• The Odisha government has sought assistance of Tamil Nadu for making kumki elephants and mahouts available in the wake of worsening human-elephant conflict in Odisha.
• Kumkis are trained captive elephants used in operations to trap, rescue and tranquilise wild elephants.
• Kumki elephants can be deployed strategically to help manage and drive wild elephants thereby reducing damage to crops, human habitations and the potential loss of both human and elephant lives.

• Residents of Kanniyakumari district have objected to the Union government’s plans for oil exploration under HELP (Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy) off the Kanniyakumari coast, as it could severely impact the Wadge Bank Ecosystem.
• Wadge Bank, a 10,000 square kilometre area of the sea south of Kanyakumari is rich in biodiversity and considered India’s richest fishery resource.
• Low intensity of currents, waves and tides make it an ideal place for building a wealth of nutrients and fish food.
• Wadge Bank was one among the handful of such rich biodiversity spots in the world and
• It is also the mainstay of marine resources for fisherfolks of the southern districts adjoining Kanyakumari.

• The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel reached Egypt to take part in the 2nd edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE.
• The Exercise will be conducted at Anshas, Egypt.
• The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Egyptian contingent comprising 25 personnel is being represented by Egyptian Commando Squadron and Egyptian Airborne Platoon.
• Exercise CYCLONE is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills.
• Aim of the Exercise is to acquaint both the sides with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of Special Operations in desert/ semi desert terrain under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.

• Japan achieved a significant milestone as its spacecraft, Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), successfully landed on the lunar surface, making it the fifth country in history to reach the moon.
  • The first four are- India, USA, China and Russia.
• SLIM’s mission priority was to achieve a pinpoint landing, a technology promising greater control than previous moon landings.
• The lightweight spacecraft, about the size of a passenger vehicle, utilized precision landing technology, aiming for a target of just 100 meters (330 feet).
• The mission, nicknamed “the Moon Sniper,” was the result of two decades of precision technology development by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

• For the year 2024, 60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh, in the Institutional category, has been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2024 for its excellent work in Disaster Management.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

• The Government of India has instituted an annual award known as Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organizations in India in the field of disaster management.
• The award is announced every year on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and a certificate in case of an institution and 5 lakh and a certificate in case of an individual.

ABOUT 60 PARACHUTE FIELD HOSPITAL

• 60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh, was established in 1942.
• It is the sole airborne medical establishment of the Indian Armed Forces, recognized for its exceptional service in various global crisis.
• The primary mission includes Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations during natural calamities, nationally and internationally, both in time of peace and war.

• For the year Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024, 19 children have been selected from 18 States and UTs for their exceptional achievements.
• The awards were conferred by the President of India at a ceremonial function.
• The children will also participate in the Republic Day parade on 26th January, 2024.

ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR

• Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) – is given to children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements.
• The awards are given to children in the age group 5 – 18 years for their excellence in seven categories for Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports that deserve national recognition.
• Each awardee of PMRBP is given a medal, certificate and a citation booklet.
• The awards are annually given by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Only Indian citizens, residing in India are eligible.

• The nation celebrates Parakram Diwas on January 23^rd to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• It aims to inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervor.
• Ministry of Culture in collaboration with its institutions such as the Archaeological Survey of India, National School of Drama, Sahitya Akademi, and the National Archives of India has decided to hold a comprehensive celebration at the Red Fort.

ABOUT SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE

• Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23^rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division of Bengal Province.
• In 1920, he passed the civil service examination, but resigned in April 1921, after hearing of the nationalist turmoil in India.
• Deshbandhu- Chittaranjan Das, was his political mentor.
• Bose joined the Indian National Congress and actively participated in the Indian independence movement.
• He was also elected president of the INC for two consecutive terms in 1938 (Haripura) and 1939 (Tripur) but resigned from the post following ideological conflicts with Mahatma Gandhi.
• After that in 1939, he formed the Forward Bloc, which was an organization aimed at unifying all the anti-British forces in India.
• He also formed the Azad Hind Government in exile with Japanes assistance, and regrouped, and led the Indian National Army in battle against the allies at Imphal and in Burma.

• The rollout of the world’s first malaria vaccine ‘Mosquirix’ began in Cameroon, which is said to be a “transformative chapter in Africa’s public health history”.
  • Cameroon recorded more than 6m cases in 2022 and malaria accounted for 12% of deaths among children under five in 2021.
• Also called the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine – 662,000 doses of it – will be administered to children in the west African country, the first to be vaccinated.
  • The GlaxoSmithKline-produced shot is only about 30% effective, requires four doses and protection begins to fade after several months.
  • It is a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine.
  • The vaccine was tested in Africa and used in pilot programs in three countries- Ghana, Kenya and Malawi between 2019 and 2021.
  • 95% of deaths from the malaria occur in Africa.
• It is made up of proteins of the Plasmodium falciparum parasites and the hepatitis B virus.
  • The parasite, Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for causing malaria.
• A second malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, produced by the University of Oxford, is due to be rolled out later this year.
  • It is cheaper, requires three doses and India’s Serum Institute say they could make up to 200 million doses a year.

All the Facts

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the consecration of Ram Lalla, at the holy temple, culminating a 500-year quest.
• Total cost Rs 1,800 crore
• Architecture- The 3-storey temple, built in the traditional Nagara style, stands tall with pink sandstone from Mirzapur and the hills of Bansi-Paharpur.
• Chandrakant B Sompura, 81, and his son Ashish, 51, designed the temple complex in Nagara style architecture.
• The temple covers an expansive 71 acres, showcasing the architectural marvel.
• Spanning 250 feet in width and 161 feet in height, the main temple area covers 2.67 acres, boasting
  • 390 pillars,
  • 46 doorways, and
  • 5 mandaps- Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Gudh Mandap, Kirtan Mandap, and Prarthana Mandap.
• The main Garbh Griha holds the idols of Ram Lalla.
  • The idol of five-year-old Ram Lalla, crafted by Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj, stands at 51 inches.
• Devotees enter the temple after climbing 32 steps through Singh Dwar.
• A 21ft-high plinth, constructed using granite, safeguards against ground moisture, ensuring the temple’s durability.
• Constructed using traditional and indigenous technology, the temple emphasizes environmental conservation, leaving 70% of the 71-acre area green.
• With 16-28 idols of deities on each of the 390 pillars, the temple showcases intricate carvings of mythological figures, maintaining consistency through exclusive craftsmanship.
• Remarkably, no iron has been used in the temple’s construction, designed to endure for at least a millennium.
• The surrounding rectangular parikrama, Parkota, houses temples dedicated to various deities, emphasizing cultural richness.
• The Mandir complex has a sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, water supply for fire safety and an independent power station.

• Indian Army has launched a robust attempt to combat terrorism through an operation titled “Operation Sarvashakti”.
• The aim of the operation is to put an end to the terrorist activities backed by Pakistan in the state of Jammu and Kashmir especially along the mountain ranges of Pir Panjal in the Union Territory.
• The Indian Army, state agencies, and intelligence agencies will be working actively in close coordination with each other to “thwart Pakistani designs”.