Rhodamine B (RhB)

Tamil Nadu banned the sale and production of cotton candy or candy floss due to the presence of Rhodamine B.

• Rhodamine B is a chemical commonly used for dyeing in the textile, paper, leather, and paints industry as a coloring agent that helps in attaining the red and pink spectrum.
• Although in powdered form, the chemical is green in colour, upon being added to water, it turns pink.
• It is a water soluble chemical generally used in incense and match sticks.
• Even if consumed in small quantities, the chemical is highly toxic and carcinogenic.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned its usage in food products.

Macrophages

It was found that the lungs is surrounded by a fluid-filled sac, which houses potent virus-eating cells that rush into the lungs during flu infections.

• Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the action of other immune system cells.
• They are specialized cells involved in the detection and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms.
• In addition, they can also present antigens to T cells and initiate inflammation by releasing molecules (known as cytokines) that activate other cells.
• Macrophages originate from monocytes, which themselves derive from the bone marrow.
• Macrophages confer innate immunity, which is typically the first line of defense against foreign antigens.
• Macrophages are also involved in tissue repair and immune system regulation.

Kaji Nemu

Kaji Nemu, a variety of indigenous lemon, was declared the state fruit of Assam.

• Kaji nemu (Citrus limon) is an oval-shaped elongated lemon with a smooth and thin peel.
• It was declared as the State fruit of Assam.
• It earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in Assam in 2019 for its unique growth characteristics, flavor, shape and aroma.
• It is grown only in Assam.
• It is also known as the “Queen of all citrus fruits” and has immune boosting qualities.

Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs)

• The Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) and Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs) were established under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act (RDB Act), 1993.
• A DRT functions as a quasi-judicial statutory body to adjudicate cases and facilitate the recovery of loans from banks and financial institutions.
• The proceedings of the insolvency resolution process will be adjudicated by the National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT) for companies and the DRT for individuals.
• The Presiding Officer, appointed by the Central Government, heads the DRT.
• In 2020, the Indian Government raised the minimum limit for filing cases under DRTs to 20 lakh rupees.
• Appeals against DRT orders can be made to the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT).
• DRAT is also the second court of appeal in respect of cases filed under The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002.

Central Asian Flyway (CAF)

Central Asian Flyway recognised to protect over 600 migratory bird species.

• A flyway is a geographical region within which a single or a group of migratory species completes its annual cycle i.e. breeding, moulting, staging and non-breeding.
• The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and the associated island chains.
• CAF extends from the northernmost breeding grounds in Siberia to the southernmost non-breeding (wintering) grounds in West and South Asia, the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory.
• The Central Asian Flyway is the shortest flyway in the world.
• Lying entirely within the Northern Hemisphere, it connects a large swathe of the Palaearctic with the Indian subcontinent.
• 370 species of migratory bird from 3 flyways (CAF, East Asian Australasian Flyway and Asian East African Flyway) are reported to visit the Indian sub-continent during their annual cycle.
• India is one among the countries in Central Asian Flyway.