What is the News ?

A Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) was recently spotted by a group of birders who visited Kurichi Tank in Coimbatore.

Facts About:

• This is a relatively small shorebird renowned for its energetic spinning on the water surface to stir up small invertebrates.
• With a circumpolar distribution, it inhabits both boreal and tundra zones within the 60 to 70-degree latitude range.
• These phalaropes are commonly found along the coastlines of the Arctic Ocean, extending southward to the Aleutian Islands and northwestward to Britain.
• During the winter months, they predominantly reside in oceanic environments.
• In their non-breeding season, Red-Necked Phalaropes can be observed in areas ranging from central-west South America to the Arabian Sea, and from central Indonesia to western Melanesia.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Classification: Least Concern

What is the News ?

UNESCO recently included the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, consisting of three temples in Karnataka, on its World Heritage List.

Facts About:

The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas consist of a collection of temples crafted by the Hoysala dynasty in the 12th-13th centuries.

• This ensemble includes three significant components: Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura.

These three temples are as follows:

• The Chennakeshava Temple: Located at the heart of Belur in the Hassan district, it serves as the main temple in the complex. It is surrounded by the remnants of a mud fort and a moat.
• The Hoysaleswara Temple: Situated on the banks of the Dwarasamudra tank in Halebidu, the Hassan district, this temple is part of a town with numerous protected and unprotected temples, archaeological ruins, and mounds.
• The Keshava Temple: Found in the center of Somanathapura village in the Mysore district.
• These temples are primarily dedicated to Hindu deities like Shiva and Vishnu, with some also honoring the Jain faith.
• The architecture of the Hoysala temples reflects a blend of Dravidian design with influences from the Bhumija style prevalent in Central India, the Nagara traditions of northern and western India, and the Karntata-Dravida styles favored by the Kalyani Chalukyas.

What is the News ?

Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has established a steering committee, which will serve as the highest authority responsible for developing its ambitious Bima Sugam platform.

Facts About:

• This platform will empower individuals to purchase life, health, motor, or property insurance policies online, providing a convenient digital solution.
• It aims to offer a one-stop destination for insurance companies, agents, brokers, banks, and aggregators, streamlining accessibility.
• Serving as a centralized database, it will assist consumers with all their insurance-related needs, ensuring efficiency.
• The platform will facilitate the swift introduction of new or experimental insurance products.
• Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) has been appointed as the legal counsel for this project, responsible for establishing a Section 8 not-for-profit company that will own the Bima Sugam platform.
• It will cater to both personal and commercial/business insurance needs, aiding users in identifying and comparing the best-suited products within specified timelines.
• The platform will encompass a comprehensive range of insurance offerings, including life insurance and its various forms such as term plans, savings (Par and Non-Par), annuities, pension plans, and more.
• Furthermore, it will showcase a fully digital onboarding process for all insurance products, eliminating manual interventions.

What is the News ?

The Indian Coast Guard has recently carried out 'Operation Sajag,' a Coastal Security Exercise along the Western Coast.

Facts About:

• Operation Sajag is a coastal security exercise conducted by the Indian Coast Guard along the western coastline.
• It involves the participation of all stakeholders responsible for Indian coastal security.
• A total of 118 ships, including vessels from Customs, Marine Police, Ports, and the Indian Navy, took part in this exercise.
• The primary goals of this drill are to reassess and strengthen the coastal security system and raise awareness among fishermen operating at sea.
• During the exercise, there was extensive checking and verification of documents and crew passes for all fishing boats, barges, and crafts at sea.
• Additionally, biometric card readers have been provided to security agencies to enhance security measures.
• Apart from monitoring dhows, the coastal security construct also includes initiatives related to island security and community interaction programs.

What is the News ?

The Finance Minister and Agriculture Minister are going to start the 'Kisan Rin Portal' on September 19.

Facts About:

• This portal assists farmers in obtaining reduced-rate loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
• Several government departments worked together to create it.
• It provides a clear picture of farmer information, loan distribution details, interest subsidy requests, and progress in scheme usage.
• It seamlessly connects with banks to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of agricultural credit.

Brief Overview About Kisan Credit Card (KCC):

• Introduced in 1998, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme provides farmers with a convenient way to access loans for buying agricultural supplies like seeds and fertilizers and for cash withdrawals.
• Developed by NABARD (the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), the scheme was later expanded in 2004 to cover investment needs in farming and related activities.
• In 2012, the scheme was simplified to facilitate Electronic Kisan Credit Cards.
• Applicable to Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, and Cooperatives.