21st June 2021
International Yoga Day
History of International Yoga Day:
It was proposed by the Prime Minister of India in his speech at the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014.
Its inception took place in 2015.
Indian Cultural History about Yoga:
June 21, a summer solstice day and has special significance in yoga.
As per Indian mythology, it is believed that on the day of the summer solstice that Lord Shiva began imparting the knowledge of yoga to the world.
Importance of Yoga:
Yoga is not just beneficial for the body but also renews the mind with confidence.
In recent times, Yoga has assumed greater significance as it helps in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients.
THEME OF YOGA DAY 2021: The theme is 'Yoga for well-being - how the practice of Yoga can promote the holistic health of every individual.'
This is the seventh yoga Day.
DEVELOPMENTS:
PM in his address to Nation announced M-Yoga App and said the app will help in achieving “ One World One Health”
Kirvak or Talwar Stealth FrigatesI
News: The second frigate of the Krivak or Talwar stealth frigates was inaugurated by the VIce- chief of the Naval Staff. They are being built through technology transfer from Russia by Goa Shipyard Ltd(GSL).
About Krivak or Talwar stealth frigates:
They are a series of frigates and guard ships (patrol boats) built in the Soviet Union, primarily for the Soviet Navy since 1970.
Purpose of these frigates:
They are mainly used to accomplish a wide variety of naval missions including finding and eliminating enemy submarines and large surface ships.
Presently Indian Navy operates six Krivak class frigates weighing around 4,000 tonnes in two different batches. These include The Talwar class and The upgraded Teg class.
Black Softshell Turtle or the Nilssonia Nigricans
source of image: the hindu
News: Hayagriva Madhava Temple in the state of Assam has signed a MOU with two green NGOs, the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden and the Kamrup district administration for the long-term conservation of the rare freshwater.
About the news:
A vision document 2030 was launched after Turtle Survival Alliance India and Help Earth signed a pact with the temple.
The conservation pact aims to restock the wild with viable, self-sufficient and genetically pure threatened turtle populations in the region.
To improve the husbandry of turtles kept in such ponds.
Also, improve recovery efforts are recommended for the long-term survival and existence of the endangered freshwater turtles.
Further, to improve mass awareness on the conservation issues of all species of turtles in the region.
It will work on threats and opportunities to strengthen the black softshell turtle population in Assam.
Black softshell turtle:
It is a rare freshwater turtle found in Brahmaputra.
It is “extinct in the wild, As per IUCN it is critically endangered.
However, it is protected under “legal protection under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.”
Further, it is confined only to ponds of temples in northeastern India and Bangladesh.
Threat:
traditionally been hunted for its meat and cartilage, traded in regional and international markets.