Current Context : Justice V. Ramasubramanian, a retired Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India.

• Justice Ramasubramanian served as a Supreme Court judge from September 23, 2019, until his retirement on June 29, 2023. Prior to this, he was the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and also served as a judge in the Madras and Telangana High Courts.
• NHRC Composition:The NHRC comprises a Chairperson, five full-time Members, and seven deemed Members. The Chairperson is typically a former Chief Justice of India or a retired Supreme Court judge.
• Selection Process:The NHRC Chairperson is appointed by the President based on recommendations from a committee that includes the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Home Minister, and Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament.

Observed on December 26^th .

Aim: To honor the bravery and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas (sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) – Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, who were martyred at a young age for their unwavering commitment to Sikhism.

Current Context :The Indian government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a landmark $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogramme of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) programme.

SMILE Programme (Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem)

• Objective:Supports logistics sector reforms to expand manufacturing and enhance supply chain resilience in India.
• Loan Agreement:$350 million policy-based loan under the second sub programme signed between India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• Collaborators:Department of Economic Affairs (Ministry of Finance), DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce and Industry), and ADB.
• Key Pillars:
  • Institutional Frameworks:Capacity building for seamless multimodal logistics integration at all levels.
  • Warehousing Standards:Uniform regulations to streamline supply chains and attract private investment.
  • Trade Logistics:Improved efficiency in external trade operations.
  • Smart, Low-Emission Systems:Advanced, eco-friendly technologies for enhanced logistics performance.

Current Context :A mysterious illness called “Dinga Dinga” has emerged in Uganda, primarily affecting women and girls.

About Dinga Disease: 

• It is locally called ‘Dinga Dinga’, meaning ‘shaking like dancing’.
• It predominantly impacts women and girls, is characterized by fever and excessive body shaking.

Symptoms:

• Uncontrollable body shaking resembling dancing.
• High fever and extreme weakness.
• Paralysis-like immobility in severe cases.

Cause: The exact cause remains unidentified despite investigations.

Treatment: Currently managed with antibiotics, though its effectiveness is unclear.

Current Context :India plans to launch its first quantum satellite for quantum communication within 2-3 years.

• A quantum satellite secures communication using quantum physics principles.

Features and Functions:

• Signal Security:Protects against quantum computing threats.
• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD):Enables unbreakable encryption by securely sharing encryption keys and detecting eavesdropping.
• Mechanisms:
  • Quantum Measurement: Measuring a photon changes its state, revealing any interference.
  • Quantum Entanglement: Entangled photons reflect changes in each other instantly, ensuring secure communication.

About National Quantum Mission (NQM):

• Objective:Accelerate advancements in quantum communication and sensing systems.
• Budget:₹6,000 crore, spanning 2023–
• Authority:Implemented by the Department of Science & Technology.

Global Milestone – Micius (China):

• Launch:World’s first quantum satellite launched in 2016.
• Function:Emits entangled photon pairs for secure communication.

Current Context : Recently, the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.

About India State of Forest Report: 

Published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis since 1987; this is the 18th report.

• It carries out an in-depth assessment of the forest and tree resources of the country based on interpretation of Remote Sensing satellite data and field based National Forest Inventory (NFI).
• The report contains information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon stock in India’s forests, instances of forest fire, Agroforestry, etc.

Relevant data of Forest Report 2023

• Forest and Tree Cover: Constitutes 25.17% of India’s geographical area (21.76% forest cover, 3.41% tree cover).
• Increase Since 2021: Net gain of 1,445.81 sq km in forest and tree cover.
• Top States (Increase):
• Forest and Tree Cover: Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan.
• Forest Cover: Mizoram, Gujarat, Odisha.
• Largest Forest and Tree Cover (Area-wise):Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra.
• Highest Percentage of Forest Cover:Lakshadweep (91.33%), followed by Mizoram and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Mangrove Cover:Total 4,992 sq km; a slight decline of 7.43 sq km since 2021.
• Bamboo Bearing Area:Increased compared to 2021.

Carbon Stock: 7,285.5 million tonnes, with a total carbon sink of 30.43 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent.

Current Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Kuwait’s highest honor, the ‘Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’, by Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah on December 22, 2024.

• The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, established on July 16, 1974, is a prestigious Kuwaiti knighthood named after Mubarak Al-Sabah, known as Mubarak the Great, who ruled Kuwait from 1896 to 1915.
• This honor is conferred upon Heads of State, foreign sovereigns, and members of foreign royal families as a symbol of friendship.

Current Context : Suryabala, a distinguished Hindi writer, has been honored with the 34^th Vyas Samman for her 2018 novel, Kaun Des Ko Vasi: Venu Ki Diary.

• Kaun Des Ko Vasi: Venu Ki Diary delves into the cultural and ideological conflicts faced by Indian youth abroad, particularly in America.
• Suryabala was born in 1943 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Suryabala holds an MA and PhD in Hindi literature from Kashi Vishwavidyalaya. Throughout her prolific career, she has authored over 50 novels, biographies, and children’s books, many of which have been adapted into television serials.
• This prestigious award, established in 1991 by the KK Birla Foundation, recognizes exceptional Hindi literary works published within the last decade. The accolade includes a cash prize of ₹4 lakh, a citation, and a plaque.

Current Context : Former Supreme Court Justice Madan B. Lokur appointed as Chairperson of the UN Internal Justice Council (IJC) for a 4-year term ending November 12, 2028.

• Justice Lokur served in the Supreme Court of India from 2012 to 2018 and was Chief Justice of Gauhati and Andhra Pradesh High Courts.

About United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC):

• Establishment:The IJC was created by the UN General Assembly as part of the reformed internal justice system to uphold accountability, independence, and professionalism within the organization.
• Composition:The Council comprises five members, including distinguished jurists from various countries. Justice Lokur’s appointment brings representation from India to this esteemed body.

Observed annually on December 25 to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

• Objective: To promote awareness of accountability, transparency, and good governance among citizens.