Dogequest

Context: Dogequest is a controversial website that has recently gained attention for publishing personal information of Tesla car owners across the United States. 

• The site has sparked significant outrage due to its invasive practices and the potential risks it poses to the privacy and safety of individuals.

More about the Dogequest

• Dogequest describes itself as an anonymous platform aimed at empowering protesters against Tesla. 
• The website features an interactive map that displays the names, addresses, and phone numbers of Tesla owners. 
• Additionally, it lists the locations of Tesla dealerships, charging stations.
• The site also features  the addresses of employees from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency associated with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Controversial Features

• The website has been criticized for its use of a Molotov cocktail as its cursor, which many see as an incitement to violence. 
• Furthermore, Dogequest includes a section that openly encourages vandalism, suggesting that users can “unleash their artistic flair with a spray can” on Tesla vehicles. 
• This rhetoric has raised serious concerns about the potential for violence and the safety of Tesla owners.

Sangita Kalanidhi Award

Context: Renowned violinist R.K. Shriramkumar has been chosen for the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award 2025 by the Music Academy.

About Sangita Kalanidhi Award

• Sangita Kalanidhi means “Treasure of Music and Art”.
• Awarded by: The award is given every year by the Madras Music Academy to honor exceptional Carnatic musicians.
• History
  • The idea for the award was conceived in 1942 by Academy President K.V. Krishnaswami Iyer.
  • On January 1, 1943, all musicians who had presided over the annual conferences from 1929 to 1942 were retroactively awarded the title.
• Award Components
  • Gold Medal and Citation: The award includes a gold medal and a birudu patra (citation).
  • Additional Award Since 2005:
    • From 2005 onwards, the Sangita Kalanidhi awardee also receives the MS Subbulakshmi Award, which is sponsored by The Hindu.
    • The cash award amount was increased through contributions from P. Vijaykumar Reddy, son of past Vice-President P. Obul Reddy.

Notable recipients

• Palamarneri Swaminatha Iyer (1931)
• Umayalpuram Swaminatha Iyer (possibly awarded in 1936)
• Mangudi Chidambara Bhagavatar (1937)

TB Champions’

Context: The Meghalaya government is taking innovative steps to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by involving TB survivors as ‘TB champions.’ 

About TB Champions

• TB champions are TB survivors. 
• Their work targets tribal communities to improve health outcomes and reduce TB’s impact.
• Role of TB Champions :TB champions play a key role in addressing  these challenges, especially in tribal areas:
  • Awareness Creation: Educate people about TB symptoms and the importance of early testing.
  • Promote Free Testing and Treatment: Inform patients about free government programmes and encourage them to complete their treatment.
  • Reduce Stigma: Fight myths and fears associated with TB by sharing their own experiences.

Lapis Lazuli: Earth’s Best Blues

Context: Lapis Lazuli, a deep-blue gemstone with golden flecks, has been cherished for its beauty and symbolism throughout history.

About Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious gemstone.

• The word “Lapis” comes from Latin, meaning “stone”.
• “Lazuli” comes from the Persian word “Lazhwārd,” meaning “blue”.
• Composition
  • Key Mineral: Its blue colour comes from lazurite, which makes up 25-40% of the rock.
  • Mineral Effect:
    • Bluer Shade: Depends on the sulphur content in lazurite.
    • Calcite Presence: Reduces the intensity of the blue.
    • Golden Sparkle: Caused by pyrites (a mineral).
• Sources of Lapis Lazuli
  • Found in Chile, Russia, the US, and other countries.
  • Best Quality: The highest quality lapis lazuli comes from Badakhshan province, Afghanistan, where it has been mined for over 6,000 years.
• Historical Importance
  • Trade with India: Lapis lazuli was imported from Badakhshan to India as early as 1000 BC.
  • Indus Valley Civilisation: Archaeologists found lapis lazuli ornaments at sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.
    Ancient Egypt: Egyptians used it for jewellery and as eye shadow by grinding it into powder.
  • European Renaissance: Artists ground lapis lazuli into ultramarine pigment, which was very expensive and used in paintings.

Sahyog Portal

Context: X Corp. (formerly Twitter Inc.) has challenged the Indian government’s content blocking orders in the Karnataka High Court.

• The company opposes the Sahyog Portal, calling it a “censorship portal” that bypasses legal safeguards under the IT Act, 2000.
  

About Sahyog Portal

• Sahyog Portalan is an online platform developed to automate notices for content removal under the IT Act.
• Mission: To create a structured framework for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime.
• Developed by: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Function: Enables removal or disabling of access to unlawful online content.
• Brings together: Authorized Agencies and intermediaries on a common platform.
  

Legal Framework on Blocking and Intermediary Liability

• Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000: Empowers the government to block public access to online content for national security, sovereignty, and public order concerns. It must follow safeguards set by the Supreme Court in the Shreya Singhal case (2015):
  • Blocking must be justified by a reasoned order.
  • The affected party should have an opportunity to contest the order.
• Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act: Defines intermediary liability for third-party content.It exempts platforms from liability unless they fail to remove illegal content when notified.

X Corp’s Argument: This provision should not be used for direct content blocking, as it is not intended for that purpose.

Stockholm Water Prize

Context: The Stockholm Water Prize for the year 2025 has been awarded to the Hydrologist Günter Blöschl, a pioneer of water engineering.

About Hydrologist Günter Blöschl

• He is a professor at the Vienna University of Technology and the current head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at the Vienna University of Technology
• Contribution:
  • His comprehensive database and analysis have deepened the global understanding of flood risk reduction and water resource management.
  • He contributed to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change coupled to the strong influence of regional flood processes.
  • His observation revealed that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to the historical record

About The Stockholm Water Prize

• The Stockholm Water Prize is an international water award presented annually since 1991 as part of the Stockholm Water Festival to people and organizations for extraordinary water-related achievements.
• Awarded By: The Stockholm Water Prize is awarded by the Stockholm Water Foundation in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• Official Patron: King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is the presenter and the official patron of the Prize.
• Presentation: The Prize will be presented during World Water Week in Stockholm in August.
• The Indian Winners: Rajendra Singh (2015) and Madhav Atmaram Chitale (1993) are the only 2 Indian winners of the Stockholm Water Prize.

Ottawa Convention on Landmines

Context: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have announced their intention to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans the use and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines. 

Reasons for Withdrawal

• Their decision to withdraw from the treaty is driven by growing security concerns due to the increasing military threat from Russia and Belarus.
• They believe that landmines serve as a deterrent against enemy infantry movements.
• There’s also growing concern that a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire could allow Moscow to rebuild its military and shift focus towards them.

About the Ottawa Convention on Landmines

• The Ottawa Convention, officially known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, was adopted in 1997 and came into effect in 1999. 
• Its primary goal is to eliminate anti-personnel landmines worldwide by prohibiting their use, stockpiling, production, and transfer.

Key Provisions of the Treaty

• Ban on Use – Signatory countries agree never to use anti-personnel mines.
• Destruction of Stockpiles – Nations must destroy their landmine stockpiles within four years of signing.
• Clearing Mined Areas – Countries must clear all mined areas within ten years of ratification.
• Assistance to Victims – The treaty promotes aid to landmine victims and their rehabilitation.

Global Participation

• Over 160 countries have ratified or acceded to the treaty.
• Russia, China, India and the United States have not signed the treaty.
• The treaty has significantly reduced landmine use, but challenges remain in conflict areas.

Jnanpith Award 2025

Context: The Jnanpith Award 2025 has been awarded to Vinod Kumar Shukla, a renowned Hindi writer, poet, and novelist.

2025 Awardee: Vinod Kumar Shukla

• He is the first recipient from Chhattisgarh to receive this prestigious literary honor.
• Known for his simplicity, sensitivity, and experimental writing style, Shukla has contributed significantly to modern Hindi literature.
• Notable Works: His famous novels include Naukar Ki Kameez, Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rahti Thi, and Khilega To Dekhenge.
• Literary Contribution: His works focus on common life, societal complexities, and human emotions, presented in a simple yet profound manner.
• Previous Recognition: He has also been honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award and several other literary accolades.

About Jnanpith Award

• The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honor in India, awarded annually to outstanding literary contributions.
• It is given to authors writing in Indian languages recognized under the Constitution and, since 2013, also in English.
• Establishment: The award was instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a cultural organization.
  • The first Jnanpith Award was conferred in 1965.
• Category and Eligibility: It is awarded to Indian citizens for their exceptional creative literary work.
  • It recognizes authors writing in any of the 22 Scheduled Languages of the Indian Constitution.
• Significance: The award promotes Indian literature by honoring authors who have made a remarkable impact.
  • The winner receives a cash prize of Rs 21 lakh, a citation, and a bronze statue of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), the deity of wisdom and learning.
• Languages Recognized: The award is presented in 22 Scheduled Languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Kannada, and more.

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