- PRESIDENT INVITE FOR AT HOME TO HONOUR CRAFTS FROM SOUTH
SUBJECT: ART AND CULTURE
- The President of India will mark the 75th Republic Day with a special “At Home” reception, showcasing GI-tagged crafts from South India.
- The curated crafts honor sustainability, cultural richness, and the legacy of”One District One Product” (ODOP).
- Pochampally Ikat:Geometric-patterned pencil pouches from Telangana.
- Etikoppaka Toys:Lacquered wooden toys from Andhra Pradesh, renowned for natural dyes.
- Kalamkari Bamboo Box: Hand-drawn designs from Andhra Pradesh.
- Kanchipuram Silk: Handloom pouches, known globally for their elegance.
- Mysore Ganjifa Art:(Karnataka) Hand-painted playing cards tied to historical art revival.
- Screw pine weaving:(Kerala) a traditional craft where mats, baskets, and other products are made from the leaves of the screw pine plant.
2. CENTRE ALLOWS KERALA TO USE SDRF FUNDS FOR WAYANAD REHABILITATION
SUBJECT: DISASTER MANAGEMENT
- The Centre has granted Kerala permission to utilize ₹120 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)for rehabilitation following Wayanad landslides.
- Funds will cover airlifting service charges incurred by the Defence Department during rescue operations.
- As per SDRF guidelines, the State Executive Committee has the authority to allocate funds under the Disaster Management Act.
- The Union Home Ministry relaxed certain norms to facilitate fund utilization, reflecting cooperative federalism in disaster response
- The Kerala High Court observed that the Centre had responded positively to the state’s request, enabling the “freeing up” of resources for immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts.
- Additional funding avenues, such as Local Area Development Funds and Special Assistance for States for Capital Investment (SASCI), are available for long-term recovery.
3. INDIA HAS TO RAISE NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL SATELLITES : ISRO CHIEF – DESIGNATE
SUBJECT: DEFENSE
- Current Satellite Count:India operates 54 satellites.
- Planned Expansion: The number of operational satellites is expected to exceed 100 in the next 3-4 years.
- Strategic Vision:V. Narayanan, ISRO Chief-Designate, emphasized the need for enhancing satellite capacity to meet growing national requirements.
- Context: The statement was made during the inauguration of the National Aerospace Manufacturing Seminar 2025.
- Enhanced Communication: Address growing needs for communication, broadcasting, and navigation services.
- National Security: Support for defense applications and surveillance.
- Economic Growth: Boost sectors like agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning through remote sensing.
- Global Competitiveness: India’s push for leadership in the global satellite services market.
4. CENTRE CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESS IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Climate change is significantly impacting agriculture, including irregular monsoons, price risks, and crop resilience.
- Immediate and long-term strategies are necessary to safeguard food security and farmer livelihoods
- Two-Pronged Approach:
- Adaptation: Promotion of drought-and flood-resistant crops.
- Adoption of efficient water management techniques.
- Enhanced crop insurance to cushion farmers against extreme natural events.
- Institutional Measures: Strengthening Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS):
- Expansion to two lakh PACS, enabling broader functions beyond input credit.
- Creation of70,000 grain storage points for rural procurement and transportation cost reduction
- Four Pillars: Lending access, transformation of internal operations, digitisation, and climate resilience funding.
- Technology Integration: Use of drones and solar-powered solutions for sustainable farming practices.
- Financial and operational assistance through NABARD and corporate partnerships to scale the initiatives
5. PM MODI TO VISIT PARIS FOR AI SUMMIT NEXT MONTH
SUBJECT: BILATRAL
- France will host the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit on February 11-12, 2025.
- It aims to foster international dialogue on AI.
- Bilateral Visit: PM Modi’s visit to France will focus on enhancing collaboration in AI, defense, and other strategic areas.
- Global Participation: Countries like the U.S., China, India, and Gulf States will participate, showcasing the importance of AI in global governance and development
- Strengthening Bilateral Ties: Highlights the strategic partnership between India and France in emerging technologies.
- AI Leadership: Aligns with India’s vision of leveraging AI for governance, economic growth, and societal benefits.
- Global Dialogue: Establishes India’s position as a thought leader in ethical and inclusive AI development.
- Future Prospects: Opportunity to discuss frameworks for AI regulation, addressing challenges like data privacy, security, and equitable access.
