Operation Keller

Context: Recently, the Indian Army launched “Operation Keller” in the forests of Shopian’s Keller area in Kashmir.

About “Operation Keller”

• It is a search and destroy Operation.
• Conducted by: Indian army in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K Police) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
• Aimed at neutralizing terrorists hiding in the region.
• Significance of Operation Keller
  • Follows Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
  • Strengthens security efforts in South Kashmir, particularly in Shopian and Pulwama

Ayurveda Day

Context: The Government of India has declared 23rd September as the official date to celebrate Ayurveda Day every year.

Why the Change?

• Until now, Ayurveda Day coincided with Dhanteras, a festival observed in the Hindu month of Kartik (usually October or November). 
• However, as the date of Dhanteras fluctuates each year, the observance of Ayurveda Day lacked a fixed annual date.

Significance of 23rd September

• This date coincides with the autumnal equinox, when day and night are nearly equal.
• The equinox marks a day when day and night are nearly equal.
• It represents balance in nature, similar to Ayurveda’s idea of mind-body harmony.
• Ayurveda focuses on living in sync with natural rhythms for better health and well-being.

Yak Genome

Context: Researchers from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) mapped its chromosome-level genome of the Indian yak.

About the Indian Yak

• Scientific name: Bos grunniens
• known as: The ‘ship of the Himalayas’
• Geographical distribution: In India, yaks are reared in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Wild yak (Bos mutus)

Conservation status

• The wild yak (Bos mutus) is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

What is Yak genomics?

• Yak genomics is the scientific study of the genetic makeup of yaks (Bos grunniens), focusing on their genome structure, gene functions, and evolutionary adaptations.
• The National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR-NRCY) in Arunachal Pradesh carried out India’s first whole genome sequencing of the yak.

NaBFID Sets Stage for First Dollar Bond Offering

Context: The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) held non-deal investor meetings in Hong Kong recently as part of preparations for its first offshore bond issue.

About Offshore Bonds

• An offshore bond refers to a debt instrument issued in a country different from the issuer’s home country, typically denominated in a foreign currency, and often sold to foreign investors.

About Dollar Bond Offering

• Precedent: In September 2024, REC Ltd (power sector financier) raised $500 million at an interest rate of 4.75%.
• Dollar Bond Market: NaBFID bonds would be issued outside India and would be denominated in US dollars.

About NaBFID

• It is a specialized Statutory Development Finance Institution (DFI) in India aimed at supporting the country’s infrastructure sector.
  • It is fully owned by the Indian government.
  • NaBFID was set up in 2021, by an Act of the Parliament (The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act, 2021),
• Sovereign Support and Government Grant: It benefits from a sovereign guarantee on foreign currency borrowings and has received a ₹5,000 crore grant to lower funding costs.

Sikkim Celebrates 50 Years of Statehood

Context: In 2025, Sikkim celebrates its Golden Jubilee (50 years) of Statehood.

About Sikkim and its Statehood

• Foundation and Early Rule: The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded in the 17th century by the Namgyal dynasty.
  • It was ruled by Buddhist priest-kings known as the Chogyal.
• Colonial Era: In 1890, Sikkim became a princely state under the British Indian Empire.
• Post-Independence Status: Sikkim became a protectorate of India in 1950 following the Indo-Sikkimese Treaty.
  • India assumed responsibility for the external relations, defense and strategic communications of Sikkim.
• Integration with India: Sikkim became the 22nd State of India on May 16, 1975 after a Referendum. 
  • The state of Sikkim was formed by the 36th Amendment of the Constitution of India in 1975.

Unique Celebration Events

• A 16-day Butterthon (May 1–16) was organized to mark 50 years of Sikkim’s Statehood.
  • The Butterthon is a butterfly-watching event.
• It highlights the State’s rich biodiversity and promotes eco-tourism.
  • Butterfly Diversity in Sikkim: Sikkim is home to about 700 butterfly species, nearly half of India’s total.
  • Dzongu area: Around 420 species (61% of the butterflies in the State) are concentrated in the Dzongu region adjoining the Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve.

1267 Sanctions Committee

Context: An Indian technical team is in New York interacting with the Monitoring Team of the 1267 Sanctions Committee.

• India has accused The Resistance Front (TRF) of carrying out the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, and is working towards getting the TRF banned under the 1267 Committee.

About 1267 Sanctions Committee/ Daesh and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee

• Establishment: Set up in 1999 through UN Security Council Resolution 1267.
• Composition: The Committee comprises all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)and makes its decision by consensus.
• The 1267 List: The 1267 list is a global list of terrorists with a UNSC stamp.
  • It discusses UN efforts to limit the movement of terrorists, especially those related to travel bans, the freezing of assets and arms embargoes for terrorism.
• Chair and Vice Chair of Committee: The Chair of the Committee, for the period ending 31 December 2024, is Her Excellency Mrs. Vanessa Frazier (Malta). 
  • The two Vice-Chairs for 2024 are the Russian Federation and Sierra Leone.

Supreme Court Directs States to Ensure Proper Footpaths for Pedestrians

Context: The Supreme Court observed that lack of footpaths forces pedestrians on roads, raising accident risk.

• The Bench was hearing a case over the delay in the implementation of the cashless scheme for treating road accident victims.

Key Points Mentioned By The Supreme Court

• Right Of Pedestrians: This court has recognised that the right of pedestrians to use footpaths is guaranteed under Article 21 (right to life and dignity) of the Constitution. 
• Support In the Golden Hour: The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of Golden Hour Treatment.
  • Golden hour’ is the 60 minutes following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care.

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