News In Short-02-07-2025

Munnar as ‘Responsible Tourism Destination’

Syllabus: GS1/Places

In News

• The Kerala government is working to transform Munnar into a Responsible Tourism Destination, aiming to make it a net-zero tourist hub that protects its fragile ecosystem. 

Munnar

• It is a serene hill station in Kerala’s Idukki district and sits 1,600 meters above sea level at the confluence of three rivers—Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala.
  • It is bordered by the Anamalai Hills and the Cardamom Hills.
• Known for its breathtaking landscapes, it features rolling hills, misty valleys, lush tea plantations, and cascading waterfalls. 
• It was originally inhabited by the Muthuvan tribal community and became a tea hub in the late 19th century when European planter A.H. Sharp established the first plantations.
• Munnar is also famed for the Neelakurinji flower, which blooms once every 12 years, and the Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and the towering Anamudi Peak, South India’s highest.

Source: TH

Mahabodhi Temple

Syllabus: GS1/Culture

Context

• The Supreme Court recently refused to entertain a plea seeking exclusive control of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, by the Buddhist community, and asked the petitioner to approach the High Court.

About the Mahabodhi Temple

• The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the four holy sites associated with the life of the Buddha, especially his attainment of Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
• The Mahabodhi Temple Complex was the first temple built by Emperor Ashoka after his conversion to Buddhism in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th–6th centuries. 
• It is among the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick and is considered a significant milestone in the development of brick architecture.
• The temple was historically managed by Buddhists until the 13th-century invasion by Bakhtiyar Khilji.
• In the late 16th century, Hindu monk Ghamandi Giri established the Bodh Gaya Math at the site.
• Post-Independence (1949): The Mahabodhi Temple is administered under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, which entrusts control to a management committee overseen by the Bihar government, with representation from both Hindus and Buddhists.

Do you know?

• While the definition of Hindus includes Buddhists as well, the religious community was recognised as a minority in 1993 under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

Source: HT

Glutathione

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• Actor Shefali Jariwala’s death has put glutathione injections in the spotlight. While the exact cause is still under investigation, reports say she took them as part of an anti-ageing treatment.

What is glutathione?

• Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant naturally produced by our liver. It repairs skin, boosts immunity, slows ageing, neutralises free radicals, and even helps fight cancer cells. Because of this, it’s often called the ‘mother of all antioxidants.’
• But as we age, our bodies produce less glutathione — so many people turn to oral supplements or intravenous injections to boost levels.

Its impact and regulation

• High doses, especially through injections, can cause serious side effects like allergic reactions, low blood pressure, kidney damage, and may disrupt the body’s natural antioxidant balance.
• Notably, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India’s national regulator for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, has not approved glutathione for skin lightening — though it’s widely used off-label for this purpose.

Source: IE

ELI Scheme for Job Creation

Syllabus :GS3/Economy

In News

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme

ELI Scheme

• It was announced in the Union Budget 2024–25 as part of the Prime Minister’s package of five schemes for youth employment and skilling, and has a total budget outlay of Rs 99,446 crore. 
• It aims to generate over 3.5 crore jobs between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027, including 1.92 crore first-time entrants to the workforce.

Components

• The scheme has two components:
  • First-time EPFO-registered employees earning up to Rs 1 lakh per month will receive a direct incentive of up to Rs 15,000 in two installments, linked to continuous service and financial literacy training, with a portion kept in savings. 
  • The second component incentivises EPFO-registered employers to create new jobs, offering Rs 1,000–3,000 monthly per retained employee based on wage slabs, with greater benefits and extended duration for the manufacturing sector.
    • Payments will be made through Aadhaar-linked DBT for employees and PAN-linked bank accounts for employers. 

Source :TH

RailOne App 

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• The Union Railway Minister launched the RailOne app on the 40th Foundation Day of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), aiming to enhance passenger experience and service integration.

About RailOne App

• RailOne is an all-in-one, user-friendly mobile app developed to improve the passenger interface with Indian Railways by integrating multiple services under one platform.
• RailOne features a single-sign-on with login via mPIN or biometric. It also supports existing RailConnect & UTS credentials. The app is space-saving, as there is no need to install multiple apps.
• It integrates passenger services such as:
  • Unreserved UTS Tickets via R-Wallet to Get 3% Discount
  • Live train tracking
  • Grievance redressal
  • E-catering, porter booking & last-mile taxi

Source: PIB

EPABX (Electronic Private Automatic Branch Exchange)

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• EPABX or Electronic Private Automatic Branch Exchange, is a technology that has evolved from manual call handling to advanced systems, making office communication faster, easier, and more efficient.

What is EPABX?

• EPABX is a private telephone network used by businesses or offices. 
• It allows employees to talk to each other using extension numbers and also connect to outside phone lines. 
• The system works automatically and doesn’t need an operator for each call.

Switching Mechanism of EPABX

• The switching mechanism is the most critical component of an EPABX system. It directs calls to the correct destination.
  • Earlier electromechanical switches such as crossbar relays were used as switching mechanisms.
• Digital Electronic Switching: In the 1980s, electronic circuits replaced electromechanical relays.
  • Voice signals are digitised using Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) and transmitted using Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), which assigns each call a time slot, enabling multiple users to share the same line simultaneously.
• In modern systems, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology is commonly used.
• Integrated Digital Features: Modern EPABX systems also support: Voicemail, Call recording, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Mobile and remote access and Integration with CRM and other business tools.

Source: TH