CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The Tamil Nadu government has approved plans for a memorial honoring social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, a key figure in the Vaikom Satyagraha, to be built in Arookutty, Alappuzha, Kerala.
• About the Vaikom Satyagraha:
  • The Vaikom Satyagraha was a significant social reform movement that took place in Vaikom, then part of the princely state of Travancore, in Kottayam district, from 1924 to 1925. This movement marked the beginning of the temple entry struggles in India.
• Background:
  • The Vaikom Mahadevar Temple stood at the heart of the town, where Dalits faced restrictions, barred from entering the temple and using the roads surrounding it. In 1923, during an All India Congress Committee meeting in Kakinada, T.K. Madhavan, alongside Sardar Panikkar and K.P. Kesava Menon, submitted a petition to the Travancore Legislative Council. This petition called for the right of all individuals, regardless of caste or community, to enter temples and worship.
  • As regional leaders like K. Kelappan toured the area, they demanded that all individuals be allowed to use the roads, but temple authorities refused. This denial sparked the start of the Satyagraha, led by notable figures such as K. Kelappan, T.K. Madhavan, and K.P. Kesava Menon. Young volunteers from across Kerala joined the struggle against untouchability, and many influential political and social leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, supported the movement. Gandhi visited Vaikom in 1925 to show his solidarity.
  • On April 13, 1924, after several leaders were imprisoned, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy arrived in Vaikom and provided essential leadership to the movement. Sree Narayana Guru also offered his support and cooperation. Despite efforts by authorities to suppress the protest, the Satyagraha ultimately succeeded in allowing public access to the temple roads.
  • The Satyagraha concluded on November 23, 1925, after 604 days of persistent struggle beginning in March 1924. Just three years later, the Travancore government mandated that temple roads across the state be opened to all.

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• India has firmly dismissed a report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that highlighted "growing abuses" against religious minorities in the country.
• About the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF):
  • USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan agency of the U.S. federal government, established by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), as amended.
• Functions:
  • The commission reviews incidents and patterns of religious freedom violations worldwide and provides policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.
• Composition:
  • USCIRF consists of nine Commissioners appointed by the President or Congressional leaders from each political party. Their efforts are supported by a dedicated, nonpartisan staff.
• USCIRF publishes an annual report that evaluates the U.S. government's adherence to the IRFA, identifies “Countries of Particular Concern” with severe violations of religious freedom, and documents the state of religious freedom across various nations while offering policy recommendations.
• The commission applies international standards to monitor violations of religious freedom globally. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:
• “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes the freedom to change his religion or belief and the freedom, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”

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• According to the UNAIDS director for the Asia Pacific, it is unlikely that the world will achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 without India's significant contributions.
• About the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS):
  • UNAIDS is a pioneering joint initiative of the United Nations established in 1994. Its mission is to inspire and lead global efforts towards the vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.
  • UNAIDS coordinates the efforts of 11 UN organizations—including UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, and the World Bank—collaborating closely with global and national partners to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• UNAIDS fulfills its mission by:
  • Uniting the actions of the UN system, civil society, national governments, the private sector, global institutions, and communities most affected by HIV.
  • Advocating for the rights and dignity of those impacted by HIV, emphasizing human rights and gender equality.
  • Mobilizing political, technical, scientific, and financial resources while holding itself and others accountable for achieving results.
  • Equipping change agents with strategic information and evidence to ensure that resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact, leading to a prevention revolution.
  • Supporting inclusive country leadership for sustainable strategies that align with national health and development efforts.
• UNAIDS also conducts the world’s most comprehensive data collection on HIV epidemiology, program coverage, and financing, publishing the most authoritative and current information on the HIV epidemic—essential for an effective response to AIDS. The Joint Programme is coordinated by the UNAIDS Secretariat, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

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• In a move to support exporters of specific products, the European Commission has proposed to delay the implementation of its deforestation regulation by one year.
• About the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR):
  • Originally set to take effect on December 30, 2024, the EUDR aims to mitigate the EU market's impact on global deforestation and biodiversity loss. It seeks to promote deforestation-free supply chains, reduce the EU's greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguard the rights of individuals and indigenous communities.
• Under the EUDR, certain products exported to the European Union (EU) must comply with new regulations concerning the land on which they were produced. The commodities targeted by the EUDR include:
  • Cattle (including beef)
  • Cocoa
  • Wood
  • Coffee
  • Oil Palm
  • Rubber
  • Soya
• The regulation also applies to a variety of products derived from these commodities, such as leather, chocolate, and paper.
• Exporters will be required to demonstrate that these goods do not originate from land where forests have been cleared since January 1, 2021, regardless of whether such deforestation was legal in the countries of origin. They must provide clear evidence to EU operators and traders to substantiate this claim.
• Small businesses throughout the supply chain are also subject to these obligations and maintain legal responsibility for any violations. However, they are not liable for due diligence concerning components of their products that have already been reviewed.
• Non-compliance can lead to financial penalties and restricted access to the EU market.
• Country Benchmarking:
  • The EUDR will implement a country benchmarking system to assess the deforestation and degradation risk associated with each nation. Countries will be classified into a three-tier system, ranging from low-risk to high-risk. This classification will determine the level of scrutiny by the EU, including the percentage of shipments that will be inspected by relevant authorities.

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• Scientists have discovered the gases carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Charon, Pluto's largest moon.
• About Charon:
  • Charon is the largest of Pluto's five moons, measuring about half the size of Pluto itself. It was discovered through telescopic observations on June 22, 1978, by James W. Christy and Robert S. Harrington at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. The moon is named after Charon, the mythological ferryman who transports souls to Hades, reflecting the Greek mythology counterpart of Pluto.
  • Measuring 754 miles (1,214 kilometers) in diameter, Charon is significantly large compared to Pluto, which has a diameter of about 1,400 miles. Its mass accounts for more than one-tenth of Pluto’s total mass. Due to Charon's considerable size and mass relative to Pluto, the two bodies are sometimes referred to as a double dwarf planet system.
  • The distance between Charon and Pluto is approximately 12,200 miles (19,640 kilometers). Both celestial bodies exhibit a phenomenon known as mutual tidal locking, meaning they always show the same faces to each other. Charon consistently presents the same hemisphere to Pluto because its rotation period matches its orbital period, completing an orbit around Pluto every 6.4 Earth days.

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• India has recently joined the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) as an affiliate member.
• About the IMDRF:
  • Established in 2011, the IMDRF is a coalition of global medical device regulators aimed at accelerating the harmonization and convergence of international medical device regulations.
• Members:
  • The forum comprises national regulatory authorities from various countries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, China, South Korea, Singapore, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Membership in the IMDRF facilitates the harmonization of regulatory requirements worldwide, simplifying processes for manufacturers while enhancing public health safeguards through collaboration and regulatory alignment. It also fosters innovation and ensures timely access to new medical devices.
• Significance for India:
  • As a member, India will engage in IMDRF Open Sessions to exchange information on technical topics with other regulators, discuss the latest strategies and trends in medical device regulation, and share feedback based on India’s experiences.
  • This participation will enhance the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization's (CDSCO) medical device regulatory framework, equipping it to tackle emerging technical challenges effectively. Ultimately, it aims to protect public health and safety while working towards gaining international recognition for its medical device regulations.

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• Recently, the Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister of India, has approved the designation of Classical Language status for the languages Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
• Criteria for Recognition:
  • The recognition of a classical language is determined by standards set by a Linguistic Experts Committee. According to the committee, the following revised criteria must be fulfilled for a language to be classified as "classical":
  • A significant antiquity, with early texts or recorded history spanning 1,500 to 2,000 years.
  • A body of ancient literature or texts that generations of speakers regard as part of their heritage.
  • Evidence of knowledge texts, particularly prose, alongside poetry, along with epigraphical and inscriptional documentation.
  • The classical form of the language may differ from its contemporary version or may show discontinuity with its later derivatives.
• Other Recognized Classical Languages:
  • Other languages that have been granted classical status include Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu (2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).
• Benefits of Classical Language Status:
  • Once a language is recognized as classical, the Ministry of Education offers various benefits to promote its development, including:
  • Two prestigious international awards each year for outstanding scholars in the language.
  • Establishment of a Centre of Excellence dedicated to the study of the classical language.
  • A request to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create Professional Chairs in Central Universities specifically focused on the classical language.

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• Recently, nine captive-bred pygmy hogs were released into Manas National Park in western Assam.
• About the Pygmy Hog:
  • The pygmy hog is the smallest and rarest species of wild pig in the world. Unique among mammals, it builds its own nests, complete with a "roof." As an indicator species, its presence signifies the health of its primary habitat, which consists of tall, wet grasslands.
• Habitat:
  • The pygmy hog prefers undisturbed patches of grassland characterized by early-succession riverine communities. These habitats typically feature dense tall grasses interspersed with a diverse array of herbs, shrubs, and young trees. Currently, the viable wild population of pygmy hogs is found in the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Key Facts About Manas National Park:
  • Location: Situated in Assam, it shares a boundary with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.
  • Status: Manas is recognized as a national park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve, and a biosphere reserve.
  • Rivers: The Manas River flows through the park.
  • Flora: It boasts some of the largest remaining grassland habitats within the sub-Himalayan grassland ecosystems.
  • Fauna: Manas is renowned for its rare and endangered wildlife, including the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, and pygmy hog.

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• Recently, the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, announced by the Union Finance Minister during her Budget speech, has been officially launched.
• Overview of the Scheme:
  • This initiative aims to boost youth employability in India by providing hands-on experience in real-world business settings. It presents a transformative opportunity to bridge the skills gap and foster sustainable growth in the country.
• Objective:
  • The scheme is designed to offer internship opportunities to one crore youth over the next five years, partnering with the top 500 companies. The pilot project will be facilitated through an online portal managed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
• Financial Support:
  • Interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹4,500 from the central government through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), along with an additional ₹500 contributed from the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund. Additionally, they will be granted a one-time payment of ₹6,000 upon joining, and will have insurance coverage under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
• Duration:
  • The internship will last for one year.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Candidates aged 21 to 24 years who are not engaged in full-time employment can apply for the one-year internship program. Those who have completed at least class 10 are eligible, but individuals from families with government jobs are excluded. The program is not available to post-graduates. Graduates from premier institutes such as IIT, IIM, or IISER, as well as those with CA or CMA qualifications, are also ineligible. Additionally, individuals from households with an income of ₹8 lakh or more in the 2023-24 financial year will not qualify.
• Benefits of the Scheme:
  • The scheme will provide on-the-job training to youth, offering them valuable exposure to real-life work environments. It will also benefit industries by creating a pipeline of skilled, work-ready youth who can be employed in both large enterprises and micro, small, and medium enterprises after their internships.