- NATIONAL
MURMU URGES PEOPLE TO REJECT TENDENCIES THAT STOKE DISCORD
- Social Justice and Governance:
- Affirmative Action: The President emphasized the importance of strengthening affirmative action as an instrument of inclusion to uplift marginalized communities.
- Social Democracy: She stressed the need for political democracy to be complemented by social democracy, quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to highlight that democracy must be built on a foundation of social justice.
- Government Initiatives: PM-SURAJ: Direct financial assistance to marginalized groups. ○ PM-JANMAN: Improving the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- NAMASTE Scheme: Aimed at eliminating manual scavenging.
- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: Focused on ensuring the real empowerment of women, including provisions for women’s reservation.
- Economic Development: Economic Growth: The President lauded India’s economic growth from 2021 to 2024, noting the country’s average growth rate of 8% annually and its position among the top three global economies.
- Employment and Skilling: Recognition of the Prime Minister’s package of five schemes for employment and skilling, benefiting 4.1 crore youth over five years.
- Infrastructure and Technology: Mentioned significant improvements in infrastructure (roads, railways, ports), and the promotion of sectors like semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Women’s Welfare: The President highlighted the tripling of budget allocations for women’s welfare over the past decade, improved female labor participation, and a better sex ratio at birth.
- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: Aimed at ensuring real empowerment of women through reservation and other legislative measures.
- Social Issues and Inclusion: Inclusion: The President called for the rejection of tendencies that stoke discord based on perceived social hierarchies, advocating for a cohesive nation that embraces diversity and plurality.
- Justice in Broader Context: Addressed the importance of justice in various forms, including gender justice and climate justice, while acknowledging the persistence of traditional prejudices.
- International Relations: G-20 Summit: She acknowledged the successful completion of the G-20 summit and India’s role in contributing to global discussions on various issues.
- Agriculture and Rural Development: Annadatas (Farmers): Recognized the contribution of farmers towards achieving agricultural self-reliance, highlighting their role in the nation’s food security.
- Science and Technology: Promotion of High-tech Sectors: The government’s efforts to promote semiconductor technology and Artificial Intelligence, along with creating an ecosystem for startups to thrive in India.
- Sports and Culture: Sports Achievements: Acknowledged India’s best efforts at the recent Paris Olympics, showcasing the country’s growing prowess in sports on the global stage.
2. POLITY
PRESIDENT APPROVES FOUR KIRTI CHAKRAS, 18 SHAURYA CHAKRAS
- Gallantry awards in India are given to honor acts of bravery and sacrifice by members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and civilians. These awards are categorized into wartime and peacetime honors.
- Wartime Gallantry Awards: Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
- Highest military honor awarded for displaying exceptional courage, bravery, and valor in the face of the enemy.
- Equivalent to the Victoria Cross (UK) and the Medal of Honor (USA).
- Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)
- The second-highest wartime gallantry award. ○ Given for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
- Vir Chakra – The third-highest wartime gallantry award. ○ Awarded for acts of bravery on the battlefield.
- Peacetime Gallantry Awards:
- Ashoka Chakra – The highest peacetime gallantry award.
- Awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
- Kirti Chakra – The second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
- Given for courageous action or self-sacrifice under circumstances other than in the face of the enemy.
- Shaurya Chakra – The third-highest peacetime gallantry award.
- Awarded for gallantry, otherwise than in the face of the enemy. Other Gallantry Awards:
- Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, and Vayu Sena Medal
- These medals are awarded by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively for individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage in the conduct of military operations.
- Mention in Dispatches – This is a recognition of an act of gallantry or meritorious service in operational areas, where the individual’s name is published in an official report by the senior officer. Civilian Gallantry Awards:
- Jeevan Raksha Padak – This series includes three awards: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak.
- These are awarded to civilians for meritorious acts of saving lives from drowning, fire, or other disasters
3. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PHASE 3 CLINICAL TRAIL OPENS FOR INDIGENOUS DENGUE VACCINE
- Vaccine Type: Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine (DengiAll)
- Developer: Panacea Biotec Ltd. ○ Strain Origin: Derived from TV003/TV005, a tetravalent strain developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S.
- Vaccine Composition: Combines four dengue virus serotypes to provide comprehensive protection.
- Clinical Trials: Phase 1 & 2: Successfully conducted in 2018-2019, demonstrating safety and immunogenicity.
- Phase 3: Initiated: By the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec. Participants to be followed up for two years to assess long-term efficacy and safety.
- Public Health Impact: Dengue: A significant public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions, including India, with frequent outbreaks causing illness and death.
- Indigenous Solution: First India-developed dengue vaccine, crucial for local and global use in dengue-endemic areas
4. ENVIRONMENT
THREE MORE RAMSAR WETLAND SITES NOW IN INDIA, TAKING TOTAL TO 85
- Nanjaraayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Major Species: The sanctuary is known for hosting Ruddy Shelducks, among other bird species. This site is crucial for the conservation of various migratory and resident birds.
- Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Major Species: The Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is home to a variety of bird species, particularly waterbirds. It serves as an important habitat for both resident and migratory birds.
- Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh) – Major Species: Tawa Reservoir supports a diverse range of aquatic life, including fish species that are important both ecologically and economically. The reservoir also attracts various species of waterbirds. These sites have been recognized as Ramsar sites for their ecological significance, particularly in supporting vulnerable and endangered species, and for their role in maintaining the biodiversity of their respective regions:
- Biodiversity Conservation: Each site is important for preserving unique ecosystems that support a variety of species, including those that are endangered or vulnerable.
- Environmental Services: These wetlands provide essential ecological services such as water purification, flood control, and groundwater recharge, making their conservation critical for environmental sustainability.
- Cultural and Economic Impact: The Ramsar designation can boost ecotourism and local economies while also serving as a platform for education and research on wetland management.
5. INTERNATIONAL
NO TIME TO WASTE ON GAZA CEASEFIRE, SAYS U.S ENVOY
- Visiting U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein’s Lebanon trip comes a day before ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel are set to resume
- Top diplomats are scrambling to avert all-out war after Iran and Hezbollah vowed revenge for recent high-profile killings
- U.S Envoy warned that the clock was ticking for a Gaza ceasefire that could also help end 10 months of cross-border exchanges between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel
ONE LINER
- The Minister for Minority Affairs launched the Jiyo Parsi Scheme portal, a Central Sector to arrest the population decline of the Parsi Community in India
- India, German, Spain and Englans performed stunning Aircombat exercises at the closing ceremony of first phase of Tarang Shakti 2024
