Extraocular Vision
Why in news?
- The researchers have shown that a species of brittle stars, which are relatives of starfish, can see even though it does not have eyes.
Important facts
- The red brittle star (Ophiocoma wendtii), which lives in the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea, becomes only the second creature, after a sea urchin species, known to have this ability (barring freak cases in other species).
- The ability to see without eyes is known as extraocular vision.
- Previous researchers have defined it as the ability to resolve scenes without discrete eyes.
- In sea urchins and brittle stars, researchers suspect that extraocular vision is facilitated by the photoreceptor cells found on their bodies.
- The brittle stars moved toward walls that were white with a black bar, suggestive of a daytime hiding place. When grey walls were included, they still moved towards the black stripe, which was centred on a white stripe.
- The researchers suggest that a brittle star sees with the help of light-sensing cells that cover its entire body.
- These light-sensing cells give the brittle star visual stimuli, allowing it to recognise coarse structures such as rocks, the research suggests.
- Another peculiar feature of the red brittle star is its signature colour change.
- While the creature is deep red during the day, it changes its colour to beige at night.
- The researchers think that there may be a link between their extraocular vision and colour changing abilities since the responses they saw in the creatures tested during the day, disappeared in those that were tested at night.
Senna spectabilis
Why in news?
- The Forest and Wildlife Department is planning to adopt steps to arrest the rampant growth of invasive plants, especially Senna spectabilis, in the forest areas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), including the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Important facts
- Senna spectabilis is a plant species of the legume family (Fabaceae) in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae native to South and Central America.
- They are often grown as an ornamental in front yards, parks, gardens, buildings etc. due to their bright yellow flowers that bloom during the summer months.
- They are also known as Golden wonder tree, American cassia, Popcorn tree, Cassia excelsa, Golden shower tree or Archibald’s cassia.
- The plant has become an invasive alien specie in parts of Africa and South Asia after it was introduced for resources such as firewood as well as to help combat deteriorating ecosystems affected by deforestation and desertification.
- Currently, S. spectabilis is overtaking native tree species of forestry ecosystems around the world because of its ability to grow quickly.
Patola Saree
Why in news?
- In a historic initiative taken by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a first Silk Processing Plant was inaugurated today at Surendranagar in Gujarat which would help cut down the cost of production of silk yarn drastically and increase the sale and availability of raw material for Gujarati Patola Sarees locally.
- The plant has been set up by a khadi institution at a cost of Rs 75 lack in which KVIC has contributeed Rs 60 lakh. The unit has employed 90 local women, 70 of which belong to the Muslim community.
Important facts
- Patola, the trademark Saree of Gujarat, is considered to be very costly and worn only by the Royals or the Aristocrat.
- Reason being the raw material silk yarn is purchased from Karnataka or West Bengal, where silk processing units are situated, thus increasing the cost of the fabric manifolds.
- Surendranagar district is a backward district in Gujarat where KVIC has invested Rs. 60 Lakhs to build the Silk Processing Plant, in order to generate livelihood and boost sales of Patola Sarees by making silk more ready available at a low cost, for the Patola Saree manufacturers in the nearby area.
- Traditionally, every region in India has had its own unique weave for the Silk Saree. It is quite notable that Patola Silk Saree is amongst the top five silk weaves which are desired in every Indian Saree Lover’s wardrobe.
Savitribai Phule birth anniversary observed
Why in news?
- The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary.
About:
- Savitribai Phule (1831 – 1897) was an Indian social reformer, educationalist, and poet from Maharashtra.
- Along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she played an important role in improving women’s rights in India. She is regarded as the mother of Indian feminism. She established the Mahila Seva Mandal to raise awareness for issues concerning women’s rights.
- Savitribai was also an anti-infanticide activist. She opened a women’s shelter called the Home for the Prevention of Infanticide, where Brahmin widows could safely deliver their children and leave them there to be adopted if they so desired.
- She is regarded as the first female teacher of India. Phule and her husband founded the first Indian girls’ school in Pune, at Bhide wada in 1848.
- She also worked to abolish the discrimination and unfair treatment of people based on caste.
- She published Kavya Phule in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892, and also a poem entitled “Go, Get Education” in which she encouraged those who are oppressed to free themselves by obtaining an education.
General Qassem Soleimani
Why in news?
- Iran’s top security and intelligence commander, Major General Qassem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone attack in Baghdad.
About:
- Soleimani was in charge of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the US designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in April last year. The Quds Force undertakes Iranian missions in other countries, including covert ones.
- Soleimani had been responsible for the creation of an arc of influence — which Iran terms its ‘Axis of Resistance’ — extending from the Gulf of Oman through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Because of his influence, observers have equated his killing with the killing of a United States Vice President. While he commanded respect in Iran, he was by most accounts a quiet man who usually stayed inconspicuous in public.
Abetment of suicide
Why in news?
- The Supreme Court has held in a judgment that a person accused of dowry harassment cannot be automatically convicted for abetment of suicide.
Key highlights:
- Merely because an accused is found guilty of an offence punishable under Section 498A of the IPC, the accused cannot be automatically held guilty for the offence punishable under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the IPC by employing the presumption under Section 113A of the Evidence Act.
- Unless the prosecution establishes that some act or illegal omission by the accused has driven the deceased to commit the suicide, the conviction under Section 306 would not be tenable.