United Nations Day of Vesak — 2025

Context: Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju addressed the opening ceremony of the United Nations Day of Vesak in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, reinforcing India’s civilizational ties and cultural diplomacy through Buddhism.

Key Highlights of Address

• Highlighted relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings to modern global challenges.
• Linked Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) with Buddhist philosophy
• Other highlights: Buddha’s Relics from Sarnath brought to Ho Chi Minh City.

United Nations Day of Vesak

It commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana (Death) of  Gautam Buddha.  

• Recognized by: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1999 as an international day of  observance.
  • UN Resolution A/RES/54/115 (1999) formally recognized.
• Observed in:  The Full Moon of May every year (date varies annually).
• Significance: Promotes the universal values of peace, compassion, non-violence, mindfulness, and harmony.

INS Tamal

Context: India is set to induct its second Russian-built, multi-role stealth frigate ‘ INS Tamal’, strengthening naval firepower amid growing maritime security challenges.

• The Indian Navy successfully  commissioned INS Tushil in December 2024.

Key Features of INS Tamal & Sister Ships

• Origin: Part of India-Russia 2016 agreement for 4 upgraded Krivak-III class frigates
• Class: Advanced derivative of Talwar-class / Teg-class (already 6 in Indian Navy)
  
• Specifications:
  • Displacement: ~3,900 tonnes
  • Length: ~125 metres
  • Speed: 30+ knots
  • Operations: Blue-water capability-Air, Surface, Underwater, Electromagnetic
• Armaments & Systems:
  • BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (range extended to 450 km).
  • Shtil surface-to-air missiles (enhanced range).
  • Anti-submarine torpedoes & rockets
    
  • Capability to carry Kamov-28/31 helicopters (ASW & AEW).
  • High stealth features: Low radar, infrared, acoustic signatures
  • High automation: Enhanced combat survivability
• Construction Details:
  • 2 frigates (Tushil, Tamal) imported from Russia (~₹8,000 crore).
  • 2 frigates (Triput, Tavasya) being built at Goa Shipyard with Russian ToT (~₹13,000 crore).

Ahilyabai

Context: Recently, a  meeting was held in Chondi to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Indore queen Ahilyabai Holkar and her legacy.

About Ahilyabai

• She was the Queen (Maharani) of the Holkar dynasty in the Maratha-ruled Malwa region, India.
• Born in Chandi, Maharashtra, to Mankoji Shinde and Sushila Shinde.
• Belonged to a Marathi Hindu Dhangar family.
• Ahilyabai’s Education and Military Training
  • Involved in administration, finances, and diplomacy under Malhar Rao’s guidance.
  • Trained in politics and governance by her mother-in-law, Gautama Bai Holkar.
  • In 1765, led a successful military attack on Gwalior, following her father-in-law’s instructions.

Ahilyabai’s Reign and Achievements

• Established Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty.
  • Her capital Maheshwar became a center of art, literature, music, and industry during her rule.
• Known for: good governance, social welfare, and religious and cultural advancements.
• Remembered as: a holy woman (Sadhvi) and a generous ruler.
• Established the textile industry in Maheshwar.
• The Maheshwari sarees, still popular today, were promoted under her reign.
  • It features a special double-sided border woven using the ‘bugdi’ two-way technique.

Cultural Contributions of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

• Support for Scholars and Artists: She invited and supported many famous scholars and poets in her court, such as Marathi poet Moropant, Folk singer Shahir Ananta Gandhi, and Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram
• Builder of Temples
  • She was a strong supporter of Hindu religion and culture.
  • Built hundreds of temples and Dharmashalas (rest houses) across India.
  • Her aim was to make pilgrimages easier for devotees.
• Renovation of Kashi Vishwanath Temple
  • Her most famous work was the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi in 1780.
  • This showed her dedication to preserving Hindu religious heritage.

Digitisation of 10 Crore Historic Documents

Context: The National Archives of India (NAI) has now digitised more than 10 crore pages of historical documents.

About the National Archives of India (NAI)

• NAI is the repository of historical records of the Government of India.
• Established in 1891 as the Imperial Record Department in Calcutta (now Kolkata).
• Access is governed by Public Records Rules, 1997.
• After the capital shifted to Delhi in 1911, the present building was constructed in 1926, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
• All records were shifted from Calcutta to Delhi by 1937.
• Role and Collection
  • It is an attached office under the Ministry of Culture.
  • It acts as the custodian of non-current records of the Government of India.
  • Also stores private papers of notable Indians from different fields who have contributed to the nation’s growth.

Safe Harbour

Context: The Government of India is planning to revise the ‘Safe Harbour’ clause under the Information Technology Act.

What is the ‘Safe Harbour’?

• Safe harbour provides that Social media platforms are not held legally liable for user-generated content as long as they act to remove or address flagged objectionable content.
• It supports free speech and ensures that  platforms are not responsible for preemptive content control.
• Provision in India: Under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, intermediary platforms (like social media and hosting services) are not held legally liable for user-generated content, provided they act promptly to remove unlawful content when flagged.
• Conditional Immunity: This protection is conditional upon intermediaries exercising due diligence and complying with government-issued guidelines, including the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Proposed Changes in the Safe Harbour Framework

• Responsibility of Intermediaries: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed revisiting the due diligence obligations of intermediaries, requiring proactive removal of fake news, rather than relying solely on government flags.
• Deliberation for new Law: While emphasizing the importance of tackling misinformation, the government has currently ruled out the introduction of a new law, citing the need for broader consultation and safeguarding freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
• PIB Fact Check Unit: Government seeks to give statutory recognition to the Fact Check Unit of PIB under the amended IT Rules.
  • A special leave petition (SLP) has been filed against the Bombay High Court judgment that struck down this provision, citing concerns over freedom of speech and safe harbour erosion.

Northeast’s First Geothermal Production

Context: The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled the first geothermal production well in Northeast India at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh.

What is a Geothermal Production Well?

• A geothermal production well is a deep hole drilled into the Earth to access natural underground heat.
• It is a key part of systems that use geothermal energy, which is clean, renewable, and comes from the Earth’s heat.
• Types of Geothermal Wells
• • Production Wells: Bring hot water or steam to the surface.
  • Injection Wells: Send cooled water back underground to keep the system working smoothly and sustainably.

Geothermal Potential in Dirang

• Dirang is classified as a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal zone.
• Reservoir temperature is estimated at 115°C, making it ideal for direct-use applications.
• The initiative is backed by international scientific collaboration involving CESHS, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo, Iceland-based geothermal firm Geotropy ehf, and the Guwahati Boring Service (GBS) drilling team

Digha Temple

Context: The newly built Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal was inaugurated on Akshay Trithiya in Purba Medinipur district.

About Digha Jagannath Temple

• The temple is a replica of the 12th-century Puri Jagannath Temple.
• Dedicated to: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Goddess Mahalaxmi.
• Architectural style: The temple is 213 feet high and follows the Kalingan architectural style, using Bansi Paharpur sandstone.
• Supervised by:  The West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation.
• Main features: It features four main structures i.e., Vimana (sanctum), Jagamohan (assembly hall), Nat Mandir (dance hall), and Bhog Mandap (offering hall).

Repairability Index

Context: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has received the final report on the Framework for Repairability Index (RI) from a dedicated committee. 

What is the Repairability Index (RI)?

• The Repairability Index is a score assigned to electronic products that indicates how easy it is to repair them. 
• It is designed to empower consumers to make informed decisions and encourage manufacturers to produce more repair-friendly products.
• RI promotes “mindful utilization” over “wasteful consumption”, empowering consumer choice.
• It is provided by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)

Key Recommendations of the Committee

• The Repairability Index (RI) framework will apply initially to smartphones and tablets.
• OEMs to self-declare RI using standardized scoring criteria.
• RI to be displayed at point of sale, e-commerce platforms, and as a QR code on packaging.
• Focus on priority parts:  Battery, Display, Cameras, Charging port, Buttons, Speakers, etc.
• Six RI parameters:
• 1. Disassembly Depth
  2. Repair Information
  3. Spare Parts Availability
  4. Software Updates
  5. Tools
  6. Fasteners
• Scoring on a 5-point scale based on weighted criteria.

Operation Shiva

Context: The Security forces are preparing to launch Operation Shiva to guard the upcoming Amarnath yatra in Kashmir.

About the Operation Shiva

• Objective: Operation Shiva is a multi-agency security initiative to safeguard the Amarnath Yatra, an annual Hindu pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Heightened Security Context: The operation is taking place amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
• Route Vulnerability: One of the two main pilgrimage routes passes through Pahalgam, just 6 km from the site of the Baisaran attack.
• • The other route is from Baltal near Sonamarg.

About the Amarnath Yatra

• The Amarnath Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine located in the Himalayas of south Kashmir.
• The cave houses a naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam, considered sacred by devotees of Lord Shiva.

MAHA-EV Mission

Context:  The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) announced the selection of seven e-Nodes for support under its  MAHA-EV Mission.

About MAHA-EV Mission

• Full Form: Mission for Advancement of High-impact Areas on Electric Vehicles.
• Objective: To address critical challenges and drive innovation in India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.
• Focus: Advancing R&D in electric mobility with industry-academia collaboration.
• The each selected electric mobility nodes (e-nodes) will execute the project in consortia mode involving academic institutions/R&D laboratories with the mandatory industry participation.

Technological Verticals (TV) under MAHA-EV

1. TV-I: Tropical EV Battery and Battery Cells
2. TV-II: Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD)
3. TV-III: EV Charging Infrastructure

Selected e-Nodes (Institutions)

1. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
2. International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad
3. National Institute of Technology (NIT) Surathkal
4. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
5. Indian Institute of Technology-BHU
6. CSIR–Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani
7. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

UN Vesak Day

Context: The Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs addressed a global gathering at the United Nations Vesak Day-2025 Celebrations held at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. 

About UN Vesak Day

• UN Vesak Day is an international observance recognized by the United Nations to celebrate the life of Gautama Buddha.
• It is one of the most important festivals for Buddhists worldwide.

Key Facts About UN Vesak Day

• Date: Celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of Vesakha (usually in May or early June).
• UN Recognition: Officially acknowledged by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 (Resolution 54/115).
• Significance: Honors the three major events in Buddha’s life:
  • Birth (in Lumbini, Nepal)
  • Enlightenment (under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India)
  • Passing into Parinirvana (in Kushinagar, India)
• 2025 Vesak Day Date: The exact date varies by country and tradition, but in 2025, it will be celebrated on May 12.
• Theme of Vesak Day 2025: “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity; Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development”.

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