Etalin Hydel Project

Context: India’s environment ministry will reappraise Arunachal Pradesh’s Etalin hydel project days after China began constructing the world’s largest hydropower plant upstream.

About the Etalin Dam Project

• Introduction: The Etalin Hydroelectric Project is a 3,087 MW run-of-the-river project located in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Developed by:  Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Ltd.
• Structure: The project involves the construction of concrete gravity dams on the Dri and Talo rivers, both tributaries of the Dibang river.
• Project Purpose : It aims to generate hydroelectric power without large-scale water storage.

What is a run-of-the-river project?

• It is a hydroelectric power project that generates electricity using a river’s natural flow and elevation drop, without requiring a large dam or reservoir.

About Dibang River

• The Dibang River is a major right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
• Origin: It originates near the Keya Pass on the Indo-China border in the Upper Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• River course: It traverses the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
  • In the plains of Assam, it merges with the Lohit and Siang rivers, which together form the Brahmaputra.

Karnataka New Devadasi Legislation

Context: Karnataka is finalising Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill to overhaul its 1982 law on the Devadasi system, aiming for stronger rehabilitation and legal recognition of rights.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Legitimacy and Inheritance: Children born to Devadasis will be deemed “legitimate” with full rights to inheritance under Hindu Personal Law.
• Paternity and DNA Testing: The child has the right to seek recognition of their father; DNA tests may be used to establish paternity, with the burden of disapproval on the alleged father.
• Right to Privacy: Children will not be compelled to name their father while applying for IDs like Aadhaar, PAN, or passports.
• Right to Maintenance: Male children (till minority) and female children (till marriage) can claim maintenance from the named father.
• Stricter Penalties: Minimum punishment increased to two years (from none), maximum to five years (from three), with a fine of ₹1 lakh for involvement in Devadasi dedication.
• Rehabilitation Measures: The Bill ensures land, housing, pensions, and health support for Devadasis, addressing their acute socio-economic vulnerabilities.

About the Devadasi System

• Definition: The Devadasi system involves dedicating young girls, often from marginalized communities, to temples in the name of serving deities, a practice that leads to lifelong social exploitation.
• Ancient Origin: Historically, Devadasis were temple dancers and caretakers involved in religious rituals, often respected in society.
  • It appears in early medieval South Indian literature and inscriptions, particularly from the 6th to 9th centuries CE.
• Modern-Day Practice: The system has degenerated into a form of caste-based bonded sex work in some parts of India, violating basic human rights.

Bharat NCX 2025

Context: Recently the Bharat NCX 2025 cyber security exercise was  organised in New Delhi.

About Bharat NCX 2025

• Objective: To enhance the operational preparedness of Indian cyberspace through live simulations and strategic drills.
• Theme: “Enhancing the Operational Preparedness of Indian Cyberspace”
• Nodal Agencies Involved: National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) &  Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).
• Strategic Goal: To improve India’s capacity to prevent cyber threats, lower vulnerabilities, and ensure rapid recovery from cyber incidents affecting national infrastructure.

Key Features of Bharat NCX 2025

• Strategic Leadership Involvement: The STRATEX exercise engages top leaders in managing simulated national cyber crises to improve real-time decision-making.
• Public-Private Collaboration: Through the CISO Conclave and Startup Exhibition, the event fosters innovation and partnerships to build a secure, self-reliant digital ecosystem.

Vanuatu

Context: The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, facing rising sea levels and extreme weather, is leading a case at the International Court of Justice to clarify nations’ legal responsibilities in tackling climate change.

About Vanuatu

• Location: Island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, part of Melanesia.
• Lies east of Australia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands.
• Comprises over 80 islands (65 inhabited) arranged in a Y-shape spanning about 400 miles (650 km).
• No land borders; surrounded by a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Capital: Port Vila, located on the island of Efate.
• Major Islands: Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate.
• Geographical Features:
  • Volcanic in origin, featuring rugged mountains, high plateaus, rolling hills, coastal plains, and offshore coral reefs.
  • Home to active volcanoes such as Mount Yasur (one of the world’s most accessible), Manaro, and Garet.
  • Mount Tabwemasana on Espiritu Santo is the tallest peak in the country.

Lokmanya Tilak

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Lokmanya Tilak on his birth anniversary

About Balangadhar Tilak

• Born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, into a Chitpavan Brahmin family.
• Revered as Lokmanya Tilak, he was a leading nationalist, reformer, and a key figure in the Lal-Bal-Pal trio.
• Called the “Father of Indian Unrest” by the British for his assertive push for Swaraj (self-rule).

Political Strategy and Mass Mobilization

• Championed assertive nationalism, differing from early Congress moderates.
• Famously declared: “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it.”
• Surat Split (1907): Played a central role in the Congress split—Extremists (led by Tilak and Lajpat Rai) opposed the Moderates over the presidential nomination.
  • Extremists supported Tilak/ Lajpat Rai, but Rasbehari Ghose was elected with Moderate backing, leading to open rift.
• Advocated Swadeshi, boycotts of British goods, and mass protests.
• Co-founded the All India Home Rule League in 1916 with Annie Besant and others; it reached 32,000+ members by 1917.
• Played a central role in the Lucknow Pact (1916), fostering Hindu-Muslim unity between INC and the Muslim League.

Ideological Beliefs

• Promoted Swaraj through cultural nationalism rooted in Hindu traditions.
• Revived festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi (1893) and Shivaji Jayanti to unify and inspire people.
• Criticised British rule for exploiting India’s wealth and stifling its culture.

Contributions to Education

• Co-founded the Deccan Education Society (1884) with Gopal Ganesh Agarkar.
• Helped establish Fergusson College (1885) in Pune as a hub for nationalist education.
• Advocated education in Indian languages to promote national awareness.

Journalism and Writing

• Co-founded the newspapers Kesari (Marathi) and The Mahratta (English).
• Faced multiple sedition charges but stood firm in defending freedom of speech.
• Books: Gita Rhasya and Arctic Home of the Vedas.

V S Achuthanandan

Context: Recently, Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, a veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), passed away at the age of 101 in July 2025.

About V S Achuthanandan

• Born on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, Alappuzha. 
• Early involvement with workers’ rights and coir factory activism.
• Political Career: Joined CPI in 1940 and later CPI(M) after its split in 1964.
  • Active in the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt (1946) against Travancore’s Diwan and was jailed.
  • Chief Minister of Kerala (2006-2011): Led LDF to victory in 2006, becoming CM at 82.
• Remembered as Kerala’s “Darling of the masses,” a ruthless organiser, fiery opposition leader, and moral compass in politics

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