Why in the News?

Emphasizing the current manual nature of crop area and production estimation, the Central Government has urged states and Union Territories (UTs) to transition to a digital approach by implementing the Digital Crop Survey System starting in July next year.

About the Digital Crop Survey:

• As a part of the Digital Crop Survey initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) has instructed states to capture data on essential parameters, encompassing:
• Village name, year, season, farmer ID, farm ID,
• Crop name (at the farm plot level),
• Crop variety,
• Crop sown area (at the farm plot level),
• Geotags of crop photos,
• Geotags of the farm boundary where the crop is cultivated,
• Sowing/planting date (at the farm plot level),
• Irrigation type (at the farm plot level), and
• Irrigation source (at the farm plot level).
• This directive follows the introduction of a pilot Digital Crop Survey across multiple states earlier this year.
• In a parallel initiative, the MoA&FW has also revised the release timelines for crop estimates.
• Previously conducted in five phases, the ministry has streamlined the process by eliminating the fourth phase traditionally released in August.
• The ministry now plans to unveil comprehensive final estimates encompassing all states and seasons (kharif, rabi, summer) in September-October, departing from the earlier practice of releasing final estimates in February of the subsequent year.

Guidelines for the Digital Crop Survey:

• According to sources, the Economics, Statistics and Evaluation Division (ESED) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW), has finalised the guidelines.
• According to the guidelines, all states/ UTs shall automate/digitise the process of area enumeration/girdawari of crops at field level, i.e., Digital Crop Survey, from 2024-25 Agricultural Year.
• In India, the agriculture year begins in July and ends in June, the following year.
• Under the guidelines, states and UTs shall use GPS-enabled mobile applications for collecting crop-sown data of each plot for each season and share the village-level aggregated data with DA&FW through API only.

Need for the Digital Crop Survey:

• The current methodology for gathering and consolidating crop statistics relies entirely on manual processes across most states, leading to delays and human errors in the data compilation.
• Only a handful of states, such as Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, have embraced a digital approach to data collection through GPS-enabled mobile applications, particularly for the recording of crop area and Collection of Cost of Cultivation and Equipment Survey (CCEs) data directly from the fields.
• While Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have implemented digital systems, they are primarily focused on recording crop areas.
• India faces a challenge due to the lack of dependable agricultural production estimates, accentuating the necessity for a "real-time assessment estimate" of crops.
• Recognizing this gap, there is a compelling need to modernize the current production estimation system by incorporating technological interventions.

Why in the News?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently requested the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to provide access to "essential documents" related to the accusations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud against the Adani Group.

About the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP):

• The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is a nonprofit investigative reporting platform that collaborates with over 50 independent media outlets worldwide, producing over 100 investigations annually.
• Established in 2006, its mission is to conduct transnational investigative reporting and advocate for technology-based approaches to expose organized crime and corruption on a global scale.
• The organization strives to cultivate and empower a global network of investigative journalists, publishing their stories to shed light on crime and corruption, enabling the public to hold those in power accountable.

Vision:

• OCCRP envisions a world where lives, livelihoods, and democracy are not jeopardized by crime and corruption.
• The organization is committed to exposing malfeasance so that the public can actively hold institutions accountable.

Core Initiatives:

• Global Investigative Network: OCCRP facilitates a global network of investigative journalists, providing them with essential resources and tools.
• This includes digital and physical security measures, enabling journalists covering sensitive topics to collaborate effectively with trusted editors.
• An investigative data platform, OCCRP Aleph empowers journalists to search and cross-reference over three billion records, unveiling criminal connections and patterns.
• This platform facilitates efficient cross-border collaboration among journalists.
• Training and Skill Development: OCCRP offers training programs to reporters and partners, equipping them with advanced journalism techniques, and enhancing their investigative capabilities.
• Partnerships for Change: OCCRP collaborates with advocacy groups, arming civil society with information to advocate for justice and transformative change.
• The organization also uncovers evidence that empowers law enforcement to take meaningful action.

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi recently extended best wishes on the auspicious occasion of KatiBihu to the people of Assam.

About Kati Bihu:

• Kati Bihu is an annual celebration observed in the state of Assam, signifying the relocation of rice saplings.
• The term "Kati" translates to cutting, representing the agricultural activity during this period.
• Also known as Kongali Bihu, with "Kongali" connoting a state of poverty, the festival holds cultural significance in Assam alongside two other Bihu festivals—Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January and Rongali or Bohag Bihu in April.

Significance:

• In this month, food resources are scarce, prompting people to celebrate by illuminating their homes with earthen lamps or candles.
• Lighting lamps near the Tulsi plant are a central aspect of the festival, signifying devotion and auspiciousness.
• People light a special lamp known as "Akash Banti" (Sky candle) in their paddy fields. Fueled by mustard oil, these lamps are elevated on bamboo poles.
• The belief prevails that the illuminated lamps guide the spirits of ancestors toward their heavenly abode.

Why in the News?

Tensions escalated at the Bhimashankar temple recently as a dispute unfolded between two groups of religious leaders, referred to as pujaris, regarding the leadership of the puja ceremony, leading to a brawl.

Bhimashankar Temple Overview:

• The Bhimashankar Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located amidst the Sahyadri hills in the Pune District of Maharashtra.
• Recognized as one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India, it holds immense spiritual significance.
• In recent times, it has gained additional importance as it was designated a "Wildlife Sanctuary," forming part of the Western Ghats and serving as the source of the Bhima River.

Historical Significance:

• Constructed around the 13th century, the temple is a testament to the craftsmanship of Vishwakarma sculptors.
• Subsequent enhancements, including the addition of spires (shikhara) by Maratha Empire statesman Nana Phadnavis in the 18th century, contribute to its historical evolution.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha ruler, is believed to have played a role in fostering worship at the temple through his endowments.

Architectural Marvel:

• A blend of old and new structures in the Nagara style of architecture, the Bhimashankar Temple boasts spacious courtyards, intricate wall carvings, and imposing pillars.
• The sanctum, or Garbhgriha, houses the sacred Jyotirlinga, positioned at a lower level. The Swayambhoo, a self-emanated Shiv Linga, holds a central place in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
• Exquisite mythological carvings adorn the massive pillars and doorframes, depicting divine figures and sacred symbols.
• Additionally, the temple encompasses an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shani, considered auspicious by devotees, and features the revered Nandi statue at its entrance.

What are Jyotirlingas?

• Jyotirlingas are shrines where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam, representing different manifestations of the deity.
• Among the 12 main Jyotirlingas in India, Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is one.
• Each of these sacred shrines is named after its presiding deity and holds unique spiritual significance for devotees across the country:
• Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gir, Gujarat
• Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
• Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
• Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
• Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, Jharkhand
• Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
• Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka, Gujarat
• Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Nasik, Maharashtra
• Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
• Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Why in the News?

Astronomers have recently crafted a stunning atlas comprising 400,000 galaxies situated in the cosmic vicinity of the Milky Way, aptly named the Siena Galaxy Atlas.

About the Siena Galaxy Atlas:

• It is a digital atlas designed to help learn more about our universe by highlighting a number of well-known galaxies.
• It was produced using information gathered from three astronomical surveys conducted at Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) between 2014 and 2017. These surveys collectively are referred to as the DESI Legacy Surveys.

Distinguishing Features:

• Setting itself apart from previous atlases, the Siena Galaxy Atlas relies on state-of-the-art digital images captured by advanced technology.
• Unlike its predecessors, which utilized outdated equipment and photographic plates, this atlas leverages highly sensitive instruments to produce the most precise and accurate data available.
• Notably, it marks the first cosmic atlas to showcase the light profiles of galaxies—a curve illustrating the variation in brightness from the galaxy's brightest point to its dimmest.

Significance:

• The introduction of the Siena Galaxy Atlas carries immense importance in astronomical exploration for several reasons:
• By relying on digital images captured with advanced instruments, the atlas ensures a level of precision and detail that surpasses previous methods, enhancing the overall quality of data.
• Light Profiles of Galaxies: A pioneering feature, the inclusion of light profiles in the atlas provides a unique perspective, allowing astronomers to glean valuable insights into the structure and characteristics of galaxies.
• Pattern Recognition: Cosmic atlases, such as the Siena Galaxy Atlas, play a pivotal role in aiding astronomers in identifying patterns.
• This capability is particularly valuable in categorizing phenomena like transient events, such as stars that exhibit sudden flares and then disappear.
• The atlas facilitates the identification of celestial objects worthy of more detailed follow-up studies, enabling astronomers to delve deeper into specific areas of interest.
• From unravelling the mysteries surrounding the birth and evolution of galaxies to investigating the distribution of dark matter and the propagation of gravitational waves through space, the Siena Galaxy Atlas serves as a versatile tool for astronomers in their cosmic pursuits.