Recently, the Supreme Court of India has issued a warning to parents across the country, urging them to remain vigilant against the growing menace of child trafficking.
Current Scenario and Statistics
Over 10,000 cases of trafficking were reported, yet only 1,031 convictions were secured (Between 2018 and 2022).
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh are among the top states with the highest number of trafficked children.
The Tamil Nadu government has issued an advisory to senior officials and heads of departments, reiterating existing provisions and orders mandating the use of Tamil as the official language in all government offices.
Regional Languages in State Legislature
As per the Article 345: A State Legislature can choose any language(s) used in the State or Hindi for official work.
However, until the State passes a law to change it, English will continue to be used for official purposes where it was used before the Constitution began.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has recommended Justice B.R. Gavai — next in line by seniority — to the Union Law Ministry for appointment as the 52nd Chief Justice of India.
About Appointment of the CJI
The Constitution of India does not mention any procedure for appointment of the CJI.
Article 124 (1) of the Constitution merely says, "there shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India."
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry emphasized the potential of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a modern-day Silk Route aimed at connecting Asia with Europe through the Middle East.
About India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
Establishment: The MoU signed by leaders from India, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US at the G20 Summit (2023) in New Delhi directly points to the official announcement and initial steps for the IMEC.
Aim: The description of a multi-modal connectivity project involving ports, railways, roads, sea lines, and pipelines to enhance trade between India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region, and Europe perfectly aligns with the stated goals of the IMEC.
Recently, China announced restrictions on the export of seven Rare Earth Elements which includes samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium following U.S. President Trump’s tariff impositions.
Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
They are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table — cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er) etc. All have similar chemical properties and appear silver-coloured.
Despite their name, they are not as rare as they appear, but concentrated, economically mineable deposits are hard to find.
A study found that the Surat Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) in Gujarat, delivered both environmental and economic benefits.
About
The Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) in Surat, launched in 2019, is the world’s first market-based trading system for particulate matter (PM) emissions and India’s first pollution trading scheme of any kind.
It represents a cap-and-trade system, where total emissions are capped and emission permits can be traded among industrial units.
India and China are in advanced talks to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, suspended since 2019 due to COVID-19 and border tensions.
About Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage
It is organized by the Ministries of External and Home Affairs, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the governments of Delhi, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand, along with state agencies like Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam.
It was conducted until 2020 via two official routes: Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand, since 1981) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim, since 2015).
