Discovery of 15th-century Antique Lamp at Anantapadmanabha Temple
Syllabus :GS1/History
In News
- Recently, an antique lamp from the 15th century has been discovered in the Anantapadmanabha temple .
15th-century antique lamp at Anantapadmanabha temple
- Anantapadmanabha temple is situated at Perduru in Udupi district of Karnataka.
- The antique lamp is a unique artifact featuring rare Shaiva and Vaishnavaite sculptures, reflecting the rituals of both sects.
- According to a stone inscription in the temple’s inner prakara, the lamp was donated in 1456 A.D. by Basavannaras Banga.
- The lamp has two sculpted faces depicting Puranic stories:
- First face (Shaiva theme): It shows Lord Shiva as Nataraja performing the Pralaya Tandava (destructive dance), accompanied by Parvati, Ganapati, Bringi, Khadga Ravana (with symbolic weapons and skull), and Kumara on a peacock.
- Second face (Vaishnava theme): It depicts gods Brahma, Indra, Anantapadmanabha (holding a spoon and conch), Agni, and Varuna in Samabhanga pose.
- The scene narrates how the gods, frightened by Shiva’s destructive dance, seek protection from Lord Anantapadmanabha, who then calms Shiva.
- At the base, Garuda stands at the center, and Shiva is shown in a peaceful, prayerful posture at the back.
- Khadga Ravana is seated on Goddess Mari, who is still worshipped as a powerful local deity.
- This lamp is considered a rare and significant cultural and religious artifact.
Source :TH
Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) Technique
Syllabus: GS1/Geography
In News
- Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) method is gaining traction as tech companies, airlines, and fashion brands seek to buy carbon credits from ERW projects to offset their own emissions, making it a potentially lucrative business.
- ERW projects are underway globally, including in India, Brazil, and the U.S., and are attracting significant investor interest.
Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)
- It is a climate change mitigation technique that accelerates the natural process of weathering by spreading finely ground quick-weathering rocks like basalt on farmland.
- This process helps capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by converting it into stable forms like bicarbonate and limestone.
- It offers additional benefits such as improving soil health and potentially preventing downstream CO₂ emissions by neutralising acidic runoff.
Risks
- Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is generally considered safe as it accelerates a natural process, but some rocks may contain toxic heavy metals, and handling fine rock dust requires protective gear.
- The main concern is inaccurate measurement of carbon capture, which could lead to overestimated carbon credits.
- If companies offset emissions based on inflated ERW figures, it may result in a net increase in atmospheric CO₂.
Source: TH
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
Syllabus: GS2/Governance
In News
- The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticized the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) for ignoring repeated recommendations to improve services, particularly regarding the outdated drug procurement policy.
- The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) scheme was started in 1954 with the objective of providing comprehensive medical care to Central government employees, both serving and pensioners, their dependent family members, and other categories of CGHS cardholders as notified by the government.
About Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
- Genesis: The Committee on Public Accounts was first set up in 1921 in the wake of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms.
- It is a key parliamentary committee in India responsible for auditing the government’s revenue and expenditure.
- Composition: It has 22 members—15 from the Lok Sabha and up to 7 from the Rajya Sabha—elected annually through proportional representation.
- Members cannot be ministers, and the chairperson is appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker. Members serve a one-year term.
- Mandate : It ensures that public funds approved by Parliament are used appropriately and examines the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (C&AG) audit reports.
- The C&AG assists the committee during investigations.
- It acts as a check on the executive, reinforcing Parliament’s oversight role.
Source :TH
EPFO Auto Claim Limit Raised to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh
Syllabus: GS2/Governance
Context
- The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has increased the auto-settlement limit for advance claims from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
About
- The auto-settlement facility was introduced during Covid-19 to enable quick disbursal of EPF advances.
- It helps subscribers access funds quickly for medical treatment, marriage, housing, or education.
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
- EPFO is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- It administers the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
- Objectives: To ensure financial security and social welfare of employees post-retirement.
- To promote voluntary savings among employees.
- To regulate and supervise provident fund, pension, and insurance schemes.
Source: BS
Candida Tropicalis
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- ‘Candida tropicalis’ has been found using chromosome alterations to resist common anti-fungal drugs such as fluconazole and voriconazole.
About
- Candida tropicalis is a fungal pathogen causing serious infections, especially in India.
- Associated with high mortality (55–60%).
- Treated using azole antifungals like fluconazole and voriconazole.
- Recent rise in drug-resistant infections has raised major public health concerns.
Anti-fungal Drugs
- Anti-fungal drugs are medications used to treat fungal infections (mycoses) in humans, animals, and plants.
- They target the fungal cell wall or cell membrane, or interfere with DNA/RNA synthesis.
Source: TH
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk launched its weight loss drug Wegovy as a once-a-week injection in India.
About
- The delivery device will contain four doses. The 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg doses will be priced at Rs 17,345 a month, translating to a weekly cost of Rs 4,366.
- Wegovy is made of semaglutide, a GLP 1A receptor agonist, which mimics the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, responsible for regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite and slowing down gastric emptying.
- It is approved for weight loss but only if you are above a certain weight called morbid obesity.
- Morbid obesity, also known as class III obesity, is a severe, life-threatening form of obesity.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m².
- Studies have shown that people on Wegovy lost nearly 15% of their body weight on average.
Source: IE
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