In News:

In a remarkable discovery, a member of the Team of Research on Culture and Heritage (TORCH) has hit upon a three-foot idol of the 13th Century saint, Narahari T?rtha recently.

Key Highlights:

Birth and Early Life:

• Born circa 1243 CE in Chikakolu (modern-day Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh).
• Hailing from an aristocratic family in the Gajapati Empire of Odisha.

Philosophical Influence:

• A prominent disciple of Madhvacharya, the founder of Dvaita philosophy (dualism).
• Narahari Tirtha played a key role in propagating Madhva's Vaishnavism in Eastern India, particularly in the Kalinga region (modern-day Odisha and Andhra Pradesh).

Role in Eastern Ganga Dynasty:

• Served as a minister in the Eastern Ganga Dynasty for over 30 years.
• Guided kings to align their governance with Sanatana Dharma and reformed temple administration.
• His contributions are documented in inscriptions at the Simhachalam and Srikurmam temples.

Religious and Cultural Contributions:

• Played a key role in spreading Vaishnavism and Dvaita philosophy.
• First to compose Devaranamas in Kannada, marking a significant cultural contribution.
• Contributed to the development of Yakshagana Bayalata (a dance-drama) and the classical dance form that evolved into Kuchipudi.

Writings and Intellectual Legacy:

• Authored 15 works, with two surviving texts: Gita Bhasya and Bhavaprakasika.
• His teachings and writings significantly impacted the Madhva tradition and regional literature.

Discovery of the Idol:

• A three-foot idol of Narahari Tirtha was discovered at Simhachalam Temple in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• The idol depicts Narahari Tirtha holding a script on palm leaves, flanked by devotees.

Contributions to Temple and Education:

• Transformed the Simhachalam Temple into a renowned center for Vaishnavism.
• Played a crucial role in safeguarding sacred idols like Moolarama and Moola Sita for Madhvacharya.

Cultural and Artistic Legacy:

• Promoted regional art forms, helping establish Kuchipudi as a classical dance style in Andhra Pradesh.
• Advocated for Yakshagana Bayalata, a form of dance-drama popular in coastal Karnataka.

Honors and Recognition:

• Bestowed titles such as "Loka Surak?a?a Ati Nipu?a?" and "Yo Avati Kalinga Bhu Sambhav?n" for his contributions to philosophy and governance.

Final Resting Place:

• Narahari Tirtha was consecrated near Chakratirtha at Hampi on the banks of the Tungabhadra River after his death.
• His legacy continues to influence the temple traditions, especially in Puri Jagannath, strengthening the Madhva influence in Odisha.

In News:

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has declared 2025 as the "Year of Artificial Intelligence" (AI), aiming to empower over 14,000 AICTE-approved colleges and benefit 40 million students. This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision to make India a global leader in AI and technology.

Key Objectives and Features of the AICTE AI Initiative:

• Positioning India as a Global AI Leader:
  • Empowering students with AI skills to drive innovation and lead in the emerging AI-driven economy.
  • Preparing India’s workforce for the technological advancements of the future.
• Core Elements of the AICTE AI Initiative:
  • AI Affirmation Pledge: Institutions will adopt and display an AI Affirmation Pledge, focusing on innovation, ethics, and education in AI.
  • Comprehensive AI Integration:
    • Introducing interdisciplinary AI courses and research programs.
    • Setting up AI labs in collaboration with industries to meet global standards.
    • Promoting ethical AI practices with societal benefits in focus.
  • AI Awareness Campaign:
    • “AI for All: The Future Begins Here” campaign includes workshops, hackathons, and guest lectures.
    • Formation of student-driven AI chapters to foster innovation and research.
  • Faculty Development & Industry Partnerships:
    • Workshops and certification programs for faculty to improve AI teaching.
    • Collaboration with companies like Adobe, CISCO, and IBM for student exposure through internships and mentorships.
  • Recognition of Excellence: Institutions excelling in AI integration will be recognized, serving as role models for others.
• Action Plan for Institutions:
  • All institutions are required to submit AI Implementation Plans by December 31, 2024. These plans will be evaluated by the AICTE Approval Bureau and exemplary submissions will be highlighted as benchmarks.
• Shaping India as a Global AI Leader:
  • AICTE aims to revolutionize India’s education system and enhance its position in the global AI race, focusing on building a self-reliant workforce.

Additional Context on AICTE and its Role:

• AICTE Overview:
  • A statutory body and national-level council under the Ministry of Education.
  • Established in November 1945 as a national-level apex advisory body for technical education in India.

Government Initiatives to Support AI and Consumer Protection:

• AI and Consumer Protection:
  • AI-driven tools launched to enhance consumer protection, such as the National Consumer Helpline, e-MAAP Portal, and Jago Grahak Jago mobile application.
  • New guidelines for regulating deceptive marketing in e-commerce to ensure consumer confidence in the digital market.
  • Tools like the e-Daakhil Portal for online complaint filing.

Impact:

• This initiative will have a far-reaching impact, involving more than 14,000 institutions and 40 million students nationwide, preparing them for leadership roles in AI and technology, and helping India secure its future in the global AI-driven economy.

In News:

Madhya Pradesh to translocate 15 Tigers to Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Key Highlights of the Translocation:

• Scale of Translocation: Largest relocation of big cats from a single state in India.
• Approval: NTCA has approved the translocation of 15 tigers from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• Source Reserves:
  • Bandhavgarh, Panna, Kanha, and Pench Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh.
• Distribution Plan:
  • Rajasthan: 4 tigresses.
  • Chhattisgarh: 2 male tigers and 6 tigresses.
  • Odisha: 1 male tiger and 2 tigresses.
• Funding: States receiving tigers will bear all expenses related to translocation.

Objectives of the Translocation:

• Enhance Tiger Conservation: Reintroduce and bolster tiger populations in recipient states.
• Population Management: Relocate tigers to areas with suitable habitats to alleviate territorial disputes in overpopulated reserves.
• Genetic Diversity: Introduce new individuals to isolated tiger groups to prevent inbreeding and support long-term species survival.

About Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench Tiger Reserves:

• Kanha Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Maikal range of the Satpura Mountains.
  • Significance: Largest national park in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Distinct Feature: First tiger reserve in India with an official mascot, ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’.
  • Flora and Fauna: Rich biodiversity with Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, and the IUCN Vulnerable species, Barasingha.
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Between Vindhyan and Satpura ranges in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Significance: Known for one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal Tigers in India.
  • Historical Link: The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, linked to the legend of Lord Rama and Lakshmana.
• Pench Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Spans Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh, extends into Maharashtra.
  • Significance: Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
  • Flora and Fauna: Includes teak, saag, mahua forests; tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and gaur are key species.

Tiger Translocation Project Overview:

• First Project:
  • Initiated in 2018, two tigers relocated from Kanha and Bandhavgarh to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha.
• Main Objectives:
  • Reintroduce Tigers: In areas where they have been extirpated or extinct.
  • Alleviate Territorial Disputes: Overpopulated reserves need additional tigers to reduce human-animal conflict.

Benefits of Translocation:

• Ecological Balance: Restores predator-prey dynamics in underpopulated reserves.
• Human-Animal Conflict Mitigation: Reduces conflict in overcrowded reserves.
• Rewilding Landscapes: Revives areas where tigers were locally extinct.

Concerns Associated with Translocation:

• Local Community Protests: Villagers fear tigers will pose a threat to their safety.
• Territorial Disputes: New tigers may face conflict with resident tigers.
• Poor Forest Management: Inadequate prey augmentation and habitat management may hinder success.

Madhya Pradesh’s Role in Tiger Conservation:

• Largest Tiger Population: Madhya Pradesh hosts the largest number of tigers in India, with 785 tigers as per NTCA’s 2022 report.
• Tiger Reserves: The state is home to nine tiger reserves, including the newly notified Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri.
• Translocation Strategy: Madhya Pradesh’s involvement helps reduce local tiger population pressure and contributes to broader conservation efforts across India.

Inter-State Tiger Translocation Goals:

• Reinforcement and Reintroduction: Introduce tigers into areas historically part of their range but from which they have been extirpated or extinct.
• Genetic Diversity: Introduce new tigers to isolated populations to maintain long-term population health.

In News:

In a significant event for both Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin are set to reunite at Vaikom, to inaugurate the extensively renovated memorial dedicated to Tamil reformist E.V. Ramasami Naicker, popularly known as Thanthai Periyar. This marks a historic occasion over a year and a half after they jointly inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Vaikom Satyagraha.

Key Highlights:

Memorial History and Significance:

• Established: January 1994
• Location: 70-cent property near Valiyakavala Junction, Vaikom
• Ownership: Tamil Nadu Government
• Periyar Statue: Installed in 1985 on 84 cents of land provided by Kerala government; remains the centerpiece.
• Historical Neglect: The memorial suffered from years of neglect before the renovation.

Role of Periyar in Vaikom Satyagraha:

• Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–1925):
  • First organized movement for the rights of the ‘untouchable’ communities in India.
  • Led by prominent leaders like T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon, and K. Kelappan.
  • Periyar, alongside his wife Nagamma, joined the movement, seeking access to public roads leading to the Sri Mahadeva Temple in Vaikom.
  • Periyar’s Contribution:
    • Was imprisoned twice for his participation in the movement.
    • Honored with the title Vaikom Veeran for his leadership.
• Impact: The movement played a crucial role in securing social equality for all sections of society.

Periyar’s Legacy:

• Self-Respect Movement: Founded by Periyar to promote social equality and eliminate caste-based discrimination.
• Dravidar Kazhagam: A political and social organization founded by Periyar, advocating for the rights of the Dravidian people.
• Father of the Dravidian Movement: Periyar’s philosophy and activism laid the foundation for the Dravidian political ideology and social reforms in Tamil Nadu.

In News:

Tularemia, commonly known as "rabbit fever," is a rare but highly infectious bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis. Though uncommon, it can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. Over recent years, cases of tularemia have been on the rise in the United States, drawing attention to the broader environmental and epidemiological factors influencing the disease’s spread.

Rising Incidence of Tularemia

Between 2011 and 2022, the United States saw a 56% increase in the annual average incidence of tularemia infections compared to the previous decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vulnerable populations include children aged 5 to 9, older men, and individuals of American Indian or Alaska Native descent. The increasing number of reported cases highlights the growing concern over this disease, despite its rarity.

Transmission Pathways

Tularemia is primarily transmitted through:

• Direct Contact with Infected Animals: Common carriers include rabbits, hares, and rodents, particularly those infected with Francisella tularensis. This presents a risk for individuals working closely with wildlife, such as hunters.
• Insect Bites: Ticks, especially in regions with high tick populations, and deer flies can spread the disease.
• Contaminated Food or Water: Consuming undercooked meat from infected animals or untreated water can lead to infection.
• Inhalation of Contaminated Dust or Droplets: This is a potential risk in agricultural or laboratory settings and can result in pulmonary tularemia.

Contributing Factors to the Rise in Cases

Several factors contribute to the increasing prevalence of tularemia:

• Climate Change: Rising temperatures are increasing tick activity and extending breeding seasons, allowing the bacteria to spread more easily.
• Habitat Encroachment: Deforestation and increased human interaction with wildlife are amplifying exposure to infected animals.
• Improved Diagnostic Tools: Advances in surveillance and testing methods have made it easier to detect tularemia, leading to more reported cases.

Early Symptoms and Diagnosis

Tularemia symptoms can vary depending on the route of infection. Symptoms typically appear 3 to 5 days post-exposure and may include:

• Sudden high fever (up to 104°F or 40°C)
• Chills, fatigue, and body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes, especially near the site of infection (e.g., under the arms or in the groin)

There are four primary forms of tularemia:

• Ulceroglandular: Characterized by skin ulcers and swollen lymph nodes.
• Glandular: Swollen lymph nodes without ulcers.
• Pneumonic: Lung infection, often resulting from inhalation.
• Typhoidal: A more systemic form, with symptoms like fever and abdominal pain.

Differentiating tularemia from other conditions such as flu, pneumonia, or lymphadenitis is key for diagnosis. A skin ulcer or swollen lymph nodes in individuals with recent exposure to wildlife or ticks is a critical diagnostic clue.

Treatment and Prognosis

Tularemia is treatable with antibiotics. First-line treatment includes streptomycin or gentamicin, while doxycycline or ciprofloxacin may be used for milder cases. Treatment typically lasts 10 to 21 days, and when initiated promptly, the disease has a high recovery rate and minimal complications. However, untreated cases can lead to chronic infections, lung abscesses, pneumonia, or severe sepsis, with mortality rates of 1-2% under treatment. Untreated severe cases can result in mortality rates between 30% and 60%.

Tularemia in India: A Potential Concern?

Tularemia is extremely rare in India, mainly due to the country's differing ecological conditions and limited interaction with the primary reservoirs of Francisella tularensis. However, awareness remains crucial, especially for individuals traveling to endemic regions or working in wildlife settings. Despite its rarity in India, the rising global incidence and changing environmental factors warrant continued vigilance.