About HELINA Missile:

• HELINA (Helicopter-launched NAG) is an indigenous, third-generation "fire-and-forget" anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
• It is the helicopter-based version of the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM).
• The Air Force version of the missile is called Dhruvastra, along with an ATGM version, which can be fired by soldiers.
• It has been developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Features:
  • Helina missile systems are outfitted with two twin launchers, one on each side, capable of carrying a total of eight missiles.
  • It can cover distances ranging between 500 m and 7,000 m and is guided by an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker with lock-on before launch
    • It means the crew locks on to the target before the launch, and the missile then guides itself to the target without any further control from the helicopter.
  • The missile climbs sharply after the launch and then plunges directly onto the top of the tank.
  • The system is equipped for day and night operations in all weather conditions, capable of neutralising battle tanks equipped with both conventional armour and explosive reactive armour.

About Kiru Hydroelectric Power Project:

• It is a 624 MW run-of-the-river scheme being developed over the Chenab River in Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
• It is located between the Kirthai II hydroelectric project upstream and the Kwar hydroelectric project downstream.
• The project will include the construction of a concrete gravity dam with a height of 135 m and an underground powerhouse located on the left bank of the river that will comprise four vertical Francis turbines with a capacity of 156 MW each.
• The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP), a joint venture between National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC, 49%), Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC, 49%), and Power Trading Corporation (PTC, 2%).
• The project shall provide much-needed power in the northern grid and shall accelerate the process of development of remote areas of J&K.

About Lake Laach:

• Lake Laach, also known as Laacher See, is a volcanic caldera lake located in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
• It is the largest lake in Rhineland-Palatinate.
• It is part of the East Eifel volcanic field within the larger volcanic Eifel region.
• The lake is oval in shape and surrounded by high banks.
• It was formed by a massive volcanic eruption.
• Traces of volcanic activity can still be found in the form of volcanic outgassing, the so-called mofettes, on the eastern shore of the lake.
  • Small bubbles rise up in the water - these so-called mofettes are rising carbon dioxide and illustrate the volcanic history of the lake.
• The lake has no natural outlet but is drained by a tunnel dug before 1170 and rebuilt several times since. 

About Senna Spectabilis:

• It is a versatile, flowering tree belonging to the family Fabaceae native to the tropical Americas.
• Common names: Popcorn Bush Cedar, Archibald’s Cassia, Calceolaria Cassia, Golden Shower, Golden Wonder, Scented Shower, Fetid Cassia.
• It is admired for its vivid yellow blossoms and its capacity to grow in a variety of climates, making it a popular choice as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks worldwide.
• However, this adaptability has led to it becoming invasive in some regions of the world.
• This tree prefers sunny areas and welldrained, loamy soils but is adaptable to various soil types.
• It is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.
• Challenges: It has a very aggressive growth rate and degrades lands in forest ecosystems, which make it challenging to control its spread.

Key Facts about Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located at the intersection of the Western and the Eastern Ghats and falls in the Chamarajanagara District of Karnataka.
• It is contiguous to Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It’s the home of the famous Male Mahadeshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Mahadeshwara.
• It is bound by the Kaveri River to the northeast and by the Palar River to the south.
• Flora: The forests are principally of the dry deciduous type, degrading to scrub forest in the fringe areas, and are interspersed with patches of moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen and shola forests occurring at varying altitudes.
• Fauna:
  • It is home to several animals, including elephants, Indian bison, wild dogs, leopards, foxes, sambars, spotted deer, and many species of birds.
  • It is also a tiger habitat noted for its increasing number of tigers.

About Maharishi Sushruta:

• Sushruta, known as the “father of Indian medicine” and the “father of surgery”, was a pioneering figure in ancient Indian medicine.
• For Sushruta, the concept of shalya tantra (surgical science) was all-encompassing.
• His contributions have influenced the field of surgery, especially cosmetic surgery and medical practices within the global community.
• According to medical scholars, Sushruta lived and practiced medicine from 600 BC to 1000 BC.
• Sushruta was believed to be the disciple of the God of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvanthri.
• He taught and practiced medicine in the city of Varanasi.
• He is known for his pioneering operations and techniques and for his influential treatise Sushruta-samhita, the main source of knowledge about surgery in ancient India.
  • Though composed over 2500 years ago, it contains detailed instructions on surgery and medicine.
  • The Sushruta Samhita comprises 184 chapters. This extensive work lists more than 300 surgical procedures.
  • It describes over 120 surgical instruments and provides details on various types of wounds, fractures, dislocations, conditions, and their treatments.
  • The Sushruta-samhita also provides details on toxicology, pediatrics, pharmacology, and other branches of the traditional system of Indian medicine known as Ayurveda.
  • Furthermore, the text includes descriptions of over 100 medicinal plants, detailing their taste, usage, and effects.
  • It remains one of the most important contributions to both Ayurveda and the early history of medical science.
• Examples of some of his groundbreaking operations include rhinoplasty (the repairing or remaking of a nose), removal of a dead fetus, and lithotomy (surgical incision into hollow organs such as the urinary bladder to remove stones, or calculi).
• He also developed many unique and practical techniques to dissect the human body and study its structure.
• His systematized approach to surgery, with the use of herbal anaesthetics and postoperative care, laid the foundation for surgical practices.
• Sushruta's emphasis on practical experience, dissection of cadavers, and detailed documentation established standards that continue to underpin surgical education today.
• The influence of his detailing surgical techniques and surgical instruments extended beyond ancient India, spreading to other parts of the world and shaping the development of reconstructive surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and many more fields.

About Narco-Coordination Centre:

• The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism was established in 2016 for better coordination between states and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It has been further strengthened through a four-tier system in 2019.
• Purpose: To enhance coordination between the States, the Ministry of Home Affairs and concerned stakeholders in addressing the challenge of the drug menace in a holistic manner.
• It is designed to facilitate better communication, cooperation, and intelligence sharing among law enforcement and drug control agencies.
• Structure of Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD):
  • Apex Level NCORD Committee: It is headed by Union Home Secretary;
  • Executive Level NCORD Committee: It is headed by Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs;
  • State Level NCORD Committees: It is headed by Chief Secretaries; and 
  • District Level NCORD Committees: It is headed by District Magistrates.
• Initiatives of Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD):
  • Mission SPANDAN – Partnership with spiritual institutions for awareness have emerged out of NCORD mechanism.
  • MANAS Helpline: A toll-free helpline called MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) with the number 1933 has been launched.

About Banganapalle Mango:

• It is one of most popular mango varieties cultivated in the town of Banganapalle in Andhra Pradesh, India.
• It also known as Beneshan, Baneshan, Benishan, Chappatai and Safeda.
• It is known for its golden-yellow colour, fibreless pulp, rich sweetness and pleasant aroma. The variety enjoys strong demand in international markets and offers significant scope for expanding India’s mango exports.
• It has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.

Key Features Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

About Golden Langur:

• It is an Old World monkey which is also known as Gee's golden langur.
• It can be most easily recognized by the color of their fur, after which they are named.
• Distribution:
  • It is found only in a narrow geographic corridor comprising western Assam and the foothills of southern Bhutan.
  • The area they inhabit is restricted to the region surrounded by four geographical landmarks: the foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra river (south).
• Habitat:
  • They occupy moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests as well as some riverine areas and savannas in Assam and Bhutan.
  • They are very much dependent on trees, living in the upper canopy of sub-tropical forests in the south and in more temperate forests in the north.
  • They may be found at elevations close to sea level in the south and up to 3000 m at the foothills of Bhutan in the north.
• Characteristics:
  • It has been noted that their fur changes colors according to the seasons.
  • The color of the young also differs from adults in that they are almost pure white.
  • These are arboreal and diurnal creatures.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

About Caspian Sea:

• It is the world’s largest water body that is enclosed or bordered by land on all sides. 
• Location: It is located between Asia and Europe.
• The sea’s name derives from the ancient Kaspi peoples, who once lived in Transcaucasia to the west.
• Basin: It is an endorheic basin (drainage basin without an outflow).
• Bordering countries: It is bordered by Russia and Azerbaijan on the west, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on the north and east, and Iran on the south. 
• The composition of the water of the Caspian Sea also varies from almost fresh in the northern parts of the lake to saltier southwards. 
• Water Source: Three major rivers—the Volga, the Ural, and the Terek—empty into the Caspian from the north. 
• Cities on Caspian Sea: Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the largest city on the Caspian. Another important city along the Caspian is Iran’s Nowshahr.
• Islands: The largest are Chechen, Tyuleny, Morskoy, Kulaly, Zhiloy, and Ogurchin.
• Resources: It is also known for its abundance of energy resources (oil and natural gas reserves in offshore fields and onshore on the coast of the sea).