Current Context : India Post Payments Bank (IPPB),  marks its 7th Foundation Day (IPPB Day).

ACHIEVEMENTS OF INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB)

• Acquired over 88 crore customer accounts.
• On-boarded more than 12 lakh merchants.
• Successfully disbursed over ₹45,000 crore in Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to beneficiaries under various government schemes.
• Facilitated mobile number updates for Aadhaar cards for over 10 crore customers.
• Enabled Digital Life Certificate services for more than 20 lakh pensioners.

ABOUT  INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB)

• Established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India.
• Launched on September 01, 2018.
• Aim : to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India.

Current Context : Kerala Tourism was presented the globally acclaimed Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2024 for its online contest ‘Holiday Heist’ in the Digital Marketing Campaign category.

• Kerala Tourism was the only destination from India to bag the PATA Gold award this year.

ABOUT PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA)

• A not-for-profit membership association that promotes the responsible development of the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry.
• Founded in 1951
• Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand

Current Context : The President of France Emmanuel Macron was presented with the Olympic Order by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

• He was awarded with the Olympic Order in gold in recognition of his unstinting support for the success of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

ABOUT AWARD

• The Olympic Order is an honorary award presented by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: The recently concluded Paris Olympics saw the Indian contingent return with six medals, with overall ranking of 71st out of 84 countries highlighted the discrepancy between investment and outcomes.

About

• India celebrated the achievements of athletes like Neeraj Chopra (who secured a silver medal), Manu Bhaker (with two bronze medals in shooting), and the hockey team (adding a bronze) in the Paris Olympics.
• However, there were disappointments—particularly in badminton, where no medals were won, and weightlifting, where Mirabhai Chanu narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish.
• Earlier, India sent our largest-ever contingent (124 athletes) to Tokyo 2020, but returned with just 7 medals, including Neeraj Chopra’s historic javelin gold. Still, India ranked a rather dismal 47th.
• Abhinav Bindra’s 10m rifle shooting Gold in 2008 was a breakthrough—an individual shining bright amidst the team sports.
• Our golden era was in hockey, where we clinched eight gold medals. But that was a while ago—like, pre-Independence era.
• Despite the encouraging signs, India’s total tally of 41 Olympic medals since its debut in 1900 is a stark reminder of the need for introspection and strategic planning.

Why does India struggle to secure more medals at the Olympics?

• Potential vs. Performance: India, with its whopping population of 1.4 billion, should theoretically be an Olympic powerhouse. But alas, potential doesn’t always translate into podium finishes.
• Funding and Training: India’s Ministry of Sports and the Sports Authority of India invested ₹470 crore across 16 disciplines for athlete training. Despite this funding, the overall performance left room for introspection.
• The discrepancy between investment and outcomes is evident when its overall ranking—71st out of 84 countries. It raises questions about the effectiveness of our strategies.
• Mass Participation: While India has made strides, mass participation remains a challenge. We need more accessible sports facilities, especially in rural areas, to encourage widespread engagement.
• Sporting Culture: Cultivating a sporting culture from an early age is crucial. Schools, colleges, and local communities must actively promote sports beyond academics.
• Diverse Sports: India’s sporting ecosystem should embrace a variety of sports. While cricket dominates, disciplines like badminton, wrestling, athletics, and boxing have seen remarkable growth.
• Infrastructure Maintenance: Developing infrastructure is essential, but maintaining and upgrading existing facilities is equally important.

Changing Landscape

• Sports Authority of India (SAI): It plays a crucial role in developing sports infrastructure. It manages various sports facilities, provides coaching, and promotes talent across the country. Regional centres and academies set up by SAI contribute significantly to nurturing young athletes.
• Inclusivity and Diversity in Sports: India is focusing on inclusivity and diversity in sports. Initiatives like the Khelo India Games, Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Winter Games, and the upcoming Khelo India Para Games are nurturing talent across various disciplines.
• Khelo India Scheme: Launched in 2018, it aims to create a robust sports ecosystem at the grassroots level. It provides financial support for training and development, identifying and nurturing talent across different sports. Through this scheme, young athletes get a platform to showcase their skills.
• Out of the 117 athletes representing India in Paris, 28 were Khelo India athletes.
• Sports Infrastructure: India now boasts approximately 100 sports facilities that meet international standards. These include stadiums, sports complexes, college and university grounds, community centres, and private facilities.
• The National Investment Pipeline (NIP) and the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) are two key initiatives to further enhance sports infrastructure:
• NIP: Over 90 NIP projects for stadiums and sports complexes are underway, with a total investment of $1.49 billion. Private sector participation is encouraged, with a 21% share in project implementation.
• NMP: Two national stadiums and two SAI regional centres are earmarked for monetization. The mode of monetization involves operation, management, and development agreements (OMDA) with private concessionaires.
• Private Players Participation: The sports bureaucracy, once underfunded and stained by corruption, is now getting some attention. Private ventures are stepping in, training elite athletes with upward trajectories.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)

• The TOPS program was launched in 2014 with a clear mission: to identify, groom, and prepare potential medal prospects for the Olympics, and to elevate India’s medal prospects. It includes:
• Elite Athlete Identification: The heart of TOPS lies in identifying elite athletes who have the potential to stand on the Olympic podium. A committee — the TOPS Elite Athletes’ Identification Committee — was formed to meticulously select these athletes. The focus is on sports that are deemed ‘High-Priority’ including archery, badminton, boxing, hockey, shooting, and wrestling.
• Financial Support: Once identified, these athletes receive targeted assistance. The scheme aims to add a premium to their preparations, ensuring they have the necessary resources for rigorous training and competition. Financial disbursements are made to support customised training programs tailored to each athlete’s needs.

Conclusion and Way Ahead: Improve India’s Global Standing in Sports

• Promoting Fitness at the Grassroots Level; Integrating Schools; Broadcasting More Sports; Corporate sponsorship, investment, and philanthropy; Upgrading Sports Infrastructure are crucial.
• NITI Aayog suggests including sports in school curriculum, roping in world-class coaches, and improving infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
• Strategic planning, improved infrastructure, and scientific training methods are essential. Additionally, addressing the mental and emotional aspects of competing at the highest level is crucial.
• After all, it’s not just about physical prowess; it’s about mental resilience, too.
• India confirmed its commitment about hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics along with expressing its willingness to host the 2029 Youth Olympics. It comes with significant challenges. Infrastructure, logistics, and ensuring a seamless experience for athletes and spectators—all of these factors need meticulous planning. But as our Prime Minister rightly said, India will leave “no stone unturned” in its efforts to bid for this prestigious event.
• After this, India will become only the fourth Asian country to host the Olympic Games.

India’s Olympic challenge is multifaceted. It’s about more than just medals; it’s about nurturing a culture of sports, supporting our athletes, and aiming for excellence

Current Context : The 24th International Mother Teresa Awards Ceremony held at the Millennium Plaza Dubai.

Commemorating the 114th birth anniversary of the revered humanitarian Mother Teresa.

• Organized by the All-India Minority and Weaker Sections Council, was held outside India for only the second time.

ABOUT AWARD :

• Mother Teresa Awards, officially called the Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice, are international and national awards presented annually to honour individuals and organizations that promote peace, equality and social justice.
• Awards are given to individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields including education, science, culture, sports, social work, medicine, industry, and politics in India.
• Mother Teresa Awards have been given since
• The awards are an initiative of Harmony Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Abraham Mathai in Mumbai.

NOTABLE AWARD RECIPIENTS

• João Bernardo Vieira II (Posthumously, Guinea-Bissau)
• Sidharth Srivastava and Namit Bajoria (Industry)
• Mohammed Mahtabur Rahman (Chairman, NRB Bank Limited)
• Irka Bochenko (Arts)
• MP Rozario (Education)
• Murli Panjabi and Sureandar Singh Khandari (Social Work, UAE)
• Ahmed al Hashemi (Young Musician and Child Prodigy)

KEY POINTS ABOUT MOTHER TERESA

• Full Name: Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu
• Birth: August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia (then part of the Ottoman Empire)
• Death: September 5, 1997, in Kolkata, India
• Missionaries of Charity: Founded in 1950, dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor
• Nobel Peace Prize: Awarded in 1979 for her humanitarian work
• Canonization: Declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2016
• Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize, Padma Shri,Bharat Ratna.

Current Context : Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh inaugurated ASSOCHAM Environment and Carbon Conference in New Delhi.

Theme : Fostering a collaborative ecosystem for achieving net zero by 2070.

ABOUT

• The ASSOCHAM Environment and Carbon Conference is an important event organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
• Focuses on critical issues related to environmental sustainability, carbon management, and climate change, particularly in the context of India’s economic and industrial sectors.
• It focuses on strategies for mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

 RELEVANCE TO INDIA’S CLIMATE GOALS:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): The conference aligns with the objectives of India’s NAPCC, which outlines measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Commitment to International Agreements : It reinforces India’s commitment to international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement by encouraging industries to reduce their carbon emissions and contribute to global climate action.

Current Context : The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum has announced the third edition of the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit.

• Held in collaboration with Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and the Hoover Institution on September 9-10, 2024.
• Theme, “Harnessing Investment Opportunities to Enhance Cross-Border Defense Innovation Ecosystems,”
• It focus on the critical role of private capital in advancing the defence innovation sector.
• The summit will bring together leading defence policymakers from Washington and New Delhi to strengthen advanced technology partnerships in defence innovation.

ABOUT INDUS-X

• The INDUS-X Summit is aimed at enhancing collaboration between India and the United States in the field of defense technology and innovation.
• It serves as a platform to foster deeper partnerships in research, development, and co-production of advanced defense systems and technologies.
• INDUS-X can be seen as an extension of the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which was established to promote technology transfer and co-production of defense equipment.

India-U.S. Defense Relations: India and the U.S. have significantly expanded their defense cooperation, with several foundational agreements such as the

• Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) : It is a Military agreement between Armed Forces of India and the USA that establishes basic terms, conditions, procedures for Logistic support, supplies, and services.
• Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) : It allows India to procure transfer specialised equipment for encrypted communications for US origin military platforms like the C-17, C-130 and P-8Is.
  • This will also enable greater communications interoperability between the militaries of India and the US.
• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) : It helps India to get real-time access to American geospatial intelligence that will enhance the accuracy of automated systems and weapons like missiles and armed drones.

Current Context : Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries Limited, announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool called Jio Brain by Reliance Jio.

The launch of this AI tool will be based on the theme “AI Everywhere for Everyone.”

ABOUT JIO BRAIN

• Developed by Reliance Jio as a comprehensive tool that will enhance all AI devices and platforms under the Jio brand.
• Aim : to improve the AI services provided by Reliance Jio and make them more accessible to everyone.
• It is supported by a national AI infrastructure, underpinned by gigawatt-scale data centres powered by green energy, ensuring sustainability while driving technological advancement.
• Jio Brain is designed to enhance decision-making processes, provide deeper customer insights, and optimise operations.
• This initiative is part of a broader strategy to democratise AI, making it more accessible and affordable for businesses and individuals.

Current Context : Recently, Union government decided to establish foot-and-mouth disease-free zones in eight States — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

About Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

• It is a severe, fast-spreading viral disease that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and deer.
• They’re left weak and unable to produce the level of meat and milk prior to infection.
• It was first discovered in the United States in 1870 and eradicated in 1929.

Current Context : Recently, Mangala Muduli 19-year-old tribal student cracked the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), who is set to become the first member of the Bonda tribal community.

ABOUT BONDA TRIBE

• Location: Hilly terrains of the Eastern Ghats, particularly in the Malkangiri district of
• Population: Most isolated and primitive tribes in India. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) due to their small population and vulnerable socio-economic conditions
• Language: Bonda language, also known as Remo, which belongs to the Munda language family.
• Attire: Bonda women are known for their distinctive dress, consisting of a “ringa” (a short cloth) around the waist, and elaborate bead necklaces, silver jewelry, and brass bangles.
• Marriage Practices: Ppractice of hypergamy, where older women marry younger men.
• Religious Beliefs: Practices animism, worshiping natural elements like the sun, moon, and earth, along with ancestral spirits.
• Literacy Rate : low literacy rates.

ECOOMIC ACTIVITIES:

• Practice shifting cultivation (also known as “slash and burn” agriculture), growing crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds.
• They rely heavily on forest produce for their livelihood, including food, fuel, and materials for crafts.