- MODI CHAMPIONS ORANGE ECONOMY AT WAVES
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- PM Modi urged global companies to “Create in India, Create for the World”, asserting that India is evolving as an“orange economy”driven by culture, creativity, and content.
- Emphasised that Indian content is gaining global acceptance, especially through subtitled entertainment.
- The WAVES Summit 2025served as a global platform showcasing India’s creative potential in the audio-visual and entertainment sectors.
- Over90 countries participated, including media icons like Rajinikanth and Mukesh Ambani.
- PM stressed on“responsible creativity”, balancing cultural sensitivity with innovation
- What is the Orange Economy?
- Refers to the creative economy which includes industries based on creativity, culture, and intellectual property.
- Encompasses sectors like media, entertainment, design, and arts
2. VIZHINJAM PORT SET TO BOOST SOUTH ASIA MARITIME TRADE
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate Vizhinjam International Seaport, Kerala’s first deepwater transshipment terminal.
- The port features anAI-driven control room and advanced Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).
- Expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports for transshipment, especially Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
- Will potentially save India$200-220 million annually in revenue lost to foreign ports.
- Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:
- Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS):A marine traffic monitoring system integrating radar, AIS (Automatic Identification System), and AI for safe and efficient vessel navigation.
- Transshipment Hub:A port where cargo is transferred from one vessel to another, vital for global trade flows and cost optimization
3. CAN THE INDUS WATERS TREATY BE SUSPENDED UNILATERALLY
SUBJECT: BILATERAL
- India announced the IWT will be held in abeyance after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
- The 1960Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)grants India full control over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), while Pakistan controls the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).
- Article XII of IWT clearly states that it cannot be altered unilaterally
- Is unilateral suspension legal?
- “Hold in abeyance”is not a term recognized under international treaty law(VCLT 1969). The proper term is “suspension” or “termination.”
- Vienna Convention Article 62permits treaty withdrawal if there’s a“fundamental change in circumstances”.
- However, the ICJ (Fisheries Jurisdiction and Hungary-Slovakia Dam cases)held that political/environmental changes alone are insufficient to justify such action unless the threshold is extremely high
4. HAL CLEARS ARMY AND AIR FORCE VERSIONS OF DHRUV HELICOPTER
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- The armed forces had temporarily grounded all their 330 ALHs following the January 5 crash of an ALH Mark-III of the Indian Coast Guard in Porbandar, Gujarat during a training sortie that killed all three crew members aboard the helicopter
- Based on the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee recommendations, the Army and Air Force versions of the helicopter had been cleared for operations
5. HOW CAN INDIA TAP ITS NATURAL HYDROGEN POTENTIAL
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- India’s hydrogen demand is projected to rise from6 MT/year in 2020 to over 50 MT/year by 2070to meet its net-zero targets.
- Natural hydrogen offers a cost-effective, low-carbon alternative to manufactured hydrogen, potentially reducing energy dependency.
- Recent geological studies point to India having4.3–475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen reserves
- Based on predictive geological modelling, India may not need to manufacture hydrogen extensively if its natural deposits are tapped.
- A comprehensive exploration strategy factoring geological, tectonic, and hydrocarbon indicators is necessary.
- Geologic Hydrogen: Naturally occurring H₂ produced by rock-water reactions, decaying radioactive elements, or trapped in underground reservoirs.
- Hydrogen Seep Detection: Using seismic, geochemical, and thermal imaging to locate micro-seeps of H₂.
- Carbon Sequestration Link: Emerging tech may allow for simultaneous hydrogen production and CO₂ capture
