Current Context : Indian Army evacuated CRPF personnel and civilians after heavy discharge from Ranjit Sagar Dam caused floods near Madhopur Headworks.

 ABOUT RANJIT SAGAR DAM

• Also Known As: Thein Dam
• Location: Near Pathankot, Punjab–Jammu & Kashmir border.
• River: Built on the Ravi River.
• Purpose: Provides irrigation and hydroelectric power to Punjab and neighbouring states.

Current Context : Prime Minister nominated two new members and renominated three existing members to NDMA for 3 years.

Nominated members—scientist Dinesh Kumar Aswal and disaster recovery specialist Rita Missal

ABOUT NDMA

• Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
• Legal Framework: Established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005
• Headquarters: NDMA Bhavan, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi
• Structure: Includes a Vice-Chairperson (Cabinet rank) and up to eight Members (MoS rank)
• Mandate: Formulates the National Disaster Management Plan, issues guidelines, coordinates efforts across ministries and states, and administers the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

Current Context : The Enforcement Directorate secured an Interpol Purple Notice on trade-based money laundering modus operandi.

ABOUT PURPLE NOTICE

• Purpose: Provides information on modus operandi, devices, and concealment methods used by criminals.
• Difference: Unlike Red Notices (individuals), Purple Notices target practices and tools.
• Other Interpol Notices: Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Green, Orange, Silver (pilot phase).

ABOUT INTERPOL

• Founded: 1923.
• Members: 196 countries.
• Headquarters: Lyon, France.
• UN Status: Permanent Observer at UN since 1996 (not under UN).
• Functions:
  • Information-sharing network for international police cooperation.
  • Tackles crimes like terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking.
  • Issues colour-coded notices in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
  • Maintains centralized criminal databases (fingerprints, DNA, stolen documents).

Current Context : Assam is likely to receive the 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra from the British Museum in 2027 for exhibition.

ABOUT VRINDAVANI VASTRA

• Nature: Silk textile woven in Assam.
• Depictions: Illustrates stories of Lord Krishna’s childhood and pastimes in Vrindavan.
• Patronage:
  • Created under Srimanta Sankardeva at the request of Koch king Nara Narayan.
  • Sankardeva took refuge under Nara Narayan after facing opposition from the Ahom kingdom.
• Journey: Travelled from Assam to Tibet; acquired by British Museum in 1904.
• Features: Originally 15 separate silk drapes, now a 9.5-metre-long masterpiece.

Current Context : Recently, the annual three-day Mela Patt festival began in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

ABOUT MELA PATT FESTIVAL

• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Vasuki Nag, the presiding deity of Bhaderwah Valley.
• History:
  • Rooted in Nag culture, linked to the historic meeting between Mughal Emperor Akbar and King Nag Pal of Bhaderwah.
  • First celebrated in the 16th century when Bhaderwah was known as Bhadarkashi.
• Occasion: Observed every year on Nag Panchami, seven days after the Kailash Yatra.
• Cultural Features:
  • Dikko Dance: Folk dance symbolizing peace, pride, and communal harmony.
  • Dhakku Dance: Traditional Dogra folk dance with cultural significance.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, 19 workers and officials were rescued after being trapped for 22 hours inside the tunnel of the 280 MW Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand.

ABOUT DHAULIGANGA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

• Capacity: 280 MW
• Location: Dharchula, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand
• River: Built on the Dhauliganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda (Ganga basin).
• Construction started: 2000
• Commercial operation: 2005
• Owned by: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)
• Type: Run-of-the-river project
• Dam Structure:
  • 56 m high, 315 m long, concrete-faced rock-fill dam
  • Reservoir capacity: 6.2 million cubic meters
  • Gross head: 310 m | Net head: 297 m

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Indian Army conducted Exercise Yudh Kaushal 3.0 in the high-altitude Kameng region of Arunachal Pradesh.

ABOUT THE EXERCISE

• Location: Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh
• Features:
  • Multi-domain operations with drone surveillance, real-time target acquisition, and precision strikes.
  • Showcased ASHNI Platoons (newly raised, tech-enabled units).
  • Active involvement of Indian Civil Defence Industry, reflecting India’s “Decade of Transformation.”
• Significance: Validated Army’s readiness in high-altitude operations, integrating next-generation technology and indigenous defence industry.

CURRENT CONTEXT : An Indian non-profit organisation, Foundation to Educate Girls Globally (Educate Girls), has been named a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.

 ABOUT FOUNDATION TO EDUCATE GIRLS GLOBALLY

• Founded: 2007 by Safeena Husain
• Mission: “One girl at a time” – ensuring girls’ education in rural, disadvantaged areas.
• Initiatives:
  • Development Impact Bond (2015) – world’s first in education, benefiting 2 million girls in 30,000 villages.
  • Pragati Open Schooling Program – helps women aged 15–29 continue education (expanded from 300 to 31,500 participants).

ABOUT RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD

• Established: 1958 (named after former Philippines President Ramon Magsaysay)
• Objective: Honors individuals/organizations showing transformative leadership, service, and courage in Asia.
• Award Ceremony: 7th November 2025, Manila.
• Categories (till 2008): Government Service, Public Service, Community Leadership, Journalism & Literature, Peace & International Understanding, and Emergent Leadership.

Post 2009: Only Emergent Leadership remains category-specific.

Observed on 2nd September every year

Aim : to raise awareness about the importance of coconut in poverty reduction, livelihood support, and sustainable development.

• Established by: Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC)
• First Observed: 2009

CURRENT CONTEXT : During his visit to Japan (August 29, 2025), PM Narendra Modi received an auspicious Daruma Doll at Shorinzan Daruma-Ji Temple, Takasaki.

ABOUT DARUMA DOLL

• Symbol of resilience, good luck, and goal-setting
• Inspired by Bodhidharma, Indian monk from Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, who spread Zen Buddhism to East Asia
• Tradition: Fill one eye when setting a goal, other eye when goal achieved.