Vidarbha’s First Integrated Steel Plant
News – Maharashtra Unveils Vidarbha’s First Integrated Steel Plant in Gadchiroli.
- Project Launch – Maharashtra to launch Vidarbha’s first integrated steel plant in Gadchiroli.
- Inauguration By – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to lay the foundation.
- Company Involved – Llyods Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL).
- Significance – Boosts industrial diversification, economic empowerment, and sustainable infrastructure in the region.
- Impact – Marks a major step in Vidarbha’s industrialisation and resource-based economic growth.
Grandala- Electric-blue bird
News- A Rare ‘Grandala’ electric-blue bird was recently spotted in Sainj Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
- Grandala – A species of bird in the thrush family Turdidae.
- Scientific Name – Grandala coelicolor.
- It is the only species placed in the genus Grandala.
- It is an arboreal insectivore.
- Range – Across the northeastern Indian Subcontinent and some adjoining regions, existing primarily in the low-to-mid altitudes of the Himalayas.
- Found in – Bhutan, India, Myanmar, and Nepal, as well as Tibet and other areas of China.
- Conservation Status – IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Caracal Cat
News- Rare Wild cat, the caracal, spotted in Madhya Pradesh after 20 Year.
- Spotted – Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh.
- Significance – Marks the first caracal sighting in the state in 20 years.
- Wildcat Type – Medium-sized wildcat, often called the desert lynx (though not a true lynx).
- Indian Name – Known as siya gosh in India, meaning “black ear” in Persian.
- Scientific Name – Caracal caracal.
- IUCN Red List – Least concern.
- The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I.
National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025
News – INCOIS Receives National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025.
- Award Received – INCOIS won the National Geospatial Practitioner Award 2025.
- Event – Award presented at Open-Source GIS Day (Edition 02), IIT Bombay.
- Technology Use – Recognized for using open-source geospatial technology in ocean information services.
- Contribution – Noted for excellence in marine geospatial intelligence and data-driven ocean management.
- Significance – Reaffirms INCOIS’s leadership in national marine governance and environmental protection.
Adakabi Sarala Das
News – President of india graces birth anniversary celebrations of Adakabi Sarala Das.
- Adikabi Sarala Dasa – Originator of Odia literature.
- He was born around the 15th century A.D.
- He was the first scholar to write in Odia language.
- Original Name – Born as Siddheswara Parida.
- Time Period – Contemporary of Gajapati king Kapilendra Dev.
- Place of Work – Composed epics at the Munigosain religious establishment.
- Major Works – Known for Mahabharata, Vilanka Ramayana, and Chandi Purana.
- Other Writings – Also authored Laxmi Narayana Vachanika.
MCQs
Q1. Where was the rare electric-blue Grandala bird recently spotted?
A) Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
B) Sainj Valley, Himachal Pradesh
C) Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
D) Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Q2. Where was the rare wild cat, the caracal, recently spotted in Madhya Pradesh?
A) Kanha National Park
B) Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
C) Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
D) Pench National Park
Q3. Which company is setting up the steel plant in Vidarbha?
A) Tata Steel
B) Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL)
C) Jindal Steel
D) SAIL
Q4. Which award did INCOIS receive in 2025?
A) National Oceanic Innovation Award
B) Marine Data Excellence Award
C) National Geospatial Practitioner Award
D) Environmental Leadership Award
Q5. Who is considered the originator of Odia literature?
A) Fakir Mohan Senapati
B) Sarala Dasa
C) Gangadhar Meher
D) Kabisurya Baladeba Ratha