NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Mising Tribe Celebrates Ali Ai Ligang Festival: The Mising tribe, Assam’s largest tribal community, recently celebrated the Ali Ai Ligang festival. This festival marks the beginning of the sowing season and is deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the Mising people. Celebrated on the first Wednesday of the month of Fagun, the festival showcases the tribe’s rich cultural heritage and agricultural practices. Ali Ai Ligang is a traditional festival that signifies the start of cultivation. The name translates to “sowing of seeds and roots.” It reflects the Mising people’s connection to agriculture and their reliance on the land. The festival is a time for community gathering and celebration.
2.Amritpal Singh’s Parliament Attendance Plea: Amritpal Singh, the incarcerated Member of Parliament (MP) from Khadoor Sahib, has petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court to attend the ongoing Parliament session. This request comes as he faces the risk of losing his seat due to his prolonged absence. Singh has been detained since April 2023 under the National Security Act and has only attended one session since being elected. Amritpal Singh has a mere 2% attendance record since his election. He attended only the session where he was sworn in. As of now, he has accumulated nearly 50 absences. The law mandates that if an MP exceeds the absence limit without permission, the House must vote to declare the seat vacant. However, in practice, this provision has never been invoked to vacate an MP’s seat.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Takes Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal Organisation: India has recently assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh. This transition took place during the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Malé, Maldives. The event was part of a high-level conference focused on mainstreaming ecosystem approaches to fisheries management in small-scale fisheries. Key areas identified by India for enhanced cooperation include marine resource management, training and capacity-building programmes, research and policy advocacy, and addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. India aims to encourage collaboration among member nations to tackle regional challenges effectively.
2. Cancer Care Challenges in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) presents health challenges worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries. In India, the burden of AML is acute, with late-stage diagnoses and limited access to advanced treatment options. Despite global advancements in cancer care, disparities remain evident in patient outcomes, especially in rural areas. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving survival rates. Socioeconomic status affects access to AML care. Patients from rural areas experience heightened challenges, including logistical issues related to travelling for treatment. Public hospitals often face resource shortages, while private facilities may be financially inaccessible. This disparity necessitates a more nuanced approach to healthcare delivery.
3. 27th Western Zonal Council Meeting: Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the 27th Western Zonal Council meeting in Pune, Maharashtra, on Saturday. The meeting included the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa, the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and senior government officials from the state and central ministries. Zonal Councils remain vital for encouraging cooperative federalism in India. They facilitate dialogue between states, addressing issues of common interest and enhancing collaboration among regions. The concept of Zonal Councils was proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956. This initiative aimed to counteract linguistic conflicts following the reorganisation of states. By grouping states into councils, Nehru sought to encourage cooperative governance. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 formalised the establishment of five Zonal Councils.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. MoD, BEL Sign Contract for Software Defined Radios: The Indian Ministry of Defence has recently signed contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios (SDRs). This contract, valued at ₹1220.12 crore, was finalised on 20th February 2025. It marks a very important move towards enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and aligns with the government’s broader objectives for maritime security and indigenous defence manufacturing. The procurement of SDRs will also enhance interoperability between the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy. Improved communication systems will facilitate better coordination during joint operations, thereby strengthening national maritime security.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. AI Tools for Real-Time Antibiotic Resistance Tracking: A collaborative initiative involving IIIT-Delhi, CHRI-PATH, Tata 1mg, and the Indian Council of Medical Research has led to the development of AMRSense. This AI-powered tool analyses routine hospital data to provide timely vital information about antibiotic resistance patterns. The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia, showcasing a six-year study across 21 tertiary care centres in India. The AMROrbit Scorecard is another innovation from this research. It provides a visual representation of resistance trends for hospitals. By comparing local data with global averages, it helps identify areas needing intervention. The scorecard aims to position hospitals within an ideal quadrant of low resistance and low change rates.
2. Sinking of Iraq’s Zagros Mountains: Recent geological studies have revealed that the northern region of Iraq, particularly around the Zagros Mountains, is experiencing slow but geological changes. A research team has identified a sinking oceanic slab beneath the Earth’s surface that is gradually pulling this area downwards. This phenomenon is a result of complex tectonic processes occurring over millions of years. The Neotethys oceanic slab is a remnant of an ancient oceanic floor that formed over 66 million years ago. This slab is currently located beneath the Zagros Mountains and is slowly sinking into the Earth’s mantle. The ongoing separation of this slab from the continental plates has created a growing tear, leading to the gradual subsidence of the surrounding region.
3. What is HKU5-CoV-2?: Recent research has brought to light a new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2. This discovery was made at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Scientists have noted its similarities to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has raised questions about potential human transmission and pandemic risks. Despite its ability to infect human cells in laboratory settings, researchers believe the transmission risk from HKU5-CoV-2 is lower than that of SARS-CoV-2. The study’s authors have cautioned against alarmism, emphasising the need for careful monitoring without inciting panic.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Working Hours and Economic Impact in India: A working paper titled ‘Time Spent on Employment-Related Activities in India’ was recently released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. The analysis is based on the 2019 Time Use Survey conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Kerala are the top five states where over 70 hours of work per week is common. In Gujarat, 7.2% of the population works these long hours. In comparison, Bihar has only 1.1% of its workforce in this category. Nationally, 4.55% of the workforce exceeds 70 hours per week.
2. Recent Controversies About Ex-Gratia Payments: The recent ex-gratia compensation disbursal to the families of victims from the New Delhi railway station stampede has sparked debate. The Ministry of Railways provided cash payments of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. This raised questions about the appropriateness of cash payments in such situations. Ex-gratia payments arise from goodwill. They do not involve admitting wrongdoing. Compensation, however, is a legal requirement. It is aimed at reimbursing losses incurred due to negligence or harm. About this distinction is crucial in evaluating the government’s role in disaster response.
3. RBI Conducts $10 Billion Dollar/Rupee Swap Auction: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced $10 billion three-year dollar/rupee swap auction. Scheduled for February 28, this initiative aims to address the persistent liquidity deficits within the banking system. The RBI’s recent actions reflect a proactive approach to stabilising the financial landscape amidst ongoing cash shortages. The extended maturity of the swap indicates the RBI’s intent to ensure effective transmission of future rate cuts. The central bank recently cut the repo rate for the first time in nearly five years. Sufficient liquidity is crucial for lenders to implement these cuts effectively.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Shaktikanta Das Appointed Principal Secretary to PM: Shaktikanta Das, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been appointed as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India as of February 22, 2025. This appointment marks shift in the Indian bureaucratic landscape as Das brings a unique blend of experience in both monetary and fiscal policy. His role will be very important in coordinating efforts across various ministries and advising the Prime Minister on critical economic matters. Shaktikanta Das joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1980, representing the Tamil Nadu cadre. He graduated with a degree in history from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. Over the years, he held several key positions, including Secretary of Fertilisers and Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. His tenure as RBI Governor spanned from 2018 to December 2024.
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