Kathakali 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-1-Art & Culture

Why in News?

Kathakali has been performing on the banks of Pampa River at Cherukolpuzha in Kerala. Kathakali: 

 · It was emerged during the 17^th century in Kerala.

· It used to be performed in the temples and royal courts.

 · It is based on Natya Shastra which was written by Sage Bharata.

 · It relies on other classical texts such as Hasthalakshana Deepika and Balarama Bharatam.

 Important Points: 

 · It combines the elements of dance, music, mime and drama.

 · The dancers of Kathakali use their facial expressions known as rasas. 

 · The dance form denotes four aspects of Abhinaya.

 · They are: 1. Angika 2. Aharya 3. Vachika 4. Satvika 

 Makeup: 

 · The make-up of Kathakali has classified into five types based on the characters. 

They are:

 I. Pacha-It denotes the noble characters 

 II. Katti-Villains

 III. Thadi-Different types of Thadi indicates different types of characters 

 IV. Kari-Characters of evil 

 V.  Minukku-Characters who are gentle such as sages, women etc.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Economy

Why in News? 

Private companies and public sector entities will contribute their CSR corpus to the National Research Foundation. 

 Corporate Social Responsibility: 

 · It is defined as the company’s responsibility for their effect on the environment and also impact on social welfare. 

 · India is recognized for being the first country in the world to mandate CSR spending. 

 · It is governed by the clause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.

 · The act mandates to set up a CSR committee in the companies.

 · Under this act the companies need to spend 2% of their average net profit in the previous three year on the CSR activities. 

 · It is applicable to the companies whose annual turnover is 1000 crore and more, or a net worth, 500 crore and more or net profit and 5 crore and more. 

 · The activities which can be undertaken by the company under CSR are: 

1. To eradicate extreme hunger and poverty 

2. To promote education and gender equality

3. Environmental sustainability 

4. To combat HIV and AIDS 

5. To contribute to the PM relief fund etc.

Chandrayaan-3 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Science & Technology

 Why in News?

Chandrayaan-3 is all set to be launched at 2.35 p.m. on Friday.

 Chandrayaan Mission:

· It is the India’s lunar exploration programme.

 · It consists of robotic missions which aims to explore the Moon and its resources.

 Chandrayaan-1:

· It was launched in 2008 which was the India’s first lunar mission. 

 · It is first to discover water on the Moon. 

 · It involved an orbiter and impactor built by ISRO. 

 · It was launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. 

 Chandrayaan-2:

· It was launched in 2019 by the Launch Vehicle MK-3.

· It involves a lander known as Vikram and the rover known as Pragyaan.

· It was India’s first to attempt a soft landing near the south pole of the Moon.

Chandrayaan-3:

· It is the India’s third moon mission. 

 · It is the successor of Chandrayaan-2.

· It will be launched by the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) 

 · It will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space centre at Sriharikota.

· The mission will have three major modules. 

They are: 1) Propulsion Module 2) Lander Module 3) Rover 

 · The Propulsion Module will carry the lander and rover till the 100 km lunar orbit.

 · The name of the Lander is Vikram named after the father of the Indian Space Programme

 · It has the capability to soft land at a specified lunar site and deploy the Rover. 

 · The name of the Rover is Pragyan which mean Wisdom. 

 · It will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface.

 · Till now only 3 countries, the U.S., Russia and China have successfully soft landed on the moon

Combined Maritime Forces 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Defence

Why in News?

· INS Sunayna has been participating in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

· It has been held at Seychelles from 10-12 July 2023. 

 Combined Maritime Forces: 

· It is a multi-national maritime partnership which is led by U.S. 

 · Its main objective is to uphold the Rules-Based International Order

 · It ensures security, stability and prosperity in the international waters. 

 · It operates in 3.2 million square miles of the international waters.

 · It was started in the year 2001 with 12 nations. 

 · Now it has increased to 38 countries. 

 · India is not a member of CMF.

 · But it has announced in 2022 that it will be the associate member of CMF. 

 Focus areas: 

 · Counter-Narcotics

 · Counter-Smuggling 

 · To suppress the piracy 

 · To promote the regional cooperation

 INS Sunayna:

· It was commissioned in the year 2013 at Kochi

· It is based under the Southern Naval Command

· It was constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited. 

 · It is aimed to increase the ocean surveillance and patrolling requirements of the Indian Navy. 

 · It is designed to deal with: 

 · Fleet support operations 

 · Coastal and offshore patrolling 

 · Ocean surveillance Monitors the offshore assets and escort duties

Lithium 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Science & Technology 

 Why in News?

· The Government of India has amended the Mines and Minerals Act which allows private players to mine lithium. 

 · Along with Lithium, 5 other critical minerals such as titanium, beryllium, zirconium, niobium and tantalum will also be mined.

 · These six minerals are removed form the atomic minerals list to pave private players to mine.

 Lithium:

· It is also known as White Gold because of its soft and silvery white metal. 

 · It can be extracted through: 

 · Solar evaporation of large brine pools

 · Hard-rock extraction of the ore.

 Uses:

· Electrical Vehicles

 · Laptops

 · Mobiles

 · Thermonuclear Reactions

 · Alloys such as: 

 · Magnesium-Lithium alloy 

 · Aluminum-Lithium alloy 

 Important Points:

 · Chile has the major global Lithium reserves 

 · It is followed by Australia and Argentina 

 · Chile, Argentina and Bolivia are known as Lithium triangle.

 Lithium reserves in India: 

 · Recently Lithium reserves were discovered in the Salal-Haimana area of Jammu & Kashmir. 

 · It has 5.9 million tonnes of Lithium reserves. · Another reserve was discovered at Mandya district of Karnataka.

India Mobile Congress, 2023 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Organizations

Why in News? 

India Mobile Congress will be held from 27^th October in New Delhi. 

 India Mobile Congress:

 · It is the largest telecom, media and technology forum in Asia. 

 · It was inaugurated in the year 2017 

 · It is jointly organized by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). 

 · Its main aim is to become a beacon of the all-encompassing digital transformation shaping the future. 

 IMC 2023:

· This is the Asia’s 7^th edition of digital technology exhibition. 

 · Its aim is to prove the India’s expertise in cutting-edge technologies such as

 a) 5G, 6G technologies b) Broadcasting c) Satellites d) Semiconductors

 · Theme-Global Digital Innovation 

 · Sub Themes-Engage, Learn, Innovate.

 · The IMC will introduce Aspire which is grand Start-Up event which lay emphasis on the future of entrepreneurship. 

 Cellular Operators Association of India:

· It is a registered non-governmental society.

 · It was formed in the year 1995. 

 · It was introduced for the advancement of modern communication and successful proliferation of mobile networks throughout the India. 

 · It is now the official voice of the India telecom industry.

NABARD 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Organizations 

Why in News? 

The Union Cooperation Minister has addressed the 42^nd Foundation Day of NABARD.

 National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development:

• It was formed in 1979 by a commission under the chairmanship of B. Sivaraman former president of the Planning Commission. 

 • It was approved by the Parliament through Act 61 of 1981 

 • So, it was formed as a statutory body in the year 1982. 

 • It was established to meet the credit needs of agriculture and rural development. 

 • It was envisioned as the national apex institution for the entire rural credit system. 

 • Its headquarters is located in Mumbai. 

 Functions:

• It provides refinance support for building the rural infrastructure 

 • It provides recommendations to the RBI on issue of licenses to the cooperative banks.

 • It supervises Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks 

 • It even provides training to the handicraft artisans. 

 · It improves the credit delivery system in India 

 Structure:

• Board of Directors governs the NABARD’s operations. 

 • They are appointed by the government of India. 

 • Board of directors consists of chairperson and directors. 

 • It may appoint executive committee to perform the functions prescribed by the Board

Bastille Day 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Events 

 Why in News? 

The Indian Navy has participated in the Bastille Day in Paris, France. 

 Bastille Day:

 · It is the National Day of France which is celebrated on 14^th July every year. 

 · The fall of Bastille is considered as the beginning of the French Revolution. 

 · It marks the beginning of intense violence and social upheaval in France.

 · The Bastille was nothing but a fortress prison.

 · It was located in the heart of Paris. 

 · It had become a symbol of royal tyranny and oppression.

 · The people of Paris were unhappy with the ruling of King Louis XVI.

· On July 14, 1789, many people were gathered in front of Bastille demanding the release of political prisoners.

 · They also demanded the seizure of fortress arms and ammunition. 

 · But the Governor of Bastille had refused which led to the hostile situation between the people of Paris and the Bastille defenders.

 · After many hours of fighting the Bastille fell.

 · The people of Paris then captured the fortress.

 French Revolution in brief:

· It occurred between the years 1789 and 1799.

 · It was a significant period of social and political upheaval in France.

 · Results of the French Revolution:

 · It resulted in overthrowing of French Monarchy

· It resulted in establishment of Republic 

 · Thousands of people were executed including Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

Kui Language 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important languages

Why in News?

The state cabinet of Odisha has approved the proposal for the inclusion of Kuki language in the eighth schedule of the constitution 

 Kui Language: 

 · Kui language is one of the 46 tribal languages which are spoken in Odisha.

 · It is the South-Eastern Dravidian language. 

 · It is mainly spoken by the Kandhas. 

 · It is also referred with the names Kandh, Khondi, Kanda, Kodu, Kuinga etc.

 · It is written in the Odiya script

· It is closely related to the Gondi and Kuvi languages. 

 Importance of inclusion in 8^th Schedule:

· About 1 million people of Kandh tribe of Odisha will be benefitted from this decision.

 · It helps in the preservation and promotion of this language and also their culture. 

 · It will enable research and studies of the Kui language.

Questions

1.Consider the following statements regarding Kathakali: 

 Statement-I: It was emerged during the 16^th century in Kerala. 

 Statement-II: It relies on classical texts such as Natya Shastra, Hasthalakshana Deepika and Balarama Bharatam. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

2.Consider the following statements regarding Corporate Social Responsibility:

 Statement-I: It is defined as the company’s responsibility for their effect on the environment and also impact on social welfare. 

 Statement-II: It is applicable to the companies whose annual turnover is 1000 crore only.

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

3.Consider the following statements regarding Chandrayaan-3. 

 Statement-I: The name of the Rover is Vikram which is named after the father of Indian Space Program 

 Statement-II: Till now only 3 countries, the U.S., Russia and China have successfully soft landed on the moon 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

4.Consider the following statements regarding Combined Maritime Forces: 

 Statement-I: There are 25 member countries in CMF. 

 Statement-II: India is not a member of CMF. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

5.Consider the following statements regarding Lithium:

 1.It is also known as White Gold 

 2. Argentina has the largest reserves of Lithium in the world.

 3. No Lithium reserves are discovered in India till now. 

 How many of the above statements are correct? 

 a) Only One

 b) Only two 

 c) Only three

 d) None

6.Consider the following statements regarding Indian Mobile Congress: 

 1. It is the largest telecom, media and technology forum in Asia. 

 2. It was inaugurated in the year 2015

 3. It is organized by the Department of Telecommunications only 

 How many of the above statements are incorrect? 

 a) Only One

 b) Only two

 c) Only three 

 d) None

7.Consider the following statements regarding NABARD:

 Statement-I: It is a statutory body formed in the year 1975. 

Statement-II: Its headquarters is located in Mumbai 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

8.Consider the following statements regarding Bastille Day: 

 Statement-I: It is the National Day of France which is celebrated on 14^th July every year.

 Statement-II: The fall of Bastille is considered as the beginning of the French Revolution.

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

9.Consider the following statements regarding Kui Language:

 Statement-I: It is a tribal language which is spoken in Odisha

 Statement-II: It is closely related to the Gondi and Kuvi languages. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

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