Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 13 Oct 2023
- 4 min read
The Phonotaxis Phenomenon
Recently, it has been discovered that certain creatures like Insects, Bats exhibit positive and negative phenomena of Phonotaxis in response to the existing environmental and anatomical conditions.
- Phonotaxis is the movement by an animal in response to a sound. It has mostly been observed among crickets, moths, frogs, and toads, among a few other creatures.
- The purpose of positive phonotaxis is attraction. It usually happens when the females of a particular species – including those of crickets and frogs – are attracted to the sounds made by the males. Mediterranean house geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus) use positive phonotaxis.
- Negative phonotaxis, on the other hand, serves to repel or warn, such as when the sound of a predator nearby signals to an animal that it needs to move away. Crickets in particular have been found to steer themselves away from low-intensity ultrasound typically associated with bats (which use it for echolocation).
Read More: Dolphins
Establishment of an Autonomous Body Mera Yuva Bharat Approved
Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of an autonomous body Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) to serve as an overarching enabling mechanism powered by technology for youth development and youth led development.
- MY Bharat, an autonomous body will benefit the youth in the age-group of 15-29 years, in line with the definition of ‘Youth’ in the National Youth Policy. In case of programme components specifically meant for the adolescents, the beneficiaries will be in the age-group of 10-19 years.
- Under this new arrangement, with access to resources & connection to opportunities, youth would become community change agents and nation builders allowing them to act as the Yuva Setu between the Government and the citizens.
- The Body will improve leadership skills through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical interaction to programmatic skills and Create a centralized youth database.
Read More: Youth In India Report, 2022 , National Youth Day,2022
Indian Army's Strategic Transition
The Indian Army is undergoing significant transformation, with the potential conversion of its logistics and transport units into the Territorial Army (TA).
- The TA is not only expanding its role but also bolstering its capabilities by recruiting Chinese language interpreters for border personnel meetings and cybersecurity experts to assist the Army.
- The TA's primary function is to relieve the regular army of static duties and provide crucial support during emergencies and disasters.
Read more: Indian Army
USS Gerald R Ford
In light of recent conflict escalation in Israel, the US has deployed the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group (CSG) to the Eastern Mediterranean, demonstrating its support for Israel and the carrier's role in military operations.
- The USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), commissioned in 2017, bears the name of former U.S. President Gerald R Ford, who served from 1974 to 1977.
- It is considered as one of the largest warships ever constructed. It displaces 100,000 tonnes at full load. It can achieve a top speed of over 30 knots, equivalent to 56 kilometers per hour.
- Aircraft carriers, including the Gerald R Ford, are both offensive weapons and symbols of a nation's military might. Consequently, they always operate as part of a carrier strike group.
