Prelims Focus 22nd August 2024

Jan Poshan Kendras

In News: The Indian government has recently launched a pilot project to transform ration shops into “Jan Poshan Kendras” (Public Nutrition Centres) aimed at improving access to nutritional food and enhancing the viability of these outlets. 

• • The primary objective of establishing Jan Poshan Kendras is to enhance the nutritional quality of food available to consumers while providing a sustainable income source for ration shop dealers. 
  • The pilot project will initially involve 60 selected FPS across four states: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Telangana. The government aims to eventually convert all 5.38 lakh FPS in India into Jan Poshan Kendras if the pilot proves successful.

• Features of the Initiative
  • Diverse Inventory: The Jan Poshan Kendras will stock a variety of nutrition-rich food items, including millets, pulses, dairy products, and other daily essentials. This diversification is intended to meet the nutritional needs of consumers while also providing an additional revenue stream for shop owners.
  • Operational Improvements: Many existing ration shops are underutilized, often operating only a few days each month. The initiative aims to maximize the use of shop space and manpower, ensuring these outlets remain open and accessible to the public.
  • Support for Dealers: The project includes provisions for credit facilities from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to help FPS dealers manage their operations more effectively. Additionally, partnerships with organizations like udaan will provide access to a wide range of products, enhancing the dealers’ ability to serve their communities.

Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) Mission

In News: The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is a large-scale mission led by the European Space Agency (ESA) to explore Jupiter and its icy moons, with a focus on Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. 

• • Launched on April 14, 2023, aboard an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, JUICE is expected to reach Jupiter in July 2031 after a journey of over 8 years.

• Mission Objectives

The primary objectives of the JUICE mission are:

1. To characterize the Jovian system as an archetype for gas giants
2. To study the three icy moons in detail, with a focus on their potential habitability
3. To observe Jupiter’s complex environment and its interaction with the moons

Waterspout

In News: 

Recently, a luxury yacht that sank was hit by a violent storm off the coast of Sicily, Italy, the storm could have been a waterspout.

• A waterspout is a huge column of air and mist rotating over a water frame. 
• It is a weaker cousin of tornadoes and generally lasts for around 5 mins — sometimes it could last as long as 10 mins. 
• The average waterspout can be around 165 feet in diameter, with wind speeds of 100 kilometers per hour.
• Although waterspouts are extra commonplace in tropical waters, they can seem anywhere. 
• They arise when there are high levels of humidity and relatively warm water temperatures as compared to the overlying air.
• There are two types of waterspouts: tornadic waterspouts and truthful-climate waterspouts.
• Tornadic waterspouts are actual tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water.
• Fair-weather waterspouts, which are an awful lot more not unusual, form over best water. As their call indicates, they are formed during fair weather. 
• They are less risky and typically small.
• Experts trust that as ocean temperatures are soaring, the frequency of waterspouts is increasing.

Dhangars of Maharashtra

In News: Recently, a large group of Dhangars demanded a ‘grazing corridor’ for their sheep and goats in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district.

• The Dhangars are a community of shepherds with a rich cultural history. 
• They are living not best in Maharashtra but additionally in different states like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Grazing Corridors and Their Struggle: Historically, Dhangars have accompanied particular routes for grazing their animals. These routes are deeply ingrained in their way of life, and that they’ve herded their flocks alongside them when you consider that time immemorial.
• Quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: The Dhangars are currently indexed beneath Maharashtra’s Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category.
  • However, they’ve been constantly looking for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) repute for decades.
  • Interestingly, in other elements of the country, they may be diagnosed as “Dhangad” and revel in reservation benefits as an ST community.

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