimated 1.2 million children who die before completed the age 5 while 15.9% of deaths are the result of pneumonia.
PCV is safe and effective measure to prevent pneumococcal disease. It reduces the incidence of meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious bacterial infections that are caused by pneumococcus. To cure the diseases, two primary doses are advised, one at six weeks and second at 14 weeks. Apart from that, a booster dose advised at nine months.
World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12, annually. The day was established in 2009 by Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia.
UIP vaccination programme was launched in 1985 by Indian government. It became a part of Child Survival & Safe Motherhood Programme in 1992. This programme is currently one of the focus areas under National Rural Health Mission since 2005. It comprises of vaccination for 12 diseases namely, tuberculosis, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B, rubella, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and Pneumococcal diseases.
Indian Army is set to conduct the sixth edition of the biennial training exercise with French Army from November 15, 2021, in series of joint training exercises with friendly nations.
The Shakti 2021 exercise will focus on Counter Terrorism operations in light of semi-urban terrain under the mandate of United Nations. It will be conducted with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and inter-operability between the armies of both the country.
The last edition of the Shakti exercise was organised in the year 2019, at the Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. In this edition of the exercise, armies practised and validated the Counter Terrorism operations in semi-desert terrain.
Indian Army is being represented by Gorkha Rifles contingent. It has a rich heritage which is marked by its military valour and supreme sacrifices. It has a glorious history of 68 years. The contributions of contingent in 1971 war were recognised by Theatre Honour of Jammu & Kashmir and Battle Honour Shingo River Valley.
The French Army contingent was set up in 1831 under the name ‘2nd Marine Regiment’. It was later renamed as 21st Marine Infantry Regiment in 1901. It has an illustrious operational history of 120 years. The contingent has participated in all the major wars of French Army.
On November 12, 2021, UN peacekeeping chief warned that crisis in Africa’s Sahel region is volatile because Insecurity & instability are undermining prospects for development and many lives are being lost every day because of terrorist attacks.
G5 Sahel force was set up by five African nations namely, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Mauritania. The force was set up in 2017 for fighting the growing terrorist threat in vast Sahel region.
During the conference, Lacroix noted that, joint force is increasing its operational pace however, it faces enormous challenges like return of foreign fighters from conflict in Libya, political uncertainty, domestic challenges, and major shortfalls in equipment.
According to UN experts, Africa became the region hardest hit by terrorism in first half of 2021 in the aftermath of increasing influence of Islamic State and al-Qaida extremist groups.
Sahel region of Africa is located between Sahara in the north and Sudanian savanna in the south. It is having a semi-arid climate and stretches across south-central latitudes of Northern Africa in between Atlantic Ocean and Red Sea. The region includes areas from west to east parts of northern Senegal, southern Mauritania, northern Burkina Faso, central Mali, extreme south of Algeria, extreme north of Nigeria, Niger, extreme north of Cameroon and Central African Republic, Central & southern Sudan, central Chad, extreme north of South Sudan, extreme north of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
During a recent health check of London’s famous River Thames, it was found that, it is now home to seahorses, seals, eels, and sharks.
The Greater Thames Shark Project was launched by Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in 2020 for collecting data on endangered shark species, living in outer estuary.
Tope shark is also called as school shark, snapper shark and soupfin shark. It is a hound shark belonging to the family Triakidae. It is the only member of genus Galeorhinus. It is found across the world in temperate seas at depths of 800 m. the shark can grow to nearly 2 m long and live for over 50 years. The IUCN classified it as ‘critically endangered’ in its Red List of Threatened Species.
Spurdogs are also known as Squalus. It is a genus of dogfish sharks belonging to the family Squalidae. They are characterized by smooth dorsal fin spines, caudal peduncle with lateral kneels and teeth in upper & lower jaws similar in size.
River Thames is also known alternatively as River Isis in some parts. It is a river flowing through southern England including London. It is the longest river entirely in England. It is also the second-longest river in the United Kingdom, after River Severn.
Chief Minister of Punjab, Charanjit Singh Channi, announced that Punjabi will now be a compulsory subject for all students in the state of Punjab.
This announcement was made by CM, a day after the state legislative assembly passed 15 bills on November 11, 2021. Two bills were related to the Punjabi language namely, Punjab State Language Amendment Bill, 2021 and Punjabi & Other Languages Education (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Under this bill, Punjabi language will be made a compulsory subject in schools. In case of violation, it has set a fine of ₹2 lakh.
The bill directs that all official business shall be conducted in Punjabi. In case of violation, a penalty of Rs 500, Rs 2000 and Rs 5000 will be imposed respectively for first, second and third violations.
State government announced this move in the backdrop of recent announcement by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to move status of Punjabi language from ‘major subject’ to ‘minor subject’. CBSE had classified all the regional languages as ‘minor subjects’ for first-term exams of 10th and 12th classes.
On November 11, 2021, South Korea demonstrated a system to control urban air mobility vehicles (UAM).
South Korea had announced a roadmap in 2020 to start commercial urban travel by 2025.
UAM is expected to become a common means of transportation which will be used by citizens in daily life.
A aircraft trip from Incheon International Airport to central Seoul, will cost around 110,000 won, when its commercial journeys start in 2025. This travel cost of more expensive as compared to premium taxis. It will drop to around 20,000 won per trip after 2035 with maturing of market.