Current Context: The Government of India has declared that Ayurveda Day will now be observed annually on 23rd September, starting from 2025., coinciding with the autumnal equinox.

Why 23 September?

• Autumnal Equinox: Day and night are nearly equal, symbolising balance—a core Ayurvedic principle.
• Philosophical Alignment: Reflects the harmony of body, mind & spirit that Ayurveda promotes.

About Ayurveda:

• Etymology: From ‘Ayu’ (life) + ‘Veda’ (knowledge) = “Science of Life.”
• Branches:
  • Nara Ayurveda: Human health and medicine.
  • Satva Ayurveda: Veterinary applications.
  • Vriksha Ayurveda: Plant health and pharmacognosy.
• Philosophy: Focuses on dosha balance (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), diet, lifestyle, and preventive care.

Observed on 17 May each year by the World Hypertension League (WHL).

• Aim : to raise awareness about the prevention, detection, and control of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Theme 2025: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.”

Observed every year on 17 May.

Objective : to commemorate the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in Paris, 1865, and to focus on the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in global development.

About World Telecommunication Day:

• Origin: First observed in 1969 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Purpose: Raise awareness of the digital divide, promote universal access to ICTs, and highlight innovations like 5G, broadband, and satellite connectivity.

Current Context: he Himachal Pradesh Government notified the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve in Spiti Valley, making it India’s largest conservation reserve by area.

About Tsarap Chu:

• Location: Confluence of the Unam River and Charap Nala in Spiti, bordering Ladakh to the north.
• Boundaries:
  • East: Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary up to Malang Nala & Lungar Lungpa
  • South: Kabjima Nala
  • West: Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary

Flora & Fauna:

• Flagship Species: Snow leopard (“ghost of the mountains”).
• Other Mammals: Tibetan wolf, bharal (blue sheep), Himalayan ibex, kiang, Tibetan argali.
• Birdlife: Rosefinch, Tibetan raven, and other high-altitude species.

Current Context: On 15 May 2025, Denmark’s Green Fuel Technology inaugurated the world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant in Fredericia, marking a milestone in low-carbon fuel production for shipping and industry.

About e-Methanol:

• Definition: A carbon-neutral fuel produced by combining green hydrogen (from water electrolysis powered by renewables) with captured CO₂ (from flue gases or direct air capture).
• Production Steps:
  1. Green H₂ Generation: Water electrolysis using wind or solar power.
  2. CO₂ Capture: Sourced from industrial emissions or ambient air.
  3. Methanol Synthesis: Reacting H₂ and CO₂ in a catalytic reactor under pressure to form CH₃OH.
• Benefits:
  1. Infrastructure-compatible: Can use existing methanol distribution and engine systems.
  2. Stable & Storeable: Liquid at room temperature and pressure.
  3. Versatile Feedstock: Can be converted into DME, gasoline, kerosene.
• Applications:
  1. Shipping: As a marine fuel to reduce GHGs.
  2. Road & Air Transport: Via methanol-derived fuels.
• Challenges:
  1. Cost Premium: Higher than fossil methanol due to renewable electricity prices.
  2. Scale-up Needs: Further efficiency improvements required.

‘Methanol Economy’ Program in India (NITI Aayog):

• Aim: Cut oil imports, lower GHG emissions, and convert coal/biomass and MSW into methanol.
• Feedstocks: High-ash coal, agricultural residues, CO₂ from power plants, natural gas.
• Economic Impact:
  • Employment: ~5 million jobs across production and distribution.
  • Savings: ₹6,000 crore annually by blending 20% DME (a methanol derivative) into LPG.

Current Context: Maalvika Pathania, former chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh Women Commission, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Chapters Division Advisory Committee of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

About INTACH:

• Establishment: Founded in 1984.
• Objective: Dedicated to the awareness, conservation, and preservation of India’s diverse natural, built, and intangible heritage.
• Structure: Operates through more than 2,000 chapters across India.
• Significance: One of the world’s largest heritage organizations, leading numerous initiatives in heritage conservation over the past four decades.

Current Context: Recently, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) released the Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID 2025), providing updated figures on people forced to flee within their own countries.

About Internal Displacement:

• Definition: When people are compelled to leave their homes due to conflict, violence, or disasters, yet remain within national borders.
• Terminology:
  • IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons): Individuals experiencing internal displacement.
  • Excluded: Those who cross international borders (refugees).

Relevant Data :

• Total IDPs (end-2024):4 million globally
  • Conflict & violence: 73.5 million
  • Disasters: 9.8 million
• Disaster Displacements: 25 percent occurred in the United States.
• India’s Figures (2024):
  • Conflict-related: 1,700 displacements
  • Disaster-related: 5.4 million displacements

Current Context: The contestants of Miss World 2025 from 22 countries visited Buddhavanam, a Buddhist theme park in Telangana, to celebrate Buddha Purnima.

About Buddhavanam:

• Location: Situated on the northern bank of the Krishna River in Nalgonda district, Telangana.
• Area: Spans 279 acres.
• Features:
  • Buddhacharitha Vanam: Depicts the life of Buddha.
  • Jataka Park: Showcases stories from Buddha’s previous lives.
  • Dhyana Vanam: Dedicated space for meditation.
  • Stupa Vanam: Houses the imposing Maha Stupa.
  • Buddhist Heritage Museum: Exhibits Buddhist artifacts and teachings.
• Significance: Part of the Government of India’s initiative to develop an integrated Buddhist Circuit to attract domestic and international tourists, especially from Southeast Asia.

Current Context: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52^nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), becoming the first Buddhist and only the second Dalit to hold this esteemed position.

About Justice B.R. Gavai:

• Birth and Early Life: Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra.
• Judicial Career:
  • Appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003.
  • Elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019.
• Notable Contributions:
  • Authored approximately 300 judgments, including landmark verdicts on Article 370 and demonetization.
• Tenure as CJI: Will serve until November 23, 2025.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 124(1): Establishes the Supreme Court of India, comprising the CJI and up to 33 other judges.
• Article 124(2): Provides for the appointment of the CJI by the President.
• Tenure: CJI serves until the age of 65 years.
• Oath: Administered by the President of India.
• First CJI: Harilal J. Kania.
• Transparency: The office of the CJI falls under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

Observed annually on the third Friday of May, which falls on May 16 in 2025.

Aim : to raise awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species.

Key Points:

• Established By: United States Congress in 2006.
• Purpose: To educate the public about the need to protect endangered species and their habitats.