GS PAPER: III

Astronomers Detect Oldest Fast Radio Burst

Why in the news?

Recently, a team of astronomers has detected the oldest-known fast radio burst (FRB) yet.

• The FRB, called FRB 230120, was detected using the Australian SKA Pathfinder, a radio telescope in the state of Western Australia.
• Its location was pinpointed by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile.

What is a Fast Radio Burst (FRB)?

• A fast radio burst (FRB) is a pulse of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation that lasts a small fraction of a second but outshines most other sources of radio waves in the universe.
• FRBs are very mysterious, and scientists are still trying to figure out what causes them.

About the FRB 230120:

• FRB 230120 is thought to have originated from a galaxy merger about 8 billion years ago.
• This makes it the oldest-known FRB by 3 billion years. The FRB also released the amount of energy our Sun emits in three decades in less than a millisecond.

What is the source of FRB 230120?

• The most likely source of FRB 230120 is a hyper-magnetized neutron star, called a magnetar.
• Magnetars are stellar corpses that are about the mass of the Sun but only about the size of a small city. They have some of the strongest magnetic fields in the universe.

FRBs can help scientists learn more about the early universe and the matter that exists between galaxies.

GS PAPER: III

REC Ltd Awarded Golden Peacock Award

Why in the news?

Recently, REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, has received the Golden Peacock Award in Risk Management for its commitment to implementing effective risk assessment strategies.

• The Golden Peacock Awards, established by the Institute of Directors (IOD), India in 1991, has emerged as an internationally acclaimed standard for corporate excellence.
• IOD is a non-profit organization with over 12,000 members from across India.

About the Golden Peacock Awards

• The Golden Peacock Awards are given to organizations that have demonstrated excellence in various areas, including business leadership, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.

About REC Limited

• REC Limited is a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) focused on Power Sector Financing and Development in India. It provides financial assistance to various entities in the power sector, such as generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable energy companies.
• REC Limited is one of the leading financial institutions in the power sector in India. It has played a significant role in the development of the power sector in the country.

The award is recognition of REC Limited’s commitment to risk management and its efforts to build a more resilient organisation.

GS PAPER: II

‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ Initiative

Why in the news?

Recently, Indian Railways has decided to operate special Amrit Kalash Yatri trains to transport volunteers carrying soil from state capitals and other major stations across the country to reach New Delhi.

• This initiative is part of the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ [My soil, my country] campaign being organised by the Ministry of Culture as a tribute to the martyrs who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country.
• Around 20,000 volunteers with kalash (urn) containing the soil in their possession will reach Delhi to participate in events culminating in the year-long Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

To facilitate the movement of the volunteers, the Ministry of Railways would operate special ‘Amrit Kalash Yatri’ trains, add additional coaches to scheduled trains, and Schedule meets with eminent personalities and members of parliament.