Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Norway and the Nordic Summit aims to boost trade, energy cooperation, and discuss global conflicts. India seeks more investment from Norwegian pension funds and business-to-business MoUs in energy. The visit also includes the third Nordic-India summit with leaders from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark, focusing on geopolitical issues, climate, and green sustainability. Discussions will cover the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Gaza conflict, and US-Israel-Iran tensions, all impacting the global economy. India also upgraded ties with the Netherlands, signing 17 pacts.
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Norway and the Nordic Summit focuses on enhancing trade, energy cooperation, and addressing global conflicts.
India aims to attract more investment from Norwegian pension funds and secure business-to-business MoUs in the energy sector.
The Nordic-India summit involves leaders from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark, discussing geopolitical issues, climate, and sustainability.
Exam Points
PM Modi's visit to Norway is the first by an Indian PM in 43 years.
The Nordic-India summit involves five Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark.
India and the Netherlands signed 17 pacts and MoUs, upgrading ties to a Strategic Partnership.
President Droupadi Murmu has promulgated an ordinance increasing the Supreme Court's judge strength from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India) to address the growing backlog of over 93,000 cases. This move, which comes after a six-year hiatus since the last amendment in 2019, amends Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The ordinance will be presented to Parliament and will cease to operate if not approved within six weeks of reassembly or if disapproved. The Constitution originally envisaged a Supreme Court with a CJI and 'not more than seven judges' until Parliament prescribed a larger number.
An ordinance has been promulgated to increase the Supreme Court's judge strength from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
The primary objective of this increase is to address the significant backlog of over 93,000 cases currently plaguing the Supreme Court.
The ordinance amends Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, and was promulgated by the President under Article 123 of the Constitution.
Exam Points
Supreme Court judge strength increased from 33 to 37 (excluding CJI).
The ordinance was promulgated by the President under Article 123 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, Section 2, was amended.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and neighboring Uganda, caused by a rare Bundibugyo virus, a public health emergency of international concern. With over 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths, and a confirmed case in Congo's capital Kinshasa, the outbreak poses a risk of international spread. Ebola is highly contagious, transmitted via bodily fluids, and often fatal. The WHO emphasized the seriousness and need for a coordinated international response, though it advised against closing international borders. There are currently no approved therapeutics or vaccines for the Bundibugyo variant.
The WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, a variant of Ebola for which no approved treatments or vaccines exist.
Ebola is highly contagious and transmitted through bodily fluids, with over 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths reported.
Exam Points
WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola variant.
The article argues that genuine competition is essential for a healthy democracy, likening 'one-horse races' to a lack of true democratic spirit. It highlights that the absence of rivals undermines the concept of 'rule by the people' and the fairness of the system. The author criticizes Section 53(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which allows for 'unopposed' winners, diminishing the value of a mandate. The example of West Bengal Assembly elections is cited, where accusations of favouritism and issues with electoral rolls (SIR) tainted the outcome, raising questions about the Election Commission of India's neutrality and the integrity of the electoral process.
Genuine electoral competition is fundamental for a vibrant democracy, allowing citizens to choose alternatives and ensuring fairness.
The provision for 'unopposed' winners under Section 53(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, undermines the spirit of democratic contestation.
Lack of competition and perceived partiality of electoral referees can diminish public confidence in election outcomes and the legitimacy of mandates.
Exam Points
Section 53(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, deals with 'unopposed' winners.
Article 326 of the Constitution relates to eligibility for electoral rolls.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for superintendence, direction, and control of elections.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, condemned attacks on commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew, and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as 'unacceptable' at a UNECOSOC meeting. His remarks followed an attack on an India-flagged commercial vessel off the coast of Oman. Harish emphasized that international law regarding freedom of navigation must be fully respected and highlighted India's approach to the energy and fertilizer crisis caused by the West Asia conflict, advocating for a combination of short-term, structural measures, and international cooperation.
India condemned attacks on commercial shipping and impediments to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as unacceptable at the UN.
The statement was made by India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, at a UNECOSOC meeting.
The remarks followed a recent attack on an India-flagged commercial vessel off the coast of Oman.
Exam Points
India's Permanent Representative to UN: Parvathaneni Harish.
Forum: United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC).
Issue: Attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The return of the Chola-era Anaimangalam copper plates from the Netherlands marks a significant event in India's efforts to repatriate invaluable artefacts. Presented to PM Modi by Dutch PM Rob Jetten, these 21 large and three small plates, known as Leiden copper plates, document Raja Raja Chola I's grant of land to a Buddha vihara and subsequent grants by Rajendra Chola I and Kulottunga Chola I. Indian archaeologists advocate for further repatriation efforts, citing the Velvikkudi copper plates from the British Museum as another key artefact. The plates provide crucial insights into Tamil history, culture, and the Chola dynasty's royal insignia.
The Chola-era Anaimangalam copper plates have been repatriated from the Netherlands, marking a significant step in India's artefact recovery efforts.
Known as Leiden copper plates, these 24 plates document land grants by Chola kings (Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Kulottunga Chola I) to a Buddha vihara.
Indian archaeologists are calling for further repatriation, specifically mentioning the Pandya ruler Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan's Velvikkudi copper plates from the British Museum.
Kings mentioned: Raja Raja Chola I (regnal years 985-1014 CE), Rajendra Chola I (regnal years 1014-1044 CE), Kulottunga Chola I (regnal years 1070-1120 CE).
Other plates mentioned: Velvikkudi copper plates (Pandya ruler Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan, regnal years 765-815 CE).
Across India, thousands of trees are being felled for development projects, leading to innovative protests by citizens and environmentalists. Examples include road-widening in Uttarakhand, a mall in Rajasthan, and Kumbh Mela preparations in Maharashtra. Protesters in Dehradun adopted a silent 'homage' reminiscent of the Chipko Movement, while in Jaipur, human chains formed to protect the 'Taron ki Koont' forest. Environmentalists highlight the failure of tree translocation and the inadequacy of compensatory afforestation, stressing the ecological and cultural significance of old trees. Despite widespread tree loss, some campaigns have achieved victories, like saving the 'Chevella banyans' in Hyderabad and preserving a large part of Delhi's Ridge.
Thousands of trees are being cut across India for various development projects, including infrastructure and religious festivals.
Citizens and environmentalists are employing innovative protest methods, from silent 'homages' to human chains, reminiscent of the Chipko Movement.
Concerns are raised about the ineffectiveness of tree translocation and compensatory afforestation in replacing the ecological services of mature trees.
Exam Points
Chipko Movement: originated in Chamoli district (erstwhile Uttar Pradesh, now Uttarakhand).
'Taron ki Koont' forest: Jaipur, Rajasthan.
'Chevella banyans' campaign: Hyderabad.
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