Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 22 Aug 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.