About Angkor Wat:

• It is the largest religious monument in the world.
• It covers an area of 200 acres.
• It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman IIin the first half of the 12th century, around the year 1110-1150, making Angkor Wat almost 900 years old.
• It was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnubefore becoming a Buddhist templeby the end of the 12th century.
• In 1992, the temple complex was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Features:
  • The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture.
  • Sandstone blocks were used to build the structure. 
  • The precision in carving and the fitting together of stones without the use of mortar is a testament to the engineering skills of the Khymer builders, and the technique used is yet to be ascertained correctly, though a section claims it to be wooden paste or a lime plaster mix.
  • It is protected by a 15-foot-high wall and a wide moat.
  • The temple can be accessed only via small bridges spanning across the moat from the eastern and western sides.
  • The temple has five major towers symbolising the peaks of Mount Meru, believed to be the abode of the gods in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
  • Thousands of bas-reliefs depicting important deities and figures in Hindu and Buddhist religions, as well as key events in their narrative traditions, adorn the temple walls.
• Where is Angkor Wat?
  • It is located in the northwestern province of Siem Reap in Cambodia.
  • The city of Angkor, home to Angkor Wat, was the capital of the Khmer Empire and thrived between the 9th and 15th centuries.
  • Angkor itself stretched over 400 sq.km. and is now home to the magnificent remains of a variety of temples, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm.

Q1. What is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)?

It is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It was founded with the mission of contributing to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science and culture.UNESCO cultural conventions and projects provide platforms for international cooperation and establish a holistic cultural governance system based on human rights and shared values. UNESCO has 193 member States and 11 associate members.

Source: Tourists trample Angkor Wat mimicking Temple Run game for TikTok hits

About Marshyangdi River:

• It is a mountain river in Nepal with a length of 150 km.
• It is also one of the major tributaries of the Gandaki River that joins the Ganga River in India.
• Origin: It originates from the northern slopes of the Annapurna massif, one of the highest mountain ranges in the world.
• The glaciers of the Annapurna Himalayan range, the Manaslu Himalayan range, and the Larkya Himalayan sub-range are the significant sources of this river.
• Flowing through the rugged landscapes of the Himalayas, the Marsyangdi River is known for its fast-paced and powerful currents.
• The river cuts through deep gorges, cascades down waterfalls, and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna.
• Marsyangdi and its tributaries like Nyagdi and Dorti are known for their fresh taste of snow trout. 
• It is famous among adventure enthusiasts, particularly for its white water rafting and kayaking opportunities. 
• Several hydropower projects have been established along its course.

Q1. Which are the major tributaries of Gandaki River?

Major tributaries of Gandaki River are Daraudi, Seti, Madi, Marsyandi, and Budhi Gandaki.

Source: 14 people killed as Indian bus plunges into Nepal's Marsyangdi River

What is BHISHM?

• Full form: Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri.
• Purpose: Provides compact, mobile medical units for emergency care, designed to deliver medical facilities swiftly and effectively.

Key features of BHISHM cubes:

• Compact and organised: Medical supplies and equipment are packed into 15-inch cubical boxes. 
  • These boxes are organized based on injury types and medical needs, making them efficient for quick deployment in emergencies.
• Transport flexibility: The cubes are mounted on an adjustable framework, allowing them to be transported via multiple modes, including air, sea, land, and drone. 
  • Each cube weighs up to 20 kg and is designed to be carried by an individual.
• Mother and BHISHM cubes:
  • 36 mini cubes combine to form one mother cube.
  • Two mother cubes combine to form one BHISHM Cube.
  • One Mother Cube offers first-line care, shelter, and food for up to five people for 48 hours. 
  • The second mother cube is equipped for surgical care, handling 10-15 basic surgeries per day.
• Ease of use and management: Medicines and equipment are classified, with RFID inventory management and real-time stock updates. 
  • Additionally, a dedicated app and a tablet with support for 180 languages are provided for operational instructions.
• Capacity and Features:
  • Each BHISHM Cube can handle around 200 emergency cases, including trauma, burns, fractures, and shock.
  • The cubes are capable of supporting basic surgeries and can generate their power and oxygen for limited durations.
• Technological Integration: BHISHM cubes incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics for effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services.

Project Aarogya Maitri:

• Objective: Part of India's initiative to provide essential medical supplies to developing countries affected by disasters or humanitarian crises.

Importance: Highlights India's commitment to international humanitarian assistance.

Q1. What is Pinaka?

Pinaka is a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) developed by the DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE). It delivers powerful fire against various targets, including enemy troops and vehicles, and was notably used during the Kargil War.

Source: New Delhi’s gift to Kyiv: 4 BHISHM cubes for emergency medical care | India News - The Indian Express

About Green Shoots:

• "Green shoots" is a term used to describe signs of economic recovery or positive data during an economic downturn.
• The term "green shoots" is a reference to plant growth and recovery, when plants start to show signs of health and life, and, therefore, has been employed as a metaphor for a recovering economy.
• The term was first used by UK chancellor Norman Lamont to refer to economic growth during the economic downturn in the United Kingdom in 1991.
• Particularly after a recession, green shoots are welcome as symbols of the fact that the economy is slowly treading the path upward.
• While there is no consensus on what exactly constitutes green shoots, the improvement in industrial production figures, rise in car sales, developments in the infrastructure sector, including the steadying of prices of cement and steel, have been seen as green shoots.

Q1. What is an economic recession?

Recession is a slowdown or a massive contraction in economic activities. Such a slowdown in economic activities may last for some quarters thereby completely hampering the growth of an economy. In such a situation, economic indicators such as GDP, corporate profits, employment, etc., fall.

Source: Green shoots of recovery sprout among start-ups amid funding woes, investors' eye on niche players

About Tanager-1 Satellite:

• Launch details:
  • Launch vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
  • Launch site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
  • Development collaboration: Jointly developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other partners.
• Mission purpose:
  • Primary objective: Detection of major carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) emissions.
  • Environmental focus: Targeting key greenhouse gases that significantly contribute to global warming.

Technological features:

• Spectrometer technology: Utilizes advanced imaging spectrometer from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
• Emission tracking:
  • Method: Measures light wavelengths reflected from the Earth's surface to identify specific atmospheric compounds.
  • Spectral fingerprints: Identifies and quantifies greenhouse gases like CO₂ and CH₄ by their unique infrared signatures.
• Coverage capacity: Capable of monitoring emissions across 130,000 square kilometres daily.
• Data access: Plume data will be publicly available to support global emission reduction efforts.

Significance of Methane Monitoring:

• Global warming impact:
  • Potency: Methane is approximately 80 times more effective than CO₂ at warming the atmosphere over 20 years.
  • Contribution: Accounts for 30% of global warming since the Industrial Revolution.

Health implications: Linked to the formation of ground-level ozone, contributing to up to one million premature deaths annually.

Q1. What is a Gamma-ray Burst (GRB)?

Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful cosmic explosions, emitting intense flashes of gamma rays lasting milliseconds to minutes. These bursts, caused by black hole formation or neutron star collisions, briefly outshine all other gamma-ray sources combined, making them the brightest electromagnetic events in the universe.

Source: Tanager-1: Why NASA has launched a satellite to track methane emissions | Explained News - The Indian Express