Mission Amrit Sarovar

Context: More than 68,000 ponds have been either constructed or rejuvenated  under mission Amrit Sarovar to combat water scarcity as of January 2025.

• Phase II: The mission has entered its second phase with renewed focus on ensuring water availability, with community participation (Jan Bhagidaari) at its core.

About Mission Amrit Sarovar

• Launch: The Amrit Sarovar Mission was launched on 24th April 2022 as part of the celebration of Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Objective: To serve as a symbols of climate resilience and ecological balance, contributing to the nation’s overall water management strategy.
• Aim: To develop/ rejuvenate 75 ponds in each district, with a total target of 50,000 Amrit Sarovars nationwide.
• Implementation: The Mission is based on “Whole of Government” approach with the participation from,
  • The Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and technical organizations.
• Features:
  • Distinct as Unit: Every district of the country will have to  construct or rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovars.
  • Area and Capacity: Every Amrit Sarovar will have a pondage area of at least 1 acre with a water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic metre.
  • Community resource: The water of the ponds will be used for different purposes like irrigation, fisheries, duckery, cultivation of water chestnut, water tourism and other activities.
    • The Amrit Sarovar will also act as a social gathering point in that locality.
  • Convergence: The Mission converges various schemes such as MGNREGA, 15th Finance Commission Grants, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayi Yojna sub schemes such as Watershed Development Component, Har Khet ko Pani, besides States’ own scheme.
• Benefits:
  • Sustainable Water Sources: To ensure significant enhancement in surface and groundwater availability across various regions, addressing immediate water needs and establishing sustainable water sources for the future.
  • Climate Resilience: The creation of ponds will help in the climate resilience efforts as it will regulate temperatures and ensure water availability for various use.  
  • Livelihoods: The mission will emphasize the well-being of local communities as it provides them resources for drinking, irrigation, animal rearing etc. and boost water tourism.

UAE Blue Visa

Context: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (UAE), in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), announced the first phase of the Blue Visa system.

About Blue Visa

• The UAE Blue Visa is a 10-year residency permit designed for individuals who have made significant contributions to environmental sustainability
• Purpose of the Blue Visa
  • Aims to recognize and support individuals making significant contributions to environmental protection.
  • Seeks to achieve national sustainability goals and build a sustainable future for the UAE and the world.
• Who is Eligible?
  • The Blue Visa targets individuals actively involved in environmental sustainability, including:
    • Members of international organizations and sustainability companies.
    • Non-governmental organizations working on environmental issues.
    • Global award winners in environmental work.
    • Researchers and activists recognized for their efforts in sustainability.
• Key Features
  • Builds on existing UAE residency programs like the Golden Visa and Green Visa.
  • Applicable to sustainability efforts both within and outside the UAE.
• Other Long-Term Residency Options in UAE
  • Golden Visa (2019): 10-year residency for investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students, and humanitarian pioneers.
  • Green Visa (2022): 5-year residency for skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Veer Savarkar in Marseille

Context: During his visit to Marseille, France, the Indian  Prime Minister highlighted the city’s historical connection to India’s freedom struggle and to the people of Marseille.

About Veer Savarkar

• Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Swatantryaveer Savarkar.
• He was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, politician, and the ideologue behind the concept of Hindutva. 
• He was born in Bhagur, Maharashtra. 
• Savarkar was a key figure in the Hindu Mahasabha and played a significant role in shaping the idea of a collective Hindu identity. 
  • Although he was an atheist, he followed Hindu philosophy pragmatically.

Veer Savarkar’s Attempted Escape

• Background:
  • Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was arrested in London in March 1910 on charges of anti-state activities and involvement in the murder of Nashik magistrate A M T Jackson.
• About Marseille Incident
  • It is a famous incident involving Veer Savarkar in 1910.
  • He was being transported to India for trial on the ship SS Morea.
  • On July 8, He tried to escape by jumping into the waters at the French port city of Marseille. 
    • He reached shore but a French maritime officer caught him and handed him to British guards mistaking him as a crew member. 
  • This incident caused a diplomatic dispute between France and Britain.

Political Career and Ideology

• After his release in 1937, Savarkar became an influential orator and writer, advocating for Hindu political unity.
• As president of the Hindu Mahasabha, he promoted the idea of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation).
• Criticized the Quit India Movement in 1942 and resigned from the Hindu Mahasabha.

MATSYA 6000

Context: India’s first manned submersible, Matsya 6000, is expected to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres in the ocean by 2026.

About Matsya 6000

• Matsya 6000 is a manned deep-sea submersible  for exploration of the ocean with operational depth capacity of 6,000 metres below sea level.
• Developed by: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai under Samudrayaan mission as a component of Deep Ocean Mission of  the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Launch Timeline: Expected by 2026.

Features and  Applications

• Structure: Made of 80mm-thick titanium alloy, designed to withstand 600 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level.
• Endurance: Can operate for 12-16 hours with a 96-hour emergency oxygen supply.
• Technological Components: Includes buoyancy management, power and control systems, maneuvering propellers, subsea intervention manipulators, navigation, communication systems, and onboard energy storage.
• Collaboration: Personnel sphere (2.1m internal diameter) developed in partnership with ISRO.
• Mission Role: Conducts deep-sea biodiversity exploration, mineral resource assessment, and scientific surveys.

Significance of Matsya 6000

• Deep Ocean Exploration Capability: Enables India to explore marine biodiversity and mineral resources at extreme depths.
• Component of India’s Deep Ocean Mission: Supports the ₹4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission, approved in 2021, for deep-sea exploration, mining and underwater robotics.
• Pioneering Technology: Positions India among a select group of nations with advanced deep-sea exploration capabilities.
  • India will be the sixth Nation to achieve this capability, the other five nations  are the U.S. , France, China, Russia and Japan.
• Strategic and Economic Impact: Offers technological spin-offs in underwater engineering, ocean literacy promotion, and asset inspection for sustainable marine resource utilization

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