Prelims Mantra – (24/12/2025)

Geography, Mapping, Ecology & Environment

POPPY PLANT:

• • CONTEXT: India continues as a major legal supplier of opium alkaloids for global pharmaceutical use.
    • Government promoting CPS (Concentrated Poppy Straw) method to:
      • Reduce diversion into illegal markets
      • Improve transparency.
    • Rising concerns over: Illegal poppy cultivation in border and insurgency-affected areas (e.g., parts of NE India).
  • NDPS Act enforcement strengthened using satellite imagery and drone surveillance.
  • Scientific name: Papaver somniferum
  • Family: Papaveraceae
  • Source of opium, from which morphine, codeine, thebaine are derived.
  • Native to Mediterranean region.
  • Legal & Regulatory Aspects (India):
    • Cultivation is strictly regulated under: NDPS Act, 1985
    • Only licensed farmers can cultivate poppy.
  • Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) controls:
    • Licensing
    • Supervision
    • Procurement of opium latex
  • Legal cultivation mainly in:
    • Madhya Pradesh
    • Rajasthan
    • Uttar Pradesh
  • Uses:
    • Medical: Painkillers, cough suppressants, anti-diarrheal drugs.
    • Pharmaceutical industry: Essential raw material for opioid medicines.
    • Seeds (khus-khus):
      • Non-narcotic
      • Used in food (bakery, Indian cuisine).
  • Agricultural conditions: requires
    • Cool climate
    • Well-drained loamy soil
  • Latex extracted by lancing the unripe capsule.
  • International context: India is one of the few countries permitted by UN to cultivate opium legally.
  • Regulated under: UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961

(TH)

CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER STATION:

• • CONTEXT: During Russia–Ukraine conflict (since 2022):
    • Chernobyl site was temporarily occupied by Russian forces.
    • Raised global concerns over nuclear safety during armed conflict.
  • Located near Pripyat, northern Ukraine (then USSR).
  • Situated close to the Ukraine–Belarus border.
  • Named after the nearby town Chernobyl.
  • Reactor type: RBMK (Reaktor Bolshoy Moshchnosti Kanalny). Graphite-moderated, light-water cooled (unique to USSR).
  • Chernobyl Disaster (1986):
    • Date: 26 April 1986
    • Reactor involved: Unit 4
    • Cause:
      • Flawed reactor design (positive void coefficient)
      • Operator errors during a safety test
    • Explosion released massive radioactive material into the atmosphere.
    • Worst nuclear accident in history (INES Level 7).
    • Radioactive fallout spread across:
      • Ukraine
      • Belarus
      • Russia
      • Parts of Europe
    • Creation of Exclusion Zone (≈30 km radius).
    • Severe health & environmental impacts:
      • Thyroid cancer cases
      • Long-term ecological contamination
    • Zone now acts as a living laboratory for:
    • Radiation ecology
    • Evolutionary biology
    • Despite radiation, wildlife has rebounded (wolves, lynx).

(TH)

Greater Kruger:

• • CONTEXT: Rhino poaching remains a major concern. Greater Kruger often cited in reports on:
    • Wildlife crime
    • Illegal wildlife trade
  • Increased use of: AI, drones, thermal cameras for anti-poaching
  • Highlighted globally as a successful model of public-private conservation partnerships.
  • Greater Kruger Landscape = Kruger National Park + adjoining private & community reserves (South Africa).
  • Located in north-eastern South Africa, near Mozambique border.
  • Part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.
  • Key feature: Removal of internal fences, free movement of wildlife (landscape-level conservation).
  • Biodiversity hotspot of African savannah ecosystem; habitat of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo).
  • Conservation significance:
    • Public-private-community partnership model
    • Major global focus on rhino conservation & anti-poaching
  • Transboundary relevance: Promotes wildlife migration, ecological connectivity, and regional cooperation.

(TH)

Science & Technology

RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR – 2025:

• • CONTEXT: Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar – 2025 was presented by President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • It was the second edition of the award.
    • 24 awards were given in four categories:
      • Vigyan Ratna
      • Vigyan Shri
      • Vigyan Yuva
      • Vigyan Team
  • Objective: To recognise outstanding contributions by scientists, technologists, and innovators in science & technology and innovation.

(PIB)

Flagship National Conclave on “AI Evolution – The Mahakumbh of AI”:

• • Flagship National Conclave on “AI Evolution – The Mahakumbh of AI” held in New Delhi.
  • Presided by: Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan.
  • Organised by: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, AICTE, and Outlook magazine.
  • Key messages:
    • Artificial Intelligence is a present reality shaping multiple sectors (healthcare, governance, finance, education, security).
    • India must leverage AI ethically for welfare and development.
    • AI curricula launched; AI should be part of school & college education to build future ready skills.
    • India’s demographic dividend (~65% under 35) can help it lead in AI globally.
    • AI is critical for Aatma Nirbhar and Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision.

(PIB)

History, Art & Culture

Priceless Thanjavur Artwork Transported by India Post:

• • Department of Posts executed a special high‑value logistics mission, transporting a priceless Thanjavur painting of The Divine Shri Ram from Bengaluru to Ayodhya via its Logistics Post service.
  • The artwork: traditional Thanjavur style, gold base with precious/semi‑precious stones, measuring 12 ft × 8 ft, weighing ~800 kg.
  • Transported under continuous supervision, over ~1,900 km, involving multiple postal circles (Karnataka – Telangana – Maharashtra – MP – UP).
  • First‑of‑its‑kind high‑value Logistics Post consignment showcasing India Post’s enhanced capability in specialized and secure logistics.
  • Delivered and installed at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Ayodhya, demonstrating support for national heritage and cultural preservation.

(PIB)

Personalities in news

Vinod Kumar Shukla:

• • Context: Demise on 23 December 2025 at AIIMS Raipur due to age-related ailments, widely mourned in literary circles.
  • Indian Hindi writer, poet, novelist, and teacher known for magic-realist, lyrical simplicity in prose and poetry.
  • Born 1 January 1937 in Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh); passed away 23 December 2025 at age 89.
  • Academic background:Sc. in Agriculture; began career as lecturer before full-time writing.
  • Literary contributions: Blended everyday life with subtle profundity; often termed an innovator in modern Hindi prose.
  • His journey as a writer began in 1971, when his first poetry collection Lagbhag Jaihind was published.
  • Key works include:
    • Naukar Ki Kameez (adapted into film)
    • Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi
    • Khilega To Dekhenge
    • Ek Chuppi Jagah
    • Kavita Se Lambi Kavita
  • His writing is noted for fusing poetry and prose, elevating ordinary life to poetic insight.
  • Awards & Recognition:
    • 59th Jnanpith Award (2024/2025): the highest literary honour in India; first person from Chhattisgarh to receive it.
    • Sahitya Akademi Award (1999) for Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi.
    • PEN/Nabokov Award (2023), first Indian recipient, signifying global recognition.

(TH+PIB)

Chaudhary Charan Singh:

• • CONTEXT: Birth anniversary on 23 December.
  • Born 23 Dec 1902, Noorpur (UP); Died 29 May 1987.
  • Known as “Champion of Farmers”; lawyer turned politician.
  • 5th Prime Minister of India (1979–1980); also Deputy PM & Agriculture Minister.
  • Advocated farmers’ rights, land reforms, cooperative farming, and state autonomy.
  • Founded Lok Dal; influenced future agrarian policies and welfare schemes.

(PIB)

Miscellaneous

Prime Minister shares Sanskrit Subhashitam emphasising the importance of Farmers:

• • The Subhashitam conveys that even when possessing gold, silver, rubies, and fine clothes, people still have to depend on farmers for food.

“सुवर्ण-रौप्य-माणिक्य-वसनैरपि पूरिताः।

तथापि प्रार्थयन्त्येव कृषकान् भक्ततृष्णया।।”

(PIB)

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