17.04.25

Exercise DUSTLIK-VI Commences: The 6th edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI began at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune) on April 16, 2025, scheduled until April 28, 2025.

Participants: The Indian contingent comprises 60 personnel, including troops from the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Uzbekistan contingent is represented by personnel from the Uzbekistan Army.

Alternating Training: DUSTLIK is an annual event, alternating between India and Uzbekistan. The previous edition (DUSTLIK-V) was held in Termez, Uzbekistan, in April 2024.

Focus on Counter-Terrorism: The theme is “Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations in a Semi-Urban Scenario,” simulating responses to terrorist activities and territorial capture.

Joint Operations Centre: The exercise includes establishing a Joint Operations Centre at the battalion level for continuous joint operations.

Key Activities: Counterterrorism missions (population control, raids, search-and-destroy), employment of firepower (including air assets), securing a helipad, reconnaissance, Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO), Small Team Insertion and Extraction (STIE).

Air Force Support: The IAF provides logistical support to sustain operations and utilize helicopters, drones and counter-UAS measures in hostile environments.

Objective: To share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for joint sub-conventional operations, enhancing interoperability, camaraderie, and defence cooperation between the two armies.

Breakthrough Hailed as Historic: The completion of the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel is considered a major achievement by the Union Road Transport and Highways ministry.

Significant Time Savings: The tunnel is expected to reduce travel time by approximately one hour.

Tunnel Details: It’s a 4.531 km long, two-lane, bi-directional tunnel with an escape passage, situated on the Dharasu-Yamunotri section in Uttarakhand. The tunnel connects Barkot and Silkyara.

Part of NH-134: The project falls under NH-134 and is being built under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Mode.

Challenging Geology: About 90% of the excavation occurred in phyllite, a weak rock type.

Construction Method: The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) was employed, which uses real-time monitoring to adjust reinforcement based on the rock conditions.

Funded Under NH(O) Scheme: The project is funded by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under the National Highway Original [NH(O)] Scheme.

Part of Chardham Plan: It’s a crucial element of the Chardham Plan, aiming to improve connectivity to pilgrimage sites.

Improved Accessibility: The tunnel enhances accessibility to Yamunotri (approximately 50 km away) and facilitates easier access to Badrinath and Kedarnath, especially during poor weather.

Justice B.R. Gavai to be 52nd CJI: CJI Sanjiv Khanna recommended Justice Gavai for the position.

Seniority Norm: Justice Gavai is next in line based on seniority.

Second Dalit CJI: He will be the second Dalit CJI after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan.

Appointment Process: The Law Ministry seeks the outgoing CJI’s recommendation as per the Memorandum of Procedure, kickstarting the appointment process.

Background: Born November 24, 1960, joined the Bar in 1985. His father was a former Governor and Dalit leader.

Supreme Court Tenure: Elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, due to retire on November 23, 2025.

Short Tenure: If appointed, Justice Gavai will have a tenure of approximately six months.

Key Judgments:

• Part of benches that upheld the abrogation of Article 370.
• Struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme.
• Advocated applying the creamy layer principle to SCs/STs.
• Laid down guidelines against illegal demolitions.
• Held that States have the right to sub-classify Scheduled Castes.
• Fortified right to personal liberty in Manish Sisodia bail case.
• Ordered release of Perarivalan in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

High Court Experience: Practised in the Bombay High Court from 1987, became a permanent judge in 2005.

CJI Appointment: Appointed by the President under Article 124 (2).

Qualification: Citizen of India, served as a High Court judge for 5 years or as an advocate for 10 years or a distinguished jurist.

ASI Study of Submerged Remains: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is conducting a scientific study to explore submerged archaeological remains at Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka in Gujarat.

Purpose of Study: To ascertain the antiquity of recovered objects through scientific analysis of sediments, archaeological, and marine deposits.

Historical Significance of Dwarka: Dwarka, where Lord Krishna settled, is considered one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and an important part of India’s cultural history. According to legend, Krishna reclaimed land from the sea to establish Dwarka.

Beyt Dwarka’s Importance: Beyt Dwarka (Shankhodhar) is believed to be the ancient home of Lord Krishna, identified as Antardvipa in the Mahabharata. Excavations trace habitation back to the Harappan and Mauryan periods.

Past ASI Findings: Previous ASI investigations (2005-2007) revealed submerged structures, stone jetties, anchors, ancient sculptures and fortified walls, indicating a prosperous ancient port. A deposit of about 10 metres having 26 layers was excavated in 2007 and antiquities recovered from this small excavation included iron objects, beads, copper objects, rings, etc.

Expanded Study Area: The current study aims to cover an expanded area in Okhamandal city to understand the history of the site.

Sudarshan Setu: The recent inauguration of the Sudarshan Setu, India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, improves access to Beyt Dwarka.

Gujarat Government Plans: The Gujarat government plans to introduce a submarine service in Dwarka to explore underwater relics.

Prime Minister Modi’s Visit: In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Dwarkadhish temple by diving into deep water.

Recent Awards: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan conferred the MacGregor Memorial Medal to five military personnel for outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure for 2023 and 2024.

2023 Recipients: Wing Commander D. Panda (Air Force) and Electrical Artificer (Radio) Rahul Kumar Pandey (Navy).

2024 Recipients: Chief Electrical Aircraft Artificer (Radio) Ram Ratan Jat (Navy), Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia (Air Force), and Colonel Ranvir Singh Jamwal (Director of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports). Col Jamwal was absent due to an expedition to Mt. Kangchenjunga.

Ceremony: The medals were presented at a ceremony at the United Service Institution of India (USI).

Medal’s Origin: Instituted on July 3, 1888, in memory of Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, founder of the USI (1870).

Original Purpose: Initially for military reconnaissance and exploration journeys.

Expanded Scope: Post-Independence (specifically 1986), the scope broadened to include military expeditions and adventure activities.

Eligibility: Open to all ranks (serving and retired) of the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, and Assam Rifles.

Notable Past Recipients: Capt F.E. Younghusband (1890), Maj. Gen. Orde Charles Wingate (1943), Maj. Z.C. Bakshi (1949), Col. Narinder Kumar (Siachen Glacier exploration), Cdr. Dilip Donde and Lt. Cdr. Abhilash Tomy (solo global circumnavigations).

Total Awards: 127 medals awarded to date, including 103 before Independence.

Book Launch: The event also featured the launch of “Bravest of the Brave,” a biography of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal by Lt. Gen. Satish Dua (retd.).

WAVES 2025 – Anti-Piracy Challenge: A key initiative under the “Create in India” program to promote indigenous innovation in digital content security.

Why in the news: The Anti-Piracy Challenge is part of WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) 2025, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

Event Details: WAVES 2025 will be held from May 1-4, 2025, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Challenge Objective: To advance technologies like fingerprinting and watermarking to combat digital piracy.

Overwhelming Response: Received over 1,600 registrations and 132 idea submissions.

Finalists Announced: Top seven finalists selected for their innovative solutions in digital content security.

Finalist Solutions (Examples): StealthGuard (offline watermarking), Monk DB (AI-native fingerprinting database), NuroTrace (video protection suite), PirateX (DRM system), Tryambaka (blockchain-powered watermarking), SFSS (steganography fingerprinting), Shadow Stamp (marker-based tracking).

Digital Piracy Problem: Estimated 90 million users engaged in online video piracy in India in 2024, causing potential losses of USD 1.2 billion.

WAVES Purpose: A global event positioning India as a hub for media innovation, IP creation, and content development.

Sectors Covered: Broadcasting, Films, TV, Radio, Animation, Gaming, Comics, Advertising, Emerging tech (Generative AI, AR/VR/XR), and Digital Media Platforms.

Impact: Supports the Creative Economy and contributes to the growth of India’s Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector.

Supported By: CII, IPHouse, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Hack2Skill.