Current Context : Recently, the Supreme Court of India unveiled a redesigned statue of Lady Justice, marking a significant shift in its symbolism and representation.

• The original Lady Justice statue was constructed in 1872 at the Calcutta High Court and was influenced by Greek and Roman iconography.

NEW LADY JUSTICE STATUE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Unimpeded Vision: Unlike the traditional blindfolded version, the new statue symbolizes that the law sees and treats everyone equally, challenging the notion that “the law is blind.”
• Constitution Representation: The statue replaces the sword, which represented punitive power, with a book symbolizing the Constitution, emphasizing that justice in India is grounded in constitutional principles.
• Indian Attire: The statue is depicted wearing a saree, moving away from the Western-style attire of previous representations.
• Scales of Justice: The statue retains the scales of justice in its right hand, representing balance and fairness in legal proceedings.​

Current Context : The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) program at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan.

• This initiative is designed to support over 400 planned lunar missions in the coming years, including those by space agencies and private companies.​

ABOUT MOONLIGHT PROGRAMME:

• Objective: Establish a satellite network for communication and navigation between Earth and the Moon to support lunar missions​.
• Satellite Constellation: The program will consist of five satellites—one for high-speed communications and four for navigation. It will ensure coverage across distances of up to 400,000 kilometers between Earth and the Moon
• Focus Area: Targets the Moon’s South Pole, a crucial site due to potential water ice reserves and stable solar power conditions.
• Timeline:
  • 2026: Launch of Lunar Pathfinder (communications relay).
  • 2028: Initial services begin.
  • 2030: Full operational capacity​
• Collaboration: Partners with NASA and JAXA through LunaNet for standardizing lunar communication​

Current Context : India is on track to eliminate Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) as a public health problem, maintaining an incidence rate of fewer than one case per 10,000 people in endemic areas.

• WHO Criteria: India has met the World Health Organization’s criteria for elimination by maintaining low incidence for two consecutive years​
• Government Initiatives: The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) plays a key role in these efforts, using methods like indoor residual spraying and community engagement to reduce transmission.

ABOUT KALA-AZAR:

• Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the Leishmania donovaniparasite.
• It is a slow-progressing, potentially fatal disease caused by a protozoan parasite, type of infection.
• Transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies.
• Symptoms: Irregular fever, weight loss, enlarged spleen and liver, and severe anemia. Without treatment, it can be fatal.
• Treatment & Diagnosis: Diagnosis includes clinical evaluation and tests like the rK39 rapid diagnostic test. Treatment involves anti-parasitic medications​

Current Context : The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is set to begin in Cali, Colombia.

Focus: This COP is the first since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and will focus on reviewing the progress of countries’ implementation of this framework​

About the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

• Established:Opened for signature at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Earth Summit).
• Members:196 parties, making it one of the most comprehensive international agreements on biodiversity.
• Objectives:
  • Conservation of biodiversity.
  • Sustainable use of biodiversity components.
  • Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources
• Secretariat Location: Montreal, Canada
• It serves as a critical moment to assess the alignment of countries’ National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the targets set in the GBF.

Current Context : Karnataka’s School Education and Literacy Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, launched “Shiksha Copilot,”.

• “Shiksha Copilot” is an AI-powered digital tool designed to enhance the teaching process in government schools.
• It is developed in collaboration with the Sikshana Foundation and Microsoft Research India.​
• Aims to improve the education system in government schools, helping both teachers and students perform better academically.

Current Context : Abhyuday Jindal, Managing Director of Jindal Stainless, has been appointed as the President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

• He succeeded Ameya Prabhu, Managing Director of NAFA Capital, whose term ended on October 18, 2024.

ABOUT THE ICC

• Establishment: Founded in 1925, the ICC is a leading business organization in India.
• Headquarters: Kolkata, with regional offices across major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, and international representation in over 25 countries.
• Role: The ICC actively engages with both central and state governments to address industry needs, facilitate business policies, and promote economic growth.

Current Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Russia from October 22-23 to attend the 16th BRICS Summit.

• Location: Kazan, Russia.
• Theme: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security.”
• Focus: Discussions on global issues, enhancing cooperation, and evaluating progress on existing BRICS initiatives.​

ABOUT BRICS

• Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• New Members (2024): Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE.
• Establishment: First BRIC meeting held in 2006, formalized as a summit in 2009 in Russia.
• South Africa joined in 2010, making it
• Objective: Promote economic, political, and cultural cooperation among member countries, with a focus on sustainable development and global stability.

KEY INITIATIVES:

• New Development Bank (NDB): Established in 2014, headquartered in Shanghai, China, to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects.
• Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA): Provides financial support to members facing balance of payments crises.

BRICS represents 41% of the world’s population, 24% of global GDP, and 16% of world trade, making it a significant force in global economics​

Current Context : The Indian Army’s Sudarshan Chakra Corps is conducting a major exercise called “Exercise SWAVLAMBAN SHAKTI”

• Location: Babina Field Firing Ranges, near Jhansi.
• Objective: Enhance combat readiness, foster indigenous manufacturing, and identify technologies for future warfare.​
• Participants: Around 1,800 personnel with various armored and specialist vehicles.
• Focus: Integration of advanced technologies in combat, including drones and anti-drone systems.
• Collaboration: Over 40 industry partners, including DRDO and defense startups, showcasing 50+ new technologies.

Current Context : State Tuberculosis Cell, National Health Mission (NHM)-Himachal Pradesh identified nearly 13000 TB patients in Himachal.

1. Total Active TB Cases: 12,835 patients are under treatment across Himachal Pradesh.
2. District-wise Breakdown:
   1. Kangra: Highest with 2,322 active cases.
   2. Mandi: 2,055 cases.
   3. Solan: 1,416 cases.
   4. Shimla: 1,405 cases.
   5. Lahaul and Spiti: Lowest with 52 cases.

3. TB-Free Gram Panchayats (GPs):
   1. Total GPs in State: 3,615.
   2. Declared TB-Free in 2023: 723 GPs.
   3. Kangra: 165 out of 814 GPs.
   4. Mandi: 81 out of 559 GPs.
   5. Lahaul and Spiti: 20 out of 45 GPs.
   6. Shimla: 133 out of 412 GPs.
   7. Una: 68 out of 245 GPs.

ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS (TB) :

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs. The germs that cause tuberculosis are a type of bacteria.

1. Cause: Bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
2. Spread: Airborne transmission (through coughing, sneezing).
3. Common Symptoms: Cough, chest pain, coughing up blood. If spread, can cause swollen glands, body aches, and headaches.
4. Types:
   1. Inactive TB (Latent): Bacteria present but no symptoms.
   2. Active TB Disease: Bacteria causes illness.

Treatment: Typically a 6-month antibiotic course (e.g., rifampicin, isoniazid). If untreated, TB can be fatal.

Current Context : Recently, Meta, in partnership with the Indian government, launched a safety campaign called ‘Scam se Bacho’.

• Goal : to promote awareness and educate people on how to recognize and avoid various online scams, aligning with the government’s efforts to combat cybercrime.
• It is a two-month initiative focused on enhancing digital safety.
• Collaborative Effort: The campaign involves multiple government bodies, including:
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)