News in Shorts: 31 March 2025

International Day of Yoga 2025

Context: In his latest Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of fitness in daily life.

About International Day of Yoga

• The International Day of Yoga, celebrated annually on June 21st. 
• International Day of Yoga 2025
  • Theme : “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”
• Objective: 
  • Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles : Motivate individuals to adopt healthier habits and routines that improve overall well-being.
  • Reducing Physical Inactivity: Help combat lack of exercise, which is a major cause of health issues.
    • It will help Lower the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
• Recognition of IDY by the United Nations
  • The United Nations (UN) declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) in 2014 .
• First International Day of Yoga (2015)
  • The first IDY was celebrated in 2015 with the theme “Yoga for Harmony and Peace”.
    • The main event in New Delhi set two Guinness World Records.
  • The 100-day countdown to IDY 2025 started with the Yogamahotsav event at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on March 13, 2025.

Design Software in India

Context: The Indian government has taken a major step in electronics manufacturing by introducing incentives for component production. 

Now, the next goal is to focus on software design to complete the entire value chain.

Electronics Manufacturing Growth & Incentive Scheme

• Objective: The Rs 22,919-crore incentive scheme aims to boost domestic production of key electronic components.
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• The scheme will run for six years, attracting Rs 59,350 crore in investments and generating electronic products worth Rs 4.56 lakh crore.
• Three Types of Incentives
  • Employment-Linked Incentives – Companies that increase employment beyond a set limit will qualify.
  • Capital Expenditure (Capex) Support – For industries requiring high investment but having low turnover.
  • Turnover-Based Incentives – For other electronic components with a strong revenue model.
• Importance of Software Design in Electronics
  • The electronics component manufacturing scheme focuses on hardware like passive components and sub-assemblies.
  • With in-country software design, the entire electronics value chain will be covered—from raw materials and components to finished products.
  • This means India will not only manufacture components like PCBs, lithium-ion battery cells, display, and camera modules but also develop their software.

Exercise INDRA

Context: The 14th edition of the India-Russia bilateral naval exercise INDRA is scheduled to take place off Chennai from March 28 to April 2, 2025.

About Exercise INDRA

• Exercise INDRA is a bilateral maritime exercise that has been held alternately between India and Russia since its inception in 2003. 
• It serves as a platform for enhancing coordination, fostering mutual understanding, and reinforcing defense cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy.
• Indra 2025 will see participation of Russian Federation Naval Ships Pechanga, Rezkiy and Aldar Tsydenzhapov along with Indian Naval Ships Rana, Kuthar and Maritime patrol aircraft P8l.

Phases of Exercise INDRA 2025

• Harbour Phase in Chennai:
• • During this phase, both navies will engage in professional interactions, planning discussions, and cultural exchanges.
  • Personnel from both sides will conduct joint training and briefings to ensure smooth execution during the sea phase.
• Sea Phase  in Bay of Bengal: 
  • This phase will involve complex maritime operations, including surface and anti-submarine warfare drills, seamanship evolutions, and tactical maneuvers. 

Objectives and Significance of Exercise INDRA

• Enhancing Naval Interoperability: Improving communication and coordination between Indian and Russian naval forces.
• Operational Synergy: Strengthening joint operational capabilities through shared training and tactical exercises.
• Strategic Partnership: Reinforcing the defense ties between India and Russia, ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Tribal Festival Sarhul

Context: Adivasis in Jharkhand and the larger Chotanagpur region will welcome the new year and the spring season with the Sarhul festival.

About Sarhul Festival

• Etymology: Sarhul, literally means “worship of the Sal tree”
• Sarhul is a revered Adivasi festival rooted in nature worship and celebrates the symbolic union of the Sun and the Earth
• Tribes: The festival is celebrated by tribes such as the Oraon, Munda, Santal, Khadia, and Ho, with unique names for the festival and particular ways of celebrations.
• Evolution: In the 1960s, Adivasi leader Baba Karthik Oraon began a Sarhul procession from Hatma to the Siram Toli Sarna Sthal in Ranchi.
• Celebration: A male priest from the village (pahan) plays the role of the Sun, while his wife (pahen) becomes the Earth symbolising the  coming together of the Sun’s rays and the soil (Earth).
• Deity: Sal trees (Shorea robusta) are worshipped as they are seen as the abode of Sarna Maa, the deity protecting the village from inclement natural forces.
• Role of Sacred Groves: It is a three-day festival held at Sarna Sthals (i.e. the communally protected “sacred groves”) found across Chhotanagpur, which includes Jharkhand, parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar.
• Ceremonial Dance: Adivasis perform on traditional songs and dances such as Jadur, Gena and Por Jadur
• Community Feast: The final day is marked by a grand community feast, in which people share handia (rice beer) and enjoy a variety of delicacies.
• Significance: Only after the rituals are completed do Adivasi folk begin ploughing their fields, sowing their crop, or entering the forest to gather produce.