Current Context : The Maharashtra government  approved the proposal to rename Pune airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport.

ABOUT SANT TUKARAM MAHARAJ :

• Born in 1608 in Dehu near Pune, was a revered Hindu saint and poet from Maharashtra.
• He played a significant role in the Bhakti movement, advocating devotion to Lord Vithoba (a form of Krishna) worshipped in Pandharpur.
• Role in Bhakti Movement: Promoted devotion to Lord Vithoba through Abhanga poetry and community gatherings (kirtans).
• Teachings: Focused on spiritual equality, addressing social inequalities and opposing caste discrimination.
• Abhanga Poetry: Wrote around 4,500 Abhangas, known for their simplicity, devotion, and reflection on human life and divine love.
• Legacy: Widely respected for his contributions to Indian spirituality and the Warkari tradition. His work continues to inspire devotion and spiritual equality.

Current Context : Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) will hold a workshop for scientists on using ‘infrasound’.

CTBTO’S USE:

• The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)uses infrasound in its International Monitoring System (IMS) to detect distant nuclear explosions.
• Building a global Infrasound Network with 60 array stations across 35 countries.

ABOUT INFRASOUND:

• Infrasound, or low-frequency sound, is a sound wave with a frequency below the lower limit of human hearing, which is around 20 Hz.
• Infrasound can be produced by many natural and man-made sources.

SOURCES OF INFRASOUND:

• Produced by natural and man-made phenomena like meteors, storms, auroras, volcanoes, earthquakes, and nuclear explosions.

PROPERTIES:

• Cause minute changes in atmospheric pressure, detectable by microbarometers.
• Travel long distances without significant energy loss.

APPLICATIONS OF INFRASOUND:

• Structural Health Monitoring: Assess integrity of buildings, dams, and bridges.
• Aerospace: Monitor rocket lift-off stresses and aircraft instabilities.
• Mining: Check mine shaft integrity and dynamite blast success.

Wildlife Tracking: Used for tracking movements of marine animals like whales.

Celebrated on 30 September.

• Aim : to celebrate the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators.
• On 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 to declare 30 September as International Translation Day.

Celebrated every year on September 29.

• Aim : The first World Heart Day was celebrated on 29 September 1999 after the World Heart Federation (WHF) collaborated with the World Health Oraganisation (WHO).
• The first World Heart Day was celebrated on 29 September 1999 after the World Heart Federation (WHF) collaborated with the World Health Oraganisation (WHO).

Current Context : The Union Health Ministry released the National Health Account (NHA) estimates for India 2020-21 and 2021-22.

• These estimates are the eighth and ninth in the series of reports released annually by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• The methodology used for these estimates is based on the globally accepted framework of ‘A System of Health Accounts (SHA), 2011’.

RELEVANT DATA :

Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE):

• OOPE decreased from 2% (2013-14)to 39.4% (2021-22), indicating better financial protection.
• Contributing factors: Schemes like Ayushman Bharat PMJAY and other health initiatives.

Increase in Government Health Expenditure (GHE):

• GHE share in GDP: 13% (2014-15)to 1.84% (2021-22).
• GHE share in General Government Expenditure (GGE) rose from 94% to 6.12%.
• Per capita GHE increased from ₹1,108 (2014-15) to ₹3,169 (2021-22).

Impact of Health Schemes:

• More than ₹1 lakh crore savings accrued through Ayushman Bharat PMJAY.
• Free Dialysis Program: Benefited 25 lakh people.
• Government health spending increased by 37% between 2020-21 and 2021-22, reflecting the proactive measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reduction in Financial Hardship:

• Social Security Expenditure (SSE) on health: 7% (2014-15)to 8.7% (2021-22), reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

Focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC):

• Decline in OOPE and increased public investment align with UHC goals for improved health access and financial protection.

Current Context : The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) received the prestigious 2024 UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) Award for its extensive efforts in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improving mental health outcomes in India.

• This award acknowledges ICMR’s contributions towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in health and well-being.

About Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):

• NCDs are chronic diseases not passed from person to person. They include cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks and strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (like asthma), and diabetes.
• Global Impact: NCDs are a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, leading to significant health and economic challenges.

Current Context : Tirumala laddu is shrouded in controversy over the alleged use of adulterated ghee in its preparation.

• Tirupati laddus erupted after Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the prasad at the revered temple was mixed with animal fat during his predecessor Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rule.

ABOUT TIRUPATI LADDU:

• Name and Origin:Popularly known as Tirumala Laddu or Śrīvāri Laḍḍū, this iconic sweet is offered as prasadam(consecrated food) at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India.
• Historical Evolution:The practice of offering laddus began on August 2, 1715. Initially, a loose sweet called Manoharam was prepared, which over time evolved into the distinctive laddu known today.
• Preparation and Distribution:The laddus are made in the temple’s exclusive kitchen, known as Laddu Potu, by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) temple board.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:The Tirupati Laddu was granted a GI tag in 2009, ensuring protection for its unique identity and recipe. The GI registration helps maintain its authenticity and prevent misuse of its name.

ABOUT TIRUMALA VENKATESWARA TEMPLE:

• Location and Deity:The temple is situated in the Tirumala hills, part of Tirupati, in Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is worshipped as the preserver of mankind in Kali Yuga.
• Significance:The temple is known as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha (heaven in the current age) and the deity as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam (manifest deity of the age). It is also referred to as the Tirupati Temple or Balaji Temple.
• Management:The temple is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a trust under the Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of the TTD is appointed by the state government.

Current Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a significant address at the 79th U.N. General Assembly session, themed “Summit of the Future,” held in New York.

KEY ACHIEVEMENT :

• India has formally joined the Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN), a US-led initiative focused on enhancing cooperation among members to secure supply chains for critical minerals.
• The announcement, made by the US State Department on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, involves a pact signed by 14 countries and the European Union.

ABOUT UNGA :

The UNGA remains a central forum for multilateral discussions on global issues, contributing to maintaining peace, security, and international cooperation.

1. Established: The UNGA was created in 1945 under the UN Charter and is headquartered in New York City.
2. Structure and Function:
   1. It is one of the six principal organs of the UN and serves as its main policy-making and deliberative body.
   2. Each of the 193 member states has an equal vote, making it the most representative body within the UN system.
3. Key Roles:
   1. Electing: Non-permanent members to the Security Council.
   2. Appointing: The UN Secretary-General based on the Security Council’s recommendation.
   3. Approving: The UN budget and assessments of member contributions.
4. Notable Achievements:
   1. Adoption of the Millennium Declaration(2000) and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document.
   2. Establishment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)in 2015.

Current Context : Central Government, through the Ministry of Law and Justice, announced the appointment of Chief Justices to eight High Courts,

• Aim : to fill key judicial positions and ensure the effective functioning of the judicial system across various states.

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICES OF EIGHT HIGH COURTS ARE :

1. Justice Manmohan (presently Acting CJ of Delhi High Court) will be Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
2. Justice Rajiv Shakdher (presently Judge of Delhi HC) will be Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
3. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait (Judge of Delhi HC) will be Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court.
4. Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji (Judge of Calcutta HC) will be Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.
5. Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar (Judge of Bombay HC) will be Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.
6. Justice Tashi Rabstan (Judge of J&K&L HC) will be Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh High Court.
7. Justice KR Shriram (Judge of Bombay HC) will be Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
8. Justice MS Ramachandra Rao (presently CJ of HP HC) will be Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.

Current Context : 117th Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary will be observed on September 28.

About Bhagat Singh

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE:

• Born on September 28, 1907in Banga, Punjab, which is now part of Pakistan.
• He was the second son of Kishan Singh Sandhu and Vidya Vati.
• Influenced by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and British atrocities from a young age.

POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS:

• A prominent member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a left-wing revolutionary organization aimed at gaining India’s independence.
• Founded Naujawan Bharat Sabha in 1926 to rally youth, peasants, and workers against British rule.
• Connected with the Kirti Kisan Party, which advocated for farmers’ rights and socialism.

KEY REVOLUTIONARY ACTIONS:

• Defied British Rule: Known for his early defiance, including burning British textbooks.
• Assassination of Saunders: Involved in the assassination of John Saunders(mistakenly targeted instead of James Scott) to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
• Central Legislative Assembly Bombing: Along with Batukeshwar Dutt, Bhagat Singh threw non-lethal bombs in the Assembly to protest oppressive laws, distributing pamphlets before surrendering.

ROLE IN PRISON AND IDEOLOGY:

• Undertook a hunger strike demanding better treatment for Indian political prisoners, inspiring the nation.
• Propagated socialism and secularism, identifying British imperialism’s divide-and-rule policy as a core issue to counter.

LEGACY:

• Executed on March 23, 1931, along with Rajguru and Sukhdev, becoming a martyr.
• Bhagat Singh’s vision of a secular and socialist India continues to inspire generations.