Articles Covered

1. INDIAN NAVY CONDUCTS EXERCISE POORVI LEHAR ON THE EAST COAST
2. Earth Day 2024
3. STEEL CUTTING OF THIRD CADET TRAINING SHIP AT M/S L&T SHIPYARD, KATTUPALLI
4. Salas y Gómez
5. THREE NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES DISCOVERED IN TELANGANA
6. Great Nicobar’s particularly vulnerable tribal group, Shompen, cast their vote for the first time
7. National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation 2024- Navchetana
8. Sweden becomes 38th country to join Artemis Accords
9. Ringwoodite

Earth Day 2024

Earth Day 2024: The theme this year is “Planet vs. Plastics,” which aims to increase public awareness of the detrimental effects that plastic pollution has on both human and environmental health. Earth Day 2024: The planet will commemorate the 54th Earth Day on April 22. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year.

INDIAN NAVY CONDUCTS EXERCISE POORVI LEHAR ON THE EAST COAST

Indian Navy conducted Exercise Poorvi Lehar on East Coast under the Operational Control of The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. The exercise aimed at validation of procedures towards assessment of Indian Navy’s preparedness to meet Maritime Security challenges in the region.

• The exercise witnessed participation of Ships, Submarines, Aircrafts and Special Forces. XPOL was conducted in multiple phases including combat training in a realistic scenario during the Tactical Phase and successful conduct of various firings during the Weapon Phase towards reaffirming Indian Navy’s capability to deliver ordnance on target.
• With operation of aircraft from diverse locations, a near continuous Maritime Domain Awareness was maintained throughout the Area of operations. In addition to the participation of assets from Eastern Naval Command, the exercise also witnessed participation of assets from IAF, Andaman & Nicobar Command and Coast Guard indicating a very high degree of interoperability amongst the Services.
• The Exercise offered valuable lessons to participating forces operating under realistic conditions, thereby enhancing their readiness to respond effectively to maritime challenges in the region.

The successful conclusion of XPOL 2024, reaffirms Indian Navy’s resolve to meet growing security challenges in the maritime domain.

WORLD CRAFTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL

The World Crafts Council International (WCCI) has picked Srinagar for mapping its craft clusters before its final nomination as the World Craft City (WCC) from India this year.

World Crafts Council International

1. It is a Kuwait-based organisation working on the recognition and preservation of traditional crafts across the globe.
2. It was founded by Ms. Aileen Osborn Vanderbilt Webb, Ms. Margaret M. Patch, and Smt Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay at the 1st World Crafts Council General Assembly in New York on June 12, 1964.
3. Since its inception, the World Crafts Council AISBL has been affiliated with UNESCO under Consultative Status for many years.
4. Objective:The main objective of the World Crafts Council AISBL is to strengthen the status of crafts in cultural and economic life.
5. Aim:The Council aims to promote fellowship among craftspersons by offering them encouragement, help, and advice.
6. It fosters and assists cultural exchange through conferences, international visits, research study, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and other activities.

World Craft City Programme It is a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2014 by the World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-International) in recognition of the pivotal role local authorities, craftspeople, and communities play in cultural, economic, and social development worldwide. It establishes a dynamic network of craft cities across the globe, aligning with the principles of the creative economy. This initiative responds to the increasing acknowledgment of the valuable contributions made by local entities to the multifaceted dimensions of development. Under these initiatives Jaipur (Rajasthan), Mammalapuram (Tamil Nadu) and Mysore have been added as craft cities from India.

Key facts about Kashmir Craft

Kashmir’s craft is mostly influenced by Central Asian countries, which are in the list of the WCC.

The distinction of being included in the WCC list will put a spotlight on Srinagar’s craft scene and introduce the centuries-old processes to the global stage.

STEEL CUTTING OF THIRD CADET TRAINING SHIP AT M/S L&T SHIPYARD, KATTUPALLI

• The contract for indigenous design and construction of three Cadet Training Ships was concluded between MoD and M/s L&T in Mar 23.
• Steel Cutting ceremony of the third Cadet Training Ship (Yard-18005) was held at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, on 20 Apr 24. 
• The ceremony was presided by Shri Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary in the presence of Mr Arun Ramchandani, Executive Vice President, L&T Precision Engineering & System other senior officials from Indian Navy and M/s L&T were present for the occasion.

1. These Cadet Training Ships will be utilised for training officer cadets at sea after their basic training ashore. These ships will also extend training facilities to cadets from friendly foreign countries.
2. These ships are likely to be delivered to IN commencing Sep 2026. This is yet another significant milestone in Indian Navy’s pursuit towards indigenous shipbuilding and is in consonance with Government of India’s vision of ‘AatmanirbharBharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiative.
3. The Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP 2012-27) envisages a force level of three Cadet Training Ships for Indian Navy.

Salas y Gómez

Recently, scientists announced the discovery of 160 marine species after exploring the Salas y Gómez region.

Salas y Gómez

1. It is an underwater mountain chain in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean.
2. It lies in a west-east orientation. Its western end intersects the East Pacific Rise inside the Chilean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Easter Islands and its eastern end adjoins the western end of Nazca ridge.
3. Ecosystems in this region are isolated by the Atacama Trench, the Humboldt Current System, and an extreme oxygen minimum zone.
4. Waters surrounding the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges are mostly located in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), with smaller portions located in the national waters of Chile and Peru.
5. This region hosts unique biodiversity with some of the highest levels of marine endemism on Earth.
6. It is one of the many global locations under consideration for being designated as a high seas marine protected area upon the ratification of UN HIGH SEAs TREATY

THREE NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES DISCOVERED IN TELANGANA

Though the exact number of monuments could not be counted in the dense forest and slopes of the hill, there appears to be more than 200 megalithic monuments

A team of archaeologists claimed to have discovered a unique Iron Age megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village in SS Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, Telangana.

• Site Discovery: The site was discovered by a team comprising P. Rao, history professor of the University of Hyderabad, and Ch Praveen Raju, research scholar from Yogi Vemana University, Andhra Pradesh.

Archaeological Sites Discovered:

1. Dolmenoid Cists Shaped by Cap-Stones: The side slabs are arranged with slabs following the shape of the cap-stone. Hence, each ‘dolmenoid cist’ has a unique shape as dictated by the cap-stone.
2. In Europe, such monuments are known as Passage Chambers.

Unique Feature: 

• This site has new types of monuments, which have not come to light so far anywhere in other regions of India.
• Usually in this region, a type of megalithic monument known as ‘Dolmenoid Cists’ is found.
• Most of the monuments in this region have squarish or rectangular shapes.
• Two New Rock Art Sites: The team also discovered two new rock art sites at Damaratogu in Gundala mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
• One of the sites, known as ‘Devarlabanda Mula’, has only depictions of animals and no humans.
• Since no weapons or domestic animals are shown, it is believed that the paintings may go back to the mesolithic age, anywhere between 8000 – 3000 BCE.

Iron Age:

1. Chronology of the Iron Age in Peninsular India:In peninsular India, the Iron Age roughly covers the period from 1000 BC to 100 A.D.
2. This is also a period for which textual evidence is available. Hence, scholars differ in their approach by working only with the archaeological evidence or incorporating the available textual evidence. 
3. Prominence of Megaliths: In peninsular India, the Iron Age primarily encompasses megalithic structures, often linked with habitation sites, within the region.
4. Iron Age in North India: It is archaeologically represented by assemblages that mainly contain particular pottery types such as Painted Grey Ware (PGW)and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). 

Megaliths:

• About: In prehistoric art, a megalith is a large, often undressed stone that has been used in the construction of various types of Neolithic, Chalcolithic or Bronze Age monuments, during the period 4500-1000 BCE.
• Megalithic Monuments: The megalithic monuments of peninsular India, believed to have been erected in the Iron Age (1500 BC – 200 AD).
• Though megalithic sites are found all across India, they are concentrated mostly in peninsular India.

Great Nicobar’s particularly vulnerable tribal group, Shompen, cast their vote for the first time

• Seven members of the tribe exercised their franchise; the estimated population of Shompen as per the 2011 Census data is 229

For the first time, members of the Shompen, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India took part in the election process by casting their votes in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency.

• According to the provisional figures made available, the voter turnout was 63.99%.
• However, in 2019,the voter turnout was09%

Shompen Tribe:

1. Belongs to: These are the indigenous people of the interior of Great Nicobar Island.
2. They are designated as a PVTG within the list of Scheduled Tribes.

Characteristics:

• They are one of the most isolated tribes.
• They are semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers.
• Their main sources of livelihood are hunting, gathering, fishing, and a little bit of horticultural activities in a rudimentary form.
• Population: The estimated population of Shompen was 229 as per the 2011 Census data.
• Language Known: They speak their own language, which has many dialects. Members of one band do not understand the dialect of the other.
• Social structure: The family is controlled by the eldest male member, who controls all activities of the women and kids.
• Monogamy is the general rule, although polygamy is allowed too.

Others:

The Shompen habitat is also an important biological hotspot and there are two National Parks and one Biosphere Reserve namely:

1. Campbell Bay National Park
2. Galathea National Park and
3. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

1. About: These groups are among the most vulnerable sectionsof India as they are few in numbers.
2. 75 such groups have been identifiedand categorised as PVTGs.
3. Among the 75 listed PVTG’s thehighest number are found in Odisha.
4. Characteristics:There are certain tribal communities who have:
5. Declining or stagnant population
6. Low level of literacy
7. Pre-agricultural level of technology
8. Economically backward
9. Others: In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which are less developed among the tribal groups.
10. In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.

National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 – Navchetana

The National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 has introduced an activity-based curriculum for parents, anganwadis (childcare centers) and ASHA workers in India. 

1. This curriculum is titled “Navchetana,”.
2. It emphasizes that a child’s learning journey begins from birth and extends up to the age of three.

Navchetana:

• This curriculum follows National Education Policy 2020.
• It provides detailed information on the importance of brain development during the crucial first three years, when 75% of the brain develops.
• It provides month-by-month activities to be conducted by parents, anganwadi staff, and ASHA workers and ensures holistic development of children through purposeful activities.

The curriculum involves a range of activities, including:

1. Talking: Encouraging communication with children.
2. Playing: Engaging children in play-based learning.
3. Moving: Promoting physical activity.
4. Listening to Music and Sounds:Enhancing auditory perception.
5. Sensory Stimulation: Focusing on sight and touch.
6. Objective: It aims to stimulate growth in language, literacy, numeracy, and sensory skills of new child.
7. Training for Staff:Over 14 lakh, anganwadi staff will be given training on implementing the curriculum.

Framework Development:

• An internal committee, comprising representatives from various ministries and organizations, finalized the framework.
• Organizations are the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Institute of Home Economics, Delhi University, etc.
• Instructions for caregivers and frontline workers
• Parents and caregivers play a vital role in implementing the curriculum. Thus, Specific instructions guide caregivers in:

1. Capturing the Child’s Attention
2. Communicating with the Child
3. Introducing Age-Appropriate Play Activities
4. Following the Child’s Lead
5. Providing Positive Reinforcement

Developmental Activities for Children:

Infancy (0-12 months):

1. It promotes the use of everyday items like cups, bottles, and fabric remnants.
2. Activities focus on basic skills like reaching for objects, making sounds by imitating, and manipulating objects such as putting objects in and out of a jar and removing knots in a handkerchief in the first year.

Toddlerhood (12-24 months):

1. As children grow, they would be encouraged to feed themselves and explore their surroundings.
2. They can engage in the kitchen, play with dough, and see themselves in a mirror.
3. At around 18 months, children would be encouraged to start scribbling with crayons, fostering early creativity.

Preschool Years (24-36 months):

1. By 24 months, activities will focus on teaching children to sort and match items like shoes.
2. At age three, children are introduced to riding a cycle, practicing saying their names, and identifying colours, laying the groundwork for further cognitive and motor skill development.

Benefits of the activity-based curriculum

The activity-based curriculum outlined in the National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 offers several benefits:

1. Promotes Early Brain Development: The curriculum emphasizes activities during the crucial first three years, when 75% of the brain develops.
2. Supports Multiple Developmental Areas: Activities target various skills like language, literacy, numeracy, and social interaction.
3. Uses Readily Available Materials: Activities mentioned in the framework uses simple household objects which make it accessible and affordable.
4. Identifies Developmental Delays: By following the age-appropriate activities, potential delays can be recognized and addressed.

Sweden becomes 38th country to join Artemis Accords

Sweden became the 38th country to sign the Artemis Accords on Tuesday. Currently, the United States, India and Japan are the only leading space faring nations to sign the accords.

Recently, Slovenia & Sweden became the 39th & 38th Countries to sign Artemis Accords respectively.

Artemis Accord:

• It is a US-led alliance seeking to facilitate international collaboration in planetary exploration and research.
• It relates to activities in orbit, on the surface, and in the subsurface of the moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids.
• It also covers the stable orbital points known as the Lagrangian points for the Earth-moon system).
• Established by: It was launched on October 13, 2020 with Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• Members:
• The Accords have been signed by 39 countries till now.
• On June 21,2023 India became the 27th country to sign the Artemis Accords.
• China and Russia are not part of this initiative.

Key Principles of Artemis Accord: These are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century.

To affirm the countries, comply with 1967’s Outer Space Treaty,

The Outer Space Treaty:

It was adopted by the United Nations in 1967.

It primarily addresses the 

1. Peaceful use of outer space and prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space.
2. Provisions related to space debris and the return of space objects to Earth.
3. Damage caused by space objects to other space assets.
4. It also applies to damage caused by falling objects on earth.

Rescue and Return Agreement 1968

• Earlier known as ‘Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space’(ARRA).
• It outlines the responsibilities of the states to assist & rescue astronauts in distress and promptly return them to the launching State.
• Also, for the Recovering of space objects.

The Liability Convention, 1972: (Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects)

1. Most space-faring countries are signatories to this Convention.
2. This convention is one of the several international agreements that complement the Outer Space Treaty, the overarching framework guiding the behaviour of countries in space.

Registration Convention, 1975 (Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space)

To provide means and procedures to assist in the identification of objects launched into outer space (space objects) and to make provisions for their registration

• Rescue and Return Agreement 1968(which emphasizes the responsibility of nations to safely return astronauts),
• 1972’s Liability Convention and
• 1975’s Registration Convention.

1. Peaceful Exploration of Space: All activities must be conducted peacefully in line with international law.
2. Transparency:Signatories must be transparent about their activities and share scientific information openly.
3. Interoperability: Nations should develop systems that can work together to enhance safety and sustainability.
4. Emergency Assistance: Commitment to assisting personnel in distress in outer space.
5. Registration of Space Objects: Agreement on registering relevant space objects.
6. Preserving Heritage:Commitment to preserving historic sites and artifacts in space.
7. Space Resources: Affirmation of the importance of extracting and utilizing space resources, with transparency to the international community.
8. Deconfliction of Activities: Prevention of harmful interference and establishment of safety zones.
9. Orbital Debris Management: Planning for the safe disposal of debris and limiting the generation of new debris.

NASA’s ARTEMIS Programme (mission to the Moon):

• Named after Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology: Aimed at returning to the moon, setting up a permanent station there, and then using it for deep space exploration.
• ARTEMIS stands for 
• ‘Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun.’ 
• As part of the programme, 
• Artemis-1 Mission in 2022: An unmanned Orion spacecraft aboard its new-age heavy duty rocket called Space Launch System or SLS. 
• The Orion spacecraft went around the moon and came back to Earth on December 11, 2022.

Artemis II Launch:  Crewed Lunar Flyby Mission: 

1. After September 2025, Artemis-II will mark the first crewed mission under the Artemis program, with four astronauts planned to be on board during the 10-day mission.
2. Artemis III, a mission that will land the first female astronaut and first astronaut of color on the Moon

It will allow astronauts to land on the lunar surface and study the lunar surface more extensively.

Ringwoodite

Recently, scientists discovered a hidden ocean which is 700 km below earth’s Surface located within a mineral called ringwoodite.

1. It is a fascinating mineral that exists in the Earth’s transition zone.
2. It has a unique crystal structure that allows it to absorb water and hydrogen, acting like a sponge. This mineral can hold a significant amount of water.
3. It is a rare type of mineral that forms from olivine under very high pressures and temperatures.
4. The weight of hundreds of kilometers of rock and very high temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 Fahrenheit) break down water into its components.
5. When the minerals containing this water reach certain depths, they break down in a process called dehydration and release the water to form magmas.
6. Such “dehydration melting” is common in the shallow mantle and forms the source for magmas in many volcanoes.

A mineral is critical when the risk of supply shortage and associated impact on the economy is (relatively) higher than other raw materials.These minerals are essential for economic development and national security.

Implications for Earth’s water cycle

1. The discovery of this deep-water reservoir has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth’s water cycle.
2. It suggests that water can be transported to the Earth’s surface from deep within its mantle, contributing to the water found in oceans, rivers, and lakes.

This internal water source could also play a role in volcanic activity and the formation of new crust.