• Indonesia’s Mount Dukono recently triggered aviation alerts and public safety measures by releasing a 2,000-meter ash plume.
• Location: Halmahera Island, North Maluku, Indonesia.
• Volcano Type: Active stratovolcano, 1,087 m in elevation.

Recent Activity:

• Persistent eruptions with frequent ash clouds.
• Latest eruption produced a 2,000-meter ash column, prompting an orange-level aviation warning (VONA).

Safety Measures:

• Flight restrictions within a 5 km radius.
• Residents advised to stay 4 km away from the Malupang Warirang crater.

Recently, the government appointed former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Appointment:

• Former RBI Governor and retired IAS (1980, TN) appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to the PM; tenure co-terminus with the PM’s term.
• Serves alongside Dr. P.K. Mishra (Principal Secretary-1).

Background:

• Concluded his term as the 25th RBI Governor on December 10, 2024.
• Previously held key roles in the Ministry of Finance, including Finance Secretary Designate.

Expertise:

• Renowned for his proficiency in monetary policy, fiscal strategy, and financial governance, expected to strengthen PMO decision-making.

• Veer Savarkar’s death anniversary on February 26th commemorates his 1966 passing, which followed a self-imposed fast, reflecting his belief in ending life when it no longer served society.

Historical Role:

• Celebrates his contributions to the Indian independence movement and development of Hindutva philosophy.

Imprisonment & Writings:

• His time in Cellular Jail inspired writings like “The Indian War of Independence” and fueled his advocacy for social reform.

• Launch: Elon Musk’s XAI unveiled Grok-3, its latest AI chatbot.
• Capabilities: Described by Musk as the “smartest AI on Earth.”
• Etymology: “Grok” derived from Robert Heinlein’s novel, “Stranger in a Strange Land.”
• Performance: Grok-3 reportedly outperformed leading AI models, including Google’s Gemini 2 Pro, DeepSeek V3, and OpenAI’s GPT-4o.

• Cultural Significance: Holds a uniquely special place in the hearts of Bengalis.
• Historical Origin:
  • India’s first-ever book fair was held in 1918 at College Street, Calcutta.
  • Organized by the National Council of Education (NCE).
• Purpose: Part of the NCE’s mission to promote the Swadeshi Movement.

The Lancet study has recently analysed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, offering valuable insights into global health trends and challenges

India-Related Suicide Death Rate Findings

• Overall Decline: The suicide death rate decreased from 18.9 per lakh population in 1990 to 13 per lakh population in 2021.
• Gender-Specific Trends:
• Females: Declined from 16.8 in 1990 to 10.3 in 2021.
• Males: Declined from 20.9 in 1990 to 15.7 in 2021.
• Most Vulnerable Section: In 2020, educated women in India exhibited the highest suicide death rates, with family problems identified as the most common factor.

Initiatives Responsible for Reducing Suicides

• Decriminalization: The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 removed criminal liability for suicide, replacing Section 309 of IPC.
• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): Targets a 10% reduction in suicide mortality by 2030.
• WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan (2013–2030): Emphasizes the importance of mental health for overall well-being.
• Additional Measures: National Mental Health Policy (2014), SDG target 3.4, and toll-free helplines like Manodarpan and KIRAN.

Kerala Launches Nayanamritham 2.0: World’s First Government-Led AI Eye Screening.

• Technology: Utilizes AI-powered fundus cameras.
  • AI for screening diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and AMD.
• Program Goals:
  • Faster diagnoses and timely referrals.
  • Expanded reach to Community Health Centers, Taluk Hospitals, and District Hospitals.
  • Enhance access to quality eye care, reduce the cataract backlog, and ensure early detection and treatment of eye disorders.
• Partnerships:
  • Partnered with health-tech company Remidio.
• Healthcare Impact:
  • Empowers healthcare providers with AI assistance.

Positions Kerala as a leader in healthcare technology integration.

India has recently assumed the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) during the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Malé, Maldives.

About Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation

• Established: Set up in 2003.
• Mandate: A unique regional fisheries body focused on enhancing livelihood opportunities and improving the quality of life for small-scale/artisanal fisher folk in the Bay of Bengal.
• Evolution: Evolved from the Bay of Bengal Programme of the FAO, established in 1979.
• Impact: Has set international benchmarks in executing small-scale fisheries programs, translating into measurable benefits for member countries.
• Membership: Current members are Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand as cooperating non-contracting parties.

India’s leadership in BOBP-IGO is seen as opportunity to advance the national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

• Recent research has revealed that a sinking oceanic slab beneath the Earth’s surface is exerting a downward pull on northern Iraq, signaling significant tectonic shifts in the region.
• Location: Situated in southwestern Iran.
• Extent & Orientation: Extends in a northwest-southeast direction from the border areas of eastern Turkey and northern Iraq to the Strait of Hormuz.
• Dimensions: Approximately 990 miles (1,600 km) in length and more than 150 miles (240 km) in width.

Recognition:

• Recently named in Time Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” 2025.
• One of 13 women globally to receive this honor

Contributions:

• Identified a problem affecting women and worked on sustainable solutions.
• Led conservation efforts for the endangered Hargila bird also known as the Greater Adjutant Stork and its wetland habitat.

Profile:

• Wildlife biologist from Assam, born in the Kamrup region.
• Studied at Guwahati University with a Master’s in Folklore (specializing in Nomenclature Biology).
• Serves as the Director of YNN (Women in Nature Network) India.
• Member of the IUCN Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group.
• Recipient of prestigious awards including the Nari Shakti Puraskar (2017) and the Whitley Gold Award (2017, 2024).

About Time Magazine

• American media company founded in 1923.
• Began as a weekly news magazine; now a global multimedia platform.
• Known for recognizing influential figures through awards like “Person of the Year.”