• The 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan joint Special Forces exercise ‘Khanjar’ commenced recently at the Special Forces Training School in Himachal Pradesh’s Bakloh.
• The exercise, an annual event conducted alternatively in both countries is scheduled to be conducted from January 22 to February 3.
• The Indian Army contingent, comprising 20 personnel, is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Kyrgyz contingent, comprising 20 personnel, is represented by personnel of its Scorpion Brigade.
• The aim of the exercise is to exchange experiences and best practices in counter-terrorism and Special Forces operations.

• Two Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHM, revolutionary mobile hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technology, were deployed in Ayodhya to bolster medical readiness and response capabilities during the upcoming ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

ABOUT AROGYA MAITRI CUBE

• The cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.
• It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
• The whole unit contains 72 easily transportable components that can be conveniently carried by hand, cycle, or even drone, providing unmatched flexibility.
• In the face of mass casualty incidents (MCIs), where requirements range from basic aid to advanced medical and surgical care, the Aid Cube stands out with its ability to be deployed within an astonishing 12 minutes.
• These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios.
• From airdrops to ground transportation, the cube can be rapidly deployed anywhere, ensuring immediate response capability.
• Advanced medical equipment, RFID-tagged for efficient repacking and redeployment, is a key feature of the Cube.
• The state-of-the-art BHISHM software system integrated into a provided tablet allows operators to locate items quickly, monitor their usage and expiry, and ensure readiness for subsequent deployments.

• The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has warned users of different scams perpetrated through messaging platform WhatsApp.

ABOUT BPRD

• Set up in 1970 by replacing the Police Research and Advisory Council.
• Nodal ministry – Ministry of Home Affairs
• The Bureau was initially started with 2 divisions: Research, Publication & Statistics Division & Development Division.
  • In 1973 the Training Division was added on the recommendation of the Gore committee (1971) on police training.
  • In 1995, the Government decided to entrust issues relating to Correctional Administration Work to the BPR&D.
    • Thus BPRD has to ensure the implementation of prison reforms as well.
  • In 2008 the National Police mission was added, and the Development Division was restructured as a modernisation division.
• It has been publishing the data on police organisations since 1986.
• It has also been mandated to keep abreast of the latest developments in the fields of science and technology, both in India and abroad, with a view to promoting the use of appropriate technology in police work.
• It is also assists the States in modernization of the State Police Forces and Correctional Administration.

• The Chakaliya community in Kannur, Kerala is grappling with the imminent loss of its unique language Madhika.
• There are only 2 last fluent living speakers of Madhika.
• Madhika, a language spoken by the Chakaliya community that migrated from Karnataka centuries ago, is fast becoming extinct with the younger generation opting for Malayalam.
• Madhika is a blend of Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
• Though Madhika is a blend of different languages, it is largely influenced by Havyaka Kannada, an old form of Kannada.
• The language has no script.

ABOUT CHAKALIYA COMMUNITY

• Chakaliya community was considered untouchables, and they were not allowed to participate in feasts associated with marriages and funerals in the past.
• The community was nomadic and worshippers of Thiruvenkatramana and Mariamma.
• The community in northern Malabar migrated from the hilly regions of Karnataka centuries ago.
• Initially recognised as Scheduled Tribe, it was later included in the Scheduled Caste category in Kerala.

• The 6th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games was inaugurated with great enthusiasm by Prime Minister in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• This is the first time the event is being hosted in South India.
• The Games will be spread across four cities in Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore.
• The mascot for the Games is Veera Mangai.
  • Rani Velu Nachiyar, fondly called Veera Mangai, was an Indian queen who waged a war against British colonial rule.
  • The mascot symbolizes the valour and spirit of Indian women, embodying the strength of women power.
• Over 5600 athletes will be participating in this edition of Khelo India Youth Games, spread across 13 days in 15 venues with 26 sporting disciplines, over 275 competitive events and 1 demo sport.
  • The 26 sporting disciplines are a diverse mix of conventional sports such as football, volleyball, badminton etc. and traditional sports such as kalaripayattu, gatka, thang ta, kabaddi and yogasana.
  • Silambam, a traditional sport of Tamil Nadu, is being introduced as a demo sport for the first time in the history of Khelo India Youth Games.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’ s visit to Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the first by a serving Prime Minister, according to the temple priests.

ABOUT SRI RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE

• It is one of the most illustrious Vaishnava temples in South India.
• It has been mentioned in Sangam era literature.
• Ranganathaswamy Temple is home to Lord Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu in a reclining pose.
• It is constructed in the Dravidian architectural style, and temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam.
  • It is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses composed by the 12 Alvars.
  • It was compiled in its present form by Nathamuni during the 9th–10th centuries.
• It is known by several names such as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Bhoologa Vaikundam, Periyakoil, Bhogamandabam.
• This temple lies on an island formed by twin rivers Cauvery and Kollidam.
• It is considered foremost among the 108 Divya Desams, sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Often referred to as the world’s largest functioning Hindu temple spread over a155 acres complex, it is also home to the tallest gopuram or temple tower across all South India.

• The death anniversary of Rash Bihari Bose was observed recently on January 21^st.

ABOUT RASH BIHARI BOSE

• Born in Subaldaha village, Bardhaman District in West Bengal on 25 May 1886, he was a revolutionary freedom fighter.
• He was deeply influenced by the 1789 French Revolution.
• He became acquainted with Jatin Mukherjee alias Bagha Jatin and got involved with the revolutionary freedom fighters of Bengal.
• He was the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on the then Viceroy Lord Hardinge in December 1912.
  • This incident later became known as the Delhi Conspiracy Case.
  • However, Hardinge managed to escape with minor injuries.
  • There was a big man-hunt to capture Bose and his accomplices but Bose never got caught.
  • Three others involved Basant Kumar Biswas, Avadh Behari and Amir Chand were caught, tried and executed.
• Bose was associated with Gadar Movement and after its failure, managed to elude arrest once again and fled to Japan in 1915.
• He married a Japanese woman and became a Japanese citizen in 1923.
• In Japan, he advocated the independence of India and urged the Japanese government to support the Indian nationalist movement.
• He founded the Indian Independence League in March 1942.
• He died on 21^st January 1945 in Tokyo due to tuberculosis.
• He was conferred the honour- ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ by the Japanese government.

• Goa has become India’s first state to launch Regenerative Tourism.
• The Goa government has introduced a new model for regenerative tourism, a scheme which will revolve around 11 spiritual sites or Ekadasha Teertha.
• The state’s tourism strives to utilise the potential of its history and heritage by involving the local communities.

• Three northeastern states– Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur celebrated their 52nd Statehood Day.
• With the introduction of North-East Area (Re-organisation) Act 1971, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya attained statehood on January 21, 1972.

• The Allahabad High Court held that the Union Government is bound by the Convention of (5 October 1961 )Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) as India is a signatory to the same.
• The Court held that the government cannot disbelieve Apostille documents issued by countries signatory to the Apostille Convention.
• The Apostille Convention is intended to simplify the procedure through which a document, issued in one of the contracting states, can be certified for legal purposes in the other contracting states of the Convention.
  • These public documents include certificates of birth, marriage, and death, and educational documents among others.
• A certification under the Convention is called an apostille or Hague apostille.
• Non-member countries of convention require extra certification from the State of origin for document acceptance.