News In Short-28-02-2025

Nanaji Deshmukh

Syllabus: GS1/ Famous Personalities

In News

• Union Home Minister paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on his 15th death anniversary.

About 

• Born on 11th October 1916 in Maharashtra, Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh, widely known as Nanaji Deshmukh, emerged as a prominent figure in social reform, politics, and rural development.
• Inspired by Lokamanya Tilak’s nationalism and the teachings of Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), dedicated his life to nation-building through grassroots empowerment.
• He was a firm believer in self-reliant villages, aligning with Mahatma Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj model and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ‘Antyodaya’ philosophy.
• Founded Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya, India’s first rural university, providing education tailored to rural needs.
• Established Saraswati Shishu Mandirs, schools that continue to impart traditional Indian values and modern education to thousands of children.
• Was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1999, recognizing his contributions to public service.

Legacy and Recognitions

• Padma Vibhushan (1999) for outstanding service in social work.
• Bharat Ratna (2019, posthumous) for his transformative efforts.

Source: PIB

Herath Festival

Syllabus: GS1/Culture

Context

• Herath festival holds deep religious and cultural significance for the Kashmiri Hindu community.

About ‘Herath’ Festival

• The name Herath is derived from the Sanskrit term Hararatri, meaning “The Night of Hara”, a reference to Lord Shiva.
• The festival is observed with a night of prayers, followed by a day of feasting and celebrations.
• Key Rituals and Practices:
  • Vatuk Pooja: Main worship using a Kalash filled with water and walnuts, symbolizing the four Vedas.
  • Dooni-Mavas: Walnuts are distributed as sacred offerings.
  • Greetings: “Herath Poshte” is used to wish others well.
  • Food: Fish and mutton are prepared and consumed, unlike other fasting traditions for Maha Shivratri.

Source: TH

Torrential Rain

Syllabus  :GS 1/Geography 

In News

• Torrential rains hit Bolivia, resulting in 37 deaths since November. 

Torrential rain

• Rain occurs when atmospheric water vapor condenses into droplets, which fall to the earth due to gravity. 
• Torrential rain refers to the heavy downpour of rain.
• Causes:  It is caused by moisture moving along weather fronts, convective clouds, and mountainous regions. It can also result from urban heat on islands. 
• Impacts: It can lead to significant water accumulation on the ground, often causing flooding, landslides, and disruption to daily life.
  • Such rain is typically associated with strong weather systems, like thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, or monsoon activity.

Source: AIR

‘HeroRATS’ in TB Detection

Syllabus :GS 2/Health

In News

• Using African giant pouched rats (HeroRATS) have been successful in detecting TB in sputum samples.

African giant pouched rats

• They are nicknamed HeroRATs.
• They are predominantly nocturnal, omnivorous rodents found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, except in southern South Africa.

Role in TB Detection 

• These rats are trained to identify TB by their highly sensitive olfactory abilities, offering faster and more accurate results than traditional methods. 
• Studies in Tanzania have shown that rats detected TB cases in children at twice the rate of conventional tests.

Status in India 

• Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium (or germ) called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• It remains a major health challenge in India, with around 28% of global cases and 5 lakh deaths annually. 
• The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) aims to eradicate TB by 2025, but challenges like slow detection, especially in children and rural areas, persist.
• The HeroRATS method could be a viable secondary diagnostic tool for India, particularly in high-burden states. 
• Experts suggest integrating HeroRATS into the NTEP to enhance TB detection, save lives, and support TB eradication efforts.

Source :TH

Uyghurs

Syllabus :GS 2/IR

In News

• At least 40 Uyghur men, detained in Thailand for over a decade, have been deported to China.

Uyghurs

• The Uighurs (also spelled as Uyghurs) are an ethnic minority group mostly living in the Xinjiang autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China.
• The Uighurs are predominantly Muslims.
• The Uyghurs speak their own language, which is similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations.
• China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against the Uyghur population and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups in the north-western region of Xinjiang.

Source: IE

Hague Service Convention

Syllabus: GS2/ Important International Institutions

In Context

• The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) formally requested the Indian government to serve summons on Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani under the Hague Service Convention.

What is the Hague Service Convention?

• The Hague Service Convention (1965), formally known as the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, is a multilateral treaty that simplifies the process of serving legal documents across international borders in civil and commercial cases.

How Does It Work?

• Each member country designates a Central Authority to handle requests.
• The convention ensures efficient document service while protecting the rights of defendants.
• It excludes criminal cases and applies only when both the requesting and receiving countries are signatories.
• India and the U.S. are both members of the convention, making this route a valid legal mechanism for service.

India’s Reservations Under the Hague Service Convention

• Opposition to Alternative Service Methods: India mandates that all service requests must go through the Ministry of Law and Justice.
  • U.S. courts cannot serve summons via email, postal mail, or consular channels unless the recipient is a U.S. national residing in India.
• Language and Documentation Requirements: Requests must be submitted in English or include an English translation.
• Timeframe for Service Completion: Typically, service under the Hague Convention takes 6 to 8 months in India.
  • Upon completion, an acknowledgment certificate is sent to the requesting country.

Source: TH

Make the World Wear Khadi Campaign

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The Make the World Wear Khadi campaign is launched by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

About

• Goal: Blend India’s textile heritage with global fashion trends, positioning Khadi as a global brand.
• Target Audience: Advertising professionals and freelancers from domestic and international markets.
• Part of: Inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
  • It is a key forum for promoting discussions, collaboration, and innovation in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry.

Khadi

• Khadi is a traditional Indian fabric made from hand-spun and hand-woven cotton, silk, or wool. 
• It is associated with the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. 
  • It symbolizes self-reliance and the promotion of indigenous products.
• Key Characteristics of Khadi:
  • Hand-Spun: The yarn is spun by hand using a spinning wheel (charkha).
  • Hand-Woven: The yarn is woven into fabric using traditional looms.
  • Eco-Friendly: Since it is hand-made, Khadi is more sustainable compared to machine-made fabrics.
  • Natural Fabric: It is made from cotton, silk, or wool, all of which are natural fibers.

Source: PIB

Biodiversity Leak

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• A recent study published in the Science journal highlights how conservation efforts in some countries can lead to biodiversity loss in other regions.

What is Biodiversity Leak?

• Biodiversity leak refers to the unintended consequences of conservation policies where restrictions on agriculture in one region increase the demand for imports from other biodiversity-rich areas. 
• This displacement can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss in the exporting regions.

Global Conservation Initiatives – Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030 to counter biodiversity loss. – The European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (under the European Green Deal) seeks to reverse ecosystem degradation and safeguard at least 30% of land and marine ecosystems by the decade’s end.

Recommendations to Address Biodiversity Leak

• Tracking changes in food or wood production within intervention areas as part of routine programme monitoring.
• Reducing demand for high-leakage goods and improving efficiencies in line with production decreases.
• Targeting conservation efforts in areas where biodiversity restoration will cause minimal displacement of production.
• Increasing yields within or near conservation project areas to offset losses.

Source: DTE

Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has announced the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony, to be held in New Delhi.

About

• This initiative aims to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their remarkable contributions to animal welfare and protection.
• The awards will be presented under two major categories: Prani Mitra Award and Jeev Daya Award.
  • The Prani Mitra Award will be conferred under five sub-categories: Advocacy (Individual), Innovative Idea (Individual), Lifetime Animal Service (Individual), along with two awards for Animal Welfare Organizations and for Corporate, PSUs, Government Bodies, or Co-operatives. 
  • The Jeev Daya Award will be presented in three sub-categories: Individual, Animal Welfare Organization, and for either Schools, Institutions, Teachers, or Children.

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) – The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body promoting animal welfare in the country.  – Establishment: It was established in 1962 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. 1. AWBI was started under the stewardship of Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known humanitarian. – Responsibilities: Ensures that animal welfare laws in India are diligently followed. 1. Provides grants to Animal Welfare Organizations. 2. Advises the Government of India on animal welfare issues. – Governance: The Board consists of 28 Members.  – The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years.

Source: PIB

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

• The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often called the “Arctic Doomsday Seed Vault,” has recently received over 14,000 new seed samples, further strengthening its mission of preserving global agricultural biodiversity.

About the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

• World’s Largest Secure Seed Bank
• Objective: To safeguard a wide variety of crop seeds in case of global disasters, climate change, or national emergencies
• Location: Norwegian island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic Svalbard archipelago
• Preservation Mechanism: Maintains ultra-low temperatures (−18°C), with permafrost and thick rock ensuring seed viability even without power

India’s Own Seed Bank

• India has its own high-altitude seed conservation facility, established in 2010 at Chang La, Ladakh. 
• It was built jointly by the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) and the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), operating under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 
• The seed bank plays a crucial role in preserving India’s plant genetic diversity, ensuring food security, and safeguarding crop varieties against climate change and other potential threats.

Source: TH