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One Liners 06-05-2025
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History, Art and Culture
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Ancient Maya City Unearthed
Archaeologists recently discovered the remains of a nearly 3,000-year-old Maya city in northern Guatemala, featuring pyramids and monuments, indicating its significance as a ceremonial site.
- Maya Civilization - A classical Mesoamerican civilization, flourished in present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, originating around 2600 B.C.
- Intellectual Achievements - They developed advanced astronomy, precise calendrical systems with leap day adjustments, and sophisticated hieroglyphic writing (over 800 glyphs) used for recording history and science.
- Architectural Prowess - Noted for elaborate ceremonial architecture, including temple-pyramids and observatories, the Maya constructed these impressive structures without metal tools. They also built extensive underground reservoirs.
- Societal Structure - Maya society comprised independent states with large urban ceremonial centers. At its peak, over 40 cities hosted 5,000-50,000 people.
- Declined - After 900 CE, leaving cities abandoned.
- Enduring Legacy - Despite decline and Spanish conquest, Maya peoples persisted. They remain in contemporary Mesoamerican societies, maintaining distinctive traditions alongside Roman Catholicism.
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Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th Birth Anniversary
- Recently PM participated in a ‘Mahila Sashaktikaran Maha Sammelan’ in Bhopal to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of legendary queen Ahilyabai Holkar.
- Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar (1725-1795) - Ahilyabai Holkar, ruler of Malwa from 1767 to 1795, presided over the zenith of the Holkar dynasty, bringing peace and prosperity. She was hailed as "Punyashlok" and "The Philosopher Queen."
- Military Acumen - Trained by her father-in-law, Ahilyabai personally led armies and modernized her forces with French assistance, appointing Tukoji Rao Holkar as commander.
- Equitable Governance - Known for impartial justice, she even sentenced her son to death. She established courts, reformed property laws for childless widows, and was accessible to all, rejecting purdah.
- Cultural Patronage - She transformed Maheshwar into a cultural hub, welcoming prominent poets and scholars. A prolific builder, she constructed hundreds of temples and Dharmashalas, notably renovating the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
- Economic and Infrastructure Development - Ahilyabai established the renowned Maheshwari saree textile industry and oversaw the construction of forts, roads, wells, and rest houses, showcasing her foresight in development.
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Geography
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Switzerland Glacier Collapse
Recently, a massive glacier collapse in Switzerland's Loetschental valley buried Blatten village under ice and rock, raising flood concerns as the River Lonza is blocked.
- Lonza Valley Location - The Loetschental (Lonza) Valley is nestled in the canton of Valais, southern Switzerland, within the Alpine region.
- Affected Country - Switzerland is directly impacted, drawing international attention to climate-induced glacial hazards.
- River Lonza - Flows through the valley, fed by Alpine glaciers, and is now obstructed.
- Fragile Ecosystem - This high-altitude ecosystem, home to small Alpine settlements like Blatten, is highly sensitive to global warming.
- Climate Vulnerability - The valley faces vulnerability from glacial retreat, permafrost thawing, and associated hazards like landslides and flash floods.
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International Relations and Issues
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International Sex Workers' Day
June 2, marks the 50th anniversary of International Sex Workers' Day, observed annually to commemorate a pivotal protest.
- Lyon Church Occupation - On June 2, 1975, over a hundred sex workers occupied the Église Saint-Nizier in Lyon, France, protesting inhumane conditions and police brutality.
- Acknowledging Exploitation - The day honors sex workers and acknowledges the often exploitative and difficult circumstances they face.
- Advocating for Rights - It serves to raise awareness about their human and labor rights, combating stigma and discrimination globally.
- Call for Decriminalization - A key objective is to advocate for the decriminalization of sex work and improve access to justice and essential services.
- Promoting Safety and Dignity - Ultimately, International Sex Workers' Day is a crucial platform for the global movement, demanding safety, well-being, dignity, and respect for sex workers worldwide.
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Environment
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Valmik Thapar
Valmik Thapar, the renowned Indian wildlife conservationist, author, and filmmaker, passed away on May 31, 2025, at 73. He was celebrated for his unwavering dedication to tiger conservation.
- Tiger Advocate - For over five decades, Thapar passionately studied and advocated for wild tigers, particularly in Ranthambore, becoming a global authority on the species.
- Prolific Creator - He authored acclaimed books like "Land of the Tiger" and produced documentaries for major networks, bringing India's tiger story to a worldwide audience.
- Ranthambhore Foundation - In 1987, he co-founded the Ranthambhore Foundation, a pioneering initiative integrating wildlife protection with community development.
- Influential Voice - Thapar served on numerous government committees, fearlessly criticizing policies that hindered conservation efforts.
- Deep Understanding - His profound understanding of tiger behavior stemmed from years of firsthand observation, chronicling individual tigers and revealing their intricate lives.
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New Frog Species Discovered in Shillong
Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India have announced the discovery of Amolops shilling.
- What so special - A new frog species found in Shillong, Meghalaya, highlighting the intersection of urbanization and biodiversity.
- Urban Biodiversity Highlighted - Discovered in Mawlai and Umrynjah, this cascade frog thrives in fast-flowing urban streams, demonstrating that cities can harbor unique ecosystems and sensitive wildlife.
- Advanced Identification - Identifying Amolops shillong required advanced genetic tools due to its cryptic nature and visual similarity to other species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed its genetic distinctness, with a 2.0-3.4% divergence from its closest relative, Amolops siju.
- Significance of the Find - This discovery underscores that urban areas are not devoid of wildlife and emphasizes the critical need to protect microhabitats within cities, indicating healthy urban ecosystems.
- Urgent Conservation Needs - The finding calls for urgent conservation efforts in urban settings. Preserving green spaces in expanding cities is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, which is often overlooked but vital for ecological health.
- Northeast India- Biodiversity Hotspot - Northeast India is a biodiversity hotspot with 20 Amolops species, 16 in India, and nine discovered in the last two decades, showcasing the region's rich natural heritage and potential for further discoveries.
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Rare Lizard Found in Meghalaya
Calotes zolaiking, a rare lizard species, was recently recorded for the first time in Meghalaya, marking a significant discovery.
- Calotes zolaiking - First described in 2019 from Mizoram, this garden lizard measures approximately 5 inches, displaying various shades of green with dark patches.
- Distinctive Appearance - Calotes zolaiking has "strongly keeled" scales, meaning each long scale possesses a central ridge, contributing to a sharper appearance.
- Calotes in India - India is home to 14 Calotes species, with nine found in the diverse Northeast region.
- Characteristics of Calotes - These arboreal, tree-dwelling lizards of the Agamidae family are known for their extreme color changes when excited. They are diurnal, fast runners, and can swim.
- Distribution and Diet - Calotes are distributed across gardens and forests in India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and some Pacific islands, primarily feeding on insects and small invertebrates.
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Security
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Indian Army's "Decade of Transformation
Recently, The Indian Army is conducting extensive Capacity Development Demonstrations at Pokhran, Babina, and Joshimath.
- Goal - Is to enhance operational readiness by rapidly absorbing emerging technologies and promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign.
- Key Technologies - Evaluations include Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), UAV-Launched Precision Guided Munitions (ULPGM), Counter-UAS Solutions, Loitering Munitions, SVL Drones, and Advanced Electronic Warfare Platforms.
- Integrated Systems - Also being tested are Precision Multi-Munition Delivery Systems, Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDDIS), Low-Level Light-Weight Radars, and VSHORADS (Next Generation Infrared Systems).
- Evolving Warfare - Modern conflicts demand integrated strategies across air, land, sea, cyber, and space, prompting a shift towards distributed and non-linear approaches.
- Collaboration - The Army is actively engaging Indian academia and private sector to leverage STEM talent and drive innovation in defense capabilities.
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Science
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Government Boosts Biostimulants
The central government recently notified 34 biostimulants, aiming to spur their manufacturing and use in agriculture.
- Biostimulants - These are substances or microorganisms applied to plants or soil that stimulate natural processes, enhancing physiological abilities and reducing fertilizer needs.
- Benefits for Plants - Biostimulants improve plant growth, enhance nutrient efficiency, and boost resistance to abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures.
- How They Work - They target root development, stress tolerance, and soil microbial activity, ultimately improving overall plant health and productivity.
- Common Types - Examples include humic and fulvic acids, seaweed extracts, and beneficial fungi and bacteria like mycorrhizae and rhizobacteria.
- Advantages and Regulation - Biostimulants enhance nutrient uptake, improve soil health, boost crop quality, and increase yields.
- Regulation In India, they are regulated under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985.
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China Launches Tianwen-2 Asteroid Mission
Recently, China launched its pioneering Tianwen-2 mission.
- Aiming to - Retrieve samples from 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, a near-Earth quasi-satellite asteroid.
- Mission Objectives & Techniques - The mission seeks to collect 100 grams of material using 11 instruments. Sample collection involves hovering, a robotic arm, and a "touch and go" drilling method.
- Timeline and Return - Tianwen-2 will reach Kamoʻoalewa by July 2026, with samples returning to Earth in November 2027. Success would make China the third nation to retrieve asteroid material.
- Future Exploration - Part of a 10-year plan, the spacecraft will then target 311P/PanSTARRS in the main asteroid belt for distant study.
- Tianwen Mission - Tianwen-2 follows the successful Tianwen-1 Mars landing in 2021. China's ambitious plans include Tianwen-3, aiming for Mars sample retrieval by 2028.
- China's Growing Space Prowess - Is Controlled by the People’s Liberation Army, has rapidly advanced, achieving lunar and Martian landings and establishing the Tiangong space station, signaling its commitment to permanent space exploration.
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