Current Affairs

• Siachen Day, April 13th: Commemorates Operation Meghdoot (1984), marking India’s successful establishment of control over the Siachen Glacier. Celebrates the 41st anniversary of the Operation this year.

• Operation Meghdoot: Launched on April 13, 1984, under PM Indira Gandhi to secure the Siachen Glacier and Saltoro Ridge, including key passes like Bilafond La and Sia La, pre-empting Pakistani claims. A response to Pakistan’s “cartographic aggression” and aim to gain connectivity to China.

• Strategic Importance: Siachen controls routes from Gilgit-Baltistan to Leh and the Karakoram Pass. Dominates Shaksgam Valley (ceded by Pakistan to China) and borders Gilgit Baltistan (Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan).

• Historical Context: The Karachi Agreement of 1949 left the boundary undefined beyond point NJ9842. Post-Simla Agreement in 1972, the LoC wasn’t addressed beyond NJ9842.

• Military Significance: The first military assault on the world’s highest battlefield. Involved airlifting troops and supplies, with crucial support from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Masterminded by Lieutenant General Manohar Lal Chibber, Lieutenant General PN Hoon, and Major General Shiv Sharma.

• IAF’s Role: The IAF transported stores, troops, and air-dropped supplies to high-altitude airfields. IAF helicopters have been operating in the Siachen Glacier since 1978.

• Current Situation: Indian soldiers stationed in harsh conditions, guarding the “Frozen Frontier” with tenacity.

• Poetic Tribute: “Quartered in snow, Silent to remain, When the clarion calls, They shall rise and march again” captures the spirit of Indian soldiers in Siachen.

• Bridge Construction: Telangana government plans to build a 2.5 km bridge across Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad.
• Island Development: Three island zones will be developed in the style of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay to attract tourists.
• Musi River Rejuvenation: The project is part of a larger plan to rejuvenate the Musi River and develop water bodies in Hyderabad.
• Project Timeline: Tenders for the bridge construction are expected to be issued by June. Survey, DPR (Detailed Project Report), and designs for the rejuvenation project are to be completed promptly.
• Emphasis on Aesthetics and Safety: The Chief Minister emphasized building the bridge in a visually appealing manner with a focus on visitor safety.

Why these are key points:

• The bridge and island development signal a significant infrastructure and tourism project.
• The Musi River rejuvenation shows a broader environmental focus.
• The project timelines demonstrate the government’s intent to move quickly on the project.
• The focus on aesthetics and safety underscores the government’s priorities for the project.

• Aggressive Sea Lion Behavior: Normally docile sea lions off the California coast are exhibiting unprecedented aggression, attacking humans due to a toxic algal bloom.

• Domoic Acid Toxin: The diatom Pseudo-nitzschia produces domoic acid, a neurotoxin that disrupts sea lion brain function, causing stress, muscle spasms, brain damage, and aggression.

• Food Chain Contamination: Domoic acid enters the marine food chain, affecting various marine life and posing a deadly threat to humans through contaminated seafood.

• Upwelling and Nutrient Input: Stronger winds (linked to global warming) cause upwelling, bringing nutrient-rich water to the surface, which fuels algal blooms.

• Pollution’s Role: Pollutant discharge and runoff from events like Los Angeles wildfires introduce additional nutrients, further stimulating algal growth.

• Lethal Consequences: While no human deaths have been reported from sea lion attacks, the potential for lethal outcomes exists due to the size and aggression of the affected animals. Domoic acid itself is a lethal poison in high doses for humans.

• Recurring Issue: This marks the fourth consecutive year of algal blooms impacting Southern California marine life.

• Rehabilitation Efforts: While assistance to affected dolphins is limited, some sea lions are being taken to authorized rehabilitation facilities.

• Inaugural AIKEYME Exercise: A large-scale multilateral maritime exercise, Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME), commenced in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on April 13, 2025.

• Co-hosts: Jointly hosted by India and Tanzania, highlighting shared strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• Participating Nations: Includes India, Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.

• Objective: To develop collaborative solutions for regional maritime challenges and enhance naval interoperability.

• Strategic Alignment: Aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative.

• Indian Naval Deployment: INS Chennai, INS Kesari, and INS Sunayna are participating. INS Sunayna is part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR mission.

• Exercise Structure: Six-day exercise (April 13-18, 2025) divided into harbor and sea phases.

• Harbor Phase Activities: Included an inauguration ceremony, table-top exercises focused on anti-piracy operations, seamanship training, and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises.

• Sea Phase Focus: Strengthening maritime security cooperation among participating nations.

• IOS SAGAR Mission: INS Sunayna’s deployment under the IOS SAGAR mission includes joint surveillance and goodwill port calls in Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives.

• Strategic Goals: Aims to enhance maritime cooperation between India and African nations, focusing on security, trade, blue economy, and combating piracy in the IOR, and promoting regional stability and sustainable development.

• Fruit Ripening Process: Ripening is a natural aging process in fruits involving changes in color, texture, flavor, sugar content, and acidity, driven by the hormone ethylene. Biochemical changes include increased respiration and ethylene production, cell wall loosening, starch conversion to sugars, chlorophyll reduction, pigment increase, and volatile oil emission.

• Color Changes: Synthesis of carotenoids (yellow/red) and anthocyanins (red/blue) contribute to color change.

• Texture Changes: Cell wall degradation leads to softening, influenced by enzymes like polygalacturonase and pectinesterase.

• Sweetness Development: Enzymes like phosphorylase (bananas, apples) and amylase (mangoes) convert starch to sugars. Volatile compounds add to the sweet aroma.

• Acidity: Organic acids (malic, citric, tartaric) contribute to fruit acidity.

• Ripening Significance: Essential for embryo development and seed dispersal.

• Banned Artificial Ripening Agent: Calcium Carbide releases toxic acetylene gas and may contain arsenic, posing health risks and is banned by FSSAI.

• Permitted Ripening Agents:

  • Ethylene Gas: Approved by FSSAI (up to 100 ppm), triggers natural ripening, to be used in controlled chambers, without direct contact.
  • Ethephon: Releases ethylene, used under regulated conditions.
  • Ethereal: Ethylene-releasing compound used in controlled settings.

• Ammonia Leak in Ratlam, MP (April 9, 2025): An ammonia gas leak occurred at Porwal Ice Factory in Jaora town, Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Panic and Response: The leak triggered panic among residents and affected some people, prompting authorities to shift workers. Police, fire brigade, and administration responded quickly, stopping the leak by sprinkling water.
• Prompt Detection: Police personnel on night patrol detected the leak and acted as first responders.
• Medical Treatment: Affected individuals received medical treatment.
• Situation Under Control: Authorities contained the leak, and the situation is under control.
• Recurring Industrial Safety Issues: Highlights ongoing challenges in industrial safety and disaster preparedness in India. Such incidents occur because of accidents and potential negligence.
• Industrial Disaster Definition: Significant accidents at industrial sites resulting in damage, injuries, or fatalities from chemical, mechanical, or electrical processes.
• Chemical Disaster Definition: Accidental release of hazardous chemicals, leading to casualties, environmental damage, and socio-economic disruptions.
• Need for Strengthened Safety Measures: The incident underscores the need for robust chemical disaster preparedness, institutional vigilance, community awareness, and technology-driven safety measures to prevent future incidents.
• Zero Tolerance Essential: Stresses the importance of a “zero tolerance” culture for safety lapses to protect lives and the environment.

• Helicopter Crash Investigation: Aviation experts are considering “mast bumping” as a potential cause for the recent helicopter crash into the Hudson River near Manhattan.

• Mast Bumping Explained: Mast bumping is a helicopter malfunction that occurs primarily in two-bladed, teetering rotor systems. It involves the rotor hub impacting the mast due to low-G maneuvers or sudden control inputs, disrupting rotor balance.

• Consequences of Mast Bumping: This impact can lead to loss of control, rotor separation, and ultimately, a crash.

• Hudson River Location: The Hudson River is mainly located in New York State, with a portion forming the boundary between New York and New Jersey.

• Hudson River Origin: It originates in the Adirondack Mountains and flows approximately 315 miles (507 km) before emptying into the Upper New York Bay.

• Why in News: Indoor air pollution is a significant concern in India, especially in urban areas where people spend most of their time indoors (70-90%). Policy focus remains largely on outdoor pollution, neglecting IAQ.

• What is IAQ: Refers to air quality within buildings, impacting health and comfort.

• Common Pollutants: CO, formaldehyde, asbestos, radon, lead, mould, pesticides, smoke, allergens.

• Reasons for Deteriorating IAQ:

  • Outdoor pollutants entering buildings.
  • Indoor activities: cooking, smoking, cleaning.
  • Overcrowding limits pollutant dispersion.
  • Lack of awareness and regulation.
  • Solid fuels for cooking in rural areas and in urban areas the switch to cleaner fuels such as gas has mostly been made, there are several other sources of indoor air pollution

• Impact:

  • India recorded the highest average annual indoor PM2.5 levels globally.
  • Household air pollution causes millions of premature deaths annually.
  • Poor ventilation leads to “sick building syndrome.”
  • Linked to noncommunicable diseases.

• Solutions:

  • Air purifiers with HEPA filters.
  • Indoor plants.
  • Clean fuels and technologies.
  • Low-VOC materials.
  • Health-focused building practices (IGBC, Eco-Niwas Samhita).

• Better design can help indoor air pollution: Prioritising indoor air quality in design is crucial, says Mahesh Ramanujam, president & CEO,Global Network for Zero, an independent green certification body helping businesses, buildings, and cities achieve net-zero emissions. One major reason for indoor air pollution, he points out is that there is a lack of good ventilation. Incorporate skylights, daylight into pathways and hallways and designing spaces that allow for the movement of people, can help. This can be combined with the use of air purifier units, high quality HEPA filters to keep out particulate matters and using toxin-free cleaners and greenery where possible, to help with improved air and better health.

• Nine big cats detected: Camera traps in Pakke Tiger Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh) have spotted nine tigers. This indicates a healthy tiger population.

• Location: East Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. Bordered by several reserve forests and Nameri National Park (Assam). Lies in the Eastern Himalayas foothills, flanked by Kameng and Pakke Rivers.

• Area: 862 sq.km.

• Climate: Subtropical with cold winters.

• Nyishi Tribe: The Nyishi community plays a significant role in conservation efforts. Their involvement is vital for the reserve’s success.

• India Biodiversity Award: Pakke Tiger Reserve received the 2016 award for its Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme, highlighting successful conservation initiatives for threatened species.

• Vegetation: Diverse habitats include semi-evergreen, evergreen, and broadleaf forests, showcasing rich biodiversity. Flora includes Hoolock trees, bamboos, orchids, pine, oaks, and rhododendrons.

• Fauna: Supports a variety of animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, various deer species, and primates.