News in Shorts: 13 October 2025

Operation Golden Sweep

Context: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a major international gold smuggling syndicate under Operation Golden Sweep, seizing 10.5 kg gold worth ₹12.58 crore.

About Operation Golden Sweep

• The DRI launched Operation Golden Sweep based on specific intelligence inputs to counter transnational gold smuggling through Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
• Agencies Involved: The operation was conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence with close coordination among airport authorities and intelligence units.
• Objective of the Operation
• • Countering Transnational Gold Smuggling: The primary goal was to dismantle a sophisticated smuggling syndicate exploiting international transit passengers and corrupt airport staff.
  • Protecting Economic and National Security: The DRI aimed to safeguard India’s economic interests by preventing illegal inflows of gold that undermine fiscal stability and promote black-market activities.
• Significance: The operation dismantled a multi-layered smuggling network spanning multiple countries, exposing insider threats in sensitive infrastructure.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

• The DRI is India’s premier agency for combating smuggling, economic offenses, and customs fraud. established in 1957 .
• Nodal Body: DRI functions under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance.
• Role and Functions:
• • Investigates smuggling of gold, narcotics, and high-value contraband.
  • Enforces customs laws and protects India’s economic interests.
  • Conducts intelligence-based operations and dismantles transnational crime networks.
  • Coordinates with international agencies to curb cross-border economic offenses.

International Purple Fest 2025

Context: Recently, three landmark initiatives were launched to enhance accessibility in listening, reading, and writing for persons with disabilities at the International Purple Fest 2025.

About International Purple Fest 2025

• Introduction:  The International Purple Fest 2025 is a global celebration of inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment for persons with disabilities.
  • The third edition of the event was held in Goa from October 9 to 12, 2025
• Hosted by: Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa.
  • It was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and United Nations India.
• Objective: To promote inclusive thinking, universal design, and equal participation for persons with disabilities in education, employment, and society.
• 2025 Central Focus :  “Cultivating Inclusive Thinking as the Foundation for Universal Design.”

Key Initiatives Launched

• IELTS Training Handbook for Persons with Disabilities: Developed by Believe in the Invisible (BITI) with DEPwD support, the handbook makes IELTS preparation inclusive and accessible for persons with visual, hearing, locomotor, and other disabilities.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certification: The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) introduced RPL certification for Children and Siblings of Deaf Adults (CODA & SODA) under the Skill Training Initiative of DEPwD.
• Specialized Training in ASL and BSL: ISLRTC announced a Basic Training Programme on American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Languages (BSL) to expand global exposure and professional opportunities for Indian Sign Language interpreters.

Significance: The Fest embodies India’s vision of building an inclusive, equitable, and barrier-free society for all individuals, regardless of ability.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR)

Context: The world observed the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR)  on 13th October emphasizing the importance of building disaster-resilient communities and promoting global awareness on disaster preparedness.

About the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR)

• IDDRR was established in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster prevention.
• Objective: To encourage governments, organizations, and citizens worldwide to participate in efforts that reduce disaster risks and enhance community resilience.
• 2025 Theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters”
• • It highlights the need for increased investments in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and calls for all development and private investments to be risk-informed and resilient.
  • It stresses the economic and social importance of funding resilience measures rather than reacting to disasters after they occur.

About the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

• The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) serves as the nodal UN agency coordinating international efforts in disaster risk management and reduction.
• UNDRR leads implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), which aims to substantially reduce global disaster mortality, economic losses, and infrastructure damage.
• Key Initiatives
• • Promotes early warning systems, community-based disaster preparedness, and risk-informed development planning.
  • Partners with governments, private sector, and civil society to integrate disaster risk considerations into national policies and sustainable development agendas

Bharat Taxi

Context: The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has partnered with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited to launch Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-driven national ride-hailing platform by December 2025.

About Bharat Taxi

• Bharat Taxi is a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-driven ride-hailing initiative that aims to offer transparent, citizen-centric, and technology-enabled mobility services across India.
• Promoters and Support: The platform is being jointly promoted by key cooperative and financial institutions including NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, and NCEL.
• Vision and Alignment: Bharat Taxi aligns with the Digital India programme’s goal of fostering inclusive, tech-enabled, and citizen-first public services through cooperative empowerment and digital innovation.
• Objective: The initiative seeks to transform India’s mobility ecosystem by creating a trust-based, cooperative alternative to global ride-hailing platforms, ensuring fair income distribution and service transparency.

Key Features of the initiative 

• Platform Integration: it will enable integration with national digital platforms such as DigiLocker, UMANG, and API Setu, allowing secure and seamless digital access for users.
• Security and Compliance: NeGD will ensure cybersecurity, privacy protection, and adherence to national data protection norms, supporting robust technical infrastructure.
• User Accessibility and Inclusivity: The platform will incorporate multilingual UI/UX design and inclusive accessibility features, ensuring equitable service for all citizens.

Significance

• The initiative represents India’s move towards a cooperative-led, secure, and interoperable digital public mobility platform, reinforcing NeGD’s commitment to inclusive digital governance and citizen empowerment.

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