Current Context: The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State formally welcomed the first group of Afrikaner refugeesfleeing South Africa to the United States.

About Afrikaners:

• Afrikaners are a white ethnic group native to South Africa, shaped through ethnogenesis on African soil, and are often referred to as “Africa’s White Tribe” due to their deep-rooted historical presence since the 17th century.
• Ethnic Group: Descendants of 17th–18th century Dutch, French Huguenot, German settlers, and enslaved peoples.
• Language: Afrikaans, a derivative of Dutch with influences from local and imported languages.
• Culture: Shaped by Calvinist values, frontier life, and interactions with Khoikhoi and other communities.

Identity Formation:

• Trekboers: Early inland farmers whose conflicts with indigenous tribes forged a distinct self-reliant

Ethnogenesis: Emergence of a unique Afrikaner identity on African soil, earning them the moniker “Africa’s White Tribe.”

Current Context: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) inaugurated its first Srinagar office to develop navigation on River Chenab (NW-26), Jhelum (NW-49), and Ravi (NW-84).

About IWAI

• Statutory Body: Established on October 27, 1986, under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.
• Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
• Mandate: Responsible for the development, maintenance, and regulation of inland water transport (IWT) infrastructure on designated national waterways.
• Headquarters: Located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

National Waterways in India

India has an extensive network of inland waterways, with 111 officially notified National Waterways (NWs) identified for the purposes of inland water transport, as per the National Waterways Act, 2016.

Major National Waterways:

1. NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Haldia (West Bengal) to Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), spanning 1,620 km.
2. NW-2: Brahmaputra river from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam, covering 891 km.
3. NW-3: West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram in Kerala, including Champakara and Udyogmandal canals, totaling 205 km.
4. NW-4: Kakinada-Pondicherry stretch of canals along with Godavari and Krishna rivers, covering 1,095 km.
5. NW-5: East Coast Canal along with Brahmani river and Mahanadi delta, spanning 623 km.

Current Context : Dr. Mariangela Hungria, a renowned Brazilian microbiologist, was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize for her groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture, particularly in biological nitrogen fixation.

About Dr. Mariangela Hungria

• Profession: Senior Researcher at Embrapa Soja (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation)
• Experience: Over 40 years in soil microbiology and plant nutrition research
• Focus Areas:
  • Biological nitrogen fixation in legumes, especially soybeans
  • Development of microbial inoculants to enhance crop yields
  • Promotion of eco-friendly agricultural practices

About the World Food Prize

• Established: 1987 by Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug
• Purpose: To honor individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world
• Award: Accompanied by a $500,000 honorarium.
• Ceremony: Scheduled for October 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa

Current Context: The Chief Minister of Telangana, along with other dignitaries, contributed to the National Defence Fund (NDF) to show solidarity with India’s armed forces.

About the National Defence Fund (NDF):

• Established: 1962, post-Sino-Indian War.
• Objective: Manage voluntary donations for national defense efforts.
• Utilization: Welfare of Armed Forces, Para-Military Forces, and dependents.
• Administration:
  • Chairperson: Prime Minister
  • Members: Defence, Finance, Home Ministers
  • Treasurer: Finance Minister
• Tax Benefit: Contributions exempt under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.

Current Context: Harvansh Chawla, Founder and Managing Partner of K.R. Chawla & Co. Advocates, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI).

About BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI):

• Established in 2012, BRICS CCI is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting economic cooperation, trade, and investment among the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, Government of India, and empanelled with NITI Aayog.
• Recognized by the United Nations for its efforts in fostering international trade and development.
• BRICS CCI plays a pivotal role in fostering trade and investment opportunities within the BRICS bloc, contributing to global economic development.

Current Context: The Government of India has declared that Ayurveda Day will now be observed annually on 23rd September, starting from 2025., coinciding with the autumnal equinox.

Why 23 September?

• Autumnal Equinox: Day and night are nearly equal, symbolising balance—a core Ayurvedic principle.
• Philosophical Alignment: Reflects the harmony of body, mind & spirit that Ayurveda promotes.

About Ayurveda:

• Etymology: From ‘Ayu’ (life) + ‘Veda’ (knowledge) = “Science of Life.”
• Branches:
  • Nara Ayurveda: Human health and medicine.
  • Satva Ayurveda: Veterinary applications.
  • Vriksha Ayurveda: Plant health and pharmacognosy.
• Philosophy: Focuses on dosha balance (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), diet, lifestyle, and preventive care.

Observed on 17 May each year by the World Hypertension League (WHL).

• Aim : to raise awareness about the prevention, detection, and control of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Theme 2025: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.”

Observed every year on 17 May.

Objective : to commemorate the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in Paris, 1865, and to focus on the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in global development.

About World Telecommunication Day:

• Origin: First observed in 1969 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Purpose: Raise awareness of the digital divide, promote universal access to ICTs, and highlight innovations like 5G, broadband, and satellite connectivity.

Current Context: he Himachal Pradesh Government notified the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve in Spiti Valley, making it India’s largest conservation reserve by area.

About Tsarap Chu:

• Location: Confluence of the Unam River and Charap Nala in Spiti, bordering Ladakh to the north.
• Boundaries:
  • East: Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary up to Malang Nala & Lungar Lungpa
  • South: Kabjima Nala
  • West: Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary

Flora & Fauna:

• Flagship Species: Snow leopard (“ghost of the mountains”).
• Other Mammals: Tibetan wolf, bharal (blue sheep), Himalayan ibex, kiang, Tibetan argali.
• Birdlife: Rosefinch, Tibetan raven, and other high-altitude species.

Current Context: On 15 May 2025, Denmark’s Green Fuel Technology inaugurated the world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant in Fredericia, marking a milestone in low-carbon fuel production for shipping and industry.

About e-Methanol:

• Definition: A carbon-neutral fuel produced by combining green hydrogen (from water electrolysis powered by renewables) with captured CO₂ (from flue gases or direct air capture).
• Production Steps:
  1. Green H₂ Generation: Water electrolysis using wind or solar power.
  2. CO₂ Capture: Sourced from industrial emissions or ambient air.
  3. Methanol Synthesis: Reacting H₂ and CO₂ in a catalytic reactor under pressure to form CH₃OH.
• Benefits:
  1. Infrastructure-compatible: Can use existing methanol distribution and engine systems.
  2. Stable & Storeable: Liquid at room temperature and pressure.
  3. Versatile Feedstock: Can be converted into DME, gasoline, kerosene.
• Applications:
  1. Shipping: As a marine fuel to reduce GHGs.
  2. Road & Air Transport: Via methanol-derived fuels.
• Challenges:
  1. Cost Premium: Higher than fossil methanol due to renewable electricity prices.
  2. Scale-up Needs: Further efficiency improvements required.

‘Methanol Economy’ Program in India (NITI Aayog):

• Aim: Cut oil imports, lower GHG emissions, and convert coal/biomass and MSW into methanol.
• Feedstocks: High-ash coal, agricultural residues, CO₂ from power plants, natural gas.
• Economic Impact:
  • Employment: ~5 million jobs across production and distribution.
  • Savings: ₹6,000 crore annually by blending 20% DME (a methanol derivative) into LPG.