- NATIONAL
MODI CALLS FOR DOCUMENTING HISTORY OF INDIAN DIASPORA
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event in Bhubaneswar, emphasized documenting the journey of the Indian diaspora, their achievements, and contributions to societies globally.
- This initiative aims to preserve and showcase the rich heritage and contributions of Persons of Indian Origin across different eras.
- Indian Diaspora as Cultural Ambassadors: Their success stories represent India’s unique legacy and global cultural influence.
- Symbol of Peace: Modi referred to Odisha’s Dhauli, a site symbolizing peace and transformation since Emperor Ashoka’s time, as reflective of India’s heritage promoting non-violence.
- India’s Global Standing: In the past decade, India has: Lifted25 crore people out of poverty.
- Transitioned from being the10th largest economy to the 5th largest globally.
- India is poised to become the third-largest economy soon, amplifying its voice on the global stage, especially for the Global South
2. STATES
TCHAY – E – GARD AHIKAR (SHADOW FISHING)
- Fishing Technique: Tchay-e-gard Shikar(Shadow Fishing)
- A unique, traditional fishing method used during winter(December 21 to April 30).
- Fishermen camouflage themselves under blankets to blend with the icy surroundings.
- They use harpoons and reeds to create shock waves and lure fish into traps.
- Seasonal Practice: The technique is specific to the frozen conditions of the lake, which necessitates innovative adaptations for survival.
- Cultural Significance: Reflects the ingenuity and resilience of Kashmiri fishermen in adapting to harsh winters.
- A traditional craft that showcases a symbiotic relationship with nature
3. DECODING INDIA’S GROWTH SLOWDOWN
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- India’s projected GDP growth for 2024-25 is pegged at6.4%, lower than the 6.5-7% forecast by the Economic Survey in mid-2024.
- Factors include weak demand, low private consumption, and stagnant investment rates.
- The National Statistics Office’s (NSO) GDP calculation uses Wholesale Price Index (WPI) instead of Producer Price Index (PPI), which may misrepresent economic activity.
- Seasonal adjustments and discrepancies in sectoral data further cloud the real economic scenario.
- Post-pandemic, investment growth has remained sluggish, reflecting structural weaknesses in corporate spending.
- Average annual growth in private consumption and fixed capital formation (2012-2024) under the NDA regime lags behind earlier periods
- Construction and financial services exhibit moderate growth, but agriculture, manufacturing, and trade face downturns
- Fiscal deficit consolidation has reduced spending capacity, limiting growth stimulus.
- The Centre’s spending on welfare and capital investment has slowed, affecting rural consumption and welfare schemes.
- Revamp fiscal policies to enhance public investment and welfare spending.
- Implement progressive taxation on wealth and corporate profits to address inequality and generate revenue.
- Address data accuracy issues to provide a clearer picture of economic health.
4. JUSTICE B.N.SRIKRISHNA TO CHAIR PANEL FOR ID VERIFICATION FIRM EQUAL
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Former Supreme Court judge Justice B.N. Srikrishna will chair the Advisory Board of Equal, a digital ID verification and data-sharing platform.
- Equal supports identity authentication and secure digital integration for large firms, aligned with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
- Justice Srikrishna previously chaired the2018 Committee on Data Protection, commissioned by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Led significant committees such as the Sixth Pay Commission and Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission, showcasing expertise in legal, financial, and policy reforms
- Advisory Board to establish frameworks for secure, compliant, and consent-driven data sharing.
- Focus on fostering privacy protection, ethical data use, and setting global benchmarks for digital practices
5. SIXTH GENERATION AERO- ENGINE CAN BE DEVELOPED BY TYING UP WITH FOREIGN FIRM : DRDO CHIEF
SUBJECT: DEFENSE
- DRDO Chief Samir V. Kamat emphasizes the need for co development with foreign firms for a sixth-generation aero-engine.
- India currently spends only 5% of its defense budget on R&D; this needs to rise to 15%.
- Critical technologies required include: Single-crystal blade power
- Metallurgy discs
- Ceramic matrix composites
- Estimated investment: ₹40,000-50,000 crore.
- Challenges: Delays in indigenous fighter jet development.
- Establishment of facilities like testing centers, high-altitude test beds, and forging capacity.
