Current Context: Kopili River in Assam has been declared National Waterway 57, and was recently made operational to boost river-based trade and sustainable logistics.

ABOUT KOPILI RIVER

• Location: Meghalaya and Assam (Northeast India)
• Origin: Saipong Reserve Forest, North Cachar Hills District, Meghalaya
• Length: 256 kilometres
• Tributary of: Brahmaputra River (largest south bank tributary in Assam)
• Districts Covered: North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Morigaon

Importance:

• Plays a major role in irrigation and river navigation.
• Helps in cultivation of crops like rice (winter, summer, autumn), mustard, wheat, and rape seed.

CURRENT CONTEXT : China and Russia have begun joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, a region of growing geopolitical interest in East Asia.

 ABOUT SEA OF JAPAN

Geography and Location

• Marginal Sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, also known as the East Sea (especially in Korea).
• Boundaries:
  • East: Japan and Sakhalin (Russia)
  • West: Mainland Russia, North Korea, and South Korea

Physical Features

• Area: Approximately 978,000 sq.km
• Shape: Elliptical, aligned from southwest to northeast
• Average Depth: 1,667 meters
• Deepest Point: Dohoku Seamount (underwater volcano)

Connecting Straits

• South: Tsushima Strait and Korea Strait (to East China Sea)
• North: La Perouse and Tatar Straits (to Sea of Okhotsk)
• East: Kanmon Strait (to Inland Sea of Japan), Tsugaru Strait (to Pacific Ocean)

IMPORTANT PORTS

• Russia: Vladivostok, Sovetskaya Gavan,Nakhodka, Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Kholmsk
• North Korea:Hamhung, Chongjin, Wonsan
• Japan:Niigata, Tsuruta, Maizuru

Current Context: The Kerala High Court has ordered urgent conservation steps for the Ashtamudi Wetland after reports of pollution and environmental damage.

ABOUT ASHTAMUDI WETLAND

• Location: Kerala
• Ramsar Site Since: 2002
• Significance: Second largest wetland in Kerala; rich in biodiversity
• Threats Identified:
  • Open defecation and sewage discharge
  • Shrinking wetland area
  • Loss of mangroves and fish habitats

Court Actions:

• Directed formation of a dedicated management unit
• Ordered preparation of an Integrated Conservation Plan
• Imposed penalty of Rupees 10 crore (by National Green Tribunal in 2023)

Current Context: India has set up a unique analogue research station called Human Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE) at Tso Kar in Ladakh, developed by ISRO and Bengaluru-based company Protoplanet.

ABOUT HUMAN OUTER PLANET EXPLORATION (HOPE)

• Location: Tso Kar, Ladakh (Altitude: over 14,500 feet)
• Developed By:
  • Protoplanet (Private space-tech company)
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Purpose:
  • Simulates the conditions of the Moon and Mars
  • Used to test space technology, study human survival, and prepare for interplanetary missions
• Analogue Site:
  • A place on Earth that closely matches the terrain and environment of other planets
  • Useful for training astronauts, testing life-support systems, and conducting scientific studies

Significance for India :

• India’s first such station, helping in future human space missions
• Will support research in physiology, psychology, and technical readiness for long-duration space travel

GLOBAL CONTEXT:

• Number of Analogue Stations Worldwide: 33
• Famous Stations:
  • BIOS-3 (Russia)
  • HERA (United States – NASA)
  • SHEE (Europe)
  • Mars Desert Research Station (Utah, United States)

Current Context: The Union Government of India has approved the setting up of PM Ekta Malls in 27 states under the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme.

ABOUT PM EKTA MALLS

• Purpose: To promote local products, Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged items, and traditional handicrafts by creating permanent retail spaces.
• Announced In: Union Budget 2023-24
• Sanctioned Amount: Rupees 4,796 crore (Financial Year 2023–2024)
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Finance
• Under: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme

Objectives:

• To give visibility and market access to district-specific products.
• To support artisans, self-help groups, and small manufacturers.
• To promote self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) through local entrepreneurship.

Current Context : Maharashtra has launched India’s first artificial intelligence-powered Anganwadi centre in Waddhamna village, Nagpur.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Launched Under : Mission Bal Bharari
• Goal: Bridge rural-urban education divide through immersive digital learning

ANGANWADI CENTRES

• Early childhood care centres for children aged 0–6 years
• Focus on nutrition, healthcare, and early education in rural and underprivileged areas

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

• Integration of AI dashboards and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets
• Engaging children with poems, songs, and interactive curriculum
• Enhances traditional learning through joyful digital methods

Current Context : The ‘Matri Van’ initiative was launched by the Union Ministers for Environment and Urban Affairs.

ABOUT MATRI VAN INITIATIVE

• Launched Under: ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Programme
• Location: 750 acres in the Aravalli Hill area (Haryana)

OBJECTIVE & FEATURES

• To create a green, culturally significant urban forest dedicated to motherhood and sustainability
• Remove invasive plants (Kabuli Kikar) and plant native species like Dhak and Amaltash
• Includes nature trails, cycling tracks, yoga spaces, gazebos, parking, and water conservation zones
• Collaborative effort involving NGOs, CSR partners, schools, and local associations

Current Context : UN Women marked 15 years of its founding, reflecting on its global work for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

ABOUT UN WOMEN

• Founded: July 2010, by United Nations General Assembly
• Purpose: Gender equality and women’s empowerment

KEY ROLES & FUNCTIONS

• Supports intergovernmental bodies like the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in policy-making
• Assists countries with technical and financial support to implement gender-related reforms
• Coordinates United Nations’ work on gender equality
• Monitors system-wide progress and promotes accountability

INITIATIVES

• Grant Funds:
  • Fund for Gender Equality
  • UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women
• Data Monitoring:
  • Maintains UN Secretary-General’s database on violence against women

Current Context : The 71st National Film Awards, honouring films released in 2023, were announced recently.

 ABOUT NATIONAL FILM AWARDS

• Established: 1954
• Purpose: To recognise films that contribute meaningfully to Indian cinema and culture
• Presented By: President of India (annually)

 MAJOR AWARDS FOR 2023 FILMS

• Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
• Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
• Best Actress: Rani Mukerji ( Chatterjee Vs Norway)
• Best Short Film: Giddh – The Scavenger
• Best Non-Feature Film: Flowering Man

Current Context: Recently, T. N. Manoharan, Padma Shri awardee and Chairman of IDBI Bank, passed away.

• He was widely respected for his contributions to the banking sector, corporate governance, and financial reforms in India.

ABOUT T. N. MANOHARAN

• Position: Chairman of IDBI Bank
• Other Roles:
  • Former Chairman of Canara Bank
  • Played a leading role in reviving Satyam Computers after the 2009 financial scandal
• Awards: Awarded the Padma Shri in 2010 for his contribution to Trade and Industry