News In Short 13-1-2025

Harvest Festivals Across India

Syllabus: GS1/ Culture

In Context

• Recently, various regions of India have witnessed harvest festivals which reflect the deep and harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

About Harvest Festivals of India

• Lohri: Marks the end of the winter solstice and celebrates the rabi crop harvest. Celebrated in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir by Hindus and Sikhs.
• Makar Sankranti: Marks the sun’s northward journey (Uttarayan) and the end of winter. Celebrated as a harvest festival across India.
  • Known as Poush Sankranti (Bengal), Sukarat (Central India), Makara Sankranti (South and West India).
• Magh Bihu (Assam): Marks the end of the harvest season and the transition to spring.
• Pongal (Tamil Nadu): A four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God, marking Uttarayan and the harvest season.
  • Includes cleaning (Bhogi), worship of the Sun (Surya Pongal), honoring cows (Maattu Pongal), and social visits (Kanum Pongal).

Source: PIB

Gangasagar Mela

Syllabus: GS1/ Culture

Context

• The organisers of the Gangasagar Mela have announced several new initiatives, including a certificate for pilgrims participating in the annual pilgrimage.

About

• The Gangasagar Mela, also known as the Gangasagar Yatra, is an annual Hindu religious festival held on Sagar Island, West Bengal, at the confluence of the Ganges River with the Bay of Bengal.
  • Rituals include the Sacred bath and Deepdan (offering of lamps).
• It is celebrated during Makar Sankranti, it is the second-largest religious gathering in India after the Kumbh Mela.
  • Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara Rashi) and is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism.
• The pilgrimage site has ancient roots, being mentioned in the Mahabharata’s Vana Parva (1500–2000 BC). 
• The mela is closely associated with the Kapilmuni Ashram, where devotees pay homage to Sage Kapila. 

Source: TH

Swami Vivekananda’s Birth Anniversary

Syllabus: GS1/Important Personalities

Context

• On the occasion of National Youth Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the Prime Minister participated in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025.

About Swami Vivekananda

• Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) was an Indian Hindu monk, spiritual leader, and philosopher.
• He was deeply influenced by his spiritual teacher, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
• Major Literary Work: 
  • Raja Yoga (1896): It focuses on meditation, concentration, and mental discipline as paths to self-realization.
  • Jnana Yoga (1899): Emphasizing self-inquiry and the realization of one’s true nature to attain liberation.
  • Karma Yoga (1896): It discusses the philosophy of selfless action, stressing the importance of performing duties without attachment to the results.
• Role in Spirituality and Philosophy:
  • He was a proponent of Vedanta, a school of philosophy derived from the Vedas, and emphasized the idea of universal brotherhood and self-realization.
  • His famous speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893, where he began with the greeting “Sisters and Brothers of America,” is still widely remembered for its message of religious tolerance, unity, and peace.
  • He founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897, an organization dedicated to social service, education, and the spread of Vedantic philosophy.
• Legacy:
  • He played a key role in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. 
  • January 12, his birth anniversary, is celebrated as National Youth Day in India to honor his vision for youth empowerment and national progress.

Source: PIB

Death Anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri

Syllabus: GS1/Important Personalities

Context

• January 11 marks the death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri. 

About Lal Bahadur Shastri

• National Movement: He joined the Indian National Congress and participated in various civil disobedience movements led by Mahatma Gandhi.
  • His childhood name was Lal Bahadur Shrivastava. However, being against the prevailing caste system, he decided to drop his surname. 
• The title ‘Shastri’ was given after he completed his graduation at Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi in 1925.
  • The title ‘Shastri’ refers to a ‘scholar’ or a person, adept in the holy scriptures. 
• He became the second Prime Minister of India in 1964.
• Agricultural Reforms: To boost India’s food production, he promoted the Green Revolution in India in 1965, which led to an increase in food grain production, especially in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
  • His slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ during the 1965 war boosted the morale of the soldiers as well as farmers amid food scarcity. 
• Tashkent Declaration for fostering long-term peace between the neighbours was signed on January 10, 1966, between Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistan’s General Ayub Khan, brokered by the Soviet Union.
• Legacy: 
  • He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1966.
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) for Civil Servants is named after him.

Source: IE

State Public Service Commission (SPSC)

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity, Constitutional Bodies

In News

• Recently, the Vice President addressed the 25th National Conference of Chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions (SPSC).

About State Public Service Commission 

• Role and Function: Conducts examinations for appointments to state services.
  • Advises on recruitment, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions in state public services.
• Constitutional Provisions: SPSCs are governed by Articles 315-323 under Part XIV of the Indian Constitution.
  • These provisions outline the structure, powers, and functions of Public Service Commissions for the Union and States.
• Appointment of Chairperson and Members: Appointing Authority is the Governor of the State (Article 316)
  • The Chairperson serves a term of 6 years or until they reach the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier.
• Removal from Office: The Chairperson can be removed by the President of India on the following grounds:
  • Adjudged Insolvent, engages in employment outside their official duties, Mentally unsound and in case of proved misbehaviour. 

Source: PIB

India Joins UN Panel on Big Data

Syllabus :GS 2/IR and GS3/Economy

In News

• India has been included in the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics (UN-CEBD).

UN-CEBD

• It was created in 2014 with Australia as the first Chair.
• It consists of 31 member states and 16 international organizations.
• A plenary meeting is held annually, usually alongside the Conference on Big Data for Official Statistics, to review and discuss activities and initiatives.

Mandate 

• It provides direction for a global big data program, supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• It addresses challenges related to data quality, access, privacy, security, and analytics.
• It fosters training, experience-sharing, and collaboration.
• It promotes the use of big data for policy applications and monitoring sustainable development goals.

Importance for India

• India’s involvement strengthens its influence in global statistical practices, reinforcing its commitment to data-driven progress.
• Membership allows India to align domestic advancements in big data with international goals, showcasing leadership in data science.
  • Big data and advanced techniques like IoT, satellite imagery, and private sector data will modernize statistical processes and improve data accuracy.
• This marks a key achievement, as India recently regained membership in the UN Statistical Council.

Source :PIB

Pink Fire Retardant

Syllabus: GS3/Environment 

In News

• Authorities in Southern California are deploying planes and helicopters to combat wildfires, using pink fire retardant as a key tool in firefighting. 

About Pink fire retardant

• It is a chemical mix designed to extinguish or slow the spread of fires by depriving flames of oxygen. Pink Color enhances visibility, aiding firefighters in targeting areas effectively.
• Phos-Chek is the most commonly used fire retardant in the U.S. for wildfires.
• It is an ammonium phosphate-based slurry that coats vegetation, creating a barrier to prevent fire from spreading.
• Research indicates that Phos-Chek contains toxic metals like chromium and cadmium, which can harm both humans and aquatic life when they enter waterways.

Source  :IE

Rare Carnivorous Plant Utricularia

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment, Species In News

In News

• Recently, rare carnivorous plant Utricularia (Bladderworts) were found in large numbers in Rajasthan’s Keoladeo National Park, showcasing the park’s rich wetland biodiversity.

About Utricularia (Bladderworts)

• About: Known for its tiny bladder-like structures called utricles that trap prey.
• Mechanism: Hair-like projections near the bladder opening are sensitive to movement, triggering a vacuum-like action to suck in prey.
• Prey: Feeds on small organisms like protozoa, insects, larvae, mosquitoes, and even tadpoles.
• Habitat: Found in lakes, streams, and waterlogged soils, requiring aquatic or semi-aquatic conditions.

Significance

• Contributes to ecological diversity by controlling insect populations.
• Helps maintain balance by naturally regulating small organism populations.

Source: TH

Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

• The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has approved oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Situated in the Jorhat district, Assam.
  • It officially includes Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest, Dissoi Reserve Forest, and Tiru Hill Reserve Forest.
• Establishment: Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1997.
• Significance: Home to India’s only gibbons, the Hoolock Gibbons.
• Hosts Northeast India’s only nocturnal primate, the Bengal Slow Loris.

Source: TH

Hush Money 

Syllabus: GS4/ Ethics

Context

• US President-elect Donald Trump has been spared from punishment over his criminal conviction stemming from the hush money case.

About

• Hush money refers to a payment made to someone in exchange for their silence regarding;
  • Illegal, unethical, or immoral actions: Such as criminal offenses or misconduct.
  • Stigmatized behavior: Actions that could damage personal or professional reputation.
  • Defamation Prevention: Money paid to placate a disgruntled adversary who may disclose embarrassing information, even if untrue, to avoid the harm and trouble of dealing with defamation claims.

Sources: TH