Current Context : The Indian Army contingent personnel departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia to take part in the 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24. 

• Objective: The exercise aims to familiarize Indian and Indonesian Special Forces with each other’s operating procedures, enhancing mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability.
• Schedule and Location: The 9th edition is being conducted from November 1 to 12, 2024, in Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Participation: The Indian contingent comprises 25 personnel from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian side includes 40 personnel from Kopassus, the Indonesian Special Forces.

Current Context : The Indian Army contingent departed for the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR.

• Schedule and Location: The 15th edition is being held from November 2 to 22, 2024, at the Orchard Combat Training Centerin Idaho, USA.
• Aim : to enhance military cooperation between India and the US through interoperability, joint planning, and tactical drills specific to Special Forces operations.
• Previous Edition: The 14th edition took place in December 2023at Umroi, Meghalaya.
• Focus: Emphasizes joint operations in desert and semi-desert terrains, with a high focus on physical fitness, joint tactical drills, and exchange of special operations tactics.

Observed annually on November 5

Aim : to increase awareness of tsunami risks.

• Designated by the UN in 2015 following Japan’s proposal, inspired by Hamaguchi Goryo, a hero who saved lives during the 1854 tsunami in Japan.
• This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, with emphasis on educating youth and promoting the “Early Warnings for All” initiative.​​

Celebrated on November 1, marking Haryana’s formation as a state in 1966.

• Formation: Resulted from the recommendations of the Shah Commission, which reorganized Punjab on linguistic lines.
• Haryana was created as a separate state with Chandigarh as its shared capital with Punjab.​

Celebrated on November 1 every year as Karnataka Rajyotsava or Kannada Rajyotsava.

• Historical Significance: Marks the formation of Karnataka in 1956, when Kannada-speaking regions of South India were unified under the States Reorganisation Act.
• Original Name: Initially named Mysore State, it was later renamed Karnataka in 1973 to reflect the region’s broader cultural identity.​​

Current Context : Recently, a FIR has been filed against NHAI officials and a construction firm for dumping debris into Gobind Sagar Lake.

Allegations : Debris from hill cutting was improperly disposed of in the lake, impacting water quality and the local ecosystem.

About Gobind Sagar Lake:

• Location: On the Sutlej River in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
• The lake is named after Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru.
• Formation: The lake was created by the Bhakra Dam, which was built between 1955 and 1962. The dam is one of the world’s highest gravity dams, rising 225.5 meters above its lowest foundations.

Current Context : The new complex of India’s first Biomanufacturing Institute, named BRIC-NABI (Bio-Manufacturing Research Innovation and Commercialization-National Agri-Food Biomanufacturing Institute), was recently inaugurated at Mohali in Punjab.

Formation : This institute was created by merging the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) and the Centre of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB), focusing on advancing India’s biomanufacturing sector.

Funding : Supported by the Department of Biotechnology.

Objectives:

• Advance research in genetic engineering and metabolic pathways.
• Support large-scale biomanufacturing and foster startups.
• Develop bio-based products like biofertilizers and biopesticides.

Incubation Center: BioNEST center to assist entrepreneurs, youth, and farmers in commercializing innovations​

Current Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex at Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Collaboration:

• The plant was inaugurated in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Defence and Space (Spain).

Purpose:

• The facility will manufacture C-295 medium-lift tactical transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the “Make in India” initiative.

Production and Delivery:

• It will produce 40 C-295 aircraft locally, with the first one expected by 2026, supporting India’s self-reliance in defense.

Significance:

This project strengthens India’s defense manufacturing sector, marks a major milestone in India-Spain defense relations, and enhances India’s strategic capabilities.

Current Context : Israel became the 69th member and 20th non-regional member of the ADB, following completion of all membership criteria.

This membership allows Israel to access and contribute to ADB-led development projects across Asia, supporting infrastructure, social, and environmental sustainability. The partnership is expected to boost Israel’s trade ties in Asia, diversifying its international alliances​

About the Asian Development Bank (ADB):

• Founded: 1966, headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
• Objective: ADB aims to foster economic development, reduce poverty, and improve quality of life in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Members: 69 members in total, with 49 from within Asia.

Focus Areas: It supports initiatives in infrastructure, education, environmental sustainability, health, and regional cooperation.

Current Context : A recent report at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) raised concerns over oil and gas activities in the Coral Triangle region.

About Coral Triangle :

• Known as the “Amazon of the seas,” the Coral Triangle is a large marine area covering 10 million square kilometers.
• Location: It includes parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands.
• Biodiversity: Houses 76% of the world’s coral species and supports the livelihoods of over 120 million people in the region.
• Threats:
  • Unsustainable fishing practices.
  • Pollution from coastal development.
  • Coral bleaching driven by climate change.

What are Corals?

• Corals are marine animals that stay attached to the ocean floor. They have a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae, which provide them with nutrients through photosynthesis.
• Structure: Corals use their tentacles to catch food. Each coral is a polyp, living in colonies of identical polyps that together form a coral reef.