Kharif Sowing Area Rises Amid Favourable Monsoon

What’s the News?

• Total kharif season sowing area in India has expanded by about 26.9 lakh hectares, reaching 1,105.42 lakh hectares, up from 1,078.49 lakh hectares in the previous year.
• Growth observed across key crops: rice, pulses, coarse cereals, and sugarcane.
• Contributory factors: enhanced monsoon coverage in unirrigated regions and higher MSPs for 14 kharif crops.

Kharif Progress Overview

• Key Performers:
  • Rice: Sown area rose by ~19.6 lakh ha to 438.28 lakh ha, from 418.66 lakh ha.
  • Pulses (e.g., urad and moong): Increased to 116.40 lakh ha from 114.46 lakh ha.
  • Coarse cereals/millets (jowar, bajra, ragi): Added ~12.09 lakh ha, totaling 191.71 lakh ha.
  • Sugarcane: Expanded by ~1.64 lakh ha to 57.31 lakh ha.
• Declining Crops:
  • Oilseeds: Overall 3% decline, with soybean acreage dropping by 4.77 lakh hectares due to shifts to maize.
  • Cotton: Acreage fell by 3% (108.47 lakh hectares) due to high input costs and pest challenges.
• Regional Variations: Central and western India led the sowing surge, while eastern states lagged due to rainfall deficits.

Additional Info

• Kharif Season:
  • The Kharif season is one of the three main cropping seasons in India, alongside Rabi and Zaid.
  • Etymology: The word "Kharif" is Arabic for "autumn."
  • Sowing: Occurs with the onset of the Southwest monsoon, typically from June to July.
  • Harvesting: Takes place from September to October.
  • Major Crops: Includes rice, maize, millet, ragi, pulses (like urad and moong), soybean, and cotton.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare:
  • An apex body under the Government of India responsible for the formulation and administration of rules and regulations related to agriculture.
  • It was established in 1947 and was renamed from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare on August 15, 2015.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP):
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in the MSP for 14 Kharif crops for the marketing season 2025-26.
  • The highest increase was recommended for Nigerseed, followed by Ragi and Cotton, to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and incentivize production.

Sources

• newsonair
• indiatribune
• newkerala

Supreme Court Formalises Aadhaar as Valid ID for Bihar Voter-List Revision

What’s the News?

• The Supreme Court of India ruled that the Aadhaar card shall be accepted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as the 12th valid identity document for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar.
• The Court clarified that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship, and ECI officials must verify its authenticity before accepting it.
• Estimates suggest over 34 lakh voters at risk of exclusion could now retain their place on the voter list due to this decision.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Aadhaar’s Role

• Objective of Bihar SIR:
  • Launched by ECI in June 2025 to revise electoral rolls ahead of Bihar Assembly elections.
  • Aims to identify and exclude illegal immigrants and duplicate entries while ensuring only genuine citizens are enrolled.
• Aadhaar as Identity Proof:
  • The Court cited Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which recognizes Aadhaar as a valid document for establishing identity.
  • ECI officials must verify Aadhaar’s genuineness but cannot demand additional documents solely if Aadhaar is provided.
• Impact on Voter Inclusion:
  • Aadhaar covers ~87% of India’s population, making it critical for marginalized groups who may lack other documents.
  • The directive prevents mass exclusion of vulnerable voters (e.g., poor, migrants) who rely on Aadhaar for identification.

Additional Info

• Election Commission of India (ECI):
  • A permanent and independent constitutional body established by Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
  • It is responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.
• Electoral Registration Officer (ERO):
  • Appointed by the ECI under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
  • The ERO is responsible for the preparation and revision of the electoral rolls for a particular constituency. They perform quasi-judicial functions in deciding claims and objections.
• Special Leave Petition (SLP):
  • A special power vested in the Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.
  • It allows the Supreme Court to grant special leave to appeal against any judgment, decree, determination, sentence, or order passed by any court or tribunal in the country, when there is a substantial question of law or a gross injustice has occurred.

Sources

• newsonair
• ddnews
• livelaw

International Literacy Day 2025: Fostering Digital and Multilingual Literacy

• International Literacy Day is observed annually on September 8. This year, the theme is “Promoting literacy in the digital era”, with a focus on “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace”.
• The theme highlights the importance of literacy as a foundational skill for navigating the digital world and fostering social cohesion.
• On this occasion, Himachal Pradesh was declared a fully literate state, with an effective literacy rate of over 90%, as India celebrated the day.

Digital Literacy and Global Challenges

• Theme Significance:
  • Digital tools can bridge gaps for marginalized groups but risk double marginalization for the 739 million globally lacking basic literacy skills.
  • Focus on fostering critical thinking and safe engagement with digital content.
• Global Context:
  • ILD, established by UNESCO in 1966, highlights literacy as a human right and foundation for peace and sustainability.
  • A global conference at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris discussed policies for inclusive digital literacy.

Himachal’s Literacy Achievement

• Progress:
  • Literacy surged from 7% post-independence to 99.3%, driven by community efforts, government reforms, and programs like ULLAS.
  • The state leads India in student-teacher ratio, reducing dropout rates to nearly zero.
• ULLAS Initiative:
  • Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) has enrolled 3 crore learners and 42 lakh volunteers nationally, with learning materials in 26 Indian languages.
  • 90% success rate in foundational literacy assessments.

Additional Info

• History:
  • UNESCO officially proclaimed International Literacy Day on October 26, 1966, during its 14th session of the General Conference.
  • The first celebration took place on September 8, 1967.
• Related Government Initiatives in India:
  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The NEP places a strong emphasis on achieving Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) for all students by 2025.
  • NIPUN Bharat Mission: Launched in 2021 as a flagship program under the Ministry of Education, it aims to ensure every child in the age group of 3 to 9 years attains foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026-27.
  • Saakshar Bharat Mission: This scheme, launched in 2009, focused on imparting functional literacy to non-literate adults, with a special focus on women. It was succeeded by the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) in 2022.

Sources

• timesnownews
• indianexpress
• ddnews

World Physiotherapy Day 2025: Focus on Healthy Ageing

• World Physiotherapy Day is celebrated annually on September 8 to raise awareness about the vital role of physiotherapists in keeping people active, independent, and healthy.
• The theme for 2025 is “Healthy ageing,” with a specific focus on the prevention of frailty and falls in older adults.
• The campaign highlights how physiotherapy can improve strength, balance, and mobility, enabling individuals to maintain their quality of life as they age.

Theme Overview: Healthy Ageing and Fall Prevention

• Global Ageing Trends:
  • The population aged 60+ will rise from 1 billion (2019) to 2.1 billion (2050), while those 80+ will triple to 426 million by 2050.
  • Falls cause 684,000 annual deaths globally, with older adults at highest risk.
• Physiotherapy’s Role:
  • Fall Prevention: Balance and strength training (e.g., Otago Program) reduce fall risk by up to 35%.
  • Frailty Reduction: Active older adults are 41% less likely to develop frailty.
  • Mobility and Independence: Customized exercise programs improve functional capacity, bone health, and daily activity confidence.

Additional Info

• History:
  • World Physiotherapy Day was officially designated in 1996 by World Physiotherapy (formerly the World Confederation for Physical Therapy).
  • The date, September 8, commemorates the founding of the organization in 1951.
  • It is a global event that marks the unity and solidarity of the physiotherapy community.
• World Physiotherapy:
  • It is the sole international voice for the physiotherapy profession.
  • It represents over 600,000 physiotherapists through its 129 member organizations worldwide.
  • The organization has been in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1952.
  • Its mission is to advance the physiotherapy profession globally and contribute to the improvement of world health.

Sources

• pacehospital

Russia Develops New Cancer Vaccine 'Enteromix'

• Russia has announced the development of a new mRNA-based cancer vaccine named "Enteromix", which has reportedly shown high efficacy and safety in preclinical trials.
• The vaccine is initially intended for the treatment of colorectal cancer, with research underway for its application against glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) and melanoma.
• The announcement was made by the head of Russia’s Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) at a recent international forum, stating that the vaccine is now "ready for use" and awaiting official regulatory approval.

Enteromix Vaccine Development

• Technology:
  • Reported as an mRNA-based vaccine (similar to COVID-19 vaccines) and/or using four non-pathogenic viruses to attack tumors and activate the immune response.
  • Designed to be personalized, tailored to individual patient’s RNA or tumor profile.
• Efficacy Claims:
  • Preclinical trials showed 60–80% tumor reduction and improved survival, with some sources claiming 100% efficacy in early trials (though this is unverified and debated).
  • Also being developed for glioblastoma (aggressive brain cancer) and melanoma.
• Trial Status:
  • Preclinical trials completed over three years.
  • Phase I clinical trials (human safety trials) have reportedly begun with 48 volunteers, showing low toxicity.
  • Not yet approved for widespread clinical use; regulatory clearance pending.

Additional Info

• mRNA Vaccines:
  • Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines represent a new type of vaccine.
  • Instead of using a weakened or inactive germ, they teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies.
  • This immune response then produces antibodies, which protect us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.
• Cancer Immunotherapy:
  • This is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer.
  • It works by stimulating or restoring the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
  • Types of immunotherapy include monoclonal antibodies, oncolytic virus therapy, and cancer vaccines.
• Regulatory Process for Vaccines:
  • Vaccines typically undergo three phases of clinical trials to ensure they are safe and effective.
  • Phase I: Involves a small group of people to test safety and side effects.
  • Phase II: Administered to a larger group to evaluate effectiveness and further assess safety.
  • Phase III: Given to thousands of people to confirm efficacy, monitor for rare side effects, and compare with existing treatments.
  • After trials, the vaccine requires regulatory approval from national health authorities before it can be used by the public.

Sources

• economictimes
• newsweek

Undersea Cable Cuts in Red Sea Disrupt Global Internet

• Several major undersea internet cables in the Red Sea have been cut, causing significant internet disruptions and increased latency in parts of Asia and the Middle East, including India and Pakistan.
• The affected cables include the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4), which is run by Tata Communications, and the India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE).
• While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, initial analysis suggests the damage was likely caused by commercial shipping activity, specifically a dragged ship anchor. Repairs could take weeks to complete.

Impact and Response

• Affected Regions:
  • India and Pakistan: Experienced degraded internet connectivity, particularly during peak hours.
  • Saudi Arabia and UAE: Users on state-owned networks (e.g., Etisalat and Du) reported slower speeds and intermittent access.
  • Kuwait: Confirmed disruptions due to cuts in the FALCON GCX cable.
• Technical Impact:
  • Increased Latency: Microsoft Azure users faced higher latency due to rerouted traffic through longer paths.
  • Economic Costs: Enterprises reliant on cloud services (e.g., e-commerce, logistics) experienced slower applications, potential revenue losses, and higher operational costs.
• Repair Challenges:
  • Repairs could take weeks due to the geopolitical sensitivity of the Red Sea region and the scarcity of specialized repair ships.
  • The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint, hosts 15 submarine cables carrying ~17% of global internet traffic, making it highly vulnerable.

Additional Info

• Submarine Communication Cables:
  • These are fiber-optic cables laid on the seabed to carry telecommunication signals across oceans.
  • They are essential for global communication, including internet traffic, banking transactions, and military transmissions.
  • They are highly durable but can be damaged by natural events (e.g., underwater landslides) or human activity (e.g., fishing trawlers and ship anchors).
• India's Undersea Cable Infrastructure:
  • India hosts 17 international subsea cables across 14 landing stations, with major hubs in Mumbai and Chennai.
  • This concentration creates a single point of failure and makes the network vulnerable to disruptions at these locations.
  • The Indian government has emphasized the need for greater geographic dispersion of Cable Landing Stations (CLSs) to enhance network resilience.
• Related Initiatives:
  • The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) is a global body that works to promote the security and resilience of submarine cable networks.
  • Countries are investing in new cable systems and alternative routes to bypass key choke points like the Red Sea and the Malacca Strait.

Sources

• ddnews
• indianexpress
• cnbc