150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union

Context: On World Post Day (9 Oct, 2025), the Department of Posts, Government of India released commemorative postage stamps.

• The stamps honor the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
• This year’s World Post Day marks 170 years of India Post’s service.

About the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

• Established : October 9, 1874, in Bern, Switzerland by Treaty of Bern.
• It is the second oldest international organization worldwide.
• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system.
• With its 192 member countries, it serves as a key organization for international postal cooperation and standardizing postal regulations.
• Membership: Any member country of the United Nations may become a member of the UPU.
• India’s Role:
  • India joined the UPU in 1876.
  • India is one of the UPU’s oldest and most active members, contributing to the union’s goal of making postal services accessible worldwide.

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Eighth edition of IBSAMAR

Context: INS Talwar, a frontline stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, reached Simon’s Town, South Africa, on 6 October 2024.

About IBSAMAR VIII Maritime Exercise

• It is a joint maritime exercise involving Indian, Brazilian, and South African Navies. 
• Objective of IBSAMAR VIII
  • Goal: To enhance interoperability and strengthen ties among the participating navies.
  • Focus: Based on Blue Water Naval Warfare, covering Surface and Anti-Air Warfare dimensions. Importance of Multilateral Exercises
• Mutual Trust and interoperability: These interactions foster mutual trust and interoperability among the navies of like-minded countries.
  • They contribute to a peaceful maritime domain and positive maritime environment.
• Strengthening India-South Africa Defence Ties
  • Defence cooperation between India and South Africa has been growing, with initiatives like Operational Sea Training and Submarine Rescue Support.
  • These initiatives followed the 12th Navy-to-Navy talks held in New Delhi in August 2024.

About INS Talwar 

• Commissioning: INS Talwar was commissioned on 18 June 2003.
• Fleet: It is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based in Mumbai.

National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), Lothal, Gujarat

Context: The Union Cabinet approved the development of NMHC at Lothal, Gujarat.

More on the News

• Project Phases: The project will be completed in two phases, with in-principle approval for Phase 1B and Phase 2.

About National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

• NMHC is an upcoming tourism complex designed to showcase India’s rich maritime heritage.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterway (MoPSW)
• Main Features and Attractions
  • Recreated Historical Sites: The complex will include replicas of ancient Harappan cities like Lothal and Dholavira to offer visitors a glimpse of these archaeological treasures.
  • Facilities: Planned amenities include museums, amusement parks, educational institutes, hotels, and resorts, making it a comprehensive cultural and recreational destination.
• Significance
  • Cultural and Educational Hub: NMHC will serve as a major center for learning about India’s maritime history, attracting tourists, researchers, and history enthusiasts alike.

Lothal: An Ancient Harappan Site in Gujarat

• Southernmost Harappan Site: Located in the Bhal region of Gujarat, Lothal is one of the southernmost cities of the Harappan civilization.
  • Historical Construction: Believed to have been established around 2200 BC.
• Advanced Maritime Infrastructure: Lothal had one of the world’s earliest dockyards, facilitating trade by connecting the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati River.
• Nomination Date: Lothal was proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in April 2014.
  • Global Recognition: This nomination highlights Lothal’s historical importance and advanced urban planning.
• Archaeological Discovery: Discovered in 1954 by archaeologist S.R. Rao, who played a key role in uncovering the site’s significance.
• Important other Sites: Surkotada and Dholavira are also notable Harappan sites in Gujarat, showcasing the region’s rich ancient history.

Additional Reading: National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

Project Shaurya Gatha

Context: Project Shaurya Gatha was  launched by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan during the Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF).

Project Shaurya Gatha

• Initiated by: Department of Military Affairs and the United Services Institution of India (USI).
• Objective: To preserve and promote India’s rich military legacy through education and tourism.
• Key Features:
  • Documenting India’s military history.
  • Promoting tourism to significant military sites.
  • Conducting educational programs to engage youth and the general public.

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Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF)

• Inaugurated: The 2nd edition was inaugurated by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on November 8, 2024, in New Delhi.
• Purpose: To enhance public understanding of India’s military heritage, history, and strategic priorities.
• Organiser: United Services Institution of India through its Center for Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS).
• Highlights:
• • Panel discussions with experts.
  • Defence exhibitions by DRDO and the armed forces.
  • Participation of NCC cadets and cultural programs.
  • Launch of publications related to military history and security.

Anti-Terror Conference 2024

Context: The Union Home Minister inaugurated the second Anti-Terror Conference 2024 in New Delhi emphasising the Government of India’s commitment to eradicating terrorism with a zero-tolerance approach.

Key Topics from Anti-Terror Conference 2024

• Terrorist Group Prevention and Criminal Connections: Focus on blocking the formation of new terror groups with a “ruthless” approach, as advised by the Union Home Minister.
  • Discussions on how organised crime, especially in northeast India, contributes to terror funding.
  • Concerns over the growing presence of Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) in southern states and international crime syndicates’ links to terrorism.
• Case Studies and Emerging Threats: Analysis of the Rameshwaram café blast case, highlighting the arrest achieved through collaboration between West Bengal police and the NIA.
  • Exploration of new smuggling methods using drones to transport arms and drugs across borders.
• Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Coordination: Emphasis on creating a unified anti-terror structure with better coordination between counter-terrorism teams and local police.
  • Strategies to combat terror financing and dismantle support networks in areas impacted by Left-Wing Extremism.
• Technological Challenges in Terrorism:Examining how terror groups use social media, encrypted apps, VPNs, and virtual numbers for communication.
  • Addressing the threat narcotics trafficking poses to national security.
• Collaboration and Unified Approach: Participants emphasised the need for a standardised anti-terror framework at all levels, highlighting collaboration among central and state agencies as essential to national security.
• National Databases for Anti-Terror Efforts: Utilising the NIA’s national terror database, which includes data on fingerprints, terrorist incidents, narcotics offenders, and human trafficking, to strengthen investigations.
• Call for Skilled Officers: Union Home Secretary urged states to send competent officers to the NIA, which would not only bolster the agency’s capabilities but also enhance investigative practices when these officers return to state service.
• Use of UAPA: Discussions stressed the careful application of UAPA, emphasising its effective and judicious use to avoid misuse.
• Capacity-Building Initiatives: Plans for additional training sessions by the NIA, along with more National Forensic Science University (NFSU) campuses and Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), were announced to support state-level counter-terror efforts.
• Focus on Financial and Cyber Terrorism: The role of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was highlighted for managing financial and cybercrimes.

Decline in Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest Deforestation

Context: Brazil’s Amazon rainforest experienced a significant 30.6% decrease in deforestation compared to the previous year.

Key Findings

• Reduced Deforestation:
  • Lowest Level in Nine Years: This marks the lowest level of Amazon deforestation in nine years.
  • Cerrado Deforestation Decline: Deforestation in the Cerrado, Brazil’s vast savannah, also decreased by 25.7%, marking its first decline in five years.

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About the Amazon Rainforest

• Global Significance: The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, crucial for global climate regulation and biodiversity.
• Geographical Spread: It covers over 2 million square miles and spans across nine countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
• Carbon Sink: It absorbs massive amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.
• Water Tower: The Amazon is a vital source of freshwater for South America, influencing global weather patterns.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: It is home to millions of plant and animal species, many of which are unique to the region.
• Indigenous Communities: Numerous Indigenous communities rely on the Amazon for their livelihoods and cultural heritage.
• Continued Challenges: While the recent decline in deforestation is encouraging, ongoing challenges such as climate change, illegal logging, and agricultural expansion continue to threaten the Amazon rainforest.
  • Sustained efforts are needed to protect this vital ecosystem for future generations.
• Additional Reading: Flora and Fauna Biodiversity: Rainforests, River Basins, and Deserts.

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