UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 01-03-2025

Amir Khusrau

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 25^th edition of Jahan-e-Khusrau, the annual music festival that commemorates the Sufi poet-musician Amir Khusrau at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery.

• Amir Khusrau, a renowned poet, singer, and musician, is celebrated for his Sufi Kalams.
• Born on - December 27, 1253, in Patiyali in the present-day Etah district of Uttar Pradesh.
• Parents - Khusrau’s father came to India from Central Asia in the early 13^th century, as the Mongol hordes of Genghis Khan ravaged Islamic Transoxiana (ancient region of central Asia).

Transoxiana corresponding to the parts of Kazakhstan,Turkmenistan , Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

• Khusrau became a professional poet at age 20, and served as one until his death.
• He started out in the service of princes and nobles, before becoming a permanent fixture in the court of the Delhi Sultan.
• Works - He is the first Muslim poet to incorporate Hindi words into his poetry.
• Khusrau made lasting contributions to Indian classical music and qawwali.
• He is also credited for developing Hindavi, a precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu.
• The poet often referred to himself as an “Indian Turk”.
• Khusrau served at least 5 Sultans
  1. Muizuddin Qaiqabad,
  2. Jalaluddin Khalji,
  3. Alauddin Khalji,
  4. Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, and
  5. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq and many other powerful patrons over 5 decades.
• He also contributed to the Persian-Hindi lexicon with his Khalikbari dictionary.
• Disciple of - The Chishti Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya.
• Titles - He was affectionately called ‘Hind ka Tota’ (The Parrot of India) for his fluency in multiple languages, including Hindi, Hindawi, and Persian.
• Amir Khusrau is also known as the ‘father of Hindi Khari Boli’.
• He is seen as a father figure for North India’s syncretic Ganga-Jamuni culture.
• Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji bestowed upon Khusrau the title of ‘Amir’.
• The medieval historian Ziauddin Barani wrote in Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi that Jalaluddin held Khusrau “in great esteem”, and Khusrau “served as keeper of the Qur’an” in his court.
• Khusrau’s ghazals and qawwalis are today sung in both sacred and secular contexts, at Sufi dargahs and Bollywood musicals.
• His most popular compositions include Chhaap Tilak, Zehal-e-Maskeen, and Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson.
• Died in - 1325, and his tomb is located next to the tomb of his spiritual guru in the Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi.

References

1. The Indian Express | Khusrau
2. News 18 | Jahaan-e-Khusrau

‘One Nation, One Port Process’ Initiative

Why in News?

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Recently launched ‘One Nation, One Port Process’ Initiative.

• It is an initiative to standardize and streamline operations across India’s Major ports.
• Aim – To remove inconsistencies in documentation and processes that led to inefficiencies, increased costs, and operational delays.
• Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways.
• Implementation - 1^st phase – It has standardised documentation with Immigration, the Port Health Organisation, and Port Authorities.
  • By reducing container operation documents by 33% (from 143 to 96) and bulk cargo documents by 29% (from 150 to 106).
• Features – It will enhance ease of doing business by reducing delays and inefficiencies.
• It will improve global trade competitiveness by standardizing logistics.
• It will reduce carbon footprint through efficient port operations and promote modern, green, and smart port infrastructure.
• It will strengthen India's position in global trade.

References

1. PIB | ‘One Nation-One Port’
2. The Hindu | “One Nation, One Port Process” initiative

Neonatal Sepsis

Why in News?

The Lancet Global Health journal recently published in a study that More than a third of newborns diagnosed with sepsis could die.

• It is a blood infection that occurs in an infant younger than 90 days old.
• Symptoms - Fever, Respiratory distress, Jaundice, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal distention, Seizures, Jitteriness, Reduced sucking, and Lethargy.
• Causes - Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS), Escherichia coli, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Enterovirus infections, and Yeast.
• Viruses, fungi and parasites can also lead to the condition.
• Group B streptococcus (GBS) has been a major cause of neonatal sepsis.
• Categories
  • Early-onset neonatal sepsis - Develops within the first 72 hours of life.
  • Late-onset neonatal sepsis – It develops after 3 days of life.
• High –risk group
  • Have a low birth weight.
  • Have a low Apgar score (Standard method to determine if baby needs immediate medical care).
  • Are male.
  • Have a mother with an infection during pregnancy.
• Treatment - Sepsis in newborns is curable. Many newborns who develop sepsis recover completely and don’t have any other issues.
• Treatments include Intravenous (IV) fluids, IV antibiotics, Antiviral medication, Heart and/or blood pressure medications, and Extra oxygen and other forms of respiratory support.
• Prevalence - Neonatal sepsis results in more than 5,50,000 deaths globally every year.

India accounts for nearly 1/4^th of the global burden of infection-related deaths.

• Sepsis remains a major hurdle to lowering neonatal mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Antibiotic resistance was a major challenge in managing sepsis.

References

1. The Hindu | Neonatal sepsis
2. Cleveland Clinic | Sepsis in Newborns

Triple Cyclones in South Pacific Ocean

Why in News?

Satellite imagery has recently revealed a rare meteorological event in the South Pacific Ocean, with three tropical cyclones being simultaneously active in the region.

• Cyclones, named Rae, Seru, and Alfred, developed within a span of 5 days.
• They are currently swirling in waters off the eastern coast of Australia and extending approximately 8,000 kilometres into the Pacific Ocean.
• Unusual Phenomenon - The occurrence of 3 such storms simultaneously is especially unusual this season, as the planet is currently experiencing a La Nina phase.
• La Nina climate phase usually cools ocean temperatures, reducing the energy available to fuel tropical storms.
• As a result, scientists had predicted fewer than average tropical cyclones for the region this year.
• Influencing Factors - The climate crisis is playing a role in intensifying such weather events, as rising ocean temperatures provide additional energy for tropical storms.
• The year 2024 has already recorded the highest ocean temperatures in history.
• While global warming is not increasing the overall number of storms, it is contributing to a rise in the frequency and intensity of higher-category cyclones.
• Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) - It is also pointed to the presence of a phenomenon known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO).
• This atmospheric fluctuation creates a zone of rising air and increased rainfall that moves around the globe, lasting for 30 days or more.
• MJO appears to be moving across the south-western Pacific in a manner that could amplify cyclone activity.
• Research also suggests that these storms are moving more slowly over land, increasing their potential for destruction.
• This rare event highlights the complexity of atmospheric systems and the challenges in forecasting extreme weather patterns.

Reference

Down to Earth | Triple cyclones in south pacific

Mahabaleshwar cricket frog

Why in News?

A team of researchers has recently discovered a new species of cricket frog in the northern Western Ghats.

• It is a new species of endemic frog found in Mahabaleshwar region in the Northern Western Ghats, Maharastra.
• Scientific Name - Minervarya Ghatiborealis.
• Nomenclature - This species is named after the Sanskrit word ‘Ghati' western and Latin word ‘Borealis' meaning northern region, thus meaning ‘from the north western Ghats'.
• Genus - It has been included in the genus Minervarya, commonly known as the ‘Cricket frog'.
  • Frogs of the Minervarya genus are distinguished by the parallel lines on their abdomens.
  • They nest near standing water or small springs and make noises similar to that of nightingales.
  • The breeding vocalization of males differ from other species of the genus.
• Appearance – It is a large-sized cricket frog, reaching about 2.5 inches in length.
• It has thin fingers, long legs, and distinctive golden-yellow eyes that are darker at the edges and lighter in the center.
• The frog’s coloration varies from blotchy brown to orange, with pale cream bellies and yellow-tinted sides.

• Distinction - Large, robust body and distinct morphological features like sub-elliptical snout, rudimentary webbing, and highly ridged glandular skin.
• DNA analysis found the new species had at least 6% genetic divergence from other related frog species.
• Similar species - Similar-sized species was discovered from Bamburde village, Pune, in 2019, which was named ‘Minervarya Marathi’.

References

1. Times of India | Minervarya ghatiborealis
2. Miami Herald | Mahabaleshwar Cricket Frog
3. My Pune Pulse | ‘Golden-Eyed’ Frog