1. Equine Disease-Free Compartment
Context
- India establishes first internationally recognised Equine Disease Free-Compartment at RVC centre, Meerut.
About
- In a significant milestone for India’s animal health system and international trade facilitation, the country has established and secured global recognition for its first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC).
- It is recognised by World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) .
- It marks a major step towards enabling the international movement of Indian sport horses in compliance with global biosecurity and animal health standards.
Features
- It ensures compliance with Terrestrial Animal Health Code standards.
- It facilitates international movement of horses for sports, breeding, and trade.
- It is certified free from critical equine disease like Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Equine Influenza (EI), Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders.
- It has high-Level Biosecurity Measures like:
- Physical security:
Controlled access zones. Fencing and restricted entry
- Hygiene protocols:
Mandatory disinfection points, Staff sanitation training, Staff sanitation training
- Pest & vector control:
Regular treatment against insects and disease vectors
- Veterinary monitoring:
- Daily health checks, Lab testing and disease surveillance
Infrastructure & Facility Standards
- It is modern stables designed to meet international biosecure housing norms
- The airflow and drainage systems prevent disease spread
- It comes with emergency medical and isolation facilities on-site
- It also provides On-campus veterinary diagnostic lab support
Conclusion
With the implementation of robust biosecurity protocols, stringent veterinary surveillance, and adherence to international norms, Indian sport horses from this facility can now be eligible to travel and compete abroad.
2. WHO “3 BY 35” Initiative
Context
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the “3 by 35” Initiative, calling on countries globally to increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
- The initiative urges a minimum 50% real price increase on the three targeted products by 2035, achieved through higher excise or health taxes.
About the Issue
- The world faces an urgent challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes now account for over 75% of global deaths.
- Simultaneously, shrinking development aid and rising public debt have strained health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Studies suggest a one-time 50% price hike could prevent up to 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years and raise USD 1 trillion in public revenue over the next decade.
- From 2012 to 2022, nearly 140 countries raised tobacco taxes, with real prices rising over 50% on average, demonstrating that large-scale change is possible.
Need for Health Tax
- Health Impact: Consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks fuels the NCD epidemic which accounts for over 75% of global deaths.
- Economic Impact: These products create negative externalities (costs to others) and internalities (hidden costs to consumers).
- Tobacco use alone costed the global economy US$ 1.4 trillion in 2012
- Revenue Generation: 50% tax can generate up to US$ 3.7 trillion in new revenue globally within five years, or an average of US$ 740 billion per year – equivalent to 0.75% of global GDP.
- Promote Equity: As NCDs impact lower-income populations disproportionately.
What is a Health Tax
- Levied on products that have a negative public health impact e.g. Tobacco, Alcohol etc.
- WHO recommends taxation as one of the most cost-effective tools for addressing population levels of obesity and other related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Objectives and Expected Impacts
- Reduce NCD Burden: Lower consumption of unhealthy products to prevent millions of premature deaths..
- Mobilize Revenue: Generate an additional US$ 1 trillion globally over the next decade.
- Strengthen Health Systems: Fund universal health coverage, prevention, and health infrastructure.
- SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages, with targets to reduce NCD mortality by one-third by 2030.
Steps taken in India for curbing consumption of Unhealthy Products
- Aerated beverages in India are taxed at 28% GST and an additional 12% Compensation cess.
- High-fat sugar Salt (HFSS) foods in India are taxed at a 12% GST rate.
- FSSAI limits Trans fatty acids (TFA) in food products to 2% by mass of total oils and fats.
Conclusion
The “3 by 35” Initiative signals a paradigm shift—placing health taxes at the center of both public health and sustainable development strategies.
3. Indian Government Strategic Push for Pulses Cultivation
Context
- The Department of Consumer Affairs has initiated a targeted programme to promote pulses (like arhar (tur) and urad) cultivation in India during the Kharif season 2025.
About the Initiative
- The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has initiated a targeted programme to increase pulses cultivation in india.
- This programme aims to promote pulses (like arhar (tur) and urad) cultivation in India during the Kharif season 2025.
- This is part of a broader food security and import reduction strategy.
Pulses Sector in India
- India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
- Pulses account for around 23% of the area under food grains and contribute around 9-10% of the total foodgrains production in the country.
- Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 percent of the total production.
- Gram is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40% in the total production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to 20% and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong at around 8-10% each.
- Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are the top three pulses producing states in the country.
Highlights and Government Initiatives
Pulse Cultivation Campaign
- The Department of Consumer Affairs will promote arhar and urad cultivation through seed distribution campaigns.
- It is implemented by the National Cooperative Consumer’s Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF).
- Extent:
- The campaign is extended from a successful pilot in two Jharkhand districts to 12 districts across seven states.
- Jharkhand: Palamu, Latehar, Garhwa
- Uttar Pradesh: Mirzapur, Lalitpur
- Bihar: Gaya, Jehanabad
- Karnataka: Vijaypura
- Others: Manipur and Tripura (districts not specified)
- Criteria for district selection: Rainfed areas, presence of Aspirational Blocks as identified by NITI Aayog
- Financial and procurement support:
- ₹1 crore allocated for seed distribution.
- 100% procurement guarantee at Minimum Support Price (MSP) if market price falls.
- MSP for Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 –
- Arhar: ₹8,000/quintal
- Urad: ₹7,800/quintal.
Measures taken by Government to increase Production
- National Food Security Mission: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses with the objectives of increasing production through area expansion and productivity enhancement in all the districts.
- Research and Development: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is undertaking basic and strategic research on these crops and applied research in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities for developing location-specific high yielding varieties.
- PM-AASHA: Government implements an umbrella scheme PM-AASHA comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) in order to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for their produce of notified oilseeds, pulses and copra.
- Integrated scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) was launched in 14 major pulses growing states.
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna was launched under which states can undertake Pulses Development Programmes.
Conclusion
With strong policy support, private sector participation, and technological innovation, the Indian pulses sector is poised to not only meet domestic demand but also emerge as a competitive player in the global market, while ensuring equitable growth for millions of smallholder farmers.
4. Girmitiyas
Context
The Prime Minister recently said the descendants of Girmitiyas are no longer defined by struggle but by their “success, service, and values”.
About Girmitiyas
- “Girmitiyas” were Indian indentured labourers who left India in the mid to late 19th century to work in British colonies, where many eventually settled.
- Meaning: The word ‘girmitiya’ is etymologically derived from ‘girmit’, meaning ‘agreement’.
- Indian labourers signed indentureship contracts with the British in hopes of higher wages and better employment opportunities.
- Though, they made long treacherous journeys on old slave ships and upon reaching foreign lands, were made to live in slave barracks, were paid very little, and did not have access to proper legal frameworks under which they could get grievances redressed.
Legacy Of Girmitiyas Today
The descendants of Girmitiyas have significantly influenced the cultural, social, and economic landscapes of the countries they settled in. They have contributed to the multicultural demographics of these regions and helped forge new cultural identities, blending Indian traditions with local customs. Today, their descendants continue to celebrate their unique heritage through various forms of cultural expression.
5. Bukkapatna Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary
Context
- Recently, 300 acres of encroached forest land was cleared in Bukkapatna Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary.
About the Wildlife Sanctuary
- It is located in Tumakuru district of Karnataka.
- The protected area was declared as a sanctuary in 2019 and is dedicated for protection and conservation of the Indian Gazelle which are also known as Chinkaras.
- Significance: It is the second chinkara sanctuary in Karnataka, after Yadahalli.
Flora
- In addition to chinkaras, the sanctuary is home to other species like four-horned antelopes, blackbucks, sloth bears, and leopards.
Fauna
- Fauna includes dry thorny scrub forest with native tree species like Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrata, and Tamarindus indica.
6. Nipah Virus
Context
Recently, Nipah virus cases resurfaced in Kerala, two cases reported.
About Nipah Virus
- Nipah is a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmitted to humans through infected animals or contaminated food.
- History: The first outbreaks of the Nipah virus among humans was reported from Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (1999). The virus takes its name from the village in Malaysia where the person in whom the virus was first isolated died of the disease.
- Host reservoir: The animal host reservoir of the virus is the fruit bat, commonly known as flying fox. Fruit bats are known to transmit this virus to other animals like pigs, and also dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.
- Symptoms: Fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, and vomiting.In severe cases, disorientation, drowsiness, seizures, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) can occur, progressing to coma and death.
- Transmission: It can also be transmitted directly from person to person through close contact with an infected person.Some cases of infection have also been reported among people who climb trees where bats often roost.
How fast does it spread
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah has a relatively high case fatality ratio. The very high death rates contribute to low transmission.
- Reproductive number (R0):It is a measure of how quickly the virus spreads in the population. The reproductive number (R0) in the previous outbreaks of Nipah virus was about 0.48.
- A value less than one means less than one person is being infected by an already infected person. In such a scenario, the outbreak is expected to diminish relatively quickly.
Preventive Measures
- Raising awareness: In the absence of a vaccine, the only way to reduce or prevent infection in people is by raising awareness of the risk factors and educating people about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the Nipah virus.
- Reducing the risk of bat-to-human transmission: Efforts to prevent transmission should first focus on decreasing bat access to date palm sap and other fresh food products.
- Reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission: Gloves and other protective clothing should be worn while handling sick animals or their tissues, and during slaughtering and culling procedures.
What has been WHO response
- WHO is supporting affected and at-risk countries with technical guidance on how to manage outbreaks of the Nipah virus and on how to prevent their occurrence.
- The risk of international transmission via fruits or fruit products (such as raw date palm juice) contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats can be prevented by washing them thoroughly and peeling them before consumption. Fruit with signs of bat bites should be discarded.
7. Mount Shinmoedake
Context
- Japan’s Mount Shinmoedake, a volcano in the Kirishima mountain range on Kyushu Island, erupted recently, sending a towering ash plume into the sky.
About Mount Shinmoedake
- It is an active stratovolcano located on Kyushu Island, Japan, within the Kirishima mountain range.
- It has erupted recently since the year 2018.
- It rises 1420.8 meters above sea level as part of the volcanic complex in Kagoshima Prefecture, displaying frequent eruption patterns and geological formations.
- Shinmoedake was used as a location in 1967 James Bond film,You only live twice, as the volcano in which the villains' secret rocket base is located got this mountain famous.
8. Rise of Global South Shaping New World Order: India
Context
- Recently, Indian Prime Minister highlighted that the World Order created after World War II (WWII) is changing rapidly, driven by the rise of the Global South.
About
- Post-World WWII, global power dynamics became bipolar, dominated by the USA and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union.
- However, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States remained the sole superpower, marking the beginning of a unipolar world order.
What is Global South
- It refers to technically and socially less developed countries which are located in the Southern Hemisphere, primarily in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Brandt Report proposed a division between North and South countries based on various parameters such as technological advancement, GDP etc.
- It is based on shared characteristics as the global south often faces income inequality, poverty etc.
How is the rise of the Global South reshaping the World Order?
- Economic Growth: Global South accounts for 40% of world trade. (UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)).
- The rapid economic growth of countries like China, India, etc. has significantly altered global economic dynamics.
- Strengthening Alternative Institutions: E.g. New Development Bank (NDB) and BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
- Assertive Diplomacy: E.g. establishment of the loss and damage fund at COP27
- Countries are also pushing for reforms in United Nations and other global organisations (E.g. G77).
- Demographic Strength: Global South accounts for the majority of the world’s population, with many nations experiencing a demographic dividend.
- Other: Vibrant South–South Cooperation, etc.
9. India Post now World’s largest Logistics Network
Context
- The Union Minister for Communications announced that India Post is undergoing a significant technological transformation, marked by the appointment of its first-ever Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Department of Post
- It works under the Ministry of Communications, and is managed by the Postal Service Board, which includes a Chairman and six Members overseeing Personnel, Operations, Technology, Postal Life Insurance, Banking & DBT, and Planning.
- An Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor serves as a permanent invitee, with support from senior staff officers and various Directors.
- With over 1,55,000 post offices, it operates the world’s most extensive postal network.
Importance
- It has been a key part of India’s communication system and socio-economic development.
- It offers a wide range of services, including mail delivery, small savings schemes, life insurance (PLI and RPLI), and retail services like bill collection.
- It also supports government programs by disbursing MGNREGS wages and old age pensions.
10. Assam’s Woolah Tea
Context
About
- Woolah Tea has been granted Patent No. 567895 for its invention: ‘Compressed true whole leaf tea dips and method thereof’ (patent name).
- Uses a compressed bundle of ‘eti koli duti paat’ (one bud and two leaves), tied with a natural string, removing the need for conventional tea bags.
- The innovative bagless concept adds value and sustainability to India’s tea exports and avoids microplastics that often leach from typical tea bags.
- Woolah Tea plans to export to the US, UK, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand, expanding India’s tea market globally.
theIASHub | 05 Jul, 2025 | 328
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