1. PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme

Recent Approval

The Union Cabinet has recently approved the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, which aims to provide financial support for meritorious students pursuing higher education.

About PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme

• Scheme Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Purpose: To offer financial assistance to students admitted to Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs) through collateral-free, guarantor-free loans for tuition fees and other course-related expenses.

Key Features

1. Eligibility for Loans:
• Students accepted into top-ranked QHEIs, as determined by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), are eligible.
• Includes institutions ranked in the top 100 across various NIRF categories (overall, category-specific, domain-specific).
• Covers state government HEIs ranked within 101-200 in NIRF and all central government-governed institutions.
• A total of 860 QHEIs initially qualify, with updates based on the latest NIRF rankings.
2. Loan and Guarantee Provision:
• Loans up to ₹7.5 lakh are eligible for a 75% credit guarantee, reducing risk for banks.
• Interest Subvention: For students from families with an annual income up to ₹8 lakh, a 3% interest subvention is provided on loans up to ₹10 lakh during the moratorium period. This support benefits one lakh students each year, prioritizing those from government institutions or technical/professional courses.
3. Funding and Administration:
• An outlay of ₹3,600 crore has been allocated for the period 2024-25 to 2030-31.
• Unified Portal: Students can apply for education loans and interest subvention through the “PM-Vidyalaxmi” portal, managed by the Department of Higher Education, offering a transparent, user-friendly process.
• Payment Method: Interest subvention payments will be facilitated via e-vouchers and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallets, ensuring efficiency and security.

2. Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli Sanctuary: Proposal for a Tiger Reserve

Recent Developments

An expert committee has recommended immediate conservation measures and habitat improvement in Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli sanctuaries to enhance the prey base and manage the area’s ecosystems before officially declaring it a tiger reserve.

Background

The Union Government and the National Tiger Conservation Authority granted in-principal approval in 2023 for establishing the Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli sanctuaries as a tiger reserve. This proposed reserve will cover approximately 1,397 square kilometers, spanning the Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pali, Ajmer, and Sirohi districts in Rajasthan.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location and Area: Situated in Rajsamand, Rajasthan, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary stretches over 578 square kilometers across the Aravalli range, encompassing parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, and Pali districts. Originally used as hunting grounds by royalty, it was declared a sanctuary in 1971.
• Significant Sites: The sanctuary is home to the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort, which lends its name to the sanctuary.
• Rivers: The Banas River is a major water source within the sanctuary. On the western slopes, tributaries like Sukdi, Mithdi, Sumer, and Kot flow into the Luni River, eventually joining the Arabian Sea.
• Flora and Fauna: The sanctuary hosts a range of herbal flora, such as Dhok, Salar, and Khair. It also provides a habitat for endangered and rare animals, including the four-horned antelope, sambar, wild boar, nilgai, sloth bear, leopard, and caracal.

Todgarh Raoli Sanctuary

• Location and Area: This sanctuary spans about 495 square kilometers across Ajmer, Pali, and Rajsamand districts. Established in 1983, it was named after Colonel James Tod, a British officer who documented Rajasthan’s history.
• Cultural Significance: The sanctuary includes the ancient Raoli forest, which is home to various indigenous tribes.

3. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Recent Case

A 16-month-old child with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was recently chosen for gene therapy and administered a life-saving drug at a private hospital. The case highlights advances in treatment options for this rare genetic disorder.

About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

SMA is a genetic disease that affects the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as voluntary muscles. It involves the degeneration of motor neurons, which are nerve cells in the spinal cord responsible for controlling muscle movement, and is classified as a motor neuron disease.

Types of SMA

There are five subtypes of SMA, categorized by age of onset, severity, and life expectancy:

• Type 0: The most severe form, with symptoms appearing before birth.
• Type 1: Symptoms appear within the first six months of life.
• Type 2: Onset between 6 and 18 months.
• Type 3: Onset after 18 months but before adulthood.
• Type 4: Adult-onset form of SMA, with milder symptoms.

Symptoms

SMA symptoms vary in severity but primarily affect the muscles that control movement, leading to muscle weakness. The weakness tends to be more severe in muscles closer to the body’s center. Involuntary muscles, like those in the heart, blood vessels, and digestive tract, are typically not affected.

Treatment

While there is currently no cure for SMA, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications:

1. Physical Therapy: Helps improve posture, maintain joint mobility, and slow muscle weakening.
2. Occupational Therapy: Aids in performing daily tasks.
3. Assistive Devices: Orthopedic braces, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.
4. Speech and Swallowing Therapy: Addresses related difficulties.
5. Feeding Tube: Used if swallowing becomes too challenging or risky.
6. Assisted Ventilation: Supports breathing.

Medications for SMA

Between 2016 and 2020, the FDA approved treatments that have significantly impacted the management of SMA:

• Disease-Modifying Therapy: Alters the progression of SMA.
• Gene Replacement Therapy: Replaces the defective gene responsible for SMA, providing a potential long-term improvement.

4. BIDAR FORT

Recent Developments

The Waqf Board recently identified 17 monuments within the historic Bidar Fort complex in Karnataka as its property, drawing attention to this significant heritage site.

About Bidar Fort

• Location: Bidar Fort is situated in Bidar City on the northern plateau of Karnataka, India.
• Historical Background: The fort’s history spans over 500 years, beginning with the reign of the Western Chalukya dynasty. In 1430, Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahmani dynasty moved his capital to Bidar and renovated it into an impressive citadel.

Architecture and Features

• Materials: The fort is constructed of trap rock, with stone and mortar walls.
• Entrance Gate: The fort’s entrance features a high dome, painted in vibrant colors on the interior.
• Architectural Style: Showcases a blend of Islamic and Persian influences.
• Structures Within:
• Seven main entrances
• Thirty-seven octagonal bastions, each with metal-shielded cannons
• Multiple mosques and mahals (palaces)
• Over thirty Islamic monuments in total

About the Bahmani Kingdom

• Establishment: The Bahmani Kingdom was founded by Ala-ud-din Hassan Bahman Shah in 1347 after a revolt against the Delhi Sultanate’s ruler, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
• Significance: It was the first independent Islamic kingdom in South India, with territories in present-day Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Capitals: Initially based in Ahsanabad (Gulbarga) from 1347 to 1425, the capital was later moved to Bidar.
• Notable Sultans: Among the fourteen sultans, key figures included Alauddin Bahman Shah, Muhammad Shah I, and Firoz Shah.
• Mahmud Gawan: The kingdom reached its zenith under Mahmud Gawan, who served as Prime Minister for twenty-three years (1458–1481). Gawan expanded the empire, reclaiming Goa from the Vijayanagar Empire.

5. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Recent Developments

A three-member committee has been formed by Rajasthan’s Chief Wildlife Warden following an internal report indicating that 25 tigers are reportedly missing from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

• Location: Situated at the confluence of the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges in Eastern Rajasthan, Ranthambore is one of the largest tiger reserves in northern India.
• Historical Significance: Once a royal hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur.
• Topography: The reserve features a diverse landscape:
• The terrain transitions from the gentle, steep slopes of the Vindhyan range to the sharp, conical hills of the Aravalli Valley.
• The Chambal River bounds it to the south and the Banas River to the north.
• Dominated by steep, rocky hills, it also includes the prominent Ranthambore Fort (dating to the 10th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Geological Feature: The 'Great Boundary Fault'—where the Vindhyan plateau meets the Aravalli range—adds a unique geological characteristic.

Vegetation and Flora

• Vegetation Type: Tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn.
• Flora:
• Dhok tree (Anogeissus pendula) dominates, forming pure stands interspersed with grasslands on plateaus.
• The valleys feature meadows, and lush vegetation grows around the canals.

Fauna

Ranthambore is home to diverse wildlife, including:

• Carnivores: Tiger, Leopard, Striped Hyena
• Other Species: Wild boar, Sloth bear, Rhesus macaque, and various other species.

6. MAHASAGAR Initiative

Recent Update

The Indian Navy recently conducted the third edition of the MAHASAGAR initiative, a high-level virtual interaction focused on strengthening maritime security and cooperation.

About the MAHASAGAR Initiative

• Full Form: Maritime Heads for Active Security and Growth for All in the Region (MAHASAGAR), meaning "vast ocean" in Hindi.
• Purpose: MAHASAGAR is the Indian Navy's flagship outreach initiative, designed to foster high-level virtual interactions among maritime leaders.
• Frequency and Inception: Conducted bi-annually, the initiative began in 2023 and has received strong participation and support from Indian Ocean Region (IOR) littoral nations.

Participating Countries

The initiative includes countries in the Indian Ocean Region, such as:

• Bangladesh
• Comoros
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Maldives
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Seychelles
• Sri Lanka
• Tanzania

Theme and Focus of the Third Edition

• Theme: “Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in IOR.”
• Objectives: This edition emphasized the importance of training cooperation to address shared maritime security challenges in the region.
• Discussions: Leaders discussed the need for quality training and collaborative training efforts among IOR countries, aiming to enhance capacity-building and develop skilled manpower capable of addressing common security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.

7. TITANIUM

Recent Development

Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC (UKTMP JSC) of Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to form a joint venture, IREUK Titanium Limited, to produce titanium slag (Ti Slag) in India.

About Titanium

• Abundance: Titanium is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust.
• Occurrence: It is commonly found in ore deposits, combined with iron or oxygen, and is also present in meteorites and even the sun.

Ores of Titanium

• Ilmenite (FeTiO₃): One of the primary commercial minerals.
• Rutile (TiO₂): Another key commercial mineral for titanium extraction.

Properties of Titanium

• Corrosion Resistance: Titanium is highly resistant to corrosion and unaffected by air, water, acids, or bases.
• Physical Traits: It has low density, high strength, and is easy to fabricate.
• Unique Characteristics: Titanium is the only metal that can burn in nitrogen, demonstrating its unique reactivity under specific conditions.

Applications of Titanium

• Aerospace and Marine Engineering: Due to its strength and corrosion resistance, it is widely used in aircraft, spacecraft, ships, and other applications requiring high durability.
• Medical Field: Titanium’s biocompatibility makes it suitable for prosthetics, as it does not react with human tissue or bone.
• Astronomy: Titanium oxide spectra help astronomers identify cool red dwarf stars.

8. Maha Kumbh Mela

Upcoming Event

The Maha Kumbh Mela is scheduled to take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26.

About Maha Kumbh Mela

• Significance: The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, held every 12 years.
• Scale: It is the world’s largest peaceful gathering, drawing millions of pilgrims who bathe in holy rivers to purify themselves from sins and attain spiritual liberation.
• Rotating Locations: The Kumbh Mela rotates among four holy sites in India, each associated with a sacred river:
• Haridwar on the Ganges
• Ujjain on the Shipra
• Nashik on the Godavari
• Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati

Historical Background

• Ancient Origins: The origins of Kumbh Mela date back thousands of years, with references found during the Maurya and Gupta periods (4th century BCE to 6th century CE).
• Medieval Patronage: Royal dynasties such as the Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughals supported the Kumbh Mela. Mughal Emperor Akbar even participated, symbolizing a spirit of religious tolerance.
• British Era Documentation: British colonial administrators, including James Prinsep, documented the Kumbh Mela in the 19th century, highlighting its massive scale and socio-religious significance.
• Post-Independence: In independent India, the Maha Kumbh Mela gained national significance, representing unity and cultural heritage. Recognized by UNESCO in 2017 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the festival symbolizes the preservation of ancient traditions in a modern world.

9. Ancient Town: Al-Natah

Archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old fortified town called Al-Natah in Saudi Arabia, offering insights into early urban development in the region.

About Al-Natah

• Lead Excavation: French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux and his team.
• Location: Khaybar Oasis, Saudi Arabia.
• Time Period: Existed during the Bronze Age, approximately 2400 to 1500 BCE.

Key Features

1. Settlement Structure:
• Al-Natah is one of the earliest organized urban settlements in the Arabian Peninsula, contrasting with the traditionally nomadic pastoral societies of that era.
• The town was enclosed by a 14.5-kilometre wall and spanned 2.6 hectares.
• Up to 500 residents inhabited multi-story rectangular dwellings made from stone and mudbrick, with narrow pathways connecting them.
2. Agriculture and Trade:
• The town likely served as a hub for agriculture and trade, sustaining a cooperative community within the arid desert environment.
3. Burial Sites and Social Structure:
• The layout included burial sites with graves and tiered towers, which appear to mark social status.
4. Comparison with Al Faw:
• Another ancient town, Al Faw in southern Saudi Arabia, was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing the region’s historical significance.

10. Okinawicius tekdi

A new species of jumping spider, Okinawicius tekdi, has been discovered on Baner Hill in Pune, further highlighting the city's biodiversity and the importance of conserving its natural environments.

About Okinawicius tekdi

• Name Origin: The species is named Okinawicius tekdi, with "tekdi" being the Marathi word for hill.
• Discovery: The spider was first described by Atharva Kulkarni, an MSc student in Environmental Science from MIT-World Peace University, Pune.
• Significance: This marks the discovery of a new spider species in Pune after a gap of over 30 years.
• Jumping Spider Count: With this discovery, the number of jumping spider species in India rises to 326.

About Spider Species

• General Characteristics:
• Spiders are arthropods with segmented bodies, a hard exoskeleton, and jointed legs.
• They possess eight legs, which is a key distinguishing feature.
• Known for their ability to spin webs to trap prey, spiders play a crucial role in ecosystems as both predators and prey.

The discovery of Okinawicius tekdi not only enriches our understanding of spider diversity in India but also underscores the need to protect the region's rich natural heritage.