Tags :GS 3/Environmental Pollution & Degradation

Plastic and Marine Environment

In News

India and Germany signed an agreement on Technical Cooperation titled ‘Cities Combating

Plastic Entering the Marine Environment’ at a virtual ceremony.

Major Highlights of Agreement

● This project is envisaged under the contours of the Joint Declaration of Intent regarding

cooperation in the field of „Prevention of Marine Litter‟ signed between the Republic of

India and the Federal Republic of Germany in 2019.

○ Its outcomes are completely in line with the objectives of Swachh Bharat

Mission-Urban focusing on sustainable solid waste management and Hon‟ble

Prime Minister‟s vision to phase out single-use plastic by 2022”.

● The project will be undertaken at the national level (at MoHUA), select states (Uttar

Pradesh, Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and in the cities of Kanpur, Kochi and

Port Blair for a period of three and a half years.

○ Cities will be enabled to improve the collection, segregation and marketing of

plastic waste, to prevent plastic disposal to water bodies, and to improve the

handling of port and marine waste.

○ This will be combined with data management and reporting systems, civil society

involvement and increased cooperation with recyclers and the recycling industry

through a digital platform.

○ The special focus will be on preventing plastic litter from entering the rivers and

water bodies at the source.

Plastic and Marine Environment

● Plastic is a synthetic organic polymer made from petroleum with properties ideally

suited for a wide variety of applications, including packaging, building and construction,

household and sports equipment, vehicles, electronics and agriculture.

● Plastic is cheap, lightweight, strong and malleable. Over 300 million tons of plastic are

produced every year.

● Sources

● The main sources of marine plastic are land-based, from urban and storm

runoff, sewer overflows, beach visitors, inadequate waste disposal and

management, industrial activities, construction and illegal dumping.

● Ocean-based plastic originates mainly from the fishing industry, nautical

activities and aquaculture.

● Concerns /issues

○ Plastics, as materials, are not an issue, but it is their management that has been

a challenge. At least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year.

○ Floating plastic debris are currently the most abundant items of marine litter

○ Plastic has been detected on shorelines of all the continents, with more plastic

materials found near popular tourist destinations and densely populated areas.

○ In recent times, the level of plastic waste that has accumulated in our oceans and

marine ecosystems through the increased production and use of durable

synthetic materials has alarmed the public and policymakers.

● Impacts on

○ Marine environment

■ The most visible and disturbing impacts of marine plastics are the

ingestion, suffocation and entanglement of hundreds of marine

species.

■ Marine wildlife such as seabirds, whales, fishes and turtles eat plastic

waste and most die of starvation as their stomachs are filled with plastic

debris.

● Food and health

○ Invisible plastic has been identified in tap water, beer, salt and are

present in all samples collected in the world‟s oceans, including the

Arctic.

○ The transfer of contaminants between marine species and humans

through the consumption of seafood has been identified as a health

hazard .

● Climate change

○ Plastic, which is a petroleum product, also contributes to global warming.

If plastic waste is incinerated, it releases carbon dioxide into the

atmosphere, thereby increasing carbon emissions.

● Tourism

○ Plastic waste damages the aesthetic value of tourist destinations, leading

to decreased tourism-related incomes and major economic costs related

to the cleaning and maintenance of the sites.

Global Efforts To Tackle it

● Global concern and public awareness regarding the impact of plastic on the

marine environment are currently increasing.

● Legal efforts have been made at the international and national levels to address

marine pollution.

○ The most important are

■ The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by

Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (or the London Convention)

■ The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention (the London

Protocol)

■ The 1978 Protocol to the International Convention for the

Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

● The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) considers plastic marine

debris and its ability to transport harmful substances as one of the main

emerging issues affecting the environment.

○ At the 2015 G7 summit in Bavaria, Germany, the risks of microplastics

were acknowledged in the Leaders‟ Declaration.

● The Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine

Environment from Land-based Activities:

○ The GPA is the only global intergovernmental mechanism directly

addressing the connectivity between terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and

marine ecosystems.

● Greenpeace:

○ It is an environmental NGO that is dedicated to conserving the oceans

and marine life across the globe.

○ Its grassroots efforts have resulted in the ban of destructive fishing

practices, companies changing their fishing policies, and the creation of

whale sanctuaries.

India’s Efforts In Tackling Plastic Waste

○ The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 clearly stipulate that urban local

bodies (ULBs) should ban less than 50 micron thick plastic bags and not allow

usage of recycled plastics for packing food, beverage or any other eatables.

■ The Rules also require that local bodies should provide separate

collection, storage and processing of plastic waste in their areas.

○ The government has set an ambitious target of eliminating single-use plastics

by 2022.

○ India is a signatory to MARPOL (International Convention on Prevention of

Marine Pollution).

○ In addition, Prevention of Marine Pollution is also dealt with by Merchant

Shipping Rules, 2009 framed under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.

Image Courtesy: Pyro

Suggestions

● Recycling and reuse of plastic materials are the most effective actions available to

reduce the environmental impacts of open landfills and open-air burning that are often

practised to manage domestic waste.

● Sufficient litter and recycling bins can be placed in cities, and on beaches in coastal

areas to accelerate the prevention and reduction of plastic pollution.

● Governments, research institutions and industries also need to work collaboratively

redesigning products, and rethink their usage and disposal, in order to reduce

microplastics waste from pellets, synthetic textiles and tyres.

● Existing international legally binding instruments should be further explored to

address plastic pollution.

Source :PIB

Broad Topic: GS 2, Government Policies & Interventions, Issues Arising out of their

Design & Implementation, Development Processes & Development Industry, Issues

Relating to Development

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

In News

Recently, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has unveiled the Startup India Seed

Fund Scheme (SISFS), almost three months after the Centre announced the plan.

Background

● It was announced by the Prime Minister of India in January 2021 marking the five-year

anniversary of the Startup India initiative.

● The PM, at the Startup India’s international summit, „Prarambh‟, highlighted that the

government is trying to create a startup system, which is based on the mantra „of the

youth, by the youth, for the youth‟.

Need

● Easy availability of capital is crucial for entrepreneurs at the early stages of growth of

an enterprise.

● Angel investors and venture capital firms only provide funding after the proof of

concept has been provided. Similarly, banks provide loans only to asset-backed

applicants.

● It is necessary to provide seed funding to startups with an innovative idea to conduct

proof of concept trials.

About SISFS

● It has been created by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

(DPIIT).

● Objective: It aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept,

prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation.

● Funding: A sum of Rs. 945 crore has been allocated for the fund over the next four

years for providing seed funding to eligible startups.

○ Grants of up to Rs. 5 crore shall be provided to eligible incubators selected by

an expert committee.

■ They shall be offered grants of up to Rs. 20 lakh for validation of proof

of concept, prototype development or product trials.

■ Furthermore, investments of up to Rs. 50 lakh shall be provided to

startups for market entry, commercialization or scaling up through

convertible debentures or debt-linked instruments.

● Significance

○ The fund is expected to benefit around 3,600 startups through 300

incubators and boost the startup ecosystem, particularly in tier-2 and 3 cities.

○ It will secure seed funding, inspire innovation, support transformative ideas,

facilitate implementation and start a startup revolution.

○ It will create a robust startup ecosystem, particularly in non-metros, which are

often deprived of adequate funding.

○ It will allow incubators to apply for funds through an online portal created by

the DPIIT.

● An Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) has been created by DPIIT to execute and

monitor the scheme.

○ It will evaluate and select incubators for allotment of Seed Funds, monitor

progress, and take all necessary measures for efficient utilization of funds

towards fulfilment of objectives of the scheme.

(Image Courtesy: SISFS)

Startups in India

● There are over 41,000 startups in the country and 44 per cent of these ventures are

officially recognized.

○ More than 5,700 startups are in Information Technology (IT), around 3,600 in

healthcare and over 1,700 in agriculture.

● These startups are changing the demographic character of business. Currently,

India is one of the biggest nations in the startup ecosystem.

● Despite the pandemic-led disruption, 11 startups turned unicorns in 2020 and over

30 today are valued at over USD 1 billion.

Initiatives for Promoting Startups

● Atmanirbhar Bharat: Digital India Atmanirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge.

● Make in India: Promotion to indigenously made goods and services under the initiative.

● Start-Up India Programme: A flagship initiative, intended to build a strong eco-system

for nurturing innovation and start-ups in the country to drive sustainable economic

growth and generate large scale employment opportunities.

● Start-up India Digital Platform: It is the world‟s largest virtual incubator with over

300,000 registered start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs.

● Start-up Grand Challenge: It channelizes the entrepreneurial capacity between Indian

and Korean start-ups to work together and build solutions for the challenges facing the

world.

● Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Launched by NITI Aayog as a flagship programme, it

aims to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

○ Some initiatives of AIM are AIM iCREST and Mentors of Change.

● Project Chunauti: It is a start-up challenge under the Next Generation Incubation

Scheme (NGIS) initiative. Selected startups are provided human resources, legal,

intellectual property rights (IPR) and Patent matters guidance as well as other incubation

and mentorship facilities.

● National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI): It is an

umbrella programme for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and

technology-driven) into successful startups.

Source: LM

Tags: GS3/ Indian Economy and related issues

Committee To Review Working of ARCs

In News

The RBI has set up a committee headed by Sudarshan Sen to undertake a comprehensive

review of the working of asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) in the financial sector

ecosystem.

About

● The committee will recommend suitable measures for enabling them to meet the

growing requirements.

● Terms of reference: To review the existing legal and regulatory framework applicable

to ARCs and recommend measures to improve efficacy of ARCs.

○ To review the role of ARCs in the resolution of stressed assets, including under

the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), and give suggestions for

improving liquidity in and trading of security receipts.

Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC)

● It is a company which buys the bad loans (Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)) of banks or

any other financial institution, to let them clear their books and resume lending.

○ Another name of Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) is Bad Bank.

● The concept was pioneered at the Pittsburgh-headquartered Mellon Bank in 1988

and has been successfully implemented in many western European countries post the

2007 financial crises like Ireland, Sweden, France etc.

The Asset Reconstruction Companies or ARCs are registered under the RBI.

● It will help in clearing the balance sheets of banks so that rather than going after the

defaulters by wasting their time and effort, banks can sell the bad assets to the ARCs at

a mutually agreed value.

Background

● Economic survey 2016-17: Proposed the idea of setting up a Public Sector Asset

Rehabilitation Agency to tackle the growing menace of NPAs, which had started

affecting the economy of the country.

● In June 2018, a committee was set up by the then Finance minister to study the

suitability of transferring the NPAs to a bad bank or an ARC.

● Budget 2021-22: The finance minister has announced the setting up of a bad bank to

take over the bad loans of commercial banks in India.

Legal Basis

● The Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of

Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 provides the legal basis for the setting up of

ARCs in India.

● The SARFAESI Act helps reconstruction of bad assets without the intervention of

courts. Since then, a large number of ARCs were formed and were registered with the

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) which has got the power to regulate the ARCs.

Advantages of ARCs

● Free up resources: Banks have to set aside a part of their operating revenue to cover

up for the potential doubtful advances. ARCs can take over the bad loans of the bank,

thereby freeing up the bank from the provisioning requirements.

● Specialisation: ARC would be specialised in maximising the recovery out of a bad loan,

as this would be its primary task. In contrast, banks are not in the business of recovery,

therefore, their capability to resolve the loans is minimal.

● Economic slowdown: Reports have pointed to a potential increase in stressed assets

due to economic slowdown in India. Combined with the COVID-induced lockdown, this

may create a situation in which the NPAs might increase to an unsustainable limit.

○ To resolve such a situation, it is pertinent to be proactive and try to work out a

solution which can be optimised to reverse the effects of slowdown in the

country.

● Improved sentiment: Industry needs to come out of the crisis it is facing if India is

serious about its stated goal of a $5 trillion economy. This requires a bullish sentiment in

the economy. ARC can provide such an impetus to the industry by freeing up the books

of banks.

● Lesser need for recapitalisation of banks: The present method of recapitalization can

have only partial success due to limitations of Indian financial capabilities. Further, it will

not clear up the bad assets but would only give some more life to projects.

Issues associated

● Shifting the problem: ARC is expected to take over the debts of commercial banks

under itself. However, to what extent it will be successful in resolving the NPA crisis is

not clear.

○ This is because almost all of the remedies which are available in the market have

been tried by the existing commercial banks. Therefore, the ARC can only be

expected to aggregate, but not resolve the problem.

● Haircut for the banks: When the bad loans are being taken over by ARCs, the banks

are expected to transfer such a loan at a discount to its original value.

○ In such a scenario, the value of discount might prove to be controversial as both

the entities, i.e. commercial banks as well as the ARC, are being financed by the

exchequer and are subject to public scrutiny. Also, banks have been cautious of

taking big hair cuts because of the scrutiny from the 3 Cs (CBI, CVC and CAG).

● Losses for the banks: Similar to the last point, the haircuts taken by the banks would

reflect on its profit and loss account and affect its profitability. This might raise questions

on both the management of the bank as well as its decision making regarding both

earlier and future haircuts.

● Fear of unethical practices: Since there would be pressure on the bad bank to

perform, it is possible that the employees might turn towards unethical practices to boost

recovery out of a bad loan.

○ This has been a continuing problem earlier as there have been reports of

harassment of the banks‟ clients, who were unable to pay their dues.

● This concept may not be relevant for India since much of the assets backing the

banks’ loans are viable or can be made viable. E.g. a large chunk of projects

stalled due to extraneous factors like problems in land acquisition or environmental

clearance.

Way Forward

● Firm steps required to address the crisis: Government has emphasized on the ‘4R

strategy’ to yield results in the resolution of NPA crisis. It constitutes Recognition of

NPAs, Resolution of bad loans and recovery of value from the assets,

Recapitalisation of the banks by the government and Reforms in the banking sector.

● Asset Quality Review: While the spike in NPAs was a result of RBI-mandated Asset

Quality Review, it is to be understood that the process was a mere recognition of the

extent of the problem facing the financial sector of India.

● The proposed National Infrastructure and Investment Fund (NIIF), operating with

private partners, will provide both equity and new credit to stress infra projects going

through the SDR mechanism.

Source: TH

Tags :GS 3/Conservation Efforts

Protection Rules For Exotic Animals

In News

The Delhi High Court issued an order directing the Centre to take a decision on framing rules to

confer protection for exotic animals that are currently not under the purview of the Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972.

Background

● The court‟s order came in response to a petition filed by the animal rights group, People

for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India .

○ PETA India had filed its petition in 2018, requesting that the court order the

seizure and rehabilitation of the hippo from the Asiad Circus, where he was

forced to live a solitary life, confined to a small tank with concrete flooring and

filthy water.

● The court directed that the hippo be permanently kept in a spacious facility in Jamnagar,

Gujarat, based on PETA‟s petition and an inspection report by the Animal Welfare

Board of India (AWBI).

What are Exotic Species?

● They are plant or animal species that move from the original range to a new one.

● They are invasive, non-indigenous and bioinvaders. They are species of plants or

animals that are growing in a non-native environment.

● The advisory has defined them as those are mentioned under the Appendices of the

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

(CITES) but not under the Schedules of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

● Most introduced species do not survive for extended periods in new habitats, because

they do not possess the evolutionary adaptations to adjust to the challenges posed by

their new surroundings and some introduced species may become invasive when they

possess a built-in competitive advantage over indigenous species in areas.

Guidelines for Protection

● For new “exotic live species”, the importer should obtain a no-objection certificate from

the Chief Wildlife Warden ( CWLW) of the State.

● For existing species, stocks shall be declared by the owner/ holder (stock, as on 1

January 2020) to the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of the concerned State or UT.

● For import of live exotic species, a license needs to be obtained from the Director-

General of Foreign Trade.

○ Registration of progeny of imported animals to the respective CWLW within 30

days after their birth is required.

● Forest officials will physically verify the submissions, check whether the facilities where

the species are being housed are safe and State chief wildlife wardens have been given

the power to take action as they see fit for any violations.

About the WildLife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA - 1972)

● It is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted for the protection of plants and animal

species. Prior to this legislation, India had only five designated national parks.

● Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected plant and animal

species; hunting or harvesting these species was largely outlawed.

● The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; and for matters

connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto. It extends to all territory under

the Indian government.

Source :DTH

Broad Topic: GS 2, Government Policies & Interventions, Issues Arising out of their

Design & Implementation, Role of NGOs, SHGs, Various Groups & Associations, Welfare

Schemes

Amendment Proposals to PCA Act

In News

Recently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has held a webinar with various stakeholders to

give and seek suggestions on amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA)

Act, 1960.

About PCA Act

● It intends to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.

● It defines animals and different forms of animal and provides for punishments for

causing cruelty and suffering to them.

● It also provides a set of guidelines relating to experimentation on animals for

scientific purposes and provisions for exhibition of the performing animals and

offences against them.

● Under its Section 4, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was established in

1962.

○ AWBI is a statutory advisory body on animal welfare laws and promotes

animal welfare in the country.

○ Functions: Ensure that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed,

provide grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and advise the Government on

animal welfare issues.

○ The Board consists of 28 members and the term of office of members is for a

period of 3 years.

Suggestions by the Department

● Addition of a stringent new section that addresses the killing of animals and

“gruesome cruelty” towards them. Its proposed new section has the following

provisions-

○ Section 11 (A): Gruesome cruelty or life-threatening cruelty against animals,

for which the penalty is Rs. 50,000 per animal or the cost of the animal as

determined by a jurisdictional veterinarian. This carries imprisonment of one

year which may extend to three years or both.

○ Section 11 (B): Killing of an animal for which the penalty is Rs. 75,000 per

animal or three times the cost of the animal as determined by the jurisdictional

veterinarian, whichever is more, with imprisonment of three years which may

extend to five years or both.

○ Section 11 (C): Exceptions, to section 11 (B) killing of an animal: i) accident ii)

in defence of self or property (iii) by an act of god or war (iv) any other

unforeseen circumstance outside the control of any person in general.

■ Section 11 (C) has been criticised for being ambiguous and could be

used to create loopholes that an accused might slip through in a cruelty

case.

● Hike the penalty for first-time offenders from the current “minimum of Rs. 10 to

maximum of Rs. 50” to “not less than Rs. 750 extended up to Rs 3,750 per animal”.

○ The new penalty for first-time offences have been calculated as per the

inflation rate.

○ There have been mixed reactions to this and some sought higher penalty

between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 5,000.

● Under Section 12, dealing with the practice of doom dev (the process of blowing air

into a cow‟s vagina to induce production of more milk) or the injection of any

substance to improve lactation, the draft proposes Rs. 75,000 as the penalty with

imprisonment of three years which may be extended to five.

○ The current penalty is Rs. 1,000, two years in prison or both.

● Increase the limitation of prosecution under the PCA Act from three months to two

years.

● New chapter for the formation of state animal welfare boards.

Suggestions by Stakeholder

● Make the sections for animal cruelty cognizable, as well as higher penalty and

quantum of sentence.

● Provisions to ensure police action according to law, stating that in many cases, police

refuse to register FIRs.

● On the issue of speciesism, they demanded that all animals must have the same

rights, including cows and chickens.

● Need for a dog bite protocol (procedure of attending a person bitten by a dog) was also

brought up, as well as protection for animal feeders.

● Some emphasised the importance of incorporating feedback from farmers, who use

animals in traditional practices.

Source: IE

Facts in News

Shri Ramanujacharya

● Birth: At Perumbudur, Tamil Nadu in 1017 CE.

● He was a great philosopher, saint, social reformer and

proponent of Vedanta and universal brotherhood.

● Contributions

○ One of the most important saints of Vaishnavism.

○ Raised voice against increasing formalism of the

orthodox cult.

○ Abolition of distinctions of caste among his

followers.

○ Philosophic foundations for devotionalism had an

influence on the Bhakti movement.

○ Chief adherent of Vishishtadvaita philosophy.

■ Vishishtadvaita, also known as trained non-

dualism, is one of the major branches of

Vedanta.

■ It is a school of Vedanta philosophy that

believes in all the diversity that underlies

unity.

■ This school developed from the 7th century to

the Vaishnava revolution in the southern part

of India.

● The Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, built by Chinna

Jeeyar, is dedicated to Ramanuja.

● Death: At Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam (Tamil

Nadu) in 1137 CE.

(Image Courtesy: Swarajya)

Black Sea

● The roughly oval-shaped sea occupies a large basin

strategically situated at the southeastern extremity of

Europe.

● Bordered by: Ukraine to the north, Russia to the northeast,

Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south and Bulgaria and

Romania to the west.

● It is connected to the distant waters of the Atlantic Ocean

by the Bosporus (which emerges from the sea‟s

southwestern corner), the Sea of Marmara, the Dardanelles,

the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.

● Russia has increased its naval presence in the sea due to

tense relations with the West and Ukraine.

(Image Courtesy: Britannica)

Pangolins

● Features

○ Solitary, primarily nocturnal animals and are easily

recognized by their full armor of scales.

○ Only mammals wholly-covered in scales, used to

protect themselves from predators in the wild.

○ Diet: Ants, termites and larvae.

● Habitat

○ Eight species of pangolins are found on two

continents namely Asia and Africa.

○ Only Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and

Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in

India.

● Threats

○ Habitat loss.

○ Illegal wildlife crime like hunting and poaching for their

meat and scales.

● Protection Status

○ All species range from Vulnerable to Critically

Endangered in IUCN Red List.

○ WWF and TRAFFIC work together to protect them.

○ Indian Pangolin

■ Schedule I under Wildlife (Protection) Act,

1972.

■ Appendix I of the International Convention of

Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

■ Endangered in IUCN Red List.

(Image Courtesy: WWF)

ALH Mk III aircraft

● Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323 ○ The first unit of the indigenously built ALH (Advanced

Light Helicopter) Mk III aircraft, commissioned into the Indian Navy.

○ The squadron will operate three state-of-the-art ALH Mk III helicopters

● Advanced Light Helicopter Mk III aircraft

○ It is a multi-role chopper with the Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

○ It has an all-glass cockpit and will be used for search and rescue special operations and coastal surveillance.

○ More features ■ IADS with Digital Moving Map ■ Electronic Warfare Suite ■ Electro-Optical pod ■ Counter measure Dispensing system ■ InfraRed Suppressor ■ Health & Usage Monitoring system ■ Solid State Digital Video Recorder (SSDVR) ■ Engine Particle Separator

Aditya-L1

● It is an Indian programme to study the Sun and the region between the Sun and the Earth from space which will be launched next year.

○ Aditya L1 will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL with 7 payloads (instruments) on board.

● Aditya 1 was renamed as Aditya-L1. ○ The Aditya 1 was meant to observe only the solar

corona. ● Aditya-L1 with additional experiments can now provide

observations of Sun's Corona (soft and hard X-ray, Emission lines in the visible and NIR), Chromosphere (UV) and photosphere (broadband filters).

● In addition, particle payloads will study the particle flux emanating from the Sun and reaching the L1 orbit.

● The magnetometer payload will measure the variation in magnetic field strength at the halo orbit around L1.

Image Courtesy: TOI

Thrissur Pooram Festival

● This colourful festival is celebrated in the month of Medam (April–May).

● It features processions of richly caparisoned elephants and performance of traditional music from various temples to the Vadakkunnathan Temple located at Thrissur in Kerala.

● It marks a celebration of Kerala‟s cultural diversity as Hindus, Christians, and Muslims participate together to enjoy the grandest temple festival held in the state.

● Origin ○ The two-century-old Pooram has its origin in 1798

through a royal edict of the then Raja Rama Varma, popularly known as Shakthan Thampuran, a ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Cochin.

○ The edict entrusted two local temples Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady with the task to be the main sponsors of the festivities to be conducted in a competitive spirit.

(Image Courtesy:TH)