News in Shorts: 25 December 2025

Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project

Context: Commercial operation of Unit–2 (250 MW) of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project was inaugurated through virtual mode by the Union Minister of Power, Housing & Urban Affairs.

About Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project

• Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is India’s largest hydropower project (2000 MW).
• Location: Located on the Subansiri River, spanning Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• Installed Capacity: Total capacity: 2000 MW (8 × 250 MW).
• Design: Designed as a Run-of-the-River (RoR) scheme with small pondage.
• Major Engineering Features: Largest dam in North-East India, it is a 116 m high concrete gravity dam.
  • Features India’s heaviest hydro generator rotors, largest stators, and biggest main inlet valves.
  • First-ever use of Rotec’s Tower Belt for dam concreting in India.
• Flood Moderation & Water Management: It is the first cascaded dam on the Subansiri River.
  • About one-third of the reservoir will be kept empty during floods to protect downstream areas.
• Power Distribution: Power will be supplied to 16 beneficiary states across India.
  • Free power allocations to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
  • 1,000 MW reserved for North-East India, strengthening regional energy security.

About Subansiri River

• Longest tributary of the Brahmaputra; flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• Origin: Near the Kangri glacier region in the Himalayas (Tibet–Arunachal border).
• Course: Flows south through Arunachal Pradesh, enters Assam, and joins the Brahmaputra near Dibrugarh–Lakhimpur region.

Thanjavur Painting

Context: The Department of Posts transported a priceless Thanjavur-style painting of Shri Ram from Bengaluru to Ayodhya.

About the Thanjavur Paintings (Tanjore Paintings)

• Thanjavur painting is a classical art form from South India. 
• Origin and History: Originated in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, around the 17th century during the Maratha rule, with roots tracing back to Chola murals (11th century) in the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
  • Flourished under Nayaka and Maratha patronage.
• Distinctive Style: Known for rich, vibrant colors, bold compositions, and a luxurious 3D effect from embossed relief work.
• Materials and Embellishments: Extensive use of gold foil, glass beads, pearls, and semi-precious stones for a glittering, opulent appearance.
• Themes: Primarily Hindu deities like Krishna, Ram, Balaji (Venkateswara), Ganesha, Lakshmi, Shiva, and Saraswati, depicted in majestic poses with elaborate ornaments.
• Cultural Significance: Considered auspicious, often used in pooja rooms for prosperity and blessings.
• GI Tag: This painting style received the GI tag in 2007.

India’s Reconstruction Assistance to Sri Lanka

Context: India has reaffirmed its commitment as a reliable neighbor by announcing a major aid package for Sri Lanka following the devastating Cyclone Ditwah.

Reconstruction Package for Sri Lanka

• India has announced a USD 450 million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka. 
• This builds on India’s “Neighbourhood First” and “SAGAR” (now MAHASAGAR) policies, emphasizing regional cooperation and disaster response.
• Breakdown: USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit + USD 100 million in grants.
• Formalized via a letter from PM Modi to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
• Focus areas: Rehabilitation of roads, rails, and bridges; housing reconstruction; restoration of health and education facilities; agriculture support; and enhanced disaster preparedness.

Operation Sagar Bandhu

• India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on the day of landfall of Cyclone Ditwah as a first responder, delivering swift humanitarian aid.
• Operation Sagar Bandhu (meaning “Ocean Friend” in Hindi) is a rapid Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission to Sri Lanka. 
• Naval Deployment: Indian Navy ships, including aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frigate INS Udaygiri were deployed. 
• Air and Ground Support: IAF aircraft (C-130J, C-17, Mi-17 helicopters) airlifted relief; NDRF teams conducted rescues; Indian Army set up field hospitals treating thousands and built Bailey bridges for connectivity.

Duck-Rearing Practice in Kuttanad

Context: Recurring outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1) have pushed the traditional duck-farming system of Kuttanad to the brink of collapse.

Duck Farming in Kuttanad

• Location: Practised in Kuttanad, Kerala, a low-lying wetland region with backwaters and paddy fields. 
  • It is a centuries-old traditional livelihood for farming communities.
• Farming System & Method: Based on open, free-range rearing in wetlands and harvested paddy fields and is part of the rice–duck integrated farming system.
• Breeds of Ducks:  Indigenous breeds like Chara and Chembally, which are well-adapted to the wetland ecology, are used.
• Production Cycle: Ducks are usually reared twice a year, with production cycles specifically targeting the Christmas and Easter markets.
• Benefits: In the integrated system, ducks help in pest control, weed removal, soil aeration, and natural manuring.
• Concerns: The duck farming system is highly vulnerable to avian influenza (H5N1) due to the open rearing system and the presence of migratory birds.

Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

• Avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly known as H5N1 bird flu, is a highly pathogenic strain of influenza A virus primarily affecting birds. 
• It emerged as a human health concern and has caused global outbreaks in poultry and wild birds.
• Origin and Spread: H5N1 viruses circulate in wild birds (especially waterfowl like ducks and geese), which often carry it without symptoms. 
  • Migratory birds spread it globally.
• In Animals: Highly lethal in domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks), causing massive outbreaks and culling. 
• To Humans: Primarily through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated environments.
  • No sustained human-to-human transmission has been documented as of late 2025.
• Symptoms in Humans: Range from mild (conjunctivitis/eye redness, mild flu-like illness) to severe (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, multi-organ failure).

Good Governance Day

Context: Every year, Good Governance Day is observed on December 25.

About Good Governance day

• Commemoration: Observed on the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India.
• Declaration: Designated by the Government of India in 2014.
• Objective: Seeks to promote transparent, accountable, and efficient governance.
• Theme (2025): “Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore” — Governance Towards Villages.

Concept of Good Governance

• UN Framework: According to the United Nations, good governance is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable, inclusive, and grounded in the rule of law.
• World Bank Definition: It is “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development”.
• India’s Governance Approach: Building on Vajpayee’s vision, India systematically measures and promotes good governance through tools like the Good Governance Index, translating policy intent into measurable, citizen-focused outcomes.

Good Governance Index (GGI)

• The Good Governance Index was formally introduced on December 25, 2019.
• The Good Governance Index (GGI) is a diagnostic and benchmarking tool developed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• It assesses governance performance across States and Union Territories, supporting evidence-based policy reforms.
• The Index evaluates governance across 10 sectors using multiple indicators, enabling comparative assessment and identification of best practices among States and UTs.
• Given wide variations in geography, population size, and levels of development, DARPG categorised States and Union Territories into four distinct groups.

About Atal Bihari Vajpayee

• Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018) served as Prime Minister of India three times and had a distinguished parliamentary career spanning over four decades.
• He was elected nine times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha, rising from humble beginnings in Gwalior to the nation’s highest office
• Honours and Recognition
• • He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and later conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2015 for his exceptional service to the nation.
  • In 1994, he was named Best Parliamentarian, recognised for his multi-faceted leadership and unwavering commitment to nationalism.

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