Pandit Chatur Lal
Syllabus :GS 1/History
In News
- The Department of Posts will release a stamp to honor centenary celebrations of tabla exponent Pandit Chatur Lal.
Pandit Chatur Lal
- He was a pioneer who introduced tabla to Western audiences and contributed to the first-ever LP of Indian classical music recorded for the West in 1955.
- Early Life: He was Born in Udaipur and came from a family of court musicians and learned tabla under Ustad Abdul Hafiz Ahmed Khan.
- He joined All India Radio in 1947, where he met Pandit Ravi Shankar, leading to collaborations that significantly impacted his career.
- Global exposure: Yehudi Menuhin was inspired by Chatur Lal’s performance in 1952 and later invited him to perform in New York, marking an important milestone in Tabla’s global exposure.
- He performed with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan at prestigious venues, introducing Indian classical music to Western audiences.
- He performed in a fusion concert with jazz drummer Papa Jo Jones, one of the first Indo-jazz collaborations, which influenced later groups like Shakti.
- Oscar Nomination: He was nominated for an Oscar in 1957 for his role in the Canadian short film A Chairy Tale.
- Royal Performance: In 1962, Chatur Lal performed for Queen Elizabeth at Rashtrapati Bhawan in India.
- Death: He died in October 1965 at the age of 40 due to complications from jaundice, cutting short his promising career.
Source :IE
Raja Ravi Varma
Syllabus: GS1/Art and Culture
Context
- April 29 marks the birth anniversary of Raja Ravi Varma, one of India’s pioneering modern artists.
About: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906)
- Born on April 29, 1848, in Kerala into an aristocratic family, Raja Ravi Varma revolutionized Indian art by blending Indian themes with European techniques, particularly oil painting, introduced to India by the British.
- He is renowned for his realistic depictions of Indian gods and mythological characters, set against natural, earthy backgrounds with European realism. His distinctive style profoundly influenced Indian calendar art as well as the film and television industry.
- In addition to his artistic contributions, Varma used his work as a tool for social reform, advocating for women’s education and speaking out against practices such as child marriage.
- He also supported the growing nationalist movement by painting portraits of prominent leaders, including Dadabhai Naoroji and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Awards and Legacy
- He was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, making him the first Indian artist to receive this honor.
- His painting “Hamsa Damayanti,” which depicts the story of King Nala and Damayanti from the Mahabharata, won the first prize at the Vienna Exhibition in 1873.
- He was awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind gold medal by the British government in 1904 for his contributions to art.
- In 2013, a crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honour.
Source: TH
Why does Crimea matter to Russia?
Syllabus: GS2/ International relations
Context
- The US President Donald Trump has said that the Crimean peninsula should remain with Russia.
Strategic Military Access
- Russia’s extensive coastline is mostly along the frozen Arctic, making many ports unusable during winters.
- The Black Sea offers the warmest marine access for Russia.
- It serves as a gateway to the Mediterranean Sea (via the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits controlled by Turkey) and onwards to Europe, Africa, and West Asia.
- However the Black Sea ports like Sochi and Novorossiysk are shallow and less ideal for major naval operations.
- Sevastopol, located in Crimea, is a deepwater port and has historically been the home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Post-Soviet disintegration
- Kharkiv Pact, 1997: Crimea remained part of Ukraine but Russia leased Sevastopol until 2017 (later extended to 2042).
- Russia unilaterally annulled these agreements after annexing Crimea in 2014 to retain permanent control over Sevastopol.
Source: IE
World Economic Forum
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- The World Economic Forum is investigating allegations against its founder and former Chairman, Klaus Schwab, following a whistleblower letter accusing him of ethical misconduct.
About World Economic Forum (WEF)
- Founded in: 1971 as the European Management Forum.
- Renamed: Became the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 1987 to reflect a broader global focus.
- Founder: Klaus Schwab, a German economist, who also pioneered the concept of “stakeholder capitalism” — the idea that companies should serve all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
- HQ: Switzerland
- Aims and Objectives: To improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation.
- Address global economic, social, and environmental challenges.
- Foster collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society.
Major Functions and Activities
- Global Dialogues: Hosts the prestigious Annual Meeting in Davos, where world leaders, CEOs, economists, activists, and academics gather to discuss urgent global issues.
- Publications and Rankings: Produces influential reports and indices, including:
- Global Competitiveness Report
- Global Gender Gap Report
- Future of Jobs Report
- Energy Transition Index
Source: IE
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Syllabus :GS 3/Economy
In News
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending by listed companies rose by 16% to Rs 17,967 crore in FY 2023-24, driven by an 18% increase in average net profits.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Definition: CSR refers to corporate initiatives aimed at societal, environmental, and economic development, allowing companies to create a positive impact on communities.
- Legal Basis: CSR in India has traditionally been seen as a philanthropic activity. However, with the introduction of Section 135 in the Companies Act 2013, India became the first country to have statutorily mandated CSR for specified companies.
- Eligibility Criteria: India’s CSR policy established through the 2014 and 2021 amendments to the Companies Act of 2013, mandates companies with a net worth of ₹500 crore, turnover of ₹1,000 crore, or a net profit of ₹5 crore to spend at least 2% of their average net profit over the last three years on CSR activities.
- 2019 Amendment: Unspent funds must be transferred to a Schedule VII Fund (e.g., PM CARES, Clean Ganga Fund) by the fiscal year-end.
- Unspent CSR funds could be carried forward.
| Category | Key Benefits |
| Social | Community welfare, environmental sustainability |
| Economic | Profitability, investment appeal, risk reduction |
| Corporate | Reputation boost, employee satisfaction, differentiation |
| Compliance | Adherence to laws, governance standards |
| Innovation | Sustainable product innovation, new market access |
| Stakeholder Relations | Trust building, influence on policy |
Source :IE
UDAN Scheme
Syllabus: GS3/Infrastructure
Context
- Recently, the Prime Minister appreciated the UDAN Scheme, mentioning strengthening India’s Aviation sector.
About
- Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (“Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik”) was launched in 2016.
- The first UDAN flight operated between Shimla and Delhi in 2017.
- 625 UDAN routes have been operationalized, connecting 90 airports (including 2 water aerodromes, and 15 heliports) across India.
- More than 1.49 crore passengers have benefited from affordable regional air travel under UDAN.
- India’s airport network expanded from 74 airports in 2014 to 159 airports in 2024, more than doubling in a decade.
- ₹4,023.37 crore disbursed as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to promote connectivity to underserved and remote regions.
- UDAN strengthened regional tourism, healthcare access, and trade, catalyzing economic growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Source: PIB
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
Syllabus :GS 3/ Security Agencies
Context
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) began investigating the Pahalgam terror attack.
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- National Investigation Agency (NIA) is working as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency in India.
- It was established in 2008, following recommendations from expert committees to create a specialized agency for investigating terrorism-related cases, which often involve complex inter-State and international links, including activities like arms and drug smuggling, fake currency circulation, and border infiltration.
- This was prompted by the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
- NIA cases are tried in Special Courts, which are designated by the Central Government, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, through an Official Gazette notification.
Jurisdiction
- The NIA Act empowers the agency to investigate offenses that threaten India’s sovereignty, security, and foreign relations.
- The law under which the agency operates extends to the whole of India and also applies to Indian citizens outside the country; persons in the service of the government wherever they are posted; persons on ships and aircraft registered in India wherever they may be; persons who commit a scheduled offence beyond India against the Indian citizen or affecting the interest of India.
- The NIA Act, amended in 2019, outlines the offences the NIA can investigate, including crimes under various laws like the Criminal Code, Information Technology Act, and Arms Act.
Powers of NIA
- Investigation: The Central Government can direct the NIA to investigate any case when it is of the opinion that a Scheduled Offence (listed under the NIA Act) has been committed.
- The NIA can suo motu (on its own) register and investigate cases in any state with central approval.
- Prosecution: The NIA is empowered to prosecute cases in Special NIA Courts that are established under the NIA Act.
- These courts ensure fast-track trials for cases investigated by the NIA.
- Coordination with State Police: The NIA collaborates with State Police forces during investigations. It can take over investigations from the State Police, ensuring centralized handling of serious offences like terrorism, organized crime, etc.
| What are the scheduled offences? – The list includes the Explosive Substances Act, Atomic Energy Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Anti-Hijacking Act, Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act and relevant offences under the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and the Information Technology Act. – In September 2020, the Centre empowered the NIA to also probe offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act that are connected to terror cases. |
Source :IE
Temperature Flips
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment and Climate Change
Context
- According to a new study, Over 60 per cent of the world has likely experienced sudden swings between extreme heat and cold over the past six decades.
About
- Temperature flips refer to abrupt and rapid transitions from extreme warmth to cold, or vice versa, within a very short time span.
- Impact: Such swift changes can lead to severe and potentially irreversible impacts on;
- Human health (heatstroke, respiratory illnesses),
- Agriculture (crop failures),
- Infrastructure (road and bridge damages due to thermal stress),
- Air quality (increased pollution during heat events),
- Plant and animal ecosystems.
- Geographical Spread: Temperature flips occurred less frequently in the tropics and polar regions and are widespread in mid-latitudes, including East Asia, eastern North America and parts of South America, Africa and Australia.
- In April 2021, Europe experienced a temperature flip where temperatures dropped sharply from unusually warm conditions, causing widespread frost damage to crops.
Source: DTE
Urban Heat Island
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
Context
- A recent study assessed the temperature-related deaths in urban heat islands.
What is an Urban Heat Island?
- An Urban Heat Island (UHI) is an area in which the temperature is higher than in surrounding rural areas due to human activities and infrastructure.
- UHI could lead to temperature differences of up to six degrees centigrade within a given area or neighbourhood.
Factors Responsible for Urban Heat Islands
- Built Environment: The materials used in urban construction, such as concrete and asphalt, absorb and retain heat, raising local temperatures.
- Reduced Vegetation: Urban areas typically have fewer trees and green spaces compared to rural areas, which reduces the cooling effect of shade and transpiration.
- Human Activities: Activities like transportation, industry, and energy consumption release heat into the environment, further elevating temperatures.
- Altered Surface Characteristics: Urbanization often involves replacing natural surfaces with artificial ones, which alters the surface reflectivity (albedo) and thermal properties, contributing to increased heat absorption.
Concerns
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly among vulnerable populations.
- Energy Consumption: Increased demand for cooling, which escalates energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
- Water Management: UHIs disrupt local water cycles by altering evaporation rates and reducing groundwater recharge.
Source: TH