GI Tagged Kolhapuri Chappals
Syllabus: GS3/Economy/GS1/Culture
Context
- Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has come under fire in India after featuring leather flat sandals, priced at approximately Rs 1.2 lakh, that closely resemble traditional Kolhapuri chappals.
About
- Kolhapuri chappals, known for their handcrafted leather design, are traditionally made by artisan communities in Maharashtra and have been in use since at least the 12th century.
- Kolhapuri chappals received Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2019, recognising their cultural and regional significance.
- Kala mitti application: A traditional black mud sticky paste (kala mitti) is applied temporarily to hold the layers in place.
- Chaprega (decorating the surface): Artisans create front and back designs using punches and hammers.
- Small metal tools are used to stamp traditional patterns like elephants, birds, and geometric borders.
- The chappals are polished in natural or dyed colours such as brown, tan, mustard, etc.
Source: TH
Bonalu Festival
Syllabus: GS1/ History and Culture
Context
- The Bonalu festival’s first main puja for the Ashada month began at the Goddess Jagadambika Ammavaru temple inside the Golconda Fort.
About Bonalu
- Bonalu is an annual Hindu Festival where Goddess Mahakali is worshiped.
- It is celebrated in the twin Cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad and other parts of Telangana state, India.
- History: Bonalu began in the 19th century after a plague outbreak in Hyderabad.
- As a mark of gratitude for divine protection, people started offering Bonam (from Telugu Bhojanalu, meaning meals) to Goddess Mahakali annually.
- The festival is observed during the Ashada month (June–July), marking the onset of the monsoon season.
- In 2014, Bonalu was declared the state festival of Telangana after its formation as a separate state.
Rituals and Celebrations
- Bonam Offering: Women carry pots of rice, milk, and jaggery, adorned with neem, turmeric, vermillion, and a lamp, as offerings to the Goddess.
- Metlu Puja: A ritual where devotees apply turmeric and vermillion to the steps of temples.
- Jagadambika Temple Celebrations: Bonalu begins with a main puja at Golconda Fort’s Jagadambika Temple, later extending to temples like Ujjaini Mahankali in Secunderabad and Akkanna Madanna in Old Hyderabad.
Source: TH
Digha’s Jagannath Temple
Syllabus: GS1/ History and Culture
Context
- Digha’s Jagannath Temple will host its first-ever Rathyatra, including around 50 international visitors from countries like Russia, China, and Ukraine.
About
- The Jagannath Temple in Digha, located in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, is a newly constructed Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu.
- It also houses idols of Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra, Lord Jagannath’s divine siblings.
- The temple was inaugurated on 30 April 2025 and was built as a replica of the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Architecture of the temple
- The temple follows the Kalingan (Kalinga) architectural style, marked by its towering vimana (shikhara).
- Material Used: Sandstone from Rajasthan’s Bansi Paharpur hills, Marble flooring, imported from Vietnam.
- The height of the temple is 65 metres (213 ft).
Source: TH
Estimates Committees of Parliament
Syllabus: GS2/ Polity
Context
- A two-day national conference of Estimates Committees of Parliament and state/UT legislative bodies is being held in Mumbai to mark the 75th anniversary of the Committee on Estimates.
About
- The Committee on Estimates, is a Parliamentary Committee constituted in 1950 on the recommendation of John Mathai, the then finance minister.
- It consists of 30 members, elected every year by the Lok Sabha from amongst its Members.
- The Rajya Sabha has no representation in this committee.
- The Chairperson of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members.
- A Minister cannot be elected as a member of the Committee and if a member becomes a Minister, they cease to be on the Committee.
- The term of office of the Committee is one year.
- The functions of the Estimates Committee are:
- To report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency or administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected;
- To suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration;
- To examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates; and
- To suggest the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament.
Source:AIR
Most Commonly Used Cancer Drugs
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- A major investigation revealed that commonly used chemotherapy drugs failed quality tests after being shipped to over 100 countries.
About
- Cisplatin, oxaliplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, methotrexate and leucovorin — are the most commonly used drugs in the chemotherapy treatments.
- These drugs work by targeting cancer cells while minimising harm to normal cells, but also cause severe side effects like kidney damage, immune suppression, and heart risk.
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body.
- Chemotherapy drugs can be used alone or in combination to treat a wide variety of cancers.
- Though chemotherapy is an effective way to treat many types of cancer, chemotherapy treatment also carries a risk of side effects.
Source: TH
Jiyo Parsi Scheme
Syllabus: GS2/ Welfare Scheme
Context
- The Ministry of Minority Affairs conducted a one-day biometric authentication drive for beneficiaries of the Jiyo Parsi scheme in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
About Jiyo Parsi scheme
- Launched: 2013–14
- Type: Central Sector Scheme
- Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
- Objective: To address the sharp demographic decline of the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community and ensure its long-term survival and cultural continuity.
- Key Components:
- Medical Assistance – Provides financial aid for infertility treatments such as IVF, ICSI, surrogacy, and post-conception care.
- Health of the Community – Offers monthly financial support to Parsi couples with children as well as to dependent elderly members.
- Advocacy – Promotes timely marriage, fertility awareness, and family support within the community.
| Do you know? – The population of the Parsi community, one of India’s smallest yet most prosperous communities, declined by 22%—from 69,601 in the 2001 Census to 57,264 in the 2011 Census. – Maharashtra has a Parsi population of 44,854, the highest among all States, followed by Gujarat with 9,727. |
Source: PIB
10 years of AMRUT
Syllabus: GS3/ Infrastructure
In Context
- India marks a significant milestone as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) completes 10 years.
- AMRUT 2.0 was launched on 1 October 2021.
About AMRUT
- Launch: In 2015, the mission aimed to enhance the quality of life in 500 cities and towns by focusing on fundamental infrastructure and services.
- Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (Shared between Centre and States/UTs based on urban population and number of statutory towns).
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- Coverage: Initially 500 cities and now includes all ULBs under AMRUT 2.0
- Objectives: Universal coverage of tap water and sewerage
- Improve urban mobility and reduce pollution
- Enhance green spaces and urban amenity value
- Empower Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) through reforms and capacity-building
Key Initiatives Under AMRUT & AMRUT 2.0
- Jal Hi AMRIT (under AMRUT 1.0): Safe reuse of treated water
- ‘Drink from Tap’ Mission: Ensure directly consumable tap water supply
- SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition): Real-time monitoring of water supply & treatment systems
Source: DD News
Operation Deep Manifest
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- Under the Operation Deep Manifest, India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) made a major breakthrough by seizing 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani-origin goods, illicitly routed via Dubai.
About
- After the Pahalgam Terror Attack, India imposed a total ban on direct or indirect import/transit of Pakistani-origin goods even if routed through third countries like UAE, Singapore, etc.
- Total bans serve as economic deterrents and signal India’s zero-tolerance stance.
- The case highlights risks of “grey routing”—where goods of hostile origin are rerouted through benign intermediaries.
Source: DD News
‘Adamya’
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
In News
- Recently, ‘Adamya’ was inducted into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Goa.
‘Adamya’
- It is the first Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) under the eight-FPV project at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
- It is the first vessel of its class in the ICG fleet to feature Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPPs) and indigenously developed gearboxes, providing superior maneuverability, enhanced operational flexibility, and improved performance at sea.
Features
- It is equipped with cutting-edge technology and includes a 30mm CRN-91 gun, two 12.7mm stabilized remote-controlled guns with fire control systems, an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), and Automated Power Management System (APMS).
- These advanced features significantly boost the ICG’s ability to carry out missions with greater precision, speed, and efficiency across India’s vast maritime boundaries.
Importance
- ‘Adamya’ showcases India’s advancing shipbuilding prowess and aligns with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- These FPVs will strengthen the ICG’s fleet as force multipliers, ensuring rapid response capabilities for maritime law enforcement, coastal patrol, search and rescue missions, and safeguarding the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Source: PIB
First Indian Astronaut on Titans Space Mission in 2029
Syllabus: GS3/Space
In News
- Jahnavi Dangeti, has been selected as an Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) for the space mission of the Titan Space Industries (TSI), a U.S.-based private agency engaged in space research.
| Do you know? – Jahnavi Dangeti is a native of Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district. – In 2022, Ms. Jahnavi became the youngest Analog Astronaut programme from the Analog Astronaut Training Centre (AATC) at Krakow in South Poland. |
Titans Space mission in 2029
- It is a U.S.-based mission that will last approximately five hours, during which the crew will orbit the Earth twice, witnessing two sunrises and two sunsets.
- It will offer nearly three hours of uninterrupted zero gravity, creating a groundbreaking setting for scientific research and advancements in human spaceflight.
- The mission will be commanded by veteran NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Army Colonel William McArthur Jr., who currently serves as the Chief Astronaut at Titans Space.
Source :TH
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