SNAP-10A

Facts for Prelims (FFP)  Source: The Hindu  Context: Launched on April 3, 1965, SNAP-10A was the world’s first operational nuclear reactor in space. While it still remains in orbit, it was operational for just 43 days.    About nuclear reactors: A class of devices that contain and control sustained nuclear chain reactions, these systems are …

Plant fungus infecting humans

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: DTE  Context: The first case of a plant fungus called Chondrostereum purpureum infecting human beings has been reported from Kolkata. The fungus is known to cause Silver leaf disease in plants, especially in species of rose families. However, there were no reported instances of this fungus infecting human beings from any part of …

Rare Disease

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: IE Context: The Indian government has exempted all imported medicines and foods for personal use related to the management of 51 rare diseases (as listed in NPRD 2021) from basic customs duty. The government has also fully exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) used in the treatment of various types of cancer

Scheme for refugees from Pakistan

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TH   Context: The Indian government’s scheme to provide financial assistance to over 5,000 Hindu and Sikh families who migrated to India from Pakistan’s West Punjab after the 1947 partition has hit several issues.

Thira

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TH   Context: Recently, ‘Nagaraja Thira’ was celebrated at the Sree Muchilottu temple at Kuthiravattom in Kozhikode.

Resolution condemning Hinduphobia

Source: IE   The Georgia Assembly (USA) passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia, becoming the first state in the US to do so. The legislation acknowledges the contributions of the American Hindu community and condemns the “antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours” towards Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear or hatred.   What is …

People’s manifesto, Datajam, OpenCity.in, The Civil Society Forum, Janaagraha, Governance

People’s manifesto and Datajam  Source: TH Various civil society groups (The Civil Society Forum, Janaagraha and OpenCity.in) in Karnataka have released a “people’s manifesto” in the hope that political parties will include the issues in their manifestos for the upcoming assembly elections.   Demands: Curbing corruption, urban governance, housing, slums, panchayat raj, agriculture, right to …

ICCR plans to build its brand ambassador programme

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) Source: TH   The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) aims to promote India’s cultural and creative heritage globally by using the experiences of over 48,000 foreign students studying in India as brand ambassadors.   ICCR will organize Exit Engagement Evenings (E-3) with foreign students in various Central and State …

Japan’s New Plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)

GS Paper 2   Syllabus: International Relations  Source: TH  Context: During his visit to India, the Japanese PM unveiled Japan’s New Plan for a FOIP and exchanged views about deepening the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership.   Japan’s New Plan for the FOIP: It lays stress on the need to uphold the rules-based order …