News In Short 04-1-2025

Rani Velu Nachiyar

Syllabus :GS 1/History 

In News

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.

Rani Velu Nachiyar

  • Born in 1730, Rani Velu Nachiyar was the first queen in India to fight against British rule.
    • Known as “Veeramangai” (brave woman) by the Tamils.
  • Key Events in Her Life: After her husband was assassinated, she spent eight years under the protection of Hyder Ali.
    • She prepared her army and planned to confront the British with her allies.
    • Defeating the British: In 1780, she defeated the British with the help of her army and allies, regaining her empire.
      • Her victory is considered an important chapter in India’s freedom struggle.
    • Innovative Strategy: Rani Velu Nachiyar is credited with using the suicide attack strategy for the first time in history.
  • Language Proficiency: She was proficient in French, English, and Urdu.
  • Legacy: Rani Velu Nachiyar is a symbol of bravery, empowerment, and the courage to fight against injustice. Her life continues to inspire generations.

Source: PIB

Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary

Syllabus: GS1/ History and Personalities in news

Context

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Savitribai Phule, a pioneer in the field of education and social reform, on her birth anniversary.

About the Savitribai Phule

  • Birth: On January 3, 1831, in Naigaon village of Maharashtra’s Satara district.
  • Marriage: In 1840, at the age of nine, she married Jyotirao Phule, who was just 13 at the time.
  • Education: Formally recognised as India’s first female teacher. In 1848, the couple established the country’s first school for girls in Bhidewada, Pune.
  • Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha: In 1863, Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai began Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, India’s first home dedicated to prohibiting infanticide.
    • She also advocated inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and eradication of child marriage, sati, and dowry systems, among other social issues.
  • In 1873, the Phules set up the Satyashodhak Samaj (‘Truth-seekers’ society’), a platform open to all, irrespective of their caste, religion or class hierarchies, with the sole aim of bringing social equity.
  • Literary works: Kavya Phule (Poetry’s Blossoms) in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (The Ocean of Pure Gems), in 1892.

Source: PIB

Draft Rules on Data Protection Law 

Syllabus :GS 2/Governance 

In News 

  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has drafted the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 to implement the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act).
    • The DPDP Act, 2023, aims to balance individuals’ right to protect their personal data with the need for lawful processing of personal data.

About Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025

  • The draft rules follow the SARAL framework, ensuring they use simple language, provide clear contextual definitions, and include illustrations for easier understanding.
  • These rules aim to strengthen the legal framework for the protection of digital personal data in India.
  • Key Features of the Draft Rules: Requirements for data fiduciaries (entities processing personal data) to notify individuals.
    • Registration and obligations for Consent Managers who handle consent-related activities.
    • Rules for processing personal data by the government for issuing subsidies, benefits, services, etc.
    • Requirements for reasonable security safeguards to protect personal data.
    • Obligation to inform individuals about personal data breaches.
    • Provisions detailing how individuals can exercise their rights regarding their personal data.
    • Guidelines for processing data of children or persons with disabilities.
    • Framework for establishing the Data Protection Board, including the appointment and service conditions for the Chairperson and members.

Source: TH

Ramesh Chand Committee 

Syllabus: GS 3/Economy 

In News

  • The Indian government announced the formation of Ramesh Chand Committee  to revise the country’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI), with a new base year of 2022-23, replacing the current base year of 2011-12. 

About

  • The WPI has undergone revisions in the past, with the last update occurring in 2015 when the base year was changed from 2004-05 to 2011-12. 
  • The primary objective of updating the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is to provide a more accurate representation of inflation at the producer level. 
  • Currently, the WPI focuses solely on goods, overlooking the service sector, which accounts for more than half of India’s economic output. 
  • To address this limitation, the government plans to transition to a more inclusive Producer Price Index (PPI). This shift aims to capture a broader range of economic activity by incorporating both goods and services, ensuring a more comprehensive and precise measure of inflation.

Ramesh Chand Committee 

  • The panel, headed by Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand, will also review the methodology and composition of a new Producers’ Price Index (PPI). 
  • Purpose:  The group’s task is to assess and suggest improvements to the price collection system,refine the computation methods for both indices, and develop a roadmap for transitioning from the WPI to the PPI.
    • It is also expected to propose further enhancements for the reliability of the indices. The final report is due by June 30, 2026.

Source :TH

India’s Share of Global Trade in Textiles 

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

  • India will be the 6th largest exporter of Textiles & Apparel (T&A) in the world in 2023. 

About

  • Share in Global Trade: India has a share of 3.9% of the global trade in textiles and apparel. 
  • Share in Exports: The share of T&A including handicrafts in India’s total exports stands at 8.21% in 2023-24.
    • It marked a growth of 7% during April-October period of FY 2024-25.
  • Major Destinations: USA and EU and with around 47% share in total textile and apparel exports. 

Source: PIB

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)

Syllabus: GS2/ Health and GS3/ S&T

Context

  • China is witnessing a sharp increase in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), particularly affecting children under 14 years of age. 

About HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus)

  • Nature: A respiratory virus that typically causes mild infections, resembling symptoms of the common cold.
  • Discovery: First discovered in 2001, the HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 
  • Transmission: Like Covid-19, HMPV is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • Symptoms: Cough, fever, and shortness of breath, with potential complications like bronchitis and pneumonia.
  • Treatment: Currently, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral to treat HMPV and most people rely on over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and pain. 

Source: TH

India’s 1st ‘Coastline-Waders Bird Census’ 

Syllabus: GS3/Ecology and Biodiversity

Context

  • Gujarat is set to conduct the country’s first-ever census of coastal and wader birds at the Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Jamnagar.

About

  • The census will be jointly organised by the state forest department and the Bird Conservation Society of Gujarat.
  • Waders Bird: 
    • They are also known as shorebirds or sandpipers, are a group of birds typically found in coastal habitats or wetlands. 
    • They are characterized by long legs, slender bodies, and often long bills, which they use to forage for food like insects and worms.
  • Marine National Park: 
    • The Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary in Gujarat is India’s first designated marine national park. 
    • Spanning the districts of Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, and Morbi, it covers approximately 170 km of coastline and 42 islands. 
    • This protected area in the Gulf of Kutch was established to conserve marine biodiversity and mangrove ecosystems.
    • The park is positioned along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF).
      • It is a key migratory route for birds traveling, covering a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and the associated island chains.
  • Bird Species: 
    • Jamnagar district hosts over 300 species of local and migratory birds, including more than 50 species of wader birds. 
    • Among these are rare species like the ‘Shankhlo’ (Crab Plover) and ‘Moto Kichadiyo’ (Great Knot), which are seldom found elsewhere in the country.

Source: IE

 

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