PM IAS MAY 01 IMPORTANT NEWS

THRISSUR POORAM

Thrissur Pooram is a famous annual festival held in the city of Thrissur, Kerala, India. It is one of the most vibrant and grand festivals in the state and has cultural, religious, and historical significance.

1. Date and Location: Thrissur Pooram takes place in the Malayalam month of Medam (April/May) at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, Kerala.
2. Participants: The festival is organized by the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples, which are located on either side of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Devotees and spectators from all over Kerala and beyond participate in this festival.
3. Procession: The highlight of Thrissur Pooram is the grand procession featuring caparisoned elephants. The festival typically involves a display of 30 or more elephants, decorated with ornate golden headdresses, colorful parasols, and peacock feather fans.
4. Fireworks: Thrissur Pooram is renowned for its spectacular fireworks display. The festival witnesses competitive fireworks between the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples. These fireworks, known as ‘vedikkettu,’ are a major attraction for visitors.
5. Music and Percussion: Traditional Kerala percussion instruments like chenda, ilathalam, and kombu are an integral part of Thrissur Pooram. Renowned percussionists and musicians from various temples perform during the festival, creating a captivating atmosphere.
6. Flag Hoisting: The festival begins with the ceremonial hoisting of the flag, called the “Kodiyettam,” on the flagstaff of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. This marks the official start of the celebrations.
7. Rituals and Offerings: Various rituals and offerings are performed during Thrissur Pooram. Devotees offer prayers, light oil lamps, and make offerings of coconuts, flowers, and traditional sweets to the deities.
8. Historical Significance: Thrissur Pooram was first organized in the late 18th century by Sakthan Thampuran, the erstwhile ruler of Kochi. It was his vision to unify and celebrate the various temples around Thrissur during this festival.
9. Cultural Extravaganza: Thrissur Pooram is not just a religious festival but also a celebration of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. The festival showcases traditional music, dance performances, and folk arts like Koodiyattam, Kathakali, and Panchavadyam.
10. Security and Crowd Management: Given the massive gathering of people during Thrissur Pooram, the authorities implement strict security measures and crowd control mechanisms to ensure the safety and well-being of the participants and spectators.

ISSUE OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND STRAY DOGS ON IT

Solid Waste Management:

• Definition: Solid waste management refers to the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of solid waste in a systematic and environmentally sustainable manner.
• Challenges: India faces several challenges in solid waste management, including rapid urbanization, population growth, inadequate infrastructure, lack of awareness, and inefficient waste management practices.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) launched in 2014 aims to address the issue of solid waste management by promoting cleanliness, sanitation, and proper waste disposal practices across the country.
• Waste Segregation: Effective waste management begins with waste segregation at the source, where different types of waste such as biodegradable, non-biodegradable, recyclable, and hazardous waste are separated for appropriate treatment and disposal.
• Waste Treatment Methods: Various waste treatment methods include landfilling, composting, vermicomposting, recycling, waste-to-energy processes, and the promotion of circular economy principles.
• Role of Local Bodies: Municipal corporations and local bodies play a crucial role in solid waste management, including waste collection, segregation, transportation, and setting up waste processing facilities.
• Importance of Awareness and Education: Creating awareness among citizens about the importance of waste management, encouraging citizen participation, and promoting behavioral changes towards sustainable waste management practices are essential components of a successful solid waste management system.

Stray Dog Attacks:

• Stray Dog Population: India has a significant population of stray dogs, particularly in urban areas, which can lead to various issues, including dog bites and attacks on humans.
• Human-Animal Conflict: Stray dog attacks pose a challenge in terms of human safety and public health. Dog bites can transmit diseases such as rabies, which remains a major concern in many parts of India.
• Rabies Prevention: Rabies prevention and control programs, including mass dog vaccination campaigns, are crucial to reduce the incidence of rabies and mitigate the risks associated with stray dog attacks.
• Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programs: Animal Birth Control programs, commonly known as ABC programs, involve sterilizing and vaccinating stray dogs to control their population and minimize the risk of dog bites.
• Legal Framework: The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, provides guidelines for the protection and welfare of animals, including stray dogs. Animal welfare organizations and local bodies work together to address issues related to stray dogs and promote responsible pet ownership.
• Community Participation: Active involvement of local communities, resident welfare associations, and NGOs in stray dog management programs can help address the issue effectively through awareness campaigns, adoption drives, and responsible pet ownership initiatives.
• Coordinated Efforts: Managing stray dog attacks requires a comprehensive approach involving various stakeholders, including local authorities, animal welfare organizations, healthcare professionals, and citizens, to ensure the safety and well-being of both humans and animals.

FEMA

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) is a crucial legislation governing foreign exchange transactions in India. Here are some short notes on FEMA for UPSC:

1. Enacted in 1999: FEMA was enacted in 1999, replacing the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA).
2. Objective: The main objective of FEMA is to facilitate external trade and payments, promote the orderly development of the foreign exchange market, and conserve foreign exchange reserves.
3. Liberalization: FEMA aimed to liberalize and simplify the foreign exchange regime in India, aligning it with the changing global landscape.
4. Current and capital account transactions: FEMA classifies foreign exchange transactions into current account transactions (related to trade in goods and services) and capital account transactions (involving investments, borrowings, and lending).
5. Authorized persons: FEMA designates authorized persons and entities, such as authorized dealers, banks, and financial institutions, who are eligible to undertake foreign exchange transactions.
6. Restrictions and permissions: While promoting liberalization, FEMA imposes certain restrictions and permissions on foreign exchange transactions to prevent illegal activities and safeguard national interests.
7. Regulatory authorities: FEMA is administered by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which regulates and monitors foreign exchange transactions in the country.
8. Penalties for violations: FEMA has provisions for penalties and enforcement actions in case of violations, ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.
9. Impact on the economy: FEMA plays a crucial role in attracting foreign investments, promoting international trade, and maintaining stability in the foreign exchange market, contributing to the overall economic growth of the country.
10. Recent developments: FEMA has undergone amendments and developments to simplify procedures, digitize processes, and streamline compliance requirements, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
11. Interaction with other acts: FEMA interacts with other relevant acts and regulations, such as the Companies Act, the Income Tax Act, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and SEBI regulations, ensuring coherence in regulatory requirements.

Ratnagiri Oil Refinery

In News

• Hundreds of villagers continued their protest against the proposed Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemical Limited at Barsu.

Why is there a Protest?

• Locals vehemently opposed the project, saying the oil refinery would be detrimental for the environment of Konkan region.
• Protesters claim that once the project commences, mango orchards, cashew and other plantations in the region will be destroyed within months due to chemicals.
• They demanded that the State government stop soil survey of the proposed site.

About Ratnagiri Oil Refinery Project

• The Ratnagiri Oil Refinery Project was mooted by the Centre and the Maharashtra government in 2014.
• The project was originally supposed to come up on around 16,000 acres of land, spread across 17 villages in the adjoining districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg in the Konkan region. The main oil refinery was to be set up in Nanar village, which falls in the Ratnagiri district.
• It was aimed at bringing development to the backward Konkan region and would generate employment for at least one lakh local residents and also create new job generating avenues by setting up ancillary units.
• Upon completion, the project is expected to bring some stability to the oil industry in the region enabling Saudi Aramco and ADNOC to provide a steady supply of fuel to India.

Konkan Region

• The Konkan extends throughout the western coasts of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
• It is bounded by the Western Ghats mountain range (also known as Sahyadri) in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, the Daman Ganga River in the north and the River Aghanashini in the south.
• The Gangavalli flows in the district of Uttara Kannada in present-day Karnataka. Its northern bank constitutes the southernmost portion of Konkan.

For more source: The Hindu

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