Tibetan Brown Bear
India has recorded its first-ever confirmed sighting of a rare Tibetan brown bear) in Sikkim.
- Also known as the Tibetan blue bear
- An omnivore
- Has a distinctive ‘V’ shaped white chest mark
- Habitat – Mainly found in Nepal, Bhutan and the Tibetan plateau.
- Conservation Status – Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Schedule 1), CITES (Appendix 1)
Punganur Cow
PM feeds Punganur cows on the occasion Makar Sankranti.
- Dwarf cattle or Mini cattle
- Native – Andhra Pradesh
- Size – 70-90 cm tall and weighing around 115-200 kg.
- Milk production – Average milk yield of the breed is 546 Kg per lactation with 5% average milk fat.
- Adaptability – Hot and dry climate
Ex-Ayutthaya
Ex-Ayutthaya was conducted recently.
- 1st Bilateral Maritime Exercise.
- Between – India and Thailand
- Symbolises the significance of ‘Ayodhya’ in India and ‘Ayutthaya’ in Thailand
- 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted.
- ‘Ayutthaya’ meaning – The Invincible One or Undefeatable
Model-Based Lending
RBI governor has cautioned banks and NBFC against model-based algorithmic lending.
- It is a remote and automated lending process.
- It uses digital technologies for customer acquisition, credit assessment, loan approval, disbursement, recovery, and associated customer service.
Gangireddu Melam
Megaphone amplifying the impact of Sankranti tradition while performing Gangireddu Melam.
- A traditional folk performance associated with the Sankranti harvest festival.
- Regions – Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Instrument used – pipe instrument called shehnai (sannai in Telugu)
- The bulls, adorned with colorful flowers and garments.