The Gingee Fort in Villupuram district, along with 11 other forts comprising the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This decision, made at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, is expected to boost tourism to these sites, including Gingee Fort, known as the 'Troy of the East'. The Maratha Military Landscapes, spanning from the 17th to 19th centuries CE, represent the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire. This recognition is a proud moment for Tamil Nadu and the country, highlighting India's 44th property on the UNESCO list.
Gingee Fort and 11 other Maratha forts have been collectively inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The decision was made during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.
The Maratha Military Landscapes showcase the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Exam Points
Gingee Fort, along with 11 other forts, forms the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India'.
The inscription was made at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee.
India now has 44 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Union Environment Ministry has exempted the majority of India's thermal power plants (TPPs) from mandatorily installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems, which are designed to cut sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions. Only about 11% of TPPs in Category A (within 10 km radius of NCR or cities with population over a million) must install FGDs. Another 11% in Category B (within 10 km radius of critically polluted areas or non-attainment cities) may or may not install them, while the remaining 78% in Category C are exempt. Critics argue this decision, based on an expert committee's recommendations, will worsen air pollution and increase health risks.
The Union Environment Ministry has relaxed pollution control norms for thermal power plants regarding FGD systems.
A majority of TPPs (78% in Category C) are now exempt from mandatorily installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems.
FGD systems are crucial for cutting sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, which contribute to air pollution and secondary particulate matter.
Exam Points
Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems are designed to cut sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions.
Approximately 11% of India's 600 TPP units (Category A) must install FGD systems.
78% of TPPs (Category C) are exempt from FGD installation.
India's first indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine, DengiAll, developed by Panacea Biotec and supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is nearing completion of its third phase clinical trials. Approximately 8,000 out of 10,000 targeted participants have enrolled across 20 centres nationwide. The vaccine aims to provide effective efficacy against all four dengue serotypes circulating in India. Dengue is a significant public health concern globally and in India, with high incidence and potential for severe conditions like hemorrhagic fever. Currently, there is no antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine for dengue in India.
India's first indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine, DengiAll, is undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials.
The trials are a collaborative effort between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec Ltd.
The vaccine aims to provide efficacy against all four serotypes of the dengue virus, which co-circulate in India.
Exam Points
The vaccine is named DengiAll.
It is a tetravalent dengue vaccine strain (TV003/TV005).
Developed by Panacea Biotec and supported by ICMR.
A recent World Bank report suggesting low and falling consumption inequality in India has sparked debate, with commentators arguing it doesn't reflect the true picture of income and wealth disparities. While consumption inequality may be lower, income and wealth inequality in India are extremely high and have increased over time. Researchers from the World Inequality Database (WID) indicate India's Gini coefficient for pre-tax income in 2022-23 was 0.61, making it one of the most unequal economies globally. For wealth, the Gini coefficient was 0.75, with the top 1% of adults controlling almost 40% of net personal wealth, highlighting extreme concentration.
The World Bank's assessment of low consumption inequality in India is contested by experts who point to high income and wealth disparities.
Consumption inequality is inherently lower than income or wealth inequality because poorer households spend most income, while richer ones save more.
Data from Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (HCES) may under-estimate inequality by failing to capture extremely high incomes.
Exam Points
World Bank report indicated Gini coefficient for consumption inequality fell from 0.288 in 2011-12 to 0.255 in 2022-23.
Gini coefficient for pre-tax income in India was 0.61 in 2022-23 (according to WID).
Gini coefficient for wealth inequality in India was 0.75 in 2022-23 (according to WID).
Mizoram is facing a severe refugee crisis, housing over 40,000 shelter-seekers from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur. The latest influx of 4,000 people from Myanmar's Chin State followed clashes between anti-junta armed groups. Mizoram's dominant Mizo community shares ethnic ties with the Chins, Bawms, and Kuki-Zos, leading the state government to prioritize humanitarian grounds over pushing back refugees, despite limited resources and central government's tepid response. India lacks a specific national law on refugees, dealing with them under foreigners' laws. The state is now feeling pressure from the influx, raising concerns about national security, demography, and local resources.
Mizoram is currently hosting over 40,000 refugees from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur.
The recent influx from Myanmar's Chin State was triggered by armed clashes between anti-junta groups.
The dominant Mizo community shares ethnic and familial ties with the Chin, Bawm, and Kuki-Zo groups, influencing the state's humanitarian approach.
Exam Points
Mizoram houses over 40,000 shelter-seekers.
Refugees are from Myanmar (Chin State), Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts), and Manipur (Kuki-Zo people).
The Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar was suspended in February 2024.
The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro highlighted the bloc's role as a voice for the Global South, aiming to transform a Western-dominated world order through South-South cooperation. BRICS, now an intergovernmental organization, comprises 35% of the global economy and nearly half the world's population, surpassing the G7. It seeks to foster economic, political, and social cooperation, advocating for greater representation in global governance and reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar. Despite its potential, the bloc faces challenges from internal divisions, differing national priorities, and external pressures from Western powers, including threats of tariffs. India's role as a bridge-builder is complicated by border tensions with China.
BRICS serves as a significant institutional expression of Global South aspirations, aiming to challenge Western hegemony and promote South-South cooperation.
The bloc has grown to represent 35% of the global economy and nearly half the world's population, surpassing the G7's economic share.
Key objectives include fostering economic, political, and social cooperation, advocating for global governance reforms, and reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar.
Exam Points
The article discusses the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
BRICS comprises 35% of the global economy and almost half of the world's population, surpassing the G7's 30% economic share as of 2024.
Initiatives include the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
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