The state bird of Uttar Pradesh, the Sarus Crane, recently had an ordeal that led to its relocation and brief disappearance. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister paid his tributes to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, a figure who had a significant role in India’s freedom struggle. In another sphere, Karnataka High Court’s ruling stirred up discussions about caste-based reservations. And lastly, the maritime strength of India and the UK was exhibited in the annual Exercise Konkan 2023.
Sarus Crane: A Scene of Rescue and Disappearance
Characterised by its predominantly grey plumage and a naked red head and neck, the Sarus Crane is a majestic sight to behold. With a height ranging between 152-156 cm and a wingspan of 240cm, it holds the title of the tallest flying bird in the world. This unique species are lifelong mates, with their breeding activities seen to align with the heavy monsoon rains. Despite being under the protection of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, the bird is still under threat. A recent incident saw a Sarus Crane being rescued and relocated to Rapbareli’s Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, only to mysteriously disappear the following day.
Remembering Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia: A Torchbearer for Independence
The Prime Minister recently paid tribute to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, a stalwart in the movement for Indian independence. Born on March 23, 1910, and passing away on October 12, 1967, his life was dedicated to challenging British rule through non-violent means. A fervent supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, Lohia made significant contributions to the Quit India Movement in 1942. His political journey commenced with the Congress Party, culminating in his position as the Secretary of the Foreign Department of the All-India Congress Committee (A.I.C.C.).
Vokkaligas, Lingayats and Reservation Controversies
Recently, the Karnataka High Court made a significant judgement by lifting a stay on creating new sub-categories within Other Backward Classes (OBC) for the dominant Lingayat and Vokkaliga castes. This move saw these castes getting a reservation boost, with Lingayats now standing in Category III (B) with 5% reservation and Vokkaligas in Category III (A) with 4% reservation. This decision has been met with demands from the Panchamasalis, the largest sub-sect within the Lingayats, who wish to be included under the OBC 2A Category for availing the 15% quota in government jobs and educational institutions.
Exercise Konkan 2023: A Show of Maritime Strength
The annual Bilateral Maritime Exercise Konkan 2023, conducted jointly by the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Britain, recently took place off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea from 20 to 22 March. This exercise, which began in 2004, aimed at showcasing operational readiness, fostering interoperability and conducting joint operations. A range of maritime operations including gunnery shoots, helicopter operations, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills were conducted over the three-day period. The participating ships included INS Trishul (Indian Navy) and HMS Lancaster (Royal Navy).