Prelim Bits 17-07-2017

Sperm Whale:

• The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), or cachalot, is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator.
• The spermaceti oil extracted from it is used in oil lamps, lubricants, and candles.
• Ambergris is a solid waxy waste product from its digestive system is used as a fixative in perfumes and other uses.
• The species is now protected by a whaling moratorium.
• It is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Source: The Hindu

Operation Muskaan:

• It was launched by Union ministry of Home Affairs

• The railway police started implementing ‘Operation Muskaan’ from to trace missing and destitute children and reunite them with their parents
• The main aim of the programme was to prevent child trafficking and rescue children from persons who tried to engage them in begging, sexual trade and other antisocial activities.
• Under this programme, specially trained police teams would screen all children residing in shelter homes, railway platforms, bus stands, roads and religious places.

Source: The Hindu

Ramakrishna Math institutions:

• Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are worldwide, non-political, non-sectarian spiritual organizations which have been engaged in various forms of humanitarian, social service activities for more than a century.
• The organizations were brought into existence by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) and Sri Ramakrishna's chief disciple, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)
• The motto of the twin organizations is Atmano mokshartham jagad hitaya cha, “For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world”. 
• It was formulated by Swami Vivekananda.

• The headquarters is located in Belur in the district of Howrah, West Bengal, India. 

Source: The Hindu

Crypto-currency

• A recent petition has sought steps to restrain sale and purchase of illegal Crypto-currency.
• A crypto-currency is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange.
• It is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security making it difficult to counterfeit.
• It is not issued by any central authority, rendering it immune to government interference or manipulation.
• The anonymous nature of crypto-currency transactions makes them well-suited for money laundering and tax evasion.
• Ex: Bitcoin,  Litecoin, Namecoin and PPCoin.

Source: The Hindu