Silence Period
Silence Period was observed in the states where Lok Sabha elections were held.
- A ban on political campaigning before voting.
- Begins 48 hours before the voting day and ends after polling ends.
- Imposed under the – Representation of People Act 1951 (however the Act does not use the term silence period)
- Some regulations –
- Prohibits displaying any election matter using television or similar apparatus, or propagation of election matters through any entertainmentProhibits conducting Exit Polls and displaying their result (using print or electronic media)
- Prohibits displaying the results of any Opinion Poll (in any electronic media)
Ghughwa National Fossils Park
Prehistoric artefacts made from fossil wood found in Ghughwa National Fossils Park, indicating use of fossilised tree trunks as raw materials for tools by early men.
- Location – Madhya Pradesh.
- Landscape – Tropical dry deciduous.
- Key Features – It has plants in fossil form that existed in India between 40 million and 150 million years ago.
- Notable discoveries include preserved fossils of woody plants (eucalyptus, date palm, neem, etc.), climbers, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. and dinosaur egg fossil.
Nephrotic Syndrome
Recently scientists discovered that anti-nephrin autoantibodies serve as biomarker for monitoring advancement of Nephrotic syndrome.
- Kidney disorder that causes too much protein to be lost from blood into urine.
- Causes scarring or damage to filtering part of kidneys (glomeruli).
- These tiny blood vessels filter waste and excess water from blood, directing them to bladder as urine.
Periyar River
Recently mass fish deaths were reported in the Periyar River. About Periyar River It is a perennial and longest river in Kerala.
- Origin – Sivagiri Hills of Western Ghats
- Flows through Periyar Tiger Reserve
- Drains into – Arabian Sea.
- Tributaries – Muthirapuzhayar, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, Perinjankutti, and Edamala.
- Major Dams on Periyar basin – Idukki, Mullaperiyar, Edamalayar
AI Krish and AI Bhoomi
Doordarshan Kisan (DD Kisan) will soon launch two AI (Artificial Intelligence) anchors named AI Krish and AI Bhoomi.
- Provides necessary information about agriculture like ongoing research, trends in agriculture mandis, changes in the weather, etc.
- Can work like a human and can read news 24 hours and 365 days.
- Speak 50 national and international languages.
- DD Kisan – Established in 2015 by the Government of India to always keep the farmers informed about the changes in weather, global and local markets etc.