Today in History (January 20^th, 1817)

On 20^th of January, 1817: Ram Mohan Roy started Hindu College in Calcutta with the help of Justice David Hare. The college was later renamed the Presidency College.

Summary of Today’s News

The Statue of Social Justice

• The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh unveiled the Statue of Social Justice.
  • It is a 125-foot statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at Swaraj Maidan in Vijayawada.

Key points

• The Statue of Social Justice is located in the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Smriti Vanam, Andhra Pradesh.
• It’s the second tallest standing statue in India and the fourth tallest overall.
• The tallest statue in the world is “Statue of Unity” which is about 182 m tall and is located near the Narmada dam in Gujarat, India. The Statue of Unity is world Tallest statue situted in India.
• This towering statue reflects Dr. Ambedkar’s immense contribution to India’s social, economic, political and gender landscapes.
• The statue is made of a steel frame with bronze cladding, entirely manufactured in India.

Human Pappilomavirus:

• Recently, the World Health Organisation has revealed that Cervical cancer, the second-most common cancer among women in India,
• It is caused by the persistent human papillomavirus infection.
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of DNA viruses that can infect the epithelium.
• It is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States.
• It is usually harmless and goes away on its own, but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts.
• It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, during vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus.
• It is estimated that every year around 1.25 lakh women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and nearly 75,000 of them die.
• India accounts for nearly 25% of global cervical cancer deaths.
• In 2022, the WHO adopted a strategy to eliminate cervical cancer globally.
• The strategy includes ensuring 90% of girls are fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by 2030.
• Two vaccines, Gardasil and Cervavac are available in India.

Jalikattu

Recently, the two spectators, including a minor boy, were gored to death by bulls near the venue of a bull-taming event, Jalikattu held at Siravayal village in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu.

Key points about Jalikattu:

• Jallikattu, also known as eruthazhuvuthal or manju virattu.
• It is a traditional bull-taming sport.
• It is celebrated during the Pongal harvest festival in Tamil Nadu.
• The name comes from the words Jalli (silver and gold coins) and Kattu (tied).
• In 2014, the Supreme Court banned Jallikattu and Bullock Cart Race, stating they violated provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• In 2015, the Supreme Court dismissed Tamil Nadu’s plea to recall the ban, leading to massive protests in January 2017.

Greenland

• Recently, the NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory revealed that the climate change has caused Greenland’s ice sheet to lose 20% more ice than previously thought.
• Greenland (Capital: Nuuk)
• Greenland, a part of Denmark is the world’s largest non-continental island country located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.
• Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park situated in Greenland.
• Greenland’s ice sheet is the world’s second largest ice sheet after Antarctica.
• Nearly 75% of Greenland is covered by a permanent ice sheet.

KEY QUESTIONS

• Which body is responsible for the implementation of the National Quantum Mission (NQM)? – Department of Science & Technology (DST)
• Where is the Global Hydrogen Trading Market (GHTM) planned to be established in collaboration with IFSC-GIFT City? – Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• What is the name of the river formed after the confluence of Imphal and Iril rivers? – Manipur River
• What is the material used to carve the Guruvayur temple also known as the Dwarka of the South temple, where the Prime Minister of India visited recently? Patala Anjana stone
• Guruvayur Temple is one of the most famous religious spots in Kerala and in the country.
  • This temple is also known as the Dwarka of South.