Initiatives/ Scheme
‘Sol Pudhithu’ Initiative
- Context: The Tamil Development Department has released Tamil equivalents for 22 foreign-language words that have recently come into common usage.
- The ‘Sol Pudhithu’ initiative was launched to create and introduce to the public pure Tamil equivalents for English and other foreign-language words that are newly entering common usage.
Tamil equivalents for foreign terms
- Vegetarian hotel – காய்கறி உணவகம்
- Non-vegetarian hotel – மீன்கறி உணவகம்,
- Bike ride – உந்துருளிப் பயணம்
- Bike tour – உந்துருளி உலா
- Bike taxi – வாடகை உந்துருளி
- Handband – கைப்பட்டை
- Community villa/flat – சமூகச் சீர்மனை
- Delimitation – மறு வரையறை
- Digital hub – மின்னணு இணைய மையம்
- Prebiotic – நன்னுயிரூட்டி
- Review of related literature – முன் ஆய்வுப் பார்வை; Sense of serenity – ஆழ்மன அமைதி
- Unified Payment Interface – தனித்த பணம் வழங்கிடை முகம்
- Peri-urban – புறநகர்
- Stand-up comedy – தனி நபர் நகைச்சுவை
- Black comedy – கருங்கூத்து நகை
- Sketch comedy – சித்திரக் குறுநகை
- Surreal comedy – இயல் மிகை நகை
- Cringe comedy – கடி நகை
- Prebiotic atmosphere – உயிர் முன்வளி மண்டலம்
- Pub – மயக்க மையம்
Polity
CWMA Meeting Scheduled Amid Monsoon Concerns
- Context: The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) will convene the meeting comes during the initial phase of the southwest monsoon to assess the impact of the weak onset of rains on water availability.
Tamil Nadu Seeks New Tribunal on Mekedatu Project
- The Mekedatu issue has gained fresh momentum with Tamil Nadu demanding the constitution of a new tribunal.
- The proposed ₹9,000-crore Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project is at the centre of the dispute.
About Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)
- In June 2018, the Central Government constituted two important institutions under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018—the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).
- Established under Section 6A of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, the CWMA is a statutory and quasi-judicial body.
- It was created to enforce the revised award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in accordance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Major Functions of CWMA
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- Its chief responsibility is to ensure adherence to and execution of the final allocation of Cauvery waters among the basin states.
- The Authority supervises and controls the discharge of water from major reservoirs in the basin, including the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs in Karnataka and the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu.
- During years of inadequate rainfall, the CWMA decides how the shortfall in water availability should be shared proportionately among the concerned states.
- With support from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), it gathers daily information on reservoir storage, water inflows, and water levels.
- The Authority advises states to enhance water-use efficiency through measures such as micro-irrigation techniques and suitable modifications in cropping patterns.
Cauvery River
- The Kaveri River is one of the most important rivers of southern India and is popularly known as the “Ganga of the South” (Dakshin Bharat ki Ganga).
- The sharing of its waters has given rise to one of India’s oldest and most intricate inter-state river disputes.
- The river originates at Talakaveri, situated in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
- Flowing southeastward for nearly 800 km, the Kaveri traverses Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal near Poompuhar.
- The river basin extends across parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Major Tributaries
- Left-bank Tributaries: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavati
- Right-bank Tributaries: Lakshmana Tirtha,Kabini, Suvarnavathi, Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravati
Important Dams
- Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam in Karnataka.
- Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) in Tamil Nadu.
Environment
Ammonia Gas Leak in Tamil Nadu
- Context: An ammonia gas leak occurred at a shrimp processing factory in Kannagiper village near Periyapalayam, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu.
About Ammonia
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- Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless gas with a strong, sharp odour, consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms.
- It is the most basic stable compound formed by these elements and serves as a key raw material for producing numerous commercially valuable nitrogen-based chemicals.
Occurrence in Nature
- Ammonia occurs naturally in the human body as well as in the environment.
- It forms an important component of the nitrogen cycle, being generated in soils through the action of bacteria.
- The decomposition of organic matter, including plants and animals, also releases ammonia naturally.
Industrial Production
- On an industrial scale, ammonia is mainly produced through the Haber–Bosch process, which combines nitrogen and hydrogen under controlled conditions.
Physical Properties
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- Ammonia gas readily dissolves in water to form aqueous (liquid) ammonia.
- When exposed to the atmosphere, liquid ammonia rapidly evaporates and returns to its gaseous state.
Uses of Ammonia
- The principal application of ammonia is in the manufacture of fertilizers.
- It is a crucial ingredient in producing ammonium nitrate, which supplies nitrogen, an essential nutrient required for plant growth.
- Nearly 90% of global ammonia production is utilized for fertilizer manufacture.
- Other important uses include:
- As a refrigerant,
- A stabilizing agent,
- A neutralizer and purifier, especially in water treatment and food transportation,
- Production of plastics, explosives, textiles, dyes, and pharmaceutical products.
Health Effects
- Exposure to elevated concentrations of ammonia in the air can irritate the: Skin, Eyes, Nose and throat, Respiratory tract and lungs.
- Symptoms may include coughing, breathing difficulty, and chemical burns.
Safety Precautions
- Ammonia should never be mixed with other chemicals, particularly chlorine bleach, as the reaction can generate dangerous toxic gases.
- Proper handling and storage are essential to prevent the release of harmful fumes.
Chemical Disaster Management in India
About Chemical Disasters
- Chemical disasters are major industrial hazards arising from the manufacture, storage, transportation, and use of hazardous chemicals.
- They can cause:
- Loss of human lives,
- Injuries and suffering,
- Damage to property, and
- Environmental degradation.
- Chemical disasters have become a serious concern for governments, industries, and communities.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984)
- India witnessed the world’s worst industrial disaster, the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, in 1984.
- The accident occurred due to the leakage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas.
- Thousands of people lost their lives, making it one of the most devastating chemical accidents in history.
National Action Plan on Chemical Industrial Disaster Management (NAP-CIDM)
- The National Action Plan on Chemical Industrial Disaster Management (NAP-CIDM) has been finalized.
- It serves as the roadmap for chemical disaster management in India.
- The plan aims to strengthen preparedness, prevention, mitigation, and response mechanisms for chemical accidents.
About National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex body for disaster management in India.
- It is headed by the Prime Minister of India.
- The establishment of NDMA and institutional mechanisms at the State and District levels is mandated under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
