Dashavatar Theatre Latest News

Recently, Dashavatar theatre performances started in Maharashtra and North Goa region.

About Dashavatar Theatre

• It is a popular form of theatre with a history of 800 years.
• It is a traditional folk theater performed in Maharashtra and Northern Goa region.
• Theme of Dashavatar Theatre : The stories presented in these shows are based on the 10 incarnations of Vishnu namely Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narsimha, Wamana, Parashurama, Ram, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki.
• Every year, the Dashavatar season begins after the paddy harvest, towards the end of the Navratri fast in October, and continues until May the following year.
• Musical instruments used in Dashavatar Theatre: Paddle harmonium, Tabala and Zanj.
• The show is mostly musical and sometimes dialogues are used.
• The origin of Marathi theatre can be traced to Dashavatara tradition.

Dashavatar Theatre FAQs

Q1: What is Dashavatar theatre?

Ans: Dashavatara is part of the folk theater in Maharashtra.

Q2: Which theatre form is mainly based on the legends of Krishna?

Ans: Raasleela

Q3: What is a folk theatre?

Ans: It is a composite art form in India with a fusion of elements from music, dance, pantomime, versification, epic and ballad recitation, graphic and plastic arts, religion and festival peasantry. 

Source: TH

Cayman Islands Latest News

A magnitude-7.6 earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands recently, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

About Cayman Islands

• It is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean Sea located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica.
• The Cayman Islands are made up of three distinct, separate islands. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.
• The Cayman Ridge is an enormous underwater mountain range that is responsible for the formation of the islands. The islands are themselves the peaks of this ridgeline.
• The islands are famous for coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and white sand beaches.
• Grand Cayman is the largest and the most populous island. 
• In total, the islands cover a small area of just 264 sq. km.
• The capital is George Town, on Grand Cayman.
• Official Language: English
• Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD)
• Ethnic groups: Afro-European 40%, African 20%, European 20%, other 20%.

Cayman Islands FAQs

Q1. Which country owns the Cayman Islands?

Ans. The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory, owned and governed by the United Kingdom. 

Q2. Is Cayman Islands tax free?

Ans. Yes, the Cayman Islands are often considered a tax-free jurisdiction for residents and businesses, as they have no direct taxes.

Q3. What is the currency of the Cayman Islands?

Ans. The currency of the Cayman Islands is the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD).

Source: FE

Bhil Tribe Latest News

About 12 families of Bhils have alleged that the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) is trying to demolish their homes and displace them from the land where they have been residing for generations.

About Bhil Tribe

• Bhils are considered as one of the oldest tribes in India.
• They are the most widely distributed tribal groups in India. 
• The name 'Bhil' is derived from the word villu or billu, which according to the Dravidian language is known as Bow. 
• They could be identified as one of the Dravidian racial tribes of Western India and belong to the Australoid group of tribes.
• Distribution:
  • They are mainly divided into two main groups: the central and eastern or Rajput Bhils.
  • The central Bhils are found in the mountain regions in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. 
  • Bhils arealso found in the north eastern parts of Tripura.
  • Occupation: Nearly all of the Bhil engage in agriculture, some using the slash-and-burn (jhum) method but most employing the plow.
  • Language: They speak Bhili, which is an Indo Aryan language.
• Beliefs: 
  • Almost all Bhils practice ethnic religions that have been highly influenced by Hinduism. 
  • Most of them worship local deities like Khandoba, Kanhoba, Bahiroba, and Sitalmata. Some worship the Tiger God called 'vaghdev'.
• Main festivals: The Baneshwar fair is the main festival celebrated among the Bhils. This fair is held during the period of Shivratri and is dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev also known as Lord Shiva.

Bhil Tribe FAQs

Q1. Which is the largest tribe in India?

Ans. According to the 2011 Census, the Bhil community is the largest tribal group in India.

Q2. Which state has the highest Bhil population?

Ans. Madhya Pradesh has the highest Bhil population.

Q3. What is the livelihood of Bhil tribe?

Ans. The main occupation of the Bhil tribe is agriculture.

Source: IE

Potash Latest News

Recently, the Punjab Mining Minister said the government will explore potash mining in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts, where surveys previously detected large mineral reserves in three mining blocks.

About Potash

• Potash is the general name given to various inorganic compounds that contain potassium in a water-soluble form.
• Ores of Potash: The principal ore is sylvinite, a mixture of sylvite (KCl) and halite (NaCl).
• Uses of Potash:
  • Over 90% of potash is used as fertilizer and it is one of the three primary agricultural nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium or N-P-K).
  • Potash can be used on all plants to boost plant health and nutrition as well as to increase crop yields.
  • While all potash fertilizers contain potassium there are a number of different forms in which it exists.
  • Among these forms is Sulphate of Potash (SOP), a premium potash fertilizer that is free of chloride (a compound considered harmful to plants) is used primarily on high-value crops, usually leafy plants, fruits and vegetables
  • On the other hand, Muriate of Potash or MOP contains some chloride, and is commonly used on carbohydrate-type crops, such as wheat.
• Potash reserves in India: Rajasthan (alone contributes 89% to the total resources), Punjab Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.
• Potash reserves across the world: It is mainly located in Canada (31%), Belarus (21%), Russia (11%), China (10%), USA (6%), Germany (4%) and Chile (3%).

Potash FAQs

Q1: What is potash used for?

Ans: The principal use of potash is as an agricultural fertilizer (plant nutrient) 

Q2:What is the potash formula?

Ans: Potash is the common name for any of several compounds containing potassium, including potassium sulfate (K2SO4), potassium-magnesium sulfate (K2SO4-MgSO4), potassium nitrate (KNO3), potassium carbonate (K2CO3), potassium oxide (K2O), and potassium chloride (KCl).

Q3: What is called potash?

Ans: Potash is the common name for any of several compounds containing potassium,

 Source: IE

Article 22 Latest News

The requirement under Article 22(1) of the Constitution to inform an arrested person about the grounds of arrest is not a formality but a mandatory constitutional requirement, and failure to do so will render the arrest illegal, the Supreme Court ruled recently.

About Article 22 of the Indian Constitution

• Article 22 of the Indian Constitution provides protection from and against arrest and detention in certain cases. 
• These safeguards help in avoiding any miscarriage of justice by acting as a kind of check and balance on the powers of police officers making arrests and authorities empowered to detain a person.
• These safeguards are available to all people, irrespective of whether they are citizens of India or not. However, it cannot be availed by an enemy alien.
• These are applicable to all arrests, except those made under a warrant issued by the court.
• The offence can either be criminal or quasi-criminal in nature or any activity prejudicial to the interests of the state. 
• However, these safeguards are not applicable to a person arrested or detained in a civil matter.
• The seven clauses of the Article has been explained below:
  • Article 22(1) provides that no person can be arrested or detained without providing the reasons for the same. The person is also entitled to consult or be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice. 
  • Article 22(2) further provides that the person arrested or detained in custody must be produced before the nearest Magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest or detention. 
    • This time period does not include the time taken to travel from the place of arrest to the court of the Magistrate. 
    • Further, it provides that no person can be detained in custody after the above-mentioned period has passed, without the permission of the Magistrate. 
  • Clause (3) is an exception to Article 22(1) and 22(2). It states that the said clauses are not applicable to:
    • An enemy alien; or
    • Any person who has been arrested or detained under any preventive detention law. 
  • Article 22(4) provides that no person can be detained for more than three months under any law relating to preventive detention, unless it has been opined by the Advisory Board that such detention is justified.
  • As per Article 22(5), it is mandatory to disclose the grounds of arrest or detention to the arrestee or person detained in custody. The person must also be given an opportunity to make representation against the order of his detention.
  • Article 22(6) states that the detaining authority is empowered to not disclose facts that are against public interest, while disclosing the grounds of arrest or detention to the concerned person.
  • Under Article 22(7), lays down that the Parliament has been empowered to prescribe the
    • Circumstances or classes under which a person may be detained for more than three months, without obtaining any opinion of the Advisory Board. 
    • Maximum period for which a person can be detained under preventive detention laws.
    • Procedure to be followed by an Advisory Board in an inquiry as per clause 4 of Article 22. 

Article 22 FAQs

Q1. How many articles are there in the Indian Constitution?

Ans. As of now, the Indian Constitution has 448 articles divided into 25 parts.

Q2. Who is an enemy alien?

Ans. An enemy alien is a person who belongs to a country that is in a state of war or conflict with the country in which they are residing.

Q3. How many schedules are there in the Indian constitution?

Ans. The Indian Constitution has 12 schedules.

Source: IE

Vishwamitri River Latest News

The Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) has begun analysing the data of the crocodile census conducted in a 25-km urban stretch of the Vishwamitri river passing through Vadodara city.

About Vishwamitri River

• It originates on the Pavagadh hills in Gujarat.
• It is linked with two other tributaries Dhadhar and Jambuva and finally culminates in the Gulf of Kambhat.
• It is primarily rain-fed, it flows through a 25-km stretch of Vadodara, along the way before meeting the sea in Bharuch district.
• It is a highly meandering sinuous river which has a unique ecosystem bearing a plethora of beautiful ravines right from its beginning till its end.
• The Vadodara stretch of the Vishwamitri is unique in that it is home to a large population of mugger or marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris). 

Key Facts about Mugger Crocodiles

• It is one of the 24 extant species of crocodilians found globally.
• Habitat of Mugger Crocodiles: It is native to freshwater and inhabits marshes, lakes, rivers and artificial ponds.
• Distribution of Mugger Crocodiles: In India it is found in 15 Indian states, with the largest populations in the middle Ganges (Bihar-Jharkhand) and Chambal (Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan) basins.
• They are also found in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh — as well as south-eastern Iran.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I 

Vishwamitri River FAQs

Q1: Where is the ending point of the Vishwamitri River?

Ans: Gulf of Khambhat

Q2: Where is the Vishwamitri River located?

Ans: The Vishwamitri river originates from the western and southern slopes of Pavagadh hills.

Q3: How long is the Vishwamitri River?

Ans: Vishwamitri is a small non-perennial river, about 200 km

Source: DTH

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Latest News

Recently, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has asked the governments of Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to conduct surveys to determine the exact number of tribal people who were displaced from Chhattisgarh due to Maoist violence.

About National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

• It was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
• By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely-the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and the NCST w.e.f. 19 February, 2004.
• Composition of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
  • The term of office of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and each member is three years from the date of assumption of charge.
  • The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Minister, and the Vice-Chairperson that of a Minister of State and other Members have the ranks of a Secretary to the Government of India.
• Functions of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
  • To Monitor safeguards provided for STs under the Constitution or under other laws;
  • To inquire into specific complaints relating to Rights & Safeguards of STs;
  • To advise in the Planning Process relating to Socio-economic development of STs;
  • To submit report to the President annually and other times on welfare Measures required related to Socio-economic development of STs;
  • To discharge such other functions in relation to STs as the President may by rule specify

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes FAQs

Q1: Which State has no tribal population?

Ans: Punjab. 

Q2: Which is the largest tribe in India?

Ans: Bhil

Q3: Who is known as Tribe?

Ans: A tribe is a collection of families bearing a common name, speaking a common dialect, and occupying or professing to occupy a common territory.

Source: HT

National Assessment and Accreditation Council Latest News

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recently announced an immediate halt to physical inspections of colleges. 

About National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)

• It was established in 1994 as an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Its primary objective is to ensure and enhance the quality of higher education through a rigorous accreditation process.
• It conducts assessment and accreditation of Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) such as colleges, universities or other recognised institutions to derive an understanding of the ‘Quality Status’ of the institution. 
• NAAC evaluates institutions based on various parameters such as curricular aspects, teaching-learning processes, infrastructure, governance, and innovation. 
• The NAAC functions through its General Council (GC) and Executive Committee (EC), comprising educational administrators, policymakers, and senior academicians from a cross-section of the Indian higher education system.
• The Chairperson of the UGC is the President of the GC of the NAAC; the Chairperson of the EC is an eminent academician nominated by the President of the GC (NAAC). 
• At present the Assessment and Accreditation by NAAC is done on a voluntary basis.
• Headquarters: Bengaluru

National Assessment and Accreditation Council FAQs

Q1. What does the National Assessment and Accreditation Council do?

Ans. It evaluates and accredits higher education institutions (HEIs) based on quality standards.

Q2. Which NAAC grade is the highest?

Ans. The highest NAAC grade is A++.

Q3. Who funds NAAC?

Ans. NAAC is primarily funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which operates under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Source: TOI

Restructured National Bamboo Mission Latest News

Recently, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare informed the Lok Sabha about the restructured National Bamboo Mission.

About Restructured National Bamboo Mission

• It has been launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2018-19.
• It provides assistance to both the Government & private sectors for the propagation and cultivation of bamboo in non-forest land, bamboo treatment, establishment of markets, incubation centers, value added product development & processing and development of tools & equipments.
• Funding Pattern: The funding pattern is 60:40 between Centre and State Government for all States except NE & Hilly States, where it is 90:10 and 100% in case of Union Territories/Bamboo Technology Support Groups (BTSGs) and National Level Agencies. 
• Major objectives of Restructured National Bamboo Mission
• To increase the availability of quality planting materials, area expansion of bamboo cultivation.
• To improve post-harvest management, primary treatment and seasoning, preservation technologies, market infrastructure, product development, promote skill development and re-align efforts to reduce dependency on import of bamboo and bamboo products.
• Implementation of Restructured National Bamboo Mission: It is being implemented through the state nodal department which is nominated by the State/UT governments concerned.

Restructured National Bamboo Mission FAQs

Q1: Which scheme is the National Bamboo Mission under?

Ans: Government of India has launched a new centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) called National Forestry Action Programme (NFAP) and Bamboo Mission(BM) with 100 central assistance.

Q2: Which state is the largest producer of bamboo in India?

Ans: Madhya Pradesh

Q3: What is the scientific name of bamboo?

Ans: Bambusa vulgaris

Source: PIB

Klub-S Missile System Latest News

India recently reached an agreement with Russia to acquire the Klub-S missile system, aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy's submarine fleet.

About Klub-S Missile System

• Developed by Russian defense company NPO Novator, the Klub, also known as Kalibr, is a cruise missile inducted into Moscow's defense forces in 1994.
• The Klub-S missiles have a warhead payload of 400 kilograms and are capable of targeting surface ships, submarines, and ground targets up to 300 kilometers away.
• This system includes a fire control system, a vertical launcher unit (VLU), and ammunition.
• It is known for its excellent performance in dangerous combat zones. 
• It is designed for use in situations where the enemy is engaged in heavy firing and electronic warfare is at its peak.
• It can accelerate to supersonic speeds in the terminal phase, making it difficult for enemy defenses to intercept.
• It cruises at an altitude of 10-15 meters, reducing the reaction time for enemy defenses. It has a modular design, and it shares common parts with other variants in the Kalibr family.

Klub-S Missile System FAQs

Q1. What is the range of the Klub-S missile?

Ans. The Klub-S missile has a range of 300 kilometers.

Q2. What is a Cruise Missile?

Ans. A cruise missile is a guided missile designed to travel long distances at low altitudes, typically powered by a jet engine.

Q3. What is supersonic speed?

Ans. Supersonic speed refers to any object traveling faster than the speed of sound.

Source: MSN