Prime Minister Pays Tribute to Lachit Borphukan on Lachit Diwas
Syllabus:GS1/History
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Lachit Borphukan, describing him as a symbol of courage, patriotism, and true leadership.
Lachit Borphukan
- He was Born on 24 November 1622 to Momai Tamuli Barbarua and grew up during a turbulent era of Mughal–Ahom conflicts.
- He was a legendary Ahom commander renowned for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat, where he decisively defeated Mughal forces under Raja Ram Singh I and safeguarded Assam.
- He is recognized for his skill and integrity. He was appointed as one of the five Borphukans by King Chakradhwaj Singha, entrusted with administrative, judicial, and military duties, and came to symbolize Assamese courage, valor, and identity.
Legacy
- He is considered one of the greatest of Assamese heroes, symbolising the valour, courage, and intelligence that defines the Assamese self-identity.
- The Battle of Saraighat established him as a master strategist and is commemorated today through the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal, which is awarded to the best cadet of the National Defence Academy.
Source :PIB
Gavi, UNICEF Ink Deal to Provide Easy Access to Malaria Vaccine
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF have announced a new agreement that will make the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccines significantly more accessible.
About
- UNICEF is the world’s largest buyer of vaccines, delivering nearly three billion doses of vaccine every year.
- WHO has prequalified two malaria vaccines to-date: R21/Matrix-M (co-developed by the University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India] and RTS,S/AS01 (developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), PATH and partners).
- Both vaccines are prequalified and recommended by WHO to prevent malaria in children and are safe and effective.
- Both vaccines reduce malaria cases by about 75% when given seasonally in areas of highly seasonal transmission — where half of childhood malaria deaths occur.
Malaria
- Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Source: TH
Exercise Suryakiran
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
Context
- India and Nepal have commenced the 19th edition of the joint military Exercise Suryakiran in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
About
- Started in 2011, Exercise Suryakiran is conducted annually between the Indian Army and the Nepal Army on a reciprocal basis in both countries.
- The 18th edition was held in Saljhandi, Nepal.
- This joint military exercise focuses on counterterrorism and operations in challenging terrains, with troops engaging in rigorous drills such as jungle survival, combat first aid, ambush tactics, and heliborne operations.
Do you know?
- The Indian Army has also been at the forefront of India’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations in Nepal, particularly during the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: DDNews
INS Mahe
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
Context
- INS Mahe, India’s first Mahe-class anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft, was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard by the Chief of Army Staff.
About
- INS Mahe is named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast. The ship has over 80% indigenous components.
- Features: It has a twin-shaft diesel propulsion generating over 6 MW of power and this gives it a top speed of 25 knots, a range of 1,800 nautical miles at 14 knots, and an endurance of 14 days.
- The key indigenous elements in Mahi include propulsion and power management systems, integrated combat management suite, medium-frequency hull-mounted sonar, multi-function surveillance radar, torpedo and ASW rocket systems.
Significance
- Once fully inducted, the Mahe-class will replace the Navy’s older Abhay-class corvettes.
- INS Mahe will strengthen the anti-submarine warfare grid along the coastline and improve tracking of underwater threats in the littoral zone.
- It will also enhance monitoring of diesel-electric submarines operating in the Indian Ocean.
Source: TH
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