Gita Press to receive Gandhi Peace Prize

• Gita Press, located in Gorakhpur is awarded the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021.
• The jury, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unanimously selects Gita Press for this honor.

Significance of the Prize

The International Gandhi Peace Prize pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence and Gandhian methods.

About Gita Press

Founding and Establishment: Gita Press was officially founded in 1923 by Jaydayal Goyandka, a businessman from Bankura, West Bengal.

Authenticity of texts: Goyandka’s extensive travels as a businessman led him to form satsangs with like-minded individuals in various towns.

Translation work: The group desired an authentic translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, which led to the establishment of Gita Press.

Publication: Gita Press emerged as a prominent publisher with the launch of its monthly magazine, Kalyan, in 1926.

Versatility: It offers over 1,850 religious books in 15 languages, with approximately 93 crore copies sold.

Groundwater Extraction Shifts Earth’s Tilt Axis

The earth’s axis has shifted, tilting approximately 80 centimetres to the east, as a result of groundwater extraction, according to a new study by researchers at Seoul National University.

This phenomena affects the rotation of the globe, the rising of the sea level, and the distribution of water resources, coupled with the flow of water through melting ice caps and glaciers.

Earth’s Axis and Rotation

The axis and rotation of the Earth have a tremendous impact on the temperature, seasons, and day-night cycle of our planet.

An overview of the Earth’s axis and rotation is provided below.

Axis: The axis is an imaginary line that extends between the North Pole and the South Pole and is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the Sun. This tilt is responsible for Earth’s seasons.

Rotation: Earth rotates on its axis from west to east, completing one full rotation in approximately 24 hours. This rotation is what gives us the cycle of day and night. The side of the Earth facing the Sun experiences daylight, while the opposite side experiences darkness, resulting in day and night.

Polar Regions: The axis of the Earth is inclined with respect to its orbital plane. This inclination causes the Polar Regions to experience variations in daylight throughout the year. During the summer solstice (around June 21), the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in 24 hours of continuous daylight in the Arctic Circle and 24 hours of darkness in the Antarctic Circle. The opposite occurs during the winter solstice (around December 21).

Equator: The equator is an imaginary line equidistant from the poles and divides the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The equator experiences relatively consistent day and night lengths throughout the year, with two equinoxes occurring when the Sun is directly above the equator. During the equinoxes (around March 21 and September 21), day and night are approximately equal in length worldwide.

Precession (Cyclic Wobble): In addition to its axial tilt, Earth experiences a slow, cyclic wobble called precession. This wobble causes the orientation of Earth’s axis to change slightly over a period of approximately 26,000 years. Precession does not affect the tilt or the length of the seasons but does influence the positions of the celestial poles and the timing of Earth’s closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) and farthest point (aphelion).

Why in news?

Unlike a stable rotating globe, the earth’s axis experiences a wobble due to various factors such as weather, seasonal changes, the molten core, and natural events like hurricanes.

Scientists track this motion relative to astronomical phenomena, but the role of water movement, including groundwater extraction, had not been fully considered until now.

The earth’s axis wobbles in a circular pattern several meters wide every year.

Study Findings

Researchers at Seoul National University built a climate model linking the earth’s axis shift with water movement, including the melting of ice caps and glaciers.

Initially, the model did not match the observed drift of the axis until groundwater extraction was added to the equation.

Groundwater pumping accounted for the unexplained cause of the rotation pole drift.

The shift in the earth’s axis due to groundwater extraction was measured at nearly 80 cm tilt to the east.

Implications for Sea-Level Rise

The study revealed that approximately 2,150 billion tonnes of groundwater were pumped and drained into the oceans between 1993 and 2010, contributing to a sea-level rise of 6.24 mm.

Groundwater depletion plays a significant role in the location and magnitude of the axis drift.

Mid-latitude regions, particularly northwest India and western North America, showed the most significant groundwater redistribution effects.

Impact on Water Resources

Groundwater extraction for human activities, including irrigation, is affecting the distribution and availability of water resources.

Excessive groundwater pumping has led to a significant redistribution of water, altering the balance between surface water and groundwater reserves.

Orvakallu Rock Paintings in AP

A Mesolithic period rock painting has been found at Orvakallu village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, according to a recent discovery by D. Kanna Babu, former Superintending Archaeologist.

The image of a person tilling the ground provides insight into the social structure and cultural practises of the earlier occupants.

Orvakallu Rock Paintings

The researchers while conducting a survey of the lower River Krishna Valley, identified a new prehistoric rock painting in Orvakallu.

The painting was found on the walls and ceiling of natural rock shelters on a hillock.

The site consists of five caves, two of which exhibit distinct depictions of rock paintings from the Mesolithic Age (approximately 5000 BC).

Composition and Condition of the Paintings

The paintings were created using natural white kaolin and red ochre pigments.

The passage of time and exposure to air and wind have significantly damaged most of the paintings.

Despite the deterioration, some sketches and outlines remain visible for visitors.

Significance of the Find

The discovery sheds light on the social life and culture of the people who inhabited the area during the Mesolithic Age.

One painting depicts a man catching a wild goat while holding a hooklike implement.

Another painting portrays two couples with raised hands, accompanied by a child.

Notably, a painted figure shows a man holding a plough, suggesting a semisettled life pattern and agricultural practices.

Understanding the Painted Figures

The depiction of a man tilling land indicates the cultivation of crops and a semi-settled lifestyle.

The paintings offer valuable insights into the daily activities, occupations, and interactions with the environment of the ancient community.

UK launches Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)

India and 65 other underdeveloped countries now have a huge chance thanks to the United Kingdom’s introduction of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

Trading Scheme for Developing Nations (DCTS)

A preferential trading scheme started by the UK is called the DCTS.

Similar arrangements that were in existence when the UK was a member of the EU have been replaced.

The programme aims to boost economic and trade growth for 65 underdeveloped and developing nations.

Key characteristics:

DCTS lowers or eliminates taxes on imports from nations that qualify.

Trading Rules Simplified: The plan streamlines trade processes to enable more seamless transactions.

Enhanced Market Access: It offers increased market access for the products of the member nations.

Favorable Terms: UK businesses can save costs through reduced or eliminated tariffs on imports.

Product Coverage: The scheme covers various goods, including clothing, food, and children’s toys.

Focus on Sustainability and Good Governance

Responsible Trade Practices: Participating countries are expected to adhere to international conventions related to human rights, labor standards, anti-corruption measures, climate change, and environmental protection.

Mutual Benefits: The scheme promotes sustainable development and creates a mutually beneficial partnership between the UK and developing countries.

Benefits for Participating Countries

Trade Opportunities: DCTS creates opportunities for businesses and supports livelihoods.

Job Creation: The scheme aims to generate employment by diversifying local and international supply chains.

Economic Growth: It contributes to sustained economic growth in participating countries.

Market Expansion: DCTS helps countries access the UK market and expand their export capacities.

Impact on India

Trade Opportunities for India: The DCTS presents significant trade opportunities for India.

Labour-Intensive Sectors: Indian exporters in sectors like textiles, leather goods, and metals can benefit.

Market Access: The scheme reduces trade barriers and expands market access to the UK for Indian goods.

Interim Measure: DCTS serves as an interim measure while negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India continue.

Future Potential: The DCTS sets the stage for deeper economic ties and a future FTA between the UK and India.

Anna Bhagya Scheme of Karnataka

Rice procurement for the ambitious Anna Bhagya scheme being run by the Karnataka government is proving difficult.

Punjab has agreed in principle to provide the requisite amount of rice, so there is still some hope.

The Anna Bhagya Scheme is what?

The amount of free rice allotted to person with a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card would increase from 5 kg to 10 kg, according to the state administration.

According to estimates, the scheme will cost the exchequer 840 crore each month and 10,092 crore per year.

The launch is planned for July 1.

Problems encountered

At first, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) promised to supply the necessary 2.28 lakh tonnes of rice, but then backed out.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh expressed inability to supply, while Chhattisgarh government offered to supply 1.5 lakh tonnes.

Karnataka is now searching for rice in other states and aims to purchase it at ₹34 per kg.

Consideration of Alternative Grains:

If needed, the state may provide 2 kg of either ragi or jowar, which would last for six months.

However, the government still needs to supply an additional 3 kg of rice on top of the existing 5 kg allocation.

Punjab’s Offer

The Punjab government expressed willingness to supply rice to Karnataka in the federal spirit.

Punjab has enough rice and wants to help mitigate the problems faced by the poor across the country.