Sindh Province

Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that although Sindh is not geographically part of India, it remains an integral part of India’s civilisational heritage.

About Sindh

• Background: 
  • Sindh is one of the oldest cultural regions of South Asia, forming the core of the Indus Valley Civilization, with major sites like Mohenjodaro.
  • Historically, Sindh has been home to a syncretic culture blending Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic influences, often referred to as Sindhiat known for tolerance, trade, and maritime links.
• Pre-colonial Status of Sindh:
  • Before British rule, Sindh was ruled by the Talpur Mirs (1783–1843), who governed from Hyderabad and Khairpur.
  • In 1843, the British annexed Sindh after the Battle of Miani, integrating it into the Bombay Presidency, where it remained until 1936.
  • In 1936, British India carved Sindh out as a separate province with its own legislature due to its distinct cultural and demographic identity.
•  Location of Sindh:
  • Sindh lies in the lower Indus River basin in present-day Pakistan, bordering Balochistan, India’s Rajasthan and Gujarat, and the Arabian Sea to the south.
  • Its strategic location made it a major gateway for trade and Islamic expansion into the Indian subcontinent.

Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs)

Context: A Bengaluru-based research team has developed an activated cathode material that significantly boosts the performance and stability of next-generation zinc-ion batteries.

About Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs)

• Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising energy storage technology that use zinc ions for charge transfer, pairing a zinc anode with various cathode materials
• ZIBs are emerging as safer, environmentally friendly alternatives to lithium-ion systems, using aqueous electrolytes and naturally abundant zinc.
• Key Features: ZIBs offer high energy storage capacity, reduced fire risk due to water-based electrolytes, and improved environmental sustainability compared to lithium batteries.
  • They also support long cycle life and stable performance when paired with suitable cathode materials.
• Possible Applications: ZIBs are promising for grid storage, renewable energy backup systems, electric mobility solutions, and consumer electronics requiring safer, cost-effective battery options.
• Challenges in Existing Models : Existing oxide cathode materials fail to achieve the required performance in ZIB systems due to structural limitations affecting energy density and longevity.
• Innovative Solution: A research team at CeNS introduced a simple thermo-electrochemical activation method to modify vanadium oxide (V₂O₅), creating beneficial defects within its structure.
  • Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India,
• Mechanism of Improvement: The transformation into zinc-vanadium oxide (Zn-V₂O₅) produces porous pathways that enable smoother zinc-ion movement and enhanced hydrogen-ion interaction, strengthening structural stability.
• Enhanced Performance: The activated cathode material delivers significantly higher energy density and exceptional rechargeability, enabling thousands of cycles without major degradation.

Significance

• The innovation enables safer, high-density, long-life zinc-ion batteries, advancing affordable, sustainable energy storage for grids, renewables, and future electric mobility.

Auramine O

Context: Auramine O, a banned industrial dye, has been found in Indian sweets and snacks despite strict prohibitions, raising renewed public health and regulatory concerns.

About Auramine O

• Auramine O is a bright yellow synthetic dye used in textiles, leather processing, printing inks, paper production, and microbiological staining.
• It is used illicitly by some small-scale food producers to impart a bright yellow color resembling saffron or turmeric.
• It is not approved for food use in India, the U.S., EU, or most regulatory systems.
• Toxicity & Health Risks: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies auramine production as Group 1: carcinogenic to humans; ingestion is associated with possible carcinogenic outcomes.
  • Toxicological studies link ingestion to liver and kidney damage, splenic enlargement, metabolic disruption, and mutagenic effects.

HAMMER

Context: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defence (SED), France have signed a joint venture agreement to locally manufacture the HAMMER weapon system in India.

About HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range)

• Introduction: HAMMER is a combat-tested, precision-guided air-to-ground weapon integrated on modern fighter aircraft.
• Development: Designed and developed by Safran Electronics & Defence, French.
• Key Features
  • High accuracy with advanced guidance and navigation systems.
  • It has a range of up to 70 km.
  • Modular architecture, allowing different warheads and range-extending kits.
  • Compatible with Rafale, LCA Tejas, and other combat aircraft.
  • Designed for high agility, enabling precision strikes against fortified and mobile targets.
• Significance
  • Enhances India’s precision-strike capability for both Air Force and Navy.
  • Strengthens the defence industrial base through technology transfer and local manufacturing.
  • Supports India’s broader push for Aatmanirbharta in advanced weapon systems while deepening strategic defence ties with France.

Parasocial

Context: The Cambridge Dictionary chose the term “parasocial” as Word of the Year in 2025.

What is Parasocial?

• Parasocial relationships are one-sided emotional bonds formed by individuals with public figures, such as celebrities, influencers, athletes, or even fictional characters, without any real reciprocal interaction. 
• This phenomenon has become increasingly common with the rise of social media platforms where people can follow and closely observe the lives of these personalities.
• These connections provide comfort and a sense of community, but also blur the line between fantasy and reality.
• Parasocial bonds extend beyond celebrities to include fictional characters who become like friends, family or culthero, as seen in fans mourning actors like Matthew Perry.

Exercise Suryakiran

Context: India and Nepal will begin the 19th edition of Exercise Suryakiran to strengthen joint operational preparedness in mountainous jungle warfare and counter-terror operations.

About ‘Suryakiran’

• Suryakiran is an annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and Nepal Army, conducted alternately in both countries.
• 19th edition: November 25 to December 8, 2025, in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
• It focuses on operational synergy, interoperability, best-practice exchange, and strengthening long-standing defence cooperation.
• Operational Scope
• • The exercise trains troops in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism in mountainous terrain, aviation support, medical operations, and environmental conservation.
  • It provides a platform to refine combat skills, enhance coordination, and improve readiness for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
  • The Indian Army has actively supported Nepal through defence modernisation, equipment support, and regular training.

Suryakiran 2025 Event

• It integrates niche technologies to improve interoperability and reflects both countries’ commitment to regional stability and global peace.
• The previous 18th edition (Dec 2024–Jan 2025 in Nepal) involved 334 Indian personnel, enhancing preparedness through intensive battalion-level training.

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