UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 21-06-2024

Jiribam

Jiribam has emerged as the newest hotspot of ethnic violence in Manipur.

To know the history of Insurgency in Manipur Click  Here.

• Jiribam district is situated on the westernmost side of Manipur.
• It is surrounded on the east and south by the Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts, respectively, and on the west and north by the Cachar district of Assam.
• NH-37 passes through Jiribam, connects Silchar in Assam and Imphal in Manipur, and is important for transporting essentials to the valley areas of the State.

• Population—The district has a population of 13 communities, including a large number of Hindu and Muslim Bengalis and Nagas.
• Ethnic communities - The Kuki-Zo-Hmar and Meitei are 2 ethnic communities primarily in the state of Manipur.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur is the apex body of the Kuki tribes.

• Soil- It varies from sandy to loam and clay to loam having variety of colours from yellowish to bluish grey.
• Drainage- Jiri River flows from the north to the south. Jiri river forms the boundary between Assam and Manipur from its source to its termination in the Barak.
• The confluence point of Jiri and Barak Rivers is known as Jirimukh.
• Flora- It is covered by green vegetation, include bamboo, cane, teak, orchids, rubber, tea, agar, cashew nut, litchi, jack fruit, betel nut, pineapple, Eiranthus procerus etc.
• Fauna- There are various wild lives found in the area including wild dog, wild pig, barking deer, sabu, moirang sathibi, samarak ngamarak, etc.

References

1. The Hindu | Jiribam
2. Government of Manipur | Jiribam

Striped Caecilian

For the first time herpetologists have discovered a new species of striped caecilian in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.

• About - It is a new limbless amphibian discovered recently in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam.
• Scientific Name – Ichthyophis spp.
• Appearance - Striped caecilians have long, cylindrical bodies with annular grooves that give a segmented appearance.

• Motion - They lack limbs and have a smooth, slimy skin that aids in movement through soil and water.
• Habitat- Striped caecilians are primarily fossorial, meaning they live underground.
• They inhabit moist soil in tropical rainforests, plantations, and occasionally in agricultural areas.
• Striped caecilians are mostly nocturnal, coming to the surface or near-surface only during the night or in heavy rains.
• Diet- Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates such as earthworms, termites, and other soil-dwelling organisms.

References

1. The Hindu | Striped Caecilian
2. Ecologyasia | Striped Caecilian

Electromagnet

An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by an electric current.

• Invented by- William Sturgeon in 1824.
• Principle- Electromagnets are temporary magnets that form a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through them.
• Working - An electromagnet consists of a wire coil through which an electric current passes. This current generates a magnetic field around the wire.
• Influencing Factors - The strength of its magnetic field depends upon various factors like
  • Number of times the wire is wound.
  • The electricity flowing through it, and
  • The material of the core.
• Magnetic Core- A ferromagnetic core is often placed inside the coil to amplify the magnetic field produced by the current.

• Applications - Electromagnets are widely used in numerous applications due to their ability to provide strong magnetic fields that can be turned on and off as needed.
• In electric motors and generators, they convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa.
• Example - Motors, electric bells, solenoids, MRI Machine, Card Reader, Electric Generators.

Reference

The Hindu | Electromagnet

Super-Absorbent Polymer

Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) play a crucial role in modern diapers, enhancing their absorbency and effectiveness.

• A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is a water-absorbing hydrophilic homopolymers or copolymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to its own mass
• Microscopic Forces behind Water Absorption- Water's ability to be absorbed or repelled by materials is influenced by microscopic forces and the material's nature.
• A water molecule, composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, exhibits unique properties.
• Although each atom is charge neutral, the hydrogen electrons shift slightly toward the larger oxygen atom due to its pull.
• Cotton vs Super-Absorbent Polymers (SAPs) - Cotton is effective for absorbing small amounts of water.
• However, for absorbing large volumes of fluids, such as those produced by a baby overnight, a more advanced material is needed super-absorbent polymer (SAP).

• Sodium and Water Interact in Super-Absorbent Polymers (SAPs) - Sodium and water have a strong affinity for each other, much like how salt (sodium chloride) dissolves in water as sodium ions separate from chlorine ions and bond with water molecules.
• In super-absorbent polymers (SAPs), water molecules attach to sodium ions within the polymer structure.
• These water molecules then link together, forming a rigid network that traps the water and swells, creating a gel.
• This gel formation is what allows SAPs to absorb and retain large amounts of liquid.

Reference

The Hindu | Super-Absorbent Polymer

Juneteenth

Recently, Juneteenth was observed on June 19, in the United States of America.

• About- Juneteenth, derived from "June" and "nineteenth," commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States.
• History - The day was first commemorated in 1865 after the Confederate state surrendered to end the Civil War.
• The enslaved African Americans informed of their freedom under President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.
• The day is celebrated with community events such as parades, cookouts, prayer gatherings, and musical performances.
• Symbol of Freedom- It symbolizes freedom and the end of slavery in the United States.
• It signifies the triumph of the human spirit over slavery's brutal legacy and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality.
• It is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an American holiday celebrated annually.
• However, not all state governments recognise the holiday, which means state employees in those states will report to work.
• The legislature would have to pass bills to make it a permanent holiday.
• Recognition- Over the years, Juneteenth celebrations have grown in prominence across the United States.

Reference

The Indian Express | Juneteenth