Since yesterday after the UPSC CSE results were published and everyone was busy in Toppers and their talks.
This morning brings with it not just news, but an unbearable tragedy—
26 innocent civilians lost their lives in a brutal terror attack on our soil.
26 dreams, 26 families, 26 worlds—shattered in a moment of hate.
This is not just a number. These were people—mothers, fathers, daughters, sons—whose only fault was being at the wrong place at the wrong time:((
Radicalisation. Hatred. Extremism.
They must end.
India will respond. Fiercely. Decisively.
Today, while we scroll through success stories, let us also remember the screams behind the silence.
Let us pause. Let us feel. Let us pray.
Take 2 minutes—
Close your eyes, fold your hands, and send a prayer for the departed souls.
Om Shanti 🕉️
May peace find them, even if the world failed to.
This morning brings with it not just news, but an unbearable tragedy—
26 innocent civilians lost their lives in a brutal terror attack on our soil.
26 dreams, 26 families, 26 worlds—shattered in a moment of hate.
This is not just a number. These were people—mothers, fathers, daughters, sons—whose only fault was being at the wrong place at the wrong time:((
Radicalisation. Hatred. Extremism.
They must end.
India will respond. Fiercely. Decisively.
Today, while we scroll through success stories, let us also remember the screams behind the silence.
Let us pause. Let us feel. Let us pray.
Take 2 minutes—
Close your eyes, fold your hands, and send a prayer for the departed souls.
Om Shanti 🕉️
May peace find them, even if the world failed to.
CLOUD BURST
WHAT CAUSES CLOUDBURSTS?
Cloudbursts occur only via orographic lift, i.e.,
a situation when a warm air parcel mixes with cooler air,
resulting in sudden condensation.
#prelims #geography #GS1
WHAT CAUSES CLOUDBURSTS?
Cloudbursts occur only via orographic lift, i.e.,
a situation when a warm air parcel mixes with cooler air,
resulting in sudden condensation.
#prelims #geography #GS1
🔆 Famous Sculpture/Painting: Mohini
📍 Monument Era/Dynasty
✅ Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysala Dynasty
📍 Subject Matter
✅ The Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Karnataka, India, is home to a captivating sculpture of Mohini, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu.
✅ This exquisite sculpture is located in the temple’s navaranga.
#art_and_culture
📍 Monument Era/Dynasty
✅ Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysala Dynasty
📍 Subject Matter
✅ The Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Karnataka, India, is home to a captivating sculpture of Mohini, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu.
✅ This exquisite sculpture is located in the temple’s navaranga.
#art_and_culture
🔆 Beni Putul (Bengal)
✅ Puppet Type:
- Made from red felt and are about 1 to 2 feet tall.
- Have movable arms, legs, and heads, manipulated by the puppeteer using hands.
✅ Instruments:
- Accompanied by Bengali instruments like ektara, dhak, and tabla.
✅ Size and Design:
- Smaller and more delicate than puppets from other traditions.
- Less emphasis on props and costumes.
#art_and_culture
✅ Puppet Type:
- Made from red felt and are about 1 to 2 feet tall.
- Have movable arms, legs, and heads, manipulated by the puppeteer using hands.
✅ Instruments:
- Accompanied by Bengali instruments like ektara, dhak, and tabla.
✅ Size and Design:
- Smaller and more delicate than puppets from other traditions.
- Less emphasis on props and costumes.
#art_and_culture
🔆Myristica swamps
✅Myristica swamps are unique freshwater swamp ecosystems dominated by trees of the Myristicaceae family, including nutmeg trees.
✅These swamps are found in specific regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa, and also in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
✅ They are characterized by stilt and knee roots that help trees adapt to waterlogged conditions.
✅These forests are characterized by trees with large protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil which remains inundated throughout the year.
They have evolved over millions of years and are comprised of old-growth trees.
✅Climatic conditions: The formation of these swamps is dependent on abiotic conditions like the shape of the valley between the forested hills, the amount of rainfall a place receives (with an average of 3000 mm), and water availability throughout the year
#gs3
#prelims
#enviroment
✅Myristica swamps are unique freshwater swamp ecosystems dominated by trees of the Myristicaceae family, including nutmeg trees.
✅These swamps are found in specific regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa, and also in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
✅ They are characterized by stilt and knee roots that help trees adapt to waterlogged conditions.
✅These forests are characterized by trees with large protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil which remains inundated throughout the year.
They have evolved over millions of years and are comprised of old-growth trees.
✅Climatic conditions: The formation of these swamps is dependent on abiotic conditions like the shape of the valley between the forested hills, the amount of rainfall a place receives (with an average of 3000 mm), and water availability throughout the year
#gs3
#prelims
#enviroment
Dams built on the Indus River System of Importance
Kishanganga (Jhelum): Operational since 2018, it diverts water from a tributary that feeds Pakistan's Mangla Dam.
Ratle (Chenab): Still under construction, but its storage could further reduce water to Pakistani Punjab.
Shahpurkandi (Ravi): Now redirects Ravi waters entirely to Indian use.
Ujh (Ravi): Planned project that may reduce downstream flows even more.
#prelims #Places_in_news #mapping
Kishanganga (Jhelum): Operational since 2018, it diverts water from a tributary that feeds Pakistan's Mangla Dam.
Ratle (Chenab): Still under construction, but its storage could further reduce water to Pakistani Punjab.
Shahpurkandi (Ravi): Now redirects Ravi waters entirely to Indian use.
Ujh (Ravi): Planned project that may reduce downstream flows even more.
#prelims #Places_in_news #mapping
Experiencing stress during last few days of UPSC prelims?
You are not the only. If you have prepared seriously for whole year, stress, anxiety and pressure are obvious. The crucial skill for this juncture is maintaining composure under pressure. Have confidence in your preparation, make peace with stress and anxiety and let your hard work reflect your capabilities.
You are not the only. If you have prepared seriously for whole year, stress, anxiety and pressure are obvious. The crucial skill for this juncture is maintaining composure under pressure. Have confidence in your preparation, make peace with stress and anxiety and let your hard work reflect your capabilities.
🔆What are Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?
✅A group of 17 chemically similar elements found in Earth’s crust.
Not truly “rare” in availability, but difficult and costly to extract and purify.
✅Categorized as Light and Heavy REEs, with the heavy ones being more difficult to process and more valuable.
📍Industrial Applications of Key REEs (China’s current curbs target these):
🔰Dysprosium: Used in hard disks, EV motors (due to magnetic properties).
🔰Gadolinium: Radiation shielding in nuclear reactors, MRI contrast agents.
🔰Lutetium: PET scanners, petroleum refining.
🔰Samarium: Strong magnets for electronics.
🔰Scandium: Alloys for aerospace (e.g., fighter aircraft).
🔰Terbium: Lighting in consumer electronics.
🔰Yttrium: Cancer treatments, superconductors.
📍Why Did China Impose Export Restrictions?
✅Part of the U.S.–China trade war and broader geopolitical tensions.
✅China holds near-monopoly over REE refining — especially heavy REEs.
✅Export controls serve as a strategic leverage tool to pressure other nations.
✅A group of 17 chemically similar elements found in Earth’s crust.
Not truly “rare” in availability, but difficult and costly to extract and purify.
✅Categorized as Light and Heavy REEs, with the heavy ones being more difficult to process and more valuable.
📍Industrial Applications of Key REEs (China’s current curbs target these):
🔰Dysprosium: Used in hard disks, EV motors (due to magnetic properties).
🔰Gadolinium: Radiation shielding in nuclear reactors, MRI contrast agents.
🔰Lutetium: PET scanners, petroleum refining.
🔰Samarium: Strong magnets for electronics.
🔰Scandium: Alloys for aerospace (e.g., fighter aircraft).
🔰Terbium: Lighting in consumer electronics.
🔰Yttrium: Cancer treatments, superconductors.
📍Why Did China Impose Export Restrictions?
✅Part of the U.S.–China trade war and broader geopolitical tensions.
✅China holds near-monopoly over REE refining — especially heavy REEs.
✅Export controls serve as a strategic leverage tool to pressure other nations.
📌 UNION AND TERRITORIES CREATED AFTER 1956.
#Unionanditsterritories
🔺️ GOA, DAMAN and DIU
🔸️ India acquired these three territories from the Portuguese by means of a police action in 1961.
🔸️ They were constituted as a union territory by the 12th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962.
🔸️ Later, in 1987, Goa was conferred a statehood.9 Consequently, Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory.
#Unionanditsterritories
🔺️ GOA, DAMAN and DIU
🔸️ India acquired these three territories from the Portuguese by means of a police action in 1961.
🔸️ They were constituted as a union territory by the 12th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962.
🔸️ Later, in 1987, Goa was conferred a statehood.9 Consequently, Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory.
"Pleasure and pain are visitors.
Your steadiness is divine."
“मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥”
"O son of Kunti, contact with the senses leads to fleeting experiences of heat and cold, pleasure and pain. They come and go—endure them bravely, O Bharata.
Kabhi padhai boring lagegi.
Kabhi failures dard denge.
Kabhi samajh nahi aayega ki aage kya hoga.
But Krishna whispers:
“Yeh sab anitya hai temporary.
Jo aaya hai, wo jaayega.
Tum bas sthir raho, aur chalte raho.”
Real tapasya yeh hi hai:
Jab man nahi lagta, tab bhi padho.
Jab sab doubt karein, tab bhi vishwas rakho
Your steadiness is divine."
“मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥”
"O son of Kunti, contact with the senses leads to fleeting experiences of heat and cold, pleasure and pain. They come and go—endure them bravely, O Bharata.
Kabhi padhai boring lagegi.
Kabhi failures dard denge.
Kabhi samajh nahi aayega ki aage kya hoga.
But Krishna whispers:
“Yeh sab anitya hai temporary.
Jo aaya hai, wo jaayega.
Tum bas sthir raho, aur chalte raho.”
Real tapasya yeh hi hai:
Jab man nahi lagta, tab bhi padho.
Jab sab doubt karein, tab bhi vishwas rakho