GK Snapshots on 3 September 2021

World Coconut Day 2021 – September 2

World Coconut Day is annually observed across the globe by the coconut growing countries on 2nd September. The day aims to create awareness about the various uses of coconut and its health and commercial benefits.

The day also marks the foundation day of the International Coconut Community (ICC) (former Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC)). ICC is an Intergovernmental organization of coconut growing countries established under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP) in 1969.

• The 2nd September 2021 marks the observance of the 13th World Coconut Day.

The theme of World Coconut Day 2021 is “Building a Safe Inclusive Resilient and Sustainable Coconut Community Amid COVID-19 Pandemic & Beyond”.

PM Released Special Commemorative Coin on 125th Birth Anniversary of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi virtually released a special issue of a Rs 125 commemorative coin on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness(ISKCON) which is popularly known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

• He was born on 1st September 1896 in Calcutta, British India.

• A booklet on the major contributions and achievements of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is also featured with each coin in a commemorative box.

Solung Festival of Arunachal Pradesh Begins

On September 1, 2021, the popular festival of the Adi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh namely ‘Solung’ has began. Its celebrations will continue till 5 days. It is a harvest festival performed after sowing of seeds and transplantation, to seek for good crops.

• People perform various rituals and also present gifts of meat and Apong (rice beer) with each other representing family and social relationships.

Days of Solung festival:
i.First day is called Solung-Gidi Dogin or the day of preparations.
ii.Second and the main day of the celebration is called Doreph-Long (the day of animal sacrifice)
iii.Third day is Binnayat Binam or worshipping the goddess of plenty and prosperity.
iv.Fourth day is Yaktor of Ekoph when the villagers prepare bows and arrows and other weapons of war. v.On the fifth day, the Miri (religious leader or priest) is given a ceremonial send-off when womenfolk sing Ponung songs and dances.

Russia’s NSCMB signs MoU with CSIR-NIO for research in Marine Science
In August 2021, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) virtually signed a MoU with Russia’s A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Science (NSCMB FEB RAS) towards collaboration in the field of Marine research.

‘KAZIND-21’ – Joint Military Exercise between India & Kazakhstan held at Kazakhstan

On 1st September 2021, Indian Army took part in “KAZIND-21” – a joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan at Aisha Bibi village of Kazakhstan. 90 soldiers from Indian Army participated in the 5th edition of the KAZIND, an annual bilateral exercise, that is planned to be held between September 1 to 10, 2021.

i.The 10-day long exercise is designed to share expertise between the armies in the field of Counter-terrorism operations.

ii.The military exercise is set to have a 48-hour long validation exercise, on the challenges undergone during actual counter-terrorist operations.

iii.The 4th edition of KAZIND was conducted at Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh in September 2019.

‘1st of is Kind WHO Hub for Pandemic & Epidemic Intelligence’ inaugurated in Germany

The World Health Organization (WHO) as a part of its Health Emergencies Programme has set up first hub of its kind ‘WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence’ which was inaugurated by German Chancellor Angela Dorothea Merkel and WHO Director General (DG) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Berlin, Germany on September 1, 2021.

• The hub will receive an initial investment of $100 million from the Government of Germany and will be led by Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, the current DG of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

• The hub will currently operate from a centre provided by the Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin, a University.

WMO Report:Weather, Climate Disasters Increase Fivefold in 50 years

World Meteorological Organization (WMO), has released a report titled, “The Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate and Water Extremes (1970–2019)” which states that number of disasters, such as floods and heatwaves, driven by climate change have increased fivefold over the past 50 years.

Highlights

• Extreme events like changes in weather and Climate patterns will become more frequent.

• There were more than 11,000 reported disasters attributed to these hazards globally, with just over two million deaths and $3.64 trillion in losses.

• The recent hurricane named’ Ida’ in the US Gulf Coast, considered as the costliest weather disaster.

• WMO has estimated an average of 115 deaths each day. More than 91% deaths occurred in developing countries.

Dorje Angchuk – 1st Indian Honorary member of International Astronomical Union

International Astronomical Union (IAU) has inducted India’s Dorje Angchuk as one of its Honorary Members, along with 10 other inductees. He is the 1st and only Indian to become an Honorary member of IAU. Dorje Angchuk, who currently serves in the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Ladakh, was recognised by IAU for his work towards astrophotography.
i.IAU honours individuals with Honorary membership, for their significant contribution towards astronomical research.
ii.He is the Engineer in charge of IIA’s Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh is popularly known for his astrophotography work on the Milky Way.
iii.Recognition of Dorje Angchuk, who was known for preserving the Dark Skies of Ladakh, will promote astro-tourism in the region.

New Book Titled “The Murderer, The Monarch And The Fakir” Authored by Appu Esthose Suresh & Priyanka Kotamraju

Investigative journalist Appu Esthose Suresh and Gates Cambridge scholar Priyanka Kotamraju has co-authored a new book titled “The Murderer, The Monarch And The Fakir: A New Investigation of Mahatma Gandhi’s Assassination”. The book is set to release on 1st October 2021. The book will be published by HarperCollins Publishers India Private Limited.

Angelina Jolie has Written Child Rights Book titled ‘’Know Your Rights and Claim Them”

The book ‘‘Know Your Rights and Claim Them: Guide for Youth” is written by the Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie in collaboration with Human Right lawyer Geraldine Van Buren and Amnesty International.

• The book is like a guide for every child and young person who access their rights.

• It talks about gender rights, racial equality, free expression, healthy environment and sustainable life.

Assam Cabinet Renamed Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park as Orang National Park

The Cabinet of Assam chaired by Chief Minister(CM) Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has decided to rename the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park as the “Orang National Park” to honour the Adivasi and tea tribe communities of Assam.

The Orang National Park is often referred to as the mini Kaziranga of Assam.

Note:

Assam has 7 national parks – Dihing Patkai; Raimona; Kaziranga; Manas; Dibru-Saikhowa; Nameri and Orang National Park.

Background:

i.The National park was named Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park in 2001 by the Tarun Gogoi government of the Congress.

ii.The decision of the cabinet to restore the original name of Orang National Park was made considering the demands of the Adivasi and tea tribe communities.

iii.During a meeting between the CM and the representatives of the Adivasi and tea tribe communities of Assam have requested to rename the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park to honour the Adivasi and tea tribe communities.

About Orang National Park:

i.An area of 79.28 sq km located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam was originally declared as a Wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and was declared as a national park in 1999.

ii.The national park is well known for various wild animals such as Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian one-horned Rhinos, Pygmy Hog, and wild elephants.

iii.In March 2016, the National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA) declared 492.46 sq km of the national park as a Tiger Reserve.

PFRDA Increased the NPS Entry Age from 65 to 70 Years

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) increased the maximum age for joining the National Pension System (NPS) from 65 years to 70 years of age. Following the change in age, the NPS has revised the guidelines on entry and exit options.

• The existing age of entry which is 18-65 years were revised to 18-70 years.

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