CURRENT CONTEXT : Kangra’s folk dance Jhamakada was recently showcased at the Saputara Monsoon Festival 2025 in Gujarat, as part of the cultural exchange under the ‘Ek Bharat–Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative. A 19-member troupe from Himachal Pradesh brought this vibrant tradition to life.

ABOUT JHAMAKADA

• Origin & Region
  • Traditional folk dance of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh
  • Mainly performed by women during special occasions like weddings and thread ceremonies
• Performance Style
  • Group Dance by Women: Performed and watched only by women in earlier times
  • Playful Rules: Traditionally, if any man was caught watching, he was jokingly punished by the dancers
• Occasions and Duration
  • Held during weddings, festivals, or life events
  • Can last throughout the night, often including songs and acts about daily life and social themes
• Costumes & Music
  • Women often dress up as men (cross-dressing for fun and role play)
  • Accompanied by folk songs and traditional instruments like dhol and dholki
• Cultural Importance
  • A symbol of community bonding, oral storytelling, and celebration of life’s milestones
  • Helps preserve local traditions and build unity among women in the community.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Kinner Kailash Yatra that began on 15 July 2025 has been suspended due to heavy rainfall and unsafe trail conditions in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh.

 ABOUT KINNER KAILASH YATRA

• Religious Significance
  • Considered the winter abode of Lord Shiva.
  • Important pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists.
  • Altitude: 6,050 metres; Route starts from Kalpa.
• Yatra Timeline
  • Normally held between July and August every year.
  • Resumption will depend on weather and trail safety.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Himachal Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu approved reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in municipal elections.

DETAILS OF THE DECISION

• Reservation Plan : OBCs will now get proportional representation in urban local bodies based on their population.
• A Backward Classes Commission will be set up to collect data and prepare the reservation roster.
• Health and Disaster Relief Measures
• 290 new ASHA workers approved to strengthen healthcare in remote areas.
• Monthly rent assistance (via Direct Benefit Transfer):
  • ₹5,000/month for rural families.
  • ₹10,000/month for urban families.
  • Applicable for up to 6 months after monsoon disasters.

CURRENT CONTEXT : On 1 August 2025, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan became the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.

• He replaced Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who is now the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, the most active operational command of the Indian Navy.

ABOUT VICE ADMIRAL SANJAY VATSAYAN

• Personal Background
  • Origin: Hiranagar, Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh).
  • Comes from a military family (second generation in armed forces).
• Career Highlights
  • Joined Indian Navy on 1 January 1988.
  • Specialised in Gunnery and Missile Systems.
  • Served on warships like INS Mysore.
  • Commanded INS Vibhuti, INS Nashak, and INS Sahyadri.
  • Was Eastern Fleet Commander during post-Galwan operations in 2020.

Current Context : The Speaker of Lok Sabha has nominated a Member of Parliament to the Panel of Chairpersons to help conduct House proceedings in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

ABOUT PANEL OF CHAIRPERSONS

• Provision: As per Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
• Key Points:
  • The Speaker can nominate up to 10 MPs to the panel at the beginning of each session or as needed
  • These MPs can preside over Lok Sabha proceedings in the absence of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker
  • They serve until a new panel is nominated
• Conditions:
  • A Panel Chairperson can preside only when requested by the Speaker or Deputy Speaker
  • If none of the Panel members are present, the House may decide on any other member to preside
• However, they cannot preside if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts are vacant — in that case, the President of India appoints any MP to act as Speaker

Current Context : The Union Cabinet has approved an outlay of ₹6,520 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 (15th Finance Commission Cycle).

ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA (PMKSY)

• Launched By: Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• Type of Scheme: Central Sector Scheme
• Started In: 2017-18
• Objective:
  • To build modern infrastructure for food processing
  • To improve supply chain management from farm to market
  • To reduce food wastage and increase farmer income

Current Context : The President of India has appointed Additional Judges in various High Courts as per the constitutional provisions to manage temporary workload increases.

ABOUT ADDITIONAL JUDGES

• Appointed Under: Article 224 of the Constitution of India
• Purpose of Appointment:
  • To handle temporary increase in workload in High Courts
  • To clear backlogs or arrears of cases
• Term of Office:
  • Appointed for a maximum period of 2 years
• Retirement Age: 62 years
• Appointment Process:
  • Appointed by the President of India
  • In consultation with the Chief Justice of India
• Distribution of Judges in High Courts:
• The sanctioned strength is divided into:
  • 75% Permanent Judges
  • 25% Additional Judges

Current Context : Lt. General Pushpendra Singh became the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) on 1 August 2025, replacing Lt. General N. S. Raja Subramani.

ABOUT LT. GENERAL PUSHPIENDRA SINGH

• Commissioned into the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) in 1987
• Served in major military operations:
  • Operation Pawan, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Orchid, Operation Rakshak
• Previously served as Director General of Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement
• Honoured with: Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal Bar

Current Context : Dr A. Rajarajan took over as Director of VSSC in Thiruvananthapuram on 1 August 2025, after the retirement of Dr S. Unnikrishnan Nair.

ABOUT DR. A. RAJARAJAN

• An experienced ISRO scientist with nearly 40 years in India’s space sector
• Known as an expert in composite materials
• Played a key role in launching Vikram-S, India’s first privately built rocket
• Contributed to major missions like:
  • Gaganyaan (India’s human space mission)
  • Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

Current Context : Punjab Assembly passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025 to lift the ban on traditional rural sports.

ABOUT THE REVIVAL

• Heritage Sports Reintroduced
• The following traditional sports have been allowed again:
  • Bullock cart races, Dog races, Horse races, Pigeon flying , Other games from the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics
• Animal Welfare Assurances
• Strict rules will ensure no cruelty to animals:
  • Veterinary health checks
  • Proper food and handling
  • No beating or harsh methods
  • Bulls to be guided only through clapping or gentle voice commands
• Cultural Significance
• These sports are deeply connected to Punjab’s rural heritage
• Even Guru Nanak Dev Ji used bullocks for farming in Kartarpur Sahib
• The Kila Raipur Rural Olympics will return in 2026
  • Expected participation: 150–200 bull pairs from Punjab and nearby states
  • Punjabi diaspora also expected to join