• Recently, the 21st African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) conference concluded in New Delhi, reaffirming commitment to community-driven rural development and South-South cooperation.
• Background of AARDO
  • Established in March 31, 1962, with the adoption of its Constitution in Cairo, Egypt.
  • Originated from East Asian Rural Reconstruction Conference (1955)in Tokyo.
  • Permanent headquarters established in New Delhi, India, in 1966.
• Objectives of AARDO
  • Improve food security, climate resilience, and digital empowerment.
  • Enhance South-South cooperation for sustainable rural development.
  • Strengthen local economies and rural livelihoods.

• Membership & Structure
  • Currently includes 33 member countriesfrom Asia and Africa.
  • Inter-governmental, non-political body with observer status in FAO & UNESCO.
  • Collaborates with international agencies for policy and programme implementation.
• Significance & Recent Developments
  • Promotes sustainable agriculture and digital transformation.
  • India emphasized collective vision and cooperation at a recent AARDO meeting.

Stressed community-driven initiatives for inclusive rural development.

• Introduced on February 18, 2025, by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
• Objective: Aims to modernize urban land records using GIS technology, aerial surveys, and field mapping to enhance governance and land management.
• Scope: Focuses on towns covering less than 35 sq. km with populations below 200,000; initially piloted in 152 urban local bodies across 26 states.
• Need: Addresses challenges of outdated urban land records, inefficient taxation, and governance gaps, aligning with urban sector reforms.
• Funding: The ₹194 crore pilot project is fully funded by the central government, with survey costs depending on the technology used.
• Methodology: Utilizes drone-based aerial surveys with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors to capture high-resolution images, followed by ground verification.
• Impact: Seeks to digitize land records, reduce property disputes, streamline transactions, and strengthen urban planning and financial systems.
• Expansion: Upon successful implementation, the project will scale up to 4,912 urban local bodies, ensuring a comprehensive urban land management framework.

• Celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits, Herath marks their unique observance of Mahashivratri, symbolizing the union of Shiva and Parvati.It begins on the 13th day of Phalgun (February/March) and continues until the new moon.
• Rituals: Families perform Vatuk Pooja, where a kalash with water and walnuts is placed in a sacred space, followed by prayers.
• Community Aspect: The day after Shiva Chaturdashi, “Salam,” signifies harmony between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims, reflecting the region’s cultural diversity.
• Historical & Cultural Roots: The festival preserves Kashmir’s spiritual heritage, with the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar being a key pilgrimage site.

• Recently, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) celebrated six years of its SWAYATT (Startups, Women, and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions) initiative.
• Launched in 2019 under Government e Marketplace (GeM), SWAYATT promotes women, youth, and startups in public procurement.
• Objective: Increase market access, provide training, and enhance participation of Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) in government transactions.
• Recent Partnership: GeM signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with FICCI-FLO (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry – Ladies Organisation) to directly connect women entrepreneurs with government buyers.
• Growth & Impact: Women-led Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) on GeM grew from 6,300 to 1,77,786 Udyam-verified sellers, with ₹46,615 Crore in orders fulfilled.
• Future Goals: Onboard 1 lakh startups and double the number of women entrepreneurs in procurement. Women currently make up 8% of GeM sellers.
• Dedicated Storefronts: Startup Runway and Womaniya enhance visibility for startups and women-led enterprises.
• Economic Empowerment: By improving market access and financial inclusion, SWAYATT strengthens India’s startup ecosystem and job creation.

• Recently,China’s Zhurong rover has uncovered evidence of an ancient Martian ocean, Deuteronilus, that existed 3.5 to 4 billion years ago.
• Findings : Ground-penetrating radar detected sandy deposits at depths of 10–35 meters, resembling Earth’s coastal formations.
• Mission Insights
• Operated from May 2021 to May 2022, covering 1.9 km in Utopia Planitia.
• Used ground-penetrating radar to scan up to 80 meters deep below the Martian surface.
• Detected layered structures at depths of 10 to 35 meters, resembling terrestrial beaches.
• Significance of the Discovery
• The findings strengthen the ocean hypothesis, suggesting Mars had a long-standing body of water shaped by waves and tides.
• Suggests Mars had a warmer climate and thicker atmosphere, potentially supporting life.

Opens avenues for future missions to explore these formations for biosignatures

• Recent reports highlight severe environmental challenges in the Caspian Sea, as declining water levels threaten regional biodiversity and human activities.
• Geography:
• World’s largest enclosed water body (370,000 sq. km), bordered by Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran.
• Northern part: Less salty, shallow; Southern part: Saltier, 1,025m deep.
• Biodiversity & Threats :
• Habitat for 130+ fish species, including sturgeon (key for caviar production).
• Pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction endanger species and livelihoods.
• Conservation Efforts: Caspian Environment Programme (1998) and Tehran Convention (2003), ratified in 2006) focus on pollution control, marine restoration, and sustainable development.

• A holy month for Muslims worldwide, marked by fasting from dawn to sunset.
• Purpose: Encourages self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and empathy for those in need.
• Lunar Calendar: The start date varies based on moon sightings, and in 2025, it begins on February 28.
• Spiritual Significance: Mosques become centers of activity, and families and communities gather for evening prayers (Taraweeh) and to break the fast together at Iftar.

• Observed globally on February 28 (or 29 in leap years) to raise awareness about rare diseases and their impact.
• Initiation: Started in 2008, coordinated by European Organization for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) and over 65 national alliance patient organization partners.
• Purpose: Advocates for equity in social opportunities, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for individuals living with rare diseases.
• Global Participation: By 2024, events were held in over 100 countries to mark the day.

• Celebrated annually on February 28 to honor the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman in 1928.
• Recognition: Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for this discovery.
• Objective: Aims to promote scientific temper and encourage innovation among students and the general public.
• 2025 Theme: “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

• The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has issued a stern warning to Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medical colleges across India.
• About NCISM:
  • Statutory body established under the NCISM Act, 2020.
  • Operates under the Ministry of Ayush.
  • Oversees the Board of Ayurveda, Board of Unani, Siddha, and Sowarigpa.
• Objectives:
  • Ensure the availability of adequate, high-quality medical professionals in Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM).
  • Promote the adoption of the latest medical research among ISM professionals.
  • Conduct periodic assessments of ISM medical institutions.