Machilipatnam: Reawakening of an Ancient Port
Syllabus: GS1/ Ancient History
Context
- Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam), a historic port town is witnessing a revival.
Machilipatnam in Ancient India
- Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam), is a historic port town at the mouth of the Krishna River on the Bay of Bengal.
- Early Maritime Significance:
- The region was known as Masulipatnam or Maisolos (as per Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, 1st century CE), and it flourished as an ancient seaport on the Coromandel Coast.
- It served as a gateway to the Deccan, facilitating trade with Roman, Arab, and Southeast Asian traders.
- Satavahana Period:
- Under the Satavahanas (1st century BCE to 3rd century CE), Masulipatnam emerged as a vibrant port for the export of muslin, spices, pearls, and textiles.
- It was linked to inland cities like Amaravati and Dharanikota, which were major centres of Buddhism and commerce.
- Medieval and Colonial Revival:
- In the 16th to 18th centuries, the port regained prominence under the Golconda Sultanate.
- It became a key trading post for the Dutch, British, and French East India Companies, however shifted focus to Madras (Chennai) in the 18th century, diminishing Machilipatnam’s importance.
Port Cities of Ancient India
| Port City | Dynasty/Period |
| Lothal (Gujarat) | Indus Valley Civilization |
| Arikamedu (Puducherry) | Cholas and early Tamil kingdoms |
| Kaveripattinam (Tamil Nadu) | Cholas |
| Sopara (Maharashtra) | Satavahanas |
| Tamralipta (West Bengal) | Mauryas and Guptas |
| Barygaza (Bharuch) | Indo-Greek and Kushan periods |
Source: TH
Behdeinkhlam Festival
Syllabus: GS1/ Culture
Context
- The sacred Behdeinkhlam Festival was celebrated in Jowai, Meghalaya.
The Behdienkhlam Festival
- Meaning: The word Behdeinkhlam means “driving away the plague”, referring to expelling diseases like cholera and other evils from society.
- Timing: It is held annually in July, after the sowing season, symbolizing a prayer for a good harvest and protection from illness.
- It is predominantly celebrated by the Pnars, a sub-tribe of the Jaintia ethnic group in Meghalaya.
- Preservation of Indigenous Faith: The festival is an important means to preserve the Niamtre religion.
Rituals and Celebrations
- The Rituals span three days. The men perform the dances and rituals and the women prepare and offer sacrificial food to the spirits of their ancestors, a vital ceremonial role.
- The ‘Symbud Khnong’ (sacred wooden post) is carried around the town and installed symbolically as a protection against evil spirits.
- A unique football-like game, Dad-lawakor, is played at Mynthong.
- In recent years, messages against drug abuse, alcoholism, and climate change have been promoted during the celebrations.
Source: AIR
Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra
Syllabus: GS2/Welfare Scheme
Context
- The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, is set to inaugurate the 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at Uttar Pradesh.
About
- PMDK is a unique initiative aimed at providing integrated services under one roof—including assessment, evaluation, counselling, distribution, and post-distribution care—for eligible Divyangjan and elderly beneficiaries.
- With the launch of this centre, the total number of operational PMDKs across India reaches 75.
Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra
- It is a government-run initiative established to provide comprehensive rehabilitation and assistive services to:
- Persons with disabilities (Divyangjan), and
- Senior citizens in need of mobility or sensory support.
- The centres function under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, and are implemented by ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India), a central public sector enterprise.
- Target Groups: Persons with disabilities (PwDs), identified under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- Senior citizens: Particularly those belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS).
Source: PIB
Government Order on Displaying Sugar and Fat Boards in Offices
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
Context
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed all Central and State government offices to display ‘Sugar and Fat Boards’ — visual informational panels highlighting the sugar and fat content of food items sold in office premises.
About the Initiative
- The measure, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR–NIN), aims to serve as a behavioural nudge to promote healthier dietary habits among government employees and visitors.
- Recommended daily intake:
- Sugar: 25 grams
- Visible fat: 30 grams
Significance of the Move
- India faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease, driven by poor dietary habits, including excess sugar and fat intake.
- By encouraging informed food choices, the initiative supports preventive healthcare and could be a first step toward broader regulation of trans fat-rich food.
| What is Trans fat? – Trans fat (or trans-fatty acids) is a type of unsaturated fat that is harmful to health. 1. Increases LDL Cholesterol: Trans fats can raise levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood, which can contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. 2. Reduces HDL Cholesterol: They can also lower levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, which helps remove LDL cholesterol from the body. Types of Trans fat – Natural trans fats: Found in small amounts in meat and dairy from ruminant animals. – Artificial (industrial) trans fats: Created by adding hydrogen to liquid oils (a process called hydrogenation) to make them solid. 1. It is found in Vanaspati (hydrogenated oils), Bakery products (cakes, biscuits), Fried foods (samosas, pakoras), Street foods cooked in reused oil. |
Source: TH
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
In News
- The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the prices of 71 medicines commonly used for diabetes & cancer.
About National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
- It is an independent government regulatory agency established in 1997 under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- Its primary mandate is to fix, revise, and monitor the prices of pharmaceutical drugs and formulations in India, ensuring medicines remain affordable and accessible to every citizen.
- The NPPA used the powers granted to it under the Drug (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013 to regulate the prices for these medicines.
Source: IE
Australia announces 2025 Maitri Grants
Syllabus: GS2/IR
In News
- Australia and India are deepening their partnership through the 2025 Maitri Grants, Fellowships, and Scholarships.
About Maitri Grants
- The Maitri (meaning friendship) Grants is administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations.
- It aims to support greater exchange and collaboration with India across technology, business, education and culture.
- Key initiatives include the Lowy Institute’s India Chair, Asialink Business playbooks for cleantech and agtech partnerships, a major exhibition of Raja Ravi Varma’s artworks, and a storytelling incubator led by Bodhini Studios.
- The 2024–2025 round also funds 13 research scholarships and 3 fellowships focused on areas like quantum computing, clean energy, biomanufacturing, maritime cooperation, and digital governance.
Source :IE
Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) Ferry Boats in the Mandovi River
Syllabus :GS3/Economy
In News
- The Goa government has launched two advanced Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) ferries, ‘Gangotri’ and ‘Dwarka’, on the Chorao-Ribandar route in the Mandovi river.
| The Mandovi River – It is one of the main West Flowing Rivers of Goa State. – It rises in the Jamboti Ghats in Karnataka State. 1. The total length of this West Flowing River from its origin to its outfall into the Arabian Sea is 62 km. – The important tributaries of Mandovi River are Sarang, Mahainada, Udel, Lohi, Velvota Bicholim, Mapuce, Nanoda and Khandepar. |
Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) ferry boats
- Roll-on & Roll-off (“Ro-Ro”) waterways projects comprise of Ro-Ro ships/vessels which are designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers and railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their wheels or using a platform vehicle.
- It also comprises jetties, with related port terminals and approach connectivity infrastructure.
- Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) ferries ‘Gangotri’ and ‘Dwarka’ are eco-friendly ferries, built by Vijai Marine Shipyards on a Built-Own-Operate-Transfer model.
- This is India’s first RoRo ferry service, aimed at improving waterway transport.
- They can carry up to 100 passengers, 15 four-wheelers, and 30–40 two-wheelers, reducing travel time from 30 to 12–13 minutes.
Importance
- The ferries feature faster speeds, modern technology, air-conditioned passenger compartments, and emergency medical kits, with plans to expand the service to other routes.
Source :IE
India Signs Long-Term Fertilizer Supply Agreements with Saudi Arabia
Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture
Context
- The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers concluded his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.
Key Outcome
- Signing of long-term supply agreements between Saudi Arabia’s Maaden and Indian companies (IPL, KRIBHCO, CIL).
- Supply of 3.1 million metric tons of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) annually from 2025-26, up from 1.9 million MT in 2024–25.
- Agreements valid for 5 years, with an option to extend for another 5 years by mutual consent.
- India’s DAP imports from Saudi Arabia increased by 17% in FY 2024–25 (1.9 MT) over FY 2023–24 (1.6 MT).
- Significance: The long-term fertilizer agreements are expected to provide greater supply security for India’s agricultural sector and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
What is DAP?
- Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) is a type of fertilizer that contains phosphorus and nitrogen, two essential nutrients for plant growth.
- Nano DAP contains nanoparticles of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) which helps in better crop growth and yield.
- DAP is commonly used in agriculture to provide a quick and readily available source of nutrients to plants.
- It is the second most commonly used fertilizer in India after urea.
Source: AIR
Shinkansen Technology
Syllabus: GS3/ S&T
In News
- India will be among the first countries in the world to debut the next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains.
About E10 Shinkansen
- Also known as the Alfa-X, the E10 can reach speeds up to 400 km/h, offering significant improvements in speed, safety, energy efficiency, and passenger comfort over the E5, which tops out at 320 km/h.
- The E10 will replace the E2 and E5 fleets in Japan and mark a major leap forward for high-speed rail in India.
- Equipped with automatic train control (ATC), Shinkansen eliminates the need for trackside signals and maintains a perfect safety record.
Source: HT
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