Fort William Renamed Vijay Durg
Syllabus: GS1/ History
Context
- Fort William in Kolkata, the headquarters of the Eastern Army Command, has been renamed Vijay Durg.
- The Kitchener House inside Fort William has been renamed Manekshaw House, and South gate, formerly known as St. George’s Gate is now Shivaji Gate.
Fort William
- The first Fort William was constructed by the British East India Company in 1696 along the eastern banks of the Hooghly River.
- It was named after King William III of England.
- Structure: The fort is known for its irregular octagonal structure and arched windows.
- There are six gates: Chowringhee, Plassey, Calcutta, Water Gate, St Georges and the Treasury Gate.
- The Maidan, the largest park in India, is located in front of the fort.
- In 1756, Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal attacked and captured the fort, leading to the infamous ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ incident.
- After the British regained control following the Battle of Plassey (1757), a new and more fortified structure was built between 1758 and 1781 under the command of Robert Clive.
Source: TH
Potash Mining in India
Syllabus: GS1/ Distribution of Natural Resources
In News
- Surveys conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have identified potash reserves in Rajasthan, presenting an opportunity to decrease India’s dependence on imports.
What is Potash?
- Potash refers to potassium-bearing minerals, mainly used in fertilizers (90% usage).
- Applications: One of the three primary nutrients in NPK fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).
- Potash alum helps remove water hardness and has antibacterial properties.
- Used in production of glass ceramics, soaps and detergents, and explosives.
- Types of Potash Fertilizers:
- Sulphate of Potash (SOP): Premium, chloride-free, used for fruits and vegetables.
- Muriate of Potash (MOP): Contains chloride, used for carbohydrate crops like wheat.
Potash Reserves in India
- Punjab and Rajasthan identified as key states with significant reserves.
- Punjab: Potash reserves in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts.
- Rajasthan: Nagaur-Ganganagar basin, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, and Bikaner districts. Rajasthan alone contributes 89%.
Why is Potash Mining Important for India?
- Reducing Import Dependence: India currently imports 50 lakh tonnes of potash annually.
- Boosting Domestic Fertilizer Industry: Will enhance agricultural self-reliance.
- Economic Benefits: Employment generation and regional economic development.
Challenges and Concerns
- Environmental and Land Issues: Potash deposits in Punjab are 450 meters below the surface.
- Farmers fear land acquisition and loss of livelihoods.
- The government claims mining will use an advanced drilling system with zero land impact.
- An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is being conducted.
Government Policy and Classification
- Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS): Provides subsidies based on actual nutrient content (N, P, K).
- Critical Mineral Status: Recognized under the Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment (MMDR) Act, 2023 to boost domestic production and reduce import dependency.
Source: IE
Cook Islands
Syllabus: GS1/ Geography
Context
- New Zealand has raised significant concern regarding the Cook Islands’ preparation to sign a cooperation deal with China.
About
- Political Status: The Cook Islands is a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand. It was formerly a dependent New Zealand colony from 1901 to 1965.
- Geography: The Cook Islands are located in Polynesia, Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean.
- They are situated northeast of New Zealand, between American Samoa and French Polynesia.
- The nation consists of 15 islands, with a total land area of approximately 236.7 square kilometers. These islands were formed by volcanic activity.
- The administrative seat is Avarua, located on the island of Rarotonga.
Source: TH
Baltic Nations
Syllabus: GS1/Places
In News
- The three Baltic states disconnected their electricity systems from Russia’s power grid to integrate the countries more closely with the European Union and boost security.
Baltic nations
- Baltic states are in the northeastern region of Europe and contain the countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea.
- They are bounded on the west and north by the Baltic Sea, which gives the region its name, on the east by Russia, on the southeast by Belarus, and on the southwest by Poland.
Baltic Sea
- The largest expanse of brackish water in the world, the semi-enclosed and relatively shallow.
- The Baltic Sea is an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is bound by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Northern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Europe, and the Danish islands.
- The Baltic Sea is artificially linked to the White Sea by the White Sea Canal and to the North Sea by the Kiel Canal.
- It includes the Gulf of Bothnia, the Bay of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, the Gulf of Riga, and the Bay of Gdańsk.
Source :TH
Netzarim Corridor
Syllabus: GS1/ Places In News
In Context
- Israeli forces have withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
About Netzarim Corridor
- The Netzarim Corridor was a strip of land in the Gaza Strip that was under Israeli military control during the conflict.
- It was a strategic military zone established by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the 2023-2025 Gaza War.
- It stretched from the Gaza-Israel border to the Mediterranean Sea, effectively bisecting the Gaza Strip.
- The corridor was named after the former Israeli settlement of Netzarim that once existed in the area.
Source: FE
Mithuns
Syllabus :GS 3/Environment
In News
- In Arunachal Pradesh, mithuns will wear fluorescent collars to improve visibility on highways and prevent fatal accidents.
About Mithuns (Bos frontalis)
- Mithun is often called ‘cattle of the mountains’.
- It is a rare cattle species reared in the subtropical rain forests of Northeastern hilly regions of India.
- It is the State animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
- It is also found in the hills of Manipur and Mizoram.
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Importance : Mithuns are prized for their meat, milk, and draught power.
- They play a crucial role in the socio-economic and cultural lives of many tribal communities in the northeast.
- Its possession is considered as a sign of prosperity.
Source: TH
Exercise ‘Cyclone 2025’
Syllabus :GS 3/Defence
In News
- Exercise ‘Cyclone 2025’ began at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan .
Exercise ‘Cyclone 2025’
- It is a joint military exercise between India and Egypt .
- The first edition of the exercise was conducted in 2023 in India.
- It is a 14 day exercise which aims to enhance defence cooperation by sharing professional skills and improving interoperability of special forces in desert environments.
Source :PIB