Indian Coast Guard Conducts Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX-2025)

What’s the News?

• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX-2025) off the coast of Mumbai.
• The exercise aimed to assess the preparedness and coordination of various stakeholders in responding to marine oil spills and other chemical disasters.
• The event showcased India's capability to protect the marine environment and ensure maritime safety in the Western Seaboard region.

What is RPREX-2025?

• Objective: To validate the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) and enhance the synergy between different resource agencies.
• Participants: Led by the Indian Coast Guard, involving stakeholders like Mumbai Port Authority, JN Port Authority, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and the Maharashtra State Administration.
• Key Operations:
  • Demonstration of pollution response equipment and specialized maneuvers by ICG ships.
  • Simulated drills for containing oil slicks using booms and recovery using skimmers.
  • Aerial reconnaissance and dispersant spraying by ICG aircraft to neutralize simulated oil spills.
• Significance: Strengthens the "Polluter Pays" principle and ensures that response teams can act swiftly to minimize ecological damage to the coastline.

Marine Pollution Framework in India

• National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP):
  • The Indian Coast Guard is the central coordinating authority for responding to oil spills in Indian waters.
  • The plan provides a functional framework for the mobilization of resources to tackle spills of varying magnitudes (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3).
• Constitutional & Legal Basis:
  • Article 48A: A Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) that mandates the State to protect and improve the environment.
  • Article 51A(g): A Fundamental Duty for citizens to protect and improve the natural environment, including lakes and rivers.
  • The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Contains provisions related to the prevention of pollution from ships and liability for oil pollution damage.
• International Conventions:
  • MARPOL (73/78): The main international convention aimed at preventing pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
  • UNCLOS: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which establishes the legal framework for all marine and maritime activities.

Additional Info

• Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
  • Established in 1978 as an independent Armed Force under the Ministry of Defence.
  • Acts as the Competent National Authority for oil spill response in Indian maritime zones.
• Pollution Response Team (PRT):
  • Specialized units of the ICG located at Mumbai, Chennai, and Port Blair equipped with advanced equipment to handle large-scale marine environmental emergencies.
• Tiered Response System:
  • Tier 1: Small spills (under 700 tons) managed by the local port or oil company.
  • Tier 2: Medium spills (700 to 10,000 tons) requiring regional ICG assistance.
  • Tier 3: Large spills (over 10,000 tons) requiring national-level intervention and international cooperation.

Sources

• Free Press Journal
• Mid-Day

State of Marginal Farmers in India 2025: Report Highlights Cooperative Gaps

What’s the News?

• The Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED) released the “State of Marginal Farmers in India 2025” report on Kisan Diwas (December 23).
• The study reveals that less than 25% of India’s marginal farmers are active members of agricultural cooperatives, despite these farmers making up nearly 60–70% of all agricultural households.
• The report, launched in collaboration with NITI Aayog, examines the functionality of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across six states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tripura, and Uttarakhand.

Key Findings of the Report

• Low Cooperative Penetration:

  • Only <25% of marginal farmers are active members of agricultural cooperatives.
  • In cooperative-linked households:
    • 45% reported higher income.
    • ~42% saw improved crop yields.

• Digital Divide:

  • Digital tool usage is negligible in several states:
    • 77.8% of cooperatives in Tripura use no digital tools.
    • 25% in Bihar report zero digital adoption.
  • Impact remains informational, not transformational, due to lack of training and integration.

• Gender Imbalance:

  • Though 21.25 lakh women are registered cooperative members, only 3,355 women serve as directors on cooperative boards nationwide.

    Barriers to Cooperative Engagement

• Farmer-Level Constraints:

  • Limited awareness of schemes, bureaucratic processes, travel distance to offices, and low digital literacy.

• Institutional & Infrastructural Gaps:

  • Inadequate capital and credit at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) level (e.g., in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand).
  • Shallow digitalisation, poor physical infrastructure, and insufficient trained staff.

• Gender & Inclusion Gaps:

  • Cooperatives remain male-dominated, despite women’s central role in agrarian households.

Evolving Role of PACS

PACS are transitioning from credit-only bodies to multi-service rural hubs, providing:

• Input supply & marketing support.
• PDS commodity distribution.
• Facilitation of digital & public service access. States where PACS act as integrated centres show better outcomes for marginal farmers.

Additional Info

• Marginal Farmer Definition:
  • Cultivators who own or operate less than one hectare (approx. 2.5 acres) of land.
  • They account for 65.4% of total cultivators but hold only 24% of the total cultivable land area.
• Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS):
  • Grassroots-level institutions providing short-term credit and agricultural inputs.
  • Under the New National Cooperation Policy 2025, PACS are being positioned as multi-service centers for rural transformation.
• Recommended Reforms:
  • Sahkar Shakti-Sakha/Sakhi Model: A "farmer-first" approach using local cadres to improve outreach.
  • DPI and Cooperative Stack: Development of Digital Public Infrastructure to increase transparency and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
• Constitutional Links:
  • Article 43B: Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) promoting the voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, and professional management of cooperative societies.
  • 97th Constitutional Amendment: Added cooperatives to the list of Fundamental Rights under Article 19(1)(c).

Sources

• thehindubusinessline

World-Famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra Begins in Odisha

What’s the News?

• The 78th edition of the world-renowned Bargarh Dhanu Yatra has officially commenced in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
• President Droupadi Murmu and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended their greetings to the people on the occasion of this 11-day cultural extravaganza.
• The festival is scheduled to run for 11 days, concluding on January 3, 2026, and is expected to attract visitors from across India and abroad.

Understanding Dhanu Yatra

• The World’s Largest Open-Air Theater: Dhanu Yatra is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest open-air theatrical performance in the world.
• Geographical Transformation: During the festival, the entire town of Bargarh transforms into the mythological city of Mathura, while the Ambapali area across the Jeera River becomes Gopapura.
• The Narrative: The play depicts the mythological story of Lord Krishna and Balaram visiting Mathura to witness the 'Dhanu' (bow) ceremony and the subsequent end of the tyrannical rule of King Kansa.
• Administrative Shift: A unique feature of this festival is that King Kansa virtually rules the town for 11 days. He holds 'Durbar' and can even "punish" government officials and citizens for their lapses.

Key Festival Highlights

• Inaugural Rituals: The festival began with the 'Rajyabhishek' (coronation) of King Kansa, following the wedding of Devaki and Vasudeva.
• Cast and Crew: This year, Hrushikesh Bhoi is portraying the lead role of King Kansa.
• Cultural Integration: Over 3,500 artists from approximately 150 cultural troupes from across the country are expected to perform during the 11-day event.
• Public Participation: Unlike traditional stage plays, there is no formal stage; the entire landscape serves as the set, and the local residents act as the subjects of the Mathura Kingdom.

Additional Info

• Historical Context:
  • The first Dhanu Yatra was performed in Bargarh in 1947-48 to celebrate India’s independence and the end of British colonial rule, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
• National Recognition:
  • The Union Ministry of Culture accorded National Festival Status to Dhanu Yatra in November 2014, acknowledging its cultural significance.
• Constitutional Link:
  • Article 29: Protects the interests of minorities and grants citizens the right to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture.
  • Article 51A(f): Mandates every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture.

Sources

• odishabytes
• prameyanews
• kalingatv

Government Clears Two New Airlines: Al Hind Air and FlyExpress

What’s the News?

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOC) to two new airline startups, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, to begin flight operations in India.
• This development comes as a significant move to enhance market competition and expand regional and international connectivity following recent disruptions in the Indian aviation sector.
• Both airlines are now moving towards obtaining their Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is the final step before launching commercial services.

Key Details of the New Airlines

Al Hind Air

• Parent Organization: Promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, a major player in the travel and tourism industry.
• Operational Base: Headquartered in Kozhikode, Kerala.
• Fleet and Routes:
  • Plans to start with a fleet of ATR-72 aircraft for regional connectivity.
  • Initial focus will be on connecting South Indian cities to the Middle East (Cochin to Dubai, etc.) and domestic hubs.
• Investment: The group has reportedly earmarked approximately ₹200–500 crore for the initial phase of operations.

FlyExpress

• Operational Focus: Positioned as a Regional Carrier aiming to improve connectivity under the government's regional connectivity initiatives.
• Fleet Strategy: Likely to utilize smaller aircraft suited for Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
• Objective: To cater to the growing demand for affordable air travel in underserved domestic sectors.

Additional Info

• Regulatory Process:
  • No Objection Certificate (NOC): The initial clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation assessing the financial and technical viability of the applicant.
  • Air Operator's Certificate (AOC): Issued by the DGCA after rigorous checks on safety, maintenance, and proving flights.
• Constitutional & Legal Framework:
  • Seventh Schedule: 'Airways; aircraft and air navigation; provision of aerodromes' falls under Entry 29 of the Union List, giving the Central Government exclusive power to legislate and regulate aviation.
  • The Aircraft Act, 1934: The primary legislation governing the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import, and export of aircraft in India.
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):
  • The statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation responsible for regulating air transport services and enforcing civil air regulations and safety standards.

Sources

• oneindia
• gulfnews
• indiatvnews

Israel Becomes First UN Member to Recognize Somaliland’s Independence

What’s the News?

• Israel officially recognized Somaliland as a sovereign and independent state, becoming the first United Nations member to do so.
• The decision was formalized through a joint declaration of mutual recognition signed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
• In a significant diplomatic shift, Somaliland announced its firm intention to accede to the Abraham Accords, aiming to foster regional peace and stability.
• Following Israel's announcement, South Sudan reportedly became the second country to officially recognize the breakaway region.

Strategic Significance & Cooperation

• Abraham Accords Integration: Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the recognition is aligned with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, looking to expand the framework into the Horn of Africa.
• Maritime Security: The recognition grants Israel a strategic foothold near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, enhancing its ability to monitor Houthi activity and protect commercial shipping lanes.
• Economic & Technical Partnership: Israel plans to initiate immediate cooperation in sectors including agriculture, health, technology, and water resilience.
• Port of Berbera: Analysts highlight the strategic value of the Port of Berbera, which already hosts a UAE military base and serves as a vital alternative maritime outlet for landlocked Ethiopia.

Global and Regional Backlash

• Somalia’s Reaction: The Federal Government of Somalia condemned the move as an "unlawful step" and a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• African Union (AU): The AU firmly rejected the recognition, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for secessionist movements across the continent.
• Middle Eastern Opposition: Egypt, Turkey, and the Arab League condemned the decision, describing it as interference in Somalia’s domestic affairs that could destabilize the Horn of Africa.
• International Stance: The European Union and the United States reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, with the U.S. stating it has no immediate plans to follow Israel's lead.

Additional Info

• Historical Context:
  • Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.
  • Despite operating as a de facto state with its own government, currency, and army, it had lacked formal recognition from any UN member state for over three decades.
• Geopolitical Interests:
  • China has expressed strong opposition to the move, viewing it as a threat to maritime navigation and regional power balances where it holds influence, such as in Djibouti.
  • Taiwan, itself a territory with limited international recognition, welcomed Israel’s decision.
• Legal and Institutional Framework:
  • UN Charter: Opponents cite the charter’s emphasis on the territorial integrity of member states.
  • Constitutional Precedent: Most African nations adhere to the African Union principle of maintaining colonial-era borders to prevent widespread secessionism.

Sources

• nytimes
• reuters
• dw