Kodo Millet (Paspalum Scrobiculatum)

The consumption of kodo millet has recently led to the death of 10 elephants in Madhya Pradesh.

• Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is also known as Kodra and Varagu in India.
• The crop is grown in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and West Africa.
• The millet is believed to have originated in India and Madhya Pradesh is one of the largest producers of the crop.
• Apart from MP, the millet is cultivated in Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• The tropical and subtropical regions are best suited for Kodo millet cultivation and it is grown on poor soils, and widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions.
• Kodo millet is a staple food for many tribal and economically weaker sections in India.
• Characteristics:
  • Hardy crop
  • Drought tolerant
  • High yield potential
  • Excellent storage properties
  • Grows well in poor soils
  • Suited for arid and semi-arid regions
• Nutritional Benefits:
  • Rich in vitamins and minerals
  • Gluten-free.
  • Easy to digest.
  • Source of antioxidants.
  • Potential anti-carcinogenic properties.
  • Contains beneficial dietary fibre.
  • Positive effects on glucose absorption and cholesterol levels.
• Some of the famous dishes that can be made with kodo millets include idli, dosa, papad, chakli, porridges and rotis.
• kodo poisoning – One of the earliest known documentation of kodo millet poisoning was in the Indian Medical Gazette in 1922.
• Millets are more prone to fungal infection followed by bacterial and viral diseases and these infections adversely affect the grain and fodder yield.
• Ergot is a parasitic fungal endophyte that grows in the ear heads of various blades of grass, most frequently on kodo millet.
• Consumption of such kodo grains is often found to cause poisoning.
• CPA (Cyclopiazonic acid) is one of the major mycotoxins associated with the kodo millet seeds causing kodo poisoning which was first recognised during the mid-eighties in India.
• Kodo poisoning occurs mainly due to the consumption of kodo grains, when “maturing and harvesting if the grains had encountered with rainfall, resulting in a fungal infection leading to ‘poisoned kodo’.
• It is locally known as ‘Matawna Kodoo’ or ‘Matona Kodo’ in northern India.
• Kodo poisoning mainly affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
• The Symptoms include “vomiting, giddiness, and unconsciousness, small and rapid pulse, cold extremities, shaking of limbs and tremors.”
• Researchers have advocated the use of biocontrol agents.

ERG25

It has been recently found that ERG25 is linked with the nickel tolerance which highlights the fundamental cellular processes and potential therapeutic applications.

• ERG25 is a conserved gene found across species that encodes C-4 methyl sterol oxidase enzyme.
• It is essential component of sterol biosynthesis pathway.
• It is present in fungi, mammals, and other eukaryotes which is highly conserved across evolution.
• It functions similarly in different organisms.
• Primary Functions – In Sterol Biosynthesis, ERG25 roles include:
  • Converts sterol intermediates.
  • Essential for cholesterol production in mammals.
  • Critical for ergosterol synthesis in fungi.

Sterol biosynthesis is a complex process that produces ringed lipids called sterols, which are vital for eukaryotic life.

Sterols are found in cell membranes and control their permeability and function.

• Newly Discovered Role – It includes:
  • Provides protection against nickel toxicity.
  • Influences metal tolerance.
  • Links metabolism to environmental stress.

Amrit Parampara

‘Kaveri Meets Ganga’ is the First Programme under Amrit Parampara festival series was recently held at Kartavya Path and Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT).

• Amrit Parampara is a special festival series to unite India through art and culture.
• It aims to celebrate traditional arts and art forms of India with special focus on declining and dying art forms and traditions across performing arts, visuals arts and literature.
• The series is curated with innovative programs anchored in traditional art forms with modern packaging and technology based interactive and immersive experiences.
• It is an initiative by the Ministry of Culture.
• Kaveri Meets Ganga – Is the first program under the Amrit Parampara series.
• It brings the best of dance and musical traditions from South India to North India and also showcases artistic traditions from North India in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
• It will feature a distinguished line-up of traditional performances.
• It was jointly organized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Kalakshetra & Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT).
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi was set up in 1953 for the promotion of performing arts.
• To know more about Sangeet Natak Akademi click here
• Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) – Is one of the premier institutions working in the field of linking education with culture.
• It was established in 1979, pioneered by Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan.
• It functions as an autonomous organization under the aegis of Ministry of Culture.
• CCRT has been contributing to the strengthening of the foundation of the nation by making education culture based and meaningful.
• The CCRT has its headquarters in New Delhi and Four Regional Centres at Udaipur in the west, Hyderabad in the south, Guwahati in the north-east and Damoh in Central India to facilitate the widespread dissemination of Indian art and culture.
• The CCRT revitalizes the education system by creating an understanding and awareness among teachers, students and educational administrators.
• CCRT's main thrust is to make variety of training programmes for in-service teachers, teacher educators, educational administrators and students throughout the country.
• It also organizes special training programmes for the physically and mentally challenged children.

National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

The new office of the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) was recently inaugurated at the World Trade Centre, New Delhi.

• National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not for profit Organization under section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 that was registered on 19th June, 2003.
• It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• It aims to promote internet penetration in the country as well as across the globe. 
• Primary purpose – To facilitate exchange of domestic Internet traffic between the peering Internet service provider (ISP), Content players and any other organizations with their own Autonomous system (AS) number.
• The Main Objectives to be pursued by the Company on its incorporation are:
  • To Promote Internet,
  • To set up, when needed, in select location(s)/parts/regions of India Internet Exchanges/Peering Points,
  • To enable effective and efficient routing, peering, transit and exchange of the Internet traffic within India,
  • To continuously work for enhancing and improving the quality of Internet and Broadband services and
  • Set up .Internet Domain Name Operations and related activities.
• Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) – IRINN is a division functioning under NIXI.
• It is a not-for-profit, Affiliates based entity, with the primary goal of allocation of Internet resources to its Affiliates.
• It provides allocation and registration services of Internet Protocol addresses (IPv4 & IPv6) and Autonomous System numbers to its Affiliates.

 Vajra Prahar, Garud Shakti & SIMBEX

• Exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’ – It is an Army exercise between India and USA.
• Aim of the exercise is to promote military cooperation between India and the US through enhancement of interoperability, joint-ness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics.
• The exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing joint Special Forces Operations in desert/ semi desert environment.
• The exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.
• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted at Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA.
• This will be second exercise of the year between Indian and the US Army, the previous being Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2024, conducted at Rajasthan in September 2024.
• Exercise ‘Garud Shakti’ – It is a joint Army exercise between India and Indonesia.
• The 9th edition of the exercise will be conducted from November 1 to 12 at Cijantung in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• The exercise is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills.
• SIMBEX – Is a maritime (Naval) exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
• The 31st edition of SIMBEX was held in the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.
• It began as 'Exercise Lion King' in 1994, has since evolved into one of the most significant bilateral maritime collaborations between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).