Rapid Fire Current Affairs

• 22 Aug 2023

Namoh 108 Lotus Variety

• Recently, the Union Minister of Science & Technology, unveiled the innovative 'Namoh 108' lotus variety, developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research -National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow.
• Having been discovered in Manipur several years ago, this lotus variety boasts 108 petals, leading to its designation as 'NBRI Namoh 108,' a name derived from both its petal count and its religious significance.
  • Blossoms from March to December, rich in nutrients.
• The flower's genome was sequenced, making it the only Indian lotus variety with a sequenced genome.
• The flower's characteristics were modified to facilitate cultivation outside Manipur.

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Chess World Cup 2023

• Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa wins over World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana in the tie-breaker round of the World Cup 2023, chess tournament at Baku, Azerbaijan.
  • The World Cup 2023 is organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the governing body of chess in the world.
    • It's constituted as a non-governmental institution.
  • FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland), but it was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens Una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”).
• Praggnanandhaa, the youngest Indian grandmaster and the youngest international master is among the most promising talents in the world of chess.
  • He achieved significant victories such as winning the World Youth Chess Championship (under-18) in 2019 and emerging victorious in the Asian Continental Chess Championship (open) in 2021.

Read more: The Rising Popularity of Chess in India

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Ecuador Rejects Amazon Oil Drilling

Ecuadorians have spoken out against the oil drilling of a protected Amazon area housing uncontacted tribes and remarkable biodiversity.

• Over 90% of ballots rejected oil exploration in the area located within the renowned Yasuni National Park, a global biodiversity hotspot.
• This area is the habitat of the isolated Tagaeri and Taromenani tribes, and its significance led to its designation as a UNESCO world biosphere reserve in 1989.

Read more: Biodiversity hotspot

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Student-Led Water Parliament Spurs Water Conservation

In just one year, Shyam Sadan School in Rajasthan's Jodhpur district has witnessed a transformative shift in water practices .

• The school's "Jal Sansad" (water parliament) was established in mid-2022, engaging students in a range of water conservation activities. Students conduct audits to track water usage, organize awareness campaigns, and maintain digital records.
• Rainwater harvesting irrigates the school's nutrition garden, showcasing innovative integration of water-saving practices.

Read more: Catch the Rain: National Water Mission