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- Why in News?
- Ethanol blending, widely adopted in the U.S. and Brazil, offers India benefits like import substitution and lower fuel prices, potentially saving $10 billion annually.
- Key Provisions:-
- The government promotes using C-heavy molasses, surplus broken rice, and increased maize cultivation to avoid food security issues. Yet, once entrenched, the ethanol economy may challenge prioritising food stocks during shortages. Moreover, import dependence on farm inputs like fertilisers can offset forex savings.
- Technically, ethanol can reduce efficiency, corrode fuel systems, and affect durability. However, vehicles meeting BS 2 norms (since 2001) can handle up to E15, and post-2023 models are built for E20. Older vehicles face compatibility issues, with no consumer choice or clear price benefits at the pump. India has adopted two ethanol-specific norms and plans E27. While research claims minimal harm, transparency from automakers on older models and mitigation measures is vital. Government-backed insurance and disclosure would strengthen public trust.
- Why in News?
- The recent return of the Piprahwa relics, excavated in 1898 from a stupa in Uttar Pradesh and linked to Lord Buddha’s mortal remains, marks a milestone in India’s cultural diplomacy.
- Key Provisions:-
- Taken during the colonial era, the relics surfaced in a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in May, prompting swift government intervention. A coordinated effort involving multiple ministries, Indian missions abroad, and the Godrej Industries Group led to the auction’s cancellation and their transfer to the National Museum. This public-private partnership set a positive precedent for future recoveries.
- However, the case exposed structural gaps in India’s heritage protection framework. Fragmented historical ownership complicated claims, while the delayed intervention reflected a reactive posture. The absence of robust international safeguards against sales of sacred relics also emerged. Strengthening preventive measures—such as a centralised, digitised registry, proactive monitoring with auction houses, and expanded partnerships—will be vital to secure and conserve India’s cultural assets globally.
- Why in News?
- A historic peace agreement has been signed to end decades of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, primarily over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
- Key Provisions:-
- The deal includes a cessation of armed conflict and the establishment of diplomatic ties. A key element is the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) — a new transit corridor linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenian territory, with exclusive U.S. development rights. Both nations also entered into separate U.S.-backed agreements to strengthen cooperation in energy, technology, and economic sectors.
- The Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict, rooted in Nagorno-Karabakh’s majority ethnic Armenian population, began in the 1980s and persisted after both nations’ 1991 independence from the Soviet Union. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained full control, prompting the exodus of nearly 100,000 Armenians.
- India welcomed the accord, noting its importance for regional stability. Armenia is India’s treaty partner since 1995, while Azerbaijan lies on the crucial International North-South Transport Corridor.