1.Odisha planting Palm Trees to Combat Lighting:

In news:
● The Special Relief Commissioner’s office has sanctioned Rs 7 crore for the
proposed plan. The state has imposed a ban on the cutting of existing palm
trees, and an initial 19 lakh palm trees will be planted along the forest
boundaries.
Lightning: A natural electrical discharge that occurs during thunderstorms.
● Nature: Sudden electrostatic discharge.
● Characteristics: Bright flash of light, often accompanied by thunder.
● Formation: Caused by the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between
clouds or between a cloud and the ground.
● Safety Considerations: Can be hazardous, leading to injuries or fires.

High Lightning Activity: Eastern and central India, including Odisha, experience the
highest number of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.
Location and Climate: Odisha is an eastern coastal state in the tropical zone, which
provides ideal conditions for lightning due to its hot, dry climate.
Climatic Factors: Factors contributing to lightning include the pre-monsoon and
monsoon periods, cyclonic activities, sea temperature, and atmospheric convective
energy.
Impact of Climate Change: According to a 2021 IMD research paper, climate change
exacerbates lightning strikes, with a nearly 10% increase in activity for every 1°C rise in
long-term temperature.
How palm tree will help:

● Lightning Conductors: Palm trees, due to their height, are effective at
conducting lightning.
● Moisture and Sap: Their high moisture content and sap help absorb lightning.
● Impact Reduction: By absorbing lightning, palm trees reduce the direct impact
on the ground.

2. Bangladesh Crisis

In news:
The resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has caused a severe
political crisis in Bangladesh. This crisis has implications for India, including the
potential arrival of 1 crore Hindu refugees in Bengal from Bangladesh.
The resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resulted in
widespread unrest and a military coup, with the army taking control and setting
up an interim government. This upheaval has raised concerns about the safety of
minorities, particularly Hindus, and prompted India to enhance border security.
The crisis threatens India-Bangladesh trade relations, strategic interests, and
regional stability, requiring careful monitoring and diplomatic efforts to restore
peace and democratic governance in Bangladesh.

Overview of the Bangladesh Crisis 2024:
● Event: Resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
○ Details: Sheikh Hasina’s resignation has triggered a severe political crisis
in Bangladesh.
● Immediate Consequences:
○ Unrest: The resignation led to widespread unrest and a military coup.
○ Interim Government: The Bangladesh Army established an interim
government in response to the unrest.
● Safety and Security Concerns:
○ Minority Risks: Increased violence against Hindus and other minorities
due to the political instability.
○ Humanitarian Issues: Potential refugee influx and the need for
humanitarian aid for affected communities.
● India’s Response:
○ Border Security: Enhanced border security to manage potential refugee
influx and prevent cross-border tensions.
○ Diplomatic Engagement: Active diplomatic efforts to stabilize the
situation and support democratic processes in Bangladesh.
● Economic and Strategic Implications:
○ Trade Disruptions: Possible disruptions in bilateral trade affecting key
exports and imports.
○ Strategic Risks: Potential impacts on joint counter-terrorism efforts and
overall regional stability

● Regional Stability:
○ Threat to Peace: The crisis poses a significant threat to regional stability,
requiring proactive measures for peace and security.
● Long-Term Concerns:
○ Democratic Governance: The situation underscores the urgent need for
restoring democratic governance and stability in Bangladesh.

Causes of the Bangladesh Crisis 2024:

1. Resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina:
   ○ The abrupt resignation led to a power vacuum and political instability.
2. Military Intervention:
   ○ The army intervened, establishing an interim government and disrupting
   democratic processes.
3. Political Polarization:
   ○ Deepening political divisions and lack of consensus among major political
   parties.
4. Corruption and Governance Issues:
   ○ Allegations of widespread corruption and ineffective governance eroded
   public trust.
5. Economic Challenges:
   ○ Economic difficulties, including inflation and unemployment, exacerbated
   public discontent.
6. Civil Unrest:
   ○ Protests and violence escalated, contributing to a breakdown of law and
   order.
7. Minority Safety Concerns:
   ○ Increased risk of violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, amid the
   crisis.
8. Climate Change and Environmental Factors:
   ○ Environmental stressors, such as flooding and cyclones, compounded the
   crisis

3. Nuclear clocks

Source: The Hindu
In news: The World has come from keeping time with the Sun and Moon to atoms
and their nuclei. Some Physicists have even started work on the next to next
generation of devices, called nuclear clocks.
Nuclear clocks, also known as atomic clocks, are highly precise timekeeping devices
that rely on the vibrations of atoms to measure time with exceptional accuracy. They
represent one of the most advanced technologies in timekeeping, crucial for
applications requiring extreme precision, such as GPS systems, telecommunications,
and scientific research.
Key Concepts of Nuclear Clocks

1. Principle of Operation:
   ○ Atomic Transitions: Nuclear clocks operate based on the vibrations or
   transitions of atoms between different energy levels. Specifically, these
   clocks use transitions in certain atoms or ions, where the frequency of
   these transitions is incredibly stable and consistent.
   ○ Frequency Measurement: The timekeeping is based on measuring the
   frequency of these transitions, which can be incredibly precise. For
   instance, cesium atomic clocks, which are the standard in many
   applications, measure the vibrations of cesium atoms.
2. Types of Atomic Clocks:
   ○ Cesium Clocks: Use the transition between two hyperfine levels of the
   ground state of cesium-133 atoms. The frequency of this transition is the
   basis for the international definition of the second.
   ○ Rubidium Clocks: Utilize rubidium atoms, often used in combination with
   cesium clocks to enhance precision.
   ○ Strontium and Ytterbium Clocks: These use optical lattice technology
   and can achieve even greater precision than cesium clocks.

3. Applications:
   ○ Navigation Systems: GPS satellites rely on highly accurate atomic clocks
   to synchronize signals and provide precise location data.
   ○ Telecommunications: Ensures the synchronization of networks and
   transmission of data.
   ○ Scientific Research: Used in experiments that require precise time
   measurements, such as tests of fundamental physics theorie.

5. Advancements:

○ Optical Lattice Clocks: A newer technology that traps atoms in a lattice
created by laser light, offering even higher precision than traditional
cesium-based clocks.
○ Quantum Clocks: Utilize principles from quantum mechanics to achieve
unprecedented levels of accuracy.

5. Challenges:
   ○ Cost and Complexity: Building and maintaining these clocks is expensive
   and requires specialized equipment.
   ○ Environmental Sensitivity: Atomic clocks need to be carefully isolated
   from external factors such as temperature fluctuations and magnetic fields
   to maintain their accuracy.
6. Future Directions:
   ○ Improved Accuracy: Research is ongoing to develop even more accurate
   clocks, potentially using new materials and technologies.
   ○ Integration with Quantum Technologies: Advancements in quantum
   computing and quantum technologies may lead to further innovations in
   atomic clock precision.

4.Ladki – Bahin Yojana

Source: The Hindu

● A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court on
Friday against the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ and
‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojna’ schemes announced by the
Maharashtra State government in the 2024–2025 budget. The scheme
promises to provide monthly financial assistance to women and men.
About the scheme
● In Maharashtra, many women from economically disadvantaged families struggle
to meet their basic needs due to financial constraints, leading to various
challenges. To address this issue, the Maharashtra government has launched the
“Maanji Ladki Behini Yojana.” Under this scheme, the state government will
provide a monthly financial aid of ₹1500 to women from poor and vulnerable
families.
● This assistance amounts to a total of ₹18,000 per year for each beneficiary. The
financial support will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the women to
help them easily meet their needs. This initiative by the Maharashtra government
is aimed at improving the well-being of women and is a significant welfare
measure. If you have not yet applied for this scheme, please visit the official
website to submit your application.

● The primary objective of the “Maanji Ladki Behini Yojana” is to strengthen
women’s empowerment and make women self-reliant in the state. Therefore, the
government has announced that under this scheme, women will receive a
monthly financial assistance of ₹1500 to help them meet their needs and become
self-sufficient.

Benefits of the Maanji Ladki Behini Yojana
The “Maanji Ladki Behini Yojana” launched by the Maharashtra government offers
several significant benefits for women:

1. Government Initiative: This welfare scheme has been introduced by the
   Maharashtra government.
2. Monthly Financial Aid: Women will receive a monthly financial assistance of
   ₹1500 from the government under this scheme.
3. Eligibility and Disbursement: The financial aid will be provided only after the
   application is approved.
4. Transfer of Funds: The aid amount will be transferred to the women’s bank
   accounts in September of the respective year.
5. Annual Support: Each woman will receive a total of ₹18,000 annually, providing
   significant financial support.
6. Meeting Needs: The assistance will help women meet their essential needs.
7. Self-Sufficiency: The scheme aims to enable women to become self-reliant and
   manage their lives more easily.

Eligibility Criteria
To apply for and benefit from this scheme, women must meet the following criteria:

1. Residency: Only women who are residents of Maharashtra are eligible.
2. Age: Applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 65 years.
3. Economic Status: The scheme is intended for women from economically
   weaker and poorer families.
4. Income Limit: The family’s annual income must be less than ₹2,50,000 for
   eligibility.
5. Marital Status: The scheme is available to married, divorced, unmarried,
   widowed, and destitute women.

5.Custom Duty hike for Lab Chemicals:

In news:
● The Finance Ministry has decided to withdraw a proposed customs duty hike on
imported laboratory chemicals, following significant opposition from scientists.
Laboratory chemicals, which include reagents, enzymes, oxidizers, corrosive
acids, and compressed gases, are crucial for scientific research and medical
diagnostics. These chemicals are essential for conducting experiments and
developing new products, and their associated laboratory instruments, such as
funnels, beakers, test tubes, and burners, are also vital. Given their diverse and
potentially hazardous properties, these chemicals are subject to strict regulation
and import scrutiny.

1. Definition and Purpose:
   ● Customs Duty: A tax imposed by a government on goods imported or exported
   across international borders.
   ● Purpose: To regulate and control trade, protect domestic industries from foreign
   competition, and generate revenue for the government.

2. Types of Customs Duty:
   • Basic Customs Duty: The standard duty levied on imported goods based on
     their value or weight.
   • Additional Customs Duty (Countervailing Duty): Imposed to counterbalance
     the effect of subsidies granted by foreign governments to their domestic
     industries. It is aimed at equalizing the cost of imported goods.
   • Protective Duty: Designed to protect domestic industries by making imported
     goods more expensive.
   • Anti-Dumping Duty: Applied when foreign goods are sold at a price lower than
     their normal value, potentially harming local businesses.
   • Safeguard Duty: Implemented to protect a specific domestic industry from an
     unexpected surge in imports that could harm the industry.
   • Educational Cess: An additional charge on customs duty to fund educational
     programs.\

3. Customs Valuation:
   ● Basis of Valuation: Customs duties are calculated based on the value of the
   imported goods, which may include the cost of transportation and insurance.
   ● Valuation Methods: The primary method is the transaction value method, where
   the duty is based on the price paid or payable for the goods.

4. Customs Procedures:
   • Import Procedures: Includes filing an import declaration, submitting relevant
     documents, and paying the assessed customs duty.
   • Export Procedures: Involves filing an export declaration, obtaining clearance,
     and sometimes availing of duty exemptions or refunds.
5. Customs Act and Regulations:
   ● Customs Act: Governs the imposition, assessment, and collection of customs
   duties. It also outlines the procedures for dealing with customs offenses and
   disputes.
   ● Regulations: Specific rules and guidelines issued under the Customs Act to
   manage the administration of customs duties and related processes
6. Customs Duty in India:
   ● Customs Tariff Act: Provides the schedule of rates for customs duties and is
   updated regularly to reflect changes in trade policies.
   ● Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC): The governing body
   responsible for formulating policies and overseeing customs administration in
   India.
7. Impact and Implications:
   ● Trade Balance: Affects the trade balance by influencing import and export
   volumes.
   ● Domestic Industries: Protects domestic industries from unfair competition and
   promotes local production.
   ● Revenue Generation: A key source of revenue for the government, funding
   various public services and infrastructure projects.