Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 16 Jan 2023
- 4 min read
India’s 75th Army Day
The Indian Army commemorated 75th Army Day on 15th January at the Parade Grounds in Hyderabad.
On this day in 1949, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, replacing his British predecessor (General Sir Francis Butcher). General Cariappa was second of the only two Army officers to have held the five-star rank of Field Marshal (first being Sam Manekshaw).
The day honours the soldiers of the country, who have set the greatest example of selfless service and brotherhood and more than anything the love for the country.
Note - Army Day is different from the Veterans Army Day celebrated on 14 Jan which marks the formal retirement of Field Marshal KM Cariappa from the Services.
Read More - Indian Army Day
Avalanches
The recent days have witnessed increased stances of avalanches in the region of Kashmir where the Zojila tunnel project is being implemented. The authorities have issued an avalanche warning with ‘low-danger level’ for 11 districts.
Avalanches are masses of snow, ice, and rocks that fall rapidly down a mountainside. Avalanches of rocks or soil are often called landslides. Snowslides are the most common kind of avalanche. Humans trigger 90% of avalanche disasters; most of them being skiers, climbers and snowmobilers. Avalanches strike suddenly and can be deadly.
Read More - Zojila Tunnel Project
Business Confidence Index
The latest CII Business Confidence Index (for Oct-Dec 2022 quarter) rebounded to its highest reading in almost 2 years of 67.6 (from 62.2 in the previous quarter), reflecting optimism around India being in a safe spot despite the rising global economic uncertainties.
As per OECD, a Business Confidence Index provides information on future developments, based upon opinion surveys on developments in production, orders and stocks of finished goods in the industry sector.
The CII (Confederation of Indian Industries) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization. It was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
Read More - Confederation of Indian Industries
Invasive Tree Species
Delhi’s State EIA Authority has asked the State Forest Department to take steps to contain and exterminate 3 rapidly growing invasive tree species - Vilayati Kikar (Prosopis Juliflora), Subabul (River tamarind) and Eucalyptus as they are adversely affecting the local ecology.
Vilayati Kikar - the Mexican invasive species introduced by the British in 1930s, is the most harmful. It is the only form of vegetation visibly thriving on the Delhi Ridge.
Eucalyptus, which came from Australia, is not invasive in nature, but uses a lot of water as it is a fast-growing tree. It also shows allelopathic effects (releases compounds which make it difficult for other native species to grow nearby).
Subabul also comes from Mexico and was introduced by the forest department for fuel and fodder. All three species are depleting the groundwater table.
Read More - Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Invasive Species
